How bout some love for DJ

[Carl Spackler]

On 5/16/2019 at 8:27 AM, panthers55 said:

That is who I was talking about. Not DJ. DJ did play in every game even when he essentially lost us a game with multiple fumbles. Norv had confidence in DJ as he struggled which is why I am not a big proponent of starting rookies. Let them play but not start until they have adjusted to the NFL.

Steve Smith cost us the home Bucs game in 2002 with costly fumbles, but we stuck with him too. 

[panthers55]

15 minutes ago, Carl Spackler said:

Steve Smith cost us the home Bucs game in 2002 with costly fumbles, but we stuck with him too. 

I hope sticking with DJ pays off as much as Steve Smith did for us. The best news is Steve Smith sees a lot of him in DJ.

But to your point, that was Steve Smith's second season and this was DJs rookie year. Sticking with a rookie wide receiver with little experience in big situations, is different than trying to take your pro-bowl punt returner and expand his role to become a primary receiver while dealing with issues along the way. Like McCaffrey is doing now, Smith hit the weights and made sure he gives as good as he gets. That way defenders can't knock or rip the ball away. I hope DJ follows suit. He already was a hard runner but imagine keeping up his speed and putting on 10 more pounds of muscle. It helps prevent injury as well.