“The Desperation Out There”
April 22nd, 2016
Strong take on Eastern Kentucky edge rusher Noah Spence
Few know the NFL Draft like Phil Savage, the former Ravens director of player personnel under Ozzie Newsome and the ex-Browns general manager.
Savage now is czar of the Senior Bowl, president of the event and studies and selects participants.
Savage was talking all things draft on SiriusXM NFL Radio this afternoon and talked about the “loaded” depth this year’s class of defensive tackles. But Savage went the opposite direction on the class of defensive ends.
“The desperation out there” among general managers for edge rushers,” Savage said, has too many fishing for true edge rushers.
He said Noah Spence, out of Eastern Kentucky, is a great example of a guy who doesn’t have the speed or physical measurables to be a 4-3 defensive end but is being billed that way. He clearly would be better suited to be a 3-4 linebacker, Savage said.
Of course, time will tell on Spence, but the crazy hype for Spence after a couple of Senior Bowl sacks was just that — hype. Joe couldn’t believe Spence was being pegged for the Bucs at No. 9. But that’s why the call it the silly season.
The bigger question is whether Savage is correct in saying the desperate yearning to find a true edge rusher is driving the market to be overvalued. One look at Falcons defensive end Vic Beasley and the massive spending on free agent defensive ends lends a lot of credence to Savage’s take.
April 22nd, 2016 at 1:58 pm
I admit it…at first I wanted Spence.
But that was before I did a lot of research. I would still accept him if Licht took him, but I no longer think it’s the right call.
April 22nd, 2016 at 2:03 pm
Not gonna work in a 4-3, he’s not big enough and he’s only good when he beats you outside, in the NFL once they get hands on him he won’t be effective in that scheme. Would rather Lawson if we draft DE.
April 22nd, 2016 at 2:04 pm
I agree. Im not thrilled about any of the top Edge rushers in this draft. Would much rather select a DT at #9
April 22nd, 2016 at 2:06 pm
I actually like OT Jack Conklin and DE Kevin Dodd at 9.
Regardless if what people seem to think, we DO need a RT. Demar Dotson is injury prone and turns 31 in October. Gosder Cherilus also has injury concerns and turns 32 before the season starts.
We DO need a young Right Tackle, and moving Smith over is not the solution. He’s doing well at LT, why mess that up?
April 22nd, 2016 at 2:13 pm
If not Rankins at 9, then try to neutralize with Conklin. Agree.
April 22nd, 2016 at 2:14 pm
Just sign norman
April 22nd, 2016 at 2:17 pm
Bucs3, Spence only weighs 4 pounds less than Simeon Rice did when Rice came out of college. I’m not comparing the two talent-wise, but as long as he can get to the mid 260’s he’ll hold up as a 4-3 DE.
April 22nd, 2016 at 2:17 pm
Take Conklin at 9. Trade our 2nd and Glennon to the Broncos for the last 1st round pick, take Kevin Dodd.
Boom.
April 22nd, 2016 at 2:19 pm
Third round, take a WR or Safety.
Boom again.
April 22nd, 2016 at 2:21 pm
“We DO need a young Right Tackle, and moving Smith over is not the solution. He’s doing well at LT, why mess that up?”
Agree with the above, mostly. My only disagreement is with the urgency implied above. I feel Dotson/Cherilus, have enough in the tank, between them, to allow us to develope a few lower pick bodies, to find one that works. But, then again, there’s probably good reason I have to pay, to go to the games, LOL.
April 22nd, 2016 at 2:21 pm
I was reading that only 19 players this year receive a first round grade, but a bunch receive 2nd round grades. So any team picking from 20th thru 32nd overall might be willing to do a trade.
The Broncos certainly would be.
April 22nd, 2016 at 2:24 pm
@Fritz59
You bring up a valid point. I would only say this…Winston is our golden goose. The best thing is to give him the best possible line as early as possible…so a first rounder might help do that this year.
This is important, especially if we trade Glennon. We’ll want to keep Winston on his feet from the very start.
April 22nd, 2016 at 2:28 pm
@Bonzai
I would love that in the third. Both positions need help.
April 22nd, 2016 at 2:45 pm
The hype for Spence didn’t start at the senior bowl…It started when he was Ohio State’s top recruit who outshined Joey Bosa when they played together….funny that a guy who worked for the Ravens of all teams would say he isn’t fast enough or big enough to play 4-3 end…he’s bigger and faster than Elvis Dumervil.
April 22nd, 2016 at 3:01 pm
I thought his whole specialty was speed and being an Edge rusher but weak against the run.
If that is the case, I’d take him if he falls to the second but odds are they go DB and WR in Rd 2-3
I’d take Lawson at #9
Then WR & DB in Rd 2-3
HOPEFULLY they get an extra third by trading back a little it for glennon.
April 22nd, 2016 at 3:02 pm
…. Trading back a little bit or for Glennon
April 22nd, 2016 at 3:08 pm
Sounds like people are beating around the bush and trying not to say what everyone is thinking: This draft is weak.
April 22nd, 2016 at 3:17 pm
There’s 3 positions that are always “overvalued” in the draft — QB, LT and pass rushing DE. This is why I want us to grab our end in the first round. If we wait, there’s a very good chance that the guys we all feel sure will be there in the second will be long gone
April 22nd, 2016 at 3:28 pm
My two cents:
Shaq Lawson at #9
WR Boyd or S Karl Joseph with 2nd
DE Calhoun or Nassib or best S avail based on 2nd rd selection.
April 22nd, 2016 at 3:32 pm
I am not a Nassib fan at all….I think that guys going to be a major bust.
April 22nd, 2016 at 3:36 pm
Agreed BigPoppa. BSPN can’t stop themselves from talking about Goff and Wentz going 1 and 2. How very exciting
April 22nd, 2016 at 3:57 pm
Goff & Wentz will almost certainly go 1 & 2, but they were going to get drafted in the top 10 anyways. If the Bucs stay at #9 (not a given by any means) then one of the following has to be available: Bosa, Buckner, Ramsey, Jack, Tunsil, Stanley, Conklin. The only one I hope the Bucs pass on is Buckner (just don’t think he’d fit Smith’s defensive scheme). Other than that, would be happy with any of the others … or Rankins (then we can build from the inside out).
April 22nd, 2016 at 4:13 pm
I’m going to say it again Ogbah it’s the perfect DE for the the Bucs. He had the size strength and experience to be a true 43 DE.. His film doesn’t lie can use some more coaching but what rookie doesn’t.
April 22nd, 2016 at 4:41 pm
@Bonzai
I agree with you on Conklin. I know OT isn’t an immediate need but I think that guy would be an anchor on the offense for many years to come. I was watching tape on Buckner trying to gauge how good he is and stumbled onto the Oregon/Michigan State game and Conklin threw Buckner around like a rag doll the whole game.
April 22nd, 2016 at 4:45 pm
I gotta say I wouldn’t be upset if we got Conklin. Young solid line to protect #3 for years to come, I can get on board with that
April 22nd, 2016 at 5:13 pm
I’d rather see our Bucs go with a CB or DT at no9 rather than draft offensively. We’ve drafted offensively for 2 straight year. Selecting only one Defensive player. Don’t you guy think its about time we invested in our Sorry A.. Defense?!!
April 22nd, 2016 at 7:17 pm
Yall sound silly. He’s the same size as Dwight freeney. He consistently beats his opponent to the ball. He has the numbers. He’s hungry.
He may not be the greatest player ever bit Spence is the best 4-3 DE not named Bosa in this draft
Take Spence unless you can get bosa
April 22nd, 2016 at 10:05 pm
Trade down and draft Rankins, Neal and Spence
April 22nd, 2016 at 10:09 pm
I agree that this is a WEAK draft class. This was a way overhyped class
April 23rd, 2016 at 5:13 am
Trade back and take Rankins or Nkemdiche in the first (wouldn’t mind Conklin though)…then take Ogbah in the 2nd…
April 23rd, 2016 at 8:04 am
I keep hearing that this is a deep draft for DE’s tho? Lol wich one is it? It’s deep when it comes to DT’s but not DE’s. And as far as Spence goes we have a similar player on the roster already in Jac Smith. A good edge rusher that can’t hold up in the run game. So it’s not worth spending a top ten pick on a situational pass rusher. That’s why Jac can’t stay healthy, on 1st and 2nd down the opposing teams run right at him all the time because they know he can’t hold up. And because of his size he’s always getting banged up.
So if the Bucs are gonna spend a 1st rnd pick on a DE they want him to be a complete player that can not only rush the passer but stop the run as well. And the most complete DE is Shaq Lawson. He can do it all, he would be the ony DE worthy of taking and he’s still a little bit of a reach at 9 but I wouldn’t be mad if they did end up taking him. And Ogbah has tons of raw talent but dissappears to often and that worrys GM’s.
My two guys are Rankins and Lawson at 9, I’m a Lil sketchy on Buckner not being a great pass rusher and coming from the soft division of Oregon (the University of busts) but if any one can coach him up it would be our own, coach Hayes.
April 23rd, 2016 at 8:06 am
Ogbah will be gone by the second rnd, if not by the time we pick he will.
April 23rd, 2016 at 9:00 am
due to the fact McCoy has battled through a series of injuries and MacDonald
is recovering from one.Rankins might be a wise pick.paying 4 million to journeyman like Henry Melton doesn’t make sense to me.