When looking at the safety position, it is obvious to me that the Bucs will add one through the draft. This draft is loaded with talent at the safety position, and the Bucs could use a future cornerstone at that position. Looking at the current group on the Bucs roster, none are considered the future for this team, plus none of them are signed past 2017. Keith Tandy, Chris Conte, and JJ Wilcox all do different things well, but none would be considered impact type safeties.
Again, the Bucs could probably be ok with those three due to Mike Smith being able to put them in the right spots to succeed. However, I think Licht and Koetter are looking to add a difference maker back there to help their corner group and ultimately force more turnovers. So far during the draft process, it looks like the Bucs could be picking a safety early in rounds 1 or 2.
The Bucs have spoke or workout with the following safeties: Budda Baker, Jabrill Peppers, Obi Melifonwu, Delano Hill, and Tedric Thompson. The first three names mention all have a shot of going round 1 but could also be there in round 2 at pick 50 for the Bucs. Baker is probably the only one I would consider at 19th overall, while the other two just have too many holes in their game for a first round consideration. The Bucs are doing their homework on the safety group and it looks likely that they will take one this year with one of their premium selections in this years draft.
by Douglas O'Connor
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No one created more buzz at the NFL Combine than Henry William Obiajulu Melifonwu. A feat that is even more impressive once you factor in that the fastest 40 yard dash time ever was set during the same event. Melifonwu's size to speed to power to weight ratio is something that makes NFL GM's and scouts sit up and take serious notice.
Even with his other worldly combine numbers not all NFL Draft analyzers are sold that he is a first round talent. We are having a similar debate inside the walls of Real Bucs Talk HQ. Myself who has been on Obi since the Senior Bowl, am admittedly in love with what he could bring to the secondary of our Tampa Bay Buccaneers. My shortsighted colleagues, Michael Pless and Mark Ramirez, are labeling him a project player that doesn't deserve any consideration when the Bucs pick at 19 in this years draft.
If you are in my camp and like Melifonwu as a possibility at 19, this article will give you some background about Obi and how I think his skills will transfer to the NFL. If you side with Scrooge's, Ebenezer and McDuck, hopefully by the end of your read you will have left the dark side and reconsidered giving an immigrant from England a chance. Yes, Obi Melifonwu was born in England.
Melifonwu first came to my attention when I was going over the rosters for the Senior Bowl. Scanning positions that I felt are needs for the Bucs. WR, RB, TE then I came to S. 6'4" 220lbs! Who is this guy? After I did same digging I wasn't sold yet. The biggest red flag for me was his "lack of instincts" but I'll get to that later. He also wasn't seen as an NFL cover ready safety. After a week of practice under NFL coaches (Bears) Obi put that stigma to rest. In one-on-one drills receiver after receiver couldn't shake him and by the end of the week Melifonwu had raised his draft stock as much as any player.
The Combine
Just about every NFL scout will tell you that most important process during combine week is the medical. Side note. Some prospects are strapped in a isokinetic machine called a Cybrex. This machine is used to test strength of joints and surrounding muscles. If a player has had a shoulder, ankle or knee injury in college you can bet that teams are strapping them into one of these. I found this video to better explain what exactly an isokinetic machine looks like and does. I used this video because it goes over the reasons why the machine is used more than trying to achieve specific results. What does this have to do with Melifonwu? Absolutely nothing. I am just taking the chance to show you something that isn't discussed much, if at all in the media. Warning: The Video Is Boring.
Okay back to Obi.
You've probably read about his combine results by now but I'm going to go over them anyway. 6'4" 224lbs, 4.40 40 yard dash, 44" vertical jump and a 141" broad jump. All good enough for first place in each drill amongst safeties at the combine. Now he didn't run the 3 cone drill or the shuttle drills which measure speed in change of direction. That is a small red flag. Overall it's hard to argue that Melifonwu didn't have the best combine of the over 300+ players invited.
What Does It All Mean?
Pundits of Obi Melifonwu will point to his lack of recognizing plays quickly. More of a reactive player, and his tape does show that. To this I say, coaching.
Are all NFL head coaches the same? No, some are better than others. Are all NFL secondary coaches the same? No, some are better then others. Are all FBS head coaches the same? You can see where I'm going with this. How far down the coaching scale do you have to go before you get to the University of Connecticut secondary coach? It's not a knock on the U Conn coaching staff, cream just rises to the top and the top is the NFL.
The Buccaneers need another safety. They carried 4 safeties on the 53 man roster all of last year and for the most part carried 2 more on the practice squad as well. The 2 best safeties will be off the board when it's the Bucs turn to pick at 19 in the first round and Melifonwu won't be there for the Bucs to select him in the second round at 50. So with needs at WR, RB, TE and possibly Edge why take Obi at 19?
It's my belief that in 5 years there will be somewhere between 5-10 safeties in the NFL with Melifonwu's measurables. It's going to be the natural counter to all the 6'4"+ TE that run sub 4.6 40's coming into the league. This years combine TE group ran the fastest on average than any other in history. Led by Evan Engram's 4.42 at 234lbs, followed by O.J. Howard's 4.51 he's 251lbs folks.
Instead of waiting to play catch up. Be preemptive and take the guy now. It may take 6 games before he breaks into the starting lineup but you're set at safety for the next 5 years and when was the last time Buc fans could say that! #MicDrop
Finally a little something for your viewing pleasure. (He was actually upset at his 44" vert! He wanted the all time record!)
by Douglas O'Connor
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Here at Real Buc Talk we pride ourselves on reader interaction. Most of this comes on Twitter but we also reply to any and all comments posted on our articles. Sometimes going back and forth with the Real Buc Talk community on social media isn't enough. Let's face it, 140 characters is a tight restraint to squeeze in all of our Bucs passion. So we came up with a Mailbag. Just tweet your questions using the #RBTMB and we will try to answer as many as we can.
This weeks Mailbag was flushed with draft prospect questions and since I want to give our readers the best answer I can. I've decided to wait until after the combine to tackle those. I hope you aren't disappointed I just feel that I owe you the most informed opinion I can give.
So without further delay...
If You Were Jason Licht, Who Would You Draft In The 1st Round?
Glad this question came in. Playing GM during the off season is one of the only ways to get your football fix during the months of February through April. Although I do not proclaim to be a draft "expert", I do enjoy projecting who the Bucs will select in the first few rounds. So here is my best guess.
First you have to identify the teams biggest needs. My list in no particular order is as follows. Wide receiver, safety, running back, tight end, defensive tackle, edge rusher and finally corner back. Now using my projections on what the Bucs will do in free agency DE, DT and CB come off the list as real needs on draft day.
The TE position is a little more tricky. If the Bucs bring in a veteran during free agency that moves the need to the rounds 4-7 spot for me. If they stand pat then look for a TE in the 1st three rounds and yes maybe even round 1.
So with the TE position in limbo that leaves us with WR, RB, and S.
Wide receiver has a very deep draft class in 2017. The two players that stand out among the rest are Corey Davis and Mike Williams who probably won't be around by the time the Bucs pick at 19. After that it becomes whomever each team likes more. I REALLY like ArDarius Stewart and think he could still be there in round 3. So WR is a pass for me.
Running back, as luck would have it is another deep class this year. Once again two names dominate the "who's best" discussion. And as previously Dalvin Cook and Leonard Fournette should be off the board when it's the Bucs turn to select. I loved Doug Martin when he first came to the Bucs in 2012 and there is a RB out of Wyoming, Brian Hill that reminds me a lot of Martin. I think the Bucs don't pull the trigger until the 4th round on a RB and get a steal with Hill.
So that leaves safety. "But Douglas" you say "Hooker and Adams will surely have been drafted when it's the Buccaneers turn to hand in their card". To this I reply, "you are absolutely correct".
Obi Melifonwu is 6'4" 220 lbs and can cover. His combine workout will put him in the "guys that most improved their stock" conversations. Making him a distant memory by the time the Bucs pick in the second round. Now there are some other good safeties out there but none with this guys ceiling.
Obi... Obi Melifonwu you are my only 1st round hope!
Which Released Players Should The Bucs Pursue?
As of time of post...none.
I say this for a couple of reasons. First, it's a pretty short list and second it's a pretty underwhelming list.
Most of the NFL players that have been released by their teams and joined the ranks of the unrestricted free agents have been role or depth players. The only problem is that they don't play positions where the Bucs need depth but there are two exceptions.
WR Victor Cruz best years were between 2011-2013 where he racked up over 3,500 yards and 23 touchdowns. Since then he has only appeared in 21 of a possible 48 games and his yards and TD's have suffered, less than 900 and 2 respectively. There are plenty of better free agent wide receivers on the market.
C Nick Mangold has been to 7 Pro Bowls as the center for the New York Jets. Now 33 he has become too old and expensive for their rebuilding plan. Most believe that Mangold has a few years left to give an NFL team.
No question that Mangold would be an upgrade at center for the Bucs. I just think that the long anticipated move of guard Ali Marpet to center is finally going to happen. The three best Buc linemen all play guard. Marpet, Sweezy, and Pamphile all need to be on the field for the Bucs to get their best five out there. The easiest way to make this happen is to move Marpet to center, place Sweezy in Ali's vacant right guard spot and leave Pamphile in the left guard position.
It's not that I don't like Mangold as a center. It's just as of now there is no room for an All Pro veteran center on the Bucs roster.
What Do You Make Of Jameis Winston's Comments?
It's been a hot minute since I've seen a topic that has raised the ire of Bucs fans faster than the article written by Tampa Bay Times sports writer Tom Jones. Now I'm not going to go into what Jameis said or what tone Jones chose for his article, which can be found in it's entirety HERE. I will simply say this.
I do not believe Jameis Winston is a bad person.
I do not believe that Jameis Winston has a personal agenda to try and subservient girls or women.
I do believe that it is important to Jameis Winston that he is a good role model for young boys.
I do believe that it is important to Jameis Winston to be a good role model for everyone.
I also believe that Jameis makes an effort to better himself everyday.
I believe that this effort is used to improve the ones around him, as much as it is to improve himself.
I think that he strives to give more than what is asked of him.
I believe that he believes, being a leader is about sacrifice.
I believe that for the rest of his days as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer he will strive to make his team and his city better than he found it.
Finally, I believe that this is more than any of us can ask of him.
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Thanks for reading and as always GO BUCS!
