Fast Market
April 27th, 2019
Speed is good.
Speed kills, just ask Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
Last year the Bucs decided to draft corners that, well, were speed-adverse. Joe isn’t sure why the Bucs rookie corners got all torn up but Joe will guess not being able to hang with the sensational receivers in the NFC South may have hurt.
This year, though Licht stressed it was “not really an indictment,” Licht drafted two corners and a safety again. But there is already a big difference between last year’s trio of defensive backs selected and this year’s trio drafted.
And that is, this year, the cornerbacks can run.
Central Michigan’s Sean Bunting ran a 4.42 at the NFL combine. Jamel Dean of Auburn posted a 4.3 40.
Licht seemed to suggest getting corners who were quick was just a coincidence.
“We didn’t stack the board by speed, we stacked it by talent,”Licht said. “But it just so happens that those guys are fast, and we did want fast guys that were good football players. Speed is – you can’t coach speed and speed is something that is very important in the NFL.”
As Whitey Herzog, who built a track meet baseball team that won lots of games in the 1980s, likes to say, “Speed kills.” You either have it or you don’t and teams cannot replicate speed.
Was Licht pulling the strings of reporters suggesting it was just dumb luck that the two corners he drafted Friday night are both faster than the one’s he’s drafted in recent years? Joe will suggest it was luck by design.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:05 am
Send Licht to Lakeland….junior high/high school equipment manager sounds about his “speed”…maybe throw in holding a tackling dummy/standing on a blocking sled.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:09 am
I only hope that with all the D-linemen drafted the last 2 days that maybe some decent ones will be cut/available after camp. Like we got Nassib last year.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:16 am
I don’t think a single draft pick from last night makes the 53 man roster.\
Miguel Grande should be the GM. These are my Friday night picks.
#39 Trayvon Mullen CB Future All Pro went to the Raiders 2 picks later. His finest game was the most important game of his career, the NCAA Championship Game vs Alabama’s Crimson Tide. Six solo tackles, one sack and an interception.
Voted MVP of that game . Most of his career at Clemson opponents refused to throw in his direction. Bunting was a 4th round bust.
#70 Darrell Henderson Future All Pro stolen by the LA Rams while Gump staggered drunkenly around in a state of confusion. Henderson is a first team All American RB from Memphis who scored 27 TD’s last year and accumulated over 2300 yards. By far the best RB in the draft, who is also one of the best kick returners I have ever seen. Remember Desean returning that punt for an exciting TD, only to have it called back for a penalty? That’s DH al day long!
This could have been the best draft in Buc history with 3 All Pros instead it will get Gump fired for outrageous stupidity. Ever see the attendance figures for track meets? Sometimes both parents show up and the attendance tops 150.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:17 am
The bigger picture here seems as if Coach BA & Bowles have/had no faith in our previous DBs.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:23 am
These picks still don’t improve the team enough to get out of the NFC South basement. I guess we are re-building…again.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:23 am
I doubt the Bucs would outright cut new second and third round picks, so given the draft and existing roster, here’s what I see as the top DB cast going into camp (not saying it’s great…don’t know):
Safety: J. Whitehead, J. Evans, M. Edwards, MJ Stewart
Cornerback: Carlton Davis, VHIII, J. Dean, M. Edwards, D. Harris
Maybe they will finally kick Ryan Smith to the curb unless he beats out Devonte Harris. Isaiha Johnson will probably be an odd guy too. The big IF is of course if VHIII can be healthy and do anything other than nickel. Also, will one of the new CBs be ready to start?
April 27th, 2019 at 10:25 am
^^^ Oops…had Edwards at CB. Should be Bunting there.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:26 am
Oddly enough…VHIII and D. Harris are the “old heads.” Ouch.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:28 am
This is great stuff Joe, depressing as some of it is. Keep it coming.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:32 am
And payasito (little clown) left the bucs and jbf to follow his man crush, Chip The Dip Kelley. That coach was going to be great and revolutionize the NFL. Ummmm not.
So payasito is back spouting his ungenious comments making outlandish claims and major anti-buccaneer comments.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:32 am
Right! Then why did speed NOT matter so much the last two years?
Honest question: If Bowles/ BA have influenced the draft so much (taken over) and clearly disliked the D-backfield that Licht built so much, why is Licht here?
If Licht only drafts as his coaches desire, past and present (which he should greatly consider) then, why is he here? That’s called a figurehead.
Simply stated: The new guys are drafting and overhauling the work of Licht only one year later, proving Licht and/or the last —FIRED— regime failed. Right?
Why is Licht here?
Couldn’t one of the Glazers’ many attorneys and CPAs perform the job of a “GM”?
April 27th, 2019 at 10:33 am
Go all trenches/edge at least 3 of these picks please mother freaking god and give me some hope
April 27th, 2019 at 10:35 am
Go check grades from Walter football
We got B + or better for all 4 picks.
Apparently Jamal dean would have been much higher – second round pick if not for previous injuries – although he has been healthy for last 2 years so bucs should not practice him daily.
Safety from Kentucky was slotted to go a few picks higher so that is good to see ( still the safety from Alabama and Florida there ). Plus we have 7 safeties already.
The Bunting pick will come down to greedy Williams who was available and if he becomes better pro. I know Bowles plays press / physical with dbs so greedy was not consideration
Still. He could be Deone sanders type shutdown without having to tackle
—-/
I know Walter football is not all knowing. Just good to see they were good with picks. Atlanta got terrible grades. We were better then Carolina. Saints only had one pick and were able to take best center which was available so they got a plus (max Unger retired )
April 27th, 2019 at 10:46 am
The question is,why wouldnt you draft Fast corners to begin with.Especially if you suck at pass rushing for many years.
All of a sudden ,speed is good !!!!!WOW
April 27th, 2019 at 10:47 am
Licht is a muppet for BA. As of last yr, he no longer decides who to draft, that duty is urs truly, BA the coach. This yrs draft is a strategy. Process of elimination will b easy as BA said he will run two teams simultaneously in camp. Everyone will be assessed early n often. It don’t take Einstein to figure that BA n Bowles r not pleased with the current DB’s from 2018. The competition level will rise. Plz folks don’t underestimate Shaq Barrett, he’s a beast n I’m sure Spence will b put in the perfect position to maximize his skills set. The Bucs have never had DB’s with height 6’0/6’1 n speed 4.3/4.4 in the 40.This is an example of great coaching, something we’ve been lacking for quite some time. My belief is our defense will shock the world.
April 27th, 2019 at 10:53 am
You guys remember when we drafted Joey Iosefa? I love those picks….
April 27th, 2019 at 11:01 am
Someone tell Licht there’s a crack dealer in Tarpon Springs the cops have clocked him at 4.15 in the 40. They can’t catch him.
He’s 6’4″ and 128 LBs. He’ll be available in the 4th round.
Fire Licht tonight.
April 27th, 2019 at 11:05 am
Liar, liar pants on fire. Licht you suck. Worst GM in Bucs history.
April 27th, 2019 at 11:07 am
Where bucs bandit at with his guarantee wed draft will Grier? Let me guess his guy ” on the inside” was wrong?
April 27th, 2019 at 11:48 am
As anticipated, the first time this staff (paid and trained) does anything one of these Bucs fans (experienced in Madden ultimate team) Would do different, all support and loyalty goes out the window…insults fly, and indignation reigns. Sad. Funny. Go Bucs!
April 27th, 2019 at 4:18 pm
i am speechless… did forrest gump draft another kicker????? are you fn kidding me?