David Gettis Gets Opportunity With Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers invited former Carolina Panther David Gettis to training camp tryouts this week. Gettis was a favorite of mine during his intermittent time in Carolina.  The rookie standout, faced continual injury problems, ending his Panther career returning from a torn ACL and hampered by hamstring injuries.  Gettis was quickly forgotten by most fans and written off entirely by the new Gettleman regime, even after a strong 2013 preseason.

I’ve always wondered why Carolina so quickly parted ways with Gettis prior to the season.  Some have indicated that he wasn’t fully healthy by the end of the preseason and wasn’t worth occupying a roster spot because he wouldn’t have seen the field that much even if he was 100%.  Others say Gettis didn’t practice all that well.  This always surprised me given his production when he occasionally did see the field while healthy.  There’s a difference between practicing poorly and never practicing.  I’d be stunned if Gettis was lazy the few times he ever did practice.

Gettis does Super Man Celebration after this TD catch!

He’s going to have to work hard this week if he wants to see Tampa’s training camp.  They just signed a very tall rookie tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (6'6), adding to Mike Evans (6'5) and Vincent Jackson (6'5) for what has to be the tallest bunch of pass catchers in the NFL. The Bucs could probably use a bit more speed than Gettis offers given Tiquan Underwood’s departure to Carolina.  Gettis isn’t fast, and there is always worry that he’ll get injured.  Making Tampa Bay’s camp and surviving the preseason would be a tremendous success for Gettis given his struggles over the last 4 years.  Lovie Smith does love those big boy receivers though.  Gettis would be another big target for McCown or Glennon if he can manage to make the rotation.

I’ve always rooted for Gettis and was a disappointed to see him not make Carolina’s 53 man roster after a decent preseason showing.  He was also a guy that I had hoped we would sign after Steve Smith was dinged up late in the year. Best of luck Gettis, and just #KeepPounding!