Myron Lewis Getting Another Shot
March 25th, 2013
It appears the Bucs, as we currently stand on the final Monday of March 2013, are so devoid of talent at cornerback that fan favorite Myron Lewis will be granted yet another shot to produce.
Lewis, a third round pick out of Vanderbilt in 2010, more often than not finds himself on the inactive list due to some malady than he finds himself on a football field. Judging by his first three seasons in the NFL, that’s been a blessing in disguise for the Bucs.
Joe thought it was telling that the Bucs pulled in bank tellers and insurance salesmen and beer truck drivers to play at cornerback last year while Myron Lewis watched the parade of cornerbacks from the sidelines.
In an extraordinary detailed surgery of Lewis by Pewter Report honcho Scott Reynolds, he documents the many reasons why Bucs fans shake their heads when Lewis’ name is mentioned, and more importantly, why the Bucs are giving him yet another shot and has yet to be handed a pink slip.
There are several reasons. First, the Bucs are desperate at the cornerback position. They need to be adding young, talented cornerbacks – not losing them. Lewis is young (he’ll only turn 26 on November 24) and he has talent. What he appears to be lacking is toughness – mental and physical – and confidence. Lewis missing the 2011 season opener against Detroit with a mild ankle sprain – after missing two preseason games a few weeks earlier with a hamstring injury – is one instance that stands out.
The second reason why he’s still in Tampa Bay is Lewis’ size. Schiano and the front office like big cornerbacks and at 6-foot-2, 203 pounds, Lewis is blessed with length and great athleticism. There isn’t a cornerback with Lewis’ size in the 2013 draft aside from North Carolina State’s David Amerson, whom the Bucs aren’t considering drafting because of his bad character.
The final reason why Lewis is getting a final shot to live up to his draft billing in Tampa Bay is because he received poor coaching last year. Not just Lewis – every Bucs cornerback did. Schiano took a chance on former LSU secondary coach Ron Cooper and the move turned out to be a mistake as Cooper was often too quiet and not assertive enough, especially on the sidelines on game days when it came to coaching up technique and relaying adjustments to his defensive backs.
The article is damning to Lewis and Joe strongly recommends clicking the link.
Look, Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik is no different than any other general manager in an NFL front office, in that Dominik will give players he drafted plenty of opportunities to develop until said player proves to be more of an Albatross than the team can handle.
Thus far, as most Bucs fans know and as Reynolds documents, Lewis, with all the rope Dominik has granted him, has done his best to hang himself. Quickly, aside from two or three plays in a training camp practice, name a play that Lewis has made in his three years in the NFL. On the other hand, Joe can name several in which Lewis was roasted by opposing quarterbacks and receivers — badly.
Joe is going to guess that new cornerbacks coach Tony Oden won’t be granting Lewis any favors just because he was a third round draft pick.
March 25th, 2013 at 10:10 am
His “malady” is sucking.
March 25th, 2013 at 10:13 am
Nothing but a huge ego trip. GMs hate to admit they made a mistake in the draft, therefore holding on to players in hopes that they will eventually prove them right. It is somewhat of an affordable mistake……few dollars….backup status…..special teams etc.
It will be interesting to see if Goode & Tandy fall to that category.
March 25th, 2013 at 10:21 am
“What he appears to be lacking is mental and physical toughness and confidence” One could argue his results are what appear to be lacking, you could also argue that Ryan Leaf appeared to lack “mental and physical toughness and confidence” OR…… that he simply never got the desired results the team had hoped for.
Great insight from reporter that broke this story. Note to JoeBucs, Myron Lewis is a non story even on the slowest day. I would rather read about the assistant water boy’s pour technique than hear another story of how Myron Lewis has potential. Let’s save that for the WR he lines up against and pray he laughs so hard during his route he cramps up.
March 25th, 2013 at 10:34 am
I think Dominick wants to be fired doesn’t he?
March 25th, 2013 at 10:38 am
When I first say that…I threw up a little in my mouth
March 25th, 2013 at 10:47 am
I’m good with this. We need depth. Him and leonard johnson are good depth for #3 & 4 DB’s……but we better get a #1 & 2
brent grimes is like a midget. no thank you. todays wr’s are friggin barketball players. our CB need to be @ least 6 ft tall!
March 25th, 2013 at 10:49 am
Myron Lewis is not a #3/#4 CB, or even close. He is not good depth. He is a waste of a roster spot.
Even with the really nasty injury, I’d take “midget” Grimes over Myron Lewis and it isn’t even close. To take Myron Lewis over Brent Grimes because of a couple inches of difference in height is absolutely ridiculous.
March 25th, 2013 at 11:01 am
Peter King is reporting that the Revis to Tampa deal will probably happen before the upcoming NFL Draft.
It is probably for the best, since we are in such desperate need of help back there.
March 25th, 2013 at 11:24 am
Jamie Dukes from espn just said his cinderela team is the bucs!I say 11-5 an deep into the playoffs.
March 25th, 2013 at 11:32 am
“Meh” will some quality hate today. 🙂 .
March 25th, 2013 at 11:46 am
Ya, well, its Myron Lewis. 🙂
March 25th, 2013 at 11:49 am
The gift that keeps on giving.
March 25th, 2013 at 12:00 pm
@ apple roof
the revis trade will probably happen AFTER we make our 1st round pick! because only then will they know we’re not gonna give it up, but also that way if we take a DB it gives the NY GM a little bit of revenge in screwing with our daft strategy and saying F you…….I made you waste your 1st pick!
March 25th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
He’s being kept for practice fodder. Unless he makes a miraculous turn around, he will be waived during cut downs. They will be bringing in a lot of bodies to compete for a CB roster spot.
March 25th, 2013 at 12:23 pm
Lewis will likely be cut during trading camp.
Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:
March 25th, 2013 at 11:01 am
“Peter King is reporting that the Revis to Tampa deal will probably happen before the upcoming NFL Draft. It is probably for the best, since we are in such desperate need of help back there.”
I would not count on that happening at all. I don’t believe either the Jets OR the Bucs are serious about making a deal…thank God.
March 25th, 2013 at 12:40 pm
@Bucco Haha thats awsome man so exckted for this season, do you think that prediction is based upon us getting Revid
March 25th, 2013 at 12:43 pm
Oh noooooooooooooooooooo!
March 25th, 2013 at 2:11 pm
Excuses, excuses.
Every bad player Dominik has drafted has an excuse stapled to his jersey.
March 25th, 2013 at 2:54 pm
*sigh*
March 25th, 2013 at 3:54 pm
I am betting Lewis is not on the final roster
March 26th, 2013 at 6:24 am
Ameron is 6’1, Xavier Rhodes is 6’2. A whole slew of CBs in this year’s draft are 6′ or taller.
March 26th, 2013 at 10:52 am
Forget Revis, trade up & get Milliner.