Johnthan Banks Is “Key”
July 21st, 2014
Johnathan Banks may be a “key” in the developing Bucs defense.
Since the departure of All-World cornerback Darrelle Revis and the signing of All-Pro cornerback Alterraun Verner, Bucs fans don’t believe the secondary has slipped one iota.
Compared to two years ago and the secondary the Bucs trotted out there that nearly set an NFL record for most passing yards allowed, an eyerake worse than an image of Rosie O’Donnell nude, the Tampa Bay secondary is light years ahead.
(At least, an imagine of a nude Rosie O’Donnell would [hopefully] be a one-time horror, Bucs fans two years ago were ambushed by the heinous secondary for 16 weeks.)
But the key to a secondary is not always having the best corner, but his comrade on the other side. In this case, Verner’s comrade in Johnthan Banks. And the “Custodian of Canton,” eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune, suggests Banks is a key for the defense to be good.
Banks suffered through typical rookie struggles at one of the NFL’s most demanding positions, but he started all 16 games and intercepted three passes. He looks forward to playing more Cover 2 zone under Smith. Banks’ first pro pick came in Week 4, when he made a one-handed grab against the Cardinals. Arizona Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald was impressed by Banks and expects the former Mississippi State standout to have a breakout season: “I like Banks. He’s got length and he’s going to be a good one.”
Yes, Banks did have some rookie struggles, hardly unexpected for any rookie. But when met with a challenge, Banks stepped up big time. Anyone remember how Banks, when Revis got injured, was asked to match up against Calvin Johnson? Pretty damned impressive.
Joe has little apprehension in believing Banks will be a solid corner for the Bucs for many years. Let the kvetching about former rock star general manager Mark Dominik begin in three… two… go!
July 21st, 2014 at 4:03 pm
Banks is going ball out this year!
July 21st, 2014 at 4:27 pm
Dominik’s only god draft in recent years came in the last 2 and everyone knows that was Schiano’s only strength. Dominik gets no credit for Banks or any player taken from last 2 drafts..
July 21st, 2014 at 4:41 pm
I have said it before, Dominik was a good GM. The bucs were never in financial trouble during his time, they always had the money to splurge. Evey FA that was signed for big $$$ left the bucs with little to no dead money. That is what a GM is supposed to do!
July 21st, 2014 at 4:52 pm
Hopefully Banks will be the new Donnie Abraham or Tillman…
Is it preseason yet? Go Bucs!!!
July 21st, 2014 at 5:04 pm
panhandle is right.
When your picks do not turn out, and they are out of the league before there second contract. The team can save a lot of money.
July 21st, 2014 at 5:13 pm
One thing that Schiano did do pretty good was find good football players… hopefully this is another gem that he found
July 21st, 2014 at 5:22 pm
Johnathan Banks….good player….great person….a real “Buccaneer Man”!!!
July 21st, 2014 at 5:31 pm
Why the rosie hate? I bet she would be a better d-lineman than bowers…
July 21st, 2014 at 5:46 pm
This whole team is gonna ball out this year. C’MOOOONNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CAN”T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!!!!!BASEBALL AINT CUTTIN IT!!!!!!!!!!
July 21st, 2014 at 5:55 pm
Realist: Please read before inserting sarcasm. Panhandle said “FA” which (in case you didn’t understand) is an abbreviation of “Free Agents”, not “Draft Picks” (which I’m assuming would be DP). Free agents ARE on their 2nd and sometimes 3rd contracts, they are expensive. What he said was that the type of deal we made kept the Bucs out of financial trouble if we had to cut them loose early because they don’t pan out. No “dead money” means all guaranteed money (if any) is paid out in the first year so the team isn’t liable for future cap hits. Fortunately for the Bucs, the teams Salary Cap guru is still with the team. One of the few front office keepers from previous regimes. So, even with Dom gone, we can still expect the contract structures to remain pretty much the same.
July 21st, 2014 at 6:08 pm
Joe, fat chicks need some lovin’ too bro!
July 21st, 2014 at 9:20 pm
Dominik was great at the contracts.. No doubt about it but that’s only part of the GM’s job… Finding players either thru the draft or FA is the other part.. And the later is where he failed miserably..
July 21st, 2014 at 9:20 pm
when Revis went down b4 halftime in that Detroit game last year, first thing I thought was Dam, Calvin Johnson might just set the NFL single game receiving record…at that point in last season and after only being what 30 yards shy the prior season of the record for worst single season pass defense, I started chugging to help ease the eventual pain…WHAT A RELIEF to see #27 a ROOKIE no less, basically shut down Johnson for the rest of that game. Johnathan Banks has STUD potential written all over him. If he continues his skill set’s ascension and stays healthy, he just might open EVERYBODY’s eyes this year.
July 21st, 2014 at 10:20 pm
I am so tired of hearing how Schiano was Dom’s savior on draft day. Are you really that stupid? I don’t like to get personal, but really! He was a brand new NFL HC from the NFL college football factory of Rutgers. Must have been all those Big East Championships that gave Schiano so much wisdom (even though he could not recognize Cheeseburger Bowers was not ready to fill in for Bennett).
And if Dom is bad, what is a draft of: 1st rd (4th overall): Gaines Adams, Rd 2 (35th overall) Aaron Sears, Rd 2 Again (64th) Sabby Piscitelli, Rd 3 (69th overall) Quincy Black… I think the Godfather Gruden did that draft in his 9th year as an NFL HC. If you say Bruce Allen did that draft, please don’t respond to this post, lol.
July 21st, 2014 at 10:52 pm
Banks is among the least of my worries on this team. QB on the other hand…
July 22nd, 2014 at 12:07 am
Its also reasonable where they drafted Banks. High in the 2nd round. He was a projected 1st rounder. Its easy to see why they grabbed him when they did. We didn’t have a 1st rounder.(Thank Dom for that one…and Shitano) I like Banks…He may be slow, but He has ball hawk and hitting skills. Him and Verner will be good. Heck if you want to make comparisons like we do. We got Ronde and B. kelley.
July 22nd, 2014 at 3:39 am
Phuk revis. That #1 cb position will be taken care of with verner. Banks looks promising and is one of my favorite defensive guys onthis team. We can make playoffs this year. Our qb n oline positions are question marks but I think they have solid veterans there. If nicks ain’t one hundred we gotta cut or trade him.
July 22nd, 2014 at 12:59 pm
DallasBuc, it’s the O-line for me….”High Anxiety.” (A Mel Brooks film, I guess I should explain.)