Where Art Thou No. 3 Receiver?
October 11th, 2013
Fittingly, the Bucs dropped the ball on signing Kevin Ogletree in the offseason, leaving a monster void at the No. 3 receiver position.
Yes, Joe is a fan of Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik. That doesn’t mean Dominik is a deity and is perfect.
For months Joe banged his fist on bars, careful to not spill any beer, over the fact Dominik (unless the move was directed by the hands of Bucs commander Greg Schiano) let Michael Bennett go. Yes, yes, yes. Bennett was damaged goods. But as — of all people — Raheem Morris once said, “I will tolerate you until I can replace you.” Bennett and his team-leading sacks as a defensive end have not been replaced.
If the Bucs had kept Bennett and he was unable to make a go of it physically, then you either cut him or make a medical settlement. It’s not like the Bucs were in salary cap hell. Expecting Da’Quan Bowers — who can’t even crack the starting lineup — to replace Bennett was a swing and a miss worse than a Karlos Pena at-bat.
Another whiff was at No. 3 receiver. Kevin Ogletree was simply a bad, bad, bad mistake. He was terrible. Joe had learned that on the morning he was released, Ogletree needed a driver to whisk him away from One Buc Palace because Ogletree kept dropping his keys.
Not having a No. 3 receiver really seems to be hurting the Bucs offense, types Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.
In an effort to spark the deep passing game that was a signature element of the 2012 offense that ranked ninth in the league, the Bucs are also considering using Eric Page, Russell Shephard and Jeff Demps as receiving options.
In other words, the third receiver’s job is wide open.
“We need all our guys to bring their ‘A’ game so that we can add something to Vincent and Mike,” coach Greg Schiano said. “We just have to figure out who and what package gives us the best chance to move the ball.”
Needing a No. 3 receiver, a reliable one, has been a deep void this season, partially because the Bucs currently have no tight end to speak of. The Bucs still believe Tom Crabtree was a gem of a find. He may be, but he hasn’t played yet because of injury.
Joe knows in the Bucs offense, a tight end is not a valuable commodity. Joe understands this simply drives fans up a wall but unless offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan is replaced, that’s the way it is going to be, good, bad or indifferent.
Without a tight end, even as a last option (don’t get Joe started on Luke Stocker), that makes the No. 3 receiver position even more critical.
With no viable tight end until Crabtree returns to the lineup, and without a solid No. 3 wide receiver, this really limits Mike Glennon’s options and also allows opposing defenses the ability to lock up Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams.
October 11th, 2013 at 12:58 pm
At least Page, Shephard and Demps bring speed and receiving ability to the offense…two traits that Ogletree lacked. In fact, now that I think about it, if you aren’t fast and you can’t catch what the hell are you doing playing WR in the first place? I’m talking to you, Ogletree.
October 11th, 2013 at 1:10 pm
ogletree was here because of the wr coach garrett and his dallas days which is probably the same reason we sign crabtree instead of bennett as TE….or maybe schiano is big on signing trees to watch grow and become buc men/schiano men
October 11th, 2013 at 1:25 pm
A heavy “dose of Demps”…..”pepper some Page” and our speed problem goes away.
Along with TE, we need to look closely at getting more production out of the FB/2nd RB position….
October 11th, 2013 at 1:46 pm
I think Revis needs to take a look at the other side of this Buccaneer team before he declares any guaranteed victories.
October 11th, 2013 at 1:59 pm
I say use Demps in the slot. Draw up a few plays to get him the ball in space. A quick slant route, a WR screen, etc. Good coaches find a way to utilize players. Demps has speed, use it.
October 11th, 2013 at 2:34 pm
Hey Joe,
Guess what Greg Schiano and Josh Freeman have in common?! Don’t know? You’re karaoke idol signed/drafted them! HAHAHA…hilarious isn’t it? Kind of like how Schano thought we were a laughingstock BEFORE he arrived.
If one thing I know about you Joe is that you go down with the ship you’re on. Some might say it takes intelligence to learn from a mistake, but there is definitely something to be said about stubbonly sticking to an opinion no matter what the outcome.
Domick’s record as Bucs GM: 24-44 – A record only a mother could love; or Joe.
October 11th, 2013 at 2:49 pm
“I will tolerate you until I can replace you” is a quote from Mike Tomlin. It is, apparently, one of the noted catchphrases of his ‘coachspeak’. This is the second time I have seen this quote incorrectly attributed on this website. Even if Morris incorporated it, it came into the public sphere when former Bucs safety Jermaine Phillips articulated his experience with Tomlin as position coach. Just figured I’d give the heads up.
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/steelers/2009-01-29-tomlin-cover_N.htm
October 11th, 2013 at 3:13 pm
Gee – trouble with the wide receivers…trouble iSO critical that it might after the outcome of the game? Did anyone tell Scha-Na-Na? He just released/cut/fired/demoted the starting QB for that?
Somebody better tell Scha-Na-Na that no mater how Demps holds his fork, he cannot release/cut/fire/demote him.
wow. this is getting serious.
The former ‘franchise’ QB that was causing all the ‘drama’ and we fans have been told (repeatedly) that the daily/weekly/monthly/2year distractions have all since left now for Minnesota…yet the plagues keep coming…?
and, gee whiz…did you know that Woody just said that without a good #3 receiver…it could affect how open VJax Mike Williams route running and getting open?!
Wow. All this time we thought it was the QB!?
Goof thing we know this NOW…otherwise some of might see the same results from a different QB…and conclude that this whole mess really was Scha-Na-Na
Hey did you know that MRSA is STILL keep Carl Nicks out of games, too?
Wow, back-up linemen, no #3 WR, MRSA running wild, an offense that no longer uses TE’s to throw football’s to…
Yeah, I can understand why Scha-Na-Na wants you to know the truth, now.
Don’t nobody blame MG8….
On the positive side, the beast CAN fire a TE if he absolutely, positively HAS to blame somebody for all of THIS weeks drama – we can get another guard to block from the TE position….oh wait…MRSA….
October 11th, 2013 at 4:35 pm
Casey:
Joe never heard Tomlin say that but DID hear Raheem say that during his spat with Sabby the Goat and Stylez White. Therefore, Joe will quote Raheem.
October 11th, 2013 at 7:29 pm
Sooo.
Not having a slot Reciever, and a TE, limits the QBs options???
No way!!!
So now only having 2 recieving options is a problem for passing game???
Meybe, like every other team in the league- we should have more than two passing options.
Meybe we shouldn’t be running the incredibly inept and ineffective Rutgers offense!!!
All things I’ve said since spring!!!
But nah, lets just keep blaming our QBs!!
Sometimes, I am just so far ahead of this game- that it’s truly mind boggling!!!
Fire Schiano and Dom!
NOW!!!
October 11th, 2013 at 7:41 pm
Most annoying part if this . The attention span around here is so short, that everyone but a few( Eric, WhiteTiger, JB) will all think this is the first time anyone has said this.
October 11th, 2013 at 8:01 pm
Joe, getting a driver from dropping his keys. That is hilarious! Thanks for the levity.
October 11th, 2013 at 9:02 pm
And the coaching staff is just now noticing this in week 5?
October 11th, 2013 at 10:04 pm
Yet I noticed it last year. And I am no a football expert by any means.
And why doesn’t anyone actually listen to the games. I swear John lynch pointed it out at least 5 times. He would illustrate that opposing CBs would go to the sideline- and wait for our WRs to finish their route- and run to where the CB was waiting on them. He would show that we were only sending out two recievers, and would be left with no pass option
Yet everyone acts like its a revelation now!! Fully a year( and 10 loses) later!!
Lmao!! There should be an IQ test, prior to being allowed to post. That way the Couches, PrBucFans, Bucfan1987, and Bobby’s of the world wouldn’t take up space- that could be used by intelligent fans!
“winning with Glennon”
Lmao
October 12th, 2013 at 9:20 am
No wonder we are in a state of disarray! We are still figuring sh*t out. And that came from the head ball coach. Dude is clueless.