Lockdown
September 7th, 2016
The nerds like him.
If preseason stats mean anything, Bucs rookie corner Vernon Hargreaves is on his way to becoming an NFL star.
That’s the information typed by Sam Monson of the PFF tribe. In breaking down his top 10 observations of preseason, Hargreaves’ numbers jumped out at him like a bad LaserJet printer.
Always a ballhawk at Florida, Buccaneers CB Vernon Hargreaves was shutdown during the preseason—almost entirely, in fact. He was thrown at eight times, allowing one catch for 2 yards. He caught more of the passes sent his way (two) for interceptions than he allowed receivers to catch. Hargreaves also broke up another pass, and for the entirety of preseason, QBs targeting him had a passer rating of 0.0, or almost 40.0 points lower than just throwing the ball into the dirt every play.
Joe honestly doesn’t know whether to high-five one of his neighbor’s dogs over this, or start doing shots this morning. Remember, this is coming from the same crowd that lauded the talents of E.J. Biggers.
Still, it gets Joe stoked to see that Hargreaves caught double the balls (interceptions) than passes allowed. That’s strong!
When practicing as a standard corner in underwear football and training camp, it was apparent Hargreaves could handle being an NFL corner if not become a stud. Dude is a ballhawk and sort of reminded Joe of a young version of Brett Grimes.
September 7th, 2016 at 8:21 am
I wish we had someone of the roster that can test him deep because Julio and Robinson can fly. That’s my only concern at the moment
September 7th, 2016 at 8:28 am
” numbers jumped out at him like a bad LaserJet printer.” LMFAO
Great test coming for him in week 1. It’s going to be a great year for us! Go Bucs!!
September 7th, 2016 at 8:59 am
suspect Jones will be matched up against Grimes more than Hargreaves.Hoping Grimes stays closer to his man so he using his athleticism to make plays instead of catching up to his man.Also hoping Grimes is the player Bucs thought he was.
September 7th, 2016 at 9:05 am
I was a slightly skeptical of the pick, simply because he was a little on the small side. But, he is doing everything right to show he was worthy of the #1.
All rooks have growing pains but, I am rooting for the kid. Glad Grimes is around to help too.
September 7th, 2016 at 9:08 am
Our safeties are also gonna be critical in coverage also. If we get good pressure up front, I expect some off target passes to fall into our hands.
September 7th, 2016 at 9:16 am
Just a reminder, the old version of Brent Grimes got his arse handed to him in that Cleveland game.
September 7th, 2016 at 9:17 am
The kid has definitely shown some skills. The key will be, as Bob stated, up-front pressure. If we don’t get pressure, expect these DBs to give up some plays. Conversely, if we’re able to apply pressure, watch out!
I wouldn’t mind a couple of pick-6s against ‘ol Matty!
September 7th, 2016 at 9:55 am
This is a great feel good story!!! Hometown kid gets to show his stuff for his friends and neighbors.
If you’d like a morning eyeopener go to the Wiki entry on Hargreaves and read about his career at Wharton.
Yeah it’s high school but when a player is so so so far above the rest of the talent level you know he’s special. And it’s not like Wharton plays 8 on 8 football in some backwater like up here on the Upper Peninsula.
Hargreaves has excelled at every level…MVP of the Under Armour All American game.
I too wondered a bit about size…I think that’s largely because the FSU’s Ramsey was just physically larger and had basically very similar skills. But now I realize that Hargreaves has enough size and he has a big heart and sick athleticism like Brent Grimes. Don’t know if Hargreaves or anybody jumps as high as Grimes…that dunk video was pretty amazing.
September 7th, 2016 at 10:10 am
Hargreaves stood out in all 4 preseason games. Wonder how long it will take Mike Smith to get the entire secondary on the same page? Hope it’s quick as the DL depth is a big ? IMO. We’ll find out on Sunday, 9/11. 🙂 Go MIGHTY BUCS In Hotlanta!!
September 7th, 2016 at 10:38 am
WHO IS GUNNA COVER JULIO?
September 7th, 2016 at 11:02 am
Banks 🙂
September 7th, 2016 at 11:07 am
No one is going to cover Julio… Who ever covers Julio in any game? Jones is going to catch another ten balls for over 100 yards and a TD. But if they can stop the run and catch Ryan staring down receivers like he always does we can still win. Look at what Julio did to us both games last year and we still swept. Julio is going to get his… Focus on shutting down the other ten.
September 7th, 2016 at 11:53 am
Hargreaves ball skills reminds me of the honey badger. In the combine drills that was the first thing I said when I seen him. Tyran Matheiu! I like him for the same reason I wanted Winston in Tampa. VH3 excelled playing in that Florida heat. So solution to all drafting problems just draft kids that excell in that scorching humidity. Ding ding licht bulb. It’s a kid I seen in the under armor game this year we need him in a few years. He looked like prime out there. #2 in the white jersey. I can’t remember his name. I’m sleep.
September 7th, 2016 at 12:13 pm
@BigPoppa
Bingo. Julio gets his against EVERYBODY…if not the best WR in the league he’s certainly near the top.
It’s the NFL and other teams have talent. You can’t stop them all. I’m with you BigPoppa…and I have a strong suspicion Smitty is too.
September 7th, 2016 at 12:25 pm
SPBF – Hargreaves had a 39″ vertical jump at the combine. That’s 3’3″ off the ground.
I heard plenty of knocks against him pre draft regarding his height. A common refrain was – “How the hell is 5′ 10″ Hargreaves going to contest balls against 6’5″ Kelvin Benjamin?”
Well – the answer is that VH3 has better ball skills than Benjamin – and he out jumps him by 8 inches.
6’3″ Julio Jones with a 38.5″ vertical jump is a whole different animal though. There’s not a CB in the league who can feel good about going up against Julio.
September 7th, 2016 at 5:45 pm
Brent Grimes used to wear the number 20 in ATL in honor of Ronde Barber. Brent Grimes used to say that modeled his game after Ronde Barber!
Ronder Barber is one best unique CB’s in NFL History. His sack-interception ration was amazing.
Now Brent Grimes is finally in Tampa, where he was meant to be before Miami signed him. (I was calling for him on these boards here-archive it)
And now we have a new stud CB, who Ronde Barber pleaded us to draft!
Now, Ronde and Brent Grimes can tutor this dude!!
We are a team of DESTINY!!
Spread the positive VIBES Bucs Fans!!
The Law of Attraction is NEEDED for us to WIN A SUPER BOWL!!
Do u HATE our boys or LOVE em?? Make up your mind!
Get on Board the Buccin Boat or get the F off!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!
-From a Clearwater Kid born in 1983 (the same year as Bo, and I’m Joe, Auburn Alumni)
The connections man! Its all about the the connections! Serendipity is divine.
Peace!
(Jah bless Mike James- also a personal favorite Joe) I feel you man. I love our guys and felt the pain of the guys who got cut. Players are PEOPLE, not “jerseys”.
Preach!