Either Edge Works Fine For Mack
April 25th, 2014
So what would happen if the Bucs drafted former University at Buffalo beastly linebacker Khalil Mack in 13 days? This morning, Joe was able to confirm from a high-ranking Bucs official that the organization is very confident Mack can rush the passer well off the left edge, as well as the right side.
That’s important, given that free agent defensive end Michael Johnson will be entrenched at right defensive end for at least a couple of years.
Mack, as Joe reported Wednesday, visited the Bucs this week.
There’s surely an outside shot he could fall to Tampa Bay at No. 7. Joe does not buy the widespread chatter from various draft gurus who claim teams desperate for quarterbacks — and drafting before the Bucs — will pass on the likes of Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater and Johnny Football. Joe would be stunned if that happened. So for that reason, Joe believes there’s a shot Mack is on the board when the Bucs are called.
Joe’s not claiming the Bucs desire Mack, only that the team’s scouting report makes Mack a fit in their defense — ferocious strongside linebacker turned edge rusher on passing downs.
April 25th, 2014 at 7:01 pm
@~1 Lewan
@~2 Xavier Su’a-Filo
April 25th, 2014 at 7:22 pm
Would not suprise me but I think the headaches that it would cause other team covering both Jackson and Evans is enough to take him at 7 if he is there
April 25th, 2014 at 7:24 pm
finally! ………..a voice of reason!!!!
All you needed was to wash away all Johnny’s pheromones before you would come to your senses. 🙂
April 25th, 2014 at 7:33 pm
Gholston at the number 2 dt would be nice on passing downs but I think a top wr talent or top offensive tackle would be nicer. Jimmy garoppolo in the 3rd
April 25th, 2014 at 7:45 pm
Drafting Mike Evans before Mack, will allow Tampa to once again, talk smack.
April 25th, 2014 at 8:04 pm
Draft him if he’s there!
April 25th, 2014 at 8:04 pm
The draft is deep enough at reciever add they say that we can pick up two quality recievers after we go bpa an if both where in the board Mack>Evans all day now mack>Watkins is a while other conversation that I wouldn’t b mad either way
April 25th, 2014 at 8:04 pm
Please no to Lewan. He is the next Jeremy Trueblood.
April 25th, 2014 at 8:04 pm
He’d probably be a great addition, but unfortunately the Bucs appear too desperate for infusions of talent at O-Line and WR to take him.
April 25th, 2014 at 8:05 pm
I think Mack’s going to go 1.
April 25th, 2014 at 8:06 pm
Bridgewater at 7.
Traded down to mid 2nd pick up a 4th or extra 5th.
Draft Davante Adams.
3rd – Dakota dozier g Furman
April 25th, 2014 at 8:15 pm
I think Chris is right
April 25th, 2014 at 8:16 pm
About Mack going #1
April 25th, 2014 at 8:27 pm
I don’t remember if there is a rule for sharing links on here, but this is semi-encouraging article about a potential Carl Nicks return. http://www.nbcsports.com/football/nfl/bucs-nicks-expects-ready-training-camp
April 25th, 2014 at 8:30 pm
Carl Nicks… he was …WAS…a great football player….and still would be if not for….he CAN NOT ! play the game anymore…..Bless his heart !
April 25th, 2014 at 9:35 pm
Lovie would love to get MACK!!!!!
April 25th, 2014 at 9:43 pm
Mack is not going 1 or 2
April 25th, 2014 at 9:44 pm
I don’t think he’ll be there but if he were and the Bucs selected him I would be extactic.
April 25th, 2014 at 9:54 pm
This guy is disruptive and plays recklessly. He reminds me of a young Ray Lewis in his prime. Mack arm’s are strong when tackling. He was a one man wrecking crew against a team (Ohio State) rank #12 in the nation in 2013. I would take him with intent on having the most dominant defense in the NFL. Afterwards, we can spend the remainder of our picks in 2014 on offense. If we have a dominant defense, our current offense will be motivated to improve…they’ll feed off the defense. We can select a good QB and plenty of receivers and OL in the 1st, 2nd, and latter rounds. Had Schiano adjust his coaching style last year, our record would’ve been much improved in 2013. Now that we have the right coaches, the right players, and the right concept…the chemistry is in the house. I feel an attitude adjustment…a reflection from our first game of the regular season in 1997 against the 49rs. We won that game with 7 sacks from a ferocious defense… lead by yours truly…Warren Sapp. the Bucs had an attitude going in the game from the previous season losing record. Lovie is mimicking what Dungy did to the defense in 1997. We are going to shock the world!!!
April 25th, 2014 at 10:43 pm
I think L&L are salivating over Mack and Clowney. It’s a better possibility that Mack is on the board at 7 tho. Tedford preaches “speed in space” and there are a plethora of those guys in the draft. I think that’s why they were so quick to let Mike Will go. He really doesn’t “fit” what they want to do on offense. I really don’t think they will draft a receiver at 7 unless it is Watkins. Lovie loves pass rushers so I think Donald is the pick if Mack is not there…..preferably with a trade back. Donald+McCoy=DISRUPTIONxPRESSURExSACKS
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000344078/article/afc-exec-compares-pitts-aaron-donald-to-hall-of-famer
April 25th, 2014 at 10:47 pm
There isn’t an offensive guard truly worthy of being picked before day three.
There is talk of Atlanta Falcon trading up to 1st to take Clowney. That would have the Texans picking just before us. Any guess who they would take?
I do think at least one of the top 3 QBs will fall to six. Maybe seven. But unless it is Manziel, I think the Bucs prefer Carr. So if Manziel is there, they take him. I know it won’t be Watson. That much I KNOW.
Mack may well be the pick for the Bucs if Atlanta trades up.
April 25th, 2014 at 10:52 pm
So far as trading down, I don’t believe can do it and get more than a 4th…and that is me being optimistic. More than likely he would only get a 6th.
I also do not believe Mack or Evans will be top six picks. I don’t think Evens will be top ten. Both got boosts in the rankings becausse some dope that has to produce a different mock every week claimed they might go to us.
April 25th, 2014 at 11:01 pm
Upon further deep long term ponderance and with great foresight…
get used to seeing it !
@~1 Lewan
@~2 Xavier Su’a-Filo
April 26th, 2014 at 6:35 am
Just stupid. Forget the fact that he’s a bust looking for a place to go boom. He’s also a terrible fit for our team. At a position we don’t need. A guy thy hasn’t proved he can rush the passer except against essentially the left tackle from Countryside High.
And to do all that, passing on the other talent available, for him is crazy. Their interest in him is pure smoke. And frankly, of course it is. It’s in our best interest to move down. The j.football talk is more of the same. Licht is a belichick disciple. It’s all head fakes and smoke screens. I predict a move back for Gilbert, Cooks, or Shazier.
April 26th, 2014 at 7:23 am
I had a strong hunch months ago ….. Incredible as it sounds but Mack falls to us at 7, we take him. The other part of the hunch is that Garrapolo will be our drafted QB. It defies most logic…. But I guess we need to be honest with our hunches.
April 26th, 2014 at 7:29 am
1. WR Mike Evans 2. OLB Kyle Van Noy 3. G Gabe Jackson….4-7 another WR, QB and O-Line depth.
April 26th, 2014 at 8:01 am
Round 1 Pick 7: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
Round 2 Pick 6: Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri
Round 3 Pick 5: Troy Niklas, TE, Notre Dame
Round 5 Pick 3: Jared Abbrederis, WR, Wisconsin
Round 6 Pick 9: Jerick McKinnon, RB, Georgia Southern
Round 7 Pick 6: Dri Archer, WR, Kent State
April 26th, 2014 at 9:50 am
Mack would be awesome but he never drops that far.
April 26th, 2014 at 12:51 pm
In case you haven’t noticed we already picked up a speed rusher last year from Buffalo who developed on our Practice Squad and is backing up Johnson right now. He played with Mack and is 260 pounds. His name is Stephen Means. We can use him if Lovie wants to speed rush certain LTs, and without wasting our 7 pick in the first round–an opportunity that will never come again. This pick is our only chance to get a QB that Tedford can develop into our first Franchise QB in Buc’s history and not only win a SB but build a Dynasty for as long as Lovie wants to coach. Mack is made for a 3-4 Defense where he can play every down. If we wasted a pick on him he would just be a situational rusher in our 4-3 on passing downs. He would not be able to hold the perimeter against a big back running Offense like we will face in Charlotte in our first game. WAKE UP BUC FANS. Gholston has all the tools to be a double digit sacker on the left side and can jam the run there too, and we already have another situational DE in Bowers with the speed and power, which under the guidance of excellent coaching this year will be better than Mack anyway. And as for Donald with his 11 sacks from the inside last year in college, that would be a waste too when we can get Jay Bromley from Syracuse late in the draft who had 10 sacks from the inside and has an explosive first step, is heavier than Donald, and lived in the backfield in the Shrine game in St. Pete, and he can back up McCoy because he is a three technique too. It is a no brainer to me! After we have a long running dynasty the Glazers will be able to sign the hottest proven NFL Veteran Head Coach to succeed Lovie too. Think long term here. Mack isn’t IT.
April 26th, 2014 at 5:14 pm
I would like the shazier pick. Cbssports compares him to lavonte david.4.3 40 BUT I doubt lovie n licht will make that pick. Just imagine those hail storm lb blitzes n the thick inside zone coverage of that defense. Jimmy garoppolo in the 3rd