McNichols Talks Bad-Shoulder Impact
May 1st, 2017
Big talk with a timetable
Intriguing chatter from new Bucs rookie running back Jeremy McNichols.
He’s wounded after having his shoulder operated on right after the NFL Scouting Combine in March.
McNichols talked about it to an Idaho TV station after the Bucs grabbed him in Round 5, and he said his standout season at Boise State could have been a lot better if he were healthy.
McNichols did have shoulder surgery to clean up an injury that he had dealt with for well over a year.
“I played through it,” McNichols revealed. “I think I could’ve done better with a healthy shoulder, which is kind of crazy.”
“I knew I had to get my shoulder fixed,” McNichols continued. “I will be 100 percent by July. But I’ll be doing stuff before that. I’ll be running and doing football stuff.”
So did the Bucs get a gem who was held back but still thrived? Or did the Bucs get the 17th running back drafted coming off a significant injury?
Shoulder surgery is usually a very smooth but long recovery. Just ask Dalvin Cook or Michael Bennett.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:10 am
I like this kid. Does it all. Gotta love his pass protection skills. Great safety valve, and overall receiver.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:11 am
Guys on NFL radio made a good point last week. The one thing fans do not see are the medical reports and fans also do not get to hear what the team doctors say about those reports. It is a huge, huge factor in the draft, maybe the biggest factor outside of the player’s talent level and film.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:18 am
Speaking for Pablo
“Pablo has a bad shoulder…..Pablo through it out while doing “you know what” with Pablo’s elongated arc. Pablo went to the Doctor and the Doctor told Pablo to stop doing that. Pablo asked if his medical plan included having a nurse do it for him….Pablo was disappointed to find that wasn’t included”
May 1st, 2017 at 11:28 am
Did I miss something? Haven’t seen anything from “Build A Wall” / “Draft Mixon”. Feels like somebody is missing.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:28 am
Doug Martín also tore his Labrum…. is this a clone?
May 1st, 2017 at 11:28 am
McNichols should be a plus to keep Martin focus to be NFL ready since they keep in touch.
If Licht plays his cards right, we might have a healthy and focused Martin with a cheap redone contract and hopefully a good backup in McNichols.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:28 am
There always seem to be a couple of late round gems, maybe we got lucky.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:30 am
My guess is that he is a steal.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:34 am
Maybe the bad shoulder helped with his fumbles like Cook. Hope it’s fully healed cause don’t take much to reinjure it being that’s one of the parts of his body that takes a lot of punishment.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:35 am
Smart people around the league love this kid. Sounds like Licht may have found a late stud here.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:40 am
Ive been reading grade reports for our draft and most, if not all, of them say to watch out for this kid. He could end up being a steal.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:46 am
I’m not enough of a geek to keep up with every other team’s RB situation. But Doug Martin’s agent will certainly know all the rosters 5 or 6 deep.
My point is that Doug is a virtual free agent. We keep acting as if this is Licht’s decision…keep Doug at a reduced contract. Licht may not get that opportunity.
Here is the ONLY thing Licht controls…Doug’s current contract. The minute he cancels the overpriced contract Doug gets to start from scratch.
Is it beyond everybody’s imagination that Doug’s agent may have found a team that provides Doug with a better opportunity. Don’t make it personal Sonny…it’s just business.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:47 am
Jeremy McNichols was my favorite RB in the draft.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:50 am
Charlie Casserly certainly likes him. He compared him to Devonta Freeman who lasted until the 4th round.
This draft has a chance to be spectacular. We have the spectacular covered with our TE….but if Evans works out as a dominant Safety that could really help in a division with QB’s like ours and TE’s like Greg Olson.
If we also took care of our RB problems….BOOM!
May 1st, 2017 at 11:55 am
I love the passive aggressive Dalvin Cook mention! As if he slid just becasue of his shoulders. McNichols is a role player in a back field built on role players. You have to be able see the players type they want right? The RB position will never be a priority. McNichols, Sims, Rodgers… They are the same player.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:56 am
Jeremy had some pretty impressive tape. He has great feet and incredible balance. Having both Boise Boys isn’t bad at all if you ask me. This draft class was pretty weak overall IMO and Licht seems to have got great value on a few guys that fell through the cracks. I Love the Godwin pick.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:59 am
Hopefully the Bucs are shaping the offense to using RBs as role players…We had all our eggs in one basket with Martin, it costs us. Frankly there’s so much talent on the offense that if Winston is the franchise type QB he’s made out to be, he doesn’t need additional resources. We have possibly 2 pro bowl linemen, two pro bowl receivers, a stud TE…what else is really needed? If Winston needs an entire Pro Bowl offense then he’s a glorified game manager.
May 1st, 2017 at 11:59 am
@BucinJAX:: the call for “Building The Wall” will continue …but the Draft if over and we wiffed on getting “THE MIDIGATING FACTOR JOE MIXON” you would have to be stupid to think that J Nic (our 6th round pick) can even hold Joe Mixon’s jock! You didn’t miss anything but we will regret not getting “THE MIDIGATING FACTOR JOE MIXON “!!
May 1st, 2017 at 12:24 pm
Funnily Enough Stpete, thats who I would say he compares favorbly too, best case scenario anyway.
May 1st, 2017 at 12:26 pm
Did you mean “mitigating”? Don’t use big words if you have no idea how to spell them?
May 1st, 2017 at 12:26 pm
He’s going to be 100% in July? That’s doubtful. That surgery has a minimum of a 6-month recovery, even for a young and gifted athlete with excellent genetics. Most mortals take 9-12 months to get back to full speed, then it takes more time to rebuild the strength. I’ve had both shoulders done, but don’t just take my word for it. http://www.physiodc.com/managing-expectations-when-recovering-from-a-labral-repair/
May 1st, 2017 at 12:28 pm
Any word on the UDFAs?
May 1st, 2017 at 12:30 pm
@Bobby M. And you are possibly looking at this team thru ROSE COLORED GLASSES!!ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
May 1st, 2017 at 12:31 pm
McNichols put up better #s last year than most of the “top” RB prospects. 1709 rushing yards and 474 receiving yards with 27 TDs!!!
He can obviously tote the rock so I don’t understand the talk about him being a “3rd down” back in the NFL. Yea – he’s a good receiver and a good pass protector so of course those skills will be valuable on 3rd down – but don’t overlook this kid’s abilities on 1st and 2nd down. And with 4.49 speed he’s got some wheels that rival the fastest RB on our team (Sims – 4.48) – (Quizz 4.52), (Martin 4.55).
If Doug Martin is retained and both he and Sims can stay relatively healthy then we are in decent shape at RB heading into the season. How quickly we forget that DM and Sims combined for the best 1,2 punch in the NFL just 1 year ago. Now we also have Quizz and McNichols as well as Peyton Barber. Obviously 1 of those 5 won’t be on the 53 man roster once DM comes back from suspension. Nice “problem” to have.
May 1st, 2017 at 12:38 pm
Big Hog so you are upset because we didn’t draft a guy that 28 teams deemed as undraftable? Sounds about right for you actually.
May 1st, 2017 at 12:49 pm
Why thank you @Brandon, let’s just change it now “THE MITIGATING FACTOR JOE MIXON”.
May 1st, 2017 at 12:51 pm
One RB will have to go, and whoever it is will be plucked off waivers. Weeks 1-3 will be a tryout before a decision had to be made. #22 might have played his last game as a Buc if we start 3-0 and the offense is humming.
May 1st, 2017 at 1:23 pm
Brandon before you come up here thumping your chest trying to correct someones spelling you should learn how to use proper punkchewashun. Did it make you feel superior to BigHog? Go back to English 101!😆
Ndog you go boy twisting that around using it to justify your hatred for the young man. The fact of the matter is he was still drafted where he should have. The man has the skill set and everbody has done said so his little 3 piece combo cost him a 1st round spot that is all. You should be a politician you’d fit right in with them spin masters!😆
May 1st, 2017 at 1:25 pm
@ ndog: but we did get one with a broke shoulder!!
May 1st, 2017 at 1:34 pm
@DavidBigBucFan99: Thank you kind sir!
May 1st, 2017 at 1:37 pm
Hopefully, Doug and Jeremy can work out a schedule on which one of them will have a good year.
May 1st, 2017 at 2:02 pm
The kid is legit. He surpassed Doug Martins career numbers at BSU in half the time. One could argue he’s twice as good as Martin and we don’t even have to change nicknames. Muscle Hampster 1 & 2
May 1st, 2017 at 2:04 pm
He surpassed Jay Ajayi’s number in 4 less games and he came out early.
May 1st, 2017 at 2:32 pm
Jay Ajayi has more rushing yards than him in both their career and Ajayi holds the Boise State record for most rushing yards in a season. He did pass Martin though.
May 1st, 2017 at 2:39 pm
The most consistent thing I’ve heard about McNichols, is that he is not a natural runner, and lacks creativity behind the LOS. Understandable considering he was a receiver his freshman year. People do praise his ability to see the field though.
The consensus seems to be that once he puts it all together, he can be a special running back. He is already an exceptional receiver and pass protector.
So best case scenario, we just got ourselves a Devonta Freeman type player in the 5th round. Worst case scenario he should compete with Sims for the role of 3rd down back.
Overall, good value pick with a relatively high ceiling.
May 1st, 2017 at 2:45 pm
My bad you’re right. Very close thought esp since Jeremy played in less games and he had higher avg yards per touch than Ajayi 6.1 v 6.4 respectively.
My point is as productive as these two pro-bowlers. Possible steal, I’m trying to be positive.
May 1st, 2017 at 2:49 pm
Fabiano just recommended Jameis as a sleeper Fantasy QB lol. I never draft Bucs players out of superstition though.
And DB55, keep up your enthusiasm bro, It suits you. XD
May 1st, 2017 at 3:01 pm
I hope he’s a homerun, but I’ll also keep in mind Licht track record on late round runningbacks / fullbacks / superbacks.
May 1st, 2017 at 3:02 pm
https://youtu.be/Qx2xsZiF8q4
May 1st, 2017 at 3:06 pm
I feel ya DB. Boise State RBs have been having success. Hopefully McNichols is added to that list of Doug and Ajayi.
Imo he could easily beat out Sims for the main 3rd down back role and earn touched that way to start. To think he wil be Doug’s replacement is a little bit of a reach, at least for now anyway.
May 1st, 2017 at 3:09 pm
Blake – Scouting reports, for what they’re worth, say vision is one of his biggest pluses. For me, assuming the raw physical abilities are there, vision is the top trait I look for. I learned that lesson as a kid watching Emmit Smith in college – he didn’t do anything special, but his vision was exceptional.
The Bucs of course traded for a running back in Gary Anderson just before the draft and everyone locally who had Emmit going to the Bucs instead got excited about the one time Bandit star Anderson who did have an incredible goal line carry in the preseason where he, in my memory as a kid, leaped from nearly the 5 yard line over people and into the endzone. I still wish I could find that play somewhere – he did a similar less impressive version in the season from around the 3, but the preseason one at the time was incredible. Or my memory is vastly overinflated.
May 1st, 2017 at 3:11 pm
@DB55
What Blake said. Nice to hear some positivity. How can we not be positive after this off season and draft? I’m sure some can try to tell me how. Glass half full right now though.
May 1st, 2017 at 3:20 pm
@Rod Munch
Yeah that’s what I said bro, he see’s the field well, ala he has good vision.
The knock on him is that he doesn’t appear very fluid in his movement, I read once specific report that noted he lacks a well developed Jump cut. And has a tendency to bounce outside prematurely.
You could say it like this, he produces like a mad man, he just doesn’t look that good doing it.
I guess some view running style to a Basketball player with an ugly shot that still goes in.
That being said, if he is dedicated to honing his craft, and everything clicks, He could become a special player. Here’s hoping that becomes a reality.
May 1st, 2017 at 3:38 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx2xsZiF8q4 – similar profile to David Johnson…..?!
May 1st, 2017 at 3:51 pm
McNichols offers way, way more than Sims did coming out. My experience with the labrum is that like everything, no two are alike. What is a shame is that he didn’t get it worked on in January and waited until after the combine. Because of the medical info, it doesn’t look great that he lasted until the 5th round. His game tape and combine look WAY better than Sims. Ball didn’t hit the ground for McNichols, movement skills seemed better, tho he was a tick slower in the 40 he looked better mechanically running it. He probably was a better back. I went back and checked some notes i wrote about the combine (I’m a nerd) His name was one that was circled. For some reason, I stopped watching him. I love this interview with him. Big moment in the interview is when a statement was raised that revealed that PFF said on 292 drop backs he missed 1 blocking assignment. Um WOW.
This quote was from that interview:
“I don’t like missing blocks at all, thats one of my biggest assets, protecting the quarterback and protecting the offensive line”
I’m sold
This is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BSurcw0IA0&t=2052s
May 1st, 2017 at 3:53 pm
Sorry wrong link that was about Peyton Barber.. still interesting’
This is the McNichols
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMudIRqds8Y
May 1st, 2017 at 4:14 pm
Clearly, McNichols is going to need a new jersey number.
Pretty sure #13 is taken, for at least 10 years, and will be retired at a Ring of Honor ceremony after that.
I like #33 for McNichols. I’m a Tony Dorsett fan. McNichols is going to be a good one……
Who Knew..??
May 1st, 2017 at 4:22 pm
Joe, I might’ve posted the same link as you.. if so, I apologize but for some reason my internet service wouldn’t let the one you linked load up.
May 1st, 2017 at 4:28 pm
Ajayi was also a 5th rnd pick and he had 1200 yards in 2016 plus a pro bowl appearance.
I think the kid will be fine. He looks like Dougie and runs like Ray Rice. Except he might learn quickly that getting to the edge in the NFL might be a lil harder than what he’s accustomed to.
May 1st, 2017 at 5:25 pm
Yay, another injury-prone RB.
May 1st, 2017 at 5:49 pm
Any way any of these guys can play fullback? Did we draft one?
May 1st, 2017 at 6:09 pm
Blake – somehow I read what you said completely backwards. I am dyslexic so I’ll use that as my excuse.
May 1st, 2017 at 6:13 pm
orlbucfan…Luke Stocker and Austin Johnson are our FBs..as of now.
May 1st, 2017 at 6:13 pm
The problem with small backs is they usually are injury prone in the NFL. This team had plenty of bigger backs in this draft that are less injury prone and can take it to the house and didn’t lift a finger to take any of them when one of our biggest needs was a running back. Yes it is nice we got Humphries but we already have a TE, Brate, which led the NFL in touchdowns, so a TE was a luxury not a necessity. Just like last year when Licht gave away draft picks for a kicker when he could have gotten better production in a proven free agent. Our opponents in our Division all had better drafts. What we need is a better GM.
May 1st, 2017 at 7:19 pm
215 lbs is not a small back
May 1st, 2017 at 7:20 pm
And I love this kid. He can do it all run, catch, more importantly block. He is definitely a gem imo. Buh bye Dougie, soon you will be able to take all the molly your heart desires!
May 1st, 2017 at 7:24 pm
Also getting a stud TE like Howard at 19 is way more than a luxury pick. He easily could be gone top 8. He opens the field up which is something Brate will never be able to do. We are now stacked across the board at WR and TE. We have enough depth at RB to make it with Quizz, Sims, Peyton, and our new and improved hamster. Be happy and quit complaining all the time
May 1st, 2017 at 8:56 pm
Brate is too little to be an every down te. Howard solves that problem. Brate is a catching te only until he adds bulk. But imo he is part of this dangerous offense as too Martin. Martin is the x factor if he stays healthy ( not cut, sorry Joe)
May 2nd, 2017 at 4:18 am
Owlykat,
When evaluating a player like Brate with a single stat, lead the league in TD’ s by T.E.s, you’re missing a lot of other things.
Y.A.C. is something Brate is statistically not very good. Coach Koetter’ s comments following the season, He stated the lack of explosive plays as a problem, Brate didn’t produce Y.A.C..
Brate isn’t a blocking T.E. so He doesn’t help in the run game.
Brate certainly has a role to play for the team.
Contrary to the “He lead the N.F.L. in T.D.s” crowd He is a role player not a every down T.E. that means adding a every down T.E. by definition is NOT nor should it ever be considered as a luxury pick to add a every down T.E..
Also, since you mentioned Agauyo as a bad pick. I’m not disputing that after the fact. What I will point out is the similarities of those people whose opinion of Brate and Agauyo can be reduced to a single stat. Brate “NFL leader blah blah blah” . Agauyo most accurate kicker in N.C.A.A. history. Exact same logic applied to two different players. Please don’t bother to claim that it’s different because of pro vs college . Both cases are the same because they rely on a singular data set that eliminates any and all additional information about the player in question.
The bottom line is stats are useful to exam a single aspect of a player’s contribution to the team. Allowing a single stat to dominate a player’s evaluation is not complex nor accurate in totality. If it was, would the Bucs mgmt and coaches draft a T.E.? No! But they did and I don’t believe that the collective actions of a group of well paid professionals is as questionable as the opinions of a non professional, amateur fan.