Good Test For the Defense This Week

The Bucs defense has been solid so far in their two preseason games but not perfect as their redzone D needs some work as they have allowed 3 Tds in 3 attempts. This week they go against a good test in the Cleveland Browns who have athleticism across the board at their skilled positions. Starting with the Qb in Robert Griffin who has a big arm and is dangerous on the run, so it will be interesting to see if the Bucs front four can harass him and make him make mistakes. The Browns have plenty of speed with Corey Coleman, Josh Gordon, and Andrew Hawkins. Then they have versatile guys in running backs Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson along with a reliable tight end in Gary Barnidge.

With the defense playing at least the first half we should see a good preview of what this defense is going to bring this season. The Bucs are very athletic on defense and should match up well with the Browns athleticism on offense. Hopefully we can see the pass rush return and play like it did against the Eagles. The secondary was pretty good last week so hopefully they can put a complete game together in which the rush and coverage play well. The Browns will run some spread option along with some zone read with RG3 which will be good for the defense to see as the Panthers do similar things in their offense.

The key matchup I will be watching is Noah Spence against pro bowl left tackle Joe Thomas which will be good work for the rookie. Another matchup will be Hargreaves vs Corey Coleman which will be a great battle of two superior athletes. The main things to watch though is can the defense get off the field on third down and make some stops in the redzone because that will be key in the regular season. Tomorrow will provide some answers but most of all it will be a good matchup and test against the Browns.

Case For Corey Coleman At 9th Overall

It has been awhile since the Buccaneers have had a freak athlete on offense, last one was probably Joey Galloway and he was on the downside of his career. Well that could change this year if the Bucs decide to take Baylor receiver Corey Coleman with their first pick. At first I had Coleman as a potential second round pick but after more research, he is definitely a top 20 talent. Coleman has outstanding measurables with decent size at 5'11 194lbs, but has off the charts explosion with a 4.37 40 and 41 inch vertical which jumps on film. Coleman has the work ethic and drive to be one of the best receivers in the game, and is determined to be the best receiver in this draft class per Max Olson.

“It’s important for me to be the best receiver,” Coleman said.

Coleman can do it all as he can play outside, inside, return kicks, and his coach Art Briles feels he should be the first receiver taken with no questions asked.

“Of course I do. Yeah, that’s an easy answer,” Briles said. “You look at production on the field over a three-year period. We’re not talking 18 months; we’re talking three years. His production has been pretty much unmatched over the last three years.”

Cant argue there, Coleman's production was outstanding especially in 2015 where he had over 1,300 yds and 20 tds. However, criticism is still thrown his way as critics say he's the product of the Baylor system and Coleman doesn't run NFL routes, well Coleman had a answer for that.

“I explained it to them. I think I did a pretty good job,” he said. “I learned everything I need to learn. If you’re a receiver and you don’t know how to run routes at this level, I don’t know what to tell you. I think I proved to them that I can run NFL routes.”

History shows Baylor receivers haven't had great success in the NFL, but there have been a few that have done pretty good in Kendall Wright and Terrence Williams. Wright put up great numbers in 2013, has just struggled with staying on the field due to injuries. The big difference with those two and Coleman is athleticism as Coleman is just far superior in every way. Coleman has the competitive fire and determination to be great which is the right mindset teams look for in players.

“He’s a very determined-minded young man, which is pretty uncommon today, unfortunately,” Briles said. “He had a goal, he had a plan and he knew how to follow through with discipline on and off the field. That’s why he’s where he’s at today.”

If the Bucs feel Coleman is the best available and select him, I wouldn't have one issue with it. He will provide explosiveness, down field speed, versatility, and would be an excellent compliment to Mike Evans. Coleman will make opposing defenses nervous, especially if paired up with Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, the Bucs offense would be scary good. As I have said before build your strengths to hide your weaknesses and the Bucs offense would be pretty strong. More fire power for Jameis Winston is always a good thing, and yes the Bucs need defense but this is a deep defensive draft. Coleman is a rare athlete who can change the game with one play which I can't recall the last time the Bucs had a player like that. Not saying he will be the pick at 9th overall, but the Bucs could do a lot worse than Corey Coleman.

Potential 2nd Round Pick?

I agree the Bucs need help on defense but also thinks it could use more playmakers for Jameis Winston to throw to. I think the Bucs could use more speed especially someone with down field speed that can create explosive plays like coach Koetter wants. Let me introduce you to my favorite player in the draft, Baylor wide receiver Corey Coleman. He was the 2015 Biletnikoff award winner which given to the best receiver that year as he went on to have 74 receptions with over 1300 yards and 20 tds. The main stat is 19 yards per catch which shows he is consistently making big plays which is what the Bucs need.

Even though the Bucs drafted Kenny Bell last year, who has good speed and has potential but I see him more as number three or four receiver where Coleman has legit number 2 possibly number 1 potential. Historically, Baylor receivers have not been great in the NFL as they run in an system that doesn't allow them to run the full route tree which limits their potential. However, scouts believe Coleman has the potential to break that streak as he has rare athletic ability and brings a toughness on the field that few can match. Most scouts compare him to Emmanuel Sanders, but I see a potential Steve Smith. Coleman stands at 5-10 185, but plays much bigger than his size and is a fierce competitor like Smith has been his whole career.

I think a potential receiving corps of Evans, Coleman, and Bell would be very dangerous and give Jameis the playmakers he needs to be very successful, making the Bucs offense that more explosive. Coleman has great hands, legit speed, and can make people miss with the ball in his hands. I think Coleman would be great value in the 2nd or 3rd round of the draft, and could be an instant impact player for this team.