Bluegrass Pass Rush
January 15th, 2019
The “Czar of the Playbook.”
Yeah, it may be a bit early to talk draft. But when Joe has a chance to talk with one of the coolest cats who works in NFL draft media, Emory Hunt, then draft chatter Joe will type.
The “Czar of the Playbook,” is one of the most underrated NFL draft media guys out there. Hunt really should be picked up by the NFL Network now that Mike Mayock is working for the Raiders.
Hunt, who is researching draft prospects at East-West Shrine Game practices this week at the Fruitdome in St. Petersburg, broadcasts small college games and works for CBS Sports covering the draft. Since he lives in the greater New York area, he covers both the Giants and the Jets on the side for various properties. Hunt gave Joe insight into new Bucs defensive coordinator and former Jets coach Todd Bowles Joe will share later in the week.
Today, Joe will bring what Hunt had to say about how to improve the Bucs’ defense.
Joe is all about the pass rush. A good pass rush can help cover for so-so secondary play, and the way the NFL is going, sacks or forcing a quarterback to throw a bad pass or interception are among the few ways to actually stop an offense.
(Look at Kansas City, for example. Awful defense but the Chiefs can rush the passer, which is why Kansas City is one win from a Super Bowl.)
Noah Spence is likely on his last chance and JPP is not exactly a young pup. While Joe likes Vita Vea, a noseguard/tackle can only do so much in the pass rush.
So with the No. 5 pick, Joe is begging Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to draft a pass rusher and Hunt believes the Bucs are in a wonderful spot to find a game-wrecker for a generation.
“You look at a guy like Josh Allen at Kentucky who may not be a defensive end, he may not be an outside linebacker, but what he can do is rush the passer,” Hunt said. “And that is the type of guy you want on your defense, a guy who can find ways to get to the quarterback.
“And if it is not him, you may luck up depending how the quarterbacks shake out. You may get a Nick Bosa to fall. You may get a Quinnen Williams who can play multiple positions up front. You just want a guy who can get pressure on the quarterback.
“Any of those three, especially where the Bucs are selecting, it would be an ideal fit for them. I think a guy like Josh Allen would help them tremendously because he is so versatile and allows you to play matchup defense and get after the quarterback.”
Joe strongly encourages readers who like to monitor the draft to follow Hunt on Twitter or his YouTube.com channel, both of which are full of solid information and player breakdowns.
Tomorrow, Joe will offer Hunt’s take on another area of the defense that Joe knows interests some fans
January 15th, 2019 at 11:10 am
Best available DT/DE/OLB with the 5th overall pick please.
January 15th, 2019 at 11:11 am
the only thing that scares me about allen is exactley what hunt said…he’s not a DE….he’s not a LB….imo, we have one of those in spence….not really a DE and not athletic enough to play LB…..
i know the previous staff did a horrible job in developing him but im tired of trying to fit a square block into a round hole…..
i would target quinnen williams or ed oliver….both can play all along the line and have been disruptive…..bosa will be gone by #3….
i love josh allen’s motor….i watched him alot being an SEC man….im just not sure he’ll provide the immediate impact that williams or oliver can….
with that said, i wouldnt cry a river if licht selected him….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!…#GO BUCS!!!!!
January 15th, 2019 at 11:12 am
LT, RG, RT
January 15th, 2019 at 11:14 am
We need to bolster the trenches with our first two picks…….we are in a great position to improve the Dline with our first pick or to trade down and improve both lines with an additional pick.
Many want us to draft a CB……..no, no, no…..pick up a CB in FA…..by my count there will be 4,372 available.
January 15th, 2019 at 11:18 am
Joe,with all due respect.We dont need a player who is between positions.We need a man beast up front .Someone like Cox from philly.
January 15th, 2019 at 11:18 am
There is some great defensive talent at the top of this draft, which is perfect for us. I’m not with the trade back crowd. This defense needs a difference maker. I love Quinnen Williams AMD Josh Allen. Both very versatile and play with absolute passion and aggression. Man, how scary would Williams be next to Vea?
January 15th, 2019 at 11:19 am
So if due to perhaps some freakish circumstance two QB’s go first. Would we trade GMC just to move up to that 3rd to grab Bosa…or perhaps even 2?
I like GMC but Bosa for GMC would be sweet. They get our fifth and GMC and we get their third. Not easy I concede but not totally impossible. And in fact if I could swap our 5 for a 3 if Bosa is still on the board I give them GMC and DJAX to sweeten the deal.
January 15th, 2019 at 11:22 am
I like greedy at corner but the trenches are most important position groups
Some quality Dline guys in this draft. We need to hit home run.
I question if offensive lineman good enough at 5. Seems high. Would need trade back
Some mocks have the tackle from Florida but he played right tackle last few years. Can’t waist that high of pick on right tackle , thinking he could maybe switch to left tackle
January 15th, 2019 at 11:25 am
Wait, you mean that licht did not do his job and fixed the D-line???????? The sheep said the problem had been fixed!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The truth will be very apparent!!!! The sheep will only have to look!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 15th, 2019 at 11:31 am
I think th OL is way much of an urgency……..I would negociate with #93, and the 1 round should be an OL…..IS clear enough that Benenoch, Donovan Smith, Dotson, Evan Smith are a liability!!!!! OL please…….
January 15th, 2019 at 11:31 am
Josh Allen is a beast! Would Love Q Williams as well.. all i know is this top pick better be spent on the D LINE!
January 15th, 2019 at 11:39 am
813, Ed Oliver is not a great pass rusher
January 15th, 2019 at 11:40 am
813bucboi — I totally agree… I don’t really think it would be our best interest to pick a guy that doesn’t really fit a OLB/DE type. We need a true DL that can not just rush the passer but be a true 3 down player. The right move at 5 would be DL. We can find CB’s in the FA class there has been several great ones over the last few years and I expect more of the same.
1rst Round: DL
2nd Round: OL
3rd Round: DL/OL – Whatever is best available
Build through the TRENCHES!!!
January 15th, 2019 at 11:42 am
Allen is my top choice right now. Dont think he will be available at 5 tho. And he might not be a DE full time yet but can be. 6’5 250 and strong.
January 15th, 2019 at 11:46 am
realist
licht provided talent by adding JPP, curry and VV and depth with ureain, nassib and allen….your coaching staff failed to develop players like noah spence and didnt get the most out of 4 former 1st round pick along the dline(JPP,GMC,VV,Curry)……
due to age, contracts and lack of production(GMC, gholston) we are forced to continue building the trenches hopefully by adding q.williams or ed oliver!!!!!!!!!…..
you can try to spin things all you want but the fact remains the same!!!!!….the coaches you praised failed miserably producing back to back 5-11 seasons and the coach you claimed to be a defensive guru will never coach in the NFL again because he was so horrible!!!!!!!……
the truth is apparent!!!!!!….the problem all along has been lack of coaching not talent!!!!!!!!!
now pull your skirt down, sit back and watch “REAL” coaches work!!!!!!!!!!
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!…#GO BUCS!!!!!
January 15th, 2019 at 11:54 am
“The Buc Realist Says:
January 15th, 2019 at 11:25 am
Wait, you mean that licht did not do his job and fixed the D-line???????? The sheep said the problem had been fixed!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
I bet you can’t find one single quote of one person on JBF saying the D-line is fixed for good.
You’re in your own imagination land now lol.
I’ve been posting for years that due to the age of the group that they will need to draft DL heavy soon. Most everyone’s been on that page. The word “sheep” really has no meaning when you post it anymore.
January 15th, 2019 at 11:57 am
813
I think the combine is going to be huge for guys like Ed Oliver. You have some people who think he’s a #1 type overall prospect, and then others who have him as a mid 1st and worry about his strength/size and say it isn’t up to par with Aaron Donald.
The combine should hopefully help separate these guys. I also am high on Jeffery Simmons simply because LUV is high on him and I trust LUV lol.
If there is debate to guys like Oliver/Simmons/Rashan Gary/etc at the top and that’s all that’s left when we pick it might be ideal to trade down.
January 15th, 2019 at 12:02 pm
doctor
not sure how you came up with that conclusion….he’s one of the most talented, disruptive and productive DT’s in the draft….
2016- 22-TFL 5-sacks
2017- 16.5 TFL- 5.5 sacks
2018- 14.5 TFL 3 sacks
in 2018 he only played 8games….and realistically it was only 7 because he couldnt finish 2 of those games due to a high ankle sprain and a shoulder injury…..and he produced although he was consistently getting double teamed and chipped at Houston…..he played DT and sometimes lined up at DE to create mismatches…..
pairing mount vita with a 6’3-290 explosive DT like ed oliver that can also line up at DE would work wonders for this defense…..who are you going to double?…ed or vita?….both would have the advantage vs G’s…vita with his strength and power…..ed with his explosiveness and quickness…..
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!…#GO BUCS!!!!!
January 15th, 2019 at 12:03 pm
Rashan Gary…. do your on due diligence…. size and speed
January 15th, 2019 at 12:04 pm
No debate over Rahsaan Gary. Get him!
January 15th, 2019 at 12:04 pm
When I suggest a trade down….I’m not talking about very far……I think we have a shot at trading to :
6. Giants
7. Jaguars
10. Broncos
13. Dolphins
If QBs don’t go 1-4….we will be in a great position to trade at 5…..even the Giants may want to assure their choice by trading with us.
We would likely still have a top 10 pick and there would still be a top player available.
If Quinnen Williams or Bosa were there at 5….then yes, we could pull the trigger.
January 15th, 2019 at 12:15 pm
LC
i agree….
it’ll be huge for him…..
i like j.simmons as well….watched a lot of him in college and him and m.sweat always jumped out…..
i wouldnt be opposed to trading down but i would hate to do so and then lose out on 1 of the 3 depending on where we trade down to…..
i think oliver/williams are worthy of the #5 pick just based on what i know and what ive seen from them….simmons/gary would be a reach @ #5 imo from what ive seen…..
either way, we have to get some players for the trenches…
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!…#GO BUCS!!!!!
January 15th, 2019 at 12:33 pm
Josh Allen was a guy that I kind of circled. Reminds me of Arden Key, when he was great without all of the baggage. No worries with Allen, his motor is always running. The combine will be huge to get his measurables.
Hoping Haskins and Murray come in and just blow the doors off the combine which could make the Bucs pick more valuable.
Joe… the only thing left to truly talk about is free agency and the draft. I’m ready to start down this path and stop arguing about the QB.
January 15th, 2019 at 12:41 pm
nice to see this dude get some traction. i have enjoyed his youtube channel for sometime now. love fresh takes much better than takes from the clueless ones.
January 15th, 2019 at 12:51 pm
Allen is a beast. He reminds me of Simeon Rice in size ans speed who turned out to be pretty damn good.
January 15th, 2019 at 12:54 pm
Yes!! We need a elite Frontman for Bowles defense.
It’s a glaring need that had been burning for 15 years. I love JPP and he is most valuable player on D. But if you think JPP has solved our pasrush problems your kidding yourself.
I trust the Bucs know what they need to do and draft us the best Passrushes sitting on the board at #5. Easiest pick in franchise history.
January 15th, 2019 at 1:00 pm
DE-DT…either order
picks
1 & 2….stop monkeying around
or
OT-OG
1 & 2…stop monkeying around
January 15th, 2019 at 1:00 pm
I feel like I’ve been screaming for DLine in the draft every year… sound like a broken record lol. Anyway I’d be happy with anyone of J. Allen, Q. Williams, or Ed Oliver. I think Allen could fit in as a 3-4 EDGE. Just ask him to do what he does best… rush the passer…
January 15th, 2019 at 1:02 pm
Shouldn’t leave VitaV out of the conversation. That guy is a stud. We need a big playmaker to reap the benefits VitaV provides.
I think of it like a baseball lineup with just one slugger in the 4 hole. Get him a 500 guy in the three hole and watch both of them blow up!!!
January 15th, 2019 at 1:05 pm
No way Bosa gets past the Raiders who will look to replace the pressure lost when they dealt Mack. We have to hope there are a few deals that allow a pass rusher to fall, but since that is the strength of this draft they may be off the board when we pick. Best player available or trade back. I was all over Jonah until Cle Ferrill abused him in the championship game. Reminded me of Smith, big but a tad slow vs the speed guys.
January 15th, 2019 at 1:12 pm
Jersey ……Think maybe that’s why Gruden traded away Mack? Knowing he can get an elite replacement in this draft to play forr rookie $$?
If so that’s gets me more excited about available Passrushers at #5.
And hey not for nothing but I caught Chicago’s playoff game and Mack didn’t do sheeeeet. I bet he gets another shot next year but he didn’t look so valuable when it mattered most.
January 15th, 2019 at 1:27 pm
Done n done joe I’ll be checking my notifications for this guy to see what hes got. More insight on draft prospects is all a plus
January 15th, 2019 at 2:23 pm
D-Line. Whatever the top rated guy is, take him.
January 15th, 2019 at 3:39 pm
Best edge rusher in the draft.
January 15th, 2019 at 3:40 pm
Allen
January 15th, 2019 at 4:22 pm
The ‘Bucs should take the best available player with the #5 pick in the draft whether it’s an offensive player or defensive player. Think how you all would be screaming if the Bucs had passed on Saquon Barkley or Quenton Nelson last year? If there isn’t a once-in-a-career player at #5 then you start addressing Tampa’s defensive needs. If you think Vita Vea is going to be all that in the middle then go for a defensive end. If not then you gotta draft a run stuffer, because you gotta stop the run first. The pass rushers come next, but don’t forget if the Bucs need to shift to a more 3-4 centric defensive scheme, the defensive ends don’t convert. A 4-3 DE typically weighs in at 265-295 pounds and is fast and agile so he can get up field quickly, while a 3-4 defensive end typically weighs in at 290 to 310 pounds and are strong and can create a push. So we come back to Bruce Arians’ new coaching staff seeing what their players can do and scheming accordingly.
January 15th, 2019 at 4:23 pm
Realist
Whenever I see (sometimes read) your posts I am strangely reminded of ‘Exidor’, the crazy preacher from Mork and Mindy
“You’re all doooooomed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
January 15th, 2019 at 4:47 pm
Seriously though, I appreciated the research y’all do on these draft prospects. Don’t have time myself. Usually, one of you hits on thee one.
From the outside looking in, I would like to see DL and OL as 1st and 2nd and maybe 3rd and 4th. Unlike most of you though, I think Licht and his scouts have done a pretty good job evaluating talent. A few big misses, yes, but mostly good picks. Cant wait to see what a good coaching staff can do with them!
January 15th, 2019 at 5:34 pm
As Dungy always said… you build your defense from the defensive line backwards. Unless you have an elite talent (ie James) you take the d-lineman as it’s much much easier to find corners and safeties later in the draft – and as Joe pointed out a good defensive line can make average corners and safeties look good (but no one can make Ryan Smith look good, not even Sapp and Rice combined could do that).
January 15th, 2019 at 5:39 pm
Two words
Christian Wilkins!
January 15th, 2019 at 5:42 pm
JimmyJack Says:
January 15th, 2019 at 1:02 pm
Shouldn’t leave VitaV out of the conversation. That guy is a stud. We need a big playmaker to reap the benefits VitaV provides.
I think of it like a baseball lineup with just one slugger in the 4 hole. Get him a 500 guy in the three hole and watch both of them blow up!!!
………………………..
I agree Jimmy. I wish ownership would have taken this type of advice and gotten GMC some help about 8 years ago.
January 15th, 2019 at 7:51 pm
I’m on the Ed Oliver train. Can’t imagine him next time VV.
January 15th, 2019 at 8:22 pm
What the Bucs pick at #5 depends upon if we keep Gerald McCoy or Donovan Smith. I believe we will keep one, but not both. Whichever one is gone, is the position we will pick in the 1st round.
January 15th, 2019 at 8:27 pm
Oliver is a head case. Stay away from him.
I’m okay with Q. Williams, Allen, Brown or Gary on D-line.
Also good with J. Williams or Little for O-line tackle.
January 15th, 2019 at 8:57 pm
Just a thought. Now that we have Arians as the coach, would Patrick Peterson want to rejoin his old coach and be traded to Tampa?
Why not trade DJax for Peterson if you could get AZ to agree to it? WR is our deepest position, so if we are trading someone from there it makes sense. Also, we definately need a starting CB and Peterson’s salary is only $1M higher than DJax. We know there were some problems between him and AZ management. With Grimes departure, we would still have $6M to get a receiver in FA if we want to go that route or a dradt a mid round speedster WR rookie.