Bucs Not Satisfied At Guard?
April 4th, 2023
Oklahoma guard Chris Murray.
This is a bit interesting.
It seems the Bucs have a bunch of guards on the roster, unless you believe Luke Goedeke is locked in as a right tackle.
Well, that hasn’t stopped Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht from sniffing guards in the draft. Per Jordan Schultz of @theScore, the Bucs are bringing in a guard for one of their 30 in-house visits.
Two-time honorable mention All-Big XII guard Chris Murray is coming to One Buc Palace. And while Joe overall is not blown away by offensive linemen in the Big XII because that is such a no-defense league, a dude from Oklahoma is different.
Long-time Oklahoma offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh is damn good. He has pumped out a lot of good linemen over the years including Orlando Pace, Creed Humphrey and Lane Johnson.
Joe is absolutely OK with the Bucs bringing in an Oklahoma lineman. Joe hopes the Bucs draft Sooners left tackle Anton Harrison and keep Tristan Wirfs at right tackle. There is very little to go on with this Murray. So this smells like a fishing expedition or a late draft pick.
Joe wonders who Licht is trying to dig up intel on?
Of course, if NFL teams project Murray as a center as Schultz mentions, that’s sort of a tip that Robert Hainsey is moving to guard.
#Oklahoma center Chris Murray is on a top 30 visit with the #Bucs today, source tells @theScore.
The #UCLA transfer was a 2x All Big-12 performer at right guard for the #Sooners, but teams project him as a center in the NFL.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 4, 2023
April 4th, 2023 at 10:43 am
It would be nice if he were a few inches taller, but I’d be okay with him.
April 4th, 2023 at 10:43 am
I’ve said this in regards to the OL shuffling/competition we’ll have this offseason, with Jensen back and Hainsey being a favorite to compete at either guard spot we will 100% need another OL men that can serve as a backup at center.
April 4th, 2023 at 10:44 am
I agree, we need a LEFT Tackle! IMHO we need to leave Tristan alone at Right Tackle
April 4th, 2023 at 10:48 am
Well, we know Hainsey is targeted for guard this year. And if that works out, you’ll want to be planning for Jensen’s successor. Also, what do we really know about Jensen’s knee? Will he be the same or close to it? Perhaps there’s some concern that he’s just not going to make it all the way back to being who he was. In terms of investment, it’s probably cheaper (in draft pick terms) to get a starting center than it is to get a starting guard. So, if Hainsey can play guard, and they seem to think he can, draft a center.
April 4th, 2023 at 10:50 am
Yes to Anton Harrison at LT. Don’t mess with Wirfs.
April 4th, 2023 at 10:50 am
Im all about Harrison if we leave Tristan at RT….but I just have a feeling he wants to make LT money.
Steve Avila has played RT, both Guards and Center….i dont think we can go wrong with him….go watch some vids on him….somewhere in the 2nd or top of 3rd.
April 4th, 2023 at 10:58 am
LT first that can start immediately, a blocking TE, then a guard or center, Safety, Edge, DL.
April 4th, 2023 at 11:01 am
The Bucs are just ok at guard with Leverett and Stinnie serviceable, maybe Hainsey can be OK. Goedonkey is an absolute disaster at guard. So yeah, some depth at guard is a good idea.
April 4th, 2023 at 11:01 am
@MadMax
Wouldn’t be shocked if Wirfs ends up being paid as one of the highest paid OLmen in the league tbh. Wirfs has outplayed his rookie deal for the last 3 seasons and earned the right to negotiate being a top earner for his next deal in my opinion.
Steve Avila I like, if we could pull that pick off I’d be fine with adding him to our roster, but that’s mostly because Andrew Vorhees got hurt at the combine and was also projected as a player that can play any position on the interior OL. Wouldn’t mind scooping Vorhees to let him rehab, we did for Sadrius Hutchinson and he’s not as good as Vorhees either.
April 4th, 2023 at 11:04 am
LT Anton Harrison would be a solid pick for the Bucs in round 1.
Especially if we can trade down a few spots and still get him… That would be ideal…
April 4th, 2023 at 11:10 am
Bucs should just throw Donovan Smith a vet min deal and bring him back.
April 4th, 2023 at 11:19 am
The Dongster isn’t exactly getting flooded with offers. He might oughtta just retire and start eating everything all the time, maybe one day he can grow to be as big as Shaun King.
April 4th, 2023 at 11:21 am
Dooley Says:
April 4th, 2023 at 10:43 am
“…we will 100% need another OL men that can serve as a backup at center.”
I was just thinking…I wouldn’t be surprised if Licht drafts a players who is a center, since Jensen my not be here beyond this year.
April 4th, 2023 at 11:21 am
I have my favorite prospects but I don’t care who they pick as long as it’s OL or EDGE before addressing any other needs.
April 4th, 2023 at 11:21 am
If Trask and Baker are smart, they are buying Jensen a lot of meals in the off season!
April 4th, 2023 at 11:34 am
T and Edge should be the first two picks in any order depending on who’s available. S, TE and CB follow. Need to try and stock up on day 2 picks by trading back a few slots in the the first round and maybe trading a player (Devin White rumor?).
April 4th, 2023 at 11:36 am
O cyrua Torrence at 19 pick and best offensive tackle available with 2nd round pick. Sign a low price FA tackle
April 4th, 2023 at 11:39 am
Everybody is freaking out about drafing OL… And I agree we need to draft a LT, or a RT, or another G (if you have Goedeke go to RT)… but we do have bodies to work with… At safety, we have a gaping hole with no candidates on the roster. Safety is arguable our biggest need for that reason. The greatest need doesn’t always have to be your first pick, you just have to plan on getting somebody in the first 2 days that you feel could step in as a decent starter from day 1.
OT, S, OLB, DL are the most likely round 1 picks.
April 4th, 2023 at 11:41 am
The Bucs need to rebuild the left side of the offensive line. Luke Goedeke would have been the starting RG if Brady had stayed retired in 2022. With his experience at RT, it makes perfect sense to slide him inside to RG. Wirfs is the best RT in football. Leave him alone and extend his contract. The center position isn’t as set as most would believe. Ryan Jensen is coming off a very serious injury. I’ pray he can come back to pre-injury form and play one or two more years at a high level. If not, we must be prepared and Haisney is ready to step into that role if Jensen can’t play. The left side of the line requires two additional players either from the draft or free agency or a combination of both. The Bucs should draft Harrison if he’s available at the 19th pick. If not, trade out and pickup another pick or two in later rounds. Draft a LT and LG or two LT and move one inside to LG. Haisney can compete at LG with one of the new additions. Maybe look at Andre Dillard at LG if he will sign a 1 year prove it deal. Later round options for LT/LG are Jones from Georgia, Bergeron from Syracuse, Mauch from North Dakota St., Hayes from Michigan, Duncan from Maryland and Vorhees from USC. Drafting a LT and moving him inside to LG allows for a backup to an injury to the starting LT.
April 4th, 2023 at 11:44 am
Trenches edge edge trenches trenchedge edgetrench trenchmouth.
April 4th, 2023 at 11:53 am
Worth mentioning we’ve got Hainsey, Leverett, Goedeke, & Stinnie all coming back to revitalize the competition from last season, but this time around there are 2 open spots on the interior line to fill. Should make for exciting stories once canp once camp starts.
April 4th, 2023 at 11:57 am
We need all the help we can get. We need to find a replacement for Jensen and D Smith
April 4th, 2023 at 12:01 pm
wonder what round murray will be drafted..he is listed at the bottom in interior ol as if 6th 7th round pick in a few draft sites i looked at
April 4th, 2023 at 12:04 pm
Bucs need t draft an iOL and OT to have proper competition and depth. If the Bucs don’t draft two OL they will have a tough time fielding a competent starting 5 or even thin depth.
April 4th, 2023 at 12:11 pm
Leave Wirfs at right tackle?
Yeah, I doubt he even wants the big pay increase- that left tackles make.
And why put your best tackle against the Leagues best pass rushers?
Its better to bring in some rookie, and let Mayfield get killed.
Ruin the whole offense.
Meanwhile, Wirfs is playing against run stoppers. Not pass rushers.
Its the craziest thing Ive ever heard.
You put your best against their best. Wirfs can be a dominate Left Tackle.
The second most important position on the offense.
Right Tackle? Mostly just big road graders. Remember Demar Dotson?
April 4th, 2023 at 12:20 pm
Taking ANY other LT than Broderick jones of Georgia would be foolish. The SEC is the breeding ground for the most NFL ready players in the draft due to the toughest competition level in college football. Quit wasting draft picks on potential and high ceiling projects that MAY develop in 2 or 3 years. Broderick Jones is ready to start NOW and he plays other positions on the line well also. Jason Licht should move up and get a sure fire talent that can move the needle upward for this offensive line immediately.
April 4th, 2023 at 1:12 pm
Can we afford to spend 30 or 40 million per year at tackle? Because that’s what will happen if we draft a left and he ends up being very good
April 4th, 2023 at 2:29 pm
NEVER be satisfied with your Big Uglies. Never.
April 4th, 2023 at 3:05 pm
More. More big uglies. And when Licht fires Bowels, maybe they can hire some OL coaches that can actually coach up a seemingly overmatched scrub like Goedonkey.
April 4th, 2023 at 4:50 pm
There are many needs. O line, Edge rusher, Strong Safety, Nickel Corner, Linebacker?, Running Back?, Tight End? It won’t be a fun draft for JL that’s for sure. Maybe go with the “best available ” ? To be seen soon!