Joe Smells A Smokescreen
March 6th, 2011
Joe has to apologize first. Joe’s been sitting on an interview Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik had last weekend on Sirius NFL Radio, but Joe’s been swamped with work and other personal duties so Joe hasn’t had the time to transcribe it yet, which will likely take a long time.
But Don Parr of ProFootballWeekly.com seemed to hear the same interview and cobbled together a few of Dominik’s quotes.
Just about any thinking person in the free world is aware the Bucs need dire help up front on defense, specifically from the defensive end position. Dominik has not exactly kept this fact a state secret himself. But lately Dominik has been hinting that quarterback Josh Freeman still needs more weapons to work with.
“(Freeman is) just touching what he can become, in our opinion,” Dominik said at the Scouting Combine. “So any chance you have to keep him healthy, in terms of protecting him, or give him more toys or weapons to work with, we’re going to do that. So I think a lot of people have pigeonholed us about what we’re going to do in the draft. And I would say that I don’t think a lot of people would have said we would take two defensive tackles back-to-back (in the first and second rounds) last year. So we’re going to use the draft and stay true to our board and make sure we take the best player that can help us. And it may not be the position that everybody thinks we should take first, but it’s going to be the best that we think is going to help our football team going forward.”
The smoke is starting to get so thick in Joe’s home office his eyes are burning. Look, no one expected Dominik to take two defensive tackles right away in the draft last year but virtually everyone expected him to take a defensive tackle.
Now Dominik is not a dumb guy. If there is a run on defensive ends maybe Dominik won’t reach for one selecting 20th overall so he may go with the best player available and yeah, that could be an offensive tackle.
But Joe does not believe for a minute that Dominik won’t be drafting defensive ends.
March 6th, 2011 at 5:28 pm
“The smoke is starting to get so thick in Joe’s home office his eyes are burning.” – Joe
That’s what you happens when you invite Jerramy Stevens and Tanard Jackson over to the house for “Sunday Fun Day”.
March 6th, 2011 at 5:40 pm
HIRE GREG OLSON!:
Good one!
March 6th, 2011 at 5:41 pm
I have been very impressed by Mark Dominik and the scouting department so far, they have been able to find talent everywhere. However, I still don’t understand why they didn’t draft Greg Hardy last year instead of wasting a pick on the punter Bowden, who didn’t even make the final roster. Hardy has a ton of potential is developing into a pretty solid all around player in Carolina. That would at least be 1 DE we know would be in the rotation, making it slightly less of a pressing need this year…or at least less of a need to acquire multiple bodies. History is history, I know. And like I said, I have complete faith in Dominik as far as building the team. But I still just don’t understand why they passed on Mr. Hardy.
March 6th, 2011 at 5:43 pm
Just a side note, this was in the 6th round so its low risk, high reward…especially given Hardy’s enormous potential.
March 6th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
Yea, I really agree with the sentiment of giving Freeman more and more weapons….but the fact that Dominik is actually saying it over and over makes me think we’re probably going all defense in the draft. Fine by me, but I’d still like to see as add a big play RB and a veteran WR like Steve Smith.
March 6th, 2011 at 6:07 pm
@Big Marlon B
At the time, prior to the 2010 draft, Dominik and company were under the impression that they were going to get a quality starter out of the following group: Moore, Crowder and Bennett.
Adding a punter, had he worked out, would have had a greater impact on the field than another run-of-the-mill DE. (Truth be told, I don’t know much about this DE and I surmise that you are correct and that he would have been a better pick. I’m merely just explaining, what I believe to be, Dominik’s thought process. However, anyone in the 6th round has question marks or strikes against him, for whatever reason.)
The 2008 Falcons, led by rookie QB Matt Ryan, only allowed 49 net punt return yards that year. Combine a good running game, provided by Michael Turner’s best year as a pro, a stingy defense with a reliable punting game and that’s how the 08 Falcons got to the playoffs and got the Matt Ryan-hype-machine off the ground.
March 6th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
HYPOTHETICAL: (IF) a CBA is done this month and FA begins and the bucs get a quality RDE, (THEN) Dominik is free to pick BPA – any player that will increase the probability of scoring or getting the ball back, (ELSE) Dominik will draft a DE in RD1.
March 6th, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Don’t underestimate the value of two new defensive line coaches. Who knows what untapped talent is yet lurking among the defensive ends currently under contract. I’m not suggesting it can’t be upgraded but a tweener OLB/DE able to play in a 3/4 or a 4/3 may be a better option than a pure DE. And the talent at #20 may be better at LB than DE if there is a run on the DE position.
March 6th, 2011 at 7:27 pm
Julio Down by the Schoolyard ….naw….maybe…
Jones
March 6th, 2011 at 10:39 pm
Rasta…. props for throwing some Paul Simon out there lol.
HGO I hear ya. I still do think they have guys who can turn out decent. Just some ranting from me I guess haha. I really hope they go for Ryan Kerrigan in the draft. I think he’s Dominik and Rahim’s kinda guy….tremendous leadership and work ethic, and consistent production. The kid flat out just makes plays. If it takes trading up a few spots, do it. He brings the mentality and they need on D. What do u think? Who do u like out of the top DEs?
March 7th, 2011 at 12:09 am
@Joe
Not sure if you’re seeing what I’m seeing, but all the titles of your articles are in some different language.
March 7th, 2011 at 12:17 am
Patrick, you may have a virus. Have you tried the Google Chrome browser yet? It’s free and works well… at least for those of us who can’t afford a Mac.
March 7th, 2011 at 1:50 am
Patrick:
Joe is jealous. It’s been a long time since he dropped shrooms.