Vincent Jackson No. 16
June 28th, 2013
Yes, these are the dog days of summer for NFL fans. Fresh news is rare less than four weeks away from the Bucs having their first training camp practice on the morning of July 25.
So to kill the time, ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas has been counting down his top 25 players in the division, and the latest Bucs player to make the countdown is wide receiver Vincent Jackson at No. 16.
What he did in 2012: In his first season in Tampa Bay, Jackson caught 72 passes for 1,384 yards and eight touchdowns.
Why he’s No. 16 in 2013: Jackson should only get better in his second season in Tampa Bay. Jackson’s 19.2 yards per catch last season showed how he can stretch the field, and he opened the way for receiver Mike Williams and running back Doug Martin to have big seasons. That means defenses are going to have to devote more attention to Williams and Martin, and Jackson could end up with even more opportunities than he had last season. The key, however, will be quarterback Josh Freeman, who is headed into a year that is crucial for his future. But Jackson could end up being Freeman’s best friend. The thing Freeman does best is throw the ball downfield. Jackson already has shown he can get open on deep routes.
Joe agrees with Yasinskas in that Jackson should be better this year. Here’s why:
People talk about how Josh Freeman is going into his second season in Mike Sullivan’s complex offense and how he is much more comfortable in it. That right there means Jackson should have a better season.
Just as important, Freeman will also be in his second season playing with Jackson. The two were new to each other last year, just as both were new to Sullivan’s offense.
With greater familiarity, Joe can see how Jackson catches even more footballs for more yards and more touchdowns.
June 28th, 2013 at 4:41 pm
Ranked too low…. Should be higher!
June 28th, 2013 at 4:42 pm
@Joe… I’m ready for some FOOTBALL and the Game Day live blogs. Hammering down a few beers and over indulging on the Chips and Dip. Bring on my beloved Bucs and a helluva season!!! 12 and 4!!!
June 28th, 2013 at 4:58 pm
I’m ready too! I want to see this team and especially the new look D in action!!
TAAAAAMMMPPPAAA!!!!!
June 28th, 2013 at 5:04 pm
16th? If he puts Colston or R.White ahead of VJax then this Pat Yasinkas fellow is blatantly biased.
June 28th, 2013 at 5:24 pm
strike Colston, he put him at 24.
June 28th, 2013 at 5:33 pm
The only guy that could contend with Vincent as the best WR in the NFC South is Julio Jones. Roddy White could be in the conversation as well but not likely. I think that Julio will be the highest rated WR. For their post season run if nothing else.
June 28th, 2013 at 5:41 pm
I have a feeling this season is going to be very special and be loaded with highlight reels for years to come.
June 28th, 2013 at 5:43 pm
I have no problem with Roddy White over Vincent Jackson the numbers are comparable but Julio Jones over him is nonsense. I think he is crazy overrated right now
June 28th, 2013 at 5:48 pm
I totally agree Buc’n Junkie…
This whole list just lost all credibility IMO by having VJax at 16…I can see Brees, Matt Ryan, Roddy White, Doug Martin, heck I’ll even include Kuechly and Lavonte…and as much as I hate to even say this maybe even Cam Newton…But there’s no way in hell there’s 15 players in the NFC South better than VJax Period!…No Freakin way…Action Jackson shouldv’e at least made top 10…Man the season cant start soon enuff, I cant wait to prove all these Biased “Non-Believers” wrong…
June 28th, 2013 at 8:12 pm
This offense should be damn good.
I expect 28+ points per Sunday.
Our special teams have improved dramatically, and our Defense has Batman and Robin.
We are set.
Freeman and the D-Line are our biggest question marks… I think they both answer the bell, and the Bucs win a playoff game.
June 28th, 2013 at 8:32 pm
Vincent Jackson is second only to Megatron in the entire NFC when you’re talking top WRs. I wouldn’t trade him for Julio Jones, Dez Bryant, Percy Harvin, Victor Cruz, or any other NFC WR not named Vincent Jackson or Calvin Johnson.
June 28th, 2013 at 10:03 pm
I believe the key to improvement is half freeman and half having a reliable third slot option. Dallas Clark could not get separation and Underwood dropped too may passes. Crabtree and Ogeltree would be my choice of starters all day long. ALL DAY LONG!!!!! Go BUCS!!!!!
June 28th, 2013 at 10:23 pm
@keven. How many did Underwood drop that was to him? How many were thrown into the dirt at his feet and he just could not scoop them off the turf? Just curious !
June 29th, 2013 at 12:06 am
Good point, Joe. I think people would be surprised just how much this team has changed over the past two seasons. I just watched the Titans game from 2011 again, just for kicks and to see the differences between the team in a horrible 10 game slide in 2011 vs a 5 game skid in 2012. I was amazed at all the names I hear that weren’t even on the team last year.
Players that had their names called in the Titans game that I can recall off the top of my head… Tanard Jackson, Geno Hayes, Tim Crowder, Albert Haynesworth, Kregg Lumpkin, Sammie Stroughter, Preston Parker, Legarette Blount, Aqib Talib, Arrelious Benn (Jeff Faine wasn’t mentioned, but was on the team that year and Sean Jones our Safety). None of these guys are on the current roster, and only a couple were on the team last year. Now we have Ronde Barber retired, EJ Biggers gone. That’s a pretty long list of players that have changed in just over 1 season.
Not only did the coaching staff change last year, but a significant number of players as well, and the systems were different. Barber was in a new position, 2 rookies (Barron and David) starting on defense. Lumpkin was replaced by Ward, who is now being replaced by another back (James, Leonard, or Smith)… and someone has to step into Blount’s role as the back to spell Martin when it’s not 3rd down or a passing situation. Underwood stepped in last year and was ok (not as many passes in the ground as some might think, I haven’t counted, but I have watched and really believe you are all thinking of 2011 again). We brought in Vincent Jackson, which was phenomenal and instant improvement. Roy Miller is also gone now, and a rookie is expected (again) to step in and perform. More changes with Goldson coming in and the drafting of Banks.
All this in (basically) 1 season. Going into year 2 of the New Schiano Order, the players that were here last year should improve. Freeman, Jackson, Williams, Martin, etc on offense. GMC, Bowers, Clayborn, David, Foster, Barron on defense. We’ll need to see some players step in and perform in their first year in this system like Revis, Goldson, Banks, Spence, etc.
This year, there are only a few real additions with high expectations, and they should be able to meet them in Revis and Goldson. Most everyone else in key roles are going into year 2 in the system and should all improve.
One other thing I noticed about the 2011 game against the Titans…. tackling. In 2011, our tackling was horrendous. It seriously looked like every player on the Titans was LGB with a different number on the jersey. They’d get the ball in their hands, get hit, bounce off, run, get hit again, run some more… even the WRs. During the 5 game slide last year, that also looked to be a difference maker. GMC and David were pretty consistent and solid in tackling, but there were others that dropped off and missed more tackles (Foster to name one) during that slide.
I look forward to this season, as I’ve watched the progression of the team, the players…. things are really looking up. I kinda miss LGB already (even in the Titans game, he’d get a yard, or two, lose a yard or two… then break 2 or 3 runs of 12 yards in a row. Good fun to watch him). If they remain mostly healthy this season, I think playoffs are definitely within reach.
June 29th, 2013 at 12:22 am
Off topic…I just noticed the Bucs only have 3 OGs on the roster and two are starters. There are enought players to provide depth at every position except OG. Scary if our two starters go down!
June 29th, 2013 at 12:50 am
VJ should be ranked #1 for all of the amazing catches he had of poorly thrown passes.
June 29th, 2013 at 1:42 am
MeanD: you’re absolutely sure they were poorly thrown and not just thrown where VJ could make the catch and the DB couldn’t? There were a lot of throws and acrobatic catches when the throw was the only one that had a chance. Just because the WR has to go up and get it doesn’t mean it was poorly thrown. If you prefer examples of specific catches by both VJ & MW that were both acrobatic & perfect throw, I’d be happy to site specific games and game clock for easy reference…
June 29th, 2013 at 5:49 am
@BamBamBuc: Your posts have become a valuable asset here at JBF. I truly appreciate the time and effort that you (quite obviously) put into your posts. Cheers!
June 29th, 2013 at 6:30 am
Loved Vincent Jackson coming out of college. He has not disappointed and is everything I thought he’d be. Bets F/A signing in Bucs history.
June 29th, 2013 at 9:20 am
Much appreciation, thanks.