Undrafted Holland Sweeps Away Ahmad Black
September 3rd, 2011
CB D.J. Johnson also joined the Bucs secondary over Ahmad Black
Safety Ahmad Black learned the meaning of the “not for long” cliche in a big way today.
The Bucs kept rookie safety Devin Holland, undrafted out of McNeese State, and waived goodbye to Black, their 2011 fifth round pick and former Florida Gators standout and Lakeland High star.
That seems to be Holland’s third crushing blow of the preseason. The first two, on punt coverage against Kansas City and New England, drew fines from NFL hatchetman Roger Goodell.
At least now Holland can afford those fines, which totalled $15,000, per figures on ProFootballTalk.com.
Joe wonders whether the Bucs’ brass considers Black a bust, or whether this Holland kid is just a gem of a find. Regardless, Black got a high ankle sprain at precisely the wrong time.
September 3rd, 2011 at 7:58 pm
what?! I liked Black. That was one of my favorite picks from this years draft!
September 3rd, 2011 at 8:04 pm
^ I agree.. hopefully he gets put on the practice squad.
September 3rd, 2011 at 8:11 pm
Just read where pre-season All-star and downfield blocking expert Michael Clayton was waived by the Giants.
September 3rd, 2011 at 8:14 pm
I think we’re probably just fine at safety. It’s one of our deepest positions assuming Tanard Jackson can quit being stupid and stay out of trouble. That’d be great, because he is a hell of a player that I’ve always enjoyed watching.
Grimm is already good. Sean Jones is ok, but not great. I wish the best for Black wherever he goes.
September 3rd, 2011 at 8:43 pm
I am surprised on both fronts. Stocker didn’t get much play at all yet he is certain to make the team. Black was drafted with the next pick. Holland played a lot but didn’t really play well. Odd.
September 3rd, 2011 at 8:49 pm
We have enough guys in our secondary to stock two teams’ defensive backfields. Raheem is stockpiling DB’s like Gruden did QB’s.
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:41 pm
How ’bout them Bulls?
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Lewis is not looking too good even when he is healthy, Ahmad Black was a wishful thinking pick when we could have drafted a weapon for #5. Also I concerned about Stocker because he has done nothing and even when he played. I am happy for Holland and DJ Johnson because they played well and produced every game unlike some others.
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:29 pm
Devin was physical. Ahmad was hurt. Pretty simple. Keeping george and dj johnson makes no sense.
Expect george, dj, or devin holland to get cut soon to make room for a UFA.
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:34 pm
LOL, Thomas you’re a joke.
DJ Johnson played great this preseason….
September 4th, 2011 at 12:19 am
Johnson played awful! He played worse than Biggers played against Brandon Marshall but DJ played against nobodies.
September 4th, 2011 at 3:59 am
Thomas 2.2 makes some sense here, as he occasionally does, the guy with big special teams hits is penalised by GODdell but not by the team. I would expect Holland to be the new Blue Adams (huge special teams hits with equal number of penalties) with the hopes he can play within the rules and become a real special teams ace without the penalties and maybe surpass a guy like Asante or Lynch with development at safety.
September 4th, 2011 at 4:02 am
whoops read 2.2′ crap wrong cz im druuuunk!!!! Holland will be on special teams to start the season cuz any team wants a guy who will a danny woodheads bell on punt returns(penalty or no)its about being physical.
September 4th, 2011 at 7:37 am
Mauha Dweeb,
Were you not watching the preseason games? Holland clearly stood out the last few weeks in preseason on defense. Before that, he stood out on special teams. He had 3 INTs (including the XP attempt), was in great position in coverage, and was a good and willing tackler. Most importantly, he showed his speed and aggressiveness on special teams. Yes, he picked up penalties for being overaggressive, but he was always there to make the play, no matter how violent it ended. I stated 2 weeks ago that I would like to see him make the team due to his speed and violence he plays with.
As for Ahmad Black in relation to Luke Stocker, apparently even when Black did play he didn’t do particularly well. I’m sure Stocker showed plenty in practice while Black didn’t. I like Ahmad and hoped he would make the team, but he’ll be back, there’s no way a team picks him up on waivers without him showing that him being too small and slow won’t keep him from playing in the NFL.
If the Bucs DON’T pick up A Black for the practice squad, perhaps we can expect the Bucs to adopt a slightly different draft approach in which measurables play a greater importance. Black measures in at under 5’10 and 184 lbs and ran 4.76 in the 40… while undrafted Devin Holland measured in at 5’11 even, 197 lbs, while running a 4.35. I do trust tape, but I know from the measurables that if you lined up Black and Holland side by side to run 40 yards to cover a punt or kick, that Holland would be about 5 yards ahead of Black (which is a huge difference). When you compare the two’s special teams values, Holland’s far outweighs Black’s.