2014 Draft Class Looking Better
September 12th, 2016
Class looking better.
For a while there it seemed aside from Mike Evans, the 2014 draft class, the first for AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht, was pretty much a wash.
Second-round pick Austin Seferian-Jenkins was mostly a no-show, third-round pick Charles Sims had an injury-plagued, limited-results rookie year, and fifth-round pick Kevin Pamphile, who some in the organization project as a future starter, was a stop-gap backup and original member of the Milk Cartons duo.
Yesterday’s season-opening win over the Dixie Chicks sure shines a new light on that draft class.
Evans is Evans. He just needed a mental massage from offensive coordinator Todd Monken, which seems to have worked. ASJ, high maintenance and high drama, finally caught a touchdown pass in a win and it was spectacular, as was Sims’ 23-yard catch-and-run. And Pamphile started on line that kept clean the jersey of America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston.
If those four continue to produce like they did yesterday, all of a sudden, that draft class is no longer ho-hum. Add to that the grand slam of the 2015 draft, and it sure looks like the pool-plunging Licht knows what the hell he is doing in the draft room.
September 12th, 2016 at 2:35 pm
We were fearful that ASJ actually showing up and making a big play is a sign that that The Apocalypse may be coming.
September 12th, 2016 at 2:39 pm
I agree Joe
Jason Licht does a great job in the draft room
His easiest decision was the first pick in the 2015 draft.
September 12th, 2016 at 2:42 pm
Yes, ASJ is the apocalypse for our competition!
September 12th, 2016 at 2:43 pm
Team Licht
September 12th, 2016 at 2:45 pm
could be the reason the people in the know, grade drafts 3 years later!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!
September 12th, 2016 at 2:46 pm
Can’t wait to see how the 2016 draft shakes out. Good job Jason, keep up the good work
September 12th, 2016 at 2:47 pm
Licht>Dominik all day when it comes to drafts
Nice to see contributions from those picks, now let’s keep it up and keep those guys healthy
September 12th, 2016 at 2:53 pm
Shoutout to Licht but it’s #3 that saved this Franchise. The kids winning mentality is just contagious.
September 12th, 2016 at 3:26 pm
Bspn analyst Herm Edwards and tim hassellback believe Winston the Messiah will be in the top 3 in MVP voting …OF COurse lap riding Ryan didnt think so he was all over big ben ballz
September 12th, 2016 at 3:28 pm
2014- Evans, ASJ, Pamphile, Simms
2015- Kwon, Marpet, Smith, JW
2016- spence, VH, kicker
September 12th, 2016 at 3:30 pm
Plus hopefully Smith develops at safety along with the OL dude.
September 12th, 2016 at 3:37 pm
Next year I see another DB, another WR, and more linemen on both sides.
Then they will be a SB contender for a decade
September 12th, 2016 at 3:52 pm
When I look back at our drafted players I see talented players whose talents transcend to the NFL level. To me that’s the most important thing. When your GM can’t properly Scout players that can play on a pro-level you’re in trouble. Licht has brought in players better talented enough to help us. Whether or not they pan out as a result of many factors. If, just say, Simms Fades away and becomes irrelevant it is not necessarily a mark on the GM. At the end of the day GM drafted Sims and the evaluation was spot-on. The dude can freaking play!!
September 12th, 2016 at 3:52 pm
Off topic rg3 is in IR so Glennon possibly moved?
September 12th, 2016 at 3:57 pm
Getaclue- Glennon couldn’t beat out McCown before I doubt he can now. Besides Cleveland saw Glennon crap himself up close and personal dude has no trade value
September 12th, 2016 at 4:12 pm
let’s pump the brakes on ASJ. for all the optimism, one game into the season, he is actually behind last year’s production and we know how that ended. i’m rooting for the guy without a doubt, but 1 big catch and drawing a big penalty vs a rookie LB is not necessarily career resurrection. i need to see much much more.
September 12th, 2016 at 4:16 pm
I told you fools!!!
ASJ is not a mortal.
Thats why you fools hate him!!
Legalize it broooooo!!!
Go Bucs!!
10 Td’s for ASJ this year.
And Aguayo won’t EVER miss a PTA in his whole career!
I’m with these guys!!!
Are you???
September 12th, 2016 at 4:27 pm
Four per year would be great……that’s 20 in 5 years….almost an entire team of starters.
September 12th, 2016 at 4:28 pm
Joe, you were the only one that didnt have any faith, I’m still not completely sold on Sefarian Jenkins, Great catch sunday, But still not completely sold.
However, I was a fan of Charles Sims after seeing Flashes of brilliance in his rookie year, I.E. Him shaking Kuechly out of his shoes; playing on a bum ankle at that. And we really didnt get to see Pamphile in his rookie year, so i had no real opinion of him.
I’ve had faith in Jason Licht ever since I read his resume. And hearing him speak about the game, I knew we had found a competent Gm. Miles ahead of your Beloved Popstar.
In Licht, In Koetter, In America’s QuarterBack We trust. The Future is Bright Joe, How sweet it is.
September 12th, 2016 at 4:28 pm
Tampa Tony, I’ll agree on the preseason, but Mccown was Lovies handpicked guy, we all know he didn’t get a fair shot with Lovie.
September 12th, 2016 at 4:58 pm
Realist
Exactly bro. We jump on draft choices from the preseason on. It’s actually absurd. I remember all of those who were ready to dump Sims just because he had a bad wheel.
Many here have already given up on Aguayo after the pre season…but like you I want to see where he is three years from now.
And as pointed out by Dave…Ryan Smith may be another late round steal. Lord knows we need some depth at safety.
September 12th, 2016 at 5:09 pm
@Stpetebucsfan
Some jumped on him before that!!! They wanted an O-line drafted for that pick and were ready to dump him on the day after the draft!!!!
September 12th, 2016 at 6:19 pm
I’m pretty sure I said this yesterday, #notgloating about how all of that class that is still on the team contributed
September 12th, 2016 at 6:20 pm
I’m pretty sure Imsaid this yesterday, all those 2014 draft picks that are still on the team contributed
September 12th, 2016 at 6:57 pm
Are we sure it was the players and not “The Jameis Effect”? That’s where 3-stars are motivated to play like 5-stars and mid rounders to play like 1st rounders.
September 12th, 2016 at 7:44 pm
In Jameis we trust
September 12th, 2016 at 9:03 pm
One thing I know for sure, one bad game and the doofuses will start with the Jameis = Jamarcus, Evans = Clayton , idiocy again. Too many bi-polar, hyper hysterical, manic fans in this town but I must admit they keep the drug companies and the beer distributors in business so they do serve a purpose. 🙂
September 12th, 2016 at 10:21 pm
DrHoagy
Spot on…and if I may piggyback your thoughts…if we could just get Josh Gordon from the Brownies we could insure some great business for the ganja dealers.
September 13th, 2016 at 12:39 am
Atlanta has improved quite a bit from last year but Licht has improved us more with another A plus draft class and shrewd free agent pick ups. We also got superior position coaches like Monken who has done wonders with our WRs as I predicted, and our superior Defensive line coach, and Defensive Coordinator Smith is such a large upgrade to Lousy Lovie. Koetter also should be Head Coach of the Year. If I was Arizona I would be very afraid the Bucs are his next nightmare after losing his opener. We are very competitive just like I said we would be. As for Glennon he is useless and we should not give him a contract extension when no NFL Team wants him and he comes begging for another contract next season. Jameis is already a Franchise QB as he proved in his first game. His only room for improvement is overthrowing WRs at the first of games due to adrenalin he is so pumped up. He needs to wait til half time to give his motivational speeches and just relax the first two series each game and trust his skills and his superior prep work. ASJ will be a big star for us and Koetter gets the credit for that turnaround!!!