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Bucs' Class Of 2007 An Unqualified Success So Far

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By ROY CUMMINGS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 20, 2007

Updated: 12/20/2007 12:14 am

TAMPA - On the list of the most dangerous things you can do in football, judging a draft class in its first year ranks right up there with fielding a punt inside your own 10-yard line and leaving a cornerback to cover Joey Galloway one-on-one.

The Bucs exemplify the dangers. Michael Clayton, Cadillac Williams and Dan Buenning were all part of draft classes that looked pretty good initially but grew less and less impressive as time wore on.

That said, it is tempting, even at this early stage, to rate the Bucs' most recent draft class a success. After all, the Bucs could get nothing more than what they've received already from Arron Sears, Gaines Adams and Tanard Jackson and still be pleased.

Bucs insiders say the play of those three rookies has been just as important a part of the team's return to the playoffs as the play of Greg White, Jovan Haye and Earnest Graham, whose out-of-nowhere feel-good stories have epitomized the Bucs' most recent rise.

"That rookie class has been awesome," Bucs secondary coach Raheem Morris said. "You'd hate to say we couldn't be where we are without them because you'd like to say you've got the ability to move on with anybody, but they sure have been a big part of this."

Jackson has been a big part of it from the beginning. He beat out Will Allen for the free safety job in training camp, and he has done nothing to make the Bucs think he won't patrol that spot for years to come. His devastating hits have helped make the deep secondary one of the most ferocious in the NFL, but the aspect of his game the Bucs seem to like most is one that has gone largely unnoticed.

In the last six weeks, the Bucs have allowed two runs of more than 15 yards. Morris says the play of Jackson, a fourth-round pick out of Syracuse, is one of the reasons those runs are stopping where they are.

"That's the sign of a great safety - when you don't have runs that go for 60 yards," Morris said. "I mean, you usually see that every week in this league."

The sign of a good left guard is when you have a running back running behind him for close to 1,000 yards. Graham is on pace to reach that benchmark, and Sears is one of the reasons. Not only has the second-round pick out of Tennessee quickly adapted to the speed and physical challenges of the NFL, but he also has found a comfort zone with Coach Jon Gruden's complex offensive system.

"The way he's approached the game from a mental standpoint is really unbelievable," center John Wade said. "The time he's spent on his own, taking notes, studying tape and game plans has really carried over into Sundays."

Adams' off-field work is starting to carry over into Sundays, too. Of his six sacks, 3.5 have come in the last five weeks, including one last week that resulted in a takeaway for the Bucs off a forced fumble.

Adams, a first-round pick out of Clemson and the fourth pick overall, gives a lot of credit for his improved play to veterans such as Kevin Carter and Chris Hovan, who have helped him on and off the field.

It's clear, though, that Adams' raw talent - his quickness off the snap, his speed and tenacity - are what are making him a menace on the field. And to think, there was some debate about whether the Bucs should take him.

On draft day, when the Bucs' turn in the first round came up, the men inside their war room debated about several players, including Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn.

The man who ended the debate was GM Bruce Allen. He also ended the debate about whether to take Sears, Jackson and others, so the role he's had in the Bucs' success this season cannot be denied.

"Dennis Hickey Bucs director of college scouting did a great job setting up the board for us; in fact, he's done a great job the last two years," said Mark Dominik, the Bucs director of pro personnel. "But Bruce deserves a lot of credit for what went on in that room. I mean, these guys have really stepped up and played well for us and we haven't even seen everybody yet."

Indeed, the Bucs have only seen glimpses of the talent that safety Sabby Piscitelli, linebackers Quincy Black and Adam Hayward and defensive tackle Greg Peterson have.

You get the feeling, though, that even if those players don't pan out, the Bucs still will walk away from this season feeling as if they put together a productive 2007 draft class.

"We've had a lot of guys step up out of nowhere - it seems to make us a better football team this year," Gruden said. "We're better on defense and our line play is better and a lot of that starts with our rookie class. They've really played well, those guys."

Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979 or at rcummings@tampatrib.com.

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