G.M. Mark Dominik let's us in on his Defensive Plans, LB's, DL's, Pass Rush

by JScott on Mar 3, 2009 6:44 PM EST in News Comment 24 comments

Bucs General Manager Mark Dominik spoke with the media today and explained his plans for the Line backing corps, defensive line, and how to improve the pass rush:

Linebackers:

"We’ve got a good group of players that we think can compete at the positions, and we like their athleticism; their speed to cover ground. And we intend to give them every opportunity. But a lot will be said in March and April to get a feel for how they’re doing, how they’re learning the system and we’ll go from there." - Tampa Tribune

Translation? Look for the Bucs to solidify the Line backing corps through the draft in April. If I had to guess I’d say that first round pick may go in the direction of a Brian Cushing (USC) or Larry English (Northern Illinois -if we traded down a bit).

Defensive Line:

" [We have] young players that fit this new Jim Bates system in terms of defensive tackles and what we’re asking them to do. That was a big part of why we wanted to get Ryan Sims signed prior to free agency. He’s a young, bigger bodied guy that can push the pocket. With Greg Peterson (’07 draft) and Dre Moore (’08 draft), they’re big bodied guys that are - I think - able to step into those roles and they’ll get their opportunity to step into those roles." - Tampa Tribune

Translation? If we can upgrade the line via trade/free agency we’ll look to do so, but at this point the Draft doesn’t appear to be where we will upgrade the position. It will be interesting to see how Sims’ play translates into Bates system, the guy is huge and should do well clogging lanes. Hopefully Moore is ready to shed that red shirt season he took a year ago.

Pass Rush:

"Part of it is the system that Coach Bates puts them in. Again, just like we were talking about with the other guys that are under contract now. You create pressure in the pocket so you can push the pocket back and pin your ears back off the edge. We’re expecting a lot of big things from Gaines Adams. And I think he can deliver them" - Tampa Tribune

Translation? I think he dodged the question here. He didn’t really tip his hand to either outcome (the draft or free agency). My guess is the Bucs kick the tires on a potential trade as the draft doesn’t provide many upgrades in this department. Also if they don’t re-sign Flip and Phillip we’ll have more pressing needs any way.

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I guess

Yea, I agree about trying to get Brian Cushing, he was a top performer in almost every catorgory in the combine…Rey Mala-Who??? What about Brian Orakpo, he looked pretty good last year and performed well in Indy. I would draft either guy in the second round, if they are there. I think we are going QB with the 19th pick. GO BUCS!

by Starbucs32 on Mar 3, 2009 7:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

well

both will be gone by 19.

I really think they grab Freeman at 19 too.

"We couldn't tackle today, but we made up for it by not blocking"
-- John McKay

by CrazyCarl139 on Mar 3, 2009 7:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe

Brain Cushing might be gone but I think Orakpo will be there but we probably will not pick him in the first round. Yea alot of people have been saying we would probably land Freeman.

by Starbucs32 on Mar 3, 2009 7:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i see Orapko

going consistently in the Top 10, if he or Cushing drop to us we would be crazy not to entertain the thought of drafting one of them. I’ll vomit if either of them are available and the Bucs opt for DT Peria Jerry, i cant see him grasping Bates scheme

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by JScott on Mar 3, 2009 7:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I am goin to try to name 18 players to go before us...

Matthew Stafford-1st pick of the draft!
Jason Smith
Eugene Monroe-Every draft there is early run on O-Fatties, probably pick 4-10
Michael Crabtree-Good player though he didn’t workout
Aaron Curry-probably 1st defensive player
Andre Smith
Jeremy Maclin
Mark Sanchez-Bye-Bye Mark
B.J. Raji-Probably will go in the first 10 picks
Chris “Beanie” Wells-Over hyped in my opinion, probably top 10 pick
Knowshon Moreno-Reach of the draft
Vontae Davis-Most impressive player at the combine
Darrius Heyward-Bey-Look like the 2nd coming of Eddie Royal, help his draft stock alot.
Everrette Brown
Micheal Oher

Ok that is 15 (I think, lol), throw in maybe 3 or 4 WTF? picks and we are at 19, alot of teams will be reaching, some players will be high on there draft board that nobody else would have bothered to consider (at that pick). It certainly possible that either Orakpo (more unlikely) but Cushing (hopefully)

by Starbucs32 on Mar 3, 2009 8:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I respectfully disagree

Orakpo is the first DE off the board (before Everette Brown, before Aaron Maybin and Tyson Jackson—who you don’t have either up there). Also, I don’t think that Wells and Moreno will be taken in the top 15. Heyward-Bey and Vontae Davis are unlikely to be in the top 15 too, especially putting Davis up there but not Malcolm Jenkins.

I do think that Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews, Larry English, and/or James Laurinatis could be there when we pick.

Basically, no way a freak like Orakpo doesn’t go in the top 10-15.

"We couldn't tackle today, but we made up for it by not blocking"
-- John McKay

by CrazyCarl139 on Mar 3, 2009 8:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

True but...

The only think I respectful disagree with is Davis will go before Jenkins, no matter where he is picked for sure, but I understand what you are saying about the other picks.

by Starbucs32 on Mar 3, 2009 8:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If we draft Freeman, we wasted our first round pick.

We have too many holes to fill. We need a “sure-thing” player in the first round, not someone with question marks.

by Bucs on Mar 3, 2009 8:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Why Freeman?

I just can’t for the life of me see why u would draft a sub-par QB like him. He barely had an average at best season at KState. Why would I pick someone who is slower and a lot less accurate than someone we already have on our roster? JJ

by Shoeless1205 on Mar 3, 2009 8:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

exactly my thoughts

Buc 'Em Your SBNation Tampa Bay Bucs Blog where Dull Boys are not allowed!!

by JScott on Mar 3, 2009 9:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Dre Moore

Dre Moore can flat out play. He could be really good. He played football at Independence in Charlotte (where I live and actually teach, so I’m very aware of the hs football scene). Independence is a POWERHOUSE (they had a 109 game win streak, 7 straight state titles) and is basically run like a college team. This kid didn’t even play football until his Junior year when the coached convinced him to play JV. As a senior he dominated…dominated. You could tell in high school that he would be in the NFL.

He is very raw. With the right coaching and system this kid could be awesome (probably not pro bowler, but a solid starter).

I mean, think about Gruallen and what they went after. It was always raw talent. They always took cast-offs that were considered busts (just look at Ryan Sims and Antonio Bryant). They saw the raw talent in Moore, that’s why they drafted him.

"We couldn't tackle today, but we made up for it by not blocking"
-- John McKay

by CrazyCarl139 on Mar 3, 2009 7:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

true but in a draft that

consisted of (?) marks in DJax, Josh Johnson, and Cory Boyd, there were better options in the 4th round. They drafted up to take the guy, just to turn around and stick him on the practice squad. I agree he could be a sleeper this season as he struggled when he initially played in college as well, i’m just not banking on it

if anything, i hope this current staff lets everyone play and not just during the pre-season. We have to see what we have in some of these guys if we’re not going to bring in difference makers via free agency… there’s no reason DJax shouldnt see an offensive snap this season

Buc 'Em Your SBNation Tampa Bay Bucs Blog where Dull Boys are not allowed!!

by JScott on Mar 3, 2009 7:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

I don’t think the Bucs should have draft Moore in the 4th. He would have been around in 5, maybe 6…I think. I was just stating, that’s why they drafted him.

DJax might be the speed guy we need. Who knows

"We couldn't tackle today, but we made up for it by not blocking"
-- John McKay

by CrazyCarl139 on Mar 3, 2009 7:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LB looks like the only way we can go......

We have zero depth at the Linebacker position……So hope we can land a starter from the first round…..the only problem is no 2nd round for DE…..or another LB……we need atleast two FA LB before the draft…..

by twrestlinga on Mar 3, 2009 7:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

...

That why I don’t understand us droppin Brooks and June

by Starbucs32 on Mar 3, 2009 7:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

plus LB's rarely

immediately step in and pay dividends, so hopefully Geno, Quincy, and Adam are ready…

Buc 'Em Your SBNation Tampa Bay Bucs Blog where Dull Boys are not allowed!!

by JScott on Mar 3, 2009 7:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LB

is the right choice for 1st rd. There will be talent there, guaranteed. They need to pick up a starter on defense there.

The Bucs have to resign Phillips and Buchanon. That’s huge.

Then I really think they need to go after Igor Olshansky and Jabari Greer and Angelo Crowell. Those guys could help solidify our defense, with the draft.

"We couldn't tackle today, but we made up for it by not blocking"
-- John McKay

by CrazyCarl139 on Mar 3, 2009 7:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed........

If I’m not mistaken Bryan McFadden PIT…..is still available…..him and Talib would be a great combo for years to come….

by twrestlinga on Mar 3, 2009 7:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

true

Buc 'Em Your SBNation Tampa Bay Bucs Blog where Dull Boys are not allowed!!

by JScott on Mar 3, 2009 7:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jabari Greer

that’s our guy. we should target him.

"We couldn't tackle today, but we made up for it by not blocking"
-- John McKay

by CrazyCarl139 on Mar 3, 2009 7:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

it says

that we should try to updrage dl in FA
so why dont we pick up igor olshansky
he is HUGE an a big run stopper
he can play either dt or de

Go Bucs... Time to Re-Build

by ohswarrior0812 on Mar 3, 2009 7:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

that would be a fun player to cheer for right

Igor, Igor

sorry i couldnt resist

Buc 'Em Your SBNation Tampa Bay Bucs Blog where Dull Boys are not allowed!!

by JScott on Mar 3, 2009 7:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

hahaha

but olshansky is a good muther trucker

"yesterdays a cancelled check, today is money on the line, tommarow is a promisary note" - unknown

"the trouble with me is that my ego just cant accept a loss" -Vince Lombardi

"i dont know any way to lead but by example" -Don Shula

"the only place that success comes before work is in the dictionary" -unknown

"the harder you work the harder it is for you to surrender" -vince lombardi

by dedman on Mar 3, 2009 8:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I like Larry English

English is a versatile DE/OLB hybrid that has been a hot commodity recently. Any of the USC guys (Maualuga, Matthews, and Cushing) would all be solid players and could fit in immediately; Maualuga and Laurinaitus would have to make the shift to OLB but they are both athletic enough to do that. But Larry English could give the Bucs a guy who could wreck havoc on opposing QBs. After Aaron Curry I think he’s the next best hybrid in the draft. He had 10.5 sacks in 2008 and 12 in 2007. He and Olshansky would make this defense a lot better.

ESPN Link

by atlantaray on Mar 4, 2009 2:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs