Page Proving His Value
October 28th, 2013
The Bucs have the NFL’s 12th-ranked punt returner!
See, there are things to celebrate.
Among players who have fielded six or more punts this season, Page has averaged 9.2 yards per return, which ranks No. 12 in the NFL. For some perspective, Darren Sproles is 17th, and Micheal Spurlock (Detroit) is 19th.
Page, 22, has taken to the role nicely. Yes, he had an ungly fumble/turnover. But consider that the seven NFL returners with a higher yards per return have a combined seven fumbles. It happens.
Page’s decision-making isn’t flawless. But he’s pretty good. And he should improve. He missed all of last season, his rookie year, with after ACL surgery14 months ago.
So there you have it, another “bright light” to add to the one Greg Schiano raved about last week.
October 28th, 2013 at 9:52 am
i may be off here but page does not look like an nfl player. He always brings it out from 8 yds deep, slow decision making, big fumble, and does not look like he can provide any help as a wide reciever.
October 28th, 2013 at 9:53 am
I like this guy but has not looked good the last couple of games. Saying this guy is a bright light is a rrrreeeeaaaccccchhhh.
October 28th, 2013 at 9:58 am
There’s nothing wrong with Page, you bitter douchebags.
October 28th, 2013 at 10:01 am
The guy was awful on Thursday. He brought two kickoffs out from deep in the endzone and didn’t even make it past the twenty. Then not only did he fumble that one punt, but he lost the fumble too! Then on another punt return he failed to call for a fair catch and got blasted by the gunner. You need 3 things to be a good returner: 1. Speed 2. Good hands 3. And a good Football IQ (When to take a touchback and when to call for a fair catch)
October 28th, 2013 at 10:04 am
@WalkdaPlank — Kick returner and punt returner are two different jobs. Joe didn’t write here about returning kicks. Remember, Page lost his KR job to Jeff Demps, but got it back after Demps blew his groin.
October 28th, 2013 at 10:24 am
@Joe – Fair enough, they are two different things. I’d still like to see improvements in the PR game though. Fumbles happen to everybody, but that doesn’t make them any better to watch. On top of that, in the same game Page got his hands on a Mike Glennon pass in the endzone late in the 4th without any contact from a defender and couldn’t haul it in. Granted, Glennon’s pass was a little high, but if a receiver can get two hands on the football, he can catch it. My point is that Page has to show better hands to succeed at any kind of returning in this league. Fumbles are a good way to lose your job.
October 28th, 2013 at 10:24 am
Nobody said there is anything wrong with him. But he is just a guy on the team. And that was my point.
October 28th, 2013 at 10:39 am
Put me with the other ” bitter d-bags ” that not only think it’s a stretch to celebrate Page, but also wonder if he’s NFL caliber. It’s nothing personal…I’m sure Page is a swell fella. At Oh & 7…the silver linings are scarce I suppose. It reminds me of the original Bad News Bears where they were no-hit…but were glad to at least foul a few off.
October 28th, 2013 at 10:49 am
tough to have a guy on the roster taking a spot that can only return punts. He needs to be able to do something else to, like return kicks and or play wr. Unless he is donte hall in his prime and takes it to the house 4 or 5 times a year. Otherwise, he is just a guy.
October 28th, 2013 at 10:58 am
When Page is a bright spot……………
October 28th, 2013 at 11:20 am
At 0-7 its about evaluating our young talent….I expect Page & Owusu…perhaps Sherman to be used more in the passing game.
Developing our younger players like Demps, James, Means & Gholston are vital to filling out next years roster.
I like Page and think he’s got some speed and pretty good hands….&…he’s cheap!!!
October 28th, 2013 at 11:22 am
He’s not exactly Devin Hester……
October 28th, 2013 at 11:35 am
Unseat Joe’s beloved “Rock Star”. Bring in a REAL Rock Star.
6 years of the rebuild.
We’ve been hearing “deepest draft ever”,”big back hunting”, “He’s my guy” (Eric Wright), “It’s all about 5.”
The entire 2009 draft class is gone. 2nd round selections like Brian Price, Arrelious Benn, and 3rd rounder Myron Lewis.
Trading up to draft a QB in the first round, only to have it flop.
Everyone wants to rip off Schian0-7’s head and sh!t down down his throat, but you know what at the end of the day Dominick hired this guy.
Dom has extended the likes of Michael Clayton, Quincy Black, letting Mike Bennett walk, and is responsible for spending two 4th round picks on Luke Stocker.
When does this all get called to question? Joe gives Dom a grade of “D-” for the 2009 draft, “Bull Spit!” as your Hump Day Host likes to put it.
When is our GM responsible for making an adequate roster?
Where is the TE, depth, slot wr, SLB, O-Line?
“I don’t believe in drafting offensive linemen”- Dom. You don’t believe in COMPETING is what he should have said.
I am with you Joe, to me, it is either Clowney- the next Peppers or Mathews- The Seed of Bruce and destined to be a great football player. We need great football players more than any certain position. This team needs a leader. We need a guy who can go out there and perform, and lead by example. We need a BEAST OT or a 10 sack guy, we lack those.
October 28th, 2013 at 11:47 am
@ Joe
I just wanted to take the time to say thanks for posting that article on the end of antibiotics in your morning cup of Joe. gives you a better understanding of the situation that our players with MRSA are dealing with and where the future of medicine is headed towards. a real eye opener and kind of alarming. its good to know nonetheless.
October 28th, 2013 at 11:50 am
There goes Williams. Should put martin on ir as well. Jmo
October 28th, 2013 at 11:58 am
The only way to find out if you have a player is to play him…we have an opportunity to really see what we have going forward….if we are going to lose…then lets lose with some benefits….one of those is developing our younger players.
I find it interesting that Glennon has already been benched next year by many because of his play thus far…and there is no talk of Banks’ play….I guess that would be the difference in their positions….but both are rookies…the good news is they will learn more by playing than watching.
October 28th, 2013 at 11:59 am
Best we got right now. Just turn the page!
October 28th, 2013 at 12:13 pm
@blackmagic00 I agree…no need to get your best players hurt. Let’s just prepare for the draft. The season is toast.
October 28th, 2013 at 2:59 pm
What’s crazy is that the Patriot have LeGarrette Blount returning kickoffs. Can you imagine a 250 Lb kickoff returner lol. Oh…he also was their starting RB yesterday 🙁
October 28th, 2013 at 6:29 pm
Wow…you guys complain Joe pits up nothing positive and then when he does you complain even more.
This is basically Eric Page’s rookie year. He’s doing great for his first active year.