Drafting McCaffery Means “Expanded Canvas”
March 24th, 2017
BY IRA KAUFMAN
This column goes out to all of those Dalvin Cook fans in Buc Land.
Admit it, thousands of you will be disappointed if your beloved Bucs pass on Cook if he’s still on the draft board at No. 19 next month.
I understand your position because Tampa Bay residents got to see Cook wreak havoc every week as a running back for Florida State.
But there’s another intriguing back in this draft who could be available when the Bucs make their initial pick, a prospect who might be an even better fit for Dirk Koetter’s offense.
“He’s an electric triple threat,” NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks says of Christian McCaffrey, the Stanford running back who as a sophomore in 2015 shattered the NCAA all-purpose yardage mark set by Barry Sanders in 1988. “He can impact a game in a variety of ways — as a runner, a receiver and as a return man.”
McCaffery posted a 4.48 time in the 40, better than Cook or Leonard Fournette, and his pass-catching skills are phenomenal.
“When you say Christian McCaffrey, he can run, he can catch, he can return punts and kicks,” said ESPN’s Mel Kiper. “You can put him in the slot. You can put him out wide. That’s why he’s a top prospect and why people have him going much higher than people originally thought.”
McCaffrey should have won the Heisman as a sophomore and he followed with another standout season last fall. His intangibles are off the charts, but he did generate criticism when he skipped the Sun Bowl to focus on his preparation for the draft.
Hey, it’s the Sun Bowl.
Koetter Craving
That decision won’t cause a single NFL scout to pause in his sterling evaluation of McCaffrey, who comes from impressive bloodlines. His father, Ed, was a former NFL wide receiver and his mother, Lisa, was a soccer star at Stanford.
When Koetter watches McCaffrey’s tape — and he’s seen a lot of him — this 20-year-old’s versatility has to excite him. It has to set Koetter’s mind racing about all the ways McCaffrey could potentially impact the 2017 Bucs.
“The interesting thing about Christian is it really depends on what offense he goes to,” NFL Network’s Steve Smith says “He needs to go to an offense that can utilize all the great attributes he has.”
We know that Koetter craves more weapons to maximize Jameis Winston’s effectiveness. McCaffrey fills the bill in so many ways.
“For me, the whole key is you’ve got to have a game plan for this kid,” says NFL Network’s Mike Mayock.
Many mock drafts have the Eagles selecting McCaffrey at No. 14, but he could slide past Philly and still be on the board five picks later. Running back is certainly a glaring need for Tampa Bay and McCaffrey’s unique skill set could be difficult to pass up.
Creative Artistry
His college tape is very impressive and McCaffrey capped that fabulous sophomore season by accounting for 368 all-purpose yards in the Rose Bowl as Stanford trounced Iowa 45-16.
Koetter made his bones in the NFL as an innovative offensive coordinator, a creative coach who knows how to utilize his talent and exploit the weaknesses of opponents.
Adding McCaffery and DeSean Jackson to the mix in Tampa would give Koetter an expanded canvas to work his magic.
“A team that understands how to use that running back as a matchup nightmare is going to make Christian McCaffery a star at the next level,” Brooks says.
There’s a new video out of McCaffery playing the melody to Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” on harmonica. He’s not a polished musician, yet McCaffery never misses a beat.
He and Koetter could make some wonderful music together in Tampa.
Ira Kaufman is Tampa Bay’s only Hall of Fame voter. His columns fire here at JoeBucsFan.com every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and his very popular podcasts pop Tuesdays and Thursdays.
March 24th, 2017 at 12:44 pm
Saw highlights on this kid. I’m sold! Great piece Ira!
March 24th, 2017 at 12:47 pm
Being out west, i didnt see a lot of Cook, but i did see this kid.
He is the real deal and loves and breaths football.
I wouldnt be upset by this pick.
March 24th, 2017 at 1:08 pm
Safer pick than Dalvin, but the things Dalvin has over him is a little extra burst and a relationship with Jaboo.
McCaffery isn’t a sexy pick but he def falls in line with Koetter’s desire to feed a guy the ball then have him pick up yardage. Nice column, Ira.
March 24th, 2017 at 1:09 pm
I don’t know what to think of him still.
For one – we never used Charles Sims in the slot and so I don’t see us using McCaffery in the slot; and we already have developed Hump for the slot. For a while many of us have asked to see Sims in the slot and the fact that we haven’t puts doubt in my mind about Koetter wanting to use this guy all over the place. In general the most creative RB usage I’ve seen in our offense is a screen pass.
THe PR/KR ability is meh to me – that shouldn’t put anyone into the 1st round.
It seems like the ultimate upside with this guy is possibly a taller Darren Sproles or bigger Danny Woodhead but this guy isn’t as quick-twitch shifty in his tape like Sproles is imo. If we take him he better be a great pure RB.. not just some guy who is useful in the slot and on kick returns because that isn’t a 1st round value
Him & NJoku are guys I’m not wanting us to draft right now honestly.
Njoku for the reason that he cannot block in line and will basically be a rotational player with Cam Brate. I don’t get why PewterReport or Bucsnation are so high on him. Talk about a part time player in R1 – the guy would likely get 2-3 targets a game max. He’d only be worth it if he can develop into an in-line blocker or we see Brate having that ability (and lol at the idea of that at Brate’s build).
R1 I feel like it’s Dalvin Cook / Corey Davis / OJ Howard on offense or bust. Derek Barnett / Taco Chalrton on D or trade back if all 5 of those guys are gone.
March 24th, 2017 at 1:13 pm
I thought he was available in last years draft. I’m high on this kid. I would not be upset if he is drafted at 19. He would immediately take over Simms spot and up the return game. We had the worst returns in the league.
March 24th, 2017 at 1:16 pm
Much rather have him than Cook, sorry. If Koetter is creative enough to use him in the pass game a decent amount the offense would be crazy. He’d also make Simms expendable in my eyes but I’d rather C. Davis or OJ if they fall.
March 24th, 2017 at 1:32 pm
bucsfaninchina Says:
March 24th, 2017 at 1:08 pm
Safer pick than Dalvin, but the things Dalvin has over him is a little extra burst and a relationship with Jaboo.
_______________________________________________________
Jameis can make a relationship happen with anyone as long as they work as hard as he does.
March 24th, 2017 at 1:35 pm
Still don’t have a running back if you draft him, and Sims is a similar player.
Get Cook and put Sims in the slot if you want.
March 24th, 2017 at 1:39 pm
Really hoping this happens. I like Cook, but growing increasingly in favour of McCaffrey. If he’s there we need to take him, then add depth to defense later on.
Please Licht!!
March 24th, 2017 at 1:40 pm
In the Bucs scheme, McCaffery > Cook.
March 24th, 2017 at 1:46 pm
If you draft McCaffrey,he would immediately become your best slot receiver. He would immediately become your best 3rd down back. He would immediately become your best return man. And lastly he would immediately be your best running back period. So i don’t see much risk in this pick.
March 24th, 2017 at 2:00 pm
“Cobraboy Says:
March 24th, 2017 at 1:40 pm
In the Bucs scheme, McCaffery > Cook.”
Please explain this to me lol
March 24th, 2017 at 2:06 pm
Jameis can make a relationship happen with anyone as long as they work as hard as he does.
—————–
Bingo!! Look at the relationship he has now with Brate and Evans..they didn’t go to FSU..
Great article Mr. Ira!!!
McCaffery has the football dna running through his blood too..
I still prefer a S or TE in 1st, but will be just as happy with Caff..and he’s gorgeous..good eye candy for this older lady..
March 24th, 2017 at 2:08 pm
imo – in terms of NFL comps –
Fournette = Peterson
Cook = Jamaal Charles
McCaffery = Sproles/Woodhead/Reggie Bush
OJ Howard = Greg Olsen/ Gronk
Njoku = Eric Ebron
Williams = Dez Bryant
Davis = Amari Cooper
Give me the non gadget player imo in terms of better value to the team
March 24th, 2017 at 2:15 pm
Yo Cornelious, I view Him as a more athletic Devonta Freeman, or maybe a slightly less shifty Lesean Mccoy. Regardless, his skill set it legit. And he could fill the same kind of architype as David Johnson or Leveon Bell. A Rb that can line up anywhere and do anything, but most importantly – a guy that can win matchups to get himself in the open field.
I’d honestly prefer Melifonwu, Njoku, or Bolles at this point just from a value mindset, but I would not be mad with CMac. Just because he is so darn good and versatile.
March 24th, 2017 at 2:20 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKsx5kCglvg
I despise this show, but i like this clip.
March 24th, 2017 at 2:22 pm
I see what you’re saying Lord Corn. The Reggie Bush comparison is pretty close. Still, he’s a dynamic player with a variety of skillsets. I would not be disappointed with this pick.
March 24th, 2017 at 2:23 pm
“And he could fill the same kind of architype as David Johnson or Leveon Bell. A Rb that can line up anywhere and do anything, but most importantly – a guy that can win matchups to get himself in the open field.”
I’d be surprised honestly. Those guys are workhorse backs that weigh like 15-25 lbs more that CMac but still have the same movement ability. Bell is like in a league of his own with his run style
I can see the more athletic Devonta Freeman making sense – but he was a 4th rounder. I guess i just don’t like the idea of a RB round 1 unless they are a 3 down back who will touch the ball 20 times a game at a minimum and be a top 10-15 RB in the NFL immediately. I don’t want a reggie bush / sproles / woodhead/ or even CJ Spiller type that early. Hell Spiller likely goes ahead of him if they were in the same draft
March 24th, 2017 at 2:26 pm
Chris has a lot of tenicals
I would take him over cook all day
March 24th, 2017 at 2:28 pm
Correction those backs weigh like 25 more lbs than Cmac (Bell & Johnson)
Trust me if we draft him I’ll be all-in and will try to convince myself he’ll be amazing and worth it but right now I’m just not as high on him for whatever reason.
The Sharpe argument seems to be all combine based and stat based. His tape is solid but he does run upright which is weird for a small back and why he reminds me of Charles Sims. RBs in general going in the top 10 is controversial and rarely occurs so I’m not sure it’s a race thing. The guy is undersized for a feature back and isn’t a 4.3s or even low 4.4 type freak speed guy so even he was black I don’t see why he’d be a top 10 back
March 24th, 2017 at 2:29 pm
damnit top 10 pick*
March 24th, 2017 at 2:30 pm
Not sure that I would pass Cook to take him though. We can get returners later in the draft. Again, not Caff over Cook.
March 24th, 2017 at 2:34 pm
Lord Cornelius Says:
MUCH more multi-dimensional than Cook.
That’s not a knock against Cook.
I just think McCaffrey had skills that Cook doesn’t, as a receiver, a return guy, etc.
For instance McCaffery could be converted to a full-time slot if necessary. He is an excellent receiver in a pass-happy league.
Cook may be the better pure RB-runner, but based on film I’ve seen not by that much. But McCaffrey is the far more polished receiver and return man, doesn’t have a history of fumbling and has little history of injuries.
I don’t know how smart Cook is, but McCaffrey had serious smarts, including football smarts.
Not to mention he comes from some serious NFL football stock, and is a high-character guy. I know nothing of Cook’s character so I can’t compare.
But, as always, opinions vary, all blessings.
March 24th, 2017 at 2:36 pm
Bucsfanman Says:
The Bucs have been saying that for as long as I can remember.
It’s worked out so well…
March 24th, 2017 at 2:37 pm
Well corn, i was refering to their roles more than their build. I dont think its a stretch to say that Christian McCaffrey could contribure 20-25 meaningful touches a game. 12-15 carries and 5-10 catches.
March 24th, 2017 at 2:40 pm
he’ll be long gone before #19…Denver is drooling over this kid…they’ll trade up to get him
March 24th, 2017 at 2:41 pm
Cobra I just meant how does he specifically fit OUR scheme and system. Everything you listed applies to all teams.
We’ve had a pass catching back in Charles Sims for a while and our system never deployed him in a unique way beyond RB screens even though a lot of fans wanted to see him lined up at WR more.
March 24th, 2017 at 2:45 pm
I still think Cook is a better runner as in between and ourside the tackles. Cook can catch too. As long as there is no permanent damage to his shoulders I think Cook is the better choice for a team thst needs a running back as opposed to a utility player.
Oh and as far as Cooks fumbles are concerned, sometimes a little coaching goes a long way.
March 24th, 2017 at 2:52 pm
I will be disgusted if they draft any RB in the first round
March 24th, 2017 at 2:55 pm
@Lord Cornelius.
Ira Kaufman explains it well when he stated:
Brooks says.
I agree with him.
In today’s NFL almost every skill player is a “situational” player. The days of a bell cow seem to be closing rapidly.
As far as Sims is concerned, can you imagine the nightmare a DC would have with Sims and McCaffrey in the same backfield, with Evans and Jackson wide and Brate at TE? Think motions and shifts into the slot.
Not dissing Cook at all. If he’s chosen, I’d be happy but for different reasons. I just like McCaffrey for the reasons I’ve stated.
March 24th, 2017 at 2:55 pm
Ira trying to knock some sense into some of these homers
March 24th, 2017 at 2:57 pm
Good point Cobraboy! But I’d rather us be kicking off after scoring than returning after the opponents score, know what I mean?!
I like the kid. It’s a win-win as far as I’m concerned. It sure would be nice to see a returner though!
March 24th, 2017 at 3:01 pm
Each of those 3 top RBs bring something different to the table, but I don’t have any doubt that Koetter could figure out how to use Cook or Fournette or McCaffrey in his gameplans. I get more concerned about using a 1st rnd pick on a RB since the majority of them don’t seem to last longer than 5 yrs max. Haven’t seen anything to substantiate this, but I’d guess that WRs and TEs selected in the 1st rnd have longer careers than RBs drafted in the same rnd. If someone like Corey Davis or OJ Howard is available when Bucs pick, think I’d rather go with one of them at this point than with one of those 3 RBs. Plenty of solid RBs available later (like Mack or Perrine probably).
March 24th, 2017 at 3:02 pm
Hopefully someone else covets CMac and is willing to part with a 3rd to move up, this draft is so deep in our positions of need, moving back at any cost would be the best play, players 19-50 are close to interchangeable
March 24th, 2017 at 3:19 pm
Rewatch the FSU vs Michigan game, Cook can clearly line up at receiver as well. Christian definitely would be my go to back if Cook gets taken before though, he does return so that’s dope but not sure if we draft a RB the first round you would want to risk him getting hurt or tired on returns if you assume he is your starter at RB. My wishlist in order would be: Cook, Davis, then Mccaffrey.
March 24th, 2017 at 3:20 pm
I can’t think of much that would upset me for this draft. Licht better just keep in mind: we HAVE-TO-GET #WeaponsForWinston with at least 1 of our first 2 picks…..and if I had it my way, it would be 2 of our first 3.
March 24th, 2017 at 3:32 pm
No on McCaffrey. He’s sooooo….white.
March 24th, 2017 at 3:33 pm
Something you’ll notice too if you watch that FSU/Michigan bowl again is something FSU fans know, Jimbo loves his QBs, sometimes to a fault. At a point in the game the announcers wondered why with Cook rolling, Coach decides to pass 3 straight times. Fisher does this constantly, and Cook STILL became the greatest RB in team history in only 3 years. You see what Devonta is doing now, Cooks ceiling is even higher.
March 24th, 2017 at 3:43 pm
I think if you draft a RB at 19 he needs to be an every down back or at least a 1st and 2nd down back ….. which the Bucs currently do not have absent Martin returning. As Eric said above, “Still don’t have a running back if you draft him.”
We really want to use this pick on a 3rd down RB, sometime slot WR and kick returner? We already have a good No. 2 back in Sims … what’s his role with McCaffrey? If we don’t get Cook or Fournette in first I’d wait until second day to grab a Foreman/Perine/Hunt type.
March 24th, 2017 at 3:49 pm
So McCaffrey handled one of the biggest workloads in college football the past 2 years (30+ touches per game) had 2k rushing yards in 2015, and 1600 rushing yards in 2016, But you don’t think he can tote the rock?
Please. Check the facts sheeple.
March 24th, 2017 at 3:52 pm
It would be worth the Bucs taking McCaffery just to see Nole’s reaction.
I would feel fine with either, but maybe a little more fine with McCaffery.
Although, I would prefer drafting for one of the lines, if that is the BPA when we pick.
March 24th, 2017 at 3:52 pm
Would be a great choice at 19
March 24th, 2017 at 4:03 pm
Which back of the two faced better defenses in college?
March 24th, 2017 at 4:06 pm
Christian Mac is the “safest” RB pick in the draft and will have the longest career I think .. but … that’s because I see him converting from RB to slot receiver at some point and slot receivers last a lot longer than RB … I’d be thrilled with any of the top 3 backs … or Mixon … even Kamara, Mack and a big like Foreman or Perine would thrill me, so I’m easy I guess …
March 24th, 2017 at 4:08 pm
Blake, you want to give him 20 or 25 carries a game? That’s not how most are talking about using him. You don’t line up your feature back to return punts or kickoffs. I think he’s a good player and wouldn’t be too upset if that’s the way we went but I just don’t see it as a great fit for the type of RB we need.
March 24th, 2017 at 4:19 pm
^ Chistian Mac would probably get 10-15 carries a game and 4-5 catches a game and a couple punt returners a game … it’s conceivable he’d get close to 25 “touches” every game but not straight carries imho.
March 24th, 2017 at 4:30 pm
Man, that was bad timing Ira lol. Right after the Joe’s posted and article claiming Bucky Brooks doesn’t know what he’s talking about, you cite him in your article. Gotta have better communication lol.
Would love to have McCaffrey though. He’d be the Swiss army knife Koetter could do some serious damage with
March 24th, 2017 at 4:30 pm
I’d like them take McCafferey AND resign Doug Martin, if Martin is clean. They sign Martin to a minimum contract. McCafferey isn’t an every down RB, but a slot receiver. If Martin fails, you move McCafferey to RB. Also, if D-Jacks or Evans goes down, Bucs are in trouble again at WR. Oh, and McCafferey can return kicks, so you get an upgrade there. They key is to keep Martin if he is clean.
March 24th, 2017 at 4:32 pm
right … so who would get the other 20-25 carries per game? Doug Martin? A second drafted RB? A combo of Rodgers and Sims, a mass RB-by-committee approach? I am a “bell cow” RB kind of guy, and I think Koetter always has been as well.
March 24th, 2017 at 4:35 pm
From what I saw in their highlights they both run a little upright . McCaffrey doesn’t have that sudden burst but I didn’t see it in Cook either. They both can catch in traffic but I think McCaffrey is a little quicker in his cuts.and a touch shiftier. Mac has better break away speed than cook from what I can tell. As for returning how many want your 1st rounder dling that?
March 24th, 2017 at 5:44 pm
I support this move as well. I have full and utter confidence in our front office.
March 24th, 2017 at 6:11 pm
I’ll take either or.
Cook or McCaffrey will do just fine.
March 24th, 2017 at 6:21 pm
Im telling you when you watch the highlights mccaffrey has the best vision of any back available. The guy can do it all. I would love to see him drafted. I dont think it will happen but I will be one of the first to buy his jersey if he is. Watch his highlights it says it all
March 24th, 2017 at 6:28 pm
He’s growing on me. I think I’m just losing my mind with all the time to analyze. I dunno how scouts do this lol
March 24th, 2017 at 6:33 pm
He will likley we gone by 19 though he is now getting the artention he deserves
March 24th, 2017 at 6:49 pm
I don’t see it – other than his skin color when I watch highlights he looks exactly like Charles Sims. Also Sims and McCaffrey had almost identical combines – both had the same exact 40 time, Sims was stronger and McCaffrey had a bit better agility. McCaffery’s other issue is his size, he’s 6′ 202lbs – he’s going to have to get bigger if he’s expected to be a 3 down back and while sure this will probably make him stronger, it will probably take away a bit of his agility. McCaffrey also runs very upright, very very upright, and I’ve only ever seen one guy in the last 20 years or so that ran that way that was effective and could stay healthy, and that was Eddie George, who is much bigger than McCaffrey. To me, at 200lbs, I see McCaffrey, if he’s a 3-down back, getting killed by linebackers and safeties if he runs that upright.
With all that said my comments are based on very little footage and those that do a lot more research than me have him as either the #2 or #3 back in the draft – so I’d assume they know what they’re talking about. But to be a 3rd down back I think he’s going to have to be in that 225lb range and run a lot less upright, which I think will kill a lot of his appeal.
To me he just looks like Charles Sims… and we already have him and getting another Sims in the 1st round doesn’t really solve any issues unless you’re keeping Martin and making McCaffrey that 3rd down guy who can also play some WR. Oh and as a reminder at the end of last season Sims was lining up at WR when the Bucs were losing guys every other week.
But hey Sims is only here through this year, so maybe you plan ahead. But this seems like an expensive luxury if that’s what he turns out to be.
March 24th, 2017 at 7:20 pm
@Rod Munch: IMO, the days of the “three down back” are almost over. The NFL is situational football now, rolling the dice to create mismatches.
Imagine a McCaffrey shifting to get 1-on-1 with a LB on a pass pattern. I don’t see Cook as a fraction of a polished receiver as McCaffrey is.
The Bucs already have two inside the tackle guys in Martin (who I predict they’ll keep) and Rodgers. And while Sims is also a nice (but injury prone) receiver, the NFL is, at the end of the day, a passing league. Two excellent receivers at RB offers an expansion of the offense over what we’ve seen.
I’m not a huge Peyton Barber fan. He’s kinda “meh.”
March 24th, 2017 at 7:31 pm
WTF JRODGERS BEING INTERVIEWED BY 49ERS????!!!!!!!
THOUGHT WE RE SIGNED HIM???
March 24th, 2017 at 7:52 pm
I clearly said touches and even broke down the split between carries and catches Buc2015
March 24th, 2017 at 7:54 pm
@Kevininthepainterimage
I’s Jack Smith, DE, not Rodgers.
I don’t think Smith is going anywhere.
March 24th, 2017 at 8:11 pm
Oops I see that now. They better keep smith hes cheap and worth
March 24th, 2017 at 8:57 pm
It is okay to like both Cook and McCaffrey without having to argue against the other. They both are great RBs and will both be a big addition to our backfield. I too am fearful of RB in the first round, but since we got D Jax, RB is now priority #1. So either one of these guys is okay with me. I still don’t see how anyone can love C Sims. Can’t stay healthy, dances in the hole and yes he can catch, but so can 3/4 of backs in the league. This guy brings nothing to the table for me. He is easily replaceable and I believe if Martin didn’t go all Cheech and Chong, Sims would be gone with a mid rounder taking his place. I would love us to take 2 RBs and get rid of Martin (though I’m not that down on him, there are plenty of guys that have come back from a suspension…see Kwon for example) and Sims. Would also love to see Freddie Stevens taken in the 6th or 7th.
March 25th, 2017 at 8:34 am
I would much rather have a pro bowl caliber, potentially record setting back in Dalvin Cook than a 3rd down back with a few jukes in his back pocket. I have absolutely no faith in McCafferys ability to translate to the NFL. However, I do think Cook has a solid chance to take his first NFL carry 75 yards to the house and continue to do so regularly!
March 25th, 2017 at 10:38 am
LOL @ Fsuking.
Homer much?
March 25th, 2017 at 11:38 am
I think I read that Koetter does not like a committee of running backs as was used last year due to injury. While I like them both, I will take Cook over McCaffery, Cook plays his best in the big games and is a three down back.
Cook = Faulk
March 25th, 2017 at 3:03 pm
Excellent article Ira.
The Bucs areas of need include running game, kickoff and punt return game, and outside of Mike Evans, not enough explosive offensive play makers.
Chris Simms has proven he is a below average player. He had one good season, and that’s it. Doug Martin is all but gone.
Our general manager has been trying to draft a kickoff / punt returner for the last few seasons.
I love Adam Humphries and Cameron Brate. They’re bound to have breakout seasons with the added attention DJax will command. Still besides DJax we have no other players on the roster that can either be handed the ball or catch the ball within 7 yards of the line of scrimmage and explode with dynamic moves resulting in taking it to the house.
Dirk Cutter has publicly commented that Jameis Winston has to get better at the check-down pass. Part of that unwillingness to check it down might be due to the fact that he doesn’t have someone he believes can shake defenders to gain positive yardage. Doug Martin was never great catching the ball, Simms sucked last year, and Rogers is a runner, not a ball catcher.
This all points towards McCaffrey being the perfect fit for the 2017 Bucs. He has no injury or character concerns, unlike Dalvin Cook. The Stanford Cardinal has shown the ability to be an explosive offensive weapon. He can take it to the house as a runner, pass catcher, or special teams returner. McCaffrey can be a match-up nightmare for defenders. Winston will have no problems checking it down to him and letting him shake and back (Ricky Bobby style – Talledega Nights) the defenders out of their cleats. Jameis’ willingness to check it down will reduce the number of ill advised risky throws he sometimes attempts to complete when he should just check it down.
McCaffrey can help every aspect of the Bucs offense.
I say we draft McCaffrey with our #19 pick, have him split carries with Rogers, keep Simms for the last year of his contract as a backup to McCaffrey, then either this late in this year’s draft or next year pick up some strong big bruising back whom will be used specifically for 3rd or 4th and 1 or 2 yard plays.
March 25th, 2017 at 3:30 pm
All good points there Juan Carlos, but it’s Charles Simms lol.
And while i’ll agree that Simms has been injured far too frequently, and he had a really bad year in 2016, He produced 1000 yards from scrimmage in 2015, and was looking like a pretty decent player. Maybe he can bounce back.
But yeah I agree 100 percent with McCaffrey being a great fit for Dirks passing game. A large portion of passing plays in a 4 verts scheme have an engineering check down for when everyones covered down the field. And Cmac is an explosive playmaker in space.
I would really like to see a Safety, a Pass rusher, or some kind of down field receiving weapon for Jameis (be it TE or WR). But I would not be mad if we draft McCaffrey.
March 25th, 2017 at 9:26 pm
Yeah, Im ok with drafting CMac. I think he’ll be a top 25 pick so at 19, and if we want a Hump on steroids whose also a better returner, then why not?