Stellar “Sudden Impact” Review
May 14th, 2015
Is it possible that an analysis and ranking of 100 impact NFL rookies would include six new Buccaneers?
Joe had to read it twice.
Yep, that’s what was written. Chris Fischer, a college football writer for NFL.com, dove deep into the 2015 draft class and believes the Buccaneers’ first six picks will all make their mark — a positive mark — on the NFL in a matter of months.
Damn, wouldn’t that be a glorious kick in the ass? Joe might host a Jason Licht appreciation banquet if such a happening occurred.
Of those 100 ranked rookies, here’s where Fischer put the Bucs on the list.
1. QB Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bottom line — nobody in this draft class will have a greater impact on their new team than the guy under center for Lovie Smith.
51. OT Donovan Smith, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs’ line was a mess last year and Smith could be part of the answer in protecting Winston.
66. WR Kenny Bell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: There’s no reason why the savvy and smart Bell can’t be the top receiving option for Winston out of the slot as a rookie.
78. WR Kaelin Clay, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Instant boost to the team’s return game while rotating in as a slot receiver who can help stretch the field.
86. G Ali Marpet, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The front office is excited about Marpet’s ability. He could protect Winston sooner rather than later for a team that has been searching for help on the interior line.
98. OLB Kwon Alexander, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Athletic, rangy linebacker should be a core special-teams player while being molded by Lovie Smith into a quality player.
Of course, as a 2-14 team, the Bucs are counting on rookies more than most clubs. So it makes sense this rookie class will have plenty of opportunity to impress.
Noteworthy here is the love shown Kenny Bell, and the low grade for Donovan Smith, when compared to where they were drafted.
May 14th, 2015 at 12:13 pm
Any idea if Alexander stays at lb or moves to safety?
Any idea why we would not re-sign Kyle Arrington? He signed w the Ravens.
Winston = Doug Williams 2.0
Kenny bell= victor Cruz 2.0
D smith = young donald penn 2.0
Ali Marpet = young Bruce Matthews 2.0.
Lmao I’m going back to sleep im obviously delirious.
May 14th, 2015 at 12:22 pm
“low grade for Donovan Smith, when compared to where they were drafted”
Leave it to Joe to find a negative.
[If all you want is positive news, you need to bookmark Buccaneers.com. You will be hard-pressed to find out the Bucs lost 14 games last year over there. — Joe]
May 14th, 2015 at 12:33 pm
Marpet will be like Faneca once he’s molded. He will be a fixture on the OL for a long time. I don’t know about Smith. Alexander reminds me of a Quincy Black. Bell & Clay unsure… Jameis will be a stud in due time.
May 14th, 2015 at 12:38 pm
Snoop probably stopped by the studio, and blazed Up some that Ooo Wee
#WeekendWarrior
May 14th, 2015 at 12:46 pm
Did I wake up in the future? Is it 2016? What is the point of putting together a list before they even play a game.
May 14th, 2015 at 12:52 pm
[If all you want is positive news, you need to bookmark Buccaneers.com. You will be hard-pressed to find out the Bucs lost 14 games last year over there. — Joe]
And that’s also the same kinda response I’ve come to expect from Joe.
May 14th, 2015 at 12:53 pm
@Ray Rice
C’mon Bruh. Alan Faneca!! That’s putting major DUBS on it bruh.
Faneca is in that Steve Hutchinson type category. U know…The Best of the Best…The Who Ever Done it.
Even though I pulling for the kid, and wish him all success the world. I’m gonna temper my expectations.
May 14th, 2015 at 12:55 pm
BFFL
“Did I wake up in the future?”
Yes….and if my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour… you’re gonna see some serious $h!t.
May 14th, 2015 at 12:56 pm
@BFFL
Sssssh! That level of intuitiveness, is frowned upon in this establishment.
May 14th, 2015 at 12:57 pm
@OAR
LOL…..good sh*t!
May 14th, 2015 at 1:04 pm
@BFFL
Technically you always wake up in the future…just sayin’
May 14th, 2015 at 1:07 pm
if people want to be real about it they would admit they were so angry and furious about the bucs 2014 season because by no means should they have been a 2-14 team. they shouldn’t have been last year and if they lost 9 games by less than a touchdown then I expect them to step up like they should have if tedford had never gotten sick. no one should be surprised by the play of this team next year even if glennon started this team would be competitive
May 14th, 2015 at 1:10 pm
Can we take a minute to make fun of Ali Marpet for wearing short shorts? Seriously, those shorts are riding high and tight…..got some serious moose knuckle working there
Joe, can you start calling him “Moose Knuckling” Ali Marpet…..please?
May 14th, 2015 at 1:19 pm
@bucs4lyfe
U aint lying. I’m confident in the fact. Now if we can find some way to sure up the offensive line. Trade for MLB Mychal Kendricks (*4.41 40 time).
With Glennon at Quarterback-No doubt we’re a 9-7 team.
Now if there’s some way- we can find some gem or add an All-Star RB.
Like Matt Forte or Adrian Peterson to the mix#theskyisthelimit
May 14th, 2015 at 1:35 pm
What scares me about marpet is the jump from d 3. Look at the dolphins last year…. they took a very good o lineman out of north dak st. billy turner in rd 3. Alot like marpet, he is quick and athletic. Last year was basically a red shirt year for him. They both can be great, but i think it will take time.
May 14th, 2015 at 1:48 pm
@LUVMYBUCS
Matt Forte or Adrian Peterson…..you went way off into lala land, all star running back does not equal playoffs if you think we still need to shore up the offensive line. why do fans of sorry teams keep talking about trading for other teams stars and think that’ll make it ok? haven’t we done that the last few years in free agency? this team as it is constructed should compete right now or lovie should lose his job is what I was saying
May 14th, 2015 at 1:49 pm
@LUVMYBUCS
FUK DUBS! I’m betting the ranch. LMFAO… He’s going to be a great guard. When he’s molded. As I said before.
May 14th, 2015 at 1:53 pm
Actually you wake up in the present.
May 14th, 2015 at 2:23 pm
@bucs4lyfe
I hear U
@Ray Rice
Lol
May 14th, 2015 at 2:45 pm
The present is yesterdays future so your both right. When you go to bed you know when you wake up will be in the future but at that time it’s the present. Just say’n.
May 14th, 2015 at 3:40 pm
Did any one see the (c) behind marpets name when he got drafted. I’m not sure this OL is done yet. You might see Smith on the right Marpet at center. With one of last years picks at right guard. An experienced left tackle on the waiver wires or free agency.
May 14th, 2015 at 4:31 pm
dcommand
Those are excellent points. It’s not even August. Not one preseason game. Nobody really knows what the starting OL lineup will look like and who will play which position.
May 14th, 2015 at 5:17 pm
I have news for you all. For the Bucs, the rankings should be:
1 Winston
2 Marpet
3 Kenny Bell
We’ll see if Smith works out or not.
May 14th, 2015 at 6:54 pm
the number of “impact rookies” a team has is probably directly related to how piss-poor a team’s drafting has been over the previous 5 years. all it means to be on this list is that your talent level is meagre
May 14th, 2015 at 6:58 pm
WS99 Says:
May 14th, 2015 at 12:13 pm
Any idea if Alexander stays at lb or moves to safety?
==================
Yeah, nobody with half a brain has the idea to move the LB to safety. He’s a LB through and through. The most common conversion in the T-2 is collegiate CB to FS like Damien Robinson, Dexter Jackson, Dwight Smith, and a few others did.
May 14th, 2015 at 7:40 pm
Good read…thanks JBF
I think the best thing the Bucs could do is release GMC on these 2 rookie OL and see if either break during OTA and preseason.
May 14th, 2015 at 9:36 pm
We need to “Hit” on 3 players in the draft this draft and next draft to be a playoff contending team. Winston being the most important. If our first three picks this draft are hits, that will go along way for the future!! Go Bucs!
May 14th, 2015 at 9:47 pm
You said it Eric, if a team hits on its draft picks it is on its way to winning. If it misses on its picks (Josh Freeman, Mark Barron, etc) well then your team tends to spin its wheels and become a bottom feeder….
May 15th, 2015 at 12:30 pm
Brandon- Antonio Allen with the jets played Linebacker in college
Was moved to safety in pros. Then later to CB.
Many other examples., although I don’t think that’s what the Bucs will do with Alexander