Latest on Jeff Demps

[Gdubbz]

The draft-day acquisition of running back Jeff Demps from the New England Patriots isn’t going to bring the intended results for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It’s likely not going to work out at all.

On the final day of the 2013 NFL draft, the Patriots and Buccaneers sealed a deal to swap running backs. New England got forgotten backup LeGarrette Blount and Tampa Bay got a seventh-round pick and Demps, who was signed as an undrafted free agent last season by the Patriots.

Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik said Demps was a throw-in portion of the trade anyway; Demps wasn’t really even the intended target of the trade, said Tampa Bay Times beat reporter Stephen Holder via Sulia.

That’s shrewd on the part of Dominik, adding potential value to a deal he would have made without Demps involved. Tampa Bay fans have to look at the deal that way. If not, if they expect Demps to come in and turn into an All-Pro instantly, disappointment will ensue.

Demps is first and foremost a track star, and oh boy is he fast. Not only did he anchor the University of Florida 4X100 relay team, but he also won a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London as part of Team USA in the same event.

He also wants to play football, just like he did for the Gators. But Demps mentioned in a radio interview that football was an afterthought; he’d likely only join the Patriots by midseason, ESPN Boston reported. It’s likely he’ll want to keep the same schedule now with the Buccaneers.

The Patriots wanted an all-football commitment from Demps. When he wouldn’t give it to them, he became expendable, according to the Boston Herald.

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network suggests that Tampa Bay is “willing to be flexible with Demps' schedule to retain his rights.”

If the Buccaneers truly are willing to wait until Demps’ track season is over, and Demps is really good enough to make Tampa Bay want to hold a spot for him, how will the team use him?

Demps is otherworldly fast. According to the Florida Gators’ athletic department, at running back Demps had twice as many 60-yard or more (four) runs than any other Gator in the 15 years prior to his senior season. Just take a gander at Demps’ 84-yard touchdown run against Kentucky in 2011 as an example.

That’s the first way Tampa Bay might use Demps.

Imagine Demps lining up in the backfield in a shotgun formation with quarterback Josh Freeman. If Demps were given an eight-yard or so start to get up some speed and then he found a hole, well you just saw two examples of how that could work.

What a fantastic change of pace for starting running back Doug Martin. Demps also caught 57 passes while at Florida. Freeman wouldn’t argue with another receiving option, that’s for sure.

The second way Tampa Bay could use Demps is in the return game.

Demps averaged 18.5 yards per punt return during his four years at Florida and 28.8 yards per kick return. He was even named CFPA National Kickoff Returner of the Week following his efforts against Georgia on Oct. 29, 2011 (UF Athletic Department).

Tampa Bay ranked second-to-last in 2012 with a 20.3 yards per kick return average, and had the fewest kick return yards of any team in the NFL. The Buccaneers fared a little better at returning punts, averaging nine yards per return.

With Demps’ success in the return game at Florida, and Tampa Bay’s ineptitude, it seems like a match made in heaven.

But let’s not forget, Demps hasn’t produced anything at the professional level outside of preseason action, and his track schedule is definitely a hindrance to him doing anything productive for the Buccaneers. It’s not that Demps doesn’t have the underlying skills, but is head coach Greg Schiano really going to disrupt his team’s momentum midseason to add Demps as a new wrinkle?

As much as it’s easy to drool over what Demps could do for Tampa Bay, I wouldn’t count on it.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...aneers-offense

I bolded Key parts of the article.

I really hope things work out. Demps is one of the most dynamically fast players Ive seen. Hope he comes to his senses and decides football over track.

[Capital T]

Seems like his hearts on the track, hope he does play tho!

[bwallstreet]

I don't like the message it sends.

He has done nothing for this team, and nothing in the NFL. Yet we're going to give him a free pass til whenever he feels like coming and joining the team. It shouldn't work that way. I would take a guy who is in OTAs, is at One Buc training hard giving us all he has all summer, who then fights his way through preseason and earns a spot rather than hand it to a guy who is fast and puts himself over his team.

It's a very selfish, and stupid, thing to do. If he does not commit himself to football he will never make it. Anyone who believes Demps can half-*** it and produce against elite athletes who work day and night to get better at football with their teammates is kidding themselves.

[Capital T]

^^^ I have no words because all of that is 1oo% true, I just would like that speed on our team if we can get him to commit! Speaking on behalf of both me and dubbz I think we both would only want the commitment rather him being handed a spot!

[bwallstreet]

He didn't even compete in the finals at the Olympics...he only compete in one preliminary race because he was a replacement for a guy who broke his foot, he ran one race and was replaced with no injury.

[bwallstreet]

^^^ I have no words because all of that is 1oo% true, I just would like that speed on our team if we can get him to commit!

so would I, so would we all....but he's not

he won't be available until August at the earliest or as this article states halfway through the season...what happens next year? same thing...is he going to give up track after this year? highly doubtful

[Capital T]

Hopes and dreams... Lol that's it is, if he doesn't on to the next I'm fine wit dat!

[Gdubbz]

I'm not going to jump to conclusion over anything till I see what happens. Who knows Schiano may talk Demps into playing with talk of a starting position as KR and a Slot/Scat back.

Demps if he were to play will make plays that I have NO DOUBT. The guy did nothing but make plays for FLA. He may not play this year, but when he does the opinion of him will fly out the window when he cracks an insane return.

Yes, its no secret that I am a Demps fan, but I want to be clear I don't feel any player should get special treatment when it comes to being a professional. If Demps wants to play I'm game, if he comes in half way through the year and makes plays; hell, its a bonus.>> We cannot have a crappy return game like we did last year. We need an answer. If not Demps I'm looking for Michal Smith to be our guy. If hes doing just fine by mid way and Demps wants to come back. No I don't think he should be an instant starter, he'll need to earn it on the practice field. That's something I think Schiano believes in as well

[bwallstreet]

Jeff Demps had 1 kick return for a TD in college, 0 punt returns for TDs in 4 years

Eric Page had 4 kick returns for TDs in college, 1 punt return for a TD in 3 years
Eric Page - First Team All-American returner

Chris Denton had 5 punt returns for TDs this year for Mount Union

[Gdubbz]

All I can say is you'll see.

Demps is a home run threat every time he touches the ball.

Page and Denton although impressive; I'm saying Demps is more talented.

[Quikdraw]

Jeff Demps won the men's 100m at the Ponce Grand Prix in a time of 10.27 seconds.

Beast.

[bwallstreet]

Beast.

Bolt ran a 9.63 in the 100m final at the Olympics
the top 7 guys were all under 10 seconds

wish he'd give that **** up

[Gdubbz]

Me too ^ :/