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Focus On The Draft
Posted By Ira Kaufman at Mar 05, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Updated Mar 05, 2008 at 02:17 PM

Q: Hey guys. With the Bucs’ inability to secure answers to some glaring holes on their team, along with plenty of salary cap space still available, what if they were to target their focus on the draft? If they were to package some picks/players and get another pick in the first round and grab their WR and CB through that means, they would clearly have the money to pay for them and we continue to get younger. I see this as a great response to the lackluster offseason so far. What do you think? Thank you as always!—Frank Stazzone, Long Island, N.Y.

A: To get another first-round pick, the Bucs would have to be both creative and daring. They don’t have much to dangle that other teams would covet. Also, two first-round picks are no guarantee in terms of instant impact. You don’t want to go into any draft with huge needs that could lead to selecting a lesser player just because he plays a position you crave. Acquiring additional picks is a smart strategy, but adding a first-rounder will be a challenge for GM Bruce Allen.

Send Us Your Comments

Posted by kyle fountain, kansas on 03/12 at 04:26 AM

NO PACMAN Greg NO PACMAN.

Posted by kyle fountain, kansas on 03/12 at 04:23 AM

no pacman

Posted by George L Hicks, Dallas on 03/11 at 05:11 PM

I think Tampa should stay put. And draft the following players by Rd’s.1-Wr DeSean Jackson,Rd-2 Cb Antoine Carson,Rd-3 S-Tyrell Johnson,Rd-4 OL Heath Benedict,Rd-5 FB Peyton Hillis,Rd-7 S Corey Lynch .How That, Go Bucs.

Posted by wags, Tampa on 03/09 at 01:29 PM

Okay so the draft is approaching and the speculation has been a KR/project WR NO THANKS he is no D Hester and probably not even as good as Ginn jr. The guy that should be on the radar is Felix “the cat” Jones the guy runs away from people the way the Eric Dick did in his day and something that Williams “the yugo’ with a flat tire never did. I really like Mendenhall reminds me of James Wilder but I don`t believe he slips that far down the board.

Posted by chauncey mccain, shreveport,LA on 03/06 at 09:12 AM

can’t traded away picks we have to many holes to fill if anything try to traded out 1st round to add picks because we need help in alot of places.so c.johnson ;l fitz needed to be out the question.

Posted by James Anderson, Lakeland, FL on 03/06 at 08:41 AM

Hmmm...maybe we should bring back Simeon Rice for all the naysayers (Same guys called Gruden/Allen idiots after that move). I see BK’s only hope is his old defensive co-ordinator in Detroit. I wonder if anyone considered the Bucs are offering contracts equal to players worth...but other teams are making the mistake of overspending. I want to see the post of the guy who has attended all the physicals for the free agents that came in. Personally, I don’t want to pay a player for his past. I want a guy with a future. And that is exactly what the Bucs are about right now. Not everyone can win the February championship like the Redskins (and presently the Jets).

Posted by John Minichino, Maryland on 03/05 at 09:38 PM

They are doing fine. Do not overpay for mediocre players and get us in salary cap trouble. I wish they had gotten Assante Samuels, but other then that who is out there? Javon Walker for 50 million! That is ridiculous. Bide your time and try and get some bargains.

Posted by M. Reynolds, Winter Park on 03/05 at 07:03 PM

Pandering to the fans won’t increase ticket sales when all those mediocre free agents don’t produce. Ask Dan Snyder how many yards/points/wins popular names get you. Winning sells tickets, and smart personnel management translates into W’s. I’m glad the management isn’t in the habit of bowing to their fanbase, as the only thing worse than an armchair QB is an armchair GM.

Posted by Greg M, Tampa, FL on 03/05 at 04:00 PM

this has been a weak free agent class - I’m glad the Bucs aren’t overpaying just for the sake of overpaying players. Take the cap space we have and lock up some of our young studs like Rudd. Of course I would be delighted if they were able to sign D.J. Hackett when he plays he produces. Also, at this point I’d consider offering a 4th or 5th round draft pick to the Titans for Pacman Jones.

Posted by Don Jackson, Nashville, TN on 03/05 at 04:00 PM

As frustrating as the first week of free agency seems to be for some fans, I think the Bucs have been very responsible to this point. The last thing this team needs to do is over spend for players. The last time they had substantial cap room to play with, they signed guys like Garner, Steussie, and Deese to overvalued contracts with no return on investment and a tight cap for the following few years as a result.

Posted by Lee Baenninger, Georgia on 03/05 at 03:36 PM

Gruden/Allen are in a true no win situation. If they spend the money (Jeff Faine) you cry that they spent too much and trash the player’s value. Currently, they are being cautious with their spending and you imply that they should be on a spending spree. The past has shown (Redskins) that throwing around allot of money for high profile players is not usually successful. Let’s see how irresponsible spending helps out the Jets.

Posted by shawn sudler, greenville, NC on 03/05 at 02:59 PM

kaufman,

they have to do something, no they BETTER do something. as a HUGE bucs fan this is the most disgusting offseason i have seen yet. and yet they wonder why we had trouble selling out of a PLAYOFF game....because of the lack of faith. this showing in the offseason isn’t helping much either. they need to pull of something huge or else it could mean plummeting numbers for ticket sales. and i know my REAL bucs fans feel where im coming from. this is terrible.

Posted by Alex Lewis, Ft. Myers, FL on 03/05 at 02:27 PM

securing anything right now is a challenge for Allen and Gruden. They cannot get anyone to sign on a dotted line.