Officially they are called the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or the Tampa Bay Bucs but maybe they should be the Tampa Bay Bucking Broncos as the NFL team now clearly has a Boise State flavor.

The Bucs took BSU running back Jeremy McNichols in the 5th round of the NFL Draft Saturday and then signed Boise State wide receiver Thomas Sperbeck and Bronco DB Jonathan Moxey to free agent tryouts.

Former Boise State head coach Dirk Koetter who played at Idaho State and is a Pocatello native is head coach of Tampa Bay and their star running back, until a suspension for using performance enhancing drugs, is Doug Martin of Boise State.

Martin is back in camp with the Buccaneers but he still has to sit out four games this season.

It's clear the success of Boise State players in the NFL has paved the way for future Broncos to get a look see by the league even if they are not drafted. BSU's reputation of producing a Blue Collar work ethic has spread throughout the league.

Kellen Moore is a great example, the most successful QB in NCAA history with 50 career wins was never drafted but because of his work ethic was given a shot in the NFL and while his playing time has been limited at best Moore continues to remain on an NFL roster and is currently the backup with the Dallas Cowboys.

As for McNichols the call from Tampa Bay is a great fit because they need a running back especially for the first four games while Doug Martin finishes his suspension. Martin could well mentor McNichols during the process.

Strengths: McNichols is a versatile back which makes him extremely valuable in the NFL since he can catch the ball out of the backfield and even return kicks and punts. He basically can take the spot of multiple players on a 53-man roster.

He is a very fluid running back who can make defenders miss and does so with minimal fancy dance or spin moves, but with just a side step and hip movement to elude defenders. He also will attack defenders and is not afraid of initiating contact.

This is a great fit for McNihcols as the Bucs don’t have great running back depth and no clear cut starter as Doug Martin is out the first four games of next season.

 

 

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