Bucs sign USF's Jackson
Former USF receiver Amarri Jackson, passed over in last weekend's NFL Draft, showed enough in a three-day rookie minicamp with the Bucs that he's agreed to a free-agent contract with Tampa Bay, according to his agent.
"They offered him a deal," Tim Rogers said Monday night. "It's not official because we haven't signed it yet, but I've got the contract."
Jackson, one of 38 undrafted players brought in to battle for a handful of contracts, will report back to the Bucs in two weeks for the first session of OTAs, which open on his 23rd birthday. Rogers said Jackson will be one of 12 receivers the Bucs take to camp, so he'll still face a tough numbers crunch to make the Bucs' 53-man roster in August.
Jackson is the fourth member of this year's USF senior class to sign with an NFL team, joining cornerbacks Mike Jenkins (first round, Cowboys) and Trae Williams (fifth, Jaguars) and linebacker Ben Moffitt, who signed a free-agent deal with the Texans.
-- GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer
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Is he the only one to be signed? Any news on if Tommy Blake was offered a contract?
Posted by: Bucball4Life | May 05, 2008 at 07:08 PM
Great news for the former Bull. Good luck Amarri.
Posted by: The Bull Gator | May 05, 2008 at 07:51 PM
thats 3 jacksons now :)
Posted by: bill billington | May 05, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Looks like Jay would've lost that bet.
Posted by: Tim | May 05, 2008 at 08:02 PM
Yeah, I have to admit that you were right Tim.
Now, let's just hope he makes it through training camp and on to the 53 man roster. Or at least the practice squad.
Posted by: Jay | May 05, 2008 at 08:12 PM
I am glad for Amari. I am surprised that Walter Walker didn't get an opportunity. He was a great football player for USF when healthy. His health history may have cost him a shot. I am shocked they even gave Carnes a look. He struggled to see the field at USF and really struggled in the games when he got a shot. I don't understand why the Bucs even gave him a look
Posted by: USF95 | May 05, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Hey, 95: some of the guys invited over the weekend were really just there to pad out the roster. You have to have enough players to conduct a real practice, so they'll inevitably have some guys out there who don't really have a shot. Hate to say it, but it's true.
Posted by: Stephen_Holder | May 05, 2008 at 10:43 PM
did they offer Derrick Doggett a contract?
Posted by: aaron | May 06, 2008 at 05:55 AM
The Bucs' website listed that Amarri Jackson, Chris Bradwell, John Rochford, and Clifton Smith were the four signed. Nice article about Amarri on the site.
Posted by: Carol C | May 06, 2008 at 09:48 AM
hmm.. im not sore or anything. But I seem to remember him dropping some big passes in some key moments last year at usf.
Posted by: matt | May 06, 2008 at 10:04 AM
the bucs are one of the greatest teams ever . but now that they have one of the best rookie's ever . there shere to win the super bowl next year .
Posted by: matthew john fonseca | May 06, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Worst hands ever. But besides that he's a great prospect
Posted by: Andrew | May 06, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Amarri and Roberto Duran = Hands of Stone. The guy couldn't catch a cold at a Free Clinic ..
Posted by: Tim | May 06, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Say what you will......a good friend of mine is involved with the Bucs and was there this weekend. They are very interested in Walker and Carnes. Both have great size and Carnes has great speed. He was the fastest lineman in the rookie camp. Remember, he was moved from tight end going into his junior year - a whole new world. He did not play high school football. Apparently, the Bucs believe both have great upside potential even if on the practice squad.
Posted by: Ben Jarrods | May 06, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Hey Matt, the fact Amarri actually got a hand on those wild passes is a credit to his physical ability. The real problem was the kid THROWING the football. Recievers can't be expected to make circus-like acrobatic catches on every down. Amarri would have been much better at the college level if his QB could actually throw.
Posted by: Sailingbull | May 06, 2008 at 03:48 PM
Um. Sailingbull: Matt Grothe cant throw the football well? that is the stupidest thing ive ever heard.
Posted by: matt | May 06, 2008 at 05:52 PM
Matt, do you actually watch these games? Grothe's aim looks worse than my 90 year old Grandfather with a toilet.
Posted by: sailingbull | May 07, 2008 at 11:07 AM
TOILET? LOL....GOOD ONE.
Posted by: RICH | May 07, 2008 at 06:44 PM
Seriously though, Grothe did have a darn good season and Amarri Jackson is a good reciever and might just make this club. We arent exactly stocked with quality WR`s at the moment ya know. So it can happen and I thought he was a tall fast enough kid and can do well in the NFL.
Posted by: RICH | May 07, 2008 at 06:47 PM
Seriously though, Grothe did have a darn good season and Amarri Jackson is a good reciever and might just make this club. We arent exactly stocked with quality WR`s at the moment ya know. So it can happen and I thought he was a tall fast enough kid and can do well in the NFL.
Posted by: RICH | May 07, 2008 at 06:48 PM