Buccaneers receiving corps poised to excel

By the end of the dreadful 2011-2012 NFL season there were a great deal of things that became obvious about the Buccaneers. Youthful, immature, and undisciplined players had become the norm and not the exception.

WR Mike Williams

One of the positions where this affected the team the most was with the wide receiving corps. With Mike Williams, Arrelious Benn, Dezmon Briscoe, Preston Parker, and Sammie Stroughter, the lack of veteran leadership was obvious. We all are familiar with Benn's 2010 injury and his dedication to regaining his playing ability, so we did not expect a stellar season. But Mike Williams had posted an outstanding 2010 rookie campaign and appeared to be poised for a great 2011. Along with Dezmon Briscoe posting some unexpected statistics, the receiving corps appeared to be on the upswing. By the end of the 2011 season, Mike Williams was Caspering (a ghost that walks through a wall and disappears right before your eyes), Arrelious Benn was just getting healthy, and Dezmon Briscoe would show glimpses of talent and then Casper. The one bright spot of the group was Preston Parker who seemed to be the go-to guy on third downs. To say the least, when the highest production from a team's wide receiver is 65 receptions for 771 yards for an entire season, the wide receivers group was abysmal.

WR Vincent Jackson

During this off season the Buccaneers organization made it a point to upgrade the wide receiving corps not only with talent, but with veteran leadership. When the opening bell rang for free agency the Buccaneers wasted no time signing the number one available wide receiver on the market in Vincent Jackson. With Jackson, the Buccaneers gain a 6'5", 230 pound number one wide receiver that brings with him his knowledge, professionalism, and work ethic. In an article written by Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times veteran CB Ronde Barber describes what Jackson has brought to the offense.

"I don't know what I thought about him before he got here, but it was certainly completely wrong," Barber, 37, said of the ex-Charger signed as a free agent during the off season. "I knew he was a great player. He's big. He's fast, competitive. But he is as talented a receiver as I've been around. His manner of going about his job is unparalleled for me. I haven't seen many players, especially receivers, spend as much time and dig into his playbook and just be a natural leader."


Buccaneers wide receivers coach P.J. Fleck has this to say of Jackson:

“It’s fun to watch him work because he’s such a good influence on the other guys with how professional he is,” Fleck said of Jackson. “He’s the first one in line, he’s the first one in meetings, he takes incredible notes. His notebook is immaculate. And it says a lot about him. If he keeps doing that, I think he’s going to get where he wants to be.”

WR Dezmon Briscoe/Royce Reed

WR Desmon Briscoe appeared to be an up and coming talent with an ability to contribute to the Buccaneers' offense. But as the 2012-2013 off season programs got under way, Briscoe chose to dedicate more of his energy towards reality television (Basketball Wives) than his career. Due to alleged issues of a three way love triangle deriving from his escapades with reality television's Royce Reed, Briscoe was a no show for the teams most important Organized Team Activities (OTAs). Briscoe did make the mandatory mini camp but his absence at the OTAs is clearly showing in his performances. Briscoe is well behind many other receivers.

WR Arrelious Benn

Outside of Dezmon Briscoe, the acquisition of Vincent Jackson has seemed to have been a catalyst for the dedication and determination of the wide receiving corps. Mike Williams is said to be performing like the fans had seen in his rookie 2010 season. Arrelious Benn is finally entering a season healthy and turning coaches' heads. Preston Parker has emerged and seems to have really dedicated himself to offseason improvement and its showing in team practices. To a man, coaches interviewed after each practice have all spoken to Parker's good performances. Another player that we believe fans should keep a close eye on is last year's practice squad receiver Ed Gant. At 6'3, 200 pounds, and great hands, Gant may have the talent to crack the 53 man roster with this new coaching regime.

The Buccaneers have done a great job of attacking a position of weakness from last year and turning it into a position of strength for this year. With Jackson leading by example and the young guys willing to not only follow, but to actually chase and try to catch him, we look for this years receiving group to truly excel.