Bucs Hire Earnest Byner As RBs Coach
February 19th, 2012
The Bucs continue to hire coaches as the glorified indoor track practice NFL combine looms just days away.
Alex Marvez did it again. The FoxSports.com columnist had Bucs inside information that the team this morning was interviewing Earnest Byner as a running backs coach. Just a few hours later, per Mark Cook of the Pewter Report, it’s a done deal.
The Buccaneers have added one more addition to Greg Schiano’s staff as PewterReport can confirm that Tampa Bay has hired former NFL running back Earnest Byner to coach running backs.
Byner was selected by the Cleveland Brown in the tenth round (280th pick overall) of the 1984 NFL Draft He played for the Browns (1984–1988; 1994–1995), Redskins (1989–1993) and the Ravens (1996–1997).
Joe remembers Byner first as a damned good running back and a power running back at that. A power running back that had enough speed to break away from would-be tacklers.
Isn’t that what Schiano wants, a power running game?
February 19th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
I hope he’s good at kicking RB’s in the butt, Blount needs it.
February 19th, 2012 at 3:22 pm
“Isn’t that what Schiano wants, a power running game?”
Sounds like a good reason to have a pair of powerful runners in Legarrette Blount and Trent Richardson. A dynamic duo if you will 🙂
February 19th, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Good hire… this staff is coming together nicely!!!
February 19th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
I for one was extremely critical of the way management was dragging their feet with this hiring process. After these recent hirings, I have changed my tune. With the majority if recognizable names long gone I am somewhat impressed with the talent the team has accumulated in their coaching hires. I like the mentallity and success these coaches have been apart of. This, so far on paper, has been a suuccessful process by a management I have completely lost faith in and I see that with little to choose from they gave done a damn fine job. I’m feeling a little bit better about this team I love so much.
February 19th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
I love this mix of coaches for such a young team, also the ability to draw free agents. College coaches may have a relation to former playerS and insight when playing against them or recruiting, you get respect with a B. Cox, E. Byner and a B. Davis. I hope the players are as excited because it sounds like communication with this staff will not be one of their problems. Go Bucs, let’s go get an awesome ST coach and bring in a real return guy in FA or the draft, can’t stay status quo.
February 19th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
How ironic that this guy will be teaching Blount to secure the ball and be a goal-line back. There will be a lot of “do as I say, not as I did” being shouted on the practice field!!
February 19th, 2012 at 3:54 pm
Do we have a QB coach yet???
February 19th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
Ernest Byner got more out of his talent than nearly any RB in league history. Undrafted, USFLer, the guy was 215 lbs but played like he was 240, he was painfully slow but made up for it with subtle moves and great vision, and he was tough… I remember him coming off the field with his finger dislocated backwards so badly he was pointing at his own face… and he was back in on the next series.
He and Kevin Mack became just the 2nd… or was it the 3rd (Brooks and Woods either came the year after or before) pair of teammates to rush for 1000 yards… Mack was loaded with talent, but Byner had the far better career, playing well into his 30’s despite not having great physical attributes to begin with.
The last I heard he was working WITH the Ravens in some capacity… I don’t know, I don’t care, if he can coach anywhere close to how he played, this is a fantastic hire. This move actually excites me. If anybody can show Blount how to be a professional RB, this is the man to do it.
As for drafting Richardson… are you guys kidding me? There’s a reason why RBs franchise tags are the 3rd lowest among all position players… because they’re expendable and you can get great value anywhere in the draft and on the cheap. Drafting a RB top 5 would be a major mistake. Drafting Richardson top 5 would be moronic.
February 19th, 2012 at 4:02 pm
Brandon:
Not just moronic, but irresponsible given the Bucs may need to replace three or perhaps four secondary starters in a division with Drew Brees, Matty Ice and Cam Newton.
February 19th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Joe is a moron if he does not understand what Trent Richardson would singlehandedly do next year…and to all those posting crap about “‘you can get a RB latter”…..not the likes of TR….I love this arguement !
February 19th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
Think of the Big Picture Guy he had over 2000 runs and he fumbled about 30 times with over 80 TDs and was very good in goal line situations. His one fumble in a playoff game should not define his tendencies, technique or career. Good hire! Go Bucs!
February 19th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
So, are the Trent Richardson supporters positive this guy will be the best back in the NFL? If that is so, why isn’t every draft expert expecting him to be picked at #1? IF he is a game changer, why doesn’t every team want him?
February 19th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
“why doesn’t every team want him?’
of cousre every team wants him……only a very few are in position to take him…….and if the Bucs do not draft him at #5 someone will shortly after…..he is simply that good…..
February 19th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
Answer: Because those teams have bigger needs than RB which is a position of dwindling importance given the enormous steps the passing game has taken. There is a reason the RB position makes less in average salary than QB, DE, OL, DT, CB, LB and WR.
Only safeties, kickers, and TEs make less.
February 19th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
@Rastaman Why isn’t he going @#1 with multiple teams vying for a trade in any mock draft? You speak as if he is a sure fire HOF who’s presence will change the game completely. So why not?
February 19th, 2012 at 4:29 pm
he…Mr. cheap advertiser…..this is a bulletin board/blog…..we state our opinions….not start arguments….I would not having a problem taking Richarson @ 5….nor Clayborn or Blackmon….or anyone else including the LB…Luke Kuechly @ 5 post your own shiit…not telling others why there opinon is wrong
February 19th, 2012 at 4:35 pm
“and to all those posting crap about “‘you can get a RB latter”…..not the likes of TR”
Then I expect Trent Richardson, being that you believe is worthy of a #5 pick, should instantly be better than MJD(pick #60), Ray Rice(pick #55), Michael Turner(pick #154), LeSean McCoy(Pick #53), and Arian Foster(undrafted)…..
If not, I guess we can get someone later in the draft.
February 19th, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Sorry to hurt your feelings. I was just giving my opinion as well. 😉 You still didn’t answer my question, though. Why is he not the #1 pick if he is so valuable?
Too many emotions in these boards.
February 19th, 2012 at 4:40 pm
LOL Right On!! RastaMon
February 19th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
we don’t have a history of that working out…..all of the Bucs RB stat leaders were high draft picks…..I went round an round a few years ago on Pewter Report about taking Adrian Peterson ….the most common reply was “well that would be saying Carnell Williams was a wasted draft pick….and I jumped off the floor when we took Carnell Williams….
February 19th, 2012 at 4:43 pm
And way to try and manufacture a “high road” for yourself to walk on immediately after calling Joe a moron.
“Joe is a moron if he does not understand what Trent Richardson would singlehandedly do next year…and to all those posting crap about “‘you can get a RB latter”…..not the likes of TR”
followed by:
“he…Mr. cheap advertiser…..this is a bulletin board/blog…..we state our opinions….not start arguments….I would not having a problem taking Richarson @ 5….nor Clayborn or Blackmon….or anyone else including the LB…Luke Kuechly @ 5 post your own shiit…not telling others why there opinon is wrong”
How quick you were to point out how we are wrong, but then you turn around and tell us we shouldn’t defend our positions and tell you why you are wrong. Consistency is not your strong suit.
February 19th, 2012 at 4:47 pm
@Rasta You can’t use the Buccaneer’s history of RBs as a prediction of the future. We are a different team, with different schemes, different coaching, different management, and different owners. Nothing similar outside of name and location.
February 19th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
I am very excited about this Hire Yes sir!! as a Player He was good, not excellent. He took care of himself health wise. I have never heard any bad things about him. As a coach, He has done some very good things with the backs he has coached That Rb from Titans, Johnson, The three name RB in Jax. I cant wait to see what he brings to our RB’s.
February 19th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
There ARE a lot of holes on the defense but drafting Claiborne is not going to fix the defense. It’s one piece, one. They are going to have to address the defense with FA until the defense can be fixed over time with draft picks. That said, the offense is in a whole lot better shape. Adding Richardson provides them with 2 power backs. One of them with tremendous power, balance, speed, receiving and vision in Richardson. I’m not saying he’s HOF worthy, but it sure appears he has all the tools to make an IMMEDIATE impact and be with us for a very long time with his ‘low milage’ thus far.
It’s easy to argue other players and the draft doesn’t tend to favor RB’s drafted very high, but I think he’s worthy. He’s also the most likely player to be available at #5. We are in a good spot regardless.
February 19th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
@Cheap Advertiser… You can’t use the NFL draft history of late RBs as a prediction of the future…
February 19th, 2012 at 4:52 pm
@Rasta Sure you can. It is based off of NFL history. Multiple teams with proven results. Not just one team.
February 19th, 2012 at 4:53 pm
And Michael Turner is unimpressive, sorry. 1 good year and ATL drove him in the ground. You can find a RB in the later rounds just like you can every other position, so that argument doesn’t hold water.
We need ELITE players and this draft doesn’t have as many as in years past. Trading back might put us in danger of getting an elite player. So staying at #5 is the right move. What we do is anyone’s guess.
February 19th, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Keep in mind that while our DB depth is very thin, our RB depth is ZERO.
Z E R O – and Blount has trouble withi pass pro and receiving, and now he’s going to learn a new offense. His mind might explode.
February 19th, 2012 at 4:56 pm
RastaMon:
Come on man. Think about it:
Last year Joe heard people scream to draft Mark Ingram, that he was the answer to the Bucs problems and would rule the NFL. In fact, he was a late round draft pick and a complete non-factor for the Saints.
The Bucs very likely are looking at a secondary of E. J. Biggers, Tanard Jackson (provided he doesn’t slip up [again]), Cody Grimm and Myron Lewis unless there is an upgrade.
So the Bucs are to ignore this with likely one of the best cornerbacks to come out of the draft in years (Mo Claiborne) and draft a running back? This running back will only be a part-time player because the Bucs will be down by 30 before halftime.
This just in: the Bucs already have a running back.
With this logic, the Bucs ought to draft Ryan Tannehill with the No. 5 pick.
Running backs in early first round are terrible investments, especially on a team where every man in the back defensive seven are borderline NFL starters at best.
February 19th, 2012 at 4:57 pm
If rbs are so easy to find undrafted and later in the draft why haven’t we found one other then lgb? How did our last undrafted rb turnout I think his name was lumpy kreg or something of the sort. O or what about the stud we picked up in the draft allen bradford. I see he was such a find at rb that the seahawks are now switching him to lb. For every shady or ray rice theres a marion barber or maurice clarett.Look the draft isn’t an exact science. Picking this early in the draft u pick best player available and that’s that. If its Richardson I wouldn’t be sad or if its Claiborne I wouldn’t be either. But to call a persons opinion moronic is just plain idiotic in itself because this argument isn’t gonna be won on either side. Our pass def was terrible last year and our run game wasn’t anything to be excited about whatsoever so they both can use upgrades to get this team on track.
February 19th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
Richardson is a great back, but Blount is a very good back- Meybe great also.
Our LBer and Secondary are so bad, none of them should be in the NFL( except Ronde- who has just gotten old)
We will not win without replacing those 7. We could win with Blount. Great CBers are harder to find than Rbs
February 19th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
I refuse to put a final grade on any of the Buc’s recent draft picks under Morris’ staff. I doubt Blumpkin or Bradford will turn out to be anything relevant, but I hold from a final opinion until at least one offseason with a decent coaching staff.
February 19th, 2012 at 5:04 pm
And also to all the ppl saying that rbs are so easy to find late the same argument can be used when talking about Cb’s. Hell the Cb’s that everybody are pinning for on this board Finnegan and grimes were a respective 7th round draft choice and undrafted.
February 19th, 2012 at 5:04 pm
“Great CBers are harder to find than Rbs”
^^^THIS^^^
Most of the top CBs are first round picks. Most of the top RBs are not.
February 19th, 2012 at 5:05 pm
Dont waste the#1 pick on a rb,we can sign depth(hillis,benson)in fa.lets get a fullback and a 3-4 round speed guy for our version of sproles.pead or james fit nicely.i hope kalil drops to us with a nicks pick up in faand our run game will b beastly
February 19th, 2012 at 5:12 pm
@ Joe and Cheap Advertiser…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fuDDqU6n4o
February 19th, 2012 at 5:17 pm
Really good to great CBs taken in the 1st round: Revis, Woodson, Rogers, Bailey, Asomugha, Joseph, Leon Hall, Gamble, Tillman, Winfield, Haden… I don’t feel like looking for more.
Really good to great RBs taken in the first round: Peterson, Jackson, Chris, Johnson, McGahee…..short list.(I’d add Lynch if it weren’t his first season of relevance in 4 injury ridden years. He has never played a full season)
Only Jackson and Mcgahee were in the top ten of rushing yards this season.
February 19th, 2012 at 5:17 pm
@Rasta ahaha! Nice!
February 19th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
For god’s sake. I don’t care if Trent Richardson is the next coming of Barry Sanders. The best running back in the league is Adrian Peterson and the Vikings are picking third. Do you people not realise THE RUNNING GAME IN THE NFL IS DYING. As long as teams’ no. 3 and no. 4 receivers are better than their opponents’ no. 3 and no. 4 corners, offences will continue to drift away from the running game and move towards a Packers/Saints style offense.
Seriously, the running game is becoming less and less of a factor with each season in the modern game. If you are seriously suggesting picking a running back with a top 10 pick, you may as well use a second round pick on a full back.
Biggest argument against taking Richardson? That guy who posted about using a one-two punch of Richardson and Blount. Are you freaking kidding me? You want to use the #5 overall pick on a player who by your own admission you want to use as a part-time player? Mo Claiborne will see every single snap – THAT is a player who’s worthy of the #5 pick. And I’m not saying that Richardson won’t see every snap because he doesn’t have that talent – on the contrary, I believe he definitely does have that skill. But the nature of the game has developed in a way that, no matter how talented he is, the every-down back is dead. Even Peterson was spelled by Gerhart. Put it this way: imagine that you were the best lead-blocking full back to come out of college in a generation, and I mean you are a consensus All-Pro every single season of your career at the fullback spot. Guess what – you’ll still only see maybe 40% of team’s offensive snaps at most. It’s not a knock your talent – it’s just the way the game has evolved away from the fullback position. And it’s the same with the every-down back. Drafting Richardson is a stupid move because it’s archaic and shows a completely lack of foresight as to the direction of the evolution of American football.
February 19th, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Clinton portis in 2004
Chris Jhonson in 2009
Maurice Jones-Drew 2011
LEGARRETTE BLOUNT IN 2012!!!
February 19th, 2012 at 5:33 pm
and for the RB discusion….
The Giants were Champions with Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs
The packers use some starks guy
The Saints use all mighty pierre thomas
im sure all of them were first rounders…..
1- Morris Claiborne
2- Zac Brown o Lavonte David
3- Lamichael James
February 19th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
Based on the fact that I am one of the few that does not think Dominik is stupid and he is in fact smart, it won’t be Richardson. If Richardson runs a 4.3 then we can talk, but he’ll most likely run a low 4.4 and won’t go off the board until at least close to 10 if not farther down. I’ll say it again, fans value RB’s much higher than NFL Executives.
Until we finally sell out and finish this defensive overhaul once and for all it will not matter what offensive skill players we have because we will always have a limited amount of offensive possessions to work with anyway. The score at least needs to stay close for us to even have a clue whether or not we have the right skill guys on the team offensively.
February 19th, 2012 at 5:39 pm
Byner is another hire that – on the surface – seems like a great move.
February 19th, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Cracks me up when people use the “a CB can only take one WR away” excuse to draft Richardson, and go on to say we’d then have 2 power backs. Um, If we have two power backs, then only one will be on the field at a time. Meaning we’d have 2 guys splitting the time at 1 position. At least with a CB, even if they only take away one WR at a time, they’ll be on the field every defensive play. Also, as has been mentioned, with the QBs and WRs in the division (and the NFL), you must be able to take away not only the 1st and 2nd option, but the 3rd and 4th. We don’t have enough good DBs to take away 1. Claiborne may not be the “answer”, but he’s at least a start in that direction. We may have zero depth at RB, but we also have zero starting ability in the secondary if Talib is in jail and Ronde retires, much less depth. We need starters, not depth. Depth comes when you have starters.
February 19th, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Trade down. Get more picks. Trent will be there later on.
Then we can play fast, smart and tough
February 19th, 2012 at 5:47 pm
@Gurs – Good post. The running game is dying. This is QB league now and has been for a very long time. Which is why I don’t like Schiano’s game plan for offense. “Take shots down the field”? You need to own the passing game, not tell your team it’s a “shot”.
February 19th, 2012 at 5:50 pm
First question that should be asked is “Are we ok with starting…..”? To that end, are we ok with starting Blount? Are we ok with starting Biggers and Lewis if Talib and Ronde are not there? Even if Talib is back, are we ok with Talib/Biggers? What about Ronde/Biggers? Talib/Ronde/Biggers? We’re talking starters here, not depth, not backups. If Richardson were drafted and immediately the starter, then we might have ok depth at RB with Blount, but we’d STILL have no starters at CB. We could draft Claiborne and we’d STILL need to go after one in FA. We may not find a starting caliber RB in the late rounds or in FA, but we already have one and simply need depth and pass situation type guy added. I can’t see getting a situational guy, or drafting a new starter where we already have one, when we really need true starters at other positions.
February 19th, 2012 at 6:02 pm
Correct me if Im wrong, but i think 8 out of the top ten rushers in history were first rounders. I get so sick of hearing u can fins rb’s later in the draft. You CAN but that Doesnt mean you will. As you watch other people pick the other choicea before you thought they would go, you find your list dwindling. Then you have to roll the dice on a guy
February 19th, 2012 at 6:03 pm
Tony Richardson anyone?
Let’s hope so.
February 19th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
We cant fix everything this year anyways. Id like us to draft tr and then go lb and cb in 2 and 3. Id feel much better getting most of our secondary via free angency. Also, with blount and try eating up field and clock, we keep them off the field more. Part of giving uup so many points is that our offense is barely ever on the field
February 19th, 2012 at 6:08 pm
I like this hire, read that he was running backs coach for Chris Johnson in his break out year. As far as picking up Richardson with our first round pick sounds great if he had the same shelf life in the NFL as a corner back but most likely 3-5 years avg running back stay in the NFL verses 10 years for a corner I would take the safe pick. Lots of proven free agents running backs in free agency that we could go after. I personally think this new coaching staff needs to evaluate our talent on this team. I don’t think the old staff did a great job of developing the talent here. Think it was more of a frat house type of atmosphere. Head coach out partying during work week till 3-4 am then coming in hungover. Rah is gone lets see what a organized coaching staff can do with these players.
February 19th, 2012 at 6:09 pm
You take the best player available….PERIOD! The three top Draft GURUs Rate Richardson as either the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th best player in this draft considering all the players. if he’s there I take him. Cornerbacks are rarely taken among the top 5. Very few running backs have been rated among the top three in the whole draft. The last one was Peterson; another was McFadden; another was Tomlinson (who single-handedly transformed the Chargers into a winner); Bo Jackson had a pretty nice career, so did Thomas Jones and Deuce McAllister and you can go on and on. Running backs are a high risk because they get injured, not because they aren’t game changers.
February 19th, 2012 at 6:13 pm
We missed a great window of oppurtunity last year. There were two shutdown corners available in FA. We really should have grabbed one. Then, teamed with Claibourne, we have our 2 CBS, and they would be great.
The best CBs this year will likely be franchised. It is rare to find a great CB anywhere but the draft.
If we get Claibourne in the first, we will still need another in one of the next two rounds..
But getting one NFL quality CB is of paramount importance.
We have absolutely none now. Not even close
February 19th, 2012 at 6:18 pm
Tomlinson did it single handedly…. That is why he has been so effective for the Jets. Yes, sir. It had nothing to do with Marty Schottenheimer who in a 21 year 3 team head coaching career had only 2 losing seasons. Nope. It was all Tomlinson.
February 19th, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Excellent hire IMO. Worth waiting for.
February 19th, 2012 at 6:32 pm
That truly is the best arguement…show me a team in the playoffs that had an elite RB. Now, show me a team in the playoffs that had an elite QB. Ahhhhhhhh….now the stats change a little. And last…..did the team with the best offense or the team with the best defense win the super bowl? I think we go with what got us there the last time…..defense. Get Claiborne. I love Trent Richardson and would love to have him as a Buc but I believe we can pick up Doug Martin and Claiborne and be ahead of the game.
February 19th, 2012 at 6:49 pm
Barry Sanders did do it all by himself. TR is no Barry Sanders.
February 19th, 2012 at 7:01 pm
LT was the heart and soul of the Chargers, period. The team road on his back until his career peaked and then they let him go…
Claiborne with our 1st round pick. Mark it down. Anyone thinking the pick will be TR is fooling themselves. I’m not going to regurgitate what’s been said above but our defensive backfield is just plain embarrassing. I don’t think I can stomach another season with Biggers getting playing time. We need starters, not depth.
Also, Blount CAN catch the ball and WILL be in on 3rd down this year b/c we’ll have an offensive coaching staff that’s immediately an upgrade from Greg Olson, Pumpkin errr Lumpkin will hopefully be gone, and we’ll have an offseason for him to prepare in our new system.
February 19th, 2012 at 7:12 pm
We can still have a top defense without HAVING to draft a corner at #5:
Top 5 Defense in PPG Cornerback Depth Chart (Rd Drafted)
1) Steelers: Ike Taylor(4th) & William Gay (5th)
2) Niners: Carlos Rogers (FA) & Tarell Brown (5th)
3) Ravens: Lardarius Webb (3rd) & Cary Williams (7th)
4) Texans: John Joseph (FA) & Kareem Jackson (1st)
5) Browns: Joe Haden (1st) & Sheldon Brown (FA)
Top 5 CBs according to FBO in 2011 (as of Week 13)
1) Revis (1st)
2) Jabari Greer (UDFA)
3) Ike Taylor (4th)
4) Richard Sherman (5th)
5) Asante Samuel (4th)
In an offensive-driven league we need an elite offense with a “just good enough” defense. Acquiring a high quality corner outside of using our 1st rounder is going to be easier this year through free agency and the 2nd-7th rounds because of the depth of talent there. T-Rich is the highest rated back coming out of college since All Day. I think he should be the pick.
February 19th, 2012 at 7:13 pm
@ Bobby
“…show me a team in the playoffs that had an elite RB.”
Top 5 RBs (Rushing Yards)
1) MJD – No Playoffs
2) Ray Rice – Playoffs
3) Mike Turner – Playoffs
4) Lesean McCoy – No Playoffs
5) Arian Foster – Playoffs
“Now, show me a team in the playoffs that had an elite QB.”
The top 5 passers all made the show. Josh Freeman isn’t an elite QB yet. He needs weapons to maximize his talent.
“…did the team with the best offense or the team with the best defense win the super bowl?”
Statistically speaking, the Giants had a worse defense than the Pats in scoring D…both defenses were in the bottom half of the League in in yardage given up this year. So the real question should be, “Who’s defense sucked the least out of the two?”
February 19th, 2012 at 7:33 pm
Awesome hire, the guy coached Chris Johnson during his 2000 yard season, Clinton Portis for 4 of his best years and then Maurice Jones Drews last two years. This guy will get the most out of Blount. Best hire yet.
February 19th, 2012 at 8:00 pm
Someone better tell Tampa that the running game is dying, huh ?
Coach Schiano is planning on a power running game type offense that takes shots down the field.
I am not saying we should take Trent Richardson at number 5, but consider this.
A Power Running Game that is successful keeps Drew Brees and Cam Newton off the field, while Tampa controls the ball.
Drafting for need is not always the best choice, because often it causes us to bypass a real game changing athlete.
I say, take the best athlete we can get when we pick, and if it is Richardson, so be it. Or trade down for more picks, since we have so many needs.
February 19th, 2012 at 8:15 pm
I agree that trading down will be the best option for the Bucs. I’d love to get Blackmon and think he is special, even worth trading up for, but the Bucs have many needs and more picks helps. I’d be happy if the Bucs draft Trent Richardson at 5 too. He’s been a really good back and he benches in the 500 club, pretty sure, but he should be there at 10 if they can get back a little. Claiborne has had a good season but he didn’t do much in the championship game, and 5 for Claiborne may be a reach. I like Hightower from Bama and think he would be a good mid-late first round pick. So much depends on free agency and if the Bucs get some help at LB, Safety & CB, it might make sense to draft Richardson at 5. Adrian Petersen, was a high first rounder like Cadi, and Adrian is arguably the best back in the NFL, but he has been hurt repeatedly and the Vikes haven’t really got the value of the pick and the pay for him. So it is very risky and reachy to pick a RB in the top 10. Last point is I would be happy if the Bucs take one of the top 2 offensive tackles at 5, and again fill voids with free agency.
February 19th, 2012 at 8:15 pm
Moron:
Someone who insults both the owner of a website AND it’s advertisers.
1) Want or project whatever you like. It doesn’t matter. You play in fantasy by predicting Trent. Mark Dominick is making the picks and I highly doubt he will solicit (sp) your opinion.
2) In the last 2 drafts, Mark drafted the biggest need with the first 2 picks…that would be CB.
3) Unless we get a starting CB in trade or free agency, I would not be surprised if he took CB with the first &second picks.
4) The next biggest need is LB, so unless the position is addressed with trade or free agency, don’t expect RB to happen i
February 19th, 2012 at 8:17 pm
…to happen in the 3rd.
February 19th, 2012 at 8:17 pm
I would really try to get Carl Nicks and even Jonathan Vilma if they come available after Brees’ Mega Money Deal.
February 19th, 2012 at 8:19 pm
That was directed at Rasta…and anyone saying we’ll take Trent.
February 19th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
Thing is, Claiborne is being talked about as an ELITE game changing player in this years draft. The list included 5 (I can’t find the list now, I’ll look later). Both Richardson and Claiborne were on it. I believe Luck and maybe Kalil were on it too. Thing is, if there are 5 elite players in the draft AND one of them fits a need as well, you take the elite player that fills a need. You’re still getting an elite player in the draft. We may not have to have a top 5 defense to get back to winning, but we had better be able to stop teams from scoring 40+ points in the first half (quarter) or whoever our RB is won’t see the field much in the last half of the game anyway.
February 19th, 2012 at 8:25 pm
Well said, BamBam.
February 19th, 2012 at 8:28 pm
Schiano said he wants to be vertical, not run long drives. He has stated he wants to score quickly. That is what he meant about taking shots down field. He doesn’t want to run run run and occasionally throw. He wants to score early and often because, as he said something along the lines of ‘it is very hard to run 10, 11, 12, 13 play drives’.
February 19th, 2012 at 8:30 pm
Didn’t we have one of the worst defenses in Bucs/NFL history last season? *Scratches his head and moves on to the next article*
February 19th, 2012 at 8:32 pm
Last Superbowl winning RB’s:
2012 Giants: Bradshaw/Jacobs
2011 Packers: James Starks
2010 Saints: Bush/Pierre Thomas
2009 Steelers: Mendenhal
2008 Giants: Jacobs/Ward
2007 Colts: They had a RB? (Addai I guess)
2006 Steelers: The Bus
2005/2004 Pats: Corey Dillon
2003 Bucs: Michael Pittman
Anyone see any top 5 picks in that list other than the bust that is Reggie Bush? Ronnie Brown and Caddy sure turned out to be home run top 5 picks. Don’t forget Ki-Janna Carter!!
Keep tokin’ Rasta…..
February 19th, 2012 at 8:34 pm
Yea Joe but if you get a good running game going with Richardson then Brees, Cam, and Ryan spend more time on the bench!
And, it opens up the play action for Free as well as a rb who can catch out of backfield.
Plus Blount is always 30 seconds away from doing something really stupid, and his blocking/pass catching is questionable at best.
No confidence at all that he is long term answer.
February 19th, 2012 at 8:39 pm
eric, and when Brees Cam and Ryan put up a 2 touchdown lead on us bc we can’t defend them, your shiny new toy is gunna look real fancy once we have to play catchup by passing exclusively in the 2nd half.
February 19th, 2012 at 8:40 pm
@big picture
Good list and good point.
On another issue some pretty damn fine QB’s headed up those teams eh? Brad Johnson is about the ony “game manager” among them!
Free better get his groove back quick,we need him to become elite, not just average.
Gotta happen or were screwed!
February 19th, 2012 at 8:42 pm
I’d much rather have Byner coaching RB’s before I would Jimi Rae, who coached our woeful offense in ’85-’86 (worst O I’ve EVER seen), hopefully he’s not a hands on guy and lets Byner do his thing.
February 19th, 2012 at 8:47 pm
I’ve said before I won’t cry if we take Richardson but I think we’ll take Blackmon if he’s available before we take Richardson (if Claiborne is gone and we can’t trade down).
I just don’t see the need for a Trent Richardson to be successful in this league anymore. You need an effective RB but you don’t need an elite RB. Freeman will be much better this year than last year. Heck, everyone will be better this year than last year. Good game planning will put us light years ahead of last season’s curve. Just think, we managed to beat Atlanta and the Saints last year with one of the most unimaginative offenses I’ve ever seen. Think of the possibilities…..
February 19th, 2012 at 8:47 pm
eric, very true. at least the kid is still only 24, and has time to grow.
I will say this about drafting RB’s high in the 1st round. At least you no longer have to invest the huuuuuuge amount of $$ in the top 10 draft picks as you did in years past, and the risk isnt as awful as it used to be.
I mean in what world should GMC be getting a 5 year 63 mil contract as the 3rd overall pick, when Cam Newton got a 4 year 22 mil contract as a 1st overall QB????
This “new NFL” one apparently….
February 19th, 2012 at 8:53 pm
Please put a warning label up before meantioning the 85, 86 bucs. I had to got hrough a twelve step program after those years.
Worst period in our history. We had just recently brilliantly let Doug go, traded a number one for the throwing samoan, Bo Jackson went for baseball, Leroy had to retire early cause of bad back. And we traded steve Young away! And of course the back to back 2-14 seasons.
Raheems tenure was joyful by comparison.
In fairness to Jimmy Raye it wasn’t his fault.
February 19th, 2012 at 8:58 pm
Interesting thing to hear… Claiborne had one good year. Well, Richardson really only had one good year as well. Before that he was behind Mark Ingram. So, if things should be based on long term production in college, maybe neither is the best option. Although Claiborne did lead his team in INTs in 2010 as well. Richardson did not lead his team in rushing in 2010.
Another interesting thing is the discussion about elite RBs being taken in the first round. Looking at previous drafts:
2011: Only 1 RB taken in the first round, 28th overall, Mark Ingram. Not a game changer for the Saints last year, rather Darren Sproles was their game changer acquired in FA.
2010: CJ Spiller taken 9th overall, nothing special. Ryan Matthews, 12th, under 700 yds rookie season becoming decent. Jahvid Best, 30th, under 600 yds rookie season, injured last year.
2009: Knowshon Moreno, 12th, decent rookie season (not equal to Blount’s), uninspiring since. Donald Brown, 27th, really? Don’t even go there. Beanie Wells, 31st, finally breaking out 3rd season.
2008: Our first top 5 RB, Darren McFadden, 4th, finally broke out 3rd season. Jonathon Stewart, 13th, consistent. Felix Jones 22nd, Rashard Mendenhall 23rd, then finally 24th and 5th RB taken in the draft and first round Chris Johnson. Finally a real threat RB and he’s the 5th guy taken in the draft at his position.
2007: Adrian Peterson, as good as he is, wasn’t taken til the 7th pick in rnd 1. Marshawn Lynch was the only other 1st rnd RB taken that year.
2006: 4 RBs in the first round. Reggie Bush #2 overall. Followed by Lawrence Maroney, DeAngelo Williams, and Joseph Addai.
I’m sorry, but that’s 6 years of NFL draft there, I’m not going back further to find those top 5 pick draft gems at RB. The only 2 taken in those 6 years in the top 5 did NOT change their team enough to warrant it.
Top 5 DBs in the same 6 year span: Patrick Peterson (game changer), Eric Berry (and Joe Haden 7th overall), (LaRon Landry 6th overall), (Michael Huff and Donte Whitner 7th and 8th overall). Not many DBs taken top 5 either, but Peterson and Berry are pretty good. The rest of the “top 10” guys are pretty good too and even being talked about as good FA pickups for us. I know some are Safeties (which is even more unusual than CBs), but all are DBs. Not all are game changers, I’d admit that, but it’s not any different than RBs except we have a need at CB and an opportunity for an elite player at that position.
February 19th, 2012 at 9:03 pm
Morris Claiborne or Luke Kuechly, those are my only real options if I’m picking and they follow Dominik’s draft strategy to a T. He’ll either draft two Corners early or two Linebackers.
February 19th, 2012 at 9:03 pm
This site is like a soap opera LOL. All of you hussies, shut your traps. I think its a good problem to have. Claiiborne, Rchardson, or even Blackman would be great additions and contribute from Day 1.
February 19th, 2012 at 9:11 pm
All those DBs you named are good to great. Haden and Whitner killed it this year. Huff had an awesome run last season. Landry has been consistently progressing(only stunk as a rookie). All of them would be an upgrade to our current starters. You know who wouldn’t: Donald Brown, Felix Jones, Mendenhall, Addai, Maroney, Best and Ingram(so far)
February 19th, 2012 at 9:21 pm
I am saving this thread…..
BWhahahahaha…
Peter Doucher….
February 19th, 2012 at 9:39 pm
Ok ok, a lot of the top running backs drafted havent panned out recently/
doesnt mean Richardson wont.
Been a lot of luke warm DT’s taken near top of the draft. We may have one right here if he doesn’t stop with the pop warner tackling.
Point being the draft isnt suceptible to statistical analysis.
Let one rb burn it up and they will all be back to drafting them high again.
February 19th, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Totally agree except I’d flip no.3 and 4 around. I think LB is absolutely our biggest need moreso than CB and the reason Claiborne is the selection we need to pick is b/c he’s got more talent than the best LB on the board.
Megadittos.
February 19th, 2012 at 10:13 pm
Don’t we still need a special teams coach ?
February 19th, 2012 at 11:28 pm
He knew how to hang onto the ball, so that’s good. Ironically, he is known for that one fumble in the playoff game, but he rarely ever fumbled.
February 19th, 2012 at 11:30 pm
Eric I don’t think Buddah would have used Bo Jackson as an example to make his point if he knew the Bucs took him first over all in’ 86. If so, I don’t think he made it very well. That being said TR looks to be the real deal and it would be hard to pass him up if he is the highest rated on your board when 5 comes around. The best case scenario would be the Bengals trading the Bucs their two #1’s to switch spots. Lots of good LBs,CBs,DEs and even RBs in the first round! I love me some Draft. Go Bucs!
February 20th, 2012 at 1:50 am
A “lot” haven’t panned out? That was 6 YEARS!!! Looks like 2 first round running backs in 6 years. How many DBs? We need an immediate starter to help impact the team. Not some guy that may or may not be the answer. If TR ends up being the next Knowshon Moreno, everyone will be throwing fits. The better odds are on the DB. At this point, I say we need to minimize our risk.
February 20th, 2012 at 2:15 am
Trent Ruchardson is our pick! Dude is a stud.
Brandon and Joe:
It would be “moronic” and “irresponsible” to not draft the next Ray Rice/MJD.
I say we draft Trent Richardson just on idea of him showing “GamesMissedConstantly” the weight room.
We will be sorry for passing on him…
February 20th, 2012 at 4:38 am
@Stevek
*clapclapclapclapclap*
Ray Rice – round two, 55th overall pick
Maurice Jones-Drew – round 2, 60th overall pick.
Way to illustrate exactly why drafting Richardson at #5 overall is a stupid idea. Thanks buddy!
February 20th, 2012 at 5:51 am
I’ve created a name just to say that I agree with everything BamBamBuc has said.
A game changing running back does nothing for you when you are trailing your opponent and have to rely heavily on the pass.
February 20th, 2012 at 10:37 am
@ Yar,
# 20 “the” Total RB! Great vision, balance, Great pass receiver, excellent blocker. A classy player. How I hated/loved to watch him play us 2 times a year…
February 20th, 2012 at 10:38 am
Just because Ray Rice and Maurice Jones Drew were drafted in the second doesn’t mean you have to wait to get a player that you believe has pro bowl talent. Brady was drafted in the sixth round so I guess all teams should wait until the later rounds to draft a QB. Draft on talent not need. FA will hopefully fill needs. Draft Claiborne only if he grades higher than Richardson.