Eric Wright “A Good Fit”
March 23rd, 2012
It was well-documented last week, when Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik went all Danny Snyder and signed wide receiver Vincent Jackson, Eric Wright and Carl Nicks, that Wright, a cornerback, was the lesser of the big signings.
But Dominik has his eye on Wright for a couple of years, finally landing that fish this spring. And while some Bucs fans may whine that Wright is not a standout corner, Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune, who also writes for the National Football Post, suggested that Wright is a “good fit” for the Bucs.
Wright was available only because the Bucs were able to strike quickly. The Lions wanted him back badly, but couldn’t get him under contract until Calvin Johnson’s extension was done. The Bucs took advantage of the situation.
Wright was a good fit because the Bucs are changing their defensive scheme. He’s more of a man corner, and he will enable new defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan to press and leave him on an island.
The Bucs’ new schemes under head coach Greg Schiano played a part in this too. New head coaches tend to want more new players to implement their plans.
This is interesting. If the Bucs are going to play more man-to-man coverage in the secondary, would that better fit the talents of E.J. Biggers and Myron Lewis?
If so, perhaps the Bucs will be deeper at secondary, provided troubled Aqib Talib gets out of his jam in Texas.
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:03 am
Didn’t we leave Biggers on an island all last year? We have seen the results: Biggers is not great at playing man2man.
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:10 am
We left Biggers on an island against no1 receivers and he did OK. He will be fine covering a no3 with spot duty with a no2.
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:13 am
Biggers and especially Lewis don’t have any talents, unless you count getting beat. Wright is an upgrade over Biggers, and that’s about all I can say about the signing. He was way overpaid for his talent level.
Charlie, he did NOT do ok. The secondary was terrible last year.
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:18 am
Joe,
Do you really see Biggers and Lewis helping this team??? My god, they weren’t any better tacklers than anyone on the ’76 roster. They probably had good ol’ John McKay rolling over in his grave last year. R.I.P.
If you don’t mind, Joe please further elaborate in why you see some chance of hope in Boogers and Skip2MyLew.
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:21 am
One other thing.
So Dom wanted Wright last year, but we got him because we’re changing schemes? Something isn’t adding up, and I’m guessing it is the “Dom wanted Wright last year” part of it.
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:23 am
Just because it is a different scheme(aka just not what Rah did), does not mean Wright doesn’t still fit. Rah ran a lot of man. Sheridan wants to run a lot of man. Not that big of a difference to a CB.
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:24 am
Well yeah you are asking your commenters that question if it would better fit there talents, if they have any that is…how about you answer your own question in the comments box and let us know what YOU think? Would be nice to read your opinion.
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:27 am
First off, a new scheme with the progress of our front 4 in putting pressure on the QB will improve the play of the defensive backs. QB’s had all the time in the world last year which hurt us. If we have Talib and make improvements at safety I like the idea of Talib, Wright, Barber, and Biggers. I would throw Claiborne in there, but that is my next question.
Joe,
With the Bucs not taking a run at the top 2 FA RB’s in Tolbert and Bush, I am starting to get the feeling that RB will be drafted in the top 2 rounds. I like Blount, but I get the feeling that Schiano isn’t going to have him be our #1 back. Have you heard anything about the Bucs making offers to FA RB’s?
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:34 am
Expect a lot of Cover 1 and even cover 0. A consistency of 5 rushers coming at the QB and Cody up in the box somewhat frequently if the system has any similarities to what Davis and Schiano ran at Miami years ago.
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:35 am
Have a Nice Day and Charlie are absolutely correct about Biggers. If he has help and/or he’s covering 2s and 3s (like he did in 2010) he can and will succeed:
http://footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2011/best-cornerback-charting-stats-2010
I get why people want him cut but he really isn’t as bad as he showed himself to be this year. He had to constantly face #1s because Talib was injured, he got exposed in Rah’s bump and run coverage and he lost confidence. You don’t give up on a 5’11” 190 lbs corner with 4.3 speed after he has one bad year playing out of position.
Regarding Lewis, I think he’ll have a cup of coffee at the corner position in OTAs and then he’ll be moved to safety and excel.
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:40 am
I don’t want Biggers cut, I just don’t want him out there unless there was an injury or suspension (hi Talb!).
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:41 am
I see Wright on the slot, Talib and Claiborne on the outside. barber as the 4th guy OR even playng the box as a safety.
Like someone else pointed out last week, Schiano and Butch like to have the D-Lineman get upfiled and disrupt. Very aggressive. Make the offense react instead of the defense reacting. He also likes to bring one LB in a gap alot and have a safety in the box.
To do that means some good tackling LBs and good cover CBs.
Another reason why I see the Lofton (or Hawthorne) deal getting done and why CLAIBORNE (not richardson) is the #5 pick
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:43 am
Biggers and Lewis might be out IF Talib is on the team.
Gaitor will be the 5th CB and is a better cover guy than either.
This is assuming Claiborne is the pick. Heck, even if he is not, they are probably going to get a top flight CB in round 2.
Talib
Wright
Draft pick
Barber
Gaitor
Biggers stays for now if Talib is gone or suspended.
Lewis is gone
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:47 am
Biggers and Lewis can’t cover Joe in man-to-man.
If you understand football at all, E Mack was by far our best corner outside of Ronde last year.
Opposing coordinators start salivating the second Biggers is isolated on anyone.
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:50 am
@ Meh
You didn’t say you wanted Biggers cut, but you DID say he had no talent. The stats from 2010 say otherwise.
Lewis is in the same boat. He’s playing out of position. ESPN Insider says that he has below average hip fluidity (see: the Jordy Nelson toasting from last year) and just average catch up speed. However, he was rated as above average in Run Support, Ball Skills, and Instincts. He also has pretty much the exact same height/weight/speed combo of Malcolm Jenkins. He’s got talent but his role has been miscast.
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:51 am
Lewis to safety good idea!!!
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:52 am
Football outsiders stats, lol.
Sorry, I actually watched the games. Biggers gets burned. A lot. He shouldn’t be out there unless we’ve got a injury.
And Lewis is just a flat out bust. All your ‘espn insider’ stuff is predraft stuff. He hasn’t even remotely lived up to any of that in the NFL. My guess is this will be his last year if he doesn’t turn it around.
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:55 am
We still have a whole lot of cap space, and more cuts to come after draft…….what are we doing with space?????
March 23rd, 2012 at 9:02 am
anyone knw if we still have tht loafer sean jones?
March 23rd, 2012 at 9:09 am
@ Meh
“Sorry, I actually watched the games. Biggers gets burned. A lot. He shouldn’t be out there unless we’ve got a injury.”
So does FBO! LMAO! Take your little fanboy hat off and gain some context in your evaluation. Here, I’ll break it down for you:
Biggers defending #1s and very good #2s (2011) = Bad
Biggers defending Average #2s, #3s (2010) = Good
He got exposed as not being a #1 corner last year. That’s it.
March 23rd, 2012 at 9:18 am
“And Lewis is just a flat out bust. All your ‘espn insider’ stuff is predraft stuff. He hasn’t even remotely lived up to any of that in the NFL. My guess is this will be his last year if he doesn’t turn it around.”
I completely agree that he’s been a bust. He’s done nothing of note so far in the League and this IS his last year unless he turns it around. However, the physical tools are still there. Those don’t change. Malcolm Jenkins was just an OK corner as a rookie but he’s been a 2x All-Pro at safety. Move Lewis to safety because of his physical limitations (average speed/crappy hips) and maximize his strengths (instincts/willing tackler/ball hawk ability in centerfield) and we can salvage his talent.
March 23rd, 2012 at 9:18 am
The ray of hope is that they were coached by a horrific d-coordinator.
March 23rd, 2012 at 9:20 am
@ SensibleBuc
You forget you are speaking to the people that post on message baords. Sensibility and reason don’t get a lot of recognition around here. I am with you though. Biggers will be at best our #4 CB this year. And Elbert Mack sucks, he is short, stocky, and slow. He looked good last year because he was covering the guys Biggers was designed to cover.
March 23rd, 2012 at 9:20 am
Fanboy hat? Are you serious? You’re the fanboy here, defending terrible corners because of what you WANT to see instead of what is actually happening on the field. lol
March 23rd, 2012 at 9:21 am
Meh,
Pro Football Focus had similar positive grades for Biggers in 2010. They watch every game and grade every player on every play. I’m positive you don’t have that same commitment to detail. I’m not saying he should be a starter, I’m saying he’s good enough to be a back up for the slot or no2.
March 23rd, 2012 at 9:32 am
Biggers in the slot is a joke. A guy like Welker will eat him alive. People act like slot corners are just your lesser corners. They aren’t. A slot corner needs a very specific skill set and talents. Biggers does not have it. He’s best as depth as an outside corner, not a slot corner, and not a starting 31 or #2 corner.
March 23rd, 2012 at 9:33 am
Hip fluidity?????
C’mon man.
March 23rd, 2012 at 9:33 am
31=#1
March 23rd, 2012 at 9:34 am
Any chance of trading for Forte now the Bush is signed in Chicago?
March 23rd, 2012 at 9:44 am
I agree that we really don’t know much about how good these CB’s can be if they are placed in the proper scheme with the proper coaching. LSU has turned out some outstanding CB’s and now their DB coach is OUR DB coach. I expect to see some of these guys playing in different positions and I sure expect a lot more progress in their abilities. Good coaching does amazing things with willing talent. We’ll see what happens with the acquisition of Claiborne and moving these guys around a little. I like the idea of Lewis at safety. It wouldn’t surprise me if they drafted the safety out of Boise State if he’s there in the later rounds.
March 23rd, 2012 at 10:06 am
So many players are a product of a good system. I would be interested to see what these guys can do under the right scheme and good coaching. Even when this team won 10 games; the D was just running around with no purpose or direction. I’d hate to lose a player because the previous coaching staff could not game plan to save their lives.
March 23rd, 2012 at 11:19 am
I think it’s premature to beat up on Biggers and Lewis. With Morris failing to implement a coherent defensive scheme, it’s not wonder that they weren’t effective. Let’s see what happens when they have some real leadership and coaching to get them focused on what’s expected of them. Maybe they won’t make it because they just don’t have what it takes, but maybe there’s untapped talent there waiting for someone to help them tap into it. Before throwing them under the bus, I for one want to find out.
March 23rd, 2012 at 11:37 am
Exactly!
March 23rd, 2012 at 11:40 am
Exactly guys maybe Quincy Black is worth that ridiculous contract he got last year. I mean Rock Star had to see something in him……oh, wait, it doesn’t apply to everyone just the DB’s? Ok then, Quincy Black sucks.
March 23rd, 2012 at 12:22 pm
Yeah, I’m sure Derrick Ward and Michael Clayton wre really good , too!
Great players – musta been That dang Raheem’s fault!
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:53 pm
As discussed previously. Jimmy lake is a great, highly reguarded secondary coach. It’s our CBS and safeties that sucked- not coaching in this instance
Some people “Ahem” thought our secondary was a ” team Strength last year.
It wasn’t. It sucked.
Don’t see our new Cb changing that. Wright hasn’t shown any talent do far.
We really haven’t adressed the two giant weaknesses on this team- LBer and Cb
Gotta happen
And to those who are willing to pretend that Biggers, Talib, Mack, and an even older Robde are the answer- loOk at last year. 42-10. 10 game losing streak. 4-12
Ah, no. If we want to win any games. We gotta draft a couple real CBs and LBers
Then, Shiano has a fighting chance of winning some games here!
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:56 pm
Or, we can again pretend that we have good CBs, we can say secondary is a strength.
Least we will get another round of high draft picks!
March 23rd, 2012 at 10:35 pm
no one can rely on lewis hes never healthy