The Draft Philosophy Of Bruce Almighty
October 15th, 2010
Yeah, Joe’s a boring guy. Friday morning he was home watching the Documentary Channel. Sure, Joe understands this is no way to lure Rachel Watson.
There was a film shown this morning about the NFL draft, “Two Days in April.” It was a fascinating look at a handful of players that had their lives chronicled from their final college game through the Senior Bowl (if selected), through the combine and up to the 2006 draft.
At the NFL combine, one of the players featured, Derek Hagen, who later was drafted in the third round by the Dolphins, was being interviewed in a hotel room by then Bucs general manager Bruce Almighty and his right-hand man who is the current Bucs general manager, Mark Dominik.
Dominik, largely, sat silent on the couch to Bruce Almighty’s left. Bruce Almighty did the vast amount of the talking, with the exception of Dominik asking Hagen, “What kind of coach do you like, a guy that pats you on the back or guy that gets on you?”
When Hagen answered he liked both, that he liked a “mellow” coach who also would motivate a player, Bruce Almighty laughed and said, “We don’t use the word ‘mellow’ very much around One Buc Place.”
But what Bruce Almighty said a bit earlier in the interview may speak volumes about the draft philosophy the Bucs had under Bruce Almighty (and Chucky, who was also in the film). Bruce Almighty told Hagen, “Look, you are all good players here. What we are looking for are good teammates.”
October 15th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Im confused…..
Is this a 3 year old article that JUST got published?
October 15th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
Bruce Allen = worst talent evaluator in the NFL.
In fact, he’s NOT an evaluator of talent. He is a salary cap manipulator. That is all.
October 15th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Travis, I’m confused! Not sure how an article can be published on a television channel?
October 15th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
I’m all for drafting good team mates…but you have to make sure they are also good football players. I think Bruce forgot that part.
October 15th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
OAR:
point being this isn’t relevant in anyway to todays team, maybe 3 years ago.
October 15th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Travis, Somewhat true, but Dominik was under Allen(and McKay). So, I can see how it might be relevant. Dominik learned from those two.
October 15th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Travis:
How many guys on the Bucs’ current roster were drafted by Bruce Allen?
Of course it’s relevant. It also is a peak into why the Bucs swung and missed on so many picks before Dominik took over.
October 15th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
So the reason why Bruce Almighty was abysmal at drafting players was because he was trying to draft “good teammates.”
Great.
October 15th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
@Joe
To answer your question less than a quarter of the team is composed of Bruce Allen draft picks.
Bruce Allen was the GM for 5 of the last 7 drafts yet only 12 of the 53 active players(23%) are his picks while almost half (5) are backups.
Players drafted by Bruce Allen still on the team:
Aquib Talib, Jeremy Zuttah, Geno Hayes, Quincy Black, Sabby Piscitelli, Tanard Jackson (suspended), Adam Heyward, Josh Johnson, Davin Joseph, Jeremy Trueblood, Cadillac Williams, Barret Ruud, Maurice Stovall
October 15th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
I agree with Fire Greg Olson (dude, get a new name). Bruce Allen was/is a poor talent evaluator.
I remember a few years back before the draft WDAE (think it was Big Dog) asked Bruce about drafting Devin Hester. Bruce replied, “nah, too skinny.”
It seems to me Dom is not only a more talented evaluator of talent, but also learned from the mistakes he saw.
October 15th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
Why should I get a new name? You think Olson is the reason that we’re 3-1? LOL…Please
October 15th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
LOL, OK so who do you want as the OC? I respect your opinion.
October 16th, 2010 at 11:47 am
Derek Hagen was terrible. Another reason to hate Nick Saban. Awful.
Mark D. does seem to be a better drafter than Allen after only 2 drafts. Still wish he would stop trading draft picks when it is unnecessary. That is one thing he needs to work on.
October 16th, 2010 at 11:57 am
Like all good managers, Mark took the best from all the guys he has worked with over the many years he has been with the Bucs and developed his own style. He knows talent and and all Bruce knew about is moving money around. I like Marks approach better. He is a good communicator with the media and fans.