BucD+ 648 Posted May 1, 2012 Michael Smith: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Finally Have Real Speed ThreatBy Tom Edrington (Featured Columnist) on May 1, 2012 Couldn't help notice the plethora of LaMichael James lovers in the days leading up to the 2012 draft. Seriously? LaMichael James? For some reason the San Francisco 49ers used a second-round pick on the running back from Oregon, who is projected to be simply a situational player. That's a lot of juice to use on a guy who isn't a three-down back. I'll see your James and raise you a La Michael Smith, or we'll simply refer to him as—The Michael Smith from Utah State. Let's talk value for a moment, and that's where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers got a lot more man for the draft pick with Smith in the seventh. Let's examine the two players closer. James is 5'9", 185. Smith is 5'9", 207. James runs 4.45 in the 40. Smith runs 4.35, sometimes faster. James has a 35-inch vertical. Smith has a 40-inch vertical. James will be a third-down change-of-pace back. Smith will be a third-down change of pace back. Get the picture? (Watch Michael Smith hoist more than 400 pounds.) [Youtube] The final question you James lovers need to ask yourselves is: "Who would I rather have in Round 2—James or Lavonte David?" What you see is two different teams with different needs and different draft attitudes. James was a simple luxury option for the 49ers. David is a man expected to win a starting linebacker job and play well. Back to Smith. Looks like Doug "Muscle Hampster" Martin has a workout partner. Check the video and watch Smith put up 405 pounds on the bench press. Yikes! The Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster has now grown to 86 with the signing of the 14 undrafted free agents. Add Connor Barth, who hasn't signed his franchise tender yet, and you're at 87, three under the camp limit. Smith goes in as one of the most intriguing guys on that roster. He's the X-factor that the Bucs have lacked for a long, long time. That would be burning speed, the kind of speed that can go to the house on any play. Yeah, sorry about LaMichael, but for the spot in the seventh, you've gotta love The Michael. Link: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1167733-tampa-bay-buccaneers-finally-have-real-speed-threat-with-michael-smith Also... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Milla4Prez63 678 Posted May 1, 2012 Interesting about Smith. I have hope that he can be the 3rd back on the team and give us a few snaps a game as a speed threat. Even if he doesn't do anything, he was a 7th rounder. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted May 1, 2012 A surprisingly good article on BR. I am liking the looks of Smith. He is quick as shit and that is something our team is lacking on offense. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Milla4Prez63 678 Posted May 2, 2012 (edited) Here is my write up on the Bucs' draft and what it could mean for the 2012 season and the players that were already on the team. Mark Barron The speculation surrounding the Buccaneers' selection at five centered around Alabama runningback Trent Richardson and LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne. However, Tampa Bay went in a different direction after trading back with Jacksonville and settling in at the seventh pick and taking Alabama safety Mark Barron. The move was suprising at first when many thought Claiborne would be an obvious pick, but after the Bucs released troubled safety Tanard Jackson, the team was without any safeties considered starting quality. Not to mention, this draft class was particularly weak at safety with the exception of Barron who stood out. Barron's stock was rising on draft boards and was supposedly likely picks for Carolina and Buffalo at 9 and 10, and was the target of several teams trying to move up. Barron is expected to step in and start right away, most likely at strong safety. However, where Barron lines up and how big of a role he is expected to have will be up to Greg Schiano. But Schiano has insisted that a safety like Barron plays a big role in his defensive scheme so he is expected to be a difference maker from day one. The move hurts the chances of young players such as Ahmad Black, Devin Holland and Larry Asante being able to make an impact on defense. Cody Grimm is likely going to end up starting next to Barron and those three and others will have to fight just to get roles on special teams and even the roster. Which is a good thing, after Jackson's release the thought of having to rely on those players this season wasn't a good one. Doug Martin The Buccaneers did not go to bed on Thursday night after selecting Mark Barron early in the first round. Mark Dominik and company went to work trying to find a way back into the first round and finally found a dancing partner late in the draft. The Denver Broncos, after trading down already with New England, traded with Tampa Bay allowing the Buccaneers to move up to the 31st pick and select Boise State runningback Doug Martin. Considered by many to be the 2nd best back in the draft behind Trent Richardson, Martin filled an immeadiate need for the Bucs and brings some qualities to the team that the team lacked last season such as blocking and receiving out the backfield. Many analysts have compared Martin to players such as Ray Rice, who Greg Schiano loved and coached at Rutgers. Martin should be able to play a role in the Bucs' offense right away in 2012. LeGarrette Blount has become a fan favorite with his big plays and leaping highlights, but his inability to block or catch along with consistency and fumble concerns have made the runningback position one that had to be adressed. Both Blount and Martin should split reps and carries, but excpect Martin's role to increase as the season goes on and he is capable of doing more things on the field and is likely to going to earn coach Schiano's trust over Blount in key situations. Lavonte David Mark Dominik continued his agressiveness in the draft's second night as the Buccaneers traded up out of their 3rd round slot into the 58th overall pick to select Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David. Linebacker has been a major concern for the Bucs after having the league's worst run defense in the NFL in 2011 and David is a crafty player with great instincts to find the ball. He is a little undersized, but Tampa Bay has seen smallish linebackers come in and do big things before. David should compete for a starting job right off the bat, he is probably the favorite to be the Bucs' opening day weak side linebacker with Mason Foster in the middle and Quincy Black playing the strong side. Adam Hayward and Dekoda Watson could possibly challenge David for the spot and for some reps on the field too, but after trading up into the 2nd round for him, the Bucs likely have big plans for him. Najee Goode After several trades early on in the draft, the Buccaneers didn't pick again until the 5th round where they grabbed West Virginia linebacker Najee Goode with the 140th overal pick. Goode was a team captain for the Mountaineers' defense known as a run stuffer. However, scouts have questioned if Goode is capable of being a three down linebacker because of his problems in coverage, especially in a league where tight ends are becoming bigger and more athletic. Goode is unlikely to have a major role in the Bucs' defense early unless he really stands out in camp and forces the coaches' hands. Goode projects as more of an inside linebacker but Greg Schiano is unlikely to pigeon-hole what positions he should be playing. He is probably headed for an early special teams role, but could see some snaps as a run stopping specialist. His presence will make it harder for players such as Rennie Curran and Jacob Cutrera to make the roster. Keith Tandy The Buccaneers decided to grab up a Mountaineer again in the 6th round by selecting West Virginia cornerback Keith Tandy. Greg Schiano's Big East roots obviously showed here as Tampa Bay grabbed up two of the guys who gave his Scarlet Knights nightmares over the past several years. Tandy is known as a physical corner who may best be served playing in zone coverage. An interesting note on the back to back selections out of West Virginia, Najee Goode and Keith Tandy were not only teammates, but roommates during their college days. Now both will head to Tampa Bay together to pursue their career in professional football. Many have suggested that Tandy could be moved to safety because of his physical style and questionable man coverage abilities, but the Bucs have stated that he will compete at corner, but a move to safety isn't out of the question eventually. So for this season, Tandy will have to fight with E.J. Biggers, Myron Lewis, Anthony Gaitor and Leonard Johnson to make the roster and get snaps in the case of an Aqib Talib suspension. Tandy will likely have to prove his worth on special teams to get an inside track on a roster spot. Michael Smith In the seventh round, the Buccaneers went back to the running game and selected Utah State runningback Michael Smith with the 212th overall pick. Smith was a change of pace back at Utah State for Robert Turbin, a 3rd round pick by the Seahawks, but averaged 7 ypc last season. What stands out about Smith right away is his speed, he ran a 4.3 in the fourty yard dash at his pro day. Right away, Smith is going to have to battle Mossis Madu and Robert Hughes to make the team as the team's 3rd back. But if Smith and his speed show off big play ability, it isn't totally impossible to see him getting a few snaps during the season. Greg Schiano wants to focus on running the football and Smith getting a few snaps as a change of pace back isn't out of the question. Drake Dunsmore As the 2012 NFL Draft winded down, the Buccaneers used their final selection, acquired by Houston in the trade up for Lavonte David, to select Northwestern tight end Drake Dunsmore with the 233rd overall pick. Dunsmore is known as a solid, athletic pass catcher. One of his biggest moments in his college career occured at Raymond James Stadium in the 2010 Outback Bowl against Auburn as Dunsmore alluded several tacklers for an impressive 66 yard touchdown. Dunsmore has the ability to play fullback as well as tight end, but since he isn't known as a physical blocker, Dunsmore is more likely to latch on as a tight end rather than a fullback. For this training camp, he'll have to beat out Zack Pianalto, Collin Franklin and Chase Coffman to earn the Bucs' third tight end job. Edited May 2, 2012 by Milla4Prez63 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bucman 891 Posted May 20, 2012 The way Dominik and Schiano were talking about Michael Smith and the things they said...sounds like he already made the team. lol He does have a leg up on the other RBs not named Martin and Blount because of his uniqueness....SPPPPEEEEEEEEDDD! He has a leg up on them because they suck. Mossis Madu is awful. Thank god we finally have depth at RB again. Blount-Martin-Smith should be fun to watch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
