Jason Licht Rattles The Data Analysts
April 26th, 2024
Joe was very pleased to hear a data devotee own up to certain scouting lines that numbers nerds can’t cross.
So when Bucs general manager Jason Licht drafts a college offensive tackle like Ali Marpet, Alex Cappa, Luke Goedeke, Cody Mauch and brand new first-round pick Graham Barton, with a goal of transforming the player into a guard or center, it seems that takes the data crunchers out of their comfort zone.
That was the message from Eric Eager with former Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff on the Sumer Sports live draft show on Thursday.
Eager previously built player projections models for Pro Football Focus. He acknowledged moving a tackle to guard or center is a blindspot for the analytics crowd.
“That’s a place where traditional scouting has to be somewhat [in charge,] Eager said.
“It’s like if you don’t have data on how a guy played at guard, you’re kind of guessing. Right? And sometimes a scout can see that better than the data can.”
Gee, ya think? He went on to talk about studying feet and hands and a player’s potential to be ambidextrous versus computer-generated numbers.
Dimitroff referenced talking to Licht directly about identifying traits of offensive linemen that can handle change. He said Licht has a great feel for that.
Yes, Licht sure has proven he knows what he’s doing when it comes to building and re-crafting an offensive line.
April 26th, 2024 at 5:11 pm
I will always trust Licht’s OL picks. No reason not to. Excited for Barton.
April 26th, 2024 at 5:16 pm
Draft another OL tonight, go get it and we will own the line of scrimmage.
April 26th, 2024 at 5:17 pm
Same.
April 26th, 2024 at 5:23 pm
It’s not that they can’t make the transition as much as they have not shown that they can make the transition which just requires lots of time doing the reps against professional players.
I hope they draft a true center today and close the discussion and have a on paper a great OL
April 26th, 2024 at 5:27 pm
College teams play their best Olinemen at Left Tackle.
Its common to move those guys to inside spots.
Im cool with it, except Center. If a guy hasnt played center alot, hes gonna hate it.
Id prefer us to put Barton at left Guard, and draft a Center tonight.
A bunch of great Centers still on the board.
Powers-Johnsom, Frazier, Limmer, and Bortelli are all great.
If we go guard- Im a big Zack Zinter fan.
Now about tonight
We lost 5 starters. Ryan Jensen, Carlton Davis, Devon White, Shaq Barrett, and Aaron Stennie.
Also lost Stennies Backup
We repaced Carlton Davis in House last year. Zyon McCollum played the most defensive snaps of any Cb.
we replaced either Jensen or Stennie last night.
That leaves 3 starters to replace. DE, LB, and either guard or Center
We have 3 picks tonight
Voila!
April 26th, 2024 at 5:43 pm
Licht played O line…Dont ever make the mistake of doubting him there in those decisions!
BOSS!
April 26th, 2024 at 6:04 pm
Licht played Oline?
Yeah. Me too.
Hopefully that means, that he knows ,we still need to draft one more lineman
April 26th, 2024 at 6:08 pm
Capt Tim
Although he didn’t play last year, we lost Gage…….I think we need to add a #3 WR tonight.
I like Trey Palmer but If we lose Mike or Chris to injury, we will be exposed.
I’d like to see Edge, WR, RB tonight…..(not necessarily in that order)
April 26th, 2024 at 6:38 pm
Marpet’s move from small school OT to G to C was not idea…But worked well once the Bucs slide him to LG & let him play.
Benecoch…Well, sometimes a big school guy just doesn’t work & 5th rd picks at less than 50-50 to hit anyway!!! That’s all that needs to be said about the 2016 OT from UCLA.
Can’t count D. Smith, as he was drafted to play LT as a LT from Penn State….& thought serviceable mid-tier AVG NFL LT with durability…We all know how much of a lightning rod he was with fans…Mr “Never plays to the whistle” & “visibly takes plays off” drove many on this here site CRAZY…Including me.
Cappa’s move from super small school “CA weed country” OT to NFL RG took time, but has worked out…Helped get a ring….Too bad the FO didn’t see fit to keep him in Tampa, as he’s raised his game & looks 100% legit in CIN.
Hainsey’s selection & move from playing RT at ND to C in Tampa has been a mixed bag. Yes, he’s started 37 games – but that was injury forced…& has been a weak link in the Bucs OL armor from the get-go….Not “wow this guy sucks” bad…But not great….(BU Level NFL C is best PC way to describe it, IMO)…He may tune out to be a guy that just needed longer development to become a real starter level C…But seems destined to reach that potential in a different uniform / if ever, unless he finds a way to hold off the new Rookie with the new car smell & bells/whistles of a fresh faced 1st rd pick.
Geodeke moving from a MAC school RT to Bucs LG was a total flop & thankfully the staff put him back in his comfort zone of RT…Not a win for Licht’s “move him to G” mental approach. But at least the staff figured it out.
The jury is still out on Cody Mauch’s move from FCS LT to Bucs RG…He wasn’t terrible in 2023, but sure left enough on the table that it’s not 100% assured he sticks there long term…& was noted that Licht thought he would be could the Bucs C down the line.
So, not 100% sold on Barton being the Bucs OL savior at C / Jensen’s replacement just yet…Sure hope he turns into the multiple time future All-Pro we all hope & pray he turns into…But only time will tell. Seen too many “can’t miss” prospects turn into head cases * injury bugga-booed * or Just didn’t work out scenarios to feel secure that he’ll end up being the MAN in the middle
& take Hainsey’s job before the start of the season. (Unless the FO moves Hainsey for draft capital).
Call me hopefully optimistic but still jaded from a lifetime of being a Bucs fan.
April 26th, 2024 at 7:19 pm
Catcard- I hear you, but “Graham Barton” just sounds like a dude that will send you for a dirt nap.
April 26th, 2024 at 8:06 pm
TampaBucFan,
I agree we need depth at Wr. All for drafting one in late rounds.
But we have 4 starters to replace. Replacing a starter has to be more important than adding Depth.
Jason Licht worries me. He thought the Oline was good for Bradys last year.
It wasnt. It was horrible. Gave Brady his first losing season. Finished 32 in Rushing.
He made the same screwup last year.
His reluctance to address the 2 holes in the line has really hurt the offense.
Still one to fix.
April 26th, 2024 at 10:23 pm
Hell of a GM. He loves playing the games.
April 27th, 2024 at 3:59 am
I didn’t see a pile of centers or guards drafted before the Bucs first pick. The Bucs had the pick of the litter box,but drafting a left tackle to play center or guard with their first pick will remain a mystery to me. To me it’s like drafting an edge rusher to play nose tackle. But what does this gomer from Tampa really know? I hope the transition works out.
April 27th, 2024 at 11:27 am
Dang forwell 😀😊👍😀