Coin-flip time killer: toss around draft options

By RICK STROUD
Published February 11, 2007

TAMPA - The first round of the NFL draft sometimes is a coin flip. That's even more the case for the Bucs this year.

Tampa Bay and Cleveland will toss a coin at the college scouting combine in Indianapolis in two weeks to determine which owns the No. 3 overall pick in April. The loser will draft fourth.

Regardless of the outcome, making heads or tails of what will happen ahead of the Bucs is an inexact science.

Oakland has a need at quarterback, and LSU's JaMarcus Russell appears to be the perfect fit. But Detroit seems to be focused on taking Wisconsin left tackle Joe Thomas at No. 2.

Thomas, 6 feet 6 and 310 pounds, would have the most immediate impact for the Bucs. Anthony Davis knows he is not the long-term answer at left tackle and might be asked to move to guard. Thomas would start as a rookie and could be there for 10 years.

If Thomas is gone and the Bucs are at No. 3, Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson would be their pick.

At 6-5, 235 pounds, the 21-year-old receiver runs the 40 in 4.3 seconds and has freakish ability. Even more impressive, he has the humility of the Colts' Marvin Harrison.

Johnson, Joey Galloway, Michael Clayton and Maurice Stovall would provide some explosive targets for quarterback Chris Simms.

If the Bucs fall to No. 4 and both Thomas and Johnson are gone, they would consider trading down or address their needs on the defensive line with Michigan's 6-6, 311 Alan Branch or Clemson's 6-5, 260 Gaines Adams.

But it's a long, long way until April.

ALSTOTT UPDATE: Fullback Mike Alstott might be leaning toward returning, but the decision still rests with the team. As much as general manager Bruce Allen dodged the question at the end of the season, Alstott doesn't have a contract. If the Bucs made him a suitable offer, say another $1.5-million, he would have to consider playing again. But Alstott, 33, isn't willing to play for another team. Look for those talks to begin in March. My gut says he will retire.

OPTING OUT: Look for linebacker Jamie Winborn to exercise his buyout option and become a free agent.

Winborn has one year remaining on his deal that would pay him $600,000. By returning his $200,000 signing bonus, he could sign with any team.

The Bucs saw Winborn as a possible successor to Derrick Brooks at weakside linebacker. But Brooks, 33, just participated in his 10th straight Pro Bowl and shows no signs of retiring.

Winborn was disenchanted about having to play almost exclusively on special teams.

It's a situation similar to the one the Bucs found themselves in with Ian Gold, who returned to the Broncos after one season.

Gold is one of the best weakside linebackers in the NFL. But as long as an icon like Brooks is around, there is no future there. Also, forget about Lance Briggs. The Bears will likely put the franchise tag on him.

As for the notion of Brooks moving to another position, forget it.

While it's true Brooks might have lost a half-step, it would be an insult to ask him to move at this point in his career. He wouldn't go for playing one out of three downs.

"Is Derrick the same player he was three or four years ago? No. None of us are," former Bucs linebackers coach Joe Barry said. "But with his experience, he sees things on the field before they even happen.

"I still think he's one of the best players in the league at his position."

Rick Stroud can be reached at stroud@sptimes.com.

[Last modified February 10, 2007, 23:25:10]