Are The Bucs Eyeing Hau’oli Kikaha?
April 4th, 2015
Video on NFL.com and other websites shows Buccaneers defensive line coach Joe Cullen running workouts at the University of Washington Pro Day this week.
The last time Joe saw Cullen run a pro day, it was at Georgia Tech last year. Soon after, Tampa Bay signed Georgia Tech defensive lineman Euclid Cummings as an undrafted free agent.
Seeing the animated Cullen doing his thing got Joe thinking about how the Bucs need an edge rusher — desperately. Right now, there is no standout at right defensive end. So maybe the Bucs would go outside the traditional realm and look to draft a guy that’s more of a specialist.
The Washington Huskies are home to edge rush legend Hau’oli Kikaha, the other great Hawaiian prospect in this year’s draft.
Kikaha racked up 19 sacks last year, but he was no one-year wonder. He had 13 sacks in 2013, while coming off a blown ACL. That’s the best in the nation over the last two years.
Yes, Kikaha is projected as more of a 3-4 linebacker than a 4-3 edge rusher, but Joe’s heard talk that he can be a 4-3 guy. And teams are looking at him as pass rusher, notes Seattle Times reporter Bob Condotta, who talked to Kikaha at the pro day.
Remember, the Bucs had Cullen watching the 6-2, 253-pound prospect. Lovie Smith has said repeatedly that he thinks size is overrated, and speed and explosiveness is what counts. Kikaha also is known for his great hands (mixed martial arts standout) and superior work ethic.
He’s largely projected as a second- or third-round pick.
If the Bucs believe Kikaha can get off the edge in the NFL, Joe could see the Bucs finding a way to draft Kikaha, whether it be with their No. 1 overall pick in the third round, or trading up a little to get him sooner.
April 4th, 2015 at 1:57 pm
He and Mariota can room together…..
April 4th, 2015 at 2:04 pm
Joe…STOP the trading up CRAP !……we have mortgaged the future over and over “trading up”….good teams trade down more than they trade up…..we need EVERY freak’n draft pick…. not less
Yeah, trading up for Lavonte David (2012) and trading up for Derrick Brooks (1995), those were dumb moves. –Joe
April 4th, 2015 at 2:13 pm
All the Buc’s picks will be kaka, most of the roster as well. He’ll fit right in.
April 4th, 2015 at 2:15 pm
No, good teams do what they have to in order to get who they want… and have said player turn out to be who they though they were.
April 4th, 2015 at 2:22 pm
Yeah, trading up for Lavonte David (2012) and trading up for Derrick Brooks (1995), those were dumb moves. –Joe
L&L are not even in the broken clock/blind squirrel class yet……
they are upside down on their mortgage after little more than one year…refinancing like druken sailors in Amsterdam
April 4th, 2015 at 2:27 pm
I have to agree with Joe on this one. Not just on the DB and LVD moves but I think we May have to trade up twice even. Once to get back in the first round for best OL available then maybe trade back into the second again to get our edge rusher. Trading up is not always a bad thing if you think that is Your guy
April 4th, 2015 at 2:33 pm
No trading up. You stay put and draft the best player available according to your needs. This thing isnt going to get fixed overnight. Drafting a QB will go a long way, but its going to take a few drafts to fill ever single hole. and also its not Kakaha its Kikaha.
April 4th, 2015 at 2:47 pm
Agree to disagree then with the no trading up talk. Peat, Scherff, Flowers and Humphries are all predicted to go by pick no. 30
April 4th, 2015 at 2:49 pm
I wan’t Kaka or any who can rush the passer… My only question is…
Who in the flunk is playing right tackle? Who in the flunk is playing right guard?
Come on Joe!!!
We will have a rookie QB playing behind a collection of bad offensive lineman…
You want to see your boy Winston dismantled by game 4?
Wise up!
We need 3 offensive lineman out of this draft and 2 better be starters!!!
Not found in the fourth and fifth rounds Joe…
You should now better.
April 4th, 2015 at 3:02 pm
UF alum that like a few Noles here- you alright with me guy. I enjoy reading your post. Hell,you’re even reducing some of my hatred for the Florida gators man. Salute to you my friend.
April 4th, 2015 at 3:07 pm
I remember some people saying they didn’t want to give up most of the 2007 draft picks to move up and draft Calvin Johnson. That draft got us Adams, Sears, Tanard, and Piscatelli.
This new regime has my trust on who they pick and if they need to move up for a person they see as a long term starter, then do it. I’d rather the Bucs not sit and pick multiple Sabby Piscatelli’s.
April 4th, 2015 at 3:08 pm
Nothing is more needed than 4 new (better) offensive linemen)!
April 4th, 2015 at 3:12 pm
Know not now…
April 4th, 2015 at 3:23 pm
Patience Pete,the O line moves are coming.
April 4th, 2015 at 3:24 pm
@nole on Sat: Thank you sir I very much appreciate the compliment. I enjoy your rationale as well.
April 4th, 2015 at 3:31 pm
The whole Winston vs Mariota thing is almost a moot point on who we draft if we can’t get some beast bookends to keep the kid upright and grow with him. Imo you can only count on retread veterans for so long. There has to be continuity in order for everything to really click on an offense.
I was in the trade down crowd initially because of my concerns for JWs off field and MMs on field concerns. As this whole thing has worn on most of my concerns for Both QBs have almost vanished. At that point I have to do what any rational person would do and go with the on field talent. Personally I think Both QBs are gonna be good but i see us taking JW for now.
April 4th, 2015 at 3:34 pm
Nole on Sat…never, never reduce your hatred for Gator fans. Never.
April 4th, 2015 at 3:41 pm
That is pretty shallow thinking 87. I thought you were only having a Temporary lapse of reason due to the JW deal. C’mon man Ive known you too long to see you completely lose it. Jeesh Ive been married to a Nole for 11 yrs now.
April 4th, 2015 at 3:45 pm
I’m all for trading up if you can get the guy you want. I would rather get 3 starters from one draft than have 6 backups. Historically, we are terrible with late round picks, so if we can use them to move up in the earlier rounds, I’m all for it. If we can get a starting QB, a starting offensive tackle, and a starting DE from this draft, that would be an incredible draft. If we can somehow pull that off, I could care less what we do with the other picks.
April 4th, 2015 at 3:45 pm
My dislike for FSU goes all the way back to when I was 5 and my Uncle played TE for the Gators for four yrs. Coincidentally I was 9 in 76 when he graduated UF and I went to my first Bucs game. So you can see why I am a Gator n Buc through and through. While I root for UF and against FSU as much as possible that doesn’t cloud my judgement about the FSU Fans. Many of my family and friends are Noles. My hated for FSU is only on Saturdays for 12 or 13 weeks a yr
April 4th, 2015 at 3:49 pm
@Hawaiian
I’m not sure it is possible that i could agree with your post more.
April 4th, 2015 at 3:58 pm
Would be a great pick.
April 4th, 2015 at 3:58 pm
I wish the damn Final Four would start already.
April 4th, 2015 at 4:13 pm
Maybe Michael Sam would be worth the look. Stood out in college, has had a year off to work out/heal and he has a lot to prove to all his haters.
April 4th, 2015 at 4:19 pm
I think he would be a great pick up in the 3rd round or trading up a couple of spots back into the second.
But the first two picks have to be QB and OT.
April 4th, 2015 at 4:39 pm
Id really like if got Nate Orchard or Preston Smith in the 3rd
April 4th, 2015 at 4:41 pm
I agree as well Hawaiian. We have a lot of holes but QB, Left tackle, and right guard are necessities. I would be willing to give up picks 2-7 if we can get back into the 1st for a left tackle and two second rounders for a DE and a right guard.
Any veteran QBs out there. I don’t think Glennon has resigned himself to be a back up so I don’t know that he will be happy hear. If we can trade him for a 4th we should jump on it.
I don’t know if Martin has much value at this point, but hopefully the team is exploring what it could get for him as well.
April 4th, 2015 at 4:42 pm
Here
April 4th, 2015 at 4:54 pm
I wouldn’t be surprised if Cullen was there looking at Danny Shelton. I keep looking at the top ten players in the draft and thinking to myself “if this dumb fck doesn’t pick winston who would he pick from this group? Dante fowler? Maybe. Mariota? Doubtful. Danny Shelton? Next to McCoy would be dominating. Is that dude going to pick an NT with the first pick? I wouldn’t put it past the loser”.
April 4th, 2015 at 5:01 pm
DB I can’t see them going Anything other than QB, OL, DE with the first 3 picks. I know that I get paid to build stuff and not to evaluate team needs but any fool knows that it goes OL QB DE, and you have to take QB before OL
I don’t think this one gets messed up
April 4th, 2015 at 5:04 pm
any fool knows
My sentiments exactly. Some fools draft a rb with their 3rd pick when they desperately need a guard. Whatchagonnado?
April 4th, 2015 at 5:07 pm
Watching 30 for 30 – you don’t know Bo – with the first pick the tampa bay Buccaneers select BO Jackson RB Auburn.
April 4th, 2015 at 5:12 pm
One more thing, I think it’s a shame ya’ll won’t let Winner play baseball. I thought this was America, no wait Fckn ‘Murica. #landofopportunity #innocentunlessblack #FTW
April 4th, 2015 at 5:15 pm
#DBkeepingitrealandlayingitdown
April 4th, 2015 at 5:15 pm
The stench from last years L&L is still thick in the air…..
April 4th, 2015 at 5:16 pm
Can’t endorse the last hashtag tho DB
April 4th, 2015 at 5:35 pm
87SizeXLcreamsicle you got me rolling man. My side hurting.
April 4th, 2015 at 5:37 pm
He does that to me too often Nole on Sat
April 4th, 2015 at 5:37 pm
Correct name spelling: Hau’oli Kikaha
April 4th, 2015 at 5:49 pm
54% of 1st round picks make 46% do not. 50% of 2nd round picks make it.
It start’s falling fast.
If you trust your scouting department and a player falls enough, as Joe points out the two best LB’s we’ve ever had were nabbed this way you should trade up.
If the scouts think this guy is the answer for some edge pressure then it’s easy.
Pick Fameis first….move up ten spots or so to get DJ Humphries and you get your franchise QB and pair him with a franchise LT. Get a RG and the OL is set.
As Joe suggests then you move up with that 3rd rounder and get the pass rush you need.
Moving up doesn’t necessarily mean surrendering a ton of picks. It could mean moving a player like Doug Martin or MG8. Although I’m not coool with moving MG8 until somebody can name his replacement as a solid backup.
April 4th, 2015 at 5:58 pm
I think we should draft this guy just to hear Gene Deckerhoff trying to pronounce his name.
April 4th, 2015 at 6:02 pm
@SPBF…….Rotflmmfao as I walk out the door to watch the Final four at a buddy’s house! That ish was funny!!
Peace out Bucs fans!!
April 4th, 2015 at 6:03 pm
” SACK , SACK BY KAHIPUPU ER KA KA”
April 4th, 2015 at 7:08 pm
hey joes , hope you all spell and pronounce his name right during your first interview with him. also , this guy has been flying under the radar , so thanks for alerting the other 31 teams. ( sorry just my paranoia )
April 5th, 2015 at 1:29 am
Too short!
April 5th, 2015 at 2:01 am
We will be very lucky to get this guy in the 3 round just his sack total alone is enough to get him attention. Production is what most counts and this guy did produce even after coming off an injury as well. Hoping we get him but we need so much help on the oline. Our oline has done nothing but get worst since licht and lovie took over not to say we had a great line but how does Dotson go from being our worst oline men to our best? That i cant understand or grasp that at all.
April 5th, 2015 at 8:45 am
2nd round pick needs to be for an OT. 3rd round pick needs to be the best Guard available. If the Bucs don’t get some young talent up front to grow with Winston – it will be a travesty.
April 5th, 2015 at 9:16 am
Not much burst, very short arms… I’m sure most 4-3 teams have put him way down at the bottom of their boards. I would be shocked if the Bucs or any other 4-3 teams were really interested. Nate Orchard? Maybe. More traditional 4-3 DEs like Eli Harold, Danielle Hunter, probably.
April 6th, 2015 at 8:02 am
@Brandon
I’ll agree he isn’t a traditional 4-3 end….however he has the fastest get off of any pass rusher in the draft, and his hand are lighting fast. He makes tackles look like they have cement in their shoes. I would love this puck in the third. 2 knee surgeries make me nervous but if you watch his tape the guy pops.