Bucs take South Carolina RB in 7th

The Bucs likely wrapped up their draft selections by picking South Carolina RB Cory Boyd in the seventh round, 238th overall.

Boyd, a 6-foot-1, 214-pounder is considered a physical, inside runner with strong ball-catching skills out of the backfield; the Gamecocks' quiet offensive leader racked up 2,267 career rushing yards, 1,303 receiving yards.

In the last two years, he's racked up 17 TDs, coming on strong after returning from a one-year suspension in 2005.

We'll be talking to Jon Gruden in a second, so we'll have more updates shortly.

- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

(AP photo. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[JS]

the final piece of our draft and boy did we get a good one... a good rb. I think the draft went pritty well. We adressed key areas. Cb, Wr, Ol,Dl,Lb and rb.

[Boltz25]

Bad pick....and this is the only pick that I have said that. We need skill at WR, and Marcus Monk was sitting there for the taking. He was hurt last year at Ark., but had a great showing at the combine and was exceptional the year before. 7th round picks are for risk, and we should have taken one here.

[Boltz25 Kyper, Jr.]

Yeah, that's right you other idiots! The 31 teams that passed on him before the 7th round don't know squat... but I have some sort if inside info that I'll sell ya!

[KC]

For anyone who doubts this pick by the Bucs, think again. If you have ever watched a South Carolina football game then you know how much of a steal this is in the 7th round. If you haven't seen him, this guy is one of the most hard nosed, passionate football players I have ever seen. You heard it here.....Cory Boyd will be a good NFL back, if not this year then for years to come.

[KC]

Boltz, you are also probably the guy that thinks Mike Alstott is the best running back to ever play the game

[Marshall]

all along i thought cory boyd and josh johnson were two of the best hidden gems in this years draft. this almost makes up for not picking mike jenkins

[Boltz25]

Um, yeah of course, becaue I acted like Kyper jr. you jackass. All I am stating, is that the Bucs have an obvious need at WR, which they ignored this entire draft. The could have had a good WR, whom the Bears picked up just a few picks later, but instead chose to fill a position which we already have 2 good players. And that makes me Mel Kiper. eff u

[Boltz25]

No KC, I am not even an Alstott fan, but I am a diehard SEC football fan and I have never heard of Cory Boyd; but maybe that's because South Carolina sucks.

i thought the bucs did draft a wr???

[KC]

I find it hard to believe you are a diehard SEC fan and have never heard of Boyd. Let me guess gator fan right??

[Jay]

Wait a second. Don't hate on Alstott!

[tom]

Dang, Boltzboy - you really dat mad?

[beb bolt fan]

Only problem I have with this draft is the second pick. I believe they could have done much better with that pick. I think they could have taken a diferent receiver with the same skills from a better conference (SEC) and taken a RB earlier. Other than that, i think there later picks were outstanding.

[matt]

How can anyone call themselves an SEC fan and not heard of Cory Boyd. Typical Gator or LSU fan that claims to be a "big fan" but only follow there own team. Boyd can play, but he is not a premier back. He is a third down back at best, he gets tough yards and catches the ball well. Give Gruden and Allen credit for getting 7 players to give a shot plus the addition of Piscatelli and Paris Warren. Their personel is better than last year, and they have much better depth. Look at the free agents signings, not huge names but a lot of snaps last year on special teams.

[john]

BOLTZ YOUR AND IDIOT COREY BOYD IS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE SEC.YOU REALLY MUST BE A RETARD GATOR FAN.AND DONT BE HATEN ON THE A-TRAIN.

[JH]

Some news organizations reported that Michael Pittman might return to the Bucs, but drafting this RB might mean that he is not coming back after all. He is tall compared to a lot of RBs that the Bucs tend to draft, but I like the pick overall. He can contribute on special teams. The Bucs are definitely getting younger, and this year's draft shows that they were not content with their spots. I am disappointed that several teams (like New Orleans!) often traded up to the spot right before the Bucs picked and picked a player. Who knows if they stole the players that the Bucs coveted?

[KC]

Thanks for the support people. He thinks the only good player in the SEC is Teblow. Like I said Cory Boyd has got to be the most underrated player in this draft. A lot of people don't know but this guy catches the ball out of the backfield with the best of them. Look out for him even getting some pt this year if someone goes down again.

[KC]

Oh and sorry about the Alstott comment it was said out of frustration from that gator fan.

[chuckiehater]

The pick everyone should be hating is the qb, what that makes 6 or 7 we have. He is going to be destined for pratice squad. Boyd is a hell of a rb that almost gain 1000 yards behind a mediocre line, if South Carolina could have finish how they started he would have been higher

[aaron]

this is a horrible pick. horrible. if we were going to take a running back the man to take at that point was the 6th all time leading rusher in Pac-10 history, OSU running back Yvenson Bernard. he can catch, run, and block, return punts and return kicks. i am not shocked that they made a pick like this though. this was a horrible overall draft for us. the only picks i think were worth it was the Talib and Dre Moore picks. other than that, really sorry.

[Michael]

Aaron, I disagree. You are welecome to have your opinion, but let me explain why I think this draft was good. First off, Dexter Jackson is FAST. I know you cant grade a player on one game, but the Michigan game showed his skills, and his speed. Michigan may have struggled defensively, but they are still one of the fastest defenses in the nation. And he will be a MAJOR help to our kickoff return and punt returns, which not will lead to more points on the board, weather he takes it back all the way, or gives the offense great field position. Second, when you can get a soild, versitle offensive lineman in the third round, you dont pass on him. The only reason we were able to survive our injuries last year was quality depth, and they have improved that even more this offseason. Dre Moore, if they can motivate him, will be a huge addition. Josh Johnson is a perfect fit for Jon Grudens offense. Plus, we can probably get rid of Bruce Gradkowski now. Geno Hayes was expected to go eairler in the draft, and adds even more depth at linebacker, which with the free agent linebackers we signed, should be a major help. Finally, Cory Boyd is a physical runner, and should fit in nicely, especially as a reciever out of the back field. And dont forget this, the Bucs only had 5 picks in the draft, but due to trades, they got a few extra pics. Even if these guys only turn into solid special team players, we wouldnt have got them otherwise.

[mm]

Boyd is not all that you are making him out to be. He is good but where he was picked is about right. Who wasd the Bama kis we draft6ed last year that everyone was so pumped about till he started fumbling in the preseason? I'm just saying don't get too excited yet. Oh, and KC & John not all Gator fans are naive to SEC players other than Tebow. We just know our guys are better! Go Gators!

[mm]

*Bama kid

[JC]

Wait a second, don't lop Boltz into the stereotypical Gator fan category. I'm a Gator and I pride myself on following recruiting and knowing the rosters of all SEC teams. Boyd has been solid throughout his career with the 'Cocks. He has been the most consistent position player they've had. He's probably won a few for them when Blake Mitchell spent half the game throwing to the other team or taking a sack. In the LSU game last year, Boyd kept them in it. I like the pick and you can't go wrong with a kid from the SEC.

[Gococks]

I'm a diehard gamecocks fan so let me set your minds at ease. Go to these u-tube links and you'll see what you got. Boyd's got more heart and determination than most running backs I've seen over the last few years. He's a north and south, downhill runner and a steal in the 7th round... mark my words and check out these videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LiSmRgRgDM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uKGrBJdWk4&feature=related

[TK]

Cory Boyd is about as good a 7th rounder as you're going to find. It's hard to describe the difference between running with power and running with heart; Boyd runs with heart. He will immediately add passion, competitiveness, and determination to the practice field and locker room. He will contribute on special teams this year. Soon, his superior receiving and blocking skills will get him on the field. Boyd is the guy you never cut.