The Pivotal Rookie
August 10th, 2024
Is nickel corner that critical?
Maybe Joe has a different definition of “pivotal.” Joe’s definition pretty much aligns with Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary.
pivotal adjective
piv·ot·al
1: of, relating to, or constituting a pivot
2: vitally important, critical
Are we really to believe a nickel corner is more important than a center or an edge rusher or a receiver? Not in Joe’s world. But apparently that’s the case in Lance Zierlein’s world.
The NFL.com columnist and and senior draft analyst — his dad was a longtime NFL coach — named the most pivotal rookie for each team. And with the Bucs, that “pivotal” rookie is Bucs nickel corner/safety Tykee Smith.
I believe Graham Barton is going to be a stud at center for the Bucs, but I view Smith as the more pivotal rookie in 2024. Head coach Todd Bowles has made it clear he’s already been impressed by Smith’s football intelligence and calm. It appears Tampa Bay is counting on the former Georgia Bulldog to man the nickel back spot from Day 1. Smith has a shot to improve the secondary and give Bowles what he needs at the position.
Zierlein may “believe” Barton will light things up but nobody knows. Yet. Joe isn’t nearly as worried as some are about Barton’s occasional snap hiccups.
But the Bucs drafted Barton for a reason and presumably, they think he can single-handedly turn around the league’s worst rushing attack the past two seasons.
If Barton can’t do that, the entire offense could blow up.
Can you say with a straight face that the defense will melt down if Smith isn’t ready to take command of a part-time starter gig? Oh, Joe could say it but Joe would laugh like a drunken hyena saying it.
Hell, the Bucs have last year’s nickel corner starter still on the roster. Christian Izien has been having a really solid camp. So it’s not like the Bucs have a bare cupboard at the position.
If Barton can’t handle center, Bucs fans’ Public Enemy No. 1, scapegoat Robert Hainsey, will have to go back in. Uh, oh.
Shoot, Joe can make a much, much, much better case for Chris Braswell being more pivotal than Smith since the Bucs had no edge rush to speak of the past two seasons. If Braswell dominates early, imagine how much better this Bucs’ pass defense — which stunk last year — will be?
Joe loves the Smith pick. Love his potential. But if the biggest issue for any of the rookies is how a part-time starter can master his position, the Bucs are a helluva lot better team than Joe thinks they are right now.
August 10th, 2024 at 11:04 am
If we have some fumbled snaps with backup QBs tonight all hell will break loose on this site.
August 10th, 2024 at 11:20 am
Let Hainsey do the shotgun plays or just run all plays under the C?
August 10th, 2024 at 11:21 am
i would expect our first 5 picks to be upgrades from the previous players at their positions.
Barton vs Hainsey
Braswell vs JTS
Smith vs Izien
McMillan vs Palmer
Irving vs Edmonds
The best chance for one to be “pivotal” IMO is Barton……Smith could be an upgrade from Izien but probably not as much as Barton vs Hainsey.
August 10th, 2024 at 11:28 am
I’m not saying I agree with LZ, but if TS can stop the majority of those 3rd and 4 th down quick throws and help get the D off the field, and add 3 or 4 sacks, then he may have a point. Of course if CB can muster 7 or 8 sacks this season, the same could be said for him. Likewise, if the Bucs end up with 2 – 1100+ yard receivers and a 1100+ yard RB, the same could be said about GB!!
Its all about who produces the most! I’m hopeful for some combination of the above. We’ll get a glimpse of these young men tonight! LFG!
August 10th, 2024 at 11:30 am
Smith is being asked to do what he did in college, but as a pro. While Barton is being asked to play a totally different position than he played at Duke as a pro, so of it’s not farfetched to think Barton will take more time getting acclimated to his pro position.
August 10th, 2024 at 11:36 am
Agree with Joe about Braswell being more pivotal. And Izien looks to have the nickel spot
August 10th, 2024 at 11:51 am
Over here, Izien is having a great camp and one of the best DBs on the 2nd team. Over at another Bucs site, he hasn’t shown much and Izien can’t crack the projected 53 over Hayes and Funderburk.
Barton is certainly the most pivotal, followed by Braswell, followed by probably Irving … Smith is like 5th on the list due to our added secondary depth.
August 10th, 2024 at 12:16 pm
Braswell could be the difference for a solid defense. Can’t blame the running game on one player Barton addition should help.
August 10th, 2024 at 12:48 pm
Have no idea what “the other” Bucs site is since there are so many lesser sites. Go read Joe’s notes after each practice and see how often Izien’s name pops up.
Go listen to Jason Licht talk about Christian Izien in Ira’s last pod. Then determine for yourself.
Could Izien get cut? Sure. Joe remembers a couple of years ago Tyler Johnson was making plays in training camp and he never made the final-53.
Joe can only type what he sees. Is Izien doing something technically terrible that Joe isn’t seeing that is p!ssing off Bowles? Sure, that could be.
August 10th, 2024 at 12:50 pm
Secondary roster has great promise. We better get a pass rush or well get picked apart!
JTS and Logan Hall both really suck!
August 10th, 2024 at 1:16 pm
Single handily? Wrong… Bucs brass replaced their starting LG too. Additionally, another small change was made, they fired their OC, hired a new OC and changed the WHOLE offensive scheme. All factors that will contribute to an improved running game.
August 10th, 2024 at 1:26 pm
Tykee Smith is listed as questionable. Hopefully they are keeping him out due to how well they think he’s been practicing and its not serious.
August 10th, 2024 at 1:53 pm
Infomeplease … ‘Its all about who produces the most! I’m hopeful for some combination of the above. ‘
Agree with Infomeplease & with Joe on this one. No rookie IMO is ‘pivotal’. Last season Antoine Winfield (in his 4th year) was ‘pivotal’ because his play was critical to at least 2 wins (probably more actually). No rookie is gonna have THAT kind of impact. And certainly not a Nickel CB who almost surely will be sharing def snaps with at least 1 (Izien) and probably 2 others (depends how McCollum does outside).
I can see our Top-5 draft picks all having solid rookie years (Barton, Braswell, Smith, McMillan, Irving). Can also see though several 2023 picks having even better 2nd years (Kancey, Mauch, Diaby, Palmer & very likely Dennis, Durham & Hayes). That extra year to learn the NFL game, build strength & perfect technique is huge IMO.
August 10th, 2024 at 2:11 pm
Jayden Daniels through 42 yard 50/50 dime on his very first attempt. Kid has no fear. Hope the bucs snag 3 ints from that confidence.
August 10th, 2024 at 3:12 pm
Jp09, Bucs’ OC wasn’t fired last year. The Panthers hired him as their HC. Seriously, get your facts straight! Why all the howling about Izien on here? He’s going to be a very good player in a loaded secondary.
August 10th, 2024 at 3:28 pm
@Orlbucfan- it’s because one of Joes credentialed competitors put out their projected 53 man roster and Izien didn’t make the cut.
August 10th, 2024 at 3:36 pm
Pass rush means nothing is guys are wide arse open as soon as the ball is hiked. Izien int’s in the first two games were big reason for the 2-0 start
August 10th, 2024 at 4:10 pm
“Joe can only type what he sees. Is Izien doing something technically terrible that Joe isn’t seeing that is p!ssing off Bowles? Sure, that could be.“
They’re saying Izien is getting beat more often than Smith has been inspire of Iziens’ prowess, but we’re also comparing a UDFA to a 3rd rounder which is sort of like the difference between JMac & Trey Palmer. One sounds like a route running machine while the other is being asked to be more than just being a deep threat.
“Additionally, another small change was made, they fired their OC, hired a new OC and changed the WHOLE offensive scheme.“
Canales got fired? 😂
August 10th, 2024 at 4:49 pm
Pewter Power … ‘Pass rush means nothing is guys are wide arse open as soon as the ball is hiked. Izien int’s in the first two games were big reason for the 2-0 start’.
Two great points Pewter Power. Defense obviously plays a critical point in game outcome, and the most productive ways to impact opponents’ drives are (1) takeaways; (2) sacks; and (3) pressures. The latter isn’t as impactful as the first 2 obviously, but they can cause the QB to dump it off short, etc & thus potentially keep them from achieving 1st downs, etc.
Looked at the Bucs’ 2023 games, and it appears that holds true.
o Bucs had 18 takeaways in our 9 wins (average of 2.0 takeaways/win). Bucs had only 8 takeaways in our 8 losses (average on only 1.0 takeaways/loss). Significant difference.
o Bucs had 31 sacks in our 9 wins (average of 3.4 sacks/win). Bucs had only 17 sacks in our 8 losses (average of 2.1 sacks/loss). Again, significant difference.
o Bucs generated 83 pressures in our 9 wins (average of 9.2 pressures/win). Bucs had only 51 pressures in our 8 losses (average of 6.4 pressures/loss). Yup, significant difference.
August 10th, 2024 at 4:51 pm
Ugg, im so sick of all of the speculation….we’re about to be shown whats really going on….Im right, Spytek is right and so is mr Licht! And if Barton struggles a little, not a prob, put him at LG for a few games to get up to game speed.
August 10th, 2024 at 4:55 pm
And Tykee was an awesome pick, i figured Braswell would be gone by our 2nd and was pushing for Javon Bullard, but then he went…so we got his teammate right after Braswell….and then Bucky? really? Man just watch, this is going to go down as a top 3 draft for us!
August 10th, 2024 at 4:58 pm
I read that about Izien on the other Bucs site. While I cannot get to a practice, I trust Jose (except for QBs). As such, I really don’t think the guy or guys at that site know what they are looking at. So, seems to me that Izien has a home in Tampa this season.
August 10th, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Barton will be fine!
Max is right on, the speculation is often from fans expecting a SB trophy before the season begins.
Compliments to Spytek, Licht, and staff for assembling a credible team!
August 10th, 2024 at 5:22 pm
Excuse me for going totally off topic while anxiously awaiting for the game to start.
Just caught the USA Olympic basketball win. The French played great but I just witnessed an historic performance from Steph Curry!!! He bombed like 4 3’s in the last two minutes as the French were closing in, one of them so covered I thought he made a mistake even taking the shot, but no swish!!!
Steph Curry with an historic performance this afternoon! USA beats the French.
August 10th, 2024 at 5:23 pm
Like Biff says, “Compliments to Spytek, Licht, and staff for assembling a credible team!”
Now it’s up to the rookies and 2nd year guys to show us fans why they were drafted! You can do it! LFG
August 10th, 2024 at 5:59 pm
Listening on Bucs Radio. I hope Whitehead gets some snaps cos Bengals are playing their starters for some of the game. JW probably has some rust on him. They just made a comment about Canales being the Panthers HC. That will be interesting.
August 10th, 2024 at 6:07 pm
@harold, pot calling the kettle black? do you feel better now little snot nosed baby? I get your mean audience this is for…but come on man, lol….my girl is on vacation for her birthday, mostly paid for by me….but why are you worried about what everybody else is doing? Lonely much? Just sit back and enjoy a wild turkey long branch(if youre old enough)…sip on it, it sneaks up on you.
August 10th, 2024 at 6:38 pm
Apparently Harold has a hot date tonight.
August 10th, 2024 at 6:48 pm
Harold is a troll trainee apparently.
He’s not very good at it but with practice who knows 🤣
August 10th, 2024 at 8:51 pm
I could also argue that Irving is the most pivotal player. We need a huge upgrade at RB1 and if he isn’t it then we are screwed. Barton will definitely help but the running back carries a ton of the responsibility for getting those yards. White has had a few good games but his ypc is disgraceful. He should be used for his obvious strengths and skill set.. a third down back. We need a bell cow. Maybe Irving can step up. It’s a big ask
August 11th, 2024 at 12:01 am
@ orlbucfan: My bad fact master, you are correct. Not sure why I said fired, maybe because I was thinking he should’ve been during the season because of his basic offense. However, he was replaced (yes, I know he was offered a HC position, which he accepted but had he not he would probably still be the Bucs OC) thankfully. And, replacing the OC, will have a factor in how the offense preforms
August 11th, 2024 at 11:56 am
Tossup between Barton and Brasswell for pivotal rookie. The OLine needed an upgrade in the middle, got it with Bredeson and Barton. Hainsey can go back to his natural role as the 6th man. No shame there, Old school guys still remember John Havlicek for the Celtics (i know, different sport but still meaningful). Brasswell’s development is more crucial, we sort of lost a lot of linebacker talent with Shaq getting old and Devin getting lazy