Morris Claiborne or Justin Blackmon?
January 13th, 2012
NFL Network draftnik Mike Mayock, center, joins Bucs director of player personnel Dennis Hickey, top, and Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, bottom, at the NFL Combine last winter.
When the Bucs finished the season with a grotesque tailspin of a 10-game losing streak and jettisoned head coach Raheem Morris as a result, it wasn’t too early to talk draft.
So when Joe’s good friend, the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, “The Big Dog,” Steve Duemig interviewed the great NFL draftnik Mike Mayock yesterday on WDAE-AM 620, of course Mayock couldn’t get away with out a draft question.
When Duemig asked Mayock what he would do as Bucs GM, sitting at draft choice No. 5, looking at either stud cornerback Morris Claiborne of LSU or flashy wide receiver Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State, Mayock had a non-answer answer that interestingly shed light on how others view the Bucs.
“You can start there. Outside of quarterback and defensive line, where they have an awful lot of really good young talent, you have to say, ‘Who is the best available football player where we are drafting?’ No question wide receiver and cornerback are huge needs.’
While Joe found Mayock’s point about the defensive line interesting, Joe is torn between Claiborne and Blackmon.
Joe sort of leans Clairborne only because the Bucs will be facing Drew Brees, Matty Ice and Cam Newton for many, many years to come. The Bucs now are looking at the very real possibility of their starting cornerbacks coming from the trio of E.J. Biggers, Elbert Mack and Myron Lewis.
Click the link below for Mayock’s full interview.
January 13th, 2012 at 10:28 pm
I tweeted this back on Dec 10…..
Clayborn is my number 1. If he’s there no doubt.
January 13th, 2012 at 10:30 pm
My first choice would be Blackmon, extremely talented class act who could really help Josh freeman immediately.
But Clairborne is a very close second at a position of need. can’t go wrong with either one IMO.
January 13th, 2012 at 10:37 pm
Well, obviously there are a lot of variables here. First, you pick the player the you think is going to be better, regardless of need. But what if you think they’re equal?
(And let’s assume here the Bucs don’t make a free agency signing at either position, which they should.)
Then it’s easy: you take Blackmon. Why? Freeman.We have a potential franchise QB for the first time in forever. We absolutely have to give him all of the tools necessary to succeed.
Raheem did a lot of things wrong, but he had one thing right: it’s all about #5.
January 13th, 2012 at 10:38 pm
If he’s gone I want (I HATE TO SAY IT OUT LOUD) a Bama LB
January 13th, 2012 at 10:47 pm
I am sorry but Freeman played bad this year but it wasn’t because of WR or TEs it’s because he was thinking too much and not letting the ball go anticipating the window. Tired of saying this!!! THIS IS THE NFL THERE AREN”T OPEN PEOPLE RUNNIN down the field. U have to anticipate the throw for instance the TB 99 yard TD to Welker, when TB threw the ball the defender was in his shirt but by the time the ball got there he was open. Josh played bad (no off season too) but IT is the “D” that is in much worse shape. And it was mostly because we have bad DB’s #1! But we couldn’t stop the run either, there were easy reasons for that injuries and very young. But when u can throw the ball to Ur Wideouts because Biggers is horrible and his backup is 2 feet tall we need a one on one DB so we can keep the Safeties in to help the young D stop the run.
January 13th, 2012 at 10:49 pm
Face.
January 13th, 2012 at 10:58 pm
It’s hard to me to speculate on the draft when we don’t know who our coach is going to be, what scheme they will run, or how much the Royals will open up the checkbook in FA. Remember. FA happens first, and IF the Royals decide that it’s better to structure themselves in this FA period and next years to hit the salary cap floor instead of just spending on who knows what next year. We could have completely different needs. (go go run on sentence? jeepers)
January 13th, 2012 at 11:09 pm
A lot will play into this debate…
#1 is the coach
If Marty is coach we could see Richardson. But with the debate between Claiborne & Blackmon BPA/need may be a close tossup but off-field issues may kill Claiborne as he looks to be a Talib type off-field issue clone (and we know the rumors about how Dom feels about Talib)
January 13th, 2012 at 11:41 pm
Aren’t we young enough at WR already? Don’t say we’re trying to help out Freeman and then throw another rookie in there for him to work with. I honestly think we have some pretty good talent at WR, we just didn’t have an OC that had a clue on how to get guys open.
As far as the secondary goes, if Talib is suspended or let go and Barber retires, then they have no choice but to go into FA.
I hate where we’re drafting this year in conjunction to what players are going to be available.. We’re going to be forced to take a player of a position that I hate drafting in the top 10, let alone top 5. WR, RB, and D-Back. I’d rather be picking at the back end of the top 10 this year.
January 13th, 2012 at 11:41 pm
Sorry to say, but dont think either Claiborne or Blackmon will be on the board at #5. Then you take the best player available.
January 13th, 2012 at 11:52 pm
Guys I’m sorry, but it’s hard to pass up on Richardson. The guy is a stud and is strong as all hell. Why not have a guy that can be a threat out of the backfield, be dangerous in open space, and be strong enough to block for Freeman. I though it was clear that with Graham going down, Freeman found himself on his back a lot more and his production went way down… From all reports TR sounds like a can’t miss> what are your thoughts?
January 13th, 2012 at 11:54 pm
TR is still my pick
January 14th, 2012 at 12:01 am
i doubt we should pick a running back that high (look at all the RB’s that went down this year). I would rather get blackmon, claiborne, or kirkpatrick (in that order)
January 14th, 2012 at 12:02 am
I’d go with Claiborne. It’ll be easy enough to find a speedy receiver. We already have enough talent at wr but could use a veteran. If Claiborne is gone then I say trade down for more picks. We can get a good rb later in the draft. I agree with the commish in not drafting a rb early
January 14th, 2012 at 12:03 am
I would have to go with Blackmon or even Richardson. Why? What good is a CB when the offense cannot score touchdowns/put up points. If we had a decent offense, then a CB is fine (to help improve the defense). Too many times this team has struggled to score points. I don’t think they scored more than 3 touchdowns in a single game last year.
January 14th, 2012 at 12:10 am
we need the next Warrick Dunn Mr everything block run catch passes pick up blitz warrick the warrior we also need a safety like Dexter Jackson or Dwight Smith a corner like Donnnie Abraham and linebackers like Hardy Nickerson Derrick Brooks. tight ends like Jimmy Jiles and Dave Moore add in a speedster like Deshaun Jackson and things might click
January 14th, 2012 at 12:27 am
gotta admit, that blackmon feller looks like a specimen over there at oklahoma state…but please factor in that he had a very mature quarterback there with him if i am correct…and he was a pretty good decision maker and might actually have himself a small nfl career ahead of himself as a back up qb…but back to blackmon…he looks good versus college speed, not so sure he converts over to the nfl game as a pure no.1 receiving phenom…we as nfl fans are all salivating at grabing something like a calvin johnson, but i’m just not that sure that blackmon is that guy…i would consider taking him, but i would really want to see how he numbers up at the combines for sure my yucky boo’s……adam from ny
January 14th, 2012 at 12:35 am
Of course the player chosen at the number 5 slot all depends on who is the Head Coach when draft day arrives, but if I have to choose out of the two, my vote goes for Claiborne, dude is a stud and DB’s have been at #5 spot 2 years in a row
January 14th, 2012 at 12:41 am
ok talking mayock for a minute here…
2 things……
one….he had his hair done….there was a lot less a year or so ago up top on the ole duderooski…..
and two….i hear him a lot as he does a good amount of nfl tv broadcasts nowadays and i have come to a small conclusion on “old yeller”…..he sort of reigns over his booth partner throughout their conversations…..sort of like a “gruden – mnf” type of thing but with less of the napoleonic thing playing into it….it’s just purely telling his sidekick how it is…it gets a little annoying to hear him constantly basically step over the other guy in convo all throughout the broadcast…he should tone it down a drop and he would be all good….but then again from a football standpoint he is knowledgable and knows his stuff…..just thought someone should speak the truth and let people know that gruden isn’t the only broadcasting pirate out there….mayock is proving to be one as well, trying to create his fellow announcer into a lowly henchmen….change your ways mikey or people might begin to second guess you as the self proclaimed “grand puba” of football talent….adam from ny
January 14th, 2012 at 12:43 am
talking mayock, gruden, and the glazers too…..
humm that one like:
“willie, mickey. and the duke”
adam from ny
January 14th, 2012 at 1:00 am
“The Bucs are looking at the very real possibility of their starting cornerbacks to be among the trio of E.J. Biggers, Elbert Mack and Myron Lewis.”
How the f’k should that even be a possibility??!!
Having a great offense with Blackmon will mean nothing if our defense is giving up 30-40 points every game.
January 14th, 2012 at 1:19 am
Could Blackmon be the next Larry Fitzgerald?
If so it’s a toss up between him and T Rich aka the Ray Rice/MJD hybrid.
January 14th, 2012 at 1:34 am
No matter who it is we’re in line for a genuine blue chip prospect, so I’ll be happy any which way. The team will only be better after this draft because of both the new players and, just as importantly, the new coach. Things are looking up already.
January 14th, 2012 at 1:47 am
Sprinkle in a FA on O D and ST’s.
January 14th, 2012 at 2:01 am
Something that has not been discussed is the use of Morris Claiborne as not only a threat in the secondary, but has serious playmaking ability to run back kick-offs, another area the Bucs need serious help in. Kill two birds with one stone on D and special teams, and get a veteran playmaker on offense in free agency is what I say.
January 14th, 2012 at 2:02 am
If they have a chance at M. Clayborn then we have to take him. If the bucs took blackmon with that pick then mark would be admitting our wideouts arent as good as he’s been saying they were the last 2 years. It would be nice to have him but as buc fans we all should know by now championships are won with defense, plus I still have faith in M. Williams.
January 14th, 2012 at 3:21 am
Sign PLAXICO BURRESS!!!! Draft TRENT RICHARDSON!!!! It’s easy.
All our secondary guys have shown flashes of talent (except Lewis). Bring in a later pick and a guy like Brandon Carr and let the competition begin!
January 14th, 2012 at 3:28 am
Unless he breaks his legs before the draft Trent is 1 2 or 3 pick. How do the bucs get him at 5?
January 14th, 2012 at 3:46 am
The answer has to be Blackmon our offense doesnt have any FirePower he would add that to our offense and we have picked on the defense side of the ball the last two years and we have a high 2nd rd pick to so you could get a quality cb with that pick or linebacker cause our linebackers are Horrible
January 14th, 2012 at 4:21 am
First I’ll start by saying I think we are actually OK on the WR area. A Better Offensive Coord will make them look a hell of a lot better then they did last year. I also believe the whole WR corp was suffering a sophmore slump, Along with Freemans 2nd FULL year. It was a recipe for disaster. I understand that the rest of the league didn’t have an off season and that shouldn’t be an excuse. Sorry to say but for this team it really was. MOST of the key positions being played was by rookies and 2nd year players. You know that year that everyone say is the MOST IMPORTANT development year for players? Well they didn’t get it. While most other teams have Veterans who could have shown players how to act during the offseasons, This team did not.
Before we start calling for the heads of Williams, Benn, and Briscoe. I would like us to see what these guys can do after 1 full off season (and not being a rookies) with new coaches.
January 14th, 2012 at 4:33 am
Patrick:
Ronde retires and Talib is incarcerated.
January 14th, 2012 at 4:43 am
Okay. That took up more space then i originally thought. Back to the Draft!
I feel it is a toss up between Claiborne and Richardson only. Blackmon is a really good receiver with incredible flash catching skills. Tho, I feel his draft stock is pushed up a bit to high because there really ins’t a lot of other talented WR’s coming out this year.
Claiborne and Richardson are a “Once in a Blue Moon” kind of talent. As Blackmon is just the best of the bunch this year. Believe me, I was pulling for him. Until I got slammed by others on another blog about him.
If Claiborne isn’t there.( i know i will get flamed for saying this) Trade our spot for someone who wants to jump up and grab Richardson. Go after Dre Kirkpatrick-CB. Use our newly acquired (more than likely a 2nd round) pick to jump back into the 1st round. Grab a LBer like Dont’a Hightower or Zach Brown. Use our original 2nd round pick on LaMichael James RB who is the speed and scat back this offense needs (would play a role similar to Darren Sproles).
Instead of adding 1 great talent where we already have some pretty decent talent that needs to finish being developed. We can add 3 more CORE players and a couple more solid players (CB, OT, DB’s) in the top 100. Overall helping this team much much more then any 1 player ( just my opinion)
January 14th, 2012 at 5:27 am
That’s the bottom line, isn’t it? Should we not go the route that makes us competitive in the quickest way possible?
I was leaning toward defense myself, but realistically, since it will take fewer pieces to fix the offense, I think maybe we should do that first.
It’s a tough call.
Not to mention that the new coach MAY decide he wants his own guy drafted for QB…so that pick could in essence go on a quarterback. Especially since We’re picking early enough to get a decent one.
Personally, I like Freeman…but that doesn’t mean the new coach will.
January 14th, 2012 at 5:31 am
941,
I also think dre will be good.
January 14th, 2012 at 7:33 am
I think 941 hit the nail on the head. We should trade back 2 get more picks. @Joe, I think Patrick meant that, as to say, “R we really gonna start 3 scrubs at CB!?”.
January 14th, 2012 at 8:40 am
Claiborne all the way if he’s there. Blackmon would be a fine choice if Claiborne is gone.
January 14th, 2012 at 9:24 am
Both are gone by 5, Kalil is a possibility he’s is a LT but can play RT and our line is better instantly, Richardson is very talented but at 5 is a big reach. Trade back, grab an extra pick.
January 14th, 2012 at 9:49 am
I don’t see TR @ 5 a reach… would drafting MJD, AP, or Rice be a reach @ 5? no, and TR has that type of potential
January 14th, 2012 at 9:55 am
1st choice: draft claiborne and sign cortland finnegan f/a …cut biggers and lewis, keep e-mack.
2nd choice ” draft blackmon.
3rd choice draft best OL available – Kalil or Martin
January 14th, 2012 at 11:19 am
JT – reach because rb talent can be found more readily in other rouns than most positions. If given a choice between a top oline prospect and rb. I go oline.
Raphael I like your thinking.
January 14th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
I think L. James would be a better suit for our team than Richardson and we can get him later in the draft. Claiborn all the way with some Fa’s, its a no brainer.
January 14th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
@Raphael
Like your two first choices a lot. I for one, am not a fan of biggers, the guys is just not that good. it is his third year in the league and he has 2 pics and does not lock anybody down, time for him to see the door. I like mack though and i would agree to resign him. I would take Richardson with the third choice over an offensive lineman, that is one of our strong points and there are plenty of right tackles or guards that can be drafted in the later rounds.
Lets put it this way, with the hype that RGIII is getting he and luck will go top 5, which all but guarantees Claiborne, Blackmon, or Richardson to be there. When it comes down to it, we may not need a RB with the first pick but we passed on AP once, lets not pass on another great talent if he is the best available player. When we had Caddy he was doing better than Blount was in his career, and look what happened to him. Carolina went out and draft Stewart a few years after they got Williams, and they have a great running game. Would love to see Blount and Richardson pound the rock together
January 14th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
Claiborne def i like blackmon but tht much to me its out of Claiborne and Richardson
January 14th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
I don’t see how anyone can predict until we get a coaching staff. The type and strengths of the new staff will determine the best direction to go with that pick.
January 14th, 2012 at 5:33 pm
@JT out of those 3 RB you mentioned only 1 was drafted in the top 5 so that proves that we can wait on a RB. Why not drsft 1 in the 2nd round like V-Tech David Wilson or Mia Lamar Miller. They both are featured back material and would allow us to get Claiborne or Blackmon
January 14th, 2012 at 6:43 pm
This is a passing league and we currently have no one besides Talib who can help stop that. We have Willaims and Benn as WRs and no one besides a guy who might be in jail next season as CBs. I love Blackmon but Claiborne fits the bigger need. But I honestly believe Blackmon will be gone before we draft. The Rams, Vikings, and Browns could all use his skills. Especially the Rams and Vikings. Who both drafted QBs in the 1st round last year. Lets honestly hopes Blackmon is gone. Because if he is there then that means someone already drafed Claiborne!
January 15th, 2012 at 7:57 am
we also needa back up qb….josh yo-semmette is gone…i would like mcnabb in here with freebird….ronde has finned out…..LBG & LaMICHAEL JAMES SOUNDS GOOD……we need a grimmy established middle linebacked in here asap who will concuss you and then rub the keppy and make nice….a real beast with a gentle side……and vocal…..adam from ny
January 15th, 2012 at 8:05 am
there is no ball dinging in the nfl…..the nfl protects the head of players but the dANGLING coxsackie goes untouched….whe do you follow thru with the helmet and crush and attack with wicked keester shots….dudes will be helped off the field one after another….
exampe: if the giants started doing teams in via the method, they would go from “big blue” to “big blue ballers”
January 15th, 2012 at 6:45 pm
I would love to see Rich Bisaccia come back as our HC,,,,and Justin Blackmon ftw !