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Gruden thinks Bucs should draft defensively

Tribune file photo by CLIFF McBRIDE (2007)

Jon Gruden says this is a big year for Gaines Adams, who was the Bucs top pic in 2007.

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 21, 2009

Updated: 04/21/2009 03:21 pm

TAMPA - Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden was never able to give much insight into which college players he wanted to draft, but gave some thoughts about his old team.

Gruden is an NFL Network analyst and was part of a NFL draft conference call today along with former San Francisco coach Steve Mariucci. The NFL draft will take place this weekend and Tampa Bay owns the 19th pick (first round).

Although many draft experts project Tampa Bay will select Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman, Gruden believes the Bucs' biggest area of concern is defensive line.

"I really think Tampa Bay lost some key players on defense and they struggled down the stretch last season on defense [finished 0-4 in December]," Gruden said. "Let's be honest. For whatever reason, and most of that obviously was the head coach's inability to get it going.

"Kevin Carter [free agent] is still out there. I think Greg White, Stylez White, he obviously had a disappointing sophomore season. This is a big year for Gaines Adams in a new scheme. I wouldn't be surprised if they do target a defensive end."

Adams, a former first round draft pick (fourth overall pick), had 6.5 sacks last season and is expected to contribute more this year. White had 5.0 sacks.

There has also been speculation Tampa Bay is interested in drafting Ole Miss defensive tackle Peria Jerry, but Gruden is not sold on that move.

"I think everybody down here [Tampa] expects them to draft a defensive tackle. I just don't know if that player is there for them in the first round," Gruden said. "I don't know if that kind of guy is in this draft other than the [B.J.] Raji kid at Boston College. I know Jerry at Ole Miss, he's not as big as the guy [6-foot-2, 290 pounds] maybe Jim Bates [Bucs defensive coordinator] has played with in the past in Miami.

"Ziggy Hood [Missouri defensive tackle], similar. I just don't know if that guy fits what the Bucs really want and need at No. 19."

Gruden does not expect Tampa Bay to add help at linebacker since the Bucs signed Angelo Crowell this offseason and they have high expectations for Quincy Black.

Although he does believe Tampa Bay needs cornerback depth behind Aqib Talib and Ronde Barber, Gruden ultimately thinks the Bucs biggest concern should be the defensive line.

"They could use a corner, but I think we all know this year that corner draft is not as good as it was last season, but Vontae Davis from Illinois … A guy that I know Tampa Bay would like is Alphonso Smith from Wake Forest. That's just my opinion because all he does is make plays. I would be surprised if they didn't take a defensive end, or take one of those defensive tackles we talked about, to give some flexibility on their defensive line."

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