Banks A Pro Bowl Darkhorse?
December 23rd, 2014
Numbers suggest Johnthan Banks should be in the Pro Bowl discussion.
Today, Bucs coach Lovie Smith waxed poetic over a few Bucs players who he thinks ought to be playing in the Pro Bowl.
The rosters will be announced in a special broadcast tonight on the NFL Network.
Naturally, Lovie stumped for Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David, two guys he raved about for both their play, skill and professionalism.
Lovie also put in a few good words for wide receiver Mike Evans as well.
A guy Lovie didn’t mention, who Joe believes has an outside shot, is second-year corner Johnthan Banks. The Mississippi State product has quietly become if not the Bucs best corner, one of the better corners in NFC.
Numbers don’t lie when studying Banks. He is tied for the lead in picks (seven) for all corners who entered the league in 2013. Only seven other corners have more picks the past two seasons than Banks. Banks is currently tied for fourth-most interceptions this season with four.
If Banks can grab two interceptions this Sunday, he will move into a tie for second place in Bucs franchise history for most interceptions in a player’s first two years with nine, matching granny-hassling, cabbie-slugging, gun-totin,’ pistol-whipping Aqib Talib.
Joe believes it is not outrageous to include Banks’ name in discussion for a Pro Bowl corner
Damn that former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik!
December 23rd, 2014 at 5:08 pm
I love Lavonte, but I don’t know if he’s really all that deserving this year. Certainly not if you compare him to last year. He’s on a 2 win team, and he has no picks and only 1/2 a sack. I think he’s an all pro player, just not maybe this year. He’ll be out of this world next year I think.
No way Banks gets in. Nobody outside of Tampa has ever heard of him. Fair or not, it’s reality.
Evans probably has the best shot (since McCoy can’t play). However, his last 5 games are going to hurt him greatly.
December 23rd, 2014 at 5:13 pm
That’s OK if none go, make it a crowd next year.
December 23rd, 2014 at 5:15 pm
David is Second in the league in tackles despite missing two games!!
He simply is not being asked to do the same things as he was asked to last yr. Dude is a Beast.
December 23rd, 2014 at 5:15 pm
Typo in title, Joe.
I don’t think Banks deserves it yet. Jackson, Evans and David do. GMC too if he is healed by then.
But frankly…I think maybe the whole team should be snubbed to send a message.
December 23rd, 2014 at 5:17 pm
Hell he is only 4 tackles off the lead. If he played those other two games with his 11 tackle average then he would be blowing Kuechly away right now. Sux that he plays on a 3 and 13 team. Yes I said it. We will beat the Saints.
December 23rd, 2014 at 5:21 pm
LVD def deserves the nod.
Just because he didn’t have a defensive MVP type season like last year (which won’t happen every year) doesn’t mean he’s any less deserving.
Also It’s an invidivual recognition not a team award n
And Banks was a great pick up. The guy is growing into a solid CB.
December 23rd, 2014 at 5:35 pm
No one on NFL’s worst team should go to the pro bowl!
December 23rd, 2014 at 5:41 pm
I think Lovie deserves to go to the Pro Bowl as a water boy!
December 23rd, 2014 at 5:48 pm
BuccaneerBonzai Says:
December 23rd, 2014 at 5:15 pm
Typo in title, Joe.
I don’t think Banks deserves it yet. Jackson, Evans and David do. GMC too if he is healed by then.
But frankly…I think maybe the whole team should be snubbed to send a message.
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Oh yeah, what a message that would be sending….wait, what message would it be sending?
December 23rd, 2014 at 5:51 pm
I am a Banks backer…however PB is absurd
December 23rd, 2014 at 5:58 pm
Two more INT’s, huh. Didn’t he drop a drive stopping INT against the Vkings and the Panthrs. There are your two INT’s which also would have sealed victories for the Bucs.
Thanks for not mentioning Jenkins, Joe.
December 23rd, 2014 at 6:21 pm
Keep in mind Lovie wanted to replace Banks with Mike Jenkins…….
Goes to Lovie’s ability to judge talent…..
December 23rd, 2014 at 6:21 pm
Lol Banks is far from a PBler. He got torched a few times this year and missed many tackles on WRs on 3rd and long that would have stopped them and made it 4th, instead, he went for a strip. He’s a solid cornerback, thank you Revis for teaching him.
We don’t deserve any PBlers this year. David didn’t have nearly as many splash plays. McCoy is overrated, his reckless penetration on eatly downs creates huge running lanes. He was playing hurt again so we’ll see next year.
December 23rd, 2014 at 6:30 pm
And I’m the troll. SMH
LVD
Banks
And in this case Evans.
Banks is a beast child and LVD is a beastslayer. Both are PB quality talents playing in a passive pathetic defense.
December 23rd, 2014 at 6:40 pm
are there still people who think we should’ve kept Mark Barron?
http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2014/12/22/7431899/odell-beckham-touchdown-mark-barron.
cool link Joes.
December 23rd, 2014 at 6:42 pm
So what he got burnt once. It fking happens. When Revis had those same plays happen against far lesser talent no one said a fking word.
December 23rd, 2014 at 6:51 pm
several players mentioned in this comment section would be pro bowl bound if they played on a better team. the voters only appear to follow the better playoff bound teams. the better teams appear more often on the nighttime national tv primetime games. I think an example of this is the past nonvoting of lavonte david.
December 23rd, 2014 at 7:13 pm
Lavonte is the best 4-3 OLB in the game today, and it’s not even close. However, when you play on a 2 win team and haven’t made a pro bowl yet, you better have some splash plays. Lavonte doesn’t, but I’m not saying he’s had a bad year. He’s had a great year, but I’m just saying I don’t think he’s going to make it, especially when the 3-4 OLB usually get the nod (because they put up sacks).
December 23rd, 2014 at 7:23 pm
Realistically, Gerald McCoy will probably be the only Buccaneer to go to the pro bowl. This team doesn’t get enough attention to send more.
December 23rd, 2014 at 8:25 pm
If not for Jenkins being hurt, Banks nevers sees the field in Lovie World. It’s one thing to make a mistake on judging a players ability, but Lovie would rather play lesser player than admit he made a mistake by playing better player, IMO.
December 24th, 2014 at 9:05 am
Banks gets better every year. Glad we got him on our team.
December 24th, 2014 at 11:13 am
Lvd best defensive player last year and before that best rookie yet n his 3rd season no awards but first team all pro..smh that tells it all.,banks is not ready do a repeat next year were talkn….and where the FCK is glennon???