“The Most Important Piece Of Property In Football”
April 9th, 2015
Does Lovie Smith agree with Sean Payton?
It’s hard to explain how intense things were at the NFL Owners Meetings in Phoenix.
Owners, general managers, head coaches and all kinds of national media types were buzzing around resort ballrooms, courtyards, lounges, bars and more, and none were wound up from watching a game, or prospects at the scouting combine, or bitter because their team mired in a losing streak.
Joe was really in fan/journalist heaven. Among many highlights were Joe’s off-the-record chats with Falcons owner Arthur Blank, Cowboys personnel chief Stephen Jones and Raiders owner Mark Davis, who wore a rumpled white turtleneck and thrift-store-like pants and sneakers into one of the meetings with his fellow billionaires. How cool is that.
Joe also enjoyed watching Lovie Smith get highly animated during a private, courtyard chat with his former Bears and Rams safety, Adam Archuleta. The two sat at a small table for two in the hotel courtyard, and Lovie was out of his seat going through what looked like coverage techniques. Lovie confirmed to Joe it was Archuleta the following morning, and Lovie acknowledged how much he loves talking ball — and life — with his former players.
Anyway, one thing that really stood out for Joe came after the one-hour media breakfast with Lovie. When it ended, Joe moved over to the breakfast table with Sean Payton, who had gotten a later start than Lovie and was still rolling and answering questions.
Talk about a contrast to the Bucs’ head coach. The fast-talking Payton was all-dialed in chatting about offensive nuances. He explained that a big part of the Jimmy Graham trade was building the interior pocket for Drew Brees by acquiring Seahawks center Max Unger.
Payton explained that the two yards behind the center is “the most important piece of property in football.” You can catch the passionate video exchange here. He talks about that “clean climb in the pocket,” how the Saints will win a game if they get it, and how it was the difference in the Super Bowl this year.
Joe brings this up now because there’s been so much chatter about the Bucs’ need for a left tackle. You listen to Payton long enough, and you might start agreeing with NFL Films Xs and Os guru Greg Cosell, who detailed why the left-tackle obsession is “antiquated.”
Joe’s not sure where the Bucs’ priorities lie when it comes to building their O-line. They haven’t added a body there — and lost two — this offseason.
April 9th, 2015 at 10:54 am
As most fans have finally realized, Antiquated and Lovie go hand and hand!
no surprise that Lovie was talking about the past with past players, I am sure if Joe overheard the conversation, there would have been a lot of ” well back in my day” !
April 9th, 2015 at 10:58 am
Payton has a fast growing number of coaches who believe in the newly perceived value of the center. Their arguments are compelling. True, pass protection is no longer a stationary behemoth dominated by slower biggies. Oh, what is the chatter on Bucs ceneter position and prospects?
April 9th, 2015 at 10:58 am
Staff watched Erving at the pro day and again met with him yesterday, The Wiz was brought in, I’d say they are paying attention to that position. Can EDS pick his jock up, put it on properly and ball? Erving can play G and OC if EDS can’t get it together.
April 9th, 2015 at 11:15 am
that back in the day coach name lovie smith apparently has no trouble finding head coaching jobs in the nfl. kinda makes sense to talk about the past with a player from your past in his defense. no need to overanalyze unless your a psychiatrist by trade and it’s all you ever do. it’s not a big deal just part of the reason why they say lovie is a player’s coach
April 9th, 2015 at 11:20 am
Antiquated?….Best damn show on the History Channel!!
April 9th, 2015 at 11:25 am
I missed that article yesterday. But it would certainly explain why our oline sucked. We had a lazy bumb at center that thought he did his job. He’s a 6 that thinks he’s a 9
April 9th, 2015 at 11:29 am
Bucs should make a move for C Alex Mack… He wants out of Clevland… He wouldn’t come cheap but he is one of the better centers in the league when healthy… It would upgrade our crap line immediately allowing EDS to slide to right guard…
Boom!!! We just upgraded two positions with one move…
April 9th, 2015 at 11:30 am
The UNGER v GMC matchup will be very very intriguing this year.
April 9th, 2015 at 11:35 am
Funny, this is exactly what i said yesterday in the post about left tackle.
Nice to see it confirmed by Payton himself.
April 9th, 2015 at 11:45 am
More evidence that drafting Cam Erving would be an excellent idea – for a # of reasons. His versatility is guaranteed to come in very handy and with great play already at LT and Center in his short time as an OL player – he has yet to touch his potential. You think if the Bucs picked up Erving and then Tre Jackson in the 3rd round that Winston would be happy about it? Hells yea.
Keep your franchise QB happy – and keep him upright.
QB 1, OL 2, OL 3 – whatever you do after that is fine – but this is exactly what the Bucs need to do in this draft in order to best help this team improve.
I could see going DE in the 2nd round IF a player they really really believe in falls to the Bucs at #34 – In which case it should be QB 1, DE 2, OL 3, OL 4.
April 9th, 2015 at 11:53 am
Payton’s need for a clean middle also has a lot to do with his barely 6 foot QB.
Most defenses still employ their sack masters at RDE, making the LT a huge priority. There is a reason the Left Tackle is consistently the highest paid lineman in the game.
April 9th, 2015 at 12:30 pm
Pickgrin Says:
April 9th, 2015 at 11:45 am
More evidence that drafting Cam Erving would be an excellent idea – for a # of reasons. His versatility is guaranteed to come in very handy and with great play already at LT and Center in his short time as an OL player – he has yet to touch his potential. You think if the Bucs picked up Erving and then Tre Jackson in the 3rd round that Winston would be happy about it? Hells yea.
Keep your franchise QB happy – and keep him upright.
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Two things: 1, Erving is highly unlikely to be available at 34 so trading up is almost certainly required (likely costing an additional 3rd-5th round pick). 2. Who cares what Jamies wants? Bowing down to a guy who’s never played a snap is the exact approach the ensure Jameis is a debacle. He doesn’t own the team, let him earn his way and then you can cater to him. Giving him what he wants right away will ensure he’s a bust. No need to make him entitled without earning anything.
April 9th, 2015 at 12:35 pm
EDS got pushed around by DT’s and burned by MLB’s. I really hope him and Mankins keep each other motivated. Their veteran pressence could really help the rookies we are about to draft.
As for replacing EDS, I think the continuity will help the Bucs. C EDS and LG Mankins are familiar with each other and that will prove valuable as the season goes on. If you keeping replacing players with free agents hoping it will be better than what you had, it usually dosent end up that way. Dometimes it’s best to just stick it out and remember why you brought that guy in in the first place. As a man, I hope EDS improves and benefits from the continuity on this line, what little it might be.
April 9th, 2015 at 1:45 pm
LOL bucrightoff. If the Bucs managed to get Erving and Jackson – there would be a lot more people happy than Winston just because they are his former teammates. These are both very good Oline prospects we are talking about.
I’m sure Gator fan probably doesn’t like the idea though of the top 3 picks coming from FSU. Is that your problem with it?
We should be so lucky as to get these 3 highly talented Noles.
Agree that Erving is a stretch to be available at #34. If he lasts to #32, the Patriots are likely to take him then. We have two 5th round picks. One of them will get you up to #30 or so. Both of them packed together would get you into the mid 20s. Might well be worth it to trade up for Erving.
Either way – the Bucs need to add at least a couple talented OLine players in this draft who have starting quality talent from the get-go.
April 9th, 2015 at 5:48 pm
Lovie has forgotten more about football Buc Realist than you and the rest of the anti Lovie troll cabal will ever even hope to know.
Why don’t you list all your qualifications that make you such a whiz so maybe an NFL owner can save you from your career at the Gas and Sip ere you are employed.
April 9th, 2015 at 5:50 pm
Lovie has forgotten more about football Buc Realist than you and the rest of the anti Lovie troll cabal will ever even hope to know.
Why don’t you list all your qualifications that make you such a whiz so maybe an NFL owner can save you from your career at the Gas and Sip where you are employed.