Bucs Drawn To Banks’ Maturity
April 30th, 2013
After the Bucs drafted cornerback Johnthan Banks with their second-round pick last week, Bucs honchos were quick to praise the maturity of Banks and how he’s a prototype Buccaneer Man.
Beaming Greg Schiano told media, “He’s one of us, guys. I can’t say it better than that. This guy is going to fit right into our football team, skill set, personality, character.” Rockstar general manager Mark Dominik called Banks a “very mature” 23-year old (Banks turns 24 in October) and referenced that Banks is married with a son.
Joe found an interesting story out of The Oklahoman about Banks’ pain when he decided to turn pro after his junior season in 2011. Banks, projected as a mid-round draft pick, wanted cash to support his family, but that wasn’t enough.
Finally, though, Johnthan Banks broke down one night and tearfully confessed he’d changed his mind.
Several of his goals remained unaccomplished. Banks wanted to earn his degree, which he’ll now complete this spring.
A Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist as a junior, Banks wanted to win the 2012 award.
It’s hard to imagine Banks isn’t NFL-ready, and he’s far more mature than most rookies when you factor in his age, personal life and four years of starting in the SEC. That’s a damn good thing given the unreliability of Eric Wright.
Here’s a 2013 interview with Banks below:
April 30th, 2013 at 11:16 am
What a great guy, great attitude at cornerback no less. He will play extra hard to prove that he should not have dropped out of the 1st rd. I’m proud to have him be a Buccaneer.
April 30th, 2013 at 11:19 am
This guy is gonna be a complete stud. Mentored by revis. We will forget wright quickly once banks gets on the scene.
April 30th, 2013 at 11:28 am
I love this kid. I think he’ll be starting when the season opener comes, and Wright will be the backup.
April 30th, 2013 at 11:30 am
Great story, hope he will inspire
Gholston to be successful.
As far as Wright, toes will be on the line this season. He won’t blow it twice.
April 30th, 2013 at 11:39 am
Great read
Personally thought it was funny to see Joe sneak in a shot at the very last second on Wright lol. Nicely done 😉
April 30th, 2013 at 11:44 am
Joe – your continued “shots” at EW seem unnecessary. Yes he screwed up big time and he paid for his indiscretions. Dude manned up and took a gi-normous pay cut to stay here with the Bucs and I think we should ease up and allow him to prove to us that he is a Buc man on the field. When he did play last year he was more than solid.
April 30th, 2013 at 11:52 am
@youepoplearesodumb
He manned up? You act like he had a choice. His punishment was a huge paycut. He hasn’t proved much at all on the field so respect the criticism.
April 30th, 2013 at 11:54 am
What better way for Banks to learn than to have an elite corner on the other side and a pro bowl safety behind him. He’ll learn nfl press coverage real quick.. It’s easy to say this in April but I have high hopes for Banks.
April 30th, 2013 at 11:55 am
Wow, how can you not root for this guy? At one point (pre-combine) there was no clear distinction between Banks and Rhodes. Banks’ 40 time is probably the only thing that dropped him out of the first and I couldn’t be happier because now he is a Buccaneer!
April 30th, 2013 at 12:03 pm
We had a winning record when EW was on the field.
April 30th, 2013 at 12:18 pm
Terraj – he did have a choice. Option 1 was to eat a huge pay cut and stay here where he knew he’d be a sitting target for the local media and fans who want to blame him for every bad play our secondary made last year. Option 2, the easier way out, would be to say no and get cut and try to hook on somewhere else as a free agent and with a new start. A coward would have gone the option 2 route so for me he’earned my respect.
Now he has to shut up, man up and play ball. If he does that he will win back the fans who now view him as the resident dart board.
April 30th, 2013 at 12:38 pm
Always loving the character the buccs choose. They always want to groom the new kids with the best of the best in their position.
Banks rookie year will be a new challenge, but he’ll have revis and goldson to teach him the new ropes. And hopefully Ronde.
As for the jabs to Wright let’s all move on from it. It was last year and he already got suspended, embarrassed, punished and his contract issue has been resolved. To me that’s the most anyone can receive while still being in the roster. Let Wright also get mentored by goldson and revis. It would only benefit the team.
April 30th, 2013 at 12:38 pm
Always loving the character the buccs choose. They always want to groom the new kids with the best of the best in their position.
Banks rookie year will be a new challenge, but he’ll have revis and goldson to teach him the new ropes. And hopefully Ronde.
As for the jabs to Wright let’s all move on from it. It was last year and he already got suspended, embarrassed, punished and his contract issue has been resolved. To me that’s the most anyone can receive while still being in the roster. Let Wright also get mentored by goldson and revis. It would only benefit the team.
April 30th, 2013 at 12:38 pm
Slightly off thread but does anyone know if we signed Montel Harris, RB? He could be a good back in this league if his knee is alright and he keeps his head on straight.
April 30th, 2013 at 12:46 pm
Imagine what Revis and Barber can pour and mold this young man into.
Super stoked!
April 30th, 2013 at 1:28 pm
Speaking of maturity…( trying to tie this off topic info together)
I was just on Mike James twitter and saw this amazing inspiring vid of his story and I thought the fans might enjoy it. He shows a crazy amount of maturity 🙂
Sorry if its in a bad place Joe. You could prob do a great write up on this though.
http://t.co/HXAnKKl9Ze
April 30th, 2013 at 1:48 pm
Great video
April 30th, 2013 at 1:56 pm
PRBucFan-Thank YOU for that piece on Mike James, you are right, this kid is a ray of light at all times, you can see in his eyes that this is a genuinely good young man that’s proud to say he’s a “mamma’s boy”, but great stuff, Tampa’s gonna LOVE this guy!!
As for the article, I’m with youpeoplearesodumb in that Eric Wright did make a very mature move after all that happened last year, he took an enormous pay cut to remain here, I think he has a burning desire to show us fans (coaches, ect) that he can be someone to be counted on and actually be proud of him, I say we give him a chance, he’s really a good player that just needs some continuity in his play, and with the studs that we picked up, who better to learn behind? This year is going to be a special one.
April 30th, 2013 at 1:57 pm
Johnathan Banks is going to be a very good Buccaneer Man. I didn’t hear him or any one else say he is just 23 years old. He just mans up! Doubt if he will be taking aderal, dj’ing instead of practicing, moonwalking while we are having a loosing streak or blaming others for his actions. Did I say sounds like a true Buccaneer Man! Welcome Mr. Banks..
April 30th, 2013 at 2:03 pm
I just watched his combine presser…nice video and very easy to like this young man. I won’t call him a kid because he doesn’t act like a kid.
April 30th, 2013 at 2:03 pm
Is anyone worried about our secondary anymore? I’m not. I hope Matty Ice, Gone with the Brees, and, or Temper Cantrum are concerned! They should be!. I also hope Ronde does sign, even if it is for a backup role. If anything we could use his maturity in the locker room.
Go Bucs!!!!
April 30th, 2013 at 2:04 pm
oopps…. Temper Camtrum
April 30th, 2013 at 2:30 pm
Awesome video PRBucFan!
April 30th, 2013 at 4:34 pm
Cool beans, I’m glad y’all liked it.