Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Grading 2013 Draft Class After Year One By David Levin January 27, 2014 11:16 pm
It’s a whole new ball game in Tampa Bay. Enter Lovie Smith and the return of the Tampa 2 defense and a philosophy that speaks to us like a Tony Dungy sermon.There is nothing better in the southwest part of the state these days than the idea of change in the air.Out with the tyranny of Greg Schiano and in with the idea of subtle tendencies that should improve both sides of the ball.The draft last season yielded hope. Josh Freeman was jettisoned away and the reins were handed to rookie Mike Glennon, who did nothing but impress us all. Is he the quarterback of the future? Does Tampa Bay stick with his progress? All to be answered in time.Here is a look at the Buccaneers draft and how the players panned out.Second-Round, No. 43 Overall: Johnathan Banks, Cornerback, Mississippi St.Played pretty well for a first-year rookie hauling in three interceptions and making 55 tackles. At 6’2” he is a good fit for coverage in Smith’s “Tampa 2”. GRADE: BThird-Round, No. 73 Overall: Quarterback Mike Glennon, N.C. StateHad the best season of any rookie quarterback. Glennon did everything the team asked of him and then some. The new coaching staff will determine if they stay with Glennon behind center or look for another replacement. GRADE: AFourth-Round, No. 100 Overall: DT Akeem Spence, IllinoisPlayed in all 16 games for the Bucs. Had 29 tackles and one sack. He is in the middle of current legal trouble that occurred after the season, but Lovie Smith will be counting on Spence to be part of the front line rotation. GRADE: C+Fourth-Round, No. 126 Overall: DE William Gholston, Michigan St.Defensive end played well, having 31 tackles and two sacks on the season. How will he be used by Lovie Smith. Gholston is 6’6” and 280 pounds and could be a solid edge rusher. GRADE: CRound-Five, No. 147 Overall: Steven Means, DE/OLB, BuffaloMeans didn't generate much pre-draft notice, but the Bucs believe the Buffalo alum offers a lot of upside as a situational pass rusher. He recorded 19.5 sacks and 30.5 career tackles for loss in college. Played in 10 games, and recorded three tackles. GRADE: DRound-Six, No. 189 Overall: RB Mike James, MiamiHe was doing well as a the backup to Doug Martin. James replaced Martin when he was injured and put on injured reserve. Then James got hurt as well. He will be the back up or in the rotation this season. GRADE: C http://www.footballnation.com/content/tampa-bay-buccaneers-grading-2013-draft-class-after-year-one/28388/
Not much preparation went into this article...It looks like the guy checked some stats online and just winged it.I agree with the banks and glennon grades. To get a starting DT in the fourth round should be minimum B. This article doesnt seem to factor in round drafted. For example most late round picks never amount to anything, so getting any production at all out of a mid-late round pick should receive a high grade. If spence was our first round pick then maybe he would be C but not in the fourth. Giving Mike James a C is also suspect. When he played he looked great. Yes he was injured but man he played well in his time he played. I don't think this guy remembers James' drive he was injured on. That drive alone for a 6th round pick should merit a B. I think based on the 6th round pick James should be a B+ or A. We'll see how he looks next year.
You can't grade our draft without grading Revis. We spent 2 draft picks on him...
Overall, I'd say a B+
"Third-Round, No. 73 Overall: Quarterback Mike Glennon, N.C. StateHad the best season of any rookie quarterback. Glennon did everything the team asked of him and then some. The new coaching staff will determine if they stay with Glennon behind center or look for another replacement. GRADE: A "Jdud mad ...
Mike James a C? I have to assume this is based on him being hurt and not his actual skill. The kid was an absolute steal in the 6th round. Our trades need to be addressed as we did use draft picks for them. Revis and Demps cost us draft picks and Blount. That should be addressed. The Demps trade was a F.
Mike James came in the demps trade. We used that extra pick to trade up and get him. Demps was just a throw in with the pick we acquired.You just got done saying how good James is. How was that trade an "f" ? Lol
Banks: B...for all the reasons stated aboveGlennon: A...regardless of whether I think he is "the man" or not, to get the best QB in the 3rd round is a winSpence: B...NT is not a stat position, but to get a starter in the 4th is big. Would have been a B+ without the recent legal issue.Gholston: B+...another 4th round potential gem. Made an impact in multiple games. Probably wont be the pass rush stud we need, but may take over for Clayborn when his contract is up.Means: N/A...not sure what we have here, but 5th rounders hardly ever make a 1st year impact. Has a good ceiling, lets hope he is motivated to reach it.James: A-...had he stayed healthy, probably an easy A+. Finding a rookie RB in the 6th round to step in and make an impact when a probowler goes down is Shanahan-ian.
Stupid to grade a draft after one year.But at this time a year, people become desperate for material.
Stupid to grade a draft after one year.But at this time a year, people become desperate for material.
Agreed. I like to wait 3 personally.
Banks = B. Did well in his rookie season.Glennon= B. He beat out rookies that didn't play or played sparingly. In a schiano based system, and retarded long routes for wideout's he still did good. A lot of fundamental problems though.Spence = C. Technically sound, tough, but also may have legal troubles. The verdict is still in question.Gholston = B. Played very well for where he was drafted. He may be around for awhile.Means = C. screwed up and made a play or two. Hard to judge this guy yet.James= A/B+. Played very well when he got a chance. He played so well, some started to question wheither or not we should trade dougie even.
Glennon should be a B.Spence should be a B
Spence looked great in preseason but he was a below average starter most of the year. Hopefully he improves this year but he's no sure thing.
Will any player get a second contract from the Bucs? I think there's a decent chance, no.
Third-Round, No. 73 Overall: Quarterback New Myron Lewis, N.C. StateHad the best season of any rookie quarterback. New Myron Lewis did everything the team asked of him and then some. The new coaching staff will determine if they stay with New Myron Lewis behind center or look for another replacement. GRADE: A
j/k, couldn't resist.With a fired GM and probably a new front office, at least in some part, its hard to see how any pick is a great pick. I guess in a vacuum some of them are good picks, Glennon has been a surprise, James was a big help. Spence played well but faded. One of the late round DEs played well at the end.
