Cook’s Recap

Depth Chart

Looking back at my complete draft, I don’t think there is any question who has the best overall team. And while I might not have won every unit, offensively this team is a force to be reckoned with, and one that would strike fear in the heart of any defensive coordinator who is trying to stop it.

You have to have a quarterback to win in the NFL, and in just two seasons, Jameis Winston has already proven to be the best in franchise history. Two consecutive seasons of over 4,000 yards, leadership and wisdom beyond his years, Winston was the right pick to lead my potent offense.

Mike Alstott

And who as a Bucs fan, wouldn’t love to see the WD-40 combination back on the field together again? The bruising running style of Mike Alstott, and the quick shifty and elusiveness of Warrick Dunn gives me a distinct advantage over my co-workers picks at that position. No disrespect to James Wilder, Ricky Bell or the other backs taken, but having two very different types of runners would make it very hard for defenses to game plan for. In fact we saw that specifically when the two played together on the field at Raymond James.

With a strong running game and a leader at quarterback, the passing game would also be extremely effective, and like the running backs I took, the contrast in the styles of my wide receivers creates matchup nightmares. Mike Evans ability to win the one-on-ones along with his red zone prowess, combined with the speed of Joey Galloway would make opposing defenses have to pick their poison essentially. Add in a dynamic pass catcher in Jimmie Giles, and options are endless for an offensive coordinator.

None of the above players are effective without a good offensive line, and while there may not be any future Hall of Famers blocking for my offense, it is a very physical group who play tough and with an edge. Joe Hawley at center and Donald Penn are both linemen who love to intimidate and play a second past the whistle. I believe J.R. Sweezy is the same. Roman Oben is quiet and not much of a talker, but he walks around with a Super Bowl ring and was deadly serious about protecting Brad Johnson during his time in Tampa Bay. Add in a veteran who turned into an outstanding coach in George Yarno and while not a superstar group, you could call them a lunch pail gang. Just get up, go to work and get the job done. And that fits perfectly in what I want in my team.

Defensively my team my lack the “star power” of the other two teams, but I am not looking to boast Pro Bowls and individual awards. I was trying to put together a certain type of team that would be cohesive along with very physical and very tough. An intimidating group of players that would strike fear in ball carriers, quaterbacks and receivers.

Ex-Bucs DT Warren Sapp and DE Greg Spries – Photo by: Getty Images

Across the defensive line it is a no-name bunch, from a national perspective anyway. Greg Spires and Chidi Ahanotu weren’t players talked about across the country by the pundits from sports networks, but both were very effective in what they did. When I pair them with my two interior guys, Chris Baker and Booger McFarland, I think it is a solid group and a good mix of size and speed which would be effective in both stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback. I don’t need 45 sacks from these guys, especially when you look at my linebackers and secondary who are full of players I can send to add extra pressure, and still hold up against the pass when playing man coverage.

Linebacker wise, I have as good a group as any. It isn’t Reynolds or Sikkema’s fault they weren’t around to see the greatness of Batman Woods or Hugh Green, so I give them a pass. And while Kwon Alexander is still in the process of getting better, give him 10 years in Tampa Bay, and he will make his own mark on the organization.

And as stated during the daily draft stories, if by chance someone does get past the second level my safeties, John Lynch and Mark Cotney will clean things up. Again, younger fans don’t know Cotney, and some never saw Lynch play, but let’s put it this way – both would share the lead the league in fines for hits. Neither was dirty, and played by the rules of the time, but you could literally hear those two bearing down on you.

Pass coverage wise, Brent Grimes was one of the best players on the field last year at any given time. He is the quintessential shutdown corner, and should be even better in 2017, after another year with Mike Smith and his Bucs teammates. Opposite Grimes is another older Buc, Cedric Brown who was as big of a ballhawk as this town has ever seen, still third in interceptions all time.

Lastly my special teams are solid with the booming leg of Michael Husted, his punter equivalent in Bryan Anger, and the Bucs lone Pro Bowl returner in Clifton Smith.

Former Bucs head coach Jon Gruden – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

To top off my team I selected Jon Gruden as the head coach of the squad. Imagine the numbers Gruden would have put up had he had the firepower I have on offense with this group. We might not be a Top 5 defense, but he would certainly have a Top 5 offense, capable of scoring from anywhere on the field.

Reynolds can boast of accolades, and it is somewhat true, but offensively he is challenged with two running backs that averaged less than four yards a carry, a non-mobile quarterback, and two good, but not great receivers. He most certainly should have chosen Tony Dungy as his coach because this offense resembles a type Dungy would have loved. Ball control, low scoring a good defense. Not a bad plan, but one that got him fired.