Sammy Watkins And The Bucs
February 12th, 2014
Joe knows fans love mock drafts like Joe loves beers (or Joe’s newfound Sunday favorite, the bacon Bloody Mary). In a perfect world, we could consume them on end. But be wary, good things come with responsibility.
Enter prickly Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com. He has a mock draft, but wisely points out how irresponsible mock drafts are before free agency. Joe can’t disagree with that point whatsoever.
But the pick prickly Pete pegs the Bucs taking with the seventh pick intrigues Joe, and that would be Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins.
7. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson: Vincent Jackson isn’t a kid, and they lack the big-time speed outside. Could go for a pass rusher.
Joe could easily see this happening. As many in the Mike Glennon Mob tell Joe on a near daily basis, apparently forgetting that the NFL is not baseball and teams can actually trade up (or down) in the draft, Teddy Bridgewater and Johnny Football will be gone and possibly Jadeveon Clowney and Jake Matthews, too. If true, that means — provided the Bucs want Watkins — there would be a one-in-three chance Watkins would be on the board when the Bucs pick.
The Bucs need help at receiver. When Mike Williams went down with a season-ending injury, the Bucs receiving corps massively struggled because defenses swarmed Vincent Jackson like drunks would Rachel Watson if she showed up at a fraternity party.
Imagine how defenses would have to play honest in a three-receiver set with Jackson, Williams and Watkins? That would help out Glennon.
February 12th, 2014 at 10:04 am
A bacon Bloody Mary? Is that a specialty drink at a local establishment or is that a recipe you have that can be shared?
February 12th, 2014 at 10:09 am
I second that motion. Share the recipe if you have one, please
February 12th, 2014 at 10:15 am
ah ha, infused vodka is the trick. Going to have to try this:
1 (750) bottle of good-quality vodka
4 to 5 strips of bacon, crisp-cooked and drained
Add the cooked bacon to the vodka and let it marinate/infuse for a week.
February 12th, 2014 at 10:16 am
and if you like your bloody marys spicy, use Zing-Zang, the stuff is killer
February 12th, 2014 at 10:17 am
Sammy!!!!
February 12th, 2014 at 10:19 am
Interesting. Sounds like something that’ll be worth a shot
February 12th, 2014 at 10:25 am
Along the lines of fun drinks that are a little different, do a search for caramel apple jello shots using real apples. they’re a little bit of work but they taste awesome and they’ll put you in a nice place
February 12th, 2014 at 10:45 am
The way I see it, at seeven a great player will fall into the Bucs lap no matter who it is.
If its Clowney (doubtful) we take him above even a QB.
If Clowney is gone and it is Bridgewater, Bortles of Johnny, we take one of them.
Beyond that, best player available.
Or, if we still have 2-3 good options at that point, we see if a trade partner wants to move up a couple spots so we gain a 2nd or 3rd.
Lovie has blown a couple first round picks in the past, so I’m a little nervous. Schiano was a master in the first and second rounds. One more year of him picking would been nice.
February 12th, 2014 at 11:03 am
Im back
February 12th, 2014 at 11:12 am
@Bonzai Says:
“…The way I see it, at seeven a great player will fall into the Bucs lap no matter who it is.”
Not necessarily; some of that also depends on what you feel is a “great player”. I’d rather not take a tackle. Its likely that HOU, JAX and CLE will take QBs; so that would mean Teddy, Johnny and either Bortles/Carr. That leaves the Rams and OAK as sort of wild cards – no telling what they will take. Likely Clowney is taken; he sure as heck will not get past ATL. Most mocks have the Rams taking either Clowney or Matthews. Which ever one is not taken, would leave them and Watkins for OAK, then ATL. IF Watkins falls to ATL, no way they will take him, so then he would fall to us.
Most mocks at this point project us taking an outside linebacker (I don’t get that one, but a lot of them project this), or an OT since all the “good” players are already gone. If this happens, I hope we trade down.
February 12th, 2014 at 11:14 am
Tedford says he likes the ‘speed in space’ philosophy, but to do that you have to have some speed which the Bucs have none. Bring on Sammy
February 12th, 2014 at 11:20 am
Enough with the overhyped Clemson picks in Tampa.
Bust in waiting.
Clemson doesn’t produce elite NFL talent. Look it up.
February 12th, 2014 at 11:22 am
I liked Watkins early on. Kind of went away from him as it seemed like a bit of a luxury pick – we NEED so many other things. But I could get into Watkins. Maybe he would wave his magic wand over MG8 and turn him into Brady…. sorry, couldn’t help it… lol
February 12th, 2014 at 11:24 am
Watkins got his yardage on a lot of screens and slants. Not a great route runner according to reports.
Be wary of the guy who out athletes his competition. That doesn’t happen in the NFL.
Example: Peter Warrick.
February 12th, 2014 at 11:25 am
I like Sammy but I think we need a 6’3 linebacker in the middle who can cover. Barr! Resign Dekoda let him play mike let Barr play sam. Resign Johnathan and let him and Mason be back ups.
Imagine how hard OUR DEFENSE would hit with Lavonte, Dekoda/Johnathan C, Barr, Goldson, Barron, Revis, GMC, AC, Spence all cracking helmets at one time. The Yellow Flags will start flying out of nowhere like in the jets game last year. The League knew that we would punish every team that suited up against us.
Throw a penalty flag on that!
February 12th, 2014 at 11:25 am
@Snook
You just sent a chill down my back and made me think of Bowers and Gaines…
February 12th, 2014 at 11:29 am
Gotta say, historically I’ve been a 620am guy but I’ve had to listen to cbs radio because I can’t stream iheartradio at work and I think the Commish and Booger shows are a more entertaining listen. the others are fine and they do their jobs well but I don’t think i’ll go back if given the choice
February 12th, 2014 at 11:42 am
You’re aware, Joe, that trading up would require giving up the exact kinds of picks that good organizations (like, say, Seattle) use to build their teams.
Trading draft picks is suicide.
February 12th, 2014 at 11:46 am
Mack, Watkins, robinson, Matthews………..any of those guys are a win for the bucs!
imagine the bucs grab hardy in FA and draft Mack!!! Then gholdson breaks out…..ok back to reality! lol
February 12th, 2014 at 11:51 am
Bucs picking at 7, best available player will still fill a need, including QB. Bucs could trade back if possible and get an additional pick as long as they don’t fall out of top 15. This is a good draft class. The only issue I have is with all the 4-12 teams, why doesn’t the NFL, allow the teams to rotate positions in the following rounds of teams with the same record.
February 12th, 2014 at 12:09 pm
@ Joe,
I am glad to see you coming off your stance from last year. You did not understand why the bucs would draft a WR ie Austin last year because you felt the bucs had many weapons for freeman. Glad to see you have now come over to the other side. Watkins would be a huge pick!!!
February 12th, 2014 at 12:14 pm
I’m personally a huge fan of trading back. There’s always some team that is in love with a prospect that won’t mind giving up the farm to move up. Recoup our picks and help the team in man areas.
February 12th, 2014 at 12:30 pm
Don’t forget Atlanta is right in front of us. They’ll take Clowney if he slips that far. If he doesn’t, they’ll take an OT because they NEED help on O-Line like nobody’s business. Either way, matthews or Clowney are both going to be gone. Likely so are at least two of the QBs (Bortles might, but boy that’d be a stretch). We’ll still be left with some great options in watkins or one of the OTs.
Why would we take a SLB when we will spend most of the time in nickel in the NFC South with Atlanta and New Orleans having so many weapons. That, and we have two of them who we can pick from right now that would be just fine. Anyone remember Hunter Hillenmeyer from Chicago? No, because Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher were the two who were on the field all the time. We have Mason Foster and LaVonte David. We’re good.
Besides, taking the third or fourth quarterback at pick seven who may or may not even be the starter is just dumb. You take a guy that high and he’s your day 1 starter. I do not want blake bortles starting for the tampa bay buccaneers this year (or really, ever). Take best player available unless you’re absolutely set (LB, RB… that’s it) and you’ll likely end up with a much better player.
February 12th, 2014 at 12:32 pm
Brandon…I agree. If the right player(most likely won’t be) is not there trade down.
February 12th, 2014 at 12:45 pm
Eric ebron looks like a better and cheaper option. Trade down, get extra pick and pick a real te
February 12th, 2014 at 1:12 pm
“As many in the Mike Glennon Mob tell Joe…” …I see that even on a story not about the QB position, Joe and the “8-Hate Gang” can’t resist sticking it to our young signal caller! LET THE 8-HATE RAIN DOWN! All hail the “8-Hate Gang”!
February 12th, 2014 at 1:17 pm
Convert Tim wright back to wr and draft a te in the third round. I really don’t think we need to waste a huge pick on offense unless there is somebody named bridgewater available by the time we get our first at bat in the draft. Sorry Joe, but Johnny manhole is or will soon be a walking case of VDs and can’t be relied upon as a leader.
February 12th, 2014 at 1:19 pm
@BucsQcCity….agree with you completely! Eric Ebron will be a very good TE in this league. We could trade down a few spots and pick up another 2 or 3, get Ebron and maybe Dee Ford and Gabe Jackson in round 2. I’m not saying that Ebron will be the next Vernon Davis, jimmy Graham, Tony Gonzalez…but he does remind you of these players with his size, speed and hands. I think he’d be a great addition and we could use him and Tim Wright in 2 TE sets.
February 12th, 2014 at 1:33 pm
Yup I liked Ebron early on. I saw a few N.C. games. I kept forgetting his name though, always referring to him as the TE from the Tarheels.
I think he’s going to be a beast.
February 12th, 2014 at 1:49 pm
If you haven’t had a chance to see Eric Ebron play, take a look at some of these highlights…this kid has great hands and is tough!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GgY1-xjk4E
February 12th, 2014 at 2:24 pm
You guys act like trading down is as easy as snapping your fingers.
Its not.
February 12th, 2014 at 2:32 pm
i’m not in favor of a 4-12 team with a new coaching staff, already missing its 3rd and 6th rounders, trading even more picks to move up a few spots in this draft. if we could stay put and land watkins or matthews i would jump on it. if we’re picking the 3rd or 4th best QB in a class where none is a sure-fire star, i’d gladly trade down and replenish some picks. non-contending teams borrowing aggresively from the future for an unknown quantity is the same model that has landed teams like the redskins and raiders into their seemingly endless nightmare. meanwhile teams like the patriots and ravens hold onto their picks and select less flashy players who suit a system and a coaching staff they know will be there for a while.
February 12th, 2014 at 2:44 pm
Hey joe, what are your thoughts on defensive end aaron lynch from USF . He seems legit. He could be a good hometown sencond round draft pick
February 12th, 2014 at 3:23 pm
@Joe
That drink is on United States of Bacon… Think I suffered a cholesterol attack just thinking of that show again…
February 12th, 2014 at 4:38 pm
There are many ways to make a Bacon bloody Mary. Whether you infuse the vodka with bacon or not, you always want to put some cooked bacon in the drink as well. Let it soak while you drink it, and eat the bacon along the way. Delish! There’s even a place out here in SD that serves a BLT bloody Mary, with lightly toasted sourdough bread and all. And whoever mentioned Zing-zang, that stuff is definitely the best as far as mixes go.
February 12th, 2014 at 4:48 pm
@Eric…”You guys act like trading down is as easy as snapping your fingers.
Its not.”
You are correct Eric…it’s not quite as easy as snapping your fingers, but I watch the draft every year and it seems like there is usually someone in that 10-16 range that tries to reach up for a specific player that has fallen out of the top 5 – 8 slots. This year it could be a team like Minnesota or Tennessee who want a QB like Carr (assuming Manziel, Bridgewater and Bortles are already gone…which they probably will be). We could of course stay put and take the best player at 7, but seeing as we don’t have a 3rd rounder this year (gave it up for Revis), trading down a few spots and getting an extra pick might be the way to go.
February 12th, 2014 at 4:59 pm
im all for sammy watkins bucs we need him
February 12th, 2014 at 6:29 pm
I thnk we have an advantage with Tedford being fresh out of college, as we did with Schiano. I think our drafts were much better over the last two years since the college fresh coach showed up. The two most important positions right now are DE and WR. Then OL, then TE. That is unless Teddy or Johnny is there at seven. It’s stupid to trade up to grab anyone. Not worth the lack of depth it will/can cost us in the future. Everyone has oakland picking watkins. I can see the Falcons taking Watkins as well with question marks surrounding julio jones foot and Gonzalez retiring. I would trade down if watkins is gone.
February 12th, 2014 at 10:14 pm
Those who say Clemson doesn’t produce elite NFLers look no further than Brian Dawkins. It’s more about the individual player and not the school when it comes to those middle of the pack colleges. Hell even Schiano developed elite talent at Rutgers.
BTW I think Bortles will be off the board in the first 5 as well. So that’s the top three QB’s, Clowney and Matthews. All we need is another team to bite on Barr or Mack and Watkins falls to the Bucs at 7. VJax isnt getting any younger and Mike Will is a wildcard so I think Watkins is a pretty smart pick. Plus when is the last time we took a receiver in the first round? Michael Clayton?
February 13th, 2014 at 1:42 am
Except when they result in Super Bowls. Well, hello Chucky!
February 13th, 2014 at 1:44 am
Mea culpa. Never watched one snap of his. Can’t comment.
February 13th, 2014 at 1:46 am
Not really changed stances. But VJax is getting up in years and after Mike Williams, there’s no depth. Given the choice of, say, Clowney and Watkins, Joe might go with Clowney. Bigger need.
Granted, it’s easier to get a decent free agent receiver for depth than it is to find a decent pass rusher not named “Michael Bennett.”
February 13th, 2014 at 1:51 am
Helpful hint with making bacon Bloody Marys: Use bacon vodka. Yeah, there is such a thing.
As Rachel Ray would say, “Delish!”