Por (Tyler Ellrodt) on March 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

We no longer HAVE to spend our first pick on a LB which is good.  We could use our first pick on Jerry now but if we drafted a guy like Percy Harvin, Clay Matthews, or Larry English I wouldn’t mind at all.  Each one of those guys are worthy of the 19th overall pick.  If we don’t sign a DT for depth purposes then I deffinately think we make either Chris Hovan or Ryan Sims a backup by taking Peria Jerry.

Por (Big007hed) on March 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

I think we definitely need to have better DTs than Hovan and Sims, I still say we should bring in Tank Johnson and sign him

Por (Chris) on March 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

Hey i think the move will be find. He’s an athletic guy who can move and if he had to cover we’ll be find. Just look at the Carolina Panthers OLB thomas davis who made the switch coming out of college from saftey to OLB and he’s 6’0 240 and he’s a stud. So we all know phillips is a head hunter. so if he adds 10 pounds he’ll be a monster. maybe even a pro-bowler. Tank Johnson would be a great addition. How about adding chris McCalister to the secondary. Hes got nasty cover skills

Por (B. L. Zeebub) on March 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

It never hurts to experiment. All the naysayers and whiners and haters are going to complain that this is another sign of the Bucs reaching in desperation…

Jerry, from what I’ve read is not a good fit in the new scheme, as he’s more of a one-gap guy. Would’ve been great for the old scheme, but the tackles in Bates scheme need to be able to stonewall and push as opposed to shooting gaps.

Por (cval) on March 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

Percy Harvin’s exciting,but we need D-Line more than anything. Can’t go another season with backups playing as starters. 1st rd choices: Jerry is a solid DT at 6’2”/295 and has a 4.98/40 yd. Ron Brace is bigger at 6’3”/329. He did 32 reps of 225 (great), but is slow (5.47/40).E. Ziggy Hood is rated lower but he’s a 3T DT like Jerry, 6’3”/298, ran a 4.91/40 and did 34 reps/225. Hood will go early 2d rd if not taken in late first. That’s about it for starter potential right away.Tyson Jackson could play LDE or DT for Bucs but will prob be gone. Michael Johnson would be a nice bookend for Adams…weak senior year but great combine: 6’7”/260 and a 4.67/40…English is only 6’2” and like Clay Matthews figures to be a 3-4 def OLB.

Por (cval) on March 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

Just a quickie: Cato June was drafted as a safety by Colts in 2003…In 2005, he made pro bowl for them as a LB. Versatility is a good thing. Consider Trueblood for DT. (Move Sears to RT and Zutttah to LG)

Por (:PapaJohn) on March 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

Please don’t draft a DT with the Bucs only first pick. The past 2 drafts have dedicated early picks to the defense including the first rounders. They should use the pick on one of the really good OT this year. Penn is too fat.

Por (Shawn G.) on March 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

With Jermaine moving to WLB, Crowell signed to play SLB, and Sabby sliding in to play SS - we’re basically set with at least “fairly” good players at every spot in the back 7 [LBs and Secondary].  At this point, we’re looking at a major deficiency on the D-line.  That has been an issue for a few seasons now, and we need to address it.  Gaines will benefit from the added help a good DT can bring.  Plus, our interior run defense was exposed, meaning that we need an infusion of new blood to change things up.

As much as the offense could use a boost - defensive line is still the way to go here.

Por (Mike J) on March 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

I’m interested in the Phillips move, but have a wait & see attitude. I too want a DT. I agree w/ Mr. Zeebub; I liked Jerry a couple months ago, but that was as an UT in the cover-2. “The War Room” has USC’s Fili Moala ranked equally w/ Jerry; not as quick, but a lot bigger. A DE or another CB isn’t out of the question either, methinks. But no WR Rd.1, please.

Por (ref813) on March 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

We still have needs on D, the line especially.  OT isn’t a pressing need.  WR is the only O possibility I can see unless one of the top 4 OTs somehow slips all of the way to us.  If Oher and Jerry are available, I’d go with Jerry.  Given the lack of success we’ve had with O players in the 1st lately (other than 1 lineman), I almost prefer that they draft D in the 1st every year.  This is a new staff.  Maybe, they’ll end the trend.  DL is unquestionably our biggest need.  It’s either trade down and pick up a 2nd to get DT or take one in the 1st.

Por (WarrenV) on March 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

DT Chris Baker, a beast at 6’2” 326lbs, 5.02 40yd
DT/DE Jarron Gilbert 6’5” 288lbs, 4.87 40yd
DE Lawrence Sidbury 6’4” 251lbs 4.64 40yd
These are the D-linemen I like. All are very athletic and aggressive that I think will be more productive at the pro level than the hyped up top tier prospects in this draft class. I’d like to see the Bucs get at least one of these guys between rounds 1 and 3. Very good speed for guys as big as these.

Por (cval) on March 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

Warren makes a good point about LT if one of top 4 are there at #19, but like ref says, D-Line is more urgent. If Bucs draft a QB in 2010, a strong LT is a priority. I like Gilbert and Sidbury (4.64/40 @Combine)..There are OT’s and DT’s that will be there in Rd 2 but we have no Pick. Both positions are more important to Bucs than TE that we gave away our 2d rd pick for. I regret the move, esp. with Smith and Stevens resigned. Oh well. We’ve blown the 2d round pick 2 years in a row.

Por (Hector) on March 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

I don’t understand why all of you have this big crush on Percy Harvin, the guy has no true position, to small to play RB and to play WR he needs to improve his route running.  his speed is nice but not worth drafting with the bucs 1st pick. lets not even talk about the man crush all you guys have with tim tebow, i know all he does is win in college, but this guy hasn’t taken a snap under center in almost his who career as a gator, the bucs can also do with out him. i agree that the bucs should draft a DT, QB or WR. for all the Josh freeman haters out there please consider this. the kid made all the call and audibles at the line of scrimmage and also took snaps from under center in a pro style offense.

Por (Hector) on March 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

his numbers were not great due to his supporting cast would drop everything, look at film people not just sports center. DO NOT MORTGAGE THE FUTURE FOR CUTLER!!

Por (Todd) on March 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

Sounds good lets give it a shot. Sabby and Tenard has safty coverd.
We already started rebuilding our offence this season..THAT is what we need to continue to do. There isn’t anybody sitting pretty for us in the draft at #19 then #83… on Defense. We have no chance at superbowl this season regaurdless. We have to take what is available..Which is the offence this season.
Next year 2010 FA,Draft is where we can rebuild our Defense to where we could be serious contenders for the division title / Superbowl Champs.
If we have one of the top 5 picks in the draft in 2010 thats where we start building D. There will be a better class next season for that.

Por (Elard Andrews) on March 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

I still have that feeling that we are going to use our first round draft pick on Jay Cutler. The Bucs and Lions are the front-runners right now on trying to land Cutler will see what happens this weekend

Por (Greg) on March 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

The Bucs offense will not explode without a blue-chip WR. Luke McCown will not have the success he would have without a speedy blue-chip WR like Darrius Heyward-Bey who is as tall as Clayton but with 4.3 speed. Nice mismatch for the defense. Bring in Tank Johnson, then draft either a DL or LB or CB with 3rd round pick. Come on guys this isn’t rocket science.

Por (Hector) on March 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

Greg, your right a WR like DHB is a better option than Harvin, but like Harvin he needs to improve his route running, & DHB needs to hit the JUGS machine, but i like him better than Harvin; since Harvin is an athlete w/o a position.  plus DHB has more upside that Harvin. plus i’m a Maryland fan (go Terps!)

Por (Marques Sousa) on March 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

Go get Matt Jones.  He will just cost money. Save the draft pick for the defence. 6’6 4.4 speed. He could be our Plaxico.

Give him a chance. Raheem will redeem. Have faith boys.

Por (tampafan) on March 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

go get tank johnson and pacman jones and draft victor macho harris and or kenny britt or james barden and the or greg carr and antone smith or tyrone mckinze

Por (:PapaJohn) on March 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

Still think they should spend the 19th pick on OT.

Penn is too fat for speed rushers.

Por (Roland) on March 20, 2009 (Suggest removal)

Anyone know how many LTs will be FAs next year? That would be important to know if I were the GM. Otherwise my priorities would be (in order) DT, LDE, WR, CB. I would consider all of those positions viable and pick the player I thought was the best value. If a franchise caliber LT slides (because there are so many this year), I would be forced to grab the LT (and trade Penn for a 3rd rounder).

Por (Roland) on March 20, 2009 (Suggest removal)

And, nice post Roy. And I’m not being sarcastic this time.

Por (John Robertson) on March 20, 2009 (Suggest removal)

Barring a Cutler trade, what if we traded down to 2nd round, maybe get an extra pick and still pick up a DT, CB and WR in the first 3 rounds?

Por (Ron Nado) on March 20, 2009 (Suggest removal)

Hey guys, I think before it’s all done they will bring someone in like a Tank Johnson for the d line and draft who ever the best player is avail. at 19 what ever the position! Remember the new regime is young and energetic and we are rebuilding. Remember adrian peterson acouple years ago? They want playmakers, and so far this year the focus has been on the Offense. I think they have faith in our defensive players we have now and are not focused on just drafting d players. I could be wrong, like I said they will pick up the best player avail. at 19, who ever it is period!