MTK
01-16-2005, 12:05 PM
http://bucs.tbo.com/bucs/MGBRHOEI04E.html
TAMPA - The Bucs are pretty excited about this year's draft, and with 11 picks - including four in the top 100 - they should be.
The 11 picks are the most the Bucs have had since 1993, but no one should be surprised if they try to parlay at least one of those picks into something other than an untried prospect.
With picks in each of the first five rounds and two each in the sixth and seventh, the Bucs appear to have the arsenal and flexibility to make a trade for a proven NFL commodity.
All they need is a willing partner, and one already might have surfaced in the Washington Redskins.
The Redskins have made it clear in recent weeks they are looking to part with receiver Rod Gardner. They reportedly are seeking a middle-round pick in return, and the Bucs have plenty of those.
The Bucs also have a need for a player of Gardner's talents. Though he has been inconsistent in terms of production, Gardner has good hands and the speed to stretch defenses.
He might not be an ideal fit in Coach Jon Gruden's system, because he tends to run sloppy short and intermediate routes, but he would be an upgrade over Tim Brown and Charles Lee.
The Bucs' lone concern in making such a trade might be salary. Gardner is slated to make $1.45 million next season, but that probably will prove to be less than they would have to pay for Raiders projected free agent Jerry Porter. Besides, it's beginning to look as though Porter won't hit the market. The Raiders already have made him an offer, and Porter is talking as if he doesn't want to leave Oakland.
TAMPA - The Bucs are pretty excited about this year's draft, and with 11 picks - including four in the top 100 - they should be.
The 11 picks are the most the Bucs have had since 1993, but no one should be surprised if they try to parlay at least one of those picks into something other than an untried prospect.
With picks in each of the first five rounds and two each in the sixth and seventh, the Bucs appear to have the arsenal and flexibility to make a trade for a proven NFL commodity.
All they need is a willing partner, and one already might have surfaced in the Washington Redskins.
The Redskins have made it clear in recent weeks they are looking to part with receiver Rod Gardner. They reportedly are seeking a middle-round pick in return, and the Bucs have plenty of those.
The Bucs also have a need for a player of Gardner's talents. Though he has been inconsistent in terms of production, Gardner has good hands and the speed to stretch defenses.
He might not be an ideal fit in Coach Jon Gruden's system, because he tends to run sloppy short and intermediate routes, but he would be an upgrade over Tim Brown and Charles Lee.
The Bucs' lone concern in making such a trade might be salary. Gardner is slated to make $1.45 million next season, but that probably will prove to be less than they would have to pay for Raiders projected free agent Jerry Porter. Besides, it's beginning to look as though Porter won't hit the market. The Raiders already have made him an offer, and Porter is talking as if he doesn't want to leave Oakland.