Mocking: Ezekiel Ansah
March 12th, 2013
Most Bucs fans are chewing on wet towels like Jerry Tarkanian waiting for the free agent siren to sound at 4 p.m. today.
Will it be Derek Cox, or Dashon Goldson, or Sean Smith, or… Ezekiel Ansah?
Ezekiel Ansah?
Yes, it’s New Year’s Day of the NFL calendar year but in the world of Joe’s good friend “The Commish,” noted local draft guru Justin Pawlowski, it’s always mock draft time.
Pawlowski has posted his recent mock draft and he has the Bucs going defensive end with the No. 13 pick.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Ezekiel Ansah – DE – BYU
Commish’s Comments: The phrase “boom or bust” is a phrase often used in the NFL draft. Ansah has limited games played at BYU, and in those limited games, Ansah played all along the defensive line…even at nose tackle. Ansah is a physical freak with size (6’5” 271 lbs), speed (4.63), athletic ability (34.5″ vertical), and strength (21 reps). It’s very possible that a team within the top 10 could take a chance on Ansah because of his potential, but his inexperience and the time it might take for him to fully develop could shy teams away. I’m also not as certain as others that Ansah is a good fit as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. The Lions and Dolphins are possible landing spots for Ansah, but if he slips to the Bucs, I believe the Bucs should select him. With Michael Bennett likely gone in free agency, the Bucs will have Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers as their starting ends, which might be a benefit to Ansah where he would not have to come in and start immediately. I believe the Bucs should address their secondary needs in free agency, so that their hand isn’t forced to reaching on a cornerback with the 13th pick especially if Rhodes is gone. Other options for the Bucs with this pick if available are Jarvis Jones, Xavier Rhodes, Star Lotulelei, Kenny Vaccaro, and Tyler Eifert.
What has Joe been saying for months, that he has a hunch Bucs rock star general manager would target a defensive end at No. 13. Joe believes that’s where Dominik is leaning slightly, given his history and how Michael Bennett may bolt for greener pastures.
Today, it sure feels like the draft is a long way away, just over six weeks.
March 12th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
Ansah won’t make it to 13. He’s raw but has clearly separated himself from the rest of the DE pack. If he’s there at 13 we should run to the podium with our pick.
March 12th, 2013 at 12:13 pm
Read This Joe http://deadspin.com/pranksters-record-two-nfl-gms-discussing-free-agency-ov-452366184?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter&utm_source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
It is Mark Dominik Talking Free Agency, on the phone!
March 12th, 2013 at 12:16 pm
we’d be stupid assholes to draft him
March 12th, 2013 at 12:18 pm
Stupid? Ansah is one of the best picks we could make if he drops to 13.
March 12th, 2013 at 12:24 pm
Will be a great player…. too bad he will be gone by pick 8!
March 12th, 2013 at 12:32 pm
We should not draft Ansah. Tyler Eifert should be the pick.
March 12th, 2013 at 12:34 pm
Mark Dom doesn’t listen very well cutting off the Bills GM quite often.
But seriously, that Bills GM is a BOX OF ROCKS!
I have over-estimated these guys… SMDH
March 12th, 2013 at 12:48 pm
yeah dom didnt seem too intrigued with what he was saying. almost like he was wondering if it was a prank call. that idiot buddy nix makes it easy to think that could’ve been the case.
i can just see dom on the other end of the line. eyes rolling shrugging his shoulders at his assistant as if to say……WT f does this guy want?
March 12th, 2013 at 12:57 pm
Personally I don’t know who ‘should’ be the pick at 13 or whether the Bucs should trade down if an offer comes. What I do know is that all the ‘mocks’ are going to be changing in the next couple of weeks as free agency changes a lot of team’s needs. The Bucs are sure to be at the top of this ‘new look’ list.
March 12th, 2013 at 12:59 pm
Alec Ogletree should be the pick
March 12th, 2013 at 1:02 pm
So much BS out there.Can’t believe a dam thing you hear.Jarred Cook is a joke I can’t believe he want’s 8M+.I don’t care if he run’s a 4 flat 40.This guy has done absolutely nothing.
March 12th, 2013 at 1:04 pm
So its safe take say that if de in the draft is a good move.
Would it be wrong to consider a dt if ziggy isn’t there?
I’ve seen many drafts mock us with a dt
.
personally, I would love that move because we already have two good de and a dt on his way out.
March 12th, 2013 at 1:10 pm
I’m still on board with a DT if he’s BPA at that spot. Star would be incredible next to McCoy. Maybe his heart will be alright, but not so alright that he doesn’t slip to us. 🙂
March 12th, 2013 at 1:11 pm
And you say we have DEs, but it might be an illusion. Bennett is walking. Bowers looks healthy and good now but has been frequently injured and now he has some legal issues. Clayborn is coming off a knee injury.
March 12th, 2013 at 1:13 pm
I would really like to see Joe’s comments on the recorded conversation between Nix and Dominik. I listened. Nix doesn’t exactly endorse his quarterback but I don’t think Dominik mentioned any state secrets, just that guys weren’t signing. Don’t mean to hijack a thread Joe but you should check it out!
March 12th, 2013 at 1:54 pm
Looks like Laron Landry is being linked to the Bucs as well. Per Ian Rapoport Is there any DB/Saferty not being linked to us this week?…LOL
March 12th, 2013 at 1:57 pm
Honestly everyone in free agency will be linked to the Bucs. Smoke and mirrors. If the Bucs talked to the agent then they are linked. I’m pretty sure that they call a lot of people, to gauge the interest of the player.
March 12th, 2013 at 1:57 pm
Three teams that have similar needs as the Bucs – Eagles, Lions, and Miami. They all need CB and DE help. Neither Milliner or Ansah will get to 13. Throw the Jags into that scrum too!
March 12th, 2013 at 2:01 pm
Who does Dom refer to as “the kid cb”-“still don’t know what to do with him”, he mentions: Meredith, CB?, Benn and Blount” as desired to be dealt for picks.
March 12th, 2013 at 2:02 pm
I was hoping Joe would comment on it too WestCoastBucsFan!
I put in a call to Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney Brett Metcalf (he used to be a tampa prosecutor) to see if it is legal to record a phone conversation ?
It was not recorded here in Florida. But I believe in Florida, both sides in a phone conversation must know it is being recorded.
Sorry for the thread hijack Joe, I got so excited about listening in on Dom, I posted before thinking.
March 12th, 2013 at 2:03 pm
If all the pass rushers are gone, and the 3 OTs are gone, and Milliner is gone- I say we take Tavon Austin.
Austin would be an exceptional slot WR, and be a dynamite return man. I hope we can snatch up Ausrin, if not Ansah.
March 12th, 2013 at 2:12 pm
It was not legal to record that call. It violates federal (not state) wiretapping rules.
And we are not getting Landry. We have a SS already with Barron. We need a guy who can tackle, cover some ground, and ball hawking would be a bonus. Landry can’t fill that role.
March 12th, 2013 at 2:18 pm
Cant agree for a second they’ll take a guy with more potential than production. Plus Marky Mark only drafts captains, so look for Slowie McWhiteyhustle from Yale to go at 13.
March 12th, 2013 at 2:26 pm
The last time the Bucs drafted a raw physical specimen it was Gaines Adams. How did that turn out?
We can’t afford to wait 2-3 years for a guy to develop.
March 12th, 2013 at 2:27 pm
@Joe,
You’re as excited as the rest of us. I’ll own it.
March 12th, 2013 at 2:27 pm
Trufant is better than Rhodes…why do people keep ignoring this.
March 12th, 2013 at 2:35 pm
Lol at Camby.
I question the “leader” priority. Sure, it’s *nice*, but I’d rather have the: most talented, most competitive, most coach able players as possible.
Leaders and followers, everyone cant lead.
March 12th, 2013 at 2:37 pm
Agree Dorry, give me Trufant over Rhodes.
Rhodes *looks* like he should be better. That’s where it ends, as Trufant has the speed, ball skills, and pedigree.
March 12th, 2013 at 2:39 pm
I love Trufant too… he has pedigree, meaning, just like the Mannings, the Trufants sit around in the off-season talking about how to cover guys in tge NFL. Love him. Plus he’s talented.
I also like the DT from Alabama… Williams. I really do, I bet he moves up the board.
March 12th, 2013 at 3:02 pm
No, thank you on Ansah. I don’t think is that good or he is toooooo raw for us to deal with right now.
Based on his highlights in games he has no moves and tackles high.
March 12th, 2013 at 3:13 pm
Looks like we may have gave up the farm for D Revis
March 12th, 2013 at 3:16 pm
2nd tops. No way we give a #1.
March 12th, 2013 at 3:20 pm
I’ll be pissed if we trade for Revis. Could get a stable of quality DBs for that pricetag. SMH
March 12th, 2013 at 3:20 pm
Please don’t give up draft picks for an injured player AND one that is a locker room diva..sigh
March 12th, 2013 at 3:21 pm
The CB field is to deep to overpay for Revis, a 2 and a 4 nothing more, because you still have to get hom to sign a contract.
March 12th, 2013 at 3:25 pm
If they do trade for Revis using the 4 the Pats gave them, this basically turns into Revis for Talib and a pick, who wouldn’t make that trade?
March 12th, 2013 at 3:39 pm
No on Ansah. When I look at his tape he just seems slow off of the snap. I know he makes up for it with raw speed but in the NFL……nah. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe he turns out to be another JPP but I’d rather see a stud DT to go along with McCoy. If we pick up Avril in FA and have a healthy Bowers and Clayborn along with Daniel Teo’ne…sh…..er….you know who I mean. I think we’ll be set a DE.
March 12th, 2013 at 3:45 pm
Oh yeah…Trufant is the guy to draft at CB but not at 13. If we can trade down…get him and then trade back into round 1 using our 4th round xtra and grab Eifert. Would love that. If we can get Star at 13 then get him but otherwise get Trufant and Eifert.
March 12th, 2013 at 3:50 pm
By the way…the Eagles just cut NNAMDI ASOMUGHA. Wow! He may fit in here in Tampa. Wonder if we’ll make a move for him. His contract shouldn’t be nearly as high after the sorry numbers he put up with the Eagles. I’ll bet Schiano could get him refocused.