The Struggle With Corner
March 22nd, 2018
Ohio State CB Denzel Ward.
Regular readers of Joe know how he will react to this.
Joe’s good friend Jason McIntyre of TheBigLead.com has a mock draft out and he makes salient points about what the Bucs should do. McIntyre scoured the Bucs roster and he is of the mind, with Brent Grimes turning 35 soon and on a one-year contract, the secondary needs a boost and Jason Licht should draft safety Derwin James of Florida State.
Joe isn’t as down as many are about the safeties. Joe just doesn’t know if James is a fit along with second-year safety Justin Evans.
If Joe had to pick a secondary player at No. 7, forced to with a gun to his head, Joe would select corner Denzel Ward of Ohio State. The Bucs need a corner more than they need a safety.
But here is the busy intersection where Joe’s truck has stalled. Joe simply does not trust the current Bucs defensive staff to develop a rookie corner. How has Ryan Smith progressed since he was drafted? How further along in becoming an NFL corner is Vernon Hargreaves?
If the Bucs defensive staff showed any evidence they could groom a young corner, Joe would be open-minded to drafting one. As we stand today, it sure appears that drafting a corner at No. 7 would be a terrible waste of such a valuable draft pick.
Now one also has to factor in the following: Though the Bucs ended up using Hargreaves as a nickel corner last year, is the team really willing to throw in the towel on Hargreaves so soon? No one has told Joe this, but Joe is going to guess the Bucs will give Hargreaves every opportunity to win back his starting job, even if that may include some terrible regular-season gaffes that could hurt the Bucs in the win-loss column.
McIntyre also suggested the Bucs may be interested in drafting Virginia Tech linebacker Tremaine Edmunds at No. 7.
Unless Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht, who is loaded at linebacker, has a trick up his sleeve to trade a linebacker for a defensive end, then Team Glazer would need to immediately order all its employees to undergo a narcotics test if the Bucs draft a linebacker at No. 7.
March 22nd, 2018 at 12:29 am
The Bucs will more likely add more weapons for Winston. I can see it coming, spending big on a OC was only the beginning.
March 22nd, 2018 at 12:32 am
Why didn’t they sign a descent corner? It’s the same thing as last years pass rush one injury and were screwed! Who do you think the new GM will be?
March 22nd, 2018 at 12:38 am
$42 million for a Center to protect Winston. Another $82 million on his favorite WR. And $41 million on his TE. How many of the top 5 draft picks will be offensive players?
March 22nd, 2018 at 12:40 am
https://youtu.be/fi5_txRLqCY
March 22nd, 2018 at 12:40 am
***OC means Offensive Center***
March 22nd, 2018 at 12:42 am
Denzel Ward is the only player other than Barkley, Chubb and Nelson that I wouldn’t be mad at taking at 7. He’s got 4.38 speed and great change of direction and technique. He can be a top CB in this league, despite ideal height. He’s Hargreaves with elite speed and game and has no need to line up 10 yards off the line.
March 22nd, 2018 at 12:55 am
Ohio state kid is a fast vh3
March 22nd, 2018 at 1:10 am
Josh Jackson > Denzel Ward
March 22nd, 2018 at 1:23 am
Again, Mark Barron 5th overall pick, DeSaun Goldsten Highest ranked free safety, Darrell Revis 2 FIRST ROUND PICKS…. results?
Barron didn’t make it through his rookie contract and has switched to linebacker, Revis was cut very next year, Goldsten over payed and was released as soon as contract permitted. For those counting that’s 3 FIRST ROUND PICKS WAISTED!!!
Secondary doesn’t matter when theres no pass rush! If Jason light burns a pick in the 1st round on secondary with no pass rush FIRE HIM!!!!
March 22nd, 2018 at 1:39 am
I don’t care where you’re going to play him. If Fitzpatrick is there, you draft him. Hands down. If you don’t, THEN you do a narcotics test on the whole staff Joe.
March 22nd, 2018 at 1:40 am
This whole regime are complete idiots
March 22nd, 2018 at 1:44 am
There are four elite Non-QBs in this years draft: DE Chubb, RB Barkley, OG Nelson and DB Fitzpatrick. If we stay put #7, the one – and it will be only one – who is left will be our pick.
March 22nd, 2018 at 1:44 am
The only prospect I’d consider before Minkah is Chubb. MAYBE Nelson, but if I recall correctly, Joe has mentioned that he thinks the guard position can find an upgrade later in the draft. For me it’s Chubb, Minkah or bust. Trading down won’t get us much unless we can reload with picks next year and a nest of day two picks this year, but with all of the QB’s possibly going off before us, who knows how valuable #7 will be. Time will tell.
March 22nd, 2018 at 1:45 am
VH3 is slow, I’ll blame coaching for a lot, but not for trying to cover up his lack of speed. I bet Ward wouldn’t play 10 yrds off the ball
March 22nd, 2018 at 2:19 am
The Bucs shouldn’t throw in the towel on Hargreaves, he should (hopefully) be the 3rd corner with a vet that can play 3rd in that 4 spot. If the Bucs got Ward, who would be my pick assuming Chubb is off the board, can play #2. Ward has better size, much better speed and appears to be a special talent who could be a #1 in a year or two when Grimes hangs it up. Hargreaves meanwhile has always seemed like more of a nickel back, he doesn’t have good size, he’s not fast, he wasn’t even all that great in college – I really never got the Hargreaves pick as he didn’t meet any criteria that you’d want in a top DB, certainly not one picked that highly. Hargreaves has good, but not elite, quickness, but that’s about it. With that said Hargreaves had a solid rookie year by rookie standards – what happened last year I don’t really get, but I do know everyone not named Grimes that played corner for the Bucs was amongst the worst in the league, or if their name is Ryan Smith they were THE worst in the league. Anyways Hargreaves’ contract dicates he’s not going anywhere this season so I think the Bucs are expecting to get something from him – but right now Ryan Smith is ahead of him on the depth chart as the #2 corner and that is very very very scary.
March 22nd, 2018 at 2:32 am
BigBucFan11 – I brought this up before, but Fitzpatrick doesn’t pass the inappropriate name for position rule, his name for a corner, Minkah Fitzpatrick, it’s a terrible name. Denzel Ward however, that sounds like a star corner if I’ve ever heard one. Deion Sanders, see how that sounds… Denzel Ward, see, that flows… then you have Minkah Fitzpatrick. No flow. Yeah it sounds stupid but I’ve never ever seen a player overcome the inappropriate name for position rule – ever.
Anyways the other thing about Ward that would make him my pick is the elite speed – a top 10 corner needs to be special at something, and Ward has elite speed and he also had the best broadjump and was #3 in terms of vertical jump. That is an elite athlete. Fitzpatrick had a solid combine but didn’t really excel at anything, which for a top 10 corner, for me, is a must. Fitz is obviously bigger, but Ward, at a solid 5′ 10″ isn’t a small corner and obviously can jump. Bama homers can complain about that, but the combine + the name rule means Ward should be the pick.
Oh, and while you laugh at the name rule, in 2016 it would have eliminated Eli Apple and VH3 from being picked by the Bucs and they would have taken William Jackson III, who at this point would clearly be the guy you’d want out of the 3.
March 22nd, 2018 at 3:23 am
@Rod I’ve agreed with many of your points in the past, but I gotta differ on this one. Although I think Ward likely would be the better corner between he and Fitzpatrick, actually using the name thing as a salient argument is like saying one team will beat another team because their uniforms look better. Funny, despite this I’ve actually thought of the name thing myself before too.
@LUV I don’t know if Jackson is better, but he looks damned good, ballhawk, hits like a Mack truck, and we could probably get him at a better value. I think he’d be the better pick for us. Oh yeah, and I think his name “flows” well for a corner too lol.
March 22nd, 2018 at 3:42 am
Joe, after reading what your friend Jason MacIntyre said about drafting a linebacker with the number 7 overall pick, I believe we need to get your friend tested for narcotics. I’m surprised you even printed something so absurd.
March 22nd, 2018 at 3:59 am
Wow! Great article Joe & some great comments (and at this early in the AM too … whodathunkit?). Agree with you that “The Bucs need a corner more than they need a safety.” Tend to think that VHIII will primarily be a nickel CB, but is capable of playing outside in a pinch (lacks height & speed which would be OK IF he had Grimes’ quickness in recovery … but he doesn’t). Ryan Smith has the measurables, but Bucs wasted a year experimenting with him at Safety (thank you for that Jason). Still, I’d hesitate to count on him to start at outside corner. Love Brent Grimes, but counting on a 35-year-old to start 16 games at outside CB is kinda risky.
Hoping that Chubb is there at #7, but if he isn’t I’d still go DEFENSE (even if Bradley & Nelson were there … they’re both elite picks, but there are some excellent RBs & Guards in Rnds 2-3 also). It’s past time to put-up-or-shut-up when it comes to building this defense. I’m torn at this point between trying to fix the DLine & trying to fix the Secondary (corners especially). Personally looking for a cornerstone player … one who we can truly build that position group around. And LEADERSHIP-POTENTIAL is a critical element of that, but it’s still secondary to being an elite player in his own right. I see Minkah Fitzpatrick as meeting that criteria & would be all-in on drafting him at #7. Same though with Vea or Payne … BOTH appear to have the characteristics our DLine has been lacking.
March 22nd, 2018 at 4:05 am
Lunchbox
Lol, No doubt brotha.
March 22nd, 2018 at 4:10 am
Iowa CB Joshua Jackson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_vN8L5siGo
March 22nd, 2018 at 4:25 am
I heard this edmunds guy might move to DE. I think he could be the best pass rusher in this draft when its said and done. He is only 19 and 6’5 250. But I dont trust them to develop a corner OR have anyone switch positions. Maybe buckner could get it out of him but it just never works out when they try that stuff. I hope they get someone already entrenched in their position but I wouldnt be pissed if they took him. Better not be to play LB tho.
March 22nd, 2018 at 4:59 am
Bucs are not Drafting Fitzpatrick. Wouldn’t be surprised if he drops out of the top Ten.
March 22nd, 2018 at 5:02 am
Lunchbox – I know the name stuff is nonsense… but in 30 years it’s never once been wrong. I just can’t get past Fitzpatrick as a name for a corner. It just feels wrong. Also while I’m not a college expert the scouting reports on Fitzpatrick worry me a bit, he sounds like a guy that some scouts love because of his size but others think he is too stiff and struggles to stay in coverage. Ward, to me, has the perfect size/speed for a top corner and I like what I read on the kid – his profile just reads like that of a future star. Ward’s only real negative is his size, and I don’t think 5′ 10″ is too small, I’d think most of the good corners in the NFL are under 6′ – I think, if someone wants to do the numbers let me know if I’m wrong. Ward just seems like a silky smooth guy that can step and start day one – but Fitzpatrick… he seems like a guy that might have some issues with the quickness of the NFL. This is all based of scouting reports, combines, and names.
Look I’m not going to be disappointed with either, but my guard will be up on day one if they get Fitzpatrick. I really wouldn’t punshism him or bash him because he has one bad practice because of his name, I’m fair once the deed is done, but… just saying… 1990 Emmitt Smith – great name for a RB… our pick, Keith McCants… BUZZZ, no good as a DE and his name has CANT right in it. Should have known, shame on all of us.
March 22nd, 2018 at 5:02 am
LUVMYBUCS – CB Joshua Jackson, passes the name rule.
March 22nd, 2018 at 5:04 am
When in doubt, pass. Trade down and give someone the QB they will cut in 3 years. Since we do not do well with the early picks, and i attribute that to ownership and coaching pressures, trade down for a later 1st and 2nd and 5th.
And Hargraves does not play 10 yards off, he watches from the end zone
March 22nd, 2018 at 5:17 am
Munch
Lol, Different angle – but true
March 22nd, 2018 at 5:20 am
@ defense
Like you I like Fitzpatrick because of his ball skills and ability to run after an INT.
Much like OJ, he seems to have an undeutilized talent as a returner .
. It is hard to slot DB’s coming out of college because they are
often used at multiple positions which hinders developement at any one position.
I also read Fitzpatrick thinks his best position is slot corner. I would want him
at outside corner or even safety before we put another no. 1 pick at slot corner.
March 22nd, 2018 at 5:23 am
Would be happier if we had spent BGrimes money on a more aggresive corner fa but got to give Hargreaves n Smith a fair chance. Maybe day 3 look at cb’s but hoping we get James and he batters JJones for the next 5 years.
March 22nd, 2018 at 5:26 am
You guys are lying to yourselves if you think vh3 is a nfl player… you can’t coach or fix short, slow or stupid and vh3 is all 3 plus immature
March 22nd, 2018 at 5:28 am
Next year we need will need to have two experienced starting corners not named Grimes so Licht has to get his picks at corner right.
March 22nd, 2018 at 5:54 am
Bob – The Vikings have a corner on the best defensive in football who is starting is like 39. Grimes might be that guy, he really was quite good last year when everyone else was absolutely terrible. Based on the way Grimes plays I think he might be one of those guys to play late into their 30s.
March 22nd, 2018 at 6:08 am
@Rod
Anything’s possible,but he was somewhat limited last year due to injuries,so I’m
reluctant to count on anybody given our past injury woes ie Jaquiz Smith and Noah spence.
March 22nd, 2018 at 6:16 am
Besides combine information, when it comes to corners in the NFL specifically we need to look for guys that have “bounce”, that can “jump out of the gym”, guy’s like Brent Grimes actually, when they are coming out of college. They also need to have good instincts and are thinking ahead. Hard to measure these things at the combine but easy to see on tape. Josh Jackson, Denzel Ward, someone mentioned William Jacskon when he came out, all have these qualities. I see Minkah as a safety more than a CB as I don’t see the bounce, but do see the instincts. Same with James. All of that said, I’d prefer we find a trade partner, move down and gather more picks in early rounds. I like Josh Jackson or Harold Landry in 1st, Sony in 2nd, and if another pick in 2nd thru trade get an OG or another DE or DB. This draft should be heavy on Defense in the end.
March 22nd, 2018 at 6:55 am
Interesting take,MikeP,but it’s difficult to find a player with both and I would also include speed and physicality to the mix. Thats why i think its so hard to find to
find good corners because its kind of a pick two of four traits that can make a great corner.
I agree on fitzpatrick as a possible free safety,but we have Justin Evans on the roster. My main concern with him is the angles he takes in coverage and tackling at times. He sometimes takes the wrong angle and has to circle back to try again.
That said,I place a high value on instincts.
March 22nd, 2018 at 7:12 am
He ran 4.32 and pretty sure he doesn’t need to be coached he is that good …
They have nothing at corner. Hope grimes can stay healthy all year
March 22nd, 2018 at 7:15 am
I say If Vernon hasn’t developed into a good outside corner by the end of next season then you trade him at the end of next season and get something out of it for him. I don’t know why in the world EJ Gaines is still not signed by this team. Who cares that Eric Reid took a knee. They’re football players so I only care what they do when that clock is rollin! That’s why I watch it. Not for the drama of the nfl. Get those guys signed. With the 7th pic the only ones worth that pic are Nelson, Chubb, Barkley. If you can’t get either of those three you trade back! The positions those 3 guys play are our biggest needs. We need to draft for our needs this year. Not the whole best player available mode.
March 22nd, 2018 at 7:27 am
@ German Buc
You are absolutely correct…..if 3 QBs are chosen in the top 6 then one of the four…..Chubb, Barkley, Nelson or Minkah will be there for us at 7…..and they are all positions of need and we couldn’t make a mistake by choosing the one that is left……the difficulty is that there may be two….I believe Chubb & Barkley will be gone….so it would be between Minkah & Nelson..
I believe we need more help on defense….but Nelson is a guaranteed lock….and probably ban All Pro…perhaps 10-12 years….
If 3 QBs are not chosen for some reason….we would likely have a trading partner….even if 3 are chosen, we still may have someone wanting to trade up.
March 22nd, 2018 at 7:28 am
Thanks Bob – ur right very difficult to find both traits but that’s why I like Josh Jackson. IF, big IF, we found a trade partner and could drop back to mid first round and grab another early round pick from our trade partner, we could grab him. Agreed 100% on Minkah with you.
March 22nd, 2018 at 7:29 am
Joe just keeps hammering away over and over with the silly notion that we can’t bring in young DB talent because the coaches won’t be able to develop them – LOL What a maroon….
If Chubb, Nelson, Barkley are off the board and no trade down offers come – Ward would probably be my choice.
Derwin James is a close 2nd and I wouldn’t at all mind having him on our team as I think he brings a losing culture changing demeanor intangible along with stellar safety play.
But CB is the bigger need and CB is the more appropriate position to draft a top prospect top 10 value wise rather than safety.
Hargreaves was obviously not a top 10 talent in retrospect – but Ward just might be.
But what about Minkah??? the bama faithful cry..
I would take Ward if you want the best CB this year and James if you want the best Safety. Not saying Fitzpatrick sucks or anything but he ain’t top 10 IMO. Bama DBs have a tendency to look better than they are because of the surrounding talent (cough Mark Barron). Minkah is NOT the next Jalen Ramsey – of that I am pretty sure.
March 22nd, 2018 at 7:51 am
I’m totally fine with Derwin James at 7, I actually think he complements Evans really well. Would bring some much needed attitude to the defense too….by all accounts, he’s a big time alpha.
Regarding Edmunds, I don’t know why everyone is so hung up on him currently being a LB. As Darin pointed out, the kid is 6’5 and 250+ lbs already and he’s ONLY 19. The fact that he’s a LB shows he has tremendous athleticism for a big kid, and he will easily pack on more muscle as his body matures and a professional strength coach gets his hands on him. No reason at all to think he couldn’t stick his hand in the dirt and become the lightning off the edge this team has sorely been missing for way too many years.
March 22nd, 2018 at 7:57 am
Friends, our GM WILL reach for Davenport at 7 when Chub, Nelson and/or Barkley are all gone—search your feelings, you know it to be true.
March 22nd, 2018 at 8:22 am
Who are the CBs in the ATL? Both are pretty good. Who developed them? Please stop this nonsense. Mike Smith and his staff know how to coach. Stop, you sound silly and no one would know you guys have been covering the game for decades. Players play and coaches coach.
March 22nd, 2018 at 8:44 am
Joe, I think you are a little off base with the talk of not being able to develop a corner. First of all, Smith would not be starting for any of the other 31 teams out there… It’s the player! Second off, vh3 does not have a good skill set to play outside corner so basically we drafted a slot corner at 12..but since he was our best option to play opposite of the freak, he was put out there and exposed for what he is… That’s why I say do not and repeat do not draft Fitzpatrick at 7 or at all.. He says he is best suited to play slot corner and we Al ready have one in vh3 we just drafted for ultimately the same position and since we are not willing to cut ties with him yet it would be a wasted pick on Fitzpatrick.. So my point is, I feel it’s more on the players than the coaching.. If Jayson hits on a top stud corner, then it will look like we can develop one because that guy will take the system and make it look good…
March 22nd, 2018 at 9:03 am
Frank,
If they do, it’s not a reach.
If that’s who they want 7-15 is the most likely range.
March 22nd, 2018 at 9:06 am
Name the LAST Alabama defensive player (or Alabama player period) that was worth ANYTHING in the NFL?
I’d look at the NFL machine known as LSU for help on either side of the ball.
March 22nd, 2018 at 9:33 am
I agree Joe, the tape on that Ward kid is impressive. He is a college shut down corner. If it can translate to the pros he could be the next Marshon Latimore. With that kind of gifted ability maybe evan the Bucs coaching staff couldn’t screw that pick up.
March 22nd, 2018 at 9:34 am
Joe do you actually believe you can develop bums? Ryan smith is terrible and belicheck couldn’t coach that man up. And Hargreaves was playing too far off and once turned to nickel played well. So please stop acting like the saints are better at developing corners because they drafted lattimore. Goodness gracious
March 22nd, 2018 at 9:48 am
im starting to warm up to this Edmonds kid…..I say get him!!!!….anybody can work with that talent!!!!!….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!…..NOPASSESIN2018!!!!!!…..GO BUCS!!!!!
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:12 am
Joe, you keep saying the Bucs staff cant develop a corner, however I think just TWO is too small a sample size to make that judgement.
1. you have a 4th round pick. and the success rate of those turning in to starters is technically like 10%?
2. The other is a 1st round pick who is not fast and is too small and is/and always was/ better fitted for the slot, where he actually played well last year.
I have 0 qualms about the Bucs drafting and developing a CB
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:29 am
Look Joe it’s gotta be a defensive back at #7. Whether it’s James, Fitzpatrick,or Ward. The Safeties suck plain and simple that’s why we have the worst defense year in and out. We have speedy Justin Evans why not add James or Fitzpatrick to that and become an instinctive defense again that got the turnovers. Think about it Joe you wrote a article on the winning streak of 2016 and Keith Tandy a safety, was the centerpiece of that run. Conte and Tandy are great to have off the bench or on special teams. As far as pass rush didn’t we trade for Simeon Rice anyway plus he wouldn’t have been a great if it were not for John Lynch and his agressive playing style that was the staple of that defense. When John Lynch left town the defense and sacks went away as well and you know it Joe do your research please. I will hope Winston begs for a trade and disown being a fan of this team if they draft an offensive or defensive lineman in the first. No Davenport No Nelson and no Bradley Chubb either he reminds of Daequon Bowers or Gaines Adams Lord may he rest.
March 22nd, 2018 at 11:37 am
Get a clue Jason. ^^^
March 22nd, 2018 at 1:03 pm
My problem with Jackson is that the kid ran about a 4.67 in the 40! How does a guy running that slow cover any NFL receiver nvm Julio Jones? I’m not saying don’t pick him.. I’m saying don’t pick him in the first OR 2nd and since we just traded our 3rd and 4th for JPP and the Giants 4th I would pick him then. No I’m not crazy! Do some research on it and you’ll see what I mean cuz since the combine (which he was AWFUL at the drills and the 40) writers are saying he will go day 2 to possibly day 3! So no reason to pick him in the 1st. I’d rather Ward anyway. He looks like he could be a shutdown corner! I DO think he may need coaching.. Just a bit..? (Some idiot above said not to coach him as he doesn’t need it!) I don’t think for a second that the Bucs can’t develop a corner though.. That’s absurd! They definitely can’t seem to DRAFT one though! Hargreaves was a huge reach! And I’m a Gators fan!! Ryan Smith has the speed and enough athleticism but apparently no ability to play any DB position. We NEED a DB or 3 this draft! Good thing it’s a deep draft for them. Then again, so was the VH III draft And we picked the second CB overall i think after Apple and couldn’t get it right!? We need to find out who some other teams like at CB & pick him..
March 22nd, 2018 at 1:17 pm
Sorry, Josh Jackson ran a 4.56 and a 4.6 at the combine. Not even usually overly concerned with 40 times but if a guy runs below average and plays a position like CB? That’s a problem.. I think Hargreaves ran a 4.5 didn’t he? And he has no ability to recover in the NFL! I knew he wasn’t NFL caliber when he got torched by Amari Cooper in college.. Every time he went up against a future high draft pick?? Bad game! How did the Bucs think he was going to be worth an almost top 10 pick?? They are just AWFUL at drafting CB’s.. As evidenced by the fact that we have not one CB that’s starting material. We also need to draft them higher more often and maybe double dip this year. Maybe trade down if there’s a partner to try and recoup the 3rd rounder we just traded or even a 2nd rounder and pick a CB in the 1st or 2nd!
March 22nd, 2018 at 3:32 pm
McIntyre scoured the Bucs roster and came to the conclusion we need a LB? I think giving VH3 another shot is doable. Unfortunately he’s a Gator so he will not pan out in the NFL.
March 22nd, 2018 at 3:54 pm
VH3 was 5′ 8 3/4″ and ran a 4.5 at the combine (not in the top 15), 39″ vert (4), 10′ 10″ broadjump (3) and 15 reps at 225.
Ward comes in at 5′ 10 7/8″, ran a 4.32 (1-t), had a 39″ vert (2-t) and had a 11′ 4″ broadjump (1), also 16 reps at 225.
No bagging on VH3, I think he can still be an NFL player, but I still don’t get why he was drafted so highly when he just wasn’t anything special. He wasn’t an elite guy in college and he didn’t have any elite athletic ability. His size and the way he plays make him look like a nickel back – which should probably be his role – and against #3 WRs I think he can look a lot better.
As for Ward, he does have the special something you’d expect out of a top guy and seems like someone you just drop in from day one and have start. If I was the Bucs I’d still want a proven vet in the 3/4 spot in case VH3 does fall on his face.
March 22nd, 2018 at 4:12 pm
Drafting FSU’s Derwin James at No. 7 may not be such a bad idea as it would, if everything the Bucs have done in free agency, make the Bucs strong up the middle.
On the d-line we have Gerard McCoy at 3-technique and if DT Beau Allen works out as expected playing next to McCoy, Tampa will be strong in the middle of the line.
The linebackers are set and perhaps one of if not the best trio in the NFL.
Adding Derwin James to Justin Evans, as long as James isn’t a bust and Mike Smith and Jon Hoke can effectively sort out which whether to play Evan at FS or SS and the same with James, the Bucs could wind up strong up the middle in the secondary.
Let’s keep in the mind the sports adage about “being strong up the middle,” which in baseball means catcher, pitcher, second base, and center field, and in football DTs, MLB and Safeties. Also, lets remember when we talk about the 2002 Bucs defense the first names mentioned are Sapp, Brooks (remember the Tampa 2 funneled plays toward the Will not the Mike backer), and Lynch – that team was strong up the middle, by anyone’s reckoning.
Given Joe’s fixation on Simeon Rice and an edge rusher, let’s keep in mind it’s only after the former three are mentioned that Rice’s name is heard. Also keep in mind, it’s only after we hear the aforementioned players’ names that we begin talking about the corners, with the possible excpetion of Ronde Barber for his career achievements.
March 23rd, 2018 at 9:42 am
Best case scenario would be Barkley, Chubb, or Nelson.
B squad consist of Ward, Fitzpatrick, and James.
Anyone else and we mutiny.