“They Have To Pick ‘Em”
March 7th, 2020
Guns blazing for two tackles.
Last weekend the football TV show known as the combine was broadcast on NFL Network.
And the way former Bucs guard and popular local sports radio personality Ian Beckles got worked up, the offensive line porn should have aired on Skinemax.
When Beckles recorded his weekly podcast, “In the Trenches,” he still seemed to be pitching a tent over a pair of tackles. As a result, Beckles implored Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to grab one of the two tackles Beckles got lathered up about.
The first was Tristan Wirfs of Iowa.
“There were a couple of fuh-reaks,” Beckles said. “This kid Tristian Wirfs — 320 and he ran a 4.85 (40-yard dash). At 320!
“His vertical jump — catch me now — 36.5 inches! “For somebody that weights 320? I will be damned. He’s not a lineman. He’s an athlete. He can play wherever he wants. And he’s 6-5. Go get that guy!
“Buccaneers, you are in the middle of the pack [in the first round]. If one of these two tackles fall to them, they have to pick ’em. They have to!”
Beckles then shifted his focus to the second tackle he jonesed for: Mekhi Becton of Louisville. Beckles suggested he doesn’t need to see any tape of Beckton to see his measurements and how he ran at the combine.
“The other tackle is Mechti Becton from Louisville, 6-7, 364,” Beckles said. “Now, you can stop right there.”
Beckles implied that Becton is such a large man, just getting around him would give a quarterback enough time to release the ball. Beckles compared him to Trent Brown of the Raiders.
“He ran a 5.1,” Beckles yelped. “Tom Brady ran a 5.1 at 180. Got to go get that guy! Even if he can’t play he will be good because he will just get in the way. And God forbid if he has a little mean streak to him.
“I would take my chances on 6-7, 365. If that guy falls to the Buccaneers, they better take that clown, period.”
Beckles later admitted that the Bucs, short of trading up, likely have no prayer of Wirfs. Beckles believes Wirfs is top-five talent.
Joe is guessing Beckles believes in the cross-training method like Dirk Koetter did. Play the rookie at right tackle and then, as the lit torch crowd suggests, unload Donovan Smith and move the rookie over to left tackle after the 2020 season.
Maybe it is just Joe, but selecting a tackle with a top-14 pick and having him play right tackle is a steep price.
As always, Beckles welcomes feedback and encourages listeners to submit Bucs questions by e-mailing him at IanBeckles@RadioInfluence.com.
March 7th, 2020 at 9:17 am
Beckles is a smart dude.
March 7th, 2020 at 9:22 am
He’ll eventually play LT….so technically its an exceptional value play relative to what you’ll pay a free agent to start.
March 7th, 2020 at 9:30 am
“And for the 14th pick of the 2020 draft, the Buccaneers select Wichita State punter Jack Meoff.”
March 7th, 2020 at 9:31 am
Beckels is right once again. The problem is you draft this guy he becomes the next paul gruber racking up loss after loss while the incompetent glazers and whatever washed up regimes that are to follow the current clown show try and figure out how to build a team not just acquire 2 or 3 pieces per decade. Hell they wont even know who the next qb will be until this upcoming draft classes 7 year
March 7th, 2020 at 9:45 am
Love Beckles!
Wish you could get him on the Ira Podcast with you all. I am so happy ian is back on radio again. He’s a good listen.
March 7th, 2020 at 9:46 am
@ Todd
LOL!
March 7th, 2020 at 9:53 am
No issue with getting a solid tackle or two in this year’s draft. Dotson should be a backup and Smith is middle of the pack tackle, not great, not bad.
Bucs need more offensive linemen than any other position followed up by a decent multipurpose running back.
Burn 1st or 2nd pick on best available tackle and 4th on best available running back. Get a free agent WR to take Perriman’s place and another free agent running back with some tread on the tires.
I’d stay away from any FA running backs over 28 years old, they aren’t dependable to play all season. Even though Ronald Jones wasn’t anything great last year, he stayed healthy and ran strong. He needs more confidence and patience and he’s a good #2 RB.
March 7th, 2020 at 9:58 am
Too much obsession on the position value in the draft. I get the stats and metrics and the valuation of draft picks and position played. Nobody is going to end up drafting a center #1.
But we’re still talking about ‘probabilities” not certainties. Would you rather overspend draft capital for an absolute certainty at a position like MLB…or…OT?or take a bit of a gamble on a more valuable position like edge rusher?
Are generational possible HOFers worth any draft pick regardless of position?
I remember this conversation around Quentin Nelson. He was viewed as generational but he is ONLY a guard…we missed by just one spot when he went 6th we could have picked 7th. When Nelson went Licht understandably moved. Did he move too late? He did get Vea.
Depending on QB’s..and defensive players…if one of these two tackles starts dropping this is where Licht the draft poker player must be superb. It would be a shame if we missed a chance at a generational tackle if it means just spending another lower draft pick to move up a few spots.
March 7th, 2020 at 10:21 am
Slow your roll Ian, easy does it. Don’t forget to watch the tape. These “athletes” don’t always translate into great football players. Heart, smarts, technique and will to win is often overlooked when a guy jumps out of the gym at the combine. While I agree those measurables are jaw dropping I would never lose sight of the game tape. Tape don’t lie.
March 7th, 2020 at 10:21 am
I don’t believe that T. Wirfs or Becton will be available when the Bucs pick at #14. I do believe that Georgia OT Thomas and possibly the Alabama OT Willis will probably be available when we pick.
There are very few OT available in free agency and there are multiple teams that need tackles. At least 4 maybe 5 OTs will be drafted in round #1.
March 7th, 2020 at 10:23 am
Our selection will likely be based on two things….
What we accomplish in FA regarding resigning Shaq, JPP, Suh……
Whet we do at QB….
And….who is available when we pick.
I would have absolutely no problem with either of these Tackles….
But….when is the last time we picked an olineman in round t…
The answer……14 years ago….
March 7th, 2020 at 10:41 am
It would be a punch in the gut if the Bucs passed on one of these horses.
March 7th, 2020 at 10:47 am
SteveK Says:
“Love Beckles! — I am so happy ian is back on radio again. He’s a good listen.”
~~~~~~~~~
AGREED 100%
March 7th, 2020 at 10:50 am
Smashsquatch Says:
“Slow your roll Ian, easy does it. Don’t forget to watch the tape. These “athletes” don’t always translate into great football players.”
~~~~
I think he would generally agree with you. I remember him talking about “combine champions” back in the day, who seemed like they were going to be all world, and then first day in the locker room, everybody knew they did not have what it took to play in this league.
March 7th, 2020 at 11:10 am
Agree with Marine Buc. Neither Wirfs nor Mechti will last till #14.
March 7th, 2020 at 11:15 am
Beckles has some serious firepower, unless he wants to give em up to Beto he best hope biden dont make it to the presidency
March 7th, 2020 at 11:19 am
Joe? Maybe it is just Joe, but selecting a tackle with a top-14 pick and having him play right tackle is a steep price.
Really? Is this the same Joe that wants to sign Conklin? Conklin is going to get 15-17 million per year and was drafted #8 overall. How can a RT be overvalued at 14 based on your own words? If you can get a good RT at 14 then you take him every day. You will have RT locked up at a below market value for 4 years and a 5th year option. The bucs can take the 10 million that they save by not signing Conklin and lock up JPP or Suh. Trent Brown got 16 million per to play RT for the Raiders last season.
March 7th, 2020 at 11:19 am
Listened to DJ and BB’s Move the sticks Podcast. The big difference between Becton and Wirfs beside weight. Is Becton plays with power and nastiness Wirfs plays with finesse and athleticism. They BB interviewed Wirfs and he even said teams say they wanted more physicality and emotion out of Wirfs.
March 7th, 2020 at 11:21 am
Erik Flowers was a workout warrior at the combine too
March 7th, 2020 at 11:37 am
This OT class has a plethora of Dude’s that will go in the 1st 3rds. (Not that all are 3rd round or better grades – but due to OL need across the league…They’ll go fast!)
1st Rd OT’s = Becton / Wills / Wirfs (G/T) / Thomas / Jones
2nd Rd OT’s = Jackson / Wilson / Wanogho / Cleveland (G/T) / Niang
3rd Rd OT’s = Peart / Bartch (G/T) / Hunt (G/T)
March 7th, 2020 at 12:20 pm
@ catcard
I agree. One strategy would be to pick Chaisson or Kinlaw with pick #14 then trade back into the late first round and hope Jones is still available. It’s risky but I would hate to pass on Kinlaw if he is available.
More than likely we will be drafting an OT in the first. RB or WR in the second.
March 7th, 2020 at 12:54 pm
“then, as the lit torch crowd suggests, unload Donovan Smith”
Count me in. Torch lit.
March 7th, 2020 at 2:20 pm
just an opinion re “selecting a tackle with a top-14 pick and having him play right tackle is a steep price.”
one of the most dominant football players i’ve ever seen was former Cowboys RT Erik Williams. I’d give up a #1 pick for him.
a GREAT RT means a GREAT running game.
Ask Emmitt Smith.
March 7th, 2020 at 3:00 pm
Joe also said Quenton Nelson wasn’t worth a top 10 pick. “No way you pick a guard that high” he says.
True story.
March 7th, 2020 at 3:12 pm
Great comments Bucs fans, I read through all the comments and not once did anyone flip flop and start talking Jameis. Good deal. I do thing the Bucs will go OL or RB which ever one is there at 14 and who has the highest valve to the Bucs
March 7th, 2020 at 3:20 pm
>>Maybe it is just Joe, but selecting a tackle with a top-14 pick and having him play right tackle is a steep price.<<
Not if he is capable of playing on the left side; or, not if you are starting a left-handed quarterback. My opinion, of course. I like the trade down option, also, while there are other good right tackles on the board.
March 7th, 2020 at 5:24 pm
True analysis but unfortunately neither one will be there at 14. Trading up is a hope.
March 7th, 2020 at 6:00 pm
What the hell does jumping have to do with playing OL?
March 7th, 2020 at 6:02 pm
Stevobucsfans…..Thanks for ruining the streak.
I think Winston will improve in year two with Bruce. With the pieces around him we are playoff bound.
Just so long as Jameis can’t handle the pressure and don’t choke like last year.
March 7th, 2020 at 6:05 pm
Bucs getting a Safety at #14. RT round 2.
Unless one of these guys do fall but like Kinlaw it’s not happening.
March 7th, 2020 at 9:31 pm
Tmax your act is old. We will never win with these owners you say. What else can they do. They fire coaches quickly who under achieve while still having to lay them just to not be the coach. They open the bank for free agents. They upgraded the stadium. They built a state of the art practice facility with indoor and outdoor fields. So your point has no bases it’s just stupid. You sound like a liberal saying we have to get rid of trump because he is so bad. Then can not state one bad thing he has done for this country. Only unproven fake talking points to make it look bad because you say it’s bad. And it’s so stupid that even if it was true it isn’t even a real talking point. So the glazers just spend the max salary cap. Upgrade the stadium and build that practice facility all for show to make it look like they care. You my friend are an idiot
March 7th, 2020 at 11:54 pm
Epensa!
March 8th, 2020 at 11:35 am
Not when he can slide over to LT, when Smith needs to re-up or becomes a cap causality. Not saying he that or ever will be, but you never know. Ogden played RT to start he’s NFL career, worked out well for him.
March 8th, 2020 at 4:51 pm
The better selection at #14 would be a defensive pick, that would be safety.
March 8th, 2020 at 4:55 pm
Safety Grant delpit LSU