The Next Tanard Jackson?
July 8th, 2019
At least one rookie must emerge
On a recent episode of Tampa Two, Buccaneers legend Derrick Brooks made a great reference about rookies succeeding in the secondary.
Joe had forgotten that heralded 2008 first-round pick Aqib Talib, the ex-Bucs cornerback who might get serious consideration for the Hall of Fame one day, was a rotational player as a rookie.
Talib only made two starts during that 9-7 season while corners Phillip Buchanon and Ronde Barber each had 16.
The subject arose during a chat about how critical it appears it will be to the Bucs’ success for one of the three drafted rookies in the secondary to have a huge 2019 season. Brooks recalled the quick and profound impact safety Tanard Jackson had in 2007, the last Bucs playoff season. The fourth-round pick out of Syracuse was a punisher in the run game and he was a quick-study who could cover.
Perhaps rookie Mike Edwards is that guy this season?
Relying on rookies is rough. The NFL published some stats recently about total rookie snaps per team last season– offense and defense. The Colts led the NFL at a whopping 21.7 percent of snaps by rookies. That’s damn impressive for a playoff team with a veteran quarterback.
The Raiders were next at 18.8 percent, followed closely by the Bills and Browns. The NFL average was 11 percent. (The Bucs’ total was not published.)
Barring a rousing revival of Vernon Hargreaves and Carlton Davis, the Bucs defense easily could lead the NFL in rookie snaps this season.
The math isn’t difficult. If the combination of Devin White, Jamel Dean, Sean Murphy-Bunting and Edwards are always on the field at three positions (not four), then that’s nearly 14 percent rookie snaps for the entire team right there.
The Bucs posted new video of Edwards (seen below). Joe’s going to watch it again and hope Edwards can be the next Tanard Jackson, sans the bong.
July 8th, 2019 at 10:10 am
I’ve heard this hype before about Justin Evans. Remember him? Another second round head scratcher when Licht drafted him. He was going to the pro bowl, but spends most of his time in the rehab tub. Let’s hope Edwards will be different. At least Bowles, and BA drafted him, instead of meathead so there’s a chance.
July 8th, 2019 at 10:15 am
Jackson was a player that was on the verge of top 5 safeties in the NFL & was perfect in the Tampa 2, BUT…its crazy he gave up millions for a joint. Hope he moved to Colorado and became a ganjapreneur and not broke, because he was a stud
July 8th, 2019 at 10:21 am
6-10.
July 8th, 2019 at 10:23 am
Edwards can start and is both fast and instinctive and is a versatile playmaker and is very bright and a leader. He is very successful at tackling too. Bunting is a favorite of BA who personally scouted him and made sure Licht drafted him. Bunting is very, very fast and smart and also is a playmaker and good tackler with good height and length and excels at man for man coverage so I certainly expect him as a starter this year along with Edwards.
July 8th, 2019 at 10:24 am
T Jack- a perfect example of talent coupled with not enough “want to”. He preferred sharpening his bong skills over being the best player he could be.
July 8th, 2019 at 10:24 am
>>> I’ve heard this hype before about Justin Evans. Remember him? Another second round head scratcher when Licht drafted him. <<<
WITH ALVIN KAMARA ON THE BOARD!!!
Jason Licht hates running backs who are productive (Andrea Ellington for chrissakes) and hates running backs who can read and hates defensive ends who can breathe on quarterbacks (that's why he re-signed Will Gholston — he can't get after a quarterback).
But Jason Licht LOVES safeties and has a boner for small school offensive linemen because he was one and he wants dudes to live out his fantasies kinda like a dad who pushes his kid hard to be a baseball player because he couldn't hit a curveball. Not every cat is Ali Marpet. These guys can manhandle dudes who are slightly more talented than Ira Kaufman but when it comes to blocking grown @ss men, they get tossed around like a child.
Guessing when Jason Licht sucked it up hard and traded for JPP it must have been like Mark Grace doing a slumpbuster. Had to take one for the team. It probably shames Jason Licht to this day he has a defensive end on his roster who can get sacks. Glazers must have forced him to make the trade or else.
July 8th, 2019 at 10:28 am
That move down in the third round to give us Dean & Edwards instead of “whoever” was on the board when we traded……that move down may pay off big if either of them turn out…..but if both of them do, it’s golden.
July 8th, 2019 at 10:33 am
Edwards was a late 3rd round steal.
He’s going to be a hell of a player for this team in time. Watch!
July 8th, 2019 at 10:47 am
10-6 going to be a fun year.
July 8th, 2019 at 10:56 am
Prada……Give me some of dat stuff you be smoking!!!!
July 8th, 2019 at 11:04 am
I’ll settle for the next Mike Edwards and D’Cota Dixon!!! GO BUCS !! GO SUHY!! GO ALL NEW DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD!!
July 8th, 2019 at 11:11 am
Hopefully none their careers will end up on an Oprah episode.
July 8th, 2019 at 11:14 am
Imagine what Tanard could’ve turned into if he had either developed some self control or if the NFL lightened up on the weed enforcement.
July 8th, 2019 at 11:21 am
“Barring a rousing revival of…Carlton Davis…” – Joe
Since when does Carlton Davis need a revival? He’s a 2nd year player who showed promise last year. He doesn’t need revival, he needs to further his development.
July 8th, 2019 at 11:22 am
I don’t want the next past player. I want the next standard setter.
July 8th, 2019 at 11:26 am
dam…tanard was quite a player…for like a hot minute…
#PassTheDutchieOnTheLeftHandSide
July 8th, 2019 at 11:59 am
its all about coaching…..
GO BUCS!!!!
July 8th, 2019 at 12:11 pm
I’m not sure what NFL Joe has been watching, but these days, rookies come in and make an impact all over the league. It just hasn’t happened here because we’ve had so many stooges in a row as head coaches since Gruden was canned.
July 8th, 2019 at 12:14 pm
Davis is starting so four rookies ain’t starting on defense at least not wk 1.
July 8th, 2019 at 2:29 pm
Lol the next drug addict not to reach full potential uh yea bad analogy
July 8th, 2019 at 9:42 pm
It’s hard to win with the worst gm in football