Data Says Wait On A Running Back

January 18th, 2017

jason licht 0229Joe isn’t much of a stats guy, but legitimate, objective data is fantastic.

And that’s why Joe keeps track of Jaguars co-owner Tony Khan on social media.

He shares all kinds of data from the team’s analytics department. Rarely does anything apply to the Bucs or the NFL as a whole, but one of his offerings this week sure does.

Khan pumped out a graphic (see below) on undrafted players and how much they impact each position on the field. The runaway winner was undrafted running backs, who have taken 24 percent of all snaps at the position over the past 10 years.

And this is largely why running backs have been devalued across team personnel departments, especially from where they were 10 years ago, even five years ago.

Look at the teams in this year’s conference championships.

The Falcons’ top back is Devonta Freeman, a fourth-round pick. The Packers are handing the rock to Ty Montgomery, a third-round pick. The Belicheats count on undrafted Legarrette Blount. Le’Veon Bell was a second round pick for the Steelers.

Those aren’t huge investments.

Heck, undrafted C.J. Anderson was a Denver Super Bowl hero last year.

Joe gets Bucs fans’ intoxication with Dalvin Cook and other college running backs likely to be drafted in the first round this year, but yielding to temptation might not be the wisest move for general manager Jason Licht.

103 Responses to “Data Says Wait On A Running Back”

  1. Bucfaithful Says:

    Especially in this years draft with all the depth at the position. Joe mixon who is a first round talent will go in the 4th or 5th round, yes he ray riced a women but don’t forget tyrek hill strangled his girlfriend and dalvin cook also hit someone when he was 18. Great value in joe mixon if his character checks out.

  2. LargoBuc Says:

    I think we need to be set at C, RT, before investing in a top running back. Im of the mind set that you build your team from the trenches first, then add your playmakers. That may seem old fashioned but as athletic as these 3-4 OLB’s are, you gotta take them out or risk getting your QB killed.

  3. J 2.0 Says:

    I still contend a guy who can do it all over the field will be invaluable in Koetter’s offense.

    Christian McCaffrey.

  4. J 2.0 Says:

    And no. The culture has changed. So no Joe Mixon.

  5. R.O. Says:

    Smoke screen… they will not pass on D. Freeman. Especially with the success of EE in D.

  6. Nick Says:

    A first round pick should only be used on positions where a guy can reasonably be assumed to be effective playing out a 2nd contract. In the past 10 years only AP and Marshawn Lynch were effective 1st rounders through their 2nd contract.

  7. Deminion Says:

    would love mixon think he was 17 when he messed up. Id draft him not in the first tho dude is a threat everytime he touches the ball. I think that may have been the only mess up.. ijs

  8. Dusthty Rhothdes Says:

    Joe Mixon or even marlon mack, no need to waste a 1st round pick on the position of RB, just think had the bucs not drafted cadillac where the team could possibly be this weekend

  9. DB55 Says:

    Imo it would be wise to beef up the oline in the 1st.

  10. Jolly Bucs Fan Says:

    Samaje Perine – Will go between rounds 2-4 probably – look up his highlights. Split time with Mixon this past year but this guy is a beast

  11. Joeypoppems Says:

    @J 2.0

    To be fair, the player leading the culture change is Jameis Winston, who was accused of sexual assault when he was drafted…. Dont count Mixon out because of 1 inccident.

  12. Joeypoppems Says:

    I love everything about Jamaal Williams out of BYU who could be there in round 4.

  13. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Trade up trade up trade up.

  14. Stpetebucsfan Says:

    Joey

    I’m willing to check out Mixon although I HATE men who put their hands on women. But if he totally checked out…shrinks included…I do not want Lawrence Phillips..I would keep an open mind.

    But I don’t think #3 compares to Mixon. #3 is intense, exuberant, and full of life which explains all of his youthful mistakes except for what you brought up.

    Here is a major difference…being ACCUSED of something is not the same as being proven to have done something. It’s America…unless your Hillary Clinton or Jameis Winston you’re supposed to remain innocent until PROVEN guilty.

    J 2.0 I’m with you. I”m becoming more and more interested in McCaffery.
    Once I found out he ran the same 40 time as Dalvin and Fournette I was on board. He is someone who could drop to the 2nd. I think he’s a steal in the 2nd…he’s the West Coast version of Dalvin Cook.

  15. ndog Says:

    Stpete you have to look at who McCaffery played though. The Pac12 is not exactly know for its defense.

  16. Viejo_Sombrero19 Says:

    Yeaaaaaayyy!!! Joe has finally put up an article to shut up everyone screaming for a RB to be drafted in the 1st rd! Woohoooo!

  17. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    Boy i cannot wait for draft night. Because I know that Nosbos will be crying his eyes out when we dont trade up for a 5’11 210 pound running back, one who has had multiple shoulder surgeries.

    Dalvin Cook will not be a Buccaneer.

    #FoolsGold
    #NextDarrenMcfadden

  18. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Yaaayy I wonder how impact it will have on Licht draft night.

  19. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    You know the same guy that took a kicker in second. Brainiac.

  20. Joeypoppems Says:

    @Stpete

    I get that and I do agree with everything you said. The point I was trying to make there was more along the lines of since Winston turned it around who is to say Mixon can’t? I listened to his press conference before his bowl game and everything he said seemed sincere to me. He has been out of trouble ever since, his teammates seem to love him as a teammate, he said he has been going through councelling since that incident. To me, and this is just my opinion, he has taken all the right steps to turn it around and I do think it was just a bad mistake by a young kid and it doesnt define who he is. If Licht and the Glazers come to find the same thing then I have no problem with them drafting him as high as the 2nd round.

  21. Deminion Says:

    McCaffrey a dif version of Gerhart pac 12 RBs always run wild… Mixon is the real deal he might be the most explosive back in the draft.. check his tape its incredible… I love Dalvin too but I wouldn’t take him in the first quality backs are always found..

  22. J 2.0 Says:

    Joeypoppems Says:

    January 18th, 2017 at 11:36 am

    @J 2.0

    To be fair, the player leading the culture change is Jameis Winston, who was accused of sexual assault when he was drafted…. Dont count Mixon out because of 1 inccident.

    ————————————————————————————–

    Winston was accused. Winston was innocent. Winston is a leader.

    Mixon is on video committing this crime.

    That is the difference.

  23. Deminion Says:

    Id beef up the Dline in the first but if a stud WR is there like a Corey Davis/ Williams I doubt they even make there id draft w WR/ I like dede westbrook too

  24. 813bucboi Says:

    d’onte foreman…round 2 or 3…GO BUCS!!!!

  25. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    @ J.20

    Keep in mind that Mixon was a 17 year old at the time.
    Immaturity is a powerful thing that causes very stupid decisions to be made.

    Tyrek hill was an absolute force that single handily transformed the Cheifs offense from ho-hum dink & dunk city, into an explosive one.
    And Tyrek hill was charged with choking/ abusing his pregnant girlfriend.
    Much worse if you ask me…

    Also there isnt a doubt in my mind that Joe Mixon is a better Running back than Dalvin Cook.

  26. Joeypoppems Says:

    @J 2.0

    I know all that. Who is to say Mixon can’t turn it around? That is the point I was trying to make. Probably shouldve worded it better lol

  27. DB55 Says:

    McCaffrey is really a consideration? Seriously? Lol. His highlight film shows him consistently getting caught from behind. I see Whitehead running and I wouldn’t even draft a whitehead much less in the first. You guys are kidding right?

    Why not draft a stud 6’5″ lineman? off or def doesn’t even matter that better than a small slow RB.

  28. jj Says:

    You take D Cook if he is there at 19 simply because he will be the best player available (and we need a RB or 2). Do NOT trade up, IMO. I’m sure Dallas fans are pretty happy Zeke is a Cowboy they needed defense but went RB. I still contend that we need to beef up O-Line more, we have to protect JW3 (I know Joe disagrees but that is okay). I love the fact many here say we should not go with RB in first because of the deep draft but are clamoring for a WR. Really? Pure silliness. Of course we need a WR but you are ignoring the fact that we have Peyton Barber under contract and maybe Sims (not sure if he is a FA but I think he is a 3rd down back at best). If Cook is there you take him, if not take the BPA, if it is C Davis or Ross, okay. If it is TE, okay, if it is O-line, D-Line or S okay but you take the BPA at 19.. We are close but we need still need a lot. I would love a better backup QB in round 6 or 7 as well ala Kirk Cousins. Of course FA will chart our course, cannot wait to see what Licht has up his sleeve.

  29. Stpetebucsfan Says:

    I’m LMAO. When this debate was about #3 poor 87 wore out his keyboard trying to educate me. He finally succeeded.

    EVERYTHING #3 did except for the one accusation…that is to say everything he ACTUALLY did were the actions of a 19 year old an pretty easy to explain. There was no malice…no hate…no real evil. He not an evil person.

    I”m not saying Mixon is an evil person…just saying that what he did was EVIL.
    Perhaps he deserves a second chance…I’m not sure one way or the other and I trust Licht to do the due diligence. IE If we draft him I won’t be crushed.

    With #3 it was totally different. It wasn’t perhaps he deserves a 2nd chance…he hadn’t really burnt his way through a first chance except exposing the fact that he simply needed to grow up. He was a teenager doing pranks.

    I don’t look at #3 as getting a 2nd chance I look at him as having survived youthful indiscretions and a frenzied media.

  30. DallasBuc Says:

    “…legitimate objective data is fantastic”
    Like the sort that leads you to print the assertion that the Bucs oline is just as good as the Cowboys oline!
    Some funny sht

  31. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    @ jj we do need a running back.

    But as this data suggested, you have a shot at getting a starting caliber back in damn near every round of the draft.

    Unless you’re in a situation like Dallas was last year, or you’re one dynamic Running back away from a Super Bowl, drafting a Running back in the 1st round borders on foolishness.

    Also I’m firmly in the anti Dalvin Camp. I have a list 10 deep of players i’d draft over him, and that list keeps growing with more research.

    I don’t wish any ill will on the guy, but when your as small as he is, and you already have the injury history and usage rate that he does, im sorry but that is a gigantic red flag that a player will not hold up in the Nfl.

  32. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Wiser words haven’t been spoken JJ. And DB I know right.

  33. Joeypoppems Says:

    Again, Im not comparing what Mixon did to what Winston was accused of. Im saying that Licht and the Glazers met with Winston and came away from the meeting that those actions didnt define his character. Dont rule out the fact that the same thing can happen to Mixon.

  34. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Small as he is need I give the list from lastnight where showing players that have an are currently playing at the same size. I’m talkin HOFr homie. Come wit another one dude. That one weak.

  35. Joeypoppems Says:

    @NosBos Sure if u can include when they were drafted with their size

  36. Stpetebucsfan Says:

    Ndog

    I hear ya about the level of competition in the Pac10 and agree. But even the Pac10 can produce some great RB’s.

    Again I’ll confess…I’ll be honest…I never considered McCaffery because he’s white and I haven’t seen enough of him. But when I found out he runs the same 40 as Dalvin and Fournette I started looking a little deeper. If I may be politically incorrect and I’m sorry that color ever comes into it…but to me McCaffery is like a white Dalvin Cook…pretty much the same skill set…don’t kill me NOSBOS lol I still give your guy the edge.

    And so McCaffery brings a totally missing ingredient on the Bucs…SPEED and BURST. He can catch the ball…his dad was a WR in the NFL…he’s versatile and I think Koetter could put him to good use.

    If not McCaffery…I like Foreman because he was the best blocker of all of these guys and because at 250 he can go beast mode for us.

  37. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Emmit Smith,Walter Payton,LT,Marshall Faulk,Barry Sanders,LeSean McCoy,Jamal Charles,Chris Johnson,Gayle Sayers P.J Simpson to mention a few all played at that size. Find anther one dude.

  38. NJBucsfan Says:

    “Joe isn’t much of a stats guy, but legitimate, objective data is fantastic.”

    Unless it supports the OL is good argument

  39. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Look’em Pop.

  40. jj Says:

    Blake believe me…we all know you don’t like Cook, LOL- you and Nos-Bos have this Bebe Rexha “I hate, I love you thing going”. I’m of the thought BPA period. I’m not adverse to Cook in first (if he is there) and Mixon in 3rd or 4th. That would be deadly like Coleman and Freeman from ATL or Henry and Murray. We can address WR in FA. If we don’t want to do that, get a true LT in first and C in second…Not glamorous, but I wouldn’t cry as long as WR and RB were addressed in FA.

  41. NJBucsfan Says:

    who is PJ Simpson?

  42. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    “Dalvin Cook will not be a Buccaneer”. I know that’s what you praying at night. But let me add my thank you to the mix for you and all who hate the idea. I’m grateful because you’re thinking about it. There for you are helping to manifest it here in the physical. Please continue hating😃👍.

  43. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Sorry NJ I meant O.J.

  44. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Again JJ wiser words haven’t been spoken. Licht land a dynamin Free agent RB then my Cook quest comes to an immediate end. Until then..

  45. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    Oh you mean thay list of guys that all played 20+ years ago? Compelling stuff bruh.

    Also knew I could count on you to ignore the part about his multiple shoulder surgeries. In college…

    That is pretty tellinh stuff, considerinh that Dalvin cook rarely ever puts his shoulder down to run someone over, and still needed to be surgically repaired.

    #NextDarrenMcfadden
    #Foolsgold
    #ReadingComprehension
    #IgnoreTheFacts

  46. Joeypoppems Says:

    @NosBos I would rather them take Cook in the 1st than sign a starting RB in free agency lol

  47. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    @jj

    Theres no love hate thing. I just get super annoyed by homer fanboys.

    Also, assuming Joe Mixon does well in interviews an such, which is the only way we would draft him, theres no way mixon makes it outta of the 2nd round.

    And im telling you, you are all being fooled by Dalvins production. He a straight line running with little shiftiness and weak shoulders.

    He’s a fools gold prospect dude im telling you.

    He will be declared injury prone in 3 seasons or less. Just watch.

  48. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    I can respect that Pop. Blakester well riddle me this how exactly did he manage a measly 5500 yards???

  49. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    And I loathe haters so I guess we both have a legitimate beef.

  50. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    What you say “guys that played 20 years ago” you mean in a era where it more difficult to run the ball an contact wasn’t being restricted the way it is in todays game. Oh okay I got cha.

  51. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    All that bright analysis coming from mouth but in the end he’s going in the first round. I wonder why dude.

  52. Pickgrin Says:

    I agree that drafting a RB early – especially high in the 1st round is rarely a good idea.

    If either Cook or Fournette were available at #19 this year though – then it should be a pretty easy pick because both are exceptional talents and we suddenly have a need for a #1 RB. That’s not going to happen unfortunately because neither is going to last more than 10 or 11 picks at most.

    I wouldn’t draft any other RB in the 1st round this year if it were me picking.

    I’m still thinking OJ Howard looks like a very good fit for our needs in the 1st unless one of the highly rated Safeties makes it to #19 in which case I’d have to strongly consider going that way if the Bucs scouts can all agree on the player available. Corey Davis should probably be a consideration and of course ME clone Mike Williams would be a no brainer if he dropped to 19.

  53. Rob Says:

    St Pete
    Hillary is not innocent. Her personal server when she was not allowed to have one. Not to mention all the known wrong doings she gas done and been involved with. How someone can believe in their heart of hearts that Hillary Clinton didn’t do anything wrong is unbelievable to me. It just shows the snowflake people can be blind to someone doing wrong right in front of their face. In her own words she says one thing and does another. For you to accept that tells me a lot about you. I’m not even sure why I’m wasting my time responding to you but for you to put Jameis Winston and Hillary Clinton in the same sentence is wrong in my opinion. Hillary Clinton has proven to be deceitful and proven to be a liar over and over again. Jameis Winston was accused. There’s a big difference between the two

  54. Stpetebucsfan Says:

    I’m in the distinct minority here…I simply do not believe our OL is the disaster that most of you seem to believe. I just hate tarring Smith, Pamphile, Hawley and Marpet with the play of our RT’s. Dot had a horrible year and Gosder simply needs to retire…he was literally embarrassing himself out there. An OL is a chain of FIVE guys not four.

    I concede that Smith is still learning the toughest position…LT…but I think he continues to make progress. And of course he had to line up against the toughest DE/LB’s the other team had.

    So what’s this talk of two…IF this team signed Terrelle Pryor and Desean Jackson and then found a way to draft both McCaffery and Foreman…we would have a BAAAADD offense that would give DC’s fits. Just added two 4.4 guys and a 4.5 guy. Just added a 250lb running back that topped 100 yards ten times last year and is considered the best blocker of all of the RB prospects.

    Can you even imagine..Foreman goes beast mode OR…#3 does a play action fake and he still has a stud blocker back there with him…he has targets out the wazoo.

    That still leaves the remainder of the draft to go DL, safety BPA

  55. Joeypoppems Says:

    @Pickgrin

    I was all for OJ Howard in the 1st round recently, but im starting to back off of that stance a little bit. After listening to todays Bucs Uncensored podcast and listening to Commish and Luke Easterling talk about the TE class and spitballing names of TEs that can be available in the later rounds, I watched some and 1 guy jumped out to me. Jeremy Sprinkle out of Arkansas. 6′ 6″ about 260 lbs. He is not as explosive before and after the catch as OJ Howard but he is more explosive than Luke Stocker lol. Plus he is also a good blocker which is what I personally valued the most about OJ Howard. Right now Sprinkle has a round 4-5 grade on him. To me he is a clear upgrade over Stocker and getting him in possibly round 5 is great value.

  56. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    St Pete we are in agreement when it comes to the O line. Pop I respect that post,At least you in the same sentence can say well no to Cook because they’re others that can be had later. Muy minds set is the same can said for any other position. I don’t follow ever school in the NCAA I mainly watch my team. That’s I’m like we need a RB1 so why not my guy if he’s available. Too small???

  57. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    I can respect that type of post. Its being reassembly objective. That other mofo on this site comes strictly from a place of hate. There for we will beef All Summer Long.

  58. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    No actually i was referring 20+ years ago as an era were hyper athletic 300+ pound Dlineman were a raririty.

    But we’ll ignore that too.

    Also, waiting on you to acknowledge your boys multiple surgeries.

  59. J 2.0 Says:

    I would love for the Bucs to draft Dalvin. I just don’t think he will be there at #19.

    If he is, then please God yes draft Dalvin Cook.

  60. Tony in Los Angeles Says:

    Couldn’t agree with this more. Well said.

    While I would LOVE to have Cook on the roster, one of the most obvious patterns in football is what Khan listed above. Other than Zeke over in Dallas, Doug Martin might be the next most successful RB (or one of the top 2) to be drafted in the first round in the past 5 or so years. And everyone in Tampa wants to get rid of him.

    There is no denying that Cook is a far superior player to the RB’s that will go in rounds 3 or later. But the stats show that the drop-off is far more severe at positions along the defensive and offensive lines and among most of the elite wide receivers and QB’s. The Bucs would be smart to stick to those three areas (other than QB) and wait on RBs that fit the system and what Koeter wants that are sure to be there in rounds 3 and later.

    Build the lines, get another beast at WR, and the rest will fall wonderfully into place.

  61. Joeypoppems Says:

    @NosBos I just try to project out how, in my opinion of course, the Bucs can get the most value out of every pick. Which is why I am against taking a RB in the 1st round. I see other RBs that are graded as Round 3-4 picks that I watched some tape on and I think they can be solid starters (as I mentioned before I am high on Jamaal Williams who has a round 4 grade). So in my mind being able to get a starter in round 4 is great value. Will the actual draft turn out like this? Most likely no but its fun to speculate lol

  62. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    I ask you how he put up 5500 yards as response dude.

  63. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Tony in L.A. I feel you Pop I totally get what you saying.

  64. ndog Says:

    Guys you are never going to agree on this topic, lets just say this we will all find out what happens in due time.

  65. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    Same way Mccafery generated 4600 yards in 2 seasons.

    Playing against college defenses.

  66. c-spann Says:

    I like Wyan Gallman from Clemson in 5th round

  67. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    So blow his horn and make yo way off the tip of my stix because I toot Dalvin’s.

  68. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Fanboy??? You like everybody entering the draft.

  69. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Only got so many picks dude, make up your mind will ya.

  70. martinii Says:

    Don’t like Cook, Don’t like Mccafery, Don’t like Fournette, Don’t like Samaje Perine, Possibly Mixon, Definately would take FOREMAN in the 3rd or 4th rd. Problem is after the combine he will jump into Rd2 and we need WR & DL in the first two rounds. Life’s a bitch and then you die.

  71. martinii Says:

    c-spann

    Gallman in the pick makes sense.

  72. martinii Says:

    Sorry,

    5th

  73. Bob in valrico Says:

    shoulder injuries did have a major effect in the shortened career of Clinton Portis,very similar to Cook’s skillset.I remember reading about how he liked to deliver crushing blocks in protection.And the reason for the shoulder injuries was his blocking with his shoulder.Just food for thought.I would also drool over a RB that could take it to the house on any given play but the Bucs have to do their Due diligence on any player they take.

  74. 813bucboi Says:

    @nole….the winner of the super bowl this year wont have a 1st round rb….but they will all have multiple first round linemen….bucs have no “first round linemen”….GO BUCS!!!!

  75. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    Famnboy. I was using Mccafery as an example that college stats are essentially meaningless.

    Also gotta say that I certainly dont like ever player in the draft.

    I dont like John ross, dont like Juju schuster, dont like Cortland sutton, Dont like Alvin Kamara, Dont like Cam Robinson, dont like Evan Engram, dont like Njoku, and you should know by now that i dont Like Dalvin Cook.

    At the same time i have a list of players that i do like.

    And thats based purely by what ive seen on flim.

    Numbers lie. Film rarely does.

  76. Guzzie Says:

    we get Pryor (4.38) and Kenny Stills (4.28), both affordable, young, and productive, we no longer need to draft an unproven WR in the first, Joe Mixo. is going to blow up the combine, he’ll be a borderline 1st early 2nd, trade back, get an extra 3rd, take Mixon with our 1st or 2nd pick, SPEED problems taken care of, the remaining picks use on OL, DL, S, and a TE

  77. Pickgrin Says:

    Blake_Bucsfan Says:
    “i dont Like Dalvin Cook. At the same time i have a list of players that i do like.
    And thats based purely by what ive seen on flim.”
    —————————————————————-
    So you’ve poured over Dalvin Cook’s “film” – and based on what you see – you don’t like Cook. LOL – OK – I guess that would make you a .0001 percenter then….
    Or just a dude who doesn’t know that much about football, loves to argue online and talk sh!t while doing so – is more likely from what I’ve seen of your comments.

  78. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    I understand what you were saying Blake my point was he be faulted because of the comp and level he put his numbers up in. Soulders plenty strong to me gaining all that yardage. 813 do you have a few first round O line targets you would like to share with us???

  79. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Thing is 813 I don’t ever recall saying an RB in the first Is necessary to make the playoffs and go on a deep run. On the same token I don’t think hurts your chances either.

  80. Bob in valrico Says:

    interesting read on pewter report in cover 3 by trevor S. I believe.
    compared dist of runs between 4 playoff teams left and Bucs.Of note over 30% of our runs over center with a low average per attempt.Only 5% around either end and not much more effective.over RG produced 5yard per carry average.Way too many game boy analogies for me, but very imformative arcticle.

  81. Buc1987 Says:

    “Data Says Wait On A Running Back”

    So “just wait on it”.

  82. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    @ Pickgrin

    Say what you want. But m not impressed with Dalvins film in the same way I wasnt impressed wih Todd Gurley’s film.

    Straight line runners with speed, who got 70 perecent of their production with long runs to the outside. Neither is shifty.

    Rarely will you see Dalvin

  83. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    Rarely will you see Dalvin cook meet a dude behind the line, or in a plugged up hole, and make them miss. I like Rb’s who create something out of nothing.

    Also, a big reason why I his film is not that impressive to me, is how skinny he looks. I see the plays where he “breaks” through arm tackles, and its pretty obvious to me that those type of plays will not happen in the Nfl.

    Great college player? Sure.

    But his game won’t translate. And his body won’t hold up.

  84. BuccaneEric75 Says:

    We won’t get Dalvin Cook. We’d have to trade up, and I don’t see that happening. If he starts to fall past 15, a team will trade up a spot or two to get in front of the Bucs. I’m sure other teams have to feel, with the obvious connection to Jameis, and the fact that we have a long history of drafting players from Florida colleges, that they have to get ahead of us if they want him. Some team would jump ahead of us, but I think Cook will be gone by about pick 15 or 16.

  85. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G0JQaz1eQPY

    #NextDarrenMcfadden
    #LookFamiliar?

  86. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Buccane teams gone do all that for just a simple str8 line runner like that dude decribes. Hmmm. Data??? What you talking bout data 87. Just wait on draft night when ya GM pull that rabbit out his hat again. .0001%r (that’s you blake) tell the truth Dalvin brushed you off that one time,wouldn’t give you an autograph. Or maybe you both had your eye on the same girl and she chose the athlete over the computer geek. How can you blame her bro that kid about to be loaded. Which was it??? I’m curious.

  87. Stpetebucsfan Says:

    Wow Blake I was OK with you till that last post. You just lost all credibility with me.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLRKVVqxQJA

    Straight line runner? WTF are you watching. He doesn’t run over people but you can see him run through arm tackle after arm tackle.

    Meanwhile your boy Mixon is the anti Foreman. Remember the great point you made about him rushing for 100 yards in ten games and not just running it up against Tomato cans?

    Mixon played in 12 of the Sooners 13 games. He only rushed for over 100 yards in 6 of those games…counting the 99 yard game he had.

    Meanwhile…263 yards against vaunted Texas Tech…3-6 in that conference.
    124 against a Baylor team that was struggling…

    And in big games like the opener against Houston..he freaking disappeared…was he hurt..I do not know but 40 stinking yards? Really?

    48 against Texas…78 against Ohio State. Dude kind of disappears in big games eh.

    You clearly are biased against Cook. NOSBOS is right…it’s almost as if it’s personal with you because you’re typing idiotic stuff about Cook that clashes with the rest of your normally well thought out posts.

    I will be happy if we get Cook at 19…I don’t want to trade up for any RB I agree with the rest of the board…I would not be upset if we did as one poster said…sign Terrelle Pryor AND Kenny Stills. Execute the option LUV mentioned about trading back…we draft McCaffery for more blazing speed and Foreman…as someone suggested we could be like the old Carolina Panthers with two stud RB’s.

  88. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    .0001%r don’t act like you don’t see me talking to you.

  89. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    Check 1 2

  90. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    At present, I don’t believe we need to draft a RB at all. Jason Licht has an eye for young RB on the street. Why use a pick when we don’t need to this year?

    We have depth at the position..good depth. If they rework Martin’s deal, he can become depth. Make them all compete. I’m all for a luxery pick of RB when the time is right, but since RBs have shorter careers, shouldn’t that be the last position we address?

    Especially if our depth is up to the task?

    Our primary needs are defensie end, right tackle and a speed WR. Our secondary needs are center and guard (assuming Sweezy is out).

    Address them all properly this off season and this team is a super bowl contender. Five positions. THEN next year take a RB, if we don’t get one in free agency this year.

  91. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    I’ve never met the guy. And I harbor no ill will against him. I’m just not impressed by his running style. And I think his Frame is much to skinny. I learned some troubling info today about his shoulders.

    And I there is no way Licht trades up for another Historic Seminole. I think he learned that lesson last year… Thats a joke btw.
    I can’t remember who said it in this thread, but if Licht makes a move in the first for any player, Its gonna be Mike Williams.

    JL is much too good of a gm to trade up for a Rb in a stacked class. Especially one with as much usage as Dalvin Cook accumulated with the Noles. I’ll say it one more time and hope that it sinks in. Skinny Frame, Multiple shoulder surgeries.

  92. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    As deep as the draft is with RBs this year, there are going to be some good ones undrafted.

  93. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Don’t lie bro. Its cool man. Many lose out on chics no big deal. Always another one coming down the pike.

  94. CalBucsFan Says:

    If they can add some key defensive pieces through free agency, then I would want to see the Bucs trade down in the first round and then draft TE Howard out of Alabama later in the round take a #2 receiver in the second round, and then add a RB in the 3rd, there’s plenty of good ones to pick from.

  95. Ndog Says:

    Blake I get your trying to overdo it, but man your digging one heck of a hole, cause a player with his skill set and history against great competition usually turns out to be outstanding at the next level. The draft is actually very simple for players from big schools as one question needs to be asked. How did they do against other bigtime programs while displaying a skillet that will translate? Cook has games vs Clemson, Florida, Michigan, Louisville and many others to hold up as an example of how he performs in big games.

  96. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    Idk bro, we’ll see. Darren Mcfadden had a lot of big games against good teams too.

    And their running style is really similar.

    I could be dead wrong, and will humbly eat my words if I am.

    But i have a gut feeling that Dalvin Cook will not be able to replicate his colliegiate success in the pro game.

    We’ll see bro.

  97. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Ndog he truly knows better, my guess is he an Dalvin attended a class or two and it made him feel uneasy to see someone else get all that notoriety and attention. Lil jealousy crept inn and he is yet to come up with a solution to get over it. All you gotta do is holla at me .0001%r. I’ll walk thru it bro. Free of charge.

  98. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    .0001%r says skinny frame. Like who ??? Jamal Charles??? Yeeaaa skinny like a swiss army knife slicing thru everyone. Man was he unstoppable prior to shredding his knee. H3ll one could argue the best in the league before the injury.

  99. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    Keyword *before* the injury.

    Also, Jamaal Charles and Dalvin Cook are 2 completely diffent kind of backs. Jamaal Charles, before his multiple season ending injiries, could make everyone on the defense miss twice on any given play. In the mold of Barry Sanders, or Lesean McCoy, he could create something out of nothing type plays.

    Damn near every single one of Dalvins big plays, are ones where he gets to the outside, and runs full speed ahead in a straight line.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HlXpNE7dsgU

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DLa-Ou322nA

    Here’s a 2 game sample size to try and demonstrate what i’m talking about.

    I want you guys to keep a few things in mind when you watch them, if you watch them…
    1. Look at the nature of the big plays that he makes.

    2. What happens on plays where the blocking in front of him breaks down?

    3. Does he make people miss in the back field?

    4. Does he drop balls that should have been caught?

    5. Does he trip himself up in the open field?

    Keep an open mind, leave your preconcieved notions at the door.
    And actually watch the whole video before you jump down my throat.

  100. Viejo_Sombrero19 Says:

    No RB in 1st RD!!!!! Jaquizz Rodgers is good and we don’t even know how good maybe could be better? Maybe a poor mans warrick Dunn heap rember Alstott and Dunn the perfect combo, Get a Bruiser back similar to Blount a rough downhill runner like Larry Johnson was for the Chiefs. 1st Rd WR WR WR WR !!!!!

  101. skipper Says:

    Blake, Dalvin Cook is the all time leading rusher at FSU, there is a long history of great backs that have from that school. I don’t need to watch the posted videos, I have watched all the FSU games, Dalvin will win a couple games a year on his own with big plays.

  102. Rod Munch Says:

    One name I rarely see mentioned is from right here in Tampa, that’s Marlon Mack. The guy looks like an NFL runner in everything I’ve ever seen him do. The combine will mean everything for the guy, but I think he’ll be a 3rd rounder based on what I know now, he looks like a 4.4 speed guy, has good size, just looks like a quality NFL style RB to my eye. Now if he turns out to somehow be only a 4.6 speed guy, then that will really drop him, but the way he outruns people, he looks faster than that. He has great vision as well. Not to sure about his hands, most USF passes to the RBs were in the backfield still and he did fine, but I don’t recall many chances at difficult passes, so not sure if he’s good there or not.

    If he has a good combine he’ll climb into the 2nd round, if not he could be a 5th-undrafted guy. To me he’d be a fantastic deal in say the 4th. The Bucs have so many other holes I’m not big on using a high pick on a RB, certainly not in the 1st or 2nd, but in the 3rd, I think he’d be a homerun and would instantly be a 1200 yard guy and a guy that should play for a longtime. Again assumptions here are being made on his combine, if he has a poor combine then all bets are off.

  103. America's Commenter Says:

    ESPN has Marlon Mack’s 40 time at 4.6 seconds. I can’t tell if that’s a projection or a measured result. http://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/combine/_/id/152328/marlon-mack

    I watched most USF games the past decade, and Mack is an impressive runner against Group of 5 conference teams. The kid can definitely ball. He may not be a bell cow running back, but he should be effective as a part time player.

    The biggest concern with Mack is his history of injuries. He’s going to have to bulk up to take the pounding that an NFL back receives on a weekly basis.