How Will the Buccaneers Upgrade Their Special Teams Under Lovie Smith?By Leo Howell - Jan 29th, 2014 at 5:08 pm
Nov 24, 2013; St. Louis, MO Chicago Bears wide receiver Devin Hester (23) carries the ball during a game against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have historically struggled on special teams. The franchise spent decades in search of their first kickoff return touchdown, and have been on blooper reels for failures in the kicking and punting game. New head coach Lovie Smith has mentioned special teams quite a few times during his press tour after being introduced as head coach, but he won’t be able to make all of the needed changes on his own. Special teams coach Kevin O’Dea hopes to be the one to change all that, and it will most likely start with an emphasis on the return game. In speaking to Tom Krasniqi of 620 WDEA in Tampa, O’Dea said that having a great return man is vital for special teams. 
And as Krasniqi hints, that might mean looking elsewhere to find the sort of returner the Buccaneers need to have a difference maker at the position. Devin Hester makes the most sense to help bolster the Tampa Bay return game. In the franchise’s history, dating back almost 40 years, the Buccaneers have four kickoff return touchdowns and 11 punt return touchdowns. In his eight-year NFL career, Hester has eclipsed both of those totals with five kickoff return touchdowns and 13 punt return touchdowns. But Hester is reaching the end of his career, and has scored only one return touchdown in his last two seasons combined. McCluster is an interesting option that also solves the Bucs need for a slot receiver, but he’ll likely cost a bit more and will be more sought after on the free agent market. And should he return to health and focus on football rather than track, Jeff Demps will likely get his chance in this role, although it’s unclear just how good of a returner he’ll be in the NFL. His decision-making on returns was questionable this past season, and speed alone isn’t enough to make a return man successful. http://thepewterplank.com/2014/01/29/will-buccaneers-upgrade-special-teams-lovie-smith/
Id love to have McCluster. I think Hester is washed up, and I have a feeling Lovie agrees with me.
I'd take Mccluster too. I'm pretty sure he'd be interested in coming home.
McCulster might be willing to take a tad less for the chance to come home and play in Tampa - seeing as he is from Largo.
i dont think eric page is a great returner - but i do think he was top10 in both punts and KO returns.
McCluster because he is something other than a KR/PR. Hester can't be anything else at this point and being just that isn't worth a bucket of spit.
i dont think eric page is a great returner - but i do think he was top10 in both punts and KO returns.
Everytime that guy does something good he fucks something up. Huge return but fumbles. You get, I'm sure.I'd rather have Hester because he is the best returner ever. McCluster would be nice for the right price as well. He can play receiver better than Hester.
Page is good at consistently getting positive yards , but he is never going to break many and then have the speed to take it to the house.Dark horse , lesser known name to fill the role ? : Marc Mariani . Injury prone , but Great kick returner and could help in the pass game with his speed. If we are looking for "value" , as Licht says , this could be our guy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiiQ2B1r0kg
Id love to have McCluster. I think Hester is washed up, and I have a feeling Lovie agrees with me.
Hester is washed up yet put up 1,442 yards in kickoff returns last year which lead the league. Yea he's washed up alright! http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000268843/article/devin-hester-tops-atls-kick-returner-rankings Not to mention he's tied with Deion Sanders for return TD's.
I would prefer McCluster as I think he brings a little something to the offense if needed. Hester is a more expensive one trick pony....its a pretty good trick though.
I would prefer McCluster as I think he brings a little something to the offense if needed. Hester is a more expensive one trick pony....its a pretty good trick though.
McCluster's price tag will skyrocket this year. I'd think past Hesters tag at $2.9M.
I would prefer McCluster as I think he brings a little something to the offense if needed. Hester is a more expensive one trick pony....its a pretty good trick though.
McCluster's price tag will skyrocket this year. I'd think past Hesters tag at $2.9M.
Its possible, but not definite...and I could see him possibly taking a discount to come back home.
I would prefer McCluster as I think he brings a little something to the offense if needed. Hester is a more expensive one trick pony....its a pretty good trick though.
McCluster's price tag will skyrocket this year. I'd think past Hesters tag at $2.9M.
He had 59 catches at a 9.2 YPC average. Neither of those figures screams pay me! Given a choice of cocksure and Hester I take mccluster but the better answer is none of the above.
Didn't McCluster go to Largo High School? Could be a great fit, not just in the return game but especially in Tedford's short passing game.
McCluster can play slot WR but not very well. Pass.
