More Miles Sanders Rumblings
April 11th, 2019
The three Bucs running backs lined up behind Peyton Barber on the Tampa Bay depth chart combined to rush for 73 yards last season.
Chew on that factoid for a minute.
The Bucs haven’t needed a running back in the draft this badly since they passed on the likes of James Conner, Marlon Mack, Alvin Kamara, Kareem Hunt and Tarik Cohen in the middle rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft.
We all know the history; folks at One Buc Palace preferred to bank on Doug Martin after he proved he was dreadful and unreliable during the 2016 season. Dirk Koetter and Jason Licht still should issue a public apology.
Fast forward to this offseason, and we know general manager Jason Licht sent running backs coach Todd McNair to lead a private workout of Penn State running back Miles Sanders. Is there another workout or meeting planned?
Yesterday, reliable Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reported that Sanders is in high demand according to Penn State “athletic department sources not authorized to speak publicly.”
The Pittsburgh native has visits with the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills. He has meetings-workouts with the Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts.
That sure would say a lot if the Bucs are taking yet another look at Sanders after spending time with him on campus weeks ago.
Sanders rocketed up draft boards after a standout showing at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Joe asked Chris Godwin this week whether any Bucs officials have asked him about Sanders, his former Penn State teammate. Godwin said, no, and he seemed to think it was odd that anyone at One Buc would solicit draft recommendations from him.
On the contrary, Joe would expect the Bucs personnel department to grill players about their ex-teammates in the draft. It’s a freakin’ no-brainer, especially when you hear how teams thoroughly research player backgrounds.
Sanders is widely viewed as a second-round pick, and a true three-down running back. The Bucs own the 7th overall pick of the second round, but the Raiders and Cardinals have better second-round picks and, for now, both could use a quality running back.
April 11th, 2019 at 10:42 am
If we wind up trading down in the first, I’d be OK with trading back into the bottom of the 1st, if he’s that good.
April 11th, 2019 at 10:48 am
95% of penn st running backs are bust , all hype.
April 11th, 2019 at 10:50 am
imo, 1st 3 rounds have to be for the trenches…..
those RB’s that @joe pointed out were mid round picks…..they’ll be some good ones in the mid rounds this year….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
April 11th, 2019 at 10:54 am
Will not matter the Buc’s will be drafting Defense across the board. I’m thinking at least the first 4 picks then maybe 5th round looking for value on either side of the ball.
April 11th, 2019 at 11:03 am
Saquon Barkley, Larry Johnson, Curt Warner and Franco Harris chuckle in unison.
April 11th, 2019 at 11:09 am
@joe
You can’t ask players on your roster for more background and info!!!!!!!! This is the NFL draft we are talking about!!!!!!!!!! That is how you get leaks in your organization!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2019 will reveal answers to the sheep, that the “real” fans already know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And Go Realist for starting his 3 week vacation today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 11th, 2019 at 11:12 am
Said this yesterday, he should be there @ pick #70
Pistol
April 11th, 2019 at 11:13 am
.Joe Says:
April 11th, 2019 at 11:03 am
95% of penn st running backs are bust , all hype.
Saquon Barkley, Larry Johnson, Curt Warner and Franco Harris chuckle in unison.
I THINK YOU INADVERTENTLY PROVED HIS POINT. YOU NAME 4 RB’S OUT OF HOW MANY RB’S OVER HOW MANY YEARS?
April 11th, 2019 at 11:32 am
^ How many others have been taken in the first round?? Who are the busts that we are talking about?……… Ki-Jana Carter? Blair Thomas?
That’s about it, right?
April 11th, 2019 at 11:37 am
He’s probably the safest 3 down back honestly for me with upside to make pro bowls.
I just duno about top of R2.
Ideally:
R3=Miles Sanders / David Montgomery / Darrel Henderson
R4=Devin Singletary
R5=Benny Snell / Rodney Anderson
April 11th, 2019 at 11:38 am
Also guys like Trayveon Williams / LJ Scott / others could be interesting
April 11th, 2019 at 11:43 am
I think Sanders is going to be a 2nd round pick, so unless the Bucs get an additional pick I would prefer the Bucs to target Oline with that early 2nd.
April 11th, 2019 at 11:45 am
Hardly. Maybe half were busts (Joe doesn’t count KiJana Carter who blew out his knees in preseason). A helluva lot less than “95 percent.”
April 11th, 2019 at 11:46 am
😂that ain’t josh Allen getting man-handled in that picture is it???
April 11th, 2019 at 11:52 am
But yea man getting Miles would be quite nice. His feet are top-notch NFL caliber feet man.
April 11th, 2019 at 12:01 pm
JOE says “…….Jason Licht sent running backs coach Todd McNair to lead a private workout ….”
Did Licht not perform due diligence with Jones prior to the draft? WHy not? IF he did what was the final analysis?
I have lost confidence in Jason Licht. Unless this was a failure on Koetter and Co. to develop this young man and draw up plays that would utilize his talents.
Looking like another draft bust mark against Jason Licht. How many of these until he is FIRED?
April 11th, 2019 at 12:11 pm
Don’t sleep on Travis Homer of the U, late round steal. Shared a lot of carries in that U backfield. Every one slept on Philip Lindsey
April 11th, 2019 at 12:17 pm
I havent watched any of the RBs yet, but from what i read on them, Darrell Henderson is the guy for me. He would compliment what we have now nicely.
I still dont like the idea of drafting a RB on day 2, but if it happens i hope that its Henderson.
April 11th, 2019 at 12:53 pm
NOSBOS…It’s a back-up safety in that pic from the Citrus Bowl.
And I might add….UK won.
For my money… I’m on the Snell Yeah bandwagon!
CAR YDS AVG TD LONG
Benny Snell Jr. 26 144 5.5 2 32
Miles Sanders 13 51 3.9 0 13 + 2catches = 7yds
April 11th, 2019 at 12:56 pm
Going to go on a little draft tangent…my apologies…
The more I think about it the more I feel it doesn’t matter who we have at RB, the O Line is a giant opportunity.
We ignored the run last year and became one dimensional #Koetter.
I don’t feel that Bruce will make that same mistake.
Barber is adequate, and could be really proficient with running lanes, same for ROJO.
If I am Licht, I may be tempted too overhaul the right side of the O-Line, in rounds 1 & 2.
With that I would be comfortable dropping back a few spots in Round #1 and grabbing Taylor out of UF at RT.
Chris Lindstrom in Round 2 at RG.
That squares away the O Line, with Cappa as a (hopefully) rotational guy and lose Benenoch.
Round 3 go for the Edge, with Christian Miller out ot Bama or Polite out of UF. I would be cool with either, and then again in Round 4 with Justin Hollins out of Oregon.
Don’t care about the 5th an 7th rounders.
Pistol
April 11th, 2019 at 1:00 pm
Why not Benny Snell jr out of Kentucky? This guy seem like a complete back is that’s a reason I don’t see his name flying around the draft boards..
Thoughts???
April 11th, 2019 at 1:27 pm
Hawaii….saw this earlier….I also like Snell a lot….
Athleticism is an understandable concern. Lacks the burst and acceleration to exploit small creases up front, allowing multiple defenders to slow him up through the hole. Non-factor in space as a receiver or runner. Won’t make defenders miss, elusiveness is a clear area of weakness. Doesn’t really have the burst to capture the edge against more athletic defenses.
April 11th, 2019 at 1:30 pm
This is a DEFENSE heavy draft – you have to draft DL with your first round pick and MAYBE even your R2
Assuming we can trade down and pick up at least another 2nd Id be fine with going with OL
April 11th, 2019 at 1:43 pm
Okay 202 I stand corrected.
April 11th, 2019 at 1:58 pm
L.J. Scott in the 4th-5th
April 11th, 2019 at 2:02 pm
We need an RT and RG before we draft another RB. I’d love get Taylor at #5, but since there are so many good DLs, and GMC is on his way out, I expect us to draft a DL.
April 11th, 2019 at 2:26 pm
@Joe chooses whom he wants to count at PSU, and who he doesn’t. Typical. He’s been barking about this kid, as if he’s Saquon 2.0 which is freaking ridiculous. The Sanders kid is just a decent to above average RB, will be over-drafted.
No way in hell will the Bucs use a currently held 2nd round pick on a RB. Not getting into trades, this or that, because then priorities re-shuffle.
Simply put, a 3rd round pick is reasonable, on a better RB, David Montgomery. DONE.
April 11th, 2019 at 2:35 pm
@buc202
Also a big Benny Snell fan. Kid has power and good feet. Wasn’t asked catch the ball too much but looked productive when he got the chance. The knock on him is no break away speed or quick change of direction. Still think somebody is gonna get a steal with him if he falls to the 5th. I like Miles Sanders too, but don’t know if i can justify grabbing him in R2 with our Defense being an absolute mess.
April 11th, 2019 at 2:45 pm
@LordCorn…
The safest 3 down RB in this year’s draft is easily Josh Jacobs. Fantastic build, great versatile hard-running back. We of course don’t need to worry bout Jacobs, cause he’ll be gone late in 1st round.
April 11th, 2019 at 2:51 pm
@humblecrusher
My issue with Jacobs is he’s never even had a single game with the type of total touches a 3 down back would get in the NFL. Hard for me to feel safe about drafting a guy to be a 3 down back when he wasn’t even used that way in college.
April 11th, 2019 at 3:24 pm
“Kobe believes we should go offensive line on the 2nd round
#5 – Dwhite or Ed Oliver
2nd- Oline
3rd- DB
4th- RB David Montgomery
*BA has a keen eye. This offensive line is not good at zone run blocking. Watch how well the offensive line looks by just going smashmouth power blocking scheme ”
Kobe Faker
April 11th, 2019 at 3:41 pm
@Kobe
Agree. R2 = prime spot unless top interior guys are all gone, but I’d think either Elgton Jenkins or Lindstrom would be there.
I want a plug and play immediate RG starter. Not the Alex Cappa experiment.
3rd I’m more open to front 7 defensive player but could live with CB. 4th seems like a great spot for RB
Trade back = go for the same things but you can then sprinkle in OT/more defensive front 7
April 11th, 2019 at 3:53 pm
David Montgomery >>>>
April 11th, 2019 at 4:00 pm
I was a huge fan of Marlon Mack at USF and really wanted him to go the Bucs, but I do wonder if his running style would have worked in Dirk’s offense. Mack and Jones run, to my eye, sort of the same style – they’re not quick twitch guys but guys who are really smooth. That is also why you don’t give up on Jones. After year one Mack looked very ordinary, at best, and a lot of Indy fans that I saw said they needed to take a RB high. Mack then started off last year injured and was basically being considered a bust at that point – then he finally came in, healthy, and lit it up.
Now will Jones follow that same route? I don’t know, but I’m not throwing him away at this point. I’m also not wasting another draft pick on a RB. Barber is fine as a starter, he’s not good, he’s not bad, he’s fine. That’s OK. If you want to go get another RB then do so in preseason when guys get cut, because good RBs will be available. In fact one guy I can think of, Doug Martin, would be a great fit.
April 11th, 2019 at 4:06 pm
@LordCorn…
Well, that can be “hard for you” to as you put have faith in Jacobs, but “college” as you reference, and Bama and how and when they’re used for how long…to satisfy stereotypes or ratios, ain’t the way the 33rd NFL team runs. Saban, has one year studs at EVERY position, that often sit (meaning non #1 starter routinely) for as many as 2 years till they get their Shine On. Bama deals from luxury.
And to correct you sir, this past season, especially exclusively down the stretch in the playoff, every MONEY down, Jacobs was the play call on RB-related plays, and most scoring plays.
Need to be careful, real careful, comparing PSU players to the 33rd NFL team.
Jacobs is a much better back, and a much better NFL BACK.
April 11th, 2019 at 4:13 pm
“but I do wonder if his running style would have worked in Dirk’s offense”
I wonder what running style for any RB works in Koetter’s offense.
Offensive ranking in yards / YPA going back to Atlanta days in 2012 make the 2015 season look like a fluke.
2012: 29th / 29th
2013: 32nd / 24th
2014: 24th / 21st
2015: 5th / 2nd (OUTLIER)
2016: 24th / 29th
2017: 27th / 27th
2018: 29th / 31st
2015 looks like a huge fluke now. It was also a year Lovie was coach and leaning on the run (too much) and a season in which Doug Martin had like 2-3 crazy games that massively inflated his total for the season.
In the 6 other seasons he consistently put out a bottom 24-32 running attack with average being bottom 3.
Go back to Jacksonville and you will see that he had some good rush offenses but sh1t pass offenses. In general Koetter historically:
1. Never matches scoring to his yardage.
2. Never has balance between run/pass and can only do one well at a time.
April 11th, 2019 at 4:15 pm
Nope… stay disciplined… big uglies .. first two picks…all else will fall into place with solid DL and OLs
April 11th, 2019 at 4:17 pm
@humblecrusher
I’d have Jacobs higher on my draft board. I’m just talking to the idea of a “safe” pick. If I draft a guy to be a 3 down back I’d like to know he has handled that role before.
I understand Alabama is awesome and all that.
Plenty of RBs do not do as well once given full workloads even if it looks like they have the perfect 3 down skill set. If you’ve played fantasy football you’ve probalby seen this happen. Where some backup everyone is high on for their skill set is asserted as the starter and just don’t do as well as a 3 down back for whatever reason
April 11th, 2019 at 4:17 pm
“Running backs are plug and play
you can see a good runningback in practice if he is any good or not
Our 199lber Howard jones has no physicality at the point of contact which you need in the big boy league
everyone knew mack was good even in his injury-plagued rookie season
Chris ballad knows his sh!t and didnt even bring a #2 rb this offseason. mack who is a 3 down duel threat back, can run and catch on any down and perfect fit for frank riech offense
playoff win vs hou- 24 carries 146 yards 6,2 avg 1td
our 199lber would break in half after 9 carries”
Kobe Faker
April 11th, 2019 at 5:47 pm
@Lord Corn…
We can go all day bud.
Nick Saban wasn’t in Miles Sanders’ living room. That’s by design. He was in Josh Jacobs’ living room. That…says plenty. Nick picks from everything on the planet, first.
This Sanders kid has far more mileage on his tires so to speak, and many players taking the FULL ROLE with an NFL body do much much better, with the added opportunity. No proof that won’t happen, for Mr. Josh Jacobs.
Then, there’s the consensus of say almost 100 drat “experts” supposedly, almost 90% having the NFL chances of success rated much much higher for Jacobs.
We can go all….day.
Jacobs is…a much better NFL…RB.
Montgomery, is a better value in 3rd round, than Sanders over-drafted in the 2nd round.
April 11th, 2019 at 6:28 pm
Imo, the Bucs dont need an every down back. Majority of teams use the committee approach as is. Get a guy that can compliment what Peyton Barber and/or Ronald Jones does. And to me, that compliment is someone who can be a weapon in the passing game.
Like I said in my earlier post, I dont think they should draft a RB on day 2. If thats what happens then to me Darrell Henderson in the 3rd is my guy. Crazy explosive, can run routes out of the backfield, home run hitter. Thats what we dont have. Sure Sanders can do that too, but if he is getting 2nd round buzz then no thanks, thats too early imo.
April 11th, 2019 at 6:28 pm
We should take Darrell Henderson = Next Kamara, God help us if Saints get him. Sorry but he looks impressive. Henderson & Peyton Barber seems alot like Mark Ingram & Alvin Kamara.
April 11th, 2019 at 6:45 pm
Another thing is, production in college means more for RBs than any other position imo.
Henderson had 43 carries of 15+ yards and 11 TDs of 50+ yards in 2018 alone.
If they dont show the ability to make explosive plays in college, they probably wont show it in the NFL. So Im actually down on David Montgomery for that reason. The lack of explosive plays in his career actually concerns me.
April 11th, 2019 at 7:24 pm
Good comment Lord Cornelius.
As far as Dirk’s offense goes I really had no issue with it and think people greatly overvalue the run, in particular when you use the passing game as an extension of the run (ie Hump playing at the LOS against LBs and backup safeties). Two years ago it was Sims in that role and he did a great job. Where Dirk really failed, in my opinion, was how he telegraphed when he was going to run the ball – in particular early in the game when he rarely used the play action pass.
But in 2015 I agree with you about Lovie forcing Dirk to run the ball more. Also it wasn’t Doug Martin having a couple of big games inflating the stats, him and Sims were the top running duo in football. The offense was pretty diverse, they used the play action pass well, they kept defenses on their toes. After Dirk got full control they became fairly predictable.
In any case Barber is good enough and wasting another pick on a RB shouldn’t be in the cards for the Bucs. I’m interested in seeing what Jones can do in a different offense as well – I don’t know why anyone would want to see the team cut him or dump him at this point. As for the 3rd back they can wait until preseason to address it if they want to, but it’s not like there’s a lack of talent out there. Again, it’s an unpopular choice with the Joe readers, but Doug Martin would be as good of a choice as any. He probably only has one year left, but he showed in Oakland he wasn’t the issue.
April 11th, 2019 at 7:59 pm
Lol pretty sure the Cards already have a star running back
April 11th, 2019 at 8:11 pm
Some quality RB’s will be available in rounds 4 and 5. Don’t fall in love with an RB. Too many needs.
April 11th, 2019 at 10:16 pm
Sign D’Ernest Johnson. He will bust his ass if given a chance. He’s the all time leader at USF in all purpose yards and receiving yards by a running back. He would make a good 3rd down back. Would love to see it.
April 12th, 2019 at 2:27 pm
Still laughing that 4 out of how many years of college backs from penn st
My point !!
If 4 that’s enough to prove your point than contradict your point about taking a inside linebacker
April 12th, 2019 at 2:29 pm
Joe you only named first rounders , research all drafted. And see the percentage