The very first preseason game ever, Bucs wide receiver Issac Hagins returned a kick off for a touchdown. It was preseason, it didn’t count. Little did anyone know it would be 31 years until anyone really would bring one back. We also didn’t know it would be 34 years until the Bucs would draft a serious star Wide Receiver. They have come close a few times, Kevin House, Mark Carrier were very talented receivers who accomplished a lot. Then we had Michael Clayton who teased us in 2004. Mike Williams broke Clayton’s TD record on Sunday with his 9th and 10th TD catch, and in these increasingly competitive league, it’s doubtful the Bucs could find another one like him.
Actually, they did, two rounds before! The Bucs drafted Arrelious Benn in the second round, and he was starting to come on before getting injured. It seems like the Bucs managed to do in the 2010 draft something they could not do via Free Agency; find a pair of Wide Receivers that can match up with a franchise QB and form the foundation of an offensive unit. Much was made of the incident with Syracuse. There was a car accident, there was a discussion with a coach in which Williams walked out. But he did not quit the team. The Coach took a vote from the players, who took his side. But when the coach called Williams, his cell wasnt to be found. It was in the car that had the accident. The coach thought Williams didn’t want to play any more. Once the truth came out it was too late.
As a result Williams fell to the fourth round, in an NFL draft that he would probably go early in the first round if it were held today. Instead, the Bucs got lucky with Williams too, and now its paying dividends. The Bucs checked with Syracuse coaches, all of whom said Williams was a character guy. They got their own proof when Williams was pulled over for suspicion of DUI. He was so clean he offered up the Bucs a urine test even though it was not required. The test cleared him on the spot, just as the 2010 season has vindicated him immediately too.
Now with one game left to go in the season, Williams will try to add to his 10 touchdowns, and attempt to get 1,000 yard season to go with LeGarrett Blounts if he can achieve it too. It would be the first time the Bucs had a 1,000 yard receiver and runner since 2005; Cadillac and Galloway. Good times indeed!
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