Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome back to #BucsBracket. Let’s keep things going in the unofficial competition, set to determine the most popular and beloved Buccaneers of all time. This edition is the Barber division, an ironic name considering over a quarter of this group of players are running backs. There is, however, some interesting matchups here that deserve more consideration than they are sure to get.

Be sure to cast your vote in each matchup, because every vote counts! Sound off in the comments and let us know why you made the picks you made, because we will use comments on the blog as tiebreakers, in case of a tie.

As usual we’ll keep the descriptions short and to the point so you can make your choices and get all the information you need.

1 seed: Ronde Barber, Cornerback/Safety, 1997-2012

This selection speaks for itself. With Ronde’s recent retirement, we have all heard the third-round pick’s stats and HOF worthiness. Some worth repeating for the purpose of this voting are not just how he stacks up as a Buc, but against the history of the league. Only player with 40 INT’s and 20 sacks (47/28), almost 1200 tackles and the most consecutive starts for a DB at 215 are among other impressive stats. He may be underrated in the NFL world, but as a Buc he was greatly appreciated.

16 seed: Chartric “Chuck” Darby, Defensive Tackle, 2001-2004

Darby was an undrafted free agent. He was a great run stuffer, but lacked strong pass rush abilities. Though Chuck was a full-time starter in the 2004 season, it was also the only season he did not record a sack. In his four years with Tampa, he finished with 5.5 sacks, 3 FF, and 97 total tackles. He was a member of the Bucs Superbowl winning team, and a backup in Seattle for their Superbowl appearance.

I am positive I know how this one winds up. There is really no comparison and Ronde’s retirement is sure to bring lots of votes.

8 seed: Jermaine Phillips, Safety, 2002-2009

A fifth round pick, Jermaine Phillips career ascended his first four years before he climaxed in his fifth season (2006), also the only season he started all 16 games. That year he totalled 109 total tackles, 5 FF, 2 INT’s and a sack. Though he would have more interceptions over the ’07, ’08 seasons (4 and 3 respectively), his other stats weren’t comparable. He re-signed for one year in ’09 but was lost in week 2 to injury and has since went to the UFL.

9 seed: Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, Running Back, 2005-2010

Drafted fifth overall, Caddy set records his rookie season as the only player to debut with three consecutive 100 yard games, the most yards in their first three games (434), most rookie rushing yards that season, six 100 yard games, and the Offensive rookie of the year award. That got his shoes and gloves into canton, however, he is not likely to follow. He suffered gruesome injuries in his career, and though he made heroic comebacks and still looked in good rushing form, it wasn’t enough to keep impacting the NFL.

This choice is tougher than the one previous. Both players made their mark, but one seemed to have a longer lasting impression, and the other one’s contributions were short and sweet. I say, for this vote, Caddy will tug at everyone’s heart strings with the determination he showed post-injury.

5 seed: Tony Mayberry, Center, 1990-1999

German born Tony Mayberry was a model lineman. Picked round 4, he only started one of the 16 games played in his rookie season, filling in for an injured Randy Grimes, but he went on to start every game for the rest of his career over the next 8 seasons. He finally got much deserved recognition when he was voted to the Pro Bowl in his last 3 years in the NFL (’97-’98).

12 seed: Keenan McCardell, Wide Receiver, 2002-2003

McCardell was signed previous to the 2002 Superbowl campaign. That season he recorded 61 catches for 670 yards and 6 TD’s. He also had two TD’s in the championship game. In 2003 after Keyshawn Johnson’s split, Keenan had a career season on his way to the Pro Bowl. The following season he decided to holdout for a new contract and was sent to the Chargers. Though he still had game left, the front office felt it wasn’t worth a big contract.

Who do you like here. It seems to be “team player” against a team “player”.

4 seed: Chidi Ahanotu, Defensive End, 1993-2000/2004

A sixth round pick, Chidi was a mainstay for Tampa for 8 years at defensive tackle, before leaving and coming back for a final stint in ’04. Though he was consistently impactful, his best season statistically was in ’97 when he started 15 of 16 games and recorded 10 sacks and 48 total tackles as well as recovering 2 fumbles. He was also notably a member of the Superbowl Champion St. Louis Rams.

13 seed: Brad Johnson, Quarterback, 2001-2004

The quarterback of Tampa Bay’s Superbowl team, Johnson’s career highlights included 2 Pro Bowls (1999, 2002), leading the NFC in passer rating (2002) and at the time set many Bucs franchise passing records, some of which still stand. In 2003 he won the QB’s skills challenge, however, in 2004, with a 0-4 record (4-11 over 15 games) he was benched due to poor play, and never made his way back to starting.

This should be a close vote, because the Super Bowl holds a lot of weight.

6 seed: Brian Kelly, Cornerback, 1998-2007

Kelly was a 2nd round pick in 1998. He may not have been remembered as a player that helped form the feared Tampa defense opposite Ronde Barber, but he proved to be impactful. His best season came at the right time, in 2002, as he tied the league lead with 8 interceptions while posting 21 passes defended, a forced fumble and 67 total tackles en route to a championship. He also recorded the most total tackles in the Superbowl!

11 seed: Michael Pittman, Running back, 2002-2007

Michael Pittman came to Tampa as a free agent replacement to Warrick Dunn. Though many fans were upset to have lost Dunn, they were intrigued to see Gruden pursue Pittman, and how it would look on the field. He did rush for 124 yards in the 2003 Superbowl, but his best season was in 2004; that year he compiled 926 yards and 7 TD’s rushing, plus 3 more receiving scores. Though talented, Pittman never amassed a 1000 yard season over his 11 year career.

This is a tough choice, as Pittman seemed more polarizing, and still holds the longest rushing TD in Bucs history, but Kelly had stats and lengthy production to back up his role, even if overshadowed by Ronde Barber.

3 seed: James Wilder, Running Back, 1981-1989

James Wilder came to Tampa in the second round in ’81. He still holds team records for the most rushing yards, receptions and 100 yard games. His best season was his 1984 Pro Bowl campaign when he rushed for more than 1500 yards, 13 TD’s and caught 85 balls for another 685 yards. In that same year, his most memorable play was one that he wasn’t even involved in. So close to breaking the most combined yards record, Coach McKay wanted to let the JETS score just to get Wilder the ball back, and literally had his defense stand still to do so.

14 seed: Earnest Graham, Running Back, 2003-2011

Earnest Graham was undrafted and meant to be nothing more than a special teamer, until injuries thrust him into a starting role. He played well, and seemed composed for someone with little experience. His biggest season was in 2007 when he rushed just shy of 900 yards with 10 TD’s and over 1200 combined yards, in 13 games played. Graham should also be commended for shifting to fullback in support of Dunn in 2008. Ironically he was plagued by injuries and relegated to a supporting role.

This one only SEEMS to be a no-brainer. You could say James Wilder made the most of his opportunities beating out Jerry Eckwood in ’81 and having a great career with records still standing. But Graham also exercised his opportunistic window considering he wasn’t even drafted and was thought to be a career special teamer yet ended ninth all-time in Bucs rushing.

7 seed: Doug Martin, Running Back, 2012-current

Wow, where to start. Doug Martin was a sneaky, yet smart pickup by the Bucs in the end of the first round. His season is still fresh in most readers heads, but just in case, here are some highlights. His ROOKIE season included: a trip to the Pro Bowl, a dozen TD’s, new records for both NFL and team history, almost 2000 total yards and, though he doesn’t like it, the best nickname in “the muscle hamster”. Enough said?

10 seed: Joey Galloway, Wide Receiver, 2004-2008

Joey couldn’t have come at a better time. Everybody was getting sick of Keyshawn Johnson’s “me-first” attitude and he was traded to the Cowboys for Galloway. What a perfect replacement. Galloway had a great team attitude, great veteran presence, and was a great receiver. He is the only Buccaneer to have three consecutive 1000 yard seasons, and though he played for five other teams, his best year was in Tampa in 2005.

Two completely different personas. Doug Martin is a flashy new sports car that we can’t wait to drive again this season, where as Joey Galloway was an old reliable K car, that maybe you didn’t want to get seen in but it definitely got you to your destination with no problems. It’s like this years Madden cover voting…old or new.

2 seed: John Lynch, Safety, 1993-2003

This third round pick was absolutely integral in the Buccaneers defensive strengthening stage. During his 11 seasons in Tampa he gathered 6 sacks, 23 INT’s, 7 FF’s, and almost 800 total tackles while going to 5 Pro Bowls and winning a Superbowl. Known for his hard but clean hits, I bet Lynch would still scare some offensive players in today’s NFL should his commentating career not work out.

15 seed: Steve Deberg, Quarterback, 1984-1987/1992-1993

These true journeyman played 21 seasons in the NFL from the late 70’s into the late 90’s for six different teams that included 2 stops with the Bucs. Though playing most of his early career as a backup in many locations, he did have a chance to shine in the mid 80’s for Tampa before Vinny Testaverde came along.

This vote shouldn’t be a hard one. A career back-up that got a his 15 minutes, or a household name that was solid in his career beginning to end. You decide who you want to move on.

Thats’s it for this matchup. Be sure to keep involved when the Selmon Division is posted, and more so in the next rounds. As we start to narrow the fields the matchups will become much more intense, and much more difficult. As always leave your comments and let us hear who you think is the True Buc.

Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

As we get closer to the 2013 NFL Draft, there are certainly plenty of questions to be answered. As a part of the new Plank Predicts series, these are my thoughts on some of the biggest questions in the 2013 NFL Draft. You can check out the rest of the team’s answers here.

1. Who do you believe will be the first quarterback taken in the 2013 NFL Draft, and by which team will he be drafted?

My safe bet answer here is to say Geno Smith will be the first QB taken. He is rated highest on NEARLY everyone’s board, and seems to have the most upside as a quarterback that can play both the passing game and variants of the read-option system. If he is drafted first, I see him going to Philadelphia, only because I think if they want to run a Chip Kelly offense for a few years, it would be worth it to groom Smith without a need to start him immediately.

My gambling man answer is Ryan Nassib going to the Bills before any other QB is drafted, and this is simply a case of coach-QB familiarity. Yes they signed Kolb but with only $1 mil guaranteed and rookie contracts no longer a danger, he can play second fiddle to Nassib. Also, not ruling out Smith to Philly with this prediction, I can see them trading down but still getting him.

A safe bet is that Tavon Austin will not be around past pick 16. He is a player many teams have been salivating over, which may cause a team to trade up and ensure they get him. If nobody trades up though, I expect him to be going to St. Louis, but that’s if the Dolphins and Panthers don’t take him.

A longer shot is that I wouldn’t be surprised if he is not around below the top ten. The New York Jets could use one pick on Austin and the other on a defensive player. They have receivers that are speedy and can stretch a field, but his talent to pick up yards after the catch is why they want him over others, and two picks in the top 13 allow them to take him without hesitation.

Any other year, and I would say yes. The reason I don’t feel they will, is the same reason I feel they weren’t cut up over trading the 13^th pick. This year’s draft is very deep, but there is not many guys that are marquee, start day 1, 2014 pro-bowl types (yes there will be but the hindsight is 20/20). In many other years (2007 or 2011 are good examples) this draft class would be sitting in the second and third rounds. Tampa can wait till their second round choice, and still get players very close to (if not matching) the quality of the first round guys.

However, there is still a chance that Tampa has their heart set on a guy that could be gone before the 43^rd pick that may make them ditch some extra picks in an effort to chase. Mock drafts have been showing many of the Bucs’ team needs being picked through before round 2, so I really feel it will depend on urgency. By this, I mean they may be okay with the top 3 CB’s being gone but if they feel the fourth guy they are targeting will go late round 1, they will try to leapfrog to select him.

Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

4. Which player will take the biggest fall in the first round?

Okay, loaded question. There is no safe bet here as any player that falls is fairly shocking otherwise he wouldn’t be projected higher than he goes. Also some players have already slid (Manti Te’o, Tyrann Mathieu etc.). This being said, I do feel a few players have the chance to “Quinn out”. Now that the Bucs have Revis I could see Xavier Rhodes falling later into the first round, but his selection would then start a run on cornerbacks.. If Nassib does in fact go as the first QB, then it could have a ripple effect, and Geno Smith could even fall out of the first round (though I do think a team would trade into position to take him late in the first round). And lastly, let’s talk about the chance of a position falling. There is a small outside chance that a running back isn’t taken in the first round. This has only happened once (1963) and never since the merger, but it could happen this year.

If Tampa Bay doesn’t trade up, then their first pick becomes hard to gauge. You have to consider their needs, and compare that to what players are already gone at that position. They may want a pass rusher first, but the depth left there as opposed to TE may cause them to go to the tight ends first.

My guess is that though the Bucs are high on adding depth in the defense, they may have a shot at DJ Fluker (doubt he slips this far), Tank Carradine or more likely Zach Ertz. If those players are still on the board come 43, they must take them and in that order. If they are gone, then it’s time to look at who’s available for their needs and take the highest one there, but those three would be my selections.

I believe it could be up to 5 or 6, barring trades. The Chiefs are a sure bet at taking a tackle with #1. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Eagles (4), Lions (5), Cardinals (7) and Chargers (11) land an O-linemen, and one more could go to the Bills or Titans depending on who has been taken already.

My bolder prediction is that only 3 teams will take an offensive lineman in the top 12, again barring trades. It is my belief that the Chiefs, Cardinals, and Chargers are the only sure bets, and many people are talking about so many being gone, that nobody has seemed to think about what if barely any get selected at all.

As for the Bucs draft, I think that, unless they trade up, the players on the board when they are up at 43 will cause them to pick value over needs. I hope this is not the case, as our past few years of drafting players of need have been proving to be some of our best. If we stay true to what we need, it may seem wrong at first (letting a falling player fall further) but would probably work out when you look at the end result being our roster.

And as for the draft as a whole, I feel this has been one of the weirdest years pre-draft. Everyone always has strong criticisms of every player this year. The poking and prodding of the combine may raise questions (or literally ask them), that do not often affect a player’s performance. Te’o’s hoax, the “incompetent” QB class, a Honey Badger with “munchies”, and NFL Network’s Game Changers have altered the landscape of this draft. The evolving passing game even has scouts wanting to draft Leon Sandcastle, and they know it’s really Deion. Either way, a couple of sure things are that a player will be taken late in the draft and shock people by making his way into the Pro-Bowl, someone in the first round will be a career bust, and someone will go lower than originally thought and the media will scrutinize. Either way, let’s meet back here in 5 years, because that is when you can really analyze a draft’s value and effect.

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The 2011 draft was a great opportunity for teams to build through youth. A record 56 entrants were underclassmen, and only 2 of the top 10 picks were seniors. There was a well of talent also, as 8 of the top 16 picks have already seen a Pro Bowl in at least one of their first 2 seasons, and surely more will make the trip by the end of their careers. The 2011 draft was marred by the looming lockout and labour dispute, meaning players could not be traded for draft picks. The NFLPA even went as far as trying to persuade potential draftees to NOT attend the event. Eventually though, realizing it was a once in a lifetime chance, most did attend, including Von Miller, Aldon Smith, and our very own Adrian Clayborn.

Heading into the draft, Tampa held the 20^th pick. They were coming off what seemed like a brilliant season. A 10-6 record saw them narrowly miss out on playoffs in 2010. The Green Bay Packers beat the Bucs out by tiebreakers, and would go on to win the Super Bowl. Many people also believe a blown call against the Lions cost Tampa a playoff appearance. It was definitely a disappointing and frustrating season for the Bucs, to come so close to a playoff berth.

Tampa was continuing the belief of building through the draft, and particularly on defense. Gerald McCoy and Brian Price were taken in the first two rounds the year previous. This draft class would see more picks spent on upgrading a young front four, and a beginning in the improvement of linebackers. The past three drafts have been key in retooling the defense, not only improving the talent level, but the age as well. 6 of our 11 starters have been drafted since 2010, and another signed since as an undrafted player (one reason that I believe the Bucs will take a CB with the 13^th pick this year regardless of who is our roster).

Without further ado:

1^st Round (20^th overall) – Adrian Clayborn – DE – Iowa

In college Adrian Clayborn was an Orange Bowl MVP, and was invited to the senior bowl, to which he opted out. His best season came in his junior year when he had 11.5 sacks, 70 tackles, and 4 forced fumbles. After being drafted by Tampa, he became the first player signed out of the first round of drafting. In his rookie season, Clayborn started all 16 games, and collected 7.5 sacks along with 3 forced fumbles and 40 tackles. In the 3^rd game of his 2012 season, he injured his knee and landed on IR. Rehabbing ever since, he has been saying his recovery is moving along well and he is excited for the start of this season.

2^nd Round (51^st overall) – Da’Quan Bowers – DE – Clemson

Da’Quan Bowers was a college standout. In his senior year, he had 74 tackles (2^nd on the team) and led the nation with 15.5 sacks on his way to becoming the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Leading up to the draft, Bowers was widely considered to go 1^st overall, especially when Andrew Luck took himself out of the equation. In the offseason, before the draft, Da-Quan had knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Even after the surgery, people said he would have time to rehab and prove himself to be a top 5 pick and anything below 10^th would be a STEAL. He slid all the way down to Tampa with the 51^st overall choice. After drafting Da’Quan, Tampa didn’t want to rush him into a starting role, allowing his knee time to recover and fully strengthen. Though he played second fiddle to Michael Bennett, he did see time in all 16 games, with 6 starts. He recorded 1.5 sacks and 25 tackles. In the offseason, he tore his Achilles tendon, and was on IR until week 7. Michael Bennett, however, was playing well and there was no reason to rush Bowers back into the lineup. In the 10 games he saw time, he was able to achieve 3 sacks and 12 tackles. The Bucs have given Bowers a vote of confidence by letting Michael Bennett walk. If he is able to stay healthy this season, he has an opportunity to finally have the breakout season everyone has been hoping for expecting. He did receive a gun charge in February for trying to check a handgun with his luggage, but all charges have since been dropped or reduced.

Click the next button below to see the rest of the picks from this draft!