Why Slot Receiver is a Priority

[BucsBay]

I've gotten blasted for saying we should draft a guy like Jerrell Jerrigan in the 2nd round, but here's why I think that an undersized, run after the catch wide receiver is still a priority for this team: the Bucs have still not shown they can be effective on offense without a running game. Yes you can say that is a true for a lot of teams, but it's not true for the teams that are making Superbowls in today's NFL.

You can directly correlate the Bucs improvement on offense and as a team who can hang with the big boys to Blount becoming the feature back last year. As much as I'm happy to have Blount, there are going to be teams who you will face in the playoffs that can take away your running game and you still have to make plays. For Freeman to continue to progress into one of the elite QBs, a guy who doesn't need a running game to be effective, I think the 3 areas that need to be focused on are:
1. An underneath passing attack
2. More anticipation throws where Freeman has the confidence in his WR's to throw to a spot and
3. More big plays down field when Freeman breaks the pocket.

A fast, quick, talented, tough. hard working, proven WR like Jerrigan could help Freeman in a lot of those areas.

[BucNY]

Why are you pushing this guy so much? Me thinks you're a Jerrell Jerrigan homer. BTW I have no idea who this guy is. We have several guys, Sammy Stroughter and Preston Parker who were drafted to be a slot type guy. Don't forget about K2 who is always a big threat underneath. We need to much help on defense to spend a 2nd round pick on a guy will be a part time slot guy at best.

[Detrimental]

I think a #2 back is more important. I don't want to run Blount into the brick wall and he turns out to be Larry Johnson in a few years. Caddy at this point is a situational back but we need some speed with less miles on his tires. I like Rodgers in the 4th round.

[Hate]

WR is the deepest position on the team.... PASS!!!

[BucsBay]

Why are you pushing this guy so much? Me thinks you're a Jerrell Jerrigan homer. BTW I have no idea who this guy is. We have several guys, Sammy Stroughter and Preston Parker who were drafted to be a slot type guy. Don't forget about K2 who is always a big threat underneath. We need to much help on defense to spend a 2nd round pick on a guy will be a part time slot guy at best.

We were all hoping that Stroughter would become a YAC guy last year, but he didn't. Parker hs some potential, but he doesn't seem to have short area quickness to become a true playmaker from the slot. K2 does some damage with YAC, but he is a Tight End. Wes Welker, Austin Collie, Jordy Nelson, Mike Wallace, DeSean Jackson. The best offenses have that slot/YAC guy. I'm pushing Jerrigan because I think it is a need and that his speed, quickness, and toughness make him the best option to fill it. Maybe Benn or Parker can do it, but we don't know and even if they can I think someone with more quickness could do it better.

[TBayXXXVII]

I'm always one to stress offense, but this year, I'd go strictly defense with an O-Lineman or 2 splashed in there.  The main reason is that I'm not so sure that our current crop of slot receiver candidates are the problem.

Sure, some will paint me as a Freeman hater, but the fact is, Freeman hasn't been that good at checking down.  Freeman's general post-snap decision making goes like this... 1. Williams... 2. Winslow... 3. RB.  Or, if Williams isn't the primary... 1. WR... 2. Williams... 3. RB/TE.  Rarely did you see a receiver make a catch after the primary read... it's why our slot candidates had very few receptions.  This is definitely something that can be fixed though through reps and practice... 2 things that don't look like are going to happen this spring.  So, until Freeman gets this issue squared away, I'm comfortable the Bucs taking just defense in the first 5 picks.  If they chose to go after a guy like Salas (HAW), Robinson (SMU), or Sanzenbacher (OSU) [for example], in the 6th round... I won't complain a bit.

[tatmanfish]

well, maybe you get blasted because those arent really valid points to backup your idea. You also fail to adress that the Bucs are loaded at WR and why you dont see a slot guy on the roster.

Its blatantly obvious the run game helped open up the pass. Teams pretty much went after Freeman and the passing attack because there wasnt a HB on the roster that commanded any respect. So naturally, if you take the pressure off the pass, it will open up and give the team more opportunities.

now lets look at your point "supporting" your desire to spend another high pick on WR....

1. underneath passing attack- more has to do with RBs and TEs most cases. Stroughter has proven to be a solid slot guy and Briscoe showed up nicely his two games he got to play at the end of the year.
2. Anticipation throws- All dependent of Freeman and his understanding of the plays and chemistry with WRs.....nothing to do with a slot WR
3. big plays downfield with Freeman out of the pocket- once again dependent completely on Freeman and play calling.....nothin to do with a slot WR.

Im also confident Freeman can progress without another top pick being spent on WR. He put up a great numbers last year with 2 rookie WRs, Stroughter, Spurlock, and Stovall. Good QBs make there WRs better and clearly Freeman is begining to reach that point.  Add in the 2 picks spent on WR last year and the pick ups of Briscoe and Parker and that Stroughter is just entering his 3rd year, the Bucs have 4 young WRs to work with and still have a couple vets.

You also dont weigh in the team needs. BPA is great and all, but you also have to build a team. You dont do that by continually spending high picks on the same position(ask the Lions). Bucs have a #1 in Williams, a 2nd round pick in Benn that started to show hes a solid #2 and all reports are that his knee is way ahead of schedule, and Stroughter has chemistry with Freman and has been a viable slot guy.

Theres also a big time recieving TE named Winslow that is basically another WR lined up at TE. Theres only so many guy to throw 1 ball to and the Bucs have 3-4 solid targets with a couple more high potential players waiting for their shot.

If you want more success from Freeman, give him better blocking up front and time. Hes got all the talent he needs at WR. Brady seemed to do fine with Welker as the only big time target. Brees has a bunch of above average WRs and I would argue none of them are elite. Manning isnt dependent on a top flight slot guy. Great QBs make good WRs better.

Your suggesting spending a 2nd rounder on the Bucs deepest position to "help" Freeman. Why not spend that 2nd on a blocker that can really help Freeman? The Bucs have needs at DE, LB, OT/OG, HB, TE, CB, and S. Im pretty sure there will be a guy that grades out highly that fits those needs. So BPA and team need match up.

Maybe if you explained why you thought an upgrade in the slot is more value and more of a need than all the positions listed, you wouldnt get blasted.

[SWAGGANEER]

WR is not even an option for the Bucs... The Bucs WR core is set for the next 7 - 10 years...

Why waste a pick on a position that's filled with talent?

Needs are DE, CB ( depending on Talib ), S, OL, and possibly a RB just to compliment Blount...

[tatmanfish]

Wes Welker, Austin Collie, Jordy Nelson, Mike Wallace, DeSean Jackson

Welker, Wallace, and Jackson are #1 WRs. They line up all over the field. They not just "slot WRs" by any means. Take out those 3 and your list doesnt look like much at all.

[TBayXXXVII]

WR is not even an option for the Bucs... The Bucs WR core is set for the next 7 - 10 years...

Why waste a pick on a position that's filled with talent?

Needs are DE, CB ( depending on Talib ), S, OL, and possibly a RB just to compliment Blount...

Note, I don't disagree with your overall point, but this one doesn't go well to prove it.  Every team is filled with "talent" at the WR position.  Also, this team is VERY UNPROVEN at the position.  Outside of Williams, every WR on this team is 100% replaceable with a draft pick at the "talent" level.  No one WR did anything of note (again... except for Williams), to say that he's a lock and can't be supplanted from his role in one simple off-season.

[conrad77]

WR is the deepest position on the team.... PASS!!!

^^^^^^  This. 

[Biggs3535]

Since I know what the word "priority" means, I know that slot WR isn't one.  Defensive ends, Offensive Linemen, and Linebackers are a priority.  Slot WR's are not.

[tatmanfish]

Since I know what the word "priority" means, I know that slot WR isn't one.  Defensive ends, Offensive Linemen, and Linebackers are a priority.  Slot WR's are not.

LMAO!!!

[BucsBay]

1. underneath passing attack- more has to do with RBs and TEs most cases. Stroughter has proven to be a solid slot guy and Briscoe showed up nicely his two games he got to play at the end of the year.
Crossing routes and option routes, run by WR's, are just as important if not more to the underneath passing attack as routes run be backs and TE's. Backs and TE's often have to block. A WR is almost always in play to catch the ball.

2. Anticipation throws- All dependent of Freeman and his understanding of the plays and chemistry with WRs.....nothing to do with a slot WR
Making Safeties worry about having to tackle a great YAC guy who catches a lot of balls underneath would make those timing routes less likely to be contested or picked

3. big plays downfield with Freeman out of the pocket- once again dependent completely on Freeman and play calling.....nothin to do with a slot WR.
Scramble drill. If you're short go deep. If your deep work back to the QB. A guy who works a lot of underneath routes should also make plays downfield in the scramble drill, especially if he has good speed and awareness.

[TBayXXXVII]

Since I know what the word "priority" means, I know that slot WR isn't one.  Defensive ends, Offensive Linemen, and Linebackers are a priority.  Slot WR's are not.

Totally agree... though, I'm not totally sure that it's fair to just label Jerrigan as a slot guy (as the OP has).  I don't see any reason why he CAN'T or WON'T be a #1 or #2.  Reguardless though, I don't think the Bucs would/should take a WR in the first 5 rounds unless someone falls way too far.