Next Step For Hargreaves: More Confidence
December 29th, 2016
Work in progress
One more game and 21-year-old Vernon Hargreaves’ rookie season is in the books.
Joe saw a solid season from Hargreaves as he soaked in a giant adjustment. He certainly hasn’t been great, but there’s no reason to think he won’t develop. It’s also encouraging that Hargreaves stayed healthy and available all season.
Defensive coordinator (for now) Mike Smith was asked to assess Hargreaves today at One Buc Palace.
Twice, Smith said Hargreaves needs to come back with more aggression in Year 2.
“When you’re a rookie you’ve got to come back the next year and play with a lot more confidence,” Smith said. I think Vernon will do that. I think that he’s had a very solid year. It’s not over. We’re not finished with our evaluation by any stretch. But I think that he’s a guy that’s been able to play two positions for us, started at the nickel position early in the season and moved outside.
“So he’s got a lot of snaps underneath his belt and the natural progression is to play with more confidence, be more aggressive, understanding splits, understanding down and distance, understanding who’s on and who’s off and what the route combinations are going to be.”
It was clear Hargreaves was missing that split-second confidence that would have allowed him to break faster on balls and, likely, have more than the one interception under this belt.
Regardless, Hargreaves is a rookie and did enough to leave Bucs fans and coaches very encouraged.
Giants cornerback Eli Apple, the guy drafted one pick ahead of Hargreaves in the first round, battled a hamstring injury, missed games and also has just one interception.
December 29th, 2016 at 1:20 pm
Hargreaves will be a solid corner,the year with Grimes will definitely help, but I think the secondary will still need a playmaker back there, I hope he becomes one sooner than later.
December 29th, 2016 at 1:21 pm
The kid did great all year. He was hardly challenged except for when there was a 6’+ receiver lined up against him. Maybe he can spend the offseason hanging upside down like micheal Jordan did in Jr high maybe it will help him grow 6 inches too but I doubt it. Lol
December 29th, 2016 at 1:27 pm
This young man gone be rock solid. And I’m saying that as Nole 813.
December 29th, 2016 at 1:30 pm
Ya see DB we Noles and can give props to a player that was a gator. But these @$$holes round here hatin on the idea of Dalvin merely because he a Seminole. S@$! comical yo.
December 29th, 2016 at 1:31 pm
That’s why FSU will always stand taller than y’all.
December 29th, 2016 at 1:32 pm
i guess he will be a solid #2 corner
NOT and NEVER will be a shutdown #1 corner
not quick and fast enough
cant play aggressive press coverage because he will be toast
we are okay with teams with bad #2 wrs but a team with good #2 wrs will eat up vh3
thomas and cook can separate 7 yards from vh3 in a instant. he has to fake an injury to hide the shame
Lichts 2016 draft was a miss. it usually takes 2 years to recover from a bad draft but hopefully with the FA money we can recover quickly and fill our many holes
because of 2016 draft, we need in 2017
cornerback, defensive pass rusher, kicker, saftey, and offensive lineman
(You see what i did there)
December 29th, 2016 at 1:32 pm
Joe:
I think his confidence level is extremely high. The problem is he can’t gamble the way he wants to because of the back end players. You can’t take the chance because you have mediocre safeties behind him . When you put a E Berry or J Adams (lsu ) at safety or move grimes to free safety and grab T Johnson (rams) S Gilmore (Buff) and get a nasty DT like K Shorts (Car) or D Poe (kg) You will then see this kids swag and he will be a the top for interceptions every year .
December 29th, 2016 at 1:36 pm
Ronde Barber was an undersized CB who took years to develop.
He’s only 21 and looks like a 19 year old out there.
He will get stronger in the offseason and watch more film.
He has the heart and mentality that we need.
He loves to play.
Just so you know, the brain doesn’t finish growing until the age of 26.
He will get smart and stronger over the next few years.
By the time he is 25, barring no injuries, he will be AMAZING.
December 29th, 2016 at 1:36 pm
hey NOLE
bucs should have gave the whole damn draft to get your ramsey
Bucs would have their shutdown pro bowl corner for the next decade
December 29th, 2016 at 1:43 pm
I was not sold on him. He was far from perfect but much better than I thought.
December 29th, 2016 at 1:47 pm
Nope
Real rec real. And Tmax you said it perfectly.
Where the hell is SB?
December 29th, 2016 at 1:47 pm
Haha meant Nole
December 29th, 2016 at 1:48 pm
Darwin James is the only Nole (defensive player) that I have on my draft radar. And he won’t be draft eligible until the 2018 draft ( if he decides to come out early). He was injured this season and the Noles payed the price for his injury. Dalvin Cook is a no-brainer ( no way he’s around when we pick). I think we should go after T Roderick Johnson in the 2nd or 3rd.
December 29th, 2016 at 1:53 pm
kobe I can’t front Ramsay faired better than I thought he would in year one having played most of his school ball at safety. Duke a beast.
December 29th, 2016 at 1:58 pm
Only problem with that kobe had the organization done that and he came here and balled like an all pro people would hate because he came from FSU. I mean I ask 813 yesterday I wonder the people of dallas felt about Jimmie Johnson drafting all those Hurricanes.
December 29th, 2016 at 2:05 pm
Speaking of fsu why isn’t licht making Jac an offer for Rashard Green? Doesn’t he ride the bench behind their beastly WRs?
December 29th, 2016 at 2:11 pm
Good question.
December 29th, 2016 at 2:12 pm
db55 finally agree
jameis and greene can complete passes blindfolded
im guessing licht always lost in a trade with other GMs, so he was gunshy…
getting a fsu kicker in the 2nd round was smarter
December 29th, 2016 at 2:12 pm
This kid was better than I expected. Like the rest of the team, keep working.
December 29th, 2016 at 2:15 pm
I’m telling ya the glaziers would be wise to offer me a FO position. We’d be like “New England who? Who’s that? Never heard of them!”
December 29th, 2016 at 2:16 pm
@ nole
ramsey at #1 corner and grimes at #2 corner would have given us 3 extra wins…
no matter what putrid defensive front and safties we put out there with them
December 29th, 2016 at 2:17 pm
I was not a fan of drafting Hargraves but as I said then I am 100% behind him. BUT I still see him as a #2 corner at best due to his lack of speed and size. That works against the crap QBS of the SEC but not against the NFL best. You see it show up in size against Julio and you see show up it in speed against Cooks. I mean he’s not going to grow but experience will help SOME with recognition thus speed of play but when just flat speed comes into play there is nothing he can do but get blown away.
December 29th, 2016 at 2:23 pm
“i guess he will be a solid #2 corner”
He already is a solid #2 imo. Not sure if you’ve seen the corner play we’ve had the last 5-10 years.. oh yeah you haven’t because you’re not even a real bucs fan.
December 29th, 2016 at 2:31 pm
Gator fan here. I too have been telling my brother and dad all year that i want dalvin. ( there noles fans ). And they disagree with me. So not all gators fans are homers. Im a bucs fan first
December 29th, 2016 at 2:34 pm
LC
2 years and counting
ive seen and see alot of football
*im actually surprised with his tackling skills. VH3 has a thick frame. i see a possible ty matheio honey badger in him and play alittle safety in the future
hybrids is the in thing in the new nfl
December 29th, 2016 at 2:40 pm
I was a bit concerned about Hargreaves’ speed, but did u guys see him cover brandin cooks down the sideline running step-for-step with him the other day?
I’m not very concerned about his speed any more.
December 29th, 2016 at 2:44 pm
Vernon Hargreaves will be a good CB in the NFL. But at Florida he had a lot of talent around him in the secondary. Quincy Wilson, Brian Poole, Jalen Tabor, Keanu Neal and Duke Dawson. I don’t see how Brian Poole went undrafted, he’s playing lights out for the Falcons in the slot. I think we should go after Poole replacement at Florida ( Duke Dawson) in round 4-5. In my opinion he’s better than any Slot CB on our roster.
December 29th, 2016 at 2:50 pm
@nole…..I never doubted cooks talent….I simply said, I don’t think the bucs will be in position to get….I view cook as a top 10 talent….maybe 15 but as it stands now the bucs will be picking well beneath that….if he’s there at #21 and we’re on the clock, I would be screaming take him…with the team having so many holes, it would be stupid to trade away picks to jump and get him….one player that I would love for us to get from fsu is the dt derrick nnadi…6’1 312…that kid is a monster in the trenches…you cant move him…I would love him in the first round
as for VHG, he had a solid season….smitty is right…he has to play more aggressive….GO BUCS!!!!
December 29th, 2016 at 2:52 pm
Dougy balls so am I. Bucc first.
December 29th, 2016 at 2:55 pm
Okay that’s fair I can respect that 813. I stand corrected.
December 29th, 2016 at 2:55 pm
@dougy…I hear you….my uncle is a die hard fsu fan and said he doesn’t want cook UNLESS HE DROPS….I would love to have him but only if he drops….but we have to fix the trenches on ball sides of the ball….GO BUCS!!!!
December 29th, 2016 at 2:57 pm
@NOLE….WHATS YOUR TAKE ON RODERICK JOHNSON YOUR TACKLE?….we need oline help too….I’ve watched a few games of his…he looked solid…GO BUCS!!!
December 29th, 2016 at 3:16 pm
i like the kid but we need to add youth, size, and flat out talent alongside him in that secondary. 35 year old grimes will not be any taller, better, or more explosive than 34 year old grimes, and our safeties on their very best days can only be described as adequate
December 29th, 2016 at 3:17 pm
I can’t lie 813 I was too busy always paying attention to Walker bro.
December 29th, 2016 at 3:21 pm
I kinda feel like this season has some feeling like our O line is a issue. I disagree man. Even if Sweezy isn’t able to go I feel we need nothing more than a starting level right tackle. I want a vet right tackle in free agency. This team is one year remove from having the most rush yards in the league(combined). Along with a 4000+ yard rookie passer. That’s tells me that unit ain’t broken. Tweak it not fix it.
December 29th, 2016 at 3:23 pm
I cant lie…walker is nasty, but nnadi is a monster….both have a nasty motor…I wouldn’t mind either….with nnadi tho, you wouldn’t be able to run up the middle…he’ll collapse the pocket….we should be in play for the both of them….with that being said, I HATE FSU…SCREW THEM….THEY ALL SUCK….LOL…GO BUCS!!!!
December 29th, 2016 at 3:33 pm
I heard you….I agree….I want a rt in FA no question but have should also draft a tackle….our depth is horrible….one injury and we’re dead, as seen with Dotson….GO BUCS!!!
December 29th, 2016 at 3:47 pm
You right about that. And yea they both have that motor. I love that in defensive football players. The hate tho☺😉its all good. Always next season.
December 29th, 2016 at 3:54 pm
Why do we have to be homers? From an out of state perspective, draft a CB like Desmond King who could be converted to S. Pick up Josh Reynolds to pair with Evans, those two, my god that’s unfair. Grab an OT in FA like Ryan Schrader from Atl. Grab Kenny Stills in FA, very underrated speedster who could be a slot receiver. Then in the 3rd, grab DE Kpassagnon from Villianova. He may be the biggest sleeper in the draft. Look him up if you don’t know who he is! Pick up Another young O-line man. Grab a DT in the 4th. With a $17 million jump in cap in 2017 why not sign a guy like Jonathan Cyprien from Jax. What do you think Joe?
December 29th, 2016 at 4:09 pm
@PA…I hear you….that aint bad….GO BUCS!!!!
December 29th, 2016 at 4:57 pm
VH3 was consistently outmatched and looked absolutely ridiculous in that Saints game! STr8 Trash!!!
December 29th, 2016 at 5:14 pm
I read a Mock draft last night that had us taking Desmond King in the 1st. The Atlanta Falcons gave Ryan Schraeder a 5 year extension last month.
December 29th, 2016 at 5:23 pm
The thing I like about this kid he study’s he may not have the height but I think his mind will be the thing that we will see play into his career I believe next season he will shut his side down
December 29th, 2016 at 5:45 pm
Playing solid throughout ones rookie year in the NFL as Hargreaves has is a sign of great things to come from that young man.
The learning curve for CBs coming into the NFL from College is quite steep.
IMO, Hargreaves handled his duties quite admirably considering his lack of experience – and now has a ton of tape of himself from this whole year (covering some of the best receivers in the NFL) to analyze endlessly and improve on nuances that can’t really be properly addressed or dealt with while the season is being played out.
Hargreaves and Grimes as a combo is a HUUUUUGE upgrade over the starting CBs the Bucs were fielding last year and anyone not willing to give Jason Licht credit for turning one of our biggest weaknesses last year (CB position) into an actual strength in one off season is either a Licht hater or an idiot.
December 29th, 2016 at 6:28 pm
You guys checked out WR Corey Davis? Western Michigan. Kid can go get it. With YAC. Jameis would light it up.
December 29th, 2016 at 6:42 pm
Vernon Hargreaves is going to be great for us…but we need a solid CB who is taller to complement him too. Grimes will not be around that much longer. He might play next year, but he and Miko could surprise us and announce his retirement.
December 29th, 2016 at 6:45 pm
I would argue that any players’ second year is the best gauge as to whether he’ll be good. Most starting players do well their first year. Consistency is key.
Take Mike Evans. Although his TDs were down his second year, his yards were up. So you could argue that he only slightly took a step back.
That’s another player Tampa fans lost patience with far too quickly.
December 29th, 2016 at 7:40 pm
Gilhealy, yes he’s good but he’ll be gone by the time we get there. Josh Reynolds in the 2nd or DE Kpassagnon from Nova beast
December 29th, 2016 at 8:22 pm
Corey Davis is my top rated WR. I have him ahead of Mike Williams and John Ross.
December 29th, 2016 at 8:54 pm
Walter football has Cook mocked to Carolina #9 overall.
Which bring me back to trading McCoy and 20mil to Cin for Atkins Boyd and that #8 pick.
December 29th, 2016 at 8:57 pm
VHIII showed a lot of promise this year. That last game, he was helped off the field and still bounced back. I like that!
What do you guys think about CB Adoree Jackson as a possible draft pick in the 2nd? Great returner too. We could address safety and the O line with free agents and work on WR first and D with the rest.
December 29th, 2016 at 9:48 pm
He was a tough kid, pretty good tackler. But I was disappointed with is cover skills.
December 30th, 2016 at 8:14 am
VH3 is fine. Was glad we drafted him. Him and Ramsey have virtually identical stats this year. VH3 has more tackles. Ramsey has one more int.
December 30th, 2016 at 10:40 am
VH3 was a solid corner. Not the greatest by any means but well worth the pick. He just needs to hang out with Kwon some and understand what it takes to be a beast. Maybe talk with Ronde Barber to see what it took him to develop as an undersized player. We have the beginnings of another great defense like the early 2000s. We need another great DT, CB, and safety to round out the defense. Sure up the line on both sides of the ball, get another WR to complement ME13 and look out for this team for years to come.