Better To Pass
April 2nd, 2019
Wants out of Cleveland.
Now Joe understands NFL general managers are not wont to negotiate trades through websites that cover the NFL. So Joe doesn’t know if the Bucs are currently talking turkey with the Browns for a trade.
Yesterday, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, one of 33 newsroom employees left standing in a one-paper town, reported that Browns running back Duke Johnson has demanded a trade from the Browns. Joe shared three weeks ago that the Bucs are very hot on his trail.
The Browns have stocked up on running backs and it’s no wonder Johnson wants out. Johnson is a third-down back and his average per carry is actually better than Payton Barber’s. But let’s be honest here, Barber averaged just over 50 yards a game. Not exactly Gale Sayers territory.
Now would Johnson help the Bucs? Probably. In case you didn’t notice last year, the Bucs’ running game was downright putrid. When your second- and third-best running backs were both quarterbacks not exactly known as replicas of Michael Vick, you have a problem.
But Joe wonders if running backs in the draft, Miles Sanders of Penn State or Elijah Holyfield of Georgia, specifically, are better options than Johnson? The Bucs have sent running backs coach Todd McNair to work out both in private meetings so there is interest.
Is Johnson a panacea that will turn into Thurman Thomas and lead the Bucs to the playoffs? Unlikely.
Yes, Joe would be interested in Johnson so long as Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht doesn’t get dry cleaned in a trade for the Miami product. It sure doesn’t seem that Johnson is the answer.
April 2nd, 2019 at 8:06 am
I guess it would depend on what happens in draft. We have time.
I think browns waiting for draft as well to see if they can get something for him on day 3
April 2nd, 2019 at 8:08 am
I wouldn’t give up anything higher than a 5th rd pick for him.
April 2nd, 2019 at 8:24 am
I wouldn’t count on him resurrecting the run game, but I can certainly see the appeal for him. Decent YPC, meaning he has shown he can produce on the ground. Perhaps even more attractive, though, is that he catches balls well out of the backfield. He averages almost 60 catches and over 500 receiving yards a year…I don’t see any of the current Bucs RBs coming close to those receiving numbers. That could add a whole other dimension to the offense. Maybe that is why the Bucs are potentially after him.
April 2nd, 2019 at 8:25 am
Waterboy
Agreed. That would still be good value on our end in 5th.
I really hope they go all defense (3 picks) and one guard with first 4 picks.
But would be ok with running back if one drops to third round like the running back Henderson from Memphis. He torched ucf all year. Kid can play and has good hands
April 2nd, 2019 at 8:26 am
Would they want McCoy?
April 2nd, 2019 at 8:49 am
“So the Bucsfanbase thinks defenses will just giveup now BAs offense Is here
Its a copycat league and our division defensive coords already of a plan of beating BAs off and its weaknesses
There going to blitz our weak oline
Mark Kobes words
JW needs a outlet pass catching runningback
Barbers total of 92 pass yards recieving is a joke
We need a duel threat runningback
Miles Sanders wont be available on the 3rd round
Kobe endorses David Montgomery as our 3 down back
**we have no shot of getting duke…we have no money to even get a competent corner like mo clairborne”
Kobe Faker
April 2nd, 2019 at 8:52 am
McCoy for Duke. Let’s make it happen!
April 2nd, 2019 at 8:53 am
Personally, if we were to draft a RB, I’d prefer Darrel Henderson from Memphis to Miles Sanders, although I think either one would help.
April 2nd, 2019 at 8:59 am
Another available RB that is better than anyone on our roster and what will licht do, just smile and wave….send mccoy to the playoff bound browns, bring duke back to florida and give him the rock
April 2nd, 2019 at 9:07 am
Enough with the stupid Gayle Sayers references, first and foremost Koetter is gone, secondly NOBODY UNDER 85 HAS EVER SEEN OR CARED ABOUT OLD ASS GAYLE SAYERS. Not funny. That horse is dead you can stop beating it now.
April 2nd, 2019 at 9:12 am
I would love to see us make a move for Duke! At worst, he would be a serious receiving threat out of the backfield or even in the slot. At best, he would be a very good change of pace back, even if we go after another RB in the draft.
April 2nd, 2019 at 9:23 am
Watched film on Hollyfield. Plays much faster than his 40 time. Runs over people. I know I might be delusional, but kind of reminds me of Emmitt Smith.
April 2nd, 2019 at 9:29 am
I’m on thethe straight up trade, McCoy for Duke. That way no need to use another draft pick on RB, especially if BA likes our current stable, even though they obviously are looking at draft prospects. Downs get an experienced defensive lineman to line up next to Miles Garret and the Bucs get a RB and salary cap relief. The question would be, if they ask Todd Monken about GMC, what would he say, mmmmm?
April 2nd, 2019 at 9:32 am
i’d take him for a 5th…..
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!!
April 2nd, 2019 at 9:35 am
Trade Ronald Jones and a 6th for him
April 2nd, 2019 at 9:43 am
Go Bucs 72:
Going to take a wild guess and say the core of NFL Network’s audience is under 85. They just had a documentary on Sayers last year.
Trust Joe, “Good Morning Football” is not aimed at Ira’s demographic.
April 2nd, 2019 at 9:47 am
Go Bucs 72 Says:
“Enough with the stupid Gayle Sayers references….
NOBODY UNDER 85 HAS EVER SEEN OR CARED ABOUT OLD ASS GAYLE SAYERS………..”
—–
Jesus, what a STUPID-ASS post.
So that means he didn’t exist? He can no longer be referenced as a running style? WHY?? Because YOU said so?
Thank God you don’t speak the rest of us. For ANY of us who love the NFL and it’s history, these type of references are perfectly fine.
April 2nd, 2019 at 9:57 am
You guys were hot in the crotch for Carlos Hyde and giving him plenty of love last year, he’s better than Hyde and would help the Bucs I’m not sure why he is getting so little credit for being a good back. Miles Sanders is the best option to me but obviously the back they want may not fall so I think most teams are seeing what’s up with a trade next year. I wouldn’t want to give up draft capital this year either
April 2nd, 2019 at 10:07 am
wonder if McCoy can run block?
April 2nd, 2019 at 10:15 am
The running game will NEVER improve as long as our OL is the 31st ranked run blocking team in the league. Compare that to 15th best in pass blocking.
I’m not certain that with proper emphasis our current cast can’t begin to match their run blocking prowess to their pass blocking skills. Perhaps a coach can put it all together.
April 2nd, 2019 at 10:25 am
Too bad Wilson is our best RB and he warms the bench.
April 2nd, 2019 at 10:56 am
db55
i hear ya!!!!!
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!!
April 2nd, 2019 at 11:08 am
My heart keeps telling me ‘BA has a plan; BA has a plan’ but my head keeps saying ‘Bucs still have Jason Licht, we’re near broke and 5-11 is looking better & better’. Too many ‘starting holes’ right now IMO, and you can’t consistently win in the NFL with multiple ‘starting holes’. Bucs NEED 1 MLB, 1 CB, 1 RG & 1 RB (to complement Barber) just to start the season (could use several others, but 4 is the minimum IMO). The odds of us getting FOUR quality starters in the draft? Not pretty.
The ONLY answer that I see right now is to fill at least 2 of those starting holes with quality FA vets (personally I’d prefer to fill all 4 with quality vets, but 2 is the minimum IMO). We can open the season with what we’ve got at the other positions (and pray for no injuries), but those 4 positions are DEFINITE WEAKNESSES at this moment in time.
Claiborne could fill the CB NEED for now, although I question whether he’s really a long-term solution. Duke Johnson could fill the RB NEED for now (it seems like he could be a very nice complement to Barber). Then fill the MLB NEED and the RG NEED via the draft with our 1st & 2nd Round picks. Bucs need to come up with some salary Cap $$$ to do all that. Time to get creative Jason.
April 2nd, 2019 at 11:08 am
GMC for Duke Johnson?!! Am I the only one who waits until 3:30 to start smoking?! That’s almost as hilarious as trading Ronald Jones for Duke.
You guys are funny!
stpete- You are 1,000% correct. If we don’t improve that line, it won’t matter.
And did someone seriously diss Gale Sayers?! I’m guessing they’ve never seen the footage.
April 2nd, 2019 at 11:35 am
I think BA has a plan.
The Cardinals stole David Johnson in the 4rd round. Arians made a living with that guy. I believe BA talking up Barber and Jones is simply cover to select 1st Team All American Darrell Henderson in the 3rd.
Remember the Cards wanted another back with that pick. Someone snuck in front of them and grabbed their guy. Johnson was their pick by default. They got “Lightning in a bottle” with Johnson.
Funny, that what Chris Simms called Henderson, “Lighting in a bottle.”
April 2nd, 2019 at 11:41 am
The Cardinals stole David Johnson in the 3rd round
I remember Gale Sayers, but I’m old.
April 2nd, 2019 at 1:03 pm
If the Eagles only gave up a 6th. round pick for a guy like Jordan Howard why the heck would any GM give up a 5th. round pick for Duke Johnson!? Depending on his salary cap hit I could see a team justifying giving up at most a late 6th./early 7th. round pick for Johnson (based on his NFL production at a devalued position and his limited role). I’ll be shocked if the Browns get better.
April 2nd, 2019 at 2:08 pm
Would rather have Duke for a day 3 pick than Miles Sanders on day 2.
I would rather see them take the committee approach instead of trying to find another feature guy.
James Williams on day 3 would be a good pick. He caught 200 passes in college. He could be the safety net that Hump was.
April 2nd, 2019 at 2:26 pm
Can you please spell our starting RBs name correctly Joe? Peyton, not “Payton.”
April 2nd, 2019 at 3:23 pm
Do. Not. Draft. A. Running. Back.
Period.
.
The team doesn’t have a #1 corner or a #3 corner or a #4 corner, the team doesn’t have a starting MLB, or another OLB, or a second ILB if we’re running a 3-4. The team is missing a starting guard. The team has zero depth at OT, Bobo is our #3 WR, we don’t know what we have a safety, etc.
Why are morons talking about spending draft picks on RB yet again? This is literally the same conversation we had last year when morons were calling for a RB in the 2nd round – and you got what you wanted. We didn’t need a RB in the draft then, we don’t need one know. If you want a RB then that’s what you use FA for since they were super cheap.
April 2nd, 2019 at 3:31 pm
^ If you are going to call us all names, at least use a moniker.
April 2nd, 2019 at 8:27 pm
I think Duke Johnson would be a solid addition to this team. Probably could get him for a 6th round pick! I’d also go pluck Ryan Nall from the Bears practice squad! Save the high draft picks for O-line and LB help.
April 2nd, 2019 at 10:35 pm
I’ve been in the Duke Johnson camp since the day the Browns signed Kareem Hunt. This guy transforms our team and there is no running back currently on our team that can catch a pass. ROJO either surpasses Barber or he doesn’t but he is not valuable as a 3rd down back. I personally think Duke could be worth more carries than he has gotten but he definitely would be on the field on 3rd down. It puts more pressure on a defense to account for another passcatcher. Jameis will have that outlet valve than can make plays. I’m a big Duke fan.