“They Think They Can Polish Me Up”
April 18th, 2016
Manbeast defensive end prospect DeForest Buckner speaks
Draft fever is in the air! Joe savored inhaling a Hooters lunch while listening to highly-touted defensive end DeForest Buckner today.
Oh, by the way, the Bucs are aching for an elite talent at DE.
Buckner joined co-hosts Bruce Murray and former Bucs rockstar general manager Mark Dominik on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
The 6-7, 291-pound manbeast out of the University of Oregon swears he played every position in college on the defensive line, and that he can be sweet fit for a 4-3 defense. Pressed to reveal what he’s been hearing on pre-draft team visits, Buckner said he’s being told by teams that they see him as NFL-Ready-to-dominate against the run, but not as a pass rusher.
“They think they can polish me up,” Buckner said.
He added he’s getting knocked for his pad level (too high) but is working on that daily. Interestingly, Buckner said he hasn’t had any defensive line guru alongside him as he prepares for the draft with friends in Eugene. (Damn, son, wise up!)
The “polish me up” line got Joe thinking about how Tampa Bay put on a full-court press to yank 13-year Bengals defensive line coach Jay Hayes from Cincinnati and hire him immediately.
Hayes has a long history of polishing castoffs, and working miracles with the likes of Michael “Ghost” Johnson and others. Buckner would be like gold in Hayes’ hands.
Yes, Buckner could fall to the Bucs at No. 9, especially if the Ravens pass at No. 6.
And no, Joe isn’t worried one inch that a bunch of experts think Buckner is a pure 3-4 end. Joe doesn’t even know what the Bucs defense will look like in 2016, let alone in 2017. Heck, Mike Smith could be head coach of the Rams by then.
April 18th, 2016 at 1:56 pm
Ha ha ha ha Joe.
Everyone knows I LOVE this guy by now.
I not listening to a damn knock on him.
This guy would be an upgrade ate DE as a rookie over anything they have now. Well haven’t seen Ayers yet sooo
No for me it’s Buckner or Bosa if either fall. Ramsey won’t be available for trade up. The team that takes Jalen really wants Jalen.
I’ll do cartwheels if they get Buckner. I’ve seen the film.
April 18th, 2016 at 1:58 pm
He’s a 3-4 guy. And he’s an unfinished product. Just an animal but not the great football player bosa is.
Noah Spence is a better fit for this team given what we have already.
April 18th, 2016 at 2:06 pm
I hope the Bucs do major homework on this guy – because he just might be available – maybe… If so, he should be strongly considered.
April 18th, 2016 at 2:06 pm
I believe this guy = Will Gholston. (A rookie Buckner is basically the equivalent of Gholston after 4 seasons developing)
April 18th, 2016 at 2:14 pm
I am not feeling it with Buckner. Like mentioned above he is Will Gholston. I still prefer Floyd, Ogbah and Spence over Buckner. I just don’t see that killer instinct with him. We need a force on the dline no more nice guys. A guy that finishes not one who orders ice cream for a good effort.
April 18th, 2016 at 2:20 pm
Would be nice to have a beastly sized guy like this, if they think he can develop skills to go with his size advantage.
April 18th, 2016 at 2:21 pm
tmax..lol
April 18th, 2016 at 2:23 pm
Not listening to any of you about Buckner…not even you 3-4 guys.
April 18th, 2016 at 2:24 pm
This would be the right guy to draft from Hawaii (as opposed to all the people screaming for Mariota this time last year). I saw him play basketball in high school many times. He’s a monster! I’m not sure if he’ll be there at 9, but if he is, I wouldn’t cry about this pick at all.
April 18th, 2016 at 2:25 pm
Buc1987
it’s time to win… i am tired of all this nice guy crap. we need to be on the other end of the score getting run up… We need defenders making statements to close games and on 3rd down. no more of this going into prevent defense with a 3 point lead in the first quarter. Good coach smith had no problems running up the score on Lovie a couple of years ago. I love that mindset. Hopfully Koetter feels the same way. Never call the dogs off until the end of the 4th.
April 18th, 2016 at 3:03 pm
Ourlads has him rated as the #1 player in this years draft at 9.85
Bosa at #2 at 9.80
Ramsey at #3 at 9.79
Draft should be fun
April 18th, 2016 at 3:10 pm
NEVER call the dogs off! PERIOD!
@tmax- I like your fervor as it pertains to football. My guess is you’d be a SOB to work for though!!! 🙂
April 18th, 2016 at 3:20 pm
Bucsfanman
you are absolutely correct. i have 5 people who have worked for me for 15 plus years and they love me that being said I have a much longer list of ex employees who think I am a heartless bastard. I am extremely loyal but no excuses
April 18th, 2016 at 3:24 pm
Man, a few weeks ago I wanted a d.e. in the 1at no matter what. But looking at what is available and when it could be available I wouldn’t mind if we waited until the 3td or even 4th depending on who falls. Guys like nassib, Correa, kafusi among othersi would still be upgrades, and that would free us up to get a wr, s, cb, or dt early and try to find 3-4 solid starters. And cb is falling on the needs list for me. Here is a dream scenario for me.
1-Coleman wr (love to trade back and get Adel 2nd, but prob not)
2-Karl Joseph s
3- nassib de
4- tidewater dt
April 18th, 2016 at 3:25 pm
4- ridgeway dt *
April 18th, 2016 at 3:29 pm
Stick to your guns my friend!
April 18th, 2016 at 3:31 pm
Conklin stole Buckner’s lunch money in the Oregon MSU game. That might be why Buckner spend so much time of the ground, he was looking for it.
Buckner’s 40 was over 5 seconds, not what you want from an edge rusher. He likes to compare himself to Calais Campbell who also ran a 5 second 40, except Campbell fell to the 2nd round after his disastrous combine which was all sorts of bad despite going into his Jr year as a preseason all-american and projected top 10 pick. A 3-4 team could still be fine with this, a 4-3 team taking a big, slower run defending end? Pass.
April 18th, 2016 at 3:35 pm
Moderation?
April 18th, 2016 at 3:38 pm
@JOE
Did you guys see Jameis and McCoy hanging at the UFC fight building that good team chemistry.
April 18th, 2016 at 3:50 pm
If your an edge rusher, or 2nd or 3rd level defender. An your at the goal line- with an opportunity to get a safety. Your automatically licking your chops – especially when you’ve got 3 chances to get safety.
Buckner lined up against Conklin on the goal line – ALL 3 TIMES he was stone walled – it wasn’t any competition. Conklin didn’t have a tight end, or running back help to chip block. Just mano e mano – and he dominated the kid.
April 18th, 2016 at 3:51 pm
Pass!! He’s a 5 Tech in a 3-4, and a 3 Tech in a 4-3. We need someone who can actually rush the passer.
I watched this kid get stonewalled against that Mammoth from Michigan St. Jack Conklin. Buckner’s suppose to be this massive strong athlete but Conklin tossed him around like a rag doll – All freakin game long. Conklin pancaked the kid like 6 times in that game.
April 18th, 2016 at 4:04 pm
Let us not forget about Nmkendiche in the early r2…go OL in r1!
Get those big uglies!
April 18th, 2016 at 4:24 pm
Jalen Ramsey can rush the passer, apply pressure and then sprint back hit the recv log the ball out intercept it and then run it back for a TD.
Trade up, build a team not just a roster.
April 18th, 2016 at 4:40 pm
DB55
Jalen is great player – no doubt. But trade up to 3 or 4?
I’m expecting to hear – Tennessee Titans trade #15, 33, and 76 to the Bucs – for #9!!
April 18th, 2016 at 4:43 pm
Can anyone give me the name of a single bad@$$ that has come out of Oregon. Go back as far you like. They produce Pilsbury dough boy soft football players man.
April 18th, 2016 at 4:47 pm
@Nole on Sat
Haloti Ngata
April 18th, 2016 at 4:48 pm
I’m not an OU fan, but not all of them are soft. lol
April 18th, 2016 at 4:51 pm
I’ll have to take a closer look at Buckner. Everything I read said he wasn’t a good fit for the Bucs and won’t be there at 9 anyway.
Mojokski- I wish you were/are right. But..
No way Nassib kafausi, or Correa drop into the 3rd round, I’ve seen those guys go late 1st round in the latest mocks. Might be able to move up to late 2nd round to get one of those guys if the fall. Ridgeway in the 4th is pretty optimistic too. late 2nd early 3rd in most mocks and GM interviews.
April 18th, 2016 at 4:52 pm
LUV
Without giving up future picks #4 is the highest we can go. #9+MG8+6th rnd
Honestly I think Fisher is going to select Ramsey. Dude Aaron Donald, Robert Quinn, Barron, Ramsey, Gurley, Austin. Fisher is building a team. He can ride with Keenum and be good with Gurley back there. His D would be a straight monster.
April 18th, 2016 at 4:54 pm
Nole on Sat. || Bucc on Sun.
Outside of the great
DT Haloti Ngata – Baltimore Ravens / 1st / 12th pick / 2006
Here’s how the rest have faired
DE Dion Jordan – Miami Dolphins / 1st / 3rd pick / 2013
DE Arik Armstead – San Francisco 49ers / 1st / 17th pick / 2015
DE/DT Igor Olshansky – San Diego Chargers / 2nd / 35th pick / 2004
DT Junior Siavii – Kansas City Chiefs / 2nd / 36th pick / 2004
DE Taylor Hart – Philadelphia Eagles / 5th / 141st pick / 2014
DE Nick Reed – Seattle Seahawks / 7th / 247th pick / 2009
April 18th, 2016 at 4:56 pm
Luv
I saw or read something about trading down for more picks and apparently it rarely works. The teams who trade up tend to “win” the draft.
April 18th, 2016 at 4:57 pm
DB55
I think you are correct on Fisher taking Ramsey.
April 18th, 2016 at 4:59 pm
After evaluating BPA & need, Noah Spence should be the pick at 9. The kid would be starting RE on day 1
April 18th, 2016 at 5:06 pm
DB55
Yeah – still pissed we picked ME13 over Donald. But it is what is – That defensive with Ramsey will be insane.
April 18th, 2016 at 5:06 pm
Nole on Sat.-Bucc on Sun.
not many beasts come from oregon. beautiful country but, It’s more of a tree hugging, dancing in the rain followed up by drum circles and group hugs. It’s not a campus with the win at all costs mindset. Nothing like the Cane’s in the hey day that’s for sure…
April 18th, 2016 at 5:10 pm
Don’t want him..
April 18th, 2016 at 5:10 pm
DB55
Nah, It works – if you think your guy will still be on the board.
I can actually show how its worked out for several teams. Including US
Think of all the trade down the Great Bobby Beathard made
*Side bar: Bumpin’ that Ruff Ryders – World War III.
Wife’s about to shut me down in a minute. lol
April 18th, 2016 at 5:12 pm
Lol, u Stooopit.
April 18th, 2016 at 5:12 pm
tmaxcon
Correct! The entire Pacific Northwest is beautiful – Northern Cali, Oregon, Washington, and BC.
April 18th, 2016 at 5:12 pm
Fisher’s not taking Ramsey. You don’t give up what you did for the #1 for anything other than a QB.
Ramsey will be taken in the top 3, but not at #1.
April 18th, 2016 at 5:14 pm
LUVMYBUCS
I love that area but not enough sunshine for me. Nice to visit then back to the rays… BC is one of my favorite destinations. Laides are nice and it’s green year round.
April 18th, 2016 at 5:15 pm
I need better insulation in the office. lol
April 18th, 2016 at 5:18 pm
tmaxcon
All man – don’t get me started about BC. I’ve got some family in North Vancouver.
Bruh – Its real hard for me to leave everytime I go. All the outside activities, bars, and restaurants. I’ve gotta do better pitching the wife.
April 18th, 2016 at 5:23 pm
Buckner will get there. But he will need a lot of work. I’d take Spence and Ogbah over him any day. Spence is a beast. IF..he can get his other habits in order. I’d take a chance on him though.
April 18th, 2016 at 5:46 pm
Stan- I agree, those guys should go higher, but I’ve seen some people having those guys underrated.
NFL has Correa @60, nassib @ 77, kaufusi @ 101 ridgeway @ 30
CBS has correa @ 43 nassib @ 73, kaufusi @ 112, ridgeway @ 144.
Walter football has correa @ 37, nassib @ 87, kaufusi @ 58, ridgeway @ 127.
The point is, there is a lot of discrepancy on opinions and where people may go.
April 18th, 2016 at 6:05 pm
“Heck, Mike Smith could be head coach of the Rams by then.”
Hahaaahaaaahaaaaaaa!!!
Oh, wait. That’s not funny.
April 18th, 2016 at 6:07 pm
Okay cspann you got me on that 1.
April 18th, 2016 at 6:08 pm
Just glad now when I read I am starting to see the smart posters here. Wanting the right guys with the right attitude. Is Buckner a great 3-4 end yeah I believe so. In a 4-3 I believe he would be lined up inside with McCoy and tbh wouldn’t be better that a guy like Rankins there.
It’s simple man Spence has all the tools and showed them. Lawson has all the tools and showed them. My only hesitation on Lawson is he played on a super powered D with another good de as well as great db’s. So his production in college may or may not translate. I like Dodd and Ogbah but not at 9 since in my eyes neither always jump off the snap every play and they are both a little more developmental than the first 2 I mentioned.
All that said how do you guys feel about grabbing a safety in round 2 like Karl Joseph and I am curious where some of you feel Braverman the wr out of western Michigan will land round wise?
April 18th, 2016 at 6:10 pm
Thanks for the breakdown tmax. I’ll pass…
April 18th, 2016 at 6:13 pm
I got no problem with him or Lawson or Dodd (2) or Spence (2)
The thing is, we don’t really know what Dirk and Smith are looking for. The defense is going to be different so I just trust in them.
Like I’ve said though, I’m not big on Bosa because he just seems to get manhandled sometimes. The doesn’t happen with the other guys I mentioned (except Spence against the run). I think in the long run Dodd will be the most complete DE and best pass rusher of the bunch.
April 18th, 2016 at 6:20 pm
Mojiska- The problem with going with those adj draft mock numbers is that they weigh the mocks from 6 months ago equal to the ones that came out most recently. Walter looks to be fairly realistic but like I said I hope you’re right and one of those guys fall. Back in Jan I was thinking we could get one or two of those guys in 3/4th round and pick BPA (S,CB,DT, DE, WR) in round 1 and 2.
Buccaneers 2016 draft picks
Round 1: pick 9 (9th overall)
Round 2: pick 8 (39th overall)
Round 3: pick 11 (74th overall)
Round 4: pick 10 (108th overall)
Round 5: pick 9 (148th overall)
Round 6: pick 8 (183rd overall)
Round 6: pick 22 (197th overall)
April 18th, 2016 at 7:28 pm
Ok…….I am home now. All the Bucs’ discussions can begin.
April 18th, 2016 at 7:31 pm
My wife thought she could polish me up too when we married. She has given up finally. Took almost ten yrs to break her though.
April 18th, 2016 at 7:32 pm
Round 1 – Noah Spence (best true edge rusher in draft)
Round 2 – Kyle Joseph (Starting SS on day 1)
Round 3 – Tyler Boyd (No. 3 WR, No.1 PR/KR, Heir apparent to V. Jax)
April 18th, 2016 at 7:35 pm
But pertaining to the article, I am sketchy on Buckner. Like Nole on Sat says…….”name me the last great DLman from Oregon.” Oregon is gimmicky. This makes me doubt their players. Also his pad height has to change but I am no expert scout either. Any one Licht takes at 9 is OK with me.
April 18th, 2016 at 7:48 pm
Ogbah! (do it )
April 18th, 2016 at 7:52 pm
Terrible luck.
Like our rotten Schedule
If, as predicted, Bosa and Buckner are gone- do we draft the number 3 DE?
Lawson is small, Dodd lacks bust. Spence couldnt dominate lowlevel talent- and will turn out like a safety we drafted a while back- cant quit the dope.
CB- Ramsey will be great. But gone by 9th. Hargreaves is short and Slow. Not gonna make it as a press CB. Will be stuck as slot CB.
Not what we need
OT- 9th pick for a right Tackle?
No
We either trade out, or
Draft a DT or WR- both of which will have dominate players available at 9
Guess we Draft DE in 2nd.
Just doomed to never get a great DE
Man, I miss Simeon Rice
April 18th, 2016 at 8:02 pm
SB you hit it on the head,I was trying to keep from calling them gimmicky but they are man. I’ll also continue saying until anyone can show me evidence of anyone other than OGBAH having been o One Bucc Place for a personal interview that’s who I’m rollin wit at 9.
April 18th, 2016 at 8:03 pm
I dont think its worth taking a de unless you know for a fact hea dominant. What players coming out is known for being dominant and could realistically raise hell in the nfl. Thats the guy I want
April 18th, 2016 at 8:05 pm
Something to help your football Jones (10mins)
Former NFL scouts Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks interview Michigan State tackle prospect Jack Conklin and break down his film compared to Bryan Bulaga and Andrew Whitworth.
Great Interview!!
Jack Conklin Film Study | Move the Sticks 360 series | NFL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl41r6KTRHU
April 18th, 2016 at 8:08 pm
Capt. Tim….Much respect to you as one of the most tenured posters here but Hargreaves is FAR from slow. Are you for real? 4.4 vs 4.5?…………Alot of kids run fast in “underwear football” as Joe likes to call it but how fast are you when the pads are on is all that matters. VH3 plays that same 4.5 when the pads are on and he has Instincts that can Not be taught. Drills without pads are not true measurables. I personally am for DL to be drafted in the first round but if Hargreaves is the pick I will not be upset.
April 18th, 2016 at 8:11 pm
Thanks for that one LUV
And to you Nole, I read your post the other day and you were right. I wouldn’t want Any of their Offensive players for sure. Their Defensive players are sort of a by-product of their offense scoring so fast that the D can key up wherever they want at times.
April 18th, 2016 at 8:19 pm
Welcome Bruddah
April 18th, 2016 at 8:31 pm
A Couple of Michigan State Guys – that would be great additions
Offensive
OT – Jack Conklin 6-6/308
C – Jack Allen 6-2/294
WR – Aaron Burbridge 6-1/206
Defense
DE – Shilique Calhoun 6-5/251
These kids come from a great program.
With hard nose, tough minded coaching.
And they compete to the whistle
April 18th, 2016 at 9:10 pm
How about we trade down and take Doctson in the first and Shepard and a DE in the second. The offense would be complete and we could draft all defense for the next 5 years and have a powerful offense!
April 18th, 2016 at 9:11 pm
The trade down would be for a second.
April 18th, 2016 at 9:11 pm
Que-
SS Joseph should be available for our 2nd pick and maybe the 3rd but Boyd Wr will likely be gone early 2nd round, NFL.com has him ranked 44th, Boyd 55th). Maybe WR Shepard 2nd and SS Joseph 3rd?
I get the feeling Conklin will go to the Titians #15, you gotta Luv that guy.
April 18th, 2016 at 9:20 pm
Anybody that wants the Bucs to trade down should put the word attempt or try before, “trade down”. There’s not always a willing partner so it’s often not an option.
April 18th, 2016 at 9:21 pm
Eric…nice to trade down and all. I’m all for it. Don’t see them doing it though. If they do I certainly don’t want them to go O unless it’s along the line. Build the lines protect Jameis or get some heat on the QB for once. Protect Jameis and he’ll make the throws. Scrubs will catch it. Oh yes he’ll make the throws, yes he WILL!
The Messiah.
April 18th, 2016 at 9:23 pm
Oh yeah and….
Buckner!
April 18th, 2016 at 9:44 pm
Luv
I’m not sure if this is the exact article I read last week but it’s basically the same thing. “analyzing the success of draft trades”. It basically says you’re better off trading up than trading down.
http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/30/nfl-draft-round-1-trades?page=2&devicetype=phone
April 18th, 2016 at 10:01 pm
Mich St./Conklin Vs Oregon/Buckner 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDhFeqRKVIc
Makes me want to pass on Buckner and take Conklin. Buckner does look like William Golston and somewhat Ayers.
April 18th, 2016 at 10:17 pm
A 3-4 DE is basically an athletic defensive tackle. Because the real pass rushers in that defense are the 3-4 Outside line backers. For his size he would be a good 3-4 DE. His physical attributes fit well for it. As a 4-3 DE you want anyone who can pass rush. Doesn’t matter the size so much. Because if he wants to be a star in the NFL he has to sack the QB. From the sounds of it, his huge frame might be tough to turn into a versatile pass rusher. He is a bull rush type of pass rusher from what I hear. And that will be great as a run stopper, but unless he gains a lot of speed and quickness, he won’t be a dominant 4-3 DE. But could be an all pro 3-4 DE.
April 18th, 2016 at 10:58 pm
Stanglassman, I didn’t think I had to state the obvious about needing a trade partner. I agree about Conklin.
April 18th, 2016 at 11:45 pm
Man that would be perfect if Buckner fell to us at nine. All the others just seem like a reach.
April 19th, 2016 at 12:11 am
Buckner would be great alongside Ayers, both can play any position on the line.
April 19th, 2016 at 12:54 am
@DB55 – teams do not typically benefit from trading up. Teams that trade up are often reaching for talent because they are unable to do a proper job evaluating talent throughout the draft. History shows us that if the Bucs can trade down they should.
April 19th, 2016 at 1:31 am
Stanglassman
Conklin blows Buckner off the line at least 85% of time. Any athletic lineman can mirror his opponent. But I’m looking for a guy that’s aggressive, and strong enough to consistently drive a guy off the line.
You go back in watch his games against Top Level Talent – and its the same across the board.
If you wanna draw up the initially offensive line…
LT Donovan Smith | * Jack Conklin
LG J.R. Sweezy | Kevin Pamphile
C Joe Hawley | Evan Smith
RG Ali Marpet | Antoine Everett
RT Demar Dotson | Gosder Cherilus
We would literally have one of the best offensive lines in the league. No matter who goes down – the next man up can hold down the position. Their would be no excuses for Young Jameis to not succeed.
Follow that up with a defensive line prospects in the 2nd & 4th round
Examples
Shilique Calhoun
Jihad Ward
LDE Robert Ayers | William Gholston
LDT Gerald McCoy | *Jihad Ward
RDT Akeem Spence | Clinton McDonald
RDE Jacquies Smith | *Shilique Calhoun | Howard Jones
April 19th, 2016 at 1:56 am
LUV, I like where your head’s at.
Can’t help but feel like we need to grab Noah Spence somehow. I think he could be a force even as a rookie under our new DL coach. But only if he can stay on the field and play the run.
April 19th, 2016 at 2:08 am
unbelievable
Hopefully he’s still there at end of the 1st round.
Then maybe we can trade back into the 1st and draft Spence.
April 19th, 2016 at 3:13 am
The Bucs already have a 6’7″ 280 lb talented run-stuffing DE named Will Gholston, and he’s far cheaper than Buckner will be. I don’t see how the Bucs need to pick a guy in the top ten of the draft who needs “polishing up”. They need proven pass rush and they need it yesterday.
Why take a guy who’s an unproven pass rusher in the top ten and HOPE you can get him to develop a pass rush. Aren’t the middle rounds of the draft where you take developmental players? Makes no sense. That’s a premium pick, and you’re gonna go using it on a guy that’s a roll-of-the-dice player as far as rushing the QB is concerned? No thanks.
And as for people saying Conklin beat Buckner 85% of the time please don’t give up your day job to become an analyst because you’ll be homeless in no time. Read Steve White’s analysis on Conklin and you’ll see it was a 50/50 battle during that game. Conklin dominated 50% of the snaps and Buckner likewise did the same when they went up against each other directly. In fact, if you watch all of Conklin’s games Buckner was the only guy to give him such difficulty. All of his other opponents got dominated the majority of the time.
If Conklin’s the pick I won’t complain, but at the NFL level he’s gonna face many more guys like Buckner than he did in college so he certainly won’t be putting guys on their asses very often as he’s accustomed to doing. I won’t complain if Buckner’s the pick, either, but that’s only because I trust Licht and company’s evaluations not because I think Buckner will ever be anything special as a pass rusher.
April 19th, 2016 at 4:56 am
Per: Steve White
White admits that he’s never watched Conklin play before – he watched
a few clips on draftbreakdown. As you that site does not show the complete snap count for the game.
Here’s the actual grade for Conklin’s 2015 season.
Sounds like he dominated him to me.
April 19th, 2016 at 5:05 am
There’s no question that Conklin has a few things to work on.
His pass sets are without question – a work in progress.
But Conklin admits that – he’s spent a lot of time with Legendary Offensive Line Coach Hudson Houck – to help clean up those short comings.
For a walk on to make that kind of progress in a relatively short period of time, and
play at the level he has – against top tier talent is remarkable.
He has the right temperament for the position.
Great work ethic, and dedication to his craft.
A lot of upside here – Draft’em
April 19th, 2016 at 5:19 am
Jack Conklin Vs Deforest Buckner (2015)
Michigan St. Vs Oregon
*Deforest Buckner
Solo: 1
Assist:4
Total: 5
Tackles for Loss: 1 ←
Sacks: 0 ←
*Jack Conklin
Pass-blocking: 0 Sack Allowed
Pressure: 1
Run-blocking: 1 Tackle for Loss
Penalties: 0
+ 9.5 knockdowns and gives Conklin a winning grade
April 19th, 2016 at 6:09 am
Winning doesn’t necessarily equate to dominating Buckner. It’s a big stretch from one to the other.
In any case, I’m not arguing against Conklin. I think he’s the best RT prospect in this draft and will end up being a multiple-selection Pro Bowler.
The issue is this: do you take a RT at #9 overall? That’s a pretty rare occurrence in the NFL. Yes it would likely give the Bucs the best line in the league but at what cost? What if there’s a proven pass rusher that Licht has ranked as a top ten or top twelve player sitting there at #9? What then?
Dotson backed up by Cherilus is a very solid lineup at RT already for the Bucs. They are a very solid “bridge” as Licht would put it, until the Bucs can draft their RT of the future. That combo could last the Bucs two more full seasons at least.
April 19th, 2016 at 6:31 am
2010 Demar Dotson Tore his ACL – Missed 16 Games
2015 Demar Dotson Tore his MCL- Missed 9 Games
Cherilus has had several surgeries on both knees
Cherilus is currently 32 – while Dotson will be 31(Oct)
(*Both Guys are Free Agents after this season)
Conklin could be that bridge + insurance policy. Remember Dotson went down during the preseason. As Licht stated – ” He was fortunate that Indy cut Cherilus when they did.”
As for edge rusher Silique Calhoun (Michigan St.) is one of the best combo edge rusher/run stoppers in the draft. Good 2nd round prospect to add to roster.
April 19th, 2016 at 9:46 am
I think we should give Glennon and our first to move up to #2 and take this guy. We would only be giving up Glennon to move up 8 spots
April 19th, 2016 at 9:22 pm
Buckner did not look good against Conklin at all. He was on the ground more than a toddler in that game. The best compliment you could find is Steve White who was…generous. Conkilin won against Buckner. If you can’t see that, you should probably keep your day job….which is apparently to post on a bucs message board. So carry on FLboy.
April 20th, 2016 at 8:22 am
Awe darn, I thought he speaks Polish.