“They’ve Gotta Think About The Future”
March 20th, 2014
A quarterback at No. 7, or a trade down for Marqise Lee? Tim Ryan weighs in.
Lovieball brings Bucs fans a true throwback vibe, but it’s important to remember it’s a brand new regime with new attitudes.
Heck, Jeff Tedford is bringing an “up tempo” offense to Tampa Bay. (Dang, it seems like yesterday Jon Gruden was resisting the shotgun as if it were an STD.)
Lovie Smith has learned many NFL lessons, and former Bears lineman and longtime NFL Radio and FOX analyst Tim Ryan says Lovie will not ignore the uncertain future of his most important position.
Ryan lauded the Bucs’ free agency moves on FOX Sports Daily last night, and Ryan talked about how it sets the Bucs up to draft a quarterback with the No. 7 overall pick.
“And I love what they’ve done in free agency in filling voids with quality players. Good players they’ve put on his roster. I think if you look at them, though, they’ve inherited Mike Glennon. There’s no question about it that expectations are lukewarm on him. Josh McCown? I like the deal. He’s playing his best football. He’s going to be 35 years old in July. This is a five year deal for Lovie Smith. They’ve gotta think about the future,” Ryan said.
“If a quarterback falls to them now down at the No. 7 spot, one of the three [Teddy Bridgewater, Blake Bortles, Johnny Football], I would not be shocked if they took him. If one of the quarterbacks isn’t there, they don’t have a lot of picks in this draft, they could move down. They could still secure an offensive lineman, could get a corner, they could get a wide receiver, Marqise Lee. I think the Bucs are in good shape.”
Joe wholeheartedly agrees; Lovie is too smart to not pounce on a quarterback during the draft. If hand-picked Tedford identifies QBs he believes can become “franchise” guys, then Joe is confident the Bucs will snag one of them somewhere. They’d be foolish not to.
As for trading down and grabbing Southern Cal wide receiver Lee in the first round, Joe can’t argue with the need at receiver, or with the benefits of adding extra picks. Lee’s got a ton of speed and is versatile. Ronde Barber even chimed in on FOX identifying receiver as a potential early target for the Bucs.
And no, Joe doesn’t think Mike Williams is history. Joe just knows you need a lot more than two strong receivers to win in the modern NFL.
March 20th, 2014 at 11:31 am
But is it worth spending a high draft pick on a receiver when you basically need just a #3 receiver?
March 20th, 2014 at 11:34 am
VJax isn’t getting any younger, he doesn’t have the speed to stretch the field and he has a hefty salary. Williams is capable of putting up decent numbers but he’s not a speedster either. If Tedford is running an up tempo offense, I can’t see the Bucs coming out of this draft without addressing the position. If a WR is taken in the first round, it would be a replacement plan for VJax, which goes along with the MO of going younger and cheaper.
March 20th, 2014 at 11:35 am
A ton of speed, Joe???!! Are you joking me?! Lee is GLACIAL. I run faster than him. Jeeeeeze. He’s got good hands, but he is NOT fast. He’s slower than Mike Williams! Come on! Look at that combine time. I wouldn’t use my second round pick on Lee. (Not to mention USC players busy like no other). No no no. Tim Ryan is a fool. If we drop back and need a WR, ill take Kelvin Benjamin (who at least is BIG and slow) or Brandin Cooks. Full stop.
March 20th, 2014 at 11:35 am
I’d welcome marquis lee in a heartbeat, but I also hope Lovie and company realize that none of these QBs (ESPECIALLY Bortles) are worth a top ten pick. I like the idea of BPA or trading for more picks. We’re setup nicely to draft hood players and not needs…. Don’t ruin that by reaching for another first round QB ala Freeman.
March 20th, 2014 at 11:37 am
Craig Krenzel
Kyle Orton
Dan LeFevour
Nathan Enderly
That would be the list of QBs drafted by Lovie Smith in his tenure in Chicago. Not one of them selected before the 4th round. And that was with Rex Grossman as his QB when he arrived. Josh McCown is an established veteran. Lovie is not drafting a QB in the first round because that QB would be instantly annointed starter by the fans, creating an immediate controversy. Not happeneing.
March 20th, 2014 at 11:40 am
If all 3 QB’s are there @ #7 IMO the only one they don’t take is Johhny Football. If you consider the type of QB’s Tedford had @ Cal & Lovie’s pendant for conservative run first offenses JF doesn’t fit that mold. Unless they are willing to taylor the offense to his strengths. Otherwise the team & JF will fail.
March 20th, 2014 at 11:43 am
QB in 2 or 3 after getting more picks. They have two years to groom Macs backup.
March 20th, 2014 at 11:44 am
If Bortles and Bridgewater are gone, they better draft Watkins or Mack over Manziel. If Manziel flops at his pro-day, he will be lucky to be drafted in the top 12, let alone the first round.
Jaworski now Hoge (who I can’t stand) berating Manziel. I don’t hate him, but definitely wouldn’t pick him at #7
March 20th, 2014 at 11:47 am
I would really like to see us trade down twice in the first round if this draft is as deep as the analysts say it is (this is said every 3 to 4 years it seems). Get an additional 4 or 5 picks would be nice.
There are still some good pass catchers in the middle of the 1st round. The TE from UNC and Benjamin from FSU are good examples. Plus the extra picks! Looking more and more like we should trade down, especially with a QB available when we pick.
March 20th, 2014 at 11:48 am
#7. Greg Robinson
If we’re fortunate enough to to have Greg Robinson fall to us at #7(Draft’em !!)
Plug him in at guard for a year or two; afterwards move him to tackle. If he’s not there trade back- in select Taylor Lewan or Aaron Donald.
March 20th, 2014 at 11:49 am
#7. Greg Robinson
If we’re fortunate enough *to have Greg Robinson fall to us at #7(Draft’em !!)
Plug him in at guard for a year or two; afterwards move him to tackle. If he’s not there trade back- in select Taylor Lewan or Aaron Donald.
March 20th, 2014 at 11:51 am
Lovie has never picked a QB before the 4th round. 4th, 5th, and 6th round QBs during his tenure. Licht was the college scout when Tom Brady was drafted in the 6th. Lovie and Licht “bought” two years of prepping and training for their “franchise” QB when they acquired Josh McCown.
March 20th, 2014 at 12:00 pm
I think one of the following scenarios will play out come draft time:
1.Bucs trade up for Jadevon Clowney. This only happens of course if Clowney falls past the first overall pick. I understand that the Bucs have a limited amount of picks to work with, but I have to think that St. Louis wants to trade down to acquire more assets and the Bucs could surprise here. With a front line of Clowney, McCoy, McDonald and Johnson along with Claiborne and Gholston/Bowers as rotation players, the pass rush would become one of the greatest strengths on the entire roster. Mike Glennon could be dealt later in the draft to recoup a pick. This is unlikely, as I feel that Houston will choose between Clowney and Bortles and will pick Clowney.
2.The Bucs trade down, recoup an additional second along with a mid-first round pick and target the following positions with their first and two seconds: 1. Wide receiver / middle linebacker / tackle, 2. QB and 2. Wide receiver / middle linebacker / cornerback. I could easily see something like Mike Evans/ Marqise Lee, CJ Mosley and Jimmy Garoppolo all landing on Tampa Bay. Remember, Licht stated that he feels there are a couple franchise QBs in this draft, and they aren’t all projected to be first round picks.
3. Bucs stay put and draft either an offensive lineman (Matthews, Robinson or Lewan), QB (Carr, or one of the remaining three QBs from the list of Johnny Football, Bridgewater and Bortles), or wide receiver (Evans or Sammy Watkins if he was still there, which is unlikely). If a QB is selected, the thinking is the Bucs will look to move Glennon later in the draft.
March 20th, 2014 at 12:01 pm
Marqise Lee is a flat out STUD. People are sleeping on him since he dealt with injuries last year, but he’s a dynamic talent. He’s not blazing fast, but he runs routes well and is extremely elusive. Remember Keenan Allen? His 40 time was disappointing as well, but look at the season he had. Speed is overrated.
March 20th, 2014 at 12:04 pm
Kalind Says:
March 20th, 2014 at 11:35 am
A ton of speed, Joe???!! Are you joking me?! Lee is GLACIAL. I run faster than him. Jeeeeeze. He’s got good hands, but he is NOT fast. He’s slower than Mike Williams! Come on! Look at that combine time. I wouldn’t use my second round pick on Lee. (Not to mention USC players busy like no other). No no no. Tim Ryan is a fool. If we drop back and need a WR, ill take Kelvin Benjamin (who at least is BIG and slow) or Brandin Cooks. Full stop.
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Agree about the USC receiver bust factor… BTW, Ryan is probably touting Lee… of all people… over others because like Lee, he also went to USC…he’s a big USC homer.
That’s like Mark Barron saying we should draft AJ McCarron. Homers get no credibility.
Dude, Lee’s got plenty of explosiveness. He’s faster than anyone on the Bucs. Can’t see how you disagree.–Joe
March 20th, 2014 at 12:09 pm
Clowney is the only player I would trade up for. He’s a once in a generation specimen
March 20th, 2014 at 12:10 pm
If we were take a reciever i would take Brandon Cooks. Wouldnt mind Lee either tho.
March 20th, 2014 at 12:10 pm
Love the trade down. I hope it happens. They still have needs at OG, LB, CB, KR, and obviously WR. Extra picks would help a lot.
March 20th, 2014 at 12:17 pm
Wouldn’t be surprised if Tedford was a strong advocate for Lee, given his Pac-12 ties and the fact that Lee burned his Cal Bears on several occasions.
March 20th, 2014 at 12:17 pm
bucbucbuc Says:
March 20th, 2014 at 12:01 pm
Marqise Lee is a flat out STUD. People are sleeping on him since he dealt with injuries last year, but he’s a dynamic talent. He’s not blazing fast, but he runs routes well and is extremely elusive. Remember Keenan Allen? His 40 time was disappointing as well, but look at the season he had. Speed is overrated.
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Speed is sometimes overrated, but more often than not, it is a good indicator of how well a player can separate or stick with another player. Also, Keenan Allen hadn’t been close to 100% when he ran his 4.71 at his Pro Day, plus he is a much bigger bodied, physical route runner than Lee, who is more of a glider with decent size. Coming out of college I would compare Lee physically to Reggie Wayne… not to say he is Reggie Wayne, but his physical skill set is very similar… there have been tons of guys coming out, however, with Wayne’s similar skill set.
March 20th, 2014 at 12:24 pm
Marquis Lee is a PLAYMAKER. As far as the Bucs’ need at WR he’s the second best option behind Watkins. I predict this is V-Jax’s last season in Tampa. Aging and not really a great fit in this system. Lee is going to be very good in the NFL. Crisp rout runner who is very shifty and explosive after the catch.
March 20th, 2014 at 12:26 pm
@ bucrightoff
I agree….I don’t think Lovie takes a QB in round 1. Licht has already set that up by saying there are Francise QBs in this draft but they aren’t the ones you’re thinking about.
I think we will draft a QB in the later rounds to compete with Glennon & McCown…and I think Glennon will be traded.
As for the pick at 7…I hope a QB is there….we should be able to find a good trading partner because Minn will pick one at 8…someone will want to jump them.
March 20th, 2014 at 12:29 pm
Williams is not going anywhere.
March 20th, 2014 at 12:53 pm
They set up the team to draft a QB.
As it is right now they will draft Manziel unless they add a good receiver (not a backup) they will draft a different QB.
March 20th, 2014 at 1:07 pm
4.52 forty time isn’t exactly blazing. Give me Donte Moncrief, Jordan Matthews, Odell Beckham, Brandin Cooks, Paul Richardson etc before him. Even though he’s listed as a RB, Dri Archer would be our perfect value pick.
March 20th, 2014 at 1:31 pm
Manziel will not flop at his pro day. He will be outstanding.
This kid thrives on the pressure and throwing on the run.
March 20th, 2014 at 2:23 pm
Lee is fast dont let the 40 fool u look at his tape dude is a burner
March 20th, 2014 at 2:26 pm
donte moncrief is a sleeper i would take him in the 3rd
March 20th, 2014 at 2:27 pm
Is it possible we could trade down to a 15-20ish pick in the first round and get manziel with that pick?
March 20th, 2014 at 2:52 pm
JF doesn’t even need eyes to throw the football when are the haters gonna stop hatin’
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/johnny-manziel-throw-football-accurately-even-blindfolded-172957660.html
March 20th, 2014 at 3:42 pm
Marquise Lee is a warrior. He is a special player.
I read his background story last year.
He has “it.” Pure fire.
But not in the first round.
I say, trade back. Pick up another 2nd or 3rd. And add depth at OG and DE.
March 20th, 2014 at 4:36 pm
LOL Enjoyed the Craig Krenzel blast. 🙂
March 20th, 2014 at 5:30 pm
No matter how you twist it, selecting Watkins or one of the big 3 QB´s with the 7th pick just wouldn´t be wise.
Bucs could trade back (but just a few spots) in order to get another draft pick, but it remains a mistery if its worth it from a talent standpoint (of the player that could be drafted besides the 1st rounder).
It makes perfectly sense, on the other hand, to select TE Ebron with the 7th pick, because he is a world class elite talent prospect on a position the bucs could need help, and there aren´t many TE out there with his skill set. So it would be very good value AND a very very good player, who would cement the position for the next decade.
Another player in the same mold is Anthony Barr. Very good pass rusher and very good coverage LB and he would be good value, because LB´s like him aren´t many out there and he would compliment our LB core in a way, that we won´t have to worry (besides depth) for that positon for the next 6-8 or even 10 years again.. On passing downs he would be the LB next to LVD who plays MIKE anyway in nickel.. and isn´t LB the one critical thing that Lovie seems to miss for his defense? – so perfect..
Watkins would be like a reach at the 7th pick – especially sice we got 2 good WR right now and DeAnthony Hopkins should be easily there to grab in the 2nd. And c´mon – he is the next level younger cheaper maybe even better Welker.. The best slot in NFL should easily be worth a 2nd rounder.. if you sheme around his talents + Ebron and the talent we already got it is just one hell of a pick up.. this would be dream draft class if finished with a good QB like Connor Shaw.. He makes exactly the kind of deep throws that you need at NFL level and he is mobile/athletic and also has the desire and “it” factor.. these as first 3 picks and this Bucs franchise has a bright future ahead..
March 20th, 2014 at 5:32 pm
i meant DeAnthony Thomas not Hopkins..
March 20th, 2014 at 9:52 pm
Bow down to Bortles…
you scumfuks
March 21st, 2014 at 11:45 am
Maybe Lovie knows QB’s, and maybe he just thinks Tedford can work some magic on a 3rd/4th round nobody…
…but to me it sounds like his strategy hasn’t changed since he figured he could do the same when he selected…Craig Krenzel, Kyle Orton, Dan LeFevour, and Nathan Enderly…
The point folks have made to me about Tedford (because I had/have leftover apprehension, based on the QB’s that were associated with him in college, and the lack of there performance in the NFL)…who told me Tedford got a bad rap for those QB’s because he couldn’t get good ones to play for him at Fresno State, Oregon and later…Cal…seems to me that if we bypass the quality talent at the top of the draft, then we’re going to do the same thing to Tedford – but so far as I can remember – Tedford only had one QB, Aaron Rodgers, that had NFL talent.
I can’t believe Lovie would bypass a QB in the early rounds – because this is his (hopefully) last, best chance at the top talent at the top of the draft. His defense should preclude drafting this high ever again…give him a crack at one of the top three – and I bet Tedford might just change the perception that he’s a “system/gimmick guy”