The Curious Case Of Johnthan Banks
October 23rd, 2015
Status still unclear.
It’s no secret Joe thinks Johnthan Banks is very much underrated.
Last year, Banks’ four interceptions tied for second most in the NFL by a cornerback.
Since being drafted in the second round in 2013, Banks has seven picks. Not too shabby at all, given recent Bucs draft picks. Yet for some reason, it sure seemed as if Lovie Smith was searching for a way to get rid of him.
Lovie anointed Mike Jenkins as a starter on the first depth chart of 2014, and had Jenkins not gotten hurt in the first game, there’s no telling what Banks’ future would have been — or how he would have picked off four balls.
This summer in training camp, whenever someone asked Lovie about the mild-mannered Banks, Lovie would do his best to twist the conversation into his love for Jenkins.
Banks injured his knee in Week 3 at Houston, and he returned to practice this week, a great sign. But yesterday, when Joe asked de facto defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier whether Banks would start Sunday if given the green light by team physicians and trainers, Joe got the impression Frazier really wasn’t sure.
“There’s a good chance,” Frazier said. “We’ll have to see how things go the rest of this week. Even though he’s cleared medically, can he really do all the things he was doing prior to the injury? We have to determine that. We’re hoping he’ll have a good day today and put another good day together tomorrow.
“It would be a boon for us [to get Banks back]. He’s a good player and one of our guys we really kind of count on. Not having him really hurt our depth. To get him back would really help us. We are playing a team that runs some three and four wide [receivers] at times, so it would help to have him back for sure.”
That’s a fair answer, but the way the secondary of the Bucs has been playing with Loaf Jennings and Jenkins, Joe is of the mind Banks at 80 percent is better than the aforementioned duo.
Then again, no sense forcing Banks out there if he is in danger of further messing up his knee.
To hear more from Frazier, click on the arrow below. Audio courtesy of Joe’s friends at WDAE-AM 620.
October 23rd, 2015 at 5:12 am
Johnthan Banks is one of our rising young stars. One day he will be talked about in the same breathe as Lavonte David and Gerald McCoy. Another cornerback who didn’t have great speed but had a decent Bucs career was Ronde Barber. Some instinctive play and great ball skills can take you a long way in the NFL. Having his length does not hurt either. He will force his way into Lovie’s lineup.
October 23rd, 2015 at 5:25 am
Was really impressed with Leslie Frazier’s answer … how well Johnthan’s knee holds up and how his practices go are the keys it sounds to how much playing time he gets Sunday.
And you’re exactly right Joe … no sense putting him out there if his knee’s not 100%. We’ll obviously need him desperately when we play some of the better passing teams.
October 23rd, 2015 at 6:25 am
Banks at 80% could lead to Banks at 0%. No need to risk it unless they’re certain.
October 23rd, 2015 at 7:54 am
I agree with everyone here.
If he plays at all, I think he should not start this week. Ease him back into the role for the week. Test him out early in the game, just a little.
If he does very well and we need him, only then should playing him more in this game be considered.
October 23rd, 2015 at 9:18 am
I mean, we perfectly rehabbed Revis so he was ready in time for the Patriots to use him.
October 23rd, 2015 at 10:24 am
Jonathan Banks underrated?!?! Let’s try using the word “overrated” when it comes to your opinion Joseph. No one knows about this guy outside of the Buccaneer populus!!
I engage in a lot of weekly trash talk with my colleagues and whenever I bring up “Jonathan Banks is going to lock his ass down!” The response I always get is WHO!?!?!?!?! and rightfully so!!!
“It’s as simple as that” – Lovie Smith aka “Don’t try to build up Jonathank Banks like you did Johnny Football”
“Lovie is a Great Coach” – Kwon Alexander aka “I’m better than Jonathan Banks!”
October 23rd, 2015 at 10:36 am
One day he will be talked about in the same breathe as Lavonte David and Gerald McCoy.
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Wrong! One day he will be talked about like Bennett, Talib and Blount.
October 23rd, 2015 at 12:42 pm
Frazier commented on how the bye-week came at the perfect time and how it has given them time to prepare. Start fast and finish strong. Did not sound to me that Johnthan Banks is good to go Sunday. That is a huge loss if Jennings.Jenkins get the start. Washington has been outscored 46-3 in the third quarter and the Bucs must be aware of a strong Redskin start. They need to get Mike Evans the ball. When Akeem Spence returns his ability to take on double teams will help. Interesting to hear how former Buccaneers Dashon Goldson and Mason Foster are doing. Goldson is the second leading tackler on defense and Foster is contributing on special teams, were he blocked a punt. Gruden spoke about how hard rookie Matt Jones runs the ball and how important it is to establish the run game. Kirk Cousins spoke about correcting his INT and protecting the ball. He said your only as good as your last game. Interesting to hear about Cousins and DE William Gholston’s history when they played together at Michigan State.
October 23rd, 2015 at 8:36 pm
Get him out there, they need him desperately.