The Bucs have some voids and QB is one is one of them, but I don’t think Josh Freeman is the answer with the 19th pick. Freeman is the 3rd rated passer after Georgia’s Stafford and USC’s Sanchez. Quarterbacks are never a sure thing it’s a roll of the dice and for every Manning or Matt Ryan that is a touted stud and lives up the potential there are the QB busts like Ryan Leaf’, Todd Marinovich, Tim Couch and Akili Smith of world. Freeman is big boy with a strong arm, but his decision making is questionable at times and he’s going to take about 2 to 3 years to develop. Even after the 2 to 3 years there are still no guarantees that the investment will pay off. The Bucs are in rebuild mode and if you haven’t seen the schedule for 2009, it’s brutal. I’ve already said there is a strong possibility of going 3-13 on the season. Ouch. With that said next year’s 1st round pick will probably be a top 5 and I’m sure the Bucs can draft a better QB prospect next year with less question marks. Mel Kiper always has some guyed marked as the next can’t miss QB. Kiper is a tool.

After last year’s monumentos collapse and with the exodus of the aging defense it’s time to add some youth and play-makers to the defense. Wake Forest’s Aaron Curry will be long gone when the 19th pick comes around, but either USC’s Brian Cushing or Rey Maualuga will probably be available. Cushing is being graded a bit higher, but I’m hoping Maualuga is there for the pick. Rey Maualuga is a fricking stud, period. He may not be as ready to play and start as Cushing, but I’d say he’s a better athlete with much more upside. He reminds me of another USC linebacker named Seau and some guy playing for the Steelers named Troy Polamalu. The big difference is this kid plays like it’s him against the world. The chip on his shoulder is huge. It’s like anything everything that hasn’t gone right in his life is being taken out on the opposing team and you can’t teach that intensity or hate. The knock is he’s had some trouble e.g. punching some people and other disciplinary issues. If the Bucs are that concerned hire his USC linebacker coach Ken Norton Jr.  and bring on staff. After Maualuga’s father died in his freshmen year, Norton took him under his wing and became a father figure. Maualuga wouldn’t step out of line with Norton around.

Florida college football fan, which means Gators, Miami, USF and FSU, relax and breath. I know you think football is only played in on the east coast and the south, but these boys on the west coast call ball. Let your east coast bias and hatred for USC go. Rey Maualuga would be the steal of the draft with the 19th pick, so hopefully he’s there.