Biting The Apple?
February 14th, 2016
Would Bucs fans raise their arms in joy over Ohio State CB Eli Apple?
Joe tries to stay away from mock drafts because the whole thing has devolved into little more than a parlor game for clicks.
A prominent mocker and Joe didn’t exactly get into it at the combine a couple of years ago, but it was a very frank discussion. The respected mocker scoffed at Joe when Joe waved off different weekly mocks from the same person as inaccurate.
The mocker sniffed at Joe saying something like, ‘If people thought he was doing it for accuracy, they were sadly mistaken. Joe countered that if a mocker is not striving for accuracy, what’s the point? Then you are just throwing s(p)it against the wall. The mocker replied that the mocks are for evaluation, not accuracy. Joe replied that each player can be accurately evaluated and broken down without stooping to a mock draft.
So there.
Joe remembers when Joel Buchsbaum, the original draftnik, used to do mock drafts. He may have changed his once after the combine and maybe another time just before the draft, and that is it. Of course, Buchsbaum counted among his circle of NFL sources none other than Bill Parcells, Scott Pioli and Bill Belicheat.
Mike Mayock, for example, produces only one mock draft.
Now Joe really respects Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network. A former NFL scout who once worked for Ozzie Newsome and the Crows, Joe knows who this guy talks to (hint: general managers). And even though Jeremiah is forced by The Shield to mix up his mock drafts often, his information on players is solid.
So Jeremiah recently came out with a mock that has the Bucs taking cornerback Eli Apple of Ohio State.
This is an interesting pick. Virtually everyone (including Joe) would wager the Bucs select a pass rusher early in the draft. This year’s draft is very deep at defensive end. So much so, it wouldn’t shock Joe if the Bucs picked up a corner at No. 9 and depending how the rest of the draft flows, either wait for a stud DE to fall to them in the second round, or trade back into the first round to grab their defensive end.
February 14th, 2016 at 9:45 am
I grew up in central Florida and have been a Bucs fan since day one of the franchise. I went to Ohio State and watch every game they play. Apple is over rated…he takes plays off or gives too much of a cushion….NOT a good choice at #9
February 14th, 2016 at 9:52 am
There’s no way I’m taking Eli Apple over Vernon Hargreaves, as bad as i wanna see the former gator in pewter and red I do realize the huge need for a premiere edge rusher.
February 14th, 2016 at 9:53 am
Trade up and get the CB from FSU
February 14th, 2016 at 10:01 am
Maybe in the second. But now we draft Apple at no.9. Way better talent should be available. Do we draft our third Clemson de in nine, hoping that this one is different?
And I hate Mel Kiper too.
February 14th, 2016 at 10:02 am
Trade up and get Ramsey if we can. We need a corner like that
February 14th, 2016 at 10:08 am
Noah Spence or Vernon Hargreaves lll. I’m happy with both of the picks. Although VH3 is the safer pick I think we need a edge rusher a tad bit more than we need a lock down corner. I believe Banks and Verner have what it takes to be successful corner in this league if we can get sum pressure on the QB this season and not leave them hanging out to dry.
February 14th, 2016 at 10:10 am
Corners are a whole lot better when the qb is hurried as we all know. I think the gm is smart enough to go defensive end early and often. I surely hope so. A great corner isn’t so great when he has to cover for 5 seconds every play. Go bucs
February 14th, 2016 at 10:13 am
He is not worth the 9th overall pick you’re better off trading that pick to the Panthers for Norman a proven NFL corner Apple will not be better than Banks Verner or Moore
February 14th, 2016 at 10:22 am
Mock drafts before free agency=unabashed public masturbation.
February 14th, 2016 at 10:28 am
Why not go DE and then trade up for another DE…and THEN take a safety, which we need more than a CB.?
We are fine at CB…unless we upgrade the position in free agency.
Really, how come we never hear “go BPA in free agency?”
February 14th, 2016 at 10:36 am
Beeric:
Joe wanted to write that. 🙂
February 14th, 2016 at 10:44 am
Why is no one thinking bout Myles jack with Kwon and Lavonte
February 14th, 2016 at 11:32 am
I’d rather see them draft Mackensie Alexander over Eli Apple or Hargraves if they go CB at #9 (if Ramsey is off the board). Hargraves is nothing more than a nickel CB at the pro-level and Apple I see more as a late 1st rd-2nd rd talent.
February 14th, 2016 at 11:38 am
I wasn’t impressed with Hargraves he’s not a physical tackler in run coverage and I watched him get beat like a drum repeatedly in the bowl game. It got so bad that they ended up pulling him out of the game for awhile. I also saw him get beat for deep throws in other games as well. He’s a good player but again I don’t see him matching up well against big physical WR’s at the NFL level.
February 14th, 2016 at 11:39 am
I have read that the Bucs are not high on VH3.
February 14th, 2016 at 11:41 am
@bonsai
BPA in free agency usually results in overpriced contract like Endomikan Suh. The kind that could
put us in salary cap hell.
February 14th, 2016 at 12:11 pm
I would raise my hands in joy ONLY IF we converted Apple to safety.
I’m telling u this guy could be a dynamic safety.
Think Tanard Jackson-type, but an early-round version.
February 14th, 2016 at 12:15 pm
@Bonsai
I agree normally teams do overpay in free agency but there are several young talented pass rushers that will more than likely be available (Olivier Vernon, Muhammad Wilkerson and JPP) so I’d say that’s definitely worth the risk. If they do go the free agency route I’m thinking they should bring in a pass rusher thru FA and look to upgrade CB in the draft and slide Banks to FS (he played that position early on in his college career and with his lack of speed I think that’s a better fit for him) while playing Sterling Moore as the other CB with Verner as the nickel CB.
February 14th, 2016 at 12:48 pm
Mike Smith will get better production out of Banks, Moore & Verner.
So, go after a DE in the 1st tound.
February 14th, 2016 at 1:10 pm
Endomikan?
If one can’t get the spelling even remotely close, try google or just call him “DonkeyKong”. Seriously.
February 14th, 2016 at 1:42 pm
You can Bite on 10 apples for alls I cares, One thing is for certain, If we do not get pressure on the opposing QB’s of this NFL? Expect more of the same…losses that is. Jameis can throw for 500 a game. Won’t matter. Our Defense has to get off the field 3 times more than we did this past season. I can remember watching 75% of our games where I put down my libation and went…My God, that QB has all day to throw the ball! (referring to the opposition of course) Better call Saul baby!!
February 14th, 2016 at 3:08 pm
Rounds
1- DE
2-4 in any order they see fit – DB, DE,WR
5+ OL and LB
February 14th, 2016 at 3:19 pm
It’s all a constant mockery while the NFL eats up the profits.
I don’t really care which direction we are going in as long as we get 3 starters out of the draft.
February 14th, 2016 at 3:40 pm
Did anyone see the Superbowl ? Pressure is Supermans kryptonite !
DE DE DE Must have Pressure off the edge !
February 14th, 2016 at 4:23 pm
NOAH SPENCE IS THE ONLY PICK @ 9. If Spence is gone we have to take Andrew Billings.
February 14th, 2016 at 4:25 pm
CBs locking down receivers also allows DEs to get there. So, while not advocating for Apple or anyone in particular, there are reasonable arguments to be made for CB in round 1. That is, if the right DE is not there at #9, but the right CB is, the choice is clear – CB. I am hoping for DE personally, but wouldn’t be too disappointed with a CB.
February 14th, 2016 at 4:27 pm
HIRE JIMBO Says:
February 14th, 2016 at 4:23 pm
The only pick is whoever Licht and his personnel staff, with input from the coaches, decide is best. Licht has earned my trust.
February 14th, 2016 at 4:49 pm
I say trade GMC, MG8 and #9 to Houston for JJ.Watt
February 14th, 2016 at 7:01 pm
salish_seamonster Says:
February 14th, 2016 at 4:27 pm
HIRE JIMBO Says:
February 14th, 2016 at 4:23 pm
NOAH SPENCE IS THE ONLY PICK @ 9. If Spence is gone we have to take Andrew Billings.
The only pick is whoever Licht and his personnel staff, with input from the coaches, decide is best. Licht has earned my trust.
*Exactly*
Our new GM has earned my trust, as well. Despite some people’s assertion that he was nothing more than a figurehead, it’s obvious that he has already begun to turn this ship around: The new methodology that’s in place for acquiring young talent, the new coaches that are better than their predecessors, and the ability to quickly cut losses are three of the most obvious changes that Jason Licht has made. The more time that goes on, the more certain I feel that JL is the guy for the next 10 years.
February 14th, 2016 at 7:14 pm
Our first round pick at nine is just too high for CB Eli Apple. I don’t get the hype with him? He is not aggressive going for the tackle and just is not that impressive in coverage. Maybe in the second round but I still prefer Mackensie Alexander by a mile and William Jackson III. If we want a raw player with speed and a ton of upside we should draft CB Artie Burns, 6’0″ 197 Miami. The problem with drafting a CB in the later rounds is that only Vernon Hargreaves, Alexander or Jackson can come in and start right away for us. The best bet is to get a CB from FA who we can plug and play right away and save the first three picks for DE, FS and DT. I do like Andrew Billings but the more film I watch the more I like DT Vernon Butler. At 6-4 325, players don’t come much bigger than that. Combined with a quick first step with athleticism, he would intimidate opposing offenses next to McCoy for years to come?
February 14th, 2016 at 9:43 pm
There is no such thing as a lock down corner. 5 seconds or more to throw and the receivers are open. Think Brady, Rogers, Cam, Jameis can carve up a d with no pressure? I don’t care who the corner is. Yes good corners give the d line more time, but someone is open in 5 seconds. Can’t have all “lock down corners”.
February 14th, 2016 at 9:45 pm
Knock the QB on his azz in 3 seconds, and my mom and aunt could play corner.
February 14th, 2016 at 9:50 pm
@waterboy
I doubt that Vernon or Wilkerson will be available. They will be resigned. JPP different story and the questions of how well he can perform without a couple of digits. The fact that he can’t and won’t be able to grab and hold with one hand is difficult to overcome.
As far as Banks moving to free because he’s slow. Well, that’s just b.s.. If you’re slow at the free you’ll get torched all day, every day. That is unless you’re willing to severely limit the coverage schemes and assignments. The question is why would you do that. The only acceptable answer is you have no better options. It’s the off season mate, no need for that kind of despair and accommodation.
This is the season of hope and let’s hope that the Bucs have other plans. Less hope die before wk(fill in the blank).
February 14th, 2016 at 10:29 pm
I believe our need at CB is as great as it is at DE. With our new DE coach- probably Greater.
But expect the Bucs to draft a DE. They are this drafts deepest position. They are also harder to get in later rounds than CBs.
Eli Apple is not a top 10 player, or a top 5 CB. There are better CBs for the price , in round 2.
But make no mistake- our secondary was the worst part of this team last year- and is desperate for some talent.
February 14th, 2016 at 11:59 pm
I will not raise my arms in anything but disgust if we don’t take a pass rusher with our first pick.
February 14th, 2016 at 11:59 pm
@Duke
I disagree with u that Vernon or Wilkerson won’t be available.
If u did some research before u say things u would know that
1: Miami is in Cap hell, (that means they have no money;) so either they cut Cam Wake to sign Vernon to a mediocre contract (which he won’t exept) or he hits free agency.
2: The Jets won’t spend big money on Wilkerson because they have too much invested in Richardson, and they have Lenerd Williams to replace him. Plus Wilkerson has off-field issues.
In conclusion: BOTH WILL BE AVAILABLE!!!
February 15th, 2016 at 12:16 am
Priority is DE. Richard Sherman got toasted all season when the seattle d line could not get pressure.
Build the pass rush this season. Do whatever it takes to get top end talent in the building.
Cornerback is second fiddle to DE. Fix the pass rush then work on CB. if DE is really deep this draft take a DE in the first and second rounds. Double down and hope that at last one of them sticks (unlike the rockstars DE Double down flop.) i trust licht’s scouting a thousand times more than Dominiks.