The Bucs had to take Adams after the Lions wanted too much for Calvin Johnson.  The Bucs main problem could be keeping Adams motivated as he takes plays off.  Adams also doesn’t show much interest in defending the run either.  But, he is an outstanding pass rusher and the Bucs are getting really old on the defensive side of the football.  Adams played in 48 games (26 starts) at Clemson over his career and he has made 168 tackles, 44.5 tackles for a loss, had 28 sacks, batted down 21 passes, forced 5 fumbles and recovered 3 fumbles.  Adams also has outstanding speed as he runs a 4.65 40 despite being 6′5″, 265 pounds.  This is a boom or bust pick for the Buccaneers.

1. (4)  Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson

2. (35)  Arron Sears, OG/OT, Tennessee

2. (64)  Sabby Piscitelli, S, Oregon State

3. (68)  Quincy Black, OLB, New Mexico

4. (106)  Tanard Jackson, S, Syracuse

5. (141)  Greg Peterson, DT, North Carolina Central

6. (182)  Adam Hayward, LB, Portland State

7. (214)  Chris Denman, OT, Fresno State

7. (245)  Marcus Hamilton, CB, Virginia

7. (246)  Kenneth Darby, RB, Alabama

 

The Buccaneers are about to release Shelton Quarles because of a failed physical.  The real reason he’s getting cut is because he was due a roster bonus soon and the Bucs didn’t want to pay it.  Quarles played in 12 games for the Bucs last season and he made 104 tackles, had 2.5 sacks, defensed 3 passes and forced 2 fumbles.  Quarles has played with the Bucs his whole 10 year NFL career and he’s put up some impressive numbers.  He has played in 148 games and he has made 737 tackles, had 13 sacks, 4 interceptions that he returned for 132 yards…two for TDs, defensed 18 passes, forced 7 fumbles and recovered 8 fumbles.  Quarles was one of the best defensive players the Bucs have ever had and it’s sad to see him treated this way at the end of his career.

I have conducted a complete 7 round draft for every team in the NFL.  If you want to see what I have projected for any other team in the NFL, click on the team name in the right hand margin and go to the team’s Draft Report page if you don’t see the article on the front page of the site.  This was a lot of work so I hope you enjoy it.

The Bucs look in good position to make themselves a much better football team in this Draft.  Here’s who I think they will draft:

1. (4)  Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech

2. (35)  Ray McDonald, DE, Florida

3. (64)  Marcus Thomas, DT, Florida

3. (68)  David Harris, MLB, Michigan

4. (102)  Josh Gattis, S, Wake Forest

4. (141)  Lorenzo Booker, RB, Florida State

7. (214)  Kasey Studdard, OG, Texas

7. (245)  Jason Snelling, FB, Virginia

7. (246)  Jarrett Hicks, WR, Texas Tech

This would be the perfect draft for the Bucs.  They would get the consensus best player in the draft (Johnson) at a huge position of need.  They would also get three good young reinforcements for their defense in McDonald, Thomas and Harris.  Lorenzo Booker would be a great value pick for the Bucs in the 4th round and he would give them insurance in case the Cadillac breaks down again.

 

The Bucs must not have been too impressed by Lance Legree because they released him yesterday after just recently signed him.  He only played 2 games for the 49ers last season, so it’s not like the Bucs are going to lose any sleep over this decision as they can probably draft a DT on the second day of the draft that will be as good as Legree is.