He Can Ball
June 16th, 2016
Shows advertised skills.
For those who read Joe’s notes from yesterday’s practice, this may be a bit redundant.
For those who did not read the notes, please do so.
Anyway, near the end of practice on a broiling mid-June day at One Buc Palace, for a brief moment, Joe was reminded of chilly Indianapolis in February.
There, on the final day of the NFL Scouting Combine, the cornerbacks were ushered into the media workroom for interviews. Then-Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves was one of the lucky few to use podium. And he was nearly swallowed up by the podium, only his head (barely) stuck out above it.
Joe, sitting right in front of Hargreaves, asked for his take on critics and many fans believing he would be too short to play corner in the NFL, thus, he would bust out.
Hargreaves’ answer?
“If you can ball, you can ball.”
Boy, did he demonstrate that yesterday.
Late in Day 2 of minicamp, Bucs quarterback Mike Glennon was trying to complete a pass on the right sideline at the goal line when Hargreaves came racing in from the middle of the field. Hargreaves jumped the receiver, skied like a small forward pulling down a rebound but instead, pulled down the football.
Hargreaves then slammed into the turf below, but he never let the football go. It was a pick.
The crowd let out a collective “Whoa!” and “Oh!” It was one helluva play. Asked about it a few moments later, Bucs coach Dirk Koetter launched into a sermon of high praise for the team’s No. 1 draft pick.
“Yep, that was a great play,” Koetter remarked. “You know, your guys who you draft where you draft them, they should show up and make some plays every day and over the course of these OTAs and camp there is at least one thing every day that Vernon shows up making a play.
“He has a real knack for the ball. Some guys can be in position and never seem to make a play on the ball. When Vernon gets his hands on it he’s going to catch it.”
That was the second time this offseason that Joe not just saw Hargreaves make a play, that really made you open your eyes wide.
Watching yesterday’s play, Joe fully understood why Hargreaves was a first-round pick. Watching that play, Joe was taken back to that chilly February day in Indianapolis, with Hargreaves’ own words buzzing in Joe’s ears.
Yes, Hargreaves can ball.
June 16th, 2016 at 6:28 am
Joe, I must admit, I am always impressed. I need to be at work at 4 or 5 am in the morning, and Joe always has new content up at the break of dawn. Well done Joe.
VHIII looks like the real deal, but with Licht making the picks, I did not doubt his skill. As he continues to see more, and learn more, he can be a staple on this defense for a decade.
June 16th, 2016 at 6:35 am
The haterz will see why Licht chose this guy soon enough. He just makes plays on the ball. He has a nose for it. And that’s what we need. Ppl will be suprised how good of a player he really is when he starts snatching picks during the regular season, and I can’t wait to tell the haterz “I told u so.” He’s been my favorite player on the gators for years, so ofcourse I was very happy to see him go to my pro team and start making plays for them now. Fans will begin to love this kid, just watch and see. He’s a human highlight reel when it comes to corners making plays.
June 16th, 2016 at 7:17 am
Awesome news Joe. I wanted Rankins but VH3 is definitely winning my support.
June 16th, 2016 at 8:07 am
I was not a fan of this pick. Especially coming from such a poor program with a long history of busts and felons that being said I’m warming up to vh3. If he catches everything put him in the slot. WR is a huge concern.
June 16th, 2016 at 8:09 am
Grimes and Hargraves will the starters at corner back when the season starts, which means somebody has to go, via trade or cut down day!!
June 16th, 2016 at 9:26 am
VH3’s head barely peeking over the podium. Put in a smaller podium. Big potential people come in smaller bodies. We have the muscle hamster, how tall is he? Now we have mighty mouse. Is that copywrited? Maybe the scampering scooper.
June 16th, 2016 at 9:41 am
There were only two picks I personally felt would’ve been the “right pick” at #9 (#11), Bosa or Hargreaves.
Tunsil falling did make our defensive draft stratagem a bit hazy for a minute.
June 16th, 2016 at 9:42 am
Uhh oh! MG8 threw an interception in OTAs! The official MG8/Chiano jockstrap holder club president is gonna be upset for Real!
June 16th, 2016 at 4:38 pm
Joe…I actuallly wanted us to draft passrush with our first pick, BUT you can tell he will be special on how fluid his hip movements are, how quick he gets off his backpeddle (no wasted effort)….he might be “undersized” but his vertical is awesome. He runs 4.5 but plays fast(er) and has arguably the best footwork in the draft (not just of defensive backs but any player period).
June 16th, 2016 at 7:24 pm
“Yep, that was a great play,” Koetter remarked. “You know, your guys who you draft where you draft them, they should show up and make some plays every day and over the course of these OTAs and camp there is at least one thing every day that Vernon shows up making a play.
Joe did you not read into Koetter remarks? Was that also an indirect hint towards ASJ to show up and make plays according to where you draft them? Hint! Hint!! lol