Three Targets

May 5th, 2016
Three!

Three!

Yesterday Joe brought word that AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht said the top two players targeted in the draft were both on the board when the Bucs selected at No. 11.

However, on Monday, the day before Licht talked about two targets with popular sports radio and television personality Adam Schein, Licht told Bruce Murray and Phil Savage, co-hosts of “The Blitz,” that the top three targets of the Bucs were all available at No. 11 when lever was pulled for Vernon Hargreaves.

Licht said when and how the team began zeroing in on Hargreaves in the months prior to the draft.

“We had more than one player we were targeting,” Licht said. “We had three guys that we thought realistically could fall to us. And when all three of them were sitting there, and Vernon was one, that was the point we moved down.

“Our scouts, we were watching [Hargreaves] all year. We didn’t know if he was going to declare or not. When things kind of cleared up and became a little more concrete later in the year that he would, then we started focusing on him a little more.

“He has all the things we are looking for. He is a great athlete. He is a great kid. He is very competitive and he can flip the field, he is a ballhawk. That is one of the things we want on this team. He has some swag to him. We like that.”

Joe enjoys swag too, so long as it is appropriate. For example, no one celebrated off-target passes more so or better than the object of Lovie Smith’s bromance, Toast Jenkins.

Joe surely hopes Hargreaves’ swag is backed up by solid play. No celebrating a tackle after a five-yard gain down 20 points in the fourth quarter.

13 Responses to “Three Targets”

  1. MadMax Says:

    My guess is Eli Apple. We’ll see who the better CB is in a few years. Im pretty sure it’ll be VH.

  2. Defense Rules Says:

    Still not convinced Joe. When we moved down to #11, how did Jason Licht know that the Giants would pick CB Eli Apple at #10 instead of Vernon Hargreaves?

    And picking a tackle may not be flashy, but guys like Donovan Smith (and Laremy Tunsil) are who keep QBs alive. Like you’ve said many times, we’ve got to protect Jameis for him to be effective.

  3. McBuc Says:

    Defense…he did not know, but he knew one of the three targets woul be there two picks later.

  4. DemBoyzFromDaBay727 Says:

    My guess is…

    1) VH3
    2)Larry Tunsil
    3)Sheldon Rankins

    I would of been happy with any one of those players.

  5. DemBoyzFromDaBay727 Says:

    @defense

    The Giants no. 1 target was lenoard Floyd. That’s why they got stuck Taking there no. 2 option instead. Seriously tho…Apple over Hargreaves?? Ooook. I’m not complaining cause WE got the best cover corner in the draft but wow.

  6. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    I heard that Conklin was one of the three, and he went just before our pick. No idea who the other player rson was.

  7. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    I don’t think Tunsil was a target because Licht said “realistically fall”…..and I don’t think his fall was realistic…..not until very late.

    My guess would be 3 of these 4

    Hagrgeaves
    Floyd
    Rankins
    Lawson

  8. Nole on Sat.-Bucc on Sun. Says:

    Koetter’s words before the draft were one of if not the biggest stand out during the three day mini camp was Brent Grimes. He stated “if you don’t believe me just ask our offense”. Do some of you realize how difficult it will be for opposing offenses facing not one but two shut-down level CBs with the addition of this young thorough bread.

  9. SB with Jameis Says:

    Defense Rules Says:
    May 5th, 2016 at 6:40 am
    Still not convinced Joe. When we moved down to #11, how did Jason Licht know that the Giants would pick CB Eli Apple at #10 instead of Vernon Hargreaves?

    And picking a tackle may not be flashy, but guys like Donovan Smith (and Laremy Tunsil) are who keep QBs alive. Like you’ve said many times, we’ve got to protect Jameis for him to be effective.
    ………………………………………
    LOL at how uninformed some are. VH wore Custom Cleats at the Combine that read “CITY OF TAMPA!” The Giants weren’t gonna touch him cause they Knew where his heart was. Writing is on the wall for all who can Read.

  10. Dick Butkiss Says:

    LOL, like ASJ high stepping in to the endzone when we are down by like 4 TD’s?

  11. DraftJameis Says:

    SB with Jameis

    So effing what he wore cleats with “TAMPA” on them? If the NYG thought that he was a better football player than Eli Apple, they would’ve drafted him. “LOL” at you thinking that his shoes had anything to do with the Giants pick at all.

  12. Ben the Ga Buc Says:

    Licht knew the Giants would take Apple because they play in “the Big Apple.”

  13. David Says:

    I think the Apple vs. Hargreaves pick was a classic example of a team falling for a player becuz of his measurables. VHIII has been a top level corner ever since he stepped on a college campus. Apple..meh…not so much. But I believe Apple is bigger and ran faster in the 40. So…there u go. But speed and height don’t always make the best corner. Just ask Ronde or Darrell Revis. Jmho.