It’s Adrian Clayborn
February 8th, 2011
Just to help whet Joe’s readers’ appetite for an avalanche of draft coverage just days away that will be unequaled locally, much of which will be coming from Joe’s good friend Justin Pawlowski of WDAE-AM 620, Joe decided to drop a draft post here.
There have been a lot of NFL folks who believe the Bucs will draft Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn. Count Pete Schrager of FoxSports.com among that group. He thinks it’s a slam dunk the Bucs use their 20th overall pick on Clayborn.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6), Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa: I’ve been accused of wearing pewter pajamas for all my pro-Buccaneers talk this year, and I can’t deny it — I loved what this team did in 2010. The Bucs struck gold all over the place in the 2010 draft and became the first team in NFL history to start 10 rookies and finish a season above .500. They were the league’s youngest team after Week 8 and fell just one game shy of making the playoffs. Gerald McCoy, Roy Miller and Brian Price are three young interior defensive linemen who should be longtime studs in Tampa, and the defensive backfield was solid from start to finish in 2010. But the Bucs’ leader in sacks last season (Stylez G. White) had only 4.5 on the year. Adrian Clayborn had a solid season, facing double teams on most passing downs, after an incredible junior year. He’s considered one of the top seniors in this draft. He’s a reliable prospect who’ll play right away. I’m already giddy about the Tampa D in 2010. Add Clayborn into the mix? The Baby Bucs defense could be one nasty squad.
Joe is good with this pick as Clayborn has extremely good, quick hands which is solid for a defensive end.
Joe is giddy about the prospects of the defense too. Brian Price coming back after an injury, GMC with a year under his belt, Cody Grimm with a year under his belt,and with some solid additions to the defensive end positio, the Bucs defense could very well be on the verge of something special.
Later in the same column Schrager believes the Bucs will draft wide receiver Titus Young from Boise State. Joe doesn’t see that happening. The Bucs seem set at wide receiver, though by all accounts Young is expected to be the next DeSean Jackson.
February 8th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
I don’t see them drafting a WR either, they seem set there.
I also do not mind Clayborne. There are a bunch of DEs that would be fine actually.
What I do not like is all the talk about taking a LB first. NO. They should take an LB maybe two, but DE MUST go in round 1 and hopefully they snag Greg Romeus in round 3
February 8th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
I saw this at walterfootball.com:
Round 1 Pick 20: Adrian Clayborne DE Iowa
Round 2 Pick 51: Bruce Carter OLB UNC
Round 3 Pick 84: Quan Sturdivant ILB UNC
round 4 Pick 115: Greg Romeus DE Pitt
I don’t think some of these guys are available in those rounds but if they are……….. I would be absolutely ecstatic about that draft!!
GUEST 27: They may very well pick “tweener” LB/DE in order to move more towards a 3-4…. what I don’t understand is why you seem so admimant about picking a side on that issue. Personally, i don’t think they are, I just think they tried different things this year because they could not stop the run. Also, if they thought they were headed that way, they would have went a different route in last years draft at DT. Either way, whatever. I do not care what scehme they do as long as they have the players to do it succesfully.
If they draft 2 DEs and 2 LBs in the first 5 rounds, I’ll be happy.
I also see them taking a safety and a scat back RB in the last couple rounds.
Can’t see a FB being drafted. Seems like the offense is phasing it out. Blount ran better without one and as he gets better at pass protection, they won’t need one.
February 8th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
Again , indulge me. Still pissed about being written off as just some big dumbass happy homer!! Yup, predicted Adrian Clayborn 3 weeks ago. And Old Bruce Carter in 2nd, OLB Colin Macarthy in the 3rd, Greg Romeus in the 4th, and SS Shiloh Keo in the 5th. That will work , unless a talented TE is still available in the 2nd round. Bucs are nuts over Clayborn. I think he would fit in perfectly here. As I mentioned on an early post, has fast hands at slapping at ball- reminds you of Simeon Rice!
February 8th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
I agree, Adrian Clayborn will be a solid addition to the line if the Bucs draft him. The man really knows how to get to a QB.
February 8th, 2011 at 4:10 pm
Why Clayborne over Kerrigan? That’s an honest question, I don’t have an opinion.
February 8th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
A DE that averaged about 4.5 sacks per season in college is a scary thing with a team stacked with LE’s and no true pass rushing threat.
For Some reason I just dont see this guy being our proud pick up at the One Buc podium the day after the draft. Maybe he and Talib can discuss the best way to slap a cabbie. Overhand or backhand.
This guy had a sh*t season and skipped the Senior Bowl.
He has a nerve condition where he lacks certain movements in his neck and shoulder.
Something stinks and IMO would not be BPA.
February 8th, 2011 at 4:20 pm
Is TJack going to be in the mix this year or is Grimm the starter?
February 8th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
i worry about this guy too, but i will leave it up to the guys over at one buc. they seem to be doing a pretty good job..but i agree with jvato, the nerve condition worries me and so does the one good year and a few average ones. not sure about spending a first rounder on this guy. but i felt the same way about freeman, and was way off. the cabby thing isn’t that big a deal. guy called him a bad thing and prob deserved to be punched.
February 8th, 2011 at 5:40 pm
Joe, I have to admit that I’m a little surprised at how quick you are to suggest that certain positions on this team are in good shape.
Sure, we have some good young WR’s but shouldn’t we be looking to upgrade every position at every offseason? I love Titus Young, and certainly consider him an upgrade over Stroughter (although it’s tough to tell with college players how they’ll pan out). I just don’t think this team is in the position yet that we can declare “this position or that position” is set (other than QB of course.)
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ is the slogan of the complacent, the arrogant or the scared. It’s an excuse for inaction, a call to non-arms.” -Colin Powell
February 8th, 2011 at 5:41 pm
“nerve condition worries me and so does the one good year and a few average ones.”
Which is exactly why you don’t waste your first rounder on him. If he is there in round two, then sure.
February 8th, 2011 at 5:55 pm
CreamsiclePasties:
Not against adding a wide receiver but not with the second pick. Too many holes on defense.
February 8th, 2011 at 5:59 pm
Fair point Joe-
But don’t forget…..the Colts added Marvin, Reggie Wayne, Edgerrin James, Tarik Glenn, Joseph Addai, Donald Brown, that WR from OSU who can’t stay healthy…….all first rounders and all on offense…admittedly all to the detriment of their defense
We’ve got a real stud at QB……I just don’t want to see his side of the ball neglected.
February 8th, 2011 at 6:01 pm
Joe just saw on the Bucs website they just added 2 CO DEFENSIVE LINE COACHES. One is Keith Millard ex Viking. Tell us what you think…..
February 8th, 2011 at 6:14 pm
Clayborn is a fat slow LEFT defensive end that recorded 3.5 sacks this year. He looks sluggish and unmotivated at times and has a nerve condition that effects his neck and right arm called Erbs Palsy. He also got arrested for punching a cab driver….we already have a guy to punch cab drivers for us and about 7 guys that fit the DT/LDE role. I HATE this pick.
February 8th, 2011 at 7:35 pm
Oahubuc- Its looking like Kerrigan will be gone by the time Bucs pick at the moment. Of course that could all change with the combine etc.
Well my vote has been for Justin Houston for a while now. And not just because thats who PR has listed to the Bucs in their mock draft. The way I see it both guys have had years where they proved they could put up big pass rushing performances from the defensive end spot, so that being relatively equal, I’ll take the guy who can play some rush linebacker too. Houston can get sacks from a 3 point stance OR blitzing as a LB and can even drop in coverage a little bit. Plus he is SEC tested and that is always a big deal in my book.
February 8th, 2011 at 7:49 pm
Cameron Jordan, Ryan Kerrigan, Justin Houston….maybe JJ Watt or Aldon Smith.
If all those guys are gone at 20 we should take an OT of some other position with a higher graded player. Reaching for a mediocre LDE in the first isn’t going to help us. We can always go after a guy like Acho, or Beal, or Sheard, or Romeus in the 2nd round. There is also Free Agency.
Reaching is stupid. I don’t think this regime will do it.
February 8th, 2011 at 8:00 pm
As far as the Bucs going offense early. To most of us that seems very illogical but just going by how much they keep repeating the Mantra of surrounding Josh Freeman with weapons I would not be shocked to see a RB, TE, or WR selected in rds. 2 or 3. I could see them taking O-line,even in the first round if one of those premium tackles is left and grades out significantly higher on their board than the next remaining defensive end. I really don’t think Rahminik is married to taking any particular position in any particular round. I think they proved that when they selected Brian Price in the second round last year. Im almost positive they only picked him because he graded out as a first rounder(possibly high first rounder) on their board and they just couldn’t justify not taking their clear cut best player available. If Price was gone at that point I HIGHLY doubt they take another undertackle at that spot. I think this year will be no different. In the early rounds I see them taking best player available if that guy is clear cut.(With the exception of the obvious like another QB)
February 9th, 2011 at 5:51 am
I don’t see this happening.
Clayborn is a natural 5 technique – and would be a beast of one – that means his ultimate destination in the NFL will be on a 3-4 team.
Who ARE these people grading the players and matching them to teams? Does anyone go so far as to say WHY they think Clayborn should be a Buccaneer? We MUST have a RIGHT DE – that means a PASS-RUSHING DE! Does anyone know what Clayborn’s 40 time is? How about his quickness? Does he have good lateral movement?
Look those things up on draftscout.com and tell me if you STILL think this to be a good move (while draftscout is a good site – I’ll save you some trouble – Clayborn isn’t going to be drafted in the first round by the Bucs.
February 9th, 2011 at 10:13 am
white tiger, if you’re drafting de’s based off of 40 times then you’re really not understanding the game. when on earth will a fast 40 time come into play in a game. we need a technician at de that has a good set of rush moves. clayborn isn’t a 5-tech.
February 10th, 2011 at 12:18 am
I am not a fan of Clayborn in Rd 1. Guy was a 5th year senior who had one good year rushing the QB in-between 3 very very mediocre years. Being named an All-American this year was an absolute joke.
Clayborn is a physical LE with strong hands, sure. But you don’t spend 1st round picks on those guys in a 4-3 unless they are phenomenal run stuffers or you are a top team with that specific need.
Give me Robert Quinn, Aldon Smith or Ryan Kerrigan over this guy.