Quarterback Intrigue
April 13th, 2020
FIU QB James Morgan … and the Bucs’ inside track.
Are the Bucs already scoping out Tom Brady’s successor?
Unless new Bucs quarterback Tom Brady gets crunched early in the season, it is difficult to see the Bucs drafting high enough in the 2021 draft to grab either Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence or Ohio State’s Justin Fields (unless you believe K.J. Costello is going to blow up playing for Mike Leach at Mississippi State).
With seemingly a deep pool of QBs in this draft (in less than two weeks!), Joe has argued this would be the perfect time to draft Brady’s successor. Yes, even in the first round. That would give the pick two years to learn under some of the best QB coaches in the game and to also watch how one of the best (Brady) goes about his business.
Hey, this method worked for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.
So a plugged-in NFL draft guy who was once Joel Buchsbaum’s right-hand man at Pro Football Weekly has a hunch that while Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht is cranking White Zombie’s “Thunder Kiss ’65” so loud it is rattling his neighbor’s windows, might Licht be also watching film of James Morgan while rocking out?
(Joe’s going to guess Licht’s wife has had her fill the past few weeks of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden and Rage Against the Machine ringing in her ears.)
Eric Edholm of Yahoo! Sports (one of the few draftniks liked by cranky former Bears scouting director Greg Gabriel) claims the Bucs have “legitimate interest” in Morgan, along with the Eagles, Patriots, Colts, Titans, Jets, Raiders, Cowboys, Saints, Bills, Dolphins, Giants, Chargers and Rams.
Joe already wrote about this Morgan.from Florida International University. But here is what Emory Hunt, the Czar of the Playbook, has about Morgan in his 2020 Football Gameplan Draft Guide (only $10!).
Strengths:
– Has the arm strength and velocity to shrink space; there isn’t a throw that he can’t make.
– Shows willingness to work touchdown-to-checkdown.
– Not afraid to scramble for cheap yards
– When in rhythm, can string together chunk plays in the passing game.Areas of Improvement:
– Footwork and mechanics can be all over the place.
– Has issues trying to reset his platform once moved off the spot, which affects his accuracy and placement.
– Can be a bit late on certain throws, and will still try to fit the ball in there, which leads to PBUs and INTs.
– Not overly quick enough to evade quick pressure from the defense.
Hunt is not high on him and has Morgan ranked No. 23 among quarterbacks. Ouch!
Dane Brugler of The Athletic is much kinder, listing Morgan as the No. 9 quarterback in the draft who may go in the fifth round.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Florida International, Morgan was the starter in offensive coordinator Rich Skrosky’s shotgun spread scheme. He went from an air raid system at Bowling Green to more of a pro style approach under head coach Butch Davis at FIU, helping the program to back-to-back bowl-eligible seasons and a regular season win over cross-town rival Miami (the school’s second win all-time vs. a Power 5 opponent). Morgan displays several intriguing traits for the next level with his size, arm talent and intangibles, which helped him become a team captain shortly after he arrived at FIU. While he can rip ropes to every level of the field, he struggles to walk the fine line of forcing throws and trying to make a play downfield. Overall, Morgan’s ball placement and decision-making lack consistency, but he is an intelligent, tough-minded thrower with an NFL-quality arm, projecting as a late-round developmental option.
Joe believes the Bucs, whether they select Morgan or not, will get good intel on him. Why? Well, Morgan’s coach at FIU was Butch Davis, the former Bucs consultant. Davis, before coming to the Bucs, had a stint as Cleveland’s head coach and under him the Browns made the playoffs in 2002.
That was the last time the Browns made the playoffs. And who was Davis’ offensive coordinator with the Browns? Bruce Arians.
April 13th, 2020 at 9:04 am
IMO…the Bucs absolutely MUST draft the QB of the future to learn from TB…NOT some prospect with potential…..if that QB is there at #14 they MUST draft him !
April 13th, 2020 at 9:06 am
Morgan or Stanley each look like a good late-round pick.
April 13th, 2020 at 9:08 am
Reminds me of a Tony Romo…..I think this draft WILL produce a few later rd quality starters.
April 13th, 2020 at 9:16 am
Jalen Hurts needs to be the pick.
April 13th, 2020 at 9:19 am
His footwork is really bad. Looks like hes throwing off his back foot everytime even with a clean pocket. Some guys are just decent college QBs.
April 13th, 2020 at 9:21 am
With a late pick id be happy
April 13th, 2020 at 9:31 am
We won’t need a QB…….in three years Phillip Rivers will be 41……ripe & ready for the Bucs…..
April 13th, 2020 at 9:36 am
Up the Irons!!!
April 13th, 2020 at 9:37 am
Nope, do not waste a decent draft pick on a QB this year. It is win now time. Altered, again I ask you what back up QBs left New England after playing behind New England to become franchise QBs? You guys act like this is so important yet it hasn’t came to fruition during the 20 year career of Brady. Tom isn’t coming here to babysit some scrub QB and “show him the ropes.” It is Superbowl or bust and we can’t be wasting draft capitol at 14 by reaching for a project like Jordan Love. Arians and Licht just pushed a 26yo QB out the door to bring in the GOAT. If they were worried about the future they probably would have given JW one more year. Right tackle, RB, safety, line depth all need to be addressed. If they want to use a 7th rounder on a scrub like this kid fine. That way when he flames out in the preseason they can cut him and it won’t really matter.
April 13th, 2020 at 9:41 am
Trade up for Tua then sit him for 2 years. Get OT Trent Williams this year and draft an OT next year. Draft DL depth.
April 13th, 2020 at 9:47 am
Didn’t he used to throw to Scotty Miller at Bowling Green?
April 13th, 2020 at 9:59 am
Lmao trade up for Tua. You want to give up a 2-3 first rounder and a couple 2nds for a guy who adds no value to the team during our win now or bust 2 year window. Smh!
April 13th, 2020 at 10:13 am
@bradybunch is spot on.
I still can’t wait to see this blow up in Arians face though.
April 13th, 2020 at 10:21 am
I like Iowa QB Nate Stanley. 6’5” 235 lbs ran a 4.8 40yd dash at combine. He fits BA’s scheme and he will be available in rounds 4-6. Check out his film if your board.
April 13th, 2020 at 10:36 am
Aaron Rodgers is not a good example. He sat longer than needed because he had an HOF QB in front of him…he was ready far earlier.
IF a QB needs TWO YEARS to get tutored on the sidelines he’s not a true Franchise QB…most of whom would enjoy the luxury of sitting for a year but who typically are forced into action immediately on a sorry team. Can you say Jameis Winston? MM? A host of others.
We have two 4th rounders…if we need to package them to get somebody like Morgan who is a bit of a project I’m fine…but I do not want to burn our draft capital this year.
Ideally we get somebody like Morgan and he works out saving us draft capital for this year and the future…if not we have to bite the bullet and go for a good QB next year.
April 13th, 2020 at 10:37 am
I wonder about Josh Rosen. He might be available for close to free. With the quarterback whispering hall of fame on site at One Buc Place, they might be abke to squeeze something out of the guy. Or maybe he just sucks.
April 13th, 2020 at 10:38 am
MarineBuc
Now you’re talking about the kind of QB I’d consider…any 4th rounder or lower is OK…we need IMPACT now from our first three rounds not some student QB studying on the sidelines.
April 13th, 2020 at 11:18 am
I still say Hebert or Eason are Arian guys. Tua, and Hurts are RPO types.
April 13th, 2020 at 11:27 am
Buc fan from day 1 Says:
April 13th, 2020 at 10:13 am.
I still can’t wait to see this blow up in Arians face though.
Buc fan from day 1. you sure don’t sound like one.
April 13th, 2020 at 11:43 am
@ SPBF
I would be surprised if we took a QB early. With the recent chatter about Licht wanting to move up in the first round makes me wonder.
But I would go after Nate Stanley with our second 4th round pick and replace Ryan Griffen as the QB3 and future QB2.
April 13th, 2020 at 11:52 am
If the buc s don’t select a QB in the draft it probably means Jaymiss is coming back for backup pay in late 2020.
April 13th, 2020 at 11:58 am
The Bucs need to draft a QB like the rays need to draft a punter. Jalen hurts are you kidding me? That guys will never be an NFL QB so why would anyone draft him. He cant throw the ball and would be lucky to get a backup role in the future XFL if it ever starts back up. I’m gonig to laugh if anyone picks him before the 6th round as he is a project and would be a Gimmick QB for a few plays a game at best. Especially since he cant read a defense, make a real throw in a tight window. Anyone who thinks he is good should be sent to a mental institution. He isnt completing a pass unless he has 5 seconds to throw to a wide open receiver or hes throwing 20 bubble screens to Cee DEE Lamb who can take a 1 yard pass and give Hurts a 50 yard completed pass statistic.
April 13th, 2020 at 12:13 pm
Strengths:
– Has the arm strength and velocity to shrink space; there isn’t a throw that he can’t make.
– Shows willingness to work touchdown-to-checkdown.
– Not afraid to scramble for cheap yards
– When in rhythm, can string together chunk plays in the passing game.
Areas of Improvement:
– Footwork and mechanics can be all over the place.
– Has issues trying to reset his platform once moved off the spot, which affects his accuracy and placement.
– Can be a bit late on certain throws, and will still try to fit the ball in there, which leads to PBUs and INTs.
– Not overly quick enough to evade quick pressure from the defense.
.
.
This guy looks like the Great White Jameis.
Pass
April 13th, 2020 at 12:20 pm
Tampabaybucfan Says:
“We won’t need a QB…….in three years Phillip Rivers will be 41……ripe & ready for the Bucs…..”
.
.
LOL
Touché
April 13th, 2020 at 12:33 pm
BamaRich Says:
“Trade up for Tua then sit him for 2 years. Get OT Trent Williams this year and draft an OT next year. Draft DL depth.”
.
.
Tua is going to fall to the second round. I wouldn’t trade up for him.
Since all of the big 4 OTs seem to have warts of one type or another, I’m warming to the idea of trading down. Lots of tackles and QBs worthy of a look in this draft, but not really any Joe Thomases or Lamar Jacksons.
April 13th, 2020 at 5:33 pm
Don’t waste a day 3 pick on a QB. Joe, please name a Day 3 QB pick in the last 20 years, other than Brady, who was a starter for 8-10 years. I don’t know of any either.
The only one one Inwould consider is if Hurt slipped to day 3 — but I doubt that will happen. Love, Easton and Fromm are absolute potential bench warmers that top out at lifelong back up.
April 13th, 2020 at 5:34 pm
Go all in on rd 1 of 2021 for a future QB. Fill all of your needs this year.
April 13th, 2020 at 7:59 pm
Decent find Joe! I compared his stats and film to Bryce Perkins and feel if both are there in the 6th when we pick, Im taking Perkins. Much better stats but Morgan has a very low Interception stat…but only 14 TD’s last year. Perkins played against much tougher competition and 22 TD’s last year. For a 5th or 6th, oh yeah….Perkins is my man.
April 13th, 2020 at 8:02 pm
Btw, I LOVE Zombie’s music….discovered them while they were still unknown…but i cant stand his dancing, lol….just not for me….fun to play on guitar though.
April 13th, 2020 at 8:04 pm
Great vid breakdown on Perkins…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzhz9PrJkPM
April 14th, 2020 at 9:07 am
Tampabaybucfan you ain’t lieing bro and this fanbase will be happy and they will say you are not a real bucs fan you are a Brady fan boy lol lol lol lol lol . That’s what I be saying our fans gets happy about another team leftovers instead of holding the organization accountable for not being able to develope a quarterback ..