New Role For Trey Palmer
August 17th, 2024
Second-year receiver (returner?) Trey Palmer.
So Trey Palmer, the Bucs’ new No. 1 punt returner, looked smooth catching punts this week in Jacksonville off the foot of a Jaguars punter.
He did not return punts last season and it’s unclear if Palmer loves the opportunity.
Joe asked Palmer about being a punt returner and if he’s excited to return punts again like he did at LSU, where he was the full-time returner in 2022 without much success
Palmer wasn’t biting. “I’m just working every day to get better,” Palmer said twice.
After Joe asked a couple of different ways and got the same answer, Palmer broke from the script and acknolwedged that he feels he’s improving at catching punts and maximizing technique to set up a dangerous return.
Certainly, Palmer has the speed to be a quality returner, but being good at it takes a lot more than wheels.
Tonight in Jacksonville, Palmer is expected to field more punts like he did last week against the Bengals, when he had at least one good opportunity.
So who is the competition? Undrafted rookie receiver Kameron Johnson is getting a long look. He was a stud returner at Barton College and Joe’s eye test says Johnson is very slick and comfortable with that role in practice. He looks like more of a natural than Palmer.
But Johnson is a longshot for the roster, despite recent high praise from Baker Mayfield.
For that punt returner position, tonight is a big night. If Palmer avoids mistakes, he’s probably got the job locked up.
Deven Thompkins, now with the Panthers, was the Bucs’ returner last season,
August 17th, 2024 at 8:14 am
Palmer is coming off a pretty good year and would much rather be featured more as a receiver, rather than get passed over by a new rookie and get saddled with a dangerous fringe roster duty like returning punts.
Let this Kameron fellow do it and come up with a fake injury for Sterling Shepard.
August 17th, 2024 at 8:32 am
I believe the kitties waived/cut Devin Thompkins a few days ago.
August 17th, 2024 at 8:37 am
@Joe have you noticed the Bucs running any 4wr sets? Feel like they could be dangerous with Evans, Godwin, Palmer and McMillen all on the field at the same time. Add White coming out of the backfield, D coordinators would struggle with that one
August 17th, 2024 at 8:38 am
Think using Palmer as a return man is a mistake. To much of a chance for an injury and he is more important in the passing game. Would rather use a RB for returns or maybe resignTompkins? At least the guy never fumbled the ball.
August 17th, 2024 at 8:40 am
Trey Palmer is a one trick pony. He mentioned in training camp last year that he doesn’t like getting hit n it showed during regular season. He flinches whenever he sense contact n will seek shelter pronto out off the playing field to out of bounds opposed to gaining extra yards. Am I the only one to notice how timid he was during punt returns. I’m beginning to question not only his inconsistency, but also his character. At least a small Devin Thompkins played like a big man with heart in 2022 n 23. Put Kameron Johnson in there n let him do his thing.
August 17th, 2024 at 8:44 am
I could see Sean Tucker back there. I don’t know how consistent he catches kicks and punts though.
August 17th, 2024 at 9:20 am
Put your smartest playmaker in punt return role. As Buc4evr points out “at least the guy never fumbled the ball “. Now we need to discuss kick return. With the new rules we had better be practicing this with a sense of urgency. There is gonna be games this year that will be decided by these new rules. Especially early in the season. I just hope it isn’t us learning the hard way. Practice these new kickoff team and kickoff return team rules! I’d like to hear some reporting on this too.
August 17th, 2024 at 9:47 am
I hope Kam Johnson plays and houses one today.
August 17th, 2024 at 10:01 am
So much to watch for tonight. Honestly, I’m more interested in the kick return game. These new rules created a great big mess in one game last week when the kick bounced out of the end zone and onto the field of play. It wound up being a safety. Heck, I think it was the Jags. This new rule will create dozens of Chinese fire drills this year.
August 17th, 2024 at 10:49 am
I like using Palmer as punt returner during preseason to push Johnson to get his level of play NFL ready. If Johnson nails the position, I’m ok with cutting Shepard.
All I know is I’m enjoying all the battles by these rooks in these WORTHLESS preseason games. lol
LFG!!!
August 17th, 2024 at 10:53 am
Yes Joe what do you like about the kickoff rules. What are the coaches saying about it?
August 17th, 2024 at 11:29 am
Tonight is worthless. It’s a preseason game, where they allow tackling to the ground and stuff, unlike the valuable scrimmages where they didn’t allow tackling and then went two hand touch. Now that’s the way to prepare – not these silly preseason games where they actually play a game by the real rules. smh
August 17th, 2024 at 11:44 am
Thompkins got cut by the panthers Joe
August 17th, 2024 at 12:12 pm
I like Trey Palmer as a receiver but not as a punt returner. The second coming of Devin Hester he is not.
August 17th, 2024 at 12:39 pm
He played the call like he was being disrespected.
We’ll see how aggressive he is tonight if his number is called
Harkening back memories of Jaquezz Green
August 17th, 2024 at 12:57 pm
Palmer should still be in the eager to do anything to make the team mode. He’s been sniff the wrong stuff if he thinks he’s beyond that stage of his career.
August 17th, 2024 at 2:33 pm
So, one of our poached players did not work out well for the Panties. I wonder when our coaches won’t work out for them, either. HA!
August 17th, 2024 at 2:34 pm
dmatt says
Trey Palmer is a one trick pony. He mentioned in training camp last year that he doesn’t like getting hit n it showed during regular season.
Reidel Anthony all over again
August 17th, 2024 at 3:38 pm
I’ve been watching a lot of Cam J and I am eager to see him tonight. He looks electric. If Trey is the fourth WR so be it
August 18th, 2024 at 3:49 pm
Leave it to the masturmind. More square peg / round hole associations. Drop Braswell in coverage. Every. Time.
Rachaad White. Zero. Carries. In. Practice.
Let’s put a guy who doesn’t feel comfortable nor want to do a job, in that job.
That’ll teach him even if Todd can’t.