Iowa RB On Radar
January 27th, 2018
Has sitdown with Bucs.
It appears the Bucs have had an epiphany. They believe an upgrade at running back is in order.
Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com reports that Bucs officials met yesterday with Iowa running back Akrum Wadley at the Senior Bowl.
Now meeting with a guy does not mean the player will wear pewter and red this fall. But Joe is of the mind teams generally do not waste their time having a meeting with a player just to find out what’s the best bar to troll for chicks in his college town.
Wadley ran for 1,000 yards each of the last two seasons. Seems he is also a fairly good receiver.
The projections for this guy are all over the map, from second round pick to a fifth, from a benchwarmer to a guy who can play right away in the NFL.
January 27th, 2018 at 12:12 am
Charles Simms is in the draft again?
January 27th, 2018 at 12:13 am
No wonder Simms wasn’t very good on Sundays last season … he was tired from playing every Saturday for Iowa …
January 27th, 2018 at 12:18 am
In all seriousness Wadley can play … I’d just rather not see us waste a draft pic on a RB when we can sign one cheap in free agency and use our draft picks on long-term players that would be expensive if they were free agents … RBs are a dime a dozen.
January 27th, 2018 at 1:05 am
Oh good grief posters above me..Sims can play..and don’t @ me..I am not in a good mood tonight..
January 27th, 2018 at 1:11 am
@ Life
You are correct that Sims can play. He has very good average yard per run and catch. If people actually looked at his stats they would see he is more of a weapon than casual fans realize.
Fans just don’t like Sims because he is not a bruising RB that can run over DTs and gets 6000 rushing yards per season.
January 27th, 2018 at 1:22 am
First 2 or 3 picks need to be OL and DL. Preferably Davenport in the first and Will Hernandez in the second. Solidify the lines on both sides then add pieces behind them. I will jump on the wagon and say FIX THE TRENCHES!
January 27th, 2018 at 1:25 am
Doesn’t look like Charles Simms to me. I wouldn’t mind him in the 4-55th round but I’d prefer Sony in the 2nd or Penny in the 3Rd
January 27th, 2018 at 1:27 am
5th*
January 27th, 2018 at 1:31 am
Sims is a joke and anyone who thinks he is quality NFL back should just stick
To high school ball on Friday nights
Tap dancing no hole hitting Sims can please move on – don’t waste a dime on his two Screen passes a season for a big gain
This kid looks more like LBell than Sims
January 27th, 2018 at 1:43 am
The Bucs have two RB’s. Give the Martin/Sims duo another year with the addition of a stud guard in FA and watch them produce.
January 27th, 2018 at 1:48 am
Bucs can make do with Barber and Sims as the 3rd down back, or just go balls to the wall in FA and get Bell while Winston’s contract is still low – they can front load it so it makes sense. Anywho no need to waste picks on runningbacks, the Bucs need to go defense the entire draft unless an offensive lineman falls and it’s a deal hard to pass up.
January 27th, 2018 at 2:25 am
Fix the running game by fixing the oline. Do not draft running back in first couple of rounds. Trade down if Chubb or Duncan (or equivalent) is not available. The quarterback evals will be all over the map. A team like Buffalo, or Jacksonville might give up the fort to get the qb they covet. Get 19 and 20 first rounders from Jacksonville, get 20, 2nd rounder and next year’s first rounder from Buffalo.
January 27th, 2018 at 2:34 am
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LifeOfABuc … you misread my comments … I’ve never bashed Simms and have ALWAYS said I’d like to see him re-signed as I consider him one of the better 3rd down backs in the league with some of the best hands in the league for a back as well … I have watched Wadley play though and not just “highlights” and he does remind me of Simms, so I don’t see why the Bucs would draft him when they already have the NFL version of him on their roster.
Godzilla13 …. MARTIN/Simms … I hope you meant Barber … Doug is a goner imho!
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January 27th, 2018 at 2:38 am
Seems he is also fairly good as a receiver.
That’s all Koetter cares about he doesn’t want to
straight up run the Ball. LMAO That’s why he didn’t
care who was in there as long as they could catch.
Just like OL as long as they could pass block it didn’t
matter.
January 27th, 2018 at 2:41 am
If you see Charles Sims in him somethings wrong. I like his running style much better lol.
January 27th, 2018 at 2:52 am
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1Gr8Buc … Davenport/Hernandez? Ugh … I don’t hate it but I wouldn’t be thrilled with it either. I think Frank Ragnow could be as good as Hernandez but that we could get him with out 4th round pick, and Daveport … I just don’t know … I think I’d prefer to trade down and get the Bills #21 and #22 and an extra 2nd rounder as well and then draft Arden Key and Derwin James in the 1st round, Dorance Armstrong and Carlton Davis and in the 2nd round, Derek Nnandi in the 3rd round, G/C Frank Ragnow in the 4th, OT Desmond Harrison in the 5th and both CB/RS DJ Reed and the best QB available in the 6th round … THAT would be a draft I’d be excited about as it would completely revamp our defensive line and defensive backfield while also adding two solid new O-Linemen … and if we can simply add a RB in free agency (Lev Bell or Carlos Hyde preferably) we’d be all set.
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January 27th, 2018 at 4:27 am
Rod, agree that Bucs can ‘make do’ with Barber & Sims (IF Licht can re-sign him in FA) but history shows we need 4 RBs to make it through the season. The better teams now seem to have TWO stud RBs to tote the rock, and their running styles seem to be complimentary. Personally don’t consider either Barber or Sims to be ‘elite’ but the best we can do this year is grab 1 RB who who can ball. Don’t care whether we get him in FA or the draft … as long as we get him. Jacquizz makes an adequate 4th (backup) in the RB group.
No more settling for mediocrity in the run game. Licht HAS TO FIX THE OLINE this off-season & our offense has to improve by putting more points on the board (IMO our average needs to be 28 PPG not 21 PPG) AND we need to do a much better job controlling the clock (IMO our average needs to be 32:30 min TOP not 29:43 mins TOP like it was this year). To meet goals like that, Bucs MUST substantially improve our OLine AND have a studly RB corps.
On the OLine, Sweezy needs to be released (not adequate as a starter & not worth the money as a backup). Pamphile MIGHT be re-signed, but not for starter’s money IMO (he’s an adequate backup IMO but I want to see a beast at LG & that’s not him). Grab a stud LG in FA (Norwell?) or in the draft (several possibilities in high rounds). Hawley seems to have recovered from 2016 & makes an adequate Center, although would prefer someone younger & bigger there also (FA or draft?). Marpet has to go back to RG (they wasted his talents at Center). Dotson is still under contract (through 2019) & I think he’s still a pretty decent RT. In any event, it’ll be interesting to see IF & how Licht chooses to restructure the OLine & RB corps.
January 27th, 2018 at 4:44 am
Please nooooo. Let’s get an electrified playmaker. This guy goes down too easy n really reminds me of Charles sims. We need a mccafferty, freeman, kamara type of player. Let’s fight fire with fire in our division. Every rb in our division had several electrifying highlight plays in 2017 while we continued to rely on Doogie Howser n Charlie Brown for the same results of 2 or 3 yards or less. Let’s get one of Georgia’s rb in the 2nd or 3rd round or Gramblings Martez Carter. He’s a clone of Tarik cohens of the Bears, just a tab bigger. Lagarette Blount was the last exciting rb who was consistent throughout his years with the team. Let’s stop settling for mediocre when r we gonna have a “u ball, u get the call” with dion sanders. Im tired of listening to commentators making a mockery of the Bucs.
January 27th, 2018 at 4:45 am
Back in the day, you NEVER heard this nonsense about “if you want a running game, fix your line”. If you saw a great RB, you DRAFTED him.
January 27th, 2018 at 6:26 am
Wadley looks to have a mean cut/change of direction off his plant leg ability. Reminds me just a bit of Barry Sanders in that respect.
If we haven’t gotten an additional RB through FA or the draft through the 1st 3 rounds – this guy in the 4th rd might just be a good investment.
January 27th, 2018 at 6:40 am
If they draft a rb it better be a bulldozer who can wear down defenses and beat down linebackers. I’m sick of these little guys to give me a Jerome Bettis clone there has to be one out there somewhere. Start trying out defensive lineman as rbs and see who looks good
January 27th, 2018 at 7:02 am
We have a history of dancing or even diving running backs,even Blount did it at
times when he was here.The one constant is the lack of a really good physical O line. Wadley does show the ability to make people miss and change direction.
Don’t really believe RB’s are a dime a dozen, one reason for that is the physicality of today’s game. Predicting whether a great RB will be great or oft injured is a tough job. Holes matter and allow a RB to use their skillset to elude
defenders and quite possibly extend their career.
January 27th, 2018 at 7:27 am
Sims really isn’t that good guys and he is older and will want more money. The only stat where Sims is actually better than Barber is in his yards per reception the past two years 7.25 for Sims vs 6.8 for Barber.
January 27th, 2018 at 7:31 am
The last time I checked and unless something has changed since last week….teams carry 3 or 4 RBs. Charles Sims is a good 3rd down back and if we can sign him cheap, we should keep him.
I also don’t like spending draft picks on RBs….
I’m fairly convinced some “foolish” team will already have taken Barkley….
I do like Sony Michel….he runs hard and fast…..but I think he will go in the 2nd round. If we trade down and get an extra pick, I’d be very happy with him.
January 27th, 2018 at 7:32 am
Penny is a better pick we don’t need another Sims. Penny is a beast
January 27th, 2018 at 7:42 am
How can you compare this guy to sims,his running style is totally different.
January 27th, 2018 at 7:49 am
188lbs….no thanks
January 27th, 2018 at 8:00 am
I like that kidnput of alabama.kid can run guys over and has break away speed.
January 27th, 2018 at 8:17 am
Looks like Michel has moved into 1st round Bucs would have to trade back with 1st pick to get picks or move up into end of 1st round to get him.
January 27th, 2018 at 8:26 am
I would prefer the Sony Michel from Georgia in Round 2….he can really make things happen as both a runner and receiver. And then grab Bo Scarborough from Bama in Round 5 or 6….the kid is a monster power back with great size!
We’d be set at RB for years!
January 27th, 2018 at 8:52 am
188 lbs RB – special teams and situation based only back….
January 27th, 2018 at 9:18 am
We need some SPEED at RB, please. Bucs haven’t had a threat to take a carry to the house since Dunn was let go. Sony Michel would be an awesome speed compliment to Barber’s gritty style.
January 27th, 2018 at 9:20 am
Get a homerun threat and watch the play action game turn elite. Quickest way to help JW take the next step is to add a strong guard (or center with amatory returning to guard) and true running threat through the draft or free agency.
January 27th, 2018 at 9:34 am
He’s a good RB, but think about it. He’s just a shiftier version of Doug Martin. What I mean by that is he just doesn’t have that elite speed like Alvin Kamara has or even Ezekiel Elliott. Ronald Jones is a good choice, Royce freeman if you want a slower running back that plows people over
January 27th, 2018 at 10:09 am
Charles Simms (a Koetter favorite) is not going anywhere. You can put that dream away haters. If Koetter is here, so is Simms. Simms contributed on special teams mostly this year. He is a 3rd down specialist and most teams have one.
In RE: Iowa RB, meh we need better. Good read but not sure his skills translate at NFL level. He looked slow but lets see how he does at combine. I watched the film and to me 90% of the time he held the ball too far away from body when running, which equals fumbles in the NFL. He can fix it but I would not spend more than a 4-6 rounder on this level of talent (project). This team does not need projects in RB position.
I think the Bucs will do something in NFL FA to stabilize RB position; draft is not the place where you find day 1 starters.
January 27th, 2018 at 10:14 am
Check out the Grambling RB later in the draft….still need a RB early
January 27th, 2018 at 10:58 am
36 Martez Carter 5-9 205 Grambling State SR
January 27th, 2018 at 11:32 am
NFLNUT
Yeah you saw that lol not one single carry of him taking on contract so they’re going to let Charles Sims walk and get this guy. If they can get him
Can’t believe this regime, no way would I let a first time head coach get me fired, I’d go down swinging by picking the players I want, hopefully this means they want two backs to completely revamp the backfield
January 27th, 2018 at 12:50 pm
RB’s are the most plug and play position on the team. They usually can play from day one…if they can play at all. Might need some time to master blocking skills but generally they come out ready to go.
DE’s..not so much. I’m not that worried about RB although I agree we need to find another one. But I’m from the build the trenches crowd and Nelson will help our running game.
As far as the “meanness” we lack…that’s not supposed to be a problem on the OL. Sweezy was recognized primarily for his “meanness” not his finesse or ability to pull and block. Ali is generally considered a tough guy…Nelson is such a monster hard to see how he won’t be “mean” enough.
January 27th, 2018 at 1:17 pm
Defense – I agree with you on fixing the o-line, if it’s not fixed it won’t matter who is back there, well unless it’s Barry Sanders. I don’t agree on Sweezy, you’re taking a $2-mil cap hit to release him for a $4-mil salary – last year Evan Smith made $4.5-mil to sit on the bench and Sweezy is better than he is. I mean if they go all out and need the cap space then sure, but who thinks they’ll actually do that? He could be a quality backup I think, and with a full year of being healthy maybe he’s better than last year, to me if you’ve already spent as much as the Bucs have spent on him, you might as well keep him one more year.
Move Marpet back to guard, get a real center, hopefully in FA if there are any, maybe draft a guard (they can almost always play and produce early) and the line should be in OK shape assuming Dotson is back. If the Bucs wanted to be super aggressive if Nate Solder does become available they could try to make a play for him, move D Smith to RT, although that means Dotson is the odd man out – and that could end up being a D Penn type move since Dotson might play for a while still considering how late he got started.
But anyways I completely agree on the offensive line, but again in FA, outside of Nate Solder I’m not sure who is clearly an upgrade that will be available. Getting a good center I think would be the key to everything since it means Marpet moves back to guard where the guy is a future All-Pro, and that domino effect helps everything.
Also as I said before with no quality defensive lineman being available and limited options at corner this year, the Bucs should swing for the fences on offense if they can’t get the defensive help – just load it up and actually try to outscore teams. It’s not a SB winning formula, but it can get you to the playoffs, and we’re worried about only being in the playoffs then that’s a huge advancement for this team.
January 27th, 2018 at 1:54 pm
Draft him in the 4th if he’s there for sure
January 27th, 2018 at 2:08 pm
Sorry NFLNut..I did misread your comment..
January 27th, 2018 at 2:26 pm
Jarrick McKinnon…
5’9″
209lbs
4.37 40
40.5″ vertical
32 reps on bench press
Past season splitting time with Cook and Murray ran for 570 (3.8ypc) received for 421 yds (8.3 ypc)
25 years old UFA
January 27th, 2018 at 2:38 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a8MntmQkTc
This is vs NFL defenses too..
January 27th, 2018 at 3:10 pm
Sure he does. Just picks the wrong guy to run (Doug Martin).
January 27th, 2018 at 3:11 pm
Charles Sims has a running style?
January 27th, 2018 at 4:17 pm
F that. They need to be talking to rashaad penny
January 27th, 2018 at 4:21 pm
JUST GOT HOME IN TIME TO CATCH THE 2ND HALF OF THE SENIOR BOWL…SAW WHERE PENNY IS SHOWING OUT!!!
All aboard the PENNY TRAIN!!! Been telling yall!
January 27th, 2018 at 4:34 pm
I’m with Tnew. He can probably be had for relatively inexpensive contract. If of course he is not resigned.
January 27th, 2018 at 4:49 pm
Ito Smith FTW, Joes – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQEJVLOWcew
Joe knows all about Ito. –Joe
January 27th, 2018 at 7:02 pm
Here we go again another subpar running back who I’ve never heard of
January 27th, 2018 at 7:09 pm
Our top 4 priorities before RB should be DE, CB, S, OL
January 27th, 2018 at 8:58 pm
^ and NT