Combating The Canned Answers
March 1st, 2012
Many Bucs fans may remember the story of rockstar general manager Mark Dominik and his virtual S.W.A.T. unit of investigators questioning Mike Williams’ third-grade teacher before the 2010 draft.
Presumably, they wanted to know how many times Williams fumbled a pencil, tripped on a wet boys room floor, or was kicked out of gym class for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Obviously, the Bucs’ scouting department got the job done there, as Williams was a stellar fourth-round pick.
Recently, Greg Schiano touched on breaking down potential draft picks during the interview process and talked about how the Bucs try to combat the coached answers with a 5-on-1 attack approach. Dominik elaborated a bit during an interview this week on Movin’ The Chains, hosted by Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
“The prework we do before the interview is the way to get’em to start opening up, knowing something about maybe their background that they don’t think you know,” Dominik said. “And then they start to sit on their heels a little bit and [think], ‘How did he know about that? What did he know about this?’ A conversation that maybe we heard through the school that helped us find out something a little bit different to get him off his normal routine, you know, some of the canned answers like you’re saying. Make him dig a little bit deeper, [offer] specific examples.”
So it seems Dominik is still digging up all kinds of dirt to rattle potential draft picks and probe deeper into their core beliefs and character.
What’s it all worth? Joe’s not sure, especially after lots of those picks were part of last season’s epic collapse. But it’s still the way to go, and Joe suspects the Bucs do more homework than a majority of NFL clubs.
March 1st, 2012 at 9:19 am
Free Agency or bust!!! Core belief; thou shalt spend thy salary cap.
March 1st, 2012 at 10:17 am
We’ll se,what the ramifications of forcing teams to spend will be when a team works out a $120 million contract for a franchise QB one year, and then has a couple $60 mill guys comeup the next year.
I suspect free agents will get younger over the next ten years.
March 1st, 2012 at 10:24 am
Seems like time could be better utilized. I thought Schiano made fun of the approach during one his press conferences where he said something about wasting time in questioning a players 2nd grade teacher. Or something to that affect. I’m guessing Dominiks power is being removed with each step Schiano takes. Once he has a crasp on the current players Schiano will put Dominik where he belongs… In the corner.
March 1st, 2012 at 10:34 am
I think it is admirable for a team to screen potential players to get the highest caliber guys on your team possible. But that process should be sure that those high caliber guys can really play. I remember last year there was an emphasis on former team captains. But some of these near-thugs and casual weed smokers can play at a very level and somehow make their way onto an NFL team if not ours. I’m not suggesting we relax our standards and not count character. I’m just saying the choirboys and team captains went 4-12 last year!
March 1st, 2012 at 10:40 am
Word on the street is that Pittsburgh won’t be able to keep Wallace. I’m thinking sign Finnegan, Nicks, Wallace, and hope Barber comes back and Talib doesn’t get suspended. There is always a “can’t miss” CB prospect every year, I say let’s see who next years is and get the best FA WR in modern times. Wallace and Nicks would make drastic improvements to our offense. Pound the rock with Blount, burn them deep with Wallace, hit them underneath with Williams.
March 1st, 2012 at 11:24 am
If dominik had dug deeper into the third grade teachers notes on Mike he would have discovered the entry:
“most likely to have a fabulous rookie NFL season and then flame out”.
@j2.0
Excellent suggestions.
March 1st, 2012 at 11:34 am
There is no way we sign Finnegan, Nicks & Wallace. LOL! We may sign Nicks and possibly one more splash player but they are not going to eat up all their salary cap on three players with all the depth we need.
March 1st, 2012 at 11:36 am
@eric. I hardly think he flamed out last year. Still put up decent numbers and in Olson’s offense it’s amazing because teams were able to compress the field on us and really sit down on the receivers. I look for much different results this year.
March 1st, 2012 at 11:41 am
This site is always good for a chuckle.
So…do we still not have a QB coach? Or did I miss that somehow? Prob second most important hire for the entire offensive side of the ball.
Meanwhile, Dom is wondering why “x” player stood up his prom date.
March 1st, 2012 at 11:58 am
Too bad he didnt use the magnified glass to look at Brandon Marshall, who was picked up for a second rounder (Benn pick).
over 1200 receiving yards last year and pro bowl.