Vernon Hargreaves Is Clean
April 23rd, 2016
Slimed
Joe’s probably gotten at least 10 questions in the past week or so about Florida Gators cornerback Vernon Hargreaves and the harsh accusations against him.
Simply stated, they’re false. Rumors of Hargreaves failing a drug test at the NFL Scouting Combine have been swirling and they’re simply inaccurate, the result of phony Twitter accounts, heartless clowns and the related hysteria.
Even the mighty ProFootballTalk.com was duped yesterday and issued an apology.
The Bucs want help at cornerback. That was obvious after they got hot in the pants for Josh Norman. Hargreaves is the popular No. 9 overall pick by the Bucs from the mock draft crowd. That’s not going to change until draft night.
April 23rd, 2016 at 8:11 am
I dont think this guy can start on the outside as a rookie. He can start at nickel, but do you draft a nickel back with the #9 pick? I do think he cojuld stop those slant routes we were so often beat at, so maybe he could be worth it. I still would rather get a DE or DT with #9 and get a CB in 2nd round.
April 23rd, 2016 at 8:19 am
You don’t win with short slow corner back AND a lack of pressure at the same time. Hargraves might be a good fit for a team that can apply pressure but with our team he will not work. I will root for him line crazy if he’s the pick but I really don’t like the pick if it’s him. Shaq Lawson is my choice if I’m making the pick and Ramsey and Bosa are gone.
April 23rd, 2016 at 8:32 am
@ndog
-“You don’t win with short and slow corners in this league.”
Tell Ronde Barber that. He is a Barber clone. What he doesn’t have in height he makes up for with his phenomenal ball hawking skills. And the kids got ups. Trust me. He’s proven he can hang with the best of them. And Just because he didn’t run a 4.2 doesn’t mean he’s slow. I think speed is a little overrated when it comes to corners. does Revis run a 4.2? Didn’t think so.
April 23rd, 2016 at 8:36 am
Different league than when Ronde played plus I don’t have to trust you I watched him played and every time he came up against an elite wr he looked poor. Not trying to rip the kid but he will be an average player in the NFL and that is not what you do with top 10 picks.
April 23rd, 2016 at 8:43 am
I still cant believe he’s being mocked to us by so many! I guess Im the dumb one here…..jeesh. But WE NEED pass rush!
Give me Leonard Floyd! Yes, he’s not the ideal size for the line while digging in and going after it, but his speed and high motor screams at me. Get him in the weight room, feed him, and he’ll pack on 20 lbs in no time.
Miss on this, and it’ll be another one of those players where we’re shaking our heads saying shoulda woulda coulda!
April 23rd, 2016 at 9:01 am
Veronica Hargraves is not a slow cornerback. He plays as fast as anyone in the NFL. You can’t just look at a 40 time and discount a top player
April 23rd, 2016 at 9:06 am
Not saying Hargreaves is a bad cornerback, but after watching his film, I think he makes a little bit too much contact. Especially after the ball is in the air which results in lots of long penalties. Something the bucs already have. If we do pick him up I think nickel is the best spot for him. I prefer Rankins at 9 and him and Gerald could tear up the middle.
April 23rd, 2016 at 9:15 am
MadMax the reason they all mock Vernon Hargreaves is because non of them do any research on the bucs and no one other than bucs fans really cares about them cause we haven’t been any good for ten years. Oh lord, why couldn’t we have drafted Johnny Manziel to get on sports center every day?!!!
April 23rd, 2016 at 9:23 am
SOE couldn’t wish that on us. My Lord we would be laughed at even more.
April 23rd, 2016 at 9:30 am
People also forget he is an electric punt returner and could also return kickoffs
April 23rd, 2016 at 9:34 am
Yep, you’re right SOE.
I wouldnt mind Rankins either. I originally looked at our WR core and wanted Doctson as our first pick. But looking at the D and seeing a new DC in Smith, I thought what better time to get it done on D now. I think we could land Floyd and still get Nkimdiche, Ogbah, or Spence.
Floyd is so plug and play and fluid and fast…..Im just feeling it with him. Even with our current D line he could get after the QB. Smith will know how to use him.
April 23rd, 2016 at 9:38 am
Rankins in round 1 not Hargraves. Grimes is 5’10”. We need a larger DB to cover the bigger receivers in our Division.
April 23rd, 2016 at 9:49 am
For what its worth, I am officially on the record as being a Floyd supporter and a Hargreaves non Supporter. We need a pass rush, if we had one we wouldn’t have to waste a pick on a DB this year. Ogbah, Nassib, Dodd, Lawson would really help and yes for all you Rankin and Nemieche fans I’m on board. My first and second round wish list less Hargreaves are listed above. See you guys on draft day. Go Buc’s
April 23rd, 2016 at 10:00 am
I’m not usually a guy who goes off into conspiracy land but this kind of stuff makes me wonder.
If I was an agent for a DB would it help my client if I planted that seed of doubt about a player projected to go above my client?
Just asking? Who plants this trash and for it to get this much coverage makes me suspect that the person knew what they were doing. Either they hate VHG or perhaps it benefits them in some way?
April 23rd, 2016 at 10:05 am
Hargreaves is going to be a great corner, return man and I would put him in the slot he has great hands. Dodd is the best 4-3 DE (behind Bosa) we’ll see how it all shakes out. I’d also trade with Houston for Clowney, he’s not a 3-4 LB but he could be a great 4-3 DE.
April 23rd, 2016 at 10:08 am
As for whether or not to draft VHG…all this crap over measureables is nonsense to me. There are waaaay too many success stories in the NFL of players doubted originally because of their “measurables”.
And if we are going to measure here is what I want to know.
Can you measure VHG’s heart for me? Seriously I honestly can’t say I’ve seen enough of him to know. Is he Ben Bishop competitive? Is a gamer a real playa?
Is he a good teammate. Will he make those around him look better?
I have no idea about the answer to those questions…some of you Gators probably have a clue…but bottom line…I believe Licht will get the answers to those questions and make the right decision…40 time or not.
April 23rd, 2016 at 10:20 am
Rankins
April 23rd, 2016 at 10:32 am
I think he is a damn good CB but not a lockdownn guy. Should probable round 2
April 23rd, 2016 at 10:37 am
It’s not about measurables it’s about tape. When you get beat deep and out jumped for balls vs the only good comp you play against that does not bode well for a NFL future.
April 23rd, 2016 at 10:52 am
Pete I’m of the conspiracy mind also. I’m thinking Licht started the whole Ogbah lazy thing in order to have a chance to draft him. It doesn’t add up when you view his film, combine and career numbers. How in the hell is he not being listed as a top ten potential draftee. No one’s numbers are better. And I like how on the Buccs app they’re showing a video of him being interviewed by NFL network. Touch down in this country at just so happen the age of 9.
April 23rd, 2016 at 10:54 am
ndog
You’ve watched waaay more tape than me. But I suspect a lot less than Licht and his peers.
We’ll see where VHG goes in the draft. I’m neither Gator nor Nole so I do not have a dog in this discussion.
I don’t know enough about VHG to debate you with any authority, but I have seen enough of Licht to have confidence he’ll make the right call.
April 23rd, 2016 at 10:56 am
I think the mockers are all wrong with our pick.
April 23rd, 2016 at 10:57 am
I thought this sounded like BS. VG3 has been nothing but class as a Gator and this would be completely and utterly out of character for him. I would of been shocked if it were true.
April 23rd, 2016 at 11:10 am
DE, DT, CB, OT would all be cool with me. At DT, Sheldon Rankins is a beast and possibly the best pass rushing DT in the draft. Plus, on third and long, Rankins presence would take some of those double teams off of Mccoy. Imagine that.
The best DE for us at nine would be Shaq Lawson. He is the most consistent of him, Dodd and Ogbah. Of course, I would also love for us to get Bosa or Buckner, but they will likely be gone by nine.
CB, IMO, my favorite is Mackensie Alexander. No, he isn’t the ball hawk that VH3 is, but the guy is a shutdown corner. Opposing receivers really struggled getting open against this guy. I see a bit of Revis and Patrick Peterson watching this guy. Plus, reading and wayching his interviews, the kid has that fire that Kwon and Jameis have. That fire that Licht is trying to find in every rookie. IMO, Mackensie Alexander >VH3.
And for OT, since Tunsil will be gone at nine, the only other guy we should draft there at nine is Stanley. No reaching for Jack Conklin or Taylor Decker. If Stanley is gone, count this position dead to us at nine.
April 23rd, 2016 at 11:12 am
Some of you guys are just Focking idiots and Sheep!!!
Revis is 5’11” Hargreaves is 5’10 1/2. And if you think he is Slow then you have never seen him play. He plays in PADS as fast as he does without. Underwear football never won anything. The dumbness around here amazes me often.
April 23rd, 2016 at 11:17 am
Several weeks ago, Pewter Report said that, according to their sources, the Bucs were “not in love with” VH3. PR is usually pretty plugged in. Unless that was a smokescreen, I don’t expect Hargreaves to be a Buc. The mockers are wrong. The way I see it, the only way it’s not going to be Rankins is if Buckner and/or Bosa fall… and even then I have suspicions about Bosa.
April 23rd, 2016 at 11:18 am
Again Sb Jameis watch the tape, I don’t care if their a freaking giant against Bama and FSU Hargraves got worked over each time. I always judged players in college by how they play against great comp in college. That is why I am also iffy on Bosa cause he did nothing vs Bama. Now Lawson played great against both Bama and FSU.
April 23rd, 2016 at 11:28 am
Inquiring minds will soon find out. Many will be elated, others not so much.
April 23rd, 2016 at 12:05 pm
ndog
That is why I am also iffy on Bosa cause he did nothing vs Bama.
My son lives in Columbus and bleeds for OSU so I’ve watched several of their games and agree with you. Bosa did not jump out off of the screen.
I want to see an impact player show up! The few Nole games I watched Ramsey showed up. Bosa kind of scares me.
April 23rd, 2016 at 12:15 pm
Have yet to hear any real criticism of Hargreaves. He’s the best corner in the draft who could eventually replace grimes and you guys act like he’s a midget out there. He had the talent to play reciever at Florida if he wanted to. People who so desperate for a pass rush would rather get someone who would come in a be a Vic Beasley for his first 3 years. Rarely is there ever instant impact at DE from a rookie. You guys also underestimate the talent we already have at D end without being coached by a quiet Lovie Smith and a screaming Joe Cullen. A pass rush won’t solve all our problems, we need corners to cover the receivers so the pass rush can get to the QB. Teams last year picked us apart with short throws and long drives, how are we supposed to get sacks if the QB can gets the ball off in 2.5 seconds. Draft VH3 , once we force the QB to his 2s and 3rd reads then the pass rush will come. Also loved Rankins at the senior bowl but was very underwhelming on tape, watch the auburn game.
April 23rd, 2016 at 12:22 pm
Same exact measurables and 40 time as Chris Harris Jr. One of he best CBs in the league the last few years.
I’m fine with him if that’s the pick. Would be sweet to jump back and still land him
April 23rd, 2016 at 12:26 pm
Thank you Tbbucs I’m not trying hate on Rankins he just does not jump off the screen to me. This new found love-affair is puzzling to me.
April 23rd, 2016 at 12:28 pm
I caught that Lord.
April 23rd, 2016 at 4:32 pm
Rankins? lol smh
As far as DE Bosa just doesn’t feel right to me.
April 23rd, 2016 at 5:15 pm
Watch him vs amari Cooper and other elite WRs… gets whooped. They signed cbs and tried to sign Norman, dont see a lot of interest in him
April 24th, 2016 at 8:46 am
So I guess every scout in America who has VH3 ranked as the best cover corner in the league doesn’t know what there talking About, And All u wanna be NFL annalist do.
Everyone keeps saying that he’s not worth the pick, we’ll guess what there’s only 5 players in the whole draft that are actually top ten elite talent and those players will prob be gone so you gotta take someone at 9. I prefer Rankins but I wouldn’t be mad if they did take VH3 because I know he will be a very good corner at the next level cause I’ve watched him through his whole career at UF and I KNOW he’s legit and can’t wait to tell all u haterz I told u so when he’s picking QB’s off and holding his own against the taller and more skilled WR in the league.
April 24th, 2016 at 9:42 am
This is the guy who couldn’t cover Benjamin right? 2xs a year I don’t know about that. A slow corner needs a fast front four so if we don’t have that then what?
April 25th, 2016 at 1:53 am
spent a little time around VH3 when he was still in high school… he is a genuinely high character kid… would be shocked if the drug rumors are true
April 26th, 2016 at 8:00 am
[…] Yes, Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves is clean. And Joe isn’t referring to the ugly, false rumor that Hargreaves was dinged on a wiz quiz recently. Didn’t happen. […]
April 26th, 2016 at 9:13 am
VH3 is a beast in coverage and has mad ball skills!! Virtually every scout has him as clearly the best cover corner in the draft. He is a low risk pick, especially compared to Bosa. Look around the NFL at the best teams – they are all strong at cornerback.
It’s a passing league more and more. I don’t understand all the negatives. This is a unique opportunity to get the best cornerback in the draft.
Rankins or VH3 in the first. DE in later rounds.
April 26th, 2016 at 5:33 pm
Rankins @9!