Sikkema’s Selections 21-25

21. S Jermaine Phillips
22. K Martin Gramatica
23. C Jeff Faine
24. KR Michael Spurlock
25. P Josh Bidwell

Sikkema’s Reaction – Rounds 21-25
I was pretty happy with my Day 4 haul. I didn’t want to leave the majority of my offensive line to the last day of the draft, so I nabbed the best three guys I could in Davin Joseph, Charley Hannah and Ian Beckles. Before that, I was able to grab a tackling machine for my defense in Barrett Ruud. And with my other pick, I selected a tight end who has the chance to be the most talented tight end and offensive weapon this franchise has ever seen in O.J. Howard – even though he has a long way to go towards proving it.

To start off my final draft day, I went with safety Jermaine Philips. In Phillips’ rookie season, the team won its only Super Bowl – not a bad way to start a career, huh? He went on to play eight seasons in Tampa Bay. He finished his career as a Buccaneer with 336 total tackles, 10 forced fumbles, 11 interceptions and 27 passes defended in 96 games. He’ll play opposite Tanard Jackson on the back end at the strong safety position, and keeps the attitude theme while bringing plenty of experience.

Bucs K Martin Gramatica – Photo by: Getty Images

With my next pick, I selected the player who has the most points of all time in Buccaneers history, kicker Martín Gramática. Gramática was given the nickname “Auto-mática” for how clutch he was when it mattered. He was the team’s kicker from 1999 to 2004, and was the leg that capped off many much needed drives during the franchise’s most crucial games. He is an iconic player in Tampa Bay for his reliability, and even though we were still a few rounds away from the last pick, I knew I had to get him before the others did. You can’t be great without clutch kicking.

After that I decided it was time to finalize my offensive line. Jeff Faine was a former first round selection of the Cleveland Brown, but after just three years there, was traded to New Orleans. From there (where he earned Pro Bowl honors), he signed with the Tampa bay Buccaneers for four seasons. Even though he didn’t have his best year in Tampa Bay, the talent was still there, as was the leadership. That’s what I like in my center.

For my final two selections, I went with special teams. Josh Bidwell played for the Buccaneers from 2004 to 2009, and was even selected to the Pro Bowl in 2005. I was very surprised he wasn’t the first punter off the board. And my other special teams pick was the player I had my eyes set on when I made my draft board. Michael Spurlock was the first player ever to record a kick return for a touchdown. Spurlock wasn’t the best kick returner I’ve ever seen, but in a history draft, give me the guys who make history.

“Could it be… Could it be the great curse is lifted!?”

“Santa María!”

“Run Michael, run Michael, run Michael, run!”

Finally, let’s see what Reynolds thought of his final draft picks on the next page.