A Great Draft For Myron Lewis, E.J. Biggers
April 29th, 2012
Two guys Joe figured would be chugging Tums during and after the NFL Draft were Myron Lewis and E.J. Biggers.
With a strong likelihood entering the draft that Morris Claiborne would be snatched and placed in a starting job and rockstar general manager Mark Dominik would take a later-round cornerback, Joe figured Biggers and Lewis expected a fierce flame would be soon cranked up under them.
But it didn’t play out that way.
The Bucs added sixth-round-pick cornerback Keith Tandy, plus Eric Wright in free agency. So with Elbert Mack gone and Aqib Talib a question mark, Biggers and Lewis emerged yesterday with about as much job security as they could have hoped for at this point.
One would think Lewis, as a high third-round pick in 2010, called the deepest draft in NFL history by many, would get every opportunity to prove he belongs this preseason. And Biggers, whose effort has always been there, at least has some experience and success on his resume. (One could also speculate the Bucs waited until the sixth round to select a cornerback because they have faith in these guys.)
Regardless, two Buccaneers many fans wanted to become trivia questions have a darn good shot to be a part of the New Schiano World Order come September.
April 29th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
We’ve got to have Talib back next year. We’re in trouble if we don’t. Can’t rely on a 6th rounder and UFA to fill the hole. Plus, Wright isn’t that good either.
April 29th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
@ Patrick
This is Talib’s last year no matter what. We’ll spend a late 1st round pick on our new #1 corner in next year’s draft or acquire one through free agency.
April 29th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
Still whining about Claiborne! Pathetic.
April 29th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
I suspect we will be whinning about mo for years to come.
If Talib gets convicted the secondary is difficult to comprehend. The carnage could be unprecedented.
April 29th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
im not comfortable at all with this, but i trust on schiano, if he doesnt want a guy on the team, he cut him, and look TJax, maybe he trust on this guys and Quincy Black, so let figure out what he want
April 29th, 2012 at 4:23 pm
If Talib returns, I feel confident in our secondary to do well enough. Barron is a great safety net and then a cast of “Talib, Wright, Barber, Biggers and Lewis” while not great should be able to hold their own.
We must remember that Biggers was called to cover #1 receivers last year due to a lingering unknown injury to Talib. Previously, Biggers held his own pretty well against #2 and #3’s.
With a better pass rush and improved rush defense, we should be in a better position to protect our secondary liability.
April 29th, 2012 at 4:25 pm
Happy we didn’t draft Mo, his willingness to tackle is in question.
Barron is a great player, and his presence will complement our secondary for years to come.
That pick also helped us get Doug Martin. We also snagged Lavonte David.
Great draft.
Glad we got Barron.
April 29th, 2012 at 4:26 pm
All I’ve heard out of Schiano is that he “wants to keep Talib a buc for a long time.”
I’ll bet anyone dollars to donuts, that with The Enabler gone to Washington, Talib cleans up his act. I’ll also bet he stays out of jail, and if he gets ANY suspension, it will be 4 games tops.
Like it or not, Talib is a top 5 talent on this team, and you don’t just let those guys walk out the front door if you’re not forced to.
April 29th, 2012 at 4:31 pm
Non-factors. So do you think Lewis is going to go, “Oh that’s how you cover someone in the NFL”? I think Biggers could improve enough to stick but not as a starter and I don’t see Lewis playing in the league this year. Total bust. You didn’t mention Johnson. That kid can play and I wouldn’t be surprised if he displaced Biggers on the roster.
April 29th, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Out of the loaded 2010 draft:
Pop star acquired: Gerald, Brian Price, Regis Benn and Myron Lewis in the first 3 round.
Either the draft wasn’t loaded, or pop star couldnt find key.
April 29th, 2012 at 4:40 pm
“One could also speculate the Bucs waited until the sixth round to select a cornerback because they have faith in these guys”
Probably more like they knew they couldn’t address every need in one offseason so they went about upgrading the positions that were bigger needs(S, LB, RB). Assuming Talib isn’t in prison, Talib, Wright, Ronde, Tandy and two of Lewis/Biggers/Gaitor/possible UDFA that shows something will be our CBs. I’m sure next offseason will be the one where we really upgrade the CB group(I’m also sure by this time next year our roster will look completely different than it does now).
April 29th, 2012 at 4:40 pm
When Cam comes scrambling down the field this season, I will feel more comfortable with Barron between him and the end-zone than I would have with Mo. I haven’t seen anything that convinces me Talib will not be back for a 2nd contract in 2013. In fact considering what Wright got, I expect to hear a lot of really angry chatter from Talib’s Buc Fan detractors. If you can’t stand him now, just wait and see what he gets paid. I also agree that the Bucs’ would likely use a high round pick on a CB next year. The division almost dictates it.
April 29th, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Talib is a non-factor, and further he is a non-tackler.
Talib must defeat the State of Texas, the NFL and stay out of further trouble for 5 months before he even gets a chance to compete against Wright and Barber. The odds of that are the longest of long.
Write Talib off, he can not be relied upon, Schiano knows that. The team is just waiting for Texas to handle its business.
April 29th, 2012 at 4:52 pm
If you idiots think that anyone, not under the influence, would guarantee Aqib Talib one penny after this contract you are lost and clueless.
If, and that is a huge if, Talib ever gets another NFL contract it will basically be a year-to-year arrangement with strong conduct nullification clauses in it. Talib will get paid near league minimum.
How many pro bowls has this punk made? How many seasons has he completed uninjured?
April 29th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
If Talib is innocent (which appears to be likely according to witnesses) Goodell better damn well not suspend him!! If he does that, I’ll start a petition to “impeach” him from the commissioner role! haha.
April 29th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
A good pass rush can help cover up for a suspect secondary. Add in some timely blitzes from Barron, Barber and David and even Foster and Black, and we may be able to cover our defeciencies in the secondary. This obviously, makes the BIG assumption that GMC, Bowers, Clay, Price, Okoye, Bennet etc..take a big step forward this year.
April 29th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Talib use to be able to lay a hit on someone in his first year or two… then Rah came along and he just stopped. I believe he can be a much better tackler once Schiano gets ahold of him.. Im looking for good things this year from him or he wont be back. As of right now he isnt getting a big contract I guarantee it… but with a big season this year that could change.
April 29th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
I think Barron will have a bigger impact on our D this year than most realize. Sean Jones was absolutely putrid last year both against the run and the pass. Im predicting Ahmad Black takes over the starting FS job and gives us two ball hawks in the secondary.
April 29th, 2012 at 5:10 pm
@ Big Picture
“The Enabler” man that is a perfect nickname for the guy, very good haha. I like…
April 29th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Don’t forget about Leonard Johnson, he could be the diamond in the rough. He could very well beat out Biggers or Lewis for a spot on the roster.
April 29th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
Trivia Question:
Who uttered these famous words just a few months ago?
“shut up thomas you are going to have to deal with Head Coach Raheem Morris leading the bucs for many years to come!”
Pete? Close bc he said basically the same thing. Hawaiian? Nope, but he said something close.
Captain Tim! Yes, ding, ding, ding! LOL
When of my favorite attacks of all time. Literally, a few weeks later he was fired! Not seasons, weeks. Lol
April 29th, 2012 at 5:20 pm
Seemed the mantra coming from One Buc during the draft press conferences was that the guys drafted were “tough, smart football players who loved the game”. Can’t remember how often that was repeated, but it was A LOT. Being that the team has Claiborne’s college DB coach on staff (who would know him better than most) and the team still passed on him, I’m thinking the endorsement was less than ringing in a couple of those areas.
@SilenceTheCritics,
Agree that a safety tandem of Black and Barron (The Killer B’s) would be exciting, though we’ll see how it all shakes out in training camp. There’s going to be some really intense competition for jobs starting real soon. CAN’T WAIT!
April 29th, 2012 at 5:35 pm
thomas…plesae for the love of pete….step in front of a speeding train!!
April 29th, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Gaitor has game. I think he will show big improvement this year and shouldnt be ignored.
April 29th, 2012 at 5:42 pm
@Flboy84- Great point.
@Ahmad Black is a playmaker and a sure tackler but he might be too slow to play FS. He was injured all preseason last year. So this year we will be his chance to show what he can do. If anything, he could develop into a solid backup to Barron.
@The Draft- Sean Jones was a disaster last year. SS is a vital position in the NFL. Maybe we reached but he is worth it.
@Our corner situation. It looks like competetition will rule this season!! Wich is great!! I would fine with Wright and Barber starting on day one with Biggers coming in on nickle packages. We would survive with this. Then if Talib avoids punishment, then we have Talib and Wright starting with Ronde as nickle. Which would be great!! Ronde should make a great nickle back this year. He is so versatile and smart.
@LB situation. I love the picks!!!
@TE situation. I think we missed out on Patrick Peterson in free agency and James Hanna in the draft. Remember Hanna, he will become a solid pro. Just watch. I realy hope Drunsmore can play. We need a good TE/FB to help our offense. I still think we lack another mauler of a TE on our roster.
Does anyone remember the San Fran game?? They lined up 3 TE sets and just dominated the game!!
@
April 29th, 2012 at 5:51 pm
@thomas2.2
Regarding finding the Key. Price was highly rated and if not for injury would made a difference. GM has been injured twice and is still considered a top ten talent. Benn had a major knee injury. Tell me how you would have predicted this as the resident draft guru. Hindsight is always 20/20. The difference between you and I is you always see the glass half empty.
April 29th, 2012 at 5:56 pm
God I hope Biggers is not on this team. He was targeted more than any corner in the league. And why not he sucks. Experience only proved he can’t play in this league.
April 29th, 2012 at 6:03 pm
Curious to see how the DB’s improve under Cooper. He’s rolled out some quality players at the position during his 3 years at LSU, hopefully he can work some of that magic on Biggers, Lewis, Gaitor, etc.
April 29th, 2012 at 6:04 pm
what i really like about Barron is if you watch him play he is commanding that whole defense and i think he will probably be a team captain by next season.
April 29th, 2012 at 6:17 pm
I felt like our corners got either left on an island or didn’t get proper help over the top from the safeties a lot last year.
Give them a chance.
April 29th, 2012 at 6:22 pm
Competition is a good thing.
Barron makes the ENTIRE secondary better for what should be
obvious reason.
BraveBuc got it right……….as did the Bucs.
April 29th, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Joe,
If you are looking for “the gorgeous Jenny Dell” she now works for NESN. (New England Sports Network)
April 29th, 2012 at 6:29 pm
I like the Shiano way and everything that it stands for. But I hope that it doesn’t make us so rigidly principled that we no longer have room for the exception.
We needed a good corner and if Alphonso Dennard was good enough for Bellichick in the 7th, I want to think he was probably good enough for us to.The guy was Big Ten defensive player of the year and some analyst had him targeted as 2nd round pick.
He made a mistake, he punched a cop – remember we all like Adrian Clayborn and he punched a motorist too. I just hope we maintain our high standards, but remain flexible enough to do what is good for the team also!
April 29th, 2012 at 7:01 pm
if talib court issue gets resolved biggers and lewis are good as gone unless they have an incredible offseason, but if they dont, dont let the door hit you on the way out there just not physical enough
April 29th, 2012 at 7:01 pm
Macabee – give it time. Schiano had to come in and prove a point. Had to let the players know certain things would not be tolerated. Had to set a standard. Remember, we don’t have much in the way of veteran leadership on this team. When our current players become solid leaders that can show the young rookie how it should be and what they shouldn’t do, then we will be able to give a guy like Dennard a chance. New England already has that veteran presence in the locker room that keeps guys like Dennard from making those mistakes off the field in the pros.
April 29th, 2012 at 7:10 pm
macabee…i see your point but we’ve got to establish a team where the players police the team rather than the coaches. Once we’ve got leaders like Barron, David, Foster GMC running the team, then I think we take some chances on “lesser character” players.
April 29th, 2012 at 7:17 pm
The secondary all comes down to two words.
Pass Rush.
Any Questions?
April 29th, 2012 at 7:25 pm
“Gerald running the team”? Do our injured reserves compete against other team’s injured reserves in the Twitter Olympics or something?
Who is going to be led by Gerald? An overpaid, no accomplishments player anointed with a job and millions purely on potential.
Clayborn, Foster, Barron, Barber, David, Bowers – all more likely to garner respect than Gerald.
Gerald needs to shut up and complete a season. Then somebody may follow his leadership. Until then, Barron, David etc have as many complete NFL seasons under their belt.
April 29th, 2012 at 8:10 pm
PasstheBuc: absent the injuries – I was actually encouraged by the play of Price – a second round pick who is more naturally an under tackle.
I have been very discouraged by the play of Gerald (#3 overall) and Regis Benn (2nd round) when healthy. At best, Benn has proven to be no more than a number 3, and some will argue that Parker and Briscoe have outperformed him.
Gerald, has had 3 solid games out of really 16 of 32. Gerald played in 19 but early in three due to 3 separate injuries. Gerald’s good games (Indy 2011 and Baltimore 2011) were against non-conference opponents. He gets abused by division opponents that know how to scheme against his avoid contact gap jumping style.
April 29th, 2012 at 8:19 pm
I hope nobody puts 42 on us halfway through 2nd quarter.
April 29th, 2012 at 8:20 pm
What a shocker. Fired the coach, brought in a new one, brought in several key free agents, had a nice draft adding missing pieces, yet Thomas and Eric are back to their normal selves. You know, if I didn’t know any better, I would think this is just their personalities. They both pretend they were big Gruden guys, but I would bet the house they were screaming for his head while he was here (denial coming in 3,2,1…). I’m really sorry that life is that horrible, but being a whiner won’t help. Take a vacation, from your problems.
April 29th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
Actually, Joe…Eric Wright is here now. And we can still sign a CB.
April 29th, 2012 at 8:35 pm
@Thomas 2.2
You mean rah ISNT gonna be the next Chuck Noll?
And after so many here thought he would……..
Just like the amazing ten game losing streak in third year of lasting contenders.
Unbelievable run of bad luck……….
April 29th, 2012 at 8:58 pm
Joe, that picture you posted on this article is just cruel… LMAO!!!!
April 29th, 2012 at 9:02 pm
Here is my prediction, Anthony Gaitor becomes a starting CB and turns into a Grimes for the Bucs. I loved what I saw of this kid when he was on the field and you need to go to youtube and check his high lites. He can cover and he has great speed. I believe he will impress in training camp. Barron will make our corners look a lot better. If we can get pressure we don’t need elite corners, just good ones that are willing to tackle.
April 29th, 2012 at 9:10 pm
@pewterC,
Joe didn’t have much to work with, as that was the closest Lewis had been to receiver all year and the only picture out there with him and the WR in the same frame.
April 29th, 2012 at 11:13 pm
Watch film on gaitor and tell me he doesn’t have game,small school but he has a nose for true ball, with the proper coaching, look out.
April 30th, 2012 at 12:26 am
Please stop feeding Thomas thr=e troll, and he will stop visiting.
April 30th, 2012 at 6:20 am
Biggers was exploited every game. He is being asked to do things he is not capable of doing and should be playing for someone else sooner rather than later.
April 30th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
I’m ok with Myron Lewis…but Biggers sucks and has to go. This will def be his last season with this team. I will be in Europe for 2 months starting today…so hope everyone is well during that time and have fun with the posts!!!!! GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 30th, 2012 at 9:01 pm
For what it’s worth, I like E.J. Biggers. I think he gets as much out of what he has as any player on the Buccaneers. I think with a little “good coaching” he can develop into a useful man-to-man corner. Although he’s a little on the “light side,” I think there is a major upside to Biggers as a zone coverage corner. Again, however, he needs and deserves some good coaching.
As for Myron Lewis, I think the “B-word” needs to be applied to this third-round draft pick. In the three years since he was drafted, Lewis, despite being an impressive physical speciimen has shown little improvement and/or development. Let’s focus the efforts of this new coaching staff on some coachable players and let this guy “hit the bricks.”