Todd Bowles: Jalen McMillan Has Catching Up To Do
October 17th, 2024
Development hit speed bump.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles made it clear today: Eventually, rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan “will be fine.” But McMillan’s body let him down with rotten timing.
A big element for a rookie who makes the 53-man roster is to learn. You will often hear coaches say late in a season how rookies are no longer rookies because they’ve got enough game experience to know what to do and what to expect.
McMillan is still learning. And he’s behind a learning curve due to his injured hamstring. McMillan, of course, did play Sunday against the slimy Saints. His lone target turned into a Baker Mayfield pick.
“Once you miss a couple of weeks, as a rookie, that’s like a lifetime,” Bowles said. “So he has to get caught up with the mental part of the game and speed it up a little bit.
“He’ll be fine.”
So now the question is, how far behind is McMillan? And because of his injury, did he lose his No. 3 receiver gig to Mayfield’s old college buddy, Sterling Shepard?
On the receiver front, Bowles noted Trey Palmer is on track to return Monday from the concussion that cost him the past two games.
October 17th, 2024 at 4:51 pm
Until/unless he out performs Shepherd, then yes he has lost the starting role, but who cares. Get better and earn your spot, that’s what Bucky is doing and Tucker started this last week.
LFG!!
October 17th, 2024 at 5:05 pm
Shep was WR3 in camp before he got hurt, so no big deal with JMac getting limited snaps. When JMac and Palmer are ready, I’m sure Coen will cook up something for them.
October 17th, 2024 at 5:29 pm
He needs to learn the techniques of blocking
That’s for sure
October 17th, 2024 at 5:38 pm
He will be ready down the stretch when it’s time
October 17th, 2024 at 5:46 pm
Shepherd and Palmer MUCH GREATER than McMillan and Jarrett.
October 17th, 2024 at 5:58 pm
Petal to the metal on Monday night football.
Let’s Tuck, Buck and Bake!!!!!
October 17th, 2024 at 6:13 pm
Hey Joe, update the article photo. Some of them like this one are getting way
long in the tooth.
October 17th, 2024 at 6:17 pm
Gonna be a tough tough matchup with the Ravens….Bucs are gonna need 30 to win this one.
October 17th, 2024 at 6:37 pm
Having Treys speed out there would be a plus this week, especially if our run game gets going early.
October 17th, 2024 at 6:54 pm
He needs snaps and he should get a few targets but I’d put Shep and even Palmer (who’s hands I’m not sure about still) ahead of him for NOW.
October 17th, 2024 at 6:54 pm
LETS TUCK, BUC, AND BAKE!!
October 17th, 2024 at 8:08 pm
Shep and Trey can split reps until J-Mac gets it together.
Sheps got a little speed, plays with some fire that I like, seems to have good hands and body control. Seems like a willing blocker downfield.
Trey may be our best at creating separation and he’s our only true burner. I think/hope his hands are improved. He’s shown flashes on some contested catches.
Can Rakeem Jarret catch a football? I’ve seen the name but that’s about it. And what was the Barton college free agents name?
October 17th, 2024 at 9:12 pm
Man.. the depth at WR and RB is fantastic!
October 17th, 2024 at 9:36 pm
Translation…. More practice reps. Bake won’t go to him across the middle with peanut butter hands. He’ll get there. But not this week.