The Knock On Denzel Perryman
March 17th, 2015
Miami linebacker Denzel Perryman is a helluva linebacker against the rush. Defending the pass? Not so much.
Now that expensive free agent season is nearly behind us, sans where defensive end Greg Hardy will land, it’s time for Joe to focus more on the draft. And, yes, the draft is a long six weeks away from Thursday, when the Bucs pick Jameis Winston first.
If it isn’t obvious to Bucs fans yet, Mason Foster is gone.
The former middle linebacker, one of Joe’s favorites because he is such a good dude, can’t cover in pass defense, so Joe has been told by Bucs types, thus he won’t return.
In Lovie Smith’s defense, the first and most important trait for a middle linebacker is pass coverage. No matter how well the linebacker may be against the run, if he cannot cover, then he cannot play middle linebacker for Lovie.
Many Bucs fans have been high on University of Miami LB Denzel Perryman and his bone-crushing ways. It is fun to watch. But research reveals Perryman couldn’t play in Lovie’s defense, hence it is highly unlikely he will play for the Bucs, at least as long as Lovie is here.
During the NFL Scouting Combine, Joe was at Mike Mayock’s end-of-media-availability press conference. Joe could listen to Mayock for hours. The dude is a machine with all his research. It is amazing.
Anyway, Joe’s ears perked up when Mayock mentioned how Miami always pulled Perryman off the field on obvious passing downs. So Joe asked Mayock if Perryman could defend in pass coverage at all, and this was Mayock’s response:
“I don’t know,” Mayock said. “All the tape I have he is off the field on passing downs. I will have to call down there and talk to the coaches and get a feel for why he’s not on the field on passing downs.”
That’s a red flag. So Joe started working his sources and here is what Joe found: As Mayock hinted, Perryman is a two-down linebacker.
Tremendous against the run. Against the pass? Well, there is a reason Miami pulled him off the field in those passing situations. Joe was told when Perryman was asked to defend in pass coverage, he wasn’t fast enough to cover in big space.
Given that information, and how the Bucs just signed athletic linebacker Bruce Carter, it’s much more likely the Bucs use that No. 34 pick, whether moving up or not, on a defensive end or an offensive lineman, not Perryman.
March 17th, 2015 at 11:02 am
Joe, take a good look at Eric Kendrick…ILB.
You may be surprised.
March 17th, 2015 at 11:06 am
We need a coverage first linebacker. Maybe of a safety mold. If our d line does what they’re supposed to, our linebackers can stop the run even if they’re not known as run stoppers coming out of the draft.
March 17th, 2015 at 11:09 am
Lb is off the table now in rd.2. I think if Erving is there that’s the pick. Outside chance it’s Laken Tomlinson.
I also really like both tackles from Oklahoma. But not in rd.2
March 17th, 2015 at 11:11 am
No thanks. Too easily absorbed by blocks and can’t cover. With the Bucs most likely going (1) QB, (2) O line or edge rusher, their best bet at ILB will be either Ben Heeney from Kansas or Stephone Anthony from Clemson in the mid-rounds. Either are quick as hell and are somewhat competent against the pass.
March 17th, 2015 at 11:11 am
Or Paul Dawson from TCU. Kid does nothing but make plays
March 17th, 2015 at 11:12 am
I am a miami fan and not happy how they used personal in defense, saying that though the knock I thought on Perryman was he was small for that position. He had 9 interceptions last year.
March 17th, 2015 at 11:16 am
I was saying this a while back….same for Kendricks. Anyway, we have Carter now and Id rather go O line or a cant miss Safety or WR with our 2nd pick. Especially if Green-Beckham is there!!!
March 17th, 2015 at 11:17 am
Defensive end will probably be the 2nd round pick. At some point Lovie needs someone who can actually rush the passer. I can totally see OLine being ignored until the 4th round or later. Lovie’s MO after all is horrible OLines.
March 17th, 2015 at 11:18 am
joe, maybe he could play special teams for us if he somehow slipps to 4th o 5th round then he can sit behind carter until hes ready, im just saying we need to hit people in the mouth really really @$#ing hard especially within our division remember Clinton mcdonald flip drew brees when he sacked him kinda like that on a consistent basis
March 17th, 2015 at 11:21 am
The ONLY ILB the BUCS should take with the Second Pick is
E.Kendrick
If not him,
hopefully one of the Tackles will slide out of the First Round
E. FLowers or C. Erving
March 17th, 2015 at 11:26 am
Kendricks will be long gone by the end of the first, who is a weak side OLB like Lavonte David by the way. Niners and Packers need talent there like nobody’s business.
March 17th, 2015 at 11:27 am
I do really like Dawson as well maybe Lovie’s texas connection will help.
let’s not forget that Urlacher played a hybrid safety role in college. maybe lovie feels there is a safety or coverage linebacker later in the rounds. I can’t believe they are not going to at least bring in some competition for carter his value is versatility not strictly as a mlb.
rd 1 Winston
rd 2 best OL
rd 3 best DE
i don’t think anyone can expect or gamble that more than 3 starters from draft will emerge. This roster is scary at the moment and a lot of holes. it’s going to take much longer than we were led to believe. being first inline for waivers is nice but it’s no way to build a roster. i am not saying splash signings but look 2 of the 3 FA have were in need of prove it deals this year sorry but I can’t get excited for those gambles. great if they work but i told you so if they dont. last year instead of paying for production they gambled and lost. The bucs under Lovie are simply Paying and Praying….
I am not ditching on praying before all you crybabies start coming out of the woodwork… a bunch of over sensitive tools on here some days.
My dream pick would be Lockette in 3rd but it’s not a huge need. that kid can ball. Gunner, Returner and WR man does it all. good bloodlines too.
March 17th, 2015 at 11:35 am
@tmaxcon Shaq Thompson could definitely be that guy to fill a SAM / Strong Safety / Nickel CB role, as that is how Wash used him. He’s somewhat a gamble as versatile as he is, but if he drops to the second I can def see Lovie snagging him.
March 17th, 2015 at 11:35 am
A bunch of over sensitive tools on here some days. Sounds like you are describing yourself.
March 17th, 2015 at 11:36 am
Joe has heard the same. One knock, that is.
March 17th, 2015 at 11:39 am
I just hope we get 2 starters out of rounds 2/3 and one of them has to be an o-lineman. Would honestly prefer 2 O-lineman since we will be grooming a new franchise QB.
March 17th, 2015 at 11:42 am
We will pick up Mike Hull in the later rounds if he is not off the board I think
March 17th, 2015 at 11:56 am
If you look at most sites big boards; there are a solid group of Offensive Tackles rated as low end first rounders or early 2nd rounders. A lot of these names are interchangeable seen ranked from 20th overall to 40th overall. That means there is good value for that position at the top of the 2nd round.
Between Walterfootball/CBS big boards; they have all the guards ranked as round2-4 type prospects. Which means in round 3 we would likely have our pick of the litter of the best guards coming out this year.
I’m not sure how good the DE value is for 2nd or 3rd round. The way the talent in this draft sets up; I feel best value & need will meet if we go OT in round 2 and OG in round 3; but it really comes down to LIght/Lovie’s board in the end.
Also – for those who have acted like taking Winton is not taking the BPA; I’ve seen him in the top 5 of 3 different sites big boards. He is #1 on Walterfootball’s big board; over Leonard Williams. He is #2 on CBS; and like #5 on draftek or something
March 17th, 2015 at 12:01 pm
Best teams draft best player available. Bad teams and bad gms (like Dominik) draft for need. That’s why the Bucs suck
March 17th, 2015 at 12:12 pm
Im still coming back to Ali Marpet as a solid 3rd rounder on O line. Our 4th pick will be too far down unless we work a trade up.
March 17th, 2015 at 12:44 pm
Even with Lansannah. Why didn’t we resign foster and stick him at SAM. He is a proven player who can make plays as well, and he is younger. Could of still signed carter and let Lansannah sub in at every position.
March 17th, 2015 at 12:46 pm
I’m not so sure MLB is out of the question in round 2. Depends on what OL or DE is still on the board and if Kendricks is still there. People assume Carter is the MLB, a reasonable assumption I guess, but I don’t think Lovie or Licht have said that explicitly. Carter isn’t a star, so people might be getting a little too excited about that. Imagine Kendricks in the middle and Carter on the outside, with Lansanah as the #1 backup at all three positions. Could be a pretty deep LB corps.
March 17th, 2015 at 12:53 pm
Sleep! Draft him and develop his coverage skills. We need all the help we could get on the D. His power and run stopping make up for his so called “knock” fyi he’s not the best in coverage but he’s not as bad as they make him seem either, I’ve seen him make plays. Go CANES! & Go BUCS!
March 17th, 2015 at 1:15 pm
I agree with MadMax. I think the Bucs have already penciled in Carter as the new MLB. Competition is always good but we have to many holes to draft another MLB that high. If we pick someone up in the later rounds OK but we HAVE to address OL and depending on Hardy negotiations we may still need an edge rusher.
If we sign Hardy to go with Carter and then sign Fameis IMHO ALL attention should be directed at the OL. Defense would be remarkably better with those two additions and Fameis throwing to our receivers is an upgrade but he still needs protection.
March 17th, 2015 at 1:54 pm
Agree with Thibs5599 … re-sign Mason Foster (for the right price of course) and let him compete with Lansanah at SAM. Right now we have no significant depth at LB. Re-signing Foster could fix that quickly.
March 17th, 2015 at 2:19 pm
joe’s take is exactly what I’ve seen and heard. he’s a beast against the run , but a liability in pass coverage. if we did draft an ILB my choices would be 1) eric kendricks , 2) stephone Anthony or 3) hayes pollard as a project in round 6-7.all are great athletes with speed and coverage ability.
March 17th, 2015 at 3:07 pm
Paul Dawson ran a 5 flat in the forty at the combine… if Perryman with a 4.78 time isn’t a fit, he definitely isn’t
March 17th, 2015 at 3:08 pm
As I’ve said before, Perryman is not a fit (a 3rd day talent besides) but Kendricks & Dawson are good fits. I noticed Roy Cummings tweet those latter 2 names recently as fits for the Bucs, so I assume he has heard from the organization directly, cause there’s no way he did the scouting himself lol.
March 17th, 2015 at 3:11 pm
I haven’t heard word one about any interest being shown to Mason Foster. Has anyone else?
If no one else is interested in him, this could be the reason he is gone. Maybe, since the Niners are completely empty of MLB’s now, he might get a look out there.
March 17th, 2015 at 3:16 pm
The way good teams draft is if they have a need at two positions and. One player is rated higher than the other,mother they go with the higher rated player.
This whole DE 2nd, OT 3rd, OG 4th is how to get a team lacking in talent and playmakers.
This is what we have done in the past except until Lovie and Licht got here, we just simply ignored the OL completely in the draft.
Take the best player on the board no matter what position he plays if you see it as an upgrade over who you have there now.
March 17th, 2015 at 4:13 pm
rd 1 Winston
rd 2 best OL
rd 3 best DE
tmaxcon…I can live with that. For now…
March 17th, 2015 at 8:24 pm
With a good pass rush(from just 4 linemen), and an athletic Middle Linebacker who can really get back into coverage in a hurry, the Tampa 2 is a state of the art defense. However, with either of these elements missing, and it will soon get exposed. If BOTH these elements are missing, the Tampa 2 sucks.
Mason Foster just isn’t a Tampa 2 Middle Linebacker, and we will be way better off w/o him.
Bruce Carter will be a much better Fit for us, and though he is not a Brian Urlacher, he is sure an upgrade over Mason Foster.
Mason Foster was just too slow for the Tampa 2 Defense.
March 17th, 2015 at 11:11 pm
as a Miami fan, the Canes LB all have problems in pass defense. Perryman is lights out against the run and is a good tackler but pass defense will be an issue.
March 18th, 2015 at 1:02 am
As I said at the first of last season Foster was the best OL in the draft when we took him and put him in the wrong spot. If we get him and play him at SLB he will be an All Pro there this year. We have the money to keep him and we should. Carter will be better than Kendricks because he knows the Tampa2! If you want a backup for Carter, get Max Bullough from the Texans because he has all the tools to be a great Tampa Two MLB. Then with Lansanah’s versatility we would be set at LB even if the injury bug hit us.