No Room At The Inn
April 22nd, 2010
Joe caught Tampa Tribune Bucs beat writer Anwar Richardson making a salient point about the Bucs draft that Joe had never considered.
While enthusiastically talking all things Bucs with The Fabulous Sports Babe Wednesday on WHBO-AM 1040, Richardson wanted to know what the Bucs plan to do with 12 draft picks.
The Bucs are tied with the Patriots for having the most draft picks in this week’s draft, five of which are slotted for the seventh round.
Remember that per NFL rules, there is a limit to the number of players that can be brought to camp. If all 12 draft picks happen to make the squad, that means one fourth of the current Bucs roster will be banished from the Tampa Bay area.
“They covet these draft picks like no other,” Richardson said of Bucs general manager Mark Dominik and his staff. “I’ve never seen a team so consumed with acquiring draft picks. They may have 15 [by the time the draft starts].
“Most of the time a seventh round pick is a throwaway. You hope upon hope someone turns out well. Where do they place all of these guys? They only have a 53-man roster. Are they planning that much of an overhaul? Remember the danger of placing guys on the practice squad is they have to clear waivers. What are you planning to do with all of these guys?
“You have to wonder if you are an older guy on this team, is your time up? I just want to know where they are going to place all of these guys?
“With 12 picks, everyone is going to have to fight for a position. After we see the picks this weekend, we will know what veterans they are looking to replace. With five seventh round picks, those are basically minimum wage jobs. With 12 picks, everyone is going to have to fight for a position. Aside from quarterback, you could say every position needs help. “
Richardson also talked about the Bucs trade of backup quarterback Byron Leftwich to Pittsburgh earlier this week.
“They obviously feel that the guidance from Leftwich is no longer important,” Richardson said. “They feel like he has been battle-tested and works well with [offensive coordinator Greg] Olson.”
As for the schedule, Richardson isn’t as enthusiastic as some. Richardson believes the potential wins on paper won’t be that easy on the field. St. Louis and Cleveland, for example, have good running attacks, which is the Bucs’ Achilles heel.
“The Buccaneers haven’t stopped the run in a year and a half,” Richardson said. “When is the last time a Buccaneers team stopped a running back? If they pull off five wins, it will be a successful season.”
April 22nd, 2010 at 8:26 am
They won’t keep all those picks. I think at least a couple of seventh rounders are going to be used at some point in the draft to move up a couple of slots to go after a guy they really want.
April 22nd, 2010 at 8:46 am
I’ve been saying this same thing for some time now. My money is they package some of these picks to move up AFTER they pick at #3. Next years picks and this years late round picks should be used to acquire more players in rounds 1-3\4 this year.
April 22nd, 2010 at 9:33 am
Well men just a little over 9 hours away from hopefully a great draft for our Bucs. I hope they prove my doubts and conerns wrong with this draft. Here’s to keeping the wings hot, the beer cold, and the pewter fingers crossed.
April 22nd, 2010 at 9:42 am
Man, lets just hope they draft McCoy. whom I feel is the best player in the draft. Imho..
April 22nd, 2010 at 9:48 am
12 draft picks (pending trades) plus god knows how many undrafted free agents!
April 22nd, 2010 at 9:52 am
Let’s hope they go for suh I feel he’s gonna be a beast and mccoy I think he will be average or less
April 22nd, 2010 at 9:54 am
I hope and pray the bucs upgrade the reciever postion
April 22nd, 2010 at 10:15 am
I think McCoy is suspect. If not Suh, then go for Eric Berry. Berry is definitely not suspect! And there are other good DT’s to be had. But my biggest fear is the trade-down with Suh still on the board. With team Glazer you cannot rule out anything! Maybe we should call this “Suspense Thursday”. Because we will all be in suspense until the 3rd pick is made!
April 22nd, 2010 at 10:22 am
The 7th round picks are for trades
April 22nd, 2010 at 10:27 am
Thanks, Joel.
April 22nd, 2010 at 10:41 am
I wonder if the bucs would have any interest in Umenyiora, he is rumored to be on the trading block during the draft.
April 22nd, 2010 at 10:54 am
Dominik traded up twice last year (once for Freeman, then again for Kyle Moore). We won’t have 12 new rookies by Sunday…look for the number to be more like 9…
April 22nd, 2010 at 10:59 am
My deal on McCoy is simple, he may be able to be disruptive and have this amazing first step but he hasn’t shown the desire to take a game over and make it his own. The combination of the natural gifts and desire is something that Suh has. I would move up and get Suh if the Rams would take the third and either of our seconds. For everyone who thinks no way give up a second…how many people would trade Arron Sears and our 42 pick for Calvin Johnson. That’s what Gruden wanted in 2007, trade pick number 4 and our second to move up two spots.
Just watched some additional film on both of them, McCoy makes the quick initial step and then starts readign the play. Suh just seems to be anticipating the play the entire time. Suh is a playmaker, game changer. He makes everyone on the field better. He would make our linebackers better, he would make Kyle Moore better. Playmakers are rare.
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:20 am
McCoy is a bust waiting to happen….
Reminds me of Gaines Adams, soft , and only has a quick 1st step going for him…