“It Doesn’t Matter What Position”
April 20th, 2021
Former Bucs QB Shaun King watching a 2016 practice with GM Jason Licht
There’s some disagreement at JoeBucsFan world headquarters — and across Bucs fandom — as to what positions the Bucs should target in next week’s draft, if they target positions at all.
Joe comfortably would maintain that the No. 1 key to the Bucs sustaining success beyond the 2021 season is keeping Tom Brady in Tampa. (Is that even up for debate?) So Joe would build on that reality and draft with an eye toward keeping Brady eager, happy and motivated.
No, Joe isn’t saying that Brady should run the draft. Joe is saying that further stacking the offense makes it more likely that Brady won’t retire. So if that’s drafting an offensive lineman and a running back with the first two picks (no particular order), then by all means do it.
Using the same logic, one also could argue that quarterback is important.
If Brady does retire sooner rather than later, then you have a potential replacement ready in-house if you draft one this season. And maybe, just maybe, a talented rookie QB in the house lights an extra fire under Brady like it appeared to do when the Belicheats drafted Jimmy Garoppolo in Round 2 of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Former Bucs QB Shaun King, however, one of only four Bucs QBs to lead the franchise to the NFC title game, was adamant on WDAE Radio this week that he would advise general manager Jason Licht to stick to his draft board rankings.
First, King said he has the utmost trust in Licht when it comes to the draft. Second, King believes the Bucs don’t have “any glaring weaknesses” and they likely will need replacements at all positions in a couple of years.
“So it doesn’t matter what position” the Bucs target in the draft,” King said.
King also added that he loves how the Bucs have crafted a team environment that has players yearning to stay. He used Lavonte David as an example of a free agent that passed up a lot of cash to keep playing for Tampa Bay.
“It speaks volume to the way they changed the culture inside of the building,” King said. “And I think the Glazer family, Jason Licht and Bruce Arians get a lot of credit for that. Guys want to come here now, and that has not always been the case, at least in the last decade.”
Yeah, Licht, Arians, Team Glazer and others deserve credit for turning around the franchise, but Joe’s not losing focus on Brady’s role. The longer he stays, the better it is for everyone. So make sure Brady is fired up when the draft is over.
April 20th, 2021 at 10:32 am
Doesn’t matter what position. How about kicker?
April 20th, 2021 at 10:35 am
Maybe Joe should do another poll about the first draft selection. My guess is that most would opt for an edge rusher.
April 20th, 2021 at 10:37 am
Using Joe’s logic about RB…..perhaps we should pick a TE…….No guarantee that Gronk or Howard will be back…..(sarcasm)
I think the pick should be used on defense…..perhaps OLB, DT, CB
April 20th, 2021 at 10:44 am
Ol’ Burger King…had a chance to be a Bucs legend and instead ballooned up to offensive guard size. I guess he does have a SB ring and a Big Buckaroo cowboy hat…so there’s that.
April 20th, 2021 at 10:47 am
rd1- Max Duffy, Kentucky, Punter. Analysis- Has a name that says “I can kick the sh!t out of this ball”.
April 20th, 2021 at 10:47 am
* Oh my King is only a few months older than Brady but was basically done in the early 2000’s
April 20th, 2021 at 10:57 am
This a draft year where it makes a ton of sense to trade down & collect additional picks (for 2022).
If the FO can deal out of the 1st Rd, into the upper 2nd & collect extra Day 2 picks (in 2021 & 2022)…Do it.
If the FO can deal down further in the 2nd & collect more Day 2/early Day 3 picks in 2022…Do it again.
No sense paying a 1st/2nd round rookie contracts for guys not in the immediate plan…Unless someone BA or Bowles covets, slides right into Licht’s lap at those spots.
April 20th, 2021 at 11:25 am
It all depends on who’s left on the board when we pick. Hoping for a huge run-on quarterback so that the better non-quarterbacks can fall in the draft.
April 20th, 2021 at 12:06 pm
Licht & Co. have crushed the draft the past two years. I’ll trust who they select
… or don’t select.
With so many aging players and pending FAs, I’m expecting the Bucs to trade for futures.
April 20th, 2021 at 12:43 pm
In today’s mock draft I have every team taking a long-snapper in the first round.
April 20th, 2021 at 7:03 pm
The only “glaring weakness” is complacency.
April 20th, 2021 at 7:06 pm
First of all, Burger King needs to get himself a bra.
Second of all, he didn’t lead the Bucs anywhere, ever. The defense dragged him to the NFC Championship game in 1999 and King showed why he failed as a player. His accuracy was beyond horrendous, along with terrible decision making.
But I agree with his point about the draft.
BPA baby.