Zach Vigil Thinks He Can Help Lovie
January 13th, 2015
Utah State LB Zach Vigil might be a third-day draft to keep an eye on.
Joe has been at the Shrine Game practices the past two days over in St. Petersburg, and has quality content coming from the events.
Of course, the vast majority of players there are third-day draft picks if not undrafted free agents. Doesn’t mean there aren’t jewels to find.
Naturally, Bucs coaches have monitored the practices. This morning, Bucs defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, linebackers coach Hardy Nickerson and special teams coach Kevin O’Dea were jotting down notes during workouts. Tight ends coach Jon Embree was seen sweating with other Bucs staffers.
After yesterday’s afternoon practice, Joe chatted with Utah State linebacker Zach Vigil. He has created a buzz among scouts. The guy looks just like a linebacker: short, stocky, long, wild locks and a crazy glaze in his eyes.
Talking to Vigil, it seemed he was still wired to drill people. But if Vigil would ever land with the Bucs, it isn’t so much popping running backs that will grease his way on the roster, it is playing pass defense in Lovie’s Tampa-2 defense.
Vigil said he’s good with that. He played a lot of Tampa-2 at Utah State and believes his pass defense is better seen in person than on tape.
“I can play it,” Vigil said. “We are all competitors here. I will tell you I can do it every day.
“We played quite a bit of Tampa-2 and I like to think of myself as a versatile linebacker. I bring a lot of assets to the table. I think I can fit in any system if the coach wants to put the time into me.
I think i play a lot faster than it may appear,” Vigil said. “I think my film study really increases my game speed.”
Vigil finished this season with 145 tackles and an interception. He also had nine sacks, including three sacks against Hawaii. He had 375 tackles the past three seasons.
Below are some of Vigil’s highlights against USC in 2013.
January 13th, 2015 at 3:29 pm
FYI – No vid on the iPhone.
I heard GMC wanted to go but it was raining. He was only going to show up for the first 15 minutes then disappear. Lol, Ray Rice, where you at?
January 13th, 2015 at 3:39 pm
@DB55,
BAZINGA!!
January 13th, 2015 at 3:41 pm
Why is Kevin O’Dea still employed??
January 13th, 2015 at 3:44 pm
Rod Marinelli can help Lovie! Team Glazer needs to make Rod the HC and demote Lovie to Linebackers coach or special teams coach and the Bucs will play some defense!
Rod made the Boys a much better defense! Joe….mail that book (Coaching Defense for Dummies) over to Lovie’s basement!!
As for evaluating talent, game clock time management, and how to game plan for different teams with different schemes….the only way to do that is clone Belichick….cuz ain’t no way Lovie has any innovation.
Should not call it the Tampa 2 defense….should call it the blah blah defense because it is so bland. Hey, how about trading the #1 pick for Urban Meyer. Now you wanna talk about a coach?? You wanna talk about someone who can recruit and develop talent. Lovie can only sit back and dream he could be 1/10th the coach Urban Meyer is! Meyer has more innovation and the ability to coach the next man up in such an awesome way.
I am going to keep saying it Jose! The Bronco’s fired John Fox after a 48-18 record….Lovie went 2-14 with a year off to think in his basement! Fire Lovie NOW. Get an innovative and talented coach or the #1 pick will just be an injury waiting to happen under the tutelage of the bland one….Lovie Smith!
Tell the Big Poodle at 5 tonight…if Coach Fox can be fired after 4 straight division leads and a 48-18 record with the Broncos….Lovie should be chased out of town immediately!
January 13th, 2015 at 3:48 pm
Thanks for your hardwork. I was really high on Chris Borland last yearvand when I saw the 49ers draft him I thought it was sad bc he would never get to showcase his skill ( bc he’s behind Willis and Bowman). He immediately reminded me of like a Keith Brooking and now the 49ers have an embarrassment of riches at LB.
I’ll check this guy out. That USC tape looks pretty good. Im confident Lovie n company can find LBs late in the draft to contribute. I hope we can pick up a cpl more 4th round picks somehow so we can infuse this team with wholesale youth. We are getting old very fasy.
January 13th, 2015 at 3:58 pm
Matt. That’s a pretty optimistic post. C2 MLB’s aren’t exactly a commodity. Especially in the late rounds.
This D is faced with a massive hole there.
January 13th, 2015 at 4:07 pm
Where’s Barrett ruud when you need him
January 13th, 2015 at 4:21 pm
@Joe
Thanks for this coverage! Let us know if you think it’s worth attending the game itself to watch for ourselves.
Great cause…the Shriners..they do incredible work for sick kids…and I think it’s only $15.
January 13th, 2015 at 6:28 pm
I believe some of our new OL will come from this.
January 13th, 2015 at 7:04 pm
@Joe
Linux 12.04, Firefox
No video shown anywhere on this post.
January 13th, 2015 at 9:06 pm
Joe this is the kinda great stuff you do here that we don’t see anywhere else. nice work
January 13th, 2015 at 10:03 pm
Terrance Plumber > Vigil
January 13th, 2015 at 10:47 pm
SoonerinTampa Says:
“Why is Kevin O’Dea still employed??”
That is a great question Sooner: I thought he should have been fired after his special teams single handedly lost the Lamb game with the most inept display of special teams seen in Tampa since the Bucs had to use lineman Greg Yarno to kick XPs for them back in the Leeman days….
The kid Vigil might be worth a flyer; how many 7th rounders actually make an impact (at least for the Bucs) besides RBs anyways? Might be a diamond in the rough. Usually do not hear anything about Utah State except when March madness and Bracketology come up as they are one of those teams from the WAC/Mountain West that often make it in as an 11 or 12 seed, stealing an at large from one of the power conferences and get their 15 minutes of discussion by Jerry Palm on CBS and Joe Lunardi on BSPN….
January 14th, 2015 at 12:24 am
Works on Joe’s PC, laptop and Android.
January 14th, 2015 at 4:00 am
There is only one great LB in this draft. His name is Bernardrick Mckinney out of Miss St. This man needs to be somehow found by the Bucs in late first if needed or when we pick in the second.
January 14th, 2015 at 6:45 am
Ok joe. You seem to be reaching. If I see the bucs s pick this kid. I know they aren’t serious about winning. If that’s a highlight tape of him. He’s garbage. I saw no solo hits at or behind the LOS, Every time he blitzed the qb got off the pass with a completion. Seems like Barret ruud all over again. I want a thumper. I want my MLB to stop guys in their tracks. Going downhill with bad intentions. This guy is making tackles after a gain of 5 yards or more. If I was picking I’d stay away for sure.
January 14th, 2015 at 10:54 am
I watched a lot of USU football this year (live in Utah, and My daughter goes to USU). His brother is way better, and should enter the draft next year.