:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30714289/20131124_jla_ae5_407.0.jpg)
Louis Murphy's short run as a member of the New York Giants is over. The free-agent wide receiver came to terms on a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wednesday, according to Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com.
The Bucs have signed WR Louis Murphy to a one-year deal. Murphy played last year with the NYG, 2012 with Panthers and 1st 3 years in Oakland
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) March 26, 2014
After being signed last offseason, Murphy was expected to bring an additional deep threat to the Giants roster, but those hopes never materialized as the 26-year-old finished with just six receptions.
Murphy hopes for a bounce-back season with the Buccaneers as the St. Petersburg native returns to the state he grew up and played college football in. From 2005-2008, Murphy played college football for Urban Meyer's Florida Gators. As a senior, Murphy finished with 38 receptions for 655 yards and seven touchdowns. After running a 4.32 40-yard dash time at the combine, Murphy was selected in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders.
The wideout played three seasons for the Raiders before joining the Carolina Panthers in 2012 and the Giants last year. In five professional seasons, Murphy has recorded 116 receptions for 1,715 yards and seven touchdowns. Murphy's best season came in 2010 when he caught 41 passes for 609 yards. He had a career-high four touchdowns his rookie year.
Murphy was one of 26 Giants players whom had their contracts expire at the end of the year. He joins Justin Tuck (Raiders), Linval Joseph (Vikings), Ryan Mundy (Bears), Keith Rivers (Bills), Brandon Myers (Buccaneers), Hakeem Nicks (Colts) and Kevin Boothe (Raiders) to find homes elsewhere.
Bear Pascoe, Andre Brown, Jim Cordle, Mike Patterson, Shaun Rogers, Aaron Ross, Da'Rel Scott, Terrell Thomas and Corey Webster are still free agents.