Hackett to Carolina

One more free-agent candidate to scratch off your list: Seattle receiver D.J. Hackett.

The NFL Network reports he's agreed to sign a two-year, $3.5-million deal with the Panthers. Hackett visited the Bucs on Thursday and also had an offer in hand from the Redskins. It's not clear whether the Bucs made a contract offer.

Word inside the organization before the start of free agency indicated the team's interest in Hackett was lukewarm. But for the right price, the Bucs might have been willing to do business. We were told the Bucs saw him much in the same way they viewed Michael Clayton and Maurice Stovall -- a player capable of and willing to make tough catches. The staff seemed to think there wasn't enough difference between Hackett and their two young receivers to warrant making a significant offer to him.

Given that, maybe this isn't a surprise.

Comments

[Kurt]

It's not like he was an upgrade, so I don't really see the problem here. We've already got a bunch of DJ Hackett's on our club. It looks more and more like a draft day or trade acquisition. If we can get Caldwell in the 2nd (6' 205lbs / 4.3 40) there is no need to reach mediocre free-agent talent elsewhere. He is from Tampa also.

[Jeff]

Any interest in Darrell Jackson?

[AL]

I find it hard to believe that Micheal Clayton has lost everything he once had. We all know he can catch, or at least he used to be able to. I am still holding hope for him this year, but if he cant produce, he needs to be let go.

[Stephen_Holder]

Jeff, I'm in the process of looking into Jackson. I'm curious, too. I'll let you know if/when I hear something.

[Phil J.]

I totally agree with the Bucs on this one. Why add another receiver with the hands of BUDDY Hackett?

[Alex]

let's get this straight once and for all: Clayton can play. the guy dropped balls his first year and every year after like most receivers. The difference now is he is not used as he once was. For the 10 balls that went his way a game, now he is lucky to get two. Fans wake up. you don't just forget how to do something you have done your whole life. Gruden went to use Galloway instead. clayton is here now for depth and his blocking. Gruden is wasting his talent. Is this really a stretch?? Realy?? wake up.

[Alex]

Now, enough about getting someone in the draft...let me explain why thee will be no wr in the draft. BY the bucs signing a premium center and the return of Luke Pettigout, the bucs will get to perform how they planned last offseason...with a pass-catching TE and/or 3/4 receiver. the reason why the bucs weren't able t get these receivers involved more is due to the limited multiple receiver sets they could run. they had a really young o-line, a new QB and an off-the-street-LT, who played well considering. THE BUCS ARE LOOKING FOR PLAYMAKERS AND WILL USE THE ONE'S ON THERE ROSTER THIS YEAR BECAUSE THEY FINALLY CAN!!!! Get it now?!?! Not that far-fetched is it??

[Alex]

Is anybody else sick of reading comments from dumb Buc fans and really want to here some real commenting by real and smart buc fans?? I know I am... back to my statement. Gruden does not want to bring in another ego when his ego thinks he can succeed with what he has... and he is probably right. Another receiver instead of another blocker needed on the o line would more than open the passing game up. The bucs also already have a few projects at reciever now such as Clayton, Stovall, Warren and Lucas...Finally, if you don't agree with what I am saying, check Garcia's comments at the end of the playoff game saying that we need to use what we have. we don't need to go get more, we need to get our play-makers MORE involved.

[chris devine]

Draft DeSean jackson, McFarland or Calwell.

At the combine DeSean looked
great in the 40 and ball handling.

But there are alot of others who could also be there in the early third round.

[Jasonhouse]

Grr, I hate ambiguous headlines. I thought that this headline was implying that we were somehow losing QBs Coach Paul Hackett to the Panthers, which would be a pretty big deal, imho.

[Stephen Blackehart]

Jason,
THAT Hackett's already been gone. Probably retiring, as has been reported for some months now.

Alex,
Hey, I hope you're right. I personally don't believe there's THAT much more to be had out of the guys on our roster. And, I don't agree with the Bucs that Hackett was about the same as Clayton or Stovall. We don't know anything about Stovall until he plays more, and Clayton has dropped nearly every ball thrown his way for 3 years now. Hackett would be an upgrade over that, even if he's injured half the year. Really.

[Jay]

To be honest, with Clayton / Hilliard / Galloway / Stovall and the preseason stud of Parris Warren, the WR position is pretty well locked up. I would like to see another burner to compete with Galloway, but maybe the draft will produce that instead. Hackett did not impress anyone enough to break up deadlock.

[John P]

I don't think Hackett or Jackson are world-class talents, maybe a 3rd or 4th option at best.

The problem with Clayton, Alex, was not his first year - but his second, third and fourth. He dropped passes like mad, and no matter how big a guy is - he has to CATCH the ball. Clayton is not a good route runner, can't beat a linebacker down the field and doesn't have the heart to excel. Hilliard and Galloway may be getting old and rusty, but they play with purpose and determination. Clayton is basically a 4th or 5th receiver, nothing more.

[DR]

Buddy Hackett?

[Don]

im glad we didnt sign him, it would have been a waste of money. i agarre with Al clayton still can play he just need the ball

[Billy Buck]

Michael Clayton = David Boston without the steroids. He's one of the biggest disappointments in team history after his stellar rookie season. Give me Stovall over him any day.
I personally would have liked Hackett here, and I'm not going to pretend like I wouldn't like so many of you are now that he's not. To say he wouldn't be an upgrade is just being stubborn, and to say he's a waste of money for 2 years at $3.5 million seems incorrect to me too. The Panthers get him with no long term or expensive commitment. Low risk, high reward deal there.

[Stephen Holder]

Interesting points on Clayton everyone. I'll say this: I don't think I'm the only one who saw some nice flashes from him at the end of the regular season when he was featured because of injuries to Galloway, et al. When he's a regular part of the offense, he actually looks like a real contributor. Remember, this is a guy who has been a featured player all his life, including his rookie NFL season. It's hard to adjust to the nonexistent role he now has. But at the end of the day, this is truly a make or break year for him. There are people in the organization who believe in the guy, but he is going to have to regain Gruden's trust. I think he has definitely lost that, and that is the reason for his lack of opportunities.

[Chimi Changa]

Clayton would do fine if he were used more. Gruden's reliance on Galloway and Hilliard has done Clayton a disservice. When Mike was the #2 reciever opposite Galloway, he played well (also because Griese spread the ball around more than Simms, Grads, or Garcia). If another team picks him up, you'll see how good he can be. Not to mention that he goes all out when he is assigned as a blocker. You have to love that toughness. He can be the guy who makes the tough catches in traffic the way Keyshawn used to do in this offense. The only way for that to happen though, is to throw him the damn ball!

[Tuol Ting]

You know, most of you guys have blinders on....Carolina practically stole DJ Hackett...He will come back to burn us, guaranteed. Why are you suckas waiting for Clayton to show up? News flash folks: It ain't gonna happen...Our WRs have to be among the weakest in the NFL except for maybe the Falcons. Maybe Gruden is turning this into a run first team

[John P]

I'm trying to think back to the last wide receiver the Bucs drafted in the tops 3 rounds who ended up having a good career with them. Can't think of anyone except Mark Carrier from 1987. Amazing. Am I forgetting someone?

[Chris]

Tuol, you have blinders on. Who cares if Carolina got Hackett when they lose the battle at the line of scrimmage and cant run the football. Plus, they have a QB who is inconsistent or constantly hurt. They have much bigger problems than WR. Steve Smith is fantastic, but if he doesnt have anyone to get him the ball then what is he good? Hackett is a hack. Our wide receivers arent among the weakest in the NFL. They are more than capable. The problem is a west coast offense like Gruden's only works when you can run AND pass. We have only had one or the other. If we get a good running game opened up with our young offensive line, then passing is a luxury that any WR can thrive in. Every season we have had a good running game I dont remember anyone complaining about our WR.

[Kurt]

I think we have already established in cement that Tuol is a tool.

[Str8BucIn]

I great seeing everyone commenting on D.J. Hackett not being signed and that's a good thing. Yes, he's just like Clayton and Stovall (which we're still waiting to see) only difference is he's never healthy. I feel everyone else's pain on Clayton we where set up for greatness, but we have been let down with several disappointing seasons. I agree with the comment that he's not used like he was in his rookie season. We had to use him because Galloway was down with injury, so we had no choice but to use him and he produced. So let's be patient and see what we have in the players we have. I agree with John P that we haven't had any luck with drafting receivers. If we can't aquire one we are out of luck.

[Str8BucIn]

Oops, It's great

[Duane]

Actually, Claytn had a beter year last year than the previous one. Still, that doesn't make him a Marques Colston like he should be. If he can stay injury free and get into a regular flow, who knows. Hope Paris Warren can get back into the form he showed in preseason last year. Hope the injury didn't slow him down.

Kinda hard to land these free agents when you're club is offering bologna sandwiches and all the other teams are giving out steak...God I hate bologna!

[DR]

Now you guys talk about signing Darrell Jackson? He couldn't hack it in San Fran. He's got the worst hands in the league and he's blind. Galloway, Hilliard, Clayton, Stovall aren't a great group of receivers. Garcia did take a lot of coverage sacks, meaning his receivers weren't open for those of you who don't know. It would be nice for Garcia to have a go-to guy and he doesn't. Good luck to Garcia if he has to throw to these guys again.

[Kurt]

I don't like bologna either ... but I do like a little Tube Steak Boogie

I LOVE weanies!!!

[Jeff Garcia]

I think, therefore, I am.

[RD]

DR wears Jeff Garcia pajamas.

[Oliver]

Garcia wants to utilise Clayton, Stovall et al in the offense, I agree completely with him. As much as I would love a superstar like Chad Johnson here, the chances of that happening aren't great...thus, let's optimise Clayton and Stovall as our more physical recivers...they can both get the job done. I like those two. I like Hilliard and Galloway too, but the more options in the passing game, the better.