Vincent Jackson > Brandon Marshall
July 11th, 2012
NFL.com analyst and former NFL receiver Bucky Brooks has pored over game film and determined that Vincent Jackson is a better receiver than Brandon Marshall, a guy many Bucs fans yearned for in free agency a couple of years ago.
Marshall is now on Chicago’s roster, as he and Jackson are two big-name wideouts with new homes for 2012. Brooks offers an interesting audio and video breakdown here, and you can read the written version.
Route running
Big-bodied receivers typically struggle running routes due to the difficulty of dropping their weight on cuts and re-generating speed. However, Jackson and Marshall have become solid route runners over the course of their respective careers. Jackson excels at running the vertical portion of the route tree. From the “Bang-8” (skinny post) to the post-corner, he has developed into an indefensible threat in isolated situations with his speed and athleticism. In an offensive system that emphasizes the vertical passing game, he is a nightmare to defend.
It’s going to be darn interesting to watch how Mike Sullivan decides to use Jackson. Joe suspects we’ll see more of Jackson over the middle of the field than ever before.
And Joe’s very eager to see how well Josh Freeman can throw the homerun ball, something he did painfully little of last year. If the Bucs stay healthy, Freeman has every possible toy he needs to be wildly successful. He’s got to deliver.
July 11th, 2012 at 10:31 am
Despite this huge FA acquisition, the big stories this off season have been Doug Martin, Eric Wright, Brian Price, Aqib Talib and of course Josh Freeman.
By the end of the season do not be surprised if you thought Vincent Jackson was the MVP for Bucs in 2012. The man was underutilized in San Diego because of Antonio Gates. But because Freeman’s go to option has been shipped out of town (KII), watch VJax stuff the stat sheet like nobody’s business.
July 11th, 2012 at 10:34 am
Jackson is a big body going over the middle, but I see that used more to open up routes down the field for the big play. There are plenty of other guys to go over the middle. The Bucs want to keep him healthy.
July 11th, 2012 at 10:50 am
Who were the people on this site who jizzed over themselves hoping Brandon Marshall was on the Bucs roster? The guy is a slug and hasn’t been worth squat for two years.
The only thing Brandon Marshall is good for is having whacked out chicks knife him.
July 11th, 2012 at 10:51 am
Jackson won’t be going over the middle, he will getting jump balls over all the short DB’s in our division….
Atlanta – Brent Grimes 5’10”
Atlanta – Dunta Robinson 5’10”
Atlanta – Assante Samuel 5’10”
New Orleans – Jabari Greer 5’10”
New Orelans – Patrick Robinson 5’11”
Carolina – Chris Gamble 6’1″
Carolina – Captain Munnerlyn 5’9″
Yeah and Jackson was a legit basketball player in the day….. as long as Josh can read the coverage and throw it away from danger…. thanks for coming to Tampa VJax here is your pro bowl.
July 11th, 2012 at 10:57 am
I”m a little scared for Josh Freeman. He has everything now to succeed. All of the pressure is solely on him. How good of a year he has this season will tell who the real Josh Freeman is.
July 11th, 2012 at 11:02 am
I can picture Schiano telling Josh…. that last throw came out of your hand at a 52.1 degree angle to the ground and 54.5 mph … I’m going to need it about 55.7 degrees and 57.3 mph on that throw there
As long as he can keep his composure (without K2 I feel he has a high chance of doing so) Josh will be just fine. And if he keeps off the taco bell, seriously….. dude your a pro QB not Joey Chestnut
July 11th, 2012 at 11:14 am
princespanky – you did some fantastic homework. Many applauds are about to be headed your way and you deserve every clap.
Grimes, regardless of size, is nothing to take lightly. The guy has been shut down as of late. He won’t be able to keep it up much longer(1-2 years) but now he is a force.
Gamble has always been solid so long as it isn’t against the Bucs. Bucs usually torch him. Galloway, Bryant, Williams etc. I’m not worried about that Gamble.
Greer has been average his entire career but don’t say that to any Saints fan. I as scared of him as I am of David Alan Grier.
Samuel has dominated regardless of scheme and coordinator/HC for years. The thing is, Grimes and Samuel have played LCB all their careers. One of them is gonna have to move and that is a weak spot for us to exploit. I feel it is going to be Samuel.
Grimes> Talib> the rest
July 11th, 2012 at 11:23 am
I’m with Pete, I don’t see VJax going over the middle. I look for our run to open up a pass, VJax will run a post off play action, and when he draws double coverage look for Mike Williams to grab some balls off slant passes for nice chunks and YAD.
Once they drop a LB back to protect themselves, we run it again to keep them honest. And if they ever, ever don’t give VJax the safety, homerun.
July 11th, 2012 at 11:52 am
Benn will be utilized over the middle.
July 11th, 2012 at 12:04 pm
@HAND
agree about Grimes, but I think MEssante is pretty much done…. 100% with you that Grimes is the best corner in the division. Hence why he gets paid 10 sheets a year and is a continuous thorn in our side.
My observation is that we now have a guy who is 6’5″ with leaping ability and physicality. If Grimes can deal with that then I tip my hat to him. I still give that one on one to Jackson until I am proven wrong.
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2009082950/2009/PRE3/chargers@falcons?icampaign=GC_schedule_rr#menu=highlights&tab=analyze
at the :27 second mark watch Jackson make the catch over Grimes… he had 2 catches for 60 yards before he got relegated to the bench for that preseason day. The one handed catch at 1:50 isn’t bad either.
July 11th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
I remember Keyshawn going over the middle and getting up slowly, very slowly. Key did not have the speed and elusiveness of VJax. Going over the middle was his forte. That’s why he never caught many touchdowns as a Buc.
I can’t see spending all that money on an elite WR only to use him as another Preston Parker.
July 11th, 2012 at 1:39 pm
@HAND,
Might want to go to Rotoworld and look up Grimes. Samuels stays at LCB, Grimes moves to RCB. However, Grimes played RCB in 2009 and did okay. So maybe, still a force. We’ll see!
July 11th, 2012 at 4:57 pm
@Macabee Surprised to see they are going to move Grimes. He has played well for them the past few years. Moving him for the “new” guy is kind of a slap in the mouth.
I’m glad he is moving though. Anything to screw his game up is fine by me.
July 11th, 2012 at 5:47 pm
Of course Jackson will go over the middle. You don’t make any receiver one dimensional. They will keep the defenses guessing with him and in turn he will open up Benn and Williams. If you’re a 5’9 DB trying to tackle a 6’5″ WR coming across the middle you risk getting hurt just as much or more than the receiver. Calvin Johnson gets utilized over the middle a lot for that very reason. He’s a big physical receiver who can break tackles and isn’t afraid of contact. You use a weapon like Jackson all over the field, not just as a deep threat. Dude is built like a TE.
July 11th, 2012 at 7:18 pm
Man…Can you imagine both Jackson and Williams stretching the field? If teams defend the long pass, we’ll tear them apart. If they defend the short pass and run, we’ll tear them apart.
About the only option teams will have is to rush the QB so he doesn’t have time to think…but Sullivan is developing Freeman’s speed, instincts and throwing on the run.
If this team isn’t cream of the crop this year, it will be next year.
Not to mention, both Parker and Benn running around in the middle on 4 receiver sets.
July 11th, 2012 at 7:53 pm
princespanky, thanks for the game tape of Jackson vs Atlanta.
He tore them up, and made some incredible catches.