Cubone's 2014 Mock Buccaneer Offseason
Significant CutsCarl Nicks, GDavin Joseph, GRe-SigningsDavin Joseph, G (to a cheaper deal after he realizes true value)Ted Larson, CEric Lorig, FBDekoda Watson, LBJonathan Casillas, LBAdam Hayward, LBAndrew Economos, LSFree Agent AcquisitionsBrian Orakpo, DEDexter McCluster, WRBrandon Pettigrew, TEKeith Rivers, LBDarrell Stuckey, SRex Grossman, QBFozzy Whittaker, HB2014 NFL Draft1. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M2. Travis Swanson, C, Arkansas4. Seantrel Henderson, OT, Miami5. L'Damian Washington, WR, Missouri7. Cody Hoffman, WR, BYU2014 Buccaneer Depth ChartQB - Manziel/Glennon/Grossman HB - Martin/James/WhittakerFB - Lorig/LarsenWR1 - Jackson/WashingtonWR2 - Williams/HoffmanWR3 - McCluster/OwusuTE - Pettigrew/Wright/CrabtreeRT - Henderson/DotsonRG - Joseph/OmamehC - Swanson/LarsonLG - Zuttah/CarimiLT - PennLE - Clayborn/Bowers/MeansDT - Spence/GibsonDT - McCoy/LandriRE - Orakpo/GholstonSLB - Watson/RiversMLB - Foster/HaywardWLB - David/CasillasCB1 - Revis/JohnsonCB2 - Banks/MelvinNB - GorrerSS - Barron/TandyFS - Goldson/StuckeyK - BarthP - KoenenLS - EconomosKR - WhittakerPR - McCluster
We don't need to sign that many WRs, especially doubling up in the draft. I also think the FA is very Maddenesque. No to Grossman and roll with Manziel and Glennon. Also, our current RB situation isn't a concern, so why tweak it?
I don't think McCluster is the answer. I also don't like the fact you didn't shore up the secondary depth, mainly cornerback. Gorrer/Melvin are developmental guys but I wouldn't count on them to be consistent b/c nowadays 3 CB's see the field more than that third backer. I'd like to pick-up a crafty veteran who can play the nickel while Gorrer/Melvin man the dime package. Other then that, its fine with me.
Bench Dotson who was our best OL last year, and was on of the best RT's in the league?Keep Davin? No thanks at any price. Keep Penn? Maybe if he restructures. I'd rather see Dotson on the left Move Zuttah to guard? I've never liked this idea. I think he makes a better C. But still, he's not a great C. Agree with the above thoughts on WR - no need for all that with Mike Will coming back. Why drop Rainey as 2nd/3rd string RB?No thanks.
I threw up in my mouth a little bit. 2 rookies starting on the O-line? 3 rookies overall on offense, including the QB?? #NoThankYou
What are we trading to get JFF? You don't think he is falling to 7 do you?
Is Cubone a Pokemon reference? If so, high five.
First, I agree with Nicks and Joseph. I am also ok with Joseph coming back but only at a much reduced salary and I still make him compete for his job. I really don't have much interest in any of your free agents and would rather sign Allen or Hardy at DE. As for the draft, I'd love to get Manziel but that's only if he slips to us. I have a feeling he will be gone at 7. If he's there...we have to take him. Assuming he's gone though, I think we look at Barr, Ebron, or the best OL or DE available. WR is also an option with the first pick. I do like Swanson, but I don't think Zuttah is horrible at C. I am okay with drafting a C, but I think OG is a much bigger need. Hopefully we can sign a big time OG to replace Nicks and maybe add a 2nd to compete with Joseph. In round 2 I think I'd rather go OG, or TE if we don't go TE in round 1.I also don't see the reason for benching Dotson. He was our best OL this year. You probably won't replace him with a 4th round OT. While Penn had some bad games, he's still at least better than average. He makes too much, but I'd be willing to rework his deal a little. I think if you keep Penn and Dotson but get upgrades at both G spots and maybe C...Penn and Dotson will look better. The only way we cut Penn I think is if someone like Matthews or Robinson are on the board at 7. Then I could see the Bucs drafting one of those guys and maybe trying to trade Penn for a mid round pick.I also don't see any chance that Rainey doesn't come back and finally...any roster that has Koenen back at $3+ million...that just can't happen. He hasn't played as well and he either needs to rework his deal or the Bucs need to look for a new punter.
We don't need to sign that many WRs, especially doubling up in the draft. I also think the FA is very Maddenesque. No to Grossman and roll with Manziel and Glennon. Also, our current RB situation isn't a concern, so why tweak it?
I don't think it's an argument that beyond Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams the Buccaneers receiving corps is drab. Go watch highlights of L'Damian Washington and considering his size/speed combination. He would be a great pickup and if you really argue about doubling up with a 5th and 7th rounder, I'd like you to consider the value of a 7th rounder. it is completely feasible that Tampa double dip on receivers. Lately, calling any free agency "Maddenesque" is simply silly commentary. Many would say signing Jackson and Carl Nicks was also "Maddenesque", but I envision Brian Orakpo and Dexter McCluster as the only early free agent signings. It's entirely possible, if not likely that if the others don't sign with their current teams then they will hold out a little longer in free agency looking for a better deal. I can see Pettigrew and Rivers signing one-year "prove it" deals. Both have had lackluster production when compared to their perceived potential.
I don't think McCluster is the answer. I also don't like the fact you didn't shore up the secondary depth, mainly cornerback. Gorrer/Melvin are developmental guys but I wouldn't count on them to be consistent b/c nowadays 3 CB's see the field more than that third backer. I'd like to pick-up a crafty veteran who can play the nickel while Gorrer/Melvin man the dime package. Other then that, its fine with me.
Honestly, CB is the biggest hole in this mock, but I do think that the new regime might trust the baptism by fire that this group has had to endure over the past few years and let them fight for the nickel job. Gorrer is fine covering most NFL slot receivers. Melvin could certainly surprise some people and Leonard Johnson is good depth. I don't see McCluster being used as a traditional slot, because he isn't a traditional player, but he is certainly a playmaker. That's why I also had the Buccaneers drafting two receivers. I was looking at this more as a complete unit than traditional responsibilities by position. Also using Tim Wright/LaDamian Washing/Osuwu in the slot will work well enough, in my honest opinion.
Bench Dotson who was our best OL last year, and was on of the best RT's in the league?Keep Davin? No thanks at any price. Keep Penn? Maybe if he restructures. I'd rather see Dotson on the left Move Zuttah to guard? I've never liked this idea. I think he makes a better C. But still, he's not a great C. Agree with the above thoughts on WR - no need for all that with Mike Will coming back. Why drop Rainey as 2nd/3rd string RB?No thanks.
Dotson would still likely start at RT but I would certainly welcome competition. For this mock I viewed drafting an offensive tackle in the fourth as competition with Dotson, depth, and preparing for an eventual life after Penn. I don't think Dotson should switch to the left, as I seem to value Penn a little higher than you. Zuttah has played just as many snaps in his NFL career at guard as center. I'd like to see a little more of a nasty streak from a center and bring someone in who can be the quarterback of the offensive-line for years to come. I really hope someone can agree with me on the views of the receiving corps. They are absolutely terrible beyond Williams. Investing a 5th and 7th is not much of a gamble to significantly improve a unit that is crucial in today's game.
I threw up in my mouth a little bit. 2 rookies starting on the O-line? 3 rookies overall on offense, including the QB?? #NoThankYou
I can name countless rookie offensive lineman who have come in and made an immediate impact for the Buccaneers in recent history; Davin Joseph, Aaron Sears, and Jeremy Zuttah being a few. Also, I'd like to point out the Chicago Bears, who started two rookie offensive lineman and significantly improved their offensive line play this season.
What are we trading to get JFF? You don't think he is falling to 7 do you?
This is my one true hope. The Buccaneers absolutely cannot trade up given all their needs, but how swell would it be if Tampa were able to land him at 7? I think it's possible he falls.
Is Cubone a Pokemon reference? If so, high five.
First, I agree with Nicks and Joseph. I am also ok with Joseph coming back but only at a much reduced salary and I still make him compete for his job. I really don't have much interest in any of your free agents and would rather sign Allen or Hardy at DE. As for the draft, I'd love to get Manziel but that's only if he slips to us. I have a feeling he will be gone at 7. If he's there...we have to take him. Assuming he's gone though, I think we look at Barr, Ebron, or the best OL or DE available. WR is also an option with the first pick. I do like Swanson, but I don't think Zuttah is horrible at C. I am okay with drafting a C, but I think OG is a much bigger need. Hopefully we can sign a big time OG to replace Nicks and maybe add a 2nd to compete with Joseph. In round 2 I think I'd rather go OG, or TE if we don't go TE in round 1.I also don't see the reason for benching Dotson. He was the Buccaneers best OL this year. You probably won't replace him with a 4th round OT. While Penn had some bad games, he's still at least better than average. He makes too much, but I'd be willing to rework his deal a little. I think if you keep Penn and Dotson but get upgrades at both G spots and maybe C...Penn and Dotson will look better. The only way we cut Penn I think is if someone like Matthews or Robinson are on the board at 7. Then I could see the Bucs drafting one of those guys and maybe trying to trade Penn for a mid round pick.I also don't see any chance that Rainey doesn't come back and finally...any roster that has Koenen back at $3+ million...that just can't happen. He hasn't played as well and he either needs to rework his deal or the Bucs need to look for a new punter.
The only thing I'll say about this is I'd be hard pressed to believe that Hardy won't be held onto by Carolina, and Allen is just too old for the salary he will demand from somewhere. I feel as though Orakpo could come in and give the unit that explosiveness that they desperately need. Keep the rest of the DE's and have a solid rotation for once. In terms of my valuation of Rainey, I really just don't see him as a legitimate football player in the NFL. He is what he is; a track athlete with several deficiencies in his game. I like Fozzy Whittiker a bit more, because while he doesn't have the speed of Rainey, he still ran high 4.3's and showed at Texas he was more than just a speed back. He can do more things than Rainey.
So Lord Beavis is into Pokémon, and is in charge of his own bedroom?What a BOSS!
Bouncing Joseph and Nicks is a positive. We should not bring back Joseph at any price, as BnB stated. Just re-sign Meredith at a fair cap #. Dotson was the best and most consistent OLmen on the team in '13. He will be starting in 2014. We absolutely, positively, MUST draft 2 interior OLmen with the first 4 picks. Rejuvenating this OL unit with fresh blood is imperative given that Dom has refused to draft OLmen because of fear that they would be busts. We are fine at the OT positions for now, but the interior is a mess. Slide Zut over to G, draft a few rookies, and let the current depth guys and the rookies battle it out in preseason.Not a big fan of Manziel as an NFL QB, but I get selecting him...if he is there....which is a big IF.
So Lord Beavis is into Pokémon, and is in charge of his own bedroom?What a BOSS!
Considering I make some good side money from making youtube videos about 90's stuff, yeah, I am :)Also college girls are all into anime. Especially the ones with wild hair colors ;0 Woo woo! :DYou sound more and more like a bitter old man every day :(
