Greg Schiano Has An Ace In His Pocket
February 22nd, 2013
For the vast majority of NFL head coaches, interviewing players at all-star games and the combine is critical to not just know possible targets but to get inside their heads.
Few, if any, NFL types really know the college players aside from their athletic abilities.
Not so with Bucs coach Greg Schiano. Just one year removed from the college ranks, Schiano knows many of the players at this weekend’s largest indoor track practice after recruiting them when they were high school juniors and seniors (much like how he knew Bucs cornerback Leonard Johnson since the Clearwater native was 15).
In some cases, these same prospects played for Schiano, who didn’t dismiss he may have an advantage over his coaching brethren, during his press conference at the NFL Scouting Combine yesterday.
“It may have [been an advantage], maybe not so much the player we did select, although we did select two West Virginia players we played against. But more importantly, knowing information, knowing backgrounds, so you kind of cut to the chase on things,” Schiano said. “The other thing is the relationships I had with college head coaches, I think that’s critical, whether you went through league meetings with them or you went through national meetings with them, but you built a relationship through time to be able to talk to those guys and gain insight into the player that you maybe couldn’t have otherwise. That’s helpful.”
With the exception of Johnson, Joe isn’t so sure we have seen the benefit in Schiano knowing players and coaches.
Yes, Schiano and Dominik drafted a pair of Mountaineers, who played in the same conference (at the time) as Schiano’s Scarlet Knights of Rutgers. But at best, the jury is still out on linebacker Najee Goode and cornerback/safety Keith Tandy.
February 22nd, 2013 at 1:05 pm
The only ace in his pocket I can think of is RB Michael Smith. The kid is strong and probably our fastest runner. why did we not see much from him?
Can you ask him about that if you get a chance Joe?
February 22nd, 2013 at 1:41 pm
The jury is out on the Moutaineer boys because they are a 5th and a 6th round pick.
What about the 2nd round pick Reejus Benn?
February 22nd, 2013 at 1:43 pm
We need to trade for the “Ace of Spades” at the CB position, Revis…
February 22nd, 2013 at 3:20 pm
Damn, how did I miss it…..he’s talking about Ace Sanders!
Haha, I kid, I kid. But he would be a nice pick up.
February 22nd, 2013 at 3:21 pm
This years draft will definitely have Schiano’s stamp on it. If Coach Schiano’s eye for talent is as good as his coaching, this could be his signature draft compared to last year.
February 22nd, 2013 at 3:37 pm
@stevek:schiano didn’t draft Benn so that’s an entirely different topic altogether.
February 22nd, 2013 at 4:01 pm
He did brings us Underwood.
February 22nd, 2013 at 4:31 pm
Joe, thanks for the site. GO BUCS!!!
February 22nd, 2013 at 5:03 pm
Welcome tidal
February 23rd, 2013 at 4:18 am
Joe if schiano had insite on the Mountaineers? Then why the hell did we go looking for cb’s on the street when we drafted Tandy in the 5th! Why do we keep drafting players that never touch the field. If Najee Goode is a MLB why are we drafting LB’s. When QB got nerve damage we could have moved Mason to Sam then …not this season! Goode could have took the middle if not then why we draft him. Wasted picks!
Biggers has been playing every since he got healthy and he’s 7th rounder! Lmao Its comedy!
All this bs about TE’s..who keep drafting and picking up all these f-ing tight ends. Daniel Graham, Noble,Dunsmore, Byhum, Luke SkyStocker etc. Dallas is a match up nightmare lets keep him. With another dominate TE we can let them other 50 tight ends go. Lol
Im the first one to say make Myron Lewis into a Free Safety when I seen him hit that rookie in training camp!
I’m the first one to say why the hell we let Tough Preston go. Now we need a slot. We had one!
I said We let 3 SAFETIES GO Asante, Holland, Jones
But Ronde did a good job. So..he is a better cornerback.
Aleast pay homage to where you get info from. Thats why JOE BUCS FANS IS THE BEST!
P.S. I cant wait to see Chip Kelly Destroy the league that said college shh dont work in the pros! Then Y’all got to kiss Miguels A$$! Know it alls