Big Dog: Dump Sweezy, Draft Quenton Nelson
January 19th, 2018
Right guard J.R. Sweezy
Yes, the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, Steve Duemig, The Big Dog, is still delivering thunderous opinions to tens on thousands of Bucs fans.
And he’s been rough on Bucs general manager Jason Licht for a while.
Hey, when your team is 5-11 and your free agency record feels like it’s worse than 5-11, then you take your share of public beatings. Understandable.
Yesterday, Duemig was firing at one of Licht’s most polarizing and costly signings: right guard J.R. Sweezy, who missed the entire 2016 season after back surgery and then was at best average last season.
Duemig wants to see Sweezy on the next flight to Seattle.
“He’s gotta be gone!” Duemig barked yelled. “He’s gotta be gone. We didn’t get shhhh (Duemig cut himself off before uttering an expletive). You know what I mean. How do you justify keeping him?
“And as a matter of fact, how do you justify keeping any of the free agents Jason Licht has brought in here?” Duemig asked rhetorically, before acknowledging Brent Grimes was not on Licht’s “flop” list.
Sweezy turns 29 in April and is queued up to earn $5.25 million in 2018. He pulled in $9 million+ of Team Glazer loot without playing in 2016, and last year he bagged roughly $5 million.
His 2017 play drew strong criticism from many, including former Bucs tight end Anthony Becht, an analyst for the Buccaneers’ official website, as well as former Bucs right guard Ian Beckles (1990-1996).
Duemig seems to have a fix in mind for the Bucs’ o-line, drafting Notre Dame manbeast and captain Quenton Nelson at No. 7 overall. Nelson stands 6-5, 330 pounds and is known to be a punishing run blocker.
Joe has no issue with the Bucs potentially drafting Nelson, but he better darn well be an instant superstar given how big the Bucs’ needs are in other areas.
As for Sweezy, well, Joe never got why the Bucs banked on him returning to form after major back surgery.
Sweezy, per Bucs officials and players, was supposed to bring a nasty, physical edge to the offensive line and rub off on his line mates like Logan Mankins did in 2015. Joe never saw much evidence of that happening.
January 19th, 2018 at 10:46 am
This would be a good move and bring attitude to the bucs offense but I wish they would trade back if barkley not there
January 19th, 2018 at 10:49 am
Building blocks on either side of the OL & DL….however I’d favor DE in the first round and center in 2nd round moving Marpet back to OG
Billy Price,center, in the 2nd
January 19th, 2018 at 10:50 am
Love me some Quinton Nelson but that isn’t going to help our PASS RUSH! That should be First and Foremost on Licht’s table.
January 19th, 2018 at 10:58 am
Haven’t listened to the little poodle since the Joe’s were unceremoniously dumped from their longstanding spot (which was the only time I ever listened anyway).
For once though I agree with Steve. Sweezy should be jettisoned in March and Nelson should be seriously considered with the #7 pick – unless Chubb were still on the board in which case drafting Chubb would be a no-brainer.
January 19th, 2018 at 11:03 am
Six elite talents, we pick 7th, Chubb, Barkley, and Nelson will all be gone before our pick
January 19th, 2018 at 11:04 am
Both offensive and defensive lines need major upgrades. Chris Baker and Sweezy were overpaid and underperforming acquisitions. Ayers is on the downhill slide, Gholston lacks the ability to get to the quarterback,and Donovan Smith is a disappointment. They are flush with receivers and I would consider trading DeSean Jackson for a quality lineman or high draft choice.
January 19th, 2018 at 11:08 am
you listen to the small dog joe? All the guy does is spit out stupid comments to get calls! argues with every caller then cuts off when he gets owned!
January 19th, 2018 at 11:10 am
I an accept Nelson at #7 if Chubb and Barkley are gone. I want Chubb at #7 but I can swallow Nelson as the Pick.
I certainly do not want to reach for a need by selecting the second best DE when top tier talent is there to had at #7.
January 19th, 2018 at 11:15 am
Depth is an issue…wouldn’t jump on cutting too many players, except swaggy and djax, the locker room cancers. Those two will not add anything to next year’s team and the future. GET THEM OUTTA HERE, asap
January 19th, 2018 at 11:18 am
Problem will be that Nelson will be picked before 7.
January 19th, 2018 at 11:20 am
Only player I would draft at #7 over Nelson if available would be Chubb. Bucs must address the trenches where the game is won or lost. From the best RB available in rd 2 or 3. After that draft ALL DEFENSE. Need new blood & new attitudes. & pray that the coaches can actually succeed with better talent.
January 19th, 2018 at 11:20 am
We lose nothing by keeping Sweezy on the roster in the next month. I think our 2018 OL will look far superior to 2017 OL with Barber and a new draft pick at RB.
January 19th, 2018 at 11:23 am
Just about Every Mock I see has 3 and mostly 4 QBs going before we pick. That only leaves two Non QBs before us. The run on QBs will allow us to get Chubb
January 19th, 2018 at 11:25 am
Lamarcus, there is almost Zero scenarios that Nelson is gone at 7
January 19th, 2018 at 11:27 am
@Lamarcus
Let’s hope Nelson is gone is picked before #7, that helps Chubb call to the Bucs.
The Giants and Colts both need OL help this offseason.
The Colts in particular need to draft Nelson to help protect Luck who has gotten injured for the last 2 years.
January 19th, 2018 at 11:27 am
They should trade McCoy to.
January 19th, 2018 at 11:31 am
@ SB
I disagree.
Luck has been injured the last 2 years. The Colts must protect their Franchise QB. The Colts could address some of the OL need in FA, but as the off season progresses, all the Draftniks will start admitting that protecting Luck a perfect blend of “NEED” and “BPA” if they draft OL.
January 19th, 2018 at 11:42 am
Totally confident, right guys?
We’re on year 5 and the FA misses seem to be a mile long. I’m not sure why anyone thinks *this* year will be different.
January 19th, 2018 at 11:42 am
They should trade up for a pass rusher
January 19th, 2018 at 11:51 am
I’m not sold on the Edge Rushers in this draft. They may surprise me, but I see a weak crop this year.
January 19th, 2018 at 11:59 am
Nelson is a top 5 pick. There are no scenarios stating that now because no NFL team provides info in this area for the scenarios to be built upon. This is code for the NFL draft scenarios are all garbage and based on fairy tales versus reality.
Nelson will be the next Larry Allen/Gene Upshaw type Guard. If the Bucs can get him, the locker room just got better when it comes to accountability and leadership.
I would take Chubb over Nelson and Nelson over Barkley based on team needs. I dont think Chubb will be there and Nelson will be the pick.
Bu fans–Keep your eye on Kentavious Street (NC State)….Chubb gets all the media but this guy has great upside and could be grabbed in the 5-7 round. He has shined at East West practices….I am hearing great things.
January 19th, 2018 at 12:01 pm
yeah chubb at #7….if not select nelson at or trade down…..if both are gone, trade out of the first round or in the mid upper 20’s…..GO BUCS!!!!
January 19th, 2018 at 12:03 pm
@ Pa Privateer…….I said ‘almost’. However I just looked at 12 different Mocks and only one had Nelson going before us and he went to the Broncos. Interestingly enough 6 of them had Indy taking Chubb.
LOL If you guys want to see how STUPID PFF Really is check this one out for a laugh.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-pff-2018-nfl-mock-draft-2
…………
They have Chubb, Barkley, and Nelson all on the board at 7 and us passing on them.
They also have 4 OL being selected Before Nelson who goes at 16.
SMDH…..I am going to bookmark that so that I can look back after the draft to see if they even got One selection correct.
January 19th, 2018 at 12:04 pm
“I would take Chubb over Nelson and Nelson over Barkley based on team needs. I dont think Chubb will be there and Nelson will be the pick.”
………..
I agree with this statement DoNUTS.
January 19th, 2018 at 12:08 pm
Nightmare scenario is that Cleveland acquires a QB lie cousins in Free Agency and therefore doesn’t need to grab a QB with the first overall pick. If that were the case I could see Bradley Chubb, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Nelson, and Barkley being gone by the 7th pick. Remember other teams can trade up a few spots and trade down as well. How much would it cost to trade from the 7th overall to the 5th or 4th overall pick as insurance?
January 19th, 2018 at 12:17 pm
After the combine is over, then I will come out with my mock draft.
January 19th, 2018 at 12:41 pm
Chubb or Barkley if they are available. Any other pick is stupid.
January 19th, 2018 at 12:45 pm
One of the most solid picks in the draft. If Barkley or Chubb are gone then Nelson is a must. Future all pro in the making. If he’s remotely like Zack Martin it’s perfect. Pass rush is the main issue though. Trading back and getting Fitzpatrick a few spots back would help us also. Or move way back a stock pile picks and use that on the D line. So many options with so many holes
January 19th, 2018 at 12:46 pm
OK…here is my take on Mark Barron
He was drafted by Dominick to be a starting Safety…….he failed by most accounts at that position
He was traded by Licht 2 years later with likely the absolute approval or insistence of Lovie Smith….a supposed defensive guru.
Under the circumstances at the time, it was a very good trade…..as it turns out later he developed into a great LB by another team & coaches.
So, the failure was threefold…….Dominick for picking him at 7 to be a safety & Light & Lovie not having the vision to develop him as a LB.
Eventually, little or nothing was lost because of how we used the picks.
January 19th, 2018 at 12:49 pm
@ SB
That link is a horrible draft. I can see Barkley falling a little, but not Chubb. There is no way in hell we take Safety with Chubb on the board. Sometimes I wonder what the hell people are smoking.
I agree that a lot of mocks show Chubb going to Colts, but it is very early and I stand by my belief that Colts will go OL. I suppose I should have said that I think Colts will take an OT, not necessarily Nelson at OG.
January 19th, 2018 at 12:51 pm
Nelson will be an All-Pro almost every year of his career. He’s one of the most dominant college offensive lineman I’ve ever watched.
January 19th, 2018 at 12:55 pm
Was Sweezy great no but he was far from our biggest problem. Why created another hole on a roster full of holes. Even if we draft Nelson Sweezy should start at RG and Nelson at LG cause Phamplie is long gone.
January 19th, 2018 at 12:56 pm
Hard to think about the draft until we see what happens in FA.
For example – if we for whatever reason went nuts and signed both Ryan Jensen (C) and Andrew Norwell (LG) – then Nelson doesn’t make as much sense as the interior would be set with studs already.
Doubt we do that but I’d prefer the above – and not needing to even worry about interior O-line in the draft. Let’s do more math lol:
Bucs cap room – $61 mill
Dump Sweezy/Baker/Gholston/Ayers/Martin = $6/$5/$6/$6/$7 = $30 million saved putting us at:
$91 mill
Sign Ryan Jensen – $8.5 mill
Sign Andrew Norwell – $10 mill
Sign either Star Lotulelei or Sheldon Richardson – $13 mill
Sign Michael Bennet – $7 mill
Sign another mid-tier best avialabe DE – $8 mill
Sign Kyle Fuller or Malcom Butler – $12 mill
= ~ $58 million. Now down to $33 mill
Re-sign Grimes – $8 mill
Extend Kwon – $8 mill
Extend ME – $16 mill but only $3 mill cap hit; as he’s counting $13 mill against the 18 cap numbers per Spotrac in my analysis
= ~ $19 million
Still leaves you with $14 mill to sign your draft picks / some lower tier pickups. I’d think that’s enough.
In the draft you could basically ignore O-line till the late rounds going BPA at D-line/RB. In this scenario they’d probably reach on Arden Key before taking Nelson; or trade back if at all possible.
R1-Chubb/Key-DE
R2-Guice/Michel-RB
R3-DE
R4-OT
R5-S
R6-CB
R6-RB
Too many possibilities man lol I’m losing my mind.
January 19th, 2018 at 12:58 pm
Also in 2019 i’d do whatever I could to move McCoy and dump his contract. Just that $$ + the increased cap space + some carry-over would be enough to extend Winston/marpet/smith.
We can do this!
January 19th, 2018 at 1:01 pm
The point I was making is Nelson is too good. I’m not a oline genius ,no but Nelson is too amazing. Only guard I ever considered drafting in the top 10 ever in my life.
January 19th, 2018 at 1:07 pm
The Bucs only owe Gerald McCoy $500,000 if they cut him before June 1 2018.
January 19th, 2018 at 1:16 pm
Sweezy has one of the dopest names in the NFL.
Weezy, Drizzy, Jay-Z, and Sweezy.
Great name. Great story. Undrafted converted D-lineman to multi-millionaire???
Daaaamn. That’s incredible!
He has more money than @joe and every commentator on this site.
You guys can hate all you want, because you’re mean and dumb. However, this man played through incredible pain all season.
Yes, he should be cut. And Licht should not feel guilty. Sweezy will be fine.
GM’s and coach need to be loyal and loving to a degree, but also objective and logical.
If you look at my honest cut-list, it gets depressing. If we actually cut all these guys, we would have so many holes to fill!
10-12 players, which is 26%.
Cut/ Let-go List: Martin, Evan Smith, Sweezy, Hawley, Baker, Gholston, Pamphile, TJ Ward, Jacquizz Rogers, Tandy
Re-sign (in order):
1. Grimes-3 years-30 mill: 2 years guaranteed: big signing bonus)
2. Conte- 1 year- low offer
3. McDonald- 1 year- low offer
4. Ayers- 1 year- low offer
5. Clark VII- 3 year- low offer
Free Agents- DeMarcus Lawrence, Dontari Poe, Ziggy Ansah
Draft- trade back twice in the first round- get 2 second round picks.
Late first round pick- OG- one of the best in the country.
2nd round pick- (ours)- best DT or DE available
2nd round pick (trade)- #1 or #2 center in the draft
2nd round pick- one of the best in the draft
Trade our 5th, 6th, and 7th for a 3rd rounder.
3rd round (ours)- RB
3rd round (trade)- CB
4th round- DE
Draft over.
Points to remember. Centers rarely go that early. Remember the Cowboys drafting Frederick in the late 1st round? Amd everybody mocking Jerry? Who’s laughing now?
OG also rarely goes this early. We could pick up one of the best. And move Marpet back to guard, where he is one of the best.
Anyway, all my ideas rock. Gtg.
January 19th, 2018 at 1:19 pm
Move Marpet back to Guard,We need PASS RUSH!!!!WE went from 9-7 to 5-11 because we didn’t have a pass rush.
January 19th, 2018 at 1:35 pm
I agree Pa…..That is the Dumbest Mock I have Ever seen. Just goes to show how dumb PFF really is.
January 19th, 2018 at 1:44 pm
@Lakeland … “I’m not sold on the Edge Rushers in this draft. They may surprise me, but I see a weak crop this year.” Sure does surprise me Lakeland. Did you see our pass rush last season? Me neither. Bucs options are out of options … we either fix the DLine (and Secondary) or 2018 will be a repeat of 2017. Priority 1 is DE, DT, CB. Priority 2 is DE, DT, CB. Priority 3 is DE, DT, CB. I’d say we need TWO of each, as a minimum, if our intent is to upgrade the defense. The most likely to pick up in free agency? CBs.
With our #7 pick we have to get either a DE (Chubb) or DT (Payne) preferably. And in the 2nd & 3rd round I’d repeat those priorities. There are some excellent DEs & DTs in the first couple of rounds, and several will undoubtedly slide to the 3rd round. Drafting a Guard or RB would be awesome, but that’s EXACTLY what Licht has done in his last 4 years and look where we’ve ended up. Fix the DLine!
January 19th, 2018 at 1:45 pm
This might be the hardest draft yet…at least with the first selection because arguably of how many directions the Buccs could go with their first pick. Buccs could take any of these players if available at seven:
Chubb (DE)
Barkley (RB)
James (S)
Nelson (G)
Brown (T)
Fitzpatrick (S)
Key (DE)
Blue (DL)
January 19th, 2018 at 1:45 pm
So fans arent the only ones saying the OL needs help? Hmmm. Guess some fans do know what theyre talking about.
January 19th, 2018 at 1:46 pm
The New Road Mauler Interior Line
• LG (#68) Andrew Norwell (26yrs.) 6-6,325 | Ohio State
• C (#74) Ali Marpet (24yrs) 6-4,307 | Hobart
• RG (#56) Quenton Nelson (22yrs) 6-5,330 | Notre Dame
#TrenchWarFare
January 19th, 2018 at 1:47 pm
Personally if you look at teams that made post season this season are teams that have selected Lineman in the first round with their first picks the last couple of seasons. Saints, Falcons, Eagles, Patriots, Panthers, Bills, Titans. Having the best big uglies is where the battle is won consistently
January 19th, 2018 at 1:58 pm
I agree with most posters about their draft desires.
But I think we all know it’s just funnin’ ourselves. As Lord C points out we haven’t been through FA…when is the signing period…how far ahead of the draft?
But FA could dramatically impact our draft. We haven’t been through the combine. That’s going to change the draft.
Walter Football has 3 QB’s going before our pick. They have us picking Key and are relatively high on that pick…at least athletically. Then they link to an article about Key’s character concerns and some GM’s actually believe that will cause him to drop. Don’t know but I surely do not want ANY character issues in our locker room…it’s fragile enough already.
http://walterfootball.com/NFLHotPress
January 19th, 2018 at 1:58 pm
Defense Rules
Years of neglecting the D-Line has put the Bucs in a desperate situation. Desperate times calls for desperate measures.
They may have to reach in the draft and overpay in free agency
But I wouldn’t reach or overpay
January 19th, 2018 at 2:03 pm
People try to say Lovie Smith robbed the Glazers but it was actually this clown who did the robbing. How do you sign a multi year/$$$million contract but before you can even suit up for photo shoots comes out with a bad back ending up in season ending surgery??? If there ever was a con game in the NFL it was him. This fool laughed all the way to the bank because the Bucs were such suckers. He had to already know how bad it was just got his agent to put a little saw dust in the crankcase so it would run smoothly until the sale was complete. Probably was so doped up on pain killers he wouldn’t feel even bein thrown into a fire.
January 19th, 2018 at 2:12 pm
I agree with Stevey D. about moving on from the Sweezey Swindle affair. Drafting a guard at 7 is about as exciting as retaining the current coaching staff. Both moves may work out but I’m dubious There’s a huge difference between the # 5 & #7 pick.
January 19th, 2018 at 2:24 pm
LC
There’s no way Star gets $13M. He’ll be lucky to get $6
January 19th, 2018 at 2:34 pm
@St.Pete ……..NO, NO, and NO to Key. Tooooo many concerns on AND off the field.
January 19th, 2018 at 2:43 pm
I think the line would be much improved by picking Nelson at 7, moving Marpet back to guard, and putting Hawley back in at Center until his replacement can be found/groomed. That would provide a very solid interior, with a steady Dotson at RT and a reliable and improving Smith at LT.
Instead, we had an inexperienced Center and three turnstiles at guard, while our best guard (by far) was playing center and our best center was on the bench, with our next best guard rotating snaps. What’s the old adage about digging a hole to fill another???
January 19th, 2018 at 2:52 pm
Quenten Nelson in the 1st and Billy Price in the 2nd along with moving Marpet back to guard would give us one of the best O-Lines in the entire league … but to do that Licht is going to need to sign a star DE in free agency first!
January 19th, 2018 at 2:52 pm
StPeteBucsFan
Common Knowlegde – Evaluators have already laid out a game plan by now.
Most have a solid profile – with good intel going as far back to grade school on these kids. That even includes the current crop of free agents.
High School Regional Combines
w/:
–7 on 7 drills
–40times
–High Jump
–Shuttle Runs
etc, etc,
Information has been entered into the database – easily over a dozen times by now. Since most of these kids have attended regional combine events at least 3 times a year.
So your only using the Bowl Games, Combines, Phycs Evals, Vetting and One-On-Ones – to reaffirm what you’ve already seen on tape.
Again, If you have a solid plan w/contingencies – you’ll be fine.
In Free Agency – target the guys you deem worthy. Close the deal.
Then use the Draft/UDFA to fill in the gapes.
January 19th, 2018 at 2:56 pm
Regional Combine (Rivals)
Rewind: Quenton Nelson picks ND (5-1-13)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-ejQfhYfbA
January 19th, 2018 at 3:03 pm
@StPeteBucsFan … “FA could dramatically impact our draft. We haven’t been through the combine. That’s going to change the draft.” Concur 100% StPete, but there’s no way we can solve our DLine deficiencies through FA exclusively. We NEED to draft several young DEs & DTs to balance out our ‘old-timers’ on the DLine (McCoy & McDonald, presuming that Licht re-signs him).
There are some excellent DE & DT prospects in the first 3 Rounds of this draft (after that it’s a crap shoot). WalterFootball has an interesting initial listing of 2018 Draft Prospects (http://walterfootball.com/draft2018DE.php) but as you stated, we won’t really know what’s what until after the Combine.
Hopefully this year Jason Licht doesn’t lose focus on what our PRIORITY NEEDS are. And that IMO is DLine (first), Secondary (second), OLine & RB (third).
January 19th, 2018 at 3:03 pm
Look Back: Quenton Nelson – Class of 2014 (Notre Dame)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT2zkHZL82o
January 19th, 2018 at 3:51 pm
@LUV
All the better if Star or Richardson can be that cheap. I thought both would want more $$ than that.
We have to sign whatever we can on the D-line to pressure the QB before this draft. If we could add 2 DEs to Noah Spence plus a disruptive DT to replace Baker; I could easily live with waiting till round 3 to go DE; if it meant an interior line of Norwell/Marpet/Nelson; because then I’d want to grab us a RB in R2 to take advantage of that strength and really see the offense explode.
January 19th, 2018 at 4:29 pm
Little bit of a nightmare scenario just popped in my head. Lets say the Bucs make no moves this FA at DE. Chubb is off the board and we pick Nelson with the first pick. Sony Michel slips down into the second but we are nearly forced to pass on him or a comparable RB, so that we can pick a body at DE….
this FA period is imperative. This means overpaying for a FA, but at least 1 defensive lineman, preferably 2 must be addressed.
January 19th, 2018 at 4:57 pm
Teams just don’t let good,solid, young Defensive Ends walk.
January 19th, 2018 at 4:59 pm
Sweezy wasn’t good before he got here, in Seattle.
To me, this acquisition was always been just another Licht FA head-scratcher.
January 19th, 2018 at 6:23 pm
Honestly, winning the last game of the year probably cost the Bucs a chance at drafting Nelson. Once all the draft hype actually gets going Nelson will be a top 5 pick.
Hell, if I had the #1 pick I would probably take him. In my opinion, he’s the best player in this draft.
January 19th, 2018 at 6:32 pm
If Chubb is gone, grab him immediately!!!!! We need top 4/5 picks split on both lines, we are so soft on both sides- stop drafting 240 lb DE’s and no more WR/TE/LB/K when we have sooooo many holes –
Ray Charles can see what is wrong with this team by gosh….
January 19th, 2018 at 6:39 pm
I know big dog is dealing with some health problems but that show is unlistenable and not because of his health.
It’s just bad radio. Boring and argues with everyone. Terrible.
January 19th, 2018 at 7:50 pm
I didn’t think Sweezy was awful, but if former offensive lineman are saying he is, well then go by their opinion. According to OverTheCap, his pay is $5.8mil but there is a $1.8mil penalty for cutting him. For that price I’d just keep him, certainly through training camp at the very least. You have to look at his post-cap hit number of $4m and at worst he’s a backup, and Evan Smith made $4.5m to ride the bench the last year.
January 19th, 2018 at 7:53 pm
General rule of thumb – you don’t take a guard in the top 10, it’s a very very high price to pay for a guard. Getting a tackle, yes, but a guard, not unless they’re a generational talent. It’s like taking a S at #7, you only do so if they’re a very special talent – and last time the Bucs were in that situation they took Mark Barron, who wasn’t the bust a lot of people claim he is, but he had no business being a top #10 player either.
January 19th, 2018 at 11:24 pm
Nelson is a day one all pro left guard. He would be the smartest and safest pick at #7. The other option would be Payne or the lb out of Georgia.
Nelson to me is the obvious choice if he is still available at 7. He would help Jameis and hopefully a RB duo of Sony and Barber.
We still need a RT as well but Nelson would be a great pick and Light know a thia
January 20th, 2018 at 1:01 am
My lord, #56 Quenton Nelson is a beast. He plays hard, finishes strong, and seems to have a high football IQ. However, taking him @ #7 seem a bit high for a guard.
January 21st, 2018 at 5:34 am
SB Says – If you could draft Kam Chancellor in the first round, would you? Darwin James just may be the best defensive player in this draft. Yes, I would be surprised if the Bucs drafted him over Chubb, but what if Chubb is not there?
LakeLand Says – I also disagree that this years draft is a “weak crop” at DE? There are DE’s with potential into round four which is rare and this years first round group all look very promising. It is unreal looking back at the draft how few DE’s actually become “household” names. This is why teams who have great DE’s don’t let them hit free agency and just how difficult it is to even draft one.
2014 – 4
2015 – 7
2016 – 5
January 21st, 2018 at 10:29 pm
I dont care who they draft at 7. Soo many needs. Time to hire team president who knows football like jax did with coughlin. Immediate returns. Write an article on this. This is the real issue at hand here. Owners that dont know dick about ball.
January 21st, 2018 at 10:31 pm
Man Joe I read through these blogs daily, and it just irks me when I see people in you’re thread constantly comment that we should just trade back if Barkley is not there, well news flash everyone Barkley won’t make it past pick number 4 so everyone should get on board with either getting Bradley Chubb, Arden Key, or Quentin Nelson, this draft is going to be mainly focused on DE, RB and the secondary, I say we go big in free agency, we have the money and there are some key guys on the market that can we turn this team to where they need to be, we need to go after Andrew Norwell and Star Lotulelli from the Panthers, as well as Ziggy Ansah, he’s a total upgrade from Gholston, anyways love you’re stuff Joe, don’t ever quit
January 21st, 2018 at 10:40 pm
Sammy:
See where you are coming from. Totally understand. There are a few, sad catches. Key is a major headcase. Dude is likely to freefall in the draft. Nelson? Joe has no earthly idea why everyone is jumping off barstools for this guy at No. 7 unless they are part of the crowd that hates the Bucs offensive line (the team does not share in this opinion). With so, so many holes at major positions (DE, RB) it is borderline reckless to draft a guard at No. 7 unless he is an immediate superstar and given how offensive linemen have struggled terribly over the past few years heading to the NFL, this is a major roll of the dice and very well could seal Jason Licht’s fate with the team.
If the Bucs cannot get Barkley or Chubb, hell yeah, Joe would trade down. This team needs playmakers.
January 22nd, 2018 at 10:19 am
Nelson is a rookie All Pro and a potential HOF if he stays healthy. Imagine Alan Faneca with Richie Incognito nasty streak. Fitzpatrick is like Ed Reed and will be an All Pro. Barkley is a Pro Bowler for sure. And Chubb is the biggest question mark of them all as far as All Pro potential but he fills the biggest position of need. If Chubb runs a low 4.6 at the combine there is no way he available to us at 7. If he has a pedestrian time he could fall like Suggs did. Chubb also plays the run at an Elite Level.
I also think Nelson is the best player in the draft and the best draft prospect since John Elway. He immediately boosts our Ypc by half a yard and cleans up the pass rush. A great offensive line makes the dling develop, llook at Demarcus Lawrence going against that oline at practice. Nelson will embarrass Gmc93 day 1 and instantly become a team leader. His value is beyond his one position ability. Our team lacks nasty dogs, Kwon is a dog, Justin Evans is going to be a dog, and Winston is becoming a dog.We need a dog on the front lines to set an attitude. There is nothing more demoralizing than when everyone in the stadium knOwns you’re going to run and the defense can’t stop it. If we pick Nelson you will see a shift in our team’s attitude that we haven’t seen since Sapp and Lynch in their prime.
The top 7-8 prospects are some of the best prospects of the last decade. I like Barkley better than AP bc AP always had a fumbling problem. Fitzpatrick is a tone setter in the secondary who everyone on the team seems to love. He’s a Uniter.
I agree we need to move Marpet back to guard and draft a center this year. You can always get a decent center in the 4th round. Cut Sweezy and Evan Smith and sign some veterans to prove it 1 year deals so we can continue to build the lines in the draft next year too. We were decimated by injury on our line this year and we weren’t even that much worse and that is saying something.
I have faith in Licht, he is going to make out like a bandit in this draft. I can see him make a big time Trade and get us 3 starters again.
My board
1. Nelson Grade 99
2. Fitzpatrick Grade 94
3. Barkley Grade 94
4. Josh Allen 91
5. Chubb 91
6. Connor Williams l 91
7. Hurst (undersized DT like Aaron Donald)
The other QBs are in the mid 80s and are negligible prospects but will go high bc of QB value.