Darkwa Fits
January 20th, 2018
Fantasy football fans know the name Orleans Darkwa.
And students of bad offensive line play know him, too.
Darkwa carries the rock for the Giants, whose o-line resembles the Bucs’ defensive line — limp.
But Darkwa, who will hit unrestricted free agency in seven weeks if he’s not re-signed, somehow managed to carry the rock successfully behind that brutal New York line. He finished this season with 171 carries for 751 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and five of the Giants’ six total rushing touchdowns.
An undrafted free agent out of Tulane in 2014, Darkwa has averaged 4.2 yards per carry through his career. But 2017 was his first year with a shot at full-time action.
The young man is beloved by Giants fans aching for positives out of a lost season, but new general manager Dave Gettleman is likely to make sweeping changes and may have his heart set on stud college prospect Saquon Barkley with their No. 2 overall pick in the draft. Remember, Gettleman drafted a running back at No. 8 overall last year, Christian McCaffrey, while GM of the Panthers.
Joe sees Darkwa as an excellent fit for the Bucs if they believe Peyton Barber is the real deal, meaning he is 1A-type of rusher good enough to share the load with another 1A kind of guy like Darkwa.
Joe has zero faith in the Bucs’ ability to secure a stud rusher in this 2018 draft, so Joe would give a standing ovation to Jason Licht chasing a solid young back like Darkwa in free agency.
January 20th, 2018 at 9:04 am
Zero faith the Bucs get a stud RB, like zero, there are 5-10 guys with stud potential, and Joe has zero faith, wow, really think Licht is that dumb he won’t try to fix the RB position, yeah you’re probably right
January 20th, 2018 at 9:21 am
And this time last year, he had zero faith in bringing in weapons and WR
And 3 years ago today, he had zero faith in bringing in a “franchise” QB
and had zero faith that they could draft and develop o-line!!!!!!!!!
but was always believing that dominik fixed everthing!!!!!!!!!
The truth is that this team was/is a complete rebuild after the impediment dominik years!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!
Jamies Winston says: Mr. Realist, Why can’t they see the truth?????
The Buc Realist says: Because they been told not to!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!
January 20th, 2018 at 9:30 am
@ Realist
I am mystified as I’m sure you are by Joe’s unwillingness to be critical of Dominick…..a couple of weeks ago, he even suggested that the Glazers forced his hand with, I believe it was Michael Bennett.
We have multiple articles about getting rid of Martin and today we are questioning Gholston.
If they are gone…that would leave us with GMC, LVD & Tandy from the Dominick “Disaster” years.
A true mystery, indeed!!!
January 20th, 2018 at 9:44 am
The obvious solution is to have Dominick handle free agent signings, and have Licht handle the draft.
January 20th, 2018 at 9:47 am
@Tampabaybucfan
I will let the cat out of the bag and tell you why he was popular!!!!!!! He had false sizzle in Tampa!!!!!! He always drafted for need which made it easy for local media!!!!!! He would communicate and text behind closed doors to local media to get his side of the stories out as well!!!!!!! His end of the year press conference would always magically lay out his philosophy that would magically match up with what was the biggest need or fix at that time, and despite it conflicting with last year’s speech it would seem like that was the plan all along, unless you remembered the speech from last year!!!!!!!
That is why he is a good talk show host!!!! everything is hind-sight, arm chair quarterbacking!!!!!!!! you talk about things people agree with and throw in some names that people recognize with sizzle and they think he knows what he is talking about!!!!!!!!!
January 20th, 2018 at 9:50 am
@william berry
You better take a long look at dominik’s first year free agent list, and then come back here and repent!!!!!!!!!!
January 20th, 2018 at 10:12 am
It’s very sexy for the Bucs to use a day 1 or 2 pick on a RB, but in my heart of hearts I know it makes more sense wait to see if a guy drops to the top of day 3 and supplement the room with a guy like Darkwa in FA..
I think a stable of Barber, Darkwa, and a guy like Rashaad Penny in round 4 is a much improved RB room, especially if we take Nelson at the top of the draft.
January 20th, 2018 at 10:12 am
I’m telling you Zach Zenner needs to be picked up by somebody. Go pull up every carry he had toward the end of the 2016 season for the Detroit lions. The kid would have have multiple 100 yard games had they just gave him the ball for more than one half at a time. He has excellent vision, pass protection, power. He finished off the season at the bottom of the depth chart because the team was too stupid to see what they have.
Amazon Boldin endorsed Zenner in the off-season saying he earned a larger role heading onto 2017 and deserves a shot at the job. The lions stayed commited to Abdullah all season despite him never getting the job done.
Somebody needs to go grab this kid and I hope its the Bucs!!!
January 20th, 2018 at 10:17 am
Hey guys…just curious. How many plan to go to the Shrine Bowl today. Since I live 10 minutes from Tropicana I suspect I’m going to check it out.
Seems like there are lots of interesting players…I’ll be curious to see Quinton Flowers and JT Barrett…two GREAT athletes who were ENORMOUSLY successful at their schools but are fighting for the right to play QB in the NFL.
But of course we Buc fans will have our eyes on the RB’s in that game as well as the DE’s and DT’s.
Anybody been before? Thumbs up or thumbs down. Well even if the game and players are not interesting it’s all going to a great cause…I have enormous respect for what the Shriners do for kids.
January 20th, 2018 at 10:23 am
Anquan
January 20th, 2018 at 10:58 am
I have faith in Licth getting a decent RB in the draft, again his draft record is good. I have much less faith in him doing it in free agency. I say draft a good RB1 (hopefully in the second, supposed to be deep again) and keep Barber as 1A. Keep Sim s as 3rd down back but mix it up more with him.
Draft a stud D linemen round 1 and again rounds 3,4,5,6. Get a crap load of players on Free agency for secondary. Done!!
Until next year
January 20th, 2018 at 11:00 am
Nice find here Joes. Im not impressed with the rest of the FAs outside of maybe Jeremy Hill. I am in the crowd that feels as if we have too many other needs to draft a RB. Maybe 4th round but I have faith in Barber if we get him some Road Graders. Darkwa could be perfect.
January 20th, 2018 at 11:03 am
I’m gonna watch it St Pete. It’s Football! I too was really impressed with Flowers. My Dad is a USF Alum so I watch alot of USF ball. Not sure what the knock on Flowers is as I haven’t read his draft profile but I am rooting the kid on. I used to live 10 minutes from Tropicana field as well.
January 20th, 2018 at 11:17 am
I have looked at the RB draft rankings on about 10 different sites and they are All over the place. The only constant is Barkley being at the top. Other than that they vary Drastically. For example, Walter Football has Kerryon Johnson as the Second best RB now that Love is going back to Stanford while CBS has Johnson as the Seventh best. Some have Sony Michelle above Nick Chubb and some have him 2 or 3 behind him. My point is that Outside of Barkley they all must be pretty good when opinions vary so much.
January 20th, 2018 at 11:41 am
Barkley 5’11 230, Guice 5’11 218, Michel 5’11 221, Penny 6’ 220 are probably the top 4, all 4 should be gone by day 2 unless someone runs horribly which is unlikely, Guice is the least accomplished pass catcher based on volume and the only one that had an injury issue although it was only an ankle problem last year, no character concerns ala Dalvin Cook, we would have to use our 2nd (not Barkley obviously) to get any of these guys if they are still available however there are quite a few other backs that look promising but will need to kill it at the combine to make it day 2
January 20th, 2018 at 11:49 am
Guzzie I like Penny a lot, but I’ve never seen him mocked anywhere past round 3. That’s why he’s a value guy.
January 20th, 2018 at 11:51 am
Late day 2 early day 3 guys to keep an eye on are Ronald Jones (around 200 lbs), Josh Adams (speed?), Akrum Wadley(195lbs), Kerryon Johnson (should problem), Mark Walton (5’9 205 ankle surgery), Nyheim Hines (5’9 196), Nick Chubb (speed??), Royce Freeman (speed) plenty of guys to choose from but not the complete backs us fans crave
January 20th, 2018 at 11:52 am
Kerryon Johnson I meant shoulder problem
January 20th, 2018 at 11:58 am
Birdman just my personal opinion who I think are the better RBs that can project to a 3 down types based on size, speed, receiving, character, and injury history, Penny didn’t play against the tougher competition like the other 3, but neither did David Johnson, the Bucs really need a 3 down back, switching up Barber and a 3 down back ala Sims really sucks play calling wise, but I’m sure Licht will not get a 3 down type, #ZEROFAITH
January 20th, 2018 at 11:59 am
3rd down back ala Sims I meant
January 20th, 2018 at 12:04 pm
I think Fritos are great.
January 20th, 2018 at 12:09 pm
I counted 20 players from Mark Dominik 2013 Bucs team, went to play on playoff teams.
Mark Barron | L.A Rams
Johnathan Casillas | NE/Giants
Adrian Clayborn | Atlanta
Mason Foster | Washington
Dashon Goldson | Atlanta
Danny Gorrer | Baltimore
Leonard Johnson | Buffalo
Ted Larsen | Arizona
Kelcie McCray | Kansas City
Stevie Means | Philadelphia
Patrick Omameh | Jacksonville
Donald Penn | Oakland
Bobby Rainey | New York Giants
Darrelle Revis | NE/Kansas City
Russell Shepard | Carolina
Luke Stocker | Tennessee
Dakota Watson | NE
Tim Wright | NE
Jeremy Zuttah | Baltimore
Rashaan Melvin | NE
10 of these players were starters on playoff teams
Some were key backups
These players wasn’t good enough for the Bucs
Who hasn’t been to the playoffs in 10 years
But they were good enough for playoff teams
January 20th, 2018 at 12:12 pm
Kelcie McCray | Seattle
January 20th, 2018 at 12:21 pm
I have no problem signing Darkwa and then being patient in the draft for a RB to fall to a later pick.
Barber and Darkwa would be a very nice start to a RB group.
January 20th, 2018 at 12:24 pm
lakelandbuc brings up a question that we used to ask!!!!!!!!! Who was worst for the Bucs????? 5 years of high draft picks with mark dominik or 2 years of complete incompetence from loser lovie that took the team to the worst depths that most buc fans have not seen in 30 years!!!!!!
The who would you rather “not” have!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 20th, 2018 at 12:38 pm
Mark Dominik brought talent to the Bucs. He was one of the best at finding UDFAs. His problem was finding the right Head Coach.
January 20th, 2018 at 1:02 pm
@ Lakeland
Your theory/hypothesis is wonderful and this is why the Bucs kept HC Koetter. The young guys coming in are developing. That is how you build a franchise.
Licht and Koetter may not be as good as Buc fans want, but there is no argument that talent is being brought into the roster and is being groomed.
Fans can argue about how much growth, or whether there are better coaches out there, but fans cannot let themselves focus on the negatives.
Will the top FAs or Coaches in the league come here without being overpaid? Answer is “NO!” It is a slow process to build.
IMO Lovie did more damage than Dominick
January 20th, 2018 at 1:08 pm
I’d rather sign Darkwa (or a similar free agent) and spent real capital and picks on accumulating at least 8 players for the offensive and defensive lines. There is zero point drafting a stud running back and putting him behind our line AND putting him on a team with zero pass rush that has to pass all the time to stay in games. There are much bigger problems than RB.
Do the smart thing first…
Fix the trenches, fix the Bucs!!
January 20th, 2018 at 1:08 pm
Read this morning were USF’s Quenton Flowers has removed himself from today’s game due to a death in his family.
January 20th, 2018 at 1:49 pm
@Lakeland
I’m assuming that’s throughout the five years since
Dashon Goldson – No current team
Danny Gorrer – DNP in ’17 and ’16
Ted Larsen – Played 8 games
Kelcie McCray – DNP in ’17
Steven Means – 3 tackles in ’17
Bobby Rainey – 1 carry in ’17
Russell Shepard – 17 whole catches in ’17 (Was a solid ST player though, however was also signed to be their #3/Slot guy)
Tim Wright – No current team
Jeremy Zuttah – DNP in ’17
I’ll Give him Barron, Foster, Penn, and Revis but otherwise were looking at a pretty unremarkable group. Dominik was easily one of the worst GM’s we’ve had.
January 20th, 2018 at 1:50 pm
StPeteBucfan,
If you can go, go. The game isn’t that great usually but that’s not why you go. You go to see individual players who will be drafted in rds 3-7 or free agents.
Last year I met trey Hendrickson’ s parents outside the stadium, they were taking pictures and I volunteered to take a photo w both of them in the shot. I still speak to them today. If you go with the idea that individual players are what you will be looking at, go. A lot of the players parents will be out so go and chat with some and you’ll have a great day.
January 20th, 2018 at 1:54 pm
And pretty sure Zuttah was drafted by Allen (could be wrong though).
January 20th, 2018 at 1:57 pm
You guys are still arguing about a GM from five years ago? If you didn’t win over your side of the argument half a decade ago what the Heck makes you think you can still win it? Unbelievable
January 20th, 2018 at 2:06 pm
To me fixing the running game is a much easier fix and will have a better chance at providing results. Especially if we get Nelson in the first round. If not draft a guard and a runner later on and bring in a FA RB so your not counting on an unproven guy.
This should get our offense going and give us a chance to maintain drive which keeps the D off the field. That alone will help out the defense.
No matter how you look at it we are a few offseasons away from having a dominate defense. Get this offense where they can lead the team and play complimentary football with the defense.
January 20th, 2018 at 2:12 pm
Meh.
Here’s a runner in the mold of Barber, and we already got Barber.
January 20th, 2018 at 2:27 pm
@ManzielMadness
You are correct!!!!!!! Zuttah and Penn were brought in by NFL GM Bruce Allen!!!!!! Not talk show host mark dominik!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!
January 20th, 2018 at 2:47 pm
This is what kills me about this city. Really Joe’s just because barber is better than Martin it doesn’t really mean that much because he wasn’t better than Martin in the off-season
Because he had a 100 yard rushing game he’s a 1A? Lol ok I’ll have some of what your smoking. Draft a game changing running back in the second or third then tell me he’s 1A. He hasn’t earned that kind of respect nor should he be gifted a starting job but that’s just how it’s done in Tampa no matter who the coach is.
Probably believed Schiano when he said Michael Bennett’s replacement was a double digits sack guy
January 20th, 2018 at 2:51 pm
I mention the roster from 2013. The roster that L&L inherited. I don’t care about, who brought them in.
January 20th, 2018 at 2:57 pm
Ronald Jones USC… get him!!!
January 20th, 2018 at 3:39 pm
Darkwa, if he is all that the Giants won’t let him hit the door. Once again, he excites me like Robert Ayers, Jr. instead of drafting a young guy like Yannick Ngakoue, signing Bobby McClain instead of AJ Bouye or Swaggy/Gholston instead of Calais Campbell.
If they sign Darkwa, they will wait til day 3 to draft a RB, depending what that first pick is, it should be either a 2nd or 3rd round pick, take the pressure off Jameis.
As bad as the defense was, we score 6 instead of 3 (sometimes zero), how much better would the record have been. Too many receiving weapons to not have put up more points, not saying it’s easy, but we as fans knew what was coming, why wouldn’t the defense
January 20th, 2018 at 4:08 pm
The Bucs need to spend all their draft picks on defense, except maybe a late round pick on an offensive lineman. I’m not a big fan of Barber but he’s fine – the Bucs don’t need stars at every position. Finding a FA runningback is easy, they’re all over the place, but it doesn’t matter who you put behind that awful offensive line if Dirk is doing what he did for the first 12 weeks of the season and just run it up the middle every first down, unless it’s Barry Sanders they’re still going to be under 4.0 ypc just like Martin and Barber were.
January 20th, 2018 at 4:19 pm
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I am 100% in favor of signing one or even two cheap, young free agent RBs rather than drafting one as the draft picks should be spent on VALUABLE assets such as DE, DT, CB, SS, OT, C and G not on a running back as they can be had CHEAP in free agency … and while I would prefer Isaiah Crowell over Darkwa, I’d be fine with Darkwa as well.
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January 20th, 2018 at 8:21 pm
Plenty of stud RBs in this class. Now its up to Licht to get it right this time. Sony Michele in the 2nd would give us a killer duo with him and Barber. I’m a huge fan of Barber and we will make a great 1B to Sony 1A.
Sony is the real deal running, receiving, and a solid blocker. He will be a better pro imo than Barkley.
January 20th, 2018 at 8:22 pm
Crowell is a good back but I would prefer one with fresh legs and a lovely rookie contract
January 20th, 2018 at 8:50 pm
Only free agent worth getting imo is H Y D E!!!
January 21st, 2018 at 3:55 am
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^ Sony Michel a better pro than Saquon Barkley? That is basically SPORTS BLASPHEMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Michel was projected as 3rd round back all year and now people think he’ll slip into the 2nd round … Barkley is considered by basically everyone to be the best prospect since Adrian Peterson, by some to be the best since Barry Sanders, and by others as “a perfect prospect” … stop the SPORTS BLASPHEMY!
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January 21st, 2018 at 6:03 am
pass on this guy…pass!
January 21st, 2018 at 6:07 am
darkwa = more dark times
January 21st, 2018 at 8:49 am
Seems gone are the days when the prevailing JBF wisdom was “a good RB can be found in the later rounds.”
January 21st, 2018 at 2:20 pm
Lev Bell is not out of the realm of possibility … just saying.