Tag: Ndamukong Suh (Page 11 of 12)

      Rams, Bucs discussing trade for No. 1 pick?

      February 22, 2010 /

      According to Scout.com’s Chris Steuber, the Rams and Buccaneers have had discussions about a potential trade involving the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft. In the proposed deal, Tampa would acquire the top overall selection in exchange for the No. 3 pick in the first round, a second and/or third round pick, and quarterback Josh Johnson.

      In addition to finding a franchise quarterback, the Rams are interested in trading out of the top spot in this year’s draft, moving down a few spots and acquiring additional draft picks and players. I’ve been told that the Rams and Buccaneers have had exploratory discussions on a deal, which would involve the team’s first round selections (No. 1 and 3), possibly one of the Buccaneers second round picks (they have two picks in the second round: No. 35 and 42) or their third round pick (No. 67). Again, these discussions have been exploratory, as the Rams continue to investigate all of their options, but the deal involving the Rams and Bucs first round picks and Tampa Bay’s third round pick, not one of their second-round picks, is where it gets interesting.

      A source close to the situation in St. Louis told me that if a deal with the Eagles can’t be consummated prior to the draft, they may take the Bucs third round pick over one of their second round picks, because they’re “very high” on third-year quarterback Josh Johnson, who they would insist being in a potential trade with Tampa Bay. Rams officials compare Johnson favorably to Vick athletically, but they feel that he has a greater upside as a passer.

      This deal certainly makes sense on paper, but I wouldn’t be surprised if either the Bucs or Rams (or both) publicly deny this rumor within the next couple of days. I’m not suggesting that the two teams didn’t discuss a potential swap, but so many rumors surface leading up to the draft that it’s hard to take any of them seriously until more details emerge.

      Again though, the deal makes sense on the surface. Ndamukong Suh is the top prospect in this year’s draft, but defensive tackle takes a back seat to other positions on the Rams’ offseason needs list. If they have another player (Gerald McCoy, Dez Bryant or one of the quarterbacks for example) rated close to Suh on their draft board that they can take at No. 3, it makes sense for them to trade down, snatch another pick or two a possible Johnson as well. Johnson is the definition of a project at quarterback, but he does have talent.

      As for the Bucs, they have a major need at DT and given Suh’s exceptional talent, it may be worth it for them to part with two draft picks and a quarterback in Johnson (that’s expendable given that Josh Freeman is the future) to acquire that kind of talent.

      We’ll see if this rumor sprouts more legs over the next two months. As I previously alluded to though, there will be plenty more rumors like this that emerge leading up to the draft.


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      NFL

      Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2010 Team Needs

      February 11, 2010 /

      As part of our 2010 NFL Draft coverage, I will be breaking down positional needs for all 32 teams, starting in reverse alphabetical order. Next up is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Check out other team needs by clicking here.

      1. Defensive Line
      The Bucs have needs at every position outside of quarterback, but they’re in good shape with 10 selections in this year’s draft. Their top priority will likely be their defensive line, which has become a weakness under the new regime of Raheem Morris and Mark Dominik. If either Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh or Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy fall to them at No. 3, it’s hard envisioning a scenario where Tampa would pass on upgrading the interior of their defensive line. If both tackles are gone at that spot, then they may address their need at safety with Tennessee’s Eric Berry or hope to trade down and snag one of the defensive ends (Jason Pierre-Paul, Brandon Graham, Corey Wootten or George Selvie) that would be available later in the first round. But no matter how things shake out for them at No. 3, the Bus will attempt to upgrade their defensive line on draft day.

      Outside Linebacker
      Upgrading the strongside linebacker position is one of the Bucs’ top priorities this offseason and now that Geno Hayes (who had a breakout season last year) will be sidelined for 3-4 months after undergoing surgery in late January to repair a torn labrum, weakside may need to be addressed as well. Tampa signed Angelo Crowell to a one-year contract last offseason, but the deal blew up in Dominik’s (who overpaid) face after the oft-injured linebacker missed the entire 2009 season when he tore one of his biceps in August. It’s doubtful the Bucs bring him back seeing as how he can’t stay on the field and was plummeting past Quincy Black and Adam Hayward on the depth chart before being placed on IR. Black is adequate, but the Bucs need more playmakers on the defensive side of the ball and could use one of their early round selections to beef up the strongside position.

      3. Safety
      Tanard Jackson is entrenched as the starter at free safety, but the strong safety position definitely needs to be addressed this offseason. Sabby Piscitelli proved that he’s a liability in coverage and quite frankly, he wasn’t that great against the run either (which was supposed to be his forte). Bringing back 31-year-old, injury-prone Jermaine Phillips isn’t the answer, so taking a player like Berry at No. 3 makes sense. The question is, will Tampa take Suh or McCoy if either of them fell at that spot? Good safeties are hard to find in the draft, but Suh and McCoy are two prospects that have the potential to anchor a line for years to come. Either way, the safety position opposite Jackson must be addressed.

      Cornerback, receiver, running back, guard and offensive tackle are needs for the Bucs this offseason as well.


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      NFL

      Bradford moving to the top of the Rams’ board?

      February 10, 2010 /

      Tom Kowalski of MLive.com reports that Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford might be moving to the top of the Rams’ draft board if his shoulder checks out okay.

      In talking to a couple of well-informed folks from St. Louis last week at the Super Bowl, two interesting points came up.

      The first is one that I’ve been talking about for awhile — that Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, once he proves his injured right shoulder is OK — could move into that No. 1 spot. The Rams are desperate to replace Marc Bulger, who is not in the team’s long-term plans.

      The other interesting piece of information was that the Rams had considered drafting USC quarterback Mark Sanchez with the second overall pick last year. The Jets trading up to No. 5 and taking Sanchez was considered a reach so the Rams would’ve taken plenty of heat for taking Sanchez at No. 2 — which is why they didn’t. But after the rookie performance by Sanchez, it appears the Rams — who took tackle Jason Smith — made a mistake.

      Rumors like these will surface over the next couple of months leading up to the draft, so it’s wise to take them with a grain of salt. I worked with Kowalski in Detroit and can speak from experience that he’s a reputable member of the media. But as he points out in his article, the top of the draft fluctuates from one day to the next and nothing is guaranteed at this point – especially considering the scouting combine hasn’t even taken place yet.

      That said, it’s an interesting rumor and one that would certainly make sense given the Rams’ needs at quarterback. Many people believe St. Louis will select defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh with the first overall pick in April’s draft but the fact of the matter is that if the Rams believe that Bradford (or Jimmy Clausen or whomever) is a franchise quarterback, then they’ll pass on Suh. There is no substitution for a franchise signal caller, no matter how good a player like Suh is.


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      NFL

      Suh signs with Crabtree’s agents

      January 28, 2010 /

      Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who is highly considered the best prospect in this year’s NFL draft, has signed with Maximum Sports Management. Why is that newsworthy you ask? They were the same agents who misrepresented 49ers’ receiver Michael Crabtree this past season.

      The good news for Suh is that Roosevelt Barnes and not Eugene Parker will serve as his lead agent. Parker was the genius that instructed Crabtree to holdout until he got paid top-3 money and almost cost Crabtree his entire rookie season before finally accepting an offer from the Niners.

      I’m a little surprised that Maximum Sports Management landed the top prospect in the draft after the massive screw up with Crabtree. Hopefully for Suh’s sake, teams at the top of the draft won’t shy away from him due to his choice of agent. But again, I doubt that Suh will have any problems given that Parker won’t be his lead agent.


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      NFL, NFL Draft

      2010 NFL Draft Player Profile: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

      January 27, 2010 /

      Highly regarded as the best player in this year’s NFL draft class, Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh will be one of the most talked about players for the next couple of months.

      Suh became the first defensive player to be named the AP’s College Football Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. He has drawn comparisons to former NFL players Reggie White and Warren Sapp, as well as the Vikings’ Kevin Williams.

      Strengths: Where do you start? Suh was a dominant force for the interior of Nebraska’s defensive line in 2009, making plays as both a pass rusher and a run stopper. He’s one of those rare players that can have an impact on a play or in a game without showing up on the stat sheet. He consistently collapses the pocket, uses his hands well to get off blocks, has light fight and a ton of quickness for a defensive tackle. He also plays with great intensity, displays good lower-body strength and can drive offensive lineman off the ball with his power.

      Weaknesses: He doesn’t have massive bulk and therefore isn’t a space-eater. He also suffered a knee injury that required surgery in 2005, then another knee injury that limited him in the spring of 2007. However, he played in 25 consecutive games over the past two seasons and therefore, questions about his durability have been shelved. While such a thing doesn’t exist, Suh is virtually a perfect prospect.


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      College Football, NFL, NFL Draft

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