The Lack Of Picks
April 28th, 2018
Talks interceptions.
A lot of Bucs fans howled about the Bucs drafting a pair of defensive backs Friday night that struggled to get interceptions against college kids the past two seasons.
Take M.J. Stewart from North Carolina. He played in the top-heavy ACC yet he couldn’t grab one interception the past two seasons. Some Bucs fans believe, as a result, he is already a bust.
Not only is that unfair — Denzel Ward, selected by the Browns fourth overall, had only two picks the past two seasons — but it is also misleading, Stewart said when he spoke with the Bucs pen and mic club Friday night.
“I feel like teams really scouted against me and me moving inside, they tried to use more picks and leverage matchups to try to beat me. I feel like that’s why I didn’t have as much success as I did my first two years,” Stewart said. “Me knowing me, I still have to make plays. Having zero interceptions in two years, that’s not my M.O., that’s not me. I’m ready to start this new chapter and start off with some picks.”
Time will tell if this is a pattern or just a knock on Stewart.
Of course, if a defensive back shows playmaking ability in his first season or two on the college level, opposing coaches aren’t as likely to challenge the guy as he matures.
April 28th, 2018 at 4:54 pm
Didn’t understand this NC player pick , the Pitt safety and this last linebacker just taken who is the same size as Shaq griffin but griffin is badder , stronger and faster and had 18.5 sacks last year Plus the bucs would had made some ucf fans into buc fans. I live in Orlando and went to ucf Blew it there
But otherwise. Love this draft.
Hopefully one of two guys above can getting some playing time
April 28th, 2018 at 4:54 pm
Just listening to his conference call he sounded like a mature and smart guy (so did ASJackhole).
I wont pretend that I’ve watched any of his stuff so I will just welcome him to the Bucs and wish him luck! Can’t be as bad as Vernon Hargreenthumb.
Goooo Bucs!!!
April 28th, 2018 at 4:56 pm
Such a dumb reason to not like a player lol
April 28th, 2018 at 5:04 pm
Exact same in the NFL, Brent Grimes, our best corner gets targeted the least of anyone on the team limiting his opportunities to produce turnovers. My concern with a Corner is how often he allows completions and big plays. Only losers base their defense mainly on turnovers.
April 28th, 2018 at 5:05 pm
This kid can play. I’ve seen a few of his games and he is good. I’m not saying he is the answer but he could be a solid SS if they switch him or a nickel back.
Davis will end up being a starter and VH3 will stay in the slot I think. VH3 will improve this season imo. Especially if they let him press at the line.
I’m very happy with this draft! Licht may have reached for a couple of guys but it’s who he wanted and I trust in him.
I’m truly excited about our new RB pairing of Jones and Barber. Throw in a new guard thats mean and nasty and our running game should be way better than average.
April 28th, 2018 at 5:05 pm
So disappointed with this pick. Are you telling me in the NFL they will not be prepared. This guy is already making excuses.
April 28th, 2018 at 5:28 pm
What did Gene Chizik say about MJ at the Senior Bowl after coaching MJ there:
“I’ve had 3 Thorpe Award Winners on my defenses. MJ is as good as any of the 3. He is a first round pick if the NFL teams truly do their homework. Absolutely loves ball and has a relentless work ethic. Flat BALLER”
April 28th, 2018 at 5:28 pm
INTs rarely matter when talking corners, if they’re any good then QBs won’t throw at them. If Revis, in his prime, has a 2 INT season, does that mean he was terrible? When Brian Kelly had 8 INTs and Ronde has 2 INTs the SB year, does that mean Ronde needed to pack it up and retire?
If a corner can cover or not is what matters. Wayne Haddix (sorry, Tecmo Bowl Legend Wayne Haddix) had 7 INTs and 3 TDs for the Bucs and was cut 6 games into the next year. INTs don’t matter.
April 28th, 2018 at 5:41 pm
I like picks as much as the next person but idc if they dont get any as long as they break up the pass an incompletions
April 28th, 2018 at 6:01 pm
Remember, my dudes, the Bucs don’t know how to develop cornerbacks, so any DB pick was a waste. Right Joe(1)?
April 28th, 2018 at 6:02 pm
Bird, I am a UCF grad too and I actually think the Bucs were going to take him in the 5th if available. Taking the Wisconsin LB kind of reinforces that belief. The draft is done in order obviously, and if someone Seattle decides to take him a few spots before you pick there is nothing you can do about it. I think drafting him early in the 4th would have been a bit of a reach and the team shouldn’t waiver from their draft board rankings just because the kid played at one of the state schools.
April 28th, 2018 at 6:34 pm
Licht certainly overhauled the secondary to the point that Hargreaves might be fighting to save his job. Regarding MJ Stewart, I thought that they could have waited longer to draft him, but who knows what’s going on behind the scenes. As the saying goes, time will tell.
April 28th, 2018 at 7:05 pm
Wausa Says:
April 28th, 2018 at 5:28 pm
What did Gene Chizik say about MJ at the Senior Bowl after coaching MJ there:
“I’ve had 3 Thorpe Award Winners on my defenses. MJ is as good as any of the 3. He is a first round pick if the NFL teams truly do their homework. Absolutely loves ball and has a relentless work ethic. Flat BALLER”
Thanks for sharing
April 28th, 2018 at 7:08 pm
Look at this guys film. He can’t cover. Not at an NFL level. But what stands out is his tackling. This guy has special ability in the tackling game. We are also one of the worst tackling secondary’s in football. Stewart was drafted to be our SS and he brings some coverage skills with him to protect the flats.
Licht had to fix the secondary in this draft and the tackling was a big part of it. Stewart can be a very special player as a pure tackler in this league.
April 28th, 2018 at 7:21 pm
Until proven otherwise.
April 28th, 2018 at 8:40 pm
Let us be honest–the 2 corners we got are extremely likely to be way better than Hargreaves (early 1st round pick) was last year.
Hargreaves was awful and an embarassment with his finger wagging antics
Just telling the undeniable truth
If you want to blame somebody for drafting 2 second round corners that you do not like, start with putting full blame on Hargreaves–he sucked–replay the Arizona game for a refresher on just how bad he was.
April 29th, 2018 at 2:32 am
Why him and not Oliver. that’s what i want to know. That’s what i’d like someone to ask JL.
What was wired about this draft is JL picking guys when there are better players in the same position on the board
April 29th, 2018 at 11:20 am
Rod Munch Says: Wayne Haddix
Yes sir, people were ready to say Ricky Reynolds was the weakness
In the back field, and look how that turned out. Good point!!
Both corners are feisty aggressive players. Excited to see them develop.