Bucs release Keith Poole

Kidding, right? Poole couldn't hang on to nothin'. He was fast and had good rac yardage, but his receptions were few and far between.

On second thought, maybe he need a qb like Weinke to throw the ball. Weinke can't hit his receivers and Poole is out of position alot. Might work.

 

I don't recall Poole every having trouble holding on to the ball. His RAC yards were basically what I was refering too. He didn't have a ton of receptions, but he was a #4 WR at the beginning of that year and moved up to #2 due to injury later in the season.
I haven't seen the numbers, but I don't recall him having the dropsies, just that he does tend to get off his routes at times...which can be used to your advantage if your QB is smart enough.

 

Well, I think - like it or not - D. Scott is the best fit here. Problem is he'll be too expensive. He can get deep and has a lot left IMO. Freeman hasn't really been all that dedicated the last few years so he would be a big risk. Poole has talent, but never really sustained any consistency. I'd pass on him. There is a very big opportunity for some of the lesser know guys on the roster to step up and win a job here. I'd like to see it happen.
Can one of these guys get it done?

88 Hankton, Karl WR 6-2 202 31 4 Trinity (IL) College
19 Gary, Guilian WR 6-0 183 22 R Maryland
18 Black, Nathan WR 6-0 190 24 R Northwestern State (LA)
81 Bright, Anthony WR 6-1 170 25 1 Valencia CC
17 Baker, Tim WR 6-4 208 24 1 Texas Tech
3 Tolhurst, Ryan WR 5-11 193 23 R Richmond

 

I'd rather see someone step up than go out and sign someone.
Hankton has been at the bottom of the depth chart for too long. If he doesn't make a move in training camp, he should be released. Gary and Black don't do anything for me. Bright sounds like he has impressed to date, but with limited size I can't see him taking the punishment on a regular basis.
Baker and Tolhurst are the guys I can see having some impact. Both have good size and decent speed. Baker is basically a Hayses clone...if he can be more disiplined in his routes and find the open field I could see him as a possible keeper. Tolhurst is anybody's guess. I didn't have the expanded sports package last year so all I saw of him was clips, but he looks like a disiplined WR, but more of a posession type guy.
We need someone to emerge as the #2 if Smith doesn't. Byrd and Moose are too much alike, we need a downfield threat in the #2 spot and Byrd as the #3 option.
Of course, if Jeffers returns to form, this is all irrelevent...BIG IF!

 

Quick follow up -
Tolhurst: (ESPN Draft Tracker) 5-11, 191, 4.51
Positives: Has the speed to get deep on this level. Does not drop many passes and can adjust to the ball. Willing blocker.

Negatives: Very raw around the edges coming from a flexbone offense. Needs to learn how to get into and out of his breaks and to run shorter pass routes. Is coming off an injury. Tends to prefer basket catching to snatching the ball.

Summary: Developmental receiver if he is healthy.

Gary:
5-11, 187, 4.55
Positives: Has improved every year. Good athlete with good but not really good hands and adequate speed. Improved route-running in 2001.

Negatives: Lacks a special quality. Is not that big, fast, sure-handed, acrobatic, elusive or explosive. Lacks real suddenness and must gear down to cut. Is nothing special as a return man. Lacks the big-play dimension.

Summary: Might catch on in the right situation if he continues to improve and shows he will contribute as a kick cover man.

 

To a large extent, Hankton is here for special teams, and Scotty seems to get his players.