Big news for Bucs fans; sad news for the haters.

Team Glazer has rewarded Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik with a four-year contract extension, the Bucs just announced moments ago.

“It’s been a pleasure working with and getting to know Mark, so it’s gratifying to witness his success,” Bucs Co-Chairman Joel Glazer said in a statement released by the club. “Mark is dedicated to delivering the winner our fans deserve.”

“I’m appreciative of the confidence the Glazer family has in the direction of the franchise,” Dominik said in the same release. “I’m looking forward to working into my 20th year as a proud part of this community and organization. The mission is to continue building this team into a lasting contender and to bring championships back to the Tampa Bay area.”

And just how is Dominik celebrating his new contract? He’s playing golf with Joe’s good friend “The Big Dog,” Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620 in the Chris Thomas golf tournament, raising money for the Suncoast Hospice Foundation.

Joe stands up and offers a golf clap. No general manager in the NFL has had a more profound positive impact on his team the past two years than Dominik. He has proved to be an uncanny draft guru who apparently puts in loads of hours into research, going so far as to interview Little League coaches of potential draftees and query agents about other players.

In recent weeks of dark news concerning the labor tug-of-war and Aqib Talib’s legal hassles, this is more than refreshing news.

Now Joe knows Bucs fans slam their half-full bottles of beer on the table in absolute disgust over the play of the Bucs linebackers.

The posterchild for many Bucs fans’ angst is of course Barrett Ruud. In short, fans want Ruud to be what he cann’t nor will never be, no matter that he very could be the most important cog in the Bucs defense, maybe more valuable than troubled Aqib Talib.

Another linebacker Bucs fans grumble about is outside linebacker Quincy Black. Pretty much handed a starting job last year, Black, with the naked eye, doesn’t seem to make too many plays for a starting NFL linebacker.

Nathan Jahnke of ProFootballFocus.com strongly disagrees. He believes Black will be the next Bucs linebacker superstar since Derrick Brooks was jettisoned.

His contract has expired, but it would make sense for the Buccaneers to make a serious run at keeping him in town. Black was one of only three 4-3 outside linebackers with positive ratings in run stopping, pass rush, pass coverage and penalties this season; James Anderson and Keith Bulluck being the other two.

Tampa was hit hard by injuries this past season, but with everyone healthy in 2011, they’ll have a lot of important pieces in place. Stylez White and Gerald McCoy looked good as pass rushers, Geno Hayes is a solid weak side linebacker (at least on pass downs,) and Ronde Barber and Aqib Talib (baring legal problems) are a good tandem at cornerback.

The emergence of Quincy Black in 2010 was a big part of the Buccaneers defensive success, and if they are able to bring him back, he’ll be part of a defense that continues to rise. If he leaves Tampa Bay, he’ll boost a 4-3 defense elsewhere.

Joe wonders if this Jahnke character works for Black’s agent. Now Joe knows this is just one play, but last year against the Rams running back Steven Jackson was running up the middle. There was a massive hole opened by the Rams offensive line.

But just beyond the hole was Black. The Bucs linebacker stood in his tracks, waiting for Jackson to come to him rather than firing and plugging the hole. Jackson, perhaps the most underrated running back in the NFL, ran a complete half-circle to Black’s left, absolutely running around Black who never laid a finger on Jackson.

It was both a beautiful play by Jackson and a bad play by Black. NFL running backs are not going to come to you. Plug the hole!

If Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik — who knew a lockout was brewing — didn’t feel the urge to sign Black (yet), maybe that’s a sign that Black isn’t quite as talented as Jahnke would lead people to believe.

"Man, while you're playing golf with Duemig Monday, I'm sweating bullets over a defensive end."

Last year the Bucs pass rush was horrid. There’s no denying the simple facts.

As eye-RAH! Kaufman points out, only the brutal Broncos generated less sacks than the Bucs.

But that will change in 2011, Raheem Morris says you can bank on it. In speaking with the Tampa Tribune, Morris is adamant the Bucs will soil more quarterback’s jerseys than last year.

“We don’t point fingers, we don’t point blame, we find ways to get better,’’ Morris said. “To invest in the two D-line coaches that we were able to acquire will be a big help in making the players we have on our roster better. We’re also looking to acquire talent in the draft and free agency and we’re very confident we’ll be able to get better up front.’‘

Former Vikings Pro Bowl defensive tackle Keith Millard, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1989, will share coaching duties with former Arizona State defensive line coach Grady Stretz. Tampa Bay used its first two 2010 draft choices on defensive tackles and Morris is optimistic both Gerald McCoy and Brian Price will be major contributors after injury-marred rookie seasons.

“Usually with defensive linemen, it’s Year 2 or Year 3 that they really develop,’’ Morris said. “You stay with your fundamental core beliefs and you’ll get better. McCoy had a two-sack game and got hurt. I was really looking forward to him exploding onto the scene and finishing that process strong. When I watch the tape, I see a lot of splash plays by Michael Bennett. I see McCoy getting better and I see Price being dynamic when he played. It’s very exciting when you think about getting those guys back and bringing in two D-line coaches to get the most out of them.’‘

Of course, things should markedly improve. Brian Price should be healthy. GMC should be healthy. The Bucs actually have quality new defensive line coaches in place, one given the stamp of approval by no less than Warren Sapp himself.

Of course, the haters have zero patience for guys like GMC, especially since he began to put up numbers and disrupt when he quick listening to Todd Wash. Joe wonders if these same haters wanted to scalp Sapp after his rookie season?

Good guy Stephen Holder discusses how the lockout and the freezing of player transactions by teams will influence Bucs rock star Mark Dominik in this St. Petersburg Times video.

This is a perfect example of how NFL news, sans draft talk and the boring beyond words lockout chatter (please, someone, anyone, feel free to explain what has changed after the countless number of hours spent on talk radio and the countless hours spoken on NFL Network and the countless hundreds of thousands words typed about the lockout since talks broke down in March? Not one friggin’ thing. Both sides are no closer to an agreement than they were when the NFLPA decertified), NFL news has ground to an absolute halt with the exception of player scrapes with the law.

So eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune put fingers to keyboard and decided to select the top “dozen emerging stars” of the NFL. Not surprisingly, Kaufman includes josh Freeman and has him atop the list.

Josh Freeman, QB, Buccaneers
For perhaps the first time in franchise history, Tampa Bay boasts the most valuable commodity in pro football. Freeman, 23, rarely lost his composure while throwing 25 TD passes and only six interceptions in his first full year as a starter. He could be an NFC Pro Bowl fixture as early as next season and opposing coaches rave about Freeman’s leadership skills.

Not surprising at all but Joe was a bit shocked to see Rams quarterback Sam Bradford off the list. Joe believes this guy is going to be a superstar. He put up amazing numbers as a rookie, damn near got that garbage team into the playoffs and the guy has nothing but a bunch of stiffs to throw to, glorified arena ball players.

Joe wonders if Mike Williams could have also been included on the eye-RAH! list. He wasn’t, but Jamaal Charles was.

Joe wrote last week about how “career backup” Josh Johnson hardly said he wanted to a be Buccaneer for life during an interview with the Oakland Tribune.

Johnson was and is tight with his former college coach Jim Harbaugh, the new head coach of the quarterback-starved 49ers.

Now Rick Stroud, Bucs beat writer for the St. Pete Times, has tracked down Johnson. And he found the young quarterback longing for a starting job and saying he’s “all for” making a move to the 49ers.

“I hear it all the time,” Johnson said. “But a lot more goes into this than what you think. I understand that. It’s why I try to stay in the middle. If I can’t control the situation, I don’t make any predictions on it.

“If something happens, I’m all for it. But at the same time, I enjoy playing for Raheem (Morris) and the Bucs. It’s hard for any competitor to not be able to get out there, especially for me because I’ve gotten a taste of being a starter.”

Joe can attest that Johnson is a sharp guy — and one who surely knows his best chance to reunite with Harbaugh and get a clean shot at the San Francisco starting job is this offseason.

Joe suspects Johnson knows exactly what he’s doing when he tells the local newspapers in two cities that he’d be just fine with a trade.

Is Johnson trying to guide the hand of Mark Dominik? Maybe Johnson didn’t like Greg Olson’s odd remark about him last year? 

With the annoying NFL lockout in place, the Bucs can’t trade Johnson if they wanted to — no deals until the lockout is lifted. But Joe wouldn’t hesitate to move Johnson when/if the opportunity arises.

Might as well get something for him, and the 49ers just might overpay.

Apparently not a believer in Mark Dominik’s aversion to big-name free agents and his desire for high-character players, Disney blogger Pat Yasinskas made two references Friday to the Bucs considering condom hater free agent cornerback Antonio Cromartie.

Yasinskas fired off these comments during a live chat on some website called ESPN.com.

(Normally Joe would re-print the comments here, but Joe can’t bear to do it as the idea of Cromartie on the Bucs is ludicrous.)

Maybe Joe’s too conservative, but Cromartie, who has struggled to pay child support for his nine children despite a lucrative contract, is not someone Joe wants to cheer for anytime soon.

Plus, he definitely would qualify as a big-name free agent, and every savvy Bucs fan and observer knows Dominik won’t go there unless the salary cap floor forces his hand.

Now just 20 days separate the Bucs from their newest first-round pick. With that in mind, NFL.com reporter Albert Breer dialed up rockstar general manager Mark Dominik to talk about the greatness of his 2010 rookies.

Apparently, Breer found Dominik oozing with confidence.

“I remember Tony Dungy’s team, back in 1997, when we got off to a 5-0 start and Sports Illustrated said, ‘Break Up The Bucs,’” said 39-year-old general manager Mark Dominik, who was in his third year as a Tampa personnel assistant back then. “More than that, at that time, there was a lot of internal belief in what we were doing. I think that’s the spot we’re at again. That’s the most encouraging thing to me.”

As Dominik has talked about previously, the Bucs’ core draft beliefs center heavily around players who were team captains and love everything and anything about football.

And, of course, Dominik has proven he can hunt in the difficult seventh round and among dicey undrafted players like a dominant pelican diving for fish.

But Joe’s of the mind that the 2010 class has a ways to go before reaching superstud status. Four of the Bucs first five picks outside of Mike Williams have an awful lot to prove.

Joe would be more than satisfied if just one of the defensive tackles, Gerald McCoy or Brian Price, turns out to be above average against the run and a force versus the pass.

Make plans now to feast at the Derby Club buffet tonight (Joe will be there), and win $500 just for being at Derby Lane in St. Petersburg.

Derby Lane’s got a championship card of greyhound racing on tap and their stellar poker room is open well into the wee hours.

Renowned draft guru Justin Pawlowski, aka The Commish, continues to hammer out his intense draft analysis here and on the draft page at 620wdae.com. Might the Bucs be looking for a quarterback in the late rounds? Doubtful. But if they plan to move Josh Johnson? …

Quarterbacks:

By JUSTIN PAWLOWSKI

1. Cam Newton – Auburn
6’5’’ – 248 lbs – 4.59
Top 5

Why The Commish would take him: Well, it’s pretty easy to take a player who might be the best athlete to ever play the quarterback position. He’s Tim Tebow with a lot more talent. Newton’s strong arm allows him to make throws all over the field. Obviously, he’s bigger and faster than most quarterbacks to ever be in the NFL.  Finally, I find it extremely impressive how Newton dealt with as much adversity that was around him and still lead Auburn to a National Championship.

Why The Commish would stay away: There are plenty of issues swirling around Newton, but what he does on the field matters to me most.  My biggest question is how Newton will fair in a pro-style offense and having to read NFL defenses. As for his off-the-field antics, I would look at how he handled all that adversity in college and rely on the background work my department does. I think Newton’s character concerns are not as heavy as most people think.

Commish’s Final Say: Comparisons to Vince Young or JaMarcus Russell were unfair and just flat out wrong early in the draft process.  Newton has never once had his work ethic questioned. As for Vince Young, Newton has already handled 10 times more adversity than what Young couldn’t handle.  Newton is a great talent that will need to put his work ethic to use mainly in the classroom and film room in the NFL.

Comparison:   Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers

2. Blaine Gabbert – Missouri
6’4’’ – 234 lbs – 4.62
Top 15

Why The Commish would take him:  What I like most about Gabbert is his quick decision making. In Missouri’s spread offense, the quarterback has to make quick decisions on every pass play and get the ball out of his hands. Gabbert is also very accurate on the short quick passes. I also think Gabbert’s athleticism is underrated due to so many athletic quarterbacks already in this class. I think Gabbert ranks right up there with the rest when it comes to athleticism.

Why The Commish would stay away:  Two glaring weaknesses have me most concerned.  First, Gabbert’s accuracy on throws more than five yards down the field was awful.  Sure, many throws at Missouri were short and quick throws, but you got to have accuracy down the field to be considered an elite quarterback in my eyes. I also am very concerned about Gabbert’s ability to handle the rush.  It seemed as though Gabbert would lose his cool whenever the pressure would get to him. Being a high draft pick means your’re probably going to a bad team with what could be a poor offensive line.

Commish’s Final Say:  I’m not as high on Gabbert as others are. I also didn’t fall for his performance at his pro day.  Scouts and analysts were gushing about Gabbert after his pro day, but that enthusiasm has faded as scouts go back and watch film on Gabbert. His lack of down-field accuracy is most concerning and could drop him from the top 5 on draft day.

Comparison:   Kyle Orton – Denver Broncos

3. Christian Ponder – FSU
6’2’’ – 229 lbs – 4.65
1st/2nd Round

Why The Commish would take him: Ponder’s intangibles are off the chart. He’s a fantastic leader, great in the huddle, and has a great work ethic. Ponder is also a very accurate quarterback who might be best suited for a west-coast offense. Ponder is also comfortable under center in a pro-style offense. That means Ponder is experienced reading defenses and making reads in the pass game.

Why The Commish would stay away:  Health and arm strength are the major concerns surrounding Ponder. The last 2 seasons have been cut short for Ponder with a shoulder injury to his throwing arm in his junior season and an elbow injury to his throwing arm as a senior which required two in-season surgeries. 

Commish’s Final Say: Technology is a funny thing as I remember Drew Brees going down with a catastrophic shoulder injury before signing with the Saints and becoming one of the great passers in the game today. Ponder reminds me of Brees coming out of Purdue.  Ponder might not be the flashiest quarterback, but he might have the best intangibles, which NFL teams cherish in a quarterback.  I’m definitely not saying that Ponder will be just like Brees, but they do have similar qualities.

Comparison:   Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints

4. Ryan Mallett – Arkansas
6’7’’ – 253 lbs – 5.50
1st/2nd Round

Why The Commish would take him: Mallett is the best pure passer in this draft. He is also the most NFL-ready quarterback in this draft.  Mallett should be able to step into any offense and not have any issues throwing the football. Strictly by play on the field, Mallett is the best “quarterback” in this draft.

Why The Commish would stay away:  It’s no secret that Mallett has some questionable character. I’m still not sure if I believe the drug rumors that were floating about. Mallett has still proved to be a bit of an issue when it comes to his attitude. He has been compared to Eminem, which is not a good thing. Mallett also did not handle the media well at the combine.  I worry that if the going gets tough in the NFL, whether Mallett will be able to handle it.

Commish’s Final Say:  It takes just one team to fall in love with a player and draft him.  There have been many rumors surrounding Mallett, but the fact is Mallett is the quarterback that is most ready to step in and play right away in the NFL.  I think a quarterback like Mallett is worth  taking a risk on in the late 1st or early 2nd round.  I wouldn’t be shocked if Mallett went much higher or much lower than most people think.  His range is as big as any player’s in the draft.

Comparison:  Phillips Rivers – San Diego Chargers

5. Jake Locker – Washington
6’2’’ – 231 lbs – 4.59
1st/2nd Round

Why The Commish would take him: Locker has a ton of experience against top competition. I also like the fact that Locker played in a pro-style offense at Washington. Locker is an incredible athlete with a strong arm. Locker also has great intangibles. He’s a great leader, has a great work ethic, has lead his teams to wins late in games, and has played in horrible weather.

Why The Commish would stay away: Accuracy. Locker had seven or fewer completions in theree separate games last season.  He struggled with accuracy in games, at the senior bowl, and at the combine.  I’m the type that does not want my NFL quarterback without accuracy.

Commish’s Final Say:  I still think Locker could get drafted high, but I have major concerns about him ever developing his accuracy.  He does remind  me a lot of Jeff Garcia.  Garcia was a fiery quarterback who had control of the huddle and was a great athlete.  I laugh, though, when people call Garcia accurate.  If you saw how many open receivers he missed as quarterback for the Bucs and how off target his throws were, you’d be sick.  With that said, Garcia had a successful career, and Locker could have the same.

Comparison:  Jeff Garcia – San Francisco 49ers

6. Colin Kaepernick – Nevada
6’5’’ – 233 lbs – 4.53
1st/2nd Round

Why The Commish would take him:  There is a lot to like about Kaepernick. First, he’s a humble kid without any glaring or major concerns. That is really good for this QB class. Kaepernick is an unbelievable athlete with an incredibly strong arm. He was a four-year starter at Nevada, so he has a ton of good experience, including some in big games.  Kaepernick is a great leader and has fantastic work ethic.

Why The Commish would stay away:  Kaepernick did not play in a pro-style offense, so there are questions about him taking snaps from under center, reading a defense, and being able to go through a progression.

Commish’s Final Say:  I am concerned that Kaepernick is more of an athlete with a strong arm than a quarterback. He does possess some unique physical skills that are very intriguing.  With proper coaching and development, I think Kaepernick could be special.

Comparison:   Randall Cunningham – Philadelphia Eagles

7. Andy Daulton – TCU
6’2’’ – 215 lbs – 4.87
1st/2nd Round

Why The Commish would take him:  Intangibles are strong with Daulton. He won MVP in three separate Bowl games. Daulton is an outstanding leader with great work ethic. He is also very tough and durable. Daulton is also a very confident player with great mobility inside the pocket.

Why The Commish would stay away:  There’s nothing real flashy about Daulton.  In a QB class with so many questions, I’m thinking a majority of these prospects, including Daulton, will be over-drafted. Daulton doesn’t have elite arm strength and could be limited to a west-coast offense.

Commish’s Final Say: I think Daulton is a solid quarterback with great leadership skills. It’s tough to say whether he’ll become an elite   quarterback, but he has potential to become a very solid starter and leader on a football team.

Comparison:  Matt Hasselbeck – Seattle Seahawks

8. Ricky Stanzi – Iowa
6’4’’ – 223 lbs – 4.93
2nd/3rd Round

Why The Commish would take him: The first thing that should stand out is Stanzi’s success in the Big Ten while running a pro-style offense. He has good size, very good technique, and a great work ethic. Stanzi was also a  captain and leader for Iowa. 

Why The Commish would stay away:  Accuracy downfield is my first concern.  I also worry about how Stanzi will handle an NFL pass rush.  He seemed to get rattled at times. Stanzi also did not show up well in clutch situations.

Commish’s Final Say:  I think Stanzi might be one of the underrated quarterback prospects in this draft.  If Andy Daulton is getting as much run as he is, I’m surprised that Stanzi isn’t getting much at all.  It wouldn’t shock me at all if Stanzi went much higher than most people think.

Comparison:  Tony Romo – Dallas Cowboys

9. Greg McElroy – Alabama
6’2’’ – 220 lbs – 4.91
4th Round

Why The Commish would take him: McElroy is smart and a game manager.  He is very calm in the pocket and makes good decisions.   McElroy has only lost 3 games as a starting quarterback since the 8th grade. McElroy is a great leader, great in the community,

Why The Commish would stay away:  I think McElroy is destined to be the next Josh Johnson.  Yep, a career backup. McElroy does not have a strong arm and does not have the traits of a starting-caliber quarterback in the NFL.

Commish’s Final Say: If I’m a team in need of a backup quarterback, I would definitely target McElroy in the middle of the draft.  He could end up challenging for a starting job down the line, but will immediately bring a solid leader and stability to a team’s quarterback position.

Comparison:  Mike Kafka – Philadelphia Eagles

10. Tyrod Taylor – Va. Tech
6’1’’ – 217 lbs – 4.51
4th Round

Why The Commish would take him: Tyrod’s speed and athleticism is the most intriguing part about him. He is a great athlete with a very strong arm.

Why The Commish would stay away:  I have questions whether Taylor can be a true quarterback in the NFL.  I worry about his accuracy and reading defenses.

Commish’s Final Say:  Taylor is a hell of an athlete, but I’m not so sure I’d want him as a quarterback. He seems certain he’s staying as a quarterback. I view him as a Josh Johnson-type backup quarterback that can run the “Wildcat” offense.

Comparison: Seneca Wallace – Cleveland Browns

With their British kickball team cruising toward another league title and a possible European championship on a sliced player budget, and the Bucs a 10-win team that needs an elevator to reach the middle of the pack of NFL spenders, Team Glazer hasn’t heard much from their detractors lately, so notes Tampa Tribune scribe eye-RAH! Kaufman.

Perhaps you’ve heard of these haters, those who march the streets screaming that the owners are stashing fistfulls of cash in secret vaults while refusing to invest it in their teams.

Kaufman Twittered his musing yesterday.

Ira: Between the surprising 10-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and first-place Manchester United, the Glazer family has silenced many of its critics

Joe’s noticed that Team Glazer also has been much more visible in the past year — more quotes, more statements. And their comments seem to reveal a more personable tone. Even just the other day, noted Euro soccer site TribalFootball.com reported Joel, Bryan and Avi Glazer watched the soccer team live together in England on Wednesday, hardly a common occurrance.

Hmm, Joe can’t recall hearing a quality anti-Glazer rant on the radio this year.

Maybe Team Glazer has silenced its critics? Funny how winning can do that.

The man who works for the Disney syndicate and boasts of his residence in the Tampa area, otherwise known as ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas, appeared on the “Primetime Show” heard on WHBO-AM 1040 Thursday afternoon to speak about the Aqib Talib saga and the Bucs.

In the opinion of Yasinskas, he told co-hosts Ronnie ‘Night Train’ Lane, Mark Carrier and Tom Krasniqi that Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik will rid himself and the team of the recurring headaches from the troubled cornerback in light of recent events where Texas police allege Talib pistol whipped another man and then shot at a fleeing subject, so good guy Krasniqi Twittered Thursday.

Yasinkas: Bucs are dumping Talib once the CBA gets resolved

Joe reached out to Krasniqi Thursday night so he could elaborate on what Yasinskas said. Krasniqi made it quite clear to Joe that Yasinskas was purely speculating based on his knowledge of the Bucs and Dominik; that Yasinskas was not told by a source that this will take place. Yasinsas was simply stating an opinion.

“He said the Bucs would try to trade [Talib] or cut him,” Krasniqi said. “I’ve been saying for the last 10 years the Houston Texans have the worst secondary in the NFL. Seeing Talib go there where he would be back in his home state would be a logical move.”

All of this makes perfect sense to Joe. Look, Talib is a gifted cornerback but he has become more than just a problem child. Talib simply cannot stay out of trouble and his more than annual incidents continue to grow more violent with each episode. No matter if he is found by a Texas court to be innocent of his recent charges, Talib is certainly looking at a multiple-game suspension by NFL warden commissioner Roger Goodell, thus has proven himself, like safety Tanard Jackson, to be undependable.

Players who cannot stay healthy are cut all the time in the NFL because they cannot answer the bell. In other words, teams cannot depend on them. Players don’t just decide to go get injured. Injuries are largely unpreventable. With Talib and Jackson, each of their incidents was and is absolutely preventable. Both made multiple decisions that not only put their NFL careers in jeopardy, but cost themselves millions of dollars and put their personal liberties at risk as well.

If Dominik finds a suitor to trade for Talib, don’t expect a whole lot in return. Consider last year the Steelers could only procure a late-fifth round pick for a player of at least equal value of Talib, wide receiver Santonio Holmes.

Teams generally don’t fall over themselves to cough up valuable draft picks for players with a violent rap sheet who are facing a multiple-game suspension if not prison.

Among the notable milestones reached by Buccaneers last year, Kyle Moore checked in with one of the tougher marks for a defensive end to achieve. 

The 2010 annointed LDE starter completed his 16th career game without a sack. That’s no easy task.

But it seems Raheem Morris still has high hopes for the former sleeper of the 2009 draft.

Raheem told eye-RAH Kaufman of The Tampa Tribune that he believes his young linemen will blossom in their second or third seasons in the league.

“Usually with defensive linemen, it’s Year 2 or Year 3 that they really develop,’’ Morris said. “You stay with your fundamental core beliefs and you’ll get better. McCoy had a two-sack game and got hurt. I was really looking forward to him exploding onto the scene and finishing that process strong. When I watch the tape, I see a lot of splash plays by Michael Bennett. I see McCoy getting better and I see Price being dynamic when he played. It’s very exciting when you think about getting those guys back and bringing in two D-line coaches to get the most out of them.’‘

Hmmm, Raheem didn’t mention Moore in that quote, but surely the Bucs are hoping Moore revives his career when the big boy pads come back on. Although if the Bucs snag two defensive ends in the draft, his time in pewter might be over.

Is it possible the Bucs are ready to give up on Barrett Ruud, Geno Hayes or Quincy Black?

Drafting a linebacker in the first round would all but ensure that one of those guys quickly becomes the answer to a Bucs trivia question.

NFL Draft guru Justin “The Commish” Pawlowski, of WDAE-AM, points out that former UCLA linebacker Akeem Ayers is firmly on the Bucs radar and would represent an improvement for Tampa Bay.

Ayers would be a nice fit and an upgrade at any linebacker position for the Bucs.  His leadership ability would also be a welcomed addition to the Bucs defense.

Joe suggests you click through the link above and read The Commish’s complete take.

Joe’s got no problem with the Bucs going linebacker in the first round, especially with Ruud and Black without contracts as unrestricted free agents and Hayes another bad late-night judgment call away from a suspension.

It seems the draft approach the Bucs have taken since Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik took control is radically different than when Bruce Almighty and Chucky ran the show over at One Buc Palace.

Could it be Dominik learned first-hand from Bruce Almighty’s (many) mistakes?

In this NFL Network video, Paul Burmeister, Charlie Casserly, Charles Davis and Mike Mayock discuss the best way to master the draft. The Bucs, specifically Raheem Morris and Dominik, are cited as models lesser teams should strive to be like when preparing for the NFL Draft.

Joe has made little secret of his affinity for Bucs wide receiver Arrelious Benn.

Despite the haters who labeled Benn a bust before training camp was finished, Joe knew it would take time for Benn to come around. Despite being drafted higher than heralded rookie Mike Williams, Benn played in one of those damned junk, gimmick, high schoolish spread-options offenses which made Joe chuckle every time he heard Bobby Bowden refer to that offense as a wishbone.

To Foghorn Leghorn’s credit, the spread-option was about as close to an NFL offense as a wishbone offense.

It took nearly a third of the season but when Benn began to show up, it was a thing of beauty. Not surprisingly, when Benn played well, the Bucs offense clicked, which is one reason Joe was sick to his stomach when Benn went down against the Dixie Chicks at The CITS.

Well, it seems someone else caught Benn’s eye too. The football thinktank known as FootballFocus.com has come out and said it in a headline: Give Benn the damned ball.

Give This Guy More Snaps: WR Arrelious Benn
As if hitting a jackpot with Mike Williams wasn’t enough, Tampa has another guy coming through at the receiver ranks. Benn didn’t just make plays when he was thrown to, if you watched him when they ran you could see an extremely aggressive run blocker. It was peculiar that as a starter he didn’t see the field in nickel situations, but an increased role should see him expand on the 37 targets and 25 receptions he hauled in.

Joe will write it again: When Benn shines, the Bucs offense clicked.

Damn, Joe hopes Benn bounces back from that knee injury. With him in the game, Joe’s not so sure the Bucs have ever had such an explosive offense along with LeGarrette Blount, Kellen Winslow, of course Josh Freeman and Williams.

Writers from the other Bay area just won’t let those Josh Johnson-to-the-Niners rumors die.

And this time Johnson himself hardly threw a bucket of cold water on the idea of him playing for San Francisco and his former coach, Jim Harbaugh.

Oakland Tribune columnist Carl Steward caught up with hometown hero Johnson before a charity basketball game this week.

“I feel like one day I will have my opportunity, but I enjoyed last year a lot,” he said. “Even though I wasn’t playing much, it was a very successful year on my end I feel because my development has increased.”

If rumors are true about the 49ers’ interest in Johnson, nothing can happen now since player trades can’t be made during the lockout. Whatever happens, Johnson is confident Harbaugh will guide the Niners to a new era of glory.

“He’s a great teacher who gets the best out of his players,” he said. “He’s going to push you, but from a player’s perspective, he isn’t over-the-top. He’s just very straightforward, for the most part, in what he expects. At the same time, he was a player, so he understands both sides of it.

Johson’s enters his fourth season and likely will become an unrestricted free agent in 2012, depending on the new labor agreement. At 25 years old when the 2011 ends, Joe can’t imagine Johnson will be content to sign a multiyear deal with the Bucs to try and reach Danny White or Don Strock status behind Josh Freeman — even if Raheem Morris already tagged him as a “career backup.”

Joe would have no problem if the Bucs set Johnson free now for a fifth-round pick and found a veteran QB who has won football games.

Always fine tuning and tweaking his big board (no, not that big board), NFL Draft guru Justin Pawlowski, aka The Commish of WDAE-AM 620, presents his latest top 5 by position for the 2011 draft.

We’re just 22 days from the opening round when the Bucs will be on the clock near the stroke of midnight. Come back tomorrow for another detailed position breakdown from The Commish.

By JUSTIN PAWLOWSKI

Quarterbacks
1. Cam Newton – Auburn
2. Blaine Gabbert – Missouri
3. Christian Ponder – FSU
4. Ryan Mallett – Arkansas
5. Colin Kaepernick – Nevada

I finally dropped Locker from  my top 5. He has top intangibles, but his accuracy is just too troubling. That’s not saying that Locker won’t be a 1st round pick, I just have too many concerns. There isn’t a quarterback on this list that doesn’t have a question mark, though. I still think Ryan Mallett is ready to step right in and play and has the best quarterback skills in this draft, but his character may remind people of Ryan Leaf. The safest QB on this list might be Ponder. Of course, that’s saying he stays healthy.

Running Backs
1. Mikel Leshoure – Illinois
2. Mark Ingram – Alabama
3. Ryan Williams – Va. Tech
4. Kendal Hunter – Oklahoma St.
5. Demarco Murray – Oklahoma

Mikel Leshoure just has better measurables than Ingram. Yes, Ingram is a great leader, has great vision, and runs violently, but he’s not very big and doesn’t have much speed. Leshoure’s running style has been compared to Steven Jackson. Williams has injury concerns, but has a ton of talent and has been invited to the draft, which might mean he gets drafted higher than people think. Kendal Hunter and Demarco Murray are the best of the speed backs.

Wide Receivers
1. AJ Green – Georgia
2. Julio Jones – Alabama
3. Jonathon Baldwin – Pitt.
4. Leonard Hankerson – Miami
5. Titus Young – Boise St.

While Julio Jones might have closed the gap a bit, AJ Green is still the top receiver in this class. Jones is fantastic athlete, but his film can be a little inconsistent at times.  After Jones, there is a huge drop off. I really hesitated with Baldwin, but he is a mismatch nightmare for defenses, and I think there will be some team in the 2nd round that takes a chance on him.  Hankerson has talent, but needs to put it all together on the field. Young is the best of the smaller and quicker receivers.  I think Jerrel Jernigan and Randall Cobb are not far behind, along with Torrey Smith.

Tight Ends
1. Kyle Rudolph – Notre Dame
2. Jordan Cameron – USC
3. Luke Stocker – Tennessee
4. DJ Williams – Arkansas
5. Virgil Green – Nevada

If he proves to be healthy at his pro day, Rudolph should be a mid to late 1st round pick. He has a massive frame, good vertical speed, and excellent hands. Cameron, Williams, and Green are all hybrid tight ends that are legitimate threats in the passing game. Stocker is the big blocking tight end in this draft.

Offensive Tackles
1. Tyron Smith – USC
2. Anthony Castonzo – Boston College
3. Gabe Carimi – Wisconsin
4. Derek Sherrod – Miss. St.

5. Nate Solder – Colorado

Smith might have solidified his status as a top 10 pick with a great pro day. He was able to put on weight and still keep his athleticism and technique.  Sherrod is also moving up and very balanced with the ability to play right or left tackle. Carimi is a physical tackle who might be limited to the right side.

Offensive Guards/Centers
1. Mike Pouncey – Florida
2. Danny Watkins – Baylor
3. Stefan Wisniewski – Penn St.
4. Jason Pinkston – Pitt

5. Will Rackley – Lehigh

Pouncey and Watkins are the top guards and both are very balanced and could go in the 1st round. Wisniewski is the top center in the draft and on the fringe of being a 1st-round pick. Pinkston has an offensive tackle’s athleticism with the body type of an offensive guard.  Rackley is the most versatile lineman in the draft.

Defensive Ends
1. Robert Quinn – North Carolina
2. JJ Watt – Wisconsin
3. Cameron Jordan – Cal.
4. Aldon Smith – Missouri
5. Da’Quan Bowers – Clemson
5. Ryan Kerrigan – Purdue

Bowers is falling due to so many questions about his knee.  I’m not gonna drop him from my top 5 completely because of his talent, but I do think he is falling. There really hasn’t been much talk of JJ Watt, but I love his size and athleticism combination. I think him and Cameron Jordan could crack the top 10. As predicted, Quinn has taken over as the top defensive end in this draft.  I still think Kerrigan might be one of the safer picks in the draft.  With him, it’s “what you see is what you get.”

Defensive Tackles
1. Marcell Dareus – Alabama
2. Nick Fairley – Auburn
3. Corey Liuget – Illinois
4. Phil Taylor – Baylor
5. Muhammed Wilkerson – Temple

Nick Fairley’s latest comparison to Albert Haynesworth both on and off the field does have me concerned a bit.  I’m also a little concerned with Dareus.  I don’t think he is as sure a prospect as people are making him out to be.  I like Taylor’s aggression, size, and strength. A 3-4 team with a need for a nose tackle should consider him immediately. I like Wilkerson’s potential, but I’m afraid he’s a little overrated and that Luiget might be the better “defensive tackle” right now.

Outside Linebackers
1. Von Miller – Texas A&M
2. Akeem Ayers – UCLA
3. Justin Houston – Georgia
4. Brooks Reed – Arizona
5. Bruce Carter – North Carolina

The big mover has been Brooks Reed.  His stock has been skyrocketing.  Von Miller’s also had a lot of good pub lately, but I already think he’s solidified a top 5 pick.  Houston might be better as a 4-3 end, but he can also slip back and play outside linebacker.  If Bruce Carter can stay healthy, he is very athletic and could be a very solid NFL linebacker.

Inside Linebackers
1. Martez Wilson – Illinois
2. Quan Sturdivant – UNC

3. Kelvin Sheppard – LSU
4. Nate Irving – NC St.
5. Colin McCarthy – Miami

Martez Wilson is the top inside linebacker with an incredible blend of size and speed.  There have been some rumblings of him moving to outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, but I’m leaving him at inside linebacker because that’s where he excelled at Illinois.  Sturdivant has his positives and his negatives, but he is very good in coverage.

Cornerbacks
1. Patrick Peterson – LSU
2. Prince Amukamara – Nebraska
3. Jimmy Smith – Colorado
4. Aaron Williams – Texas
5. Brandon Harris – Miami

No changes here. I still like Jimmy Smith’s ability despite his major character concerns. Peterson is in a class by himself. Amukamara is definitely the 2nd corner. I took Aaron Williams over Brandon Harris because of his physical play and his ability to play either corner or safety. Look out for Ras-I Dowling to make a late push.

Safeties
1. Rahim Moore – UCLA
2. Quinton Carter – Oklahoma
3. DeAndre McDaniel – Clemson
4. Deunta Williams – North Carolina
5. Chris Culliver – South Carolina

If Aaron Williams stays at corner, Rahim Moore is the top safety in a weak class. Moore is a good centerfielder, but is not elite. Carter is a big hitter from the safety position and good in the run game. Williams and Culliver should be good against the pass.

If one had to rank the top two Bucs from the 2011 season, Josh Freeman is easily No. 1.

One would not look like a fool picking LeGarrette Blount No. 2.

Think about the Bucs offense before Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik snatched Blount off waivers and he got in the lineup: The rushing attack was as stagnant as a moss-covered Midwestern pond. The passing attack was simply average.

It is no coincidence that when Blount was given plenty of touches, the offense blew up, beginning with the Arizona game. All of a sudden, defenses, which completely ignored the Bucs running game and focused solely on shutting down the pass, now had to change tactics which opened up the pass as evidenced by Arrelious Benn’s blooming.

But Andy Benoit doesn’t see it that way. Blogging for the New York Times, he pored over tape of Blount from last season and has determined that Blount’s Pro Bowl-like rushing was, well, mythological.

Myth Buster
LeGarrette Blount is a budding star
Character wasn’t the only reason Blount went undrafted. And there’s a reason the Titans cut him after training camp. Blount has little speed and struggles to change directions. That’s fine for a power runner. But Blount’s not a power runner. He’s just a runner who happens to weigh 250 pounds. To his credit, Blount broke a lot of tackles in 2010 (it was amazing the way defenders would slowly trickle off of him). But far too often he left yards on the field by bracing for contact or not pressing his holes. And he couldn’t be counted on in the passing game or short-yardage situations. It will be difficult for Blount to carve out a long-term niche in the N.F.L.

Well, let’s be honest here: Just what running back can be counted on to provide a long-term niche in the NFL? Running backs are a dime a dozen and one reason for that is the brutal punishment they take.

Joe watched the games just like Benoit. If Benoit couldn’t see the difference in the Bucs offense once Blount got rolling — it wasn’t as if defenses ignored Blount — then Joe might offer his own glasses to Benoit.

Joe believes Blount is sort of a hybrid: Not cat-like quick yet not an overpowering bruiser either. Just a little of both.

Joe wonders what Lawyer Milloy thinks of all of this?

The future of troubled Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib is unknown.

Was Talib wrongly accused of pistol whipping a man? Was Talib falsely fingered for trying to gun down another person? Or was he simply a victim of circumstance?

Of course, given the circumstances of the lockout, Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik is greatly limited on what he can say on the issue.

The end to this ugly incident in Garland, Tex. will be played out before a court of law. As Peter King also suggested, Eric Edholm of Pro Football Weekly explains in this BSPN podcast that the Talib case is a perfect example of why teams put so much emphasis — and money — into background checks and character examinations.

The way Edholm talked, it is as if Talib is now an example of what happens when a club ignores red flags from players in college, which is what Chucky did when he landed the former Kansas star.

Joe frankly believes little if any good will come from this incident.