Bucs Flirting With Pouncey
March 16th, 2011
Covering every inch of the NFL Draft, resident JoeBucsFan.com guru Justin “The Commish” Pawlowski, via his draft rumors page at 620wdae.com, has captured a Twitter message from Associated Press writer Mark Long that claims Florida center/guard Mike Pouncey thinks the Bucs are high on him.
Not the biggest shock in the world, especially if you read The Commish’s in-depth take here last week on why Pouncey might be just what the Bucs are seeking in the first round.
Of course, the Bucs will do plenty of interviews. But the buzz around Pouncey is even more interesting given that it seems the Bucs may have passed on a face-to-face with defensive end prospect Justin Houston. Update: National Football Post now says he is coming to visit the Bucs.
Joe loves all this draft gossip. (Oh, and Pouncey told the AP that he’d love to play for his hometown Bucs.)
Joe would hardly cry and moan if the Bucs draft Pouncey. Arron Sears’ tragedy aside, it’s hard to go wrong with depth and big-time talent on the O-line.
March 16th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
I’m warming more and more about drafting Pouncey. Seems to be a very safe pick. I like Kerrigan a lot, but it sure seems like picking a DE is a crapshoot.
March 16th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
USC’s Mike Williams thought the same thing…
March 16th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
it ALL starts upfront. Pouncey is one of tha safest picks and fills a need for tha present and future. Pouncey/next BPA 1st, DE 2nd. Whats more important, Josh Freeman or Bucs D?
March 16th, 2011 at 12:39 pm
I am not advocating this, just providing another point-of-view FYI. http://www.bleacherreport.com/articles/636434-nfl-draft-2011-mike-pouncey-is-perfect-for-the-tampa-bay-buccaneers
March 16th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
Anyone else see Pouncey botch multiple shotgun snaps?? I’m the only one??
March 16th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
He cant play center at this level.
March 16th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Hire,
We don’ neeeed no stickin shotguns!
You are correct! I witnessed several myself. I’m not real familiar with college players, but he wasn’t a center orginally was he? It doesn’t seem like he would be able to translate the center position to the NFL, unless he corrects that glaring problem.
March 16th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
@ Hire
I never watched him play, but I do know it is a big knock on him.
@Oar
Not sure if you were joking or not, but assuming you were not, I could not disagree more. In no way do I think a team should be pure shotgun style, but there are times when it is called for.
March 16th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
On Pouncey, I would rather not pull the trigger. Everything I have read about him (and again, I’ve never watched him play) makes me feel like he is only popular because of his brother.
March 16th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
In a draft with alot of top end talent, at our biggest need(DE), we take a G/C who cannot make a shotgun snap!?! I doubt it. We have ZERO at the DE position, actually, LESS THAN ZERO. It would be assisine to take pouncey or any other OL, or any other position, than our biggest need, BY FAR, DE. i agree with the poster who says, Pouncey is living off his brothers reputation.
March 16th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
@ Capt. Troll killer Tim
He can play guard
March 16th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
@ bucyea
Yes, DE is a bigger need but whats so asinine about getting an OL 2 protect our francise QB? Dreaded as our pass rush was we were 10-6. Now flip that and imagine how many more plays our offense could’ve had 2 work with 2 score more points. I hope ur tired of seeing Freeman scamble 4 his soul and multiple, nerve wrecking 3 and outs on a regular basis.
March 16th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Pouncey? Yes please
March 16th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Pete
No, I was joking! Blazing Saddles style! Meant “stinkin”.
And, do agree, they are called for at times.
March 16th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
Draft him as a guard and he can also back up Zuttah as center. (Notice: no Faine in the discussion) Apologies to his B!tch.
March 16th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
Faine isnt going anywhere… Id be happy with this pick. Penn, pouncey,faine, and joseph would make a serious offensive line if everyone can stay healthy. Pouncey would play guard right next to Penn most likey. Since there is alot of DE talent in this draft we should still be able to get a good DE in the second like an Allen Bailey, sheard, etc.
March 16th, 2011 at 4:29 pm
I’m excited about this draft because we can upgrade both lines and still fill other holes. Pouncey is VERY atheletic and smart. He is explosive and from what I seen he is very durable. We will need him because the Saints signed Shaun Rogers and they stis have Sedrick Ellis. I firmly believe what Dominik said that Freeman is number one. And thats the bottom line, we can talk all day but if they want to protect or help Freeman you can’t blame them. He is our franchise.
March 16th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
IMHO- ya don’t waste first round picks on Guards, Centers , or RTs. Otherwise you get a Davin Joseph- who’s production never lives up to his billing. We found Donald Penn, Ted Larsen, and James Lee( 3 starters last year) as undrafted free agents. We can get a quality Guard in the 5-7 round.
You draft QBs,LTs,WRs, DTs,DEs, And CBs in the first round. Pounce would be a wasted pick. We need a DE priority one. Great class for that. So we draft our DE . Anything else is a failure
March 16th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
@ Capt. Troll killer Tim
Wow! Just because Joseph didn’t fill his 1st round pick billing doesn’t mean drafting a OL is a wasted pick, considering Pouncey is a premier OL and a position of need 2 PROTECT OUR FRANCHISE QB. What happens if tha NFL & NFLPA reach an agreement 2 resume football and dissolve restricted free agent tags? No Joseph 4 u buddy, which means that’ll be a position of NEED. How is DE a #1 proirity, when our #1 priority is on tha other side of tha ball?
March 16th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
Best Available. Position really doesn’t matter (except QB when you already have one).
I don’t care who Dom drafts or what he plays. I’m sure we’ll get a very good player. Clayborn is the one that scares me. I like the Martez Wilson scenario too, and moving up is also good in my book. I am beginning to think the New England Pat-Cheater-Lyin-Sacks-of-$h!t will take Pouncy at 17 or possibly Detroit at 13, who really needs a Left Tackle.
March 16th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
I really like the idea of getting a great interior lineman. I think we could obviously use some depth at the position, especially if we fail to resign Davin Joseph or let Jeff Faine go. That said, I worry Pouncey’s stock is inflated a little by his brother’s performance. Moreover, I like some of the restricted free agent Guards, while the free agent ends are pretty uninspiring.
Give me Aldon Smith, Cameron Jordan, or Ryan Kerrigan over Pouncey. If they’re all gone, he’s worth consideration.
March 16th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
“You draft QBs,LTs,WRs, DTs,DEs, And CBs in the first round.”
Capt. Tim, that is almost exactly how I view the 1st round in any draft with the exception of WR, that position is borderline to me.. I would replace that WR with RT. G, C, RB, WR, and S can all be found anywhere after the 1st. Pouncey is not an elite player and how much really is a Guard toing to protect a QB? I would say that if anything a good Guard helps out the running game but as far as pass blocking goes, most of the time the Guards and Center are combo blocking in pass pro.
March 16th, 2011 at 6:05 pm
Oh CRAP – I actually agree with Capt Tim that you dont waste a Round 1 pick on the OL!
What’s the world coming to???
March 16th, 2011 at 7:21 pm
DE is definitely a bigger need, but what we don’t want to do is grab a DE just to grab one (assuming the one we really want is gone by our pick). In that case, I would be all for grabbing Pouncey. Our OL would be something fierce! Please stop it with the talk of him just being a prospect because of his brother. That’s a joke, and anyone who would say that has obviously never seen him play. Do you really think NFL teams would draft someone in the first round because of the success of his brother?
Fact is, although no pick is truly a safe pick, OL have the lowest bust percentage. Even Davin Joseph, who some people all of a sudden thinks sucks, has been a pro bowl player. Surely no one would consider him a bust. Drafting Pouncey versus reaching for a DE would be a great idea in my opinion. However, as I have learned from when we drafted Freeman, I’m going to support whoever we pick, because they may just know a little more than us.
March 16th, 2011 at 7:31 pm
While I think DE is the biggest need on this team, I have to wonder if anybody remembers any 1st round DE’s that worked out well for the Bucs…
March 16th, 2011 at 7:36 pm
Suppose there is a run on defensive ends in the 1st round and the Bucs miss out on the one they want… then what? With slim pickings at the linebacker position, OL may make sense. How about a corner?
March 16th, 2011 at 8:20 pm
i would still bank on kerrigan, clayborn, or carimi being the pick. i would maybe put jimmy smith in that conversation if his red flags are combed through very carefully.
March 16th, 2011 at 10:07 pm
This is Raheem/Dominick drafting now. Not Chucky/Allen. Pounce has a very talented brother. He was a fail as a center, even in college. His brother could play center or Guard. I think Mike is getting undeserved credit. Did you watch him this year. In COLLEGE, he was a failure this year
Mr.Lucky, I always thought there was hope for you!
March 17th, 2011 at 12:13 am
I would love Pouncey, but NOT as a center…..as an LG.
March 17th, 2011 at 1:18 am
He is not going to be a center. He was forced into that because his brother left.
March 17th, 2011 at 8:01 am
I agree with others – having watched most of the Gators games – Pouncy will be moved back to Guard instead of Center.
My question is how well did this year’s Pouncy do on the Wondrlick tests as compared to his brother? All last year all I heard was how ‘good’ the Pittsburg Pouncy was with calling the coverage.
March 17th, 2011 at 9:47 am
@ Capt. Troll killer Tim
Ur tha only person 2 think Pouncey is a failure and u truly fail 2 realize that he only played center because of his brother leaving b4 him. Not 2 mention him playing DT his freshman yr will only further his knowledge in playing his position. Failures dont get 1st rd grades
@ gotbbucs
Apparently u didn’t watch tha Ravens game. I agree far as helping in tha run but having a good guard will help keep a pocket 4 our QB to pass instead of scambling 4 his life on every other play.
March 17th, 2011 at 10:43 am
I only want Pouncey if:
Bowers, Quinn, Jordan, Watt, Kerrigan, Smith, Clayborn, and Houston are taken.
The top 1-2 OTs are taken.
In other words, I really hope it doesn’t come down to him. He wouldn’t be drafted before mid-2nd if it weren’t for his name.
March 17th, 2011 at 10:50 am
IMHO…
The problem is the fact that there’s no Free Agency before that draft as of right now so we don’t know if the team is going to try to re-sign Davin Joseph or Jeremy Trueblood. I wouldn’t scream if they drafted Pouncey like i would if they drafted Martez Wilson or Akeem Ayers, but i just don’t like using the 1st round on interior offensive linemen unless they are viewed as a surefire elite player like Alex Mack was two years ago. Just my honest opinion.
I also think they have much better depth at Guard/Center than the do at Tackle. Behind Donald Penn and James Lee I think there is a pretty big drop off.
March 17th, 2011 at 11:20 am
IMHO- I’ll let Jamarcus Russell and Ryan Leaf know that Failures don’t get first round grades. That’ll cheer them up!
Sure they do ! Happens every year. And his brother having achieved NFL sucess automatically overinflates his Value. The Fact that his brother Excelled at Both Center and Guard, while Mike switched positions from Defense to offense, then struggled terribly at center, tells me that he’s not the player his brother was. The Matthews clan is a wild exception. Rarely does NFL talent occur multiple times in the same family. I think Mike will disappoint. But fortunately, not a chance of it being here. Unless he slips to a lower round.
Guard is a bad idea in the first round. And why would you pay first round money to a posistion that isn’t game altering. We have already made that mistake- why would anyone think we’d repeat it? First round money is for Elite talents. Guards don’t change games.We need the big money for Freeman, Blount, Williams, Benn, McCoy, and Talib. Not some non-impact guard. Think about it, ok?
March 17th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Capt.Tim,
I see what you are saying with the non-impact thing, but I disagree. And more importantly, I bet you Blount would disagree as well. Offensively, I believe we have all the weapons (meaning skill position players) we need to be an explosive offense. However, they are only as good as the line that protects them. Those third and short yardage plays we weren’t able to get last year that cost us games (Atlanta in particular) are going to be a helluva lot easier to get with a stud guard. So to me, that is very high impact. That is the real difference between us making and not making the playoffs.
I know you don’t like Davin Joseph, and I admit he has at times been inconsistent, but surely you don’t think he was a bad pick. I mean, damn, isn’t he the only pro-bowl player drafted during the Gruden era (I say that half jokingly, but I struggle to think of anyone else). I think the majority of his struggles have been because of the changes back and forth between schemes. Trust me, this organization would not be interested in re-signing him if they didn’t feel he was a very good player (it has been reported that is their #1 priority this offseason).
As for comparing a guard with a first round grade to a QB, that’s not really an accurate comparison. Rarely do you ever get a true bust of an offensive lineman (in the first round). QB’s have at least one bust per year (hopefully Carolina picks one this year to keep up the average).
March 17th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
@ Hawaiian Buc
Thanks 4 writing exactly what I was thinking. Not 2 mention him “sparkling” scouts at his Pro Day earlier. People truly underestimate OL importance. OL is impactful as u can get.
@ Capt. Troll killer Tim
LMAO. Ask Freeman, Manning, Brady, Brees, Rodgers, Rivers etc if guards don’t change games
March 17th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
The game is won in the trenches!!!
March 18th, 2011 at 12:39 am
IMHO- I askerban Freeman, Manning, Brady, Rodgers, breed, and Ricers about Guards. They said if their team wasted a first round pick on a damn Guard, instead of a LT, RB, or WR- then they’d be getting a Gm and or coach fired!! They said everybody knows ya don’t draft guards in the first round. Especially guards who struggled all year trying to play center!! They all said to ask you guys what the he’ll drugs you were taking, as everyone knows the Bucs need a damn DE!!!
March 19th, 2011 at 9:16 am
Best available. If it’s liquor, beer or chronic, best available when you pick, or you may have to trade up to get your choice, or cut in line.