Back to the Bucs Report

The Writers

Roy Cummings

Ira Kaufman

 @RCummingsTrib
 @IKaufmanTrib
 TBO Buccaneers
 Ask a question

More Links:

• Roster
• Schedule
• Statistics
• Email Updates

Most Recent Entries

• Jesuit-Tampa Catholic baseball time changed
• The Zim Bear: Cute or yikes?
• Riverview’s Woodard is state leader in high jump
• Longo, Hellickson, Jennings, Moore Zimmer, Maddon, Price, Shields featured on Rays promo schedule
• Holtz explains USF staff changes
• Buc fans have reason to remember Michael Bush
• Wiregrass Ranch keeper Dayton Wetherby commits to Navy
• Cinderella story of USF’s Jerome Pathon
• Sam Fuld’s take on Game 162
• Wiregrass OL/DL Edmond Boateng receives offers, will sign Thursday
• USF hires Pathon as receivers coach
• Tampa Prep’s Hayes, Berkeley’s Harvey earn Mr. Soccer awards
• Bucs could pursue Nicks
• Land O’ Lakes’ Josh Davis to sign with Saint Leo University
• Boys and girls rosters for Hillsborough-Pinellas Senior Soccer All-Star Match

More

• Bucs Report -Tribune staff
• Rays Report - Roger Mooney
• Bolts Report - Erik Erlendsson
• Bulls Report
• Gators Report - Tribune staff
• Go Fishing: On The Waterfront
• Breakfast Bonus - Tom McEwen
• The Sports Bookie - Bob D'Angelo
• Storm Report - Nick Williams
• Prep Report - Football
• Prep Report - Hillsborough
• Prep Report - Pasco
• NFL Draft Report
• Prep Report - Recruiting Updates
• Prep Report - Region
• Grapefruit Report - Spring Training
• Boxing Report - Eddie Daniels
• Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer - Tribune Staff
• Youth Sports Report
• Scenes From College Football
• Go Ask: Frank's Tacklebox
• Bucified Bert Blog
• BUK Power - Bucs Fan Blog
• Pigskin Preacher - NFL Fan Blog
• Highlands Sports

Monthly Archives

• February 2012
• January 2012
• December 2011
• November 2011
• October 2011
• September 2011

Play it Safe or Play it Bold

Posted Mar 31, 2010 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Mar 31, 2010 at 12:08 PM

By IRA KAUFMAN
TAMPA—Mark Dominik could play it safe in three weeks or he could make things happen.

It’s a tough call for the second-year GM of the Buccaneers, who are stocked with a bevy of premium picks when the NFL draft begins April 22 with a first round conducted in prime time.

The Glazers are placing considerable pressure on Tampa Bay’s scouting department to produce a harvest of immediate starters and the Bucs figure to land a high-profile DT, either Gerald McCoy or Ndamukong Suh, with the third overall pick.

That’s when things get interesting.

Armed with two second-round picks, Dominik has the ammunition to vault back into the first round if the Bucs spot a premium prospect who is unexpectedly available. Suppose the top-rated corner or offensive lineman on the Bucs draft board is still there at No. 22, with little realistic chance of lasting until Tampa Bay selects again at No. 35?

Dominik could be tempted to trade up and walk away with two first-round picks on what could be a memorable Thursday evening.

Just don’t expect the Bucs to sacrifice a high pick for the opportunity to move up and select Dez Bryant.

The former Oklahoma standout is the most talented wide receiver in the draft and the Bucs have a desperate need to upgrade targets for Josh Freeman, but Bryant comes with risks and the Bucs are adamant about avoiding risks this time around.

After catching 87 passes for 1,480 yards and 19 TDs in 2008, Bryant missed most of last season due to an NCAA suspension for lying to investigators about his relationship with Deion Sanders. He ran a pedestrian 4.53 in the 40 during his Pro Day Tuesday in Texas, with Bucs WR coach Eric Yarber in attendance.

Even if Bryant is still sitting there at No. 25, don’t expect the Bucs to move up to get him. There are too many questions about his character and his love for football—a top priority for Dominik and the Glazers.

Trading up to grab Bryant would be the boldest move of all ... and the most unlikely for a Bucs GM under the microscope.