Morris Claiborne Anyone?
January 12th, 2012
Old man Ronde Barber has a broken arm.
Oft-injured Aqib Talib could be facing incarceration.
E. J. Biggers is learning.
Myron Lewis is invisible.
Elbert Mack is a free agent.
LSU shutdown cornerback Morris Claiborne could be sitting there for the Bucs in April when their name is called with the fifth pick in the NFL Draft.
Which one of those sentences excites you?
NFL Draft guru Justin “Commish” Pawlowski says the Bucs will be looking closely at Claiborne, who announced today he’s turning pro.
Expect teams like the Rams, Vikings, and Bucs to all be looking at drafting Claiborne in the top 5 picks of the 2012 Draft.
There’s no question that cornerback is the biggest personnel question mark heading into the Bucs’ offseason. A new head coach might have no interest in both starters, or eagerly embrace two of the most talented players on the roster: Talib and Barber, even if their futures are suspect.
January 12th, 2012 at 9:04 pm
Or hire Ron Meeks as the DC and have him install the same system that had the Colts in the top 10 in 5 out of his 8 seasons (despite most team resources going to the offense) where shutdown CBs aren’t a necessity and spend the pick on a WR or trade down and accumlate more picks to shore up the WR, LB, RB, S, and CB positions… just a thought.
January 12th, 2012 at 9:13 pm
Claiborne is the best DB to come out in years. IF he is there at #5. It is the biggest no-brainer in the draft!! He is exactly what we have needed for years! A true “shut-down” corner!!!
Also, we should sign Kelvin Hayden from the Falcons. He will be a UFA and would be a great #3 or good #2 CB. He would be a very solid pick up. And the guy is only 28 so he still has several years left. We still need to draft a Safety. I still say we get LaMichael James with our 2nd round pick. But to get one of the top Safetys we need to trade back into the 2nd round, somewhere after our pick, then draft a Safety with that pick.
Personally I would draft Claiborne with pick #5. Then trade back into the 1st to get Courntey Upshaw. I normally wouldn’t trade a future 1st round pick. But for a talent like that…I would gladly give up next years 1st and 4th to get him. Claiborne, Upshaw, James all in the first 37 picks in the draft!! Game changers with all three players. Thats what we need!!! Do work Dom!!!
January 12th, 2012 at 9:15 pm
Definitely one of the guys I want us to get. I honestly think we will get some offensive fire power in free agency. With all the free agent wide recievers I think we will be making a run at one or two of them. With that said claiborne, blackmon, richardson in that order of players I want as long as we bring in one free agent WR. Claiborne is suppose to be better than PP is in arizone, if you watched the national championship game they did not even throw to claibornes side at all insteade picked on honey badger. Honey badger gets all the hype there but claiborne is far superior and as I found out today he had almost 27 yards per kickoff return. Would immediately start on defense and could be an option in the kicking game as well
January 12th, 2012 at 9:18 pm
EJ Biggers is learning? To what – embarrass himself and prove that he is better suited to ride the pine in the arena league.
If you for one second think that you want EJ “toast” Biggers to be responsible for covering: Julio Jones, Roddy White, Steve Smith, Marques Colston etc – you are hanging with THC Jax too much.
The Linebackers, Receivers, Safeties and RBs need a major renovation as well.
Basically, you need to turn over about 30-40% of the roster.
January 12th, 2012 at 9:20 pm
The only player in this draft that will give us instant identity is Trent Richardson. And while I don’t usually like RB that high, to use our 1st and 2nd the last 2 years then use a 1 this year willFreedom is. Not Ron Paul. hamper offensive success. Coupled with the fact that we’ll use our 2 on a LB, most likely, will further the drafting disparity. We could wait for a running back but there is no guarantee they’ll be there.
Trust me, I’d hate to do it but Claiborn isn’t going to help teams averaging 6 yards a carry, but if we can control the clock with Trent and Lagarette we can keep our D off the field.
I believe Trent’s going to be making big plays in this league, why not with us?
January 12th, 2012 at 9:22 pm
How did Ron Paul get in my post, darn iPhone paste feature!
Ron Paul 2012!
January 12th, 2012 at 9:23 pm
Its time to get rid of EJ Biggers. He has proved he can’t produce. So adios’. But off topic. The TB Times has a good article on Schottenheimer and Mike Zimmer. I would like for us to sign Schottenheimer as our HC and sign Zimmer as our D Coord. and be our coach in waiting in 2 or 3 seasons. Schott wants to coach in Tampa and also wants to teach our young guys which with his knowlegde of this game would be incredible!! And to have Zimmer to make our D good again would be awesome. And he has awesome potential to be a superior HC in this league!! DO IT Glazers!!!!!!!
January 12th, 2012 at 9:26 pm
I’m with Thomas 2.2! Thomas is funny as hell too!
January 12th, 2012 at 9:31 pm
Every1 says Claiborne is abeast, but we’ve used 5 of the last 6 top picks (2 10′ 3 11′) on D. We still have huge holes on D. I think Josh needs a playmaker on O. If we don’t go O, then trade down 2 aquire extra picks.
January 12th, 2012 at 9:33 pm
Um… yes, please!
Brandon – while you make a good point about Meeks and his accomplishments, you need to take a closer look at the context: it’s a hell of a lot easier to play cover 2 all the time when you’re up most of the game. Plus, cover 2 doesn’t work that well anymore. Anything too predictable doesn’t work anymore. We’ve analyzed the game too much.
Do you know why the Jets defense has been so good the past few years? And probably a big reason for the Texans’ defensive turnaround this year? A true shut-down corner that a defensive coordinator can trust can give more flexibility to the rest of the defense, making them all play better and with better opportunities.
January 12th, 2012 at 9:35 pm
Here is some other FAs we should look at and would love to sign some of them!! CBs- Cortland Finnegan (great addition), Tracy Porter (take him away from NO and also the guy can play and would be a great addition to our weak secondary!!)
Safetys- We should open the wallet and sign both Michael Griffin and Brandon Merriweather. They could both start from day one. BM could be signed for a very reasonable contract I would think. Griffin will cost a pretty penny but be worth every one! Imagine our Secondary with a lineup of CBs…Morris Claiborne, Finnegan, Porter, Kelvin Hayden. Safety- Griffin and Merriweather and draft one in the 3rd or 5th round of the draft if we were to sign both guys!
Our Secondary would be fixed and also would be one of the best in the league! All it takes is for our Billionaire owners to spend money this offseason for a change. I think even they know they have to spend money this offseason. Atleast, thats how they sounded in their press conference last week. I hope so. Add a WR in FA as well and maybe another DE/DT. Their is some really good FAs this offseason. Lets just hope we get atleast 5-8 really good ones this time! Our team would be playoff bound if we do this! Best Believe!!
January 12th, 2012 at 9:38 pm
Would love the pick but he’ll never be there at #5.
January 12th, 2012 at 9:42 pm
Both QBs and Matt Kalil will be gone before our spot. Along with them will either be Claiborne or Blackmon. I’m good with either of them falling to us.
If neither of them are there then I imagine its because RGIII hasn’t been picked yet and we can trade the pick for a nice ransom.
January 12th, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Phillips pulls out of interview with Bucs….my prayers have been answered!!
January 12th, 2012 at 9:50 pm
I also see a similar situation play out, Blake. Either way, we should be in good shape.
I think Kalil is the key and we can just hope that some other wild-card shows up before our pick. Didn’t Marcell Dareus jump like 10 projected spots a week before the draft? What do you guys think of Kirkpatrick? I personally don’t pay attention to as much college football as I do the NFL.
January 12th, 2012 at 9:59 pm
Our secondary is so horrible- it has to be Claiborne. I’d take another CB in second or third round
But we can’t ignore our horrific LBers. They all sucked badly, and Foster proved he wasn’t any kind of answer at MLb! Gave effort, unlike our other starters- but still was not a good player.
So many dead zones on this team. .
January 12th, 2012 at 10:04 pm
Phillips will not interview with YUCS!! Yess
January 12th, 2012 at 10:04 pm
Claiborne should be the pick. Wade phillips has declined to interview for are head coaching vacancy. Mike sherman or Marty Ball. I like Marty ball better
January 12th, 2012 at 10:12 pm
I’ve never seen two fan bases happier that a coach stayed in his current job. Lol #InWadeTheyTrust
January 12th, 2012 at 10:19 pm
@ Nick S
OUR head coaching vacancy, not “are” u mongoloid. how is it even possible the get the 2 mixed up???
January 12th, 2012 at 10:48 pm
I here people saying he is the best DB to come out in a decade, but people were saying the same thing about Eric Berry. And practically every other year before that. Every is always the best to ever come into a draft. I don’t know what to believe, and I don’t really care. Anyone we draft with a first 5 pick will be solid. Health issues aside.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:51 pm
@Big Marlon Go away. Take that poop talk else where.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:55 pm
Fish, it’s a passing league. The tampa-2, if executed properly, will work better than ever. The Vikings in 2009 had one of the best D’s in the league with it, the Bears took it to the Super Bowl to play the Colts using the same defense. Meeks took over Carolina in 2010 and despite having the world’s worst offense and losing the best player in Panther franchise history, that defense was strong and was the only thing that kept them in games.
The T-2 has not run its course, it just needs the proper parts to make it work (strong play play by DL, MLB, WLB, and SS, smart play by CBs, FS, SLB). If a team is willing to invest early and often in their DL, then the T-2 is a great defense for that team (wait, that’s us!). Ron Meeks is fantastic and has a better track record than anybody available bar none. Mike Zimmer doesn’t hold a candle to him, neither does Spagnuola.
January 12th, 2012 at 10:56 pm
Marcel Dareus didn’t jump 10 spots before the draft, he was always easily considered a top 10 pick… and he landed in the top 5. The biggest surprise was the fall of Nick Fairley.
January 12th, 2012 at 11:19 pm
Go away?? No thanks, I’d rather not. I guess holding people to the literacy standards of 1st graders is too much (yes I said too, not “to”) to ask for around here. Hard for someone to maintain any sort of credibility when they have yet to master things like that….don’t be so sensitive sir.
January 12th, 2012 at 11:29 pm
@big marlon This is a Buccaneers comment section. If you care about literacy go fart around on a college English forum. Men are talking football here, not taking tests.
January 12th, 2012 at 11:29 pm
Remember, we COULD have had Jason Pierre Paul, and we will all have to watch him play this weekend. Once Suh was gone, we should have traded OUT of the number 3 pick, passed on McCoy, picked up Pierre Paul, and additional draft picks.
Tampa needs some SIZE at corner, and we also need overall defensive speed.
Heck, we pretty much suck at many positions, and our record reflects that.
I think we need so many replacement players that we need more draft picks.
Perhaps it may be better to trade our higher round picks for more later round picks, and get a PROVEN Talent Evaluator in here to find us some later round gems.
Just One or 2 new players is not going to “fix” what is wrong with us.
January 12th, 2012 at 11:56 pm
@Apple, youre a complete idiot. First of all, Bucs were a top 10 defense with McCoy (we all saw what happened without him) and secondly, while JPP is beast-moding now, at the time he was considered a huge boo/bust player. He had 1 year of college football, 2 at JC, and 1 or 2 in high school, so he was a super super raw player. His development is more based on the coaching staff of the Giants.
January 12th, 2012 at 11:57 pm
Apple. Your claims are weak man. Mike mayock was 100% on board with McCoy to the Bucs and stated he may have been the best player in the entire draft. But you know more than Mayock I guess. Maybe your inside source is giving you ARM chair gm guru advice.
And who was gonna trade up that day?? Especially with the expense of a top 5 pick. But dumbass Dominik couldn’t figure that out I guess
January 12th, 2012 at 11:59 pm
Its easy to say we “should’ve” drafted Pierre-Paul. Coming out of college he was a one year phenom with no other track record. I’m glad for his sake that it worked out. But he was the major “IF” of that draft. He just happened to turn out to be great. But being in NY with those DL helped him more than anything. If he went to a team without that talent and knowledge who knows how good or bad he might be at this point. But I agree, the McCoy pick was terrible. I was so mad with that crap!!! I wanted Eric Berry or either Tackle Williams or Okung. Berry is awesome, terrible luck with the knee this season! He would’ve made so much sense with that pick versus a guy who couldn’t even take the combine serious. The biggest interview of his life and he was joking and playing around all day! What a Joke!!
January 13th, 2012 at 12:05 am
I also have not heard anywhere that Claiborne is the best CB to come out in years. I am not against the pick but would like see a bit more on him. Does he tackle or is he just a cover corner ?? I don’t buy into hype for a player because I hear he’s the best I wanna see it.
January 13th, 2012 at 12:13 am
I would really not want to be Dominik and our new head coach if we’re picking at #5 and Blackmon and Claiborne are still available. That could be one of the more difficult draft choices I’ve ever seen. Personally, I would be thrilled with either player. I see the pros that each brings to the table and both would significantly help their side of the ball. What it may come down to is just depth at the given position, making Claiborne the choice.
January 13th, 2012 at 12:16 am
Oh, and I agree with the others Apple Roof, Mccoy was absolutely the right player to pick. We’ve seen what he can do when he’s on the field. You’re using an absurd amount of hindsight saying we should have traded out of the pick and what not. That’s such a ridiculous thing to expect of a front office to predict. I dislike Dominik as much as the next guy, but Mccoy was the right choice.
January 13th, 2012 at 12:22 am
K2. If the pick between Claiborne and Blackmon is gonna be tough. You bring them both in for a workout on the same day and do some 1 on 1 drills and whomever beats their guy more times we give a hat on draft day.
January 13th, 2012 at 12:33 am
I’m hoping Ryan Kalil falls to us. Hello anchor.
January 13th, 2012 at 12:33 am
Lets get Clairborn this draft then next year go after David Amerson Sophomore NC State CB will be remembered for authoring one of the best defensive seasons in NCAA history.
He intercepted two more passes Tuesday night to set the ACC single-season record, scoring on a 65-yard return that gave the Wolfpack a 31-10 lead and recording pick No. 13 in the final minute to end the Cardinals’ furious comeback attempt.
January 13th, 2012 at 12:33 am
Haha good idea jvato, I like it.
January 13th, 2012 at 12:36 am
And @Steve, I’d love an O lineman like Kalil as well, but I really feel like we can survive with the line we have, as long as we replace Trueblood.
January 13th, 2012 at 12:43 am
Yeah, we could use a bookend tackle, a center, 2corners, a safety, and an RB.
Maybe we should trade back and get some more picks (patriot mode).
January 13th, 2012 at 1:51 am
Jvato – i typically initially thought that I wanted to see more on Claiborne, too, but then after a little research and observation of the national championship game, I realized that there isn’t much tape on him because nobody wanted to throw his direction this year. I think that’s the ultimate compliment and is a fantastic sign for a college player, especially one that has picked off 5 and 6 passes the past two years, respectively.
I just caught your reaction, Brandon. “The T-2 has not run its course, it just needs the proper parts to make it work (strong play play by DL, MLB, WLB, and SS, smart play by CBs, FS, SLB).” So, basically the entire defense needs to play well. Last time I checked, most defenses will do pretty damn well if every position steps up and plays well – which I think actually happened for us back in our hayday. The new, more aggressive defenses in this day and age can hide deficiencies better because they don’t demand as much from every position on the defense, as long as other positions can make up for them.
Last time we ran the T-2 exclusively (2010), we got picked apart. Also, I’m pretty sure Marcell Dareus wasn’t considered as a potential 2nd overall pick until literally a few weeks before the draft while he was originally closer to around 10th. Yes, Fairley was a surprising and drastic drop, but only at the expense of Dareus’ rise in the last weeks before the draft. Last minute changes occur before the draft, even with all of the over-analysis that occurs for months beforehand.
January 13th, 2012 at 2:05 am
Unless the DB is as good as a Sanders or a Woodson You have to take the Franchise back. Richardson might have an impact like a Peterson only a better body for a RB hence more durable. Bucs would be lucky to get him you could probably ask Freeman that. They need to get high tier offensive talent around this guy before its too late…getting 4th rounders and free agents for him will not cut it…I thought it was all about Freeman? Maybe not…
January 13th, 2012 at 2:13 am
oh btw..go look at Richardson’s TD run against LSU and look who he leaves in the dust along with the rest. I’ll tell you now, he can out run Claiborne and run over him 225 vs 180 lbs…just wait when he plays against yea LOL
January 13th, 2012 at 2:14 am
People who want us to wait on Defensive players which has HUGE needs. To give Freeman more weapons, scare me.
There is way better talent in the FA on offense than defense this year.
I don’t care if we spent ALL our last 2 years worth of picks on D. Right now it isn’t working. We are in a division where there is no way we can compete in shoot outs. So to leave our defense so helpless is down right stupid. If Claiborne is there we NEED to pick him. If not trade back get Kirkpatrick and some extra picks.
In a pass happy league Top tier CB’s are just as important as a QB’s, LT’s and Pass Rush DE’s to a franchise.
I know Trent Richardson is like a MUST have. But Blount isn’t a slouch, He just got used the wrong way this year. No, i don’t believe he is a feature back tho. I think he needs a shifty, quick cut, change of base back. Which is exactly what Lamichael James is.. No need to use a 1st round on a running back when you have really good one on the roster. Not when there is so many other spots that needs the BIGGER upgrade.
January 13th, 2012 at 2:17 am
Plus not to mention there is a bunch of big name RB’s coming out in FA this year. *cough* Matt Forte *Cough*. Man Chicago should have paid that man before he got hurt.
January 13th, 2012 at 2:21 am
Tho i can’t deny. Richardson makes it hard to argue how much we need Claiborne. The only one downside. I really feel we need a Veteran RB who can teach Blount and who ever else comes in. How to see the field better and run, what holes to go through and when. Rub off some of their experience on them
January 13th, 2012 at 2:21 am
Here’s the link to for for everyone to see into the future as we have Claiborne trying to stop this horse…he’s number 17 of course.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFn-Bqq2C0U
January 13th, 2012 at 2:35 am
on a side note… i would really be please if some how we traded back into the first round and picked up Dont’a Hightower ILB – BAMA. Could be a 2 way upgrade by moving Foster over to WIL and Bringing up Dakota Watson to SAM. 🙂 grab a vet LB or 2 and volia, Instant upgrade!
January 13th, 2012 at 2:41 am
Richardson is the real deal. We ahold buck up and get this pony. I know backs will be available, but this guy has the chance to really be something special; almost like a MJD and Ray Rice hybrid.
January 13th, 2012 at 2:42 am
I can’t and wont take anything away from Richardson. But i think using your first round pick on a RB when we have a really good one now. We need a scat back more then a replacement. Richardson is something very special. But our needs are far greater else where at this time. Plus i am REALLY high on LaMichael James as a change of pace back in the second or third round.
Either way i still would like us to do the Patriots move. Trade down a few times till we land Dre Kirkpatrick ( who is not elite but solid and 6’3”) Try and trade back up to the first for Dunt’a Hightower. Use one of those trades to acquite LaMichael James, a OT or DB +1 other in the top 100.
those 3 names right there isn’t a bad draft at all.
January 13th, 2012 at 2:44 am
Anybody see how the Sea Hawks played down the stretch when they had a beast on skittles going? Didn’t that same beast on skittles destroy the Saints in the playoffs?
Well, I heard Richardson likes M&M’s.
January 13th, 2012 at 2:47 am
But hey. I wouldn’t squabble or be displeased what so ever if we land Richardson.. I would be cheering just as much as those who are drooling for him right now.
Just as i am looking at the roster. We need so much, (Logically thinking) I would like to see us be as smart as possible about filling out the rest of this roster with solid talent and some veterans. Or no matter who the coach is this will be a headache to “Right the Ship”.
I really feel Blount is going be a solid Feature back in this league. Last year he was misused and everyone jumped off the B-Train. But 1k yards in 9 games as a rookie is nothing to just throw under the rug. Plus he still has it. If i remember correctly 7 Packers couldn’t tackle him on the way to the in zone just this year.
January 13th, 2012 at 2:49 am
Hey Joe,
Great piece, can you give a piece to Trent Richardson? He really is the answer. Beautiful equation, 50/50 with he and Freeman in touches.
Our offense would be getting Stevie Whites “game breaker”.
Who cares about the rule changes. We need to replace that “Lumpkin checkdown” with a. Richardson draw.
Grunt that clock and beat those finesse teams, this is Buc Ball.
January 13th, 2012 at 2:50 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO1gN0o4JO4&feature=related
Sorry just can’t give up on him just yet. I wanna see what he can do after having his FIRST full off-season program. Then after that we can decide what to do. That’s where i am coming from when i think all we need is a good 3rd down back.
January 13th, 2012 at 2:53 am
941, I agree with you 110% and so does Tom2.2:
Whats better then having an Rb run for 1K in 9 starts?
Two guys with a grand apiece. Grind it out to the trophy.
January 13th, 2012 at 2:56 am
Drafting Richardson would not be giving up on Freeman, it would be making us more dynamic with two beasts on the O.
Blount can still come in and pound it every third series, and would keep him fresh.
We will be sorry if we pass on Richardson. He is going to be “the” RB of 2012 draft, and easily the 3rd best prospect in the draft.
January 13th, 2012 at 3:05 am
SteveK:
In short, Joe would draft himself in the first round than draft Richardson (or virtually any running back) in the first round.
Bucs have FAR more holes than running back. Last Joe checked, the Bucs already have a running back who averages over four yards a carry.
January 13th, 2012 at 3:09 am
i can’t disagree with you sir. It’s just my opinion. I feel LaMichael James is something awesome.. a Darren Sproles kind of player.. Add that with Blount and you have you deadly combination. Plus both were on the same team at the same time. They would have good chemistry. Still gives Freeman an extra toy and some speed on offense. But again just my thought.
Personally i would take Kirkpatrick AND LMJ over just Claiborne OR Richardson. 2 really good talents are better then 1 =)
January 13th, 2012 at 3:20 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zrmjsWLlJA&feature=related
Game film broken down =) enjoy! Think it’s just his 2010 season too!
January 13th, 2012 at 3:27 am
Do you not remember a past draft with almost the same discussion going on back then? We need Defense!!! Defense!!! We don’t need a back, we have Cadillac!!! We’ll most got their wish with Gains and the Vikings made out with Adrian. I bet the Vikings could have used some DEE too but come on, AD? Face of the franchise? Come on Bucco’s…Not saying Cliarborne is like Gains Adams but you have to look really hard sometimes at what your passing up, needs be damn…Don’t think your living comfortable with Blount as a good back…give me a great one who can do it all.
January 13th, 2012 at 3:32 am
2011 =)Tell me you don’t want him mixing it with LGB…
Kryptonyte53
January 13th, 2012 at 3:33 am
Like i say Trade back and get some extra picks and go for Kirkpatrick and LMJ.
January 13th, 2012 at 3:34 am
Sorry was a blank post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjljPTvR9b8
2011
January 13th, 2012 at 5:29 am
If Justin Blackmon is there, take him. If not Morris Claiborne is absolutely the best pick. Both players would change everything. Blackmon makes the whole WR coprs and Freeman better. Claiborne makes the entire secondary better from day one.
Get one of them and then get a LB in round 2.
January 13th, 2012 at 8:00 am
Claiborne dropping to us wold be huge!! Minnesota will grab Kalil because they need to replace their long tme LT McKenzie. So Claiborne shold eb there for us.
Forget Richardson! Cleveland WILL TAKE HIM. Guaranteed. They are done with Peyton Hillis in Browns-country.
SS Mark Barron from Alabama MIGHT be available at the top of the second. We need to find a TRUE SS if we ever want to stop the run.
LaMichael James MIGHT be on the board at the top of the 3rd. Perfect weapon for our offense. Imagine some shotgun formations with Blount and James in the same backfield. SCARY!!!
I think we could have our next Alstott/Dunn combo with Blount/James.
I’m totally on board with everyone here here who likes the idea of drafting James.
January 13th, 2012 at 8:13 am
While Richardson is a great RB,
the problem with our backfield was that once Earnest Graham went down,
we had no pass protection/third down backs.
Coming straight out of college it is hard to expect any RB to understand NFL pass protection assignments. So if we drafted a RB, he would just be on the bench for the first year or so until he could read defenses. We already have that in Blount.
Claiborne is only this years version “of the best CB to come out of College in years…”
This is part of the hype that is the off season.
He is a great CB and probably our highest priority is shoring up or secondary.
January 13th, 2012 at 10:35 am
Ok 941, good point! Trade back and get a slew of players.
January 13th, 2012 at 11:46 am
I think we should line up a defensive exclusively of Clai(y)born(e)’s.
January 13th, 2012 at 12:51 pm
Getting Richardson at pick #5 in the draft would be a huge mistake!!!! IF Blackmon and Claiborne are both still there I would go with Claiborne without thinking twice about it. Granted Blackmon is a freak of nature. But we have some solid WRs. We have garbage DBs and need a total replacement. I want to keep Talib, but he might be in jail in a few months so we have to prepare this offseason like he isn’t on our team.
But Richardson will drop to atleast 15 maybe into the 20s. We need Claiborne more than any other player. IF some crazy way Blackmon and Claiborne is gone. I would A. trade down if possible. B. if we can’t trade out then draft either Coples out of UNC or depending on how his combine and workout goes. Draft Courtney Upshaw. He is a beast that we could really use. We have too much speed and not enough size to run a 4-3. We need to do a combo of 3-4 and 5-2 stuff. And either Upshaw or Coples would help from day one. I’m so excited for this draft. The talent at pick #5 is awesome and as long as we get one of these 4 players we know we are getting a stud. Not a RB who we can get in the 2nd round or 3rd round. RBs are a dime a dozen. I would also rather have LaMichael James paired with Blount instead of Richardson and Blount.
And watch Claibornes tape. The guy can hit and doesn’t shy away from the big hit. So he can tackle the RB who hits the edge. And he shuts down whatever WR he is covering. Just watch the Bama game. You barley saw him because he had his guy shut down. And most of the plays went to the opposite side of the field. Run and Pass plays both.
January 13th, 2012 at 3:16 pm
Def with u on the Claiborne pick hope he falls to us thts a no brainer if he doesnt lets go with Richardson I wouldnt mind trading back into the first at all seems like a good idea we need more !!! go Bucs