Bucs Work Out AAC QB
April 7th, 2014
SMU QB Garrett Gilbert is working out for the Bucs in Tampa.
Now Joe is sure the Bucs will draft a quarterback come the weekend of May 8 when the three-day NFL Draft party begins. Now whether that is Johnny Football in the first round, Derek Carr in the second round, Jimmy Garappolo in the third round or Aaron Murray in the fifth round, Joe isn’t so sure.
But apparently the Bucs also have targeted a quarterback who is way off the grid: Garrett Gilbert of SMU, from the world famous quarterback factory that is the American Athletic Conference.
This information comes from the Twitter feed of noted former Cowboys director of player personnel chief, “The Godfather,” Gil Brandt.
@Gil_Brandt: #SMU QB Garrett Gilbert leaving today to work out for #Bucs. Will work for #Falcons, #Panthers later this week in Dallas.
For those unfamiliar with Gilbert, remember when Alabama played Texas in the national championship in 2009 and star Texas quarterback Colt McCoy got hurt and left the game? It was Gilbert who came in as a freshman to replace McCoy and put the fear of God into Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide was pushed in that game until Alabama pulled away late.
Gilbert obviously had a falling out later with Texas coaches and transferred to SMU. In his senior season under the tutelage of former NFL coach and offensive whiz June Jones, Gilbert threw for over 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Now the AAC will never confuse anyone with the SEC or the PAC-12 or even the ACC. Since Gilbert played under an offensive guru already, he may just be a good fit for another college offensive guru, and that is current Bucs offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford.
This may scare you and it sure scares Joe; last season was the first of Gilbert’s collegiate career in which he threw more touchdowns than interceptions. How far outside the box is Gilbert? The WalterFootball.com crowd didn’t list him in their top 23 quarterback prospects.
It’s not a shock to hear Jones claim Garrett may be the best quarterback prospect in the nation, so he told Rich Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News.
Gilbert had a 500-yard passing game against Temple, a couple of 400-yard games against Cincinnati and Rutgers and 300-yard days against Texas A&M and Texas Tech. He also rushed for six touchdowns and has the size the NFL covets in a quarterback — 6-4, 225 pounds.
“If an NFL teams takes Garrett’s last three games of 2012 and any games they want to grade from this year — just grade the games when the light went on in our offense — I believe Garrett Gilbert would grade out in the top three quarterbacks of this draft,” Jones said. “Maybe the very top.”
Jones also told Brandon George of the same paper that Garrett’s pro day reminded him or a notorious quarterback from the Big Ten.
“I think Garrett really, really helped himself,” Jones said. “Of all my years in the National Football League and working out quarterbacks, I think this was the second best workout that I’ve been a part of as far as catching the ball and throwing it accurately, deep balls, all of the type of throws that the NFL needs to see.”
Jones said the only workout he witnessed that trumped Gilbert’s on Friday was that of quarterback Jeff George, who in 1990 at Illinois put on a pro day performance that became known as the “$15 million workout video,” because that was the size of the contract he signed when Indianapolis drafted him No. 1 overall.
“Somebody is going to take [Gilbert] in the third round, second round, maybe fourth round,” Jones said, “and get a guy who is going to play 15 years in the league.”
Just a hunch, but if Gilbert winds up on the Bucs roster, it will be at best a third-day pick or an undrafted free agent. Hard for Joe to believe a guy who was not invited to the combine would be selected on the first two days of the draft.
April 7th, 2014 at 8:18 am
Brett Smith, Wyoming. With proper coaching from Tedford, you are looking at the second coming of Drew Brees
April 7th, 2014 at 8:21 am
But look on the bright side at least he probably passes the all encompassing “eye ball test” that so many Glennon haters seem to use as the big reason the Bucs should trade the best rookie QB of last season for a 6th or 7th round draft pick. God help any QB in Tampa that doesn’t have GQ good looks or who can pull like Johnny
April 7th, 2014 at 8:29 am
I saw this yesterday and immediately started to look into Gilbert’s background. I was mildly impressed. I don’t think Gilbert himself is as important as to what his skillset says about the mysterious Tedford offense.
If they bring either Brett Smith or Connor Shaw later, I will be convinced that they are looking for a highly mobile QB to fit the “up-tempo” planned offense. I don’t know which player they will select, but I’m mindful of Licht’s words that there may be a franchise QB in the draft that nobody is talking about.
I will leave it to the MGM and the anti-Glennon types to debate what this might mean for Glennon down the road!
April 7th, 2014 at 8:40 am
I doubt they would waste a pick on a 3rd string QB…they’re probably just scouting as a potential undrafted free agent.
April 7th, 2014 at 8:46 am
@ToesOnTheLine Yikes. Its Monday morning but brighten up. Based on your name Im guessing youre also still butthurt about Schiano’s firing. Read the tea leaves, McCown was brought in and the GM is openly talking about drafting a QB. Glennon’s time as starting QB as the Bucs is likely donezo.
April 7th, 2014 at 8:54 am
Shaw will be the Buccaneers 2015 starting QB!
April 7th, 2014 at 9:15 am
I really like Brett Smith as well, very elusive in the pocket and seems to know or feel when he needs to run. Some of his throws to the sideline just drop in to the receiver being double teamed, really nice almost incredible. Seems to be a very good field leader without the off the field “johnny baggage”. The Nebraska game he just loaded his team on his back and was like let’s go, very impressive. Fast, not afraid when the pocket gets congested. Looks like one of those players that wills his team to win or does everything he can to put them in that position. Grew up watching Dan Marino, he became bigger than the Dolphins or the face of the team, but he never seemed to make himself bigger than the team. This guy seems like that along with a quick release. Is the 7th pick too early……I think he will be gone by the 2nd rd.
April 7th, 2014 at 9:26 am
“there may be a franchise QB in the draft that nobody is talking about.”
Let’s see Tom Brady and for people my age the legendary Johnny Unitas were two players nobody talked about before they became pro legends.
Hell even Brett Favre fell to the 2nd round and even then the Dixie Chicks didn’t know what they had after watching him for a year.
None of the Q.B.’s this year impress me as a slam dunk like Elway did coming out of Stanford or Marino out of Pitt. But there are clearly many “potential” stars and some of them will be around for a few rounds.
And so how much do you wish to GAMBLE on “potential”? A 7th round pick?
Not me!!!
April 7th, 2014 at 9:28 am
If McCown starts and they trade Glennon. Then who will be the backup if McCown goes down or sucks. A rookie will start. Not feeling real good bout that one. Maybe L&L will keep 3 QB’s for a bit.
April 7th, 2014 at 9:31 am
Every time Lovie discusses a QB he talks about mobility.
Big uh oh for Glennon who hasn’t got much.
April 7th, 2014 at 9:42 am
The name sounds too much like Gilbert Gottfreid who is funny as all get out.
April 7th, 2014 at 10:10 am
Frankly I’d rather take a risk on Garopollo, Murray, or a guy like this.
I see the Big 3 all being a big risk.
April 7th, 2014 at 10:17 am
Connor Shaw….Im telling you, the kid has it. 1 interception last year and the Gamecocks finished ranked 4th in the nation….He will be playing for somebody, possibly starting soon…kid is tough as nails too!
April 7th, 2014 at 10:18 am
Why rag on the AAC, Joe? Wasnt last year the first year in its existence, and it is already producing two top 10 draft pick QBs? Sorry the Big 10 didnt get much of a showing this year in the way of quarterbacks.
April 7th, 2014 at 10:20 am
@William, as much as Im not liking the new uni’s, if they draft Shaw I will be buying that jersey. Loved watching him play for my Gamecocks!!
April 7th, 2014 at 10:24 am
If the Bucs wait until the 3rd day to pick a QB, they better hang on to Glennon.
April 7th, 2014 at 10:32 am
There is a strict limit on the # of prospects they can inspect at One Buc (20 or so). I therefore think this invite is significant.
This is not the type of investment you make on free agents. Even if you aren’t going to draft a high quality prospect, you sometimes work the player out to get as counting report/read on them. This doesn’t sound like that. It may be that Gabbert or Brett Smith (who also was not invited to the Combine) are on the radar. It is at least a significant investment in a seemingly marginal qb.
April 7th, 2014 at 10:39 am
Joe these are kids and they grow up and they can be like sponges and soak up coaching, both good and bad, it sounds like he grew up some and has some very good coaching, the problem begins when they come into the money and if their ego gets in the way, trouble happens.I
I can
April 7th, 2014 at 11:26 am
Lou:
The number is 30.
April 7th, 2014 at 11:39 am
Garrett Gilbert is smoke and mirrors, or maybe he will be signed as an undrafted free agent for training camp.
Looks to me like Lovie and Licht are avoiding looking too hard at the QB they really want.
April 7th, 2014 at 11:43 am
I’ve seen Garrett play about 15 times for SMU and rate him really highly, he was the only decent player on our offense and made most of it happen on his own. He got run out of UT but that was unfair basically cause he wasn’t named Vince Young or Colt McCoy, no one who came after him (Ash or McCoy) proved themselves to be any better. He’s got a great arm and is sneaky fast. Whoever drafts him is going to get a heck of a QB in my opinion.
April 7th, 2014 at 6:35 pm
Lol stop
April 7th, 2014 at 7:33 pm
No not Gilbert he was terrible at Texas and I saw him play in the Hawaii bowl where he stunk as well.