Big-Game Clyde & The Bucs
March 31st, 2020
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
Jason Licht, hunkered down in his man cave, says he’s never watched so much tape of college prospects.
Let’s hope he keeps rewinding game film of that Saturday night shootout in Tuscaloosa. Joe Burrow generated most of the plaudits in LSU’s riveting 46-41 victory against Alabama on Nov. 9, but there was a standout running back for the Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium who should demand Licht’s full attention.
His name is Clyde Edwards-Helaire. And while that moniker’s a mouthful to say, Bucs fans might want to get used to it.
Is Jason Licht looking for a smaller David Johnson?
Every time Licht and Bruce Arians talk about the top running backs in the 2020 draft, Edwards-Helaire needs to be discussed at length. He may not be the top-rated back in this class, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t the best fit for Tampa Bay — especially with Tom Brady now under center.
The Crimson Tide had no answers for Edwards-Helaire that memorable evening as LSU ended an 8-game losing streak to Alabama. He carried 20 times for 103 yards and three touchdowns, caught nine passes for 77 yards and a score and added a 19-yard kickoff return. That’s 199 all-purpose yards for a 5-foot-8 dynamo.
“The play of Clyde Edwards-Helaire was phenomenal,” said LSU coach Ed Ogeron, “one of the best efforts I’ve ever seen from a football player in my 35 years of coaching. I don’t know if I have seen a performance like that in a big game … unbelievable.”
Nick Saban couldn’t disagree, not after Edwards-Helaire turned in the biggest play of the game. Alabama had grabbed the momentum with two consecutive TDs to pull within 33-27 early in the fourth quarter.
On third-and-10, Edwards-Helaire deftly scooped up Burrow’s low pass in the flat, then ran over two Alabama defenders for the final five yards in an 11-yard gain that led to another LSU score.
LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire turns 21 next month
If Edwards-Helaire is still on the board when the Bucs select in the second round, he’s a natural. With his advanced pass-catching skills, he’s already drawing comparisons to Devonta Freeman, Darren Sproles and Austin Ekeler.
Despite a pedestrian 4.6 time clocked at the NFL combine in February, Edwards-Helaire showed enough to impress a Hall of Fame back known for his versatility.
“Clyde Edwards-Helaire was as advertised,” said LaDanian Tomlinson. “I thought he was great. Here’s a guy that’s an all-purpose type of guy. He can do a little bit of everything. Just look at the tape. Look at the lateral movement — it’s so good.”
The Bucs may also have interest in Florida State’s Cam Akers, another versatile back who should be available in Round 2. But Edwards-Helaire runs with more power and is a more polished receiver.
At times, LSU split him out to create matchup problems.
“He’s short and compact and has a low center of gravity when he runs, and then he has a burst through the hole that you really love,” Tomlinson said. “He gets up to the defenders so fast. Catching the ball out of the backfield is something we really wanted to see, and it was as advertised today.”
Brady’s recent past suggests he often relies on his backs for short passes and screens to keep the chains moving.
Last year, James White was targeted 95 times, second on the Patriots to Julian Edelman. He posted 72 receptions for 645 yards and five TDs. In 2018, even with Rob Gronkowski on the team, White led New England with 123 targets, catching 87 passes for 751 yards and seven scores.
If the Bucs draft Edwards-Helaire, he’ll have every chance to develop into another James White, with one fundamental difference — he’s a better runner.
Film don’t lie, Mr. Licht. In the case of Clyde Edwards-Helaire, it swears.
Ira with his good friend Sean Sullivan, general manager of Bill Currie Ford, Tampa’s first family of Ford. Sean will help you personally in any way he can. It’s the Bill Currie way.
March 31st, 2020 at 12:34 pm
Thats my pick for sure.
Dang bowling ball for a runningback
March 31st, 2020 at 12:37 pm
FULLY on board with this if it happens. I hope it does.
March 31st, 2020 at 12:38 pm
4.6?
March 31st, 2020 at 12:40 pm
Buc1987 Says:
March 31st, 2020 at 12:38 pm
4.6?
———————
Nothing wrong with that at all, if he can knock people over.
March 31st, 2020 at 12:47 pm
Take him if he is there in the second. Rojo is not the answer and will get Brady killed if he has any responsibility to pass protect.
March 31st, 2020 at 12:50 pm
YES! A CLYDE ARTICLE!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!
This kid has so much ability, but most of all, he’s small and strong to break through the holes, and he’ll drag people through those holes!!!
Watch my man Voch’s take on him… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blxuhOCAMdE
March 31st, 2020 at 12:52 pm
DEF take him. He is one of the most versatile RB’s in draft, rarely gets hurt and can catch (which TB12 loves to use). DO IT!
March 31st, 2020 at 12:54 pm
YES….CLYDE ALL DAY!!! ive been saying it….waiting on my other post, its in mod but has a great vid on him
March 31st, 2020 at 12:57 pm
This is why i want us to trade out of the first….we can do that, grab RT Ezra Cleveland, Clyde, and Claypool in the 2nd.
Unless one of the big 4 OT, DT Brown or S Simmons is there…just trade back, and trade out of the first!
March 31st, 2020 at 1:07 pm
2nd or later, RB makes sense, but I think the fanbase is quitting on RoJo way too soon. He showed flashes, and clearly wasn’t ready for a pro offense and work level when he arrived. I think if he can earn Brady’s trust, he could start to show why he’s here. Not every guy that can play is a great rookie.
March 31st, 2020 at 1:16 pm
AJ Dillon, J Taylor either or
March 31st, 2020 at 1:17 pm
I keep forgetting about this guy…. But you are the SAGE, Ira! Let’s get this guy!!
March 31st, 2020 at 1:37 pm
He did it in the big games against SEC competition. He’s like Sporles who was a nightmare in his day. This is a good draft for RB’s, we need one. It’s not a knock on Jones. We’ll need both backs, and one to get through a season.
March 31st, 2020 at 1:39 pm
I guess the link didnt make it through….
just utube clyde edwards voch….you’ll see the vid
March 31st, 2020 at 1:43 pm
Cam Akers all day. Ran behind a HORRIBLE Oline & still did it all.
March 31st, 2020 at 1:51 pm
If he comes to Tampa I’m just going with calling him Edwards.
Deckerhoff is the best but these days he would have major problems getting out Edwards-Helaire out twenty times a game.
March 31st, 2020 at 1:54 pm
Bucs Oline sucks at run blocking. They need a tough runner that gets yards after contact.
March 31st, 2020 at 2:10 pm
Still don’t like taking a RB in the 2nd round. OT in the first, DT in the 2nd. However, if the Bucs are set on a RB in the 2nd, I’m OK with CEH. Akers maybe in the 3rd.
March 31st, 2020 at 2:14 pm
As I’ve posted numerous times: Get Clyde!
March 31st, 2020 at 2:16 pm
The perfect compliment to RoJo would be A.J. Dillon ..hands down. 1-2
#3 – Edwards-Helaire would be a great 3rd and long specialist who can handle punts and kickoffs but is projected as a 2nd round pick whereas Dillon who can also catch can be used on 3rd and long who can be had in the 3rd round. He’s a short yardage bruiser back that double as an every down back if RoJo goes down with an injury. He’s a quick big back like a Derrick Henry or Mike Alstott. There would be better value in him while we use our first 2 picks to strengthen the trenches on both sides of the ball. OT/DT or DT/OT depending on who is available with the 1st pick.
March 31st, 2020 at 2:34 pm
SLOW for the NFL
March 31st, 2020 at 2:38 pm
Win now mode….trade out of the first
Cleveland
Clyde
Claypool (we’ll have to trade back into the 2nd)
then S Dugger/Davis
Why are these “CL” names lining up like they are for me this year? lol
Look, I was right with Marpet, Big V, and D. White….i’ll be right about these guys also. Come on Glazers and Mr. Licht! Make it happen!
March 31st, 2020 at 2:46 pm
Second round is where we should grab a RB. If he’s available, I certainly wouldn’t complain if we chose him.
March 31st, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Ocala
How Fast was ATrain?
March 31st, 2020 at 5:59 pm
I wouldn’t be mad if this happened. If I had to pick a player comparison I’d definitely say jones-drew. That guy had pretty good career.
March 31st, 2020 at 6:01 pm
Like your thinking here Madmax. This draft is choc full of O linemen and RB’s. Why not get 3 for 1 in the 2nd.
March 31st, 2020 at 6:50 pm
Le’Veon Bell, Kareem Hunt, James Conner are all 4.6+ guys.
March 31st, 2020 at 10:25 pm
Really like this guy for modern NFL offense.
As of now for me – if we land an OT r1 – then I think we could possibly move back in R2 and get one of the top 3 down RBs depending on how the draft falls..
This Guy
Swift
Taylor
Dobbins
Akers
One of those sounds good
April 1st, 2020 at 1:45 am
Preach Ira!
April 1st, 2020 at 4:50 am
While Taylor is a very talented back , he has averaged over 300 carries in his three seasons. I have to wonder if that will have a cumulative effect as he enters the NFL. Doug Martin had injury plagued years after his two 300+ carry seasons.
April 1st, 2020 at 5:02 am
I like this pick from Ira, since he is a do everything back, who did not have the heavy workload that Wisconsin backs often have.
April 1st, 2020 at 7:56 am
Mad Max says: Watch my man Voch’s take on him…
With many of us killing time looking at draft prospects, check out Voch Lombardi on YouTube. His break downs are longer, more in depth and done from the All 22 perspective which is really the only way to grade film on these guys. Voch is PARTICULARLY good when it comes to offensive and defensive linemen.
April 1st, 2020 at 2:17 pm
Yeah Rob, he’s my go to….puts the nipple on the titty…the satin on the panty lol
I really enjoyed his team a$$ whoop breakdown of big V 2 years ago.