Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
Lets pass on names for a bit; after only a few months, Suh and McCoy can be put in a jar, shaken up (not stirred), and taken out in whatever order they come, and still amount to the next ten or so years of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line dominance. Either one could be a bust, either one could be the next Warren Sapp. Only time will tell, but we do know one thing: given the availability of one of them, they NEED to be draft pick #1 for the Bucs 2010 draft. 1)Thats because Defensive Tackle is by far the Buccaneers #1 need; We have not had one since Mr. Sapp was let go pretty much at the end of his career in 2003. It doesnt matter if my mother and three aunts are playing in the secondary, if pressure is applied to the Quarterback, the ball will be incomplete. 2a) Up next for Tampa Bay, a Wide Receiver should be taken. We have made some really big gaffes in franchise history trying to find “The Guy” at WR; Alvin Harper, Bert Emmanuel, finally hitting somewhat with Keyshawn Johnson in 2000. That actually cost the Bucs a #1 draft pick back then, but Keyshawn was only around for 4 seasons (almost). So even though he was instrumental in winning a Superbowl, his value was diminished when compared to what should have been as a draft pick. The Bucs have tried drafting their guy too; Michael Clayton has a phenomenal rookie season, but really no one has panned out since Mark Carrier back in the 80s, or Kevin House before that. With the first of the 2nd round picks, the Bucs need to draft their first star wideout in almost two decades. 2b) The Bucs need to take a look at that secondary too…but they can go a number of ways with their third top 50 pick. With Safety seemingly taken care of with their limited Free Agency pickups, A future replacement for Ronde Barber (35) could be in order. Barber hasnt come out and said it, but its possible 2010 could be his last as a Buc. Aqib Talib is a budding future pro bowl DB as is Tanard Jackson, but a Safety or Corner here could be the wise way toward the future. Another possibility which could signify the writing on the wall for Mr. Ruud would be a Middle Linebacker. The Bucs seem to have little faith in Ruud’s ability to be a leader, and the Mike Linebacker position as its called is the Quarterback of the defense; its the one position that gets to wear the radio helmet on Defense. Defensive End or another Defensive Tackle could be addressed as well, or perhaps the other side of the line, a Tackle or Gaurd would be a sign towards lack of faith in the future of either Penn, Trueblood, Sears or any/all of those players. Finally, dont be surprised if the Bucs take a running back in the second round either. They seem to covet Mississippi RB Dexter McCluster, who could be another Warrick Dunn type back. Any way you look at it, the Bucs 2010 draft is worthy of its prime time slot; the next 5-10 years of this franchise is going to hinge on the developments during those first few rounds!
Alan Draper
Alan is a vastly experienced sports and gambling writer who is the Chief Editor of The Sports Daily.
Alan is a vastly experienced sports and gambling writer who is the Chief Editor of The Sports Daily.
View All Posts By Alan Draper