Do we really need to pick a MLB in the draft?

[yungbull]

After reading several articles on this site and others, it seems as if Tyrone McKenzie could step in as an impact player if we don't resign Rudd.  Especially with a lack of dominant Mike backers available in the draft...

What do you all think?

[BucsWin31]

Everyone keeps saying "if"....how bout we give this legend to be some competition

[SunnyD]

We are going to draft BPA, with the exception of WR, QB and MAYBE RB.

I wouldn't be surprised to see us draft a center, safety or even a TE.

[GameTime]

i hope we dont draft a MLB this draft.  i would rather sign a vet to a short incentive contract and see what mckenzie can do against him.  if neither guy can handle it, let hayward finish the season in the middle and make it a priority in 2012.

if guys like irving/jones have the speed to play outside and the demeanor to play inside, then i certainly would draft them and see where they fit.

[DefenseWins]

I'm pretty much good with a reasoned bpa approach.

That said, I'd love to see us acquire a LB or two, draft, UFA, or FA.  Competition will make this team better.

[BucNY]

I think MLB in the 1st or 2nd round would be a big mistake. I know everyone is high on BPA, especially after Morris came out and pretty much said that himself but we just have other more pressing needs. Ruud is decent and people seem pretty high on McKenzie.

That being said I don't think Ruud will be back and I think it'll be a decent Vet (76-82 rating on Madden) brought in to compete with McKenzie.

[tbb345]

We need to go BPA,  with the exception of QB, WR, DT, and (maybe) CB. Everything else is game.

[Feel Real Good]

We don't just need a MLB so if we target a LB with versatility and McKenzie works out we can play the draft pick someplace else.

[Lombardi_Stacks]

yes we do need to draft a LB, IMO K.j Wright from Mississippi state is our guy. he's huge, 6'3 and 250 pounds, and plays the entire front 7 except interior D-line. Coaches at M-State didn't seem to know where he fit best ( it didn't help that they ran every defensive scheme known to man presently ) because he was recruited as a top DE in the state in highschool. Although it seemed like they moved him on every snap he looks like a better fit at LB (IMO) because he doesn't seem to have elite moves to beat OT's on every snap. Since he's not a career LB he lacks instincts and experience, so you'd have to watch his tape closely but what i think he can become exceptional at ( because he already does it well ) is exploding downhill on running lanes and stuffing the run. his scrape over the line is mediocre ( from lack of experience ) but when he starts downhill he has the athletism to stop plays short on the perimeter and in the backfield in between tackles. but best of all is when he starts downhill his size, speed and strength make him an unmovable object!! theirs not a fullback at all that can open a running lane when he decides to meet them full steam in a hole. nor to many TE's for that matter.......... and although you may not see it because he tends to want to go around O-lineman instead of threw them, with the right coaching their isn't to many O-lineman that can move him once he's made up his mind to fill a gap either!  He's just that big, fast an strong. Add that to his slightly above average coverage skills and vicious aggressive tackling ( +tackling power ), he may have the highest ceiling in the LB class. he's locked in the third round of my mock draft and Tampa shouldn't overlook the potential tackilng machine in this kid.

[blind melon]

I like Wright.   Going to need some coaching (a little more than most higher rated MLB's.)

If they're not going to spend a high pick on a MLB, then this is the best solution I've seen so far if the draft is the answer.

[Garv]

BPA, excluding QB and WO.
Defense then offense.

[truckerbuc]

Why would they need a MLB when they already have the best in Ruud.  Give that guy a raise, he plays the game the way it's supposed to be played. 

[yungbull]

Why would they need a MLB when they already have the best in Ruud.  Give that guy a raise, he plays the game the way it's supposed to be played.

I disagree.  He's okay in our system, but I don't see us overpaying for him.  If we do keep him around, I agree with going BPA regardless of need...

[TheChronicHotAir]

Why would they need a MLB when they already have the best in Ruud.  Give that guy a raise, he plays the game the way it's supposed to be played.

Hilarious!

What ComedyClub are you appearing at next? That's some AWESOME material!!!!!!

[nitey]

With Ruud/Black and Haywood all UFA this season and with the very real possibility that free agency won't happen until *AFTER* the draft ... yes, we need to draft a LB. We can't assume that we can sign any of them after the draft although the chances are good that we can at least get Haywood back under contract.

The MLB is the quarterback of our defense, how can anyone feel that it's not a need? Ruud did a great job of running our defense, but it appears that 1) he wants more money that we are likely to pay him 2) he may have some problems with the fact that we gave Penn a big contract during Penn's holdout but didn't do the same for him (feels under appreciated)  3) he is not as physical at the line of scrimmage as the coaching staff would like (gets caught up in trash).

McKenzie sounds like he could be a competent/good MLB, but he's unprovent and he is also splitting reps at WILL. As it stands, they don't know exactly where he'll end up.

I think other than DE, LB is our next highest priority and IMO definitely deserves to be addressed in round 1 to 3 preferably with a player that can play MLB to provide competition to McKenzie while McKenzie provides competition to Hayes.

Calling the defense on the field is tough, no matter who comes in to play that position, I expect a drop off and some broken plays. We'll miss Ruud's ability to call the defense.

Finally, lets remember that Joe Baker is coaching the linebackers again. I'm sure that inspires GREAT confidence in all of us < sarcasm off >. When you have sub standard coaching, you need above average talent.

JMO.