Fear Factor In The Bucs’ Draft Room
May 3rd, 2015
Yes, there was nail-biting in Buccaneers’ draft war room.
The second round ticked down and the Bucs were like the playground captain afraid to get stuck with the dude wearing a skirt.
The Bucs were determined to walk out of the draft with two starting-caliber offensive linemen. And as O-linemen fell off the board, the Bucs, sitting with the first pick of the third round, felt compelled to trade up with the Colts and snag Division III star O-lineman Ali Marpet late in the second round.
Bucs GM Jason Licht told Buccaneers.com — without being asked — that the Bucs felt compelled to move.
“It was starting to dry up,” Licht of the offensive line talent late in the second round.
Licht went on to say he wanted to ensure the Bucs got a lineman they were targeting.
This sure explains to Joe why the Bucs didn’t draft another offensive lineman. Marpet probably was the last man on the Bucs’ must-have list of O-linemen to protect Jameis Winston and revive the running game.
These are happy hour for returning Bucs offensive linemen, such as Patrick Omameh and Garrett Gilkey. Tampa Bay cut two O-linemen this offseason, Anthony Collins and Oneil Cousins, but the Bucs only picked up two more. Those are good numbers for bubble players.
May 3rd, 2015 at 11:10 am
Hope they got it right. LandL did the worst job I’ve ever seen last year with those o-line guys they brought in. Redemption would be sweet.
May 3rd, 2015 at 11:14 am
If the Collins kid from LSU gets cleared, I hope he considers playing in Tampa. Getting him, along with the other two linemen, would be a significant haul for the Bucs.
May 3rd, 2015 at 11:16 am
re Oline and undrafted rookies– What about La’el Collins? From what I have read he will have a chance to pick the team he goes to pending the upcoming police investtigation. Joe, do you have a sense of how likely the Bucs could be the team he chooses. We might be attractive to him because he would have a great chance to start on a young Oline and the Winston pick should be a factor making the Bucs a legitimate up and comer.
May 3rd, 2015 at 11:18 am
With all the O-linemen going in the first two rounds, there is bound to be some ‘cap room’ blood-letting before the season begins, and the Bucs have plenty of cash.
May 3rd, 2015 at 11:19 am
Gilkey has to go. Pamphile and Edwards give depth. I am cool with Omameh staying for depth too. I can see a vet getting cut and signed too.
May 3rd, 2015 at 11:23 am
Exactly Hawk. There will be some surprising Olinemen opportunities once the rookies sign and show up at camp. Again the Bucs have the first pick off of the waiver wire until September. This will not be insignificant as training camps get underway and rookies beat out higher priced vets. Depends if the vet has any tread left on the tires.
May 3rd, 2015 at 11:31 am
Lets all remember why the reason of panic to draft for need! It is because no free agent O-linemen wanted to play for Lovie without paying double the going rate. Licht is going to have to draft the bucs back into making the bucs a competitive team again!
May 3rd, 2015 at 11:52 am
I disagree realist…though i was team Mariota, the drafting of Winston changes the mindset of potential signees. They are going to want to play with Jameis….Mike Glennon, not so much..
May 3rd, 2015 at 12:13 pm
How were those the only 2? They could have had Jackson or Matias later on too, and I would have preferred someone other than Bell at WR
May 3rd, 2015 at 12:26 pm
To me we should have gone tre jackson or aj cann
May 3rd, 2015 at 12:31 pm
Kalind says Watch some high lites of Bell you will be surprised how good he is. Iwas!!!!!
May 3rd, 2015 at 12:37 pm
REAL MAC, no veteran wants to play with a rookie QB. Get ready for lots of picks. We have been sold a bill of goods on the pro ready thing. Engineering a comeback against Clemson is a lot different than coming back against the Panthers. We need to prepare for a LONG year. 6 wins would be HUGE. Looking at the schedule I see 2.
May 3rd, 2015 at 12:37 pm
Tre Jackson for me as well…
May 3rd, 2015 at 12:44 pm
@JOE i would have loved putting the dude in the skirt from the draft onto our team
May 3rd, 2015 at 12:45 pm
I think Jameis is in for a rough (rougher than most) rookie season with only two additions to the O-line in the draft. Ali Marpet is a center – do we need Dietrich-Smith and a center drafted at number 3? Seems like Dietrich-Smith should be on the trade block so we can pick up a veteran for the right side of the line.
May 3rd, 2015 at 12:46 pm
Man if we could pick up Collins, that would be something. Marpet at Center, Smith at RG/RT, Collins at LT, Mankins holding it down at LG….talk about a turn around in our Oline.
Please be my guest and search through the other stories on Joe’s site for links on Marpet…..or you can utube him yourself. You’ll see why he was worth the trade up! And he wouldnt have made it past NE. Him and Bell were steals!
May 3rd, 2015 at 12:49 pm
Having said the above, I think a 7-9 or 8-8 season is possible:
wins:
Titans
Texans
Jaguars
One of the two Saints games
One of the two Falcons games
Bears
Rams
that’s seven. Maybe number 8 comes against the Redskins.
May 3rd, 2015 at 12:59 pm
SB, Those games are winnable.Problem is the we have a rookie who last year had one of the highest int/att ratios in college football history. we will give away 4 or 5 games. JW will throw more int/att in the NFL, not less. I’m thinking 30 picks.
May 3rd, 2015 at 1:12 pm
I was the biggest Mariota supporter on this website, but I’m starting to warm up to the idea of Winston. I guess I have no choice, I bleed pewter and red. I feel a lot better about it after getting to know him a bit more.
May 3rd, 2015 at 1:15 pm
@bucnet2
I will take a rookie Jamies W while playing the whole time with 3 lbs of crab legs in one hand and a stick of butter in the other than Old man mccown.
May 3rd, 2015 at 1:15 pm
BucNut2…yeah you’re right. I wonder why our rookie QB was graded so high seeing how he threw all those damn INT’s.
Perhaps scouts don’t know as much as you….
Perhaps scouts don’t pay attention to foolish stats and just watch the game film…
I say he throws under 20 picks this season, rookie and all.
May 3rd, 2015 at 1:19 pm
Then again if the line is just as bad as last season, he might be forced into throwing more INT’s than 20.
I guess we’ll see.
May 3rd, 2015 at 1:24 pm
I’m interested to see what happens with La’el Collins. I don’t think he’s bound by the same financial terms that the drafted players are based on the CBA so he’s probably looking for the highest bidder. I can’t see giving him more than what a 3rd or 4th rd draft pick would make.
May 3rd, 2015 at 1:29 pm
Supersam Says:
May 3rd, 2015 at 1:12 pm
I was the biggest Mariota supporter on this website, but I’m starting to warm up to the idea of Winston. I guess I have no choice, I bleed pewter and red. I feel a lot better about it after getting to know him a bit more.
—————–
Sam that’s the wisest comment that I’ve read from you in months lol
May 3rd, 2015 at 1:30 pm
Bleacher report graded our draft as a D+. Lowest score I’ve seen. #itsabucslife
May 3rd, 2015 at 1:46 pm
@WS99
good thing they did not grade the coaching!
#staying_positive!!!
May 3rd, 2015 at 1:51 pm
Just gonna hum a tune, Frankie Vallie and The Four Seasons:
“See you in Sep-TEM-Berrrrr….”
All this talk right now is speculation of the HIGHEST order…..
See you in September when we know what is real and what isn’t!!!!
May 3rd, 2015 at 1:53 pm
No doubt. I disagree with the D+. The only thing I didn’t like was giving up our top spot in each round. Not sure why or what we got out of it.
May 3rd, 2015 at 1:55 pm
I am just tickled pewter we finally have high priority home grown offensive linemen….I am tired of these once good OL’s milking the last little bit out of their careers…..I believe Ali will be a long ttime center for the Bucs…after this year learning the ropes of the NFL….I am so happy and so is RastaMon
May 3rd, 2015 at 2:03 pm
With all the Pass rushers drafted there are bound to be some good vets let go.
May 3rd, 2015 at 2:08 pm
The more I think about it the more I would have liked to pick tre Jackson. Keeping those two together may have been the wise thing to do.
May 3rd, 2015 at 2:08 pm
Far too soon to predict wins. Still gotta see how these guys work out.
We don’ need to trade EDS. Move him to guard. Sign collins a boom. a completely new oline with top players.
I expect Winston’s pick to be high this year. Will take time for oline to gel and I think it’ll play out like it did for Favre in the first year.
May 3rd, 2015 at 2:12 pm
we got 3 of the guys I wanted, so I’m happy. Even so, whining abiut not getting guys I wanted serve no purpose. Focus on the future.
May 3rd, 2015 at 2:39 pm
It was nice to see the FO executing a plan. It appears that we’ve drafted players with an opportunity to contribute at all different levels, with a starting QB to boot. One with a TON of on-the-field upside!
The Collins situation is VERY interesting… Assuming he indeed gets the verifiable all-clear, we’re staring at a very talented OL and it’s not like we couldn’t use his skills even with the two guys we’ve drafted. Let’s hope for the best and that the FO is staying keyed in on how that situation plays out!
May 3rd, 2015 at 2:46 pm
I distinctly remember Dominick’s drafts getting pretty good grades, so the moral of the story… don’t pay attention to draft grades.
May 3rd, 2015 at 2:59 pm
Dont’ mind the bucs moving up to get their guy Marpet, especially since we didn’t give away much. Just hope he’s as good as they think he is.
Was having a discussion about this last night, but if we get at least 3 key contributing, long term starters from this draft then it was a success. The rest of the guys will most likely be temporary role players.
May 3rd, 2015 at 3:05 pm
Fsu had 21 players drafted the last two years and winston threw 18 picks with all that talent. On top of thAt they were playing teams that hardly had any pro prospects.
May 3rd, 2015 at 3:08 pm
Also it really hurt us to not pick at the top of the 4th and 5th. So lovie got rid of Zutah then Brought in somone that was worse. Then we had to trade the first pick in the 4th. There were so many good players still on the board
May 3rd, 2015 at 3:11 pm
No way you start a rookie QB with a rookie Center. Keep EDS at Center at least early on or try to upgrade prior to the season. Marpet is facing a big step up in talent/competition so let’s not set him up completely to fail. I say start him at guard and work him towards Center in the future.
May 3rd, 2015 at 3:19 pm
A very solid draft for the Bucs…..perhaps as many as 5 starters…..Bell at 3rd WR & Alexander perhaps at LB….at the very least some depth with both players….if we get a PR/KR with our 6th & our 7th is able to beat out Lane/James as the short yardage back/fb combo…we save a roster position…I’m sure that’s what they were thinking with the pick.
Very, very good draft indeed.
I still think we need a FA DE….perhaps a CB or S….and we will be fine…..and, of course a punter…..got plenty of $$$…..
May 3rd, 2015 at 3:22 pm
I think they are projecting Marpet as the starting right guard.
May 3rd, 2015 at 3:34 pm
Exactly @JabooBuc….work him in…..everything changes at the NFL level. But I KNOW Marpet will be our guy succeeding at his job on the Oline.
May 3rd, 2015 at 3:39 pm
Dotson (rt), eds, Ali, mankins, smith
Is that the line up?
Dotson, Ali, eds, mankins, smith
That looks better imo.
May 3rd, 2015 at 3:39 pm
The Bucs didn’t cut Cousins. He was a free agent.
May 3rd, 2015 at 4:07 pm
I think Ali next year at center….listen to us…it’s like the horror of last season is FINALLY in the past…rookies then OTA’s…competetion for starting jobs…Yeah baby !….
May 3rd, 2015 at 4:14 pm
Do some of you guys read or truly follow the bucs? Or do some of you just come to joebucfan and spew nonsense trying to seem like an intelligent talent evaluator/gm. Jason licht already stated in his press conference and interview with scott smith that marpet will play guard!!!! Why are some of you talking about center? Really?
May 3rd, 2015 at 4:21 pm
Don’t think anybody is talking center this year…..IMO…I think he’d be PERFECT at center later on…..tiny tim…yes we heard Jason say he’d get work at guard…but this is far from and established OL…he’ll play where he can help the best….we only have a short term fix at center now
May 3rd, 2015 at 4:25 pm
i am very satisfied with the draft, wish we could have picked Matias late to round out the OL, but no complaints from this corner. I’m not a Glennon .fan but I was glad we didn’t trade him. He will never be a starter but he can come in and replace Winston if necessary. I was also glad we held on to Martin, I want to see if he has any gas in the tank. the reason he started putting his head down and trying to run over people was because he had no blocking. Didn’t have time to get to outside. I say give hime one more chance.We may have a little more beef up front in 2015.
May 3rd, 2015 at 4:36 pm
I have a completely open mind about Glennon….1st he played as a rookie behind a crappy OL…then last year filled in behind an even crappier OL…he has his foot speed limitations that he can never improve on..all else he can…he certainly is not one of Lovies guys….it’ll be interesting to follow his career…
May 3rd, 2015 at 4:49 pm
If another team has a starter go down with an injury….and one usually does….Glennon could be traded then with 2 years left on his contract…..there is still a long time and lots of moves that can be made between now and the season.
Ws get first shot at waivers….there will still be some cuts…and UDFAs….
We are surely looking at some of the borderline players…..take a look at the roster…there are tons of new player
May 3rd, 2015 at 4:59 pm
I like Glennon and think he could be a decent starter in the NFL, but Winston has star potential. This whole thing about their 40’s is completely overrated. So can we please stop with the whole “they’re not fast enough” thing, cuz Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are jus as slow as either of them
May 3rd, 2015 at 5:03 pm
And im happy we kept Martin as well. We have a good stable of RB’s. The Oline jus needs to gel and give JW and or Backs time to make rhings happen
May 3rd, 2015 at 5:25 pm
I do like the o-line additions, but I believe what is projected now… Dotson, Marpet, EDS, Mankins, Smith will change by the bye week and we will see the improvement in last years picks, Edwards and Pamphile get a shot. This team will grow together, I can see next year this offense having all three year and under starters, with Evans, ASJ and Bell at receivers, Winston, Sims and the I-train in the backfield and the new guys blocking “YUNGRY 2.0”.
May 3rd, 2015 at 5:51 pm
All aboard the I-train!!!
Keep your fingers crossed….this may be a good pick….
May 3rd, 2015 at 5:54 pm
SI gave us a B. That was a gift. I’m not impressed. Couple guys are interesting, like the middle LB. A D3 lineman? Seriously? At least he won’t be considered a bust when we cut him next year.
May 3rd, 2015 at 6:00 pm
It seems we still have a group of
Debbie Downers and Stinking Thinkers.
These kids haven’t even taken a rep yet and you guys already say they suck.
Man, your lives must really be miserable!
Give them a chance!
May 3rd, 2015 at 6:06 pm
LOL ………….”I-Train” We can only HOPE!!!
Love to stay and chat with you DB and TBBF but I worked all day and now I have to write an article on the NFCS draft for my site. Peace out fellas and let us all hope this was a Good draft three yrs from now. GO Bucs
May 3rd, 2015 at 6:20 pm
It’s telling ..everyone is geeked over offensive linemen…..
May 3rd, 2015 at 7:33 pm
Did anyone else pick up Ali’s mom saying “yes that’s exactly what he wanted” on the video of his reaction?
i want a guy that WANTS to be here
May 3rd, 2015 at 8:08 pm
Ali Marpet is actually on record BEFORE the draft saying he wanted to be a Giant.
I’m worried that Smith isn’t an NFL LT. I’m pretty sure he could play well at RT, but I just don’t see the feet and athleticism to be a good LT. With his skillset I see him being capable of All Pro at OG and possibly really good at RT…LT…not so much. I hope I’m wrong. I like Marpet. I think he’s probably more of a LG than RG. I can see this line really developing in two years with Smith getting comfortable somewhere, Marpet winning a spot, and both Edwards and Pamphile pushing others for playing time…though Pamphile may be a better fit at LT than RT while Edwards is more of a RG than LG.
May 3rd, 2015 at 8:44 pm
Current Roster
QB Jameis Winston | Mike Glennon | Seth Lobato
RB Doug Martin | Bobby Rainey | Charles Sims
FB Jorvorskie Lane | Joey Iosefa
TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins | Brandon Myers | Luke Stocker
WR Mike Evans | Louis Murphy | Tavarres King | Kaelin Clay
WR Vincent Jackson | Kenny Bell | Russell Shepard | Robert Herron
LT Donovan Smith | Kevin Pamphile
LG Logan Mankins | Ali Marpet | Ben Gottschalk
C Evan Dietrich-Smith | Garrett Gilkey | Josh Allen
RG Patrick Omameh | Kadeem Edwards | Jeremiah Warren
RT Demar Dotson | Matt Patchan
RDE George Johnson | Larry English | Lawrence Sidbury
RDT Akeem Spence | Henry Melton | Matthew Masifilo
LDT Gerald McCoy | Clinton McDonald | George Uko
LDE Jacquies Smith | William Gholston | T.J. Fatinikun
WLB Lavonte David | Kwon Alexander
MLB Danny Lansanah | Orie Lemon
LB Bruce Carter | Jason Williams | Larry Dean
RCB Johnthan Banks | Brandon Dixon
LCB Alterraun Verner | Mike Jenkins
SCB Sterling Moore | Leonard Johnson
SS Bradley McDougald | Major Wright | M.D. Jennings
FS Chris Conte | Keith Tandy
May 3rd, 2015 at 8:52 pm
@WS99 bleacher report gave the Bucs draft class an “A-” and most pundits gave them at least a “B”
May 3rd, 2015 at 8:53 pm
Luv…did you take all that time to type that out? lol
May 3rd, 2015 at 8:56 pm
Luv…I have to say I like the look of that roster more than last years roster. Thanks for putting that out there so I don’t have to piece it together in my head.
I knew you were good for something! 🙂
May 3rd, 2015 at 8:57 pm
Hey 87. Glad that we drafted JW and that you are ok. I was praying for you and us.
May 3rd, 2015 at 9:07 pm
Luv
What happened to RB Mike James?
May 3rd, 2015 at 9:15 pm
@87
Lol, I’m actually pretty damn good a quite a few things; you’d be surprised.
Nah, but reason I posted the roster info, was kinda like throwing up stuff on the white board-So at least we can get a visual, of the strengths and weaknesses of the roster.
May 3rd, 2015 at 9:16 pm
Gator..no worries man. I knew they were drafting him anyways. I really wasn’t worried about it at all. Was I happy yo hear his name called? Elated!
May 3rd, 2015 at 9:18 pm
@99
My bad, I thought he fell off the back of a truck-haven’t seen him awhile.
May 3rd, 2015 at 9:20 pm
Right guard is still a glaring weakness
May 3rd, 2015 at 9:23 pm
Competition Upgrades
RG-Alex Boone
FS-D.J Swearinger
May 3rd, 2015 at 9:28 pm
Everybody has a different take…….Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A- Let’s face it: The way this draft is viewed 10 years from now sits on the shoulders of quarterback Jameis Winston. The former Florida State quarterback is the most polished passer in the draft, but how quickly he transitions to the next level will be interesting to watch. The Bucs drafted two late-round receivers in Nebraska’s Kenny Bell and Utah’s Kaelin Caly. They also selected two big-time linemen in Penn State’s Donovan Smith and Hobart’s Ali Marpet. Having a high third-round grade on Kwon Alexander, the Bucs loved the value with the former LSU linebacker. Courtesy of FOXSports.com
May 3rd, 2015 at 9:28 pm
@Buc1987
Though I can’t share in your trapped sense of elation. I am cautiously optimistic that we will be better than 6-10.
May 3rd, 2015 at 9:39 pm
Luv…I’m not one of the ones looking for a quick fix, but you HAD to take a chance on a potential franchise QB. They just had to. It might take some time to be relevant again, but I’ll wait.
May 3rd, 2015 at 9:43 pm
Grafik
It’s under the article titled.
2015 NFL Draft Grades: Report Cards for All 32 GMs
May 3rd, 2015 at 9:44 pm
Luv
I hear you brother. Sad but true. Hopefully we see a resurgence from mr James. I like the kid.
May 3rd, 2015 at 9:49 pm
I like Mike James too. I was always impressed how he fought for extra yards.
May 3rd, 2015 at 10:01 pm
Nick o’leary > kaelin Clay
May 3rd, 2015 at 10:14 pm
99..I don’t know about all that. O’ Leary is a big boy.
May 3rd, 2015 at 11:07 pm
Hey guys………..Pink Floyd is Good!
May 3rd, 2015 at 11:19 pm
I have to go to sleep guys. It is 20 after 9 here. Peace.
May 4th, 2015 at 12:20 am
@WS99 i read his report in almost instantly knew the writer was a Winston detractor LOL one slide later, he’s a self-proclaimed “certified Marcus Mariota believer” so i’m gonna take his grading as bias especially when the majority of pundits graded the Bucs with at least a B grade. but we shall see! i think the team will be a lot more competitive… even though they went 2-14, except for of course the Falcons, Ravens & Lions games, they were in every game & lost by a touchdown or less… & the defense improved down the stretch…there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic
May 4th, 2015 at 1:41 am
From what ive heard tre slipped due to failing multiple team physicals (chronic knee issues) but nevertheless he never missed a game at fsu. I agree hes worth it. This kid did seem good at tackle, so if the strength is there and decent technique he can make guard work. May take half or an entire season to acclimate to speed/strength though. These 3 and collins, if cleared may seal the deal. This team would be ready to contend for that division.
May 4th, 2015 at 1:49 am
Matias fell from 5-6th rd target to free agent due to shoulder issues and failing physicals. He was always a softy, imo. He and hart were both bad, and both centers were awful until cam filled in. Jameis missed stork more than kelvin.
May 4th, 2015 at 8:59 am
I am not saying JW is our lord and savior but he is not the only QB to have a high TD/INT rate and the possibility to be a good NFL QB. Matt Ryan for example had 19 INTs his last year of college.
May 4th, 2015 at 10:32 am
I SO wish we would have grabbed Collins in the 7th round. We could have maybe worked something out with him. I’ll bet we could have picked up our second fullback as an UDFA.
May 4th, 2015 at 10:46 am
JoeJoes Fungi Nails….. I have read several of your posts (mind you I just started reading them the last couple of weeks). I have come to the conclusion that you have no idea what you are talking about when it comes to football. I don’t know if this has been addressed at all because I just went straight down to write this to help MENTOR you in your quest to become a RESPECTABLE Bucs fan. Ali Marpet has ZERO experience at center EVER!!!!!!!!!! In college he was a Left Tackle and in HS he was a Tackle and Defensive End. How in the hell do you see him as a perfect fit for center? You don’t just put the ball between your legs and start acting like a guard. There is a skill set involved with it. You are absolutely clueless when it comes to talking about both football and the Bucs. Please, from now on email your post to a more experienced person before you make a post to ensure you don’t continue to look like a complete idiot.
May 4th, 2015 at 11:26 am
Here are some numbers for all of you that talk about the interceptions defining Winston…..
Winston’s Numbers
851 passing Attempts and 28 interceptions over two years comes out to 1 Int for every 30 attempts.
HOF’s numbers
693 Passing Attempts and 69 interceptions over four years comes out to 1 Int for every 10 attempts.
Now I’m sure if you picking the guy strictly off those numbers than Winston would be the guy…. However, I’m sure every single one of you would stand there and tell me how Jameis is not even close to being in the same league as DAN MARINO! Now, this is not me comparing Jameis and Marino to each other to show how closely they resemble one another. Instead this is me telling all of you Stat freaks to settle down and stop looking at those numbers and let the guy play. He will show us 1 of two things. He can make it in the NFL or he can’t.