“There’s Greater Needs On This Team”
December 13th, 2014
One Bucs beat writer thinks QB is not the team’s top need
Raise your hand if you think the Buccaneers’ No. 1 need is a starting quarterback.
Joe’s hand is up. But Joe’s media brethren are not all in agreement.
Buccaneers.com gathers a panel of media types each week, the Pewter Panel, to chat on video about the big Bucs topics of the day.
Yesterday, the question of a potential new quarterback arose, and longtime Tampa Tribune Bucs beat writer Woody Cummings said he thinks Tampa Bay is not ripe for change at QB.
“It’s always the quarterback with the fans, because that’s, you know, but I personally think there’s greater needs on this team,” Cummings said. “I’d be more interested in protecting the quarterback, building up that offensive line a little bit. I’d also be interested maybe in a stronger, you know, rush end for the right side.
“Let’s look at Lovie’s history on this. In Chicago, he never drafted a quarterback higher than the fourth round. And he seldom, if ever, went with a young quarterback. The closest was Rex Grossman as a second-year guy, three games at the start of the 2005 season. So history kind of suggests that they’re not going to draft a quarterback with the first overall pick or even with a top-5 pick.
“[Also], they wouldn’t play him right away.
“Everything kind of leans toward Josh McCown probably coming back as this team’s starter next year and competing with Mike Glennon, or maybe someone that they pick up [later in the draft] … not a Winston or a Mariota.”
Man, Joe sure hopes Cummings is off the mark. Just in case, Joe is making a morning run to CVS for Tums, followed by a scamper to the liquor store.
If the Bucs are sitting with the No. 1 or No. 2 overall pick, then it would be shocking to see them pass on a quarterback. The Bucs went down that road last year, passing on good QB prospects in the draft and opting to bank on the evaluation skills of the Lovie Smith regime.
Please don’t do that again.
December 13th, 2014 at 1:38 pm
There is no offensive lineman I’d take with a top 5 pick this year. The class is deep but not top heavy. It is the perfect year to take linemen in rounds 2 and 3.
You don’t pass on a potential franchise QB because you don’t get a chance to pick one very often.
December 13th, 2014 at 1:40 pm
I would’nt put it past Lovie to go his own way in the draft. What’s that, who knows? It’s not like one can get a clear view of his thinking. Yet.
December 13th, 2014 at 1:45 pm
I hope we lose out from a draft perspective so bad
December 13th, 2014 at 1:55 pm
Woody is not very smart than. How often are you in the spot to take the best QB in the draft. If you don’t have a QB you have nothing right now we have nothing. First overall pick in online would be dumb let’s not act like linemen early in the draft can’t be bust look a the draft 2 years a go two went top five and they aren’t playing that well
December 13th, 2014 at 1:56 pm
The greatest need on this team is getting rid of Lovie. He is terrible and even worse, stubborn.
If the Bucs have the #1 pick, they should
1). Pick Mariotta
2) trade down 3-5 slots if offered a monster deal (1st and 2nd in 2015, 1st in 2016). With that acquired 1st rd pick, go Offensive Tackle.
But what I hate about #2 above is Lovie not going with Glennon now…to get reps needed to be the QB next year. McCown IS NOT the guy. So either Glennon is gone and they pick up a free agent QB….or they go with Mariotta.
Of course stubborn Lovie could screw it all up and draft a OL or DE #1.
December 13th, 2014 at 2:01 pm
I am all for building an o-line, but we cannot pass on a QB with this high of a pick. If we are not going to get a QB we have to trade down for multiple picks which would address the o line deficiencies. However, I seriously doubt we will take that route. We have never had a franchise QB. We didn’t in Vinny, Trent… The many in between, and Freeman. It has to be addressed and we can’t miss.
December 13th, 2014 at 2:07 pm
I am giving this organization 3 more seasons due to the number of years that I have invested so far as a fan to become a playoff caliber team and then I will know for I will continue to be a fan of this team or if I am adopting a new team unless of course the Glazer stooges sell them first. So go ahead and Draft whoever you want L& L. You have 3 more years of my suffering and then I am pulling the plug until the Glazers sell.
December 13th, 2014 at 2:08 pm
Draft a qb late or don’t draft one at all and just wait until you see what ticket sales do – even worse than recent and probably a dramatic drop off.
This team is already boring and pathetic. It’s clear why the Steelers and Packers and Pats are perrenial winners. Look at the QB and the stability within the organization.
December 13th, 2014 at 2:12 pm
I think we can get much more value and production and stability if we draft Peat or Scherif as opposed to Marriota or Winston.
December 13th, 2014 at 2:14 pm
I would love to see our QB’s consist of Glennon-Mariotta-Kafka. Then go all out on O-linemen. Let Glennon-Kafka start next year until Mariotta is ready, give our Rookie O-linemen plenty of snaps. 2016 is looking bright.
December 13th, 2014 at 2:26 pm
Hopefully they will draft a qb in rd 1. With lovey I could also see them take the best d-lineman in the draft or lb if one is that talented. Like has already been mentioned I could see them make a trade to bring in more picks if a good deal drops in their laps.
There are lots of holes left to fill. Don’t forget we were a bad team with schiano and in order to get better there had to be a purge. Lovey said that the guys tell you who will be around by their play. His style is to let that play out.
He will get us where we need to be just be patient. I know it’s difficult to do sometimes but he has a proven track record. As a bears and bucs fan I’ve seen this time and time again. Just remember lovey has only one season and not to take out our aggression and anger for previous years on them. They will right this ship. Count on it.
December 13th, 2014 at 2:29 pm
Remember Jason Licht is in charge of the draft…. Not Lovie!!!!!!!
December 13th, 2014 at 2:32 pm
please don’t let this be the future. just draft jameis for christs sake. who cares about the little childish bs he has pulled. get a proven winner on every level hes played including through adversity and in a pro system. Just finally get a quarterback that at least has a chance to better than 5th in the worst division in football.
give us some hope bucs don’t let us down next draft Im begging lol
December 13th, 2014 at 2:38 pm
Of course this team has lots of needs, we suck all over the field. The mistake is trying fill ask the holes at once. Sorry, but it’s going to take awhile, we’re that bad. That said we need be looking ahead to next year’s draft well to determine if we can fill a need better next year, or is this the best chance. Just make sure the players we pick on the high rounds are not busts.
December 13th, 2014 at 2:43 pm
If Lovie doesn’t want a QB….and we have the 1st or 2nd pick….we should trade to
December 13th, 2014 at 2:44 pm
Trade to someone who does…..we have many needs and need the picks….
December 13th, 2014 at 2:45 pm
Based on a high degree of probability, Lovie will draft OL first.
December 13th, 2014 at 3:03 pm
If we have a #1 pick next year and we don’t use it on a franchise QB, I am DONE!!!!! 25 years of this crap would be enough
December 13th, 2014 at 3:20 pm
The only person more cluess than Cummings is Lovie.
The reasons fans are clamoring for qb is the bucs have NEVER had one.
December 13th, 2014 at 3:21 pm
meh Says:
December 13th, 2014 at 1:38 pm
There is no offensive lineman I’d take with a top 5 pick this year. The class is deep but not top heavy. It is the perfect year to take linemen in rounds 2 and 3.
………………………………………………………….
Brandon Scherff is a Can’t miss OL prospect meh. Not sure what you are saying. Listen to this kid’s bio
Scherff was recruited as a 280-pound quarterback out of Denison High School in Iowa where he was also a fast-ball pitcher (mid-80s), a basketball star that averaged a double-double, a varsity letter-winning tennis standout as a freshman, and a state champion shot putter as a sophomore. Although his 6-foot-5, 321-pound frame passes the eyeball test, Scherff is much more athletic than he looks.
He has a vertical jump of 32 inches, which is great for an offensive lineman, and can clean and jerk 400 pounds over his head. According to a report on ESPN.com, Scherff ran a 1.58 in the first 10 yards of the 40-yard dash.
December 13th, 2014 at 3:21 pm
Scherff’s toughness is legendary on the field where he bullies defensive linemen and inspires his teammates. Scherff tore the meniscus in his knee against Ball State and stayed in the game and played through the pain. He had surgery three days after the game and was supposed to miss 2-3 weeks. Instead he returned to practice and played four days against Iowa State and hasn’t missed a game since.
December 13th, 2014 at 3:30 pm
I’ll be curious to see how the OC hiring goes. That may be a tip-off to what the Bucs will be doing. If the team takes a long time to hire or gets turned down by candidates, that will likely mean that Lovie is telling them that he won’t be drafting a QB.
December 13th, 2014 at 3:39 pm
@ NewTampaChris
You are absolutely correct…..the key to obtaining a top notch OC is by giving him a carrot in the form of a QB…..a lot will depend on our draft position….if we are 3-5 you can probably kiss Mariota & Winston goodbye……we can still build the Oline and we need a very safe pick this year….
December 13th, 2014 at 3:41 pm
I don’t know why both joe bucs and the fans keep glossing over the fact that the history for Heisman winning qb’s making or winning superbowls is pathetic. most college qb’s ( more so than any other position ) are a product of the system their running and most college systems don’t translate well in the nfl. as much as I like Winston and Mariotta , it scares the bejesus out of me to draft them #1. maybe , just maybe , the best plan would be to trade out that spot ( assuming we can find a willing partner ) or go DE or OT. a house is only as good as the foundation underneath it. fix all of our other holes and maybe we can win another superbowl with the likes of brad Johnson or trent dilfer. and , who knows , maybe we’ll draft a tom brady in the later rounds to compliment and round it all out.
December 13th, 2014 at 3:45 pm
perhaps they want the first pick of the 2016 draft
December 13th, 2014 at 3:57 pm
Well, Im ok going QB 1st, preferably Winston, but Ive been saying an elite QB wont have much of a chance behind this current starting O line. They have their moments where their pass blocking is “ok”, but the run blocking is horrendous…we need to get infused with young strong, quick footed talent.
Trade down somewhere around 3rd, 4th, 5th positions and draft the new “Scherff” in town….then go after Bryce Petty, then a Guard, then DB/pass rush.
December 13th, 2014 at 3:58 pm
This team will win Sunday and mess up the pick – just the Buc way of doing things.
Go against logical decisions and win when it doesn’t matter – remember football starts in November according to Lovie.
December 13th, 2014 at 4:22 pm
And there it is folks, the scapegoat scenario. So, Lovie now has some wiggle room to get out of drafting a QB and sticking with Crap. Although if he does and loses he will definitely be out of a job the year after. He might get a second pass if he drafts a top rookie QB (Mariota or Winston) and then has a mediocre season with a promising young rookie/franchise QB. Hopefully he does the right thing and gets the REAL QB of the future even if McCown stays to start off the season. Bucs fans need some real hope after an abysmal last 6 years. I know I’m ready to get back in contention or at least see some meaningful football played. Go Bucs!
December 13th, 2014 at 4:28 pm
Lol so Brett should we have one of these linemen play QB? Better yet just have Sims play QB and he can throw it to himself. We have garbage players at the most important position in football! Jesus you people that think it is not important to have a franchise QB in today’s NFL make me SMH! Yes we could miss and the pick may not work out but you have to take a shot. After L&L whiffed on every FA and potentially several draft picks this year this is going to be a horrible team for a few more years at least. They need to fill holes all over the place but it is time to get the cornerstone of the franchise on board now that we will have potentially the #1 overall. I don’t care if he plays a down next year. Just fill that void and then work on the others. This is not a one year plan but you might not have such a high draft pick again.
December 13th, 2014 at 4:45 pm
Kyle Orton started 10-13 games a rookie for Lovie. Flawed facts.
December 13th, 2014 at 4:48 pm
Anyone watching the Army/Navy game? #77 DT Sarra could be worth a late rounder 6th maybe? Dude looks like a man against boys out there!
December 13th, 2014 at 5:26 pm
to bucfan4life ,
you completely whiffed on your analysis of what I was pointing out. do a little homework and you will see that the chances of one these 2 Heisman-winning qb’s leading us to a superbowl are miniscule at best. history bears that out. if I were gm , I would not put my job at risk by betting on a longshot. in the case of our own history , we have opted for your way several times and exactly “zero” times it worked out. we all know the definition of insanity so why subject ourselves to it again on a lottery pick. let’s do the right thing and build up our d-line , o-line ,lb’s , etc. first and then any decent ( or better ) qb will have a decent chance to succeed. ask david carr how your way worked out for him. by the way , in your words , “cornerstones ” are foundation pieces . lastly , in the spirit of Christmas , the ornament goes on top of the tree , not the other way around.
December 13th, 2014 at 6:06 pm
Joe Says : “Man, Joe sure hopes Cummings is off the mark. Just in case, Joe is making a morning run to CVS for Tums, followed by a scamper to the liquor store.”
Great advice, Joe, and I’m taking it. My plan for the 2015 season is to stock up on Crown Royal and Newcastle right when training camp starts, and then to add to the stockpile each and every week. What’s the worst that could happen, too much booze? That’s hardly a catastrophe. Cheers!
December 13th, 2014 at 7:07 pm
You’re right Brett lets just find a Tom Brady in the 6th round. That’s easy. We haven’t drafted a QB in the first round in several years. You know how many of these guys at other positions have worked out…..1! You point out QBs that support your argument. I can also point out failed first rounders too…Gaines Adams, Mark Barron, OT Mike Williams, DE johnathan Sullivan, DE Erasmus James, DE Jarvis Moss, DE Vernon Gholston, LB Aaron Maybin, and on and on. QBs who don’t work on get a lot of coverage. A lot of 1st rounders don’t work out and it goes largely unnoticed at other positions unless you’re a fan of that team. There is no such thing as a lock. You know that franchise guy Clowney from last year, he hardly played this year and many experts now think he may never be the same. There are no guarantees!
December 13th, 2014 at 7:16 pm
One last point, do you know why GMs and coaches keep drafting QBs in the hopes that they become franchise guys? If they don’t find one they will lose their jobs! The list of coaches that lost their jobs due the lack of a good QB is endless!
December 13th, 2014 at 8:50 pm
Trade down and pick all O-lineman. And whatever you do hang up the phone on the Patriots. They always get the better of you.
December 13th, 2014 at 10:29 pm
Drafting a QB would breath life into the fan base. The Glazers HAVE to know that!
December 13th, 2014 at 11:01 pm
I told you people that it will be a crap shoot if Lovie will pick a QB in the first round. The Bucs will win 2 games to take them out of contention for a high round draft pick or they will trade down to get a defensive player.
December 13th, 2014 at 11:47 pm
Scherff is a beast, if the Bucs do not go qb they should try to land this guy. Perhaps they can and do so in a small trade down if a deal can be worked with someone right behind them in the draft that is also qb desperate like the Jets or Deadskins (probably drafting 4th or 5th) and pick up their 2nd rounder this year and some other picks; guess this will make for good JoeBucsFan fodder for the next 4 to 5 months.
December 14th, 2014 at 3:14 am
You don’t get Left Tackles in free agency, if someone’s willing to trade you their’s…it’s very likely he’s begun to slip.
You have to draft them. Because they are skilled monsters, you have to use a premium draft pick to get them.
You can get a guard and a center in the later rounds – you can only get an elite LOT at the top of the draft – where the QB’s that Lovie can’t stand (and the edge rushers he desires) hang out.
As long as Lovie’s here, there won’t be a QB drafted that high.
Mark it down.
Besides, sticking a 1st round (top 5) pick behind this line would be asking for another losing season…I’m thinking that gives us another 5 years of losing.
There will come a day when Gruden’s 9 wins won’t look so bad.
December 14th, 2014 at 5:55 am
Oh, you HAVE to drsft a left tackle? Hmm, I guess someone has completely forgotten about Donald Penn – signed off Minnesota’s practice squad and eventually signed by the Raiders to play LT. Take off your blinders. There’s more than one way to fix this team, and certainly no one is suggesting there’s a left tackle who deserces to be picked first overall this year.
December 14th, 2014 at 7:16 am
Penn did pretty good at times….but I wouldnt use him as a rock to stand on in an argument about where to draft a Left Tackle….remember, we let him go…and do you remember the O line under Schiano last year? It was also pretty bad, hence the retooling, which didnt work out obviously.
Thats why I hope we trade down and land Scherff. Im even ok with the 2nd pick going O line….Petty is looking like he could be had in the 2nd or 3rd.
December 14th, 2014 at 10:07 am
Do a little more research on these names you throw out. A lot of experts think Scherriff might be better suited for guard in the NFL. I don’t think it would be wise to draft a guard number 1 overall….assuming they don’t screw this up and win a game.
December 14th, 2014 at 2:56 pm
Read my post again….I didnt say take him #1 overall….and yes, he can also play guard. Do you really think we’re going to keep Mankins? My research is fine…at least you’re getting what you pay for it.