Eric Berry scheduled to visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
by Buc Wild on Mar 27, 2010 3:00 PM EDT
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PrintWhat a difference a few picks in the first round makes. Any other year, and with pretty much any other team, the Bucs would be salivating at the chance to select super Safety Eric Berry. As a do everything player in the secondary, Berry will give some team the ability to move him around like a modern day chess piece. He received his last year of discipleship under Monte Kiffin, who is, if not the architect of the Tampa Two, certainly the man credited with it's rise and increased usage in the college and professional ranks.
With the 3rd pick, the Bucs could end up having a difficult choice to make. Do they take one of the available defensive tackles that should be the cornerstone to our defense for the next 7-10 years? Do they take the knight from Knoxville, who can seemingly play everywhere and turn our secondary into one of the most dominant in the NFL? Or do they trade down and hope to acquire more talent to fill the sieve-like holes on our team.
Recently Scott Pioli of the Chiefs, and formerly of the Patriots, lauded Berry and his potential and seemingly guaranteed success in the NFL. With the 5th pick, the Chiefs will almost certainly have a choice to make, take a safety who has the look of a gamechanger extremely early, or roll the dice on another player.
If Berry played any other position and possessed the same raw skill and athleticism, he would surely be a guaranteed top 5 pick. But because he plays safety, no one seems to know where he will land. With that being said, Berry will be visiting several teams over the next few days, including our own Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is also scheduled to meet with the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
Prior to the acquisition of Sean Jones, many thought that Berry would be the pick, particularly if the dominant duo of Suh and McCoy were gone. With the recent whispers and prognostications that Bradford goes #1 with Okung perhaps going to the Lions at #2, the options are seemingly unlimited for the Bucs at #3. But those of us who have seen the 2009 version of the Pewter Pirates know that there is a monumental whole to fill right in the front line of our defense.
For Berry, and for the Bucs, this should be a match made in heaven. But unfortunately for the Bucs secondary and Berry's checkbook it's 2010 and there is a blackhole in the trenches waiting to be filled.
For more info on Berry, check out Craig T's excellent breakdown of Berry, Cracker Ball's discussion of Berry as a CB, Lee Caz's look at the payday Berry might walk into, Tru Buc' poses a question if Berry would put the Bucs back on track, CBS' look at Berry, a video montage from YouTube of Berry highlights and Lee Caz's take on how safeties how turned out with early picks.
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In some ways it's a shame that Suh and McCoy seem to be guaranteed to fall to us
Because I would love to see Berry wear the Bucs uniform. He’d be a tremendous addition – but Suh and McCoy would fill bigger holes and improve the team in more ways.
I agree
I like Berry more and more. His workouts proved he has the ability to cover. His ball skills and physicality are well known. I would love to have him on our team. I would still have to talk McCoy/Suh. If they are gone(unlikely) I wouldn’t have any qualms about taking Berry. His versatility increases is value above that of a normal safety.
"big-time players make big-time plays in big games."
by SoonerSlayer on Mar 27, 2010 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Yea, it's a tough decision without really being a tough one.
Berry would be an excellent piece to add to any defense. We just happen to be in a boat where we have bigger needs.
I would...
definitely like to see Eric Berry in a Bucs uniform but if both Suh and McCoy are gone at 3, I would try to trade down first because safeties don’t usually go that high and we might be able to acquire more picks in the process. Besides, didn’t we just sign Sean Jones? Berry along side Jackson would help us solidify both safety spots for years to come but we have more pressing needs on this team. As I said before, I’d love to see Berry in Pewter and Red but I’d explore other options before I pull the trigger on him at #3.
I couldn't have said it better myself...
as I too like Berry, but not at the #3 slot. A trade down into the 6,7 or 8 spot could still net Berry AND an additional pick somewhere in Rd. 2 or 3. Could come up with 2 starters instead of 1.
by Cracker Ball on Mar 27, 2010 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions
If it comes to that, I'd love to be able to trade down and still get our guy.
Could be a risky proposition, but I’m hopeful we can get max value out of every pick.
Even if we missed on getting Berry
CB Haden, LB McClain or S Earl Thomas would be there. I am confident any of them would win their strating position in training camp. Plus an additional 2nd to add to our 2 makes some very big strides toward some respectability.
by Cracker Ball on Mar 29, 2010 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm intrigued with the possibility of Suh and McCoy being there
It could potentially open up trade possibilities. For instance if the Chiefs thought they had to they may make an offer to move up and take Berry. That would still insure us Suh/McCoy while picking up a little more ammo. Not likely but things can change in a hurry.
"big-time players make big-time plays in big games."
Draft day brings about tons of surprises.
I hope when our pick comes up that the front office takes the entire clock to decide on the best course of action. That means look at trades, look at players, work the phones. Ultimately, if they dont have an offer, I’ll trust that between Suh, McCoy and Berry (assuming all 3 are on the board still), that they make the right call. I’ll be interested to see which way they go if it’s between McCoy and Berry.
Agreed
My preference is McCoy. If our leadership believes in someone else I will get behind it. If they them close to make a trade worth it then I say explore every avenue.
"big-time players make big-time plays in big games."
by SoonerSlayer on Mar 27, 2010 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm pretty sure the time spent won't mean much
They’ll have done their homework long, long before draft day on what the possibilities and strategies are, as will every other team.
I can live with Berry at 3 if Suh and McCoy are there, but barely. But if they pass on the DTs to trade down, they’d better grab a huge load of picks because there’s no way they can pass on the best players out there at the position with the biggest need.
You're right, they will have done their homework
but teams can sometimes panic with the gun to their head (i.e. their player is about to be picked or they are on the clock). I’m sure most teams at least broach potential trades before draft day, but it certainly livens it up when the day is here and each team is trying to get maximized value.
Surprises huh?
That’s what I am terrified of, us making a mistake. Call me crazy, but I can hear this…
“… and with the 3rd pick in this years draft, the Buccaneers draft, once again, Bo Jackson – Auburn”
by Cracker Ball on Mar 29, 2010 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah... our luck and he would sign it.
Awesome, but 25 years too late… story of my life.
by Cracker Ball on Mar 29, 2010 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Knight of Knoxville
Very nice. I also like minister of defense. Selfishly, I’d love to have him, but one of the two D Tackles has to be the play if there.
Cannons... fire them.
Buc'Em - SBNation's home for discussion of all things regarding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
by Craig T on Mar 27, 2010 4:19 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Very nice write-up Buc Wild!
By the way – for any of you Buc fans; what is the interest level over there for you guys taking Pierre-Paul @ 3 if McCoy and Suh are gone?
Official Member of the "Draft Eric Berry" Fanclub
...you had me at Berry!
0.00000000%
I was the head of the Eric Berry bandwagon- Im sad to say its over.
Puffy Rod's Bandwagon continues forever.
New head of the Matthew Barnaby Bandwagon!!!
Hey, Some other guy...
Good to know!
By the way – I’ve enjoyed you comments over at AP.
Guess we have to hope the Rams take Bradford. ;o)
Do you guys prefer McCoy or Suh?
Official Member of the "Draft Eric Berry" Fanclub
...you had me at Berry!
by chiefsfan62 on Mar 27, 2010 11:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Undecided
We have fans on both sides and pundits on both sides. Most reports say that the team is more interested in Suh than McCoy, though.
McCoy would fit the classic Tampa 2 defense better – he’d fill in the role that Sapp used to have. Suh is better against the run and can still rush the passer too, so he’d be a valuable addition as well. That’s basically the gist of it.
I hear ya Sander...
Very likely only one of those two DTs will be available for you guys as it seems Detroit is bent on D-Line help.
Any interest in Okung (or Bulaga) for your O-line?
Official Member of the "Draft Eric Berry" Fanclub
...you had me at Berry!
by chiefsfan62 on Mar 27, 2010 11:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
T2 is talked about more than anything here it seems. People forget that the T2 we've known for the past 15 years is gone.
We have a completely new coaching staff that completely went away from the T2 and only went back because they finally realized the other system didn’t work. So would Suh make more sense if the coaching staff is looking to change things up on D? Yes, and Suh will cause more problems for the offense and be able to stop the run better.
Stay thirsty my friends.
Kinda, but not realistically
the OL will be addressed somewhere in rounds 2-4 more than likely. But defense is the number one priority and the players at the top of the draft are defensive players so naturally that is the fit. Unless the Bucs trade out of the #3, it should/will be a Def. guy.
Lamborgini or Ferrari.
I’ll take either.
Cannons... fire them.
Buc'Em - SBNation's home for discussion of all things regarding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In my Words,
Suh- Better Run Defender.
I was the head of the Eric Berry bandwagon- Im sad to say its over.
Puffy Rod's Bandwagon continues forever.
New head of the Matthew Barnaby Bandwagon!!!
Pierre-Paul??
If that guy is hanging around in the 2ND Ya jump on him but he hasn’t started or proven enough to be a top ten pick at all…
by Davey Boi Sully on Mar 28, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree, he's worth a second rounder if he's there. I doubt he will be though.
Stay thirsty my friends.
I Was Never Sold On Berry
this guy is a great player but he did not fit our situation , Sean Taylor was the last safety to go top 5 in a draft but only because Washington already had the pieces in place , with one of the DTs at least 30% of our problems is solved on D, with Berry bout 15%
Neither McCoy or Suh
are the type of D-Linemen that fit our base 3-4 scheme; althought Suh comes closer since he’s more of a run stopper.
I would classify KC’s needs on Defense as:
40% SS
30% NT
20% OLB
10% ILB
Official Member of the "Draft Eric Berry" Fanclub
...you had me at Berry!
by chiefsfan62 on Mar 28, 2010 12:32 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Man if only berry went back and played for tennesse one more year, and went for the draft next year then yeah that would be our first pick
IF U AIN'T A BUC GET THE BUC OUT OF HERE
by WE GOING TO THE SHIP on Mar 28, 2010 3:30 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
If Bradford and Okung go 1-2
and the FO is truly comfortable with any of Suh/Berry/McCoy then I’d almost guarantee they trade down a couple of picks and take whoever is left out of the three.
Picking up Sean Jones was great, but its only for a 2 year deal. I could live with Berry being the choice, but only if they trade down a few spots to pick him up.
Say they swap picks with the Chiefs but the Skins take Clausen, another swap with Seattle wouldn’t be out of the question. If its possible we end up with a couple of extra picks and still get one of those three guys, I wouldn’t be against it. But I’d rather the FO make the choice and take the best player they think is going to fit in their system.
Ignore this.
Its exactly what Cracker Ball already wrote earlier in the thread. I should pay more attention.
Great minds think alike?
and so do we apparently. I would love for either Suh or McCoy to be wearing pewter, but sometimes things are not in our control. Trading down for additional choices makes the most sense for us at that point. We need SO much help, the more picks the merrier.
by Cracker Ball on Mar 28, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Berry and trading down..
Okay you want Berry and you want Mccoy but you can’t have your cake and eat it too… We did draft Sabby two years ago as a 3rd rounder TO BE A STARTER. Yeah He got burned on a few occasions and let up some big plays but the secondary needs pressure on the QB to succeed period the real disgrace were those other Cornerbacks behind Rhonde and Talib they suck!. If we traded down to get an extra 2nd rounder you could nab Taylor Or Earl in pics 10-20 prolly. Then with that 3rd pick in the 2nd round you pick the next best DT or one of those elite DE’s that might be left and then you take a badass WR 6 picks later and your other 2nd round pick goes towards a quality corner >=)
by Davey Boi Sully on Mar 28, 2010 12:09 PM EDT reply actions
Does our dislike of Sabby make everybody want Berry more?
I’d never pass the two DT’s for him, and if they were gone, I’d take him later on in the first round, but not #3.
Stay thirsty my friends.
It's not the dislike of Sabby
And we’ve already got Sabby’s replacement in Sean Jones.
A major upside to Berry is that not only can he play safety, but he could play corner too.
I don't think it's a "dislike" for Sabby per se,
but rather that Berry is a potentially elite player who could upgrade a position that we’re not getting enough production from.
Cannons... fire them.
Buc'Em - SBNation's home for discussion of all things regarding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
5 if a luxury and not dire need.
if Dire need top 3 is reasonable.
I was the head of the Eric Berry bandwagon- Im sad to say its over.
Puffy Rod's Bandwagon continues forever.
New head of the Matthew Barnaby Bandwagon!!!
5/6 is fair, and is fine if Suh and McCoy are gone.
I think we could trade down to get him though, only like I said, if the two DT’s are gone.
Stay thirsty my friends.
Also, LOL'n at this:
Perhaps it wasn’t Rogan’s fault, though, as the team discovered something that Eric Berry can’t do: hold for placekicks
.
I was the head of the Eric Berry bandwagon- Im sad to say its over.
Puffy Rod's Bandwagon continues forever.
New head of the Matthew Barnaby Bandwagon!!!
^Link is at the right^
Player Profiles
I was the head of the Eric Berry bandwagon- Im sad to say its over.
Puffy Rod's Bandwagon continues forever.
New head of the Matthew Barnaby Bandwagon!!!
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