Johnthan Banks Had Highest Bucs’ Grade
April 26th, 2013
Johnthan Banks had been on the Bucs’ radar prior to the season. When the Bucs graded out the 2011 juniors, Banks was among the top corners the Bucs had on their watch list of sorts.
When the play of the Bucs corners this past season stunk worse than a barnyard in July, Banks thought he was ripe to get picked by the Bucs. Then the Bucs went out and traded for Darrelle Revis. So when Banks got a phone call this evening Bucs coach Greg Schiano he was elated and surprised.
Banks will immediately be thrown into competition for the starting cornerback slot opposite of Revis, Schiano said. Right now the position is open, with Banks, Wright and maybe even Ronde Barber battling for the job.
“He started over 45 gmes in the toughest league, the SEC,” Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik said of a few of Banks’ many attributes. “And in every game, he took on the No 1 [receiver.] That is a tough road to hoe in that conference.”
Banks, as a freshman, made his first start memorable, and likely so unnerved Gators quarterback Tim Tebow that the memory of Banks may have forced Tebow to drink a beer, picking off two Tebow’s offerings and returning both for six.
“Winner,” is how Bucs coach Greg Schiano said Banks’ coach, Dan Mullen, referred to Banks over and over.
Dominik said that when the Bucs were on the clock, Banks was atop their draft board.
Banks was always high on our board,” Dominik said.
Thought to be perhaps the top rated corner entering the 2012 season, Banks slipped due to a not-so-fast 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, a factor Dominik dismissed.
“Look at his tape,” Dominik said of Banks, who Dominik lauded for his handwork and his ability to play both man-coverage and zone. “He has such good instincts, such good ball skills. He can run, push and shove when he needs to.”
“He’s really, really diverse,” Schiano said. “He’s done all of that and has shown he can do that. He was the guy who made [Mississippi State’s] defense go. Period.”
Dominik said that when Banks fell to the Bucs, the Bucs’ war room erupted; a rare moment of joy, Dominik said.
April 26th, 2013 at 8:40 pm
How did he match up against Julio when they played?
April 26th, 2013 at 8:47 pm
Absolutely love this pick. Just like with Richard Sherman, Banks is gonna be a fantastic player. Sherman ran a 4.56 and Banks ran a 4.59 at the combine. Banks improved that to 4.51 at his pro day. Banks has even more impressive college tape than Sherman did. Great pick.
April 26th, 2013 at 8:48 pm
and he plays the run well…
April 26th, 2013 at 8:53 pm
He sounds good to me as to all I’ve read and saw. Played in a very tough conference. Also sounds like he will get a chance to unseat Write as starter. Now if we can just get some real competition for Freeman. I believe this will be another great draft for our Buccaneers.
April 26th, 2013 at 9:00 pm
Jonathan Banks is a solid pick, but by no means did it have me jumping out of my seat.
about a month ago I went back and watched the Mississippi state vs Alabama game and he had a terrible performance in which he single handedly gave up 2 touchdowns in the first half alone, one of them was a bomb that he was toasted on. in all fairness though it was Alabama and they make everyone look like crap and he was playing injured. my expectations for him aren’t very high so if we get any kind of production from him I will be happy.
its good to see that at least the bucs are trying to fix the CB position.
April 26th, 2013 at 9:01 pm
We will not taking hunt
April 26th, 2013 at 9:03 pm
@ LUVMYBUCS
if your out there, your boy Sio Moore is gone. would have been nice to get him.
April 26th, 2013 at 9:05 pm
oh and with the Jonathan Banks pick I think we’ve seen the last of Ronde Barber, sadly. I hope im wrong though.
April 26th, 2013 at 9:12 pm
Who the hell hoes roads? The correct idiom is “tough row to hoe.”
April 26th, 2013 at 9:12 pm
@Charlie B
Julio Jones had three catches for 41 yards and no TD’s vs Miss State his junior year in 2010.
April 26th, 2013 at 9:20 pm
2010 Julio Jones had 3 catches for 41 yds no TD. v Miss St; he did have a rushing TD on end-around play.
2009 Julio Jones had 4 catches 66 yds 1 TD. v Miss St
I like this pick a lot especially after the Eagles grab the TE from Stanford. This could end up being a steal and elevating the D to another level but lets see how this team gels at camp….so important. GO BUCS!
April 27th, 2013 at 7:43 am
I know I’m getting a little ahead of myself, but think about this Secondary in 2014; Revis two years from ACL Surgery (and still under 30), Banks in his second year, Leonard Johnson in his 3rd yr in the Nickle, Golson still in his prime (and ALL PRO form) and Barron in his 3rd year.
With average pressure, that group should have 25+ INTs.
April 27th, 2013 at 9:55 am
I’m sorry but you dont select Banks at that spot and not expect him to be a productive number one eventually.
I believe!!!