Risky Draft Picks Better Than Status Quo
May 6th, 2011
Joe doesn’t have to go anywhere else to find that Bucs fans were not rejoicing in unison over rock star general manager Mark Dominik’s first two picks in last weekend’s draft.
Long before the draft, a number of Bucs fans screamed about Adrian Clayborn’s messed up right arm. A number of Bucs fans are eating their fingernails worried about Da’Quan Bowers’ knee.
But Gary Shelton believes those two defensive ends, unproven in the NFL, are still better off than what the Bucs had for defensive ends last season, so the veteran St. Petersburg Times sports columnist opined in an online chat on his paper’s site yesterday.
Comment From Gary F.
What are your impressions of the Buc’s draft picks and their new defensive line??Gary Shelton
I like the Bucs’ draft from the No. 20 position. It’s a lot harder to impress there than, say, in the top five. But they have two players who should start. Do you worry about Clayborn’s sack total as a senior (3 1/2). Sure. Do you worry about Bowers’ knee? Sure. But what would have worried me was staying pat with the defensive ends that had. That’s scary.
Joe will have something more about the defensive ends later today. But Shelton is right on. Of course Clayborn and Bowers are risks, what draft pick isn’t? The gamble here is the Bucs improve their production from the defensive end position.
Not drafting any defensive ends would ensure limited to no production just like last year. The Bucs can’t go anywhere but up even with question marks all over their duo of rookie bookmarks.
May 6th, 2011 at 10:13 am
I’m thrilled about our draft picks. I think the top 4 will see significant playing time. Our new DEs will probably start.
May 6th, 2011 at 10:22 am
I don’t worry about Clayborn’s senior year stats. He got “Jim Bates’d” by Iowa shifting to a 2gap…
May 6th, 2011 at 10:31 am
i guess i am even more optimist than espo, and i will say we will have like 4 or five starters!!!! i will not blame the bucs for being agressive in this draft and filling our needs
May 6th, 2011 at 10:40 am
Gary Shelton with the understatement of the year. Anyone is better than the scrubs we had at DE last year. I just want everyone to start the season healthy and remain healthy. If they do that, they will get more sacks than betty white and kyle moore with their eyes closed.
May 6th, 2011 at 10:45 am
Kyle Moore LITERALLY has nowhere to go but up. Clayborne or Bowers getting one (just one!) sack this year = instant upgrade.
May 6th, 2011 at 10:46 am
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
May 6th, 2011 at 11:00 am
I also think one must consider the upgrade in the new D-line coaches. Who knows how much better last years D-line production would have been with a Sapp approved coach. I’m going to stay on the optimistic side until proven otherwise.
The Bucs now have four, count em, four potential stars across the D-line – and the coaches to help them raise their game. Could injuries be a factor? Sure, but it’s also true that better coaching may be just what the backups need to take their game to a new level. They may well be better players than last years production would indicate.
There looks to be some tough days ahead for apposing quarterbacks.
May 6th, 2011 at 11:41 am
If Josh Freeman can overcome his huge hairdo ailment, then I’m sure our new DEs can do the same.
May 6th, 2011 at 11:41 am
Yeah, Dexter Jackson was a much better risk…
/not-so-much
May 6th, 2011 at 11:59 am
@Joe
I think I said the same thing in another article, lol. Agree 100%!
May 6th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
Oh dang. Buccs gettin closer to Hard Knocks so says ESPN.
May 6th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
To me it is like the drafting of Josh Freeman, everyone said he was a bad choice and they should have……, but who would give him up for anyone in that draft – No one would. It is like everything in life, you can’t please everyone so please yourself, at least you will make happy the person who you live with 24/7. Can’t wait til the season starts, even the preseason.
May 6th, 2011 at 12:20 pm
Kyle Moore LITERALLY has nowhere to go but up.
Wait, what? Is the man short? Has he been playing lying down? So THAT’S why he’s been so crappy!
May 6th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Leighroy
“Clayborne or Bowers getting one (just one!) sack this year = instant upgrade”
Sadly, that is a fact.
May 6th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
“Oh dang. Buccs gettin closer to Hard Knocks so says ESPN.”
———
Previously, I was so torn on whether or not I wanted us on Hard Knocks. Now, as a result of this stupid strike, I just want football. If we are on Hard Knocks, that means there is a season, so I will be thrilled. If I have to listen to Roger Goddell talk about how they need to get together, I’m going to vomit.
May 6th, 2011 at 8:49 pm
Though it doubled the risk, having Bowers in round 2 makes Clayborn more palatable to me. Since Clayborn has to play RE anyway and Bowers is a natural LE it works on that level. I just doubt we’ll ever see our first round pick average more than 4-6 sacks a year with solid run stuffing ability.
May 7th, 2011 at 8:29 am
I’m excited about Claiborn even as a 5-6 sack guy. He seems like a tone setter and if he stops the run he will have a massive impact on the win totals. just imagine not giving up a huge run list every game.
As a long time bucs fan living in Canada Hard Knocks is a dream come true. Can’t wait.