Reaching For An ILB

April 1st, 2019

Not a smart pick at No. 5.

Joe just doesn’t get it.

With the Bucs about to lose their only double-digit sack man since Simeon Rice, now is the perfect time for the Bucs to draft his eventual replacement in this month’s draft.

(Yes, this month!)

How many stiffs, frauds, ghosts and outright thieves have the Bucs gone through in their futile search for an edge rusher over the three different front office administrations before finally acquiring Jason Pierre-Paul? And Joe hasn’t even factored in Michael Bennett, who the Bucs ran off for no good reason.

Yet realistically, JPP, 30, won’t be here much longer. Given the Bucs’ salary cap pinch the Bucs, not to mention the future escalating salary of America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, it seems unlikely JPP will be with the Bucs past next year if he’s even on the roster in 2020.

So it would seem a natural the Bucs would land a generational edge rusher in this year’s draft sitting at No. 5.

But no! There are actually people walking among us that believe the Bucs are better off drafting an inside linebacker. Joe assumes this is because folks in this neck of the woods are so conditioned to not having a pass rusher they believe that to be the norm in the NFL.

Joe just doesn’t get it. Ray Nitschke is dead.

That brings Joe to this Devin White out of LSU. He’s expected to visit the Bucs, per Amie Just of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, who spoke with White yesterday.

Joe is confident this White will be a good player but will he be a transformative player, a guy who can change games, a guy who can carry a defense like Josh Allen (who could slip to the Bucs if all breaks right) or Montez Sweat? Not unless the Bucs plan to make him into an outside linebacker/pass rusher.

Just a little background: An inside linebacker has not been drafted in the top-five this century. And very few linebackers have been drafted in the top-five this century. Those that have been drafted have largely been pass rushers with the exception of LaVar Arrington or Aaron Curry.

In Joe’s eyes, drafting White at No. 5 is a reach. Given NFL draft history the past two decades, selecting White at No. 5 is flat out wrongheaded. A move that will cost the Bucs a significant amount of draft capital and/or Team Glazer loot in an attempt to find JPP’s replacement.

An edge rusher or an inside linebacker? Joe simply just cannot wrap his mind around the concept of folks thinking an inside linebacker is more important in a passing league.

106 Responses to “Reaching For An ILB”

  1. Warrenfb12 Says:

    I’m done with Licht if he takes LB at 5

  2. Duthsty Rhothdes Says:

    Go get white, I don’t get the “you cant draft a player at X spot in the draft” this makes no sense. The bucs have a need at LB and this guy is an eraser who runs sideline to sideline, why not take him at 5. Winning teams think outside the box in a sane and positive way towards helping the team, like the eagles, raiders, bears, chiefs and saints have been doing the past few years.

  3. Juststop Says:

    Insert Johnny Manziel hysteria you put us through.
    Leave us alone with the draft rebuttle you monster!

  4. rrsrq Says:

    Joe, how do you feel about trading back and getting Devin Bush, grab an extra pick a get a second round edge rusher like the guy from LaTech, missed the combine because he was trying to get another year of eligibility. Besides Noah Spence will be your next double digit sack guy

  5. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    I stop reading at Josh Allen can change a game. Same guy who was ghost against Georgia and all thru-out his highlights have to be untouched in order to sack QBs. Look man I wouldn’t cry a river if Devin White wasn’t drafted but I think I would i they drafted this fraud Josh Allen.

  6. Justafan Says:

    Dusty…so trade back, gain an pick and you can still take Devin Bush(4.43 40 vs White’s 4.41) in the 2nd round if you just have to have a LBer.

  7. Kybucs fan Says:

    Do you want good draft grade or win games. So if Ray Lewis was there at 5 we could not take him. Side it a reach

  8. tmaxcon Says:

    you can guarantee one thing whatever pick bucs do make it will be a huge reach or mistake… it’s a buc life. It is so very cute reading the optimists every morning even though down deep they really understand and accept this is a minor league franchise that will never compete for a championship again.

  9. Conte Piscatelli Says:

    A quick note Joe, for accuracy sake can we change to “America’s quarterback, former pro bowler, Jameis Winston”? Let’s face it he wasn’t at last year’s pro bowl, or been a perennial pro bowler. So I’ll give him the nod on former pro bowler. I just think it would remove any confusion.

  10. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    Now what intrigues me is the fact that the middle portion of the football field is of no importance to you. I mean if sacks correlated to more wins fine but do they really??? I think watching an edge rusher come around that corner just happens to be your favorite aspect of football. Pats win the Super Bowl seem like every year and they care less about sacks. Again Steelers and chief lead the league in sacks. Didn’t mean Ish at the end of the day.

  11. SCBucsFan Says:

    I’m not saying anything. Joe is in an awnry mood today.

  12. Duthsty Rhothdes Says:

    Justafan, devin bush will not be around in round 2….I just think with buchanan, david and then getting white you have 3 solid LBs that can run out there. The bucs will be playing with 5 dbs most of the time. I guess this pick would be different if the bucs had traded mccoy last year or already know that he will be released to save the $$ or if mccoy decides to change his contract to help the bucs out

  13. tmaxcon Says:

    if mccoy decides to change his contract to help the bucs out

    cancer93 is the most selfish buc of all time. he could careless about the team or winning…. it’s all about dolls and camera time for the cryin clown… you know better than to think he is a team guy

  14. BucThatNoise Says:

    You start throwing around phrases like ‘generational edge rusher’ and ‘transformative player’, I get a little nervous…this is a team that once drafted guys like Gaines Adams and Daquan Bowers, probably with those same helium-filled phrases. If that DE prototype of 6’5″+ height and 275+ lb. weight was an accurate predictor of success, then that guy riding the pine for KC (Passagnon) would be a Pro Bowler by now.

  15. Trust ba Says:

    I trust ba to make whatever pick will be the best for us. I will be happy regardless of who we pick. Just as long ad this d comes back to life this season. Stoked to see last years pick progress. Vitaman. With that said i think we are going d line. 😉

  16. Anonymous Says:

    ILB’s are no longer “Ray Nitschke’s.” That statement is true.

    Today’s ILB’s have to drop into coverage and defend RPO’s, sideline to sideline.

    The Bucs do not have that guy. Kwon Alexander played that position like a chicken with his head cut off.

    If you cannot defend the RPO, and if you cannot defend the short middle, today’s QB’s will pick you apart…just as they have done to the Bucs for the last 3+ years.

    A defense is much more than an edge rusher, and I do not diminish that position at all. But the ILB is a big hole for the team, and a guy like either Devin would fill that immediate need.

    Fact is the position that has most first-round busts are QB and DE. The Bucs have been there, over and over.

    If the “big three” are gone in the draft, either take White or trade back. But for God’s sake, do NOT reach for a DE.

  17. Defense Rules Says:

    Oh and to think that if we’d all listened to you Joe we could’ve had Johnny Manziel. Then all of this Good Jameis and Bad Jameis ‘stuff’ for the past 4 years would’ve been irrelevant. Oh wait, Johnny Football didn’t even last a year in the NFL. My bad.

    Selecting White at No. 5 may be “flat out wrongheaded” TO YOU, but to some of us it makes perfect sense. Among other things, the Bucs desperately need FIELD LEADERSHIP on defense. Your DE Montez Sweat won’t provide that, but ILB Devin White will. And besides, JPP is one tough dude & will probably play until he’s 35 or 36. Based on his PERFORMANCE last season, I’d say that he earned his money. No reason in the world for the Bucs not to keep him as long as he performs. Carl Nassib’s also going to come on this year, and I’ll go out on a limb and say that Will Gholston will also improve (IF the Bucs keep him of course). We certainly don’t have the depth I’d prefer, but we have to ‘fix’ our starting holes first. Draft Devin White at #5.

  18. Buccaneerscotty Says:

    It’s a very smart move! Besides the linebackers blitz the most in 3/4

  19. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    He reminds us JPP’s but hardly mentions Levante David being 29.

  20. TOM EDRINGTON Says:

    Joe(s): Don’t panic fellas, doesn’t matter what “folks” think, only thing that maters is Bucs brass and if they’re not on board with a rusher, well, who know, you’re telling us Arians is the best thing since sliced bread…..sooooo, stop with the ILB “panic”….

  21. Polkfan Says:

    It will be Devin or Oliver. BA has said that he wants to win now. If that’s his goal then white is the guy. And it even makes more sense with the plethora of Little Scat backs in this division. Idk if it’s just me but I’m tired of seeing dump offs go for 15+ because of inadequate coverage. That’s one place where Kwon lacked the most, Mcaffery and especially Kamara had his # since their 1st games in the league , with just about sub 4.4 speed at lb that stuff will be stopped if not limited for sure.

  22. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    I guess in your eyes Joe LBrs are basically irrelevant.

  23. Kybucs fan Says:

    Jamie just got trade to cinn

  24. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    BA said they will sometimes be deploying 4lbr and 4safety looks. But we shouldn’t be in hopes of a LBr. I guess we can just wait til the later rounds. Where has that methodology gotten us.

  25. FlBoy84 Says:

    Not opposed to adding an edge at #5, but not delusional enough to think any of the available ones will be a sure-fire “generational” talent. If Joe thinks he has any idea how any player will produce five years from now, he’s in the wrong business as a writer. Better get in the show bud. While there will be a few that hit, there will just as many busts as well in five years.

  26. Frank Pillow Says:

    Joe, I hope the point you’re attempting to make here is one of draft slotting relative to the value of the position being drafted. If so, you’re argument is that at pick #5 the Bucs should select a DL vs LB, then, at a high level, what you’re saying makes some sense.

    However, for years, I’ve heard you say that rookie DLs rarely make a significant impact early on. We certainly saw that with Vea and we’ve seen it with many, many other DTs and DEs drafted by this team and the other 31 teams over the years. The ones that flash right away seem to be the outliers, not the norm.

    Absent a run on QBs (plural) or some outright stupidity, if the Bucs remain at #5 they’re likely to end up with the 3rd or 4th best DL on the board. Is that PLAYER (not position) still worth more than White? In other words, shouldn’t the Bucs also factor in the caliber of player in as much as they’re also looking at positional value and team needs?

    This is all to say, sure, argue in favor of drafting DL all you want, but at least be a little bit objective about it. There’s certainly a legitimate argument to be made for drafting Devin White at #5. Please don’t short-change the potential for immediate from White as a stud ILB, a blitzer who can also track down backs and TEs up/down/across the field. A QB and alpha on a D that hasn’t had one of those in nearly a decade and a half.

  27. bucsfaninchina Says:

    Gotta go D line. If the big three aren’t there Ed Oliver or Montez Sweat would be fantastic additions.

  28. Doctor_berto Says:

    LOL at a mlb at 5. We sure do have the dumbest fan base.

  29. Z31 BUCS Says:

    ^ LOL, speak for yourself, Sherlock.

  30. 813bucboi Says:

    ed oliver….nuff said

    #REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!

  31. Loyaltotheend Says:

    Joe might need to watch some 3-4 defense film instead of dreaming about Rachel Watson

    LBs are very active in aggressive blitzing schemes

    Besides who is the generational DE talent in this draft? I don’t see a Peppers, Vonn Miller or Rice in this class. Besides any DE drafted will be playing LB in this scheme

  32. TOM Says:

    IMHO I think between Allen, White & Bush & it hurts me to say this being an Ohio St. fan but Bush may be the best of the three. Also of the D-Linemen i would take Williams or Oliver over Sweat.

  33. Eric Says:

    Ever heard of Luke Kuechly?

    Not taken in top five but one heck of a player including NFL defensive player of the year.

  34. 1sparkybuc Says:

    QB of the D > one single edge rusher

  35. 813bucboi Says:

    just because white plays MLB doesnt automatically make him a “field leader”…..lol….

    sweat, oliver, williams can all provide “field leadership” due to their play not because of their position…..

    leadership is something that has to be earned not given….when its given you get someone like GMC, someone who could care less about winning and more about having $100mil contract…..oops, white has already spilled the beans on that one…..

    #REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!

  36. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    Loyaltotheend it puzzles me that so many don’t seem to understand that bro. It seems as if they think 3/4 thing is a mere figment of the imagination.

  37. Polkfan Says:

    Yes Eric , I bet most of the teams in the top 5 that passed on luke want to go back to that night and redraft.

  38. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    OMG,now you folks are adding sweat the occasion. So all y’all care about is physically measurements right??? What these guy did when in competition against certain caliber of competition means nothing to some of you right.. A poster a week or so ago showed sweat’s production against the better teams on his schedule. He did nothing against the better teams and was marginal against the powderpuff.

  39. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    BucThatNoise you’ve provided me with clarity sir. You stated it best and now I can see it. These folks are smitten by certain physical measurements not production.

  40. Buc4evr Says:

    If Williams isn’t there at 5, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bucs draft Jawaan Taylor. ILB talk by the Buc’s could just be a typical draft misdirection.

  41. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    If anything looks like Simien Rice in they’re eyes he’ll do.

  42. 813bucboi Says:

    white isnt even on the same level as roquan smith imo…..and he was picked #8…..

    and guess why he was productive….because chicago has stock piled their dline….

    white is a great talent but we have:
    LVD
    K.minter
    D. Bucannon
    S.Barrett

    not stock piling the dline has hurt us for years….the panthers have done it….denver has done it….philly has done it…..saints are doing it…..

    bucs need to stop being late to the party….draft ed oliver or sweat….

    #REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!

  43. BuccOff Says:

    Quinnen. Williams.

    Neither Josh Allen nor Devin White will amount to what Quinnen is/will be, not even close.

    Done.

  44. Lord Cornelius Says:

    My issue with White at 5 is that he missed tackles and we’re hyping athleticism a lot which concerns me.

    If he truly = Luke Keuchly I’d be fine with him at 5.

    There isn’t really much depth at ILB in this draft, so philosophically I would understand trading back, taking a LB like White or Bush, then going all DL/OL in rounds 2/3 with the extra ammo you got in the trade back.

  45. Bucsfanman Says:

    Maybe, MAYBE one or two or even 5 of these top-rated defensive linemen are “generational talents”. How long are we prepared to wait for them to live up to that billing? Jadeveon Clowney, for instance, greatest thing since the invention of the wheel. Been in the NFL for what 4-5 years? Injured for one season and what? Sure, he’s a nice complementary piece but he’s no JJ Watt!
    In other words, we need an impact player on defense right NOW. Not in 2, 3, 4, or 5 years, we need them right freakin’ now!
    And, just for the record, draft picks are a gamble to begin with. There’s no way to translate college success to the pros.
    That said, the position with the least risk is LB. There’s a good chance that White will be a gameday starter for years to come. I wouldn’t dismiss this fact as we near closer to the draft. Also of note, linebackers have a larger role in 3-4 defenses.

  46. Joe Says:

    For the “trade back” crowd — Joe understands where you are coming from — the Bucs have a shot to get a beast to play for a decade. Why pass that up?

    Also, look no further than last year as to how a trade back could work out.

  47. BucNole Says:

    This is the draft to get DL
    If we stay at #5 I would be disappointed in taking a ILB over DL
    NOW – if we are able to trade back White might make a little more sense but I think you have to go Edge/DT #5

  48. Jerseybuc Says:

    The middle of the field was an oasis for running backs and receivers for the past few years. Was it Smiths scheme or just maybe a combo of that and our LBs poor play. Grab the best football player or trade back, but to say white is not worthy is crazy. Perfect fit for us.

  49. Steve@Tattoobowling Says:

    Here’s what I don’t understand.

    What makes you so sure that Allen is a better football player then White. From everything that Ive read, most people view White as the better prospect then Allen.

    Allen is not viewed as a generational edge rusher….nor is Bosa for that matter.

    With all the whiffs this franchise has had in the draft, Id be happy with them simply taking a really good football player that sticks.

  50. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    A for all those Pro Devin White he in studio on First Take tomorrow.

  51. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    Steve if he looks Simien Rice in pads they feel he’ll play like him. When I view him I see nothing of the sorts.

  52. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    Someone else’s post just dawned on. Joe you expect Josh Allen to be a traditional DE??? Meaning rush from three point stance??? I see a lot of two point stance in his highlights. That’s his only shot,he look like a fish out of water when being engaged rushing the QB.

  53. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    Now Joe if you’re saying you see a great 3/4 olb rusher okay I get it,but you mention JPP eventual replacement. He’s not that.

  54. Cobraboy Says:

    I posted as “anonymous” above. In the NFC South, if you don’t have an answer for McCaffrey and Kamara, you will never win the division, period. Between scheme and a MLB who couldn’t cover a pothole, those guys ate the Bucs alive.

    While Joe obsesses over JPP’s age, few mention that McCoy needs to also be replaced.

    If I had a choice I’d take Williams.

    My draft board priorities would look like this:
    Williams
    Bosa
    Allen
    White

    If I can’t get one of those, I try trading back. If I can’t pull that off, I go Sweat and try to pull off a trade to get Bush.

    I am not a fan of Ed Oliver. Tweeners have a poor record of success in the NFL.

  55. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    As for the Ed Oliver / Quinnen Williams crowd can you provide any footage of either playing 3/4 DE.. Cause I know your not suggesting either coming off the field when we’re not in nickle. See,niether of those guys are taking Vea’s spot as the 3/4 nose tackle his 6’5 346lbs frame perfect that ish. So are you suggesting we draft someone at 5 to play part time or never considering offense dictates defensive personnel. If they don’t go three wide we prolly won’t be in a nickle. So your guy will be helping us win how??? Holding a clipboard maybe.

  56. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    All you folks gotta do is YouTube the 2018 new York Jets defense. Hell I think you’ll be hard press to another pre snap look other than 3/4.

  57. Greg Says:

    It always surprises me when I agree with Joe. Is this an April fools thing? This is the best D-line class maybe ever in the NFL. You can get a good linebacker in the 2nd or 3rd round of any draft. The Bucs have been desperate for a decade. If they dont grab a premier pass rusher in this draft fire everybody.

  58. Negative Nancy Says:

    Keep JPP, draft Dwayne Haskins, and ditch Winston. Problem solved.

  59. Lord Cornelius Says:

    Also, look no further than last year as to how a trade back could work out.”

    Yeah we would have had Vita Vea & Ronald Jones instead of Vea/Jones/Davis/Stewart…

    Thank god we traded back lol.

  60. Easy Says:

    This Joe already looks like hes on the verge of having a stroke and if they draft White it just might push him over the edge. Joe, you said if they draft White at 5 you are thru with this team. Are you a man of your word???

  61. GoBucsinOhio Says:

    Gary could play end in a 3-4 and nickel, so he would never have to leave the field. Perfect pick for what were moving to. He has the most potential of any player in this draft. I think todd bowles could mold him into a beast of a player.

  62. Lord Cornelius Says:

    We also netted trades to get Cappa using our additional capital to trade back again at one point if I recall…

    SO to be clear – if we did NOT trade back last year – we likely get Vea/Rojo and who knows in R3 because we didn’t have the capital we used to get Cappa in this scenario

    Vs Vea/Rojo/Stewart/Davis/Cappa

    I like the odds of one of those 3 guys who had no impact last year (Cappa/Stewart/Rojo) doing something this year vs just having Rojo and no starting CB in Davis .

    If we can trade back to 10-15 we should still be able to net an immediate impact player in THIS specific draft. You have to look at each year differently and this draft doesn’t drop off at 5.. There are a “big 3” and then another very large pool of equally rated prospects. At 15 you can likely still get Brian Burns for example and he has Aldon Smith upside and for all we know will be the better pro than Sweat. Maybe you get Devin Bush who actualy ends up being better than Devin White. Or if Jonah Williams is there then boom you just fixed your right side of the OL with what will probably be an instant pro bowler.

    Too many good players to be scared of trading down.

  63. AlteredEgo Says:

    Getting a OL or DL is a higher priority …Cody Ford…even at 5

  64. Buc4evr Says:

    White is not a number 5 pick. Bucs need Right OT help more this year and Taylor is part of the answer to our lack of a running game.

  65. Jeff Says:

    Arians won’t let Light mess this up. Bucs will grab and edge rusher.

  66. Polkfan Says:

    People don’t understand, Quinnen is NOT making it to #5

  67. Polkfan Says:

    Perfect draft for me 1st – Devin/Oliver 2nd – Armani/Deandre Backer. These picks would fill needs and most likely be BPA as well.

  68. SOEbuc Says:

    I agree with BA that Levonte is still one of the best in the game at age 29. He’s been the best defensive player on this team for a long time until JPP showed up last year. Think if LVD was put into a good defensive scheme, he would still be straight up shut down, pro bowl LVD. I also don’t think he’s running out of gas any time soon.

    The Butkus Award winning White gives off the same type of “in no way could be a bust if not have multiple pro bowl years” type of feeling.

    LVD and White would equal two field crossing killers with amazing blitzing abilities. And might I mention they’d be blitzing behind at least Vita Vea at this point. BE F-ING SWEAT!

    Sorry about your ILB being drafted in this century numbers Joe, but this guy is legit.

  69. Cgmaster27v Says:

    @polkfan, noone thought oj would make it to 16 either and he did. It’s always a possibility

  70. tnew Says:

    The situation is simple. Kyler Murray will be drafted in top 5. If no-one trades up to get into the top 5 for the next favorite QB, the Bucs get to auction the pick so that the next team that wants a QB gets to jump the Giants.

    If two QB’s are gone early, then Allen, Williams or Bosa is on the board and that is the pick.

    There it is.

  71. Sunday_44 Says:

    I’m just not sold on Allen being a generational player or anything.
    I think if Bosa or Williams is at 5 it’s a no brainer, but outside of those 2, white is the next guaranteed STUD on this draft board.

    Watching Kwon take horrible angles sealed the deal for me.
    Sure a 3-4 lends itself to less out of position LBers, but watching Devin White with a delayed blitz, INSIDE, is a thing of Pure Beauty.

    Dude might seriously be the next 10 sack guy on our team.

    Too many people are still thinking traditional 4-3 when thinking about this draft. Guys are going to be coming from EVERYWHERE, and yes, ILB is one of those.

  72. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Warrenfb12 Says:
    April 1st, 2019 at 10:04 am
    “I’m done with Licht if he takes LB at 5”

    Well, that’s not going to be an issue. Bruce Arians is making the picks. So blame him if you don’t like it.

    Btw, aren’t LBs pass rushers in a 3-4?

  73. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Lavante David has not been the best player on this team. Mike Evans has been.

  74. Lord Cornelius Says:

    @tnew

    Yeah this is basically like last year where if the big 3 are gone we should have a trade market for that 2nd QB..

    Giants @ 6
    Broncos @ 10
    Bengals @ 11
    Dolphins @ 13
    Redskins @ 15

    That’s enough teams that could use a QB to create a market.

    I kind of like the Bengals as an ideal partner. Giants seem intent on sticking with Manning and I’m not sure I buy Denver going QB this year. Thinking Cincy/Miami/Washington are our best bets.

    Should be able to net another 2 and either a 3 or 2 next year or something which would be worth it IMO

  75. No expert Says:

    @Kybucs you mentioned The Ray Lewis. We drafted 2. Defensive ends in 1996 before Ray came off the boards. I think their names were Marcus Jones and Regan Upshaw. I wish we had that one back. Boles has been a 3-4 guy I think. What 4 linebackers do we have? Can Spence be a rush linebacker maybe he would be better suited out of a 7 or wide 9.

  76. Ghingus Kwon Says:

    and Ronald Jones was the second coming….

  77. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    #REPOST

    LUVMYBUCS Says:
    November 20th, 2018 at 7:39 am←

    Imagine walking out of the 1st Round w/both

    Quinnen Williams, DL, Alabama

    &

    Jeffery Simmons, DL, Mississippi State

    Smh, Good Lawd.

    The crazy thing is if by some miracle Quinnen Williams falls to us.
    And Jeffery Simmons is still on the board in the 2nd round – this sh!t can really happen.

    DT Quinnen Williams
    NT Vita Vea
    DE Jeffery Simmons

    Young Hogs

  78. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    BucinOhio thank you bro,you gave me a name and an opinionated thought to support your belief in what you stated.

  79. Jamaal Stanley Says:

    Okay LUV at least you have the courage to place Q outside at 3/4 DE. Which I think he could excel at. You’re coming on here making yourself look silly as if Vea isn’t already on this roster. You know a 1st round interior DLinemen from last years draft class.

  80. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Talented 1st Round Prospects (Comparison)

    DT Quinnen Williams
    NT Vita Vea
    DE Jeffery Simmons

    vs

    DT Richard Seymour
    NT Vince Wilfork
    DE Ty Warren

  81. Adrnagy Says:

    In a shocking move, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have acquired Andy Dalton and a third round pick from the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for Jameis Winston.

  82. Anonymous Says:

    You can’t draft an inside lb there simply for cap reasons , can’t do it !!

  83. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Jamaal,

    U do realize the Patriots drafted
    * Richard Seymour – 2001 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6
    * Ty Warren – 2003‎ / Round: 1 / Pick: 13
    * Vince Wilfork – 2004‎ / Round: 1 / Pick: 21

    O …Ok

    I’m down with phuckery.
    So gon’ continue with your daily diatribe young pimp.

  84. Anonymous Says:

    White wouldn’t have even been the top middle linebacker the past two drafts but people are saying he’s generational lol

  85. Anonymous Says:

    Williams and White are perhaps the 2 “safest” picks that will be chosen top 10.

    My hope is that the Bucs will wind up with one of those 2 players through whatever means.

    MLB is a bigger “need” currently – but you don’t pass on a DL prospect like Williams if given the opportunity to draft him without overpaying.

    Bosa and Allen both have weaknesses in their capabilities that will have to be overcome in order to have great success at the next level. Bosa is top 5 worthy. Allen is not IMO. Too much risk with a pick like that when you already have a couple good end/pass rushers under contract.

    If Williams is off the board at 5 – I would prefer to see the Bucs trade down 2-3 spots to get an extra pick and hopefully still select White.

    Or better yet – trade down 8-10 spots and nab Devin Bush in the mid first round – then proceed to draft a Guard, DT and Edge rusher all in the 2nd round with the extra draft capital acquired. BPA at OT, RB or CB in the 3rd round.

  86. Bucsfanman Says:

    LUV droppin’ knowledge like Galileo dropped an orange!
    LUV, in a perfect world brother. I just don’t think Q drops to us. You ain’t worried about Simmons’ ACL?

  87. Anonymous Says:

    LUV that’d be insane lol

  88. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Bucsfanman

    Whats bredren?

    Yeah In a perfect world. It could. But hey one can only dream right!
    An sure I’m a little concerned, about the ACL. But he’s young and trains like a savage. So he should be good.

  89. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Whats good bredren?

  90. Bucsfanman Says:

    Not for nothing, but that would be a BEASTLY d-line!
    And, with Simmons, we could afford to integrate him slowly with Nassib and JPP still here.
    There’s a lot of love for that Oliver kid though and my source, YOU, haven’t really said much. What’s your thought on drafting Oliver or Sweat over White? Vice-versa?

  91. JimmyJack Says:

    This article takes on the premise that a MLB cannot be a game changer.
    So it’s flawed logic……….even goes so far to say that Allen or Sweat are gamechangers……..let me know which NFL they changed your talking about.

    I do agree that you are looking for a game changer……All Pro level at #5. The player(person) will determine that. Not the position.

  92. DB55 Says:

    The Bucs should trade up to get Williams just like they should have traded up last year to get Nelson.

  93. Architek79 Says:

    Would you take Keuchly at 5???

    Relax Joe the draft is not and never have been an exact science.

    Just take the best available that fits and also addresses a need and support the team; that’s all you can do!

  94. Anonymous Says:

    Good example LUV,it’s a little outdated but good none-the-less. I say it’s outdated because somewhere along the lines Belichess realized you didn’t need studs like Seymour for the scheme to be effective. Belichess’s 3/4 could careless about sacks they way folks round here thirst for them. To me Belichess views a sack like wasted football play. Now if you’re gonna use the Patriots model then to me you should be in favor of Devin White because he makes sure D’onta Hightower stays in place.

  95. TDTB Says:

    Who do the Joes predict will be available at 5 that is a transformative DL/DE? Absent a QB run, Williams, Bosa and Allen should be off the board. The Bucs can try and trade back (and I think they should), but the Lions and Bengals are potential landing spots for White if the Bucs don’t take him. That means you have to stay in front of them, or roll the dice that you get Burns, Gary, Sweat or Simmons later. The question isn’t whether White is worth a number 5 pick. The question is whether White would have a bigger impact on the Bucs than Burns, Gary, Sweat or Simmons. Lots of opinions on that, but my gut says White will have the bigger impact on this team (not necessarily another team) than the other later DL/DE options.

  96. Bkyrdbob77 Says:

    Taking a “cant miss generational” inside linebacker cant be worse than taking a “cant miss generational” kicker in the 2nd right?

  97. Buc4eva Says:

    Oliver is looking more and more like a really good pick at 5. The dude is a monster. You could line him up anywhere. That would be a good pick.

  98. Bkyrdbob77 Says:

    I meant to say ilb at the 5th pick, but I jacked it up. My snarky observation blew up in my face. I just wanted to point out that JL doesnt have a good history of taking positions earlier than normal.

  99. Anonymous Says:

    I’m staying away from the Patriot model (3/4) for a reason. That’s waaaaayy too much untapped ammunition to support my argument.

  100. Anonymous Says:

    Do you seriously want the next maybe de. Or do you want a surefire best freakin line backer ive watched play for the past 3 yrs. Ill take the next ray lewis over your next dequan bowers anyday. Bet on white. Rookie of the year. For sure.

  101. Collins Says:

    Do you seriously want the next maybe de. Or do you want a surefire best freakin line backer ive watched play for the past 3 yrs. Ill take the next ray lewis over your next dequan bowers anyday. Bet on white. Rookie of the year. For sure.

  102. scox17 Says:

    Please please don’t even mention Sweat to the Bucs at 5. I do NOT care that he ran a 4.4. You hardly see it on the field. His hands are lazy, doesn’t really have any pass rushing moves nor a plan when he comes off the ball. So what he’s physically imposing….so is Gholston and so…and he’s fast. Look I’m not looking for a guy to catch a defender down the field, if he has to do that then he didn’t do his job in the first place.

  103. hamilton Says:

    take white at 5 is a good pick,hardy change this def back in day at lb.

  104. Tc Says:

    To me linemen are becoming irrelevant. With rpo and 3 step drop backs linemen can’t even get to the qb’s. What did Aaron Donald do in the super bowl? I want a great free safety as the last line of defense and covers everything over the top and a great middle linebacker who covers the whole middle sideline to sideline. White does 3 things: he covers, he tackles and he can blitz. He is a sure thing!

  105. D1 Says:

    Jamaal,

    NE didn’t have the sacks but they were ranked 6th in most QB pressures.
    LAR, ranked 1st.

  106. Christopher Schiefen Says:

    Because Joe, again, notice who Belichick doesn’t bother to keep? Richard Seymour, Chandler Jones, Trey Flowers. Who does he makes sure is always on the team? Tedy Bruschi, Jerod Mayo, Kyle Van Noy, Dont’a Hightower. Quickest way to the QB isn’t on the edge, it’s up the middle.