From College Meat To NFL Starter?
August 3rd, 2017
Pushes for starting nickel.
America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, likes to tell kids they can be anything they want to be if they put their minds to it.
Bucs cornerback Javian Elliott is a walking, breathing example of that.
It’s a great rags to riches story for Elliott. While a student at Florida State, he was a walk-on. He later earned a scholarship by busting his tail and improving.
Same with the Bucs. He began his rookie days on the Bucs practice squad last year, and when Hey Jude was hit with a suspension, Elliott made the team.
In underwear football this spring, Elliott could be seen making a play damned near every practice. In training camp this summer, Elliott has taken snaps as a first team nickel corner.
As Jameis would say, Elliott simply put his mind to it.
“Exactly,” Elliott said. “I have had people tell me, ‘You are not going to be able to do it. You don’t have a scholarship. You are not going to be able to do it.’ So you know, as long as you have the opportunity, it is what you do with that opportunity. That makes it the difference.
“My story is just different and I thank God for that. Know one can make a story like that but God. “
Elliott has a simple mindset. Get better each and every day. That is also a mantra of winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter.
“Coming in here with the mindset of getting better,” Elliott said. “To improve every day and not make the same mistakes is very important.”
Do the Bucs have depth at corner? Thanks to guys like Elliott, Joe believes so.
August 3rd, 2017 at 1:02 pm
I loved his play last year…he improved each week he got action….in a year or 2 the secondary may be the strength of the team….GO BUCS!!!
August 3rd, 2017 at 1:35 pm
F*ck yeah another feather in the Light cap of undrafted gem signings.
Between him / jude / mcclain i feel fine about our nickle situation
It seems Ryan Smith has gone quiet in training camp? I haven’t heard him mentioned by anyone yet. Then again he’s likely not taking reps with the 1s like he was in OTAs
August 3rd, 2017 at 1:56 pm
I predict Ryan Smith will be cut
August 3rd, 2017 at 2:00 pm
ryan smith isn’t getting cut for the simple fact that while javien elliot and hey jude are good in the slot i don’t know how well they would perform as boundary corners.. also i believe it’s nice to have at least 1 corner with some length for matchup purposes
August 3rd, 2017 at 2:06 pm
ryan smith will be the second best corner on this team
August 3rd, 2017 at 2:12 pm
lol this a perfect example of how crazy we can be as fans. We got one dude saying Ryan Smith will be cut; and another saying he’s our 2nd best corner
August 3rd, 2017 at 2:36 pm
I’m so hyped to see Javian play this year. His play continued to get better towards the end of last year when he got his chance. VH3, Elliot, and Grimes could become a stellar CB corp if they can continue this type of OTA play in the regular season.
August 3rd, 2017 at 2:36 pm
Ryan smith will be the second best corner…..did someone amputate Hargreaves foot? maxi I want whatever hallucinogen you take daily considering you live in a world where ryan smith is better than VH3 or grimes and that McCoy isn’t elite
August 3rd, 2017 at 2:37 pm
Ryan Smith is the primary kick returner, gunner on punts and kick offs and is the third outside corner. I have a hard time seeing him cut.
August 3rd, 2017 at 2:53 pm
Hey Jude..you still left that bad taste in my mouth from last years game against the Raiders..
I like Elliot and Ryan isn’t going anywhere kids!! Come on folks!
August 3rd, 2017 at 3:05 pm
How the secondary pans out is going to be dictated by the pressure generated up front.
I feel pretty good about the D Line and LB’s.
Still scared straight about the offensive tackles.
Jameis goes down and this season will be done.
August 3rd, 2017 at 5:31 pm
Yea – but we’re still drafting a CB in the 1st or 2nd round next year.
August 3rd, 2017 at 5:32 pm
I love Elliott’s story, and his humility in knowing who’s ultimately responsible for that story. I admit that I’m not totally sold on him yet … I still prefer ‘thumpers’ at nickel, and 176 lbs just seems way too light in that role (nickel does have to contend with some pretty big TEs sometimes). However, Javien is 5’11’ & only 24, so maybe he’s still got some growing to do.
Far as Ryan Smith goes, it would’ve been nice TheBucsAnthem if you’d given a little rationale as to why you predict he’ll be cut. I’ve been under the impression that he’s doing reasonably well focusing on outside corner (not nickel). Plus he’s done quite well on special teams. If you know something the rest of us don’t, please share.
August 3rd, 2017 at 5:58 pm
Depth Chart Prediction
CB1: Grimes, R. Smith
CB2: VH3, R. McClain
Nickel: Elliott, R. McClain
Practice Squad: Jude Adjei-Barimah (if he is not signed by another team)
I have never been impressed by Jude’s on-field play. He has almost always looked like a backup out there. Then he was hit with the PED suspension last year. With Javien Elliott outplaying him, Ryan Smith developing as CB depth, and McClain’s ability to play CB or nickel (plus familiarity with Mike Smith), Jude is the odd man out.
August 4th, 2017 at 8:20 am
Javien…… Not Javian
#cmonman