Fitting In Ed Oliver
March 3rd, 2019
Houston DT Ed Oliver.
Slowly but surely, Joe is beginning to warm to this freak from the University of Houston, Ed Oliver.
Last week NFL draft guru and former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah stated he was frustrated watching Oliver’s tape because Jeremiah thought he was misused and that Houston didn’t get the most out of Oliver’s talents.
Yesterday, Oliver spoke at the Indiana Convention Center in chilly downtown Indianapolis and Joe asked him about Jeremiah’s words. Let’s just say Oliver did not deny what Jeremiah had said.
“The defense that I played in, I had no complaints how I played there,” Oliver said. “The position I played there, I believe, I made the best of what I was given.
“Do I feel like I could be better at a three-technique? Yeah, I would be better at a three-technique. Do I think I will be using a three-technique in the league? Yeah I do. And I feel like I would excel there.”
Joe immediately flashed back to a piece Jenna Laine of ESPN ran where she compared how Oliver could be featured in a Todd Bowles defense with the Bucs.
Even if Gerald McCoy returns, the Bucs would be wise to look toward the future with Oliver, who can line up in a 4-3 as a 3-technique or as a defensive end in a 3-4. At 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, Oliver wins with quickness and athleticism. He posted a 36-inch vertical and 10-foot-1 broad jump in the summer of 2018, can squat over 650 pounds and can do a 48-inch box jump on one leg, so his draft stock could rise even higher in Indianapolis.
If the Bucs cannot get manbeast Josh Allen at defensive end or Mississippi State edge rusher Montez Sweat, Joe would be OK with Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht pulling the trigger on Oliver.
March 3rd, 2019 at 12:56 am
The Next Aaron Donald
March 3rd, 2019 at 1:15 am
There is only one Aaron Donald for a reason. They broke the dang mold when they made him. This guy could be great in his own right, he doesn’t need to try to live up to Donald. I think Q. Williams is a notch better but who the heck knows at the next level. It depends who has it upstairs because the athleticism is there for a lot of these prospects but hard work beats talent when talent won’t work hard, so we shall see.
March 3rd, 2019 at 3:17 am
We better draft a DT to go with Vea.
Reduce GMC’s snaps.
Win-Win.
March 3rd, 2019 at 4:27 am
A top 5 player should be a generational talent.
If he’s not a generational talent, then pick someone else that is, or trade down.
March 3rd, 2019 at 4:38 am
Cant wait for the combine today. Oliver will def impress. He was once touted as a future #1 overall, but ive seen that before and they dont live up to it. He’ll be there when we pick, possibly still there around 8-10. Sweat will be there 15-25 (who I also want). But Im still all about D. White. That beast is going top 7!
Btw, I will not complain at all if we pick up G/C Bradburry. That guy looks like a pro bowler! If he’s there near the end of 1st/top of 2nd, and we have White/Oliver/Sweat, go get that guy for our O line!
March 3rd, 2019 at 4:43 am
Seems like the top 5 prospects in most rankings are all defense: Bosa, Q Williams, Allen, Oliver, White. That makes them the Best Players Available it would seem. At this point, seems reasonable to project that any one of them would help the Bucs’ defense, both this coming year AND in future years. BPA and NEED come together in those Top-5.
Thus … there’s a pot of gold at the end of that rainbow because (tada) at #5 we literally can’t miss. Select any one of them & we SHOULD improve as a TEAM. FOUR of those prospects will help our DLine; ONE (White) will hopefully solve our MLB situation for years to come. Drafting should be a no-brainer when BPA & NEED coincide. Rankings could of course change between now & the draft, but if the draft were today, just pick any one of those Top-5 and we’ll have done well.
The only real question in my mind is whether Bucs would be better off drafting Oliver (DLine) or White (MLB). Personally I’d rather draft Devin White because IMO he should have more of an immediate impact. Oliver might get on the field for say 50% of the snaps, whereas White would be on for probably 100%. Most importantly though, MLB sets & adjusts the defense on most teams. Having a great LEADER in the middle is priceless. Devin White sounds like he’d be one of those rare talents. I’d go with him IF the Top-3 were already taken.
March 3rd, 2019 at 5:19 am
@Alaskan
Agree with your take but I suspect you have left out one critical aspect of any player. His heart!
This is generally the rap most of GMC’s detractors like to bring up. Nobody can deny his talent but many question his heart.
Not so with JPP.
Hard to really determine which players have the biggest hearts from simply watching tape or the underwear olympics in Indy.
I guess most GMs and Coaches try to uncover this from coaches and observers at the prospects U.
Personally I do not trust Univ Coaches opinions about their players because they are generally, not always, biased in favor of that player. Guess you have to read between the lines of their opinions.
March 3rd, 2019 at 5:19 am
@Defense, thing is a QB will go top 5, so one of those top 4 will def fall to us…
If its Q. Williams or J. Allen, as much as I want D. White, Im taking one of them. Bosa maybe but i think he’s overrated….not a bust but i just dont see top 3 talent in him.
March 3rd, 2019 at 6:49 am
He is around Aaron Donald size (a little bigger)
He has the tackles for a loss over the years which is good to see just like Donald.
His sacks are way down though from Aaron Donald.
I would be ok with them taking him at 5? Not sure. Hopefully todd Bowles can make that decision.
I would rather take devin white before him at 5. But again , Todd Bowles will be able to decide which is better for team ( he can give Licht an assist)
I would prefer trade down to get one of these guys (move back one spot with giants and pick up third?) giants take qb and we still get our guy.
Devin white and Olivier won’t be around long.
March 3rd, 2019 at 7:04 am
Q.Williams J. Allen an Devin White happy with any one at 5 well more then just them but that’s my top 3 wishlist I hope one will be there at 5
March 3rd, 2019 at 7:34 am
Looks like a young GMC…..if Oliver isn’t there when we pick….that means we traded down. He should be there at 5…..if we pick at 5, it will be a choice between Oliver and White…..I would take White because of the immediate need at MLB……Kwon resigning is questionable.
If we take Oliver….we could still trade GMC on draft day or after.
March 3rd, 2019 at 7:38 am
I love and hate draft talk
Every idiot likes to say or project
But a player is only as good as the coach and system they’re in…..
Only the “greats” excel in whatever……
March 3rd, 2019 at 7:41 am
If Murray goes 1 like some are projecting, I could see either the 49ers, jets or raiders taking DK Metcalf to help out QBs. This would drop either Bosa, Allen or Williams to us
March 3rd, 2019 at 8:08 am
haha, a confused idiot getting easily triggered by opinions of others draft prospects, lol @Bucsanthem
March 3rd, 2019 at 8:21 am
I think edge is way more of a need than DT! With all this Murray hype now, I can see 2 QBs going (1 via trade) in the top 4 and one of the Big 3 falls to us at 5!
This is why losing that game to ATL was so crucial…we can’t miss if we stay at 5!
March 3rd, 2019 at 8:28 am
He’s the next Ed Oliver.
Whoever that turns out to be.
Be careful when comparing favorably to the established greats. That’s how busts are made.
March 3rd, 2019 at 8:29 am
JP-09-my thought exactly. After yesterday I can realistically see Murray and Metcalf going top 4 and dropping Allen in our lap.
March 3rd, 2019 at 8:30 am
Also, it’s too soon to suggest White. By the time the draft arrives, our free agents will have been either re-signed or allowed to test the market. Kwon could be staying.
March 3rd, 2019 at 8:31 am
Stanglassman, that would rock.
March 3rd, 2019 at 8:35 am
DL will transform the defense and OL will transform the running game equals more wins
March 3rd, 2019 at 8:36 am
approve.
March 3rd, 2019 at 8:39 am
Go back and look at his freshman year numbers. Concensus best player in high school then dominated his freshman year. TFL were unreal. Themis guy is the real deal. He’s a game plan destroyer. Gerald and JPP only have so many years left.
March 3rd, 2019 at 8:41 am
All that is sure is that many fans will not get the exact guy they want and will spend all season whining about it. Just like every year.
In hind sight, a team always passes on a better option.
March 3rd, 2019 at 8:50 am
Oliver looks like a skinnier Warren Sapp. If you draft the guy, you really don’t need McCoy.
March 3rd, 2019 at 8:51 am
@ Alaskan Snow , YEP !!!
Or in the Bucs case a head case ,camera loving ultra ultra ultra ego is holding back the/ his extreme talent .
Unfortunately it’s a disease that infects others , RID the disease !! Sign Sheldon Richardson and an experienced guard or corner !!!
March 3rd, 2019 at 9:06 am
Look at the outbursts on the sidelines and fights with coaches. Oliver = head case. He may have talent, but the Bucs should pass on Oliver.
March 3rd, 2019 at 9:12 am
@Bucfan252…
Sorry sir. Nope. Only Quinnen is anywhere near and damn close, to the “next Aaron Donald”.
Oliver’s a good player.
But just Q…all day every day.
Go Bucs!
March 3rd, 2019 at 9:13 am
Devin White is extremely overrated. Basically Kwon on steriods. No way I take a LB top 5 that doesn’t have instincts and awareness like a Kuechly at BC. Kid ain’t worth it no matter the need. Take the best player at 5.
March 3rd, 2019 at 9:36 am
Say what you want I think the staff loves white
March 3rd, 2019 at 10:06 am
Trench warfare please!
The Bucs Anthem- get mad, bro?! The JBFers could make better picks than Licht or Dominik. The JBF comments section should make our second round picks from here on out. Licht stinks bro! He “self scouts” and can’t even figure out what position his draft picks play!
March 3rd, 2019 at 10:16 am
^^^^^
Devin white not overrated. They are saying he was better then roquon smith the year before
Roquon as a rookie for bears had 121 tackles 1 int. 5 sacks. I would take that a 5 right now.
He may run in 4.4 ‘s today. And he is 6-1 240 lbs people
You can’t pass on this kid. He will contribute from day 1. Kwon is no devin white.
March 3rd, 2019 at 10:20 am
Thanks kwon good luck on ur new team. Welcome Devin White
March 3rd, 2019 at 11:01 am
If we get Oliver much less Allen I feel a certain Deja Vu.
Remember #weaponsforJameis. We were relying on just ME13 and…??? Then Brate and Hump emerged…Godwin proved to be a steal in the 3rd round and of course we’ve already spent 20 million on DJAX. We went from the outhouse to the penthouse in just a couple of years.
Could we be seeing the same thing with our Dline? If we keep GMC and add Allen or another stud we could field a truly great DL.
I as usual agree with TBBF…White would fill a bigger need and if as Bird suggests White runs a 4.4 something in the 40 and weighs in at 240 what a refreshing change from undersized fast LB’s to a big beast in the middle.
I know many here loathe Rick Stroud but he made a pretty accurate point this morning. If the Bucs are looking DL they have no excuse for not coming away with a game changer. But a REAL MLB with size and speed would look awfully good next to LVD.
March 3rd, 2019 at 11:34 am
Sweat just ran a 4.42 sheesh
March 3rd, 2019 at 12:25 pm
Donald never sat out games healthy and never had issues with coaches. Cant deny the guys talent but i see issues in his career down the road. Could do great in year 1 then hold out asking for more money. History usually repeats itself with all players coming in. Not always but usually. We will see how he pans out. Hope its not here tho.
March 3rd, 2019 at 12:35 pm
Actually I would draft Oliver ahead of Sweat.
March 3rd, 2019 at 1:49 pm
Devin White AND Sweat, 4.42/4.41 40…..wow!!!!
March 3rd, 2019 at 2:14 pm
Somebody here says Devin White is overrated? LMAO! Give me a break!
he won’t be there when the Bucs pick. If he is? Grab him quick!
March 3rd, 2019 at 2:31 pm
^ Yeah, the Raiders might grab him @4 if Q. Williams and J. Allen are gone.
March 3rd, 2019 at 2:31 pm
White will be there when we pick. Murray is going #1 then probably boda Allen Williams in any order and possibly Haskins in the top 4. White will be there and is most likely the pick.
March 3rd, 2019 at 2:32 pm
Bosa
March 3rd, 2019 at 4:00 pm
He looks pretty good, but not a top-5 lineman based on that video. Considering most of those schools were no where near top 20 college programs, he seemed smaller than most of the OL-men blocking him, so he probably would look good in comparison. Whole different world is waiting for him with NFL OL-men.
Forgetting about any kind of trade, up or down, at this time, I would gladly take any of these 4-DL with the 5th pick, in this order: Bosa, Allen, Sweat, Gary
March 3rd, 2019 at 4:28 pm
Sign: Free Agents
• NT Steve McLendon
Trade: DeSean Jackson to L.A.
• DT Michael Brockers
Draft
• 1st Rd. (Trade Down) DT Christian Wilkins
• 2nd Rd. DE Isaiah Buggs
Possible New Depth Chart
DT Michael Brockers | Christian Wilkins
NT Vita Vea | Steve McLendon
DE Carl Nassib | Isaiah Buggs
March 3rd, 2019 at 4:38 pm
Part. II
Sign Free Agents
• RUSH – Preston Smith
• MLB – Denzel Perryman
• WLB – Deone Buccanon
• SAM – Jeremiah Attaochu
Trade: Cameron Brate to HOU
• RUSH- Mercilus Whitney
Draft
• SAM – D’Andre Walker
• MLB – David Long Jr.
Potential New Depth Chart
RUSH Preston Smith | Mercilus Whitney
MLB Denzel Perryman | David Long Jr.
WLB Lavonte David | Deone Buccanon
SAM D’Andre Walker | Jeremiah Attaochu
March 3rd, 2019 at 4:45 pm
3-4
DT Michael Brockers | Christian Wilkins
NT Vita Vea | Steve McLendon
DE Carl Nassib | Isaiah Buggs
RUSH Preston Smith | Mercilus Whitney
MLB Denzel Perryman | David Long Jr.
WLB Lavonte David | Deone Buccanon
SAM D’Andre Walker | Jeremiah Attaochu
_______________
4-3
RUSH Preston Smith | Mercilus Whitney
DT Michael Brockers | Christian Wilkins
NT Vita Vea | Steve McLendon
DE Carl Nassib | Isaiah Buggs
WLB Lavonte David | Deone Buccanon
MLB Denzel Perryman | David Long Jr.
SAM D’Andre Walker | Jeremiah Attaochu
Now you’ve got the personnel for a real multi-look hybrid front 7.
Plus enough cap space to make additional moves in the defensive backfield.
March 3rd, 2019 at 10:55 pm
Yo Luv, whats up Brother, good to see you….need your input on OT Max Scharping a possible 4th maybe 5th, also DE Chase Winovich….man good times lay right before us….With BA and Bowles and if we draft Mr. White and Bradbury, i smell playoffs baby!!!!!!!!
March 4th, 2019 at 12:57 am
6-3, 290, meh…go get that linebacker from lsu
March 4th, 2019 at 12:23 pm
My god, Allen, the physical freak on film, Sweat, who blew up the Senior Bowl and looked like the 2nd coming of Jevon Kearse at the Combine, and Oliver…not to forget a couple other freak DL… if we go DL, we will be getting a monster.