Dexter Jackson never got to showcase his speed for the Bucs.

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The Bucs franchised WR Antonio Bryant this offseason as well as resigning Michael Clayton to a multiyear contract, but even still, in my guestimation and apparently the front offices, the Bucs are still in need of another threat at the receiver position.  Michael Clayton has shown over the last few years to have suspect hands, and while I love what Antonio Bryant did last year, his production over the years has been up and down because of personal issues, and expecting him to repeat last years production shouldn’t be a given.  Even if he were to repeat last years numbers, he still will be a free agent at the end of the season barring a multi year deal or another franchise tag (please no!).  After our top 2 guys, Maurice Stovall, Parris Warren and Dexter Jackson are the next 3 receivers on the depth chart, and none has produced at the NFL level.  

Heyward Bey is a very intriguing player.  At 6’2″ and 210 lbs, he has the perfect size for a receiver in the NFL.  His 4.30 fourty yard dash time at the Combine was one of the best in the last few years.  There are varying opinions on his overall rank on most major publications draft boards, but taking an average of them all, he is the 14th ranked prospect.  Judging him based on his numbers from last year is tough, because Maryland’s offense was a atrocious at best.  He still put up 49 catches for 740 yards for a 15 yard average.   There are some questions though as to whether or not this guy is more of a workout warrior or a legitimate future threat at the receiver position.  

From NFL.com

Analysis

Positives: Exceptional straight-line speed. Opponents must account for his deep speed on every play. Too fast off the snap for most defenders to challenge him in press coverage. Long, lean athlete with long arms and strong hands. Has the agility to make plays in space. Reads the field and can follow his blocks to generate yards after the catch. Can snatch the ball out of the air. Learning to better use his height as an advantage. Good leaping ability and has become more consistent in timing his leaps.

Negatives: Bit of a one trick pony at this time. Might be the draft’s most dangerous vertical threat, but offers little else. Long-legged and struggles to generate consistent separation out of his cuts. Not as consistently effective on jump balls as he should be, considering his natural size advantage. Too often double-clutches the ball. Questionable toughness running across the middle. Lacks strength and consistent effort as a downfield blocker.

First Downs – Bucs 17, Broncos 17

Total Yards – Bucs 307, Broncos 333

Time of possession – Bucs 30:47, Broncos 29:13

“Brian played pretty well and Jeff played pretty well,” Gruden said. “Denver used some strange tactics yesterday. They’ve been a man-to-man team throughout the first month of the season. Yesterday they rushed three 23 times. I thought under the circumstances both quarterbacks did some good things…Obviously health is going to be an issue. Jeff did some good things. His health has been an issue and his return to health is something we’re excited about. We’ll evaluate and let you know on Wednesday.”

“It was a freak play,” Ruud said. “I fell and looked like a non-athlete.”

“I’m still playing,” Dunn said. “I have a long season. I just hope I can play well and have a great year and that I can move up in the teens and you never know what happens. I think it’s good just to be, in a sense, recognized. I’ve played a long time and I’ve done a lot of positive things, but right now I really just want to help this team win games. The milestone is good, but there’s still a lot of football to be played.”