Riddick: Don’t Be Penny Foolish
April 9th, 2018
Getting Chubb(y) for a RB.
Direct-speaking Louis Riddick of BSPN is doing a lot of research as the draft is two weeks from Thursday.
The former NFL personnel man and pro personnel director of the Redskins and Eagles (and a former NFL defensive back himself) has been studying running backs of late.
Now Joe knows there is a legion of Bucs fans that wants Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to draft running back Rashaad Penny of San Diego State. Well, Riddick has words for these Bucs fans. In short, Riddick said, don’t be a fool.
Riddick thinks Nick Chubb of Georgia is a better pick than Penny, and Riddick explains it is not even close.
@LRiddickESPN: Nick Chubb going to be THAT RB in the draft this year that everyone is trying to find next year. … Penny not in the same zip code as Chubb.
Already we know that the Bucs have scheduled both Chubb and Penny among the 30 allotted visits to the team facility.
The way teams play such solid defense in the SEC, Joe would be of the mind to give Chubb the edge over Penny, who played in the Mountain West. For that reason alone.
April 9th, 2018 at 9:04 am
I like Chubb as a runner. He was limited in pass catching opportunities because Michel is much better, but as a pure runner, Chubb is in the top 3 in this draft. You can’t be the #2 SEC all time rusher and not be. Some things you just can’t fake.
April 9th, 2018 at 9:10 am
Sa-quon, Say-gone Barkley!! Much easier analysis, done and done.
Go Bucs! Go Bold! Go Barkley! Go Primetime!
April 9th, 2018 at 9:18 am
Nick Chubb will be a very good back in the NFL. When you look at his numbers try to remember he was never a full time back. He split carries with Todd Gurley early, had an injury and split carries with Michel late. He is an excellent runner between the tackles and has good hands in the opportunities he was given. Oh and he is a capable pass protecter, we know how important that is. As a disclaimer, my knowledge of Nick Chubb doesn’t come from 15 minutes of you tube film study, but rather living 30 minutes from Athens and having seen almost every Georgia game he has played in.
April 9th, 2018 at 9:19 am
Every UGA fan I know would rather take Chubb than Michel for their team.
April 9th, 2018 at 9:24 am
Since the Bucs have such gaping holes at Strong Safety, Corner and running back it makes since for the Bucs to either trade back in the first or the second to recoup a 3rd round selection.
If the Bucs draft Derwin James in the first perhaps they can trade back to the middle of the 2nd for either Nick Chubb, Penny or Jones from USC.
April 9th, 2018 at 9:31 am
If Saquon falls to 7 get him. But do not give multiple picks for him. We don’t need to give up a combination of the next three years draft and some players for one player. I know some people just like to say we should trade 10 picks in the next couple of drafts and players to acquire him. But when called out on there preposterous thinking. They like to rebuttal with they are not saying give away all the picks just as many as it takes to get him and if it takes the next two drafts to do so then so be it. We are not trading valuable picks to acquire Saquon. #neverbuckenbelieveit
April 9th, 2018 at 9:33 am
I’d be happy with any of the top RBs in round 2.
April 9th, 2018 at 9:36 am
Nick Chubb was a freak before his injury. He isnt quite back to that form, but he is a very good, if not great RB right now.
I dont think anyone would debate that Penny is better than Chubb or at least I hope they wouldnt lol. I think Riddick is exaggerating the gap between them a little bit tho.
Imo the possible extra round of value you can get with Penny makes up for the gap between them tho.
April 9th, 2018 at 9:59 am
Ah, the time of year where nobodies on ESPN try to act like they are the 2nd coming of Gil Brandt.
I’m sure that he would have said the exact same thing in regards to Kareem Hunt and Tarik Cohen vs Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey.
The division you played college in doesn’t matter. Penny is a legitimate Talent. And he played extremely well in the Senior Bowl. I like Nick Chubb a lot, but I like Penny just as much.
April 9th, 2018 at 10:08 am
Best available RB in the 2nd Rnd. Too many other needs with our #7 pick to choose Saquon Barkley. Personally now prefer Ward as CB, Fitzpatrick as CB/Safety, or Vea/Payne as DT (assuming Bradley Chubb gone of course). I’d be happy with any of them at #7.
April 9th, 2018 at 10:20 am
It’d be nice to get a pair of Chubbs in round 1 and 2 but doubtful if the big boy from NC State will last to pick 7 and the Bucs would have to give up their 2nd rounder to move up to a spot where DE Chubb could be available at 4 or 5….. Riddick has a point in pointing out that pounding the rock in the SEC is far superior to boat racing a bunch of teams in the Mountain West…
April 9th, 2018 at 10:39 am
Guice, Chubb, Michel, johnson the others are not on the same level
April 9th, 2018 at 10:39 am
In 2016 the SEC displayed some of the best running backs tandems in the nation..
Case-In-Point
Conference: SEC (2016)
• Alabama – Damien Harris | Bo Scarbrough
• Auburn – Kamryn Pettway | Kerryon Johnson
• Georgia – Nick Chubb | Sony Michel
• L.S.U – Derrius Guice | Leonard Fournette
• Tennessee – John Kelly | Alvin Kamara
A few declared for the draft
2017 Draft
• Leonard Fournette – Round: 1 / Pick: 4
• Alvin Kamara – Round: 3 / Pick: 67
Now the cream of the crop is coming out.
2018 Draft Projections
• Derrius Guice – Projected Round: 1-2
• Sony Michel – Projected Round: 1-2
• Nick Chubb – Projected Round: 2-3
• Kerryon Johnson – Projected Round: 2-3
• John Kelly – Projected Round: 4-6
• Bo Scarbrough – Projected Round: 6-UDFA
• Kamryn Pettway – Projected Round: 6-UDFA
If we can land at least two of these guys – we’ll be doing just fine in the backfield.
April 9th, 2018 at 10:41 am
Honorable Mention: Ralph Webb <- LUV this kid.
April 9th, 2018 at 10:48 am
LUV what do you think about the Miami RB Walton?
I know he didn’t test great but when watching a lot of RB highlights this guys film stood out to me. Kind of reminds me of a Devonte Freeman or something. Not an elite athlete or big guy but efficient between the tackles runner for a small guy
April 9th, 2018 at 10:54 am
LUV- I’ll take the “hard-nosed” runner, Guice. In interviews, he’s got some edge to him. He also did pass-catching drills at his workout and impressed. Unlike some, I want my running back to um, RUN. Pass protection can be learned.
April 9th, 2018 at 10:55 am
Top-10 All Time Rushing Leaders (SEC)
1 Herschel Walker 5259 (1980-1982) Georgia
2 Nick Chubb* 4769 (2014-2017) Georgia ←
3 Darren McFadden* 4590 (2005-2007) Arkansas
4 Kevin Faulk 4557 (1995-1998) LSU
5 Bo Jackson 4303 (1982-1985) Auburn
6 Ralph Webb* 4178 (2014-2017) Vanderbilt ←
April 9th, 2018 at 10:57 am
@L.C.
The kid’s a beast.
Just hope he can stay healthy
April 9th, 2018 at 10:57 am
@Bucsfanman
I can respect that my brotha.
April 9th, 2018 at 11:12 am
would love guice or sony round 2 with bo scarbrough round 6 and nelson round1……
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
April 9th, 2018 at 11:16 am
Draft Nelson and we can plug and play almost any RB for the next ten years…
April 9th, 2018 at 11:18 am
Seems like we already have this type of runner on the roster his name is Peyton barber. Good power good vision Chubb looks like a stud in college but that’s college, everyone at the next level is stronger and as fast as Chubb, he just looks slow which won’t won’t in the nfl
April 9th, 2018 at 11:48 am
Peyton Barber (224) 4.65 Nick Chubb (224) 4.52 Dalvin Cook (210) 4.49, if you think Chubb is slow, Barber is a snail in comparison, Nick Chubb is a stud and he’s 2 years removed from his ACL injury, he’s my 2nd favorite RB behind Saquon, Michel 3rd, even still I think if we don’t trade down, the best course of action would be getting Derwin James and the top 2nd round CB available, then hit RB hard like Kerryon Johnson or John Kelly in the 4th which is basically a 3rd being the 2nd pick that round then take a Mark Walton or Joshua Jackson in the 5th, shore up the secondary then use 2 picks on RBs and hope for the best
April 9th, 2018 at 12:03 pm
1 – Barkley 2 – Ballage
April 9th, 2018 at 12:24 pm
The Bucs say they like Peyton Barber quite a bit.
How much they like Barber may have an effect on which RB the Bucs select and where.
IOW – Chubb looks to me to have a similar running style to Barber. He’s more “talented” and highly touted coming out of College of course – but there ARE similarities. Powerful back. Good north/south runner. Not the fastest of backs -gets good yardage out of each attempt but isn’t going to change direction on a dime/spin move into the open and out-race the secondary to the end zone. Nor is he going to get the advantage coming around the far edge and then race down the sideline like we saw Dalvin Cook do about 30 times at FSU.
Chubb is primarily a strong, powerful, between the tackles runner who will get positive yards on most every play but who won’t break many 30+ yard plays in the NFL. He can catch and block adequately but will be used mostly on 1st and 2nd down plays.
A more talented version of Barber – but obviously with a similar running style.
Penny I see as more of a Kamara type. Quicker, faster, more “athletic”, better ability to get the edge and/or make moves to avoid open field tackles, better pass catcher. Also has some experience (and success) as a returner.
If the Bucs have determined that they will be using Barber a reasonable amount this year (say 150+ runs) – Perhaps it makes more sense to target a RB in this draft who provides a nice complementary style to Barber. A “different look” if you will.
Couple that possibility with the likelihood that Penny can be drafted a bit later thereby representing better “value” if draftniks prognostications are to be believed.
Bucs would likely have to take Nick Chubb at #38 if he’s available then and they want him. But if they are targeting Penny then Rashaad may well be available late in the 2nd rd – perhaps even early in the 3rd.
It represents an opportunity to trade down in the 2nd and perhaps pick up a later 3rd rd pick. Still get Penny later in rd 2 – and maybe have enough by coupling the acquired late 3rd and early 4th to move back into the bottom of the 2nd rd to select a CB you like that has fallen a bit because of the strength of that position this year.
Just spitballing – but that approach makes some sense to me….
I like Nick Chubb and our running game would improve for sure if we drafted him though. Won’t be upset at all if we draft him in rd 2.
Bucs HAVE to try and get good prospects at RB and CB out of this draft. Our 2 biggest glaring “needs” and strong classes at both positions coming out in this draft.
Now if Barkley falls to 7 – then that becomes easy as pie. Draft Barkley 1 – best CB available Rd 2 (Jaire Alexander please!) and then get the best prospects you can for OG, DL and SS with picks 4.5.6.6 and 7.
But if Nelson is the “big 3” player that falls to #7 (much more likely than Barkley IMO) – then you HAVE to take him unless someone is offering a VERY attractive trade down pkg. Nelson is for sure the “safest” and perhaps “best” player in this entire draft. The position may be undervalued but the player is about as blue chippy as they come.
If Nelson drops to us at #7 and the Bucs select him (which they WILL) – then you still have to figure a way to get high end RB and CB prospects out of this draft with only picks #38 and #102 to work with. Trading down in the 2nd and still winding up with Penny and enough ammo to get back up to end of 2nd/early 3rd territory to nab a decent CB prospect – that way of thinking just seems like a good idea to explore and seriously consider from my viewpoint.
April 9th, 2018 at 12:28 pm
Guzzie, I’m with you. Second favorite in the draft. The more you watch, the more you like. Comparing the junior and senior film, his explosiveness is coming back. He also increased his ypc back up to 6 ypc for the senior year. He is far from injury prone, just had a freak knee injury. His vision and power is really next level.
People are sleeping on Chubb because of the emergence of Sony Michel and the knee injury, but he most likely will be there for the second round pick. I’m not sold on the first pick yet but I would love Chubb in round 2.
April 9th, 2018 at 1:01 pm
We could get the Chubb cousins … Bradley at #7 and Nick at #38 … I’d be thrilled with that.
I’d also be thrilled with Saquon at #7 and the best CB available or even SS Ronnie Harrison at #38.
I’d also be thrilled with Quenton Nelson at #7 and Nick Chubb at #38 …
April 9th, 2018 at 1:42 pm
Rbs FSU Ryan Green & Grambling Martez Carter looks like great late round prospect. I think the Bucs should prioritize Gaurd and power RB and DT then CB and Safety later ( but love D. James) and a 3rd down back last. Of coarse if a really good cb or safety falls much lower then you have them rated you adjust accordingly. I just think there is still some quality cb (Darby trade) & safties available in FA. There is also good opportunities in UFAs, cut down time and stealing guys off other practice squads.
Fingers crossed the colts don’t steal our trade down opportunity with the Bills.
April 9th, 2018 at 1:53 pm
it appears the team wants to go in a power run direction so im guessing jason licht will be gunning hard to get derrius guice and even perhaps get a back later in the draft who could take sims place as 3rd down change of pace back who can catch the football my guess is perhaps a guy like tennessees john kelly or maybe Southern Miss’ Ito Smith and i know they really like nc state’s nyheim hines as well who had the best 40 time at the combine will be interesting to see what they do i would be ecstatic with a backfield that had the combos of guice with smith, kelly, or hines already added with rodgers and barber all of a sudded we would be a serious run game threat
April 9th, 2018 at 2:50 pm
One thing that stood out to me is number 66 is nasty. I looked him up and he’s only a freshman.
April 9th, 2018 at 3:08 pm
I tend to agree with Riddick on this point. Chubb has good vision, patience, speed power and great yards after contact. He looks like an NFL back to me.
April 9th, 2018 at 3:20 pm
I would much rather we draft Chubb.
April 9th, 2018 at 3:42 pm
Pickgrin nicely done and I agree
April 9th, 2018 at 3:48 pm
I hope all the rest of the NFL try to get Chub and Penny drops to us after we take a good deal at 7 if the big 3 are gone. Those who turn up their nose to Penny because he didn’t face the SEC like Chub did likely didn’t watch Penny run all over SEC and other big conference defenders in the East West Shrine Game and again in the Senior Bowl. I am sure a lot of big experts thought that Marpet couldn’t possibly be as good a pick as any SEC Guard. Ha, Ha, Ha!!! I have watched Chub play before he was injured and since he returned. He is not as good as he was, plus he is an injury risk. Penny hasn’t had major surgery like Chub. If Barkley is there at 7 I would take him; let everyone above us that needs a RB—Hey take Chub he’s the best RB! NOT! LOL.
April 9th, 2018 at 4:02 pm
Don’t forget how Kamara devastated us twice last year with his quickness. Penny has that same great quickness, but he is 220 pounds and can pound between the Tackles as well but with great moves going through the tackles like a pin ball machine. You need to watch Penny’s film from the East West Shrine Game.
April 9th, 2018 at 5:16 pm
Landing Quenton Nelson and Rashaad Penny would be incredible.
Koetter would have to be a truly incompetent maroon to squander a squad with that kind of beef upfront, in addition to a stable of quality receiving targets and a solid group of running backs with complementary skill sets.
April 9th, 2018 at 6:54 pm
Blake That does sound nice but not sure Licht will be happy coming out of the Top two rounds without getting any secondary players.
Many fans want a top RB but prepare yourselves with not getting one til round 4.
April 9th, 2018 at 7:07 pm
BPA ALL DAY
April 9th, 2018 at 8:08 pm
I firmly believe that Darnold/Allen/Rosen/Mayfield will all be gone before the #7 pick rolls around. Everything that has happened either via trades or obvious needs is pointing this way…I don’t need tea leaves or tarot cards to predict this.
Question is which of the remaining hot names will be there when the Bucs pick. Most likely scenario is that BChubb and Barkley come off the board by the 6th pick. I’d be happy with Nelson at 7 and best available RB in Rd 2.
We have no idea who will be there, or who the Bucs like best among that position, and that’s by design. This time of year, a group of puckfists, blatherskites, mountebanks and used car salesmen otherwise known as NFL general managers are robustly engaged in a high-stakes game of liars poker we call the draft. They don’t want us to know who they want because that’s how teams get fleeced in trades.
I’d also like to see the Bucs end up with the hair farmer kid Cappa, from whatever trade school he went to, in Rd 4. Licht loves guys like this, as evidenced by the Marpet selection, and I could see him taking over RT eventually. A solid young O line is perhaps the biggest thing Winston needs, other than some better decision making skills both on and off the field.
If someone offers the Bucs a great pick package to get into that 7 slot, then everything I’ve said gets the Will Smith MIB magic blinky pen mental eraser treatment. It never happened…and I have no idea what they’d do. But things tend to work themselves out in a natural, organic fashion, and this draft will be no different.
April 9th, 2018 at 10:54 pm
I like the play of the rg for Georgia #66 it seems as almost every play the big guy is mowing down his block.
April 10th, 2018 at 8:39 am
The only problem I see with Chubb is that he might be a 2 down RB. He doesn’t have much experience in the pass game, blocking or catching. I agree he’s a very good between the tackles runner. Penny is good for pass catching and running but he runs a little upright for his size. Unless Barkley is available, we are looking at rnd 2 or rnd 4 for an RB. I just don’t see us taking one in rnd 2. Just a feeling I have. So what’s in rnd 4? Kelly from TN, Martez Carter, maybe Royce Freeman, Nyheim Hines . These guys all have some impact to them. I suspect it will shake out as Derwin James, a CB in rnd 2, RB for rnd 4, DE/DL for rnd 5, rnd 6 OL, RB, and whatever for rnd 7.