Humphries Looks Forward to Facing Former Team
Like everyone else among the Tennessee Titans, Adam Humphries has tried to take it one game at a time.
The fifth-year wide receiver conceded, though, that in his case it has been one game at a time … until this one.
Sunday’s matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be Humphries’ opportunity to go against the one team for which he played prior to this season. He made the Buccaneers’ roster as an undrafted free agent in 2015 and appeared in 60 contests for them over four seasons. He was their second-leading receiver each of the past two years capped by 76 receptions, 816 yards and five touchdowns (all career-bests) last season.
“This whole season, knowing that we had the NFC South [on the schedule] has been pretty cool,” he said Wednesday. “There’s a lot of familiar faces on all those teams. So it’s fun to go against some of your friends and former teammates.’
The Buccaneers allowed him to become a free agent after last season and the 5-foot-11, 195-pounder became a hot commodity. The New England Patriots reportedly had significant interest, but Humphries agreed to a four-year, $36 million contract with a salary cap figure for this season ($5 million) that ranks second among Tennessee wide receivers to 2017 first-round pick Corey Davis ($6.925 million).
Seven games into the season he leads the Titans with 25 receptions, having moved past tight end Delanie Walker with four in Sunday’s victory over the L.A. Chargers. He is, however, the only wide receiver on the team averaging fewer than 10 yards per reception (9.2) and he has yet to score his first touchdown.
At this time last season, he had 27 catches for 296 yards (10.9 per reception) with no touchdowns. So, in a way, this season is nothing new.
“It’s fun,” Humphries said of current situation. “After this last game, you look at the stat sheet and see a lot of guys getting their hands on the ball. It’s awesome to see. The biggest thing is coming out with ‘W.’ That’s all that matters in my book.”
It should be noted that he scored a career-high two touchdowns in last season’s eighth game, which the Buccaneers lost to Carolina.
Chances are that his former team will see plenty of him – and everyone else involved in the pass game – Sunday. Tampa Bay’s defense leads the NFL in fewest rushing yards allowed per game at 68.0 but is the only one that allows more than 300 passing yards per contest (304.5).
Plus, he will see familiar faces every time he lines up. Humphries practiced against the Buccaneers’ defensive backs often enough during his time with that franchise (three of their four starters in the secondary have been with that team for more than a year) that he will know what he’s up against.
“It goes both ways,” he said. “And there’s some new faces back there as well. Obviously, it’s a great challenge … and I’m looking forward to that challenge.”
Just as he has been since the start of the season.
