Already Talking 2011 NFL Draft
August 9th, 2010
Man, some people are so fixated on the draft, that not even the dawn of a new season can shift their eyes from April 2011 and the next draft. It really amazes Joe.
One query into the TBO Bucs Q&A feature believes the Bucs highest priority in next spring’s draft will be running back.
Q: I believe next year in the 2011 draft our most pressing needs will be RB, DE and OT/OG. Do you guys agree?
I think depending on how Vincent plays this year or maybe a long-term replacement for Zuttah.
We need a splash playmaker with speed to burn at RB as Cadillac is a possibility to get re-injured, but Kareem Huggins could be the guy given a chance.
At DE, the opportunites for sacks and backfield disruption should increase with the inclusion of McCoy and Price, so Kyle Moore, White and Crowder need to have at least a 5-6 sack year.
Daman Khangura, London, England
A: It’s a little early to be talking about the 2011 draft, but it’s hard to argue with your list of priorities. I think a lot of what the Bucs will be aimed at determining what their greatest need moving forward is. Will it be a RB, a LT or a DE? Hard to know at this point, but I’d be willing to bet that those will all be top priorities come next draft day.
— Woody Cummings
While Joe believes running back is a need, not so sure the Bucs should spend a first round pick on running backs. Selecting a running back early is an expensive move. The shelf life of a running back is limited but they cost much.
Better to wait until the second round where a team gets better value at running back.
August 9th, 2010 at 10:05 am
Think maybe the Bucs could have gotten more aggressive with landing Unga? Given up what….a 7th round pick?
August 9th, 2010 at 10:09 am
Good point Joe, but let’s also remember a very likely rookie cap in the next CBA. It’s a need for the health of the league. That said, a RB, even a top pick, may not cost that much.
August 9th, 2010 at 10:13 am
A left tackle, after just giving Penn a huge bag of money? That would make no sense.
August 9th, 2010 at 10:19 am
We won’t be getting any RBs until we release/trade/retire Caddy, Derrick, or Earnest. Our RB stable is packed, not necessarily filled with talent or future, but right now we can’t bring in a new person without kicking to the curb a veteran or a different young guy.
August 9th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Even tho I hope we aren’t drafting as high as it would take to get him.. but if we are I would LOVE for us to get Adrian Claiborne from Iowa. That would make me giddy.
August 9th, 2010 at 10:29 am
CharlieB – Ward is playing for his job this yea, if he sucks again, he will be cut in the offseason. Caddy is playing under a 1 year tender. and Graham’s job is probably secure as long as he continues to be able to play fullback/short yardage HB. So next year we could be walking into the draft with only no HB’s on the roster.
I agree with you Joe, id like to see the Bucs take John Clay, Allen Bradford, Daniel Thomas, or Evan Royster with their 2nd round pick, and adress O-line/DE with their 1st
August 9th, 2010 at 10:32 am
My guess as of now, in order: DE, RT, RB, CB, G.
Of course, that assumes we re-sign most of our guys. Priorities would change drastically if we don’t re-sign Joseph, Ruud, Jackson, and Black, for example.
August 9th, 2010 at 10:48 am
Cowher will probably go bruising running back or DE who can rush the passer.
August 9th, 2010 at 10:49 am
LOL!!
August 9th, 2010 at 10:52 am
Travis – Entirely possible. I was mostly referring to the Unga situation this year. I’d really like to see a DE first next year. But its kind of funny to talk “need” before the season starts. Stylez and Moore might each put up double digit sacks, which would remove our need for a DE. I’m not saying that it’s likely to happen, but talking need assumes that nothing changes over the course of a season.
August 9th, 2010 at 10:59 am
I think we should have grabbed Unga or Blount to pair with Huggins for some hope of a decent backfield in the future. Now we have to spend a top pick on a RB next year. Hopefully the second round and not the first. I think taking a RB in the first round is very stupid. 1st round should be for QBs, D-line, O-line, and CBs. Running backs and Safeties are a dime a dozen. The chances of getting an Adrain Peterson are slim and none. We’d get much more value at RB in the 2nd or 3rd round. Right now I’m hoping Demarco Murray slips to the 2nd round!
August 9th, 2010 at 11:50 am
Eric, yes that probably is what Cowher is thinking! But we are talking about the Bucs- not the Panthers! You just can’t stop thinking about ” the Chin”, can you Eric! Well, Carolina isn’t that far away! But I personally will miss you!
August 9th, 2010 at 11:53 am
Question: If the Bucs win 6 games this season and the Glazers don’t bring Raheem back, will this upset you guys?
August 9th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
If we don’t see any improvement in the team from last year or over the course of the season, no. I’d even encourage it. If we win 6 games but the team looks like its a couple breaks from contending for a championship, yes, I’d be rather upset.
Let me turn it around: How many wins would it take for you to be comfortable with Raheem returning next year?
August 9th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
I’m already on record as predicting 8-8 this year. My only hedge Is that Freeman play at least 12 games. I’m not going to sit here and calculate how much failure I can live with! Sitting around focusing on failure will turn you into a member of the “Slow Squad”!! The Bucs are undefeated right now. I am hoping they are very competitive this year, and will continue to believe so. Those of you hoping the team fails? Well, that because you are probably failures. And misery( and the Miserable) loves company!
August 9th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Quality drafted running backs are a dime a dozen. Only a handful turn out to be Superstars every decade. It is an extreme gamble(and waste of resources IMO) taking a RB in the early 1st.
August 9th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Nah, you grab the DE in the first round! Guard and Rb can be either 2nd or 3 Rd round
August 9th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
8-8 is what every team should be capable of. Every team gets to draft and gets the opportunity to sign free agents. By and larger, there is so much parity in the NFL that the majority of the players talent are on par with each other.
8-8 is every team’s equilibrium. Coaching, schemes, game planning, super stars dynamic play making and luck make teamns winners…. and the lack of the aforementioned characteristcis, make teams lose.
So basically, it us up to Raheem Morris to ensure that he doesn’t coach the Buccaneers to a record below 8-8, because there are not enough super stars and luck available to ensure the Bucs make 8-8.
It will take coaching to ensure the Bucs make 8-8.
Anything less is sub-par for a legitamate NFL coach.
August 9th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
8-8 is what every team should be capable of. Every team gets to draft and gets the opportunity to sign free agents. By and larger, there is so much parity in the NFL that the majority of the players talent are on par with each other.
8-8 is every team’s equilibrium. Coaching, schemes, game planning, super stars dynamic play making and luck make teamns winners…. and the lack of the aforementioned characteristcis, make teams lose.
So basically, it us up to Raheem Morris to ensure that he doesn’t coach the Buccaneers to a record below 8-8, because there are not enough super stars and luck available to ensure the Bucs make 8-8.
It will take coaching to ensure the Bucs make 8-8.
Anything less is sub-par for a legitamate NFL coach.
August 9th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
8-8 is what every team should be capable of. Every team gets to draft and gets the opportunity to sign free agents. By and larger, there is so much parity in the NFL that the majority of the players talent are on par with each other.
8-8 is every team’s equilibrium. Coaching, schemes, game planning, super stars dynamic play making and luck make teamns winners…. and the lack of the aforementioned characteristcis, make teams lose.
So basically, it us up to Raheem Morris to ensure that he doesn’t coach the Buccaneers to a record below 8-8, because there are not enough super stars and luck available to ensure the Bucs make 8-8.
It will take coaching to ensure the Bucs make 8-8.
Anything less is sub-par for a legitamate NFL coach.
August 9th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Yeah… delete 2 of those please Joe.
August 9th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
Yeah, every team isnt rebuilding. We are, after years of horrible drafting and terrible coaching. But if you don’t know that by now, the I have zero expectations that a friggin idiot like you will ever figure it out!
August 9th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
three winning seasons and two division titles in the last four years is “terrible”.
hahahahahahahahahhahahaha
what an idiot.
August 9th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Eric- a .500 coach, that can’t draft or coach young players, yeah, that’s a lousy coach. Then you factor in the fact that the team damn near revolted on him! Oh yeah, that would do it! Left NOTHING in the cupboards. I know love is blind, Eric, but Damn!, it’s gotta be stupid too?