Da’Quan Bowers Still On Mark Dominik’s Radar
April 29th, 2011
Don’t think that when Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers was sitting there for the taking at No. 20 last night that Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik didn’t pause. In fact, earlier this offseason, Dominik was all over Bowers as a Bucs defensive end but secure in the fact that drafting him was folly.
That’s the story from coffee-slurping, popcorn-shoveling, fried chicken-eating, oatmeal-loving Peter King of Sports Illustrated who broke down each team’s first round pick from last night.
20. Tampa Bay: Two months ago, the Bucs never thought they’d be passing on Da’Quan Bowers. In fact, when I saw GM Mark Dominik at the Scouting Combine in February and mentioned Bowers’ name, he shook his head and said he’d never be there at 20. Well, Bowers is there at 33, sunk by a bum knee. And Adrian Clayborn now becomes the speed guy around the edge the Bucs are desperate for.
Simply put, Bowers’ alleged bone-on-bone knee condition is way too big of a risk for the money that is shelled out to first round picks.
Joe is of the mind that, much like last year when Dominik drafted two defensive tackles in the first two rounds, if Bowers is still there when the Bucs pick tonight, Dominik just might be able to justify Bowers’ pick with low-second round cash.
April 29th, 2011 at 11:06 am
I wonder if the BUcs move up to get him. He isn’t going to slide much further.
April 29th, 2011 at 11:11 am
Joe
I’ve got nothing loading below the video in the next article (and the video doesn’t play). Have you got a problem?
It’s fixed. The video had a bug in it. BSPN was infecting Joe. 😉
April 29th, 2011 at 11:11 am
^ how do you know that. More than possible he could fall all the way to us
April 29th, 2011 at 11:15 am
if bowers still there im fine, but if all teams pass on him, theres really something bad on that knee, i would trade up for Akeem Ayers
April 29th, 2011 at 11:15 am
They need LBs, I say they wait and take their LB but if Bowers is there, take him. Do not trade up to get him though.
From what I understand it is a degenerative arthitic knee thing. He could still be extremely productive for 4-6 years. Basically the length of the first contract.
If he is there, take him.
April 29th, 2011 at 11:19 am
Ravelston:
Working for Joe but you are the second person to say this. Joe will tip off his IT guy.
Also, try Chrome if you are using IE. More and more Microsoft is loading IE up with crap which messes with webpages.
April 29th, 2011 at 11:38 am
With Rah and Dom here I don’t have that “Did we just reach on that pick?” feeling like when the “G(u)ru” here.
April 29th, 2011 at 11:59 am
Two things, first why do people complain about NFL fans commenting on draft decisions good or bad? It is what we are supposed to do. You can’t always give blind allegance then whine when someone else is critical. So stop crying about other people’s judgement. (more of a blanket statement)
#2, the Bucs need to draft some LBs tonight, not Bowers. Come on. The first round played out perfectly for the Bucs to pick a LB in round 2… ie, they didn’t have to reach because there was a run on DEs first. But tonight, there will be a run on LBs, and I wonder if it would be a good idea to trade up to get a good LB rather than wait.
There are many good LBs available right now, and trading to get a high 2nd round pick seems worth it vs trading the farm last night for a first rounder.
If there was a way to trade future picks to get another 2nd this year… to have 2 2nds tonight would be just fantastic in order to grab two LBs.
April 29th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Move up and take Bowers now. When I watch the video of Clayborn, I can’t help but think of James Harrison. Maybe because of the uniform, but the relentless attack makes me think of Harrison.
April 29th, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Have a feeling Bowers will go in the top 3 of round 2. In fact, watch Carolina pick him up… we will see Bowers, just on Carolinas side instead.
BTW Joe, where the hell is JP the draft guru? When is he gonna give a 2nd and 3rd round updated mock based on the outcome of round 1? A real draft guru would do this. You need to get Justin Powlowowskee, aka JP, to mock up Friday nights picks.
Fo now on, JBF commentors shall refer to Justin as JP. If for none other reason than to irritate the snobby Joe.
April 29th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Joe ain’t no snob. Dude is a red-blooded American. Period.
April 29th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Weneeddefense:
Apparently JP is on vacation. And anyone who calls JP a draft guru would also call Joe “Rachel Watson.”
Pretty soon Joe will start banning people for referring to Justin by anything but his name or his requested nickname, “The Commish.”
And you would be No. 1 on the list. 🙂
While Joe likes JP, he has not, won’t and never will write anything about the draft for Joe or any other publication.
April 29th, 2011 at 1:09 pm
@BigMac Oh h#ll yeah! If anything like Harrison we will be very happy. I like the comparison. I can’t believe how versatile Harrison is. He’s a D coaches wet dream.
“They drew first blood, not me!” Rambo
April 29th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
@weneeddefense carolina doesnt have a 2nd round pick right now
April 29th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
I agree aldo. Even though Ayers is meant for more of a 3-4 defense I can’t help but want this kid. I feel he would transfer over well with his great vision, and game speed. This kid is talented and I would love nothing else for us to grab him to upgrade our lb core. It really all comes down to cost, and how far we need to move up. I also wouldn’t mind that cb from Miami or Bowers if they fell to us.
April 29th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
“his requested nickname, “The Commish.””
LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can see it now:
JP: ‘Joe, I am requesting everybody to call me the ‘Commish’
Joe: ‘I promise to staunchly defend your title good sir! But JP, can I refer to you as the ‘draft guru’ as well?’
JP: ‘Of course Joe, of course.’
Bahahahahahahah!!!!!!!!! Too funny.
Joe: ‘Cut it out PEOPLE! Or I will BAN YOU!’
April 29th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
WeNeedDefense,
“Have a feeling Bowers will go in the top 3 of round 2. In fact, watch Carolina pick him up… we will see Bowers, just on Carolinas side instead.”
For a know-it-all such as yourself, I’m surprised that you’re unaware that NE has the 33rd pick (acquired in the armanti edwards deal). Maybe if you quit being a troll, you’d know these things.
April 29th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
(The Lockout is back on)
Anyone suggesting we move up has lost their minds…we need every pick we have as it is. I hope the Bucs draft Casey Matthews tonight or tomorrow. Maybe round 4.
He would be the perfect choice to replace Ruud.
April 29th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
WeNeDe, grow up man. I think you may have just said your last goodbye to Joe. What a dumba$$.
April 29th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
Pete…. replace ruud? hes an OLB are you trying to get better or worse against the run
April 29th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
Run him, Joe, run him.
April 29th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
Bowers may continue to drop. Most teams consider his lose of speed permanent. And will get worse. You can’t run with a bone to bone condition. Bowers may not play again.It’s a really sad situation. Some team may gamble that the knee has stabilized, and might improve. But that’s not the medical consensus. Medical opinion was that knee is chronic, and will continue to debilitate. Good thing the guy has a career in music to fall back on. I feel really bad for him. He was very talented.
April 29th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
Capt Tim
Somebody dogged me a while back for mentioning Bower’s knees and that buyer’s should beware! Looks like I might be right for once, whoo hoo!
April 29th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
I’ve heard comparisons between Bowers’ knee and the one that ended Andre Wadsworth’s career way ahead of it’s time. He got about 3 years of slightly better than average production out of that knee, and if it’s an accurate comparison, I wouldn’t drop a 2nd rounder on Bowers.
Judging by his freefall, I think it may be an accurate assessment of the condition of the knee.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
Warren Sapp had a freefall because of a medical condition also…
April 29th, 2011 at 7:48 pm
kfc- no. Sapp dropped when they revealed he failed a drug test.