NFL Team Report – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – INSIDE SLANT
If the Bucs make a move this season in the NFC South it will be because general manager Mark Dominik wasn’t willing to stay put in the draft.
What began a week ago with the mega-deal for Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis ended six days later with running back LeGarrette Blount being shipped to the New England Patriots for former Florida star Jeff Demps and a seventh-round pick that the Bucs used to move up in the sixth round to select University of Miami running back Mike James.
All told, there were four major moves Dominik pulled off since last weekend to acquire players and countless other occasions he needed the nerves of a jewel thief to let the draft come to him.
“When everybody is on the same page, it’s about executing, it’s not about making decisions,” coach Greg Schiano said. “It’s about executing your plan. He did an awesome job and we’re a better team for it.”
Including Revis, the four trades made by Dominik netted as many players, including three in rounds 3-7.
After waiting for players such as Mississippi State defensive back Johnthan Banks (43rd overall) and North Carolina State quarterback Mike Glennon (73rd) to fall to them Friday night, Dominik took a more aggressive approach on the final day of the draft Saturday.
The Bucs moved up 12 spots in a deal with the Oakland Raiders to jump to the second pick in the fourth round (No. 100) and select Illinois defensive tackle Akeem Spence.
“As you went to bed last night, you look at that defensive tackle class and it has been hit hard,” Dominik said. “He was like a beacon for us in terms of all the defensive tackles.”
The 6-1, 307-pound Spence did 37 reps of 225 pounds at the NFL scouting combine and will use that strength to plug the hole at nose tackle left by Roy Miller, who signed with the Jaguars.
With the fourth-rounder they got from the Patriots for Aqib Talib last year, the Bucs selected Michigan State defensive end William Gholston. While producing only 10 sacks in three seasons, Gholston has an astounding 30 tackles for losses and is capable of playing either defensive end position.
In the fifth round, the Bucs doubled down at defensive end by selecting Buffalo’s Steven Means. “He might be a little bit off your radar, but he wasn’t off ours,” Dominik said.
The Bucs had dangled Blount in front of the league before, but he didn’t find a taker until the Patriots Saturday. The team’s two-time leading rusher became an afterthought with the arrival of rookie Doug Martin last season and had only eight carries in the final nine games of 2012.
Demps, an Olympic sprinter, played in two preseason games with the Patriots last year before being placed on injured reserve with what was considered a minor injury. Dominik indicated Demps wants to continue competing in track and play football.
“We were going to do LeGarrette Blount for a seventh-round pick but we asked for the rights to Jeff Demps because we want to investigate that further,” Dominik said.
The Bucs used the Pats’ seventh-rounder to trade with the Vikings and jump six spots to No. 189 to select James, a versatile, 5-11, 222-pound back whom Dominik compared to Earnest Graham. “Mike is selfless like Earnest and can do a lot of different things,” he said.
The games will be tougher, but it’s hard to argue that the Bucs didn’t win the trade derby.
“I’ve found myself to be calculated, I think, more than aggressive,” Dominik said. “I want to make sure we’re making the right decisions at the right times and we did that in this draft. Whether it’s trades or the draft, you’ve got to be willing to keep your mind open. Because if you sit still, you’re going to let things come and go and you’re always going to be left out. We don’t want to be that organization.”
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NFL Team Report – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – NOTES, QUOTES
–The Bucs couldn’t keep their choice for the team’s Ring of Honor a secret. But the team did surprise Warren Sapp by also announcing that his No. 99 jersey will be retired.
“Not only will we be putting Warren Sapp’s name in the Ring of Honor, but we also will be telling the world that no one else will ever wear the No. 99,” co-chairman Bryan Glazer said.
At a news conference Thursday, the Bucs announced that Sapp would become the fifth player enshrined into the team’s Ring of Honor at halftime of the Bucs Nov. 11 game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football.
–Bucs cornerback Johnthan Banks, the team’s second-round pick, says too much was made about his slow 40-yard dash time at the NFL scouting combine when he ran in the 4.6’s.
“Everybody can look at my tape and tell I’m not a 4.6 guy,” Banks said. “My tape doesn’t lie. It speaks for itself. I think I had really good tape. I think I had really good game speed. I played in the SEC for four years. I played against Corderrelle Patterson and he ran 4.47 and he didn’t really do anything against me. So I think I’ll be ready.”
QUOTE TO NOTE: “To have your name up there beside Coca Cola and Hess is pretty good. I’m sitting here thinking the bowl games that come through, the monster truck events, Sapp’s going to be on the wall. It’s crazy.” – Former Bucs DT Warren Sapp on having his number retired.
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NFL Team Report – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
A closer look at the Bucs’ picks:
Round 2/43 – Johnthan Banks, CB, 6-2, 185, Mississippi State
Banks is a tall, physical cover corner in the Richard Sherman mode that fits well in the Bucs’ defensive scheme. He had 16 career interceptions for the Bulldogs, tying a school record and was the Jim Thorpe Award winner in 2012. Will learn a lot playing alongside Darrelle Revis and Dashon Goldson.
Round 3/73 – Mike Glennon, QB, 6-6, 220, North Carolina State
Glennon is a big-armed cornerback who fits nicely into the Bucs system. Sat behind Russell Wilson at North Carolina State for three seasons but ranks third in school history with 7,411 passing yards. Glennon will give the Bucs an insurance policy if starter Josh Freeman falters or is injured in 2013. Recruited by Greg Schiano to Rutgers five years ago.
Round 4/100 – Akeem Spence, DT, 6-1, 307, Illinois
Spence is an exceptionally strong player with a quick first step. Started all 38 games he played for the Illini. Bench pressed 225 pounds 37 times at the NFL combine. Had 3.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in three seasons. Will help replace Roy Miller at nose tackle after he signed with the Jaguars as a free agent.
Round 4/126 – William Gholston, DE, 6-7, 278, Michigan State
Gholston was among the best players on the No. 1 defense in the Big 10 the past two seasons. While he only produced 10 sacks in three seasons, he has an astounding 30 tackles for losses and is capable of playing either defensive end position. Had 10 passes defensed in 2012. Will be in the rotation as a third-down pass rusher.
Round 5/147 – Steven Means, DE, 6-4, 250, Buffalo
Means is a versatile player who endured two head coaches and three coordinators at Buffalo. He can play defensive end in a 4-3 or linebacker in a 3-4 package. As a senior, he had 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss. Means was not invited to the NFL combine but drew scouts’ attention for his athletic ability. Projects as an outside pass rusher and can block kicks on special teams.
Round 6/189 – Mike James, RB, 5-11, 222, Miami
James is a versatile runner who will back up Doug Martin after the team traded LeGarrette Blount to the Patriots Saturday. James rushed for 621 yards and six touchdowns and had 344 receiving yards and three touchdowns with 30 catches. Also played special teams and fullback.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (5)
–S Ronde Barber will be 38 in April and his move to safety a year ago was largely successful and Barber led the team with four interceptions. But Barber hasn’t decided if he wants to continue playing.
–TE Dallas Clark proved he could stay injury free but doesn’t get the separation he once did. The Bucs have an interest but believe Clark will try to reunite with Peyton Manning in Denver.
–CB Brandon McDonald was pressed into service with the suspensions of Eric Wright and Aqib Talib but eventually lost playing time to younger players. No interest in re-signing.
–WR Roscoe Parrish came over from the Bills and did a decent, if unspectacular job, returning kicks. No interest in re-signing.
–WR Sammie Stroughter is a former seventh-round pick who has been injury prone. Bucs will try to upgrade, but with no slot receiver, he may receive some interest.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
–LB Jacob Cutrera: Not tendered as RFA; terms unknown.
–LS Andrew Economos: UFA; terms unknown.
–DT Corvey Irvin: ERFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
–QB Dan Orlovsky: FA had been released by Buccaneers; $905,000/1 yr, $65,000 SB/$365,000 guaranteed.
–DE Daniel Te’o-Nesheim: RFA tendered at 1.323M with third-round pick as compensation); terms unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
–LB Jonathan Casillas: UFA Saints; $3M/1 yr.
–TE Tom Crabtree: Not tendered as RFA by Packers; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
–RB Jeff Demps (trade Patriots).
–S Dashon Goldson: UFA 49ers; $41.25M/5 yrs, $22M guaranteed.
–P Chas Henry: FA; terms unknown.
–DT Derek Landri: UFA Eagles; $2.75M/2 yrs, $1.25M guaranteed.
–RB Brian Leonard: UFA Bengals; 1 yr, terms unknown.
–TE Zach Miller: FA; terms unknown.
–WR Kevin Ogletree: UFA Cowboys; terms unknown.
–CB Darrelle Revis (trade Jets).
–DE George Selvie: Not tendered as RFA by Jaguars; terms unknown).
–WR Steve Smith: UFA Rams; $715,000/1 yr.
PLAYERS LOST
–WR Arrelious Benn (traded).
–DE Michael Bennett: UFA Seahawks; $4.8M/1 yr.
–CB E.J. Biggers: UFA Redskins; terms unknown.
–LB Quincy Black (released/failed physical).
–RB LeGarrette Blount: Potential RFA; $1.75M/1 yr, $350,000 reporting bonus; traded Patriots.
–G/T Derek Hardman (released).
–DT Corvey Irvin (released).
–DT Roy Miller: UFA Jaguars; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
–T Jeremy Trueblood: UFA Redskins; terms unknown.
–RB Danny Ware (released).
A closer look at the Bucs’ picks:
Round 2/43 – Johnthan Banks, CB, 6-2, 185, Mississippi State
Banks is a tall, physical cover corner in the Richard Sherman mode that fits well in the Bucs’ defensive scheme. He had 16 career interceptions for the Bulldogs, tying a school record and was the Jim Thorpe Award winner in 2012. Will learn a lot playing alongside Darrelle Revis and Dashon Goldson.
Round 3/73 – Mike Glennon, QB, 6-6, 220, North Carolina State
Glennon is a big-armed cornerback who fits nicely into the Bucs system. Sat behind Russell Wilson at North Carolina State for three seasons but ranks third in school history with 7,411 passing yards. Glennon will give the Bucs an insurance policy if starter Josh Freeman falters or is injured in 2013. Recruited by Greg Schiano to Rutgers five years ago.
Round 4/100 – Akeem Spence, DT, 6-1, 307, Illinois
Spence is an exceptionally strong player with a quick first step. Started all 38 games he played for the Illini. Bench pressed 225 pounds 37 times at the NFL combine. Had 3.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in three seasons. Will help replace Roy Miller at nose tackle after he signed with the Jaguars as a free agent.
Round 4/126 – William Gholston, DE, 6-7, 278, Michigan State
Gholston was among the best players on the No. 1 defense in the Big 10 the past two seasons. While he only produced 10 sacks in three seasons, he has an astounding 30 tackles for losses and is capable of playing either defensive end position. Had 10 passes defensed in 2012. Will be in the rotation as a third-down pass rusher.
Round 5/147 – Steven Means, DE, 6-4, 250, Buffalo
Means is a versatile player who endured two head coaches and three coordinators at Buffalo. He can play defensive end in a 4-3 or linebacker in a 3-4 package. As a senior, he had 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss. Means was not invited to the NFL combine but drew scouts’ attention for his athletic ability. Projects as an outside pass rusher and can block kicks on special teams.
Round 6/189 – Mike James, RB, 5-11, 222, Miami
James is a versatile runner who will back up Doug Martin after the team traded LeGarrette Blount to the Patriots Saturday. James rushed for 621 yards and six touchdowns and had 344 receiving yards and three touchdowns with 30 catches. Also played special teams and fullback.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (5)
–S Ronde Barber will be 38 in April and his move to safety a year ago was largely successful and Barber led the team with four interceptions. But Barber hasn’t decided if he wants to continue playing.
–TE Dallas Clark proved he could stay injury free but doesn’t get the separation he once did. The Bucs have an interest but believe Clark will try to reunite with Peyton Manning in Denver.
–CB Brandon McDonald was pressed into service with the suspensions of Eric Wright and Aqib Talib but eventually lost playing time to younger players. No interest in re-signing.
–WR Roscoe Parrish came over from the Bills and did a decent, if unspectacular job, returning kicks. No interest in re-signing.
–WR Sammie Stroughter is a former seventh-round pick who has been injury prone. Bucs will try to upgrade, but with no slot receiver, he may receive some interest.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
–LB Jacob Cutrera: Not tendered as RFA; terms unknown.
–LS Andrew Economos: UFA; terms unknown.
–DT Corvey Irvin: ERFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
–QB Dan Orlovsky: FA had been released by Buccaneers; $905,000/1 yr, $65,000 SB/$365,000 guaranteed.
–DE Daniel Te’o-Nesheim: RFA tendered at 1.323M with third-round pick as compensation); terms unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
–LB Jonathan Casillas: UFA Saints; $3M/1 yr.
–TE Tom Crabtree: Not tendered as RFA by Packers; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
–RB Jeff Demps (trade Patriots).
–S Dashon Goldson: UFA 49ers; $41.25M/5 yrs, $22M guaranteed.
–P Chas Henry: FA; terms unknown.
–DT Derek Landri: UFA Eagles; $2.75M/2 yrs, $1.25M guaranteed.
–RB Brian Leonard: UFA Bengals; 1 yr, terms unknown.
–TE Zach Miller: FA; terms unknown.
–WR Kevin Ogletree: UFA Cowboys; terms unknown.
–CB Darrelle Revis (trade Jets).
–DE George Selvie: Not tendered as RFA by Jaguars; terms unknown).
–WR Steve Smith: UFA Rams; $715,000/1 yr.
PLAYERS LOST
–WR Arrelious Benn (traded).
–DE Michael Bennett: UFA Seahawks; $4.8M/1 yr.
–CB E.J. Biggers: UFA Redskins; terms unknown.
–LB Quincy Black (released/failed physical).
–RB LeGarrette Blount: Potential RFA; $1.75M/1 yr, $350,000 reporting bonus; traded Patriots.
–G/T Derek Hardman (released).
–DT Corvey Irvin (released).
–DT Roy Miller: UFA Jaguars; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
–T Jeremy Trueblood: UFA Redskins; terms unknown.
–RB Danny Ware (released).
