“You Don’t Pump Weights On The 50-Yard Line”
April 13th, 2025
Michigan DT Kenneth Grant is plenty strong.
Joe remembers when Warren Sapp came out of Miami and was a Tampa Bay first-round pick.
Sapp took a lot of bullets (including a great, big lie) that may have pushed him down to the Bucs. Were the Bucs involved in subterfuge? Wouldn’t surprise Joe.
One bullet Sapp took was criticism for not being a warrior with the weight bar at the combine.
Sapp’s response? “You don’t pump weights on the 50-yard line.”
That is probably the best response Joe has ever heard about the glorified indoor track practice in Indianapolis each February. It ain’t football.
Yeah, that less-than-stellar showing at the weights in Indianapolis really dragged Sapp’s career down, didn’t it?
And that’s what came to mind when Joe read the RAS score of beastly Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant. Grant’s RAS (relative athletic score) got dinged for a less-than-impressive showing on the bench press for a star defensive tackle. Oh, really?
Not only does Joe like Grant’s play, this rundown of Penn State running back Kaytron Allen for Grant’s size is all Joe needs to know about bench presses — pppfffttt!
Joe isn’t saying Grant will be the next Sapp. But maybe, just maybe, folks should watch how good of a football player Grant is and maybe a little less of how many times he lifted a heavy bar in shorts and a T-shirt in the dead of winter in Indianapolis.
In the video below from the 2023 national championship against Washington, Grant trucks Washington’s Kahlee Tafai, who is 6-5, 330. Does it look like Grant’s benchpress hurts him there?
Michigan DT Kenneth Grant:
🏈 87.5 run defense grade in 2024
🏈 2024 All-American
🏈 23 hurries at DT
🏈 Elite power, low center of gravity, refined hands
🏈 Ran a 4.9 at 360 lbsNot enough people talking about him as an option for the #Bears at No. 10 pic.twitter.com/f9juRIj5Cx
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) February 16, 2025
April 13th, 2025 at 7:56 am
The bench press numbers are so stupid as higher reps doesn’t equal an individuals maximum strength.
He his max bench press lbs would be more telling of his true strength.
April 13th, 2025 at 8:05 am
Right on the Bench Press. What’s your Max on a single rep is a True Indicator of one’s answer to How Strong someone is overall. You can’t fib your Max. However the multiple reps of 225 shows what type of strength you do have generally and if part of dedication to football is spending time in the weight room. Which it should be. Especially these days. Shows a guy maybe a little lazy and not 100% in every which way. Go Bucs!
April 13th, 2025 at 8:17 am
Strength is important, however bench press is only one of three of the “power” movements. How much can the player deadlift or squat? A lot of the power come from he lower half of your body. Not sure why that isn’t measured at combines.
April 13th, 2025 at 8:20 am
I would love to replace Hall with this guy.
And he can rotate with Vea at NT.
I want a huge DT/NT so we have zero drop off when Vea leaves. He only plays 50-55% of the snaps
We NEED a great NT/DT to rotate with Vea. Gaines ain’t cutting it.
We also need a new pillar at DE. Hall has never been as good as Gholston was in his prime.
Hall has never played one game better than Gholston when he was young.
Hall needs to be pushed. Maybe even replaced as our starter.
I want a DT/NT in round 1. A tall and tough DT/DE to replace Hall.
And corners in rounds 3-5. Grab 3 corners. What the helll
April 13th, 2025 at 8:23 am
I like Grant….2nd rd if Higgins is gone….or no if we go Harmon in the 1st.
April 13th, 2025 at 8:24 am
It’s not why Sapp fell in the draft. Let’s not get it twisted, Sapp was by far the most ATHLETIC defensive linemen in the NFL. Explosiveness and strength are symbiotic. Go ahead and revisit the old skills competitions when he out bench pressed EVERY-BODY, and was also quicker than everybody-body. He was exceptionally strong. Yes there is a correlation between strength and being able to shed blocks and tackle. That’s why they lift all those weights. Naive to think otherwise. I do not want my defensive linemen to bench like a guy that goes to Planet fitness twice a month
April 13th, 2025 at 8:33 am
Further, they rep 225 for because it’s safer than loading a bar with 4 plates or whatever on each end. There is also a bench chart that can be easily searched that correlates number of reps to max. Is it 100%, no but a decent general guideline. I also agree with the commenter above that deadlifts and squat are much more important, but I can’t fathom the liability of someone blowing their back out on 600 pound pull. Players’ agent will never let them make that attempt, and neither would teams. Too much risk
April 13th, 2025 at 8:40 am
The way he knocked that center back looked a lot like Vea.
April 13th, 2025 at 8:46 am
Fat and slow. Hard pass.
April 13th, 2025 at 8:52 am
I’m Okay with this pick
but
LB3 @19
April 13th, 2025 at 8:57 am
The center stepped on his teammates foot and tripped.
April 13th, 2025 at 9:02 am
I’d personally take Thor Griffith in the 4th or 5th round over him, but I still believe he’s one of the biggest steals of this draft—along with Nick Martin. That is, if—and it’s a big if—Martin has fully recovered from the knee injury.
Thor was originally a hockey player and was once described as looking like “Bobby Hull,” until he admitted he had to stop playing because he got TOO BIG!!. He moves like a much smaller guy, ran a 4.9, and has a 500 lb max. He’s an absolute steal in this draft, and I’d put my house on it.
Sapp and Brooks but in the 4th and 5th I know that’s asking alot and putting alot on two late round guy’s but these are really really good football players imo but again what do I know.
As someone here said just some random ARMCHAIR GM…
April 13th, 2025 at 9:02 am
That clip speaks more to Grant’s footwork and the lack of Tafai’s, who was tripped up by his center on the play. But to Sapp’s point, Grant gets it done on the field, which trumps the weight room all day long.
April 13th, 2025 at 9:11 am
Wow.That’s a little weird. I was looking at Grant’s “measurables” a couple days ago and when I saw his bench press I thought of the exact same quote Sapp made about not benching weights at 50 yard line. Now this. Cue the spooky background music.
April 13th, 2025 at 9:37 am
If Grant is sitting at #19, I have no doubt the Bucs will pick him.
April 13th, 2025 at 9:40 am
Kenneth Grant gives me the warms.
April 13th, 2025 at 9:57 am
My grandson is a real special hate filled kid
April 13th, 2025 at 10:13 am
Joe, idk if that video is the best example of Grant’s power. Hand movement, yes. Power, not so much. Kahlee steps on the RG’s foot and then he trips on it. He was not “trucked.”
April 13th, 2025 at 10:24 am
I’d like to see Grant on the inside next to Vea. Kancey Could move to the outside opposite Reddick and rotate with Vea and Grant when they need a breather. This would be a tough lineup for any offense to deal with and without the drop off we have when Vea is not on the field.
April 13th, 2025 at 11:08 am
Makes you wonder though… big men should be able to go 30 reps.
Does he maybe have a shoulder issue?
Maybe go back and watch his film… does he get manhandled at the line?
Its just an indicator… but DLmen that size shouldn’t have issues hit 30 reps.
April 13th, 2025 at 11:08 am
do it if you can
April 13th, 2025 at 11:12 am
If Grant is there at 19, pull the trigger!
April 13th, 2025 at 11:17 am
He’s worth it at 19. Throw him and vea in the middle and Kancey at edge. Game over
April 13th, 2025 at 11:27 am
I would be totally satisfied with this pick.
April 13th, 2025 at 11:37 am
Chart says he’s 331 lbs., Video caption says he’s 360 lbs.
April 13th, 2025 at 11:46 am
If I remember right Sapp dropped because of reported marijuana use. SHOCKING that a guy guy in his late teens early 20’s might have gotten high at the U. SMH
Also I believe Sapp put up the most reps for a DL, I know he did at some dog and pony sports contest, Willie Roaf was the only one who did more
April 13th, 2025 at 11:51 am
Grant had 18 solo tackles and 3 sacks at Michigan in his final season playing next to Graham. That does not scream production. Walter Nolan had 26 solo tackles and 6.5 sacks.
April 13th, 2025 at 11:59 am
Does this look slow to you? Don’t know of too many “slow” defensive tackles who run down running backs from behind.
April 13th, 2025 at 12:30 pm
Now thats a highlight Joe!
I do wish more interior linemen turned and ran down players like that.
Maybe the guy is special if he plays out his arse like that one play.
April 13th, 2025 at 1:06 pm
There are several DLs who would be great in Bucs rotation. Taking one in round one seems like a no-brainer. The only guy I would consider over them (and who isn’t a top ten guy) would be Campbell. Nolen is the closest to Sapp, seems like.
April 13th, 2025 at 1:38 pm
Center did step on teammates foot.
April 13th, 2025 at 1:56 pm
Grant will be fine at DT if he’s there in the first round. With Reddick that’s 2 new faces, even if Grant is not starting we will have him in the rotation before Gaines. We need a starting middle linebacker to play with LaVonte and let SirVocea be rotational and depth. That’s 3 new faces. And a cornerback who can make a depth player out of Dean or McCollum. The thought of 4 new faces on the starting defense with SirVocea, Dean and Nelson for rotation and depth. Then stay healthy, at least compared to last year. Edge and safety get the short stick with this scenario but maybe we can get some help there later. I want DT,MLB, and Cornerback first 3 picks. We’d see how SirVocea and Dean and McCollum fight for their jobs, I believe it’ll make them better. And it’d be nice if one of those top 3 picks is a fiery enough leader to to amp up our swagger on that side of the ball. If something resembling that happens Todd Bowles is one of the best defensive coaches in the league. We average over 30 points per game and under 20 points against this year then we’ll have improved and in line for another Super Bowl run.
April 13th, 2025 at 2:15 pm
A lot to like with this player and might be available in first half of the second round. If Licht trade’s out of #19, they might be able to grab Grant and add other pick(s) as well.
April 13th, 2025 at 2:45 pm
Bucs will get grant or that great big real fast safety if either are available is my prediction, or possibly trade back, for a plethora of #3’s. #3’s have been very good to the Bucs.
April 13th, 2025 at 2:48 pm
I wouldn’t mind Grant or Walter Nolan.
April 13th, 2025 at 3:28 pm
SAPP….RUMORS ABOUT DRUGS
April 13th, 2025 at 3:47 pm
Teacherman Says:
April 13th, 2025 at 8:20 am
I would love to replace Hall with this guy.
^^^^^^^
Hall finally had a decent year, yet we still get this. Hall had 5.5 sacks last year, this guy had 6.5 TOTAL sacks in COLLEGE.
April 13th, 2025 at 4:32 pm
The Bucs can probably find a guy like this later in the Draft, if DT is as loaded as they say it is. Sorry, I don’t want a guy who averaged 2 sacks per year in COLLEGE in the 1st Round.
April 13th, 2025 at 5:57 pm
I’ll be surprised if we use our 1st round pick on an interior DL.
We’ll be looking for a game changer with that pick! I’m guessing corner, safety or ILB if they don’t snag a reciever or another edge rusher with #19
We’ll get a big boy to go with Kancey and Vita in 3rd round.
April 13th, 2025 at 6:48 pm
Joe in Michigan.
The NFL is littered with wonderful defensive tackles that had just as mundane sack totals in college.
Jeffrey Simmons 3 Pro Bowls.
Dexter Lawrence 3 Pro Bowls.
Chris Jones 6 Pro Bowls.
So not watching any of the four a lot – just want to say don’t judge a defensive tackle by his college sack totals.
April 13th, 2025 at 8:45 pm
Ty Robinson and Elijah Roberts are also great later round guys.
April 13th, 2025 at 9:57 pm
When adjusted for size, Grant’s athletic numbers are off the charts. His 40 is the same as Vea who was a freak at his size. The problem with RAS for DT is that it includes 1 techs with 3&5 techs. It’s almost like grouping LBs as a Safety.
Joe in Michigan, I’m guessing you’re not a big draft guy. It’s very uncommon for DTs to get a lot of sacks in college. I believe Gerald McCoy has 2.5 the year he came out. Jalen Carter had 3 his senior year. Braden Fisk had way more production last year than he had in college. If you watched Grant in college you would see that he was often doubled even though he had Mason Graham next to him. That’s not going to happen if he lines up next to Vea.
April 13th, 2025 at 11:40 pm
geno711 Says:
April 13th, 2025 at 6:48 pm
Joe in Michigan.
The NFL is littered with wonderful defensive tackles that had just as mundane sack totals in college.
Jeffrey Simmons 3 Pro Bowls.
Dexter Lawrence 3 Pro Bowls.
Chris Jones 6 Pro Bowls.
So not watching any of the four a lot – just want to say don’t judge a defensive tackle by his college sack totals.
^^^^^^^^^
There are outliers of guys having better production in the pros than college, but it’s far from common.
April 14th, 2025 at 2:08 am
And why bring up Gruden? This is about current Buccaneers. The Glazers traded three farms to get Gruden and they got the SB that Dungy couldn’t deliver. Gruden did his job, and more. What he want good at, and everyone knows it, is player evaluation. Well, now we have Jason Licht. That problem is long solved and proven.
It’s not fair to Todd that he’s doing more than two jobs as one man. It’s not fair to the players or fans, either. This is a really bad mistake.
April 14th, 2025 at 3:03 pm
Sapp fell down the draft board due to his affinity for herbal home medical cures and for no other reason. No one needed to see him in a gas mask loaded up with the green smoke to know he liked getting in touch with the Jamaican culture.
April 15th, 2025 at 12:57 am
I like Grant?
Go Bucs!
April 15th, 2025 at 12:59 am
Algorithm Much Joe?
geez
Go Bucs!