Free Agent Wide Receivers
by LinuxTX on Jan 21, 2009 5:06 PM EST
7 comments
Knowing that our recent draft picks at wide receiver have been piss poor (Clayton, DJax, Stovall), I'm looking at the 2009 Free Agent pool for who the Bucs need to pick up in the offseason. JScott's post on Michael Clayton got me motivated to comment on Scouts.com's list of top RFA and UFA WRs.
We can start by noticing that Michael Clayton is not on this list. Cowboys 4th and 5th string WRs (Sam Hurd and Miles Austin) made the list, further clarifying my viewpoint that Clayton has outstayed his welcome in Tampa.
One obvious UFA that I expect to be signed any day now is Antonio Bryant. Great talent and has proven that he wants to be a Buccaneer. I know the Bucs have the money get Housh, but I just don't see it happening. Bryant and Housh would make an excellent pass game for any QB, young or old.
Out of the remaining 3 stars on the list, I think we should pass. Their price tags will not equal their abilities and we got plenty of those on our sideline already.
Out of the 2 star fellows, there are plenty of names that peak my interest. Nate Washington, Devery Henderson, Lance Moore, Miles Austin. Any of these guys could play a #2/#3 receiver role and would add a great deal to our receiving group. Also,
- Lance Moore - 79 rec, 928 yds, 10 TDs - Stats speak for themselves. #1 in yards on best offense in league. Could compete with Bryant for #1 spot.
- Devery Henderson - 32 rec, 793 yds, 3 TDs - Beat out Colston in yards with 15 less receptions.
- Nate Washington - 40 rec, 631 yds, 3 TDs - Great hands, still made over 600 yds with Hines Ward and Santanio Holmes running routes next to him. Price might get high with a Super Bowl ring.
- Miles Austin - 13 rec, 278 yds, 3 TDs - Made it count when he could get Romo to actually throw him the ball...cough...TO...Witten...Roy Williams...Crayton...Barber...Bennett...my throat is getting dry.
Let me know who you think should be a WR on the Bucs depth chart in 2009.
Content provided by a member of Buc 'Em.
0 recs |
7 comments
Email
Print
Comments
man oh man
“We can start by noticing that Michael Clayton is not on this list. Cowboys 4th and 5th string WRs (Sam Hurd and Miles Austin) made the list, further clarifying my viewpoint that Clayton has outstayed his welcome in Tampa”
that about says it all doesnt it? If that wasnt enough the guy has TWO TOUCHDOWNS in the past four seasons…. Why would anybody want this guy back? He’s a bruiser at 6’4 and could never become a Red Zone threat, why is that? And don’t blame Gruden, the guy had opportunity after opportunity. If he caught balls consistently he would have been fed more. Simple as that…. The Texans Andre Johnson had more receiving yardage THIS SEASON, then Clayton has had in four years. He’s been injured, but he still played in 14, 12, 14, and 15 games the past four years… Those my friends are lost opportunities.
Moving on, the Bucs have money. Bryant is a given. Housh would be nice having seen the tandem of Boldin/Fitzgerald take the Cards to the Super Bowl. Plus they would have a marginal QB look good-to-great. It’s a lot like the Peppers situation though, would it be wise to sink a good chunk of our monetary freedom into two wide receivers? I’m not so sure. Lance Moore wouldnt be a bad option though. I’m inclined to lean on the Draft for WR help, but Moore is 25 and has already proven he can be productive with 79 receptions in an offense that featured Henderson and Colston… He would be a nice pick-up
Final Verdict: Antonio Bryant + Lance Moore and move on… Nice post Tex!
Buc 'Em Your SBNation Tampa Bay Bucs Blog where Dull Boys are not allowed!!
by JScott on Jan 21, 2009 6:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
WR depth
It’s no doubt the Bucs missed Galloway this past season. Bryant played excellent, but you need 2 wide receivers who are threats. The Bucs need that deep threat and I feel Devery Henderson or Nate Washington would be an excellent addition. I really like Henderson because of his size. Someone that’s 5’11 200 should be able to block too. If the Bucs can put Bryant, Clayton and Henderson with Smith/Stevens and that O-Line they should be able to run the ball and get some bigger runs after they break the line of scrimmage.
"We couldn't tackle today, but we made up for it by not blocking"
-- John McKay
by CrazyCarl139 on Jan 21, 2009 6:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
that's another wild card in the hole for the Bucs
Clifton Smith, he was signed as a Running back first and foremost and proved to be an asset in the return game. He could be a Darren Sproles type back if learns to hold on to the ball…
Also, I know many fans hate his guts and it has nothing to do with the player and everything to do with his draft position, but i hope the Bucs don’t cast off Dexter Jackson. I realize he was inept in the return game, but he did put up good numbers as a slot receiver for Appalachian State. He still has speed and caught the ball well in Pre-Season, hopefully the Bucs don’t give up on him because Gruden wouldnt give him a chance in the offense. That’s the same Coach that sat Galloway because Bryant was tearing it up on the field. How in the world didnt he at least fantasize about getting both receivers on the field at the same time?
Buc 'Em Your SBNation Tampa Bay Bucs Blog where Dull Boys are not allowed!!
by JScott on Jan 21, 2009 9:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
WR starters and depth
My final verdict: T.J. + Bryant + Bryan Johnson + Clayton + P. Warren = TD’s and good run blocking
TE’s with the right offense = more and more TDs
by twrestlinga on Jan 21, 2009 9:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I bet TJ
gets franchise tagged.
"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"
by UNFNOLE on Jan 22, 2009 10:29 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
agreed
outside of TJ, I definitely think Henderson, Moore, Washington and MAYBE Brandon Lloyd are worth a look, leaning towards Lance Moore tho. I wish we could have seen D.Jax at WR, his speed is unquestionable and he was never meant to be a returner, so hopefully we will get to see him get his shot this next year.. and maybe explode in preseason.
by ghosthippo on Jan 22, 2009 1:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A Few Not mentioned
I think B. Lloyd might be a good pickup. The guy was amazing in San Fran before signing or being traded to the redskins then to Bears. He also had a great start last year before getting hurt. I think it is a little cost/risk and a potentially higher reward.
There is also jabar gaffney. He isn’t a bad 2 or 3 receiver.
We sign either of them or some others that were mentioned like Moore and draft a good receiver in top rounds then we should be set at that position.
I would also like to mention about the Galloway issue and not playing him last year. How do we know that it was all Gruden not putting Galloway opposite Bryant? Maybe Galloway was the one who didn’t want to switch.
by miracles83 on Jan 22, 2009 3:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
thats true too
but then why would Galloway ask the media to stop asking him why he isnt out there playing. He essentially alluded to not wanting to ruffle Gruden’s feathers…
this season should tell all. Galloway can either be a malcontent and sit out or play on the field with Bryant (if we’re fortunate enough to resign him), I’m thinking he’ll take the field
Buc 'Em Your SBNation Tampa Bay Bucs Blog where Dull Boys are not allowed!!
by JScott on Jan 22, 2009 7:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
