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Receiver Vincent Jackson is now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for his second season. Last year, Jackson’s numbers were better than any previous season with the San Diego Chargers getting over 70 receptions and averaging about 20 yards each time he received the ball. Jackson even went to Hawaii as a Pro Bowl alternate.
Since last year was his first year with Tampa you can expect him to do even better this season since receivers usually show better numbers their second season with a team. This is not the only reason Jackson will show greater numbers, however, as quarterback Josh Freeman is on the final year of his contract. I would expect him to throw the ball to the most reliable player on the field, and that would be Jackson as he had the most receptions on the Buccaneers.
Aside from Mike Williams on the other end of the field, Tampa’s receiving corps isn’t the best in the league as a battle is taking place for the slot receiver position between Kevin Ogletree, who previously played with the Dallas Cowboys last season, and Tiquan Underwood, who is with the Buccaneers for his second season. Another battle is going on at the tight end position between Luke Stocker and Tom Crabtree. Crabtree who, much like Ogletree, is with the Buccaneers for his first season as well. As for Stocker, he has been with the Buccaneers for two seasons but has never started a game being a backup to Kellen Winslow Jr. and Dallas Clark.
With so many inconsistencies currently brewing in the receiving area of the depth chart, it seems like Freeman’s best bet is to throw the ball to a sure thing in Vincent Jackson. Over the years Jackson has been usually a vertical threat with his speed, but this year I see him as being a full package of someone who can run across the field and make those catches without injury lurking anywhere. I feel that it is safe to say that Jackson is definitely in for a breakout year.
John Beauchamp is a Tampa Bay Buccaneers writer for www.RantSports.com Follow him on Twitter @John_Beauchamp or add him to your network on Google
