Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft: linebackers

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The situation

This is one of the most unstable positions for the Buccaneers. Two members of the 2010 starting trio are likely to become free agents once a new collective bargaining agreement is negotiated.

The contracts of starting MLB Barrett Ruud and starting strongside LB Quincy Black expired after last season, and it's not clear whether the Bucs intend or will be able to retain either.

Both hope to cash in on the open market and might field offers worth more than the Bucs are willing to pay.

General manager Mark Dominik has said he'll proceed in this draft as if his free agent players won't be back, because the fate of free agents won't be known for a while.

Though there is always much debate about Ruud and his value, coach Raheem Morris leans heavily on him to help the defense execute and adjust to offensive shifts and motion. It would be quite a responsibility for a rookie to assume if the Bucs draft a possible replacement. The Bucs last season acquired former South Florida star Tyrone McKenzie from the Patriots, but it's not clear whether he is a viable starter.

Weakside LB Geno Hayes, among the team's leading tackers, returns.

What they're looking for

The Bucs continue to want playmakers at linebacker. They're not necessarily looking for the undersized Derrick Brooks-type linebacker, but they want a game-changer.

In the Tampa 2 coverage scheme, the linebackers will still be required to run and cover. But Morris is also interested in using his linebackers in new ways, taking advantage of pass-rushing opportunities from his outside linebackers.

Fitting the bill

The Bucs have taken a close look at UCLA OLB Akeem Ayers, left, a player who is big, fast and versatile. In this way, he is somewhat like Black, but he has the potential to be much more. Ayers had a combined 24.5 tackles for losses and 10 sacks in his final two college seasons.

Dontay Moch of Nevada is another OLB candidate, though he is something of a project as he was more of a defensive end in college. Like Ayers, he visited with the Bucs and is one of those players Morris could find special assignments for.

At middle linebacker, the Bucs hosted Clearwater's Colin McCarthy, top left, of Miami, considered a sure-handed tackler and solid athlete. MLB Quan Sturdivant of North Carolina has also drawn the Bucs' interest. He led the nation in solo tackles in 2008 before being limited by a nagging hamstring injury in 2010.

Top 10

Von Miller Texas A&M, 6-2, 245	Considered by some the most NFL-ready prospect regardless of position
Akeem Ayers UCLA, 6-2, 253	Well-rounded player who produced in coverage, pass rush and run stopping
Bruce Carter North Carolina, 6-2, 240	Solid player with great speed and quickness; Butkus Award finalist
Martez Wilson Illinois, 6-3, 250	All-Big Ten selection had 112 total tackles in 2010
Chris Carter Fresno State, 6-1, 247	Projected as a 3-4 OLB at NFL level with good pass-rush ability
Colin McCarthy Miami, 6-2, 240	Led UM with 119 tackles in first season as ILB
Dontay Moch Nevada, 6-1, 247	Possesses stunning 4.4-second 40-yard dash speed
Akeem Dent Georgia, 6-1, 240	Big hitter racked up 126 total tackles as a senior
Quan Sturdivant North Carolina, 6-1, 239	A solid prospect who will drop because of injury-plagued senior season
Mason Foster Washington, 6-1, 244	Led the Pac-10 with 163 tackles; notched 6.5 sacks as a senior

Von Miller Texas A&M, 6-2, 245	Considered by some the most NFL-ready prospect regardless of position
Akeem Ayers UCLA, 6-2, 253	Well-rounded player who produced in coverage, pass rush and run stopping
Bruce Carter North Carolina, 6-2, 240	Solid player with great speed and quickness; Butkus Award finalist
Martez Wilson Illinois, 6-3, 250	All-Big Ten selection had 112 total tackles in 2010
Chris Carter Fresno State, 6-1, 247	Projected as a 3-4 OLB at NFL level with good pass-rush ability
Colin McCarthy Miami, 6-2, 240	Led UM with 119 tackles in first season as ILB
Dontay Moch Nevada, 6-1, 247	Possesses stunning 4.4-second 40-yard dash speed
Akeem Dent Georgia, 6-1, 240	Big hitter racked up 126 total tackles as a senior
Quan Sturdivant North Carolina, 6-1, 239	A solid prospect who will drop because of injury-plagued senior season
Mason Foster Washington, 6-1, 244	Led the Pac-10 with 163 tackles; notched 6.5 sacks as a senior

Best guess

The Bucs have a strong need at linebacker. Look for a pick in the early to middle rounds, particularly at middle linebacker. That could signal the end of Ruud's tenure in Tampa Bay.

Regardless, the Bucs will look to stockpile linebacker talent after largely ignoring the position last year.

Stephen F. Holder, Times staff writer

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/tampa-bay-buccaneers-draft-linebackers/1166154

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