***Draft Rumor*** (1 Viewer)

[Capella]

Read in the St. Pete Times and saw on the NFL Network today the rumor that the Bucs would trade the #3 overall pick, their third-round choice and QB Josh Johnson for the rights to the #1 overall pick in the draft.

Strictly a rumor, but saw it in two different places and thought I would pass it along. Thoughts?

 

[phthalatemagic]

Bad call for the Bucs. Why would they trade Freeman now?

 

[Football Critic]

Bad call for the Bucs. Why would they trade Freeman now?

Johnson not Freeman.

 

[Team Legacy]

Bad call for the Bucs. Why would they trade Freeman now?

The OP said Josh Johnson, not Freeman. If they realy like Suh that much, I say go for it.

 

[Zigg]

Good for both teams and makes a lot of sense. #1 seems to want to trade down every year, looks like the Rams should be able to if they want.

 

[Capella]

Bad call for the Bucs. Why would they trade Freeman now?

Uh yea. That would indeed be a bad move.

 

[Balco]

Would be a great deal for the Bucs. Lets them nab Suh, a dominant D Tackle who would be a great young building block.

Rams have a ton of holes, wonder who they like at 3. It's a deep draft, they would be wise to trade down some more for more picks.

 

[D'OHtis]

If the Rams don't want Suh as badly as another player, why not.

I think Johnson would be an upgrade over Vick, but neither the long term solution.

 

[phthalatemagic]

Bad call for the Bucs. Why would they trade Freeman now?

Johnson not Freeman.

whoops

 

[Balco]

If the Rams don't want Suh as badly as another player, why not.I think Johnson would be an upgrade over Vick, but neither the long term solution.

I think it is too early to dismiss Josh Johnson. Many teams trade for young backups on other teams and they flourish (i.e. Mark Brunnell, Matt Schaub, Matt Hasselback) or they flame out (Rob Johnson, AJ Feeley). Bucs fans will have to chime in, but I think Johnson offers some good potential. Obviously the Bucs like what they see from Josh Freeman and are committed to him going forward.

 

[Capella]

I thought JJ showed moments of flash last year, considering he (much like Freeman) received almost no snaps or reps in training camp and was thrust into a horrible situation.

Moving up to #1 from #3 usually would require a second-round pick, so the Bucs would be essentially trading a decent young QB and the third instead of that second. Gives the Rams a QB with NFL experience and upside to look at while addressing another need in the draft at #3 and an extra pick somewhat early in the draft. And the Bucs get their man.

Seems like win-win to me.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

This actually makes perfect sense.

1. The Bucs see the next Warren Sapp in Suh in they also know what that type of player can do on defense. They understand how to win with this as an anchor along the defense. Personally, I think Suh is the best DT prospect to come out of college since Warren Sapp, think of Nagta or however its spelled. I think Suh is easily as good as him, Sapp is a high mark to reach but he might be that good.

2. St Louis wants a QB and they know Detroit is not thinking QB...the Bucs drafted theirs in the 1st round last year so that makes no sense that they would be gunning for Clausen either. Why not flip with the Bucs, let them take Suh, they slide back and don't have to pay quite as much for their QB. Detroit will get offers to trade down as teams will likely try and push for the #2 to get ahead of St Louis. They can either take Clausen or Bradford, surely one of them will be there at the #3.

I think the Bucs can afford the #1 pick, they have dumped a ot of salary in the past 2 seasons. This is the type of splash that TB needs right now. Morris is a defensive coach, he could do a lot with Suh.

Thanks Cap, nice to see a rumor that has a good amount of logic and substance to it.

 

[IDrinkyourMilkshake]

Aren't the Bucs owners super cheap?

 

[Mister CIA]

Bad call for the Bucs. Why would they trade Freeman now?

Johnson not Freeman.

whoops

 

[Couch Potato]

Here's the original article on this:

http://det.scout.com/2/947712.html

Rams, Buccaneers Blockbuster Possible

This story originally published on ScoutNFLNetwork.com

By Chris Steuber

Scout.com NFL Draft Analyst

Posted Feb 19, 2010



It's that time of year again when trade rumors and draft speculation heat up and as the NFL Scouting Combine approaches, the NFL universe will explore all angles to improve for the 2010 season. Scout.com's Chris Steuber reveals a potential trade he discovered between two teams that hold top three selections this April. Find out the details inside.

The draft winds are swirling, and the prospects haven’t even landed in Indianapolis yet for the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine. After speaking with a dozen of my closest sources over the last two days, I stumbled across an interesting tidbit that’s obviously in its baby steps stage, but it appears to have enough juice to where it could move quicker than a Chris Johnson 40.

The St. Louis Rams are in the market for a quarterback, and all of the trade speculation has the Rams interested in one of the Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks: Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick or Kevin Kolb. The Rams would be interested in all three of the Eagles quarterbacks, but the name that continues to be linked with the Rams is Vick. It was reported earlier this week by multiple media outlets that the Eagles would likely hold onto Vick until the preseason to create a larger trade market for the former No. 1 overall draft pick. If this report is true, and the Rams are unable to workout a deal with the Eagles prior to the draft for Vick, I’ve been told by two sources that the Rams are prepared to turn to option B, and the alternative involves a potential blockbuster trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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.

A 2008 fifth round pick out of the University of San Diego, Johnson was known for his accuracy and athleticism while in college, and last year with the Buccaneers he showed promise during a four-game stretch where he was the starting quarterback. Johnson played five games in all during the ’09 season and completed 50.4-percent of his passes for 685 yards, four touchdowns and eight interceptions; which are respectable numbers for a young quarterback leading a mediocre offense. But with the Buccaneers investing a first round pick in the 2009 draft in former Kansas State star Josh Freeman, Johnson is expendable and will attract interest from many teams.

If a deal were to happen between St. Louis and Tampa Bay, and the Rams were to acquire Johnson from the Bucs, that doesn’t mean that the Rams will enter the 2010 season with Johnson as their starting quarterback. NFL.com’s Jason La Canfora reported this week that the Rams have no immediate intention of releasing their injury-prone starter Marc Bulger, but with Bulger scheduled to make $8.5 million this year, it’s likely that he will be wearing another team’s uniform this season.

With Bulger eventually on his way out and Kyle Boller being an unrestricted free agent and unlikely to return, I’ve been told that another motivation for the Rams possibly trading the No. 1 pick is because they have the two premier defensive tackles in the draft, Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh and Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy, equally graded on their draft board, and that if they did move down to the third pick, they hope McCoy will fall to them. But, if the Detroit Lions select McCoy with the second pick, the Rams would then entertain the notion of drafting one of the top two quarterbacks in the draft, Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford or Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen.

The Bucs motivation for such a deal is due to their infatuation with Suh. They feel that Suh’s presence in the trenches is exactly what they need and that he would give them the legitimate playmaker they’ve lacked on the defensive line since the departure of Warren Sapp. A month and a half ago, I reported that Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik attended the Brut Sun Bowl to scout McCoy personally, and while the Bucs like McCoy, they have Suh graded much higher and would be willing to make this move to land him.

The same sources told me that if the Bucs don’t trade up, and Suh and McCoy, who are ranked No. 1 and 2 respectively on Tampa Bay’s draft chart, are off the board at No. 3, that the Bucs surprisingly favor South Florida DE Jason Pierre-Paul over Tennessee’s Eric Berry. The No. 3 pick in the draft is widely considered the most pivotal selection in the top 10, as it can alter the view of how the opening frame will ultimately turn out; a prime example of that was in last year’s draft when the Kansas City Chiefs reached for LSU DE Tyson Jackson with the third pick.

It would be surprising to see Pierre-Paul drafted ahead of Berry, but since Tampa Bay needs a pass rusher, and the fact that they have a strong contingent at every South Florida home game during the collegiate season, they’re very comfortable with Pierre-Paul and the upside he has at the next level.

The winds are swirling…

 

[Getinthemix]

Aren't the Bucs owners super cheap?

And in hock up to their eyeballs with ManU

 

[Cassius]

Not sure this qualifies as a "blockbuster."

 

[Sinrman]

Yeah, if the Rams don't want Suh THAT much, then why not trade it away and still get one of the top 3 players in the draft + a high 3rd rounder + a QB that they could groom?

 

[gianmarco]

Not sure this qualifies as a "blockbuster."

I think any trade involving the #1 overall pick automatically qualifies as a blockbuster even if only dropping a couple spots. Makes sense for both teams.

 

[Cassius]

Not sure this qualifies as a "blockbuster."

I think any trade involving the #1 overall pick automatically qualifies as a blockbuster even if only dropping a couple spots. Makes sense for both teams.

It's moving two spots and the only name is the immortal Josh Johnson.

 

[Dragon1952]

Not sure this qualifies as a "blockbuster."

I think any trade involving the #1 overall pick automatically qualifies as a blockbuster even if only dropping a couple spots. Makes sense for both teams.

 

[ChitownPone]

Not sure this qualifies as a "blockbuster."

I think any trade involving the #1 overall pick automatically qualifies as a blockbuster even if only dropping a couple spots. Makes sense for both teams.

Plus its the middle of February, probably adds something to it. Also, I like this trade, Josh Johnson is not going to get a chance with TBB because of Freeman so let the kid move on and see what he can do if other teams are interested. Also, I could see this trade happening, its one that really makes sense for both sides and that is rare when these reports come out

 

[rock753]

Not sure this qualifies as a "blockbuster."

I think any trade involving the #1 overall pick automatically qualifies as a blockbuster even if only dropping a couple spots. Makes sense for both teams.

It's moving two spots and the only name is the immortal Josh Johnson.

But it still means a lot. It tells how commited the Bucs are to Freeman. It tells how done the Rams are with Bulger. It gives Josh Johnson a chance to break out.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

I dont think there is anyway STL does this deal.

Im pretty sure they can get a QB better than Josh Johnson. I mean Tampa thought so much of him they move up last year and took Freeman.

I wouldnt give up Suh for that

 

[Cassius]

Not sure this qualifies as a "blockbuster."

I think any trade involving the #1 overall pick automatically qualifies as a blockbuster even if only dropping a couple spots. Makes sense for both teams.

It's moving two spots and the only name is the immortal Josh Johnson.

But it still means a lot. It tells how commited the Bucs are to Freeman. It tells how done the Rams are with Bulger. It gives Josh Johnson a chance to break out.

You really need Josh Johnson to get traded to STL to know that Josh Freeman is the starting QB in TB for the foreseeable future and that Marc Bulger may be done in STL?I take it back. This is a blockbuster. Worlds will collide, everything has changed.

 

[Warhogs]

I think it probably takes more than just adding Josh Johnson to get this done but I could see something happening if another pick or two are thrown in and StL does not love Suh. StL could still get a guy they like, a young QB, maybe another pick and maybe save some cash by picking a couple spots lower.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Get it done and move down again. Would Washington then be willing to swap spots for a third, I bet they would to guarantee Shanny the Q.B. he wants. They could play this game several times if they play early and often.

 

[Donnybrook]

Here's the original article on this:

http://det.scout.com/2/947712.html

A 2008 fifth round pick out of the University of San Diego, Johnson was known for his accuracy and athleticism while in college, and last year with the Buccaneers he showed promise during a four-game stretch where he was the starting quarterback. Johnson played five games in all during the '09 season and completed 50.4-percent of his passes for 685 yards, four touchdowns and eight interceptions; which are respectable numbers for a young quarterback leading a mediocre offense. But with the Buccaneers investing a first round pick in the 2009 draft in former Kansas State star Josh Freeman, Johnson is expendable and will attract interest from many teams.…

Sounds like St. Louis would accept anything to move down - sort of like Cleveland last season. The appeal of Josh Joshson is probably his cheap contract and the fact that he can scramble and not get killed behind that Oline if they need him to start. I am speculating that there will be other more experienced QBs available via trade/free agency but most willl want a signing bonus and a new contract.

 

[Lott's Fingertip]

Get it done and move down again. Would Washington then be willing to swap spots for a third, I bet they would to guarantee Shanny the Q.B. he wants. They could play this game several times if they play early and often.

From your keyboard strokes to God's ears....That would be ideal.

 

[rowdywalker]

I dont see the logic to this one.

Why give so much to get Johnson just to take a QB at 3?

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I dont think there is anyway STL does this deal.Im pretty sure they can get a QB better than Josh Johnson. I mean Tampa thought so much of him they move up last year and took Freeman.I wouldnt give up Suh for that

Josh Johnson is not the biggest part of this deal and I think you need to look at it like this...Move down out of the 1st because we(St.Louis) really want a QB...in fact we really need 3 of them. Move from 1 to 3, get a 2nd, a 3rd, and JJ in return, pay out way less and get their franchise QB in Clausen or Bradford at the #3...Johnson is just a player they would like to have...maybe even let him start a few games while the rookie is being groomed. Extra picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds to stock up on some OL guys to help protect and open holes for SJax, they can get competitive in the NFC West quickly. Johnson would give them some depth or at least the makings of soem depth. Clausen and Bradford can't be the QB2 and QB3 at the same time. St Louis is in dire need of help right now.

 

[Bucs1976]

As a Bucs fan, I would love this trade.

It makes sense for the Rams too. They have a lot of needs, and would pay less money to the 3rd pick.

However, if I'm the Rams, I don't pick a QB at 3. I still trade for Vick, and take Eric Berry at 3. Josh Johnson and Vick have similar games, so Vick would be a good QB for Johnson to sit behind for a couple years. Many believe Berry is the most talented player in the draft, but the value isn't there to take a safety #1 overall.

 

[mikel0254]

I dont see the logic to this one.Why give so much to get Johnson just to take a QB at 3?

If they make this trade, I think it shows they were going to take a QB with the #1 pick all along. Why not get Josh Johnson and a high 3rd rounder to get the same player you we initially going to draft? Both Clausen and Bradford will be there at #3, and now they got who they wanted all along with a backup QB and a high 3rd rounder. Plus, they don't have to pay their QB AS much b/c they went 3rd instead of 1st overall. Last part is just my opinion...not sure if there's any truth to paying the 3rd less than the 1st.This trade makes as much sense to me as any other trade I've seen

 

[gump]

What does the pick calculator say about the cost of moving up from #3 to #1?

 

[Grahamburn]

The pessimist in me says that this makes way too much sense to happen.

But

 

[Donsmith753]

Am I the only one thinking TB are giving up too much considering just how much the Rams obviously want out of #1.

Would the Rams draft Suh just to spite TB if they can't move down or do TB take the chance that they pick Bradford at 1 and take either McCoy or Suh at 3.

 

[thevidon]

I was at the Eagles/Bucs game and got a chance to watch Johnson first hand. He is really athletic and made some outstanding throws (and some stupid rookie mental mistakes). I would love to see him get a chance to start as he is fun to watch on the field.

 

[BoltBacker]

I dont think there is anyway STL does this deal.Im pretty sure they can get a QB better than Josh Johnson. I mean Tampa thought so much of him they move up last year and took Freeman. I wouldnt give up Suh for that

I completely disagree. If you have the #1 pick and aren't in love with any of the top 5 the holy grail is to move down somewhere in the top 5 if for no other reason than avoid paying that top guy #1 pick $. Even if all they got was the #3 pick in exchange for the #1 pick it makes financial sense IF you aren't in love with Suh or you like 2 other guys just as much. For years people have said "trade down" when their team has the top pick but that's next to impossible to do. Throw in a high third rounder and it makes even more sense. Johnson is probably the throw in on the trade and I like it for a team that's had its share of OL woes. Plus, weren't the Rams reported to be interested in Vick at one time? Put in an offense that takes all the pressure off the OL and has a lot of QB roll outs and running and pound Jackson with the running game makes a lot of sense to me. Acquire Vick for the short term and allow Johnson to be the backup in the short term. Maybe you draft the franchise QB now and let him sit for a year or two instead of getting killed behind that line or you wait and draft the franchise QB next year.I like the deal for both teams.

 

[Wyld Stallyns]

I dont think there is anyway STL does this deal.

Im pretty sure they can get a QB better than Josh Johnson. I mean Tampa thought so much of him they move up last year and took Freeman.

I wouldnt give up Suh for that

Josh Johnson is not the biggest part of this deal and I think you need to look at it like this...Move down out of the 1st because we(St.Louis) really want a QB...in fact we really need 3 of them. Move from 1 to 3, get a 2nd OR a 3rd, and JJ in return, pay out way less and get their franchise QB in Clausen or Bradford at the #3...Johnson is just a player they would like to have...maybe even let him start a few games while the rookie is being groomed. Extra picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds to stock up on some OL guys to help protect and open holes for SJax, they can get competitive in the NFC West quickly. Johnson would give them some depth or at least the makings of soem depth. Clausen and Bradford can't be the QB2 and QB3 at the same time. St Louis is in dire need of help right now.

Fixed. You were adding an extra pick to the deal.

 

[Donsmith753]

I dont think there is anyway STL does this deal.Im pretty sure they can get a QB better than Josh Johnson. I mean Tampa thought so much of him they move up last year and took Freeman. I wouldnt give up Suh for that

I completely disagree. If you have the #1 pick and aren't in love with any of the top 5 the holy grail is to move down somewhere in the top 5 if for no other reason than avoid paying that top guy #1 pick $. Even if all they got was the #3 pick in exchange for the #1 pick it makes financial sense IF you aren't in love with Suh or you like 2 other guys just as much. For years people have said "trade down" when their team has the top pick but that's next to impossible to do. Throw in a high third rounder and it makes even more sense. Johnson is probably the throw in on the trade and I like it for a team that's had its share of OL woes. Plus, weren't the Rams reported to be interested in Vick at one time? Put in an offense that takes all the pressure off the OL and has a lot of QB roll outs and running and pound Jackson with the running game makes a lot of sense to me. Acquire Vick for the short term and allow Johnson to be the backup in the short term. Maybe you draft the franchise QB now and let him sit for a year or two instead of getting killed behind that line or you wait and draft the franchise QB next year.I like the deal for both teams.

I agree. Move down to 3rd, take Okung this year and Locker next year.

 

[BoltBacker]

What does the pick calculator say about the cost of moving up from #3 to #1?

I don't think the pick calculator takes into consideration salary differences. By moving from pick #1 to pick #3 STL could save more than $10mil of guaranteed.I'm not saying Suh is going to be a bust, just pointing out that if you have 3-5 guys rated roughly the same on your board it would be a no-brainer to move down if the opportunity arose and you got ANYTHING else in return.

 

[saintfool]

oh this will happen because i traded JJ away in my dynasty league. he'll go on to the pro bowl as a starter and set records in a career that could best be described as favre-sque...

 

[gump]

What does the pick calculator say about the cost of moving up from #3 to #1?

I don't think the pick calculator takes into consideration salary differences. By moving from pick #1 to pick #3 STL could save more than $10mil of guaranteed.I'm not saying Suh is going to be a bust, just pointing out that if you have 3-5 guys rated roughly the same on your board it would be a no-brainer to move down if the opportunity arose and you got ANYTHING else in return.

Good point...there are multiple things to consider. I'm just wondering if the #3 pick + early 3rd rounder gets close to the calculator value of the #1.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

I like the move more for the Rams than the Bucs, but it is probably a good deal for both teams.

 

[Couch Potato]

Josh Johnson-QB- Buccaneers Feb. 22 - 2:31 pm et

Rams GM Billy Devaney denies he's had any conversations with the Bucs about a trade involving the Nos. 1 and 3 picks overall and QB Josh Johnson.

Scout.com's Chris Steuber reported Saturday that the Rams are eying Johnson as a fall-back plan or alternative to acquiring Michael Vick. "I am being completely honest when I say I have not talked to anyone in Tampa Bay," Devaney said in an NFL.com chat Monday. "I'm not saying that won't happen at some point but to date there is absolutely nothing going on."

Yeah yeah. He hasn't talked with Tampa, but I'll bet an underling has.

 

[vandyt]

I don't see why the Rams would want Johnson and a 3 for the #1...

If the Bucs are so concerned about getting one of McCoy/Suh, I'd make them pay at least one of their 2nd rounders to do so.

If the Rams move down to #3, it'll be for Bradford or Clausen, and if thats the case, they aren't going to want Josh Johnson, even as an interim starter til the rookie is ready.

 

[Zoomanji]

I don't believe any of this

Rams probably want to move down because they have many needs and any extra picks/players are a bonus. I just don't see TB having any interest in making a deal that will cost them money. The Glaziers are bleeding cash between Man U and the real estate market. They are in no position to start throwing cash around on the football team. This has been discussed Ad nauseam on the NFL radio network and its highly doubtful the Bucs will take on anything that costs them more money

 

[Jason Wood]

Schefter said it's completely unfounded on Twitter. Which is to say, that he hasn't gotten confirmation of it versus it being untrue.

 

[gump]

I don't believe any of thisRams probably want to move down because they have many needs and any extra picks/players are a bonus. I just don't see TB having any interest in making a deal that will cost them money. The Glaziers are bleeding cash between Man U and the real estate market. They are in no position to start throwing cash around on the football team. This has been discussed Ad nauseam on the NFL radio network and its highly doubtful the Bucs will take on anything that costs them more money

How much $ does a move like this make the Glazers? It would be a significant statement in an area that is currently down on their ownership...and showing it.

 

[Doug B]

This after Sean Payton & Co. took an NBA-like dive in Wk 16 to "ensure" that Suh stayed out of the division.