“That’s Only When You Have The First Two”
August 3rd, 2016
Not a real No. 3 receiver?
Veteran Bucs beat writer Rick Stroud sounded quite agitated while analyzing Dirk Koetter’s firm declaration of Adam Humphries winning the No. 3 wide receiver job.
Joe’s got all the WDAE-AM 620 audio cued up below:
Stroud contends Humphries isn’t a backup No. 1 or No. 2 receiver, so he’s not really a No. 3. Stroud added Humphries proved he was no outside-receiver backup when V-Jax was injured last year.
“You’ve gotta a develop a guy who can play outside,” Stroud shouted. “You gotta have a third receiver that can play outside or play the slot, or both. You can say he’s your third receiver, but that’s only when you have the first two. Who’s your backup, your No. 2b receiver if Mike Evans or Vincent Jackson go down? Who’s that guy? Because if you don’t have that guy. …”
Of course, Stroud is singing a tune Joe has played for a long time. Joe’s very interested in seeing how newcomer third-year man Jonathan Krause might be able to stretch the field in preseason games. He had true elite speed coming out of Vanderbilt in 2014.
For now, since it’s early in the morning, Joe will spare readers the Where’s-Roddy-White rant.
August 3rd, 2016 at 7:06 am
It’s the first week of training camp sheesh!! I think Koetter has singled out Humphrey’s for his work effort and commitment. If the little doughnut wheel of the receivers can be #3 on the depth chart, it should light a fire under the rest of them!!! If he is still #3 at the start of the season, call Roddy White pronto…
August 3rd, 2016 at 7:19 am
This is getting ridiculous. Yes, we need depth on the outside, that is obvious. However that doesnt mean slot reciever needs to be the same guy that moves to the outside if and when that time comes. I would have never imagined so many would be against a guy with arguably the best hands and effort on this team. Yes, we need reciever depth but dont blame it on the reliable first down guy. Blame Kenny Bell a little more for not showing up yet if.you want but Humphries 100%deserves that starting slot position.
August 3rd, 2016 at 7:25 am
Thats why I think the most clamoring by fans will be for a WR in next year’s draft. VJ83 turns 34 at the end of the year, and will have this year to prove he can stay healthy. And technically if you look at Head Coach Koetter 4 vert offense, ME13, VJ83 are 1 and 2, A TE out wide is 3, and then AM11 should be lined up on teams #4 cb which will help his match up as well!!!
August 3rd, 2016 at 7:50 am
Of course Hump is not a true#3, just like your nickel back typically stays inside, He is a #1 slot receiver, I’m just waiting for another one of Strouds quarterly opinion reported as fact articles
August 3rd, 2016 at 7:50 am
Stroud has quickly established himself as a true Koetter hater, all because Koetter did not give a great response to Stroud after practice about how the team looked. He basically said “you tell me” and now Stroud is taking every to bash Koetter, and he will jump on him even more if the team struggles.
Give it a rest, Stroud! Nobody cares about your petty agendas, just because the coach made you work a little harder for a story is no reason to nitpick over nonsense like this.
August 3rd, 2016 at 7:51 am
Realist is right on this one…the true #3 receiver is TE/RB (Brate/ASJ/Sims)
August 3rd, 2016 at 7:53 am
As much as I like Adam I think he won the slot job by default with Murphy going on the pup list. He’s a reliable pass catcher but doesn’t stand out at anything and is 5 “10 at the most. We’re in deep do do if Jax or Evans go down this year because beyond them we have a Bu check of inexperienced guys that are not starting caliber talents. I get that Koetter wants these guys to grow with Jameis and I like that but u also have to consider the present as well. I like alot of the young guys we have now in Bell, Davis, Krause, Reedy and so on but non of these guys should be seeing the field that often u til they can develop and get some experience there belt. Let’s pray that Roddy is still available IF Jax or Evans go down. I’m not a huge Murphy fan but we need him more Tha ppl realize. Say what u want, he did a great job when healthy and provided us big plays for this offense. Dont believe me haterz, check the tape. We need that knee to get healthy.
August 3rd, 2016 at 7:58 am
Stroud is a fool. Do you ever see edleman (spelling) move into the #2 or #3 spot, or welker? If Murphy heals up HE would be the back up #1 or 2. Krouse sounds like he may be stepping up as well.
August 3rd, 2016 at 8:04 am
Fans are already doom and gloom haha. Season going down the sh!tter because we don’t have Roddy White on the team. You have two guys who are more familiar with him thahimust about anyone in the league and he is not here……… What does that say about how Koetter and Smith feel about him?
August 3rd, 2016 at 8:18 am
If you remember,
Joseph the Teacherman wanted us to sign
TERRELL PRYOR to be V-Jax backup. So, when he retires, we have another young stud athlete who is 6-5 to play with Mike Evans over the next 5 years.
Terrell Pryor and Mike Evans even train together with RANDY MOSS.
I called for Terrell Pryor two years ago, and now look at him.
Gonna start for the Browns!!
I also called for Honey Badger in the 2nd round to replace Ronde Barber.
Now look, he is Ronde Barber 2.0 and one of the best players in the NFL!!!!
I also wanted Vontaze Burfict in the 7th round, we drafted Drake Densmore.
I should be the guru of the Bucs from office.
I also called for Mark Barron being converted to an OLB before anybody!!
I am an artist and an intellectual. Exactly what every front-office needs to offset all the jocks and suits in the building!
Namaste.
August 3rd, 2016 at 8:25 am
Two words Wayne Chrebet. I liken Hump to the white point guard i.e Mark Price and John Stockton. Not flashy, will hit that 10 to 12 foot jumper consistently and will be flawless at the freethrow line. I’m siked for Hump, how can you not love the under dog. Mark my words you will find yourself saying how in the h3ll was he left that wide open all the time.
August 3rd, 2016 at 8:45 am
Bucs fans always want what they don’t have. Lets wait and see.
@teacherman- I’m still waiting on those lotto numbers!
August 3rd, 2016 at 8:51 am
You guys and your murphy BS…. murphy is a 5 or 6 at best get over your wishful thinking he is anything but a 5 or 6…. not a single GM in the league would sleep at night knowing they had to relay on a fragile bum like murphry for anything other than the 5th or 6th spot… the ones who keep bringing up murphry have obviously never took the time to research his stats…
August 3rd, 2016 at 9:21 am
tmax..
“fragile bum” LOL!
But seriously, Stroud is a clown. I remember when he was second guessing Schiano, and coach said “Is that your opinion Dr. Stroud”?
Loved it.
August 3rd, 2016 at 9:24 am
WTF!! This Stroud doesnt even know what a slot receiver is compared to an outside receiver…total different skill set
Only the Elite receivers in the league can play both
What a damn fool
What a fvk!n Idiot
He actually gets paid for this nonsense
This clown is like the dear abby writer Sander Euro Phillipe le pew from bucsnation…DAMMMMMMMNNNN
August 3rd, 2016 at 9:25 am
Have you watched Roddy White in the past few years? He’s finished. Also, judging by the attitude he displayed on Hard Knocks, it’s not surprising that his laziness has caught up to him with old age.
August 3rd, 2016 at 9:37 am
I don’t want to play the race card but again I can’t help but think about that 80’s movie with Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson where Snipes teamed with Harrleson to hustle basketball games against the brothers in the hood. They took one look at Harrelson and hey “White Men Can’t Jump.
Cris Collinsworth was the only white guy in the finals of his state championship 100 yard dash. Collinsworth always felt a bit of advantage because DB’s would look at him and despite his reputation see a white guy..how fast can he be?
No Hump doesn’t have Collinsworth elite speed…he can’t jump like Brent Grimes…who can! But if he’s a player he’s a player.
Clearly #3 will actually determine this…certainly not Stroud. Hump knows who butters his bread and he made sure to develop a strong connection with #3. That comfort on 3rd and 6 or 7 is going to make the difference.
How highly does #3 already think of Hump. It was Hump who ran the wrong route making #3’s first NFL pass a pick six. Did #3 forgive him…you bet…he praised Hump along with himself in pointing out how the TWO of them fought back after than initial error.
Wanna know about Hump’s chances? Keep your eyes on #3.
August 3rd, 2016 at 9:43 am
Adam got promoted because the guy above him is injured. It’s not like he did anything to overtake the position. He was the best of what remained, and that isn’t saying a lot. In fact, the guy above him wasn’t all that great either.
However, Adam now has an opportunity. It’s up to him to prove himself now.
August 3rd, 2016 at 9:45 am
As to Stroud…I’ll never respect anything he says, because he’s one of the guys who make up his own version of news just to get on national talk shows.
August 3rd, 2016 at 9:49 am
Humphries, glad to have him with our Bucs. No matter what number receiver he eventually settles in at he has shown he can produce when needed. Go Hump!
August 3rd, 2016 at 9:55 am
BuccaneerBonzai
if you are saying that uselsess bum Murhpy was ahead of Hump which I am sure you are wrong again but I’ll play along if that truly is the case the bucs WR problems are MUCH worse than originally thought. If a number 5 or closer to a 6 is ahead of your newly named 3 wow that’s big trouble.
August 3rd, 2016 at 10:00 am
i tend to agree. if VJax or Evans went down they would keep Humphries in the slot and roll dye, bell, or some other guy with more vertical ability on the outside. it’s kinda semantics, like the difference between a “starting nickel” and a “#3 corner”, but i get the point he is trying to make and somewhat agree.
when you factor in our TEs and RBs, he’s probably the 4th or 5th option at this point even if it’s just VJax and Evans ahead of him on the WR depth chart
August 3rd, 2016 at 11:44 am
Murphy would be more of a no.3 on the outside. Humph beats out murphy in the slot regardless. Humph will always be on the field 3rd downs ….always becasue he is clutch. Point blank period the end!!!
August 3rd, 2016 at 12:49 pm
1st off – Stroud’s opinions are mostly worthless.
There’s too much whining about receiver depth going on – and Joe is happy to fuel that fire.
We have one of the best 1,2 starting receiver duos in the league. Top 10 for sure and maybe top 5. Evans and VJax are super solid starters talent and ability wise.
Murphy is a pretty good #3 receiver IMO who is unfortunately injury prone. If Murphy is healthy – he’s an asset. (tmax is wrong about his skillset and rude to call him a “bum” – what Murphy has put on tape while wearing a Bucs uniform is self evident).
Humphries proved last year that he belongs in the NFL. He made plays when asked and was reliable when needed and thrown to. Nuff said. Koetter was absolutely right to name Hump the #3 receiver at this point – there has to be a depth chart and right now – Humphries is that guy with an opportunity to put a stranglehold on the spot with consistently excellent play.
Russell Shepard will be on this team because of his special teams play – but he has steadily improved as a receiver over the years and can make catches for you against NFL defenses if the injury bug bites hard.
There’s your 1-5 receivers at this point. (assuming Murphy gets back to healthy and playing shape by September)
We will likely keep 6 receivers this year so there is one more spot open – and the competition will be fierce because there is a lot of young talent vying for that spot. Unproven and not fully developed talent – but talent nonetheless. Bell, Spencer, Krause, Dye, Reedy, Davis and Martino are the contenders and I’d be willing to bet that at least 2 or 3 of those 7 will turn into solid NFL receivers in time.
You HAVE to develop your young talent. Bringing in a Roddy White or anyone like that for 1 year is NOT the way to build a football team. Identifying and developing the talent you have on hand is how you become a successful team.
Injuries happen. Neither Vjax nor Evans is “injury prone” – but this is the NFL and lots of players get injured every year – both minorly and majorly. Nobody was happy about the injuries that VJax and ASJ suffered last year – but we DID find capable NFL players in Humphries and Brate as a result. Next man up. Coach up your talent. Build your team with talented youth and stick with your evaluations.
This is what the Bucs are doing – but all too many want to do is whine about the lack of “proven” receiver depth.
Relax – its all good. We’ve got Jameis Winston – remember? A good QB will do wonders for bringing out the best in young talent.
August 3rd, 2016 at 1:23 pm
Pickgrin
you are dead wrong on murphy..
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MurpLo00.htm
those stats are not of a wr3 look up any wr3 on a winning team and tell me murphy is our best option or even a legit number 3 he is NOT…
as far as skillset he is a one trick pony deep threat. he’s too fragile to go over the middle and you can’t move him inside with the exception of the occasional 1 or 2 plays per game….
he does not play special teams which also limits his usefulness to a team…
i have no problem being proven wrong when facts back it up but the Murphy fans are way off base. you may not like the term bum but he is a bum when looked at nfl standards. Not a single team would be confident or content with murphy has their number 3…
if he is so good why was he on the couch for 2 separate seasons to start and only the lowly bucs came calling. He has been on 4 teams yet some fans where crying yesterday kruas was on his 3rd team… the blindness people have sometime. i am glad you like the guy but he sucks and is not the answer to the bucs receiver needs.
August 3rd, 2016 at 5:02 pm
This is an absurdity. Listen, watch the tape from last year…. The kid is a good football player. He runs good routes, gets open, CATCHES the football, can move well laterally, he is dependable and consistent. Oh yeah, his quarterback seems to really respect him and loves playing with him. Most people just base talent off of the eye ball test or the name game. Both can be a mistake. The best player for your team is not always the guy that looks to fit the mold the best, or the one who’s name you have known. Look at all of the success teams like New England have had with tough, precise and dependable slot guys. Granted Tom Brady is throwing the ball, but you get the point. The guy can flat out play, and I trust the coaches and management much more than a nerd with laptop or you Joe. Let’s go Humphries.
August 3rd, 2016 at 6:50 pm
Rick Stroud and the rest of you need to simmer down and relax, maybe a little Tai Chi would help.
Adam Humphries as #3 makes perfect sense. With Mike Evans and V-Jax on the outside looking for the big play, the Bucs need a hard-working, never drops the ball, has the courage to go inside and knows where the sticks are in his sleep kind of guy to help Jameis Winston to move the chains when the big play isn’t there. Adam Humphries is that guy.
How many times did we see Humphries drop the ball last year? How many times did we see Humphries go over the middle and make a catch for exactly one-half or one yard more than was needed to move the chains? How many times did we see Winston look to Humphries when the chips were down and the Bucs needed a first down. No, Humphries will never be the big play stud and will likely never get into the HOF, but then again neither will Wes Welker or Julian Edelman and I didn’t hear Tom Brady complaining.
August 4th, 2016 at 12:10 am
The amount of Hump Hate on here is unreal!!
For years we’ve been trying to find a real slot receiver.
Now that we got one that does everything the role requires we want to bash him for not being Mike Evans?
And more importantly, the back-up to ME/VJax should be the 4th/5th receivers. What good is a back-up if he is in the game getting tired or hurt alongside the starter?
Hump only got promoted because journeymen nobody Murphy is hurt yet again?
That’s a joke, Murphy was dime a dozen and now injuries have finished him.