What Does Brian Billick Know?
April 1st, 2018
Has pipeline to Bucs hierarchy.
Normally, Joe would just pass this off as a stab-in-the-dark guess. But knowing who Brian Billick is related to has Joe’s antennae otherwise at full mast.
You see, the former Super Bowl-winning coach is the brother-in-law of Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith. To suggest Billick and Smith don’t talk shop while attending family outings or over an adult beverage or two would be simply naive.
So Friday when Billick hopped on “Path to the Draft” on NFL Network with fetching Colleen Wolfe to discuss what franchise he believes will have a turnaround season in 2018, and Billick predicted the Bucs, it wasn’t that Billick chose Tampa Bay that got Joe’s attention. It was how Billick said the Bucs should do after the draft.
Billick is of the mind if the Bucs go defense in the draft and select a running back, then they’ll be playing meaningful January games.
Again, Billick is not just a close relative of Smith, but Smith also coached with Billick in Baltimore. Smith was Billick’s linebackers coach.
Joe has to wonder what Smith may have confided to Billick?
You can see Billick’s spot below.
Which team can become a playoff contender after the #NFLDraft?@CoachBillick has his đs on the @Buccaneers.
đş: Path to the Draft pic.twitter.com/AhWBXLfDbn
â NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 31, 2018
April 1st, 2018 at 12:07 am
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I don’t see us going with a DB at #7 … I mean, we could IF all of the top 3 non-QBs are gone AND no one wants to trade up to #7, but I don’t see that happening … I’m pretty sure one of the top 3 non-QBs (Nelson, Saquon, Chubb) will be available and that one of those guys will be our pick … and if it’s Chubb or Nelson, I think we take a RB in the 2nd round, which would mean the earliest we could take a DB would be in the 4th round … and a team CANNOT COUNT on a 4th round rookie to be a difference maker.
The above is why I still want the team to sign a #2 CB (Breeland) AND a starting SS (Boston, Vaccaro or Reid)!
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April 1st, 2018 at 12:15 am
The man has a point! But I can say this, Bucs fans are âgun shyâ when it comes to optimism with this team. After last years collapse, combined with the 10 year playoff drought, itâs no wonder. I guess ask me about optimism after the draft, then again when we have tough practices, and after a few more FA signings and youâll get spa much more measured response.
Go Bucs!
April 1st, 2018 at 12:28 am
I remember even on this site there was actually hype about the defense in the preseason which made me question my sanity. That being said hopefully the Bucs donât pass on Barkley or Nelson in favor of defense if one of them are available .
April 1st, 2018 at 12:40 am
I’ve always licked Brian billick commentary …..he’s not a cheerleader
…..but you guys heard it hear first
If chubbs, nelson, or Barkley are all gone
They’ll either take Derwin James or Joshua Johnson. …….yup all secondary help
I’d rather them take Joshua Johnson. ……because he is exceptionally gifted is pass coverage……but an average tackler at best
Derwin James gives the most athletic safety in the draft
April 1st, 2018 at 12:57 am
“I’ve always licked Brian billick” – TheBucsAnthem
Expect this to be taken out of context and used against you in the future. LOL
And as for Billicks prediction, I’d say it’s more of him HOPING that what he says is the truth due to his relationship with Smith.
I personally have very little confidence that Smith will be able to utilize the added defensive talent.
April 1st, 2018 at 1:54 am
They need to sign the best corner available breeland and one of the safety preferably Boston or vacarro. If they do this it will create more competition in camp and it will help us not feel obligated to pick at 7 based of team need (secondary) rather than best player available Nelson Chubb or Barkley.
1 Scenario draft Minkah fitz or derwin first then get guice if we can at end of first round trading back In or 2nd round if he makes it.
Or
Get guice first and get the best corner available in the 2nd rd.
All this assuming Nelson Chubb and Barkley are gone before we pick at 7
If we go for barlkley or bust we would have to make a trade up to 4 with the browns
If we trade down with buffalo we could get both first round picks and possibly a 2nd rounder..
We need to do something BIG this year!
April 1st, 2018 at 3:12 am
Not that it matters. But I gotta say it again – Sign NT Bennie Logan.
At this point in free agency – he would be a true Bang 4 Ur Buc signing.
The Brotha’s tackling machine for a nose tackle
Case In Point:
Bennie Logan (Age:28) LSU
⢠2017 KAN Total Tackles: 53 | Tackles for Loss: 9
⢠2016 PHI Total Tackles: 24 | Tackles for Loss: 5
⢠2015 PHI Total Tackles: 55 | Tackles for Loss: 9
⢠2014 PHI Total Tackles: 57 | Tackles for Loss: 8
Total Tackles: 189 (Avg:47.25) | Tackles for Loss: 31 (Avg:7.75
April 1st, 2018 at 3:23 am
Adding an impact defender of Logan’s caliber – from a statistical standpoint.
Could give our Defensive Line comparable (TFLâs) result to Philly.
Case In Point (Base On 2017 Data):
Based On â Tackles For Loss (2017) Eagles
RDE Vinny Curry (10) | Derek Barnett (8) | Steven Means (2)
RDT Fletcher Cox (7) | Destiny Vaeao (0) | Elijah Qualls (0)
LDT Tim Jernigan (9) | Beau Allen (4)
LDE Brandon Graham (16) | Chris Long (2)
Tackles For Loss Defensive Line = 58 â
Based On â Tackles For Loss (2017) Buccaneers
RDE Vinny Curry (10) | Noah Spence (1) | Will Clarke (2)
RDT Gerald McCoy (13) | Mitch Unrein (4)
LDT Bennie Logan (9) | Beau Allen (4)
LDE Jason Pierre-Paul (11) | William Gholston (4)
Tackles For Loss Defensive Line = 58 â
April 1st, 2018 at 3:37 am
Bennie is an expensive, and more elite, beau allen. You made a good move but i still agree 100%. The more the better
April 1st, 2018 at 6:00 am
Guys it’s a proven fact that solid RB’S can be found late in the draft…Besides, I actually like what Payton Barber did last year when given an opportunity…Now that we’re not obligated to give Martin his carries because he has the $$$ big contact, it’ll be interesting to see what Barber can do behind a revamped Offensive line…I wouldn’t mind if Barber handled the early downs and Sims took care of 3rd down; draft a rookie RB in later rounds to add to the rotation…
Rd1. Derwin James (S) FSU
Rd2. Mike Hughes (CB) UCF
Rd3. **Traded away for JPP**
Rd4. Frank Raglan (G) Arkansas
Rd5. Greg Senat (OT) Wagner
Rd6. Akrum Wadley (RB) Iowa (https://youtu.be/mvU0rGgM-YA)
7rd…
It’s not a popular idea around these parts; most of the successful teams nowadays have a RB by committee type rotation in the backfield…Take a few studs early to help the secondary, then finish the draft by adding depth on the O line and the RB position…Just my personal opinion…
April 1st, 2018 at 6:29 am
Even someone without any knowledge could see that we would go defense and add a running back.
I don’t have confidence that the big three will be there at 7…..but I do believe if that is the case we will find a trading partner. If that happens, we will have an extra pick or two….I still see us going defense and adding a RB.
There are too many good RBs to wait until the 4th round….we pick one in the 2nd……..
April 1st, 2018 at 8:07 am
Assuming the big 3 are off the board…Derwin James or Fitzpatrick at 7 and Hughes or Oliver in the 2nd Rd would be big time up grades in the secondary for us…Imo Chris Conte and Keith Tandy have no business starting at this point, and I’m done with Hargreaves, 1 pick in 2 years is pathetic; maybe nickel should be his permanent spot…
April 1st, 2018 at 8:09 am
I think it will be James at 7 and what ever rb with the 2nd pick unless we traded down.
April 1st, 2018 at 8:16 am
If the Bucs don’t take defense in round 1, they have no choice but to take it in round 2.
April 1st, 2018 at 8:17 am
I think they wait till round 4 before picking a RB.
April 1st, 2018 at 8:26 am
With the amount of QB needy teams out there and the aggressiveness that teams have shown in recent year I see two likely options. 4QBs go ahead of us and we get one of the big three. Or one of the big 4 QBs are still on the board and we trade back and still get either Ward, James or Fitzpatrick. I like Nelson Alexander/Oliver/Jackson with a Penny/Walton/Hines in the fourth. I would like even better a collection of Ward/James/Fitzpatrick, Wynn/Hernandez/Price and Guice/N.Chubb/Michel. There are some good strong safeties in later round like Terrell Edmunds and Trayvon Henderson that should available in the late 3rd/early 4th if we donât get a strong safety.
Like Iâve said before, this draft class is strong where we are weak. Itâs tempting to bash Licht for not pulling in another CB (which we cannot have too many of) Most of the free agents left out there will still be there after the draft. In fact more and better veterans will become available after the draft as teams cut currently âstartingâ players after drafting their replacements.
Letâs put this into perspective, right now we are looking to fill our #2 outside corner. Licht isnât trying to fill that hole. He is trying to find Grimes replacement for next year. I guarantee that our #2 outside corner isnât on the roster but we donât need to be in a hurry. Licht has played it smart so far. Let the man play.
April 1st, 2018 at 8:29 am
Praying a trade down comes fruition, heck no to Josh Jackson guy is slower than Hargreaves at 4.56
April 1st, 2018 at 8:32 am
Ok let’s think about this shall We? The guy isn’t going to talk negatively about Smith’s defense. What’s he gonna say no the Bucs won’t make.the playoffs because my.inlaw can’t coach a defense? C’mon man we.all know this defense is going to sick as long as it 90 % cover two soft 12 yard cushion zone
April 1st, 2018 at 8:44 am
I canât pretend to be a scout so I leave evaluations to Licht. My overall point is that after causing some early free agency agita Licht pulled together a pretty good free agent haul. Itâs hard to trust with this team but he earned a little of it. He knows better than all of us what happens if he screws this up. GMs donât often get second chances if they donât get to a Super Bowl.
April 1st, 2018 at 10:33 am
It was a stab in the dark sorry but it’s not the first time he’s made that kind of claim.
April 1st, 2018 at 10:54 am
I fell inlive with Rashaad Penny’s highlight film last night. Dude is a gamebreaker…
Add him or Nick Chubb, with maybe Nelson at #7, and Db’s and DL the rest of the way and I think we’re golden.
April 1st, 2018 at 10:55 am
*In love
April 1st, 2018 at 11:07 am
No excuses Mike Smith. Since we all know Koetter hired you a great defensive Assistant to do the barking on the sidelines you should be doing, we don’t want to hear any excuses from you. We know you are going to sit up there in the pressbox for your so called, Better view. But you still need to be on the sidelines with your troops. The Bucs are giving you everything you need. Now make it happen..in between taco breaks up in the pressbox!
April 1st, 2018 at 12:41 pm
I agree Mike Johnson!!! If Smith don’t get it done this year it’s a no brainer!!!!! He’s gots to go Man!!!! Maybe he could become a sales pitch for Taco Bell!!!
April 1st, 2018 at 6:26 pm
I wasnât initially on the Derwin James train, but I am growing if one of the non-QB3 are still on the board, would love to trade back a few spots, say of Buffalo or Miami has there eye on the other QB, whoever that would be, but James sounds like you could literally play him all over the field..