“Find A Complement”
April 10th, 2014
Get this man some help. Later, though.
The Bucs braintrust, led by Bucs coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jason Licht, have recently told fans (more than once) that a reason the team splurged in free agency is fans don’t deserve to wait any longer for the first playoff win since Chucky hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy going on 12 long years ago.
Now cynics would say this is being pumped out by the team because, well, Team Glazer instructed both L&L they were not hired for a five-year turnaround plan. The future is now, in other words.
There very well could be kernels of truth in both takes.
Now one could argue whether the Bucs are playoff ready, yet. Defensively, it sure seems the Bucs could be playoff ready. While the secondary may have taken a hit with the Darrelle Revis handwashing, the front line has been beefed up big time.
Offensively? Well, it’s only April. Right now, on paper, Joe can’t see this offense as playoff ready and very few, even Bucs players, know quite what to expect from Jeff Tedford. The strength of the offense is running backs, playing behind a reconstructed line known more for pass blocking.
Kevin Patra of NFL.com looks at the new look Bucs and believes, like Joe, the offense needs work, especially after the scourge of civilization Mike Williams was traded to Buffalo.
Find a complement to Vincent Jackson: Trading Mike Williams to Buffalo left a big void opposite Jackson. The rest of the depth chart is awash with No. 3 receivers — Louis Murphy, Lavelle Hawkins, etc. Finding a playmaking receiver in the draft is a must to take the heat off Jackson. (Mike Evans, anyone?)
Yes, a playmaking receiver opposite Vincent Jackson is a fine idea. Good thing is, the draft is lousy with them. That’s why Joe firmly believes the Bucs won’t draft a Mike Evans or another receiver at No. 7. Joe has been pimping Allen Robinson, for example, if he slips to the third round (or trade up from the third round into the second to get him).
Thing is, there are other positions the Bucs need, offensive line and quarterback (coughJohnnyFootballcough), that are not nearly as deep in the draft, which means the Bucs should address that/them before wide receiver.
April 10th, 2014 at 6:41 am
Mike Evans @ 7
April 10th, 2014 at 6:48 am
Win now doesn’t include a high pick on college QB that has bust in his future that’s why they went out and paid for there starting QB ( coughMcCown) O line and WR is a must double up on both with our first four picks and then go after a QB
April 10th, 2014 at 7:24 am
Please, Bucs fans, don’t listen to Joe’s draft advice. This guy speaks with the confidence of a proven NFL GM, but let’s not forget this guy spent last year beating us over the head with the idea of drafting “The Baron of Berlin” Bjoeren Werner…..the ol Baron had a whopping 2.5 sacks. A true difference maker worthy of a first round pick! Joe is a draft genius!!!
April 10th, 2014 at 7:38 am
I agree, Johnny Failure will get a gm/coach fired quickly in the nfl.
April 10th, 2014 at 7:39 am
I agree with you Joe. This draft is loaded with #2 WRs. I wouldn’t be mad if they picked Watkins (miracle) or Evans with the 7th overall pick, but I think we can find a damn good WR in the 2nd or 3rd round. Luckily, with V-Jax still here a WR we draft doesn’t have to be the #1 guy year one. He can be a #2 and get acclimated to the NFL. I would be happy with guys like:
Odell Beckham Jr.
Kelvin Benjamin
Marquise Lee
Martavious Bryant
Allen Robinson
Any of these guys as a #2 WR under V-Jax would be nice. He would be a great mentor for any of these guys.
April 10th, 2014 at 7:44 am
I keep saying it, TRADE BACK and get Donald, could you imagine that D line rotation? The Bucs can still get very good WR’s in the 2nd and 3rd rds, plus with the extra picks they could go up if they really wanted a guy.
April 10th, 2014 at 7:53 am
Just looked at the WR draft prospects on NFL.com… There are even more guys that could be picked up in later rounds that I think would make an immediate impact:
Shaq Evans – UCLA (sleeper stud)
Josh Huff – Oregon (good speed & route running)
Brandon Coleman – Rutgers (6’6 athlete)
Kevin Norwood – Alabama (catches everything!)
Jalen Saunders – OU (speedy little slot guy.)
April 10th, 2014 at 7:58 am
Why not give Santonio Holmes a call?? Perhaps 1 year deal to prove himself and still get a WR in this year’s 2nd or 3rd round.
April 10th, 2014 at 8:06 am
Sammy @ 7
April 10th, 2014 at 8:16 am
I agree – finding a compliment is the goal but not just a compliment but the right compliment. It doesn’t have to be another tree of a receiver but someone that could top off coverage.
Here is what I fear because it’s looking like Detroit will be attempting trading up to get Watson, which is ok. No one can argue the lethality of that combination on offense but with that horrid defense and inconsistent qb could spell trouble for Caldwell in Detroit of they do that.
What does this matter to Tampa? Well we are total opposite, we can’t afford to load up on defense anymore and ignore the qb or wr positions. McCown is a good veteran qb and will need weapons around him so that he doesn’t have to carry the offense and fail. That said, I predict the Bucs take 2 WRs out of it’s first four picks and a qb, whichever falls to them.
One more quick point if the Lions move up to 2 (this almost guarantee that we will have a trade partner for more picks) and the Rams are at 10 we can load up with picks to get the Rams back at 7 to take OL or WR or CB and we can get extra second round, extra third, and late pick next year.
Oh the draft drama and stupid Lions.
April 10th, 2014 at 8:17 am
Maybe a draft loaded with Wide Receivers is an opportunity to load up with 2 quality wide receivers early in the draft. Drafting 2 WRs in the first three rounds could set us up for years to come. This is the time to do it. A draft without franchise quarterbacks is not a place to shop for a franchise quarterback. However i don’t doubt the Glasers made it a mission for L&L to grab one. If that is the case, they need to spend a quality pick (1st 3 rounds) on it and hope they hit. As for the O-Line, they still have the opportunity to fill the most glaring need at Right Guard in free agency. Wharton (6th rated guard last year) is still available and cap victims may fall to them as the draft approaches. The remaining draft picks could still be available to address back up needs in the O-Line, D-Line, and Line Backer positions. If the aren’t happy with Wharton, the certainly could grab a Guard in Round 2 and go with it. It would just be as the cost of not getting that QB or 2nd Receiver in the top end of the draft Taking advantage of Free Agency lets them get it all..
April 10th, 2014 at 8:18 am
Joe is on Johnny Football’s payroll, I figured it out! To bad you don’t realize all of this QB talk in the first round is probably a smoke screen to get other teams to trade up. Never mind that though, go right ahead and keep coughing up your boys… whatever it is that you are choking on.
April 10th, 2014 at 8:19 am
OR they could trade back, grab a stud TE and throw Wright or the guy from the giants out there in a double set and use the extra pick to snag a good WR2. That could be a lethal offense on paper….
April 10th, 2014 at 8:25 am
We need to leave the sugar coating for the frosted flakes, losing MW was a real setback in the short term. I’m not faulting the FO because they stuck to their principles, but we did lose a very good player and are thin on picks.
We need to both invest a high pick and mine a late round gem at WR.
April 10th, 2014 at 8:27 am
I agree with Architek… The defense is pretty solid. Our defensive starters in each position (except maybe #2 CB) are in place. The top 3 picks for the Bucs need to be potential starters on offense. Offense needs to be addressed badly. I could see a scenario where we drop back in the first round and pick up an extra late 2nd or early 3rd rd pick. If that happens, I could see us picking up TE Austin Sefarian-Jenkins in the middle of the first round, then a WR in the 2nd rd, and another WR and OL in the 2nd/3rd rd. By doing this we would have addressed 4 spots on offense with 3 of those spots being skill positions that would be expected to start or make a tangible contribution.
I think our skill guys lining up like V-Jax, Sefarian-Jenkins, Tim Wright, #2 WR pick, and Doug Martin sounds pretty good.
April 10th, 2014 at 8:29 am
Mike Evans at 7
Then the best OT in round 2 with a Guard in round 3.
Rnd 5 grab best QB or get another CB.
Rnd 6 draft a DE
Rnd 7 Add a TE
April 10th, 2014 at 8:30 am
Good piece here.
We need to leave the sugar coating for the frosted flakes, losing MW was a real setback in the short term. I’m not faulting the FO because they stuck to their principles, but we did lose a very good player and are thin on picks.
We need to both invest a high pick and mine a late round gem at WR.
April 10th, 2014 at 8:34 am
Odell Beckam Jr. The perfect complement for VJax!
April 10th, 2014 at 8:35 am
Joe, I disagree a bit.
We have starting tackles, and a starting QB. We don’t have a starting reciever or guard. Too high to take a guard, and Evans is an elite prospect at a position of need. Robinson, Richardson, Montcrief, Adams, Matthews are all tier two guys. I’d rather get that blue chip reciever and add Jimmy G in the second, and hopefully Gabe Jackson falls to the 3rd. Huff should be there in the 5th and makes a great slot reciever.
April 10th, 2014 at 8:40 am
Vjax will be complementing the WR we pick in the draft.
April 10th, 2014 at 8:43 am
Last year I remember Vjax was running a go route and Donald Penn out ran him trying to make a block down field.
April 10th, 2014 at 8:44 am
Mike Evans n the first and double up n the second with Kelvin Benjamin or another big time wideout. An we are set with v Jackson and after he’s over the hill those two can Olay wit a plug n slot guy and not miss a beat.
April 10th, 2014 at 8:49 am
When people talk about Manziel like he’ll be something the Bucs have never had, well funny story, so would Sammy Watkins. The Bucs have never had a multi-level receiving threat who can take it to the house at any given moment (sorry Alvin Harper). Detroit is insane for wanting to trade up to get him because its such a Lions move to address a non-need when their defense is horrible… but Sammy and Megatron…Jesus Christ….
April 10th, 2014 at 9:07 am
QB, WR, OG in that order
April 10th, 2014 at 9:07 am
Joe, who’s to say what MW19 will be like after the hammy, Miles Austin hasn’t ever been the same. I’m thinking this trade will be looked upon as quite good in hindsight. MW couldn’t separate from db’s as it was now trying to come off a torn hammy which required surgery would likely make it even worse.
April 10th, 2014 at 9:14 am
I agree with Joe. If we gave Houston our 1st, 3rd and 5th round this year and maybe a 1st or 2nd round next year. We could trade up and draft Johnny browneye, at least Joe would be onboard with this move!!!
April 10th, 2014 at 9:18 am
Go look at the film on mike evans my goodness him and vjax would be a
nightmare for the defense.
April 10th, 2014 at 9:20 am
Trade down if offers are good. Cooks will be there before 20 in first round. We need 2 OL, 2 WR/TE, 1QB, 1LB and 1 CB in this draft in no particular order..
I’m rooting to get Clowney because it would fix the DL for the next 4-5 years since they will all be under contract but donald would be awesome too on passing down next to GMC with McDonald and Johnson on the edge. It’s just not a crying need now compared to wr and G
April 10th, 2014 at 9:25 am
proof?
April 10th, 2014 at 9:34 am
Jordan Matthews is the actual best compliment to Vincent Jackson.. Same height range as Mike Williams but has the speed to get down the field… He will be a steal to whoever drafts him(2nd round)… Then we need to take a Jeremy Gallon in the 5th or 6th round he is literally a Steve Smith clone…
Rnd 1 – Johnny Manziel/Blake Bortles or trade back if possible and get Carr
Rnd 2 – Jordan Matthews(WR) or trade back and get Filo(OG) or Yankey
Rnd 3 – Yankey/Thomas/Richardson(OG)
Rnd 4 –
Rnd 5 – Michael Schofiled(OT)
Rnd 6 – Jeremy Gallon (WR/SLOT)
Rnd 7 – Denicos Allen/Kevin Pierre-Louis(OLB)
Every need is filled (QB WR OG OT OLB) and this is possibly without trading a single pick..
April 10th, 2014 at 9:39 am
if they can find a partner they should trade back & pick-up an extra 2nd and 4th this year or more. draft c.j. Moseley or a DT (not Donald) if 1st, trade back again in the 2nd and pick-up matavias bryant (wr) and/or OG. a.j.McCarron in the 3rd with coleman (wr) and OT or OG or the DE from stanford. CB in 4th maybe earlier with Mcgill as the pick & 5th, 6th/ 7th is best player available.
April 10th, 2014 at 9:44 am
who knows how this draft will play out but we don’t need a QB, TE or WR in the first, as a matter of fact we don’t need a TE in this draft at all.
April 10th, 2014 at 9:44 am
With the FA signings I really don’t think DE is a need we have DEPTH for once(MJ Gholston Clayborn Bowers Means)… TE is still a need since we signed another Tim Wright type of TE(over the middle doesn’t stretch the field).. If Colt Lyerla goes undrafted we better bring him in and see if our Veterans can teach him something..
Serious question…
No one can give me a legit answer as to why you want to draft Aaron Donald?? Yes he’s going to be a good player but who are you wanting to bench? McDonald who we just signed in FA or GMC?? ALL THREE play the exact 3 Technique DT position.. We would be wasting someone on the bench far too much… Or Do you want to play all 3 of them all the time and bench Spence and Gholston and have a horrible defense again the run? Just boggles my mind that people want to draft this kid… Once again he’s going to be good… But he would not be a *VALUE* pick in the 1st round..
Go BUCS! 🙂
April 10th, 2014 at 9:45 am
The draft might be ripe with complement receivers, but that’s not what they should be looking for. Vincent Jackson is on the wrong side 30 and without a doubt one of the slowest #1’s in the league…Countless times he has been caught on the 1 yard line after a deep ball and it’s only going to get worse as he gets older. Gotta go Evans with this, especially since they let Mike Williams go. Had they not, drafting Johnny Football in the 1st round wouldn’t be as crazy as it is at this juncture.
April 10th, 2014 at 10:08 am
Unfortunately, the MW trade has forced the Bucs to draft the ‘ol “position of need”. Of course, it could be all smoke and mirrors at this point as there are a couple of receivers available in FA like Santonio Holmes. I would imagine they would still draft a WR if the right one were there. Playmakers, we need ’em!
April 10th, 2014 at 10:15 am
Agreed Joe, they’ve said they won’t get boxed into a draft pick. They’re taking a best avail strat into the draft.
April 10th, 2014 at 10:18 am
1. Kalil Mack – OLB/DE
2. Kelvin Benjamin – WR
3. Jimmy Garoppolo – QB (May have to trade up a little)
5. Cameron Flemming – OT
6. De’Anthony THomas – RB/WR (speed)
7. Brandon Thomas – OG
April 10th, 2014 at 10:44 am
Joe…Johnny won’t happen…look at the QB and player likes…one that plays within a system and can be counted to be in the right place at the right time. Johnny is a gun slinger in the Brett Favre mold; I don’t think as physically talented as Favre in his prime, but each to his own. Nor is he on the D side of the ball. I think for Lovie to choose an O guy that high, he would have to have it all, and though Johnny might be an exceptional player in the NFL, I don’t think he is the right guy at the right time for this franchise, and don’t think Licht or Lovie thinks that he is the guy at that position. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to hide your draft cards this time of year.
April 10th, 2014 at 11:34 am
I love the idea of trading back and getting Donald.
2nd round guard.
3rd round? WR
April 10th, 2014 at 12:19 pm
@ Phillip
Look at his stats, tape, combine etc. Very strong, fast and great technique. Yeah he’s “undersized”, but so was Warren Sapp and that is who I see when I watched him play. He would bar none be our most versatile lineman, while being able 2 play DE on passing situations (2nd, 3rd & long and 4th quarter leads). He’ll provide great rotational on tha d-line, as well as a replacement if McCoy gets hurt/injured.
Is that a legitimate enough 4 ya?
April 10th, 2014 at 12:29 pm
Bucs need more than a complimentary receiver, Watkins and Evans have no. 1 potential, which means you’re not looking for one two,years down the road, I take a flier on those two in the first round. Let V-Jax teach while they wait in the wings
April 10th, 2014 at 1:47 pm
Even if MW is mediocre next year, we still got shafted for the 6th pick. That picked replaced the one we gave up for Carimi, the guy that barely played a few snaps per game. This compared to a guy who played nearly every snap. So Carimi for Williams? Either Dom got a high pick or Licht got shafted… Again, I’m worried the future at GM is not as promising as we want to believe
April 10th, 2014 at 2:02 pm
Marqise lee in the 2nd round we hold pick 4 I believe.
April 10th, 2014 at 2:13 pm
Lol to say no and ignore mike Evans is dumb. Some nfl representatives even said if a team were to take mike Evans over sammy watkins no one would scratch there head or question it. If the bucs stay put at 7 it HAS to be mike Evans, jake Mathews, Johnny football, Khalil Mack, bortles/teddy. Pairing Vincent Jackson and mike Evans could be deadly. And make life similar to Chicago for McCown with him having b marsh and alshon. Ted could probally create plenty of mis matches have to 6″5
Beast WRs who can stretch the field or go across the middle. Evans or watkins I am a happy man they are both fantastic prospects in there own way.
April 10th, 2014 at 3:22 pm
I say:
Round 1: Mike Evans
Round 2: Derek Carr
Round 3: best guard available
April 10th, 2014 at 3:26 pm
Derek Carr gets looked down upon bcuz his brother sucked (foot) balls in the pros, but it reminds of how Will Gholston was negatively viewed bcuz Vernon Gholston sucked. And Gholston is looking like a beast. Carr reminds me of an Aaron Rodgers type. Solid all around skills
April 12th, 2014 at 11:39 am
Buc the Haters Said:
“I say:
Round 1: Mike Evans
Round 2: Derek Carr
Round 3: best guard available”
I like.