“The Best Player In The Draft, Jeffery Simmons, Has A Bunch Of Stuff Going On”
April 22nd, 2019
Former GM in love.
If it was up to a former associate/gopher of Bill Walsh, Al Davis and Bill Belicheat, a certain SEC lineman would be his target on Thursday night.
Former NFL general manager Michael Lombardi, who now is trying to create a media empire as he launched his podcast “GM Shuffle” recently, was perfectly clear who he would draft in Round 1 if he was running a franchise.
Lombardi is convinced the best player in this year’s NFL draft is an SEC lineman. No, not Quinnen Williams (who Lombardi does like).
But this player’s baggage muddies the water.
“The problem with this draft, the best player in the draft, Jeffery Simmons, has a bunch of stuff going on with him,” Lombardi said. “He has the video, which is indicting enough, OK, and challenging for any team to draft. And then he has the knee injury coming off the ACL. So you have those two factors playing for you.
“Let me just be on record by saying this, I think Simmons, the defensive tackle from Mississippi State, is the best player in the draft. Now that’s not counting character and everything else that goes along with it.”
Simmons is recovering from an ACL tear injury. While that will give some front office executives reason to pause, Lombardi said he would not.
“You just have to look past the injury,” Lombardi said. “It’s an ACL. It’s going to heal. We are in a world now where ACLs come back quickly.
“I think this guy is really a good player. He can take over a game. He’s one of few players in this draft where you say, ‘This guy has a chance of going to the Pro Bowl.'”
If the Bucs are demented enough to pick an inside linebacker at No. 5, that makes drafting a defensive lineman who can produce even more of an acute need later in the draft. If the Bucs want to trade back into the first round and draft Simmons, Joe may only need to chug two bottles of Pepto Bismol for such a foolish move at No. 5.
And to be fair to Simmons, he’s been clean since the woman-fighting incident and twice made the SEC Academic Honor Roll, which is damn impressive and something he should be very proud of.
April 22nd, 2019 at 11:04 am
Trouble is, Dunce Cap is drafting to win NOW. He dose not care about the future of the franchise.
April 22nd, 2019 at 11:06 am
I wonder how many player agents are working overtime by working the media to get their guy pumped up.
April 22nd, 2019 at 11:07 am
This guy made a terrific apology…it happened a couple of years ago when he was still a teen or close to it…and it’s the ONLY incident that has come to light.
Kareem Hunt had three other incidents involving women the same year of his infamous video. He came close enough to losing millions that will probably protect the Browns gamble but he definitely has a problem with violence against women.
One incident does not indicate a pattern and so I’m not sure about Simmons. If the Bucs do their due diligence and decide it was a single mistake then it’s down to the ACL.
April 22nd, 2019 at 11:15 am
Or draft BOTH Oliver and Simmons to pair with Vea. WOW!
April 22nd, 2019 at 11:17 am
@Joe … “If the Bucs are demented enough to pick an inside linebacker at No. 5, that makes drafting a defensive lineman who can produce even more of an acute need later in the draft.”
Attaboy Joe, you keep beating that dead horse but I’m confident that BA isn’t listening. Bucs NEED either Quinnen Williams or Devin White with their #5 pick and BA knows it. All the rest are just diversions. Keep trying though, Jason’s probably on your side … not that it’ll matter.
April 22nd, 2019 at 11:17 am
DaQuan Bowers was the best player in the draft until he tore up his knee
April 22nd, 2019 at 11:23 am
I do NOT want his bum on my team… Under no circumstances is it ok for a man to put this hands on a woman!!! AND you jumped her with another woman even bigger than you…??? Damn shame…
April 22nd, 2019 at 11:28 am
At the end of the day…its just Michael Lombardi’s ..opinion. Not to mention what could very likely rear it’s ugly head again in the NFL future (see Kareem Hunt again years later after prior incidents, and Tyreek Hill…yada yada). Not just retrospect people. It’s in their DNA.
You avoid all satellite radio jockeys, and you take pure stud no-brainer Quinnen Williams at #4 or #5. The work to acquire that pillar is well worth it.
April 22nd, 2019 at 11:32 am
Don’t think that primal behavior goes away…no thanks !
April 22nd, 2019 at 11:46 am
Jeffrey Simmons hands down – is a Top-5 Prospect.
Don’t be shocked if 3 or 4 years from now – he’s considered the best or one of the best from this class.
April 22nd, 2019 at 11:50 am
If the Bucs trade up with the Jets to #3 this is all a moot point because they’ll draft Quinnen Williams. I’d take Williams over Simmons all day. Top 3 player in this draft, strong character, no ACL. Boom.
April 22nd, 2019 at 11:52 am
lol these quotes are kind of hilarious to me
“Let me just be on record by saying this, I think Simmons, the defensive tackle from Mississippi State, is the best player in the draft.”
contrasted with
“He’s one of few players in this draft where you say, ‘This guy has a chance of going to the Pro Bowl”
If you are the best player in the entire freaking draft I’d hope that the endorsement is a little better than “he has a CHANCE of going to the pro bowl”
Best player in the draft should be a gold jacket wearing ALl pro bad4ss. Don’t hedge your bets on your #1 guy jesus lol.
Just say “Look I don’t have any f*cking idea just like the rest of you” at that point
April 22nd, 2019 at 12:08 pm
It really makes you wonder what the heck is going on in the world today! I remember the incident but didn’t see the video until now.
Just SMH!
But hey, he can play football right?!
April 22nd, 2019 at 12:10 pm
Throwing Sh!t against the wall
Trade down “If” none of the Top-3 fall to you.
Additional Draft Day Trades
• Trade – Jason Pierre Paul & 2020 2nd Round Pick for Frank Clark
• Trade – Conditional 2020 Pick for Whitney Mercileus
• Trade – Gerald McCoy to San Francisco for Solomon Thomas
DT Solomon Thomas | Christian Wilkins
NT Vita Vea | Beau Allen
DE Carl Nassib | Jeffrey Simmons
RUSH Frank Clark | Whitney Mercileus
MLB David Long Jr. | Jordan Kunaszyk
WLB Lavonte David | Deone Buccannon
SAM Shaquil Barrett | D’Andre Walker
April 22nd, 2019 at 12:22 pm
Get him in the 2nd round.
April 22nd, 2019 at 12:36 pm
that was pretty violent … pass
April 22nd, 2019 at 12:39 pm
LuvMyBucs….really like the moves that being said, Jason Licht doesnt have the stones for that stuff….it is sad that some people here on joe bucs would have made this team a contender in the NFC South quicker than what the actual GM has been able to do
April 22nd, 2019 at 12:47 pm
Sapp likes to smack woman around….. Simmons could be great!
April 22nd, 2019 at 1:03 pm
Keep McCoy for this year, cut Jensen
Draft White or Oliver in 1st
Then draft 2 OLinemen in 2nd and 3rd
Training camp would be interesting
April 22nd, 2019 at 1:06 pm
i like simmons a ton….im just stuck on oliver’s versatility and motor….
either way our 1st 3 pick have to go towards trench play….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
April 22nd, 2019 at 1:10 pm
3 players and a coach that changed the fortunes of the Colts
Return of Andrew Luck
New coach Frank Reich
LG Quentin Nelson
LB Darius Leonard
= playoffs due to an attitude adjustment sparked by a couple rookies and making the most of the talent they have
April 22nd, 2019 at 1:30 pm
When you run a billion dollar enterprise, you don’t take chances like this with a first or second round pick. Your draft picks are investments into your future, and the potential liability is far too great to consider a guy like this. Let him be someone else’s problem, and judging by what has historically happened with most of these violent dudes, it will be a problem for somebody down the road. No thanks.
April 22nd, 2019 at 1:36 pm
There is a reason why Lombardi is not a GM anymore. This player should not even be allowed in the league as far as I’m cocerned and don’t say he was a kid. This player lacks good judgement. STAY AWAY FROM THIS KIND OF PLAYER!!!! NOTHING GOOD WILL COME FROM DRAFTING HIM.
Would you give a guy a second chance if he was beating down on your daughter? Hopefully your answer is NO.
Then why would you even consider drafting him?
April 22nd, 2019 at 1:41 pm
The 1pm NFL Network “Up to the Minute” show had the adamant report that “sources” have told them the Raiders not only sent their scouts home for leakage reasons, but in addition Gruden/Mayock are going to make a “suprise” pick AT #4, and they’re concerned that the design of the surprise might get out. So, that sounds, if at all accurate, that it’s not a trade up or back from #4, AND…that it’s not Quinnen at #4, cause WOULDN’T be a “surprise”, just a wise pick. More Quinnen for US!!
(Incidentally maybe Lock/Haskins–QB, or Devin White there.
Quinnen to #5!!! Please…please
April 22nd, 2019 at 1:43 pm
Bucs should def grab simmons rd 2 if available & if the knee is gonna be good, the fight thing is way over blown he was protecting his mom
April 22nd, 2019 at 1:49 pm
rrsrq,these JBFrs seem to think it requires pro bowlers at every position for a turn around to occur. Not hardly,this team to my eye is loaded already. I’m of the belief we could win next years Super Bowl an they’ll be right here this time next screaming too many holes like little parakeets.
April 22nd, 2019 at 2:09 pm
@Jackwagon
Do I smell a QB at #4 possibly? That would be amazing for us!
April 22nd, 2019 at 2:15 pm
I know I said Simmons in the 2nd, but it looks like he will be gone in the 1st round to Colts or Eagles. Lots of buzz there. This happened 3 years ago, and he has been clean since. Winston seems to get in trouble every year, yet you all slob his knob every chance you get. Simmons seems to have learned from his mistakes and matured. If Williams or Allen aren’t there at 5, we should trade back and get Simmons how is projected/graded as one of best players in the draft.
He will be steal for whomever drafts him, unless Raiders do it.
April 22nd, 2019 at 2:18 pm
Only issue you would have, ACL surgery and him probably not playing until Dec., but then why risk it and just wait until next year. So do you draft a player in the 1st who may not play his first year?
April 22nd, 2019 at 2:35 pm
Looking at this guy I have to factor in that the Bucs have a need in the leadership dept. This could wind up being a box that Simmons doesnt check for the Bucs. His could wind up drafted higher then we have him rated because of this.
Sometimes players are better fits for specific teams for different reasons. We might be a bad fit for this guy.
April 22nd, 2019 at 2:35 pm
jackwagon
that is interesting…..
they may take j.taylor RT….or josh jacabs….or murray….lol…
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
April 22nd, 2019 at 2:56 pm
• Trade – Gerald McCoy to San Francisco for Solomon Thomas
McCoy for the #3 pick in the 2017 draft? Why don’t we ask them to throw in George Kittle too.
April 22nd, 2019 at 3:45 pm
SCBucsFan
Solomon Thomas has been a major disappointment in San Francisco.
Mostly because he’s playing out of place – in a defense that doesn’t fit his skill set.
April 22nd, 2019 at 4:44 pm
LUV- I think a lot of people thought Thomas would be ballin’. I’d do that trade in a heartbeat but SF probably still values him more.
April 22nd, 2019 at 4:44 pm
BTW Perhaps I’m slow on the uptake but nobody is recommending we take him in the 1st round correct?
Just a draft “guru” who claims he has first round talent.
If he drops far enough and we’ve done enough due diligence as to whether this was a “one of” and not part of a pattern like Kareem Hunt then I’d probably be comfortable with the pick.
April 22nd, 2019 at 5:31 pm
“Kobe has finished his evaluations and projection and this dude is a beast. He is made for the NFL. He will dominate
This top dog can be the best player in this draft after 3 years
Pats going to moveup to get this guy
MARK IT DOWN!”
Kobe Faker
April 22nd, 2019 at 5:42 pm
Maybe Joe missed the quote that said “One of the few Pro Bowlers in this draft” Devin White is one your Mystery Edge Rusher that you have yet to name that you want the Bucs to pick at 5 is not.
April 22nd, 2019 at 6:47 pm
@BucFanFromOH…
It very well could be a QB at #4 for Gruden, most likely Drew Lock. Gruden coached his team at the Senior Bowl all week, and by several local reporters in Alabama, Gruden’s “carrying on” with Lock was said to be “somewhat obsessive”. Gruden publicly raved about Lock on NFL Network that week saying, “he can make every throw” and “liked his grit”.
Jon gets…what Jon wants, we’ve all learned that.
And at #4, Lock would be ripe for him to pluck. Their next pick is #24, and Lock is very likely to be GONE by then. And…it would classify as a “surprise”, that NFL Network reported at 1pm.
BTW…it’s ONLY “good for us” as you said, if Quinnen makes it to #5, because no one gives a da*n about this Josh Allen dude, skinny, basically stand-up LB, regular to above average…dude. He sure as hell…isn’t Quinnen.
Landing Quinnen…and Quinnen only…would be great 4 us. Then I’m with ya.
April 22nd, 2019 at 7:52 pm
Unfortunately the entire league wont pass on him..The entire league wont just cast him out. Someone is going to take him and make that team better than yours. I wouldnt take him at 5 but someone will snag him
April 22nd, 2019 at 7:53 pm
Jackwagon i agree with that evaluation of Allen give us Williams or White of Oliver with that #5 pick of trade down
April 22nd, 2019 at 8:34 pm
Simmons won’t be around in second round. If he signs a first round contract it gives the team an extra year at a lower priced contract. That is tailor made for a prospect with a need for a redshirt.
April 22nd, 2019 at 9:06 pm
I hear ya @Pigsueybucsfan…I hear ya.
If anyone…anyone…is gonna roll with one year’s OUTperformance at any one position, for ANY player…(see Kyler Murray, Dwayne Haskins, Josh Allen, Quinnen Williams, etc.)….I’m gonna roll with this …guy…named “Nick Saban”. You all know that guy possibly??
It’s the same guy, that chose…only…Quinnen Williams, if the four. It’s the same guy that…taught…Quinnen Williams. It’s the same guy that helped and vicariously encouraged the stuff that Quinnen ….put on tape, which is WHY he is being chosen partially for whom he is, and WILL BE…in the NFL. Can any, of the other 3, among others, ….claim or say that??
Hell no.
Don’t overthink it. GRAB Quinnen.
Done!!
April 22nd, 2019 at 11:24 pm
A perfect example of why Lombardi is a “former” gm. This guy’s numbers were pedestrian in college, he’ll need months to heal, and unless the woman he smacked around had a gun, there was zero need to get physical back with her.
The Buccaneers have enough issues with players that have questionable characters or just act like outright clowns. Maybe a team like New England can afford to take a chance on this kid, but I think we should pass.
I’m all for drafting Devin White if he can bring an attitude of no bullspit like Nickerson did back in the day even if the position is somewhat less important than it used to be. I like that relentless dude named Winovich from Michigan too. We need at at least a few dudes on defense that are out for blood in a good compettitive way and not a bunch of dudes rowing rowboats after routine plays.