Explosive!
April 24th, 2017
One player matches.
Since the hours after the Bucs ended their 2016 season, winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter has bemoaned the lack of explosive plays by his offense.
And for good reason.
The Bucs were awful with explosive plays (runs of 12 yards or more, or passes of 16 yards or more). Credit horrible depth at wide receiver behind Mike Evans and one of the worst rushing attacks in the NFL.
Reasoned folks like Joe are convinced AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht will draft a running back this week (this week!) no later than the third round. It’s not an irrational to predict Licht grabs a running back with the No. 19 pick Thursday night.
Who would best scratch that explosive-play itch for Koetter? Data-driven Thomas Bassinger of the Tampa Bay Times ran the numbers and his results are clear: It is a running back who happens to be a native of the Sunshine State.
Whether they should invest a first-round pick on a running back is worth a debate. In this space, though, we’re not going to make a case for or against. Instead, we’re going to focus on big-play ability because … well, you heard Koetter, right?
To determine who has been the most explosive running back, we combed through the play-by-play of hundreds of games and tallied the runs of at least 12 yards and the passes of at least 16 yards. And of the three, the player with the most explosive plays was …
Dalvin Cook.
There you have it. You don’t need an eyeball test to tell you Cook is the man, even though the eyes don’t lie. Now, thanks to Bassinger’s research, we have hard facts.
Joe isn’t sure why it is so difficult for folks to see this? The lone hole on the offense is running back, and the perfect every-down back to plug that hole just might be there for the taking at No. 19.
April 24th, 2017 at 1:33 am
Cook Rd 1
Goodwin Rd 2
Replacement for the leader of the losing culture Rd 3
Oline Rd 4
April 24th, 2017 at 1:57 am
Bring in any and everybody whom ever that maybe is just gonna be extra rounds of ammunition for that T.B. CANNONS
April 24th, 2017 at 2:46 am
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The scuttlebutt seems to be that the 49’ers, Jags or Jets will draft Fournette and that the Panthers are absolutely head over heels for Christian Mac … which means that the Bengals, Eagles, Colts, Ravens and Redskins, all of whom could definitely use a dynamic RB, will have to pass on Dalvin Cook in order for him to fall to #19 … that doesn’t seem likely.
The above said, if Cook is off the board, I honestly think the Bucs should seriously consider trading down … and maybe doing so twice!
Something like the #19 to the Chiefs for the #27 along with their 3rd and 4th round picks. Then that #27 to the 49’ers for the #34 and their 3rd and 4th round picks.
The above two trades would leave the Bucs without a 1st round pick but would give them THREE second round AND THREE MORE third round selections in a very deep draft.
If the above happened, the Bucs could stock their roster with quality players such as:
2nd round 49’ers Pick: Budda Baker, S
2nd round Bucs Pick: DeMarcus Walker, DE/DT
2nd round Chiefs Pick: Curtis Samuel, RB/WR
3rd round 49’ers Pick: Jourdan Lewis, CB
3rd round Bucs Pick: Chris Godwin, WR
3rd round Chiefs Pick: George Kittle, TE
And then draft a solid receiving back like Kareem Hunt in the 4th round and sign Adrian Peterson to a one or two year inexpensive contract.
Talk about LOADED!
RB: Peterson/Hunt/Quizz/Simms
WR: Evans/Jackson/Godwin/Humphries/Huff/Martino
TE: Brate/Kittle
#WeaponsForWinston
And to have all those weapons and still add a starting quality defensive lineman in DeMarcus Walker, a starting nickle corner in Jourdan Lewis and a starting safety in Budda Baker would be amazing!
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April 24th, 2017 at 3:08 am
^ The Bucs would have just one 2nd, but three 3rds and three 4ths … I got ahead of myself … but they could still draft:
2nd: Budda baker
3rd: Jourdan Lewis, Chris Godwin and George Kittle
4th: Kareem Hunt, Best DE available and best RT available
Still loaded!
April 24th, 2017 at 5:20 am
What do you get a when you add a damaged star running back like Dalvin Cook to the worst rushing offense in the NFL? The worst rushing offense in the NFL. The all-important assumption tii many people make on the RB who just happens to be from Florida State is that the first time gets hit by someone like Ndamukong Suh (and about 800 other NFL players who are much bigger) is that he doesn’t fold up like a cheap suit. Now don’t get me wrong. You can’t play football in the NFL like you’re afraid your guy is going to get hurt on the next play. But the problem is with Cook is he’s been beaten to a pulp and had injuries and surgeries to show for it long before the NFL, scrapping with high school and college age boys much smaller, much less powerful, much less strong.
April 24th, 2017 at 5:22 am
NFL nut. But right there you just showed why they won’t do that. None of those guys are as impact full as a first rounder will be. I can see a single trade down, but from 19 to 27? I’m goin to need your second round pick.
Then you take Melifonwu, in the second take Engram with our pick, Godwin with the 27th second rounder, third round Demarcus Walker, and 4th, best avail RB. (Mack/Hunt/Perine) and you’re good to go.
April 24th, 2017 at 5:30 am
Fred, I think you’re making a mountain out of a molehill there. Has he ha injuries? Sure. Most guys who make it to the NFL have had a sprain or pull or tear. And Dalvin has proven to be WAYYYYYY tougher than that soft little _____ at LSU…
April 24th, 2017 at 5:33 am
Wasn’t Jordan Lewis arrested for domestic violence? He might go undrafted.
April 24th, 2017 at 6:01 am
Nooooo way we should draft cook at 19. If we can trade down and get him fine, but not at 19. Defense or Howard.
April 24th, 2017 at 6:06 am
I would think that ‘explosive plays’ is one criteria that’s especially hard to extrapolate from the college level to the NFL level Joe. Speed-wise, it looks like Cook, Fournette, McCaffrey & Mack all ran the 40-yd in 4.48 – 4.51 secs (and supposedly Mixon is in that same range), so no significant difference there. In terms of abilities to break tackles to gain additional yds, it’s supposedly a LOT harder at the NFL level because of the better talent & speed of the LBs, CBs & Safeties. To me, ‘explosive plays’ all comes down to (1) play design; (2) OLine blocking capabilities; and then (3) RB elusiveness & ability to break tackles.
In other words, ‘m not convinced there’d be a significant difference in ‘explosive plays’ between Cook, Fournette, McCaffrey, Mixon or even Mack when running the same play behind the same Bucs OLine against the same NFL teams. Certainly not enough of a difference to justify a 1st rnd pick based on that criteria alone.
April 24th, 2017 at 6:21 am
Would love to see the Bucs trade out of first round all together- but alot of teams would love to trade down.
Cook can be the right pick for us. But with the medical issues, its ifffy. And I read yesterday that there were concerns about his”posse”. And I still have issues with his “Animal abuse”” issue Et Al.
For all of his checks- there are some bad concerns with him also.
We can do better.
I think we will.
3 more days to find out.
April 24th, 2017 at 6:25 am
If Cook is so explosive why would the other 18 teams let him pass?
There is a risk to Cook due to his shoulder problems. JOE you get stuck on a player and don’t write on the downsides..
Cook is a risk 4 shoulder surgeries that’s not something you just say oh it’s worth the risk.
The Bucs took a risk on an OLineman who had back surgery remember
JOE fall in love with a player BUT write both sides PLEAE
April 24th, 2017 at 6:52 am
While everybody justifiably is enamored with Mr. Cook Mr. Licht prepares for action at a DE in #19 pick. Jason’s elite sources already told him which team is selecting Mr. Cook way before our pick.
Cook’s appetizer at JBF is only a mirage. But don’t worry Licht will be Lights out this week.
My wishlist:
Derek Barnett
DeSaun Walker
Marlon Mack or Hunt
Perine
Adoree Jackson
In Licht We Trust!!!
April 24th, 2017 at 6:55 am
3 Days…..3 more Days!!!!
Go Bucs!!!
April 24th, 2017 at 6:55 am
Christ I cannot wait for.this Dalvin Cook Crap to end. That is a move the rockstar would have made joe your losing it. I really hope they invest the pick wisley on a wr or de or possibly trade back
April 24th, 2017 at 7:10 am
Agree with nfl nut. Trade down a few spots if cook and running backs gone. Or Njoku from the U if he is not gone. Trade back a few spots and get safety
April 24th, 2017 at 7:25 am
No brainer.. And that picture above will be symbol of our offense with quadruplets of Fameis,ME,Desean and DC4.
April 24th, 2017 at 7:30 am
Joe its the Seminole affect. If he were Dalvin Cook Miss. St. there would no complaints from these posters, but the thought of a Seminole being the Head Honcho under center and then having a dynamic duo next to him that also came from garnet and gold is tol much for these haters to accept right now. Its all good at the end of the day tho. They’ll get over themselves soon enough. That or find another team.
April 24th, 2017 at 7:31 am
I’m stealing that picture Joe.
April 24th, 2017 at 7:33 am
Would the Bucs take Cook over Corey Davis?
April 24th, 2017 at 7:38 am
I hear you Kevin. I am actually agnostic over whether we take DC or not. Good player but with multiple issues. If we end up with him I will assume that the Brain Trust has vetted him completely. Not my choice though. Not at that spot anyways.
April 24th, 2017 at 7:42 am
NOS, if he were from Mississippi State we would have as many stories about him as we do about McCaffery.. that’s what posters are grumbling about. The Joe’s and you obviously are fixated on this one player. As many have pointed out this has happened in the recent past. Most famously with their embrace of Johnny Football. Can you even imagine if that clown landed here like they wished? That said I think DC is a much better player then Johnny was.
April 24th, 2017 at 8:12 am
I’m excited. We have a GM who does well in the draft for a change. I still believe Aguayo will remain on the team, and if he turns things around, it fixes the only blemish in the draft for Licht. If we had Dominick, we would be going into the draft wondering how he would screw it up…but instead, we all know we’ll get a good play, even if it is one none of us expect.
We all have our preferences. Some of us are more open than others, but we all just want great players to make this team shine…and that’s what it is all about!
There are thirty-seven players on my wishlist this year. 37! I’ve never had that many before! I would be happy to get any one of them, two of them or 7 of them! (the 37 are spread across the rounds).
I just want to come away from this draft feeling like the team is better in three positions of need. More would just be a plus.
April 24th, 2017 at 8:18 am
I’m pretty sure half the posters here will be disappointed. I’m just ready for the draft to be here and hope we get 2-3 starters from this draft
April 24th, 2017 at 8:24 am
I have a strange feeling Cook will be off the board at 19.
April 24th, 2017 at 8:29 am
I can’t wait for this not to happen
April 24th, 2017 at 8:40 am
Don’t hold your breath NJ, you might pass out dude. Laaa laa la la wait til I get my offense right/whoaa oh o o oh/I prayed to God for this blessing..
April 24th, 2017 at 8:46 am
You gave me a song for the day Joe Dr. Dre “Xxplosive”. West coast ishh. Thanks.
April 24th, 2017 at 9:42 am
IF the Bucs don’t take Cook, we all better head down to the Skyway and line the bridge to keep Nole from jumping!
April 24th, 2017 at 9:43 am
Cook is actually on my wish list. I’m just open to other players besides him.
April 24th, 2017 at 10:09 am
Kalind…a mountain out of a mole hill? Nope. You are right…most have had strains and pulls and MANY (not most to correct you) have had tears. Which is my point and you really reinforced it. Again, Cook has had several SURGERIES. He’s damaged goods. Ain’t no good sitting on the sidelines in street clothes. The toughest guys I know are on crutches!
April 24th, 2017 at 10:25 am
Seen him do alot things there guy. Sitting on the sideline hasn’t been one of them dude. I did see him rush for about 1700 yards two season’s ago with TWO sore hammy’s. Warrior ishh. Just like Fameis played his last season in school with a bad ankle. Warrior ishh. We play, we don’t play that diva s@$!.
April 24th, 2017 at 11:34 am
Talking out of both sides of your mouth Joe.. haven’t you been clamouring for a WR with our depth so thin at that position??
What about guard or tackle??
You’re good with one TE?
April 24th, 2017 at 11:42 am
Sheesh…
I bet you’d love to see Dalvin “explode”
April 24th, 2017 at 11:44 am
By the way…he WILL be available at 19…for those of you who seem worried that he won’t be….and there will be a very good reason for that…
He may go closer to 50 than 19 at this point folks…lots of smoke.
April 24th, 2017 at 11:51 am
Dalvin Cook is absolutely “Explosive”. If “character concerns” do happen to make him fall to #19 – then we shall see what the Bucs thorough investigations into what type of man they believe he is and will be moving forward. This is the determining factor as to whether we draft him or not should he fall.
Cooks tape is dynamic. He is likely to be a stud RB in the NFL. He is a top 10 prospect all day long. If the Bucs think his “character” is acceptable then he will be a Buccaneer if he lasts until 19 (which I still say is doubtful).
3 More days….
April 24th, 2017 at 1:43 pm
Joe Says:
April 24th, 2017 at 1:55 pm
Explosive = Curtis Samuels