Ira Kaufman Reveals His All-Pro Votes
January 5th, 2018
Inside Ira’s esteemed ballot
BY IRA KAUFMAN
The Associated Press asked me for my All-Pro selections this week and when I obliged, I realized there were no Buccaneers on my list.
No surprise there.
These are the best of the best, not overcrowded Pro Bowl rosters influenced by reputation and team popularity.
So while Lavonte David, Gerald McCoy and Brent Grimes enjoyed solid seasons for Tampa Bay, none of them earned a place on my ballot. And when it came to the major postseason awards, no Buccaneer was even considered. That’s a problem, because it demonstrates that this 5-11 franchise lacks star power, players that make everyone around them better.
It appears Tom Brady will win the league MVP award, and I don’t have a major issue with that. But I voted for Todd Gurley, the focal point for the NFL’s highest-scoring offense. As both a runner and receiver, Gurley paved the way for a big season by Jared Goff as the Rams prepare to play host to the Falcons in the opening playoff round.
Coach of the Year was a very tough call. Sean McVay turned in an exceptional season overseeing the Rams turnaround, but Mike Zimmer got my vote. A year ago, the idea of Case Keenum leading a 13-3 club to the No. 2 NFC playoff seed would have seemed absurd. The Vikings are for real, folks, and don’t forget that Minnesota lost Dalvin Cook in Week 4.
Two Dougs, Pederson and Marrone, also coached their butts off and there’s always Mr. Belichick, who just reeled off his eighth consecutive season of 12 wins or more. Nobody had ever done that before.
I named Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo as my Assistant of the Year for his role in developing Carson Wentz. Until Wentz went down with an ACL tear, he looked like the clear-cut league MVP.
For Comeback Player, I went with Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen, who regained his reputation as an elite target after a torn ACL wrecked his 2016 season.
Offensive Rookie was a tough call between backs Alvin Kamara and Kareem Hunt, who led the NFL with 1,327 rushing yards. In the end, I went with Kamara, who looks like a modern-day Marshall Faulk. Buc fans who just saw Kamara in action in the season finale know how good this kid is already.
The Saints were honored once again on my ballot when it came to Defensive Rookie. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore is the real deal — just ask Mike Evans. That’s how you win the NFC South, by drafting a pair of impact rookies.
For Offensive Player of the Year, I went with Gurley, who topped the NFL in total yards from scrimmage despite sitting out the final game.
Calais Campbell is my Defensive Player, proving he was worth the lofty price the Jaguars gave him as a free agent.
Grimes couldn’t beat out Jalen Ramsey or Xavier Rhodes at corner on my ballot, McCoy ranked behind Aaron Donald and Cam Heyward at defensive tackle and my three linebackers are Chandler Jones, Luke Kuechly and Deion Jones.
Maybe next year, Bucs. Maybe next year.
Ira Kaufman is the most revered sports personality and writer in town. He has hung his hat at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters since July 2016. Tampa Bay’s only Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, Ira busts out columns here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and his award winning podcasts fire Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can also hear Ira every Wednesday at 5 p.m. on SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio.
January 5th, 2018 at 1:36 pm
It’s difficult to award anyone on a 5-11 team.
January 5th, 2018 at 1:42 pm
Maybe Ira could help find a DE draft pick that won’t be a walking injury waiting to happen!!
January 5th, 2018 at 1:43 pm
Some bucs coaches would have easily won if the voting was for worst of the nfl. Theres players here who have the talent to win awards if only in the right system. I think licht learned his lesson last year. Cant go after skill players with this staff. Linemen, linemen, linemen then a great rb who can keep the chains and clock moving. Gona have to increase time of possesion if old smitty is coming back.
January 5th, 2018 at 1:45 pm
Aaron Donald..Didn’t our Bucs pass on him? Dudes a beast!
January 5th, 2018 at 1:54 pm
Wish that they could take and keep blood samples to test years down the road, that is the only way to catch that cheating tom brady!!!!!!! That guy has cheated the game his whole career!!!!! In his last 5 games he has thrown 6 tds and 5 ints, but all of a sudden he look and the tv analysts will say how “rejuvenated” he looks!!!!!!!!!!!! SMDH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 5th, 2018 at 1:57 pm
^^^ Allegedly!!!
January 5th, 2018 at 3:24 pm
You’re a credit to your profession, Ira. All of your picks were the right ones and you didn’t let bias cloud your judgment.
January 5th, 2018 at 3:27 pm
JON GRUDEN TO THE RAIDERS. WOW
January 5th, 2018 at 3:28 pm
No Bucs close…likely just as close as the Bucs will be to the SB in the next decade. Maybe the decade after that.
January 5th, 2018 at 3:36 pm
So which is true:
a) We all WAY overestimated the Bucs’ talent level;
b) Talent was there but was poorly coached;
c) Coaching and talent were OK, just a year for bad execution.
January 5th, 2018 at 3:45 pm
newtampaChris
B….
GO BUCS!!!
January 5th, 2018 at 6:15 pm
NewTampaChris…it’s B…
January 5th, 2018 at 9:16 pm
Mr. Ira Kaufman glad to know how you really feel about the Buccaneer players.
January 5th, 2018 at 10:41 pm
New Tampa Chris, I think it was a combination of all three.
We all way over estimated what guys like Noah Spence and D Jax would ultimately contribute.
The red zone play calling and running back depth chart were poor on offense and the blitz schemes on defense were not well coached.
And, although due to injury, we nonetheless did not see the execution we needed from the quarterback position.
That’s just what I think though.
January 7th, 2018 at 6:13 am
I agree with that.. other that LVD. He was a pro bowl player on a horrible unit this season.