“At That Point, They Have To Go Quarterback”
February 28th, 2014Don’t count TampaBay.com Bucs beat writer Rick Stroud as a member of the Mike Glennon Mob.
Stroud took a look at NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah’s latest mock draft and believes, if Jeremiah’s scenario played out, the Bucs absolutely would be forced to draft a quarterback with franchise-QB potential at the No. 7 overall pick.
Jeremiah lays out the following order:
1) Jadeveon Clowney (Houston)
2) Greg Robinson (St. Louis)
3) Khalil Mack (Jacksonville)
4) Sammy Watkins (Cleveland)
5) Johnny Football (Oakland)
6) Jake Matthews (Atlanta)
That would leave esteemed quarterback hopefuls Teddy Bridgewater and Blake Bortles on the board and leads to a no-brainer situation for the Bucs, Stroud said passionately today on WDAE-AM 620.
“You have to. You’re sitting here with a third-round pick in Mike Glennon,” Stroud said. “And so you would think at that point they have to go quarterback.”
Stroud made the case that teams like Houston and Jacksonville will prefer more surefire picks like Clowney and Mack, versus the possibly risky/overvalued members of this year’s QB class.
Joe doesn’t buy Stroud’s line of thinking completely. Joe would be thoroughly flabbergasted if Jacksonville doesn’t draft a quarterback with its first pick. And Joe thinks it’s darn likely the Rams trade down. Of course, there’s also another big X-factor here: the next home of Michael Vick.
But Joe does agree with Stroud on the Bucs’ attitude in this potential scenario. Passing on Bridgewater is simply unimaginable.
February 28th, 2014 at 2:18 pm
A trade could also be very possible in this scenario. I dont think anyone would be upset with getting Bridgewater and not giving up any extra picks.
February 28th, 2014 at 2:19 pm
Every team needing a qb will regret passing on bridgewater. He’s hands down the best qb in this draft. The pointing out of small frame is only nit-picking bc they don’t like his BIG PLAY potential. I ask myself what? Lol. He’s the only qb id be willing to trade up for. He is hands down better than Joes lover interest Johnny football.
February 28th, 2014 at 2:26 pm
In this scenario, if you have Bridgewater and Bortles available, we would probably trade back a few spots, take Carr and some extra picks.
That said, I agree if both aforementioned guys are at #7, you really have to pick one.
February 28th, 2014 at 2:27 pm
If that scenario presents itself then I wouldn’t be opposed to selecting one. I wouldn’t like it and I wouldn’t be excited about it but I couldn’t blame them for taking Bridgewater there
February 28th, 2014 at 2:28 pm
To think that the Texans and Bill O’Brien will draft anything but QB is foolhardy. After that the rest of the mock has zero merit. Browns take Sammy Watkins to play across Greg Little but who’s going to throw them the ball.
Give us a mock where the writer is actually making educated guess, not just throwing darts at names on the wall.
February 28th, 2014 at 2:28 pm
1st Pick Taylor Lewan
February 28th, 2014 at 2:35 pm
Bortles > Bridgewater
We have seen Teddy’s ceiling and UCF came in and curbstomped it. Tedford is just the man to work out whatever “kinks” is in Bortles game and his lady has potential to take the throne away from Rachel Watson.
February 28th, 2014 at 2:35 pm
Stroud “risky/overvalued members of this year’s QB class” then why would the Bucs take one of them? Clowney or C J Mosley are the bigger need and not a QB. The Bucs have to have an edge rusher and a MLB for the T2 to work. Foster would be a good fit at SLB.
February 28th, 2014 at 2:35 pm
@Danny – I recall Cleveland being pretty happy with what Hoyer was showing them until he got hurt
February 28th, 2014 at 2:37 pm
Agree with Joe that Jacksonville HAS to take a QB! No way they take a linebacker with all the QBs available.
February 28th, 2014 at 2:40 pm
Cleveland and Jacksonville are not going too pass on a QB. If for some reason we were lucky enough for the draft to fall that way we better take a QB. I would take Bortles over Bridgewater any day of the week and twice on Sundays. Bortles went into Bridgewaters house and flat out impressed him.
February 28th, 2014 at 2:42 pm
Putting “third round pick” in front of Glennon’s name to justify a pick is incorrect.
Otherwise, the Seahawks would be in the market for a QB.
Instead, he should say “crappy”.
February 28th, 2014 at 2:45 pm
@Danny
Ya Watkins would be lined up across from Josh Gordon… Hoyer did do very well before the ACL tear (4-0 as a starter I believe) but he was a Lombardi guy so you never know with the new GM and Coach.
@Joe
I am not so sure JAX takes a QB in the 1st unless its Teddy Bridgewater. Gus Bradley is making it a point to re-sign Chad Henne as a big offseason priority which could mean they could take BPA in the 1st and wait till the 2nd round and pick Garoppolo McCarron or later for a Mettenberger Murray let them sit behind Henne for a few weeks into the season till they are ready to take over..
I also think WHOEVER signs Michael Vick means they won’t take a QB in the 1st for sure and would probably target the same Mettenberger Murray Fales bunch in the 4th round or later.
February 28th, 2014 at 2:45 pm
Draft teddy if he`s their am a glennon mob member.
February 28th, 2014 at 2:45 pm
We have an excellent MLB. We’re not drafting one high.
February 28th, 2014 at 2:46 pm
No way do I see this happening (having a choice between Bortles and Bridgewater at pick 7), but if it does, you have to go QB. I personally would take Bridgewater, but only because I’ve seen a lot more of him and think he’s going to be very good. However, neither will probably be there, but if they are, you just can’t pass that up in the hopes that Mike Glennon becomes a great QB.
February 28th, 2014 at 2:49 pm
Jacksonville has shown significant interest in Garroppolo. Could easily see them waiting til round 2.
February 28th, 2014 at 2:51 pm
If we get a QB with our first pick, without trading future picks, I wouldn’t be disappointed. I’m just against giving up future picks on moving up to draft a QB. For one thing we need those future picks and secondly, it would pretty much insure Glennon would be relegated to a backup role automatically. I think all of these supposed 1st round QB’s will struggle in their first year, except maybe Derek Carr, who, because of his brothers tutoring, is possibly the closest to being NFL ready.
But if we select a QB with our 7th pick, (without spending future draft picks) it won’t mean he will be the de facto starting day QB. With the new CBA rookie salary structure the Bucs wouldn’t feel compelled to throw him out there, ready or not. And it would allow for fair competition during camp when there is no named starter.
So if Lovie and the gang are compelled to gamble our first pick on a QB, I will accept their decision and hope there will be great unfettered competition during camp.
February 28th, 2014 at 2:55 pm
No Quarterback in this draft is an Elite prospect, some have great potential but none are guaranteed top prospects. Ever year we all argue over what QB deserves to be the number one pick… Truthfully some years the number one QB shouldn’t go until the 10-15 pick.
This is one of those years.
Bortles – plays in a high efficiancy offense, lots of screens. In down field throws he’s pretty inaccurate. Don’t get me wrong, he can make all the throws but he isn’t consistent and has bad footwork.
Manziel- No doubt he’s a playmaker, but can he play the way he did in college and not get hurt? What about his size, thats a knock, decision making is poor at times. Some of his greatest plays were terrible decisions see Alabama toss up. He isn’t a top prospect.
Bridgewater- He Played nobody, he’s the most ready player because he has outstanding accuarcy and fundamentals. He does have a suspect arm and he is also slim as a toothpick.
Each QB has flaws… None deserve a top 10 draft position. Don’t reach take the best player available. For us its either going to be a Offensive Linemen of a pass rusher… Whoever falls we get.
Its not sexy, but its smart. I consider Lovie Smith to be a calculated coach.
JMO
February 28th, 2014 at 2:57 pm
Maybe the Browns trade us a king’s ransom. We get the 26th pick, their 2nd rounder and maybe a another mid round pick?
February 28th, 2014 at 2:57 pm
If both OL are drafted ahead of us, we are pretty much guaranteed to have a pretty good pick. I’m not sold on Bridgewater though.
February 28th, 2014 at 3:04 pm
I watched a few Louisville games this year to see Bridgewater play and man I didn’t see what all the hype was about. He looked extremely mediocre to me. At least Johnny Foosball plays with fire and passion. Bridgewater seems flat to me
February 28th, 2014 at 3:09 pm
Joe I will lmao if Manziel slips past the first 6 picks and the Bucs pass on him.
February 28th, 2014 at 3:12 pm
Bridgewater has small hands
February 28th, 2014 at 3:13 pm
Some interesting articles recently on the Bucs quarterback options. My guess after what I’ve read? The Bucs will go into the season with 3 quarterbacks. One will be Mike Glennon, who has a good possibility of winning the starting job. Another will be a veteran QB; Josh McCown is who I think it’ll be. He’ll also be in the running for the starting job. Both Glennon and McCown appear to be strictly pocket passers to me. The third will be a very mobile rookie drafted in either the fourth or fifth round. His job this year will be to watch and learn … plus run the scout team (with so many mobile QBs nowadays, having someone who’s mobile to run the scout team is a must I think). If one of the two QBs ahead of him gets hurt, he might actually get to sniff the field once in awhile. That’s my prediction … until tomorrow.
February 28th, 2014 at 3:20 pm
I wouldn’t be upset if we went with Aaron Donald or Lewan at #7 either.
February 28th, 2014 at 3:25 pm
I one of those 3 top QBs are there when we pick, take him. If not, BPA.
February 28th, 2014 at 3:30 pm
@ Buc1987
lmao that would be hilarious! I think Joe’s head would exploded.
February 28th, 2014 at 3:31 pm
All these quarterbacks have issues that need to be worked on. Bridgewater is more polished for sure, but he does not play with the intensity that Bortles or Manziel does. Those guys play their hearts out, and will their teams to come back and win when they are down. And I’m not even a fan of Manziel.
In an ideal world, we would take Bortles in the 2nd, as that is where he should be drafted based on his current abilities, but obviously he won’t be around.
I’ve watched Bortles play the last 3 years at UCF, and he has continually improved his game, and he plays all out to win. Yes, he did benefit from screen passes to playmakers like Storm Johnson and Renell Hall, but he’s also a big athletic dude, pretty fast and hard to bring down. Go watch the games he played against Penn State, South Carolina, Bridgewater’s Louisville, the bowl game vs. Baylor, he runs, fights, scrambles and makes plays in the clutch. That’s what you want from your QB. My biggest issue would be him improving his reads of defenses.
February 28th, 2014 at 3:35 pm
This will not happen! Daniel Jeremiah is just trying to stir up drama. Three teams that have NO quarterback are not going to pass on quarterbacks. What a hack.
February 28th, 2014 at 3:41 pm
Just for Ss and Gs, I’d like to see how many starting NFL QBs are former 1st round picks. I don’t get the “if you’re not a 1st round QB, you’re crap” mindset. Not saying that Glennon has or will set the world on fire, but it won’t be the end of the world if the Bucs take some other postion with that 7th pick!
February 28th, 2014 at 3:41 pm
Mettenberger is the steal of this draft provided he comes back healthy from the ACL tear. He’s a 2nd to 4th rounder.
February 28th, 2014 at 3:42 pm
I’m glad your finally seeing the light on my “trade up for Bridgewater” want Couch lol
February 28th, 2014 at 3:43 pm
There is almost no way that this is going to occur…but if it does we could actually trade one spot with the Vikings which would give them the pick of the two….perhaps get a 3rd round piick for that….and then pick the remaining QB or then trade down with Cleveland for a bunch….
Like I said…I would be shocked if we had our choice of these two at #7.
February 28th, 2014 at 3:45 pm
Andrew…then again if he does slip to #7 and they d take him, he’s going to have to hire a few bodyguards to keep Joe from breathing down his neck left and right.
Stalking charges might even get filed.
February 28th, 2014 at 3:45 pm
I’m sorry but that LSU QB just seems like a Glennon clone to me, isn’t he also pretty slow?
Or am I confusing him
February 28th, 2014 at 3:46 pm
Believe it or not, I feel like Bridgewater will be the biggest bust of the three. Bortles will develop into a legit QB and Manziel has the drive to succeed. Watched every single one of Bridgewater’s games and I see no passion or desire. Overrated….Please pass on this guy Bucs!
February 28th, 2014 at 3:49 pm
I wonder how long it will take for Harry to buy a Mike Glennon jersey.
February 28th, 2014 at 3:51 pm
As a member of the Glennon mob, you gotta take Bridgewater at number 7. It’s a no brainer.
February 28th, 2014 at 3:52 pm
Lol I was actually referring to trading down if 2 QBs are there at #7. But I am opening up to drafting a QB in general. Bridgewater would be my prefered choice of the 3. I also am loving the thought of Donald next to McCoy along with Allen in free agency.
February 28th, 2014 at 3:53 pm
@Tony you question the kids passion for the game. How the hell do you know? Have you interviewed him, know people that know him personally. The kid plays his heart out when he plays. You think someone who takes the time to study the game and know how to make proper reads(better than anyone in this draft) does all this without a passion for the game. That is non sense
February 28th, 2014 at 3:54 pm
Free agency will maybe give us some kind of gauge about what these two dudes (Lovie & Licht) have in store for our team.
February 28th, 2014 at 3:55 pm
Attack attack Gus!
February 28th, 2014 at 3:56 pm
Well I’m glad your opening up 😀
February 28th, 2014 at 3:56 pm
I have a feeling they are going to be ultra aggresive
February 28th, 2014 at 3:58 pm
Key Quote:
Houston and Jacksonville will prefer more surefire picks like Clowney and Mack, versus the possibly risky/overvalued members of this year’s QB class.
So leave the risky overvalued QB’s to Tampa? Nice take!
February 28th, 2014 at 3:58 pm
There are quite a few signings happening today. Free agency is almost here!!
February 28th, 2014 at 4:03 pm
Jacksonville does not need to takes qb with the first pick because there are plenty of good ones in the second that they may like
February 28th, 2014 at 4:06 pm
Cleveland may trade back if they are indeed smitten with Carr over Manziel like Jeremiah reported.
A lot of scenarios could go down.
February 28th, 2014 at 4:21 pm
Cleveland has 2 1st round picks. They will use the late 1st on Carr so they could use the #4 on Watkins and still land the QB they wanted. Jags and Houston are in a similar situation because they can land their QB’s at the top of the 2nd. This is a DEEP draft and none of the QB’s are a hands down top prospect.
February 28th, 2014 at 4:25 pm
They are in prime position to pick up more picks which they need lol with how horrible their team is and still get Carr.
IMO that’s more likely.
February 28th, 2014 at 4:27 pm
I would be on board with TB. Comes with far too few mechanical flaws and accuracy is his best trait.
February 28th, 2014 at 4:34 pm
None of these guys are sure things. Which is probably why it’s so fun to speculate. What I can’t figure is how Bortles is rated above some other guys like McCarron. I don’t see it.
February 28th, 2014 at 4:44 pm
With all the interest being shown in Carr and Garoppolo as 2nd end guys, I could easily see Cleveland passing, and Jacksonville & Houston possibly as well. Never know what the Raiders will do and the Vikings are QB needy enough to maybe move up in the mix. Don’t count anything out.
February 28th, 2014 at 4:57 pm
Bortles > Bridgewater
February 28th, 2014 at 5:00 pm
It’s a possible situation. Browns really like Carr and get him in the 2nd. And same could happen with the jags.
February 28th, 2014 at 5:09 pm
Compared to Bortles, Bridgewater is a shorter Glennon…aka slooooowwww
February 28th, 2014 at 5:14 pm
lol Bridgewater slow? lol…
February 28th, 2014 at 5:15 pm
Bridgewater > Bortles
I’m never wrong. Just ask my 5th wife.
February 28th, 2014 at 5:37 pm
If it happens taking Bridgewater is a no brainer. If not go Murry late.
February 28th, 2014 at 6:08 pm
Same logic applies to the Patriots sitting in their draft room faced with fact they have a quarterback who was a sixth round pick.
February 28th, 2014 at 6:15 pm
Duh!
February 28th, 2014 at 6:23 pm
Bridgewater is another Shawn King, totally plays the same, and before I get blasted, remember King had a solid NCAA career at Tulane, and was well prepared for the NFL, it was his physical attributes (or lack thereof) that didn’t parlay into the NFL tier, he ended up being barely serviceable and I think TB will not be much better, I think we’ll have a shot at Watkins, then in round 2, go for Carr or Garoppolo.
February 28th, 2014 at 6:28 pm
I posted this last week, my mock
Pick 1 – Texans – Teddy Bridgewater, QB
Pick 2 – Rams – Greg Robinson, OT
Pick 3 – Jaguars – Johnny Manziel, QB
Pick 4 – Browns – Jadeveon Clowney, DE
Pick 5 – Raiders – Sammy Watkins, WR
Pick 6 – Falcons – Jake Matthews, OT
Pick 7 – Buccaneers – Blake Bortles, QB
February 28th, 2014 at 6:39 pm
BamBamBuc Says
“Never know what the Raiders will do…”
Ain’t that the truth. Watch them draft a kicker 5th overall.
February 28th, 2014 at 7:13 pm
So I’m looking at the draft order and asking myself who are the teams that need a new starting QB? HOU, CLE, and JAX clearly do. Then you’ve got a tier of questionable interest with OAK, TB, MIN, and TEN. Then the unlikely candidates BUF, ARZ, NYJ, and then DEN (which wouldn’t blow my mind if one of the top 3 QB fell to 31).
I can see the temptation HOU would have with Clowney, and CLE might pass on a QB knowing they have pick #26. JAX absolutely has to pick a QB, so there’s one gone, with two left. With two QB’s left there’s little incentive for anybody to trade up, until you’re down to one, which may not happen until CLE at 26.
This whole draft hinges on the Texans, if they take a QB, then the top 3 are gone by CLE @4. If they don’t, then somebody has an Aaron Rodgers like fall to CLE @26, with Houston trading back up somewhere before 26.
February 28th, 2014 at 7:21 pm
Touchdown Gus seems like an idiot. Tony said he doesn’t think Bridgewater has passion for the game because he WATCHED EVERY SINGLE GAME. Do u think passion isn’t palpable? Watch Johnny FB for 1 game and it’s obvious he has heart and passion. You are silly, Gus. Not saying I want Johnny, but we at least need a leader with some fn fire and passion to inspire our team to greater heights in the clutch moments. (Think Drew Brees’ pregame rallying)
February 28th, 2014 at 8:03 pm
So what do yo do if u draft Bridgewater @ 7 and Glennon beats him out in camp which would most likely be the case…(If this draft scenario plays out) I say trade back; some team will want to trade up to take 1 of these QB’s…for instance, Cleveland has 2 1st round picks…They could take Sammy Watkins @ 4 and then trade back up to take Bortles or Bridgewater…I wouldn’t mind taking pick number 26 and 35 and another pick in the mid/late round for our 7…I’d take that in a heart beat…
February 28th, 2014 at 8:21 pm
yes, out of the 3 Bridgewater is slow as shit…
Turn in your card PR…lol
February 28th, 2014 at 8:23 pm
Notice he wouldn’t even run a 40 at the combine, I’m embarrassed for you PR…
February 28th, 2014 at 8:37 pm
@TouchdownGus. You REALLY need to chill out. These are my opinions based on what I have watched. Every game after the UCF loss he was flat and looked disinterested. Every announcer that had his games thereafter said the same thing. He has a small frame and his arm is average. There are already rumors of him being a bit of a diva. But hey, he looked great running the 40 and throwing at the combine…
February 28th, 2014 at 9:36 pm
So disappointed that Jeremy Maclin resigned with the eagles. Thought he could wear pewter this year :/
February 28th, 2014 at 10:11 pm
Bridgewater has plenty of passion
February 28th, 2014 at 10:13 pm
I wish the Bucs could trade the browns for Brian Hoyer, but I don’t think they’re going to come off of him, which may be a reason for them to draft watkins in the first to play across Josh Gordon with Cameron in the middle. Then they would need to get a stable of backs or at least one. Browns were ROLLIN when Hoyer was starter and then everything fell apart. I like Glennon but I think Hoyer would beat him out if he came here. Doubt it will happen though.
February 28th, 2014 at 10:40 pm
Joe,
I am strangely in agreement with you on this; Stroud is not thinking clearly. Simple logic would suggest that any QB’s that make it past the first 5 teams are not worth selecting at #7. Our fastest path to competitive football at this point is to continue to grow our defense into an impenetrable force. We should select the best defender available even if it means that we will not have balanced talent on both sides of the ball.
March 1st, 2014 at 1:40 am
Don’t make Joe start drinking whiskey.
March 1st, 2014 at 1:52 am
good point, after UCF beat Louisville Bridgewater gave up mentally IMO…
March 1st, 2014 at 3:13 am
@ couch fan
I’m with you-Aaron Donald would be a great pick. The depth at DT is non existent and GMC has had 2 seasons on IR. Stacking the middle of the d line with talent worked for the panthers, and would assist in freeing up the pass rush.
March 1st, 2014 at 7:50 am
It won’t matter what QB is there.Lovie and Friends will take Donald Dt out of Pitt.It won’t be a reach at 7 and that kid and his high motor will be special in NFL Putting him next to GMC what a a pairing.Not a bad word about this kid.Just a hunch but I really see pass rush on the edge and old washed up QB taken during FA.(Alllen,Peppers,Schaub,Cassel,McCown,etc).A Garrappalo,Murray,Carr pick in 2nd-4th will be the 3rd QB piece.
March 1st, 2014 at 10:20 am
Andrew 1 Said:
“If one of those 3 top QBs are there when we pick, take him. If not, BPA.”
I concur. Kinda hope Mack falls. Another Vonn Miller type guy..
March 1st, 2014 at 11:27 am
I have a good friend in Pittsburgh who lives and dies Pitt football. His opinion of the Panthers DT Donald is that the Bucs will not draft him at the 7th pick, even though he won awards as a top defensive player and took on double teams throughout the season. He is six feet tall.
March 1st, 2014 at 11:34 am
Either Bridgewater or Bortles would be a better pick
than Johnny IMO.
Bortles translates better to the NFL than any of the three
and Bridgewater has Johnny’s skill set with more durability.
March 1st, 2014 at 2:48 pm
Who wants to bet that Oakland is the first team to draft a qb. 1-4 will take the best players available and the Bucs would be fools not to do the same. There’s no franchise qbin this draft (outside of a sleeper). If Watkins , Mack , Matthews or Lewan is there at 7 you have to take them.
March 1st, 2014 at 3:28 pm
They won’t take a DT a 7, bet on it.
March 1st, 2014 at 11:34 pm
So we either draft Ryan Leaf or Josh Freeman?
Not sure that’s the play.
I’m thinking the real play is D-Line, somewhere along the edge…
March 2nd, 2014 at 2:08 pm
Why would you draft Donald when you have McCoy who plays the same position. And if you are talking QBs give me the the year starter who got better every year over the one year wonder (cough cough Blaine Gabbert) if you get a guy that can drive the ball, read the Entire field and has good pocket Mobility then you taje him. I will take Teddy Ballgame FTW