“He Was Inundating Inboxes Here”
May 21st, 2018
A special kind of fire burns in Buccaneers rookie cornerback Carlton Davis, so explained general manager Jason Licht.
That’s comforting to hear while many Bucs fans wonder what’s been burning around Vernon Hargreaves.
Licht came out of last month’s draft puffing his chest like many GMs do. Licht had good reason. He picked up a rare talent at defensive tackle, after trading for a rare talent at defensive end. And he walked away with three second-round picks that addressed pressing needs. Unique talents also found their way to the Bucs in Rounds 3 & 4.
Recently on WDAE-AM 620, Licht talked about how Carlton Davis, the big, tough-guy, press-specialist cornerback from Auburn is more than just a talent on the field.
Licht said Davis has the innate confidence and hunger to become a quick locker-room influence.
“And you know, from the minute we drafted him and we reached out to him and told him he was going to be a Buc, he was super excited. But he was inundating inboxes here with text messages, already wanting the playbook and already wanting to know what he can do to prove himself,” Licht said. “And that’s a good thing. We’ll take that all day every day. Those personalities end up being great for that locker room.”
Back in the old days, Raheem Morris would have called Davis “yungry.” It’s a good sign.
Joe doesn’t care whether it’s Davis or fellow second-round cornerback M.J. Stewart, but one of them has to be an impact rookie in a hurry this season. If not, the Bucs are unlikely to reach their goals.
Licht added that by the time 21-year-old Davis was picked at No. 63 overall, Davis “was sticking out like a sore thumb on our draft board.”
May 21st, 2018 at 11:12 am
This is a great sign. The Bucs need more guys who have an inner fire like Sapp, Brooks, Barber and Lynch.
May 21st, 2018 at 11:17 am
Steven A Smith: Vernon Hargreaves needs to stay off the weeeeed.
May 21st, 2018 at 11:19 am
Carlton Davis, the big, tough-guy, press-specialist cornerback from Auburn……
will he be forced to play off coverage or will smitty play to his strengths?……we’ll see!!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
May 21st, 2018 at 11:19 am
…but why then was he taken AFTER MJ Stewert then?
May 21st, 2018 at 11:20 am
Nice piece. Pretty obvious which Joe was the author with no mention of lighting candles and such…
LOL at the 2nd paragraph
If Davis can back up his extreme confidence in himself and his abilities with similar play as a rookie in the NFL – that would sure be huge boost for this defense to have a big, physical starting outside CB that won’t let Jones, Thomas and Funchess manhandle him and/or run free through the secondary.
Very excited about the Davis pick. Still curious why he was picked after Stewart – but Licht’s gamble paid off and we got both – PLUS an extra 4th in trading down a few spots that was used to draft S -Whitehead.
Nice Work Jason Licht!
May 21st, 2018 at 11:33 am
it’ll all come together 2nd half of 2019…..
May 21st, 2018 at 11:56 am
Buc Neckid Says:
May 21st, 2018 at 11:19 am
…but why then was he taken AFTER MJ Stewart then?
BINGO!!!
I’ll reserve judgement on Stewart & Davis but it still remains a mystery to me why Licht went for Stewart first….the only answer would be that he thought someone else was going to pick Stewart….
Keep in mind we traded down and in between the two CB picks there were 3 CBs and a S picked…..one of those may have wanted Stewart.
May 21st, 2018 at 11:58 am
No matter Race – Creed or Color
Players have been Drinking & Getting High; since the NFL’s inception.
Vernon Hargreaves needs to chest-up, and become the man he’s suppose to be.
May 21st, 2018 at 12:09 pm
How about this TBBF, they had Stewart grading out higher on their draft board. Good lord guys its not rocket science.
May 21st, 2018 at 12:09 pm
Brees is super impressed with his texting abilities…..
May 21st, 2018 at 12:30 pm
Buc Neckid Says:
May 21st, 2018 at 11:19 am
…but why then was he taken AFTER MJ Stewert then
—————-
MJ Stewart was super impressive in Mobile for Senior Bowl week. Standouts at the Senior Bowl practices typically go on to have pretty darn good careers. I remember Cameron Jordan destroying everybody one year… Pat Willis was amazing… JJ Watt was a stud… Ali Marpet did extremely well as did Donovan Smith and several others that became Bucs and played well for us. The Senior Bowl is a unique opportunity, even more so than the Combine, for these young players to get out and actually play football AGAINST other soon-to-be NFL athletes, go against them in one-on-one drills, show their work ethic, classroom smarts, and ability to learn new techniques and philosophies. Do not sleep on Senior Bowl week standouts… the standouts from the game itself, not such a big deal, but the week of practice is HUGE! The Bucs really liked what they saw from Stewart and considering he was honored as Senior Bowl Week’s top defensive back, other people saw it too.
May 21st, 2018 at 12:41 pm
Of course they had him graded higher…….duuhhh!……I’m asking why?
All of the accolades are going to the Davis pick…..I want to know what Licht’s thinking was.
May 21st, 2018 at 12:44 pm
I like this kid….have a feeling he’s going to be Grimes replacement. We still need another one though. CB will probably be used as our first next year, then DE.
And I second that Luv! They just need to find the balance. As you get older that stuff takes its toll if you do it too much….and it starts in the early 20’s.
May 21st, 2018 at 12:52 pm
Whatever happens after this season, I want Licht to stay.
May 21st, 2018 at 1:09 pm
MadMax, what are you taking about bruh?
MJ Stewart is a baller too.
Davis will be our starting outside CB and MJ Stewart is going to win the starting slot corner job over Hargreaves. Guaranteed.
We still might need another CB next year to replace Grimes on the other side still, though. But maybe Ryan Smith could handle the job by next year, so we don’t have to spend a 1st roundpick on a CB… Who knows at this point
May 21st, 2018 at 1:39 pm
Agreed Erik. Good god if we spend our 1st next year on a CB that would be ridiculous. That would mean they would have spent 2 first rounders and 2 second rounders on CBs over a four year span. You can’t do that.
May 21st, 2018 at 1:40 pm
Davis AND Stewart better be ready to start. We’re kidding ourselves if we think Grimes plays 16 games.
If VHIII can regain his confidence, that’s just gravy!
May 21st, 2018 at 1:51 pm
COMPITITION!
May 21st, 2018 at 2:31 pm
Can’t wait to see all these guys suit up. I kinda agree with ego lol I think we still might be one draft an FA away from having one of the best young teams in the league an next years draft is supposed to be stacked with edge rusher praise the lord cuz we need em
May 21st, 2018 at 3:15 pm
I think most of us (myself included sometimes) need reminding that Hargreaves and Ryan Smith are by no means out of contention – afterthoughts – or anything similar in this CB competition for 2 “starting” spots (RCB & Slot/Nickle CB).
To hear the coaches tell it – Hargreaves is a lock as the Slot guy and also will be given every opportunity to earn the starting spot outside in base and then slide inside to nickle on passing downs ala Ronde Barber. That’s what I heard/inferred from recent coach comments at least.
There’s a reason he was universally rated as a 1st rd talent coming out of the SEC – and was widely called “the best true corner in the draft”. Ronde even doubled down on VH3’s talent/skill level this off-season. I would be surprised not to see Vernon “bounce back” in 2018 and regain the trust and confidence in himself that he obviously lost early last year after getting shell-shocked in Minn and a couple other early season games
I also saw enough from Ryan Smith last year to believe he has what it takes to play well in this league. Might be another year or two before he gets there – but I think he just might make it as an NFL CB. Smith has decent size and athleticism and better than average speed – so the intangibles are all there.
We are all excited about these two 2nd rd rookies – and rightfully so. But part of that “excitement” at this point is because we haven’t seen them try to cover Julio Jones yet – LOL
CB is a tough position to adjust to coming from College into the NFL. Many say the toughest (next to QB of course).
Hargreaves and Smith both have a leg up on Stewart and Smith initially – simply because they have NFL experience and know what’s what. They know the system – they know the plays – they’ve been through 2 off seasons and training camps already. They’ve been out there – under fire – in real games – against some of the league’s best receivers. Having some successes – yet also taking lumps – making mistakes – and hopefully learning from those invaluable yet face palming experiences.
All I know is – we have 4 good young CBs now and I can see at least 2 of them minimum playing well for this team in 2018 – and all 4 having a great opportunity to learn and grow into solid NFL CBs in time.
May 21st, 2018 at 3:32 pm
leg up on Stewart and Davis I meant. need an “edit” button Joe!
May 21st, 2018 at 4:11 pm
PICKGRIN
I AGREE
I think VHG bounces back and I think ryan smith will improve his game and surprise folks as well…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
May 21st, 2018 at 4:29 pm
@Pckgrin, I was thinking the same thing. Agree with everything you posted.
May 21st, 2018 at 5:05 pm
I really won’t be surprised by anything with this group of CBs as of now and don’t really care how it shakes out as long as the best players are out there.
CB1-Grimes
CB2-Davis/Stewart/VHIII
Nickle-VHIII/Stewart
Any combo seems feasible. It’d almost be ideal that VHIII or Stewart can win an outside spot and excel at it since we know Davis will likely man one of those spots going forward after Grimes leaves.
It also sounds like Smitty could run a lineup where VHIII starts outside and moves inside on sub packages based on his press conference statements. I believe Denver was doing that with Chris Harris for years but I may be wrong. Chris Harris is also a good comp to VHIII in terms of their physical builds/athleticism
May 21st, 2018 at 5:21 pm
@pickgrin- Solid analysis as usual.
Ryan Smith definitely has potential. If anything, he can replace Josh Robinson as our #6 CB and Special Teams hero.
I still wish we had signed McCourty to be our #2 last off-season.
1. Grimes
2. Hargreaves
3. Stewart
4. Davis
5. Smith
6. Robinson
This is EASILY the best 6 CB’s we have had on paper since the Super Bowl team.
May 21st, 2018 at 6:02 pm
@Pickgrin and Teacherman
Agree with your analysis of our CB’s…not world beaters but not a bad group and still young…VERY young. Probably their biggest weakness…lack of experience…hopefully our Dline puts enough pressure on QB’s to cover that.
May 21st, 2018 at 6:23 pm
Some of you are so short sighted. IF VHIII turns it around and our two second round DBs pan out, we will have our 3 starting DBs next after Grimes leaves and not be forced to sign a big name FA or draft one next year.
May 21st, 2018 at 7:22 pm
Just because he excels in press does not mean he can’t play off ball, he said himself he’s done it all and played in a similar defense. Stop watching ESPN highlights and look at the defense he played in, he didn’t play press every snap of his entire college career.
Whether he will be an impact player or day one starter don’t know but will love the competition at corner this year. If he doesn’t start and vh3 is the starter hopefully that means he beat him in a fair competition, just not ready to see a rookie corner no matter how talented especially after watching Ryan Smith
May 21st, 2018 at 9:58 pm
@Eric…. no knock on Stewart. Grimes is probably in his last year though. Now dont get me wrong, if Stew and Davis ball out and turn into the 1 and 2, heck yeah, Im all about that. I’d love for CB and SS not be a concern going into next years draft. We’ll see.