Casillas Is Running And Ready
March 22nd, 2014
Jonathan Casillas
In typical Bill Belicheat/KGB fashion, the New Schiano Order didn’t reveal much information about linebacker Jonathan Casillas’ knee injury last year.
Greg Schiano spoke about the loss of his special teams star and a starting linebacker with hush tones and dejection.
Casillas was a hurt in Week 13 and went under the knife and wasn’t heard from again.
Lovie Smith and general manager Jason Licht reviewed film of Casillas and made a swift move to re-sign him before he hit unrestricted free agency. It was a deal that validated Schiano’s grading of Casillas over Dekoda Watson, and helped send Watson to Jacksonville.
But what about that knee surgery? What was it?
Speaking today to Tom Krasniqi, Bucs beat man for WDAE-AM 620, Casillas revealed he could have returned to the field in January if the Bucs were a factor.
His injury was not a blown knee, as many assumed, but a “slight meniscus” tear, Casillas said. He claimed it “wasn’t that bad of a deal” and he’s already running. But Casillas added he’s being cautious knowing he only really has to be 100 percent come training camp, not when the Bucs return to practice in April 7.
This is great news. Casillas is not overcoming tough odds with this injury. Casillas is a violent player, and Joe’s got a lot of confidence in him if he got a quick stamp of approval from Lovie. That’s somewhat rare for a Schiano man.
March 22nd, 2014 at 1:14 pm
Best news is: less need for a linebacker at #7, more room to take a chance on a certain Heisman Trophy winner.
March 22nd, 2014 at 1:51 pm
Approval of SchianoMen all over the roster Joe…to the best of my knowledge David, Barron, Glennon, Martin, Banks, Tandy, Means, Smith, etc. are all still on the roster. A few of Dom/Raheem’s picks are gone however.
March 22nd, 2014 at 1:54 pm
great interview as long as he doesnt say again that he wants to come back to the saints im fine with him as our starting strong side linebacker
March 22nd, 2014 at 1:56 pm
I like casillas… I’ve liked hm since he was a saint. Physical and faster than he looks. I still wonder Lovie’s thoughts on Foster.
March 22nd, 2014 at 2:18 pm
Sammy Watkins 1st, tight end or guard 2nd depending on there evaluation of nicks health, then mettenberger with the 3rd yupppp
March 22nd, 2014 at 2:28 pm
Casillas means no Mack. Has everyone forgotten we have Stephen Means? The guy was like the exact same player as Mack when they played together at Buffalo. Do we need them both?
March 22nd, 2014 at 2:46 pm
A “slight meniscus” tear will affect movement ability in that knee, imo
March 22nd, 2014 at 3:39 pm
Foster is not going to be able to play wide receivers deep down the field. He played SLB in College and that is where he is going to have to go. We still need to get a MLB with our second pick–I say get the 6’8″ MLB from Michigan State who can be the new Urlacher in the middle for Louie and able to knock down a lot of passes and can run down the field deep and stop others. He showed in beating Ohio State last year that he can stop the run dead in its tracks too and can cover from one side to the other. In the First round we have to take one of the top four QBs because Glennon is not a Franchise QB prospect–not even close! When you have Page to play the slot, why should we take Watkins in the first round and miss a chance at a Franchise QB! Casillas will be valuable on Special Teams and as a backup LB.
March 22nd, 2014 at 4:35 pm
Unless anyone can accurately see into the future the Bucs might already have a franchise QB and his name is Mike Glennon. Year two will tell fans more
March 22nd, 2014 at 4:46 pm
Glennon wont make it past the draft. He will be traded. If he isn’t, look for us to draft a qb in either rd 1 or 2 and Glennon to be cut before final roster changes later in the year.
The Bucs need pics AND someone who can hit receivers in stride- which Mcown can do and the new qb incoming will be able to do.
I like Mike, but he’s trade bait at best at this point. When incompetence says ‘this is our franchise quarterback’ don’t be surprised when people who actually know what they are doing come in and clean house the following year…including that ‘franchise quarterback’.
March 22nd, 2014 at 4:47 pm
Casillas will either blossom or be replaced. One thing Lovey knows is good linebacker play.
March 22nd, 2014 at 5:07 pm
Seems like the Bucs are going to stay with Foster in favor of bringing in a pass rusher. Maybe Banks cheats and helps in the seam?
March 24th, 2014 at 8:18 am
Thomas Said:
“Glennon wont make it past the draft. He will be traded. If he isn’t, look for us to draft a qb in either rd 1 or 2 and Glennon to be cut before final roster changes later in the year.”
They may trade him but just cut him? Don’t think so.