So much for my draft prognostications, I only picked 3 draft choices correctly out of the first 15 teams, so I doubt I'll be sitting at the analyst's table at next years event in NYC.
Post draft summary of the Bucs selections; it's too early to tell anything, but on paper (and we all know the game is played on paper) the draft picks looked to be solid to me, I was satisfied.
Talib looks like he might break the mold of the typical Cover 2 corners we've had here in Tampa. I saw the press conference introducing him, and he definitely is excited about coming to Tampa. Draft pundits thought Dexter Jackson was a reach in the second round, only time will tell on this pick. If he turns out to be a dynamic playmaker, he'll be a steal, if not a bust. The Bucs obviously were targeting a collection of similar receivers and since there was a run on them right around the time they selected in the second, they must have thought he'd be off the board shortly so pulled the trigger and selected him. The third round saw the Bucs select Zuttah from Rutgers. A talented offensive lineman who can play every position on the line including center. If he develops, he will provide alot of depth for the Buccos. Tampa selected Dre Moore, DT from Maryland in the forth round, and this might be a huge value pick if he can elevate his game to the next level and be more consistent in his game play. Then in the fifth, Tampa selected a quarterback, yes number 7 on the roster, Josh Johnson from SDSU, a NCAA Division II school. I admit I've never seen him play a game but the YouTube video highlights were pretty exciting to watch. This young man can run a 4.4 40, completed 68% of his passes last year and threw 43 touchdowns against only 1 interception. Granted, SDSU is a small school but he has run an offensive which is very similar to what Coach Gruden uses with the Bucs . He is going to be an interesting prospect. Tampa, in the sixth round, drafted another linebacker from Florida State University who also wore the #10 in college, Geno Hayes (we all know how the last #10 worked out) Hayes has had some academic issues and some run ins with the law, and decided this year to become eligible for the draft as a junior. Prior to the draft, some publications had selected Hayes among the top 5 OLB's of this years draft. Having seen the Free Agent moves by the Bucs this year adding three LB's, I have to say I was surprised by this selection, but he should contribute on special teams, and maybe one day break into the starting lineup, but that remains to be seen. The final selection in the seventh round was a running back. Cory Boyd from South Carolina. Again, YouTube videos reveal some talent. Elusiveness, not great speed, great receiver, some blocking ability. Will be interesting to watch him during training camp and some preseason games.
So what happens with all the quarterbacks? Jeff Garcia, Brian Griese, Chriss Simms, Bruce Gradkowski, Luke McCown, Josh Johnson and finally the rights to former quarterback now handball player, Jake Plummer. First off, Garcia is the incumbent and should be the starter at this point. Jon Gruden always liked Brian Griese and he was brought back via a trade with the Chicago Bears this off season. I believe Griese would never have left One Buc Place if the team hadn't been so handcuffed with the salary cap a few years ago. Luke McCown showed some flashes this past season, but was making 4-5 questionable plays a game. He showed some scrambling ability and led the team on a comeback against the Saints in a very important late season game. Chris Simms, great kid, great attitude. Questions surround his leadership ability, mobility, whether he can ever flourish in a West Coast Offense system. He's got a great long ball, but so did Jeff George. Simms has earned 7.1 million dollars over the past 2 seasons while only playing in 3 games. Chris has decided that he is going to skip the Bucs voluntary OTA's and reports surfaced this afternoon that teams inquired about a trade for him last weekend in the draft. Bruce Gradkowski. Please, I never want to see "The Polish Popgun" ever take another snap in red and pewter. Finally, Jake Plummer. The Bucs traded for his rights before the start of last season and he refused to report to Tampa, opting to retire instead and play handball. He's now been out of football for over 2 years and should be around 34. Plummer, who has played for Arizona and Denver, often had short bursts of brilliance followed by long periods of mediocrity.
At a post draft presser this week, Gruden responded when asked that the Bucs will take 5 quarterbacks to camp. My guess is that the Bucs will release the rights to Plummer and outright cut Gradkowski. Simms will be shopped, but it would be wise to take him to training camp because you never know when the injury bug will strike and he is familiar with the complex playbook of the Gruden offense. I expect to see him traded around the third week of preseason after he's had a chance to showcase his ability to perform as a quarterback again. Once again, the Bucs should enter the 2008 campaign with 4 quarterbacks on the roster. Garcia, Griese, McCown and Johnson. The see the biggest competition being who will be the number 2.
Dominic Rhodes was released by the Raiders this week. With Williams not due to be ready for training camp or possibly to ever play again and Graham making some noise about a possible holdout, I wouldn't be too disappointed to see him in Tampa soon. Rhodes can still play and would fit our offense nicely. I believe he was on my wish list back in January when I posted the off season needs for the Buccos.
Going into training camp this year, the Bucs should have the most depth we've seen in recent years on the roster. Hopefully, this years draft will continue the recent trend of infusing young, talented players onto this squad.
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