“Smart Move. Great Drafting.”
April 30th, 2024
Buccaneers first-round draft pick Graham Barton.
One of the all-time great general managers has the back of Buccaneers Ring of Honor GM Jason Licht.
Hall of Fame GM Bill Polian, the architect of three great NFL teams, lauded Licht on SiriusXM NFL Radio today for his pick of college tackle turned NFL center Graham Barton.
“Smart move. Great drafting,” Polian said of the Bucs’ first-round pick.
Polian lectured on changes in player development among college prospects and high school players and noted how some changes at non-professional levels have put more of a premium on offensive lineman.
He pointed to the Bucs’ wise recognition of when it’s the right move to take a college tackle and move him inside.
“Barton is a prime example,” Polian said. “He’s not a a tackle. You looked at [his film] and said, ‘He’s not long enough to be a tackle. He’s not quite quick enough to be a tackle. He doesn’t quite have that [tackle] strength, but boy he’s a good football player and he’s smart as hell.”
April 30th, 2024 at 10:28 am
Barton and Klein are going to be road graders.
April 30th, 2024 at 10:35 am
UDFA Tyreke Funderburk – 6′, 185, 4.39. 4 INTs.
Someone to watch.
April 30th, 2024 at 10:39 am
Oline going to flatten people
April 30th, 2024 at 10:40 am
I doubt Klein makes the team. If he does its on the practice squad.
April 30th, 2024 at 10:45 am
Could become a John Hannah caliber OLmen… going old school on you pups !
April 30th, 2024 at 10:49 am
Agree with Pirate. One to watch in spring training. A “need” position.
April 30th, 2024 at 10:59 am
Watch the toutube interview with Klein. Great kid. Huge personality. Could surprise a lot of people.
April 30th, 2024 at 11:07 am
* * * Could become a John Hannah caliber OLmen… going old school on you pups ! * * *
Stop! You are giving me too much hope!
April 30th, 2024 at 11:19 am
UDFA Anthony Grant RB Nebraska will make the team and possibly starting rotation. Mark it 4/30/2024
April 30th, 2024 at 11:24 am
Well for starters not all of us know it’s all guessed on metrics, data, and speculation for starters. I say this because I don’t think enough of us admit to it including myself. That being said I do believe TB Bucs 1st rd pick will be a great pick. He’s one of those OL that you just know in your gut he can be placed anywhere and succeed. He really does remind me of Quenten Nelson G Indianapolis Colts. I really was hoping he’d be our LG, but for now it appears he’s our starting C and may convert to LG with time one day idk. IMO I think that’s the best case scenario for him. If he finds success at C he may never leave and we may just draft another G next season. Hopefully optimistic that Ben Bresdon can do the same. Maybe he’s just had some bad luck thus far and just needed a real chance or break.
As for the RB we drafted in not a fan of small rbs, he’s small and undersized for pro football imo. 5-9 190 I think it said. That’s not a goal line back, that’s more a scat back/ punt returner I feel like. We also picked a small undersized TE. Feel like lot of these moves were done by the new OC. Idk if I trust him as of yet. Lot of these picks are mistakes imo. The WR they chose + the offensive play calling should be a big determining factor/grade of our new OC talent. I’m not sold yet.
If it was me I would have put Barton at G and started Robert Hainsey at C. That seems like a better move. I also would have taken a bigger RB with more experience and lot of carries and production. I don’t think I would have went with Bucky Irving. We run the ball up the gut a lot and White seems average imo as a rb but as a pass catcher he’s one of the premier rbs in the league on 3rd down and dump passes/yac etc…. I’ve never really been convinced though that we had a be deserving of 200+ carries. Would’ve been nice to see zeke Elliot in TB or Derrick Henry. An Atrain bowling ball, power back. Not giving me what I want to see!
Cade Otton is a future Cam Brate 2.0. I’d expect we look for a new TE1 in the future but it’s not a huge need. My guess regardless is TB is three years away from SB contention maybe four years. Hopefully just three quick years. Maybe we can call OJ Howard back to town? Cheap one year deal wouldn’t hurt?
April 30th, 2024 at 12:16 pm
SlyPirate Says:
April 30th, 2024 at 10:35 am
UDFA Tyreke Funderburk – 6′, 185, 4.39. 4 INTs.
Someone to watch.
That is a bit too small to play C/G. 😜
April 30th, 2024 at 1:21 pm
Oicu812.. Grant should replace Tucker and Edmonds. He’s got it all if given a Legitimate Chance
April 30th, 2024 at 1:41 pm
I was hoping that we would’ve traded up in the second round and took Zach Frazier , I believe Barton at LG and Frazier at center would have been unstoppable. I also really like our 6th round pick Elijah Kline, imo I think he would be better suited for center while Barton would probably excel at either position. Only time will tell but there is a lot of optimism among fans 🤞🏼
April 30th, 2024 at 3:10 pm
Klein sure appears to move very well !! This has a chance to be a very deep versatile o line ……. How Good ?? Well can Barton play center will have allot to do with that ……………. The Bucs would serve this D well by signing a vet CB via free agency there is a pretty dam good selection for Todd to choose from ………… one would think the contracts would be very very reasonable going into May !! Licht , J Dean is a walking injury do the club a big favor and sign an upper tier vet …….. Upper Tier , No need to get cute here !!
May 1st, 2024 at 10:41 am
Anyone remember a 7th round O lineman named Harry Swayne drafted as a DE?(1987-2001) Was not supposed to make the roster according to most folks. Jim Pyne started at LG for 3 years here and 2 years at Detroit and Cleveland. Also was an extreme long shot to make the squad.
And there is of course the legendary George Yarno! UDFA in 79 (was a college nose) Played 10 years across the O line. Eight with the Bucs. Kicked a PAT for McKay’s benched kicker.
It does happen for 7th rounders guys. Good luck Mr Klein!…Oh, and you to Mr Barton.
Go Bucs!
May 1st, 2024 at 10:59 am
Sorry make that sixth rounders…in the case of Klein.
Go Bucs!