Eric Page Is Extra Ready For His Year 2
July 31st, 2014
It’s easy to forget Page was the NFL’s 13th-ranked punt returner last year, despite being one year removed from ACL surgery.
Lovie Smith nearly always talks like he’s on a honeymoon. His Bucs life is good. All his ingredients are coming together to hopefully make a beautiful, winning cake.
However, there have been rare moments when Lovie expressed dissatisfaction, and one was a May moment that got lost in the shuffle.
Lovie said “punt returner is an area of concern for us.” It was a somewhat odd comment with Eric Page on the roster.
Still just 22 years old, Page finished as the NFL’s tied-for-13th-ranked punt returner last year, among players with 15 or more returns. That was impressive for a kid essentially playing in his first season and coming off ACL knee surgery. As a 20-year-old rookie in Denver, Page blew out his knee in preseason.
But Page delivered, despite predictable rookie-decision-making mistakes.
Joe talked to Page yesterday after he got the edge on a kick return and looked like the class of the Bucs’ returners in practice.
Page is more than happy to compete for his job, and he’s excited about how he feels now entering a second season following that ACL tear.
“I feel like I got my feet under me. Last year, it felt goofy a little bit, especially being away from the game for a year and coming back,” Page said. “But I feel like I got my feet under me and know what to expect and that’s a good year, better than last year.
“The depth chart, you know, starts the first day of the season. That’s what I’m basing my depth chart on. I’m going to keep working towards that day and to be No. 1 on that.”
As a receiver, Page got a couple of first-team looks yesterday, and he said the Bucs’ incredible team speed, with guys like Jeff Demps, Robert Herron and others, has him a little more focused on precision route running.
“As fast as I might be, I know I’m not going to stand out for my speed here, or be able to improve it in camp, so I’m much more focused on learning different things to make up for it, being exact with my playbook and routes,” Page said.
The Bucs have done little live punt return work in training camp to date. It’s something to keep an eye on, especially with Page showing up strong so far in kick returns.
July 31st, 2014 at 8:11 am
I’d like him to win the punt return job and Demps to win kick return, but I don’t see a lot of good things reported about Demps returning at all.
July 31st, 2014 at 8:22 am
I am comfortable with Page…….”First, do no harm”!!! He is good….not spectacular…but with another year’s experience…he should improve. We just don’t need to gamble. Some of his decision making was flawed last year…..perhaps jus inexperience….but he has some talent.
July 31st, 2014 at 9:42 am
I’m surprised Page played as well as he did last year coming off a previous knee surgery which I was unaware of. I don’t know what the likelihood of a recurring injury is for that specific injury, but I hope he stays healthy and contributes.
July 31st, 2014 at 9:57 am
Trade him for Ponder
July 31st, 2014 at 11:37 am
Page would be fine as our return guy, but I’d hate to cut a better receiver in favor of a return guy. I mean, Herron isn’t going anywhere, Owusu has been looking good, Murphy has speed and veteran experience, and now we are hearing about Streeter. Which of those guys would you release in favor of Page? I guess they could keep 6 WRs if Page is clearly the best return option.
July 31st, 2014 at 11:40 am
willie.D Says:
July 31st, 2014 at 9:57 am
Huh? This makes no sense on any level. Totally out of left field.
July 31st, 2014 at 1:37 pm
Orca Says
“Page would be fine as our return guy, but I’d hate to cut a better receiver in favor of a return guy. I mean, Herron isn’t going anywhere, Owusu has been looking good, Murphy has speed and veteran experience, and now we are hearing about Streeter. Which of those guys would you release in favor of Page? I guess they could keep 6 WRs if Page is clearly the best return option.”
I know it was a different regime last year, but didn’t they keep six? I thought they did, but I could be wrong. Or maybe the plan was to keep six but injuries changed the plan?
Anyway, I would gladly give up Owusu in favor of Page. Or Murphy. Page is quickly becoming a good pass catcher in addition to his return skills. Such a combination, if fully developed, could be hard to find.
Murphy may have speed, but he cannot return kicks. Demps is a wasted roster spot in my opinion, and Heron is onfield issues.
A couple could always be added to the practice squad. Page would not qualify though…and we need him as a returner.
July 31st, 2014 at 1:39 pm
Streeter is a tall guy I think. If they think he will clear wavers, he could be moved to the PS, but I would rather not risk it if he is any good.
July 31st, 2014 at 1:40 pm
@willie.D
As much as I want a QB, Ponder is NOT the answer.
July 31st, 2014 at 8:05 pm
WR position is gonna be hard to hash out. There is a huge gap in “WOW” from jenkins and evans to the rest but Streeter has been beyond the most consistent receiver of the rest. It’s rare he misses a ball.
Owusu and Murphy seem to be the next two IMO. Page after him maybe on the same level of dawson and hawkins. Gettis, Patton, and Shepard bring up the bottom of the group.
Out of EVERYONE I in return duty, page is heads and tails the best bet. He’s not really flashy but he is essentially the Tommy Streeter of the returners. “Mr. Consistent.”
I’d be flat out scared to see demps back there in a regular season game. I”ve seen Demps line up on kick returns almost consistently in front of the returner. I don’t exactly see him as being super valuable as a lead blocker there but if they do keep him and leave him in that role, I could see it being a good set up for a hand off or a pitch back on a return (which still kind of scares me).
With all the talent (and versatility with Wright) at tight end, I would have bet for sure they’d keep less receivers. But this group is gonna make it tough. Page seems like a good guy. Knowing about his injury and his return from it kinda makes me hope he can pull off winning a spot.
August 1st, 2014 at 7:07 pm
Let him play offense and you guys will love him. Super smart and creative, would have broken most receiving records in ncaa if he stayed for his senior year.