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Buzz Around David Boston Completely Gone (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Sigmund Bloom
- Start date
Galloway came off a 10 game, 33-416-5 year, his first with Tampa...starting or not, the perception of him around here was "he's done"....as can be the case w/"the mob"....wrong!How many people around here drafted Galloway in '05, and where did you take him?
The point was if you had enough vision to take a late round flier in a redraft or had a deep enough bench in dynasty, you were rewarded very nicely for grabbing Galloway in '05...
if Boston is rostered by TB and getting some reps, he'd be worth a shot in the 16th round of an August draft...that's all I'm saying
cstu
Footballguy
Galloway was at least in the league and a starting WR, unlike Boston who has 4 catches in the last 3 years. Obviously Boston could do something still, but there's little chance he will. That said, he could be worth a roster spot in extremely deep leagues, although I'd rather go with a younger guy.
Beaumont
Footballguy
Buccaneers | Boston to compete for No. 2 receiver position
Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:59:37 -0700
Rick Stroud, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR David Boston will compete during training camp to be the team's No. 2 wide receiver.
Buccaneers | Stovall to compete for No. 2 receiver position
Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:59:25 -0700
Rick Stroud, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Maurice Stovall will compete during training camp to be the team's No. 2 wide receiver.
Buccaneers | Clayton to compete for No. 2 receiver position
Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:59:10 -0700
Rick Stroud, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Michael Clayton will compete during training camp to be the team's No. 2 wide receiver.
Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:59:37 -0700
Rick Stroud, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR David Boston will compete during training camp to be the team's No. 2 wide receiver.
Buccaneers | Stovall to compete for No. 2 receiver position
Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:59:25 -0700
Rick Stroud, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Maurice Stovall will compete during training camp to be the team's No. 2 wide receiver.
Buccaneers | Clayton to compete for No. 2 receiver position
Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:59:10 -0700
Rick Stroud, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Michael Clayton will compete during training camp to be the team's No. 2 wide receiver.
King of the Jungle
Footballguy
So who is the pickup: Stovall or Boston?
dirtyhalos
capital letter hater!
i can only assume its a dynasty league you are talking about in which case i would be adding stovall
Canadian Law
Footballguy
Beaumont
Footballguy
Absolutely. The real difference is that Boston is almost free and Stovall is not ...You may get what you pay for ... but if you are paying almost nothing and you roster in excess of 25 offensive players in the offseason, Boston has to be a bit tempting ...
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CalBear
Footballguy
According to current ADP, Stovall is going in the 18th round and Boston in the 19th. So they're both almost free. I expect that if Boston comes anywhere close to making the roster, he will cost more than Stovall.
Beaumont
Footballguy
This is not anything close to my experience. Stovall is not on the waiver in any of my leagues; Boston is on the waiver in almost all of them ... or was until just recently where he was snapped up for a song ...
There's something to them bringing him back again.
I like it when just about any player plays special teams with few exceptions.
I think as a gunner, he could really really hurt someone and that's a little scary. I would like to see him stiff arm on KRs.
Troy Brown, Ray Lucas, and plenty of others have taught me over the years that if a talented player simply wants to work hard and contibute in any imaginable way, the coach will find a spot for him. (Maybe not every single player but....)
Some of the comments in this thread are quite hypocritical. The same guys touting "measurables" of some rookie WRs who never accomplished a thing in the NFL are bawking at Boston. Few WRs have ever(history of the game) had the "measurables" Boston has had. The same "aww I saw him play in college and...." saw Boston play in the pros but gloss over that. Sorry but most of the comments in this thread stink. I'd much prefer "when I saw him, he lost a step and just can't get open." OK There's some reasonning as to why he'd NOT be a good pickup. He burned me in my league, he's not on roids, he's....some of these comments don't do any of us any good. Sorry I'm whiney this morning but when ya read 3 pages of nothing it's bothersome
I like it when just about any player plays special teams with few exceptions.
I think as a gunner, he could really really hurt someone and that's a little scary. I would like to see him stiff arm on KRs.
Troy Brown, Ray Lucas, and plenty of others have taught me over the years that if a talented player simply wants to work hard and contibute in any imaginable way, the coach will find a spot for him. (Maybe not every single player but....)
Some of the comments in this thread are quite hypocritical. The same guys touting "measurables" of some rookie WRs who never accomplished a thing in the NFL are bawking at Boston. Few WRs have ever(history of the game) had the "measurables" Boston has had. The same "aww I saw him play in college and...." saw Boston play in the pros but gloss over that. Sorry but most of the comments in this thread stink. I'd much prefer "when I saw him, he lost a step and just can't get open." OK There's some reasonning as to why he'd NOT be a good pickup. He burned me in my league, he's not on roids, he's....some of these comments don't do any of us any good. Sorry I'm whiney this morning but when ya read 3 pages of nothing it's bothersome
KnowledgeReignsSupreme
Footballguy
Boston is gonna be sick this year with Jeff George throwing the ball to him and Barry Sanders keeping defenses honest.
FinHead
Footballguy
[Thread Hyjack]RAY LUCAS??
2002 Dolphin's RAY LUCAS
| WK OPP | CMP ATT PYD TD INT | RSH YD TD |
+----------+--------------------------+----------------+
| 7 buf | 13 33 165 1 4 | 5 18 0 |
| 9 gnb | 22 39 198 0 2 | 9 49 1 |
| 10 nyj | 19 28 227 1 0 | 2 10 0 |
| 11 bal | 18 26 221 0 0 | 11 12 1 |
| 12 sdg | 14 23 194 1 0 | 4 31 0 |
| 13 buf | 6 11 40 1 0 | 3 8 0 |
+----------+--------------------------+----------------+
| TOTAL | 92 160 1045 4 6 | 34 128 2 |
- Ricky had 228 rushing yards in the buffalo game and Ray still lost the game. This didn't show fumbles, which I believe he had one that game.
- Ricky led the league in rushing and until Fiedler got injured and Lucas stepped in, the Dolphin's were the #1 AFC team through Week 6 and he single handedly killed the Dolphin's 2002 season.
Sorry, but you bash people for bashing Boston, but you used Ray Lucas as your counter argument???
[/Thread Hyjack]
fair enough
Finhead, I think you missed the special teams aspect of my post and jumped to WR stats.
Simply put, no. My issue was with reading 3 pages without reasonning. Having been burned by drafting him and/or his previous steroid use years ago have no bearing and are just to "quip". 3 pages of quips and no info(cept for Bloom and couple others) bugged me. The counter-argument you're referring to involved him returning kicks and/or being a gunner.
Lucas, as you may recall, was a QB that played special teams at first in the NFL.
ETA should probably qualify that steroid comment-
It may be possible he's no good NOT on steroids. IIRC He was best before steroids. Saying "he's not on roids anymore" as a reason he won't be good without further info/commentary is pretty useless.
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Steelers4Life
Footballguy
The fact that he's playing special teams and apparently looking pretty good doing it might be taken as a sign that he's actually healthy right now, which is the first step. His straight line speed was almost back last year, but his ability to cut wasn't. If he's healthier this year, his speed alone will make him very legit competition for both Clayton and Stovall.
I don't reallly care at all what he's done or not done for the last few years. We aren't talking about a 32 year old trying to make a comeback, we're talking about a 28 year old who still has several productive years left in him if he can get past the injuries. I'm not saying he will or he won't, but to dismiss him entirely at this point seems foolish to me.
I don't reallly care at all what he's done or not done for the last few years. We aren't talking about a 32 year old trying to make a comeback, we're talking about a 28 year old who still has several productive years left in him if he can get past the injuries. I'm not saying he will or he won't, but to dismiss him entirely at this point seems foolish to me.
gianmarco
Footballguy
David Boston impressing
A Boston Bounce-Back
It’s become a fairly standard occurrence during these first days of camp – wide receiver David Boston beating his man and getting behind both safeties for a long completion deep down the field.
After several injury-marred seasons and an extended layoff from football, Boston appears finally healthy and ready to recapture the form that made him one of the league’s most dangerous weapons.
“He was a superstar in this league when healthy,” Gruden said of Boston. “I’m not going to say he’s back yet, but if today and yesterday and the day before and the last three months are any indication, he’s closing in on coming back and making a name for himself again.”
If Boston does stage a successful comeback, his emergence could supply the Buccaneers with an absolutely lethal deep-threat tandem that features Boston and burner Joey Galloway. That dynamic duo would also be a testament to the team’s patience with Boston, who worked out with the Buccaneers last summer but failed to earn a lasting spot on the roster, most likely due to an incomplete physical recovery.
That isn’t the case this year, Gruden noted. Not only is Boston running routes at full speed, he’s participating in special teams as well – yet another indication that the physically imposing receiver is fully recovered.
“What he did the last two days – running down the field with that big of a body, that fast and acrobatically making plays, [is telling],” said Gruden. “And to be able to do it in two-a-days…here’s a guy who was limited to three practices a week last year. He’s been out here five days in a row. He’s humming. Hell, he’s a gunner on special teams also. So he’s got a lot of confidence in his body. He’s put in a lot of time, and a lot of adversity has gone into his rehab. We’ll cross our fingers and hope it continues. It will be a hell of story if it works out.”
**
Let the fun begin.......
A Boston Bounce-Back
It’s become a fairly standard occurrence during these first days of camp – wide receiver David Boston beating his man and getting behind both safeties for a long completion deep down the field.
After several injury-marred seasons and an extended layoff from football, Boston appears finally healthy and ready to recapture the form that made him one of the league’s most dangerous weapons.
“He was a superstar in this league when healthy,” Gruden said of Boston. “I’m not going to say he’s back yet, but if today and yesterday and the day before and the last three months are any indication, he’s closing in on coming back and making a name for himself again.”
If Boston does stage a successful comeback, his emergence could supply the Buccaneers with an absolutely lethal deep-threat tandem that features Boston and burner Joey Galloway. That dynamic duo would also be a testament to the team’s patience with Boston, who worked out with the Buccaneers last summer but failed to earn a lasting spot on the roster, most likely due to an incomplete physical recovery.
That isn’t the case this year, Gruden noted. Not only is Boston running routes at full speed, he’s participating in special teams as well – yet another indication that the physically imposing receiver is fully recovered.
“What he did the last two days – running down the field with that big of a body, that fast and acrobatically making plays, [is telling],” said Gruden. “And to be able to do it in two-a-days…here’s a guy who was limited to three practices a week last year. He’s been out here five days in a row. He’s humming. Hell, he’s a gunner on special teams also. So he’s got a lot of confidence in his body. He’s put in a lot of time, and a lot of adversity has gone into his rehab. We’ll cross our fingers and hope it continues. It will be a hell of story if it works out.”
**
Let the fun begin.......
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gianmarco
Footballguy
Pewter Report
BOSTON BACK?
Tampa Bay wide receiver David Boston made the 53-man roster last season, but he was released before the Bucs even played their first regular season game.
After suffering back-to-back season-ending knee injuries with the Miami Dolphins and struggling to get back to 100 percent last year, Boston appears to have returned to form.
During Sunday morning’s practice, Boston, who received extra reps with Joey Galloway excused from practice to attend Arena Bowl XXI to watch the Columbus Destroyers take on the San Jose Sabercats, hauled in a 50-yard pass from quarterback Jeff Garcia in the end zone for a score.
Not only does Boston stand a good chance of making the 53-man roster, Gruden suggested he was competing with Michael Clayton and Maurice Stovall for the starting Z (flanker) job.
BOSTON BACK?
Tampa Bay wide receiver David Boston made the 53-man roster last season, but he was released before the Bucs even played their first regular season game.
After suffering back-to-back season-ending knee injuries with the Miami Dolphins and struggling to get back to 100 percent last year, Boston appears to have returned to form.
During Sunday morning’s practice, Boston, who received extra reps with Joey Galloway excused from practice to attend Arena Bowl XXI to watch the Columbus Destroyers take on the San Jose Sabercats, hauled in a 50-yard pass from quarterback Jeff Garcia in the end zone for a score.
Not only does Boston stand a good chance of making the 53-man roster, Gruden suggested he was competing with Michael Clayton and Maurice Stovall for the starting Z (flanker) job.
Arsenal of Doom
Footballguy
As someone who scooped him up for the league minimum a month ago...David Boston impressing
A Boston Bounce-Back
It’s become a fairly standard occurrence during these first days of camp – wide receiver David Boston beating his man and getting behind both safeties for a long completion deep down the field.
After several injury-marred seasons and an extended layoff from football, Boston appears finally healthy and ready to recapture the form that made him one of the league’s most dangerous weapons.
“He was a superstar in this league when healthy,” Gruden said of Boston. “I’m not going to say he’s back yet, but if today and yesterday and the day before and the last three months are any indication, he’s closing in on coming back and making a name for himself again.”
If Boston does stage a successful comeback, his emergence could supply the Buccaneers with an absolutely lethal deep-threat tandem that features Boston and burner Joey Galloway. That dynamic duo would also be a testament to the team’s patience with Boston, who worked out with the Buccaneers last summer but failed to earn a lasting spot on the roster, most likely due to an incomplete physical recovery.
That isn’t the case this year, Gruden noted. Not only is Boston running routes at full speed, he’s participating in special teams as well – yet another indication that the physically imposing receiver is fully recovered.
“What he did the last two days – running down the field with that big of a body, that fast and acrobatically making plays, [is telling],” said Gruden. “And to be able to do it in two-a-days…here’s a guy who was limited to three practices a week last year. He’s been out here five days in a row. He’s humming. Hell, he’s a gunner on special teams also. So he’s got a lot of confidence in his body. He’s put in a lot of time, and a lot of adversity has gone into his rehab. We’ll cross our fingers and hope it continues. It will be a hell of story if it works out.”
**
Let the fun begin.......
AnonymousBob
Footballguy
How many wr's have had his history and level of talent and then tried to come back after two seasons while still being under the age of 30? If you have a list of players that have been in a comparable situation then failed, I'll hear you out.
The Hank
Footballguy
David Boston impressing
A Boston Bounce-Back
It’s become a fairly standard occurrence during these first days of camp – wide receiver David Boston beating his man and getting behind both safeties for a long completion deep down the field.
After several injury-marred seasons and an extended layoff from football, Boston appears finally healthy and ready to recapture the form that made him one of the league’s most dangerous weapons.
“He was a superstar in this league when healthy,” Gruden said of Boston. “I’m not going to say he’s back yet, but if today and yesterday and the day before and the last three months are any indication, he’s closing in on coming back and making a name for himself again.”
If Boston does stage a successful comeback, his emergence could supply the Buccaneers with an absolutely lethal deep-threat tandem that features Boston and burner Joey Galloway. That dynamic duo would also be a testament to the team’s patience with Boston, who worked out with the Buccaneers last summer but failed to earn a lasting spot on the roster, most likely due to an incomplete physical recovery.
That isn’t the case this year, Gruden noted. Not only is Boston running routes at full speed, he’s participating in special teams as well – yet another indication that the physically imposing receiver is fully recovered.
“What he did the last two days – running down the field with that big of a body, that fast and acrobatically making plays, [is telling],” said Gruden. “And to be able to do it in two-a-days…here’s a guy who was limited to three practices a week last year. He’s been out here five days in a row. He’s humming. Hell, he’s a gunner on special teams also. So he’s got a lot of confidence in his body. He’s put in a lot of time, and a lot of adversity has gone into his rehab. We’ll cross our fingers and hope it continues. It will be a hell of story if it works out.”
**
Let the fun begin.......
**stashing away in sleeper list**
Buck Bradcanon
Footballguy
kudos to all in this thread. this epitomizes why this forum is greatness.
i will be keeping an eye out for sure
i will be keeping an eye out for sure
Gr00vus
Footballguy
wtf?"Hey coach, is it allright if I miss practice today? I've got an arena league game to watch.""Sure Joey, here's $5 for cotton candy too - have a nice time!"
Colin Dowling
Footballguy
I added Boston to our deep sleepers list. People are quick to think his off-field drama affects the fact that he is a darn good football player. He's done nothing meaningful in the NFL since 2003, but he'll have just turned 29 at the start of the year and for his ADP (late, undrafted) no one else has the same upside.
Galloway is a part-owner of the Columbus team.
IIRC Gruden has a brother that has something to do with the arena league. One brother is a positional coach for the Bucs...might be the same guy.
Gr00vus
Footballguy
That makes some sense at least. So you're saying he gets his cotton candy for free then?Galloway is a part-owner of the Columbus team.
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FWIW I was thinking of himhttp://www.nfl.com/teams/story/TB/8853841IIRC Gruden has a brother that has something to do with the arena league. One brother is a positional coach for the Bucs...might be the same guy.wtf?"Hey coach, is it allright if I miss practice today? I've got an arena league game to watch."
"Sure Joey, here's $5 for cotton candy too - have a nice time!"
Sweetness_34
Footballguy
Thanks SSOG
I actually got him with the last pick of my WCOFF Sat league.....hope I hit the jackpot here.
I actually got him with the last pick of my WCOFF Sat league.....hope I hit the jackpot here.
TecmoBeast
Footballguy
i'll draft him once he's back on the roids
Otis
Footballguy
Seriously. What people always forget around here is that this is all about VALUE. Yeah, it's pretty him to say "stick a fork in him." But if it means dropping my backup defense or kicker for the chance at a top20 WR or better out of nowhere, I'll absolutely roll the dice every time. Nobody is suggesting you trade a boatload for Boston. He's worth grabbing for nothing, if only for what we saw him do in the past.Boston was on every waiver wire in my dynasty leagues, dropping your backup Defense for him is about as low risk as you can get.No kidding. He was looking good and moving well and blah blah blah right up to the day they cut him and nobody else picked him up.We need a :fork: smilie.I seriously thought someone had bumped this from last season at first.
tommyGunZ
Footballguy
At the same time, you have to weigh the opportunity cost of owning Boston, which I think many Boston backers in this thread aren't acknowledging. Obviously Boston has more upside and value than your backup kicker at this point. I'm just of the opinion that there are better flyers out there who you can roster instead of Boston or your 2nd kicker.There will be several rookie WRs who go undrafted who have a better chance at top 20 #'s than Boston IMO.Seriously. What people always forget around here is that this is all about VALUE. Yeah, it's pretty him to say "stick a fork in him." But if it means dropping my backup defense or kicker for the chance at a top20 WR or better out of nowhere, I'll absolutely roll the dice every time. Nobody is suggesting you trade a boatload for Boston. He's worth grabbing for nothing, if only for what we saw him do in the past.Boston was on every waiver wire in my dynasty leagues, dropping your backup Defense for him is about as low risk as you can get.No kidding. He was looking good and moving well and blah blah blah right up to the day they cut him and nobody else picked him up.We need a :fork: smilie.I seriously thought someone had bumped this from last season at first.
which ones? I could see a case for Davis, Gonzalez, Rice, Walker, maybe Paul Williams, Allison and Ginn... but none of them are as good a draft pick as Boston unless the people make these statements about him are just full of it.At the same time, you have to weigh the opportunity cost of owning Boston, which I think many Boston backers in this thread aren't acknowledging. Obviously Boston has more upside and value than your backup kicker at this point. I'm just of the opinion that there are better flyers out there who you can roster instead of Boston or your 2nd kicker.There will be several rookie WRs who go undrafted who have a better chance at top 20 #'s than Boston IMO.Seriously. What people always forget around here is that this is all about VALUE. Yeah, it's pretty him to say "stick a fork in him." But if it means dropping my backup defense or kicker for the chance at a top20 WR or better out of nowhere, I'll absolutely roll the dice every time. Nobody is suggesting you trade a boatload for Boston. He's worth grabbing for nothing, if only for what we saw him do in the past.Boston was on every waiver wire in my dynasty leagues, dropping your backup Defense for him is about as low risk as you can get.No kidding. He was looking good and moving well and blah blah blah right up to the day they cut him and nobody else picked him up.We need a :fork: smilie.I seriously thought someone had bumped this from last season at first.
tommyGunZ
Footballguy
All those guys.And I don't necessarily think those praising Boston at this point are full of it - they're probably excited by Boston's progress and obviously everyone remembers how dominant he was in his prime. But I put these statements right up there with "I'm in the best shape of my career" and "this 6th round sleeper out of Western Idaho State is going to have a major impact in the L". We hear them every year in the spring/summer, and it rarely, rarely comes to fruition.Boston is definitely worth a flyer, I agree. I'm just saying that there are plenty of other players worth a flyer also, and due to limited rosters, chosing your flyers means that there is an opportunity cost that many in this thread are dismissing with the "he's better than my 2nd kicker". Anyway, I'm just pointing out a small, small factor in the difference of valuation I have of 20th round picks. My flyers will be taken on young guns in the best offenses in the NFL (Davis, Gonzalez) instead of an aging vet who hasn't played in a couple years who will be catching short passes from Garcia or Simms in that awful TB offense.which ones? I could see a case for Davis, Gonzalez, Rice, Walker, maybe Paul Williams, Allison and Ginn... but none of them are as good a draft pick as Boston unless the people make these statements about him are just full of it.At the same time, you have to weigh the opportunity cost of owning Boston, which I think many Boston backers in this thread aren't acknowledging. Obviously Boston has more upside and value than your backup kicker at this point. I'm just of the opinion that there are better flyers out there who you can roster instead of Boston or your 2nd kicker.There will be several rookie WRs who go undrafted who have a better chance at top 20 #'s than Boston IMO.Seriously. What people always forget around here is that this is all about VALUE. Yeah, it's pretty him to say "stick a fork in him." But if it means dropping my backup defense or kicker for the chance at a top20 WR or better out of nowhere, I'll absolutely roll the dice every time. Nobody is suggesting you trade a boatload for Boston. He's worth grabbing for nothing, if only for what we saw him do in the past.Boston was on every waiver wire in my dynasty leagues, dropping your backup Defense for him is about as low risk as you can get.No kidding. He was looking good and moving well and blah blah blah right up to the day they cut him and nobody else picked him up.We need a :fork: smilie.I seriously thought someone had bumped this from last season at first.
At the same time, you have to weigh the opportunity cost of owning Boston, which I think many Boston backers in this thread aren't acknowledging. Obviously Boston has more upside and value than your backup kicker at this point. I'm just of the opinion that there are better flyers out there who you can roster instead of Boston or your 2nd kicker.There will be several rookie WRs who go undrafted who have a better chance at top 20 #'s than Boston IMO.Seriously. What people always forget around here is that this is all about VALUE. Yeah, it's pretty him to say "stick a fork in him." But if it means dropping my backup defense or kicker for the chance at a top20 WR or better out of nowhere, I'll absolutely roll the dice every time. Nobody is suggesting you trade a boatload for Boston. He's worth grabbing for nothing, if only for what we saw him do in the past.Boston was on every waiver wire in my dynasty leagues, dropping your backup Defense for him is about as low risk as you can get.No kidding. He was looking good and moving well and blah blah blah right up to the day they cut him and nobody else picked him up.We need a :fork: smilie.I seriously thought someone had bumped this from last season at first.
i have enough potential flyers to take over boston who is a now proven bust.these are the same people that hype dayne every year.Another Boston article. You guys think he has any productive (top 20 fantasy wise) years left? Is he worth stashing on a dynasty roster? It looks like he is finally getting healthy.
LAKE BUENA VISTA - There were more than 150 receivers in the NFL last season.
David Boston wasn't one of them.
So, this time around in Bucs training camp, there is no buzz. No anticipation. Mostly, there is skepticism. Another NFL year has gone by without Boston, the former first-round pick and one-time Pro Bowl starter whose career was derailed by suspensions and knee injuries.
It has been nearly two years since Boston caught a pass that counted. It has been more than three years since he caught one that mattered.
How long is too long?
"I haven't made any big plays or done anything in three years," said Boston, who turns 29 this month. "But I played the first five years and I'm trying to pick up where I left off. It's not easy."
Boston is not the only veteran trying to rekindle a career most assumed was over. Running back Priest Holmes is in Chiefs camp after injuring his neck in 2005. Quarterback Tim Couch, out of the league the past three years because of shoulder problems, is a former No. 1 overall pick competing for the No. 3 job in Jacksonville.
Each would be a remarkable comeback.
Boston has a chance.
"People have totally forgotten about him, don't even know he's alive," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "If he can come back, it will be one hell of a story. I tip my hat to him. He's been through a lot."
Drafted by Arizona eighth overall out of Ohio State in 1999, Boston was a force in 2001. He caught 98 passes for 1,598 yards and eight touchdowns - all career highs - and was a Pro Bowl starter.
Then, his career unraveled.
A free agent after 2003, Boston signed a seven-year, $53-million contract with San Diego. Playing at nearly 260 pounds, he never fit in with the Chargers, was suspended one game for behavior detrimental to the team and was traded to Miami.
Before 2004, Boston tested positive for a banned substance and was suspended for four games, and tore the patellar tendon in his knee and missed the entire season.
The next year, Boston sustained another knee injury and the Dolphins released him.
In 2006, Boston turned up in Bucs camp and Gruden raved about a 6-foot-2, 230-pound receiver with speed to go deep. But Boston was released the day before the opener, when injuries forced the team to sign an offensive lineman.
Boston had a few workouts, but no offers.
At 28, he was out of the league.
"I didn't really feel like the league was giving up on me, but it was a wake-up call that I needed to hurry up and get myself back together and get healthy to compete again," said Boston, who has caught four passes the past three seasons. "I had a long talk with my family and the trainers I work out with. I felt I needed to get myself as healthy as I could before the next offseason. Hopefully I'd have an opportunity."
Now Boston is looking big and quick. He is running the double moves, getting out of his breaks quicker and catching the ball with authority.
This time, he's healthy.
"Last year, I only practiced three or four times a week and I was trying to play the recovery game from practice to practice. I wasn't quite ready," Boston said. "This year, I'm able to recover from the morning practice to the afternoon practice and keep my explosiveness."
Cornerback Ronde Barber sees the difference.
"Last year, he didn't look like the David Boston that everybody remembers from his years at Ohio State and his first couple years in the league," Barber said. "He couldn't run. He wasn't explosive. But I noticed in the offseason that he was showing it again, and he's showing it now. Barring anything unforeseen, I can't imagine him not exploding back."
Even after all this time?
"Not playing in the league hurts you," Barber said, "but I think he's got enough talent to overcome that."
LAKE BUENA VISTA - There were more than 150 receivers in the NFL last season.
David Boston wasn't one of them.
So, this time around in Bucs training camp, there is no buzz. No anticipation. Mostly, there is skepticism. Another NFL year has gone by without Boston, the former first-round pick and one-time Pro Bowl starter whose career was derailed by suspensions and knee injuries.
It has been nearly two years since Boston caught a pass that counted. It has been more than three years since he caught one that mattered.
How long is too long?
"I haven't made any big plays or done anything in three years," said Boston, who turns 29 this month. "But I played the first five years and I'm trying to pick up where I left off. It's not easy."
Boston is not the only veteran trying to rekindle a career most assumed was over. Running back Priest Holmes is in Chiefs camp after injuring his neck in 2005. Quarterback Tim Couch, out of the league the past three years because of shoulder problems, is a former No. 1 overall pick competing for the No. 3 job in Jacksonville.
Each would be a remarkable comeback.
Boston has a chance.
"People have totally forgotten about him, don't even know he's alive," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "If he can come back, it will be one hell of a story. I tip my hat to him. He's been through a lot."
Drafted by Arizona eighth overall out of Ohio State in 1999, Boston was a force in 2001. He caught 98 passes for 1,598 yards and eight touchdowns - all career highs - and was a Pro Bowl starter.
Then, his career unraveled.
A free agent after 2003, Boston signed a seven-year, $53-million contract with San Diego. Playing at nearly 260 pounds, he never fit in with the Chargers, was suspended one game for behavior detrimental to the team and was traded to Miami.
Before 2004, Boston tested positive for a banned substance and was suspended for four games, and tore the patellar tendon in his knee and missed the entire season.
The next year, Boston sustained another knee injury and the Dolphins released him.
In 2006, Boston turned up in Bucs camp and Gruden raved about a 6-foot-2, 230-pound receiver with speed to go deep. But Boston was released the day before the opener, when injuries forced the team to sign an offensive lineman.
Boston had a few workouts, but no offers.
At 28, he was out of the league.
"I didn't really feel like the league was giving up on me, but it was a wake-up call that I needed to hurry up and get myself back together and get healthy to compete again," said Boston, who has caught four passes the past three seasons. "I had a long talk with my family and the trainers I work out with. I felt I needed to get myself as healthy as I could before the next offseason. Hopefully I'd have an opportunity."
Now Boston is looking big and quick. He is running the double moves, getting out of his breaks quicker and catching the ball with authority.
This time, he's healthy.
"Last year, I only practiced three or four times a week and I was trying to play the recovery game from practice to practice. I wasn't quite ready," Boston said. "This year, I'm able to recover from the morning practice to the afternoon practice and keep my explosiveness."
Cornerback Ronde Barber sees the difference.
"Last year, he didn't look like the David Boston that everybody remembers from his years at Ohio State and his first couple years in the league," Barber said. "He couldn't run. He wasn't explosive. But I noticed in the offseason that he was showing it again, and he's showing it now. Barring anything unforeseen, I can't imagine him not exploding back."
Even after all this time?
"Not playing in the league hurts you," Barber said, "but I think he's got enough talent to overcome that."
tommyGunZ
Footballguy
switz
Footballguy
I think taking Boston is a wise move, depending on the amount of risk you can afford with your #5 WR.
His upside is far higher than the other WRs people in this thread have mentioned, but his risk to bust is likely higher as well. So if you have a solid starting group of WRs, take Boston. But if you are going to rely on your depth, take a guy like Gonzales.
His upside is far higher than the other WRs people in this thread have mentioned, but his risk to bust is likely higher as well. So if you have a solid starting group of WRs, take Boston. But if you are going to rely on your depth, take a guy like Gonzales.
gianmarco
Footballguy
He's listed directly behind Galloway on their recently released depth chart. I think he easily makes the team and really only has to beat either Stovall or Clayton for a starting spot. It's not like he's got stiff competition. Don't see why people still want to keep sleeping on him...
TwinTurbo
Footballguy
First of all...this one is for you, Bloom---love a guy that tosses one out there that is TOTALLY against the grain, and has the stones to stand up to his convictionthis conversation reminds me of the situation surounding Boston's teammate, Joey Galloway, from a couple years ago...after a nice 4 year run to open his carreer---where Galloway posted at least 987 yds and 7 TD's in each of those 4 seasons, 5 of the next 6 seasons saw Galloway hold out, bounce around a couple rosters, miss large chunks of time, and avg like 400/2...he did sneak a 900/6 season in there, but for the most part, he was a "was"...most FF players wouldn't touch himAs a matter of fact, I just pulled up my '05 local redraft draft results to see where Galloway went--I remembered taking him and doing well w/him....I took him as the last WR taken (@16.7--WR52) in a 16 round, 10 teamer.......result---WR8 w/1287-10....188 FF pointsI'm not saying the situations are the same, but Boston is younger than Galloway was at the time and is(was) every bit as talented....while the TB offense really struggled last yr w/Simms knocked out and Gradkowski not close to ready, I really believe Garcia has enough in the tank and enough around him to be productiveBoston doesn't have to beat out much to make the field, and w/their last place schedule, who knows where this can go
Don't forget about Terry Glenn too. He had a few down years like Galloway and was written off by most fans before bouncing back. But the difference between Glenn/Galloway and Boston is that the former two still maintained their stereotypical WR size and speed. Whereas Boston turned into a roid freak. One thing is for certain though. Boston wouldn't keep getting invited to camps if he was washed up. The fact that Tampa is still keeping him around shows that he still has something to offer. He may not be a stud WR again, but there must still be some talent there if Gruden continues to give him a shot.Similar threads
