Johnny Vs. Evans = Ridiculous Bucs Debate

April 12th, 2014

How often is an elite quarterback available on the free agent market? Rarely.

How often is an elite wide receiver up for the highest bidder? Every darn year; and it’s usually more than one pass catcher. Heck, three were on the market last year.

This reality, and the massive cost of top quarterbacks, tells Joe that any debate about whether the Bucs should draft Johnny Football or Texas A&M receiver Mike Evans, if both were available with the No. 7 overall pick, is absolutely ridiculous. Especially in a draft that’s considered loaded with quality receivers. Some say there are more than 15 legitimate NFL starting wide receivers in this year draft class.

Yes, the Bucs need a wide receiver. But the Bucs also need a quarterback.

One could say it’s a chicken-or-the-egg argument. But in this case Joe would draft the chicken and find the eggs later, either in the draft and/or in free agency next year.

NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah joined with Charles Davis on Path To The Draft to discuss who’s better fit for the Bucs, Johnny Football or Mike Evans. Both ultimately chose Evans by a nose.

Joe can’t believe the nonsense.

The reality is the Bucs are in the perfect position to draft a top franchise quarterback prospect, Johnny Football or someone else. They’ve got a fantastic backup/mentor in place in Josh McCown, plus they have an offensive coordinator who specializes in developing young quarterbacks. Plus the regime will be under little pressure to win in its first year.

It’s the ultimate environment to insert the most talented quarterback on the board.

177 Responses to “Johnny Vs. Evans = Ridiculous Bucs Debate”

  1. Walter Says:

    I’d still take Evans and then a QB in round 2 or 3.

  2. ToesOnTheLine Says:

    Is there is an elite QB in this draft?

  3. tmaxcon Says:

    nice chicken vs egg reference joe.

    does not matter how many receivers you have if you don’t have a QB and the bucs do not have a QB yet…

    Johnny @ 7

  4. Yar Says:

    I would agree IF there were an “elite” QB. Johnny tinkerbell is not elite.

  5. JGM 2.0 Says:

    This draft wreaks of the 2009 draft for QB’s in the first round.

    Johnny Football is Matt Stafford, a player with a boom or bust projection that will likely make a lot of good plays and a lot of bad plays.

    Teddy Bridgewater is Mark Sanchez, a player that comes from a pro style offense in college and showed a lot of potential, but will likely never live up to it.

    Blake Bortles is Josh Freeman, a player who has all the intangibles to be a really good pro QB, but will never quite be able to put it all together. Also appears to lack some leadership qualities.

    I say pass on QB in the first round. I would probably pass on WR too.

  6. Harry Says:

    “…The reality is the Bucs are in the perfect position to draft a top franchise quarterback prospect…”

    With Lovie coaching, the Bucs are not going to be drafting this high again for a while. We are in the best position to get a franchise QB at #7 than we might be in many years to come.

  7. P'cola Buc Says:

    Agreed Joe. By now Tedford has reviewed QB tapes countless times. He has already decided which ones he feels he can improve. It’s a shame Williams needed to go but it still doesn’t change the fact that next year we will probably have a 14-18 round draft pick. This is our chance. The one exception is if Carr or Garrapolo was the “chosen one”, and they probably be available later in the draft. Plenty of good WR. Some excitement on the offence (Johnny Football) would be fantastic. So….you never know!

  8. Ernest T. Bass Says:

    Who will attract more babes to RayJay? Johnny, Johnny, Johnny!! Hall of Famer Roger Staubach said he would take Johnny #1, sees some Russell Wilson in him.

  9. dee Says:

    I dont understand why we need a qb we got two good ones on the roster.

  10. stevek Says:

    BPA

    (Obviously not a QB @ 7)

  11. Tony Says:

    @JGM 2.0

    Bortles does not have questionable leadership in the slightest. What he DOES need is a year to sit and learn the game at this level. He is in a different league than Freeman. Remember, Freeman was not a very good college QB.

    Teddy isn’t worth the investment, Manziel is very intriguing but who the heck knows what you’re really going to get. Carr is interesting.

  12. FuNkyYxMuNkEy Says:

    IF Manziel is there at 7 they will not pass on him. I would still prefer to trade down to the teens and get some extra picks and take Derek Carr. He is my favorite QB in this draft. If we end up staying at 7 it would be a win win for us to get either Johnny or Evans. I have a gut feeling we will be trading out of #7. Could be up to #2 or my preference is down to anywhere within the top 20. We need extra picks.

  13. Manzielski Says:

    Watch the season ending bowl game, Texas A&M v Duke.

    The kid is special.

    There are WR’s stacked into the middle rounds.

    I like Evans very much and if JF is not there at 7, it’s a no brainer.

  14. deminion Says:

    Evans!!!!

  15. Name Required Says:

    And that man is Johnny Football, if he is available. The combination of physical tools, aptitude and competitive spirit is too much to ignore. No matter what the haters say, this guy is the real deal.

    I think these guys have a fear of risk and success.

  16. finishers Says:

    Manziel is NOT elite!!!!!!!! do you really believe he’s an A.Luck? are you f*****g kidding me???? he should be a 3rd or 4th round pick at best!

  17. snook Says:

    Exactly, Joe.

    Taking a WR at #7 over a QB is ridiculous.

  18. MadMax Says:

    Really Joe? And how many QB college stars havent translated well to the next level? Many….. WR is a whole lot different LOL

  19. W Says:

    What elite QB?

    I don’t see any.

  20. Bucs Draft Says:

    Every night I go to bed and pray that Houston takes JF. This way I can sit comfortably for the rest of the draft.

  21. gatrbuc17 Says:

    JOHNNY FOOTBALL IS NOT ELITE!!!!! HE HAS NEVER TAKEN A SNAP!!!!HE HAS AS MUCH CHANCE TO SUCCEED AS TIM TEBOW DID

  22. traew01 Says:

    He would definitely put asses in the seats and make the Bucs a broadcast friendly team. Will JF lead us to wins? That I don’t know. But he did pretty darn well in the toughest conference in college football. He is fun to watch…no one can deny that.

  23. StPeteBucsFan Says:

    Let’s see….Ryan Leaf…Brady Quinn…Jamarcus Russell…Jason Campbell…Duante Culpepper…Matt Leinert…Byron Leftwich…drafted with the 7th pick btw…Kerry Collins….Kyle Boller….Vince Young….David Carr #1 Overall….Joey Harrington…3rd overall…..those are just the recent ones…if you wish to go back the list is endless.

    And so…Johnny Football?

  24. Buc1987 Says:

    There is no “elite” QB in this this draft.

  25. bucrightoff Says:

    JGM, you have it wrong. Its more like this

    Bridgewater = Stafford. Probably won’t be a disaster, no guarantee of greatness

    Bortles = Sanchez. Talented, not enough experience, likely to fail if thrown in right away

    Manziel = Freeman. Lots of potential, lots of bust potential too.

  26. John Says:

    I say no to Johnny football. Would much rather see us take Murray later in the draft. They both played in the SEC and which one broke all the records. Even when Murray’s main receivers got hurt he still put up great numbers. Pick Evans early then Murray late. In two years our offense will put up numbers like the Saints. GO BUCCS!

  27. bucrightoff Says:

    Also it goes both ways in this one. Peyton Manning for instance made Anthony Gonzalez, Austin Collie and Blair White names you knew. But Joe Flacco fell apart with Pitta and Boldin. And since there are no Peyton Mannings, or even close, in this draft, don’t waste the pick. Offensive line, defensive line or Watkins, Evans or Ebron will be the pick.

  28. bucrightoff Says:

    *without…

  29. SAMCRO Says:

    If there are so many elite receivers floating around, then why are we looking for one, maybe two? Why are there several teams in need of elite WR’s? Because as much as Joe has Johnny Football on his feeble little mind, and it seems he will go to whatever length to persuade the masses, the receiver position is NOT stacked as he says it is.

    All these Manziel articles are not for us, the regular fans to absorb, it is for the hopes that the Bucs will pickup on Joe’s borderline infatuation with JF. In fact if I was a betting man he probably walks around One Buc Palace muttering about JF just loud enough for other folks to hear him. This obsession and his means of delivering his message is going to keep us from getting a consensus all-pro in the first round.

    A proven WR like Mike Evans is way more valuable to us now than a polarizing first year QB that has so many what-if’s, and red flags that may not translate to be an elite and automatic force to be reckoned with coming out the gate.

    We all know that if Manziel is selected with our first pick he will automatically be our starter whether he is NFL ready or not. He won’t have the luxury of standing around with a clipboard and learning for a year behind a veteran QB like McCown.

    Now, with that in mind, there is no way anyone can be certain enough that JF’s game will be more of an improvement over McCown or Glennon at this point, but what we can say is that picking a player who is not a QB, in the top ten this year has a greater potential of being an impact player out the gate, and also be in the pro bowl at the end of the year.

    You can’t definitively say that about Manziel.

  30. Couch Fan Says:

    I’ll say it before and I’ll say it again. The notion that you have to draft an “elite” QB prospect simply because you might not be in this position for a while is nonsense.

  31. Harry Says:

    “…I dont understand why we need a qb we got two good ones on the roster….”

    Actually, both were backups last year and only got a chance to start bc of injury/mental meltdown by the corresponding starters.

  32. Couch Fan Says:

    I’ve said it before*

  33. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    The positions that take the longest to develop are QB and CB. We have our CBs, so we should go QB.

    The argument to take oline is thin. Oline can be taken in the 3rd round this year, and if still a need we can take one in the first next year.

    WR we can take in the second this year.

  34. Couch Fan Says:

    Incorrect Harry.

    Glennon got a chance to start not due to a melt down, it was from continued poor QB play by Freeman. If it was a meltdown it started way before Glennon ever got here.

    Any QB we draft is going to start out as a back up. Are you going to label them as a back up as well for the rest of there career? highly doubt it.

    Nonsense I tell ya.

  35. Harry Says:

    @bucrightoff Says:
    “…Manziel = Freeman. Lots of potential, lots of bust potential too…”

    I liked your other two comparisons, but I think this one is way off, and not bc I feel the need to promote Manziel. But these two could not be more different. Unemployed head case Free never completed over 59% of his passes in college whereas I think Manziel is just under 70%. I also think Manziel is much smarter than Free. One thing I don’t like about JF is his quickness to scramble, even much more so than Free did his first season. But to me, they are nothing alike.

  36. PRBucFan Says:

    Elite? I’m pretty sure neither has done a single thing in the NFL yet…

  37. crazy Says:

    Until the O-line upgrade is finished that shiny new QB everybody seems to want is either gonna be on the grass or scrambling to keep the play alive.

  38. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    dee Says
    “I dont understand why we need a qb we got two good ones on the roster.”

    No we do not. We have McCown who went 3-2 last year and because he had good stats people suddenly believed a career backup on the verge of retiring had something to offer. He doesn’t, as everyone will learn when the season starts.

    Mike Glennon had one more win than McCown, worse stats and holds onto the football entirely too long.

    We NEED a true franchise QB to get to the Superbowl.

    Seahawks had one. They scored an average of 24 points per game. Yes, their defense actually won the Superbowl, but their offense helped them get there.

  39. Couch Fan Says:

    According to that Theory Bonzai, we need to continue to draft QBs every year until we find one that wins and has amazing stats his rookie year?

    Doesn’t sound very smart to me.

  40. Harry Says:

    @Couch Fan Says:
    “…Glennon got a chance to start not due to a melt down, it was from continued poor QB play by Freeman. If it was a meltdown it started way before Glennon ever got here…”

    I attribute Free’s “poor play” to him being mentally weak; don’t really know for sure, but thats my opinion – to me that is indicative of his up and down play, or good Josh, bad Josh. And it may have started before with Schiano’s comments towards Free and then when he drafted Glennon I think it pushed Free over the edge. Who knows if I am right, but thats my opinion. So in a way, I think it did somewhat start before Glennon.

    Now, this we can of course disagree on, but IMO, this is what Glennon is and will be, a quality backup, just as McCown has been

  41. Buc1987 Says:

    If only there was a franchise future “elite” QB in this draft.

  42. passthebuc Says:

    I can’t wait until the draft is over. Then you can write 10 articles a week on why we did not take JF.
    I have never seen such a man crush from a sports writer.

  43. Harry Says:

    @Couch Fan Says:
    “…According to that Theory Bonzai, we need to continue to draft QBs every year until we find one that wins and has amazing stats his rookie year?

    Doesn’t sound very smart to me.”

    Actually Coach, that is pretty much what Seattle did until they hit the lotto on Wilson. But… they did use later rd picks (I think like 3 years in a row).

  44. b.Bruce Says:

    please draft Johnnyl or Blake.

  45. PRBucFan Says:

    “We NEED a true franchise QB to get to the Superbowl.”

    We NEED one? No, it would be nice, but we won a SuperBowl without true franchise QB as has many teams before.

    I want a new QB myself but i’m just pointing out the fact that it’s not a necessity.

    BTW, McCown IF he plays like he did last year will be more than enough to play winning ball.

    Again heres to hoping we get a QB in the first round not named Manchild.

  46. Couch Fan Says:

    @Harry

    We can agree on McCown. I dont see him as anything other than the next Dan O. Here to tutor the younger guys. I even slightly agree on Glennon. Definately not sold on him yet but think he disserves another year before we put any labels on him. Especially without more weapons, any QB on this team will appear to be nothing more than a back up.

  47. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    bucrightoff Says:
    “And since there are no Peyton Mannings, or even close, in this draft, don’t waste the pick. Offensive line, defensive line or Watkins, Evans or Ebron will be the pick.”

    There will NEVER be another Peyton Manning (unless its his kid).

    Johnny Manziel is a sandlot-type of QB. The better comparison is with Brett Favre. Even the lifestyle is similar.

    I can see the point of an oline pick, but WR would be totally the wrong pick. There are plenty in this draft. Watkins and Evans are no more certainties than Manziel or any other pick.

    Personally, I believe the Bucs try to trade down and take Carr while picking up another pick. I do not expect much of a pick received, maybe even not this year, because Licht sucks at trades.

    As to oline, Lovie Smith has picked oline twice as a head coach and both were busts.

  48. Jeagan1999 Says:

    Round #1 Mike Evans -WR
    Round #2 Kyle Van Noy – OLB
    Round #3 Gabe Jackson -OG

    My prediction for the Bucs Draft first 3 rounds! 3 solid starters!

  49. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Sorry, I meant he picked oline twice in the first round.

  50. BullHockey Says:

    Elite seems like a stretch for this quarterback class. Go with Evans and draft the QB in the second round.

    Next years QB class is more elite than this one if certain players leave early.

  51. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Couch Fan Says
    “I even slightly agree on Glennon. Definitely not sold on him yet but think he deserves another year before we put any labels on him.”

    I agree with you there. I just do not think he should be handed the keys like last year. I think we need a true competition for franchise QB.

    McCown is not that, so we need to draft a QB.

  52. Bucfan#37 Says:

    I don’t think the Bucs will draft Manziel, but considering all the home team’s mistakes made in past drafts, I won’t be shocked if it happens. It seems by comments on this site, more are coming around to support that it would be ok to reach for Manziel. The push for his acceptance is working Joe.

  53. Eric Says:

    Manziell is best prospect in 20 years.

  54. PRBucFan Says:

    Glennon won’t get another snap in a game for the Bucs (not being preseason) as a starter.

    Count on it.

    And just watch McCown come in this year and light it up lol

  55. PRBucFan Says:

    In your dreams Eric.

    In your erotic dreams.

  56. Buc1987 Says:

    Eric is in for a very rude awakening.

  57. WalkdaPlank Says:

    Imagine Mancrush without the services of Mike Evans for two years. I’m not saying he made Mancrush, but no doubt he helped inflate those numbers with all those jump ball catches.

  58. Couch Fan Says:

    If McCown lights it up, ill gladly eat crow. Just dont see it happening. Would much prefer to see Glennon get his chance.

  59. Buc1987 Says:

    Ron Jaworski (gets paid to study QB’s) says stay away from Manziel in the first and even the 2nd round. He’s a project QB.

    Eric (JBF) Best QB prospect in 20 years.

  60. bucsfan85 Says:

    Don’t worry Joe if Johnny manziel is there at #7 not a chance we pass on him. He’s to good and he will sell out our stadium for once. I personally think we may trade into #2-4 spot just to guarantee we get him !

  61. Harry Says:

    @Coach Fan

    You have to admit, even if it were Glennon, the most exciting thing that could happen to the Bucs is to have a real franchise QB. Not even a Payton Manning, just a Russell Wilson type. Heck, even mentally weak Free gave us a small taste of that on occasion with some of his throws and some of his comebacks in the early years. I get your point, but IMO I have never seen that in Glennon. Believe me, if I did I would not want to waste a pick on a QB. I hate we big NEED position due to trading MW. We needed depth there as it was, now its a glaring hole.

    I am not knowledgeable enough to know if Manziel is that guy or not. I do trust L&L to figure that out. But I do think, IMO, that the franchise QB we need is NOT currently on the roster.

  62. Bucfan#37 Says:

    Here here, on Glennon getting his chance. He will, and the beat goes on.

  63. Harry Says:

    @Eric Says:
    “…Manziell is best prospect in 20 years…”

    Like your posts Eric. Way to put your name on it!

  64. WalkdaPlank Says:

    @Joe, and some would argue that this draft is stacked with quality QB’s. Obviously WR and QB can’t be compared directly, but I mean look at it. You got Teddy, Mancrush, Bortles, Carr,Garoppolo, Mettenberger, McCarron, Murray, Tahj Boyd, and let’s not forget Jordan Lynch who finished in front of Mancrush in Heisman voting this year.

    And honestly, after seeing Murray work out with Gruden and seeing that his knee didn’t hold him back at all and after his upcoming Pro Day on the 16th he shows everybody I would take him in the 4th or 5th if the Bucs trade for a late 4th. It’s completely low-risk, high-reward and QB is not even the biggest need with McCown.

    Evans @7 and cry when the Bucs pass on Johnny Boy.

  65. Couch Fan Says:

    Nothing would make me happier than having that guy on our roster Harry, whether be Glennon or draft pick.

  66. Eric Says:

    I suppose staubach, and Tarkenton, are also in for a rude awakening.

    But what do those bums know?

  67. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Russell Wilson is cool, but keep in mind he is also mobile.

    I doubt Manziel is the pick. I would not jump in joy if it was, but I would accept it.

    I know WR will not be the pick, so I’m not even fretting over that.

  68. bucrightoff Says:

    People shouldn’t use completion percenatage of college QBs as meaning anything. Tebow = 68% completion in college…

  69. Chef Paul Says:

    What bothers me is there is a first round grade on a WR, OT, and QB from the same school in A&M. Chances are one of them made the other two look better, or two of them made the other one look better. The question is, who made who look better than they are?

    I sure as hell aint a good enough couch scout to know that answer.

  70. Buc1987 Says:

    Eric you can suppose all you want. I know they don’t study QB’s for a living.

  71. PRBucFan Says:

    Glennon won’t get his chance HERE because he won’t beat out McCown or any QB drafted brought in.

    Sorry Couch

  72. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    “Johnny Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater and Jimmy Garoppolo have all visited with the team already and the team announced Friday that they’ll have Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr in for a visit next Wednesday.” – PFT

    I didn’t know Bridgewater visited.

    There are an awful lot of QBs being brought in. Usually, I would consider that a bluff for the draft. But so many of the top guys at the position?

    And yet…no Bortles? Makes me wonder…

  73. PRBucFan Says:

    Manchild is neither Staubach or Tarkenton, that my friend is why you are a loon.

    Comparing a guy that has yet to take a single snap in the NFL to guys like them?

    Cause he’s a leprechaun?

  74. Couch Fan Says:

    I like Manziel. I wouldn’t mind if we drafted him. But I would think there is more of an upgrade with the 3 Tackles, Clowney, Mack, Watkins, or Evans. Thats 7 so one of them should be there. Probably 2 because I doubt Manziel will make it to 7.

  75. Kevin Says:

    Yeah …There are also about 75 starting nfl receivers in the NFL RIGHT NOW. Does that mean that they are all as good as Mike Evans will be? There are plenty of tall strong receivers all over the place…but Evans is a sure bet. You can either have a decent QB that does not turn the ball over a whole lot and some bail out receivers or you have an elite qb that makes his receivers look good. Given that it is easier to find a sure bet receiver than it is a sure bet QB…I would have to cast my vote on taking Evans over Johhny Football and having him across from Vjax. I would rather see Tedford’s offense before we go assuming that McCown and Glennon are not starting QB’s. We are going to have a good defense and if McCown have VJax AND Evans like he had the big duo in Chicago then I will be happy to watch him or Glennon as our starters next season. They will draft a QB in the second or third. Evans is the best bet if we want to win now. I’m sure by the time McCowns two year contract is up we will have a QB ready to take over and another big young receiver to replace Vjax.

  76. Couch Fan Says:

    And we’ll see PR. We’ll see. Just because you say it doesn’t make it true buddy. Be prepared to eat that crow. Lol

  77. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Knowing Jason Licht he will trade our first rounder for a 2nd and a 3rd next year…

  78. Buc1987 Says:

    PRBucFan…sorry man he might still get his chance, because I don’t see another QB being brought in this season.

    You see it, and that’s fine. I don’t see it. McCown, Glennon, and Kafka in 2014.

  79. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    There are no elite NFL QBs or players in this draft…..only elite College players…..you become an elite NFL player by your performance day-in-day-out, and year-in-year-out.

    That being said…..Sammy @ 7

  80. Bucsqb12 Says:

    If you’re picking in the top 10 the only skilled position player to draft is a QB otherwise it should be a trench guy.

  81. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Kevin, Evans wasn’t even on the radar until some dummy did a mock with him. Beware of players moving up in the draft so quickly. If they were really as good as claimed, their film would have placed them higher earlier.

  82. brandonbucfan Says:

    Would love to be a fly on the wall on draft day IF something would happen and Johnny Football, Mike Evans, and Jake Matthews are all there. Not likely, but teams do VERY STRANGE things on draft day.

  83. Nybucsfan Says:

    What good is a WR if you can’t get him the ball

  84. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Tampabaybucfan Says
    “There are no elite NFL QBs or players in this draft…..only elite College players…..you become an elite NFL player by your performance day-in-day-out, and year-in-year-out.

    That being said…..Sammy @ 7”

    Why is Watkins more of a sure thing? He hasn’t taken any NFL passes yet either.

    There are NO sure bets. So using that to make a point works against you.

  85. Buc1987 Says:

    Nybucsfan…what good is a QB if all he has is VJax?

  86. Couch Fan Says:

    @Bonzai

    Thats not always true. Evans was playing with Johnny Football, of course he got over shadowed during the season.

  87. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    @ Bonzai….I didn’t say Sammy was elite….but we have to pick someone….he’s my choice because of need and talent. He probably won’t be there…..so, I would choose Mack & if he’s not there, I would trade down some if we can for an extra pick or two.

  88. Eric Says:

    I never said he is Staubach, or Tarkenton, just that they believe he will be great in the NFL.

    I think Lovie agrees.

    Ill take that company.

    Is it a sure thing? Nobody is till they get in the league and prove it.

  89. Buc the Haters Says:

    So I guess Johnny scored the highest on the wunderlic test. Pretty impressive. Also a sign that he could thrive in Tedford’s demanding offense. Although, (physically) Derek Carr is possibly better suited for us. But, Johnny’s heart (and now brain) really do set him apart from the others. I’m all for Johnny if he’s available. Then, grab Odell Beckham with our 2nd rounder & we are BEASTIN.

  90. Left_Coast_Bucs_Fan Says:

    Your reasons for drafting a QB with the 7th pick are solid Joe, the right draft position, mentor and OC make the perfect trifecta for grooming a franchise QB.

    The only question that really matters is who do Tedford AND Smith see on their board as a franchise QB or QB’s. If their favorites go beyond the consensus top-3 of Manziel, Bridgewater and Bortles, then taking a WR (either Evans or Watkins) or even OL (Matthews or Robinson) in the first round followed by the QB in the second makes perfect sense. After all, it’s their necks on the line. And if they fail, we will all still be around to criticize them, call for them to walk the plank, and then start the process all over again with the next regime, lamenting about how we knew better.

    Arrrr, the life of being a lifetime Buccaneer fan, nothings better!

  91. Buc Fan #237 Says:

    Hate break the news to you Joe… but Mike Evans MADE Johnny “Tiny Man” ziel the QB who he is.

    I watched Manziel’s highlight reel… know what I saw? A little guy always running for his life. He would then desperately throw it up…. and guess who would come back for the ball? Ball hawk, man beast Mike Evans.

    Manziel is NOT a franchise QB in the NFL… but Mike Evans is a franchise WR.

  92. Buc the Haters Says:

    Tbbf, Mack would be a total waste of a pick, IMO. We need the best player available at a position of NEED. Either WR or Qb round 1. WR, QB, or Guard in round 2. Wake up, bruh

  93. lurker Says:

    “I dont understand why we need a qb we got two good ones on the roster.”

    ummmmm this is a bucs blog. you must be on the wrong website.

  94. RastaMon Says:

    If we are going to take a …non QB… offensive weapon….Eric Ebron …rather than Evans

  95. lurker Says:

    the qb’s in the draft are more elite than what we have now.

    tampa bay buccaneers: playmakers needed.
    watkins or manziel, please.

  96. AJ Says:

    Matt Ryan, cam newton, Eli, Peyton, stafford, Rogers, cutler, flacco, roethlisburger, rivers, tannehill, Manuel, Palmer, Bradford, luck, rg3, smith. All 1st rounders. Only starters worth anything that weren’t 1st round: kaepernick, Wilson and Brees fell cuz they’re short, maybe dalton and romo, and everyone knows the Brady fluke. You have to draft a qb in rd 1 and hope he pans out. The Seahawks weren’t planning on Wilson to come thru. They were banking on Matt Flynn and got lucky!

  97. bigpoppabuc Says:

    It’s wierd watching tape for both Manziel and Evans at the same time… But usually I walk away more impressed with Evans. Johnny dropped plenty of dimes downfield to Mike, but there an equal number of times where Evans bailed Johnny out. I try to envision both without the other and I just feel like Evans is the better prospect. That said, I don’t feel either is the right pick for us at #7. As the draft gets closer, the more I lean towards OL or a trade back.

  98. Nybucsfan Says:

    I’ll take a qb and a WR over 2 WR what are they going to do pass the ball to each other

  99. Owlykat Says:

    Glennon didn’t earn the right to start. He was Schiano’s pet who decided not to allow a fair competition because he knew Orlovsky would beat him out!

  100. Max Says:

    We need one of the solid offensive lineman. Only other guy i’d take would be watkins if he dropped.

  101. bigpoppabuc Says:

    A bit off topic, but as for later round QB prospects… I like Garrett Gilbert. Maybe Joe could do a non-manziel piece on late round QB prospects, because that route seems more likely for the current regime.

  102. Jordan Says:

    Foolish to judge just one round. I would expand to at least 3 rounds deep to see what happens if we take Evans first, and what happens if we take Johnny first. I’m certain the Buc’s scouting staff would play these scenarios out to come away with 6 of the highest ranked players at their respective positions when the draft is finally over.

  103. bucrightoff Says:

    Man people’s hate for Glennon pretty much mirrors, though in reverse obviously, Joe’s love for Manziel. It’s totally irrational mixed in with a touch crazy. Makes me wonder what those same people will do when Manziel posts a worse 1st season stat line. Probably want to give him 5 more years as starter…

  104. Jordan Says:

    Would you rather have
    1st Round – 3rd ranked QB
    2nd Round – 6th ranked WR
    3rd Round – 12th-14th ranked OL

    or

    1st Round – 2nd Ranked WR
    2nd Round – 3rd ranked OG
    3rd Round – 5th ranked QB

  105. Macabee Says:

    Consider this! One of the questions being asked about Manziel is did he make Evans or did Evans make him? Suppose that the Browns pick Manziel at #4 and want to mitigate that risk?

    The Browns have pick #4 and pick #26. Mike Evans is going to be there when the Bucs pick at #7. What if the Browns offer the Bucs pick #26, their 2nd and 4th to get Evans to pair with Manziel?

    Would you take that deal? What would you do if OT Robinson was there too? I’m starting to hear Robinson may be, because with all his upside, he would have to be drafted as a RT or OG and given a year or so to learn how to pass-protect at the NFL level – which may not happen.

  106. Jordan Says:

    We can assume that their are at least 20-25 teams that will not select a QB in the 1st round, regardless of how far that player falls. It is important to remember that every team has needs to fill, and most cannot afford to use their 1st round pick on a bench player. So there is a very strong likelihood that Houston, Jax, Cleveland, Oakland, Bucs, and Vikings could all pass on QBs, and yet they are still there for the picking in the late 1st round and the early 2nd. Contrarily, we can guarantee that Watkins, Mack, Clowney, Mathews, Robinson, and Evans will be gone by the late first and early second.

  107. bucrightoff Says:

    Macabee Says:
    April 12th, 2014 at 1:51 pm
    Consider this! One of the questions being asked about Manziel is did he make Evans or did Evans make him? Suppose that the Browns pick Manziel at #4 and want to mitigate that risk?

    The Browns have pick #4 and pick #26. Mike Evans is going to be there when the Bucs pick at #7. What if the Browns offer the Bucs pick #26, their 2nd and 4th to get Evans to pair with Manziel?

    Would you take that deal? What would you do if OT Robinson was there too? I’m starting to hear Robinson may be, because with all his upside, he would have to be drafted as a RT or OG and given a year or so to learn how to pass-protect at the NFL level – which may not happen.
    _____________________________________________________________

    Not good enough. Atlanta paid two 1st rounders, a 2nd and two 4th rounders to come up from 27 to 6 to take Julio. This is essentially the same jump. Price as the be the same or similar.

  108. John McKillop Says:

    To me it is pretty simple, Mike Evans @7 if he and Johnny are there. Johnny wouldn’t even be considered a first round pick without Evans to throw to. Evans made Johnny look a lot better than really is. A lot of those balls Johnny threw up for grabs will be int’s in NFL. Not feelin Johnny, wish him luck, as long as he is with someone else!

  109. Ernest T. Best Says:

    Not only did Johnny score high on the Wonderlic, he finished it in record time!! There were two babes waiting in the convertible, more important things to do.

  110. Macabee Says:

    Bucrightoff,

    Get what you can get, but was that draft as rich with WRs as this one is? Supply and demand question!

  111. RastaMon Says:

    John McKillop…got it right !

  112. MR.T Says:

    Agreed, to imply any of these QB’s are elite is absurd since none of them has taken a snap in the NFL. They may have potential to be elite but that won’t be known until they actually play in the NFL. Get Watkins or Evans not some boom or bust QB at 7. Take a QB in a later round. Licht has already says he sees a franchise QB but not one of the “names” everybody is tossing around.

  113. Nybucsfan Says:

    Why do some bucs fans not wanna a real qb? When was the last time we had one? I would draft one everyear till we get a franchise QB

  114. bucrightoff Says:

    Macabee just guessing but I’d imagine what Atlanta paid was what that “chart” suggests , the ont that indicates what draft pick values are worth. I’m always going to be greedy though and want what reflects market value. For the Atlanta package, no doubt they should take it. The lowest I woul be willing to accept ia swapping spots (7 to 26), an extra 1st rounder and a 2nd rounder in 2015.

  115. Luther Says:

    Mike Evans made a ton of caches that looked like they were just thrown up into a crown. Give me Mike Evans all day long and twice on Sunday.

  116. Destinjohnny Says:

    Unless we fix the o line dosent matter who takes the snaps- funny people in tAmpa can’t get their head around bad o line = crap qb play- see manning n the Super Bowl for point of reference. I wouldn’t count mike out. Johnny wouldn’t have done better last year under those circumstance

  117. Macabee Says:

    The Bucs are bringing in players slotted in the last half of the draft like CB Kyle Fuller/VA tech. There are smokescreens and there is common sense. I think they want to be prepared for whatever scenario unfolds!

  118. Macabee Says:

    Last half of the 1st round.

  119. Pharnorth Says:

    So let’s pay McCown 5 mill to hold a clipboard gtfoh

  120. RastaMon Says:

    Hey Joe..and Joes vistors…is t just me or is there overiding audio from ajacent banner ad’s that pop on automatically and then overide featured article video/audio links……must be the cash register spillin over……spend a little to clean up the noise..at work…this www will go crazy adding repeated page openings on my task bar…..really I can not close them fast enough…cold shut down of computer several times

    Happens once in a while, Saturdays mostly, for some reason. Should be cleaned up now. –Joe

  121. kevin Says:

    Yes to trade that far back more along the lines of the ATL trade would ….SHOULD be required. Id still draft evans. Jackson wont be here forever and it would be a good time to draft a top receiver to be ready to take over the number 1 spot in stride.

  122. kevin Says:

    I dont think joe thinks the idea of taking evans over.manziel is that far fetched. He just knew it would draw about two hundred comments.

    First, of course Joe doesn’t think Evans is a farfetched idea.The Bucs need a receiver. However, taking him over Johnny Football, assuming they’re both available, is nuts. And no, Joe doesn’t write for comments. If Joe was interested racking up comments, he’d run this site a lot differently. Joe has 20,000+ visits here daily. Joe really doesn’t care whether 100 people want to comment. It’s nice and entertaining, but really not why Joe’s here. –Joe

  123. RastaMon Says:

    @ Joe…WTF are you doing on this GORGEOUS Florida spring day…tending this joint ?….LOL….have a great day and thanks for putting up with the unwashed masses… 🙂

    Thanks for the kind wishes. Joe’s taking a break from a morning workout, beer drinking and yard work. Don’t worry, Joe is relaxed. –Joe

  124. David Says:

    Ok…who was the elite WR on the market this year? And maybe…..just maybe the best QB for the Bucs are actually still in college?!

  125. Mumbles Says:

    We’re gonna pick someone nobody is even discussing now. Happens every time!

  126. Tackleblockwin Says:

    IF for some crazy reason Mack is still on the board at #7 I can’t see Lovie passing on him. As far as JF and Evans go…I think Lovie would take Evans.

  127. Owlykat Says:

    Glennon didn’t earn the right to start. He was Schiano’s pet who decided not to allow a fair competition because he knew Orlovsky would beat him out! Orlovsky still had a higher completion percentage in his limited Preseason minutes than Glennon or Freeman but Schiano had no intention to let Orlovsky start regardless he was the best QB on the team. Then when Lovie came in Orlovsky was cut likely for little film to go by. He was shafted by Schiano and now we need a first round QB to give us the best chance of landing an elite QB to win a SB. Joe is right!!! QB is the most important job and the biggest hole we have to fill.

  128. stevek Says:

    BPA is going to be one of:

    Clowney
    Mack
    Watkins
    Mathews
    Robinson
    Lewan
    Donald
    Evans

    That is 8, even before getting to a QB.

  129. Drew Says:

    Joe… I account for 2000 visits.

    LOL. No you don’t. –Joe

  130. BucForLife Says:

    I think we go with a big nasty Offensive lineman or take a stud receiver. We don’t need to waste a draft pick on a quarterback. We have Josh Mcown who is a stud and killed it late last season, and we have a solid backup in Glennon. Plus everyone is forgetting about our running game, we are going to run the ball like crazy, uh hello!!!!! Does anyone remember a guy named Doug Martin who will be running behind hopefully a healthy Carl Nicks and maybe some other MONSTER offensive lineman like Collins and Smith. Joe is just in some kind of lovie dubie relationship with Johnny Football. He will probably follow his whole career.

  131. BamBamBuc Says:

    It’s amazing to me how many former NFL Scouts and GMs, current psychic hotline subscribers and crystal ball owners are Bucs fans and visit and comment on JBF daily….

    “I don’t see a franchise QB in this draft”… was that your crystal ball? or your NFL level scouting ability? Or did you just listen to a couple talking heads on some sports network? Nobody saw a franchise QB in Russell Wilson either, yet there seems he has the making of one. Even professional scouts and GMs over think things from time to time and miss out on a great prospect. We can “assume” (since we obviously have no real crystal ball to see the future) that there are no franchise QBs in this draft, but I don’t think the scouts are watching NFLN or BSPN for research.

    “I don’t see us taking a QB at all”… again, crystal ball or psychic hotline? They’re sure bringing a lot in for visits considering they’re not taking a QB. Heck of a smokescreen there, maybe we can trade down with every team looking at QBs because they’ll be worried we’re really interested and pick up an extra 10 picks in this draft!!!

    “I see 8 players better than any QB in this draft”… Ok, and which team were you a scout or GM for? How many NFL positions were you fired from? How many NFL jobs did you even get an interview for? Yeah, thought so… So, basically, we’re just making a case for not taking a QB because somebody doesn’t want one drafted. I can find very few (non-NFL scout) talking heads even that would put 8 guys ahead of the first QB taken. Even if they took the teams out of the equation so there was no “need” element, Bridgewater/Bortles/Manziel would have 1, 2, or 3 in the top 8 of most Big Boards sorted purely by BPA and no consideration of need.

  132. Barry Says:

    Any media who thought Freeman was a legitimate franchise QB now has no credibility.

  133. JBFstalkingjohnnyfootBALLS Says:

    Eric Says:
    April 12th, 2014 at 12:14 pm

    Manziell is best prospect in 20 years.

    You either a young guy who don’t know anything about football. Or your a old drunk or you’re on drugs.

    A MESSAGE TO ALL OF THE JOHNNY NUTT TUGGING MOB! The Bucs signed McCown to start this season. Glennon was put on the bench to learn and compete with a QB to be drafted. I REPEAT, Glennon and a QB that will be drafted in the later rounds will be on the bench to learn the game. You draft a QB in the top 10 to start the season as the #1 guy. And I don’t think the Bucs signed all these players (Vets) to rebuild this team. You rebuild with the draft. This is a copycat league. Seahawks did it with defense and a late round QB. And in this draft you have decent late round QB’s. And there’s NO Luck or RG3 in the draft.

  134. RastaMon Says:

    QB..the kid out of Va Tech……3rd or later..perfect grooming years behind our 1 & 2 QB’s

  135. StPeteBucsFan Says:

    “everyone knows the Brady fluke.”

    Yes a fluke. Like Johnny Unitas one of the greatest to ever play the game. Unitas drafted in the 9th round, yeah they used to got that deep, then cut by the Steelers before becoming a HOFer.

    In the 1979 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected Montana at the end of the third round with the 82nd overall pick. Montana was the fourth quarterback taken, behind Thompson, Phil Simms, and Steve Fuller, all selected in the first round. Remember Thompson..”The Thowin’s Samoan?” Or Steve Fuller a great Tim Tebow type player at Clemson?

    How about Brett Favre…taken in the 2nd by the Dixie Chicks and then dumped before Green Bay discovered gold.

    Brady is no fluke. If you wish to compare the number of great players selected in the first round compared to the other rounds obviously the first rounders have an advantage. But there have been plenty of players selected later than the first round and you saw my long, long list of first round busts. It’s a huge gamble this year in the absence of an Elway/Luck kind of player…

    More Q.B.’s discovered outside of the first round…

    Kurt Warner…UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT!!!

    Tony Romo….UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT

    Ken Anderson…SB Q.B. for the Bengals…drafted 67th.

  136. bucrightoff Says:

    Franchise QBs come about 50% in the first round and 50% after. It’s not a lock. Look at the NFC West as thwe textbook, perfect example. Sam Bradford and Carson Palmer are #1 picks. Russell Wilson and Kaepernick are 2nd and 3rd rounders. Would anyone actually argue the QBs chosen 1st overall are better?

  137. JBFstalkingjohnnyfootBALLS Says:

    A MESSAGE TO THE JOHNNY NUTT TUGGING MOB. The Bucs doing what there suppose to do. Help hype up Johnny Football so the guys we want falls to #7.

  138. BoJim Says:

    Buccaneer Bonzai Said:

    “Personally, I believe the Bucs try to trade down and take Carr while picking up another pick.”

    I like this. I think Carr might have the IT factor but let him sit for a year.

    bucrightoff Said:

    “The lowest I woul be willing to accept ia swapping spots (7 to 26), an extra 1st rounder and a 2nd rounder in 2015.”

    Get Carr at 26 then L&L can go to town on the rest of the draft.

  139. Buc1987 Says:

    Man I sure am glad I’m not part of the JOHNNY NUTT TUGGING MOB.

  140. Bucarue Says:

    What all the Morons who pick Evans fail to realize is that Lovie will improve the defense to the point the season record will be 7-9 and therefore the Bucs will never again be in a draft position to get a franchise qb. The’proof’ of the foregoing is Jay Cutler. Have Buc fans forgotten how the Bears got Cutler? Or maybe the Buc fans have forgotten the illustrious previous offensive geniuses Lovie has anointed prior to picking Tedford:Ron Turner, John Shopp, Mike Martz, Mike Tice and Terry Shea (of whom only Tice as the Falcons line coach) is still in the NFL. I believe that Tedford was unemployed when Lovie anointed him. Lesson to learned: Select a qb with th 7th pick or forever hold your piece.

  141. brandonbucfan Says:

    Understand Johnny is at Augusta this weekend. God bless him, but wonder if Lovie has ever been there or even wants to go?

  142. PRBucFan Says:

    If you really think Glennon will beat out McCown and not only that but also succeed as an NFL QB after that your betting on a tall order broski lol.

    As long as Lovie is coach and McCown is here, Glennon won’t be taking snaps as the starting QB.

    But i’ll set the table and place a matt and wait for my delicious plate of crow 😉

    I hadn’t realized that both you and 87 had become such devout Glennonites 😛

    Ahahaha, pickin at ya

  143. Roscoe the Pirate Says:

    The Chicken always came first. The Egg the chicken came from was from some sort of evolutionary Pre-Chicken Critter Thing, and is therefore not a chicken egg but rather a PCCT egg.

    If you find one maybe we can trade it for Revis.

  144. Buc1987 Says:

    PRB….lol I’m not a Glennonite. I just don’t think the Bucs are taking a QB in this draft. That’s why I don’t think we’ve heard the last from Mike Glennon as Buc just yet. Beating out McCown that’s a different matter.

  145. Posey99 Says:

    Evans doesn’t even belong in the top 20. He’s slow.good hands and good ball awareness. That’s it. Not worth top 20 period.

  146. BamBamBuc Says:

    Stupidity strikes again… The first round is.. well, 1 round. Outside the first round (modern era) is six rounds plus undrafted players. There had better be 6+ times as many great QBs selected outside the first, or its pure luck and the first round is the best statistical chance to get a good QB. Whether any of you believe any QB in the draft is “franchise” or not means nothing. If L&L think one is, we have to take him and the rest of us get to listen to you whine and cry the rest of the off season (maybe longer if they let him sit a year)

  147. MegaDaveUK Says:

    Immense thread and Joe you are looking at this from a long term and logical stand point, thats cool. NFLN are looking at it from a win-now point of view – thats why they say Evans.

    No Johnny Football. Not at 7 anyway.

  148. Eric Says:

    @stalkingfootballs

    I’m old, but not a drunk or on drugs.

    But I can see, and anyone who can should conclude Johnny Football is one hell of a player.

    Fast feet, quick release, good arm, competitive as hell, throws on the run like Rodger the a Dodger and Fran the Man used to do. All the tools needed to be a great NFL quarterback.

    I’ve got no more knowledge than anyone else on here, just my opinion – from my worn out couch I’ve used to watch the Bucs since 76.

    Lovie just might agree with me rather than the Johnny haters.

    Then again he might not. We shall see.

    Go Bucs.

  149. FuNkYxMuNkEy Says:

    I’ve been using @joe website since almost the beginning. IF he cared about just comments the adds would be way different and main stream. He always promotes local places and people. That right there tells you all you need to know. I wish he would kick off some of the people on here…cough…Buccaneer Bonza…cough. He has been about supporting his team and stating his opinion. I mean it is his website. And providing us “couch fans” with info he hears or is told. Thank you for all you put up with and still continue to deliever the best website for Bucs Fans!!

  150. Sweets Willie Says:

    Smokescreen to create a market for a trade down. We bring in a bunch of qb’s because we want a QB? We bring in no receivers because we don’t need one? Makes perfect sense!! Smokescreen!!

  151. FuNkYxMuNkEy Says:

    I would love to trade down to say #19(miami) and also get their 2nd and 3rd. Draft Carr at 19, best available WR/OG with our 2 2nd round picks, and the best DB/DE in the 3rd. That would be 5 picks in the first 81. Could all be starters or future starters for many years to come. We need as many draft picks as possible in this draft IMO.

  152. Eric Says:

    We don’t have to smokescreen to trade down by bringing in quarterbacks cause the Vikings pick after us and they will take a QB.

    So a QB hungry team would trade up to leapfrog the vikes.

    Thus, I believe they are looking at quarterbacks cause they want a quarterback.

  153. NY Buc Says:

    Nybucsfan Says:

    April 12th, 2014 at 2:16 pm

    Why do some bucs fans not wanna a real qb? When was the last time we had one? I would draft one everyear till we get a franchise QB
    —————————————————————————————

    Same state, similar screen name, polar opposite Bucs viewpoint. I would like to say to my fellow Buccaneers fan in the Northeast that any GM/HC in modern day football who were so bad at evaluating QB talent would (1) probably have a bunch of needs at alot of positions since they missed in the draft while being so busy drafting QB’s every year, and (2) would probably find themselves unemployed within 2-3 years.

  154. Sweets Willie Says:

    So we are interested in all 10 QB’s that have been brought in, but we have no interest in receivers? Less than a month away, they are not sure which QB they want. They are sure wide receiver help is not needed because no visits?

  155. gotbbucs Says:

    I’m at the point right now where I won’t jump off a cliff if Manziel is the pick. I’ve been against it since the start, but the massive amount of free agents brought in has eased my nerves on some of the problem spots on the roster.

    It really depends I guess on what our offensive scheme is going to look like. Based on the fact that we don’t have a Fullback anymore I would assume we will see alot more shotgun and motion and multiple Reciever/TE sets. If that’s the case and they want to run something similar to what A&M runs then so be it.

    If they’re hell bent on a QB, I would prefer taking one outside of the 1st round that maybe needs a little finishing and let Tedford work on him.

    There’s the fear that Manziel will bust and set us back years and there’s also the fear of passing on him and watching him explode on the scene for somebody else. I guess I just have to trust that the powers that be did their homework on him if he’s the pick.

  156. Mumbles Says:

    Gotbbucs,

    Bucs just signed two FBs Javorskie Lane and Josh Baker. Of course, you may not think they’re worth much, but they’re there!

  157. NY Buc Says:

    The JFM often like to compare Manziel to Favre, but want to draft him at #7 (or even trade up higher to grab him!). Seeing as how Favre was drafted in the 2nd round (by the Falcons) it seems like the only value the Falcons got from him was his trade value from Green Bay. I just can’t fathom the trigger happy Glazers being patient enough to potentially wait 3 or more years for a QB to maybe develop after the Freeman debacle they had to witness for almost 5 years. Hell with the Glazer son’s records by the time Manziel possibly becomes elite the Bucs will have already fired Lovie, fired his successor, and on Craigslist searching for the next HC/GM to save the day in Tampa Bay.

  158. PRBucFan Says:

    So you think we go full draft without drafting a QB?

    Honestly? Lol Come on brosif

  159. Justin Says:

    Taking a QB would be fine if they didn’t sign McCown for 5 mil a year and let mike Williams to..times dictate that a WR has to be taken in the 1st rd

  160. lurker Says:

    the problem is Watkins is head and shoulders the best receiver. evans is not in the same category nor better than the next 5 receivers. qb is still a need and needs to be addressed to give them time to grow with the offense.

    also, too many qb’s have visited and will visit for it to be a smokescreen. really, waste the visits? manziel, bridgewater, garoppolo, and carr on wednesday. I wonder if bortles is considered a “local visit” and not count towards the prospect total.

  161. Buc1987 Says:

    BamBam…you don’t know any more that the rest of us if they’re goign to draft a QB in the first or not.

    PRB..we shall see. More like…you shall see.

  162. Buc1987 Says:

    lurker…Manziel visted with the Pats too. What’s that mean?

  163. Bruno Says:

    …and when Manziel flops – TONS OF EGG ON FACE

  164. stillwantingSB Says:

    JOE We know Johnny Football is not the chicken because he just got laid!
    Idea – suggestion ( thank it would be a grand idea) ** Joe please put a special thread the day after Draft Day #1 Called “Mea Culpa Confession”. In other words a place where those who called it wrong to come and confess their lack of football prognostication skills. It would be a hoot to hear the excuses for all the misses. “I was lead astray by listening to “***”. “He usually has the inside and all the tips on a good gamble”. ETC…

    Serious note: Can anyone tell me all or most of the “sharp football minds” who called Freeman our franchise quarter back?

  165. Greig Says:

    This has been posted for a while now and I can’t for the life of me figure out the name of even 1 of the 3 “elite” wideouts that in Joes mind were available.
    You must have a very different definition of elite to the actual definition because all that was available was very good/above average at best types like DeSean Jackson, Eric Decker,…. Jeez, there wasn’t even 3 of them.
    After that you get to the guys that are very average in terms (either by that being their ceiling or they’re over the hill /done).
    Please Joe name those 3 “elite” guys that could be had because I could swear that Megatron, AJ Green, Demaryius Thomas, Brandon Marshall & Dez Bryant (actual elite guys) were never available.

  166. lurker Says:

    @buc1987

    it means they know greatness and wanted to see it up close ;), though they have no shot!

  167. lurker Says:

    @greig

    from the article joe wrote above (look up and read it):

    “Heck, three were on the market last year.”

    last year being the key words. i know most people just skim the articles.

    2013 free agent wide receivers:
    greg Jennings
    wes welker
    mike Wallace
    heck dwayne bowe and victor cruz too

    and if you don’t think it’s easier upgrading receiver than qb, especially during free agency, well, we can’t help you.

  168. PRBucFan Says:

    You can’t honestly think they aren’t drafting a QB.

    0% chance of that happening.

    Unless you think all the talk, time, and effort Lovie/Licht have spent on this QB draft class is for no reason…

  169. PRBucFan Says:

    You can’t honestly think they aren’t drafting a QB.

    0% chance of that happening.

    Unless you think all the talk, time, and effort Lovie/Licht have spent on this QB draft class is for no reason..

  170. PRBucFan Says:

    whoops sorry duplicate

  171. lurker Says:

    thanks, I missed the first post 19 minutes earlier…lol

  172. MadMax Says:

    And KB isnt even in the conversation…..if you REALLY want to talk about trading down and gathering picks for a WR spot….Benjamine is the Man!!!!

  173. Edgar Says:

    I follow your line of thinking until you say “the regime will be under little pressure to win in its first year”. Will all the move made this year, I think anything less than a winning season would be a disappointment.

  174. Brain Says:

    Joe’s argument hinges (and fails) on the notion that Manziel is a top franchise QB.

    Most teams will have Evans rated higher than Manziel which is why he’s a more popular pick. You don’t draft based on position, youdraft based on talent. Manziel is a 2nd round talent at best.

  175. Greig Says:

    @ lurker
    That still doesn’t make sense, the guys you listed aren’t elite.
    People use the terms like elite and great so much that when a person mentions a position well over a half the league has elite players there meaning, when there are so many “elites” they all become average.
    Elite would be the top 3-5 (at the very most) players at any one position and none of those guys has been available this year or last.
    Name the 3 Elite, not above average or very good but ELITE (as in the very best of the best) wideout options that have been available in the last 2 years outside drafting them. Welker might be the only one you could make a case for based on numbers but those are more likely from playing with 2 of the greatest QBs in history than him being an elite wideout.

  176. lurker Says:

    @greig

    i’m sure you won’t read this as we are on to other threads, but your last half sentence is telling.

    “…but those are more likely from playing with 2 of the greatest QBs in history than him being an elite wideout.”

    so we need a way better qb than receivers. and qb is still harder to get than receiver in free agency.

  177. Mr. Magoo Says:

    Mike Evans = Mike Clayon. Look it up. Claytons college numbers were better in yards and TDs than Evans. Clayton was a 15 pick in the first round. So what makes anyone think that Evans will have a more successful career? It is just wishful thinking, as nobody can predict Evans future. Good WR are not that hard to find assuming you dont give them away for nothing. There is more potential upside gambling on a QB at #7.