9
The highest rated cornerback in the 2015 NFL draft is Trae Waynes of Michigan State. Waynes is a 6’1, 182 pound shutdown corner who was a three year starter at Michigan State. In his time there, the Spartan defense was one of the best in the Country and Waynes is a big reason why.
Waynes caught 3 interceptions in each of the last 2 years. If that stat doesn’t impress you, keep in mind opposing QBs avoided him. Basically, Waynes shut down one side of the field. Waynes ability to turn and run with receivers is elite. Not only does he read the receiver well – but he can run with all of them. At the combine Waynes posted a 4.31 4o time.
Personally I’m not a fan of the term “island: to describe cornerbacks. This piece of dirt named Revis ruined the term for me. I imagine that if Revis Island is a real place they store medical waste and sewage film there. But that is not the point – the point is Waynes compels me to use the term “island”, because that is how Michigan State used him. They left him all alone with little to no safety help and Waynes mastered it.
Michigan State runs something called a quarters defense. It basically left Waynes one on one with the other team’s best receiver in each game. The quarters defense is more complicated than most college defenses and Waynes was required to communicate on the field with his teammates most of the time and again – he excelled.
Waynes pretty much excelled at whatever Michigan State asked him to do. But what Michigan State did not ask him to do a lot of, was play zone. That has caused some scouts to call into question whether Waynes can play in a defense that relies primarily on zone defense. I’m pretty sure that most great players can play in any scheme, and I don’t see any reason why Waynes cannot, but there is no question that heavy zone scheme would be new to him.
Waynes is a true blanket corner. He can take away the opposing offenses best weapon. For this reason, in comparing Waynes to a Alien Weapon of Destruction I chose the Orion Chamber of Despair. You can try to break free – but its over for you.
Check out his highlight clip
Finsmob Unleashed 
Good write up and I have a gut feeling that CB is what Miami will take at 14 after the WR they want is gone. I think it’s a position of need and Waynes & Peters should be higher on most people’s draft board than the LB we talk about (Kendricks, etc).
Kevin Johnson is the other guy in the top 3 CB discussions but one thing I don’t like about him is that on film it looks like he bites many times on a WR or QB first move.
Me too Al. I said the same thing last week! I really want a WR or Gurley though.
Nice article Piggy!
so Waynes is Deion Sanders, but isn’t afraid to tackle?
He can tackle
I’ve seen more physical cbs though
But I wouldn’t call tackling a weakness of his
Your score is: 7064 (GRADE: A-)
Your Picks:
Round 1 Pick 18 (K.C.): DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville (A)
Round 2 Pick 15: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State (A)
Round 2 Pick 25 (CAR): Laken Tomlinson, OG, Duke (A)
Round 3 Pick 27 (DAL): Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon (B+)
Round 4 Pick 15: Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami (Fla.) (A)
Round 4 Pick 28 (DAL): Jordan Hicks, OLB, Texas (A-)
Round 5 Pick 13: Adrian Amos, FS, Penn State (B-)
Round 5 Pick 14: Nick O’Leary, TE, Florida State (A)
Round 6 Pick 15: Karlos Williams, RB, Florida State (A)
Getting Dorsett in the 4th would be great, if we only knew that going in and didn’t have to waste a 1st on a WR would be even better, not that I’d complain about getting Parker.
If Waynes really is as good as Pig makes him sound, then I’d have no problem with him at #14. What I’d like to see is the stats of the WRs he covered all yr. Buehler?
So the first game I looked at was MSUs bowl game against Baylor their 2 top WRs for the season, which I’d assume Wayne’s was covering one of, were Cannon 8-197 against MSU, and Coleman 7-150. If this guy Wayne’s truly is a lockdown corner, what happened against Baylor?
Diggy I absolutely love your mock draft above!! Awesome
Piggy
offensive weapon first round
big thumper to put behind suh second round
upgrades and depth the rest of the draft on both offense and defense
Tremendous research effort, Piggy!!! We are truly fortunate to have you on this site, my friend!!–I, too, would not be upset if we took this guy @ 14, assuming the top 3 WR’s are all gone. –But I’m lusting for that big O-Lineman from Iowa in round 1. If we get him, we will have addressed our 2 biggest needs, namely stud defensive lineman (Suh) and stud offensive lineman. –I understand the thinking of those who’d love to have the Gurley man. But I believe Lamar Miller might actually be more productive than the injury-prone Gurley over the next 5-6 seasons. It certainly will be an interesting draft.
——————
JUST GOT BACK from a very successful convention at the Baltimore Convention Center on the Inner Harbor. Could have done without the sub-freezing temps and snow flurries yesterday. Getting back to the 60 degree temps and sunny skies of Tampa Bay is a major improvement!!
Hey OD — glad the trip was a good one. Lots of places in Baltimore I wouldn’t want to go, but Inner Harbor ain’t one of them. Cool area.
Disagree on OL at #14 though. We need a G, and that is mighty high for one. Now if we trade down……G away.
Good to hear from you, Young Stanger!! –I actually believe Brandon Scherff, the top rated G/T coming out in this year’s draft, will be TAKEN in the Top 12 picks of the draft, so we won’t have a chance to take either him or one of the Top 3 receivers UNLESS WE MOVE UP. And, as far as 14 being “too high” to take a guard, I wonder what folks will think if Tanny takes yet ANOTHER huge hit this season and misses a few games?? As currently constituted, I’d say our O-Line is in the bottom 5 or 6 of the NFL. We can NOT have playoff success unless we significantly upgrade the play of BOTH of our guards.
OD — but we have two former All Pros and last years first rounder on that line. Surely say a 2nd round G pick and Turner/Thomas at the other spot will at least make us average, if not better.
Did you make a decision on your new seats yet…….I’m curious for obvious reasons. 🙂
Thanks for the info Pig. Trae Waynes is an option I’m curious about. I want talent and value at #14…..seems he offers both. Niggle is that he looks to be best suited to be a man coverage guy. Could be like drafting a guy who should be a dominating NT to play DT in a 4-3. Sure he can do it, but is that maximizing his talent?
Great job Piggy! Hard to argue with taking the best CB in the draft, especially since we need one. I think you know that I’d prefer not to, but I couldn’t argue against it if that’s the way we go. They know what we have in Taylor and Davis, and if they’re not sold on those guys, it’s a solid pick.
YOUNG STANGER: Speaking of our O-Line, I’m sure you saw where Jonathan Martin was released by the 49ers. A friend at the convention told me “the 49ers couldn’t even get a 7th round draft pick for him, so they just cut him.” Yet another draft-day disaster brought to us by Jeffroe!!
Dude just didn’t have the right mind set for the NFL. And yeah that one was on Ireland’s watch, but it was about between the ears. Hard to measure that. Not like their were character concerns coming out of Stanford.
Post Piggy Scouting report mock
YOUR TEAM
MIAMI DOLPHINS
YOUR PICKS
1: R1P14
CB TRAE WAYNES
MICHIGAN STATE
2: R2P15
RB TODD GURLEY
GEORGIA
3: R4P15
G JOSUE MATIAS
FLORIDA STATE
4: R5P13
S CLAYTON GEATHERS
UCF
5: R5P14
WR VINCE MAYLE
WASHINGTON STATE
6: R6P15
FB TYLER VARGA
YALE
Certainly gets some good guys in at the right positions. Would still need an LB though, but then I’m still hoping we have a starter coming at some position before the draft. WE have enough cap room.
OD
Unfortunately Martin was a pretty highly rated player. I put up the combine scouting report on Martin the other day here, it’s hard to believe they’re talking about the same guy. Like Stanger said, it was mental fragility that did him in, and I guess we didn’t catch that in the interviews.
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/jonathan-martin?id=2533041
MIKE E: –Do we know if Ireland asked Martin “Is your Mother a Hooker?” – – I believe she’s actually a well-educated attorney.
YOUNG STANGER: Yes, I took the seats the Fins graciously offered me as my reward for going to games since 1966. I’m in the upper portion of section 120, which, they assure me, will be in the shade for games in September and October when the canopy is completed for the 2016 season. As you may know, ALL OF MY BOYZ were forced out of their lower level seats and were moved into the upper deck. One of them (John the Chef who cooks for us) had to buy THREE seasons tickets just to get a decent location UPSTAIRS. I think Pasquale and James will be using his 2 extra season tix.
———–
My new tix are located between the 20 and the 25 yard lines on the north side. I was told that I COULD NOT buy tix between the goal lines on the Dolphins’ side unless I wanted the $1,000-$2,000 per game seats. I’d say we should pick a game pretty soon after the schedule comes out for the Fest get-together because, with 11,000 fewer seats, it might be tough to get 30-40 seats in the same section.
————
BTW, I’m planning on YOU going with me to at least 3-4 games, depending on the schedule. –Looking forward to it!
Not so bad. Sounds like you basically got switched to the other side. Least sounds like you did better than the rest of your crew.
And yeah…..you can plan on me for those games. Like I told you before, only ones I have problems with are right before or after T-Day and X-Mas.
LOL @ OD – I think maybe they could have asked him some questions to get an idea of his toughness, challenged him somehow.
Tre Waynes, hmm….not sure if he’s worth a #14….the other Sparty DB/S was very effective in the pass defense for Mich St. Also the Big 10 didn’t seem to have many top flight QB’s, most Big !0 schools seemed to be heavy run type offenses if I recall.
Steve’s 10:25 post brought up an interesting point vs. Baylor, a school that was pass oriented vs. MSU.
Steve
Nobody shut down Baylor last year!
Hell they dropped 41 on TCU one of the best D’s
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/tom-brady-gives-patriots-fans-heart-attacks-with-cliff-diving-video-165621211.html
Certainly gets some good guys in at the right positions. Would still need an LB though,but then I’m still hoping we have a starter coming at some position before the draft. WE have enough cap room.
*
Stanger, I think with Suh plugged in the middle Misi will have a good year this season. I also think our young guys are ready to step up
Think Misi and Jenkins are for sure two, but who is the third in the 4-3? One option might be Jordan……..would certainly make draft day easier at least.
Jenkins Misi McCane
Trip
I expect these guys to be better than the Group last year.
We need depth and special teams players But I think with the addition of a lockdown corner And with our existing defensive line This could be a formidable defense
Maybe……but think you have to leave Tripp out of it. He got injured early. But if they think McCain is the guy, I will trust their opinion. They have seen enough of him.
Predicting the No. 14 pick: projection by subtraction
http://www.thephinsider.com/2015/3/27/8298631/predicting-the-no-14-pick-projection-by-subtraction
——
I find the Phinsider to be hit or miss, but this one is a hit if you have the time (it is long). You might disagree, but good logic and info along the way as the author spills it out.
I’m not sure who Jake Knot is but he’s on the roster also I think with Jordan’s ability to fall back into coverage We just need to get some depth players
Senquez Golson really jumps out at me as a CB with great skill & instincts. Can he make up for his size in the NFL like Grimes has? He played a lot of zone in college and was a ball hawk in the tough SEC. Seems very suited for Coyle’s D and an heir apparent for Grimes in a couple years.
Golson like Eric Rowe might still be hanging around with our 4th round pick, but I kinda doubt it.
It is critical that we continue to add developmental players And develop them! Especially with the salary cap situation we’re going to be in
That’s what good drafting is all about, as well as the UDFA gems, which Hickey did well on last year as well.
We definitely have to hit on some undrafted free agents! And our young guys need to show some development
GDP
I really like Golson, I said so in my CB comparison a few weeks ago. He would be a great mid to late RD pick.
GMTA 😉
Watching MSU vs Baylor all the plays of MSU on D. With 4 minutes left in the 3rd qtr 41 – 21 Baylor. Waynes has given up 3 catches and one play that should’ve been a TD where his man dropped the ball with 8 minutes left in the 2nd qtr, seemed like Waynes fell asleep due to boredom. The very next play after the dropped pass the WR pushed off Waynes to catch the ball on the goal line, no TD, but looked like it should’ve been, again WR pushed off no call. A few minutes later on a play to the other side the WR covering Waynes gives him a shot when he wasn’t looking and takes him out of the game.
Third qtr WR pushes off on a go route makes catch about 30 yrds down field, next play a comeback route, it didn’t show what happened, but that was his 3rd catch given up, he went out after that play for some reason, must’ve been shaken up.
4th qtr MSU scores to make it 41 – 28 Baylor, on the ensuing kickoff MSU tries an onside kick, and our Mr. Waynes knocks the ball out of the Baylor players hands, MSU recovers. Inside 11 minutes to go Wayne’s drops a possible pick six.
What a fricken game, MSU after trailing 41-21 comes all the way back to win 42-41.
Bottom line is on a day when Baylor was throwing the ball at will, Waynes shutdown one of the top 2 WRs from Baylor, but in college with a spread offense it didn’t seem to make much difference. I don’t see Waynes making it to #14 he is a true lockdown corner.
Great breakdown steveccnv. I like hearing that either way. Maybe Waynes is there for us or maybe he isn’t and someone else (maybe one od Pig’s samurai) falls. Just like guys at positions we might take being worthy of #14.
I agree
I would have commented earlier but I didn’t get a chance
Honestly, we don;t need lockdown CBs
We need guys that can react quick in zone coverage
If we drafted a guy like Waynes, I think Coyle might rethink the way we play defense
which isn’t such a bad thing
the top CB of any NFL draft rarely lasts until 14 – but it might happen this year
Just depends where other teams go
I would think Randy Gregory’s stock dropping helps the other pass rushers and even the DBs like Waynes
Stanger, I liked Tripp When he came out And I haven’t counted out As far as developing And McKean played pretty well in limited reps But was raw. I think another year will do them very well. At least that’s my hope And as we all know this is the season of hope
McCane. Fucking voice text
Not counting Tripp out, just saying we can’t count on him. Think that is more than word play. Hey —- hope some day he’s on the ring of honor.
We couldn’t count on 2nd year Jelani Jenkins last year this time either. If Tripp follows same path of development then we’re good.
Wouldn’t have counted on Jenkins a year ago either. Could not be more thrilled that he broke out, but you can’t count on that. Will stand by we need another LB, unless they are moving Jordan there.
Justin Cox from Miss St. jumps out as a good later round prospect…he’s got the size 6’1 with 4.36 speed, 38″ vert, 15 reps on bench, but is raw being a JUCO transfer. But he could develop nicely.
Cox could play corner or become our new FS by year 2.
Stanger, they’re not moving Jordan there it seems, and rightly so. If anything Kelvin Sheppard will get his shot @ LB in year 2 of Coyle’s D, and 27yo Sheppard’s 5th year in the league.
But of course I don’t think anyone is saying not to look at drafting or adding another LB this year if one is available that fits our team.
Problem with the LB position is not just the starters… we have really no depth at the position. I thought our depth last year was poor… but right now. It looks real bad. Its far from the finished product though – so we’ll see what they do between now and September.
Getting rid of Wheeler, Ellerbe, & Trusnik tells us they will pretty much add at least 1-2 more LB’s at some point, even if Tripp & McCain step up in year 2. Got to replenish the depth.
YOUNG STANGER: Mrs. OD took me out to lunch on short notice; now I’m back. –Saw your response on attending games with me. Looks Great!! –BTW, did U see Finsiders had Brandon Scherff going in the Top 5??? –I think he’d be a STEAL at 14 BUT he won’t be there. NOT overly excited by the pool of available players Finsiders says Miami will choose from.IF they stay at 14. Out for now to watch March Madness.
Hadn’t been there for a while, but markeyh is still plugging away on his site. Good for him.
https://dolphinseer.wordpress.com/
A Shrine to Henne? 😉
LOL — to his credit….did not see that name in there.
Hey Stanger
How bout inviting Markeyh to this site
His site looks good
I thought he’s already been here posting?
I just gave him a post and don’t think I have his e-mail. He would be welcome though, far as I’m concerned at least. You can do it right now or I’ll wait to see if he responds and then throw it out if he does.
I invited him in a post there.
So then it is done. Cool by me.
The Exoduss blog seems out of commission. So maybe Biz Markeyh will come here to rap with us some.
That’s right
I think Markeyh posted here once
But I forgot
There are better options at CB later than taking one in the first
Doran Grant, CB/S, Ohio State (Favorite)
Senquez Golson, CB, Ole Miss
Charles Gaines*, CB, Louisville
Kevin White, CB, TCU
and more!
It appears markeyh blogs for his own amusement. He was a blind Henne homer, which I could tolerate. Him accusing people of being racist, including me, without acknowledging his own prejudices.. I have no patience or time for that.
WOW, I wasn’t aware of that…oh well.
Try — if we hold the sins of the past against posters (including me) then no one will talk to anyone. markeyh has a good heart.
FU….you keep posting here. 😉
LMAO……and I don’t even have a good heart. 🙂
Your score is: 6050 (GRADE: B+)
Your Picks:
Round 1 Pick 14: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville (A)
Round 2 Pick 15: Ali Marpet, OG, Hobart & William Smith (B)
Round 4 Pick 15: B.J. Finney, C, Kansas State (A)
Round 5 Pick 13: Geneo Grissom, OLB, Oklahoma (A-)
Round 5 Pick 14: Lorenzo Doss, CB, Tulane (A-)
Round 6 Pick 15: Chris Hackett, FS, TCU (A-)
I think Hackett comes off the board well before Doss.
what draft simulators do you guys use where it allows trades? I only know fanspeak and there are no trades
http://first-pick.com/Default.aspx
Have fun driving yourself nutso…lol
YOUR TEAM
MIAMI DOLPHINS
YOUR PICKS
1: R1P14
WR DEVANTE PARKER
LOUISVILLE
2: R2P15
ILB DENZEL PERRYMAN
MIAMI (FL)
3: R4P15
G JOSUE MATIAS
FLORIDA ST.
4: R5P13
ILB TAIWAN JONES
MICHIGAN ST.
5: R5P14
S CHRIS HACKETT
T.C.U.
6: R6P15
RB TYLER VARGA
YALE
That’s a nice draft Rock
Two apparently dead and twenty injured in the Manhattan gas explosion…….seems like a time for this. SMH
That’s a pretty disgraceful lack of humanity right there.
It’s typical in today’s society. The Smart Phone Generation doesn’t think to help in a crisis, but instead to document it, or insert themselves into the situation for social media purposes.
Dumb ass chicks with no common sense, only self centered overly privileged panty wastes that have to depend on others for their very survival and for sure for their hollow existence as well !!!
Rock, I like the doubling up draft you had on LB with Perryman & Taiwan Jones, one of them got top be good enough to earn a starting spot week one.
Not a great grade, but a nice haul after 2 trade downs . . .
Your score is: 6514 (GRADE: A-)
Your Picks:
Round 1 Pick 29 (IND): Breshad Perriman, WR, UCF (B+)
Round 2 Pick 15: Stephone Anthony, ILB, Clemson (A)
Round 2 Pick 21 (CINN): Ali Marpet, OG, Hobart & William Smith (B+)
Round 2 Pick 29 (IND): Jalen Collins, CB, LSU (A)
Round 3 Pick 21 (CINN): Clive Walford, TE, Miami (Fla.) (A)
Round 4 Pick 15: Andy Gallik, C, Boston College (B)
Round 4 Pick 29 (IND): Jordan Hicks, OLB, Texas (A-)
Round 5 Pick 13: Adrian Amos, FS, Penn State (B-)
Round 5 Pick 14: MyCole Pruitt, TE, Southern Illinois (B+)
Round 6 Pick 15: Zach Zenner, FB/RB, South Dakota State (B-)
Mike E. says:
March 29, 2015 at 5:13 pm
That’s a pretty disgraceful lack of humanity right there.
pretty much got to agree with that. i mean who in their right mind takes a selfie with clothes on anymore.
Interesting stuff . . . .
FFR
Right??? WTF
Mike E, great draft…ya might want to pass Hickey’s phone number over to the Colts & Bengals ok, oh and slip a Micky in their water coolers . 😉
LOL – They really do get a little silly with the trades, I can’t even try to dispute that. 🙂
I do think Hickey really wants to try and get a trade down partner to at least recoup our 3rd or pick up an extra 2nd. I’d say there is a better than 60% chance of it happening with all the top 25 talent I see.
Stanger,
I appreciate the sentiment, re: forgiveness, but the individual in question has not acknowledged all “relationships” have at least 2 participants with equal responsibility to maintain and act responsibly within them.
Try — not going to force your opinion on it, least not more than what I said before. But will add wasn’t asking him to be your best friend either. We all have the option to talk to who we want to and who we don’t.
If anything though, I’m pleased at how peaceful things have been overall. Haven’t seen anyone smash a lunch tray in quite a while. 🙂
I must be missing part of the conversation. Needless to say I am not above forgiveness and am not one that really carries a grudge long-term, but being called a racist with no basis other than my ethnicity and the ethnicity of the subject in question leaves me feeling less than charitable when it comes to “letting it slide”.
Try — you are a good dude. Nothing could me more clear than that. And both understand why you were non-plussed (nothing I hate more than getting flack for something I didn’t do) and that you would be cool like you always are.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/michelle-obama-declares-black-girls-rock/ar-AAa9QEc
wow can you imagine the back lash if Laura Bush had ever declared ‘white girls rock’ at some setting like this. this is just fucking shameful.
Very similar situation with a certain Henne homer being discussed recently.
We all get along fine here. This blog is open to all except one, because unfortunately, that person was unable to control himself after being given many opportunities to do so. Otherwise, everyone is welcome here.
Try
Did this happen on this blog, the other blog, or the SS with Markey?
SS blog. And to be honest, the particulars of the situation have faded somewhat from my memory. But I remember being called a racist, and that has stuck with me and left a bad taste in my mouth concerning that individual.
I hear ya. I can’t blame you at all for that. You’re an upstanding, class guy in my book, and I don’t think you’re racist in any way.
I appreciate that. I know I have my prejudices, and I am certainly open to the idea that I might make mistakes when trying to convey my ideas about a subject, but the term “racist” makes it sound as if you agree a certain race of people is less than or superior to another based on ethnicity alone, and I do not believe or support that ideology.
try
i am not sure about the racism since i wasnt involved in it, but i do agree with you he does say things just to get attention. i could care less if he is here or not, i just always pass right over his comments without reading them.
Certainly- I am not implying he should not be welcome here. I was only stating my apathy towards the individual in question.
Mike E. says:
March 29, 2015 at 6:42 pm
We all get along fine here.
yeah it is a little lame. i mean i miss the ole ‘throat punch’ threats now and then
ffr — if you come to the next fest I’ll tell you I’ll boil your dog and eat it or something……just to make you happy.
LOL @ Stanger!
X
ssssssoooooooooo you’re saying you want to put my dog in your mouth
finfanrob says:
March 29, 2015 at 6:45 pm
try
i am not sure about the racism since i wasnt involved in it, but i do agree with you he does say things just to get attention. i could care less if he is here or not, i just always pass right over his comments without reading them.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL
Irony anyone? Anyone?
Did ffr actually say something….must just be a bunch of aimless scrambled random fonts under his handle. 😉
‘Irony anyone? Anyone?’
really? that was the best you could come up with? come on. now lets try this again. i am sure you can do much much better if you really put in a good effort.
I never have any idea what your typing…I just keep staring at what’s in the two ricky williams jerseys.
getterdone says:
March 29, 2015 at 8:14 pm
I never have any idea what your typing…
see we do have things in common……………………neither do i
LOL, me neither…I just Ramble On….hey yea….ramble on.
Football Outsiders’ Playmaker Score grades Louisville WR DeVante Parker as the No. 9 receiver in the class.
The system offered Bryant Johnson and Peter Warrick as similar historical prospects. “Parker has been playing college football for a full four years, and he has never topped 1,000 yards receiving,” wrote FO’s Nathan Forster. “It’s not as if he had a weak supporting cast, either: As a junior, he had the benefit of catching passes from first-round pick Teddy Bridgewater at his pre-NFL peak. A future starting NFL wide receiver should have put up video-game-like numbers in those conditions, but Parker produced only 885 yards. Parker put up some nice per-game numbers as a senior after returning from an early injury, but if he had the talent level of a Julio Jones, he would already be in the NFL.” NFL Films’ Greg Cosell projects Parker as a Michael Crabtree-like “complementary” receiver in the NFL.
ok well rock and getterdone hurt my feeling. so i am going to just go and pout till i fall asleep. night all.
That makes more sense….damn, there I go reading your damn post….lol
IT’s 53 degrees right now in Tampa Bay, heading up to about 75 and sunny. –DAMN SIGHT BETTER than the crummy weather we experienced in Baltimore late last week.!! Locals here are greeting the upcoming baseball season with a yawn and a snore. Rays ownership has gutted the team in the off season while demanding MORE attendance to see a .500 AT BEST sports team.–Sounds like a formula for failure, doesn’t it?? Once, again, the Tampa Bay Rays WILL BE LAST in attendance in Major League Baseball. They’ll STAY in last place until they move the franchise from St. Petersburg to the Tampa side of the bay. Lacking major corporate partners in St. Pete, the Rays had LESS THAN 1,000 season ticket holders from St. Pete last season!!!