Who Starts Opposite Galloway in Tampa This Year? (1 Viewer)

[Couch Potato]

Seeking opinions of the all-knowing Shark Pool. Comments / explanations encouraged (especially from Tampa fans and locals).

 

[Couch Potato]

Hmmm, and then I find this...

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/bucs/home.htm

—This year's Earnest Graham could be receiver Paris Warren.

Before he dislocated his ankle while catching a touchdown in the final preseason game last season, Warren was the Bucs' most productive receiver during the exhibition season. Gruden says he learned his lesson with Graham last season. The seldom-used running back rushed for 898 yards after being pressed into service last season.

"Paris Warren is an interesting guy, too," Gruden said. "He has five touchdowns in four preseason games. You go back and watch it and say, 'You know, he may be our go-to guy this year. He's beaten this guy, he's beaten that guy.' It took me three years to figure Earnest out. We finally give him the ball and he has 900 yards and 10 touchdowns. Maybe that's what I need to figure out. When you watch the preseason game, what do we have the preseason games for? There goes Earnest Graham. It's a preseason game. Put him in a regular season game and it's, 'You know what? I'm an idiot.' Maybe Paris Warren needs to play."

I'll add Warren to the bottom of the poll.

 

[foxco]

Voted Clayton, but really I think it's a crap shoot. Seems strange that Clayton's skills should vanish into thin air, so maybe he'll get one last chance....

 

[Sweet Love]

I voted Hilliard because I think he will start when it is opening day. This is probably the most wide open WR spot in the NFL right now, as literally 4 guys could be vying for this spot in the preseason. I hope Bryant wins it as I think he has the most short-term potential (i.e. could produce out of the gate), but it is really up to him. Gruden is obviously not wedded to anyone as we saw with his flirtation with boston last year, so I think it could be Bryant's job to take.

 

[beto]

I got the "feeling" in late Novemeber that the coaching staff was still backing Clayton based on effort and blocking. Don't know how strong that backing is.

 

[Brewzers]

I voted for Hilliard. I remember last year Maurice Stovall was listed #2 on their opening depth charts, he barely saw the field.

 

[Zoomanji]

Voted Clayton because D. Boston was left off

 

[Couch Potato]

After 28 votes, it's about as unclear as I'd expected, with 7,6,5,5,3,2 votes so far (not in order of listing, so as not to influence anyone reading this who has not yet voted). Interesting.

 

[Norseman]

I heard on local radio yesterday that M. Clayton was down to 208 pounds and looked to be in the best shape he had been in since his first year. Whether that translates to increased production (or even playing time) is yet to be determined.

 

[Couch Potato]

9-9-8-8-7

Now there's a real consensus. Geez...

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

Hmmm, and then I find this...

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/bucs/home.htm

—This year's Earnest Graham could be receiver Paris Warren.

Before he dislocated his ankle while catching a touchdown in the final preseason game last season, Warren was the Bucs' most productive receiver during the exhibition season. Gruden says he learned his lesson with Graham last season. The seldom-used running back rushed for 898 yards after being pressed into service last season.

"Paris Warren is an interesting guy, too," Gruden said. "He has five touchdowns in four preseason games. You go back and watch it and say, 'You know, he may be our go-to guy this year. He's beaten this guy, he's beaten that guy.' It took me three years to figure Earnest out. We finally give him the ball and he has 900 yards and 10 touchdowns. Maybe that's what I need to figure out. When you watch the preseason game, what do we have the preseason games for? There goes Earnest Graham. It's a preseason game. Put him in a regular season game and it's, 'You know what? I'm an idiot.' Maybe Paris Warren needs to play."

I'll add Warren to the bottom of the poll.

Sorry about the thread hijack, but these are the most positive Graham statements I've read. Sounds to me like Gruden learned his lesson and he's the man going forward.Regarding WR, I think the Bucs will have a number of 3WR sets with galloway and whoever sounds good at the time. maybe Hilliard/Warren, maybe Clayton/Warren. I think they'll give the young guy every opportunity to be a part of the lineup. But I don't think it willl be "Galloway and X." I think it will be Galloway and a rotation.

 

[sholditch]

I really hope that the Caddy hype ratchets up before drafts this summer so Graham can be had for a bargain.

 

[cstu]

I heard on local radio yesterday that M. Clayton was down to 208 pounds and looked to be in the best shape he had been in since his first year. Whether that translates to increased production (or even playing time) is yet to be determined.

That time of year again.

 

[Couch Potato]

Michael Clayton [ 10 ] ** [18.87%]

Ike Hilliard [ 10 ] ** [18.87%]

Antonio Bryant [ 10 ] ** [18.87%]

Maurice Stovall [ 9 ] ** [16.98%]

Chad Johnson [ 1 ] ** [1.89%]

2008 rookie drafted in Round 1 or 2 [ 10 ] ** [18.87%]

Other - please comment [ 0 ] ** [0.00%]

Paris Warren (added after 10 votes in) [ 3 ] ** [5.66%]

Wow, I've never seen an FBG poll so close among so many players before.

OK, I'll stop the play-by-play. I'm just glad to learn I wasn't the only guy confused by this situation.

 

[Couch Potato]

I heard on local radio yesterday that M. Clayton was down to 208 pounds and looked to be in the best shape he had been in since his first year. Whether that translates to increased production (or even playing time) is yet to be determined.

That time of year again.

Reminds me of a joke.Coach: "You told me you'd report to camp in shape!"

Player: "Pear is a shape."

 

[browntown]

I see them drafting either Sweed or Jackson at 1.20, and if that's the case he's going to be a starter out of the gates. Hilliard is more effective in the slot, Clayton can't get any seperation, Stovall is in and out of the doghouse, and Bryant will need to work his way into that consideration.

 

[Slider]

Bryant. He has twice the talent of anyone else. Gruden should keep him in check.