“Violent Hands”
April 18th, 2024
“Violent” West Virginia C Zach Frazier.
Fun stuff here.
And, this info is right up the alley of the loud crowd who believe if the Bucs don’t draft a center at No. 26 a week from tonight, western civilization will crumble next week before our very eyes.
There is a center from West Virginia by the name of Zach Frazier. Apparently, he seems to be a clone of former Bucs Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen.
Jensen came from the mountains of Colorado. Frazier came from the mountains of West Virginia. Jensen played violent. Frazier plays violent. Jensen never gives up on a play. Frazier always finds a way to get the job done on a play.
How tough is Frazier? He broke his leg last season in a game against Baylor and refused to be helped off the field. He hopped on one leg off the field. Almost sounds like when Jensen got dinged up in a home playoff game and chased off Bucs trainers.
So when Joe saw a video with former NFL offensive lineman and NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger going crazy for Frazier, hollering how “violent” Frazier’s hands are and how you know Frazier can block when he throws guys to the ground while a play is developing, that sure got Joe’s attention.
So Joe took a gander of what Dane Brugler of The Athletic typed about Frazier in his draft guide, The Beast. Brugler, like Baldinger, really, really likes Frazier.
SUMMARY: A four-year starter at West Virginia, Frazier was the starting center in head coach Neal Brown’s balanced scheme, using both zone and gap principles. He put together an All-American resume (on and off the field) during his time in Morgantown, starting 37 consecutive games at center before his broken leg in the 2023
regular-season finale. Frazier is a leverage-based blocker with the knee bend and grip strength expected of a four-time state champion high school wrestler (he won the genetic lottery for a center — his father’s side were football players and his mother’s side were wrestlers). At times, his hands get out in front and his feet are late to catch up, but he consistently finds a way to stay under control and finish. Overall, Frazier might not boast elite athleticism or length, but he is good enough in those areas and will win over NFL teams with his core strength, football IQ, competitive toughness and understanding of leverage. He projects as a quality NFL starting center the moment he is drafted.
Brugler has Frazier getting selected on Friday in the second round.
So Frazier comes from a family of wrestlers, eh? And was a wrestler himself? Guess who else was a wrestler? That would be Bucs left tackle Tristan Wirfs.
If a guy plays violent, puts defenders on the ground, and is adept at recovering in plays to make blocks and is from the mountains, Joe wants this guy.
.@WVUfootball @zfrazier54 I like my centers with Violent Hands. Love the “Backyard Brawl” #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/WJzBw7Q80e
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 17, 2024
April 18th, 2024 at 12:12 am
As a WV native, and current WVU suffering through the Neal Brown era… Frazier would be a great get in the 2nd, but not at #26. He did struggle with bigger DTs, and NTs. I Think Vit and company could help him improve with that.
April 18th, 2024 at 12:27 am
I like Van Pran in the 2nd more than JPJ in the first. BTW, I’m a Duck.
April 18th, 2024 at 12:49 am
There are a couple to choose from and Frazier is right there with them. I’d have no problem with them grabbing him in a second. In fact, I think we should wait until the second round to choose our interior lineman. Depends on who’s available in the first of course.
April 18th, 2024 at 12:55 am
Big fan of the kids game.
April 18th, 2024 at 1:10 am
“And, this info is right up the alley of the loud crowd who believe if the Bucs don’t draft a center at No. 26 a week from tonight, western civilization will crumble next week before our very eyes.”
Its to the point now where the name thing doesn’t obscure which Joe is writing . When the dishonest strawmen com out we we know who wrote it.
April 18th, 2024 at 1:12 am
DE in the 1st and OL in the 2nd. Book it.
April 18th, 2024 at 1:33 am
RCS Says:
April 18th, 2024 at 12:12 am
As a WV native, and current WVU suffering through the Neal Brown era… Frazier would be a great get in the 2nd, but not at #26.
—
A big thing left out of these don’t pick a center in the first round discussions is we have a pretty low second round pick too. Frazier is projected by many to be late first round so you have to be banking on him falling 25 picks after the first round.
Now if Barton Powers etc are avallable at 26 then I could see taking the chance on a trade down with a team with a high 2nd rounder – if you pick up an additional pick with it.
April 18th, 2024 at 2:20 am
If LUV says he loves his game then I am ALL Aboard!
April 18th, 2024 at 2:47 am
Edge and IOL withe first 2 picks based on who’s available. I trust Licht’s judgement to build the trenches. Top 3 edge, IOL or trade back at #26. If the Bucs trade back to the 2nd rd they need to decide if they want an extra pick or to swap picks in the 3rd and 4th. This would move them to picking early in each round instead of late and provide the opportunity to get a signicantly better player.
I would be happy with JPJ, Barton, Frazier or Van Pran as one of the first 2 picks. In addition to the top 3 edge rushers, I also like Isaac and Braswell.
WR (Polk, Wilson, Rice or McMllan), ILB (Trotter or Gray) and RB (Estime, Davis or Allen) in the 3rd and 4th rds followed by CB and TE in the 6th and 7th.
April 18th, 2024 at 3:09 am
I was a high school wrestler. When I found out about this guy, I immediately wanted to draft him. He’s smart, had offers to Stanford, 4x wrestling state champ, as mentioned in the article, along with Wirfs. I’m telling you, I’d have no issue dropping a first round pick or trading one of our 3rds for him. He’s going to be a stud. He knows leverage. I want him in pewter and red bad.
April 18th, 2024 at 5:23 am
Yes, Frazier is good too! In later rounds possibly.
April 18th, 2024 at 6:30 am
Frazier has become my favorite center pick because of his wrestling background. He is aggressive, powerful and has great contact balance and recovery skills.
I would be a happy Buc fan if the Bucs somehow drafted him.
April 18th, 2024 at 6:57 am
RCS, I don’t see Frasier struggling against anyone. There isn’t a player in the draft that won every snap. Frasier gave up ZERO sacks all season. If you watch the Pittsburgh game, he put at least 15 guys on the ground in that game.
Tony, you are exactly right. I was going to say the same thing. If Frasier goes in the second it will be early. Unless we trade back, he will be gone before our pick.
The Steelers have a fan base in West Virginia. I wouldn’t be surprised if Frasier goes to them in the first. Like Brugler said “he projects as a quality starting center from the moment he is drafted.
For the geniuses that say the bucs should draft him later in the draft, I think we should draft Caleb Williams in the 3rd. Maybe get Nabers in the 4th.
April 18th, 2024 at 7:46 am
Yea – I’m in on Frazier. Trade back, scoop up some more picks and still get Frazier.
April 18th, 2024 at 7:59 am
Frazier will go late 1st or early 2nd.
Likely a target of the Bucs if Verse, Latu, JPJ and Barton are all off the board and Licht decides to trade back a few spots.
April 18th, 2024 at 9:32 am
I don’t think people feel civilization will crumble, but it would sure be better to have one of the top centers in the draft rather than reaching on some Edge
It really is confusing how you complain about how bad the running game is but don’t think a good Center has any influence over that? Yet many deep football Minds feel that’s our weakness and an important position
April 18th, 2024 at 10:05 am
Go svp in second Zach gets bullied it will be Hainsey 2.0
April 18th, 2024 at 10:07 am
Pfft, the only crumbling we’ll witness without a strong C in this draft is the IOL. For the third straight year.
April 18th, 2024 at 11:07 am
Joe is convinced that the problems with the running game were all White’s issue. He’s wrong. And if you watch the all-22, the problems with the passing game were largely center getting his butt kicked. But hey, we don’t need a center…
April 18th, 2024 at 12:09 pm
Broke his leg in 2023? In the last home game? Seems like he could possibly not start day 1? I am not big on drafting injured players and a broken leg seems like a bit of an issue. I guess I’m going to have to look into that a little closer.
April 18th, 2024 at 1:04 pm
Love this kids game. I like him in the 2nd, or the kid from Wisconsin in the 3rd (Bortelli)
Draft
Edge ( Pass rushing LBer or DE)
Guard
Center
Edge -( lber or De. Which ever one we didnt draft in RD 1)
TE
Wr
Rb
April 18th, 2024 at 1:10 pm
I love wrestlers. They’re the only guys high school football players don’t mess with. This kid looks solid. I love the Big Red attitude.
April 18th, 2024 at 2:40 pm
Really like this guy. I’ve mentioned him here before.
April 18th, 2024 at 2:46 pm
You’re also correct about wrestlers. Generally speaking, the only person a wrestler can’t defeat in a fight is a better wrestler.
April 18th, 2024 at 2:53 pm
I think we should trade back to pick at the top of the second round.
Picking at 26 is basically like picking in the second round. If we cannot find at trade partner, then take him at 26…because he WILL NOT be there next time we pick.
Getting an all pro center is the most important pick we can make. A pass rusher is important, but not nearly as important as center.
I was very doubtful of Mayfield most of last year, but he eventually showed me enough to convince me of potential.
If we do not finalize the offensive line with a top center, then there is no point in even keeping Mayfield.
We cab get a pass rusher with our second pick…or Licht can work out trade magic.
April 18th, 2024 at 2:56 pm
Center
RB
Edge
LB
In that order.
April 18th, 2024 at 2:56 pm
Hainsey can play guard.
April 18th, 2024 at 4:44 pm
Rick,
Explain to me who bullied Frasier. And your solution to being more stout is to draft the lightest center in SVP who is almost 6’5″ and not even 295? Brilliant. He looks like a basketball player. He might be good one day but he needs to get bigger.
What makes people think Hainsey can play guard? If he can’t play center because of lack of power, you think he will be better with a DT over him all game? Good reasoning
April 18th, 2024 at 4:56 pm
Spending a first round pick on a center sounds hilariously dumb
April 18th, 2024 at 11:48 pm
WhatTheBuc Says:
April 18th, 2024 at 6:57 am
RCS, I don’t see Frasier struggling against anyone. There isn’t a player in the draft that won every snap. Frasier gave up ZERO sacks all season. If you watch the Pittsburgh game, he put at least 15 guys on the ground in that game.
that Pitt team was horrible and they have no top DL. Frazier and the OL struggled with bigger DL thus why the running game didn’t take off until White started getting more playing time, and Most of Donaldson’s runs went off tackle.
Not many Centers give up many sacks because usually the blame is on the G’s. Also Greene helps alot of that because he either makes one read and throws, or he makes one read and takes off.
I have watched every WVU game for well over 30 years now. I like the Fazier and he’s a WVU great. But I also think some of the hype is just that…
In 2 years I can see him developing into a full time starter. But in rds 1 and 2 you want someone whos a Day 1 starter.
April 19th, 2024 at 6:43 pm
I would love JPJ, Frazier or Van Pran.
All three are barb wire chewers who play with a massive chip on their shoulder with bad intentions on their mind.
The Bucs need to land one of them in this draft and give Hainsey the Undertaker Tombstone and let him “Rest in piece.”