Tyler Eifert Wants To Be Jimmy Graham
February 23rd, 2013
Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik always talks about getting quarterback Josh Freeman toys. Though the Bucs have Dallas Clark, he is in the dusk of his career. A free agent, there is no guarantee Clark will return to Tampa Bay in 2013.
So some have suggested the Bucs will go after a tight end in the first two days of the draft, which is not an unreasonable proposition.
One tight end to keep an eye on is Notre Dame’s Tyler Eifert, who is projected to go anywhere from late first round to the second round.
Noted draft expert Mike Mayock of the NFL Network believes Eifert is one of the three best tight ends available and those three, said Mayock, are interchangeable in that all three have equal skills.
Eifert spoke to the assembled scribes Friday at the NFL combine and Joe got a few quotes from Eifert, who likens himself to Jimmy Graham.
“I have spent a lot of time working on my blocking, my footwork, my head placement, things that really make a difference,” Eifert said. “I think I am a better but not where I want to be. There is room for improvement and I think I have. I have made a conscious effort to improve.
“I strive to be a complete tight end. I’m not there yet.”
As for his strengths, Eifert was specific.
“Catching the ball in traffic, making contested catches, create mismatches and get downfield,” Eifert said.
Eifert knows he’s about to hit the lottery. With the NFL becoming a pass-happy league where all the advantages go to receivers, Eifert counts his blessings for his good timing.
“I am lucky to be coming in at a time where the type of tight end that I am is being used quite a bit in the passing game,” Eifert said. “A tight end that crates mismatch problems.”
Joe wouldn’t mind if Dominik took a chance with Eifert, who is being trained by former Bucs tight end Anthony Becht at the IMG Academy in Bradenton. Sure, Greg Schiano wants a run-oriented offense. But with a guy like offensive line coach Bob Bostad on the Bucs coaching staff, Joe is confident he can make Eifert a complete tight end and improve his blocking technique.
February 23rd, 2013 at 12:22 pm
If we trade down and take him….GREAT!!!
February 23rd, 2013 at 12:42 pm
Will Tyler Eifert be the next Jimmy Graham? That’s a huge leap of faith, especially when we thought at one time Stocker would be the next heir apparent. Plus, don’t we have our own freak, in rookie Danny Noble, on the roster? And what about our other rookie, Drake Dunsmore, who was the best TE in his conference in college? And what about the talented Nate Byham that we got from San Francisco? Should we use an early pick on a TE when we already have a stable of young guys to utilize and plus the lack of plays that are actually directed to the TE in this offense doesn’t warrant the need for spending early valuable picks on a position that is relatively and primarily used as a blocking position.
February 23rd, 2013 at 12:49 pm
I would be happy with that pick. Even better if we can find a way to trade back while also getting him. Truth is I don’t want to see the falcons get any of the 1st round TE :p
February 23rd, 2013 at 12:56 pm
We need to use some of the cap space to hired Mike Mayock, Charles Davis, Charley Cassely, and Bill Poli.
The Browns scooped up Mike Lombardi.
Untalented talent evaluators!
This is comedy!
There are so many FA that can make a instant impact on the Bucs right now! I cant wait to laugh and say wtf!
February 23rd, 2013 at 1:08 pm
I remain unconvinced that the Bucs are going to target TE high. They played Jackson in the slot quite a bit (wish I had the stats) as sort of a de facto ”joker” tight end, so they may address the X receiver. Alternatively, they might look for a slot guy & keep V.J. flanked out wide.This could all depend on how the T.B. board reads as to ”value” at the selection, & of course what happens in free agency.
February 23rd, 2013 at 1:09 pm
No Jimmy Graham, but another Kyle Rudolph which isn’t bad! Some mocks have Zach Ertz rated higher, but either would be a nice addition to the Bucs. Keep an eye on Gavin Escobar/SDSU who is moving up most draft boards. Travis Kelce and Dion Sims are also in the conversation.
D.C. Jefferson, who Joe featured in a recent article, sustained a serious injury on the 225 bench last evening. He was rated a late round possibility, but may be an UDFA following this injury.
February 23rd, 2013 at 1:19 pm
These know it alls on this site said i was on acid but I see your piggy backing off my post. Im stupid remember. You know who you are. It sickens me to see smarty pants take credit when somebody else said it!
You Guess remind of the lying chick trying to get Crabtree a case before the SuperBowl. Her friends busted her out Lmao. Screaming rape with her ankles behind her ears. Ya clones!
February 23rd, 2013 at 2:19 pm
Wow. Acid. Innate stupidity. Doesn’t matter, the end result is the same.
February 23rd, 2013 at 2:36 pm
man that kid is big. he is not a guy who is going run away from defenders and get yards after the catch like a Vernon Davis, but his sheer size poses mismatch problems for smaller corners. Id like to see him in a bucs uniform.
February 23rd, 2013 at 4:09 pm
Eifert has put his stamp on the best TE in this draft with his Combine performance today. He has more athleticism than I thought he had. Definitely the 1st TE pick in the draft.
February 23rd, 2013 at 4:34 pm
I cannot for the life of me see Dominik drafting a TE that high. Our biggest need beyond CB (not interested in taking one of those early this year either) is tackle. If we have a shot at one of the top 3 tackles in this draft we need to jump. Penn looks like he only has a couple good years left to me and we have nobody at right tackle.
February 23rd, 2013 at 5:04 pm
The dude ran a 4.60 today, pretty good for a man his size and he jumped out of the gym. I think he would would a great pick up in the 20-25 range so a trade down would be great, which might allow us to trade back up into the 1st and grab a guy like rhodes.
February 23rd, 2013 at 5:55 pm
Yeah Acid sucker..Them little white paper looking thingys..That rock concerts are filled with. To bad I say no to nerds! I never wanted to see shh melting. Lucky charms! Leperchan!
February 23rd, 2013 at 7:03 pm
Would love to see a game changer at t.e. not just another body. We have too many at the position already.
February 23rd, 2013 at 8:53 pm
Guess what,we still need someone who can get him the ball….FREEMAN SUCKS!!!!
February 24th, 2013 at 2:33 am
I’m with gotbbucs. Aside from CB, we need a tackle next b/c there isn’t a CB worth taking that high.