Bucs Add A Ballhawk
May 3rd, 2015
Joe doesn’t get all hot in the pants for undrafted free agents, as many fans do. These guys have a slim shot to earn a roster spot.
But there’s always an intriguing prospect or two in the bunch.
The Bucs’ official signings will be released later, but for now Joe has an eye on East Texan (always a favorite of Lovie Smith) Chris Hackett, an all-Big-12 safety from Texas Christian University who had seven interceptions last season.
Many draft gurus had Hackett pegged as a third- or fourth-round talent, but it’s suspected he fell far in the draft because of his questionable speed. Hackett is known for being a very smart, instinctive player, a coach’s dream type of dude.
Lovie loves turnovers and Texans, so Hackett certainly could offer some serious competition for fourth-year man Keith Tandy.
But make no mistake, Hackett has a long road. Tandy is beloved by the regime for his special teams play.
May 3rd, 2015 at 8:42 am
What were his times since your brought the question of speed up.
remember when we drafted that snail of CB from U of F who had offensive lineman speed. When I heard what his times were I almost vomited,
May 3rd, 2015 at 8:53 am
Not so sure that I am digging picks 5,6, and 7
May 3rd, 2015 at 9:00 am
According to 247Sports, he runs a 4.60/40. He looks like a ‘between-the-hashes’ type of player. He definitely is a sure tackler… at the college level. It is always a gamble as to whether that carries over to the bigger/faster guys in the NFL.
May 3rd, 2015 at 9:30 am
Cody Grimm wasn’t seen as a very fast prospect but his instincts, game play and tackling more than made up for that. Sometimes game speed and instincts are more helpful then straight line speed.
May 3rd, 2015 at 9:39 am
UNOFFICIAL of course
Ryan Delaire DL Towson
Josh Keyes LB Boston College
Michael Reynolds DE Kansas
Quinton Alston LB Iowa
Rannell Hall WR UCF
Chris Hackett SAF TCU
Donteea Dye WR Heidelberg
Caushaud Lyons DL Tusculum
Dominique Brown RB Louisville
Quayshawne Buckley DT Idaho
May 3rd, 2015 at 9:43 am
There are a ton of ufa this year that will make teams. this kid knows his stuff. i like it
May 3rd, 2015 at 9:43 am
Delaire was the top rated undrafted DE by Gil Brandt. Was projected as a 6th or 7th rounder. WHO KNOWS..maybe we got a DE in the draft after all!
May 3rd, 2015 at 9:50 am
Joes Why did you take down my post on the presumed FA rookie signings @6am this morning? We’ve posted them on here every year. I see them up now.
May 3rd, 2015 at 10:42 am
Even if he doesn’t make the active roster he can develop and learn the scheme. This use to be a common practice when the Bucs were respectable.
May 3rd, 2015 at 1:25 pm
I like Ryan Delaire and Quayshawne Buckley. Delaire is a carbon copy of Jack Smith. Nice guy to develop. Buckley is an athletic DT who is a penetrator; another nice guy to develop. Very important to have depth along that DL.
May 3rd, 2015 at 2:21 pm
Who picked up Gerrod Holliman?
May 3rd, 2015 at 2:54 pm
I really like Delair and Buckley too, as well as Ranell Hall. Not a total burner, but tough as nails with decent speed and hands. Used to be a track star.
May 3rd, 2015 at 3:43 pm
Hackett’s a great pick up. I am a huge TCU fan, he plays with heart and has great instincts at get into position to undercut throws. I hope he does well in Tampa.
May 3rd, 2015 at 5:04 pm
Instead if this guy. We shouldve picked up Anthony Harris. Better player IMO
May 3rd, 2015 at 7:50 pm
Don’t forget as you describe Hackett the very same was said about Rhonde Barber back in the day. If Hackett turns out to be a young Rhonde Barber I will be thrilled. We still need to pick up some decent veterans when they are salary cap casualties, and we get first choice for awhile. I believe Smith has road grader strength but is not athletic enough to be great in the NFL in pass protection. They best cross train him at RG too because I feel that is where he is best suited. They need to leave our present LT there to compete with Smith because he was good there last year and kept improving. Pick up a veteran right end and and let he and Pampile and our Small College last 2d pick this year compete for it and train small college for backup Center too. Cut the inept Brownie pet of our OL Coach, WarFLOP!
May 3rd, 2015 at 7:57 pm
Hackett is not slow, he is extremely slow and plays slow. He didn’t run a 4.60 as somebody was claiming, it was a 4.81 at the Combine and then went to his Pro Day, where the hand times are notorious for being much better, and way off, was a very mediocre 4.68. This guy is slow… too slow for the NFL. On his tape he plays slow and then when he’s run all he has done is confirm it.
May 3rd, 2015 at 8:48 pm
Good news is we are #1 waiver priority, all year baby!
I am certain we will bolster our roster when other times start making cuts.