Ask the expert: Jerry Angelo

by Gary Shelton on April 14, 2017 · 0 comments

in general, NFL, Tampa Bay Bucs

Jerry Angelo is a former personnel director for the Bucs and former general manager of the Bears. Each week, Angelo answers your questions regarding the NFL. Send your questions to GarySheltonsports@gmail.com with "ask the expert'' in the subject line. The most interesting questions will be selected.

Friday, 4 a.m.

 

Charley Casserly of the NFL Network says he wouldn’t take Christian McCaffrey in round one. Do you think he’s an NFL running back, or will he end up at receiver?

I understand what he’s saying, but he’s going in the first round. There aren’t 32 players in this draft with McCaffrey’s talent and skill set. Charlie knows that as well. He’s just saying he wouldn’t take him in the first round. That’s his opinion. It’s one opinion, not 32.

The Seahawks admit they’re shopping cornerback Richard Sherman around. Has Sherman lost skills, or has he become too much of a headache to deal with?

Why would you want to deal with his volatile personality and a big contract? When some one speaks his mind and it takes center stage by the national media,that’s a problem. It’s a layer that comes in front of winning. That’s a concern.

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He is coming close to not only being a distraction, but a real problem for a head coach and organization, in terms of the time I’m sure they have to spend talking to him or defending him. It can be very draining on everyone’s part and the question you start asking yourself: "Is he worth it?"

Do you think the Seahawks’ window of opportunity is still open?

I think so. They are still good, but beatable.

Russell Wilson is good, not elite. Their offensive line, which was once the strength of their team, is now the weak link. Getting Earl Thomas back will keep their defense in the top ten, but no longer the threat they used to be.

It happens to all the top teams. They are going to win a lot of games. The best thing they have going for them is their division. They’re clearly the best of the lot going into the season.

A lot of the mocks have the Bucs taking a running back, a tight end or a safety. If the athletes are equal, what order of importance do you put the positions?

I think the Bucs need to do everything they  can to improve their defense. The offense is fine in terms of weapons.

Their defense is still suspect. Any player that can impact their defense is the guy I’d look at first. They are going to score points because of Winston. I can’t say taking Dalvin Cook; if he were on the board for them, is a bad pick, but if there is a top defensive player there as well, you have to look long and hard at that one.

You’ve seen North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky. How much of a concern would it be to you with his limited resume?

I wouldn’t be overly concerned because he produced against major competition and did throughout the season. They went into Tallahassee and beat the Noles, in part, because of his play.

He’s going to a fine prospect for whomever takes him. He has a lot to things to like based on his performance. On the other side of the coin, he has you saying he’s just scratching the surface of what is going to be where the other guys with more extensive resumes are nearer to their potential.

Rumors are that at the Bucs might be selected for “Hard Knocks.” Would you ever consider such a program for your team, or is it too intrusive?

Remember the most important time of the year for all teams is training camp. That’s when they are all together with the pads on. Here is where the real evaluations are being made and players are being developed.

I’ve never been a fan of the added publicity Hard Knocks brings to a team because of the aforementioned of what train camp is about. The Bucs don’t need publicity. The Bucs need to play more consistently and the added the distractions that Hard Knocks brings aren't going to help them with that in my opinion.

Former NFL running back Montee Ball recently talked about his problems with alcholisnninm. Is that a big problem in the NFL, and how much can teams really control it? After all, players are grown men.

Alcoholism is a societal problem with young and older adults. I never was under the impression it was a major problem in the league.

There are always going to be people who overdo it, but the bottom line is that football is their livelihood and if they want to run the risk to cut their careers short, than that’s on them. Most players get that and take care of business.

The league has unbelievable programs in place to help any one with any type of problem or addictions. But it’s up to the individual to step forward and admit that he has a problem. In my experience, that’s the problem, Them doing it.

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