Grinding With Peppers
March 26th, 2017
Sitdown with Bucs.
For those Bucs fans throwing rocks at moving traffic because they are so irritated by Chris Conte, you may rejoice at the following.
It seems the Bucs are more than a little interested in Michigan safety Jabrill Peppers. Per Michael Rothstein of BSPN, Peppers met with the Bucs. What he did not detail is if the sitdown was one of the allotted 30 official interviews the Bucs have with college prospects, or where the meeting took place.
Peppers is projected as a first-round draft pick, despite just one interception and one forced fumble through his three-year college career.
Still, as Joe has written many times, if a team isn’t that interested, they won’t waste time on you. An interview suggests Peppers is very much a potential target.
March 26th, 2017 at 8:07 am
INB4 someone references that stupid british guy from the podcast.
Jabrill Peppers is a stud.
March 26th, 2017 at 8:20 am
The Safety to take is Budda Baker. We could possibly slide down a few picks and get another 3 or 4th rounder to do it and IMO he is the most instinctive Safety in the draft that can hit. I agree we need to secure that position in a big way as we r strong up the middle of our D until you get to our Safety level.
March 26th, 2017 at 8:21 am
Stud but can he play safety
March 26th, 2017 at 8:25 am
I wouldn’t hate if they drafted Peppers. I would prefer Obi or Baker over Peppers tho. But at least Peppers would add to our return game as well.
March 26th, 2017 at 8:37 am
@Destinjohnny I think he can, he’s got all the tools and has great instincts. I’ve compared him to Earl Thomas since the first time I saw him play.
And as Poppems already said, he contributes mightily to our return game.
But still theres just something about Obi being that big and that fast. 6’4 224 with 4.4 speed, that can jump out the gym and lay the wood? Sign me up for that.
March 26th, 2017 at 8:39 am
Wow… the kids a tackler
March 26th, 2017 at 8:40 am
He was playing nickel at times
March 26th, 2017 at 8:44 am
It’s truly too bad that Jabrill Peppers missed the Orange Bowl with a sprained hamstring (probably from being used heavily on Offense, defense and ST’s the whole season).
Something tells me a lot of people around here would be smitten with him if they saw him lighting up there beloved Mr.Cook in the backfield.
March 26th, 2017 at 8:46 am
Yes, Safety is a need position. I like Baker better. My concern is there is really not another player who can be a good mentor. I’m not one of the anti-Conte guys, but I don’t know if he’s the guy who can show him how it is in the NFL. Whoever the Bucs pick has to be truly NFL ready as is, so taking a Safety first round vice later makes sense.
March 26th, 2017 at 8:50 am
He should be gone at 19
March 26th, 2017 at 8:51 am
@Fred E. I think that Keith Tandy is a great example/ veteran presence for a young safety. He’s a worker, and he’s a survivor. The fact he’s made it through so many Sh!t shows of teams is a testament to his mental fortitude lol.
I really do hope that Keith Tandy is able to keep playing like he was for the closing stretch of last season, as if his hair were on fire lol. Because he’s had to grind for every opportunity he’s been given. And it would be a heck of a story to see him continue his astronomical rise from back-up, to play-maker.
March 26th, 2017 at 8:52 am
Man he closes gaps so quickly and takes great angles and then he tackles really well. Don’t think Mike Smith would have any issues finding a spot for him.
March 26th, 2017 at 8:54 am
Love Jabrill Peppers
As a linebacker. Doesnt have the cover skills to play safety in the NFZl
He is Mark Barron all over again
I said the same thing about Barron before they drafted him.
They better not waste another pick, by ignoring Peppers lack of Coverage skills
If we needed a LB, he would be an outstanding pick.
Lots of good safeties available. As a dark horse, I like Marcus Maye. His Broken arm in 2016 will drop his status- but the arm will be fine for training camp, and he is a great player
March 26th, 2017 at 8:55 am
Rolling my eyes.
Blake and Fred…do you personally know Tandy or Conte?
If not why the speculation of who would make a good mentor?
March 26th, 2017 at 8:58 am
@87 I guess I just admire guys like Tandy that have had to work for everything they have.
March 26th, 2017 at 9:00 am
I mean one of them might feel threatened and become a real a-hole. lol
March 26th, 2017 at 9:06 am
In a trade down scenario or 2nd round
March 26th, 2017 at 9:08 am
we should look at Eddie Jackson in the 3rd
March 26th, 2017 at 9:12 am
@87 in that hypothetical scenario, my money would be on Conte, who’s a back-up any way lol.
March 26th, 2017 at 9:37 am
You’re crazy Blake, Cook would play w peppers like a little baby on his way to winning that game…
March 26th, 2017 at 9:46 am
On D I see Peppers more as a linebacker….but a great one! Safety, eh, sometimes. But he can also return, plus play rb at times. I dont know. I think he’s 1st round all the way but Coaches would have to focus on one area and mainly use him there.
I think we’re ok at LB, but if we wanted him for something else and he’s a bu at LB, I would be ok with drafting him. I really havent paid much attention to him until now. And now I understand why its hard to figure him out. Like I said though, I see LB, probably MLB.
March 26th, 2017 at 9:50 am
Nah Kalind. Jabrill woulda set that edge and stop him in his tracks. Sure tacklers are Dalvin Cooks greatest weakness.
March 26th, 2017 at 9:57 am
Another Mark Barron. Good linebacker but can he cover NFL tightends ??
March 26th, 2017 at 9:57 am
Not a fan at all.
March 26th, 2017 at 9:58 am
If we go defense in the first round I would prefer us grab the best available DE. Pressure on the QB obviously makes life easier on the secondary.
March 26th, 2017 at 10:15 am
You all realize that peppers was a safety but because of the lack of depth at linebacker, Michigan put him there… not too mention he was coached but a harbaugh so I think he is prepared for the NFL.
March 26th, 2017 at 10:24 am
If he packs on some more muscle, which he will, especially getting around 230-240, he’s gonna make an awesome LB. His instincts and the way he shakes blocks and his tackling are his specialties. Just need some more size and of course that will come.
March 26th, 2017 at 10:31 am
I don’t seem him putting on 20 lbs of muscle lol.
March 26th, 2017 at 10:33 am
Sounds more Scottish than British…
March 26th, 2017 at 10:39 am
Ok, 15 then, there Joey lol. But I put on 25 lbs from 21 to 23 from just powerlifting….6’1 went from 190 to 215. Never cared about bodybuilding, just wanted to lift the heavies.
March 26th, 2017 at 10:48 am
Pass..
March 26th, 2017 at 11:04 am
The podcast guy is Irish I think
March 26th, 2017 at 11:09 am
Yeah I just looked it up, belfast is in ireland. Lol. I ain’t no Geography teacher or master of dialogues lol gimme a break.
March 26th, 2017 at 11:09 am
excuse me… *dialects*
March 26th, 2017 at 11:10 am
As it is with any ballcarrier… @blake
Still the top player in space in this class. Followed quickly by McCaffrey and Henderson.
March 26th, 2017 at 11:28 am
I worry about some of you especially the Joe’s. Why are you mentioning Chris Conte? 7 minutes of film and not one single clip of him actually covering a single down field pass. He’s a hard hitter but so was the last safety we drafted in the first round, you don’t draft a guy with the first pick because he hits hard and if you compare that tape to that of real Thomas you clearly have never watched him play. Box safety can be found anywhere
March 26th, 2017 at 11:36 am
Peppers would be an Awesome Value at 19 and he is a safety not an LB
March 26th, 2017 at 11:38 am
Podcast guy is likely Scottish except on St. Patty’s Day when he’s Irish. A famous person always told me that while growing up…..my Scottish grandmother.
March 26th, 2017 at 12:21 pm
Peppers would be great but I like the kid from Connecticut better. a lot of upside and a big kid.
March 26th, 2017 at 12:24 pm
I really like Peppers. He was in a hybrid role last year that included LB, Nickel Corner, and at times safety from his normal position. He proved he could do all of the things asked of him.
He exemplifies the hybrid role like Honey Badger plays in Arizona. Except from a LB.
From his game film he was doing things that Smith was supposed to be doing last year, but couldn’t execute all of the time. Hence why he disappeared in the film. We could keep all 3 linebackers on the field for four downs with him and throw in a ton of wrinkles.
March 26th, 2017 at 12:30 pm
What’s with y’all today? With 19 we need the Miami TE. Safety is very deep this year. We can get one on day 2 or even 3 Peppers is an unproven commodity, we are thinking playoffs, no time for that.
March 26th, 2017 at 12:41 pm
I’m no expert on him, but he surely does not look like a first round talent to me.
NFL says this:
Weaknesses
Scouts question his instincts and lack of ball production. Has just one interception and 10 passes defensed at Michigan. Slow to recognize construct of play and can be found playing through a straw at times. Needs better recognition and anticipation to become an improvising play-maker. Doesn’t always trust his feet in coverage and will maul at the top of the route. Just a guy when asked to play deep safety. Slow to read and range until ball is in the air. Can be overzealous against play-action and drawn below his deep ball responsibilities. Too small for take-on duties at linebacker. Leads into tackles with ducked head. Opts to hit rather than wrap-up.
Sources Tell Us
“These comparisons to Charles Woodson are nuts. Both are really good return men, but Woody is one of the greatest playmakers of all-time. Peppers has one interception and I don’t think he’s ever forced a fumble. Michigan might move him around too much. He will really improve when he can lock in and learn a position.” — AFC Director of Scouting
March 26th, 2017 at 12:42 pm
Actually, he looks like no better than a 4th round talent to me.
March 26th, 2017 at 12:43 pm
I love Peppers BUT he scares me as a pick … I mean the guy has never played safety full-time and yet you’re going to spend a 1st round pick on him hoping it will work out … scary.
March 26th, 2017 at 12:44 pm
I’ve noticed that the term ‘hybrid’ usually refers to a player who does not fit in anywhere.
March 26th, 2017 at 2:06 pm
In Joe’s eyes, Bubba Baker will always be the stud defensive end who had the stones to brand himself in the arm with a coat hanger after he seared the coat hanger in a fire.
March 26th, 2017 at 2:14 pm
I like the pick but not at 19, that is way too high for JJepp. Also, the Commish on Bucs uncensored mentioned that Conte and JJWCOX would start at Safety over Tandy?? If we could drop back and draft him in the top of the second and pick up another second and 4th that would make JPepp value more palatable, but way too early for him at 19 in hybrid SS, would be the new Special teams ace replacing Shep.
March 26th, 2017 at 3:33 pm
Once he becomes a full time safety the turnovers come. Michigan used him in way too many spots. He is going to be a stud. Wouldn’t be upset with him at all
March 26th, 2017 at 3:35 pm
He will be a roaming free safety. No clue where your getting strong safety from. He is to small to be a SS
March 26th, 2017 at 3:41 pm
I like Budda over him tho if we were to go the safety route. But Peppers is a freak and given time to focus solely on 1 position will turn him into a pro bowl type talent.
I personally would wait til the 2nd or 3rd to draft a DB. Grab a DE, WR, or RB in the 1st .
March 26th, 2017 at 4:00 pm
Cannot understand why everyone is wigging on signing a Safety. Are you guys really Bucs Fans? Did you not see what Tandy did the last 5 games when he got his chance to play? He was a great player at West Virginia and did a great job for the Bucs. 4 interceptions in 5 games and led team in tackles like 12 one game and led team in 2 or 3 of the other games he started. We need a stud running back and pick up a Peppers or Baker if they are available with our 2 pick. I have said it and will say it again. Tandy should continue to start and Conte, Wilcox, and whoever should compete for the other safety position. Tandy is a WINNER and has proven that. A consummate pro that any young BUC could learn much from. Chill out with Tandy starting back there the Bucs will be fine.
March 26th, 2017 at 4:14 pm
It’s not Tandy I’m super worried about. It’s Conte and Wilcox being back-up quality safeties mostly.
March 26th, 2017 at 5:30 pm
Can’t take Peppers in the 1st. Too much unknown, and he’s definitely too small to play linebacker.
March 26th, 2017 at 6:13 pm
You add 15 to 20 lbs to a 6″0 213 in Peppers, thats a lb threat who shakes blocks and tackles well. Jmo.
March 26th, 2017 at 6:17 pm
I hope Peppers has already been drafted when our pick rolls around, along with 3 or 4 QB’s. That’d leave plenty of talented WR’s or RB’s for us.
March 26th, 2017 at 7:32 pm
Peppers has value. Sam LB in base 4-3 Nickle CB with strong tackling in short yardage 2nd down. Saftey in the box on goal line But at 19 not comfortable with that. If he fell in the second yes just because you can throw in his return skills. But someone will take a chance on him early and think they can coach him up but he has a boom or bust written all over him
March 26th, 2017 at 8:50 pm
He seems to close and tackle well, at the college level. He’ll need to wrap up better in the pros.
I stopped watching. Did they ever show him in coverage? Was he any good?
March 26th, 2017 at 9:15 pm
@unbelievable
Too small to play LB? I believe that was said about the greatest Buccaneer ever when he came out of Florida State. What ever happened with that guy? I’m not saying we should draft the guy, just making a point. With the defense playing the way they did toward the end of the year, I think we should go all offense in the first three rounds. I’m thinking Ross, if he is there, followed by Zay then Mixon
March 26th, 2017 at 9:56 pm
Buccanegro nailed it… No safety in the 1st, look for 2nd round on… loaded! If im GM – I’m all for trading back. I WANT PICKS!!!!! Early and as many as we can get!!!!!!! Tons of top 3, even 4, round talent this year!
March 27th, 2017 at 9:19 am
What does everyone feel about Marcus Williams out of Utah? He will drop to our third pick most likely and I’ve heard great things.
March 27th, 2017 at 9:46 am
What does everyone think of Marcus Williams from Utah? He’s a baller and will go late. We can scoop in the third.
March 27th, 2017 at 12:32 pm
A 4th round takent,in my opinion he is that and that. I guess the people who had him nominated for the Heisman were wrong and all the scouts and gm’s are clueless. Yeah it’s said all the time we’re armchair gm’s but cmon people some of the stuff im reading is just terrible to watch. When watching safety highlights you actually expect to see tons of swats and pics? That just means they’re throwing his way. Last two defensive heisman candidates..Suh and Charles woodson. How did they end uo