Too Much Talent?
September 16th, 2018
Talks weapons.
This past offseason, Cam Brate sgned a six-year, $40 million contract.
Also this offseason, Adam Humphries signed a one-year $2.9 million contract.
Yet both guys are struggling for playing time.
That’s what happens when a team like the Bucs is loaded with talented players in the passing game. So much so that guys like Brate and Humphries (both could easily be starting for other NFL teams) are lucky to get any playing time.
Brate, the favorite target of America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, has been a near afterthought as Jameis serves his three-game sentence from NFL strongman Roger Goodell. He wasn’t targeted once today.
Humphries, used mostly as a punt returner, had two targets today with one catch for eight yards.
In his postgame press conference, Bucs coach Dirk Koetter made it clear there was nothing physically wrong with Brate or Humphries. it is just that the team is that deep with receiving targets.
“We have good skill guys, we do,” Koetter said. “We know it. Chris Godwin is an emerging star. O.J. Howard is an emerging star. DeSean Jackson and Mike Evans are proven guys, I mean proven big-time players.
“If you think about it, we still have Cam Brate and Adam Humphries who just aren’t getting many chances right now. those two guys are good football players too. They are just not getting their chances. It is a long year. We are going to need them all.”
They almost needed them today. Jackson was cleared in concussion protocol late in the week and had not practiced fully. The game, played under searing conditions, was what Koetter referred to as a “gut check” because it was so hot.
Two years ago if a Bucs fan would have said in public the Bucs would be loaded at receiver, someone would have tried to Baker Act them.
September 16th, 2018 at 6:13 pm
Crazy the Bucs went from probably having the worst group of receivers in the NFL just two years ago to now the most talented group.
September 16th, 2018 at 6:16 pm
As Dirk said. It’s a long year. We need them.
September 16th, 2018 at 6:16 pm
Bucs are finding magic in FitzMagic….
September 16th, 2018 at 6:18 pm
The Bucs haven’t thrown a ton of passes.
As for Brate he has a one year $7m deal, the Bucs can opt out after the season is over. But no big deal, Brate will play this year as we get into games where you have 45 pass attempts compared to 28 and 33, which are pretty low numbers considering the very limited running game.
If they did want to dump Brate, which I wouldn’t, perhaps you dangle him for some corner depth. Or better, you trade him to Pittsburgh, along with Ronald perhaps, for L Bell. The Steelers, after we play them, will take that deal in a second.
September 16th, 2018 at 6:20 pm
So happy for this team man. Shocking the world.
Maybe last year excuses were valid??? Except for play calling and route designs
September 16th, 2018 at 6:25 pm
Just imagine if we had a three down RB.
September 16th, 2018 at 6:25 pm
Just for fun I thought I’d post where the Sporting News ranked the Bucs 9 days ago:
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
…..the offense under coach Dirk Koetter does not bode well. The Bucs, with a brutal schedule, are in a tough spot as the rest of the NFC South continues to separate from them.
September 16th, 2018 at 6:29 pm
I love cameron brate; but he is now “trade brait”
September 16th, 2018 at 6:29 pm
Ya gotta be be old to appreciate Fzzzz’z thigh pads he was sporting today…. LOL….
September 16th, 2018 at 6:29 pm
This is a must follow on Twitter if you still use it…
Football Trump
@realNFLTrump
I am proud to announce my new program called “I.C.E. the Kicker” — we will no longer be tolerating missed field goals or extra points. Many kickers to be deported this week!
Football Trump
@realNFLTrump
Ryan Fitzpatrick has my full endorsement for starting quarterback in Tampa Bay. He is much more talented than Jameis Winston — more stylish too!
…
I may disagree with Football Trump on who has more talent, but I’ll fight for his right to say it.
September 16th, 2018 at 6:32 pm
Fitz has defined the bar for JW.
2 games in, game 4 is for JW to prove who he is.
September 16th, 2018 at 6:34 pm
Winston should be an absolute afterthought until Fitzpatrick loses two in a row. Under any circumstances.
September 16th, 2018 at 6:38 pm
You don’t trade great players
September 16th, 2018 at 6:40 pm
Two games!!!!!!!!!!! Are you f)&$&ing high I say one just as all u say Winston has a reputation so do fitz if he sucks in one game give it to wistion
September 16th, 2018 at 6:40 pm
Brate and Hump are the kind of guys you need to have a deep offense. Hump has already been a big part of this offense and with Brate in the wings we have no worries at all with the TE position!!!!
GOO BUCS!!!!!
September 16th, 2018 at 6:44 pm
Hey Joe (not sure which Joe) I’ll ask again as I did yesterday. Is Fitz still a liability? If he wins he next game and continues to appropriately utilize his targets and allows them to employ their skills do you still want Mr. Winston back?
September 16th, 2018 at 6:45 pm
Yah Jason licht is hot garbage. BRinging in all this talent. Just wait for some other rookies to start contributing.
Can’t wait to see vita vea on field. Hope Jordan whitehead starts in next week or two dude has some wheels.
Just wait for grimes and beckwith And unrein to return. Bet those guys are dying to be apart of team success
September 16th, 2018 at 6:46 pm
So much talent Noah Presence doesn’t even have to dress.
September 16th, 2018 at 6:47 pm
Best group of WRs and TEs in the NFL.
September 16th, 2018 at 6:48 pm
Winston shouldn’t see the field atleast till week 8. Fitz has the playbook down. Has deep ball accuracy that Winston lacks and is playing with confidence.
Winston’s name shouldn’t even be brought up. Period. Shouldn’t even mention him.
September 16th, 2018 at 6:48 pm
It’s real simple. There is simply no way to cover Evans, Jackson, Godwin and Howard. If the line give Fitz a little time, somebody is gonna be wide open. Fitz is a Harvard guy and is bright enough to go through the progressions and find the open receiver.
September 16th, 2018 at 6:59 pm
This offense is loaded….and deep! Keep them so you can play meaningful football in January! the only casualty I could guess at this point would be JW. But heck, keep him too and let him play backup for a while!
September 16th, 2018 at 6:59 pm
Joe are we gonna get an article about how many times Koetter praised the o-line and how much better their protection has been this year?
September 16th, 2018 at 7:24 pm
Signing Brate made absolutely no sense when there’s so much need for good DBs
September 16th, 2018 at 7:31 pm
I hate to say this, but time to trade either Cameron Brate and/or Humphries. I love them both with what they accomplished being free agents. We need line help, along with defensive backs. Probably get a 2 each for both of them. If this season gets serious, best available talent from the teams that are out of it. Glory ! It’s good to be in this position !
September 16th, 2018 at 7:56 pm
“Kobe has always stated that the offense should and would run thru OJ and Godwin. These 2 are playmakers when they have the ball in their hands. Their potential and use still has not been even nearly tapped”
Kobe Faker
September 16th, 2018 at 7:57 pm
I wouldn’t worry about Brate. He’ll show up big time. OJ could get hurt… Then What? 2 TE’s like this is a mismatch.
September 16th, 2018 at 8:43 pm
Gruden is kicking himself for not choosing the Bucs.😂
September 16th, 2018 at 9:03 pm
Not sure Joe ever wrote Fitz is a “liability.” Joe’s a Jameis guy through-and-through. Joe also is a guy not willing to fix something not broken.
September 16th, 2018 at 9:24 pm
I see both Brate and Auclaire playing, and believe the latter will be the next Luke Stocker taking snaps from Brate.
September 16th, 2018 at 9:54 pm
Brate seems to have fallen off a cliff, a surefire contributor in the penthouse now in the outhouse.
September 16th, 2018 at 10:22 pm
Sweeptheleg….2 games into the season…..????
You’re excited that much… to not even talk about Jameis until week 8. Do you know how retarded that sounds? Of course you don’t….
Wishful thinking by ya…but Jameis Winston is the starting QB of this team.
Thee end. No ifs, no but’s…and LOT’S of mentioning of his name. Lot’s.
Yes let’s throw away Jameis cause Fitzpatrick is the man…..(insert lots of laughter)
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh thank the football Gods that these folks don’t run my team. Some prolly could do better than we’ve had….the bar’s not that high. Jameis effed up even bigger than ever before with what he did 3 years ago. Cause I HONESTLY believe the Bucs would be 2-0 with him as they are with Fitzy. There’s just too many “Winston’s weapons” for teams to deal with and the O-line has been SPECTACULAR.
September 16th, 2018 at 10:46 pm
Brate, Quizz and a 2nd for Le’Veon and a 6th
September 16th, 2018 at 11:02 pm
Pump the brakes…you narrow minded Buc fans…this is just game 3 .it’s great we have one 2 important games..but before we start discarding players…we will have 13 more regular season games and if by chance we make it to the play offs…we will need quality depth and our starting QB.
The Bucs maybe getting a break…enjoy it…all 3 QBs played great in the off season…and JW was lights out!
He hasn’t been under center with HIS veteran weapons, new play caller, nasty OLine, decent kicker, effective RB and improved DLINE. BUT he was the QB who practiced on his time with the rcvrs and TE’s…
September 16th, 2018 at 11:06 pm
1987…great minds think a like…I couldn’t imagine some of these fans running a sound business based on some of their absurd decision and reasoning..
I doubt if the glazers think that way!
September 16th, 2018 at 11:43 pm
God Bless Ryan Fitzpatrick and the entire O-line. (Yes Dooshlarue I said God)
I take NOTHING away from Fitzy….wow huh?…lot’s of fun huh?
webster where are you all day?
September 17th, 2018 at 12:03 pm
No doubt the Bucs have the best backup quarterback in the league in another week, Jameis Winston! If Fitz gets hurt, our backup is very experienced