ESPN Top 200 Players: No Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Top 100

by Sander on Aug 23, 2011 7:00 PM EDT

TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 18: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass against the New England Patriots during a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 18, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

ESPN unveiled their Scouts Inc. Top 200 today, and it seems that they were thoroughly unimpressed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Just four Buccaneers make the list, and none of them appear in the top 100. Josh Freeman, Aqib Talib, Kellen Winslow and Davin Joseph are the only four players out of Tampa Bay to make the list. Notably absent: Mike Williams and Donald Penn, the best tackle in the league (or so said Michael Lombardi, anyway).

148. Josh Freeman

The first Buccaneer on the list is Josh Freeman, who doesn't appear until number 148 - behind such luminaries as Russell Okung, Jason Brown, D.J. Williams and Mike Iupati. He's the 14th quarterback on the list, behind Matt Schaub, Jay Cutler and Tony Romo among others. If you ask me, Josh Freeman certainly deserves to be listed higher than that after his ridiculously efficient year as just a second-year quarterback.

152. Aqib Talib

Not long after Freeman, Aqib Talib makes his appearance at number 152. This actually seems pretty fair - Talib has the tools to be an elite cornerback and certainly flashes that at times, but he's not there yet. He is the 18th ranked cornerback on this list. The only players I think he should be ranked ahead of in the 16 ranked ahead of him are DeAngelo Hall, Chris Gamble and Vontae Davis.

163. Kellen Winslow

This seems awfully low for one of the top pass-catching tight ends in the league. Undoubtedly his lack of blocking prowess hurts him, which is why 10 tight ends are ranked ahead of him. The only thing I don't understand: why Owen Daniels, who has not produced in two years, is ranked ahead of Winslow.

200. Davin Joseph

Yep, number 200. The very last player on this list. He's the 12th guard listed, behind Marshal Yanda, Ben Grubbs, and Vernon Carey among others. This seems about right, really. He could be a little higher, but Joseph has not had particularly great years recently.

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Comments

That's total BS

I can’t believe Freeman is not in the top 100. I know he isn’t in the elite class of quarterbacks with Manning and Rodgers, that’s fine he’s honestly too young, that class is defined by consistent greatness. Last year Freeman had a pro bowl worthy season, but did not make it because players often don’t make it after one year and Brees, Ryan, and Vick were certainly deserving. However, in a quarterback driven league Freeman deserves to be in probably the top 50. How many games did the non-quarterback players win by themselves, the best 2 maybe 3. In Tampa if Freeman was the Bucs team, maybe they win 2-3 if they have someone else playing QB. Freeman is a stud, Morris and Dominick are geniuses for drafting him.

by Jeff Auerbach on Aug 23, 2011 8:32 PM EDT reply actions

Freeman is an honorable stud.. no doubt about it

by Titankillah on Aug 23, 2011 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions

That's ridonculous..

Freeman behind Okung and Iupati? I mean, come on guys… Hellen Keller could have told you Freeman is better..

We want the ball, and we're gonna score!

by anthonyh60 on Aug 23, 2011 8:49 PM EDT reply actions

I'd expect nothing less....

we are the Buccaneers after all…

by _Knives_ on Aug 23, 2011 8:50 PM EDT reply actions

Joesph ahead of Penn? haha.

Formerly UNFNole

by MNeilson on Aug 23, 2011 8:51 PM EDT reply actions

Not a suprise...

Where the Bucs for some reason ESPN and other sports station love to hate on us. It was almost impossible to see a Buc highlight last year and when they did show one it was all of 2 seconds. Its crazy we get no respect; when we win it’s a fluke and when we loose it’s because we were supposed to.

by ctd1977 on Aug 23, 2011 9:18 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I caught some ESPN love last season

There were plent of love on espn by my recollection. Blount had the most national attention but Williams made plays for us on replay, Stroughter on cinny catch, Talib with shin grab, Black on Moore, Spurlock on ATL return, Winslows deflected reception. Herm Edwards couldn’t stop lickin his chops over LGB on his show. I think we got credit mane

by Titankillah on Aug 23, 2011 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions

ESPN is terrible

148 for Freeman is an absolute joke. Him being behind Cutler is hilariously bad.

by Yankees10 on Aug 23, 2011 9:25 PM EDT reply actions

Dude, talking about Cutler...

Did you know he got sacked 9 times his last game?? omg

by Titankillah on Aug 23, 2011 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Freeman # 148?!

You have got to be kidding me?! Josh is much better than that!
This ranking is pretty much slapping him in the face…

It's great to be a Florida Gator!

by Gatorbuc15 on Aug 24, 2011 2:17 AM EDT reply actions

Give it time folks...

On the national scale, we’re still on the level of the Raiders, Browns, or any other bad team. It takes a while for public perception to change.

Once we make the playoffs our players will suddenly become a lot better in the public’s eye.

by fatmosh on Aug 24, 2011 8:33 AM EDT reply actions

That list is very bias

The list consist of mainly the Green Bay Packers if you look at it. How is Jermichael Finley (58) ranked higher than Kellen Winslow (163). Once I saw that that list was just garbage from then on. Really? Even higher that Freeman??

by TB Buc on Aug 24, 2011 10:51 AM EDT reply actions