Vincent Jackson Says He’d Fit With 2017 Bucs
April 15th, 2017
Vincent Jackson speaks
After covering Vincent Jackson through the past five Buccaneers seasons, Joe can attest that Jackson is highly skilled at the art of smiling and dodging a question.
Jackson knows exactly what he wants to say — and what he doesn’t want to say. And usually it’s the latter.
But unemployed Jackson was surprisingly eager to talk about continuing his career yesterday on WDAE-AM 620 with The Pat And Aaron Show.
Yes, Jackson wants to play in the right situation. Yes, Jackson says he’s had “inquiries” from teams. And yes, Jackson thinks he’s a great fit for a smart playcaller like Dirk Koetter.
Aaron Jacobson: If you do eventually sign in Tampa, with the addition of DeSean Jackson, the emergence of Adam Humphries last season, Mike Evans had a great season, what would you envision your role being?
Vincent Jackson: “I’m very dynamic as far as what I’ve done in the past throughout my career, you know, playing outside inside, having mismatches against safeties and things in the slot. So I pride myself on being a receiver that not only can just stretch the field on the outside one-on-one, but can run those intermediate routes, those third-down routes that can keep drives alive. Dirk’s a very, very smart guy. You know, I’m sure that he would put plenty of work in with Jameis and our offensive coordinator to put everybody in the best position to be successful. So, you know, there’s a lot of different things I could bring to the table.”
Joe was very surprised to hear Jackson be so specific and passionate about returning to the Bucs, though he said earlier in the interview that he was not negotiating with the team.
“I’m just going to wait until the right opportunity presents itself,” Jackson said. “I’m assuming it may be later this spring/early summer when people can kind of evaluate their roster, get through the draft, and know exactly what they need and what the value is. For me man, I’m being patient.”
Joe is not advocating for a Vincent Jackson return. But if the Bucs remain content with guys still on the roster like Freddie Martino, Donteea Dye, Josh Huff and Bernard Reedy (and others), then sure, Joe is absolutely all for adding V-Jax to the mix for depth and quality.
You can hear Jackson’s full interview below.
April 15th, 2017 at 9:34 am
Bring him back.
Knowledge is power
April 15th, 2017 at 9:35 am
Well, well, well. Yeah, he’s getting old, lost a step it seems, but we’re talking about someoone to back up Desean Jackson, right? If VJax is healthy and is fine with backing up Djax, does he have enough left in the tank to do it and basically, essentially let the Bucs draft a WR in Round 1 NEXT year? That could me S, RB, and DE this year…
I would be all for that…
April 15th, 2017 at 9:37 am
Don’t “backup” receivers typically have to play special teams??
April 15th, 2017 at 9:40 am
Is he willing to block/tackle on ST? If not, then I’m not certain the depth he would provide at WR would be enough to outweigh the loss a WR who can also contribute on 4th downs. Most WR4 – 6 are also ST contributors.
April 15th, 2017 at 9:44 am
Worst case scenario, we resign him and he gets injured. At that point we could just bring back up Marino, Huff, or Reedy. It’s not like those guys are gonna get signed off our practice squad
April 15th, 2017 at 9:47 am
Seriously, you want to use an aging vet like Jackson on special teams?
When you know he fragile and playing a limited role in the offense?
Crazy talk IMO.
April 15th, 2017 at 9:54 am
If we don’t draft a WR until later in the draft – I could see VJax having some value to us as a 3rd/4th WR as long as he’s willing to sign for 1 year at a very reasonable price and embrace his role as a backup/reserve player. Having 6’5″ Vincent play the slot WR on 3rd downs (ala Fitzgerald) would absolutely create some matchup nightmares for the safety or nickle CB that would have to try and cover him. And if Evans or DJax gets injured – then VJax would also be a great insurance policy as well with plenty of experience and capability to step into a starters role if needed.
But if we draft a WR in the 1st 3 rounds who would need and deserve some development and playing time to get it – then there’s probably not an acceptable spot on the roster for Vincent. VJax is a good dude and a great teammate. His experience and locker room presence alone would be of some value to us and worth $2-3M to have him on the roster in 2017.
April 15th, 2017 at 9:55 am
Jsackson certainly brings experience and versatility. He can play every WR position and is big enough to even run some TE routes. Money always matters but shouldn’t be the deciding issue. Jackson has area business and civic interests and has a 50 million net worth.Just depends on his health, how he wants to end his career and how much the Bucs want to pay for that versatility. Would leave it to them to work that out.
April 15th, 2017 at 10:19 am
Joe bucs would have no right to criticize vjacks resigning with the bucs expecially after pathetically begging the team to sign Roddy white to be signed who has also lost a step. There’s nothing wrong with letting that guy compete to see what he could contribute on a minimum salary unless this team gets two stud receivers in the draft bring back a veteran could could atleast contribute in the classroom
April 15th, 2017 at 10:24 am
I am all for V-Jax returning. He is still a good WR and since he would not be asked to play every down, I believe there is enough tread on the tires to get through a season. I would much rather have him instead of HUFF who has an incredible ability to help the opposing team rather than his own team!!! ME13, Flash Jackson, Humphries, a drafted WR, and V-Jax would be a solid upgrade and depth compared to the part time valet’s that were playing last season.
April 15th, 2017 at 10:27 am
After getting all 55 million from the Bucs, and not having a sniff from other teams, I think VJax would take 1 or 2 mill to stay on a team with a playoff shot. He’d be a #4 and could fill in nicely if there is an injury. There are a lot of other younger backups who can play special teams. If VJax is still in the plans, don’t expect a WR until round 3 or later. I’d take him, but I’d rather draft Zay Jones in the 2nd over a VJax return.
April 15th, 2017 at 10:38 am
“I’d rather draft Zay Jones in the 2nd over a VJax return.”
You got that right Eric
April 15th, 2017 at 10:51 am
I want him to stay. Imagine a healthy VJax playing on 3rd down.
April 15th, 2017 at 10:52 am
It’s not Vince (vet WR) or a drafted WR, we still need both. How many seasons are we going to make the same mistake at receiver? We have 3 proven NFL caliber receivers right now, and Hump remains limited in his use downfield. We need to take 5 quality receivers onto the opening day 53 this year. I’d rather drag Boldin in for another season, I have 0 trust that Vince has 16 games left in his body/will. We need another veteran NFL receiver and a draft pick that isn’t a Kenny Bell/Robert Herron flier. No more Freddie Martino/Donteea Dye as our 3rd receiver half way into the season, please.
April 15th, 2017 at 11:00 am
Don’t know… He didn’t SEEM like he was interested when he was in the game the last two years here IMO
Would love to have that experience though
April 15th, 2017 at 11:03 am
Thanks Tom E. I personally like Vince J. But his skill have eroded and he is getting a little long in the tooth. Putting him out there on special teams would be like placing my grandma on the battlefield..Slaughterhouse rule! Its probably better to pick up a receiver in the 2nd or 3rd rd of the draft.
April 15th, 2017 at 11:04 am
Sounds like he’s willing to be kicker..as long as he gets a ring before retiring.
April 15th, 2017 at 11:08 am
He was to be #2 WR last year. I can’t believe in one year he could not be of help to the team. He should refresh this year and if the price is right I say bring him back. Love to see him in a four receiver set.
April 15th, 2017 at 11:10 am
WR’s usually take about 2 or 3 years to develop…of course mike evans is one of the exceptions to that rule…personally I think RB, TE, WR, S, and LB are our biggest needs…That said, I wouldn’t mind bringing VJax back for the right price…He could be a BIG mismatch in the slot with Evans and Desean getting all the attention…
April 15th, 2017 at 11:10 am
All in..long as its cheap.
April 15th, 2017 at 11:25 am
Vincent Jackson I feel would be a great tight end
April 15th, 2017 at 11:26 am
For some reason when I think of VJax over the last fews years the one player that comes to mind is Tony Gonzalez. A big Red Zone target. Unlike Gonzales Vjax has sustained injuries but if he could get well enough to slide into that 2 TE set with Brate I think he could still wreak some havoc. Lot of new prospects in the draft, but I think there are some old Vets that bring value to the table along with maturity and mentorship. Just an old mans view of football,
April 15th, 2017 at 11:32 am
He doesn’t perform at the Ramada Inn at Vero Beach so I think he would be a good upgrade as depth at the WR position. He obviously wont play special teams but that is ok.
April 15th, 2017 at 11:38 am
If you play the odds, Vincent Jackson will be miles better than any receiver you could possibly draft in the later rounds, and maybe better than any receiver in the early rounds. Yes, he wasn’t very good last year, and looked like he clearly lost a step. However, even with that, he still made a huge 3rd down catch to put us in position to beat Carolina on Monday night. He also got open repeatedly against the Rams, but Winston couldn’t get him the ball. Putting him on a team with more weapons and a good running game will make his job so much easier. No one is going to double cover him, and his size alone should help him be able to make some big catches. Last year it was he and Mike Evans only, and they had zero running game. I would sign him in a heartbeat. If it doesn’t work out, it will be like every other 4th or 5th WR we’ve had. No big loss.
April 15th, 2017 at 11:40 am
Vjax is a washed up has been who can no longer play… It’s about wins not charity for nice guys. Vjax can’t play
April 15th, 2017 at 11:46 am
No.
April 15th, 2017 at 11:47 am
Rather draft a WR
April 15th, 2017 at 11:48 am
ME13, DJax & Adam will almost surely take the majority of the WR targets, with our RBs & TEs getting a pretty good share most likely. Assuming that we draft a WR & he sticks & gets on the field, won’t be very many touches left for a 5th WR I’d guess. VJax has brought a lot to the Bucs over several years. Last year wasn’t one of them. Comes a time when even top players have to pass the flag and step aside.
April 15th, 2017 at 11:59 am
M Evans
D Jackson
V Jackson
A Humphries
D Walker
That sounds like a pretty darn good lineup of WRs to me for this year. Sign V Jackson to a one year deal. It can’t hurt our cap and he actually is very skilled and productive when healthy. And he should stay healthy in a 3rd string role.
And no, he would not be a backup. He would play slot.
April 15th, 2017 at 12:02 pm
I have no prob brining back VJ… line him up at TE on 3rd Downs and match him on a LB or SS and we have our mismatch. If anyone has an issue and they wanted us to sign Anquan Bolden who runs what.. 4.6-4.8? I’m fine with VJ…
April 15th, 2017 at 12:02 pm
Defense Rules Says
“VJax has brought a lot to the Bucs over several years. Last year wasn’t one of them. Comes a time when even top players have to pass the flag and step aside.”
Two years ago fans here wanted the Bucs to cut or trade Mike Evans because he supposedly had a bad year. Players have them.
While I agree he’s getting up in years and isn’t as productive, he’s still better than our #3 on down.
Considering we might make a run this year, it might be a good idea to sign him on the cheap and short term. We’ll need multiple weapons in the playoffs.
April 15th, 2017 at 12:04 pm
This actually brings up an interesting point though. IF we hope to make the playoffs this year, hadn’t the team be built to win in said playoffs?
I certainly don’t want one and done. To me, all that doe is cost us draft position. If we can’t win at least one game in the playoffs, we should not be there…and the end goal is going all the way.
So beefing up the WRs with loads of talent is a great idea.
Of course, unless we get a new RT, Jameis might not have time to throw to them.
April 15th, 2017 at 12:05 pm
HAHA just retire already. smh
April 15th, 2017 at 12:11 pm
But Hawaiian all of these 5th round receivers are going to be the next Jerry Rice. Remember how good Kenny Bell was going to be when he was drafted!!!
April 15th, 2017 at 12:23 pm
Redzone nightmare. Evans, flash, Vjax, TE, Cook…
April 15th, 2017 at 12:26 pm
Bonzai … “Two years ago fans here wanted the Bucs to cut or trade Mike Evans because he supposedly had a bad year. Players have them.” Kind of a stretch Bonzai. Granted, Mike only caught 3 TD passes 2 yrs ago, but he did put up over 1,200 yds. Don’t remember huge numbers of fans yelling for us to cut him or trade him though. VJax is a very different situation. Older, slower & coming off a couple of pretty bad injuries. Bucs need more quality youth & we can get that through the draft. VJax isn’t going to play STs, nor should he, and signing him ‘on the cheap’ assumes an awful lot. If injuries to our WRs become a factor, then that’d be a good time to relook at signing VJax, not now.
April 15th, 2017 at 12:53 pm
Remember Joey Galloway.
April 15th, 2017 at 1:05 pm
As much as I love and respect Vincent Jackson for the hard-work and dedication he’s poured into this team, I think it’s just time to move on.
I think at this point it would be a better idea to draft a guy with 83’s skill set, than it would be to hope to squeeze another year out of him. Better to move on a year too early, than a year too late.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/pro-day-roundup-njoku-kaaya-basham-draw-scouts-to-miami-and-ohio-workouts/
“Njoku, who was clocked in the mid-to-high 4.4s in the 40-yard dash and recorded a 40-inch vertical jump at 6-foot-4 and 246 pounds.”
David Njoku has every chance in the world at becoming just as good as Antonio Gates. And could fill the role of a big bodied Receiving target with the ability to line up anywhere and create a favorable matchup.
Imagine, if you will, Evans, Jackson, Brate, Njoku, Foreman/Mixon/Hunt/Perine/Connor etc… We would be an stoppable force, especially in the redzone (where we routinely stalled out on scoring drives all year long).
April 15th, 2017 at 1:15 pm
Vincent Jackson is my favorite Buccaneer, for a dozen reasons.
Is he better than Bernard Reedy, Fredfie Martino, and the other untanlented piglets we were forced to play last year?
At 60,he would be better.
Imagine a 4 wr set with Mike Evans, Desean Jackson, Zay Jones, and Vincent Jackson.
Imagine having Humpries, Zay Jones, And Vincent Jackson available- when Desean misses his 3-4 games!
Or, we could suffer poor Jameis with the tlack of talent he had to finish the year with last year!!
Play Jackson 1/3 to 2/3 s of the snaps- he will be tough to handle.
And the ole all pro is still irreplaceable in the position room!
April 15th, 2017 at 1:29 pm
OMFG, please don’t let him go to a division rival.
I say, if we have the money, sign him, unless he wants too much.
April 15th, 2017 at 1:32 pm
@Capt Tim, I love Vincent too, but you have got to admit, he has been getting banged up more and more frequently, the signs are there that father time is simply catching up to him.
It is far more likely to get production from a dynamic rookie prospect.
April 15th, 2017 at 1:43 pm
Lol….just curious…whats a backup reciever lmao…..never heard the term
April 15th, 2017 at 1:55 pm
Q, really?
April 15th, 2017 at 1:59 pm
We’re going to draft a receiver, maybe even 2. That means that either 4 or 5 spots are locked down (including Hump). Then you can throw in the Derel Walker guy we signed from the CFL, who ought to be good enough to win that last spot (I wonder if he can play gunner)… I just don’t see a place for VJax unless he becomes the primary slot guy, but then we’re marginalizing Hump for a guy with little gas left. I just don’t see it.
April 15th, 2017 at 2:02 pm
One of my favorite bucs. Class class class. He has a spot on team. All these posts saying no, shut yah trap. 4th receiver or so. All good . He would get minimum salary anyway
April 15th, 2017 at 2:09 pm
V-Jax > dye, huff, and prob Martino
April 15th, 2017 at 2:25 pm
Just make him an asst. coach or something, That’s where his value is.
April 15th, 2017 at 2:26 pm
Defense Rules Says:
“Kind of a stretch Bonzai. Granted, Mike only caught 3 TD passes 2 yrs ago, but he did put up over 1,200 yds. Don’t remember huge numbers of fans yelling for us to cut him or trade him though.”
Wow. Memory is short, lol.
April 15th, 2017 at 2:37 pm
As to it being a stretch…try looking through the comments made in October 2015. People wanted him gone and said we never should have drafted him.
April 15th, 2017 at 2:39 pm
Where was this eager “can-do” attitude the last season and a half? He basically received a 9-10 million dollar “severance” last season. I have visions of an out of gas Tim Brown in his final season in the NFL.
April 15th, 2017 at 2:52 pm
Why haven’t we resigned him yet??! Get it done Licht. We need depth and if he’s healthy we could have a heck a triplets
April 15th, 2017 at 2:57 pm
VJax in the slot would be ok. Play him similar to how Fitz plays in Arizona and he could still be productive if healthy.
It will all be determined by how the draft pans out. As of right now he would be our best option for a #4 WR who plays in the slot only
April 15th, 2017 at 3:08 pm
Blake,
Agree with you. To a point.
Jackson was a starter on this team last year.
Awarded to job, by our coaches.
As you get older, you tend to get hurt more, and it takes longer to heal.
So play him less, and let him rest more.
We need to draft a rookie- desperately
But how many Wrs will we keep?
5? 6?
Evans, Desean, Humphries, rookie, Walker.
Who do we have, better than Vincent Jackson, for that last spot.
Who is a better red zone threat?
Wrs get hurt- last year exposed our horrible lack of Depth.
I would sleep better with Jackson replacing Martino or Reedy.
And so would Jameis
April 15th, 2017 at 3:21 pm
Everybody likes VJax. I don’t see how he continues to fit in with the Bucs going forward. He can find the open spot but a couple hits in his knees area he will be back on the sidelines.
April 15th, 2017 at 6:38 pm
Class act, but didn’t get a whole lotta separation last season. Every toss was a tight one. We’re drafting one earlier than later.
April 15th, 2017 at 8:36 pm
This Bucs fan absolutely wants Vincent Jackson back. Forget how he fits in. He understands the dynamics of this football team as well as anyone. If he wants to be a part of what is happening here then we (the Bucs) should welcome him back on a fair contract because that kind of message speaks volumes. A little less reliance on him as the man may go a long way toward his productivity when his number is called. Work ethic and character is off the charts for a guy whose athletic prime and career was basically obliterated under the professional hell that constituted pro football under Schiano/Dominik & Incompetent Lovie Smith/Lapdog Licht.
That kind of depth is dreamy.
April 15th, 2017 at 10:19 pm
just move him TE probably solved!
April 15th, 2017 at 11:08 pm
A couple hits in the knees could take any player out at any time. If and most probably when DJax goes down, who backs him up? In a playoff run I think I want someone that knows the system. And like others have said. He would not be the No 2 so his time will and risk would be smaller.
April 16th, 2017 at 4:27 am
I love the guy…..but too injury prone. He’ll get hurt again and we know that. Father time sucks!! Move on.
April 16th, 2017 at 8:53 am
If Jackson would come back for receiver 3 pay with incentives thrown in, then I would like to have V-Jax back. He brings versatility to the field as far as what he can do. There is his locker room presence and leadership that can benefit everyone on the team. Vincent has always been a great guy for the community and a credit to the Buccaneers organization on and off the field. V-Jax is better than anyone other than Evans or D-Jax. Having Mike Evens, D-Jax, V-Jax, Adam Humphries, Cameron Brate as receivers would give Winston a lot of good to great targets. V-Jax would just need to stay healthy and improve his hands a bit. Get a good solid second tight end and resolving our running back issues while adding a right tackle would help make this a great offense.
April 16th, 2017 at 9:30 am
D-Jax won’t play all 16 games, just look at his history. Would you rather have a young unproven rookie step in during crucial games or a proven Vet? V-Jax isn’t the same player of old and we all can see that but if your asking him to fill in and he’s completely healthy I’m sure he can get the job done. He knows the system and he’s a leader. They can be smart with his reps through out the year so his body is ready when his number is called. Sign him and draft a rookie in rounds 2-4. We won’t have to ask the rookie to come in and be a star. Learn and groom and be ready when D-Jax moves on.
April 16th, 2017 at 9:30 am
D-Jax won’t play all 16 games, just look at his history. Would you rather have a young unproven rookie step in during crucial games or a proven Vet? V-Jax isn’t the same player of old and we all can see that but if your asking him to fill in and he’s completely healthy I’m sure he can get the job done. He knows the system and he’s a leader. They can be smart with his reps through out the year so his body is ready when his number is called. Sign him and draft a rookie in rounds 2-4. We won’t have to ask the rookie to come in and be a star. Learn and groom and be ready when D-Jax moves on.
April 17th, 2017 at 12:43 pm
V Jax, the washed up LOAFER has looked utterly disinterested in playing with Winston the past 2 years.
Made his 55 mil, has nothing to prove, isn’t gonna chase down that overthrow! If the young pup doesn’t put it on my numbers, I’ll just ‘pull up’… looking so obvious that he didn’t care to put in too much effort kept pissing me off until he got hurt – probably because he was loafing so much!
NO THANKS!
Give me young and hungry over Old and Loafing (and injured, and slow) all day!