Cal WR DeSean Jackson visits Bucs

   For at least one day, the fastest receiver in the NFL draft belonged to the Bucs.

   Cal junior DeSean Jackson, who is commonly projected in mock drafts to be selected by the Bucs with the No. 20 overall pick, visited the team's facility Monday.

   The 5-foot-9 Jackson met with coach Jon Gruden, receivers coach Richard Mann and special teams coordinator/running backs coach Rich Bisaccia.

   Gruden has said the Bucs want to add a playmaker and increase their speed on offense. Jackson certainly fits the criteria, having scored 29 touchdowns in 36 games. Jackson ran the fastest time in the 40-yard dash among wide receivers at the NFL combine at 4.35. He also impressed scouts with his ability to catch the football at Cal's pro day March 11.

   Jackson could have an immediate impact on the Bucs' kick return game while providing an eventual successor to 36-year-old receiver Joey Galloway.

   The biggest negative on Jackson is that he weighs just 169 pounds and durability could be a concern.

   Gruden says he expects the Bucs to have a choice of several prospects at receiver and cornerback in the first round.

   ""Which (receiver) do you like?'' Gruden said. ""I mean the guy at Cal (Jackson) is 169 pounds. Is he going to be big enough? He's certainly fast as hell. He would be a hell of a returner. The guy at Indiana (James Hardy) is big. Every film you pick up, there's another touchdown. Is he fast enough? We've got (Maurice) Stovall. What the hell have we got him for? You don't want to stock guys. So that's a tough call. It always is, though.''

   One of Jackson’s biggest supporters is receiver Jerry Rice, who played for Gruden with the Oakland Raiders. Rice worked out with Jackson in Pensacola prior to the combine and attended his pro day workout. There are other connections to the Bucs. Jackson’s older brother, Byron, who played for the Kansas City Chiefs in '92-'93, was a teammate of Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia at San Jose State.

   Jackson left Tampa Monday afternoon and will visit with the Philadelphia Eagles tonight and Tuesday.

   

Comments

[mm]

I don't like that pick at all. The kid has talent but his size is an issue. This isn't the pac-10. He will be going up against defensive backs that will be able to jam him all day. Andre Caldwell is just as fast (4.37 40) and is 6 foot and 207lbs. He also went against much tougher defenses in the SEC.

[Dr. Bob Billington]

I'm pretty close to doing a 180 on Jackson. He was one of my top guys going into the season. He did not really prove himself to be much more than a return guy who could outrun the odd corner last year. What he achieved at the combine were not very encouraging.

I thought he could be a Steve Smith type, but he's starting to remind me more of a designated returner/spare part receiver, in the Az Hakim mold. That isn't to say he won't be a playmaker, but at this point I would not draft him if I were Tampa, because he will not be the #1, go-to receiver we really need. He will be the perfect #2 WR for any team that selects him.

[Ty Guy]

he's an awsome reciever and an awsome returner, two things we, the bucs need. look at steve smith, he's not much bigger, and he's done some great things in this league. i think limas sweed is fast and tall too. who knows.

[devin]

look at ronde barber he is small i think we should draft him because we can return kicks now so dont judge him by his height this guy can make a impact as soon he steps on the field and galloway NEED HELP and clayton just sucks and wat if he is good later on you will be kicking ur self in the head cause he is better on another team

[mm]

Caldwell is also a very good run blocker. A very physical receiver.

[mm]

Its not his height so much as it is his weight.

[Rube]

You can't compare Desean with Steve Smith. The guy is not normal. No way is Jackson ever going to come close to what Steve Smith is doing year in and year out (especially against the Bucs). Hardy would be the better pick. We need an across the middle guy, have since Keyshawn left. I still don't know if Stovall will fill that void. For one he needs to stay healthy.

[Kurt]

Smokescrean.

[Kurt]

Smokescreen, that is.

[mm]

Caldwell has size, speed, atheticism, and he doesn't drop balls...ever.

[mm]

Bubba Caldwell can sneeze with his eyes open.

[John P]

I just can't see them picking a WR in the first round - I really think they'll pick a DT or LT in that spot. Jackson doesn't have the body for wear and tear as a full time NFL starter - but he's going to be one heck of a returner.

Gruden's comment about his size today would force him to defend the pick if they ended up taking him after all - so I just don't see it happening.

[JOhn]

I think we should draft Devin Hester...Oh that's right, we didn't pick him!

[Al]

If the bucs do take a wr in the draft, none of these players will make an instant impact on the team...WR normally don't due that and if they do they are special. i look at this gropup and there is nothing special. Too many receivers look like clayton and stovall. none of them look like a galloway. Caldwell would be a great fit in round two and be nice to bring him home to atampa while keeping Jenkins from USF in tampa. The only thing that matters to the Bucs right now concerning wr abilities is the ability to create seperation and speed. Caldwell is the best fit from a bad deep, but average group.

[Steve Smith's cousin Leon]

I wish people would stop comparing DeSean Jackson to Steve Smith. Steve was a third round pick, if Jackson is still on the board in the third round, then by all means take him. Steve has played with a chip on his shoulder because he always beleived he should have been taken higher. Jackson will have no such "chip" if he is taken in the first round. Finally, Steve weighs almost twenty pounds more than Jackson at 185 and came out of the draft at 184 pounds while running a 4.41 40 yrd dash.
The Bucs should grad a defensive player in the first round. Mike Jenkins would be a great pick up if he is still available or my other cousin Reggie Smith a corner back from Oklahoma who is over 6 feet weighs 200 lbs and runs a 4.41 40, he has first round talent for sure.

[al]

also, no way the Bucs take a lt with Pettigout rteturning and still arguably the most talented player on the o line. while being injury prone, he was still the best lineman we had last year before injury. we ran his side alot. Dt is a need, but how the Bucs have addressed the offseason makes you think they are looking for more versatility from DE and putting them in a rotation at DT like Haye, Carter or eventually Douglas. Lets not forget Peterson who they drafted last year. he is a project too, just like Haye. don't hold your breath for that pic... outside of the top 2 dt, there is a serious drop in talent. look for a versatile C/G who can play in the system, a pass rushing DE or a power running fullback for short yardage situations in the 3-5 rounds. CB and WR will be the Bucs priority in the draft. oh and Antonio Bryant probably won't make the team

[Dan]

I like Limas Sweed. He is a fast and tall reciever with great catching abilities that can go deep and across the middle and go up and catch a ball. I think he has the best skills and physical abilities to be a quality playmaker in the NFL. I see Jackson more like a Ginn Jr. and he did not do much with the Dolphins this year. He looks like he will end up being a punt and kick returner and a slot receiver in the long run and that is not what Tampa needs to be drafting in the first round. Go with a corner or Limas Sweed.

[JS]

I prefer a CB like jenkins in the first round and a WR in the second or third if a player is not worthy of second round (wr from houston.. forgot his name.. hardy I think). I have too many doubts about Jackson. First of all his weight, second his height. I don't want another clayton for the bucs.

[Brandon]

Wow, what kind of dummies actually believe DeSean Jackson is still a 1st round WR? After pretty much doing nothing his last year in college and being only the 3rd most productive weapon (nearly 4th behind the team's #3 WR) playing a Pac-10 schedule and showing up at the combine at 169 and a month later at his pro day 2 lbs lighter... this kid came into college at this weight... he has no dedication in the weightroom and he isn't THAT FAST. Steve Smith ran 4.33 when he came out at nearly 20 lbs heaviner than Jackson, you can't compare the two, especially considering Jackkson won't run inside routes. If he were faster he might compare to Jacquez Green.

[Brandon]

Quit with the drafting a CB nonsense. Don't you casual fans know that the Bucs and their tampa-2 brethren have had over 30 drafts since 96 and only 1 CB has been drafted in round 1 in that time (#29 overall Marlin Jackson). History suggests that the high picks and the $ goes into the pass rush and considering this is a great draft for CBs, we can get one as good as the guys in round 1, in round 2 or 3.

[brock]

hey Marvin Harrison is small and light. i ain't comparing them but Jackson has skill and talent. and the fool who said he ain't that fast ur just dumb. how can u say that. just give him a chance and c where it goes.

[Tuck]

Don't be surprised if they grab a RB or even a QB in the first round if the right guy falls in the draft.

Caddy might not play next year; Garcia and Griese have their best years behind them. Stranger things have happened.

Like a lot of fans, I'm hoping for a CB. Sure the Bucs used to be able to draft great CB's in the 3rd round. But, that was because they wanted different skills, (ball skills, rushing the passer, and hitting) from their CB's than other teams.

Now that the "Tampa 2" is being played by several teams, they are all competing to sign the same type of CB the Bucs used to monopolize. This may force the Bucs to draft a CB sooner than they have in recent years.

The Bucs really don't have a "need" that jumps out at you. They may be best off simply taking the player on the board that they have rated the highest.

I can't wait for the draft!!!

[epbuc16]

I see the bucs going for a cb in the first and i say it will be jenkins, in the second either Trevor laws at dt or a wr, in the 3rd i saw wr most likely avery fom houston or royal of vt, in the fourth de out of mcneese( not sure on spelling)and in the fifth a qb..yes a qb.lol

[Joe]

Small guy from Cal? Owe like J.J.Arrington of the Arizona Cardnals. Cal's over rated just like Jackson. He'll be good but not in the first round. Pleanty of better wr will be availible in the 2nd and 3rd. Lets not get caughtup in a WR kick returner who on flim looks soft. He plays like Sinorice Moss. Bucs should get best player availible. D-Line or Skill player.

[aaron]

If malcon Jenkins is not there at 20, you have to go for a LT. Sam Baker would be a very nice fit. He can pass and run block. we have youth at all of the other OL positions now we need it at LT. we could have a great line for years. luke will probably get hurt again and while Penn did an alright job as a fill in, he is not a starter. other than center this is the most important position on the line. we need a good young left tackle.
we can get a wr in the second round , Adarius Bowman, Hardy, and even Doucet could be had in the second round.

[DR]

Taking a player that would be only expected to help the return game is not a worthy first round pick. There is no way to predict a Devin Hester, and at only 160+ pounds, there is no way he could be. Ask the Dolphins how good a WR/return man can be in the first round. Granted Ginn was injured, which is another reason they should NOT have drafted him, the Dolphins passed on Quinn when they needed a QB. A return man is good to have but not as good as a solid CB.

[John-John]

He will proubly bee one of the best WR of all if you ask me i think he would be better then steve smith and even a better return guy then Devin Hester

[Wildebeest]

Jackson gets a lot of separation on his routes and he can make people miss in the open field, but won't break a lot of tackles in the nfl and he's injury prone. He played injured much of last season, a fact which could explain his so-so year (according to die-hard cal fans). He's a risky first round investment. I don't see him making a noticeable impact on most teams.