Will Todd Bowles Light A Fire Under Jaelon Darden?
April 4th, 2022
Bucs returner Jaelon Darden.
Here are the brutal realities of the NFL: If there is a coaching change, the new coach has zero ties to players from the previous seasons.
Some coaches will tolerate subpar play from a player, or worse, simply because they had a hand in acquiring him. If the player fails, it reflects badly on the guy who wanted him.
That brings Joe to new Bucs coach Todd Bowles and returner and reserve wide receiver Jaelon Darden.
This isn’t meant to be a let’s-hammer-Darden post. But if there was a player on the Bucs roster that showed time and again he didn’t belong on the field last year, it was Darden. He was terrible as a return man and he was a big reason why the Bucs had one of the worst special teams in the NFL last season.
Could it have been as simple as Darden, a rookie, was overwhelmed coming out of North Texas and maybe he needed a season to reflect and improve? Perhaps. Thing is, the Bucs were hellbent on repeating as Super Bowl champs last year.
This wasn’t supposed to be a team that afforded players a learning-on-the-job cushion. Darden was gifted an active roster spot and that should not have been.
Of all the games and all the decisions former Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians made in his three years, the Darden call is one that makes Joe scratch his head. Well, that and Dare Ogunbowale (Arians learned his lesson quickly there and cut bait).
Now there is a new sheriff in town. Even though Bowles has been on Arians’ staff, Joe thinks it is safe to suggest Bowles had little to no input on scouting, drafting or playing Darden. And Joe will guess Bowles has a working pair of eyes like the rest of us and could see how overmatched Darden was last season.
Darden might want to have a helluva training camp and preseason.
April 4th, 2022 at 4:13 am
Bowles will draft defense. After the draft and after some restructures we will add Gronkowksi and some of the veteran FA’s left on the defensive side of the field. I also like to think they have Mathieu on hold and add him as well.
April 4th, 2022 at 4:22 am
I’ve been thinking same thing about Honey Badger why hasn’t he signed yet he has offers I believe the Bucs have him on hold an he is jus waiting for restructuring before he signs maybe I’m just hoping whatever
April 4th, 2022 at 5:25 am
I’ll be surprised if Darden even makes the team this year. As a kick returner he brought out 18 for a total of 359 yds (slightly less than 20 yds per return … not impressive). As a punt returner he returned 19 for a total of 142 yds (slightly less than 7.5 yds per return). He did have 1 return of 43 yds though.
As a wide receiver, was targeted 12 times & caught 6 of those (50%) for a grand total of 43 yds (7.2 YPC average). What’s even sadder is that his longest catch was 29 yds; take that away & he averaged LESS than 3 yds on each of his other 5 completions. Nope, really doesn’t cut it.
April 4th, 2022 at 5:35 am
Defense Rules- I have to agree. Short of an epic revival, I don’t see this guy making the roster.
With the signing of Gage and Perriman, along with Grayson showing out, I think there will be a few guys on the bubble like Miller, Johnson, and Darden.
April 4th, 2022 at 5:55 am
It appeared to me like he was afraid to get it so would run east to west rather than north to south. I never thought I would say this but Bucs missed Mickens last season. This is something a ST coach needed to fix. Maybe Bowles isn’t so lienent with BA’s buddy coaches.
April 4th, 2022 at 6:00 am
RoJo’s rookie year was underwhelming too. He turned out better than that performance indicated, and while he wasn’t good enough to stick w the Bucs, the chiefs did give him a decent 1-year deal for that ever-important 2nd contract.
There’s a lot of competition this year at WR. He’ll have to prove it in the offseason or preseason. Maybe a practice squad guy?
April 4th, 2022 at 6:51 am
Brady call Patterson. Give Atl Darden, Miller & a 6th.
April 4th, 2022 at 6:53 am
Totally agree. Darden. Scotty Miller and Tyler J will be looking for new jobs this year. None of them will be on the 53 man roster come Sept.
April 4th, 2022 at 7:16 am
Scooter is the fastest guy on the team, has great hands, why hasn’t he been tried at returner?
April 4th, 2022 at 7:19 am
Beeej, why not Johnson or Perriman? Rams use Kupp, Dallas uses Lamb and KC used to use Hill, who do the Bucs need to save.
April 4th, 2022 at 7:21 am
Right on the mark Joe
April 4th, 2022 at 7:23 am
Wasted pick.
April 4th, 2022 at 7:25 am
I know I said this already but Britain Covey is going to be available in the mid rounds. He’s the best return man available and he doesn’t drop the football. I like Darden but he needs competition.
April 4th, 2022 at 7:26 am
Either produce or get out the way. We got Super Bowls we trying to win.
April 4th, 2022 at 7:34 am
Darden was worth the pick for the potential he showed on his college tape. But just like RoJo, Darden looked overwhelmed by the precision expected from him as well as how athletic people trying to tackle him are and ended up looking like a deer in headlights as a rookie. Darden is a slow but quick/agile athlete that can only stand out if he is playing with 100% confidence. It is completely up to him how he gains that despite very few opportunities.
April 4th, 2022 at 7:35 am
Yep, Darden will get a very close look…….bringing Perriman back….signing Godwin and especially acquiring FA Russell Gage will make it difficult for at leas one of these 3 to survive on the WR corps.
Darden, Miller & Johnson……and IMO they are vulnerable in that order.
Johnson is another BA favorite…..who fell a bit out of favor last year….but Johnson can block, play the slot and still has lots of upside.
Unfortunately, I think we’ve seen the full upside of Scotty.
April 4th, 2022 at 7:52 am
Been
Scooter is the fastest guy on the team, has great hands, why hasn’t he been tried at returner?
I wonder that too sometimes
April 4th, 2022 at 7:52 am
Joes
Totally agree. The sniper nails him right after he catches the ball and stumbles to the ground. If im darden i am begging to attend throwing sessions with brady. He has to do something.
Sure he is undersized but he avoids any and all contact. Mickens and gio are undersized but they run hard and will take a hit. Darden will be on a short leash. And in all fairness vaughn looked like a dead man walking until he got his opportunity this last year.
With the two sevenths cause they are a long shot any way. Go return guy And punter. Our special teams really sucked for years and as we know this coach wont be fired
April 4th, 2022 at 7:54 am
Cannot do that
Kid has it
All he needs is a big play or two
April 4th, 2022 at 8:12 am
Returning the ball would save Scotty……..the 5-7 WR has to play ST to have a good shot at making the roster.
April 4th, 2022 at 8:22 am
Darden deserves to prove himself during training camp. He had the rookie jitters n yes he played timid n scared. However, excuses after camp, shape up or ship out. RoJo was a mental issue, he’s a player that does not know how to embrace constructive criticism. It all goes to his head n he then have a melt down. The same can be said about Keshhawn Vaughn. He allow things to get in his head. This new generation of video gammers have meltdowns when they face live ammo on the battlefield. If u aren’t me tall fit, don’t play!
April 4th, 2022 at 8:23 am
“mentally fit” don’t play
April 4th, 2022 at 8:38 am
Kick-off and their returns as it is now in the NFL is no longer as effective as it once was. The NFL should adopt the kick-off style of the former XFL. Those brought excitement and less hurtful impacts on players. As we all know the NFL is not for long to players who can not produce like they did in college. Lots of great, and college hall of fame players never make it in the NFL. I hope that is not the case for Darden, but it could be.
April 4th, 2022 at 8:45 am
It’s hard to play Football when you can’t stay on your feet. I was excited when we drafted the electric kid and still pulling for him as a Buc, but I’ve never seen one player slip or have his own feet slide out from underneath him so frequently in one season
…not to mention you’re afraid the guy is gonna get injured every time he gets popped
Def wasn’t a pretty year for him (sans the PR against Bears), but I’m still rooting this kid on.
April 4th, 2022 at 8:47 am
I have seen enough and not much at the same time. Cut.
April 4th, 2022 at 8:51 am
Darden really was bad last year. Has got to go. I’m not ready to give up on Miller or Johnson, especially Miller. IMHO was not given a fair chance. If it came down to a numbers game I would keep Miller over Johnson. But Darden has to go. Just taking up space.
April 4th, 2022 at 8:55 am
I hope Darden treats this like life or death can’t be a bust please
April 4th, 2022 at 9:07 am
I get Miller was hurt but when he came back he played on the kick off and punt team and did pretty well, I don’t get it, what is the hesitation for having him as a returner? The coaching staff has to see what we all see.
April 4th, 2022 at 9:11 am
The kid is quick, but not nearly as fast as I thought he’d be.
April 4th, 2022 at 9:31 am
Agree that they need to take a look at Miller returning kicks in camp. He looked great on coverage, it would be nice to have a versatile ST guy with playoff experience as a WR backup.
Darden, no! I’ve never seen the ground trip a guy more than him. Show or go.
April 4th, 2022 at 9:36 am
He is scared! He is a high schooler!
Wasted pick! We could have drafted a great safety or guard or CB in the 4th!
Which scout thought this guy was NFL ready?
He isn’t even strong!
Mickens was way better!
April 4th, 2022 at 9:52 am
When I think of Darden I think of the word “bust” and a slip-n-slide.
April 4th, 2022 at 10:03 am
Darden isn’t even as good as the Appalachian State Dexter Jackson rube. Mickens was decent, surely there is someone who can actually be good at it?
April 4th, 2022 at 10:08 am
Darden played scared, Miller would be a better choice for returns. Also, why have we not fired our ST coach? Since we lead the league with the most coaches, the most diverse group including two women are we afraid of a lawsuit if we fire somebody?
Our ST play was horrible last year, need to upgrade.
April 4th, 2022 at 10:14 am
Release him, total liability every time he touches the ball.
April 4th, 2022 at 10:14 am
If Bowles fails as head coach with this team he knows he won’t get another chance. Therefore, unless all the want out of a return man is to hold on to the ball Darden is history. Also, the special team coach should be on the hot seat.
April 4th, 2022 at 10:38 am
Mickens should have been the Bucs’ return man the full season. At least he got some production.
April 4th, 2022 at 10:42 am
To think we traded up for this guy.
April 4th, 2022 at 11:07 am
we need to cut bait on darden pick up velus in the draft
April 4th, 2022 at 11:13 am
His pro-day numbers showed he wasn’t fast enough to be a return guy in the nfl. I’m still baffled as to why we picked him.
April 4th, 2022 at 11:29 am
This is admittedly very trivial, but I just HATED the way Darden ran with the ball. He LEANED forward and looked like he was always halfway to the ground before being tackled. That and it looked like he just ran straight to the nearest defender. I’ll never forget the one (multiple?) time he was given at least 10 yards of space by the coverage team and didn’t even manage 5 yards…
Sad
April 4th, 2022 at 11:30 am
He’s just not an NFL caliber player imo.
April 4th, 2022 at 12:21 pm
Admiral– Darden ran a 4.4 and had a very fast 3 cone. I’m not sure what kind of speed you’re looking for but there aren’t many return men that run faster. To put it in perspective, Antonio Brown ran about 4.6 at the combine
April 4th, 2022 at 12:35 pm
I like Darden, but for him to be successful as a returner he needs to not try to get to the outside but move up the middle and draws the bees before he breaks to the outside. If the defense doesn’t have to cover the whole field or at least the threat of it, you’re not going to make that corner as they have too much leverage on you and they are already ahead of you.
April 4th, 2022 at 2:40 pm
Lots of words going to be eaten here
April 4th, 2022 at 6:26 pm
I fully agree with Joe. Darden may run fast on an open track, but when defenders are in his way he slips or runs in the wrong directions. Mickens was better and so is Scotty. sigh.