Report: Look Middle Linebacker In Round 2
February 19th, 2015
A prominent Tampa Bay Buccaneers media voice, who had breakfast with Lovie Smith yesterday, says he believes the Lovie regime will make its first defensive draft pick on Day 2 of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Longtime Tampa Tribune Bucs beat writer Woody Cummings joined Tom Veit of WHBO-AM 1040 for a chat about all things Bucs yesterday. Speaking from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Cummings shared that he had breakfast with Lovie before the day’s festivities.
When asked about where the Bucs’ might move in the second round, Cummings offered a firm opinion.
“I don’t think an offensive lineman would be that second pick unless they think that there’s a guy there that’s going to play for them for 10 years, including starting next year at right guard or maybe left tackle. But I’m not sure that left tackle is in this draft. That right guard? Maybe,” Cummings said.
“My gut tells me right now, based on what I’m hearing, and what I know about what their plans are for the position, I think they’re going to look for a middle linebacker, a starting middle linebacker with their second pick; that’s going to be 34th overall. I think they’re looking at maybe a kid like [Denzel] Perryman out of Miami. Maybe [Eric] Kendricks out of UCLA … and try and see if they can solve that problem. They like Mason Foster, but they just don’t like his speed.”
Kendricks, last season’s Butkus award winner and the nation’s leading solo tackler, is a heck of a prospect with a great pedigree and likely will be a stout pro. But many think he’s not a fit at middle linebacker in a 4-3 defense, given his strength and size, 6-0, 230 pounds. But that doesn’t mean the Bucs would ignore him.
Regardless, Cummings’ take is worth nothing, though Joe would prefer the Bucs go offensive line in Round 2. Joe is more antsy about a young upgrade there. For example, who would you put more faith in next season? Danny Lansanah at middle linebacker, or Evan Dietrich-Smith at center? Joe thinks that’s an easy bet.
February 19th, 2015 at 10:02 am
No top middle linebackers are what we are looking for. Perryman is a tackler like Foster, not much of a coverage guy. Same goes with Kendricks
February 19th, 2015 at 10:05 am
Id much rather see us go Aj Cann second and the guy the Bucs were talking to Mike Hull in the senior bowl
February 19th, 2015 at 10:10 am
Look for trench help in round 2.
Heaven forbid we go QB @ #1, and put him behind our sh!tty line.
We need a Mike, but we desperately need trench help.
February 19th, 2015 at 10:13 am
I think I trust Lovie on a MLB linebacker selection than any other position…..It will depend on who is there at 34…….some pretty good Olinemen may slip to the 2nd round…..we may be able to trade up somewhat for the right MLB…..(Perryman)
We desperately need to find at least 3 starters from this draft.
February 19th, 2015 at 10:14 am
Our defense will be fine. We need to bolster that line if the G or T is there at 34!
February 19th, 2015 at 10:15 am
2nd rounder is going to depend a lot on free agency I think. There seems to be a lot of decent possibilities @ OL in FA this year, not so much at MLB, so I think Cummings might be right here. I wouldn’t mind Perryman at all.
February 19th, 2015 at 10:21 am
I really hate the saying ” draft that and you don’t have to worry about that position for the next 10 years”!
Do you know that the last guy that was drafted in the first round that played for the Bucs for 10 years. Derrick Brooks! and after this draft that will be 20 YEARS AGO!!!!
February 19th, 2015 at 10:22 am
@ Real Malloy:
From what a lot of former defensive greats have said on this site, you may be a bit premature in your statement……if Lovie wants to run the Tampa 2 more often than not……that is unsettling….
I always defer to Mr. Derrick Brooks when he said:
“A lot of teams have the recipe, very few have the ingredients…..”
Lovie has very few ingredients….
February 19th, 2015 at 10:37 am
@ Tom Edrington:
While I respect your opinoun on here, We gotta score points baby! The defense was far less putrid last season minus the debacle here in ATL and the other against the Ravens (perhaps a phobia of black birds?).
We have the pieces to be a middle of the road defense.
When were putting up 35 points a game, thats all we need from the defense. We need to build a monster line to protect MM or JW (Mariota fan here) so we can outscore our opponents for a change! The skill positions are there…
February 19th, 2015 at 10:40 am
Ive been reading on here for 2 seasons without commenting. The Real Malloy is here to stay!
Go Bucs!
February 19th, 2015 at 10:47 am
Cam Erving, FSU C/OT *MIGHT* be there
and might be the only OL worthwhile that might slide out of the first round
if not it has to be one of the ILB’s
i think Perryman goes in the mid-first but
Kendricks might/should still be there
I’d Take Him if the first two are not there
February 19th, 2015 at 10:49 am
it may be true and we do need a mike linebacker but of all the people in the world to tell this vital information why on earth would tell this fool a sports writer. they wont tell what position they are drafting at number 1 overall we have to guess but im supposed to believe someone told this tool what the bucs would do on day 2 when it’s a pick that could significantly hurt them and someone could take the pick before us or someone could trade up….and if it’s true it’s stupid wreckless reporting that hurts our team….what an idiot
February 19th, 2015 at 10:53 am
Stephone Anthony will be the Buccs 2nd rd pick at mike. 6.2 245lbs 4.5 40. Described as the absolute leader voice of clemson football by his HC. Youtube this guy,much better fit than perryman.
February 19th, 2015 at 10:55 am
This team has so many holes to fill they could pick dam near any position and it would make sense to me… We have zero pass rush, our O line is horrible, we need a nickle corner, we need safeties, we only have two receivers that don’t suck, we only have one quality linebacker and our running backs all suck!
Pick anyone and they will start…
February 19th, 2015 at 11:14 am
Right now the top ILBs slated to go in the 2nd. (None are slated for the 1st)
Eric Kendricks UCLA r Sr 6-0 230
Denzel Perryman Miami (Fla.) Sr 5-11 244
*Benardrick McKinney Mississippi State rJr 6-4 249
February 19th, 2015 at 11:32 am
“Regardless, Cummings’ take is worth nothing….” my thoughts exactly Joe. Also add Lovie Smith’s take, and so on.
February 19th, 2015 at 11:36 am
I like MLB in the 2nd. Plenty of linemen will be there in the 3rd, where we could have two picks if a Glennon trade went well.
February 19th, 2015 at 11:41 am
You guys keep talking about a Glennon trade. However, if we do that then we only have a rookie QB. Who is going to be our backup?
February 19th, 2015 at 11:43 am
Eli Harold in the 2nd if available. OL in the 3rd and 4th. Pullard in the 5th if available. There is talk of Harold being converted to DE.
*Pending Free Agency*
February 19th, 2015 at 11:55 am
If the OLine doesn’t get addressed in a big way this year – then the Bucs are being extremely negligent. If Cam Erving is available with the 34th pick – then no other choice would make more sense IMO.
February 19th, 2015 at 11:57 am
Kendricks is a protype for a T-2 defense. He is ALWAYS around the ball. Check out his game tape before deciding he can’t play the pass. His game speed is fantastic. Perryman is good too, but Kendricks is a blur with the ability cover most RBs out of the backfield. Bernardrick McKinney should be there in round 2 as well. He’s not as instinctive as Perryman or Kendricks but he is a Brian Urlacher-type freak athlete at 6’4 250 lbs and can run.
February 19th, 2015 at 12:02 pm
Absolutely the right move. U get qb of offense w 1st round pick and Qb of defense (middle linebacker) with 2nd round. Erick kendricks is perfect fit who can cover down field and perfect for undersized middle linebacker in Tampa 2. Defense had some issues but middle of field seemed to be worst. If They get great cover middle linebacker and a true slot defensive back in middle round and D is a lot better
February 19th, 2015 at 12:02 pm
Scott Says:
February 19th, 2015 at 10:02 am
No top middle linebackers are what we are looking for. Perryman is a tackler like Foster, not much of a coverage guy. Same goes with Kendricks
Scott Says:
February 19th, 2015 at 10:05 am
Id much rather see us go Aj Cann second and the guy the Bucs were talking to Mike Hull in the senior bowl
——–
Obviously, you don’t know what you’re talking about. Watch some tape of Kendricks… he can cover very well…. plus, Mike Hull is about a 50/50 proposition to get drafted. He didn’t show well at the Senior Bowl. For a guy that is undersized like Hull, he showed little agility in coverage, of course that could have a lot to do with the fact that he has had two blown ACLs and will likely be taken off many team boards due to medical problems. If Kendricks is there in round 2, he should be the pick. He can do it all.
February 19th, 2015 at 12:11 pm
SLB Danny Lansanah Orie Lemon
MLB Denzel Perryman Ramon Humber
WLB Lavonte David Jason Williams
February 19th, 2015 at 12:42 pm
Mike Hull is projected to go in the 5-6 round. So we could still get him Scott.
February 19th, 2015 at 12:46 pm
Ramon Humber (age 27) (Unrestricted Free Agent-Saints)
-Core Special Teamer/ Can Play All 3 Linebacker spots
• Height: 5 ft 11
• Weight: 232 lb
• 40 Time: 4.56
February 19th, 2015 at 12:52 pm
I would rather draft a mlb second. Watching Lansanah and Foster and Fletcher make the same mistake every week and get roasted up the middle drove me crazy.
Although to be fair Foster got alot better in torwards the end.
There are alot more olinemen in FA than linebackers especially mikes. However wether we draft or sign a FA that elusive LT is still not out there. Not this year anyway.
February 19th, 2015 at 1:12 pm
Benardrick McKinney. Dude is a freak. If he falls to the second round. HE’S a real MLB
February 19th, 2015 at 1:15 pm
If joe was the GM you could predict every move you would make. What offensive lineman specifically would you like to see replace our center? I mean hey they mentioned RG and LT. I didn’t see center, so your reference to replacing smith? Once again terrible the bucs aren’t drafting a center at 34. MLB is a super strong position and they aren’t gonna come off the board until what the 20″s? You want the bucs to reach on garbage prospects instead of value. MLB has huge value 20-40. Offensive line doesn’t.
February 19th, 2015 at 1:17 pm
Paul Dawson from TCU is the best ILB in this draft. IF he’s still on the board in the late 20’s the Bucs would be wise to move up and get him. He is 6’2″ and 230lbs and is excellent in coverage. He has some ??? about his attitude and may slide to the 2nd round. Reminds me of Hardy Nickerson. Go find some highlights, there should be plenty.
February 19th, 2015 at 1:23 pm
Paul Dawson is the best MLB in this draft. I have perryman second and the Mississippi state Lb 3rd, he’s a freak size
February 19th, 2015 at 3:28 pm
I like Kevin white out of TCU here. He’ll fill that 12th starter on defense position lovie always talking bout. Plus he can hold his own on the outside even though he’s a smaller corner
February 19th, 2015 at 3:51 pm
MLB needs to be great in coverage. I didnt see that in Kendricks. Still havent looked at Perryman much. Bernardrick McKinney would be perfect, but he’s going in the 1st.
February 19th, 2015 at 7:36 pm
Mariota-Kendricks please.
Winston-Perryman would be an instant failure. Both are day 3 talents.
February 20th, 2015 at 3:41 am
BERNARDRICK MCKINNEY
February 20th, 2015 at 10:11 pm
JEFF LUC CINCINNATI CASE CLOSED
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:17 pm
Jeff Luc underated player
Jeff luc vs ike taylor 40 yard dash
http://youtu.be/Xuu3GZX0kfE?list=UUW…109hX1vLYNKJ4g
Jeff Luc 2014 Senior Highlight
http://youtu.be/eepWXJywEOs?list=UUW…109hX1vLYNKJ4g