The 1982 Buccaneer draft review
The Bucs drafted alternatively 17, 16 and 18 across this draft. They had traded their original 2nd
round pick to the Dolphins with RB Jimmy DuBose in return for RB Gary Davis and CB Norris
Thomas. The additional third round pick came in a trade for LB David Lewis with the San Diego
Chargers. The additional fourth round pick came in a trade for the late great Ricky Bell. The 2nd
round was sent to Chicago for a 1983 1st rounder. A 4th rounder went to Dallas for DE Dave Stalls,
a 10th rounder to San Francisco for DT Ted Vincent and an 11th rounder to the Cowboys for CB
Aaron Mitchell.
DRAFT ANALYSIS - Farrell was a solid first round pick who started for five seasons and the
selections of Bell, Cannon and Davis all graded above average. But the Reese nightmare pick and
a lack of any production elsewhere in the draft means this cannot make an overall pass mark.
Sean Farrell
Booker Reese
Jerry Bell
John Cannon
Andre Tyler
Thomas Morris
1 - G - Sean Farrell - Penn State
A solid first round selection and had the Bucs been more successful during Farrell's five years, perhaps his performance might have been better
regarded. Never saw eye-to-eye with the front office after the two terrible Leeman Bennett years and was traded by Ray Perkins before he could
play a sixth Tampa season. This was the pick where the wrong player was chosen. The brain trust at One Buc wanted Reese but the message
got confused over the phone in New York and the card for Farrell was put in. This is what led to the disastrous trade with Chicago for an additional
2nd rounder.
2 - DE - Booker Reese - Bethune Cookman
Someone in the scouting department rated this guy so highly but he never had the ability to play defensive end in the NFL and this selection will
remain the benchmark for any future bad Buccaneer draft picks.
3 - TE - Jerry Bell - Arizona State
Spent three seasons backing up Jimmie Giles and then emerged as a great pass receiving threat under Leeman Bennett in his H-back role. But
just as he was entering his prime, he suffered a serious knee injury and despite a brave attempt to return in 1987, retired from pro football.
3 - DE - John Cannon - William & Mary
Spent nearly a decade as a Buccaneer and remains one of the most popular players in franchise history. Never a great player but always a solid
dependable one.
4 - RB - David Barrett - Houston
Never carried the ball for the Buccaneers. Missed the 1982 season following a pre-season injury but could not make the team the following
season. Had rushed for 1,402 yards during his college career for Houston at a 4.4 average.
5 - LB - Jeff Davis - Clemson
Spent five seasons as a starting inside linebacker with the Bucs through the very worst years of the franchise and was always a fan favourite.
6 - WR - Andre Tyler - Stanford
Never showed anything as a receiver for the Bucs, but did spend 1983 as the team's primary punt returner.
7 - S - Thomas Morris - Michigan State
Spent two seasons as a special teams' coverage player and occasional nickel back.
8 - LB - Kal Atkins - Illinois
Never played a down for the Buccaneers. Had started for three seasons at outside linebacker for the Fightning Illini but did not make it through his
first pro camp. Went on to appear in 13 games for the Chicago Bears in 1983.
9 - QB - Robert Lane - NE Louisiana
Never played football in the NFL at all. Had been a highly-recruited prospect at LSU but transferred when he couldn't beat out future Dolphin David
Woodley and then only made one start in two seasons at the lower level.
10 - traded to San Francisco for DT Ted Vincent
Never played a down for the Buccaneers. Did not make it through 1981 training camp having made 25 starts in three NFL seasons with San
Francisco and Cincinnati. Had originally been a 3rd round pick of the Bengals in 1978.
11 - traded to Dallas for CB Aaron Mitchell
Was a special teamer for his only season with the Bucs, 1981, making eight tackles on those squads. Did not make the camp the following
season.
12 - RB/KR - Michael Morton - UNLV
Spent three seasons as the Bucs' primary kick returner and did a good job for such a late round selection.
Michael Morton
Jeff Davis
