Lovie Got His Combine Special
May 2nd, 2015
New rookie Bucs linebacker Kwon Alexander
Bucs general manager Jason Licht is to quick call the NFL Scouting Combine the “underwear Olympics,” and he discounts some of what players do at the glorified track meet.
Lovie Smith, however, is happy to say he’s a big Combine guy.
It might be the one known difference between the two when it comes to personnel. So, it’s worth noting that the new Bucs fourth-round pick, LSU linebacker Kwon Alexander, was a Combine standout.
Per the Times-Picayne, Alexander had the second fastest 40-yard dash time for linebackers (4.55 seconds) behind Falcons first-round pick Vic Beasley of Clemson, who ran a 4.53. In the vertical jump, Alexander hit 36 inches, and he broad-jumped 10 feet, 1 inch.
Those are serious measurables. Lovie loves speed, especially in his linebackers. This smells like a Lovie pick.
May 2nd, 2015 at 1:41 pm
This is clearly a Tampa 2 pick.
May 2nd, 2015 at 1:42 pm
By Ron Higgins, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
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on May 02, 2015 at 12:19 PM
Led team with 90 tackles, including 10 against Alabama and 11 against Notre Dame. Has that quick twitch needed to get in top gear almost immediately. Relentless pursuer and relishes hammering running backs and tight ends trying to get into pass routes. Sometimes doesn’t break down into a good tackling position. Should make a team based on his speed because he can play on special teams. Really excellent character.
May 2nd, 2015 at 1:42 pm
I like it, wonder if they’ll move him inside
May 2nd, 2015 at 1:42 pm
Good thing the moved up……someone was getting ready to take him……just wondering how impulsive that “war room is”…
May 2nd, 2015 at 1:42 pm
the nola picture shows him as #4.
the video in your other link has him as #4.
May 2nd, 2015 at 1:44 pm
what happenned to our second number 5 pick?… its no longer listed on nfl.com
May 2nd, 2015 at 1:46 pm
Must have been killing Lovie over the past two drafts to make 9 offense picks and no defensive players. Maybe we see a DE and/or S next?
May 2nd, 2015 at 1:46 pm
the kid changed numbers during his college career.
May 2nd, 2015 at 1:46 pm
i know we traded one to pats for cassillas but… we started today with 2 fifth round picks… i thought…
May 2nd, 2015 at 1:49 pm
i meant we GOT 168 over all for cassillas and is now owned by lions. is this the defensive tackle?
May 2nd, 2015 at 1:49 pm
“the kid changed numbers during his college career.”
thanks.
May 2nd, 2015 at 1:52 pm
This guy was projected in the third. No problems at all moving up to get him. Not many more linebackers like him In the draft, and he will be a perfect fit for the Tampa 2
May 2nd, 2015 at 1:59 pm
The other 5th pick went to the Lions for the Johnson trade. They got our lower pic . Believe it was the last one in the 5th.
May 2nd, 2015 at 2:08 pm
the TV “crawl” shows Buc 162 &168 in the 5th
May 2nd, 2015 at 2:32 pm
He’s way too small to play inside guys, although I don’t dislike the pick. He adds depth on the outside and he’ll almost definitely be a fixture on the kicking teams.
May 2nd, 2015 at 2:56 pm
Lovie has been pretty cool, allowing 9 offensive picks so far, so let’s allow him his picks.
May 2nd, 2015 at 3:08 pm
I have to remind everyone that Shelton Quarles was an OLB until he was moved to MLB and became a fixture there. At 6’2 235 he is the same size and weight as both Qualeres and Hardy Nickerson.
I’m not saying he is going to be moved there, I’m just saying he fits the prototype size for a Tampa 2 MLB.
He certainly has the speed and you have to love his numbers.
May 2nd, 2015 at 7:23 pm
In the T-2, the general rule is that the LBs are all interchangeable and then when a player comes new to the D, he immediately trains at the Sam LB position where they say, “If he can play the Sam, he can play the other two spots.” Kwon is not really too small for the Mike, he’s definitely small, but Nickerson was 235, Quarles was usually around 230 irregardless of what the program said. Traditionally, most LBs in the T-2 are in the 230-239 range. 227 is not that far off and besides that, the defense places a premium on movement, not taking on blockers… advantage-Alexander.