Buccaneers: Predicting what’s in their future

Dec 24, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) gestures after a third quarter touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) gestures after a third quarter touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
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Two Players with Over a 1000 Yards Receiving

The last time the Buccaneers had two players with over a 1000 yards receiving was during the 2014 season when Mike Evans was a rookie and Josh McCown and rookie Mike Glennon were quarterbacks. Vincent Jackson had 70 receptions 1002 yards and two touchdowns and Mike Evans had 68 receptions 1051 yards and twelve touchdowns.

Last season was a whole different story. Jameis Winston basically had three receivers in tight end Cameron Brate as well as wide receivers Mike Evans, and Adam Humphries.  Brate was the over the middle short threat and Evans was the deep threat who was targeted an amazing 173 times catching 96. Adam Humphries was the second wide receiver option being targeted 83 times catching 55.

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Russell Shepard was the third wide receiver options targeted 40 times catching 23 but he went to division rival Carolina in free agency. The remaining wide receivers (Vincent Jackson, Cecil Shorts, Freddie Martino, and Josh Huff) were targeted 76 times catching 37 for 508 yards and one touchdown.

An upgrade at wide receiver was a major need so during free agency DeSean Jackson was signed. D-Jax was targeted 100 times catching 56 for 1005 yards (17.7 yards/reception) and four touchdowns alone which was more than the remaining Bucs receivers combined. Jackson can help take the double teams off of Evans and can take it to the house from anywhere.

Some might say, “Well if we have two 1000 yard receivers does that mean we will be behind in most games?” Nope just means our quarterback finally has a quality second wide receiver and more weapons on offense. Three teams had two receiver with a 1000 yards last season including the 12-4 Oakland Raiders, and the 10-6 Packers were three yards short of two 1000 yard receivers and both were playoff teams.

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