ChiefsPlanet - View Single Post - ****Official 2008 CP Mock Draft Picks Thread****

Direckshun · 03-14-2008, 11:36 AM

Tampa Bay wipes their collective brows. Things were dangerous there for a minute, considering that the Redskins have been in the hunt for a receiver and Doucet had fallen this far. Fortunately for the Bucs, the Redskins have committed perhaps the greatest reach so far in the Draft, overlooking Doucet and opting instead for Jordy Nelson.

With the 52nd pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select WR Early Doucet from Lousiana State University.

One of the best players left on the board, Doucet fits perfectly into Tampa Bay's plans. Let's examine what Tampa's done this offseason:

Sign DE Marques Douglas.
Sign RB Warrick Dunn.
Sign WR Antonio Bryant.
Re-sign CB Sammy Davis.
TE Ben Troupe.
OLB Matt McCoy.
MLB Teddy Lehman.
Sign MLB Leon Joe.
Trade for QB Brian Griese.
Sign DE Jimmy Wilkerson.
Tendered DT Jovan Haye.
Sign C Jeff Faine.
Sign TE John Gilmore.
Re-signed RB Michael Bennett.

All these moves in one offseason suggest two things: first of all, the Bucs are stupid. Secondly, they are definitively a win-now squad. Especially considering that their starting QB is 38 years old.

Therefore, they are in the hunt this Draft for rookies who aren't projects, who won't need a lot of grooming, who could conceivably step onto the field today and contribute. CB Antoine Cason was their first selection in this Draft because he is the most battle-tested first rounder who will play like a veteran immediately.

And that's why they like WR Early Doucet. Doucet is a smart and resilient WR who's savvy makes up for any lack of elite size or speed. He has fantastic concentration and great hands, he can make the catch in traffic, and the game is never too big for him. I've said thsi before in this thread, but he is a Wes Welker clone if ever there was one, and the Bucs would be wise to use him that way. Doucet will have trouble getting open if he's manned down by a solid NFL corner, but in short-to-midrange routes he can smoke LBs and become a potential Pro Bowl underneathe receiver, and he can realize his potential very quickly.

WR was a great need for the Bucs coming into this offseason, and with the acquisition of a Antonio Bryant, the Drafting of Early Doucet, and the return of the ageless Joey Galloway, they may not have a true #1 but they are a lot better off than they were before. Expect them to draft another WR in the later rounds.

They considered Crable at DE, especially in Tampa's Cover 2, but their defensive line is just about built. Henne was also an intriguing, NFL-ready prospect but the Bucs have five veteran QBs already, if you count Plummer. Tony Hills was also alluring but the Bucs are confident that their OL can take them where they need to go. Eric Henderson was also very tempting but Doucet was too valuable at WR.

03-14-2008, 11:36 AM	#472
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $2033447	Tampa Bay wipes their collective brows. Things were dangerous there for a minute, considering that the Redskins have been in the hunt for a receiver and Doucet had fallen this far. Fortunately for the Bucs, the Redskins have committed perhaps the greatest reach so far in the Draft, overlooking Doucet and opting instead for Jordy Nelson. With the 52nd pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select WR Early Doucet from Lousiana State University. One of the best players left on the board, Doucet fits perfectly into Tampa Bay's plans. Let's examine what Tampa's done this offseason: Sign DE Marques Douglas. Sign RB Warrick Dunn. Sign WR Antonio Bryant. Re-sign CB Sammy Davis. TE Ben Troupe. OLB Matt McCoy. MLB Teddy Lehman. Sign MLB Leon Joe. Trade for QB Brian Griese. Sign DE Jimmy Wilkerson. Tendered DT Jovan Haye. Sign C Jeff Faine. Sign TE John Gilmore. Re-signed RB Michael Bennett. All these moves in one offseason suggest two things: first of all, the Bucs are stupid. Secondly, they are definitively a win-now squad. Especially considering that their starting QB is 38 years old. Therefore, they are in the hunt this Draft for rookies who aren't projects, who won't need a lot of grooming, who could conceivably step onto the field today and contribute. CB Antoine Cason was their first selection in this Draft because he is the most battle-tested first rounder who will play like a veteran immediately. And that's why they like WR Early Doucet. Doucet is a smart and resilient WR who's savvy makes up for any lack of elite size or speed. He has fantastic concentration and great hands, he can make the catch in traffic, and the game is never too big for him. I've said thsi before in this thread, but he is a Wes Welker clone if ever there was one, and the Bucs would be wise to use him that way. Doucet will have trouble getting open if he's manned down by a solid NFL corner, but in short-to-midrange routes he can smoke LBs and become a potential Pro Bowl underneathe receiver, and he can realize his potential very quickly. WR was a great need for the Bucs coming into this offseason, and with the acquisition of a Antonio Bryant, the Drafting of Early Doucet, and the return of the ageless Joey Galloway, they may not have a true #1 but they are a lot better off than they were before. Expect them to draft another WR in the later rounds. They considered Crable at DE, especially in Tampa's Cover 2, but their defensive line is just about built. Henne was also an intriguing, NFL-ready prospect but the Bucs have five veteran QBs already, if you count Plummer. Tony Hills was also alluring but the Bucs are confident that their OL can take them where they need to go. Eric Henderson was also very tempting but Doucet was too valuable at WR.
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