Even if the Bucs passed on Gaines Adams in the 2007 draft, the Bucs never would have drafted Adrian Peterson with the fourth overall pick.

Like most Bucs fans, Joe is chagrin over the fact that defensive end Gaines Adams hasn’t come close to living up to the expectations of being the fourth overall selection in the 2007 draft.

But to hear some Bucs fans talk, it reminds him of revisionist history freaks who think we didn’t need to drop the atom bomb on Japan to make them surrender.

(Polite reminder to revisionist historians: You are right. We didn’t need to drop a bomb on Japan to get them to surrender. It took two to bring Japan to her knees.)

The tipping point for Joe was when he heard on a local sports radio show that the Bucs could have had current Vikings stud tailback Adrian Peterson.

The host, who Joe has a great deal of respect for, agreed with the caller.

WWWHHHAATT???!!!

It’s not the first time Joe’s heard such a ludicrous comment. Each time he hears it, he just shakes his head.

Let’s turn back the clock, shall we?

When the Bucs selected Adams in the 2007 draft, the Bucs had a tailback on their roster by the name of Carnell “Cadillac” Williams. He was drafted in 2005, fifth overall. He was named offensive rookie of the year for the 2005 season and led the team with 1,178 yards followed by a not-so great sophomore year where he again led the team in rushing while playing in only 14 games.

So in April 2007, please explain to Joe in great detail why the Bucs, who were in dire need of defensive help, would draft another tailback at virtually the same position in the draft, thereby tying up a massive chunk of the salary cap with millions of dollars at the same position?

Why exactly, after just one so-so season, would the Bucs wash their hands of Williams and pick Peterson?

The only general manager that tried a stunt like that was Matt Millen when he drafted wide receivers in successive seasons high in the draft. That crippled the Lions so bad they still haven’t recovered.

In short, only someone that has no grasp of history, is a revisiionist historian, or has no clue about the NFL salary cap would say with a straight face the Bucs should have drafted Adrian Peterson fourth overall in the 2007 draft.

Now if someone wants to argue the Bucs should have drafted LeRon Landry or Patrick Willis or even Greg Olsen, Joe’s right with you. But don’t insult Joe’s intelligence by saying the Bucs should have drafted Peterson.