Sunday Draft Dominoes Fell The Bucs’ Way
December 18th, 2017
“Jason, if I call you in the fourth quarter tonight, please pick up the phone.”
The draft freaks and the tank-now crowd among the Bucs faithful were popping champagne last night.
How bout those surging 49ers, now winners of three in a row behind new starting QB Jimmy Garoppolo! They’re now 4-10 and the Bucs are 4-9 entering tonight’s game. And look at those injury-ravaged Redskins (6-8), who got the job done against the Cardinals, whose record also sits at 6-8 firmly ahead of the Bucs.
That all came on the heels of Denver upping its record to 5-9 with a win against Indianapolis (3-11) on Thursday night.
Yes, the Bucs are still in the running for the No. 4 overall pick in April’s draft, if they were to lose out in their final three games, versus Atlanta, Carolina and New Orleans.
Keep in mind 4-10 Houston closes the season at Indianapolis.
Joe could write more about this, but let’s see what happens tonight when the Bucs take on Atlanta at the Stadium On Dale Mabry Highway. When the whistle blows, Joe always roots for a Tampa Bay victory. So don’t accuse Joe of sending out losing vibes.
But the prospect of the No. 4 overall pick does have Joe fantasizing this morning.
N.C. State DE Bradley Chubb? A valuable trade down to a quarterback-needy team? Could bruising running back Saquon Barkley transform the Bucs offense into a true power instantly?
December 18th, 2017 at 8:35 am
Barkley – a difference making rb would be good for Jameis
Chubb – obvious reason
Derwain James – we’ll have 2 Safeties with range and the guy can ball
if none are available trade down and get OL and pick up a rb to help the OL. Similar to the colts and Manning. Then draft defense. An upright QB and a solid running game will take this team far.
December 18th, 2017 at 8:37 am
Yes……………I am in the TANK crowd!!!!
Lose for something or Win for nothing??????
Tank and then draft a QB…..trade JW for a second rounder!!!!!!!!
Cmon GM….make a bold move…this franchise needs it!!!!!
December 18th, 2017 at 8:38 am
Offense and defensive line before anything
December 18th, 2017 at 8:39 am
I’d be very anxious to hear trading down offers…..this roster has many holes…that and lets just come out and admit this team is rebuilding…10 years without sniffing the play offs….
December 18th, 2017 at 8:39 am
Resist the trade down unless it’s one or two slots….and take Chubb.
Have you seen his highlights?……we desperately need this guy.
Fix the lines and then draft a CB…..
December 18th, 2017 at 8:41 am
If Licht is still GM, count on a Long Snapper with the #4 overall pick.
December 18th, 2017 at 8:42 am
Isn’t love Barkley or James, but the reality is that this team need some too much help in the trenches to look at any other position in the draft. I’d actually like to see Chubb in the first and Chubb in the second, but we need to address the lines first. O-line and/or D-line in Rounds 1-4. RB, CB, and more line help in FA.
December 18th, 2017 at 8:46 am
“Bucn Enough Says:
December 18th, 2017 at 8:41 am
If Licht is still GM, count on a Long Snapper with the #4 overall pick.”
—————————————————————————————
Baaaaaaaaaaawwwwhaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Could you imagine that…..OMG….he’d be fired long with the HC after draft night.
December 18th, 2017 at 8:50 am
Barkley would instantly make everyone on the offense better. Think about that. Your offensive “issues” all look less of an issue if you have a premium RB.
Barkley makes the OL better, WRs better, Jameis better, TEs better, everyone looks better.
Having said that, I would be happy with Chubb. If Chubb or Barkley are not there, then trade out for extra picks and focus on the OL and DL.
December 18th, 2017 at 8:51 am
The problem with losing is that it doesn’t do a 180˚ turn because of one or two rookies. Winning is more important than draft position.
December 18th, 2017 at 8:55 am
If Chubb is gone, you take Barkley. Then draft trenches the rest of the draft.
December 18th, 2017 at 8:56 am
Chubb! Hopefully the Saints will not be resting their first 2 strings on week 17 with a locked playoff seed but Mike Smith’s D could get boatraced by the Saint’s third string C team if push came to shove and the Bucs O under Dirk’s vanilla play calling probably still would only score 20 or 23 even if the Saints D is in exhibition mode…. Right now I would count on picking 5th if the Bucs finish 4-12 though SF looks to be making GM Lynch proud kind of like Dungy’s Bucs turned a 1-8 start to 6-10 back in ’96 and the Texans “could ” beat the Colts and that one spot could be huge…..
December 18th, 2017 at 8:58 am
Chubb and Ferrell are at the top of my Bucs’ draft board.. I’d be cool with any of the top 4 OL (Nelson, Williams, McGlinchey, or Will Hernandez imo) or Barkley if he falls, but I’m already 95% sure were going DL.
December 18th, 2017 at 9:01 am
DL, DL, DL. Then DB, DB, DB.
December 18th, 2017 at 9:03 am
Chubb
December 18th, 2017 at 9:11 am
And there you pityful Buc fans go..Let draft a RB with our 1st pick. And then come next Nov, You’ll be sayin, How come we cannot stop anybody..I don’t understand?. Somehow..someway I hope Chubby the Chubb falls our way. That would be a great start for us.
December 18th, 2017 at 9:11 am
Chubb would give this defense much needed toughness in the trenches
December 18th, 2017 at 9:18 am
The Bucs drafting Barkley would be a mistake imo. Even if RB was the top need it would be a mistake.
December 18th, 2017 at 9:19 am
FINISH OUT STRONG!!! NO TANKING!!! The Yuks will lose at least 2 out of 3 anyway. Why we ask!!!
First we’ll discuss DEFENSE (Bucs)
1. BUCS have little to no talent on both the D-Line and O-line.
2. Secondary is below average at best, but made even worse from no
D-Line.
3. Coaching: Mike Smith & his staff are terrible. Ex.’s still using Tampa 2
base defense. Too much zone coverage w/ no blitzing. When they do
blitz it’s way to predictable.
The bucs will have top 5 pick and even Licht can’t screw this up.
DEFENSE,DEFENSE,DEFENSE draft and free agency.
only offensive to draft is OLine: Guards, Tackles and Center. Put Marpet back to guard.
Now why we will lose at least 2 out of three from the OFFENSE.
1. O-Line stinks. No depth, no leaders, and mentally week.
2. Winston QB : not a hater, but he’s only going to be so good. Poor mechanics, can’t protect the ball, shoulder ?, and get some Damn contacts!!
3. Running game: Keep Barber and Martin both have potential. They need
a real offensive line with a real offense attack to utilize both run and pass.
4. Koetter : worst offensive play call in the NFl. This includes his entire offense coaching staff.
On that note: I’m not opposed to cleaning the entire coaching staff out asap. I would give Licht 1 year when we get a Pres. of football operations to pick the new GM.
December 18th, 2017 at 9:21 am
Bucs need three new starting defensive linemen, two (maybe three) new starters in the secondary, depth on the offensive line and a starting running back.
If the Bucs can pick up a second round pick and still get one of the following in the first round I would be happy:
Saquan Barkley RB Penn State
Derwin James DB Florida State
Bradley Chubb DE NC State
Clelin Ferrell DE Clemson
Minkah Fitzpatrick DB Alabama
Christian Wilkins DT Clemson
December 18th, 2017 at 9:24 am
The Bucs aren’t good enough to “tank”.
December 18th, 2017 at 9:24 am
I think the Bucs draft choices will depend on if they have a new coaching staff and/or GM by then. A new coaching staff will draft players who fit their systems. If it’s still the present staff I hope they draft a lot of guys who put their hands in the dirt
December 18th, 2017 at 9:28 am
TANK….and get a competetnt GM, love how cam robinson is doing for the Jags, a 2nd round OL that the bucs desperately needed, not to mention the rest of the Licht FA and draft blunders this team is a dumpter fire and the NFL is set up so you can succeed but only the bucs and browns cannot figure this out
December 18th, 2017 at 9:34 am
CHRISTIAN WILKINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 18th, 2017 at 9:42 am
I would rather win…as odd as that sounds at this point.
December 18th, 2017 at 9:50 am
In order to intentionally play poorly you have to have the ability to play well.
Bucs have this covered.
December 18th, 2017 at 9:51 am
The Bucs winning more games is absolutely ridiculous.
December 18th, 2017 at 9:55 am
@Buccaneer Bonzai: I agree with you 100%. Mebbe the players will call their own game behind the coaches’ backs. GO TAMPA BAY!!
December 18th, 2017 at 9:58 am
If the Bucs pick anything outside of defensive line, the GM should be fired on the spot.
We are NOT a RB away from being good. Barkeley would be a wasted pick with this offensive line.
And finally, tanking is for losers. You will not convince me otherwise. It is a total affront to real fans and makes me sick to my stomach.
December 18th, 2017 at 10:03 am
Of course, I’m not sure the Bucs are even capable of “tanking”. So, there’s that!
December 18th, 2017 at 10:07 am
Too many jobs on the line for the Coaches as well as the players. Plus the fact if that is your mind set (losing) then you probably need to be on your way out the door anyway. Can you imagine asking Brooks, Sapp, Lynch, or even Gruden to lose on Purpose?
December 18th, 2017 at 10:09 am
take chubb……or trade down and get derwin james or oline…..grab guice from LSU in round 2….GO BUCS!!!!
December 18th, 2017 at 10:10 am
Agreed. Bucs aren’t good enough to tank. First they need :
1. President of football operations and a real GM
2. New Head Coach
3. New offensive and defensive coordinators
Then see if their are 25-30 core players who could be salvaged in some capacity. Then draft DEFENSE LINE and add another in free agency.
Draft CB and Safety and another in free agency
Draft Oline : bigger, stronger, and smarter than the boys we have.
Then give Jameis 1-2 years to learn how to be a pro the right way.
I don’t throw names out to much for draft and free agency prospects. Just get the proper personal hired to build a REAL NFL franchise. I’ve been a bucs fan since 1976 and it’s get’s old, but their still my TEAM!!! GO BUCS!
Then add one more dynamic running back in the 3rd round or 4th round to provide depth to Peyton Barber and Doug Martin.
December 18th, 2017 at 10:13 am
Eric now that is some definite TRUTH….the staff should be fired on Tuesday if they cover julio in the same manner…..really stinks to be without GMC and be able to give ryan all that time becasue the pass rush will be non existent this game
December 18th, 2017 at 10:28 am
DAGSURFBUC- Leadership starts at the top.
You a surfer?
December 18th, 2017 at 10:37 am
@Bucsfanman: I’m not sure this team is good enough to tank.
Seriously: if they tanked, based on the body of work they’ve presented in 13 games, how would we know it?
December 18th, 2017 at 10:58 am
“Trade Jameis for a 2nd round pick” …/facepalm
December 18th, 2017 at 10:59 am
All you florida state fans are crazy if you think James is going at number four. Don’t get me wrong, he’s an awesome player and I would love to have him, but it’s Minkah over James at four and I’m not just saying that IMO. Then again, Chubb has a good chance at being at four and would be a no brainer for us.
December 18th, 2017 at 11:06 am
And just like a Bucs season you can fantasize about the draft. Which player may turn out to be a 100% sure bet. Good luck and make sure to believe the Bucs are a playoff team as soon as everyone says it is next year.
December 18th, 2017 at 11:11 am
barkley-1,134 rushing yards
guice- 1,153 rushing yards-(11games played)
barkley did a little more in the passing game, but that doesn’t mean guice cant provide the same production….he just wasn’t asked to catch the ball in LSU’s offense…..plus we’ve hit gold the last 2 years with LSU players…..
first round- draft chubb or trade down for more picks and grab the best olineman or derwin james
second round- derrius guice
3rd-7th- dline, oline, cb
GO BUCS!!!!
December 18th, 2017 at 11:18 am
the only player that should be drafted at #4 is chubb or one of those big boys from Wisconsin….
derwin james and m.fitzpatrick are good but not #4 worthy….another player to keep an eye on in the first round is taven Bryant from UF….kid can play DT/DE…43 or 34….high motor…strong as an ox….GO BUCS!!!!
December 18th, 2017 at 11:31 am
Buc boi,
Do you think that Guice will be available RD #2?
His combine #’s are going to be eye opening and the combine always shifts things
around.
December 18th, 2017 at 11:40 am
@813bucboi
Im with you on Guice. He is RB1 imo. And yes that means over Barkley.
With that said I would be shocked beyond belief if he was available in the 2nd round. Stranger things have happened tho
If we came away with Chubb and Guice tho Id be doing backflips for sure.
December 18th, 2017 at 11:54 am
Are there any kickers named Roberto to be had at the top of the draft? 😉
December 18th, 2017 at 12:03 pm
This is the Bucs annual Super Bowl, a top draft pick.
December 18th, 2017 at 12:06 pm
@DBS
Gotta dream about something. I have passion for this team year-round. Day after we lose a 4-12 season I’m waiting anxiously for that day in April and pissed off because that day in September is so far away. GO BUCS!!!
December 18th, 2017 at 12:09 pm
The Bucs don’t have to tank against Atlanta, Carolina and New Orleans. Those teams are light years ahead of them in personnel and management. These 3 teams will keep the Bucs at the bottom of the NFC South for years. The Bucs couldn’t beat these teams if they lives depended on it.
December 18th, 2017 at 12:21 pm
Why don’t we just forfeit all the games next year and get a first rounder that we can blow?
December 18th, 2017 at 12:35 pm
@DUKE
@JOEY
he’s definitely first round talent but so was d.cook….everyone including me thought he would be gone before we picked….never thought he would last into the 2nd round….same with oj…thought he was a top 10 pick….
I also like ronald jones from USC…GO BUCS!!!
December 18th, 2017 at 12:42 pm
@JOEY SAYS: If we came away with Chubb and Guice tho Id be doing backflips for sure.
ME AND YOU BOTH BROTHER!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
December 18th, 2017 at 12:43 pm
Bradley Chubb will probably go 1-3 and become a stud, we always get the MCCoy over Suh, or Adams over Megatron or AP, it’s pretty depressing being a Bucs fan, still can’t root for the Jags though, and all of you fools think drafting a 1st round stud RB won’t help you team win, Zeke and Fournette both were picked 4th, both of those teams went to the playoffs their rookie years with Prescott who isn’t very good without Zeke and Bortles
December 18th, 2017 at 1:05 pm
For anyone that thinks the Bucs have a talented roster I pose this question.
Who on the Bucs roster is the best player in the division at their respective position?
I would argue none! Not GMC (Kawan Short, Sheldon Rankins) not ME13 (Julio Jones) maybe one could argue LVD is having a great statistical year, but that is it. Hard to win games against better players. Is it bad drafting, failure to develop and use the players, I don’t know. Claiming that our days are good because we start multiple rookies each year is more of an indictment of the talent level of this team than a part on the back of the rookies. Most of them wouldn’t start for half the teams in the league.
December 18th, 2017 at 1:42 pm
In My Humble Opinion, ANY AND ALL “FANS” NOT ALWAYS WANTING TO WIN SHOULD LEAVE THIS TEAMS FAN BASE! Sooner rather than later! This is not being a fan.
Is our last 3 games not against NFC SOUTH teams. If our “fans” want to not play to win against our own division you might not understand fandom. I want and beg and yell and scream for Wins and even more so against our NFC South rivals. That is why any team member, office staff, groundskeeper, coaches, or management who is not ALL FOR WANTING TO WIN EVERY GAME should be shown the door.
Go! Bucs!
December 18th, 2017 at 1:59 pm
The only way the BUCS
December 18th, 2017 at 2:00 pm
The only way the BUCS win any of the last 3 games is if the other team gets lost on their way to the stadium and forfeits.
December 18th, 2017 at 2:15 pm
We’re not wasting another high draft pick on a talented offensive player for him to waste away under koetter
December 18th, 2017 at 3:21 pm
Heck, I’ve been dreaming about the 2018 draft since the end of October. Seems like it gets earlier every year. We need to draft some big uglies on the OL & DL lines !
December 18th, 2017 at 3:23 pm
First thing before I focus on the draft is, I would like to see the bucs bring in some winners, on the offensive staff to help Koetter if he’s here next year. Definitely on defensive staff and then I would like to see them concentrate on the draft. My point is we can draft the best players in the draft but if we don’t have coaches who know how to win the close games and so on we will be in the same place we are now
December 18th, 2017 at 3:59 pm
A BIG HELL NO from me on drafting the de from Clemson. He was playing next to a future all pro and #1 pick in DT dexter Lawrence AND a 1st round DT in Christian Wilkins. Looks just like the 2 DEs that came out of Clemson last year (maybe the year b4) who have done nothing in this league. Chubb is the only de worth a top 10 pick.
Take Chubb or trade down and take a LT
December 18th, 2017 at 4:00 pm
@rusty rhino
You must not understand much about football and how the draft works.
December 18th, 2017 at 4:12 pm
mike evans
I agree….kevin dodd and shaq Lawson haven’t done much….Dexter Lawrence is a stud…he’s the player you want….he’s first round all day…GO BUCS!!!
December 18th, 2017 at 4:26 pm
In predicted 6-10
But man 4-12 is a realty
December 18th, 2017 at 5:14 pm
Chubb and its not even close. He brings that nastiness our DLine desperately needs. Plan B would be Minkah or Barkley.
Hopefully QBs will go 1 and 2 (and 3?).
I still have a feeling we will fudge this up. Win a game, pick 8th, draft a player second or 3rd best at his position and wonder why we still can’t get a pass rush or cover someone.
December 18th, 2017 at 7:56 pm
The bucs are 4 players away from being division winners.
You haters need to chill
CB
RB
DE
Another OL
Ok, maybe 5 by adding in another D Linemen.
Regardless, the foundation is there and it’s doable in one offseason
December 18th, 2017 at 7:59 pm
As far a RBs
I like Georgia duo
December 19th, 2017 at 2:31 am
Bradley Chubb first and foremost. If he’s gone, Saquon Barkley or Minkah Fitzpatrick. At least 1 of these 3 players will be available even if we pick 5-7 because there are going to be QBs coming off early as usual. It all really depends who the HC, OC, and DC are next year. My bet is Koetter stays one more year.
Who are the stud CBs? We need CB and OL help.