Bucs Protect Mike James; Spence To IR
December 26th, 2015
The Buccaneers’ rookie running back lighting it up in 2013, Mike James, largely has been an invisible man in Tampa ever since.
He was cut in September and has been living on the Tampa Bay practice squad. Apparently, no other NFL team came calling for his services. (Joe really thought New England would, but they opted for the Bucs’ 2015 seventh-round pick, Joey Iosefa.)
But as is the case late in a season, teams like to promote practice squad players they’re interested in keeping around entering the following year. Today, busted up defensive tackle Akeem Spence was placed on injured reserve and James was promoted to the 53-man roster.
If James wasn’t promoted this season, then he would have ended the campaign as a true free agent.
Joe doubts James will be on the active list tomorrow against the Bears, but possibly he’ll get a shot in the season finale. If Doug Martin has the rushing title locked up in Week 17 — or has no shot at it — then there’s no reason to have Martin on the field.
December 26th, 2015 at 5:39 pm
Mike James has looked very slow, indecisive, & not very agile since his rookie year. I was pulling for him, but he doesn’t look like he’s ever gonna be an effective NFL RB again, IMO.
-Hopefully, I’m wing about James the way I was wrong Jameis pre-season.
December 26th, 2015 at 5:41 pm
*wrong, not wing lol
December 26th, 2015 at 5:56 pm
How many starters on the DL are out with injury now?
McDonald, smith, spence, not sure about GMC or Melton?
December 26th, 2015 at 6:08 pm
The bucs may be getting ready for another team to offer martin a fat contract. Although martin has had a great season….it was a contract year and you do not want to overpay for a rb. I think Martin will probably be playing for anoyher team next year. There is a reason this year was his best year, the guy made sure he was going to get paid . Its human nature to give it your all when its going to pay off. Hopefully Im wrong and he will take a homeown fiscouny to stay with the team that drafted him and grow with winston….but I wont hold my breath
December 26th, 2015 at 7:02 pm
James is a very good 3rd string back.
December 26th, 2015 at 8:18 pm
I’m really tired of hearing the contract year crap. If you need me to list players that have played no different in contract years and still got paid, I can. It’s a long list! The guy was hurt for 2 seasons, which happens in the NFL. True there’s been rule changes to make it a less physical sport, fact is that it’s still a hard hitting sport. The OL has played much better this season, which only helps a healthy RB. If he plays somewhere else next season, then so be it. Don’t just say he only ran so good because of a contract year. Especially since he proved as a rookie that he can do it with help from the OL
December 26th, 2015 at 8:26 pm
MIKE JAAAAAMES
December 26th, 2015 at 9:20 pm
We can draft another 4th 5th rounder RB and have sims carry the ball I think he is going to be electric next season that is if Dougie goes elsewhere I hope he stays.
December 26th, 2015 at 9:33 pm
Akeem Spence and Clinton McDonald are the only starters from the DL out. Jacquies Smith, GMC, Henry Melton, William Gholston and George Johnson expected to play Sunday.
December 26th, 2015 at 11:21 pm
Chuck would be a garbage workhorse back. He’s a decent change of pace back, absolutely nothing more than that.
December 26th, 2015 at 11:23 pm
Plus we could Franchise tag Doug. What is everyone so worried about?
December 27th, 2015 at 5:27 am
I would love to see MJ run behind this line and speaking of lines that’s a major reason why Dougie Fresh had a good season. He knows that an therefore I absolutely believe he will take less money to stay with us.
December 27th, 2015 at 8:23 am
James has been our best short yardage back…..perhaps he can bulk up and play FB…..I don’t think we are getting enough out of that position. What I like about James is that he always seems to get positive yardage.