Najee Goode A Greg Schiano Guy

April 28th, 2012

As Joe suggested to his good friend “The Commish,” Justin Pawlowski of WQYK-AM 1010, there is a pattern the Bucs are building which Joe believes to be “Schiano Guys,” players who seem to fit a mold that new coach Greg Schiano wants: tough, physical, diverse, good fundamentals.

This also seems to describe fifth round pick, linebacker Najee Goode.

Of course coaching at Rutgers in the Big East, Schiano knows this player well. Likely recruited him too coming out of high school.

Goode is versatile in that he can play both inside and outside linebackers. He’s physical enough that he can shed blocks from the biggest of offensive linemen.

Here is Goode’s profile from ProFootballWeekly.com:

Good flow speed and leaping ability. Plays on his feet and can bend his knees. Solid instincts. Active hands. Wrap tackler. Can turn and run with tight ends. Versatile — has played all three linebacker spots. Has special-teams experience.

The Bucs are clearly targeting upgrading their linebackers, a man walking with a white can can see this. It was a unit that sorely needed help.

26 Responses to “Najee Goode A Greg Schiano Guy”

  1. Thomas2.2 Says:

    Bye bye Jane!

  2. NJBucsFan Says:

    Actually didn’t play defense in high school. He was a QB and didn’t get any offers. He walked on then earned a scholarship. I think there’s a lot of potential that can be tapped into. He basically became a NFL ready lb in 3-4 yrs.

  3. Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:

    Great Pick, let’s weed the non physical players off of Tampa, and replace them with hitters like this guy, David, and Barron.

  4. buCncRaZy Says:

    Another solid pick! Send black to ST’s or hit the road! Still hope to see them trade for Jenkins,a 4th next year would be great!

  5. Big Picture Guy Says:

    Actually, based off that link someone posted in the video article, looks like he wasn’t recruited by anyone out of HS. But this kid earned his spot, did everything in school, and interest really grew on him from a lot of teams after the combine during the pro-days circuit.

    Good guy to develop as a backup, can cover and play all 3 positions. Under the radar from the “experts” but could be a nice gem.

  6. Scotty in Fat Antonio Says:

    Give Dallass one of our 7s or wait unitl they cut him.

  7. Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:

    I found this about him. He is pretty thick at 6ft and 244!

    Najee Goode is a versatile linebacker who will likely play inside at the next level. At 6’0” and 244 pounds, he bounced around between outside and inside ‘backer at college, but ultimately found most of his success manning the middle.

    His best stats came in 2011 as he recorded 87 total tackles, including 14 tackles for loss. These numbers speak to one of Goode’s biggest strengths, which is filling the gaps and working inside the box. He added five sacks, one interception and one forced fumble as well, marking an altogether successful senior campaign.

    Better suited against the run, Goode has underrated speed and unexpected burst. He ran a 4.64 40-yard dash at the combine and also posted a 35.5” vertical jump. Athletically, he’s capable of fitting both 4-3 and 3-4 teams as he is thickly built, dedicated to the weight room and is a strong tackler.

  8. Brain Says:

    This is a Schiano/Dominik pick. He’s stiff and doesn’t have great range but he’s physical, explosive and can play all 3 LB positions for us as well as special teams. Adam Hayward clone.

    For the scouting junkies out there, search WVU D vs Maryland O 2011 on youtube. That’s where I saw him.

  9. Architek Says:

    I love this pick also. Quincy I hope you have a plan B…

  10. Capt. Tim Says:

    Another really Goode pick! I like this guy too! And Guarentee you he is better than our miserable excuse for Lbs last year.!
    Let’s start him! And throw Foster to Sam- where he may still turn out great!
    Feeling better! But our biggest weakness is the hardest spot to find

    CB!
    We gotta find somebody who can play Cb, or we are still in trouble
    At least I’m feeling a little better at Lb.
    God! Ours were so awful last year, it’d make you physically ill

  11. Capt. Tim Says:

    Would like to sign old vet( London calling?), and let this guy rotate with him.
    This kid can Hit!

  12. Big Picture Guy Says:

    At this point, we don’t really need CBs anymore. We needed a starting caliber CB, but not just a body. We have 7 CB bodies on the roster right now, we don’t NEED an 8th.

    Get our CB next year or trade for Jenkins, otherwise don’t bother.

  13. Big Picture Guy Says:

    London Fletcher resigned with the redskins, so give up on that dream.

  14. Jerry Says:

    CB is a major problem. We are going to get burned constantly next year. Talib is the only starter-worthy guy at that position on the roster and he may be facing suspension.

    Amazing Schiano and Dominic are completely ignoring that position. You can forget about more that 6 wins unless they can fix that position.

  15. SilenceTheCritics Says:

    Cant fix all your holes in 1 draft. Remember Dom is always thinking towards the future. Maybe they hold tight and see what they have this year and draft corner first next year? Or maybe they think they may be able to get one of the cap casualties in the 2nd wave of FA?… Im sure he has a plan

  16. Jerry Says:

    Im not talking about fixing all the holes. Im talking about drafting Goode who was projected a 6th or 7th rounder and skipping out on a few promising CBs. That’s a bad pick.

    My draft grade just went from a solid A to a B-.

  17. Macabee Says:

    Another team captain, majoring in mechanical engineering and can bring the wood! Nice combination. Obviously has the smarts to play Mike, but draft analysis says Sam as he is terriric against the run, but tends to struggle in space. Early thumbs up!

  18. SilenceTheCritics Says:

    Projected by who? Professional fortune tellers?.. Nobody knows how good or bad this kid will be but apparently Coach and Dom think he was worth the pick

  19. Patrick Says:

    Still need a veteran in the mix at linebacker. Wasn’t part of our problem last year the fact that we were TOO young?

  20. Thomas2.2 Says:

    Schiano knows Goode very, very well and obviously has tremendous respect for him.

  21. So. Ill. Bucs Says:

    Whoa, another positive post by 2.2? Am I dreaming.

    Anybody who can tackle is a Goode pick in my book, we couldn’t bring anyone down last year.

  22. Big Picture Guy Says:

    Downgrading your draft grade because bucs didn’t draft a (and i’m paraphrasing here) “starting CB savior” in round 5 = priceless!!

    Half of these guys after round 3 won’t even be in the league in 3 years. Joebucsfan comment section, always good for some lols.

  23. The Dutcher Journal (Pete Dutcher) Says:

    Patrick Says:
    April 28th, 2012 at 3:15 pm

    Still need a veteran in the mix at linebacker.

    .

    Quincy Black is the LB veteran. He’s guaranteed this year. Overpaid, but we’re stuck with him unless we trade him. Quincy isn’t a fantastic LB, but he is a good leader.

    As to Cornerback, I suspect we’ll get one coming up in the 6th, but even if we don’t I’m not concerned. Teams are already cutting a few vet CBs and half of them will be better than a 6 or 7 round pick…at least for one year deals.

  24. The Dutcher Journal (Pete Dutcher) Says:

    Also…I hate the way Biggers gives up on plays…but I suppose Schiano could fix that issue…or dump him next year.

  25. DSZ Says:

    Hey look! In round 6 we take another WVU guy….guess which conference the new coach came from.

  26. RastaMon Says:

    His grand pappy could really play too….
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ofD9t_sULM