Mark Dominik “Rising Star”
May 1st, 2011
The reason why Joe refers to Bucs general manager Mark Dominik as a rock star is because at one point late last season he was so sought after by national media types as a guest on various radio and TV shows that it was as if he was a rock star.
The way things are going, he’s reaching Eddie Van Halen status.
Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com, writing for CBSSports.com, is of the mind that Dominik is among the elite general managers in the NFL based upon this weekend’s draft.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A-
The Bucs entered the 2011 draft desperately needing to find pass rushers; Stylez White led the team last year with 4.5 sacks. In adding Iowa’s Adrian Clayborn in the first round, the Bucs seemed to ease their concerns. They may have eliminated them entirely in the second round by taking the gamble on Clemson’s Da’Quan Bowers returning to the form that saw him register a nation-leading 15.5 sacks last year. Statistical production was clearly important to the Bucs on draft day, as they added Washington linebacker Mason Foster – who racked up more solo and total tackles last year than any other player in the draft. With local products in Florida safety Ahmad Black and Florida International cornerback Anthony Gaiter on the third day, the Bucs not only appealed to their fans, but added playmakers to their secondary. The 2011 class proved that Mark Dominik (and his staff) is indeed one of the true rising stars in the talent evaluation business. Only Bowers’ medical concerns keep this from ranking among the elite draft classes.
Now time will tell if Clayborn and Bowers work out. Yeah, there’s risk there. But as Pat Kirwan of Sirius NFL Radio said yesterday about those two draft picks, think Nick Saban wishes he wouldn’t have passed on Drew Brees?
May 1st, 2011 at 10:19 am
Adam Shefter of BSPN ( I believe his name is) has declared the bucs draft “the most impressive. Stating they have” stacked the line”
May 1st, 2011 at 10:54 am
There is no doubt if Bowers plays to the level he did last season even for 5 yrs he will be the steal of this draft. The reward factor far outweighed the risk factor at 51 imo. Love the fact that our first 3 picks were all on defense and all were solid against the run as well.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:54 am
With Josh doing the offense, hopefully inccluding the new troopers, Rhonde and some of the other Bucs in the area, Derrick, Warren, John Lynch, should get the young defense and the new play books together for classes and run throughs so they can be learning their places. This builds comradre and teams.
I just can’t wait to see them do their thing. Plus it will keep Joe busy buying.
May 1st, 2011 at 11:09 am
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports gave him an A. One of only three that he gave out. No doubt the guy does his homework and it shows. To be honest, Dominiks finest hour is yet to begin. For any GM out there, if you’re listening – all draft picks that you put on your practice squad will eventually belong to Dominik!
May 1st, 2011 at 11:44 am
The Dominick-Morris-Bucs Scouts group has certainly proven themselves in the area of talent evaluation.
The second test will be if Dominick can prevent the Bucs from going too deeply enmeshed in cap hell in about 6 years when we start resigning these guys.
McKay was “okay” at talent evaluation for a while, but he kept pushin contracts back until they could not be pushed anymore, and then he bailed to leave the Bucs with a huge mess.
Whatever anyone feels about Bruce Allen, he did get us out of that mess. But he and Gruden were HORRIBLE talent evaluaters. In fact, I would say that Kiffen was not great at talent evaluation either. He could coach like no ones business though.
When Morris was made head coach, I saw it as a financial move like so many others. And maybe it was. Certainly, having to still pay out to Gruden has to hurt their pockets (and he’s milking it for every penny too).
They just happened to strike gold with Raheem. He’s good under pressure, keeps his team spirits high, and lets them know (without cussing them out) that if they don’t give all they’ve got, he’ll “tolerate them until he can replace them”.
May 1st, 2011 at 12:18 pm
No Pete, the Glazers realized that they lost Mike Tomlin, Lovie Smith, Herm Edwards, Etc. The saw how devoted the players were to him during the “great Gruden Revolt”. They weren’t gonna let another talented young Coach escape. Remember, Denver had interviewed Raheem just prior to the Glazer’s promoting him. It’s amazing how you don’t give the Glazer’s credit for anything except being cheap, yet make every rediculious excuse possible for a worthless piece of hood trash like Aqub. You got something against decent, successful people, Pete? The Bucs are becoming a great team- and it’s due to the Glazer’s, Raheem Morris, Mark Dominick, and players like Freeman and McCoy. NOT due to scum like Talib. Drift back toasted the mainstream there, pal. Grab a Lil handle of Reality!
May 1st, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Well they did pick Dexter Jackson at 58, so Bowers at 51 would like a home run even if he only had one leg.
May 1st, 2011 at 1:03 pm
The Bucs arent even close to great. They havent made it to the playoffs yet and havent won back to back seasons. This schedule coming up isnt easy. Why dont you wait for another winning season, a play off appearance and a play off win before you start calling this team great.
May 1st, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Who called this team great? If this draft pans out, it can be scary for opposing QBs and as Freeman improves even more, so will the offense go ahead and blitz us, we’ll burn you and if you don’t here come Blount and the pass game. The team isn’t great at this point, but the potential is!
May 1st, 2011 at 1:26 pm
“Whatever anyone feels about Bruce Allen, he did get us out of that mess. ”
Easy to do when you stand pat for years and let the cap hits expire.
May 1st, 2011 at 1:29 pm
You two are Zombies- the Offense played great last year, from the time Blount learned the offense and started getting major minutes. The Defense played well until we lost Grimm, then our super softey OLBs let us down. Foster will fix that. Yeah, this team is great now. It will achieve greatness in the next couple years!
By the way, a shout out to Justin for his great work leading up to the draft! I thought you did really good work, and I enjoyed reading your articles very much! Thanks
And to everyone who told me I was wrong about Clayborn being our pick- nananana!
May 1st, 2011 at 2:24 pm
Okay, “Capt.Tim”, I’ve had about enough of your constant digs because I actually have moral standards.
Now see, “Capt.Tim”? If you had just stopped at that, I would have said that you make a good point, which you did. Notice something here…since you started riding my chops, have I gone after you? Have I insulted you? Have I tried to start something with you, “Capt.Tim”?
You need to learn to read, if your pea-sized brain can manage it, and go back and read my comments since the beginning of my presence here.
At no point…none…zero…zip…have I called the Glazers “cheap”.
Go ahead…actually look back if you dare. What? No nut sack to put behind your words, “Capt.Tim”? Do it.
But just so you know, you will find no instance of me saying the Glazers were “cheap”.
In fact, all I have said is that they are spending their money wisely instead of going after older, used-up Free Agents.
No…I don’t stick up for Talib…I stick up for equal rights that are given under the Constituion…you know, that same document that allows you to post idiotic comments on blogs such as this?
Nope not at all, but it’s clear to me that you wouldn’t know “decent” if you looked it in the eye, you worthless malcontent.
I can actually agree with that statement. Even the idiots say something right…once or twice. Congratulations! You just hit one-in-a-million, “Capt.Tim”. If I were you, I’d buy a lottery ticket. You might be on a streak!
Funny seeing you mention reality when you are so out out of touch most people pity you, “Capt.Tim”.
If you think Talib had no hand in the success of this team, none at all, then you are just proving how uneducated, ignorant and idiotic you are. Talib played his position well, and that element played a large role in the Bucs success the last year.
So, move along, little fellow, and stop messing with the big boys. Learn that there is a space between “Capt.” and “Tim”, that’ll be your first step in becoming educated.
And here’s an idea…instead of hiding behind a fake name, how about to grow a pair and use your real name? You never know what the result will be until you try it. Go ahead. Enlighten us.
May 1st, 2011 at 2:29 pm
Everyone knows that Capt Timmy is the town drunk.
May 1st, 2011 at 3:39 pm
WeenieDee, you’re an idiot. This team was extremely exciting last year and I would count them as great, awesome, committed and inspired to play through constant adversity.
Pete, you are a little long winded at times, and don’t be too hard on the Skipper, he is a good soul and a super fan of this team, which is really what we are all here for. Besides, I’ve seen him go after guys hard and he only called you a zombie. hell, he could have called you Thomas or something really bad like that. I don’t think Talib does as well in the eyes of the old farts like me as he does with some of the younger crowd, but this thing will sort itself out. I think the Bucs will be great with or without Talib, and the “Taliban” reference was priceless.
The last thing I would recommend to anyone is using their own name as a screen name. Sure, maybe it says you have some moxie, but it is not alway s a good thing. Like Apple Roof Cleaning uses his for free advertising, and if I ever need apples cleaned from my roof I know who to call. If you are a public figure or a local hack, I can see using your real name to for recognition purposes, but I don’t think you should use your full name otherwise. I don’t do it, because I prefer to have people think I work the drive thru at Mickey Dees and I don’t want all you guys asking to borrow money from me.
May 1st, 2011 at 4:11 pm
OK guys I’m leaving. It’s gettin scary up in here!
May 1st, 2011 at 6:04 pm
For starters, we needed defense so bad because Gerald McCoy and Brian Price played absolutely no defense at all last season. McCoy, based on 2010, is a borderline bust considering where he was drafted. When Gerald McCoy actually shows up to work in 2011 and gets a little more pressure and stuffs the run then perhaps the defense can be considered serviceable. Last season, the front 7 was the worst in the NFL.
May 1st, 2011 at 6:20 pm
Sorry, what was that Pete? I fell asleep during that self absorbed Lil novel. I’m pretty sure you agreed with me though. Which is a good idea, as I an always right. Please, PLEASE!!! Try to respond with less than 12 pages of retort, as the rest of us don’t seem to believe you are as brilliant as you seem to think- just something to think about- but NOT respond to in book form!
May 1st, 2011 at 6:59 pm
Uh…we are all on the “same team” here aren’t we? Just checking…..
May 1st, 2011 at 10:25 pm
“The problem with quotes on the Internet is that they can often be wrong.” – Abraham Lincoln
May 2nd, 2011 at 8:45 am
Wenneed…I gues most DT are busts in your mind, since most of them have about the same rookie year as McCoy (See W. Sapp).