Take a LB?

[FunkyRooster]

Lots of people have mocks with Jon Beason rising to the top LB spot. If that's the case is it possible for Patrick Willis to take a freefall all the way back to our 2a pick. Although its not likely it seems as possible as most teams don't have a huge need for a LB. I'm thinking only Caralina and St. Louis.


What about Buster Davis? I'm watching the combine right now and he ran somewhere around 4.67, only .3 away from Jon Beason. Many say hes too slow but a 4.67 is not that bad for a big guy.

Thoughts appreciated.

[JamesWilder32]

Buster Davis is not a big guy, he's 5'9 with short arms and will struggle in coverage and disengaging from blocks because of his height...

[UMiamiBucFan]

You're comparing an OLB to ILBs...OLB is our more pressing need. Shelton Quarles is still playing at a high level and Barrett Ruud is still getting better.

Willis and Davis are both inside backers. The top OLBs are:
Lawrence Timmons (likely anywhere from #10-20 range)
Jon Beason (late first, early second)
Rufus Alexander (late first, early second)
Earl Everett (second round, possibly third)

Beason, Alexander and Everett all have a high probability of being there at 2a. All would be solid picks. Beason running a 4.64 will hurt his stock though, he needed a 4.55. Buster Davis isn't that slow once he gets moving, but his change of direction and acceleration are what I worry about.

[FunkyRooster]

Beason, Alexander and Everett all have a high probability of being there at 2a. All would be solid picks.

Everett didn't have a very good 40 though. I'm pretty sure he ran 4.8 or something. But don't quote me there thou. I just don't think he can go from sideline to sideline but with a third round pick, i'd gladly take him. I do really like Alexander but I don't think hes flashy enough to attract anyone in our staff.

[UMiamiBucFan]

Everett didn't have a very good 40 though. I'm pretty sure he ran 4.8 or something. But don't quote me there thou. I just don't think he can go from sideline to sideline but with a third round pick, i'd gladly take him. I do really like Alexander but I don't think hes flashy enough to attract anyone in our staff.
I'll have to rewatch some Florida games (so damn painful).

Also, I think if Alexander is there at 2a, he's gotta be our pick. Unless Anthony Spencer or Jarvis Moss are there. Or Michael Griffin. I have a problem with liking too many players at the top of the 2nd round. Lot of good defenders there.

[FunkyRooster]

I'll have to rewatch some Florida games (so damn painful).

Also, I think if Alexander is there at 2a, he's gotta be our pick. Unless Anthony Spencer or Jarvis Moss are there. Or Michael Griffin. I have a problem with liking too many players at the top of the 2nd round. Lot of good defenders there.

Jarvis Moss had a nice time with 4.7. Thats not too bad but that seems to put him late in the first.

[NoAlibi]

Patrick Willis is the best defensive player in this draft.

[BucFan LHT]

agreed, after him is Landry.

[Da Bucs GM]

agreed, after him is Landry.

To me, if we some how get the S out of Texas( his name escapes me as of the moment) I'll be happy.

[dawgland]

Patrick Willis is the best defensive player in this draft.
thats a safe bet to make, he won't be the highest but he's the most polished and rounded player

he can play in the 3-4 and the 4-3, can play in the middle of the 3-4, and can play both inside and outside in the 4-3

as for buster, he doesn't have the speed to say, and he doesn't have the pure athletic ability, but he's just a guy who is very instinctive

[UMiamiBucFan]

To me, if we some how get the S out of Texas( his name escapes me as of the moment) I'll be happy.
Michael Griffin.

[dawgland]

To me, if we some how get the S out of Texas( his name escapes me as of the moment) I'll be happy.
michael griffin

but on a side note, his DB mate Aaron Ross has to be the highest rising player in the draft, only a month or so ago, people had him slated as a late 2nd early 3, now he's being slated as late 1st early 2nd, and with a good combine, could actually leap frog leon hall for the top CB

[JamesWilder32]

thats a safe bet to make, he won't be the highest but he's the most polished and rounded player

he can play in the 3-4 and the 4-3, can play in the middle of the 3-4, and can play both inside and outside in the 4-3

as for buster, he doesn't have the speed to say, and he doesn't have the pure athletic ability, but he's just a guy who is very instinctive


It is really hard to argue against Willis being the #1 def player in the draft at this point...

I think Buster ran better than I thought he would, he looks fast 'enough' on the field but then again so does Abbate (who ran 4.98 at one point) but those itty bitty fire hydrant LBs like them scare me a bit... neither is athletic enough to make up for their lack of height (I believe).


Everett ran a 4.88 on his first and only time thru the 40... he didn't pull up lame, he didn't wince, grimace, or clutch any body part... He says he pulled his hammy and missed his next 40 but still participated in drills and looked to run them full tilt. He never was the most physical of players, if his speed isn't as great as thought this will really affect his stock...

[FunkyRooster]

Everett ran a 4.88 on his first and only time thru the 40... he didn't pull up lame, he didn't wince, grimace, or clutch any body part... He says he pulled his hammy and missed his next 40 but still participated in drills and looked to run them full tilt. He never was the most physical of players, if his speed isn't as great as thought this will really affect his stock...

Like I said if he were to fall to the third, it might be worth it. You really couldn't ignore him in the fourth.

Plus you really can't base everything on the combine results. If his gameplay was good but his combine wasn't, then it might just be the pressure.

[JamesWilder32]

Yeah, and it is no big deal to take a player that can't perform under pressure? Kidding, I know what you mean.... Maybe he really was hurt... I would think that if he thought he would run that slow he would rather say he was going to run at the pro day and then mysteriously hurt himself before it happened... I think that's what happened to Lendale White last year, he knew he was going to run a 4.8 and decided he was hurt... Everybody figured Alexander as a 4.65 at worst... he could have feigned injury and nobody would have thought much about it.

I take it Brandon Siler didn't work out? I was really wanting to see him workout...

[FunkyRooster]

Yeah, and it is no big deal to take a player that can't perform under pressure? Kidding, I know what you mean.... Maybe he really was hurt... I would think that if he thought he would run that slow he would rather say he was going to run at the pro day and then mysteriously hurt himself before it happened... I think that's what happened to Lendale White last year, he knew he was going to run a 4.8 and decided he was hurt... Everybody figured Alexander as a 4.65 at worst... he could have feigned injury and nobody would have thought much about it.

I take it Brandon Siler didn't work out? I was really wanting to see him workout...

I didn't see Siler work out either. I'm watching it again so I'll let you know if he does.

[Buc]

thats a safe bet to make, he won't be the highest but he's the most polished and rounded player

he can play in the 3-4 and the 4-3, can play in the middle of the 3-4, and can play both inside and outside in the 4-3

as for buster, he doesn't have the speed to say, and he doesn't have the pure athletic ability, but he's just a guy who is very instinctive

Good Post.

[Enigma85]

Siler ran a 4.67. That's pretty good. Not Patrick Willis good (4.5), but solid. Some predicted Siler would run in the 4.8 range.

[BucsLJohnson34]

If Posluszny continues to slip down the boards, Why not take Penn State's leading tackler in the 2nd. I may just be a homer and the biggest of them all, but Paul is a great player. I'd love for him to come with CJ.

[2goodbucs]

If Posluszny continues to slip down the boards, Why not take Penn State's leading tackler in the 2nd. I may just be a homer and the biggest of them all, but Paul is a great player. I'd love for him to come with CJ.

Yeah, I would love for him to be a Buc. I would love to have Griffin from Texas too.

[Buccs99]

Buster Davis is not a big guy, he's 5'9 with short arms and will struggle in coverage and disengaging from blocks because of his height...

Yeah, Something about those FSU linebackers being small and not being able to make the transition...


Signed,

Mr. Derrick Brooks

[UMiamiBucFan]

Yeah, Something about those FSU linebackers being small and not being able to make the transition...


Signed,

Mr. Derrick Brooks
Big difference between Brooks and Davis. First, Davis is 5'9". Brooks is 6'0". That's a 3 inch difference. Furthermore, Davis outweighs Brooks. He's a good 240lb. Finally, he's not nearly the athlete that Brooks was. Good football instincts, but he doesn't have the athletic ability for the next level. Good straight line speed, but horrible agility.

There was a scheme that highlighted Brooks strengths (athletic, fast, instinctive) and hid his weaknesses (undersized, shedding blocks). There is no scheme to hide Buster Davis's weaknesses (short, lack of agility). To be honest, I'd make him a fullback.

[tampanativentx]

You're comparing an OLB to ILBs...OLB is our more pressing need. Shelton Quarles is still playing at a high level and Barrett Ruud is still getting better.

Willis and Davis are both inside backers. The top OLBs are:
Lawrence Timmons (likely anywhere from #10-20 range)
Jon Beason (late first, early second)
Rufus Alexander (late first, early second)
Earl Everett (second round, possibly third)

Beason, Alexander and Everett all have a high probability of being there at 2a. All would be solid picks. Beason running a 4.64 will hurt his stock though, he needed a 4.55. Buster Davis isn't that slow once he gets moving, but his change of direction and acceleration are what I worry about.

Listening to Todd Mcshay on ESPN yesterday he said timmons was 2 inches shorter and ran an extremely slow forty time which might drop him out of the first round completely.

[FunkyRooster]

Listening to Todd Mcshay on ESPN yesterday he said timmons was 2 inches shorter and ran an extremely slow forty time which might drop him out of the first round completely.

Jon Beason also ran a slow time. That will most likely take him out of the first round too.

[UMiamiBucFan]

A lot of the top linebackers ran slower than expected. I still think they have what it takes for the Tampa 2.

If Timmons is there at the top of the 2nd round, he's my choice.

[FunkyRooster]

A lot of the top linebackers ran slower than expected. I still think they have what it takes for the Tampa 2.

If Timmons is there at the top of the 2nd round, he's my choice.

Yes most definitely. I really want a good backer. That's an important spot right now.

[UMiamiBucFan]

Defensive line is the most important spot, but we could use a young WLB, CB and S as well.

[JamesWilder32]

John Wendling and Piscatelli would be nice to see in a Buc uni... perhaps one or the other could convert to LB.. they are both plenty big and plenty fast... Piscatelli's change of direction skills were fantastic and weighs mid 220's... His 2o yard shuttle might have been the best of the combine.

[UMiamiBucFan]

I agree James, but I think we'll fill the safety need in free agency...but it looks like the Bucs are interested too.

Buccaneers | Piscitelli met with team
Mon, 26 Feb 2007 21:58:12 -0800

During his NFL Combine interview, Oregon State S Sabby Piscitelli said he met with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the East-West Shrine Game.

[JamesWilder32]

Good, at this point he is among the combine's best athletes... and after seeing him play several times late in the year I know he can play.... I liked Wendling too in the East-West, really laid out a TE nicely and showed excellent game speed.

The thing is that there aren't many good free agents out there... as far as getting Piscatelli as a need to play safety, I doubt he plays anything more than ST his first season if he were drafted by us.

[UMiamiBucFan]

Well, IMO, the safety free agency class is better than any other position, except guard.

I agree that safety is a need. I just think that we have a better opportunity to upgrade the safety position in free agency and use the draft picks on defensive line.