High picks form base of rebuilt defense

By RICK STROUD
Published May 6, 2007

TAMPA -- Monte Kiffin might never receive enough credit for a record of sustained success that will be tough to match.

The Bucs finished in the top 10 in defense for a decade before falling to 17th last season.

Nothing has changed about the 67-year-old defensive coordinator except the talent he has had to work with.

Kiffin knew where to start rebuilding. When the defense was great, the Bucs had first-round picks along the line: Simeon Rice, Warren Sapp, Anthony McFarland and even Marcus Jones. Greg Spires was a third-round pick of New England.

This season, there could be a new version of the four aces: Rice, Chris Hovan, Kevin Carter and first-round pick Gaines Adams. And coming off the bench or pushing for a starting job is Ryan Sims, 27, the sixth overall pick in 2002 who was acquired from Kansas City last week.

The 6-foot-4, 315-pounder was overweight and often hurt with the Chiefs. But in 2003, he started 16 games with three sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

"He's young enough to have an upside," coach Jon Gruden said. "I think he's got a lot of pride. This is important to him. I think he needed a new start, like a lot of us do. He's gotten in here early enough to get conditioned and get himself acclimated to the defense where he can compete and may be effective for us."

EARLY PICKS: Sims is the 18th first-round pick on the roster. That's not by accident.

"The guys who are picked in the first round aren't just liked by the teams that picked them," Gruden said. "We liked Sammy Davis (30th overall by San Diego in 2003 who signed in the offseason) coming out of Texas A&M because he had size. He hasn't put it all together in San Diego or San Francisco.

"(Tight end) Jerramy Stevens was a former first-round pick (28th by Seattle in 2002). He's had his share or problems that have been well-documented. Some of these guys need a new beginning, and we're going to give some of these guys an opportunity to get it together, get it right and be all they can be."

NO CENTERPIECE: The most questionable pick was Tennessee guard Arron Sears in the second round, but only because Southern Cal center Ryan Kalil was available.

Face it, the Bucs must upgrade at center, where 32-year-old John Wade is hanging on. The plan is to move Dan Buenning, who is recovering from knee surgery, to center. Aside from the fact he's injured, Buenning has never played there in the pros. Free agent Matt Lehr and veteran Jeb Terry also will compete.

Meanwhile, Kahlil probably will be a 10-year starter for Carolina.

SEARS SUPPORT: The Bucs, however, love Sears, a strong run-blocker who could play either guard position and maybe even right tackle.

"He's got long arms. He's got some power. He's real good on the perimeter, and he's a great kid," Gruden said. "The thought of he and Davin Joseph and Jeremy Trueblood, three young guys with Luke Petitgout and some other veterans emerging, is something that gives us reason to be excited about our line."

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

[Last modified May 5, 2007, 22:52:44]