Reynolds’ Selections 6-10

6. DT David Logan
7. OLB Lavonte David
8. CB Donnie Abraham
9. WR Mark Carrier
10. WR Kevin House

Reynolds’ Reaction – Rounds 6-10
After drafting linebacker Derrick Brooks, defensive end Lee Roy Selmon, cornerback Ronde Barber, middle linebacker Hardy Nickerson and running back James Wilder with my first five picks, I stayed true to my formula of building a championship defense with defensive tackle Dave Logan, the franchise’s fourth-leading sacker. With Sikkema nabbing Sapp and McCoy early, I had to stray from my draft board and pick Logan earlier than I wanted. Yet reuniting him with Selmon is a great start to my defensive line.

Bucs LB Lavonte David – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

In the seventh round I stayed on defense and rounded out the best group of linebackers in team history with the selection of David. With Nickerson’s physicality in the middle combined with Brooks and David having sideline-to-sideline speed and the ability to cover backs out of the backfield and record pick-sixes, I know Cook and Sikkema are envious of my linebacker unit.

After picking David, I turn right back around and select Abraham to pair with Barber in the secondary. I now have the top two interceptors of all time in Barber (47) and the speedy Abraham (31), which makes throwing against my cornerbacks a dangerous proposition. These two elite corners had 10 combined pick-sixes in Tampa Bay between Barber (eight) and Abraham (two). I was surprised to see Sikkema select Johnson and Jackson as his wide receivers so early, but I’m thrilled as the third and fourth options on my draft board at the position (behind Evans and Galloway) are still available.

Former Bucs WR Mark Carrier

In the ninth and 10th rounds and noticing the run on wide receivers, I decide to draft my receiving tandem in Mark Carrier and Kevin House. Carrier is the only receiver in Tampa Bay history to eclipse the 5,000-yard career mark (5,018) and House is right behind him with 4,928 yards. Carrier had the most receptions of any wide receiver with 321, while House had 286. Both were deep threats with the explosive House having the best yards-per-catch average in franchise history (17.2 avg.) and scored 31 touchdowns – the most by a Bucs receiver in team history. Carrier wasn’t far behind with a 15.6 average and 27 touchdowns in his Tampa Bay career. My quarterback Brad Johnson, who I have yet to draft, is going to love throwing the ball to these guys.

On the next page, it’s Sikkema’s turn to explain how he surrounded that monstrous front four from day one into the looks of a full team after day two.