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Buccaneers Pulsetm
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Buccaneers 2017 Draft Review |
Buccaneers 2017 Draft
Tampa Tribune, Hugh G Reckshun
1.29 LT Elijah Hendrickson (6'6",316lbs) Virginia Tech
OVR 71, SPD 62, STR 99, AWR 52, AGI 69, ACC 77, PBK 73, RBK 84
With all the safeties they had targetted off the board at this point, the Buccs' take a gamble. A bit of a reach pick in hindsight due to his low awareness, but Hendrickson has great strength and athletic ability for the position. Will be switched to LG. Tampa Tribune Grade = B-
2.10 CB Larry Lewis (5'11" 195lbs) Auburn
OVR 81, SPD 92, STR 68, AWR 59, AGI 87, ACC 93, CTH 76, JMP 85, TAK 68
The Buccs' had targetted a DB with their 1st round pick and took the BPA in Lewis. It's a pity he skewed down 2 SPD points but he still has the tools to be a viable #2 or NCB. Fantastic hands (CTH 76).
Tampa Tribune Grade = B+
2.29 LOLB Chris Griffith (6'3, 263lbs) Arkansas
OVR 71, SPD 83, STR 60, AWR 68, AGI 77, ACC 86, TAK 70
An unexpected selection, the Buccs' liked Griffith's combination of size, speed and athleticism. Played DE and OLB at College, Griffith fits the Buccs' mold of big, DE-like OLBs. He will be switched over to the rightside after the success of 3rd RDP Tremain Mills last year, and will share time with Brian Hall, who will start at WILB.
Tampa Tribune Grade = B+
3.29 K Dedric Pickens (5'10", 177lbs) Wake Forest
OVR 84, AWR 54, KAC, 94, KPW 86
Two Missed FGs cost the Buccaneers dearly in the NFC Championship game and they address that position here with the best kicker in the draft.
Tampa Tribune Grade = B
4.10 FS P.J. Ricks (6'1, 198lbs) Maryland
OVR 81, SPD 89, STR 56, AWR 70, AGI 87, ACC 89, CTH 67, TAK 66
The Buccs' took a gamble on Ricks and although he isn't starter quality, he will make a very nice backup. Nice size for the position, a few speed and acceleration points would have made him a starter.
Tampa Tribune Grade = B
4.29 C Woody Sears (6'4", 294lbs) Arizona St.
OVR 83, SPD 44, STR 90, AWR 70, AGI 57, ACC 84, PBK 84, RBK 89
Center was a position the Buccs' had targetted for an upgrade. Despite less than ideal speed, Sears is more athletic than incumbent Jimmy Harris and will likely start from Day 1. Will mature into a very decent OC, where Buccs' scouts value athleticism and power over speed. Tampa Tribune Grade = B+
The Buccs' also signed 6th round pick, OG Jason Parker and 7th round pick SS Billy Trapp. A deal is already rumoured to be in the works for a starting safety to team up with Pro-Bowl standout Paul Taylor |
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Forum Discussion
(by D_Roberts on 02/19/2009)
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Replies - 1 :: Views - 31 |
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Buccaneers' win NFC South and secure 1st Round Bye |
Buccaneers go 12-4 and win NFC South
HUGH G. RECKSHUN, TAMPA TRIBUNE
Finally. The Buccaneers' have won arguably the toughest divison in TWR for the first time in GM Roberts' tenure and in the process secure a 1st round bye in the Post-season.
"We've played well down the stretch" commented GM Roberts "Beating the Saints twice was pivotal. The last game could have gone either way but you don't win 12 games on luck. We deserve our spot and will look forward to the playoffs.".
With the playoff picture clearing, it appears the NFC seeding will be as follows:
#1 Detroit Lions
#2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
#3 Arizona Cardinals
#4 Philadelphia Eagles
#5 Chicago Bears
#6 Atlanta Falcons
The Cardinals will host the Falcons and the Eagles will host the Bears. The Buccs' will play the Cardinals if they beat the Falcons, or the winner of the Eagles-Bears matchup should the Falcons win out in Arizona.
The Buccaneers have played the Eagles (losing 32-35 in Philly) and have shared the series 1-1 with Atlanta.
WR Rob Combs should be back for the divisional round.
Stat Attack
Rookie WR Brandon Gore leads the team with 1272 yards receiving.
WR Rob Combs and Brandon Gore had 94 and 90 receptions respectively, making them 5th and 6th overall league wide.
MLB Andre Holmes led the defense with 121 tkls (also leads league), 21 for loss, 3 sacks, 1 FF and 1 INT.
FS Paul Taylor snagged 9 INTs - a career high and 2nd league wide.
Rookie OLB Tremain Mills registered 5 sacks (ties team lead), 7 tkls for loss and 2 INTs.
The Buccs' offense ranked 2nd overall.
The Buccs' defense ranked 14th overall but were 2nd in takeaways with 37. The Buccs' were +10 in turnovers on the year. |
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Forum Discussion
(by D_Roberts on 01/31/2009)
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Replies - 3 :: Views - 41 |
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Buccaners on verge of breaking 2nd Half Hoodoo |
Buccaneers 10-3; Divisional Title in Reach
HUGH G. RECKSHUN, TAMPA TRIBUNE
10-3 after starting 6-2 is a welcome relief for Buccs' fans. The Buccs' have also beaten their Divisional rivals, New Orleans, for the first time in 2 seasons. However, it isn't all good news. QB Anthony Ricks was injured in the win over the Saints and sat out last week's victory over Carolina. Ricks will also miss this week's road tip to Pittsburgh. WR Rob Combs was also injured last week and will likely not be available till the Divisonal Round - if the Buccs' get there.
"We've played well but we've suffered injuries to two key offensive players at a crucial time" commented GM Roberts "However, we are in the driving seat. We will at least share the tie-breakers with the Saints and Falcons and one more win should guarantee post-season football.".
Backup QB Josh Beck has played decently in place of the injured Ricks. The Buccs' are also rumoured to have signed two FAs - WR Charles Rogers and TE Ted Williams. Rogers has been signed to cover for the injured Combs. Williams will occupy the #2 TE spot to allow Jay Robinson to take over as FB. FB Corwin Turk's fumble inside the last 2 mins of the Carolina game prompted the move, say Buccs' outsiders, who are worried Turk's inability to secure the ball may be more costly down the road.
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Forum Discussion
(by D_Roberts on 01/20/2009)
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Replies - 2 :: Views - 32 |
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Buccaneers after a Quarter - Interview with GM Roberts |
Buccaneers start 4-0
HUGH G. RECKSHUN, TAMPA TRIBUNE
Usually, the Quarterly report would include some analysis and views on the Buccaneers, both in terms of performance and statistics. However, we at the Tribune have been fortunate enough to lure GM Roberts from his day to day work to ask some questions.
HR: Good morning Mr Roberts
DR: Call me Bob. I'm kidding [laughs]
HR: Another impressive start sees you leading the NFC South - again. It is reported that Bookies in Florida and Nationally have been offering a generous 4-1 that you will make the post-season.
DR: [laughs] Well, you can't blame them. We have started 3 seasons in a row with strong records only to fall off a cliff. There is no explanation. The players, the staff, the coaches - they can't put their finger on a single reason.
HR: Isn't that worrying?
DR: Ask me again Week 17.
HR: So, where to start. Team is 4-0. You've beaten the Falcons for the 3rd straight time and it seems that defensively, a few changes have been made?
DR: Yeah, we started last year but now with the linemen in place, we have been utilising more 3-4 looks.
HR: And suprisingly, rookie LB Tremain Mills has had significant PT?
DR: The coaches and staff were enamoured with this kid right away. I mean, he's the size of a defensive end (6'6", 270lbs) but is a real athlete. He's still pretty raw in coverage and not as fluid as some of his peers but as a rushing threat off the edge, he is explosive, as evidenced by his 2 sacks to date.
HR: That has meant less PT for Sammy Parker though?
DR: It has and it hasn't. With a lot more base 3-4 sets, Sammy operates as the WILB. He's been a great player for us and we want to keep him fresh.
HR: Another rookie, DT Ryan Green has also been impressive in limited action.
DR: He sure has. He's such a powerful and surprisingly athletic player. We were really pleased we managed to get him last draft as he solidifies the run defense immensely when we revert to a 4-3 set.
HR: Over to the offensive side of the ball, QB Anthony Ricks had been struggling in the first 3 games before having a spectacular game against the Bengals last week.
DR: The stats only tell half the story. Anthony is a cornerstone of this franchise and is always on an even keel - whether he's thrown an INT or a TD. He calms the offense down and his value to this team is immense.
HR: Rookie WR Brandon Gore was drafted in the 1st round but is being overshadowed by Rob Combs, who has 5 TDs and nearly 500 yards to date.
DR: Rob is a rare talent and Brandon will only learn from watching how he practices, how he prepares and how he plays. We are really pleased with all the rookies so far. We've injected youth into key positions - I mean the whole front 7 has an average age under 25. We are set for years to come and will continue to build on strength.
HR: Laying the stats out there...
DR: Here we go..[laughs]
HR: The offense and the defense rank in the Top 5. That must be especially pleasing, especially given the criticism from some quarters in allowing Dave Bronson to go to Detroit.
DR: It's understandable. Dave will be a HOFer. We were sad to see him go as he added a dimension to our offense and to our team as he was a great team player and helped the younger guys. However, this is also a business. You have to get value for players and Dave was 33. We drafted Brandon [Gore] to replace him and we're happy with the trade. Brandon is big physical guy and although he doesn't have Dave's top end speed, he is an elite WR in waiting.
HR: As an interesting snippet, all 4 LBs made sacks against the Bengals last week.
DR: [laughs] That's pretty cool, I hadn't realised that. We have been far more active and aggressive on defense and we have brought consistent pressure with the front 7. When you have a LB in a defensive end's body, as we have in Tremain Mills It's almost like playing a 5-3 or a 4-4 - he's like an extra 2 guys out there.
HR: This week sees the Cowboys visit.
DR: Always a tough game facing Mr Clarkson and his squad. We'll be confident but not overly so. You have to expect to win every game. That is the mindset we are trying to preach. Winning is a mentality and a habit, not an event.
HR: Looking at the schedule, I have the Buccs' winning at least 10 games this year. 10-6 meant a missed playoff berth last year.
DR: And it may mean a missed berth again this year. We are equally blessed and cursed being in the toughest division in the TWR. It means we face top opposition at least 6 times a year, which prepares you mentally and physically for the rarified air that is playoff football. However, like last year, it means 10-6 can mean missing out and being 3rd in the division.
HR: So winning divisional games is more crucial than ever?
DR: Absolutely. We need to at least share our series of games with our divisional rivals.
HR: Including the Saints [laughs]
DR: Especially the Saints. They are the benchmark in our division, where margins are so tight.
HR: Well thanks a lot for your time.
DR: No problem at all.
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Forum Discussion
(by D_Roberts on 12/11/2008)
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Replies - 3 :: Views - 38 |
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At A Glance
| NFC South |
| RNK |
TEAM |
W-L-T |
PCT |
DIV |
| #16 |
 Saints |
3-2-0 |
0.600 |
2-0 |
| #8 |
 Falcons |
3-2-0 |
0.600 |
1-0 |
| #21 |
 Panthers |
2-3-0 |
0.400 |
0-1 |
| #23 |
 Buccaneers |
2-3-0 |
0.400 |
0-2 |
| BUCCANEERS SCHEDULE |
| WK |
DATE |
OPPONENT |
TIME/RESULT |
| 1 |
Sun |
vs Saints #16 |
|
| 2 |
Sun |
vs  Bengals #31 |
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| 3 |
Sun |
at Falcons #8 |
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| 4 |
Sun |
at  Bears #9 |
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| 5 |
Sun |
at  Cowboys #15 |
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| 6 |
Sun |
at Panthers #21 |
4:00pm |
| 7 |
Sun |
vs Falcons #8 |
1:00pm |
| 8 |
Mon |
vs  49ers #17 |
9:00pm |
| 9 |
Sun |
vs Panthers #21 |
4:00pm |
| 11 |
Sun |
at  Giants #29 |
4:15pm |
| 12 |
Sun |
at  Browns #20 |
1:00pm |
| 13 |
Sun |
at Saints #16 |
4:15pm |
| 14 |
Sun |
vs  Eagles #6 |
1:00pm |
| 15 |
Sat |
vs  Redskins #22 |
1:00pm |
| 16 |
Sat |
vs  Ravens #11 |
1:00pm |
| 17 |
Sat |
at  Steelers #2 |
8:00pm |
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#23 Tampa Bay Buccaneers