Buccaneer wideouts ready for breakout

With the drafting of Josh Freeman in 2009, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers embarked on a complete renovation of the ball handlers on offense.  The first target was the wide receivers group, starting with Sammie Stroughter a few rounds later.  In 2010, WRs Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn were drafted.  Those three have taken more than the lions share of starts at wideout for the past two seasons.  Add in Preston Parker (2010 undrafted free agent) and Dezmon Briscoe (plundered from the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad in 2010) and you have a set of highly productive pass-catchers.  However, injury and youth have conspired to keep this group from reaching their potential.

The most productive pass-catcher in 2011 (and 2010) was TE Kellen Winslow, now departed in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks. Enter Vincent Jackson, free agent from San Diego and one of the most coveted players in the 2012 free agent pool.  Winslow caught 75 passes for 763 yards in 2011; Jackson caught 60 passes for 1,106 yards.  Winslow produced 2 touchdowns in 2011; Jackson scored 9 touchdowns in 2011.

Based on statistics, the Winslow and Jackson moves appear to shift the emphasis from the Tight End position out to the Wide Receivers for 2012.  This does not imply the Tampa Bay Tight End squad will not be productive, it just means the proven playmakers are now on the edge. In theory, this should force opposing defenses to play from the inside out instead of from the outside to the middle. There is no doubt the Buccaneers will be looking for a new, younger TE to emerge in 2012 (a story for another day), but that person will not be option #1 for Josh Freeman down after down after down.

When going to training camp on July 29th, the Buccaneer's Wide Reciever group will bring the following 2011 production (sorted by Receiving Yards):

Wideout	Ht	Wt	Games	Starts	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Notes
Jackson, Vincent	6'5"	230	16	16	60	1106	18.4	58	9	FA (SD)
Williams, Mike	6'2"	212	16	15	65	771	11.9	42	3
Parker, Preston	6'0"	200	16	0	40	554	13.9	51	3
Benn, Arrelious	6'2"	220	14	14	30	441	14.7	65T	3
Briscoe, Dezmon	6'2"	210	16	2	35	387	11.1	46	6
Stroughter, Sammie	5'10"	189	6	0	4	52	13	29	0
Underwood, Tiquan	6'1"	183	6	0	3	30	10	13	0	FA (NE)
Wright, Wallace	6'1"	197	16	0	2	21	10.5	14	0	FA (NYJ)
Gant, Ed	6'3"	200	4*	0	5	164	32.8	96	1	* All Preseason
Ellingson, Greg	6'3"	197	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2012 College FA
Lewis, Armahd	5'8"	171	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2012 College FA

Williams and Benn have been on the field for a great majority of snaps in each of their two seasons in the NFL.  Parker and Briscoe broke out last season to demonstrate they can be productive players.  Stroughter was slowed by injury in 2011.  Gant wowed during the 2011 preseason with a 96 yard touchdown catch and his NFL size.

If I had to build a depth chart today, it would probably shake out this way:

Right side WR (Freeman's Right Hand, Primary Receiver)
Vincent Jackson - The big paycheck means make him #1
Mike Williams - Won't learn anything from Jackson if he's learning some other position

Left Side WR (Freeman's Back, Secondary Receiver)
Arrelious Benn - Can be a deep threat
Dezmon Briscoe - Extremely productive in the red zone last season

Slot
Preston Parker - Slot is a 3rd down position; Parker is Mr. Third Down
Sammie Stroughter - He may also have some kick/punt return duties

Of those six, Stroughter is the player most in jeopardy to be replaced by one of the free agents, but his punt returning skills are hard to ignore.  Gant and Ellingson have the physical size to play into the interior from the slot.  Armahd is a burner, and Underwood and Wright bring experience from playoff-caliber teams.

How good could this group be?  Here are the best seasons of the players in this group with NFL game experience:

Wideout	Ht	Wt	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Year
Jackson, Vincent	6'5"	230	68	1167	17.2	55	9	2009
Williams, Mike	6'2"	212	65	964	14.8	58T	11	2010
Parker, Preston	6'0"	200	40	554	13.9	51	3	2011
Benn, Arrelious	6'2"	220	30	441	14.7	65T	3	2011
Briscoe, Dezmon	6'2"	210	35	387	11.1	46	6	2011
Stroughter, Sammie	5'10"	189	31	334	10.8	35	1	2009
Underwood, Tiquan	6'1"	183	8	111	13.9	22	0	2010
Wright, Wallace	6'1"	197	6	87	14.5	36	0	2007

It is a very solid group when playing to their potential.  A running game which opposing teams have to respect can only make this group more productive.

It is entirely possible for the Buccaneers to open the season with more than six WRs on the roster.  New offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan will make that call. In any case, this looks like one of the more polished groups on the pre-camp roster.  Look for a breakout year!

Buccanners Still A Team Very Much In Flux

The 2010 Season will be remembered for all the young players which stepped up and helped Tampa Bay attain it's first 10-win season since 2005.  Unfortunately, 2010 was also the first season the Buccaneers won 10 or more games but did not get into the NFC playoffs.

Winning 10 games does not necessarily mean the roster is stable, however great the success may feel.  In fact, for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, much less may be settled going into the offseason than is actually settled by the influx of young talent.

The table below shows the opening day and final day starting lineups for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  These are the men selected by their coaches as the players most likely at each position to get the team started quickly on game day.  Tampa Bay uses a heavy rotation of players, so this is not an indicator of playing time necessarily.  But it is still a barometer of what the coaches believe as far as who has the right experience/talent combination for playing time on Sundays.

Players who started both the first and last games of the 2010 season are highlighted in pewter:

	Opening Day (CLE)	Season Ender (@NO)
Offense
QB	Josh Freeman	Josh Freeman
WR	Mike Williams	Mike Williams
WR	Sammie Stroughter	Maurice Stovall
TE	Kellen Winslow	Kellen Winslow
FB	Earnest Graham
TE		John Gilmore
LT	Donald Penn	Donald Penn
LG	Keydrick Vincent ***	Ted Larsen
C	Jeff Faine *	Jeremy Zuttah
RG	Davin Joseph *	Derek Hardman
RT	Jeremy Trueblood	James Lee
RB	Carnell Williams	LeGarrette Blount
Defense
LE	Kyle Moore *	Tim Crowder
DT	Gerald McCoy *	Frank Okam
DT	Roy Miller	Roy Miller
RE	Ryan Sims ***	Micheal Bennett
SLB	Quincy Black *	Adam Hayward
MLB	Barrett Ruud	Barrett Ruud
WLB	Geno Hayes	Geno Hayes
LCB	EJ Biggers	EJ Biggers
RCB	Ronde Barber	Ronde Barber
SS	Sean Jones	Sean Jones
FS	Tanard Jackson **	Cory Lynch
* Finished the Season on Injured Reserve
** Suspended by the NFL
*** No longer with the team

Only 10 players started on the opening day roster and started the final game of the season (Graham and Gilmore probably bump the count to 11 as they are situational and both were healthy for both games).  The fallout is that half the starting lineup changed over the course of the season, with six of those changes due to injury (includes Vincent, who was cut as opposed to heading for IR) and only one player cut when healthy (Ryan Sims, a point-in-time moment for the current incarnation of the Buccaneers franchise).  Also note that EJ Biggers started the first game because Aqib Talib was suspended (Talib finished the season on IR as well).

Those 11 spots which went through a change during the season:  does the incumbent earn it back during the offseason?  Does the replacement keep the spot?

Each unhighlighted position is a storyline this offseason.  Those storylines will start to evolve once the rest of the NFL finishes their season, but we won't have our final answer until the next game.

Such a long time to wait!

Tampa Bay Has No Interest In Randy Moss

I can flatly confirm the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have zero interest in Randy Moss.

The Buccaneers are quite happy with the young receiving corp and the chemistry they are developing with quarterback Josh Freeman.

As is evident from watching him play, Moss is a notoriously lazy route runner (as well as a mouth runner) so I applaud the Buccaneers for going with what they have and staying on the upward path with the talented youth already on the roster -- including the leading rookie wide receiver in the NFL Mike Williams.

Just more proof of how drafting your own talent and developing it gives you more options when it comes to the waiver wire and free agent markets.  The Buccaneers can avoid the circus, potential locker room distraction, and the huge contract simply due to their diligence in drafting Sammie Stroughter (2009), Mike Williams (2010), and Arrelious Benn (2010), three young players with far more upside.

Sorry, Randy, hope someone else has work for you!

Another Mike Williams Payback Week

What was it like for Mike Williams on draft day?  Agonizing, to be sure.  But, at some point, you have to think it turned over to a bit of anger as nine teams picked college wideouts before the Buccaneers made him the 101st pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Who knew revenge would come so early?  Acutally, I know one person who did . . .

If you are a Buccaneers fan, you know that Williams is currently tops among Rookie wide receivers (if not, you need to stop by more often).  Being the Lead Dog in the rookie class is in itself a bit of sweet revenge.  Add the fact Williams has been nominated for Rookie of the Week three times already this season and you can see how he's making his point: o n the field.  He is putting doubters to shame (see "Worst Fourth Round Pick").

There were eight teams who picked wide receivers before Mike Williams:   Titans, Broncos, Patriots, Panthers, Cardinals, Steelers, Bengals, Seahawks, and Rams (Well, it's nine teams if you count the Buccaneers for picking Arrelious Benn in the 2nd round, but Tampa Bay was smart enough to make the pick).  It's gotta get under his skin, doesn't it?

Success is still the best revenge.  The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are currently 2 (Panthers, Bengals) and 1 (Pittsburgh) against the teams who passed on Williams.  This week he gets another shot at a team on "His List" with the Saint Louis Rams coming to town with Mardy Gilyard.  Gilyard was selected just two spots ahead of Williams in the draft and has 6 catches for 63 yards so far this season.  Williams has 23 catches for 283 yards.  And don't bother to bring up the young quarterback in Saint Louis to explain the difference -- Josh Freeman has played just eight more NFL games than Sam Bradford.

And it's not just win/loss success but overall success which is running high for Williams:  if he keeps up his current pace, Williams will rack up over 900 yards this season.  I'm sure an extremely productive rookie season would feel great going into the offseason next spring.

And don't forget next week: It's the Cardinals, and more sweet revenge!

Bryant, Ward out; Williams, Huggins in

The Cincinnati Bengals poured a $7.8 million signing bonus over former Buccaneer Antonio Bryant, then cut him without an appearance in a single game.  In his place is the 2010 preseason phenom and 4th round draft choice Mike Williams.

Derrick Ward signed a two year contract last year as an insurance policy for Cadillac Williams knees.  Enter 2009 Undrafted Free Agent Kareem Huggins.  Exit Derrick Ward.

Five of the six 2009 draft choices are either starting or second in line (Freeman, Miller, Moore, Biggers, Stroughter).  The same goes for four members of the 2010 draft class (McCoy, Price, Williams, Lewis).

Does anyone question the ability of General Manager Mark Dominik's front office to judge talent anymore?

Chris Hovan, longtime mainstay in the middle of the Buccaneers defense, was not offered a new contract by Dominik during the past offseason.  The St. Louis Rams did pick up Hovan, but he has been on IR since early July (back) and has not taken a snap during the preseason.  It is unlikely he makes the Rams opening day roster.

A quick prowl around the web shows Jermaine Phillips and Torrie Cox are not be in any NFL camps this fall.  Derrick Brooks has retired, as has Warrick Dunn.  Ike Hilliard never played another snap.

What would you think about your General Manager if your team drafts a player in April, then trades him away before the end of training camp in August?  Isn't it more impressive to find a Sammie Stroughter in the 7th round?  Obviously!

It seems the eight years Dominik put in as the Pro Personnel Director are paying off for the rebuilding Buccaneers.  No talent is "leaking" away from the team in the form of veterans with viable playing time remaining.  Dominik seems to understand when a veteran has given all they have to the franchise.  Knowing when a player has reached the end of their career is as important a talent for a GM as organizing the draft efforts -- mistakes in either case can cost the team cap space and roster opportunities for developing additional talent onto the depth chart.

Now Dominik must dig into his bag of tricks for another tool:  correctly choosing between two talented players at the same position.  Granted, this type of decision falls heavily on the shoulders of the coaching staff, who must be able to identify players which can perform the tasks presented to them at the highest level.  But, also, Dominik must manage his cap, the roster, and the practice squad while keeping an eye on the waiver wire, so the final decision rests in his office.  This is not a task for the squeamish; you know not all decisions will be winners.  In the modern NFL you don't have to hit with every decision, but you do have to nail the majority of them.  The core of the roster is the 44-man two-deep (that is, the starter and his backup for all positions) plus the punter, kicker, and perhaps a specialist long-snapper.  On a 53-man regular season roster, that leaves room for around six "others" -- versatile special teams performers, young talent to groom, or . . . mistakes, which will need to be corrected.  And a GM does not have time to deal with mistakes.

The final preseason game is tomorrow, after which rosters will be pared down from 75 players to 53-man rosters.  Those last few decisions may not be as critical as a first round pick in April, but they will impact the season and the future of the franchise.  Dominik has shown the ability a GM needs for the task.  As the talent on the roster continues to improve, the decisions will get tougher.  With the right choices, the rewards will escalate as well.

2010 Offseason: The Wide Receivers

Plenty of excitement surrounds the 2010 draft picks in the receivers unit.  Fans recognize this as a place the team needs to improve to help the 2009 first rounder quarterback Josh Freeman elevate his game.  It should be a real gunfight to sort this position out for 2010.

Wide Receivers

Name	Strt/Gms	H/W	Acquired
Parker, Preston	0/0	5'11" 199 lbs	(2010 College Free Agent)
Adeniji, Damola	0/0	6'3" 213 lbs	(2010 College Free Agent)
Brooks, Chris	0/0	6'2" 215 lbs	(2010 College Free Agent)
Benn, Arrelious	0/0	6'1" 219 lbs	(2010 Draft Pick)
Williams, Mike	0/0	6'1" 221 lbs	(2010 Draft Pick)
Urrutia, Mario	0/0	6'6" 232 lbs	(2009 Waiver Wire)
Nunn, Terrence	0/0	6'0" 195 lbs	(2009 Waiver Wire)
Spurlock, Micheal	0/2	5'11" 200 lbs	(2009 Waiver Wire)
Brown, Reggie	0/0	6'1" 197 lbs	(2010 Free Agent)
Clayton, Michael	11/13	6'4" 215 lbs	(2004 Draft Pick)
Bradley, Mark	0/0	6'1" 201 lbs	(2009 Waiver Wire)
Stroughter, Sammie	0/13	5'10" 189 lbs	(2009 Draft Pick)
2009 Final Game Starters:
WR: Stovall, Maurice	7/15	6'5" 220 lbs	(2006 Draft Pick)

Note the number of 2009 and 2010 players competing at this position.  Looks like General Manager Mark Dominik has been working this position hard looking for deeper talent.

Players are listed in order of productivity in 2009.  The surprise on this list is most likely Mark Bradley (24 catches, 316 yards), a waiver pickup from the Kansas City Chiefs, who produced nearly the same numbers as Sammie Stroughter (31 catches, 320 yards) last season.  Bradley put up his numbers in just 13 games with six starts for the Chiefs while Stroughter played in 13 games with no starts for the Buccaneers.

At this point, one starting spot is Stovall's to lose.  Maurice has been a tremendous contributor on special teams and put up his best year in 2009.  Clearly, he currently holds the most value on this squad.  The other starting spot should be a tremendous battle between the experienced men at this position -- which could expand to include the 2010 draft picks Benn and Williams.  Clayton and Brown should have the advantage but Coach Raheem Morris has said many times that production is what they are looking for.  Clayton and Brown were the 4th and 5th most productive players in 2009 which remain on this squad.  Experience alone may not be enough to keep the very talented youth at this position out of the starting lineup.

The Buccaneers carried eight wide receivers on the roster for most of last year.  At this point, I think there are only four players who would have to lose their roster spot in order to miss the 53-man roster for 2010:  Stovall, Stroughter, Benn, and Williams.  Everyone else has to win the competition for the other spots.  It is possible three of the remaining four roster spots could captured by the most experienced remaining players in Bradley, Clayton, and Brown. 

This would leave the final roster spot for the college free agents and 2009 practice squad players.  Micheal Spurlock is also a return specialist which would give him an edge.  The three college free agents are potential practice squad targets -- Chris Brooks was impressive enough at the rookie camp to land a camp contract, can he make the roster?  Urruita and Nunn are at a pivitol point in their NFL careers and must reach the 53-man roster to stay with the team.


Tight Ends

Name	Strt/Gms	H/W	Acquired
Mastrud, Jeron	0/0	6'5" 256 lbs	(2010 College Free Agent)
Purvis, Ryan	0/0	6'4" 260 lbs	(2009 College Free Agent)
Gilmore, John	2/13	6'5" 257 lbs	(2008 Free Agent)
Stevens, Jerramy	8/16	6'7" 260 lbs	(2007 Free Agent)
2009 Final Game Starter:
Winslow, Kellen	14/16	6'4" 240 lbs	(2009 Trade)

Barring unforseen circumstances, this spot is Winslow's for the next four years.

The Buccaneers carried four tight ends on the roster last season.  With a significant push for additional receiving talent this year four may be too many.  One thing is certain -- these men are going to have to be more physical in the running game to stay on the roster.  Stevens and Gilmore must keep the youth at bay behind them.  Stevens (15 catches for 130 yards) and Gilmore (3 catches, 23 yards) are two of the five oldest players on the roster now -- they must be productive or they will not make the team.

Fantasy Alert: Mike Williams

Now don't get used to this. I like Fantasy Football but I prefer doing analysis on Reality Football. Nonetheless I am all about the Pewter Nation and if I can help Tampa Bay Buccaneer fans dominate on the fantasy field I have to put it out there. Here it is:

If you are in a fantasy keeper league (retain players over the offseason) you need to get 2010 Tampa Bay Buccaneer draftee Mike Williams. Like, yesterday. You should be able to get him for a song -- and retaining him will be something you can enjoy for a long time particularly as a Buccaneers fan.

If you are in a fantasy draft league (draft a new team every year) you need to watch his performance in Buccaneers games very closely. I don't think you want to draft him outright, but as the season goes on he could be "That Free Agent Pickup" that gets you over the top in your league.

I am hearing so, so much about the young man that is very, very positive. I mean, all teams certainly love their draft picks. And all coaches and personnel people are giddy after rookie camp with the renewed hope rookies bring regarding the upcoming season. There is always a lot of praise.

And let me be clear I hear a lot of great things about Arellious Benn, the first wide receiver the Buccaneers selected in the barely-cooled-off 2010 NFL Draft. Benn could be the kind of yards after catch threat the Buccaneers have been missing since Joe Jurevicius but with more speed and more size. He is described as a "punishing" runner -- when was the last time you heard that about a wideout??

Benn was drafted in the high 2nd round and seems to be a first round talent. Excellent.

Williams was drafted in the 4th round and several sources tell me he is also a first round talent. Freaking Awesome!  If true, it appears that Tampa Bay has landed five first-round-talent players in a single draft, absolutely unheard of in the modern NFL.

Other media sources have directed their energies about Mike Williams into digging up mistakes he has made as a person around schoolwork and curfews. And while the schoolwork issue was nothing small, a curfew violation in college is par for the course. Unfortunately, rules in place made for harsh choices, possibly emotional decisions. No laws broken, no people injured, no football related issues, but plenty of judgement mistakes. Taking all that into consideration, Williams is definitely a kid who deserves a second chance.

Of course, there will always be people who judge from a distance, perhaps never meeting the person they are condemning (see the "Worst Fourth Round Pick" section). The world is harsh and some people enjoy tearing down others.

But, Tampa Bay fans, I am recommending you see Mike Williams for what he is. Give him a clean slate but expect him to be better, to do better, to learn and grow.

And watch out for an explosive fantasy player to emerge in Tampa this year. I warned you. I told you. Don't cry if you miss out -- I suspect there will be more in the years to come.


P.S. Mike Williams, I know you are out there somewhere. You may never find this, but I want you to be able to find it if you go looking for it. You were the 13th wide receiver taken in the 2010 NFL draft. After your teammate Arrelious Benn was selected in the 2nd round, another receiver was taken in the 2nd round, seven were chosen in the 3rd round, and one was chosen in the fourth round (just two picks before you). Here is what I want you to know/find some day: The teams that passed on Mike Williams by selecting a different wide receiver are: Titans, Broncos, Patriots, Panthers, Cardinals, Steelers, Bengals, Seahawks, and Rams. By the way, those last six are on the 2010 Schedule. So have a great offseason and preseason -- and BRING IT to the field in 2010!  Welcome to the Buccaneers!!

Fake Draft from Brandon, Florida

I'm posting this draft since it's the only one I received that did not have Gerald McCoy at #3. 

Tom, who lives in Brandon, Floirda, sent along his draft using the CBS Sports 2010 NFL Draft prospect rankings:

#3 - Eric Berry (FS, Tennessee, 6'0", 211lbs)
#35 - Carlos Dunlap (DE, Florida, 6'6", 278lbs)
#42 - Terrence Cody (DT, Alabama, 6'4", 349lbs)
#67 - Cam Thomas (DT, North Carolina, 6'4", 330lbs)
#101 - Darrell Stuckey (SS, Kansas, 6'0", 205lbs)
#153 - Mike Williams (WR, Syracuse, 6'2", 221lbs)
#172 - Emmanuel Sanders (WR, SMU, 5'11", 186lbs)
#210 - Shay Hodge (WR, Mississippi, 6'1", 209lbs)
#217 - Vincent Ray (ILB, Duke, 6'2", 240lbs)
#232 - Chris McCoy (OLB, Middle Tennessee, 6'3", 261lbs)
#253 - Richard Dickson (FB, LSU, 6'3", 249lbs)

Tom says:

Defensive line is deep and I think Eric Berry is the best athlete on the board.  We gave up too many long plays last year so get the best defensive back early and get defensive line later in the draft.  In the 7th round, get big guys who can run for special teams

 Certainly a different take, and Tom found about 680lbs of defensive tackle.  Thanks for sharing your draft, Tom in Brandon!