2012 NFL Draft: What about David Decastro?
by Sander on Feb 2, 2012 11:44 AM EST
in NFL Draft
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Over the past month we've exhaustively discussed the Bucs' options in the draft. Most of it comes down to the same old discussion about cornerback Morris Claiborne and running back Trent Richardson, something that will no doubt be discussed until the Bucs actually turn in their pick. Another option that's been mentioned is receiver Justin Blackmon. One name that has never been mentioned, however, is David Decastro's.
David Decastro was an outstanding offensive guard at Stanford, helping anchor the offensive line that protected Andrew Luck and produced an outstanding running game. Decastro looks like a special player, adapt at everything and a player who can probably make an immediate impact in the NFL. While the Bucs do have a good right guard in Davin Joseph, their left guard position is more of a problem spot as both Jeremy Zuttah (who could move to center) and Ted Larsen are too inconsistent to be counted on. Drafting David Decastro could immediately fix that problem, increasing the running game's production and helping protect Josh Freeman.
But Decastro is just a guard, and they are never selected in the top 5 of a draft. I think two trends could change that, however. Hit the jump to see what I mean.
The new CBA has lowered contracts for high draft picks
Whereas just three years ago it was unthinkable to spend a high draft pick on an offensive guard because the monetary investment was ridiculous for that position, it's now much more feasible. Last year's fifth overall pick was Patrick Peterson, who signed a four-year, $18.5 million contract. That's not a big investment at all, and certainly could help teams decide to spend a high draft pick on a guard.
The flip side is that finding good (but not great) offensive guards later in the draft is still as easy as ever. Guards weren't highly drafted not only because no one pays guards a ton of money, but also because they're relatively easy to replace. That still holds true.
Guards are becoming more important than tackles
I am convinced that elite offensive guards help an offense more than elite tackles do, provided the team has a quarterback with good pocket presence. Offensive tackles are important because they protect the quarterback against the best pass rushers: defensive ends. But good quarterbacks have long since learned to mitigate the impact of poor offensive tackle play by stepping up into the pocket. It's also easy to help out offensive tackle with chips by running backs and tight ends, something that is much harder to do for guards.
In addition, the running game doesn't revolve around offensive tackles. If you want to be able to run the ball, you must have good guards. You can't run the ball if your guards get blown off the line. But if your tackles aren't great run blockers, you can still have a productive running game inside the tackles.
The best evidence of this trend is the New Orleans Saints, who have the best interior line in the NFL with Carl Nicks and Jahri Evans at offensive guard, but have lackluster offensive tackle play. Despite that they have one of the most productive offenses in the NFL and an outstanding running game.
The Bucs may want to emulate the New Orleans Saints, and drafting Decastro would certainly help in that regard.
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If Claiborn is gone
And we can find a suitor to trade down with, then I say trade down, get more pics, and draft him in the teens if possible. Would help our offense a great deal, and if Zuttah is signed back he can shift to center and relieve Faine, who has IMO been horrendous as of late. Then all we would need is a quality RT and our O-line would be leaps and bounds better.
unless RG3 is there, no one is going to want to trade up
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by putupyourDUKES on Feb 2, 2012 12:25 PM EST up reply actions
Pick # 5 is too early for him...
Would rather have one of the tackles or blackmon before a guard that early….
East Coast Fan
by Bucfan on Feb 2, 2012 5:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I'd rather have Martin or Reiff
I’m slowly coming around to grabbing a lineman if Claiborne is gone, but I don’t think I’d take Decastro this early. I think Trueblood should be the first guy replaced on the line. Although taking Decastro would get us 2 upgrades with one pick when we replace Faine with Zuttah.
by aakks on Feb 2, 2012 11:52 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I agree with aakks...
Unless DeCastro blows up the combine, I would prefer Jonathan Martin, Reilly Reiff and Peter Konz over DeCastro – in that order. Never at Pick 5 overall (way too high). I like Konz for us because he could replace either Faine or Zuttah – whichever one sucks more (Faine).
by Cracker Ball on Feb 2, 2012 12:12 PM EST up reply actions
He might blow up the combine
He’s pretty good, but I just can’t see spending the #5 pick on a guard. Although, as I’ve said, if Claiborne is gone there is no obvious pick there.
While Trueblood is a poor tackle at times because of his low speed
It’s possible that guard is a position he could excel at, where his good strength and good run blocking ability will be better realized.
You can’t speed rush someone on the inside of the offensive line.
The only question is how quickly would Trueblood be able to adapt to a move like that.
Drafting a guard in the top five is crazy talk.
Both the elite guards you listed were drafted in the fifth and fourth rounds respectively. You can find great guards peppered throughout the draft. Not getting an elite player in an elite position in the top five is inexcusable. I agree with you somewhat that guards are more important than tackles in the run game, but that doesn’t change the fact that they are easier to find. Guys that can’t hack it as tackles play guard. The reason that tackles are so valuable is because it is a much harder position to play and be successful at.
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
Who would you take then?
I know you’ve said luke warm on both Blackmon and Claiborne, and think it is too early for Richardson. So who’s your choice? We’re in a tough spot I think this year with this pick. Lots of guys that would be top 20, and not too many that are worth top 5.
RICHARDSON @ #5
Freeman needs playmaking help.
4th round and later talent around him is holding him back.
Fair enough (non-Richardson)
Trade back, get a lot more picks, and be open to the idea of future picks (as they will likely bring back a better overall pick).
Then, we can really do well in the current and upcoming drafts.
To trade back, you have to have a trade partner.
And to have a trade partner, there has to be someone worth trading up for. Unless RG3 is still on the board, no one is going to trade up….and I seriously doubt RG3 will still be on the board.
It really just depends on who is there.
I would probably take Blackmon if he’s there over Claiborne. It would be a tough call for me, but depending on how Claiborne runs at the combine I might even take Reiff or Martin, whichever one the Bucs grade out highest. I would certainly take either of those two tackles over Decastro.
So basically:
Blackmon
Claiborne
Best OT available (unless Kalil obviously, he would be over anyone)
As long as Claiborne runs under a 4.4 I would leave him there, if he runs over 4.4 flat then I would take the best tackle.
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
I'd take Kalil over any other player in this draft (even Luck)
I really love Kalil. He might fall to us, but it would be about as close to a miracle as I’ve seen. I think we’re on about the same page, except I’d swap Claiborne and Blackmon.
Combine is going to clear up a few of these things.
If Kalil is there we take him. Better yet we can trade that pick to someone who needs a LT more than us
If you like free speech, come to OTTOTD.com
Depending on Donald Penn's donut intake this offseason there might not be any such team
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
He has a bad body but makes it work. Seen him in line at 5 guys
2 doubles
If you like free speech, come to OTTOTD.com
Ya but it is five guys
I almost want 2 doubles when I go since they’re that damn good for fast food!
One large fry at five guys can feed a family of four
so ridiculously awesome, but horrible for you. Today my heart attack was grown in Spring Leaf, Idaho.
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
I'm not a small guy, I can eat a whole lot of fries
My wife and I still split the small fries when we go. They’re both awesome and abundant. Just my kind of place.
In the past decade only seven guards have been drafted in the first round
2011 – Danny Watkins #23
2010 – Mike Iupati #17
2009 – 0
2008 -0
2007 – Ben Grubbs #29
2006 – Davin Joseph #23
2005 – Logan Mankins #32
2004 – 0
2003 – 0
2002 – Kendall Simmons #30
2001 – Steve Hutchinson #17
We can clearly see that guards rarely grade out as first round talent, and even when they do they never approach top ten. We can’t tell DCbucsfan it’s a waste to draft Trent Richardson at number five because talent is available later on, and then advocate taking guards. The same point can be made about guards multiplied by about 100×. I appreciate you throwing out alternative ideas out there, but I hope you aren’t serious about this Sander.
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
All of those guys are stars (except Watkins who was a rookie) Bodes pretty well.
But not in the top 5 Lol
If you like free speech, come to OTTOTD.com
I wouldn't call Simmons a star
but I guess a point to made for it is the low risk factor of a bust.
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
Didn't he have a lot of injuries. I know he was with them during their super bowl
but I never thought of him as great. Maybe I just wasn’t paying attention though.
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
Heck no!!!
Trade back and get some more picks, then pick this guy at 20-40 overall.
He wont be there between 20-40
May not even be there from 11-20. He is top ten talent. Not a sexy pick, but a difference maker.
by flash_kiley on Feb 2, 2012 12:19 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Only way we get this guy
is trading back…..
I don't know.
I feel if we were to take an offensive lineman that high, our priority would for a center or tackle.
Nah we aren't Swiss cheese on the OL
And I think Freeman’s indecision after the snap made our line look bad at times but no way we draft a gaurd 5th overall. We need a DB more than we need a G.
by GoBuxGo on Feb 2, 2012 12:53 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
Not in a million drafts would I Ever....
I mean even if Claiborne/Richardson/Blackmon is gone I would still do my research and go a completely different route other than Oline. I dont care if there is a player who never gave up a sack his entire collegiate career, Im a firm believer that top 5 and top 10 picks should be reserved for skilled positions/QB’s. Picks occuring that early should be able to produce immediately and have a obvious positive affect on the team that is easily seen rather a unnoticed slight more effective Oline.
That's being rather closed minded.
The teams that do very well in the draft are the ones that draft the best player available, who is also a fit for their system. If Claiborne, Blackmon and the rest are gone by the time we pick, there won’t really be anyone else worth a top 5 pick outside of the offensive line. Saying “trade back” is easy to do as a fan, but not so easy when you have to find someone actually willing to move up to your spot without a marquee player being there for them to take.
While I don’t know if I would go the DeCastro route with the pick, I have to admit it’s an interesting option. A lot of the draft is built upon risk, and the top picks that are well loved by their fans at the time are the “sexy” picks, but those are also the same picks that have huge risk/reward potential. We could get a great player, but that same player could also be a terrible bust. With offensive linemen, there is less risk involved….usually much less. If you draft a tackle and he can’t cut it at that position, they can be moved inside and usually salvage their career (Robert Gallery, for example). With guards, their college skills usually translate pretty well to the NFL, so there’s not a lot of risk there either.
If DeCastro looks to be an elite guard, and turns out to be an elite guard, then the Bucs would be justified in taking him with that pick if no better options are available.
That being said, I think it’s more likely Reiff is the pick rather than DeCastro, if the other options aren’t there.
Its far from a closed minded way of thinking
Yes he does seem to be elite but how many “elite” OG in the NFL can you name have EVER been picked in the top 5 or top 10 even for that matter? One of the best from the most recent generation was Steve Hutchinson and he was even the 17th pick of the draft. Drafting the best player available can be a double edged sword that can set you back considerably if that is the only guideline you live by when making your selection. When there is a complete lack of talent at many positions on your team a “spark plug” needs to be invested in that high not a player you tend to overlook on Sundays.
One of the big reasons guards aren't normally taken high
Is that it was extremely expensive to do so in the past. As Sander pointed out, that particular downside was eliminated with the new CBA. I’m not saying it’s likely a guard is chose in the top 5 or top 10, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens at some point.
The point of the best player available philosophy is that it tends to protect the franchise to a certain extent, as they don’t always have to throw rookies straight into the fire to see how well they do.
The search for a “spark plug” you’re talking about really only applies if you’re interested in winning this very year, which in the first year of a new regime is not something that happens very often. I’d rather we take the best player we can, and at a position that can last years and years. Offensive linemen play in their late 30s, CBs play well into their 30s, WRs play into their 30s. RBs hit a wall at 30.
Now the thing is, there’s no way we have to spend pick #5 on a guard this year, because if Blackmon, Claiborne and Kalil are off the board, that means RG3 is still there so we’ve got a good shot at trading down. If RG3 is gone, one of those 3 players automatically HAS to be available at #5.
So like I said, this year DeCastro isn’t a real possibility, but saying “Top 10 picks should only be used on a skill position or QB” is closed minded, because if the value is there, why not?
No guard is that valuable
If a guard would be taken in the top five he would have to be guaranteed to be the greatest guard of all time. Just because it’s cheaper to take them now doesn’t mean that the other positions are at less of a premium. The reason guards aren’t taken in the first round typically isn’t because of their price tag, it’s because it is largely a position in which you can plug and play. Talented individuals and elite players can be developed or failed tackles can be moved inside to the guard position. Premium positions will remain premium positions in my opinion. The price tag has nothing to do with it. It’s about skillset and the value for the draft position, more than it’s about the contract.
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
^^ This explains it very well. Skillset. ^^
An OG has help to either side and can often be a passable player by just being big, having the ability to hold your ground and having a nasty disposition. The quicker feet and agility are not really needed like at the OT position.
Sounds kinda perfect for Trueblood now – doesn’t it?
I've suggested moving Trueblood a couple of times because of that.
And I don’t think a guard would have to be guaranteed to be the greatest guard of all time to make a top 5 or top 10 pick. I just think he would have to be an obviously elite guard, perhaps top 5 in the NFL right out of college.
Also for that to happen, the value for it would have to be there….essentially there would have to be no WRs, CBs, LTs, etc. worth that particular pick.
Were we to pick around say, 7th, DeCastro would be nearly as viable an option as Reiff this year because the top players that fit what we need (Blackmon, Claiborne and Kalil) would all be gone, as would any potential trade bait like RG3. Now of those two, I think Reiff would be a more likely pick because tackle can be a more important position, but as Sander mentioned having a great interior line can mask a lot of other issues with an offensive line, so I wouldn’t entirely rule a guard out.
Cant really call it on this guy. Heard Kalil and Martin as the main from runners in the top ten on o -line but i would say no.
havent heard much buzz about him to say ok hes a top 5 pick.
ALL ABOARD THE TRENT RICHARDSON TRAIN!!!
Oh and Sander
Ted Larsen was your boy lets not forget that one buddy!
ALL ABOARD THE TRENT RICHARDSON TRAIN!!!
It's a BIG need. All the great O lineman leave around the first and second round.
We ignored the O line for far too long. The whole unit need to be fixed. Keep Penn, Zuttah(center), and Joseph. Our run and pass blocking has been hit or miss.
Consensus draft information
from here, not that that means anything.
1st. Colts take Luck in roughly 100% of all mock drafts. No 2nd choice.
2nd. Rams take Kali in roughly 57% of all mock drafts. 2nd choice is Blackmon with 42%.
3rd Vikings take Kali in roughly 41% of all mock drafts. 2nd choice is Blackmon with 31%
4th Browns take RG3 in roughly 60% of all mock drafts. 2nd choice is Richardson with 17%
5th Bucs take Caliborne in roughly 54% of all mock drafts. 2nd choice is Richardson with 17%.
Now this means nothing, the combine has yet to come and the draft is months off. Free Agency will change things and anything can happen between now and then.
BUT… for the record… Decastro didn’t crack the top 10. No guard did. Only other O-linemen mentioned (besides Kalil), were Reiff and Martin, both to the Dolphins at 10.
Hard to imagine the Bucs passing on Claiborne AND Richardson if they are there. If they aren’t there that means Kalil or Blackmon or RG3 have slid and a trading partner is feasible… With rookie contracts so low, somebody would be willing to trade up for any of them I would imagine… Maybe not though.
(This post was written on 5-hour energy drink.)
Am I going MAD, or did the word "think" escape your lips?
P.S.
I would take Kalil at 5. Would trade down if someone wanted to move up on RG3 or Blackmon.
Am I going MAD, or did the word "think" escape your lips?
I'd take Kalil at 5 in a heartbeat
Surefire franchise LTs are rare. I don’t care how well Penn may or may not have played, he’s an above average LT and Kalil looks like an elite one.
We Draft An OL At 5
I’m going to stop being a fan. If we’re going to fix the OL just use FA. We have bigger issues than the bloody OL.
I Maybe Wrong But I Doubt It
Depends on the lineman, now doesn't it.
Jake Long and Joe Thomas have certainly proved their draft positions were justified, and they were taken at #1 and #3, respectively, in their drafts.
I'm still cranky that we lost the coin flip to the Browns
That netted them Joe Thomas…and we got Gaines Adams as a consolation prize
How were they proven justified?
They are both really good tackles, but they didn’t improve the overall team dynamic at all. Tackles are hard to come by, but there is certainly an argument to be made that taking a OT over a skill position is flawed. A QB or a player like AJ Green can immediately improve a team. If you think that Miami isn’t kicking themselves for not taking Matt Ryan over Long by now, then you’re kidding yourself.
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
I would say they have proven their positions justified
Because both are amongst the absolute best at their positions. Franchise QBs are rare, but Matt Ryan has issues succeeding in Atlanta where the talent level around him is very high. I think success would be even more difficult for him to find in Miami, where the talent level is much lower.
Knowing then what I know today, I would take Jake Long over Matt Ryan, because Long is a legitimate franchise LT while Matt Ryan is a good QB who needs help to be successful. I think Miami is kicking itself for wasting so many years on Chad Henne instead of looking for a new QB, but I don’t think they’re kicking themselves for taking Jake Long.
I disagree 100%
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
Just because you took Jake Long for your franchise LT...
doesn’t mean that you are forced to select, and start, Chad Henne. That was just a bad experiment for them that did not pan out.
your crazy
if you have a good Oline, we will run the ball better and pass protect better, plus if we get Kalil he has hall of fame talent
Who Cares About OL When...
Our secondary is in shambles we have no offensive play maker and you want us to run the ball I understand if we had a big play secondary or a big play maker on offense if it’s Blackmon or Richardson, but number 5 pick on an OL aw hell naw especially with a team as sad looking as ours right now it would be the dumbest move possible. I said it earlier I’ll say it again you want OL help FA u got Ferguson from the Jets available make a play at him or Carl Nicks from NO, Jake Scott from Titans, they’re options no need to waste a 5th pick on an OL
I Maybe Wrong But I Doubt It
What good is a playmaker if he has no holes to run thru,
or Freeman doesn’t have any time time to throw……..
I agree to take claiborne but if we cant, lets not take Richardson or Blackmon,
when u can get WR and RB in late rounds and can play as rookies. CB and LB take longer to develop and that is why we have to draft those position’s now
One of the points to taking an OL
Is that the elite OL players tend to have very long careers. It’s not rare for even good offensive linemen to play 10-15 years. If you can grab a player who is able to play at a high level for 10-15 years, I’d call that a great pick.
- on Blackmon I can see being justified, because the consensus opinion of him is that he is a gamebreaker. #5 on Trent Richardson I can’t see being justified, because while he does look to be a great RB, you’re getting 5-6 years of real value out of him, max, because RBs tend to hit a wall at about 30 and begin their declines much earlier than other positions because of the wear and tear they suffer. On top of that, at least one of those years will be spent on a rebuilding year (unless you seriously think the Bucs will compete this year).
While Ferguson, Carl Nicks and Jake Scott are all viable options, we would have to pay a significant amount of money for any of them, and I don’t think Domenik is willing to do that. We also wouldn’t be getting quite as much value out of them because they would all be on at least their second contract, and we wouldn’t get any of the value years from them playing at a high level under a relatively cheap rookie contract.
Richardson, if he is good until 30...
should give us 8 years of play – if he is splitting his time and is lucky enough to avoid a major injury. I would be pretty happy with that kind of return on a 1st round selection.
no chance
buc fans will mutiny if the glazers dont pick an explosive player this time.
This team has not one offensive player the opponents must respect with regards to speed. There is not anyone on the team the opponents have to seriously game plan against. So i my opinion, Taking Claiborne is just a way to guarantee getting an even higher pick next year. Tampa may not win a single game if they dont make major offensive moves. For those not watching carefully, the bucs scored the vast majority of their points against prevent defenses, in garbage time. Never scoring to build a lead.
That is why the fans are not GM's
cause they draft for what the team needs not what fans want, flashy RB and WR, There is more to a team than skill position
every team must have a playmaker
We really have none
ALL ABOARD THE TRENT RICHARDSON TRAIN!!!
by dcbucsfan on Feb 2, 2012 9:58 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
When Did We Ever
I can’t really remember a true offensive play maker maybe Keyshawn and that was a train wreck, Dunn was good, but not blow you away good, Defense though was Sapp, Rice, Brooks, Lynch, Barber. With our new team I can’t name one on either side of the ball just decent pieces in a really bad puzzle
I Maybe Wrong But I Doubt It
exactly!
the defense was the playmaker. lol. we need one on offense
ALL ABOARD THE TRENT RICHARDSON TRAIN!!!
Now Look At Us
Can’t score points outside of garbage time, can’t defend jack shit. Our franchise QB is looking like he belongs in a JV League, Blount can’t pass protect nor catch, Williams faded away, Benn is unworthy of being a Buc at this point, Winslow gets the Williams treatment, and Defense is a train wreck completely only piece of the Defense that might pan out the DL if McCoy can stay healthy for a season and we can actually get Price to clog up the middle or risk bringing Haynesworth back on a cheap contract. Sadly we need one play making WR to go with Williams, a back up TE who can catch, a veteran back up QB, another RB (Trent Richardson), 4DB’s including both Safety positions, a MLB, and a LG.
I Maybe Wrong But I Doubt It
The point is that the real flashy players you want
Can all contribute as rookies, but most positions take some time to develop. It’s rare to see a rookie LB light it up, or a rookie CB.
We can take a WR or a RB in later years, when we’re actually in a position to compete. I don’t want us to draft players just to sell tickets, I’d rather see us draft in a way that builds a more complete team down the line that allows us to be perennial contenders.
Taking a flash position right now would provide excitement to the fan base, but let’s face it, we’re probably not going to be competing for the playoffs this year so bring in some building blocks, not try and grab the "missing piece.’
With our upcoming last place schedule...
a few wise F/A signings could put us in a competitive position.
The F/As would serve 2 purposes here...
1. Fill a hole in our team with a young, solid, proven NFL experienced player currently playing at the top of his game. Kinda plug-and-play. That will certainly make us competitive team SO much soooner.
2. Give us a veteran “lead-by-example” kind of guy – even if he is not an openly vocal leader. He knows what it takes to get it done, and the younger players we select and develop can simply watch and learn.
Another point to note when looking at previous drafts is
That teams didn’t take the players that turned out to be BPA, they drafted players that graded out on their boards as BPA or need.
I can’t remember where I saw it (prob nfl.com or espn), but I saw a recent “redraft” of the year we got Joseph and guess what? He went way before the Bucs picked at 23.
And as Sander points out, the rookie cap makes a big difference in levelling the positional playing field and making less glamourous positions more viable with a high pick.
If he’s that good then fine, take him, but for me it’s Claiborne. Then again if Claiborne is gone, so will Luck, Kalil and in all likelihood Blackmon or Richardson (I see Cleveland taking one of these 2 more than RG3), which might leave us in a position to trade down with Washington or Miami (hey, I can live on my own personal planet if I want to) and still pick up DeCastro.
Personally, I’d like Bucs to pick the best player in the draft, regardless of position. Only problem is knowing which one will become that player (and hoping those above us don’t pick him first). I can’t evaluate which socks I’m gone wear tomorrow, so I’ll leave that to the experts.
As I've said before
the skillset of the guard is why he is less valuable. Premium positions are premium for a reason. The players don’t get paid more because they play a certain position, they get paid more because talent at that position is more rare. If someone tells me I get to choose between an equal dollar amount of gold and silver, I’ll take the gold. It is more rare, and will be more valuable in a few years.
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
My FA Wishlist
I know all this won’t be agreed on, but I will at least try to fill some of the holes via FA
Backup QB: – Jason Campbell 3yrs/10 Million
WR(s): – Vincent Jackson 5yrs/55 Million and Pierre Garcon 3yrs/12 Million
TE: Marcedes Lewis 2yrs/ 6 Million (If not franchised)
OL: Carl Nicks 5yrs/35 Million and/or D’Brickashaw Ferguson same deal as Nicks (if not franchised)
LB: LOLB David Harris 3yrs/16Million… Mario Williams 6yrs/60 Million
DB: Cortland Finnegan 6yrs/50 Million, Brent Grimes 4yrs/30 Million LaRon Landry 5yrs/40 Million, Tyvon Branch 5yrs/30 Million
I mean they’re are more notable individuals like Dawkins, Urlacher, Leon Hall, Carlos Rogers, Troy Polamalu, just to name a few. I know some names are going to be disputed on the list, but it’s what we’re here to do discuss football
I Maybe Wrong But I Doubt It
That's almost all of our cap space man.
3.3 mil a year for Campbell?? Nah. And why Marcedes Lewis? We have Kellen, and Stocker has reliable hands too. That would be another wasted 3 mil on the cap. And why would we pay for Mario Williams, our line is stacked and we don’t run a 3-4. That would be 10 million wasted on the cap. Free agents would LOVE you if you were the GM. You DB’s would take up 30 million in the cap by themselves. Then add in incoming rookies and re-signing our own players, and the Bucs wouldn’t be able to afford this. One can dream though.
by number40ismyhero on Feb 3, 2012 6:59 AM EST up reply actions
Mario Williams will not be $10 million per season...
you may have to almost double that – and it is not a “need” position.
I think he will demand 14-18 mil a year
by Carlitin1988 on Feb 3, 2012 9:23 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
News Flash: I think he will not be a BUC...
Just like Namdi – you’d like to have him, but not at that price. We need much more than one amazing final piece to OUR puzzle before we become competitive. The amazing defensive transformation that HOU had with their D was done mainly WITHOUT Mario Williams, because of his injury. Houston SportsRadio says to franchise him would cost HOU around $18-20 million per, and because of that, they do not feel he will return.
Nobody gets a “hometown” discount anymore.
by Cracker Ball on Feb 3, 2012 11:01 AM EST up reply actions
LB Is A Need Position
and last time I checked Mario Williams was an OLB and he’s probably going to get around 10 million annually maybe 12 million remember this isn’t baseball where we have 200 million dollar contracts. 60 Million below the cap it’s time we do spend some of that money. And Jason Campbell can get a 2yr/5million to make you happy
I Maybe Wrong But I Doubt It
Mario Williams is only an OLB in a 3-4 defense.
Before this year, he spent his entire career at Defensive End in a 4-3 (which is what we run, btw). DE is NOT a need position, which is what Williams would play were he to come here.
They Switched Him to OLB
In Houston, so why not just leave him at OLB in Tampa Bay since we already have our DL. Remember Demarcus Ware and what Dallas did with him started his career at DE, switched him to OLB and he’s a beast Mario Williams could be that exact same player in our 4-3 scheme
I Maybe Wrong But I Doubt It
Because the responsibilities of a 3-4 and 4-3 OLBs are vastly different.
DeMarcus Ware was switched to OLB because he plays in a 3-4 and his job is almost solely to rush the passer. That’s the responsibility of a 4-3 DE in our scheme. The same with Mario Williams. He was a DE his whole career, but when Houston changed to a 3-4, the pass rushing responsibility changed to a OLB so that’s where Williams was moved. His whole job was rushing the passer.
That is not, and I repeat NOT, the sole responsibility of a 4-3 OLB. That responsibility is to stop the run and cover the TE and/or slot WR. Williams would get whipped in that responsibility.
Marcedes Lewis will not be a free agent
Neither will Leon Hall, Troy Polamalu and a few of your other names. You’re looking at an outdated list of free agents.
Always Updated
http://www.kffl.com/static/nfl/features/freeagents/fa.php
I Maybe Wrong But I Doubt It
Nope, that's way outdated
As I said, Marcedes Lewis has signed a new contract. As have Leon Hall and Troy Polamalu. The Rotoworld list is much more accurate:
http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/39667/59/NFL-Free-Agent-Master-List
You look at the good teams they never go after the BIG name guys in free agency
Greenbay, New England, they get the mid level guys and draft well and would never take a RB or WR with a top 5 pick.
Red skins, Eagles they try to get big name guys but it doesn’t mean shit if you don’t draft well.
What part of MORE PRESSING NEEDS are you people NOT getting?
When it comes to getting best available players, the Bucs have to be looking at these positions – CB, OLB, S, ROT – more than any other.
Given how the draft operates, the Bucs can hold off on going after Safeties or Offensive Tackles until the Third Round. They HAVE to consider CB first with Linebacker (either Middle to shift Foster back over to OLB, or Outside LB period) as a backup plan. All things considered, if neither option is feasible (in terms of value) at the fifth overall pick, the Bucs can go for WR if Blackmon slips that far as a BPA, otherwise trade down a few spots to pick up extra draft slots and then get the best available CB or OLB at best value.
We can wait on RB, OG, S, and ROT. We CANNOT wait on Cornerbacks or Linebackers.
Time to shamelessly plug my book and short story!
You omit the C position...
and I think that may have the single biggest impact on our inability to open things up for Blount (or whomever). Faine gets rag-dolled by the big NT/DTs and we need somebody that can push.
OG is also an issue on one side, but I still believe that Jeremy Trueblood could become a very good G, but will always be a marginal RT.
by Cracker Ball on Feb 3, 2012 11:06 AM EST up reply actions
I would prefer that certain positions...
like S, MLB, OLB be addressed via the F/A market. Even Barrett Ruud would be acceptable in the middle if we had better OLB and SS play. Draft a CB and sign another.
by Cracker Ball on Feb 3, 2012 11:09 AM EST up reply actions
There is no LB worth the 5th overall pick
And the only CB worth it is Morris Claiborne. If Claiborne is gone, there are no CBs or LBs worth spending the 5th overall pick on. Trading down is only a real option if RG3 is somehow still on the board, because otherwise there will be no one who wants to trade up.
That being said, I believe Claiborne will be there at #5 and he should be our pick. I’m just pointing out that some options are feasible, some are not.
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