As we come down the final proverbial stretch towards the start of the draft on Thursday, things remain pretty tight-lipped among the majority of teams. That's not to say there aren't a few noteworthy nuggets floating around the web and blogosphere...........
According to Michael Lombardi of the National Football Post, the Buccaneers will select whoever is remaining out of Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy at #3 and are highly unlikely to trade down if at least one of the dynamic duo is still on the board. Lombardi further notes that, unless the Lions land Albert Haynesworth by trade (in which case they'd probably look at Okung), the Lions would likely select Suh over McCoy. That makes me a sad panda. I really, really am starting to covet Suh the closer we get to draft day. I love his size, strength, and burst. He really seems to have it all. I can't say I blame the Lions. They need a physical force in the middle of that defense.
Lombardi also notes in the same piece that the Giants, should they draft an impact pass rusher like Jason Pierre-Paul, might be willing to deal DE Osi Umenyiora for the right price. Umenyiora's value might never be lower than it is right now. After missing the entire 2008 season due to an injured knee suffered against the Jets in a preseason game, Umenyiora played in all 16 games last season, totaling 7 sacks on the year. If he could be had for a mid-round pick, would you bite?
According to cbssports.com's draft pundits, they agree with Lombardi's position at the top, as they have the Rams with Bradford, the Lions taking Suh at 2, and the Bucs taking McCoy at 3 in their latest mock drafts.
Along those lines, Rick Stroud continues the seemingly-endless Suh vs. McCoy discussion....taking a look at each player's background.
Maurice Stovall signed his RFA tender on Friday. Mo Sto has been a true disappointment since coming on board in 2006, but he stepped his game up a bit and increased his production last season, hitting the occasional big gain. We'll see how he does after a full offseason with his big-armed QB. Baby steps. Now the waiting game begins for other Buccaneer RFAs Donald Penn, Jeremy Trueblood, Cadillac Williams, and Barrett Ruud.
Ira Kaufman takes a look at the Buccanneer RB situation and projects Fresno State RB Lonyae Miller as a guy the Bucs could look at late in the draft as a much-needed change of pace back.
The Buccaneers reportedly brought in Iowa CB Amari Spievey for a visit. Spievey, who got the better of the matchup with Demaryius Thomas in the Orange Bowl, could be a second-round option for the Buccaneers.
Discuss.