Speed Kills
May 2nd, 2021
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Prior to the draft, the Bucs indicated that they wanted to add speed to the team. Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians even mentioned speed on defense was a target.
Well, it happened.
The Bucs loaded up on speed. Receiver/returner Jaelon Darden (4th round), cornerback Chris Wilcox (7th round) and linebacker Grant Stuard (7th) each have speed. In the case of Darden and Wilcox, blazing speed.
So in his post-draft wrap-up, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht noted he accomplished his goal.
“Yeah, we definitely wanted to get faster. We wanted guys that played with big heart, and in the case of Grant [Staurd], played with big hair, don’t care,” Licht said. “A lot of energy, [they] love football – that was kind of the common theme. But as Bruce [Arians] told you guys last night, we wanted to stress special teams, so that was one area we wanted to upgrade. We feel pretty good about what we’ve done.”
Britt and Stuard certainly have personalities. Especially Stuard. And Licht likes that as one of his core beliefs is if you acquire a player with a Type-A personality, he is more likely to work his rear end to improve both at One Buc Palace and away from One Buc Palace.
Stuard is a guy Joe believes fans will fall in love with. The University of Houston linebacker just oozes personality, and fought and worked his way out of very hardscrabble life to the Super Bowl champions.
To that, Stuard yesterday said the Bucs were “the best — let’s go!”
He was ready to snap on a chin strap right then and there.
May 2nd, 2021 at 9:10 am
J. Darden: i read somewhere last night that he inexplicably drops one ball every game. I guess he was the offense for that team though
May 2nd, 2021 at 9:11 am
I like what they have done in this draft. Like Arians says, you can’t coach speed. Either you have it, or you do not.
May 2nd, 2021 at 9:13 am
Can’t wait for the rookies and UDFA’s to show up, has it been announced whether it is next weekend or the following?
I wonder about Darden’s maturity , he has a tremendous opportunity in front of him on this team!
He has the potential to be a player the franchise has never had before, time will tell.
He is tough as nails and despite his height and weight is solid as a rock!
I am anxious to see if Scotty Miller was able to had some man weight in the offseason
May 2nd, 2021 at 9:15 am
Yes……love that guy….& don’t sleep on Britt…….he said “I just want to tackle somebody, I don’t care who it is”…..
May 2nd, 2021 at 9:18 am
So we want players on our team that love to play football.
I’m all for that.
I can only think of one player on our team that doesn’t have that same live if the game and that’s why I want him gone so badly.
May 2nd, 2021 at 9:25 am
Darden reminds me of a smaller Tyreek Hill who is quick, fast and has that fake shift move which often causes defender to miss tackle or buys him a few more yards.
May 2nd, 2021 at 9:39 am
How is Darden on the jet sweep? I always thought it would be a great play for Scotty Miller, but the couple of times we’ve run it it went for nothing.
May 2nd, 2021 at 10:19 am
As HOF Coach Jimmy Johnson said when coaching The Univ. Of Miami, and Cowboys teams, “I always draft fast quick players. Why ? because SPEED KILLS ❗️.” Now I want the Bucs put Stuard at Fullback because he will put the defensive player on his ass ❗️Saw several Houston Games last year on ESPN and this Guy will go to all out, Balls to the Walls, This player will be the type of player that Bruce Arians will fall in love with. Every NFL team has a player who plays with passion and 🔥 fire, and the Bucs found theirs in Grant Stuard. I know that Joe agrees with me. Go Bucs 😀❗️
May 2nd, 2021 at 10:28 am
Darden and Staurd know he other from high school, playing against each other and working out together to get ready for the pros – good to know someone coming in. Also Britt knowing Dean and Davis III. I think our special teams will be special for once and looks like we are signing one of the nations best kickers (who won the Lou Groza Award) Jose Borregales from Miami for competition.
May 2nd, 2021 at 10:34 am
Our punter and kicker on STs last year played lights out but the other unit as a whole didn’t in my opinion. To many long runs and good field position for the opposing team. Like that we went in and addressed it. Wilcox not only has speed but is a for sure tackler. Perfect for a gunner. Also gives him time to develop maybe he turns into good depth or a average starter from a 7th. We addressed a lot of positions and if they work out it’ll be another good draft by JL
May 2nd, 2021 at 10:41 am
Darden stuff:
With seven drops against his 74 receptions, Darden had a drop rate of 9.5% in 2020. His career drop is slightly better at 7.7%. The NFL average rate in 2020 was 6.8%.
Darden caught 7-of-31 contested passes (22.7%). The NFL average is usually around 45%.
Last year, Darden ranked fifth in deep catches (12) but second in deep targets (32), resulting in a deep catch rate of 37.5%. That’s average. But 5 of last years 7 drops came from deep targets so if he can clean that up, he will have value.
Darden averaged 4.31 yards per route run, ranking fourth-best among qualified FBS wide receivers behind only D’Wayne Eskridge (4.94), DeVonta Smith (4.39), and Jaylen Waddle (4.38).
He led all wide receivers in the country with 23 missed tackles forced after the catch.
May 2nd, 2021 at 11:34 am
Some of the UDFA’s seem promising too. The Navy kid is very impressive and the former 5 Star OT Calvin Ashley could make the team
May 2nd, 2021 at 1:00 pm
Jet sweeps go nowhere with Scotty because he’s fast not quick, not sudden and can’t break away from contact. So burning people over the top is his thing.
May 2nd, 2021 at 2:48 pm
But didnt they claim Scott Miller was as fast as Tyeek Hill?.and speed doesn’t equate skill.Some of the best players werent known for speed
May 2nd, 2021 at 5:43 pm
I’m really tired of all of this draft speculations. In JL I TRUST ! GO BUCS !!!!
May 2nd, 2021 at 6:59 pm
Number 1 thing to have in regards to our new prospects is patience.
May 2nd, 2021 at 7:19 pm
A few questions for the Joe’s…When Licht said something about adding to the roster with “guys off the street”, do you think he was talking about Brad Seaton-type players, or better free agents? Will the practice squad be the same as last year? I kind of liked how the Bucs could stash an AQ Shipley-type veteran guy on the practice squad. Thanks, keep up the great work, I love JoeBucsFan.com!