The chatter is still flying about former Giants running back and disgraced former network newsman Tiki Barber who is returning to the NFL (in theory) after a four-year layoff.

It’s hard to find a former Giants player who cried when Tiki left and few of his former teammates who are still playing for the Giants seem to be pining for his return. In fact, the Giants have gone on record as saying, “Have a nice second NFL career with someone else Tiki.”

But it seems eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune has something on Tiki. Twittering on the TBO Bucs Twitter feed, Kaufman insinuated there were locker room issues with Tiki in Gotham.

If the Bucs are looking for a veteran third-down back, they could sign Cadillac Williams and keep the locker room happy in the process.

Now Joe has zero evidence Tiki is a bad teammate and the lone time Joe spoke with Tiki he was gracious to Joe. But this Twitter post took Joe aback. Obviously Caddy is beloved not just by Bucs fans, but by his teammates. There’s no doubt if Caddy comes back he will be welcomed with open arms.

Is Kaufman hinting that Tiki would be a distraction if the Bucs brought him into The CITS?

It seems Tampa Bay area resident Pat Yasinskas, the busy man who covers four teams known as the NFC South on a Disney blog, wants to hear from what he perceives as legions of Bucs fans that dislike Team Glazer.

Yasinskas apparently hasn’t heard enough of the negativity on local sports radio or via his extensive research to get a pulse of some fans’ issues. He now wants to read venom from Bucs fans, so he requested in a Friday live chat.

Tom (Tampa) Pat, I think the bad blood for Glazers stems from different things that have transpired over the years including using tax money to build that extravagant training facility on Himes. I know I’m reminded of that driving to work everyday.

Pat Yasinskas  – Point taken. I’d like to hear other reasons why fans are so down on Glazers. We’re about to end chat, so feel free to send your thoughts to my mailbag.

Earlier in the BSPN.com chat, Yasinskas wrote: “I don’t really understand why so many Tampa Bay fans seem to have so much venom for the Glazers.” Joe would suspect that he’ll field all kinds of ire and come up with some sort of fancy top-10 list in the near future.

Frankly, Joe can’t imagine that someone covering the Bucs wouldn’t be conversant already with the Glazer-related issues that annoy some fans — from the Bucs being consistently low spenders on players, to handling of Derrick Brooks and Tony Dungy, ancient customer service issues, and their lease terms that have kept countless events from The C.I.T.S., among others.

Joe suspects that whatever Yasinskas’ request yields, it won’t be very elightening.

Draftmaster and top radio talent Justin Pawlowski, “The Commish,” returns to the airwaves at 11 a.m. today with his critically-acclaimed sometimes Saturday show, “The Blitz,” on WDAE-AM 620.

The Commish will talk all things Rays, NFL Draft and more live from Bright House Networks Field, the site of today’s Phillies-Rays Spring Training game.  

You can listen online at 620wdae.com, if you’re not near a radio.

Remember, catch all of Pawlowski’s exclusive draft coverage for JoeBucsFan.com here, and his personal draft rumors-buzz page. His next draft piece will be on these here pages Sunday. And you’ll see him next week on JoeBucsFan TV.

"You hear the one about Saltines and anchovies?"

So hell’s bells sounded last night and the NFL players union decertified and players sued the league, and the NFL owners locked out the players.

Now Joe doesn’t cover the lockout — what for? when ProFootballTalk.com does such an incredible job — but it’s pretty clear that in a few weeks old man, player-friendly federal judge Doty is going to rule that the NFL can’t lock out the players and then business will resume as usual while the NFL may or may not appeal.

Already, the NFL Draft isn’t supposed to be affected.

Joe’s not crying or worried about any of this ridiculous mess — Joe won’t be nervous unless the mess is still around come late July.

Another gorgeous day to test drive a hot new ride. And where better to go than Brandon Auto Mall by Ed Morse. You can even shop online.

Stop putting it off. Joe wouldn’t steer you wrong. Click below.

Absolutely nothing makes a significant segment of Bucs fans slam their clenched fists on the bar with such a powerful force they spill their beer more than the subject of Barrett Ruud.

Seemingly the vast majority of Bucs fans demand, scream, holler and throw empty beer bottles because Ruud cannot, will not, never will, crush a running back with such a force that it renders the player with multiple broken bones, resulting in the player coughing up blood and screaming for his mother while writhing in agony as he is carted off the field, prone on a stretcher.

Partially thanks to the gifted Sabol family and NFL Films, many Bucs fans have lost all patience with Ruud because he is not a slobbering Dick Butkus licking his lips, salivating for the next fool to cross the line of scrimmage, toothless Jack Lambert ragdolling an opponent for taunting a teammate, hobbled Ray Nitschke dragging a lame leg in the mud while crossing the goal line after blowing up a running back, Mike Singletary with his eyes bugging out with steam flowing from his helmet, frantic Ray Lewis breaking a running back’s shoulder.

This image is not Ruud. Thus, some Bucs fans are to the point, full of disgust if not rage, believe Ruud should not just be banished to the arena league, but to the lingerie league of all places.

The problem is, the Bucs defense calls for a middle linebacker to be more safety than linebacker. Part of the reason Ruud does not fit the NFL Films image of a middle linebacker is that is not what he is supposed to be in the Bucs Tampa 2.1 defense.

One of the aforementioned Bucs fans called Derrick Brooks this morning, who co-hosted “The Opening Drive” with Bob Papa, heard exclusively on Sirius NFL Radio, and claims Ruud is gone and it’s not a bad move by the Bucs. Said caller, interestingly, didn’t cite his sources.

Bucs fan: Barrett Ruud, in all likelihood, is not coming back.

Derrick Brooks: Say that again?

Bucs fan: We are in need of a middle linebacker. Is Adam Hayward or Dekoda Watson available? Is there anyone else out there to grab? Help me out Derrick.

Brooks: Until Barrett Ruud doesn’t sign with someone, I hate to say he won’t be back. There are a lot of things affecting his [fate], a lot depends on the CBA. I hate to say he won’t be back. That’s all speculation until after the labor negotiations end. If [the Bucs] are ready to move on, I believe the Bucs feel they have someone on the roster to step in and replace Barrett and fill the void in Barrett not coming back.

Bucs fan: I am not a fan of Barrett Ruud. We need a stronger force in the middle. There is no strong middle linebacker in the draft. I don’t see a Jon Beeson or a Nick Barnett in the draft.

Derrick Brooks: Historically, the Bucs draft linebackers later in the draft because they are the cornerstones on the special teams. I don’t see the Bucs going after a linebacker early in the draft.

In short, those who froth at the mouth over Barrett Ruud are indirectly raging at Raheem Morris. Ruud is playing the position he is asked to play. If Bucs fans don’t like that, then they are saying they don’t like the defense being played and thus they don’t like the defensive coordinator.

Morris is the defensive coordinator.

Fans suggesting Ruud, who calls all the plays on one of the youngest defenses in the NFL, should be jettisoned, to Joe, that is like asking for a return to the heinous Jim Bates Experiment.

Will there be a lockout? Will games be missed? Tom Jones and Rick Stroud discuss the ugly details of the tedious, boring if not insulting CBA quarrel between NFL owners and the NFLPA in this St. Petersburg Times video.

Joe’s heard all kinds of chatter — from Peter King to anonymous commenters — about the Bucs needing to draft a running back, or bring in a falanderer who’s been on his couch for four years, or get some capable backup for LeGarrette Blount.

Joe’s even heard more than a few mention it might be time to let Earnest Graham go. Don’t put Joe in that camp — not for 2011.

Graham can still play, and Joe suspects Graham could — with some notice — take off some fullback weight and fill Cadillac Williams’ role as good or better than Cadillac himself, if the Bucs lost Cadillac to free agency.

Can Graham catch the ball out of the backfield? Yes. … Can he run as well as Cadillac? Yes. … Can he block for Freeman? Yes. … Can he mentor Blount? Yes. … Does he know the offense? Yes. After his 61-yard run in Week 5, did he only get seven or so carries? Yes.

Remember, nickname obsessed Raheem Morris dubbed him “Insurance Graham” right after Derrick Ward was cut to remind fans Graham was a do-it-all guy.

Graham spoke the other night in Baltimore where he accepted an Ed Block Courage Award with other NFL players. (quote below courtesy of Press Box Online). He spoke a bit about dealing with his mother’s struggle with cancer during the 2010 season. She died in November at 57 years old.

“It carried over quite a bit (through the season). For (the younger players) to see what I had to go through and do my job at the same time while carrying a heavy heart, they understood that. That’s something I’ve been doing, still persevering and still being able to move on. That says a lot to someone beyond football.”

Graham did what the Bucs asked of him in 2010 through tough personal circumstances. And Joe suspects he’d have no problem doing the same thing in 2011 — if healthy — whatever role that might be. 

For a guy who has been in the business for quite a while, the world of journalism sometimes brings a chuckle to Joe.

For the past two weeks, hordes of press, new media, old media, electronic, print, you name it, have spent countless hours and breathless accounts giving blow-by-blow, minute-by-minute accounts of the ongoing quarrel between NFL owners and the NFLPA.

You know what, after two weeks, we’re all still at square-one.

So it’s refreshing in a sense to learn Bucs head coach Raheem Morris has tuned all this out (like Joe has tried to do the past week). Joe has even gone so far as to listen to a grand total of perhaps 30 minutes max of Sirius NFL Radio, 25 minutes of which Joe has consumed just this morning on “The Opening Drive” with co-hosts Bob Papa and Derrick Brooks.

Raheem knows, like Joe, this is totally out of his hands and there’s no sense in wasting time worrying about it, so he told Rick Stroud of the St. Petersburg Times.

“Those things are not really in my control. I do feel good about it with everything that’s going on,” Morris said. “It is what it is. To me, it’s about the draft.

“It’s business as usual for us. There’s nothing going on as you guys can see on SportsCenter. You guys can follow it just like me. To me, it’s all about getting ready for the draft, finding out what’s going to be next, how you’re going to move, what we want to do, what’s our priority. Sitting down with (general manager) Mark Dominik, sitting down with (college scouting director) Dennis Hickey and being ready to deal.”

Joe is beyond weary of all the CBA chatter. Thankfully he has other options to turn to on Sirius and of course, March Madness really heats us this weekend, and there’s spring training baseball.

In the meantime, Joe knows there will be football this fall. That is an absolute given. No need for the Chris Mortensons of the world to give Joe hourly updates of professed confidential meetings.

Just wake Joe up when there’s an agreement.

The savior of the Bucs' D-Line?

The Commish, Justin Pawlowski of WDAE-AM 620, has cranked out another one of his manbeast mock drafts. All part of the daily draft coverage on JoeBucsFan.com. Crack open a cold one or order some takeout from Mugs Grill & Bar and enjoy.

Feel free to tell The Commish what you think in the comments.

1^st Round

1.       Carolina Panthers – Cam Newton – QB – Auburn
                6’5’’ – 248 lbs – 4.59
                Needs: CB, DT, DE, WR, QB

                Commish’s Take: All indications point to the Panthers taking Newton.  Head coach Ron Rivera went to Auburn’s pro day and paid most of his attention to Newton and not Fairley. I wouldn’t discount a possible smokescreen here to try and get a team to pay a hefty price to trade up for Newton.

2.       Denver Broncos – Marcell Dareus – DT – Alabama

                6’3’’ – 319 lbs – 4.92
                Needs: DT, DE, CB, S

                Commish’s Take:  John Fox seems ok with Dumerville and Ayers as his ends in Denver’s revamped 4-3 defense.  Recent releases by the Broncos put a big red flag up at the defensive tackle position. Reports out now say that if the Broncos go with a defensive tackle, they’ll go with Dareus. I think Dareus is a good fit for Jon Fox’s defense and will be what Kris Jenkins was in Carolina.

3.       Buffalo Bills – JJ Watt – DE – Wisconsin

                6’5’’ – 290 lbs – 4.82
                Needs: DE, QB, WR, LB

                Commish’s Take: Surprised? You have to shake it up a bit. If my mock draft looked like everyone else’s, I’d be as bad as everyone else. Watt is a very good fit for the Bills if Newton is gone and they aren’t sold on Gabbert. The Bills had an absolutely terrible run defense in 2010. Watt should step right in and start for the Bills.

4.       Cincinnati Bengals – AJ Green – WR – Georgia

                6’4’’ – 211 lbs – 4.50
                Needs: WR, QB, DT

                Commish’s Take:  No change with this pick. I know the popular pick for the Bengals now is Blaine Gabbert, but I think the Bengals should still be able to get a good quarterback at the top of the 2^nd round.  Instead of risking it all with Gabbert, I thought the Bengals would be better of getting an outstanding receiver for their 2^nd round quarterback to throw to.

5.       Arizona Cardinals – Von Miller – OLB – Texas A&M

                6’3’’ – 246 lbs – 4.49
                Needs: OLB, CB, OT, QB

                Commish’s Take:  This is a pick that I just can’t change. The only way I see the Cardinals not getting Miller is if some team in the top-4 takes him, which could happen.  Miller is outstanding off the edge, and a great fit for the Cardinals 3-4 defense. 

6.       Cleveland Browns – Julio Jones – WR – Alabama

                6’3’’ – 220 lbs – 4.39
                Needs: WR, DE, OLB, TE, NT

                Commish’s Take: There have been rumblings that the Browns want a defensive lineman with this pick, but with Mike Holmgren in charge and the hiring of an offensive mind in Pat Shurmur as head coach, I find it hard for the Browns to pass on Jones.  Shurmur’s offense featured many quick passes with the Rams last year, which would be best suited for a big receiver like Jones.

7.       San Francisco 49ers – Patrick Peterson – CB – LSU

                6’0’’ – 219 lbs – 4.34
                Needs: QB, DE, OLB, CB, S

                Commish’s Take: With a lack of big need for a corner in the top-6 picks, the 49ers benefit from a falling Peterson. Peterson might be the safest pick in the draft. Not only could he be a shutdown corner for years, but he’ll be a nice contributor on special teams as well.

8.       Tennessee Titans – Nick Fairley – DT – Auburn

                6’4’’ – 291 – 4.87
                Needs: DT, CB, QB, OG

                Commish’s Take: The Titans have a big need at quarterback, but Fairley will be nice in the middle of the Titans’ defensive line that already has a huge hole. To beat the Colts, you must apply constant pressure on Peyton Manning.  The Titans will hope that Fairley and last year’s 1^st round pick, Derrick Morgan, give them that pressure.

9.       Dallas Cowboys – Da’Quan Bowers – DE – Clemson

                6’3’’ – 280 lbs – DNP
                Needs: DE, OT, OG, CB, S

                Commish’s Take: Bowers’ health is one of the biggest questions in the draft world right now. Other then being an unofficial Polish holiday, April Fool’s Day will be a huge day in the draft process as that is the day of Da’Quan Bowers pro day. If he’s healthy and performs the way he did all year, he’ll be in the running for the 1^st overall pick.  If not, he might start to plummet. Right now, I like him to the Cowboys to spice up their defensive line.

10.   Washington Redskins – Robert Quinn – DE – North Carolina

                6’4’’ – 265 lbs – 4.70
                Needs: QB, WR, DE, OLB

                Commish’s Take: The recent release of Andre Carter opened up a small enough crack for the Redskins to consider filling that void in the draft.  Brian Orakpo paired with Robert Quinn could end up being hell on opposing quarterbacks.  Speaking of quarterbacks, Mike Shanahan could still target QBs like Colin Kaepernick or Andy Daulton in the next couple rounds.

11.   Houston Texans – Prince Amukamara – CB – Nebraska

                6’0’’ – 206 lbs – 4.43
                Needs: OLB, DE, CB, WR

                Commish’s Take:  Aldon Smith would make a lot of sense here as an outside linebacker for the   Texans new 3-4 defense, but there wasn’t even close to a worse pass defense in the NFL last year.  Amukamara silenced critics of his speed at the combine by running in the 4.4’s. 

12.   Minnesota Vikings – Blaine Gabbert – QB – Missouri

                6’4’’ – 234 lbs – 4.62
                Needs: QB, DE, OT, OG

                Commish’s Take:  A little bit of a slide for Gabbert, but this seems about the right slot for him to  go.  He is a talented quarterback, but wouldn’t grade out as high in other years against other quarterbacks. The Vikings have an obvious need for a quarterback, and Gabbert would have an opportunity to start right away. Whatever QB the Vikings do draft will have an excellent chance to succeed right away with the weapons already in place.

13.   Detroit Lions – Tyron Smith – OT – USC

                6’5’’ – 307 lbs – DNP
                Needs: OT, CB, OLB, DE

                Commish’s Take: The Lions have big needs at both offensive tackle positions. Tyron Smith is starting to distance himself as the draft’s top offensive lineman. Smith has excellent technique, long arms, and bulked up to 307 lbs. The Lions need to start protecting their investment in Matthew Stafford and not allow him to get injured anymore.

14.   St. Louis Rams – Aldon Smith – DE – Missouri

                6’4’’ – 263 lbs – 4.78
                Needs: WR, TE, DE, DT

                Commish’s Take: Smith is the prototypical defensive lineman that Steve Spagnuolo has gone after since his days as the Giants defensive coordinator.  Smith is tall, lean, and with long arms. Much like Jason Pierre-Paul last year, Smith is a raw pass rusher with a ton of potential. Hell, he’s even a local product.

15.   Miami Dolphins – Gabe Carimi – OT – Wisconsin

                6’7’’ – 314 lbs – 5.27
Needs: RB, OT, NT, QB

                Commish’s Take: What?!?!? Where the hell is Mark Ingram? Well, Ingram has been the popular pick here, but when are teams going to wisen up and realize that running backs can be had later on in the draft. I know Bill Parcells is gone, but his mentality has not gone from the Dolphins front office or coaching staff.  They want big, mean, and nasty players who are willing to work hard.  Carimi could come right in and play right tackle while moving Vernon Carey inside to guard.  With Jake Long at left tackle, the Dolphins would have a very big and talented offensive line.

16.   Jacksonville Jaguars – Cameron Jordan – DE – Cal.

                6’4’’ – 287 lbs – 4.78
                Needs: DE, OLB, S, WR, OG

                Commish’s Take:  Last year, the Jaguars shocked everyone with their selection of Tyson Alualu  from Cal. This year, they could shock everyone by taking a quarterback like Christian Ponder here. Instead, I have them getting Alualu’s teammate from Cal, Cameron Jordan.  Jordan was great at the Senior Bowl and will finally give the Jaguars the end they’ve been looking for.

17.   N. E. Patriots (via OAK) – Muhammad Wilkerson – DE – Temple

                6’4’’ – 315 lbs – 4.93
                Needs: DE, OLB, WR, RB, OL

                Commish’s Take: The Patriots have a ton of picks, so they are going to be able to load up on positions that need some improving. Wilkerson’s stock is on the rise, and some scouts absolutely love him at end in a 3-4 defense.  Wilkerson should fit right into the rotation for the Patriots.  He has a similar body type to Richard Seymour and other ends the Patriots have had.

18.   San Diego Chargers – Akeem Ayers – OLB – UCLA

                6’2’’ – 254 lbs – 4.80
                Needs: LB, DE, RT, WR

                Commish’s Take: The Chargers have major questions at all their linebacker spots.  Ayers took some heat for a slow 40-yard dash at the combine, but he can play and is a good fit for a 3-4 defense. I think Ayers could play inside or outside linebacker right away for the Chargers’ defense.

19.   New York Giants – Anthony Castonzo – OT – Boston College

                6’7’’ – 311 lbs – 5.23
                Needs: OT, MLB, OG

                Commish’s Take:  David Diehl is better at guard, so the Giants need to find another tackle to pair with William Beatty.  Castonzo has great potential and the work ethic to reach that potential. He lacks in lower body strength, but his technique and quickness are great.  I think Castonzo will be a good fit at left tackle over time for the Giants.  Also, Tom Coughlin has a special place in his heart for players from Boston College.

20.   Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Martez Wilson – LB – Illinois

                6’4’’ – 250 lbs – 4.49
                Needs: DE, LB, CB, OT, OG

                Commish’s Take:  The bullets will be flying with this pick. How could I have the Bucs passing on a defensive end?  I absolutely think Ryan Kerrigan and Justin Houston will be in the discussion here along with players from other positions, but haven’t you seen enough mock drafts with the Bucs taking one of those players. Somebody needed the balls to give the Bucs someone different, and that someone is me! The overwhelming consensus is that Martez Wilson is the top middle linebacker in this class by far. Sure, it’s a poor group of middle linebackers, but the size and speed combination that Wilson has would look very nice to a lot of people in the middle of the Bucs defense. If Barrett Ruud, who’s a free agent, is indeed on his way out, who do you think will take over for him?  Adam Hayward?  Wilson is great at blitzing and obviously has the speed to get to the deep middle in the “Tampa 2.” As a bonus, Wilson could line up as an outside rush backer when the Bucs go to a 3-4 defense. Wilson’s probably rated as a late 1^st or  early 2^nd round player, but if the Bucs want a player like this, they’ll have to grab him here.

21.   Kansas City Chiefs – Brooks Reed – OLB – Arizona

                6’2’’ – 263 lbs – 4.68
                Needs: OLB, NT, OT,WR, OG

                Commish’s Take:  Reed is on the rise after a great combine and because he looks so much like Clay Matthews. I like Reed off the edge and a team like the Chiefs fits perfect for him. Some people might think that this is a little high for Reed, but I bet his stock continues to rise all the way till draft day.  This seems like a classic Scott Pioli pick.

22.   Indianapolis Colts – Mike Pouncey – OG – Florida

                6’5’’ – 303 lbs – 5.28
                Needs: OL, CB, LB

                Commish’s Take:  The Colts need to just take the best offensive lineman available. Pouncey can come in right away and play guard for the Colts. He could then eventually take over at center,  after learning how to shotgun snap, of course.

23.   Philadelphia Eagles – Jimmy Smith – CB – Colorado

                6’2’’ – 211 lbs – 4.46
                Needs: CB, OT, OG, OLB

                Commish’s Take:  Jimmy Smith reminds me a lot of Aqib Talib. He’s got all the talent in the world, but he also has a ton of baggage. The Eagles have a huge need at corner, so this seems like a good place for the Eagles to take a risk on a player that could give you a big reward.

24.   New Orleans Saints – Ryan Kerrigan – DE – Purdue

                6’4’’ – 267 lbs – 4.71
                Needs: DE, OLB

                Commish’s Take:  I really have little doubt that the Saints will look to improve their front 7 on defense in the first cuple rounds of this draft.  They already brought in Shaun Rogers this offseason, but they do have a need at end opposite of Will Smith.  Since Smith already plays right end, I eliminated Adrian Clayborn from this pick, since he can only play right end due to his right arm being smaller than his left arm. Kerrigan could come in and play wherever Gregg Williams wanted him to play.

25.   Seattle Seahawks – Jake Locker – QB – Washington

                6’2’’ – 231 lbs – 4.59
                Needs: QB, OG, DE, DT, CB

                Commish’s Take:  There have been recent reports that the Seahawks do not like Locker. Does anyone smell anything? It might be BS coming from the Seahawks. Why would you float a story like that out there?  Anyways, I’ll stick with the Seahawks keeping Locker home and taking over for the departing Matt Hasselbeck.

26.   Baltimore Ravens – Titus Young – WR – Boise St.

                5’11’’ – 174 lbs – 4.53
                Needs: CB, WR(speed), OC, S

                Commish’s Take:  The Ravens have a huge need for a speed receiver. Their receiving corps last year might have been one of the slowest groups the NFL has seen in years.  You can go ahead and pick your poison here.  Speed receivers in this draft include Young, Torrey Smith (from Maryland), Leonard Hankerson, Randall Cobb, and Jerel Jernigan. I like Jernigan a lot but think Young is the flashy player the Ravens are seeking. Any of the aforementioned receivers could go with this pick though.

27.   Atlanta Falcons – Justin Houston – DE – Georgia

                6’3’’ – 270 lbs – 4.68
                Needs: DT, DE, WR, TE

                Commish’s Take:  The Falcons need someone that can get to the quarterback other than John Abraham.  Justin Houston is a local product that can come in and contribute immediately. He needs to learn better technique and more moves as a pass rusher, but he has a lot of natural ability.  If Houston continues to think he can just win with speed off the edge, he’ll go on to be a bust from this draft.

28.   New England Patriots – Mark Ingram – RB – Alabama

                5’9’’ – 215 lbs – 4.62
                Needs: see above

                Commish’s Take: This seems like the right spot for a player like Ingram. Could we look back and  say, “wow, I can’t believe he lasted that long?”  Well, sure. However, in this day and age in the NFL, you can pick up a running back off the street, like Arian Foster, and he goes on to win the rushing title.  There just isn’t a high value on running backs in the draft anymore.  Ingram is a very good back with great vision. I think he’ll be a great addition for the Patriots. 

29.   Chicago Bears – Corey Liugett – DT – Illinois

                6’2’’ – 298 lbs – 4.99
                Needs: OT, OG, WR, DT

                Commish’s Take: The Bears have big needs along the offensive line, but instead replace the recently departed Tommie Harris with a local product. Liugett is very solid against the run and as pass rusher.

30.   New York Jets – Phil Taylor – NT – Baylor

                6’3’’ – 334 lbs – 5.20
                Needs: NT, DE, CB, WR

                Commish’s Take: Phil Taylor is big and mean. The Jets need more toughness and youth along their defensive line. Seems like a good fit to me. Taylor can play nose tackle or end.

31.   Pittsburgh Steelers – Marcus Cannon – OT – TCU

                6’5’’ – 358 lbs – 5.26
                Needs: CB, OT, OG

                Commish’s Take:  Cannon just has the look of a Steelers massive offensive lineman. Flozell Adams seems to be safe for another year, but Cannon could come in and play guard for a year before moving to right tackle.

32. Green Bay Packers – Nate Solder – OT – Colorado

                6’8’’ – 307 lbs – 5.05
                Needs: OT, DE, OLB

                Commish’s Take: After getting Bryan Bulaga after he fell last year, the Packers get another offensive tackle that fell this year. There are concerns that Solder might have a tough time keeping weight on his tall body, but that’s nothing beer and brats won’t fix!

Round 2:

1 (33). N. E. Patriots (via CAR) – Stefan Wisniewski – OC/OG – Penn St.

                Commish’s Take:  The Patriots have to start looking to their interior line. Wisniewski is ready to come in and play immediately.

2 (34). Buffalo Bills – Ryan Mallett – QB – Arkansas

                Commish’s Take:  The Bills need a quarterback with a strong enough arm to throw through the elements.

3 (35). Cincinnati Bengals – Christian Ponder – QB – FSU

                Commish’s Take: Ponder is ideal fit for Jay Gruden’s west-coast style of offense.  He also has a great receiver to throw to now in AJ Green.

4 (36). Denver Broncos – Mikel Leshoure – RB – Illinois

                Commish’s Take:  Yep, the Broncos have Knowshon Moreno, but John Fox has never been afraid to have two running backs.  Leshoure will be to Moreno what Jonathon Stewart was to DeAngelo Williams.

5 (37). Cleveland Browns – Cameron Heyward – DE – Ohio St.

                Commish’s Take:  The Browns stay local and get a big boost for their defensive line.  If he stays healthy, Heyward could become great for the Browns.

6 (38). Arizona Cardinals – Brandon Harris – CB – Miami

                Commish’s Take:  The Cardinals need a corner opposite of Rogers-Cromartie.  Harris is a man-to-man corner who should thrive in the Cardinals type of 3-4 defense.

7 (39). Tennessee Titans – Danny Watkins – OG – Baylor

                Commish’s Take:  Mike Munchak takes over as head coach and doesn’t get an offensive lineman?  Look for the Titans to target Andy Daulton in the 3^rd round.

8 (40). Dallas Cowboys – Derek Sherrod – OT – Miss. St.

                Commish’s Take:  The Cowboys get a gift with Sherrod falling to them in the 2^nd round.  Sherrod could come in and compete for a starting job right away.

9 (41). Washington Redskins – Colin Kaepernick – QB – Nevada

                Commish’s Take:  Mike Shanahan gets a quarterback with a ton of mobility and possibly the strongest arm in the draft. Kaepernick is a good quarterback for Shanahan to mold.

10 (42). Houston Texans – Dontay Moch – LB – Nevada

                Commish’s Take: The Texans need a threat off the edge. Moch played end at Nevada, but at 248 lbs, he’s best in the NFL at outside linebacker especially in a 3-4 defense.

11 (43). Minnesota Vikings – Marvin Austin – DT – North Carolina

                Commish’s Take: Austin wowed everyone at the combine. He’ll be a great replacement for Pat Williams.

12 (44). Detroit Lions – Adrian Clayborn – DE – Iowa

                Commish’s Take: Clayborn slides because of concerns, but continues to help the Lions build a great defensive line.

13 (45). San Francisco 49ers – Christian Ballard – DE – Iowa

                Commish’s Take: The 49ers failed with Kentwan Balmer, so they need someone to come in and man the end position in their 3-4 defense. Ballard was nearly unblockable at the Senior Bowl.

14 (46). Denver Broncos (via MIA) – Aaron Williams – CB – Texas

                Commish’s Take: With needs at corner and safety, why not grab a guy that could potentially play either.  Williams might slip because teams don’t know if he’s a corner or a safety, but a team that has needs for both will take a shot on him.

15 (47). St. Louis Rams – Jonathon Baldwin – WR – Pitt.

                Commish’s Take: The Rams get their big time receiver for Bradford. Baldwin has to fine tune his game, but this is great value for him.

16 (48). Oakland Raiders – Ras-I Dowling – CB – Virginia

                Commish’s Take:  What’s that you say?  Dowling is not worth a 2^nd round pick?  Well, when has the Raiders taken a player that was worth where they were drafted?  Dowling is big and fast. Enough said!

17 (49). Jacksonville Jaguars – Rodney Hudson – OC/OG – FSU

                Commish’s Take: Hudson could come in and play guard or center for the Jaguars.

18 (50). San Diego Chargers – Benjamin Ijalana – OT/OG – Villanova

                Commish’s Take: The Chargers get help along their offensive line. Ijalana would be a nice fit at right tackle.

19 (51). Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jabaal Sheard – DE – Pitt

                Commish’s Take: Sheard is a technician as a pass rusher with many different moves to get to the quarterback. He should develop well. I think the Bucs should target his college teammate, Greg Romeus, in the 3^rd round.

20 (52). New York Giants – Bruce Carter – LB – North Carolina

                Commish’s Take:  The Giants get Carter who could come in and play outside or inside linebacker for them. Injuries are a concern with Carter.

21 (53). Indianapolis Colts – Rahim Moore – S – UCLA

                Commish’s Take: With Bob Sanders gone, the Colts get a chance to grab the draft’s top safety.  Unfortunately, with this class of safeties, that’s not saying much.

22 (54). Philadelphia Eagles – Jason Pinkston – OT/OG – Pitt.

                Commish’s Take: You knew Andy Reid had to get an offensive lineman. Pinkston can play guard or tackle.

23 (55). Kansas City Chiefs – Leonard Hankerson – WR – Miami

                Commish’s Take: The Chiefs get another regular wide out to play opposite of Dwayne Bowe.

24 (56). New Orleans Saints – Mason Foster – LB – Washington

                Commish’s Take: Continuing to bolster their front 7 on defense, Mason Foster is a sure tackler who’s also a good blitzer for Gregg Williams defense.

25 (57). Seattle Seahawks – Stephen Paea – DT – Oregon St.

                Commish’s Take: Paea set a record on the bench press at the combine. I’m sure many thought he’d go higher, but as you can see, this draft has better depth in the first three rounds than first anticipated.

26 (58). Baltimore Ravens – Curtis Marsh – CB – Utah St.

                Commish’s Take: The Ravens need a corner and Marsh has kind of flown under the radar so far. He has a good combination of size and speed.

27 (59). Atlanta Falcons – Kyle Rudolph – TE – Notre Dame

                Commish’s Take: If Rudolph checks out healthy at his pro day, his stock will rise. Right now, the Falcons get their heir to Tony Gonzalez.

28 (60). New England Patriots – Randall Cobb – WR – Kentucky

                Commish’s Take: The Patriots need to get Tom Brady some weapons to work with in the passing game. I picked Cobb for the Patriots here because he is a better route runner than the receivers left. He seems like a Patriots receiver already.

29 (61). San Diego Chargers (via NYJ) – Jerel Jernigan – WR – Troy

                Commish’s Take: I think the Chargers could use a little flash on offense and in special teams.  When I watch Jernigan on film, there is just something special about him. Don’t be shocked if he does end up going much earlier than this.

30 (62). Chicago Bears – Greg Little – WR – North Carolina

                Commish’s Take:  Little has some character concerns, but also has everything you want from a No. 1 receiver. This is exactly what the Bears need.

31 (63). Pittsburgh Steelers – Curtis Brown – CB – Texas

                Commish’s Take: The Steelers pass defense was a little shaky in 2010. Brown might have been  overshadowed at Texas by Aaron Williams, but he should be a good fit in man coverage run by Pittsburgh.

32 (64). Green Bay Packers – Torrey Smith – WR – Maryland

                Commish’s Take: The Packers are in a good position because they just don’t have many needs. What the hell, let’s give them one of the fastest receivers in the draft. I think the Packers might need a little more speed in their receiving corps.

Almost immediately when news broke that broke Tiki Barber was coming out of a four-year hibernation to begin toting the ball for some NFL team did the rumors begin that Tiki would be playing with the Bucs.

There are dots to connect. Surely Ronde Barber was privy to his twin’s plans and when Ronde broke bread with Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik recently to discuss reupping his contract, which he did, it’s not that difficult to believe Tiki’s name came up between cocktails.

But as far as anyone knows, that’s where the Tiki-to-the-Bucs issue stands. Simply put, eye-RAH Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune isn’t buying it. He put fingers to keyboard recently on the TBO Bucs Twitter feed to scoff at the notion that Tiki will join Ronde as a member of the Bucs.

In the coming weeks, you’re sure to hear plenty of rumors about Tiki Barber joining the Bucs to play with Ronde. Don’t hold your breath.

As Joe wrote in the comments in a previous post about Tiki, there may be some value in Tiki. The last time a prominent running back retired and unretired was Ricky Williams and the time off from the beating he took reinvigorated Williams.

But the flip side is the ugly truth: Tiki is not returning to football for the love of the game. Joe’s not going to go into the dirty details but there’s a reason Tiki is poison to the same networks that once swooned for his services. Tiki will never regain the lofty network status (and six-figure income) he once enjoyed for the very same reason Newt Gingrich and John Edwards will never be elected president.

The biggest hurdle for Tiki to clear in order to sign with the Bucs is this: Can he pick up blitzes?

Appearing on the of the most overrated sports radio shows in America, Mike and Mike, Adam Schefter of BSPN explains why Tiki Barber will likely end up playing for the Bucs.

Interesting what a probing, scrubbed interview this was. Neither of the bozos — one of which has a journalism degree from Northwestern of all places — nor Schefter explain why Tiki is broke and making a return to the NFL. Geez.

On the subject of Mike and Mike, when a market the size of the Tampa Bay area which has three sports radio stations and the best morning drive time option is Mike and Mike, there is a glaring, significant, major problem.

Thank God for Sirius NFL Radio, Rivals Radio and the King of All Media. “Raise your fist!”

Though Joe tries not to think about it because Joe is nearly as sick of CBA chatter as he is of the incessant airing of the Dixie Chicks school bus commercial on the Man’s Channel, the NFL Network (Joe saw/heard it 10 times last night — 10!), the CBA issue is the elephant in the room.

With the Dixie Chicks school bus commercial, Joe can just shut off the NFL Network, drastic as that may be, or simply turn the channel for a brief moment.

The CBA quarreling between NFL owners and the NFLPA won’t wishfully go away with a click of a button, sadly.

Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman has stated he will get the Bucs together to work out if a lockout happens, which makes Jeff Faine grit his teeth and want to run for his Orlando haberdashery.

John Czarnecki of FoxSports.com isn’t as sold. In an article where he roundly and largely throws bouquets at Team Glazer, Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik and Raheem Morris, the NFL columnist believes the Bucs’ youth will undermine them in a lockout.

If the NFL locks out the players for months, it could severely damage the chemistry and continuity that Freeman has built in the passing game with Williams and other young receivers like Arrelious Benn and Michael Spurlock.

Conversely, a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers, tough-luck losers of the Super Bowl, should be able to comfortably deal with a long-term lockout.

They were one of the oldest teams in the NFL last season and they return 11 starters who are 30 or older. This veteran group has taught well by Mike Tomlin, who demands physical, high-speed practices. They know what it takes to reach a championship game, many of them playing in three Super Bowls in the last six seasons. The league may not have liked the Steelers’ method of tackling at times last season, but no one questions the character of their players and the organization as a whole. This is a first-class franchise.

Joe has heard this argument before and frankly, who knows? Joe does know that the Redskins worked out more than any other team in the two more recent NFL labor stoppages and the result was the Redskins won a Super Bowl when play resumed.

Joe has spoken with Bucs receivers enough that, to a man, often offer a comment such as, “This is Josh’s team. If Josh says to do it, you do it.”

So Joe believes Freeman will have the vast majority of the Bucs who are serious about winning at whatever high school they work out at, much to Faine’s chagrin.

Will Raheem go back to his roots on draft day?

NFL Draft guru Justin Pawlowski, The Commish of WDAE-AM 620, answers your questions in the popular Commish’s inbox podcast. Lost of diversity in today’s mailbag, from Gaines Adams to potential picks with minor injuries to the Bucs’ options outside of the first round.

Click below to listen, or download here.

[audio: 3811commishinbox.mp3]

In this St. Petersburg Times video, Bucs coach Raheem Morris discusses how much he learned hanging in the Rays dugout yesterday at Port Charlotte.

Y0u’re nuts if you’re not enjoying the versatile multimedia coverage from NFL Draft guru Justin Pawlowski, aka The Commish of WDAE-AM 620. The Commish is ripping off all sorts of great stuff exclusively for JoeBucsFan.com — you’ll see him on JoeBucsFan TV soon — and he’s got his own great draft buzz page as well.

Below Pawlowski intelligently explores yet another plausible option for the Bucs in the first round.

By JUSTIN PAWLOWSKI
JoeBucsFan.com analyst

Mark Dominik recently listed his priorities to building a winning franchise.  Priority No. 1 was a franchise quarterback, which the Bucs have.  No. 2 was protecting that franchise quarterback.  And he finished by saying you have to “attack the other team’s quarterback.”

Before Bucs fans move on to Dominik’s third priority, we should ask if No. 2 has been fully addressed. 

The Bucs dealt with many issues along their offensive line last year and have many questions to answer this offseason. Davin Joseph and Jeremy Trueblood are destined for free agency. Center Jeff Faine has struggled with staying healthy and, although he’s been allegedly assured he’s coming back in 2011, is due $4.5 million in 2011 before seeing his salary jump to $6 million in 2012 and $7 million in 2013. 

Ted Larsen and Derek Hardman played decent at the end of 2010, but can they be counted on in 2011? 

Jeremy Zuttah was not great at guard at the beginning of 2010, but seemed at home when filling in for Faine at center. If Davin Joseph finds greener pastures in free agency, the Bucs would be forced to start Zuttah and Larsen at the guard positions and hope Faine can stay injury-free.

Only the Bucs and Mark Dominik know for sure whether they can afford to keep Joseph in a Bucs uniform.  If they feel it’s going to be a struggle once free agency does get underway, they might be proactive in finding his replacement in the first round of the 2011 draft.   

Sure, Mike Pouncey struggled with shotgun snaps at Florida in 2010, but his production as an overall lineman was very encouraging. He has been a very productive lineman from his days at Lakeland High School through his time with the Gators. 

Pouncey has the ability to step in and compete right away, which is what the Bucs might need if Joseph leaves.  Pouncey also has versatility, which is another attribute the Bucs like in their offensive linemen. 

We should not forget the connection Raheem Morris has with Mike Tomlin, either. Mike Pouncey’s brother, Maurkice, had one of the best years any rookie offensive lineman has ever had in the NFL with the Steelers last year.  There’s no doubt that Raheem has heard his buddy Tomlin talk about the luxury of having Maurkice on his lin. And raheem might view this as his opportunity to get his own Pouncey. 

It’s all speculation, but isn’t that what the draft’s all about?

The subject was brought up with Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik last week at the Great American Track Practice NFL Combine: Are the Bucs cutting corners with character guys?

Video star Anwar Richardson and Woody Cummings, colleagues at the Tampa Tribune, tackle this issue in the latest TBO Bucs vlog.

Where else can one get the following names in one video: Jeremy Trueblood, Aqib Talib, Mike Williams, Jerramy Stevens, LaGarrette Blount, Tanard Jackson, Geno Hayes and Charlie Sheen?

Please listen to the TBO duo’s comments and let Joe know what you think.

Joe’s been enjoying all the reaction to Raheem Morris politely answering a reporter questioning him yesterday about bringing philanderer running back Tiki Barber to the Bucs.

If Joe’s sees another take about what a great mentor to LeGarrette Blount that Barber would be, Joe’s going to vomit.

Obviously, Cadillac Williams and Earnest Graham did a phenomenal job with that — and they don’t carry any of Barber’s baggage.

About considering Barber, Morris ripped off a tactful yet flimsy maybe to Rick Stroud, of the St. Pete Times. Here’s an excerpt:

“You know me, we always discuss those guys who can help us. Obviously, we haven’t been going in that direction and coming off the layoff and all that stuff and where it’s going to go, where our young football team is, I don’t know if we have the ability to do that. I’m sure he can help someone, if not us, if it ever came to that.”

Translation: I’d talk about it over some fruit. But this team doesn’t bring in ancient players who’ve been couchbound for the last four years. We don’t go there. That’s not in our core beliefs. Maybe if LeGarrette got hit by a bus. 

Raheem went on to say he considers any player that could help the Bucs, which for Joe was a welcome break from Raheem and Mark Dominik’s typical public comments that refer to any big name free agent as Satan himself.

Tiki Barber was a phenomenal running back , but the Bucs don’t need his old, sucked-up-to-Meridith-Vieira ass to carry the rock.

You’re going to take carries from one of the best young running backs in the game to feed Tiki’s ego and hope he can pull off a miracle comeback? Joe would sooner see the Bucs sign a real free agent, like a guy in his prime that can stuff the run or has a pile of sacks in his resume.

Back to Cadillac Williams, Joe can’t express enough how revered he is in the Bucs locker room. His drive and success to return healthy from multiple injuries is legendary, and he was extremely effective during the second half of the 2010 season.

Not paying that guy and bringing in camera-loving Tiki would teach the young Bucs an ugly, demoralizing lesson in stupidity.

The disturbing story of Arron Sears continues to rear its ugly head.

Sears, a former stud left guard for the Bucs, suffers from some demons so bad, that he can’t stay employed in the NFL. In recent months, Sears has had a number of run-ins with the law. Good guy Stephen Holder of the St. Petersburg Times was able to obtain some court records that paint a very troubling picture about Sears.

In one case, he insinuated he was going to set off an explosive device in a hospital unless he had beer and cigars delivered to him.

About four hours later, Sears was returned to the hospital under the Baker Act after a Hillsborough deputy found him sitting in his truck “zoned out,” the report said. At the hospital, Sears became belligerent and continually attempted to leave his room despite his mother’s pleas and attempts to restrain him.

At one point, Battaglia wrote, Sears left the room and “demanded a beer and a black and mild (cigar). We informed the subject he could not have those in the hospital. The subject’s facial expression became aggressive and he stated, ‘You better get it or this place is going to blow.’ ”

Later, officers said, Sears shoved a nurse about 5 feet (the nurse didn’t press charges). Battaglia confronted him. Sears pushed Battaglia out of the way and left the room again. Sears then pushed his mother aside and ran, the report said. Battaglia subdued him with a Taser.

It’s a very sad and detailed story that no one seems to have an answer for. Holder left the door open that perhaps a head injury could have been the trigger for Sears’ troubles.

In short, Sears needs to be institutionalized so he and doctors can get a handle on things. Sears has already demonstrated a violent side. Until doctors can find out what is truly wrong with him and get this under control, Joe fears Sears could do something very terrible.

Maybe realizing his words could have offended those indirectly paying his salary, Bucs defensive tackle took to Twitter to set things straight after word leaked about what GMC said to Rivals.com about Tampa Bay locals.

@GK_McCoy I want to say thanx to all the Buc nation who have supported me throughout this tough process of working to get back from my injury. Bucs fans!! Greatest fans in the NFL!!! Love you guys!! Thanx!!

Props to GMC. Hey, look, none of us are perfect. We all make mistakes. Joe gives a nod of approval to GMC for recognizing that he may have blindsided those who want nothing more that to wrap their arms around the guy — figuratively, of course — and see him rack up double-digit sacks.

Oh, and a playoff berth would be nice too.