No Retirement Talk From V-Jax
February 1st, 2017
Mike Evans talks Vincent Jackson
Vincent Jackson, who is very visible when it comes to local community activities and his South Tampa restaurant, has been awfully invisible and quiet when it comes to his football future.
But he is talking.
Mike Evans told Joe at the Pro Bowl that he and V-Jax “talk all the time” about their kids, life, family, etc. But Evans said V-Jax has never said a word about playing in 2017 — yay or nay.
“It just isn’t something we’ve talked about,” Evans said. “I know he’s feeling good, though.”
V-Jax’s massive contract has run out. He’ll be a free agent in March after earning more than $55 million from the Bucs over the past five years.
Last year, V-Jax was dreadful on the field before injuring his ACL in Week 5, a season-ending injury that didn’t require surgery. In 2015, he was very solid but missed eight games with two different knee injuries.
The Bucs can do better than a 34-year-old coming off two rough seasons, but what makes V-Jax so intriguing is his knowledge of the offense and how much better he is than the likes of Russell Shepard, Bernard Reedy, Freddie Martino, Donteea Dye, Josh Huff and the rest of the bottom-rung talent in the Bucs’ receiving corps last year.
Hopefully, Tampa Bay massively upgrades at wide receiver in March (free agency) and April (draft). That would take V-Jax off the table of consideration — if he’s even there now.
That aside, for those desiring a V-Jax return, it’s so, so, so rare for an old player to come off earning $10 million a season and then sign for peanuts just to stay in the league. Don’t count on it happening here.
February 1st, 2017 at 9:36 am
Love V-Jax but its time for him to call it. His body cant handle it anymore.
February 1st, 2017 at 9:55 am
He can move inside Play TE like a Jimmy Graham. Do you think JG stays in to block? VJax can block form the Slot. I’m sure he’d struggle on the line… why not? As long as he doesn’t want starter money .
February 1st, 2017 at 9:55 am
I like v Jax, but WRs 3 thru 6 are expected and relied upon to play special teams, and since v jax can not be gauranteed the WR2 something tells he doesn’t want to be a gunner in punt returns.
February 1st, 2017 at 9:58 am
RO….I can’t see an injury prone Jackson working out too well over the middle all the time.
February 1st, 2017 at 9:59 am
55,555,555…. and now it’s time to go.
February 1st, 2017 at 10:08 am
Much respect for the player and person that Jackson is. However, business wise it’s time to get younger and more explosive.
February 1st, 2017 at 10:14 am
Thank you for all the work you do for veterans VJAX but it’s time to call bucs preseason games on TV and make the occasional cameo at local events.
February 1st, 2017 at 10:43 am
Oh my lord………
I sure hope the bucs release him……he’s nothing but an anchor now on the team
February 1st, 2017 at 10:54 am
VJax can bulk up and play TE for us…..but we don’t need him taking up a roster spot at WR….it’s time to move on. I live Vjax but it’s time.
February 1st, 2017 at 11:00 am
Pay him and keep him. He was a star WR just a few short years ago. So he’s had to deal with a couple of bumps in the road to good health. Who hasn’t had their body break down from time to time? Maybe we could sign Tiger Woods to back him up…
February 1st, 2017 at 11:11 am
i say sign him if he comes cheap on a 1 year deal. Would be great for the new blood we should have coming in. he would be like another coach
February 1st, 2017 at 11:30 am
I wouldn’t mind one more year from Vjax for like 2 million as a slot receiver or for depth. He can mentor the newbies. I doubt it happens but I’m all for it.
February 1st, 2017 at 11:32 am
If they could get him for a few million, he’d be worth the depth and leadership
February 1st, 2017 at 11:45 am
I would love to have VJAX back on a prove it incentive laden contract. He and Licht/DK would need to have a VERY honest conversation about his prospects.
But if he’s willing to come to training camp and compete for his spot I’m all for it and I do not know enough about the CBA to say with certainty if they’re allowed to make his contract basically prove it or no dough. If he would sign for a league minimum with incentives that could even pay as much as 10 million IF he earned it I would be fine. The big bucks would be scaled to his production. 50 catches and he gets a few million…75 catches and that bumps up…he’s have sweeteners added for TD’s and yardage.
Bottom line…I do not want the Buc’s to take a chance on a 34 year old WR who has had injuries the past few years and unlike DeSean Jackson doesn’t get his yards be separation but by physical play. The Bucs should NOT take that chance..however if VJAX wanted to play badly enough to assume the risk himself with a totally incentive based contract on top of the minimum I’d LOVE that. Let’s see what he can do?
February 1st, 2017 at 11:49 am
What an awesome guy v Jax is. Best of luck and we’ll wishes to him and his family.
February 1st, 2017 at 11:51 am
Time for this Old Horse to visit the Glue Factory. If they bring him back, even on a reduced contract, it’s a bad move. He’s injury prone, does not give a full effort, and he’s the slowest person on the field sans the fat o-lineman.
February 1st, 2017 at 12:02 pm
I still can’t put my finger on exactly what it was – but there WAS something going on with VJax early in the year before he was placed on IR. He seemed withdrawn somehow. Aloof. Unhappy.
The example that best exemplifies what I thought I was seeing was a TD play where the whole offense was very upbeat and all celebrating the big play – and the TV shot flashes to VJax just walking back to the bench area with messed up body language and a scowl on his face.
And up to the point where he was placed on IR – VJax was largely ineffective on the field. He made a few routine plays but for the most part was not getting any separation and was not the player we had seen the previous 4 years.
I remember Monken kind of calling him out publicly a little bit too a couple games before he got hurt.
It was almost as if behind the scenes he was being told that if his play/effectiveness did not improve – that they were going to have to try someone else at his spot or something similar.
I could be off base and there was no problem whatsoever….
But I follow this team pretty closely and my spidey senses were screaming that there was something “wrong” regarding VJax early in 2016…. Just not sure exactly what it was.
Anybody else here get a similar impression?
February 1st, 2017 at 12:24 pm
Pickgrin
I saw what you saw and got the same impression. The only thing that might account for it is that he was depressed with his own play and the fact that his body is worn out.
Could be a red flag but the fact that he and ME13 are still tight is a good sign and I’m feeling really good in a totally different way than I’ve ever felt about our Bucs even including the Gruden years.
We now have a coach and team leader that has control of this locker room. And no I’m not talking about Belichek and Brady but it’s pretty much the same deal.
I think DK and #3 have control of this team’s chemistry now and that gives me comfort going forward when we talk about FA’s especially. Those two will not stand for silly stuff.
February 1st, 2017 at 12:35 pm
I remember noticing that something was wrong with VJ87 after the first game!!! When everyone was so excited about everything!!!
The answer to the question is of course he was depressed and agitated!!! He could no longer do what use to come natural!!!! He most likely was also pain killing the bad injury!!!
The Buc Realist Says:
September 11th, 2016 at 4:54 pm
Is any one else a little worried about VJ83??? he had 2 catches but look very slow and was single covered??? is the injury still bothering him, or age???????????
https://www.joebucsfan.com/2016/09/buccaneers-seferian-jenkins-blog-trust-touchdown/
February 1st, 2017 at 12:38 pm
I think this is a wait and see proposition. No Doubt VJax has lost a step, but he has earned the right to compete for a roster spot. Granted salary would be an issue. I would go full speed ahead with plans to draft the best and fastest free agent WR (s) we can get. If a Free agent comes into the picture, great. Then during Camp put them all on the field a may the best 4 or 5 win. I would consider the TE move also.
February 1st, 2017 at 12:51 pm
I say keep AJax.if he can agree to a 2yr 14mil then do it.he has the experience.opponents will still fear him for what he has done in the past and capable of still doing.it’ll help take pressure off of not only Evans but whoever else we bring in.he would be good depth at WR.
February 1st, 2017 at 12:58 pm
Just shut it down Jackson you’ve already stole enough Glazers loot
February 1st, 2017 at 1:14 pm
I think it depends on what WRs we get in free agency and the draft.
February 1st, 2017 at 1:19 pm
941 – I’d be for bringing VJax back if he’s healthy and his head is in the right place. Not for $7M though. $4-$5 maybe…
That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t also try to get at least 2 high quality receivers via either FA or the draft or both.
I want to see Licht do for the WR room what he did for the CB room last year – he turned a glaring weakness into a relative strength by signing one very good FA and drafting one very good prospect.
-Mike Evans
-DJax
-VJax
-Corey Davis
-Adam Humphries
-Russell Shepard
How does that depth chart strike you…??
I think Jameis would be happy with that bunch to throw to. He’d obliterate all Bucs QB franchise records in a season with a group like that.
#weaponsforwinston
February 1st, 2017 at 1:29 pm
And if you think about it – getting some speed on the outside and pulling VJax into the slot where he’s more likely to get LB and Safety match ups as often as not would open up so many things for this offense – including the run game. Jackson is a pretty solid blocker.
That could be a good way for Jackson to still be effective and prolong his thus far relatively great career… ala Fitzgerald
February 1st, 2017 at 1:32 pm
Coming off a 10 million dollar serverance payment of sorts…I wouldn’t announce my retirement just yet either. 🙂 He’s done folks…plain and simple. A very good career coming out of little ol’ Northern Colorado University. I remember the Chargers picking him ( who I was hoping would fall to the Bucs ) in the early 2nd round. He was a great player on some mostly bad Buc teams. If anything…I could see him try and hook up with the Pats for a Super Bowl run.
February 1st, 2017 at 1:33 pm
Players don’t go from 11 million dollars a year to barely-over-minimum contract especially given the physical toll and risk for injury (See: Roddy White). VJax is done, he knows it and everyone else does as well.
February 1st, 2017 at 1:35 pm
Did some fact checking…appears he was a later 2nd round pick…and the Bucs took TE Alex Smith in the early 3rd. Seems like a long, long time ago…probably because it was. Decade ++
February 1st, 2017 at 2:02 pm
Those thinking the Bucs FA money means much don’t get how things work. This offseason nearly every team has a ton of money available and nearly every team needs WRs. The Bucs might not be able to get anyone to come here unless they want to massively, and I mean massively, overpay. VJ, if healthy, is still a useable player and clearly the 2nd best WR that the Bucs have. You can not count on VJ to be healthy at this point in his career, and he’s not going to be getting “open” as much as he used to, but if he’s willing to take a one year deal he’s absolutely worth having back if for no other reason he can teach the young guys how to play the game and be NFL WR’s. Look at Evans, he has basically turned into a VJ clone – which is a very very good thing. Evans looks a bit bigger out there, but go back to VJ in San Diego and watch his film, then watch Evans film, they look almost like the same person. If the Bucs draft someone, which I hope they do, he’ll be an excellent on-field coach and should still put up some numbers when healthy. So don’t count on him being the #2 WR, but bring him back and hope for the best, but make plans like he won’t be there.
February 1st, 2017 at 3:38 pm
Pickgrin
The Fitzgerald comparison is excellent! Until your post I hadn’t thought about what VJAX could do in the slot…and imagine if DeSean Jackson or better still for me Curtis Samuel was out wide. We could gash some D’s
February 1st, 2017 at 3:38 pm
My guess is Jackson has achy knee problems right now. He may get better in that regard. He showed a good ability to find the open spot in the past. He may see the field again here in Tampa, nice career overall. A Buccs fan favorite.
February 1st, 2017 at 4:23 pm
I like the Tight/End idea also the slot-receiver idea… His knowledge of the offense and defenses should be advantageous to him playing a new position…..but he must compete for his roster spot…..as they say no more soft-serve! CONTINUE TO BUILD A WALL….but not in Mexico…dumb ass!!
February 1st, 2017 at 4:37 pm
The Bucs honored the contract if they sign VJax to any contract it should be as an asst. coach.
February 1st, 2017 at 7:32 pm
I would use him as a situational 3rd down and endzone guy but if there is someone else better for the roster spot then you gotta do whats best for the team. He is a beast but can he stay healthy and kn the field. Doubt it…
February 1st, 2017 at 9:16 pm
I say give him the oportunity to compete for a roster spot…
Hes a skilled vet… Hes earned it… Obviously at a discount… Perhaps notch him back on the depth chart to a 3/4 guy… Keep his legs fresh. Incetive laden deal could be of some interest to VJax… Hate to see him retire after an injury. Help this team get to the playoffs!
February 1st, 2017 at 10:07 pm
Lakeland Buc hit the nail on the head. It was all about #5. Now, it’s all about #3. Will VJax settle for a smaller number on his contract?
February 1st, 2017 at 11:50 pm
Anyone that thinks the team is better off with Cecil Shorts starting over VJ – I have no idea, I’d say you don’t understand football but I’d be shocked that you could even read or write to be honest. If they can resign VJ for a large discount do so – they have plenty of money and there is zero reason not to do it. If the cap was tight then don’t do it, but the Bucs will not even come remotely close to using their cap space and they won’t even carry over all of their cap either because it will be such a huge amount. So if say VJ will take a one year deal at $4-5 mil, then do it – if he plays, fantastic, if he doesn’t – you had to spend money to get away from the cap floor anyways. Just don’t count on the guy is all. Saying a 5th string WR is more important than VJ because they’re the 9th gunner on special teams is ridiculous. VJ offers value if he’s at all healthy, and that’s really the big thing, does the team think there is any chance he will be healthy or is he completely broken down. Those comparing him to Roddy White are way off base, he’s much larger than Rody and VJ has never relied on quickness (but VJ did have good speed, which is different). If they think there’s a chance VJ could play 10 games, then it’s a no brainer. Just sign and draft like he won’t be here is all, that way if he does anything it’s a huge bonus. If not, there is always the IR slot.