Mike Wallace And The No. 5 Pick
March 9th, 2012
The Bucs have so many holes, it’s difficult at times for Joe to figure out which hole is most serious to fill with the No. 5 pick.
Cornerback, linebacker, wide receiver, Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik could do no wrong going after either of these positions with the fifth overall selection.
That brings Joe to a question lobbed at Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune in a TBO Bucs Q&A recently about the Bucs perhaps giving up the first round pick for Pittsburgh restricted free agent Mike Wallace.
Q: Is is worth it to the Bucs to give a first-round draft pick and the money to get Mike Wallace from Pittsburgh? Is he the wideout the Bucs are looking for?
Ruben Acero, Tampa
A: The thing that Wallace brings is experience and in your scenario the Bucs would know exactly what they’re getting from an NFL standpoint. That makes the whole idea a viable option, because he would give the Bucs the speed element they’re looking for. If the Bucs believe that speed element is worth the fifth overall pick in the draft, they just may take a chance and offer Wallace a contract. Chances are, though, the Steelers would match the deal.
– Woody Cummings
As Joe stated above, there are any number of ways Dominik could go with the fifth overall pick. He could fill the greatest need available (as of today) and pick LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne. He could go linebacker with Alabama’s Courtney Upshaw. He could go wide receiver with Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon.
But if Dominik was inclined to draft Blackmon at No 5, why not pull the trigger on Wallace? Unlike Blackmon, who Joe believes would be a fine player, why not go get a burner in Wallace who has already proven to be a top-flight receiver?
March 9th, 2012 at 5:11 pm
Upshaw is not worth anything close to the #5 pick. He is dropping down draft boards pretty quickly.
March 9th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
Ugh, not this subject again. Thanks alot, Joe.
Go for the glory J 2.0, try and sell me on this move again.
March 9th, 2012 at 5:23 pm
Upshaw? Never. Claiborne I would be happy with. Blackmon I’m not to sold on that young of a wide out core. I would take Trent or trade down.
March 9th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
Remember, Wallace was drafted in the third round. Instead of spending the 5th pick on him, go find the next Mike Wallace.
March 9th, 2012 at 5:35 pm
Stephan Hill of Georgia Tech is a flame burner we can draft, and besides, the Steeler’s will simply match most any offer made for Wallace.
Their GM is one of the best in the NFL.
March 9th, 2012 at 5:38 pm
I’d take Keuchly before Upshaw, Upshaw did not look like an NFL linebacker at the combine.
March 9th, 2012 at 5:43 pm
I would take Blackmon over Wallace. Wallace is a deep threat who has not shown a whole lot of anything else. He is very good and I would love to have him, just not sure if it is the biggest need and worth the 5 spot when they could get a VJax for nothing or draft a speed guy in the later rounds.
Also, IF ( a big if especially since he just posted times between around 4.4 in the 40) Blackmon is there, I take him over Wallace. Unfortunately they won’t have that luxury of knowing.
Just my opinion, but I think Blackmon becomes a game changing elite WR. Wallae has big plays but he is not the type who will run every single route and dominate. I think Blackmon can be that guy.
It is just an opinion and one that is probably moot because they will have to grab a WR in free agency anyway due to the fact that Blackmon is probably gone by #5.
I am very happy with the Claiborne selection to go along with the Finnegan pickup at CB… damn, just realized none of it has happened yet.
March 9th, 2012 at 5:46 pm
If we trade down and miss Kuechly, There’s Don’ta Hightower that’s not far behind for MLB. Upshaw is a 3-4 backer.
March 9th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
^^^ What Dave said^^^
March 9th, 2012 at 6:11 pm
Trading the number 5 pick for Wallace would be a poor move. Not only because there isn’t as much upside with Wallace as there is with guys like Claiborne, Blackmon, Richardson, Kalil, etc.., but because they would have to give up the pick a good month before the draft. You never know how the draft could unfold picks 1 through 4, especially 1 month before the draft. I’d hate to see the Bucs give up the pick then have a guy like Kalil(for example) slide a bit and be there at 5.
March 9th, 2012 at 6:20 pm
Plus there is always the Chance of trading down. Getting 2 quality Picks.
March 9th, 2012 at 6:23 pm
Brandon Jacobs is being released. New OC is who? Blount and Jacobs. Nasty.
March 9th, 2012 at 6:26 pm
We should consider Dallas Clark.
March 9th, 2012 at 6:40 pm
Woody is a joke. Actually, the chances are that the Steelers say “hahaha you idiots, thanks for the #5 overall pick.” This is a joke subject.
Top 5 draft picks are waaaay too valuable with a rookie-pay scale that cuts these picks’ salaries by 1/3rd. Anyone who seriously thinks this is an option is delusional and needs a course in economics.
This would be the biggest waste of a new draft wage system designed to leverage value completely on the side of teams and not rookies, starting at the ground level of their potential.
Mark Dominik isn’t THAT dumb.
Put this subject to rest, Woody. Choose more intelligent questions to answer if you want to have intelligent conversations.
March 9th, 2012 at 6:48 pm
With this years draft being loaded with corner backs, the bucks could trade down and pick up a serviceable corner and a linebacker.
March 9th, 2012 at 6:48 pm
@NJBucsFan…No thanks to Clark, old and injury prone, also Manning made him better most likely. If we consider a tight end, we should get Bennett and trade Winslow.
March 9th, 2012 at 7:03 pm
I’m with you Bricen. I think kuechly will turn out to be pro bowler IMHO.
March 9th, 2012 at 7:29 pm
Wallace is a great WR. But I think Steelers will match all offers.
Agree with SeanMcC about Kuechly. Think he will be a monster at MLB
Claiborne will set the bar at CB in a few years- too good to miss! But there’s gotta be a way to get Keuchly also.
Wonder what Raheem would give us for Talib?
March 9th, 2012 at 7:34 pm
Ok not gonna happen time to move on…
March 9th, 2012 at 7:45 pm
lol what is with people talking about trading Winslow? You realize that Dominik would be lucky to get a 7th round pick for him, right?
March 9th, 2012 at 8:03 pm
You could trade down get a late first rounder and more picks use the late round to get Wallace and the extra picks to fill the other holes
March 9th, 2012 at 8:16 pm
Why not trade with the patriots for two first round picks.. then try to get wallace and give up a high pick and the the db from nebraska?
March 9th, 2012 at 8:24 pm
Why don’t we see if Pitt will agree to undue Dom’s third round decision in 2009 when he was faced with the option of Roy Miller v. Mike Wallace?
Of course our “rock star” said, yes! Easy choice, what fool would ever fall for this trap and draft Mike Wallace – he wasn’t even a team captain (bc Dom’s stated philosophy is to place large draft importance on college team captains) – so Mark Dominik pounces on Roy Miller. Huh? One of the NFL’s worst tackles. Pitt of course says thanks and swaps up Wallace –
Now the Steelers are trying to see if rock head will give them the 5th overall for a player that fell into their lap in the 3rd round.
Lmao. Dom could fall for this. Or draft another d tackle with the 5th overall – maybe he will get one eventually.
Draft Claiborne you dolt.
March 9th, 2012 at 8:27 pm
I can’t believe no one thinks this is a good idea? He’s 26, proven deep threat. STUD WR day one. I don’t care what anyone says, Mike Williams is a very good receiver. Wallace WILL OPEN UP THE FIELD FOR EVERYONE! No one can check him one on one. No more 8 in the box. He’ll take the top off the defense when he steps off the bus. If we get him, I’m in! Go Bucs!
March 9th, 2012 at 8:37 pm
Claiborne. Claiborne. Claiborne.
No to Wallace or Blackmon.
March 9th, 2012 at 8:44 pm
Wallace would require a pile of money wheres the #5 pick would be less given the new rookie pool of loot. McCoy was one of the last huge bonus babies…he’s currently wanted for theft…Talib just keeps him off the front page.
March 9th, 2012 at 8:48 pm
Wallace would require a pile of money whereas the #5 pick would be less given the new rookie pool of loot. McCoy was one of the last huge bonus babies…he’s currently wanted for theft…Talib just keeps him off the front page.
March 9th, 2012 at 9:03 pm
Colts just pulled a Feb. 25, 2009 today by purging all of their players. Gary Brackett and Freeney are now available, just saying.
March 9th, 2012 at 9:06 pm
@thomas idk what is Doms deal with drafting team captains?? Hes passing over talented players for team captains?? Really?? I just don’t know what idiot stars fascination with college team captains are.
March 9th, 2012 at 9:06 pm
Even RahRah and pop star didn’t release Payton and freeney.
March 9th, 2012 at 9:08 pm
Clay burn: my thoughts exactly.
I believe that “captains” draft philosophy led Dom to take players like Roy miller over the Mike Wallaces
March 9th, 2012 at 9:12 pm
Why give the number 5 pick away? That would be stupid with so many holes to fill. Just sign Vincent Jackson and draft the most talented player at 5 or if some team is willing to trade up do that.
March 9th, 2012 at 9:17 pm
Patrick Says:
March 9th, 2012 at 9:03 pm
Colts just pulled a Feb. 25, 2009 today by purging all of their players. Gary Brackett and Freeney are now available, just saying.
____________________________________
Don’t even take us to that conversation. Most of the guys they cut sucked, don’t fill a need or are ancient.
March 10th, 2012 at 12:51 am
No to Wallace. Clearly our biggest need is is CB, so drafting Claiborne is a must. Even if we pick one up if FA, Claiborne is our guy. Do you guys really want EJ Biggers as one of out top CB’s? They didn’t bring LSU’s DB coach in here for no reason, Claiborne #5 pick mark my words.
Also it would be damn near retarded to draft Richardson at 5, we can pick up solid RB in the second or 3rd or sign on one free agency.
Claiborne is clearly the the best value with the #5 pick especially being in the NFC South. It would virtually remove one whole side of the field on defense. Paired with an up and coming D-line and you got a damn good start at turning the defense around.
March 10th, 2012 at 2:06 am
Wow, I just saw the Rams and Skins traded picks, which Means the Bucs will have a shot at either Kalil (doubtful), Claiborne or Blackmon. Claiborne or Blackmon could both help the Bucs tremendously IMO. It is going to get interesting and the Browns my draft Richardson. I’d look for the Browns to make a play for Flynn.
March 10th, 2012 at 7:50 am
Lombardi from nfl.com thinks we’re going to take Dontari Poe at #5 lol. What a waste, especially when the DT free agent pool is pretty good compared to other positions.
March 10th, 2012 at 8:29 am
If the Browns were to take Tannehill from A&M at #4 as FLorio suggests, the Bucs’ pick at #5 becomes more valuable to trade, even with the Rams at #6.
March 10th, 2012 at 9:19 am
Hmm, would’ve thought I would’ve been all over this one.
March 10th, 2012 at 10:47 am
Where does it sy Freeney was released?? I haven’t seen his name mentioned.
Thomas…haven’t we pointed out to your miniature mind that 32 other teams passed on Mike Wallace for 2 rounds and yet you point out Dominik for taking Miller over him?? There is NO WAY you are an attorney. I just refuse to believe any attorney could be as illogical as you are. You may be a paralegal who fetches for real attorneys but you are not an attorney. Your arguements are so juvenile that I can’t imagine you presenting any case in court that would be compelling. Nearly everything you post is an epic FAIL.
March 10th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
@ Paul
Lombardi worked in the Raiders front office under Al Davis I believe, so you can connect the dots on that one if you’d like.
March 10th, 2012 at 5:58 pm
PPl are raving a Kuechly he is good but we need a enforcer !!! and he is not a thumper, we need a feared MLB!!! Foster is more of a hard hitter than Kuechly so stop with the campaigning