Did Mike Smith Get A Draft Wink & Nod?
April 26th, 2017
On the eve of the NFL Draft, you should remember that bold, rarely-happens move by Team Glazer this offseason, the one that dumped an overflowing barrel of gold bars in Mike Smith’s lap so he would halt his search for a head coaching gig until 2019.
In the behind-the-scenes world of the NFL, there are winks and nods and deals and loyalty-plays made every single day.
That’s just reality. And Dirk Koetter and Jason Licht are fiercely loyal men.
Anyone remember the drafting of defensive end Gaines Adams at No. 4 overall by Tampa Bay in 2007? It was widely accepted that the selection was a nod to iconic defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin. The Bucs had been offense-heavy drafters through the decade to that point. Chucky would have preferred a deak to move up and draft Calvin Johnson, but he didn’t get his wish.
That brings Joe back to Smith.
It’s likely the Bucs brass promised Smith ripe fruit in this week’s draft. Call it pot-sweetening as a way to help Smith be confident he was going to be leading a defense that would open up more head-coaching opportunities for him.
Ira Kaufman, Tampa Bay’s only Hall of Fame voter and JoeBucsFan.com columnist, agrees with Joe on this one. And it will be one of many topics on Ira’s podcast tomorrow.
Plus, remember how Licht drafted just one defensive player through the 2014 and 2015 drafts. Licht told Joe that’s not a factor in this year’s draft, but Joe’s not 100 percent sold on that. The makeup of the roster is a factor, and the Bucs have more young studs and prospects on offense. That is clear.
Maybe, just maybe, Mike Smith wears that sly grin he’s known for tomorrow night.
(And here’s Team Glazer’s direct take to Joe on throwing Smith all that cash.)
April 26th, 2017 at 2:51 pm
Thursday can’t get here soon enough
April 26th, 2017 at 2:51 pm
Barnett. Time for the other teams QB to quit laughing !!!!
April 26th, 2017 at 2:54 pm
C’mon Joe, don’t you know anything that goes against drafting Dalvin Cook is fake news…
April 26th, 2017 at 2:56 pm
Seems like this draft is heavier on the offensive side…especially @ 19 where Garrett, the top safeties and perhaps edge rushers will be gone. Who knows?! Can’t wait to find out!
April 26th, 2017 at 2:59 pm
One can only hope.
April 26th, 2017 at 3:03 pm
If we stay in the first round
If
I believe its gonna be Taco Charlton, Malik McDowell, or another QB crusher.
We’ve needed DEs for so long now- that is criminal.
And this draft has some promising young Pass Rushers.
But I think it has to be a DE, not a Lb who only plays DE on 3rd down.
We need a 6’5″, 275# plus, every down disrupter.
Simeon Rice blew up Running plays, as well making QBs live in fear.
And thats what we need. A guy who will spend most of his time in the offensive back field. And in this draft- there is a good chance we can find that guy!!
April 26th, 2017 at 3:07 pm
While FSU and part time Buc fans have been screaming for Cook (who has over 700 touches and 13 fumbles) I’ve been hoping for a DE or CB who can help the Bucs beat Brees, Ryan or Newton as you need to build a team to win the division not the ACC!!!
April 26th, 2017 at 3:07 pm
If we draft any defensive position high in this draft – its likely to be safety as there are so many strong players coming out at that position and we absolutely have a need for more talent at Safety. Young talent. Go get em Jason. Budda Baker at the top of the 2nd via whatever means (trade up or down) would be a perfect fit for this defense.
April 26th, 2017 at 3:11 pm
Drafting a RB at 19 is fake news!!
April 26th, 2017 at 3:15 pm
@ Tampa Tony
I’m with you. No sense in packaging a fumble prone RB with a QB that is known to be loose with the football.
I want to see us younger on D. Grimes and Ayers are getting up there. RB talent can be found later in the draft.
Let’s trade down and solidify our secondary for years to come.
April 26th, 2017 at 3:20 pm
Capt Tim
You want a long, strong, fast, run-stuffing, QB sacking DE? Jordan Willis.
4.56 40 with 36inch arms. Projected to go at the end of the first.
April 26th, 2017 at 3:34 pm
Have heard nary a peep from Smith in a long time…
April 26th, 2017 at 3:36 pm
Really liking Smith and Koetter at the top of the Bucs! This year should be a great battle in the NFC South. It’s about time, it’s about space, it’s about the Bucs competing high up in the race.
April 26th, 2017 at 3:36 pm
Cook or Taco either one I will be smiling
April 26th, 2017 at 3:37 pm
Cobraboy:
Nope. He’s been in hiding. Didn’t see him at the combine (but did talk to Jay Hayes and George Warhop).
April 26th, 2017 at 3:38 pm
Draft the “Big Uglies” in the DL. Early & often !
April 26th, 2017 at 3:45 pm
You all need to read CaptTim’s post over and over and over..
Best quote of the day:
” We’ve needed DEs for so long now- that is criminal.”
Well said CaptainTim, well said..
April 26th, 2017 at 3:47 pm
Trade back with Cleveland for their 2 2nds and get 4 impact players immediately if not more:
33-Jordan Willis / Charles Harris / Taco Charlton – DE
50-Budda Baker / Marcus Williams – S
52-Chris Godwin / Zay Jones / Juju Smith Schuster – WR
84-Samaje Perine / Kareem Hunt – RB
125-George Kittle – F TE
162-Damontee Kazee – CB
204-BPA OT/DT
237-BPA OT/DT
237
April 26th, 2017 at 3:48 pm
Hmm, just saw a mock with Howard falling to 19 and we take him…that’ll work! Protect JW3 plus be a weapon for him? I’ll take that! Barnett was gone at #9.
Taco and Harris were still available though. In that situation, Im going TE Howard all the way. If he’s gone, then Taco or Harris, or trade back.
April 26th, 2017 at 3:49 pm
I would prefer a DE if they defense. I am starting to believe they are really loving adoree jackson. That would make smitty and dirk happy, i would think. Im comin around on him too after watching him return the football. Go bucs
April 26th, 2017 at 3:49 pm
^ @Lord, Yup, great minds my friend.
April 26th, 2017 at 3:51 pm
We could probably trade down a few spots and still land Adoree….and Im fine with that too. I like him also, talked about him months ago.
April 26th, 2017 at 3:53 pm
Dalvin Cook is coming to Tampa!
April 26th, 2017 at 3:54 pm
Lol, this is what I’ve been telling my big homie, coach Smitty was/has been given the first pick, maybe two. One certain offensive players would stop this IMO Davis or Howard. Anyway I hope I’m right lol
April 26th, 2017 at 3:57 pm
No.
April 26th, 2017 at 3:58 pm
More reason to trade down and get more picks.
April 26th, 2017 at 3:58 pm
I don’t believe it. Rookies (minus RB), especially at 19, don’t really contribute much for a couple of years.
Mr Smith wants to be gone by then…If this was a top 3 pick I may see your argument, but at 19…I’m not buying. Usually at 19 – you can find low bust rate olinemen. Apparently, the Bucs are happy with their line.
My Pick is WR Ross – he can contribute on special teams. Step in to give the starters some rest…we can ease him in, but he can still have a role.
Saying that I don’t have 50 people watching film 80hrs a week breaking down all of the players. So as long as its not a kicker – I’m fine with whatever direction the Bucs decided to go. If the Bucs have a bunch of guys rated the same maybe we’ll get lucky and can trade down…
28hrs! Come on!
April 26th, 2017 at 4:05 pm
I said this well over a month ago.
April 26th, 2017 at 4:14 pm
I’m all for drafting Adoreé Jackson with our first pick.
The guy can play CB, WR and Returner. And I bet Safety would be a good spot for him too.
2 – T.J. Watt in round 2 as a DE/OLB hybrid.
3 – Samaje Perine RB
4 – Dan Feeney C/OG
5 – Julie’n Davenport RT
6 – Bryan Cox DE
7 – Alek Torgersen QB
That answers all of the team needs.
April 26th, 2017 at 4:26 pm
Barnett…make it happen, Bucs. Football is won in the trenches. Protect JW and crush the opposing QB. Simple as that.
April 26th, 2017 at 4:26 pm
If were talking defense at 19, Malik MacDowell (if he’s still on the board) from Mich. St. has the most upside of anyone defensively in the draft. The kid has the potential to be better with Myles Garrett. He can dominate inside…and outside, and he is nearly impossible to knock off the ball because of his technique. He just is lacking a move or two from being the best…..
April 26th, 2017 at 4:29 pm
Thank you BSPN for taking Dilfer off the air. He was painful to watch that past few years.
In other Fake news, the Bucs will be selecting a QB at 19.
April 26th, 2017 at 4:34 pm
It worked so well with Gaines Adams, let’s repeat that mistake…I mean decision to force a defensive player to the team over a better offensive one.
If the Bucs go away from their board to appease a coordinator that’s incredibly stupid. Mike Smith signed his extension, there are no open HC positions, you take the BPA at a position of need. End of discussion.
April 26th, 2017 at 4:40 pm
Caddy worked out well. Freeman worked out well. Any player you take can fail fool. No player is a guarantee to work out.
April 26th, 2017 at 4:58 pm
Pure Speculation like everything else this week.
Why would you give the keys to the draft to someone who is very very likely to not be coaching on this team next year? Not happening. Not saying we wolnt go D, just saying there is 100 percent no chance anyone is stupid enough to say, ohh hey you can draft whoever you feel is best in the first round for Defense to stay and coach one more year regardless of what the rest of the organization wants.
If that was the case, they would have made him Head Coach.
Joe you are running on fumes at this point, just let the Draft happen and get back to real storries.
April 26th, 2017 at 4:59 pm
Last season we gave up over 100 yards rushing in 12 of 16 games. It don’t take a Rocket Scientist to figure out our weakness.
April 26th, 2017 at 5:00 pm
The only realistic pot sweetener I could be would be to promise Smith the Bucs will draft a D player in at least one of the top three rounds over the next two years, and that Smitty can pick his guy IF it’s within the board (that Smitty would help make) held by the GM. I just don’t think a GM would give up a lot of control in a process that is long and deliberate, but that necessarily changes lightning fast…matter of seconds….on draft night. You can’t be held a promise made five months ago when 31 other teams and news is happening before your eyes.
April 26th, 2017 at 5:01 pm
I have no idea at this point for round 1.
I stand by this though- I have been saying all along they will take the following in the first 4 rounds:
DLineman
WR/RB
DB
OLineman
I think if they go for Cook in rd1 then they may stay away from a wr until late because he would be another young offensive weapon.
Any which way they go, after the last couple years and how this team is being built, I have faith in them.
April 26th, 2017 at 5:04 pm
Ok, mixon @19….lol, fake news. Maybe Gareon…na, he’ll drop to the third or fourth….and hey, I would def take him there! No video evidence so maybe another jilted female like JW had to deal with.
April 26th, 2017 at 5:10 pm
Loved this article Joe, but I seriously doubt Mike Smith was promised anything other than that this will be a balanced Bucs draft. In the first 4 picks, I could see Licht drafting 2 defense & 2 offense (hitting in Rnds 5-7 seems to be far more luck than skill). On defense I’m hoping the Bucs draft a Safety & DE. On offense hoping for a RB & TE. Still, if the ‘right player’ is available when we pick, wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Jason grab a OLineman, CB or WR in the Top-4 rnds (some gift horses you just can’t pass up).
April 26th, 2017 at 5:12 pm
Yep, just read the latest on Gareon…he may drop some but not much…theres your CB Smitty after trading out of the first if Barnett is gone 🙂
April 26th, 2017 at 5:22 pm
So some are really not smart enough to think these people have not been in god knows how many meetings and all this was planned? Maybe he was told he would get defense. But if so it WOULD be a position of need. Are some really dumb enough to think he would want something not needed??? Not discussed?? The board may be set Defense first anyway. Maybe he was just told a position he would get filled in the draft.
April 26th, 2017 at 5:35 pm
Forcing one position group over others that are equally pressing (RB, TE, WR) is foolish. There happens to be very good WR, TE and RB candidates who may be available at 19, if they pass up on better players to reach for freaking Budda Baker or Adoree Jackson at 19 because Licht made a promise to Mike Smith then I’m going to vomit.
April 26th, 2017 at 5:46 pm
I have a hard time believing that this has anything to do with Smith coming back to coach the defense.
Comparing anything that Chucky and that moron Bruce Allen did to our current situation is silly. Bruce Allen and Chucky did nothing but draft garbage players here, Gaines Adams was just one of many horrible picks.
April 26th, 2017 at 6:04 pm
So gay
I said IMO
April 26th, 2017 at 6:06 pm
Thank u @DBS…
April 26th, 2017 at 6:11 pm
Of course the board isn’t set in stone, damn the fun part of this predraft IS speciation. Obviously some here are too narrow minded to dream a lil. Pathetic FANBASE.
April 26th, 2017 at 6:30 pm
Lord Corn
I’m with you brother
April 26th, 2017 at 6:37 pm
I have been saying this for a while. Mike Smith did not sign a two-year guarantee deal without some promises that aren’t in his contract. Promises like a bunch of shiny new toys for his defense.
April 26th, 2017 at 6:41 pm
1st DE
2nd S
3rd WR
4th RB
April 26th, 2017 at 6:49 pm
Need a new story lol
April 26th, 2017 at 6:52 pm
@steve..I like your thinking.
April 26th, 2017 at 7:13 pm
Uhhh did I miss something??? VH3,Devonta Bond,Noah Spence and Ryan Smith all defender right.. How many 😉😉s does coach Smith need???
April 26th, 2017 at 7:16 pm
So let me get this str8, coach K laments the tail end of last season about needing to get better players for Jameis to play with but our first priority tomorrow night will be to pay up to coach Smith. Rrriiiggghhhtt.
April 26th, 2017 at 7:17 pm
Oh and what 87 said. Dalvin surely coming to Tampa.
April 26th, 2017 at 7:37 pm
Nole..it seems like all of the draft experts are mocking Dalvin Cook to the Bucs.
April 26th, 2017 at 7:44 pm
Cook isn’t gonna stop Ryan and Brees from lighting this d up
April 26th, 2017 at 7:48 pm
I’ll see u fanatics tomorrow night!!! Well… those of u who want to eat and drink like a legend. Sheeeeeeeeeee-it, there’s gonna be tons of talent available, let’s OWN this Draft!!!! GO BUCS BABY!!!!! Right DV, they’re AWESOME BABY!!!!!!!!!
April 26th, 2017 at 7:50 pm
I would love to see Bucs draft Derek Barnett !
April 26th, 2017 at 7:54 pm
I’m against drafting a RB in the 1st round. My guys are LT/RT Ryan Ramczyk, DE Derrick Barnett, DE/DT Taco Charlton, G/T Cam Robinson. I believe in winning in the trenches. And these 4 guys can get it done, we need upgrades on D-Line and O-Line.
April 26th, 2017 at 7:55 pm
*Meant Derek Barnett*
April 26th, 2017 at 8:03 pm
Derek Barnett in the first. Chris Godwin in the second. And samaje perine. in the third.
Unless they can get Barnett and then trade back up for cook Maybe. Then we would be looking at a third round wide receiver. One way or another those three needs should be met in the first three rounds
April 26th, 2017 at 8:11 pm
doesnt noah spence play the same.side.end.as barmett?
April 26th, 2017 at 8:21 pm
Defense still wins championships. Get some semblance of a running game and another quality receiver and bolster the D. Love it!
April 26th, 2017 at 8:27 pm
Weird lol maybe I’m the only one but glazers owe him nothing more than a paycheck. Last time I checked Jason licht was responsible for building this team.
April 26th, 2017 at 8:34 pm
Great. Another fan that was present during the negotiations with Smith and the Glazers. You didn’t check squat and don’t know anymore than anyone else here.
April 26th, 2017 at 8:34 pm
@Lord Cornelius
Budda Baker will not be there at 50 and Chris Godwin very likely won’t be there at 52.
April 26th, 2017 at 8:46 pm
According to Mayock we will pass on Cook and on Corey Davis. I wish these ppl will share with us what are they smoking
April 26th, 2017 at 8:46 pm
Mike Natick has the Bugs taking S Malik Hooker.
Gotta say, I wouldn’t mind that at all.
April 26th, 2017 at 8:47 pm
Mike Mayock
April 26th, 2017 at 9:04 pm
DB55- I would be happy with Jordan Willis.
And we might be able to get him in the 2nd round!
Watching Mayocks mock. He has us drafting Malik Hooker
That would be a steal for. This kid is an impact safety, and would upgrade our secondary in a big way
I was against Jabril Peppers- hes really talented- but as a Linebacker.
Hooker is a reactive center fielder. He will get some interceptions, and help both of corners.
Still prefer one of 2 DEs(taco Or McDowell)
But I sure wouldnt cry over Hooker!
April 26th, 2017 at 9:08 pm
I see hooker dropping a bit too…no pun intended. If he gets to 19 im all for him. Have a feeling cooks gona go to the skins. If it is adoree in 1st i hope they can get dede westbrook or godwin round 2. Marlon mack round 3. Weapons boys. Theyre eyeing someone at oklahoma n i dont think its mixon. I think they might have talked the the OU boys about westbrook. Thats just my mind trying to decode the smokescreens n lack thereof. Dede westbrook is similar to djax. Almost time…go bucs
April 26th, 2017 at 9:24 pm
Dang, havent even looked at Malik since he seemed so out of reach. hmm, time for some digging.
April 26th, 2017 at 9:30 pm
Like the hooker pic if available… really would want caleb brantley in 2 then ryan anderson, joe mixon, and if conley clean get him
April 26th, 2017 at 9:34 pm
Hooker is one of the biggest ?s of the 1st round. He has a ton of talent but only 1 year of work. If he is there at 19 we would be stupid to pass on him.
He could be a top 5 pick or somewhere in the 20s. my guess is 9-13 range
April 26th, 2017 at 9:39 pm
Nice topic because it makes sense with the resigning of Smith with his creds there was an allegiance to shore up the defense. The team needs it and it was part of the language. Nothing far reaching about that.! I trust the leadership!
April 26th, 2017 at 9:40 pm
Hooker is a good player but taking a safety in the first round just rubs me the wrong way even more than taking a running back in the first round.
I pray we trade down.
April 26th, 2017 at 9:42 pm
Lifeofabucsfan
Thank you!
April 26th, 2017 at 9:58 pm
Malik Hooker will be a superstar..wherever he goes..
Life said it on April 26, 2017..Mark this post!!
April 26th, 2017 at 10:19 pm
A wink and a nod? Don’t be silly. That’s not how professionals with a common goal operate.
April 26th, 2017 at 10:52 pm
Mike mayock has Malik hooker projected to us! That would be insane! I would freaking probably scare all my co-workers at work if that happens because I will cheer so loud cause I have to work during the draft. Oh man oh man oh man! I’m so pumped right now! Go bucs!
April 26th, 2017 at 11:08 pm
I would have no problem if the Bucs trading back to acquire an additional 2nd and 3rd round pick and then using those picks on Joe Mixon and Gareon Conley. Sure Hard Knocks would love to cover those two.
April 26th, 2017 at 11:19 pm
Malik Hooker has injuries concerns, but he still should be a Top-15 pick.
April 26th, 2017 at 11:30 pm
Mike Mayocks mock draft earlier today had Malik Hooker falling to us at 19. If true, holy spit. He’s the kind of rangy center fielder this defense needs! I’ve been on the DC4 train all off season but a talent like Hooker would be impossible to pass up.
April 26th, 2017 at 11:40 pm
Draft Cook.
April 27th, 2017 at 12:30 am
So many picks, that would make me happy!
Like a kid on Christmas eve! Lol
Absolutely love this time of year.
Hope all of the posters here post a mock draft tomorrow!!
What do you think, Joe? Can you come up with a jersy, for the poster who most closely matches the Bucs draft?