Elijah Klein Seems To Have Done His Homework On Jason Licht
April 27th, 2024
Bucs G Elijah Klein.
Bucs’ sixth-round pick guard Elijah Klein knew exactly how to sell himself to Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
In a Zoom conference with the Tampa Bay pen and mic club shortly after the Bucs drafted him, Klein described himself, “They are getting a gritty, nasty dude.”
He had Licht at hello.
Klein later said he knew the Bucs (Licht) liked small school offensive linemen so there was hope the Bucs would call him.
It isn’t just words for Klein. He allowed one sack this season at UTEP. In 26 games, Klein has allowed just four sacks.
But it is the run game in which Klein thrives.
“Run blocking is my specialty,” Klein said. “I like to be the hammer, not the nail. I don’t like to be passive in any aspect of football. So the run game is something I really pride myself on.
“I don’t claim to play with the lightest feet. I don’t claim to play with finesse. But what I do like to do is put my head down and hit people as hard as I can.”
No wonder Licht drafted this guy.
Klein apparently blew up at the Shrine Bowl. That’s where he got on the radar of folks who study offensive linemen.
April 27th, 2024 at 6:55 pm
Awesome to hear!
They just completely changed the interior of the offensive line with a bunch of guys who play through the whistle. Got bigger and more physical. Outstanding!
April 27th, 2024 at 6:55 pm
😁😁😁😁😁😁
Gonna be the THUNDER DOME in training camp for this now large group of offensive linemen grinding it out for starting and backup spots for the 2024 season!
The best will rise to the top!
April 27th, 2024 at 6:56 pm
Saying all the right stuff….
Let him compete in camp….
We certainly need depth and lots of help
April 27th, 2024 at 6:57 pm
Baker has a sh* t eating grin on his face!
April 27th, 2024 at 7:05 pm
There should be not excuse for our offense. This was a great draft overall. Just wished we got edge Kamara, but I think Licht knows what he’s doing.
April 27th, 2024 at 7:39 pm
I really like this kid, hope he turns out to be the steal of the 6th rd. Hope he beats out Bredeson and Opeta for the left Guard position but in reality it might take him some time. 🤞🏼
April 27th, 2024 at 7:46 pm
If we still can’t run the ball this year, you certainly can’t blame Jason Licht, he’s doing everything he can to rebuild this offensive line.
April 27th, 2024 at 7:52 pm
If he can’t beat out the current guards he doesn’t belong on the nfl
April 27th, 2024 at 7:56 pm
Between Vea, Klein and Barton, there’s going to be a traffic jam of flesh in the center of the line of scrimmage.
April 27th, 2024 at 7:57 pm
Add that to his quote about hating people who drive slow in the fast lane, and he could be an all-time fan favorite.
April 27th, 2024 at 8:16 pm
I won’t compare any players to Ali. But I enjoy Licht trying to find young men to bring Ali’s Hardnose Gritty mentality back to the Bucs O line. R White is going to be my sleeper #2 Fantasy Back this year.
April 27th, 2024 at 8:19 pm
Well it’s not a tall task to win a job with this line
April 27th, 2024 at 8:59 pm
Oh hell, watch out we might have us another glass eater. Hahaaha
April 27th, 2024 at 10:07 pm
After this draft, Somewhere Tom Brady is going, hmmm.
April 27th, 2024 at 11:23 pm
Lol the comments today are gold
April 28th, 2024 at 7:55 am
Thank god no anti ginger comments.
April 28th, 2024 at 7:55 am
Great pick
April 28th, 2024 at 7:58 am
Can we all let Tom Brady get on with his life,s work as a sports media super star and Football (Euro and American)
Team owner?
April 28th, 2024 at 7:58 am
I wish we had a chance to draft Trey Benson to help out white , his quickness and speed is stunning fast.
April 28th, 2024 at 10:19 am
This was the only pick that had me scratching my head and thinking this might be a big reach. Then I saw this guy on tape, heard him speak and I was hooked. This is a Licht pick for sure and I love this pick!
I think whichever scouts found Ko Keift must have also found Elijah Klein.
Imagine 4th and two and the Bucs are in a jumbo power package with
TE Payne Durham, Wirtz, Mauch (if he goes to the left side), Barton, Klein (or one of the other guys if they are better), Goedecke, and our big strong blocking WR’s Evans, and Godwin.
Behind them are Baker, and Bucky Irving who could dart out from anywhere behind a bruising Ko Keift power block! Or does Baker keep it and go in another direction? Or does he toss it to Godwin? or Evans? Or Durham?
I wouldn’t want to be the defense….
April 28th, 2024 at 10:50 am
So two OL drafted and one common denominator is they have reputations for “playing to the whistle” and being nasty highly motivated dudes.
Who doesn’t like nasty OL who want to get after the D. Guys who feel pass blocking is a necessary evil where they are forced to react to the D rather than the run where they just get to smash the D in the mouth.
April 28th, 2024 at 11:41 am
This offense will be practicing against Bowles specialty: defense! Yuck-yuck-yuck! Love it! BM can cool it with the kamikaze runs next season (I hope).
April 28th, 2024 at 8:52 pm
He had me at I just like to hit them as hard as I can.
April 28th, 2024 at 9:54 pm
Joe, for the love of Mike, if I have to read” ac/dc loving” one more time before licht, im gonna “ bang my head, wake the dead”……😊
April 30th, 2024 at 12:22 pm
I have known Eli since High School. He was in my class for 2 years. Eli plays with a chip on his shoulder and a nasty streak, I believe due to being overlooked by all the big schools. Keep an eye on him I think he is gonna make your squad…