Kevin Davidson & The Bucs
April 5th, 2020
So twice the story has been out there about iconic 81-year-old Buccaneers quarterback guru Tom Moore getting ordered to leave One Buc Palace on the day the facility closed because of the pandemic while Moore was breaking down film of a college QB.
You can hear Bucs QB coach Clyde Christensen tell the story in the current Ira Kaufman Podcast episode.
In another recent interview, Christensen shared the anecdote and said he thought it was the Princeton quarterback Moore was watching.
That would be Kevin Davidson.
Davidson is a project. It’s almost impressive that he got invited to the NFL Scouting Combine after just 11 starts in the Ivy League. But various reports say he has elite accuracy and touch and a real fearlessness in the pocket.
(Joe also read Davidson dined with retired Armed forces commander and former Director of the CIA David Petraeus to interview him for his 80-page senior thesis. So that’s pretty cool.)
Maybe Davidson is a sixth-round pick. Czar of the Playbook draft guru Emory Hunt called him a late-fourth-round pick to the Bucs.
Joe knows the Bucs would be dumb not to get fresh blood in the building at quarterback this season, at least on the practice squad. Once upon a time Tom Brady himself was a fourth-string quarterback developing alongside Drew Bledsoe.
Here’s a look at Davidson below:
Got confirmation earlier today that Tom Moore, Bucs offensive consultant and iconic quarterback guru, had to be pulled away from scouting QB film on the day the Bucs shut down their office. pic.twitter.com/vqxlMSWSZi
— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) March 27, 2020
April 5th, 2020 at 10:52 am
This is the kind of guy I’d like to take a shot at in the draft. The legendary Paul Brown…I’m prejudiced as originally being from Greater Cincinnati where he gave us the NFL..and for years prior watching his Cleveland Browns.
The man brought lots of innovation to the league…he invented the facemask…and he pioneered giving prospects IQ tests…now the Wunderlic.
He believed “smarts” were a major asset for any NFL player but especially at QB!
THIS is the kind of kid who could benefit from Brady tutelage because of similarities in their games. Drafting a R/O QB and thinking Brady can show them anything is just stupid.
And how can we not enjoy Tom Moore at 81 still in LOVE with his job!!!
April 5th, 2020 at 10:55 am
Every draft we have fans that make a grocery list, position to round, such as:
1st) Tackle
2nd) RB
3rd) DT
4th) WR
4th) OG
5th) RB
6th) QB
Anyway, it never winds up being like this (look at last year, some guys had their grocery list with 3 OL, we didn’t take any). So I’ll just be happy with whoever the Bucs take.
April 5th, 2020 at 10:55 am
BTW I’m seeing a lot of mocks with us taking Eason in the 2nd…we have a far greater need at OT and RB than at QB. I hope we do not waste that much draft capital this year on the QB spot…a 4th round shot is a perfect spot to make our gamble…and lets be honest…even Eason or the others are a gamble as well.
April 5th, 2020 at 10:55 am
It would be such a wasted opportunity to not draft a q.b. to sit and learn from arguably the greatest q.b. ever. And preferably learn from him for 2 years not just 1.
April 5th, 2020 at 10:59 am
Joe
I’m with you! Like all fans I have my preferences but ultimately I trust the BA regime.
I’m seeing more mocks with us taking Javon Kinlaw at #14 because the OT’s will be gone by then. Guy is a huge beast in the middle and rotating him into the mix with Vita and Suh would pretty much insure the middle of our D line for years to come.
As you suggest Joe a lot depends on how the cookie crumbles…if the top 4 OT’s are gone…who knows…and that could start the dominoes falling in our draft.
April 5th, 2020 at 11:01 am
Make no mistake , no one wants this season more than the Bucs to start on time.
Pressure is on for two face Bruce and licht to find “another Qb starter. “ 1-2 yrs from now. Project no -ready yes. And if this season is postponed the race is on…everything will shift to find the future qb. Forget oline.rb. Dline.
April 5th, 2020 at 11:02 am
stpetebucsfan Says
“BTW I’m seeing a lot of mocks with us taking Eason in the 2nd…”
I disagree that Running back is more important than quarterback. In fact, I think we go after a traditional fullback later in the draft, rather than a RB.
It is important to get a young QB in the building because both Arians and Brady are here on borrowed time. The more development the better.
I do agree that OL is more important than QB though, unless Tua falls to us, which would be a miracle.
So far as Eason, there are a lot of mocks which have him going in the first round, after we pick.
Truthfully, I could see us taking him if he is there, then trading back into the bottom of the first for OL. The reason this seems feasible is because outside of the top 4, the RTs available could fall to the top of the second round…and it is unlikely that one of the top 4 fall to us in the first.
Another advantage to taking a QB in the first round? Length of contract.
April 5th, 2020 at 11:03 am
Id take a flier on him maybe fourth round.Doesnt matter where he is.projected to.go.all that matter is how good you think he will be.If hes that good take.advamtage of his 6th rnd grade and take him.a round earlier.
April 5th, 2020 at 11:03 am
Kevin Davidson would be a good late option though…I guess. Tom Moore is obviously looking for a diamond in the rough.
April 5th, 2020 at 11:05 am
He’s a good sized kid, has had real nice early life coaching (Maurice Jones-Drew), makes good decisions w/ the ball & was smart enough to get a Princeton degree.
A descent UDFA / Late Late Day 3 talent….A practice squad QB that could be a roster worthy BU in 2yrs….However, his tiny hands are a ball security nightmare waiting to happen.
From what I’ve seen…Herbert is the only QB worth dealing up to #4 (NYG) to stick in the cupboard & learn from TB12. Future face of a franchise for a decade, 4yrs starter @ Oregon, mature w/ ZERO red flags, high level production @ big-time program/conference/competition level, ideal size, athleticism & top wonderlic in QB group.
April 5th, 2020 at 11:06 am
thats why imo I have two draft scenarios.
1. Kinlaw. Or 1. Tua
Let tua get better and learn patiently behind 1-2 yrs Brady. If you go tua it will cost some picks.
April 5th, 2020 at 11:06 am
If we are selecting a QB in the later rounds of the draft I would rather have Nate Stanley from Iowa. He is also a project except he is 6’4” 245 lbs and can throw it deep on a rope. Check out his film.
https://youtu.be/0A23Vq2UBPw
April 5th, 2020 at 11:11 am
Bonzai- You and I have been banging the drum for a FB for a long time. An AJ Dillon could be had later in the draft but if a “beast” like Dobbins falls to you outside of round 1, how do you pass that up?
This will certainly be an interesting draft. I have to believe that the two “primary” targets will be OL and QB. OL is obvious as is QB if you look at it through the lens of an “apprenticeship”. We have to find the right guy though. No more “shiny object syndrome”! Vet the players, please.
April 5th, 2020 at 11:19 am
I actually was checking him out yesterday….threw a lot of picks against Ivy League DB’s..just saying
April 5th, 2020 at 11:20 am
Tom Moore has the nuts. I’d do whatever he recommends.
April 5th, 2020 at 11:25 am
Stpetebucsfan: Agreed. Glad you’re feeling better, Sir!
April 5th, 2020 at 11:25 am
If we take a late round QB it should be Nate Stanley from Iowa. 6’4” 245 lbs have a cannon arm and is very mobile for his size.
April 5th, 2020 at 11:41 am
Sorry for the re-post my first comment disappeared…
April 5th, 2020 at 12:06 pm
Can’t go wrong with Smart. His accuracy is impressive. Does heavy schoolwork while preparing for the combine, and being a long shot at that. That’s mental toughness.
I imagine he would use his time in the QB room wisely. For peanuts.
April 5th, 2020 at 12:23 pm
Bucsfanman … Dobbins in Rnd 2 and Dillon with one of our Rnd 4 picks. Someone else will snatch him up if we wait until Rnds 5 or 6.
April 5th, 2020 at 12:24 pm
Question on Jacob Eason, from Lindy’s Draft magazine, “Scouts at the Senior Bowl shared that there are concerns as to his commitment and leadership dating back to high school”. This reminds me of Blake Bortles or Ryan Mallett. We’re not privy to a lot of information that the NFL has, so we’ll see what NFL teams think once the Draft rolls around.
April 5th, 2020 at 12:25 pm
I agree with marine buc Nate Stanley looks like a late 4th or 5th round option. His stats are very similar to Tom Brady when he was in college.
April 5th, 2020 at 12:31 pm
@ Joe in mich
Eason has the physical tools but the major red flag I see is his accuracy under pressure. He ranked #76 out of 92 NCAA QBs graded. This is not good. Every throw in the NFL will be under pressure.
April 5th, 2020 at 1:06 pm
Right, Marine Buc. That too.
April 5th, 2020 at 1:09 pm
We know Tom Moore has been watching plenty of film. I’d rather have a 3rd day QB, but we’ll see.
April 5th, 2020 at 1:22 pm
Tom Brady is proof you don’t have to have all the physical tools to be a great quarterback. Just smart, accurate and don’t turn the ball over.
April 5th, 2020 at 1:44 pm
Bonzai
Perhaps the source of our disagreement at QB is Gabbert. Like BA I believe he is a competent BACKUP based on his 2015 #’s with the Niners. I realize this is a minority view…but BA has it so that’s where we are.
I think a flier on Davidson is exactly the kind of player we should be eyeing.
We had the #1 pick in the entire draft when there were TWO can’t miss #1’s and we all had to debate MM or JW….Neither were worth the draft capital wasted on them…my point being…even Burrow is a gamble..so is Tua and after that throw a blanket over them…they could all easily bust just as much as Davidson.
If we’re doing this for the benefit of Brady’s tutelage Davidson is perfect! His style resembles Brady…a very cerebral QB with accuracy and touch. I do not see us getting a running QB to have Brady mentor…he would have nothing to offer.
April 5th, 2020 at 1:59 pm
Nothing to see here folks
Princeton vs Darmouth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBm-Ockx0xs
Can’t handle pressure
April 5th, 2020 at 2:00 pm
DARTmouth
April 5th, 2020 at 2:01 pm
a perfect specimen to sit behind brady and sponge off him for 2-3 years…
#SopUpTheGravyYungKidd
April 5th, 2020 at 2:06 pm
Wesley – how many QBs left New England after playing behind Brady and went on to be Pro Bowlers? Zero! There is no need to waste a draft pick prior to the 4th round on some scrub who probably has a ceiling of back up QB in the NFL. We are in win now mode.
April 5th, 2020 at 2:12 pm
BradyBunch
JW is frequently credited with being Pro Bowl for being an alternate.
That means Jimmy Garoppolo is a QB mentored by Brady who reached the pro bowl…more importantly he reached the SB!
Jacoby Brissett has started two of the last three years…jury is still out on how good he might be.
Those are the two most recent examples and Garoppolo raved about the chemistry behind Brady and including one year with Brissett in that same QB group.
April 5th, 2020 at 2:25 pm
It doesn’t matter who we draft at the quarterback position he’s going to suck as soon as he come to Tampa . Because if he’s not a hall of Famer by year 3 then yall will be begging them to cut him just like the rest of the quarterbacks that came to Tampa . We don’t developed quarterbacks in Tampa .
April 5th, 2020 at 2:31 pm
Stepetebucsfan Jimmy G was carried by a good defense and a good running game . Why are you giving him credit for 1 good game and hand the ball off ?? What happened when they stop running the ball he couldn’t do nothing . Yall keep thinking that all you need is a quarterback . Lol lol lol yall don’t know nothing about football man ….
April 5th, 2020 at 2:39 pm
@catcard 202:
You likely won’t want me agreeing with you, but I hope we trade up for Justin Herbert.
tickrdr
April 5th, 2020 at 3:09 pm
Really
April 5th, 2020 at 3:34 pm
I’m a big fan of this Anthony Gordon out of Wa.St.
The kid just seems to love to play football Imma be A come right project bring in as well it gets a lot of attention from some of the lesser-known gurus but I think whoever did whatever team he falls with would definitely be getting a talent there
April 5th, 2020 at 3:36 pm
This is a very deep QB draft. In the fourth round there will be at least four QB prospects available. Any of the four are more consistent than Herbert, Eason, or Love.
They are Morgan, Gordon, Stanley and Davidson.
Of the four my fav is Morgan. FIU plays a pro set offense and Morgan had it down.
Any of the four will work out better than Minshew did up in Jax. The Bucs do need some new blood, but they also need some better perspective. Gabbert looked horrid last preseason while Griffin led the NFL.
I would like to see three QBs on the team, Brady, Griffin, and a drafted guy. Make Gabbert into a coach.
April 5th, 2020 at 4:02 pm
unPAC w/ Brock Huard – WSU’s Gordon shows Senior skill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTF7PbGFF6U
April 5th, 2020 at 4:06 pm
QB Anthony Gordon
Full Highlights 2019.09.21 vs UCLA – 9 TDs, RECORD BREAKING PERFORMANCE!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgaEwfsQ2tc
April 5th, 2020 at 4:38 pm
Don’t waste a pick on QB. Name me two QBs selected on day 3 that have had an impact, started 8-10 years and not named Brady in the last 20 years. Exactly. It doesn’t work out. Get everything else, then go all in for a QB of the future in the 1st rd of 2021.
There are only 3 sure hits (assuming Tua doen’t get hurt) this year. Love peaks out at back up. Eason is a maybe and Hurt has a shot as a 3rd round pick. Forget all QBs on day 3.
April 5th, 2020 at 4:52 pm
The diamond in the rough is Anthony Gordon out of Washington State. Has all the tools. He just needs everything we can offer him and that’s sitting behind Brady
April 5th, 2020 at 5:30 pm
Kevin Davidson will be a success in life, with or without football.
April 5th, 2020 at 6:19 pm
Maybe better than Griffin for a #3.
I’d prefer a doable project like Eason. For all the smarts and arm, Davidson is not a particularly agile athlete. But I have scant film to make a better judgment.
April 5th, 2020 at 6:21 pm
Gonna have to watch some film aka YouTube highlights.
April 5th, 2020 at 8:22 pm
LUV
As you know I defer to you in all things draft. Gordon it is…when is he projected to go? I do want an OL and stud RB before any QB.
April 5th, 2020 at 9:25 pm
After review I am fine with Stanley as a late draft QB to understudy with Brady.
When I saw Washington St. I wasn’t impressed with Gordon.
April 6th, 2020 at 2:20 am
1-OT
2-RB (Akers or Helaire )
3- DLine or DB
4- QB Fromm
That was one mock draft I saw approximately. Princeton kid sounds good too, I’m the 5th Rd.
Smart with accuracy and pocket presence… Three most important things in a quarterback along with leadership.