Will Gholston, Evan Smith & Joe Hawley Highlight First Official Depth Chart
August 6th, 2016
You know there’s a football game approaching when the first depth chart of the 2016 season appears.
The Bucs just released it late this afternoon.
Joe really doesn’t get all hot in the pants about depth charts. They’re just paper, especially the first one. Joe pays much more attention to the second depth chart and any changes evident there, but it’s still largely a waste of ink.
For the Bucs’ preseason game in Philadelphia on Thursday night, a few names stood out on the depth chart. First, centers Joe Hawley and Evan Smith are listed as sharing the first team center position. Joe’s never seen that before on an official depth chart. Second, William Gholston is the starting left defensive end. Third, Kenny Bell is the No. 1 kick returner. This is a huge potential opportunity for Bell, who hasn’t shown much as a receiver through training camp.
Joe believes Adam Humphries, ultimately, will be the Bucs’ return man — punt and kick — but Joe’s sure Dirk Koetter would be happy to have a less important body handle kick returns. Today at practice, Jonathan Krause and Alterraun Verner were the only guys returning kicks.
August 6th, 2016 at 4:13 pm
Found it interesting that all the 2nd team LB positions are filled by rookies.
August 6th, 2016 at 4:42 pm
Douglas: after Kwon went down last year our LB depth got severely exposed, hence all the rookies + Darryl Smith signing. Darryl smith, more than anyrhing, is insurance in case one of our top two misses games like last year. That he can play SLB in the mean time is more like an added bonus.
August 6th, 2016 at 5:05 pm
I think the more Humphries cements himself in the WR3 spot, the less they’ll look to him to return kicks. Bell had better show something or he’ll be looking for employment elsewhere. The battle at center is a good one… OL depth like we haven’t had in many years.
August 6th, 2016 at 5:35 pm
First team, offense & defense, is pretty much what I’d expect at this point (veterans), but second team defense had a couple of surprises I thought. Rhodes instead of George at MLB? Bond instead of Keyes at SLB? Was also surprised to see Bell on second team offense … still expecting to see Krause out-perform him as the preseason rolls along. I know that Rome wasn’t built in a day, but our lack of depth defensively could bite us. Hopefully everyone stays healthy, we grab our 10-wins, get a wildcard spot, and go on to win the Super Bowl. Hey, after all we’ve been through since our last SB, surely everyone will concede that we deserve it.
August 6th, 2016 at 5:40 pm
I wonder why Luke Stocker is not even listed at all??? Has to be an oversight.
Hawley listed as 1st team Center – Evan Smith listed as 2nd team Center.
Kenny Bell is listed as 2nd team receiver behind Evans and 1st team kick returner. That surely does NOT indicate that he is as close to being on the bubble as Joe keeps implying…
August 6th, 2016 at 5:40 pm
Bell probably won’t make the team this year unless he starts really flashing/producing in practice or games.
August 6th, 2016 at 5:48 pm
I noticed that too pickgrin.
I wonder how you “don’t show much” all camp and still be #2 on the depth chart recieving behind Vjax.? Maybe it’s rigged too.
August 6th, 2016 at 6:05 pm
Pickgrin, Luke Stocker is listed, as the 1st team TE. There’s a note at the bottom of the depth chart: “At the center (C), punter (P) and holder (H) positions, the first two players listed are currently considered co-occupants of the first-team spot.” So I guess that Hawley and Smith are still battling pretty evenly. And like you, I don’t understand Kenny Bell being listed on 2nd team offense after some of the things I’ve read on JBF especially.
August 6th, 2016 at 6:07 pm
Speaking for Pablo
“Pablo is puzzled why there is no one on the depth chart behind El Asesino……Pablo thinks Roberto should be forced to compete like everyone else. Pablo thinks it’s only fair. It is possible that they tried to find someone else to kick but had no takers.”
August 6th, 2016 at 6:24 pm
Mike Lowrey is gonna be alright!
August 6th, 2016 at 6:51 pm
Need that spence clip you have been teasing Joe .
August 6th, 2016 at 6:57 pm
Alterraun Verner returning kicks????
That’s actually not a new development in this camp. https://www.joebucsfan.com/2016/08/kickoff-returner-alterraun-verner/ –Joe
August 6th, 2016 at 7:43 pm
Defense Rules Says:
August 6th, 2016 at 6:05 pm
Pickgrin, Luke Stocker is listed, as the 1st team TE.
Oh – DUH – I didn’t see that there were 2 separate listings for TE.
August 6th, 2016 at 8:19 pm
*Kenny Bells shines in camp* “It’s just camp”
*Kenny Bell makes WR4 on official depth chart “It’s just paper”
*Kenny Bell scores touchdown* “It’s just points”
*Kenny Bell voted to ProBowl* “It’s just Orlando”
*Kenny bell voted into Canton, Ohio* “It’s just a jacket”
August 6th, 2016 at 9:21 pm
Before the draft there were people claiming we needed to draft a center. I said all along Joe Hawley would be the starting center. Nice to be right.
Kenny Bell is the second string backup behind Mike Evans. Interesting…Probably so that he gets a lot of playing time in the first preseason game. After all, it’s the seconds who will get the most.
BUT…I am SOOOOOO happy they have him returning kicks. He was a return specialist in school!
August 6th, 2016 at 9:42 pm
Whoever is the better returnman should have the job. I dont care if it is mike evans. The return game is very important. Put your best guy out there. It’s not like Adam Humpheries is some all pro wr talent, but if he is the best guy for the job then have him do it. There is no reason not to put your best foot forward. I want someone to earn the job, not just be the guy because the others are “too important” to do it.
August 6th, 2016 at 10:32 pm
Bell Brigade reporting for duty, Sir! Bell currently second in depth chart command.
That is all :salute:
August 6th, 2016 at 10:41 pm
I am interested to hear news about Devante Bond and Ryan Smith. I know they are late round picks, but I kind of got spoiled last year with Kwon being a late round pick. Hopefully we hear and see some flashes in the pre season games.
August 7th, 2016 at 1:15 am
Who is this Kenny Bell that everyone speaks of?
August 7th, 2016 at 2:05 am
This won’t be a popular post, but…. Joe’s been reporting that Bell has been less than impressive in camp so far, yet Bell is listed as the #2 behind VJ/Evans. Most of you conclude that Joes evaluation of Bell must be incorrect. Consider the possibility that our WR’s are really bad, Bell included.
Put the pieces together, Humphries named #3 before the preseason even begins? Bell, a player with no experience and questions coming from the local press, is named a #2? Krause, a guy who couldn’t manage to hold a place on the NE roster? (The NE WR’s corps have been terrible for a while now)
We had a lot of needs going into the draft and WR was one of them. We chose to address other needs, lets not forget that.
August 7th, 2016 at 2:43 am
Pa I haven’t heard much about Bond but I think they like how Smith is comin around. I really want R.Smith to become a boss safety
August 7th, 2016 at 3:40 am
Why does everyone do this at the start of every season?
The 1st depth chart is more or less meaningless.
August 7th, 2016 at 9:32 am
I see the usual dumb comments dissing Humphries. He’s a good young receiver. Sure has caught more balls than ASJ. Looking forward to this preseason. Wonder who will pan out and who will get cut? Go Bucs!! 🙂
August 7th, 2016 at 10:23 am
Maybe just maybe Bell.i a stud at the return game. That would be huge, if.not it doesnt sound like hes sitting to goo