As written in my previous article, the Buccaneers needed to address the cornerback and wide receiver positions in this years draft. On the first day, they did exactly that. But do not be so fast as to jump to the conclusion that it was a successful Day One at the 2008 NFL New Player Selection Meeting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They did indeed get what they needed, but there were questions about who they selected and how they went about it.
With the 20th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected cornerback Aqib Talib from Kansas. This was without question the best available cornerback at the time of the Bucs' pick. Two small-school corners were taken earlier in the draft. Troy's Leodlis McKelvin and Tennessee State's Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie went to the Bills at 11 overall, and the Cardinals at 16, respectively. These were predictably the first two corners to go, as they drew the most pre-draft hype from NFL teams and media outlets. Mike Jenkins from USF, as reported by the St. Petersburg Times yesterday, was told by Buccaneers' management that if he was indeed available at the 20th spot, he would be the Bucs' selection. Smoke screen? You bet. Talib was the pick.
Aqib Talib was a very solid selection for the Buccaneers at the 20th spot. At 6'1'', 202 lbs., he has good size. At Kansas, he was forced to go against an array of talented Big 12 Conference receivers including two first-day draft picks in former Texas WR Limas Sweed, and former Kansas State WR Jordy Nelson. He is a very physical corner and although the definition differs from the collegiate ranks to the NFL ranks, he is your prototypical shutdown corner. He is very decorated statistically coming out of Kansas, ranking second in KU history with 13 interceptions, and first with 322 return yards. Talib is also very versatile, which Jon Gruden could use in his wide variety of schemes. Talib had nine career offensive receptions at Kansas, five of which went for touchdowns.
With all the good, of course comes a down side. Talib's work ethic habits have been questioned multiple times over the past handful of years. He was suspended for his work habits or lack-there-of by Kansas for two games in 2006. He also has admitted to smoking marijuana, which draws character concerns from NFL personnel. Talib is also a huge trash-talker on the field. Which if your game can back up, is no big deal. However, jumping from the collegiate level to the NFL, Talib better adjust the volume a little bit, otherwise his confidence will get burned as well as himself on 9-routes by smarter NFL receivers.
Overall, Talib was an outstanding selection for the Buccaneers. They drafted what they needed in a talented cornerback, and he was probably the best available at that position at that time in the draft for the Buccaneers.
1 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete