The Bucs And Darnell Washington
January 31st, 2023
“Todd, we need to get more physical.”
With University of Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken meeting with Bucs officials today about replacing failed and fired playcaller Byron Leftwich, Joe thinks it’s a great time to explore what’s next for the Bucs in the draft.
One could argue that manbeast Georgia tight end (6-7, 270 pounds) Darnell Washington is a spectacular fit for Tampa Bay in the first round.
First, he can block. Joe has to believe the Bucs could upgrade their running game quickly from historically miserable to almost average with Washington lined up to the right of Tristan Wirfs and Shaq Mason.
Second, a monstrous and talented tight end is a wonderful gift to a young quarterback the Bucs might turn to next season or in 2024.
Third, Washington probably would hit the ground running faster than most tight ends if the Bucs were to hire Monken, especially with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin taking pressure off the tight end position. Washington is raw in the receiving game but a matchup nightmare for obvious reasons.
Monken is a big believer in a balanced attack. He’s a rare playcaller in that he’s proven he can run offenses that are high-flying and ground-and-pound. Consider what he said before this summer.
“You can’t control the game if you can’t run the ball comfortably. You can’t. You cannot control the game,” Monken said. “You can have a bunch of statistics that make it look better, make you feel better. But if you can’t run the ball comfortably, you can’t win the game. And that’s coming from a guy that likes to throw it and my whole background is wideouts and quarterbacks.”
Joe has just started the process of diving into all things draft. Washington is a fun prospect at 21 years old after three seasons with the Bulldogs. The Bucs have a lot of needs. Maybe Washington could sort of fill two of them?
Darnell Washington WITH ONE HAND 🤯 @GeorgiaFootball pic.twitter.com/7zn3OvgxUu
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 15, 2022
January 31st, 2023 at 2:36 pm
He’ll be there in the 2nd ….
January 31st, 2023 at 2:38 pm
With all the holes on the roster, I think TE would be pretty far down the list of needs.
If, for example, you end up parting ways with Donovan Smith, and flip Wirfs to LT, then a tackle in that spot makes sense.
Also the Bucs don’t have any depth at WR, and you need three of them, so a quality 3rd WR, who might take over for Evans down the road makes sense.
Also a LB would be huge. Regardless of if David resigns or not, you need some top flight talent there.
Also, corner – if you lose SMB and Dean, which is likely, you’re back to the days of Ryan Smith level players if you don’t invest some picks there.
Overall, the team has a lot of needs, and Otton had a nice year as a rookie, and Ko Kieft was good as a blocker. Spending another pick on a TE would be a pure luxury pick, and the last time the Bucs took a TE at the top of the draft as a luxury pick was OJ.
January 31st, 2023 at 2:42 pm
I believe you meant Shaq Mason, not Shaq Barrett, sir. Barrett has an achilles injury and doesn’t play offense, LOL.
January 31st, 2023 at 2:44 pm
Joe says:
“with Washington lined up to the right of Tristan Wirfs and Shaq Barrett.”
Did Bowles changed Shaq Barret’s position? Maybe I lost something here
January 31st, 2023 at 2:45 pm
That Washington is a big dude. Kinda reminds me of Ben Coates.
January 31st, 2023 at 2:49 pm
Rod- In my view, it was painfully obvious what was missing from our offense…besides a run-game. To say “production fell” at the TE position is the understatement of the century!
I agree that we have more holes than swiss cheese. You have to start somewhere.
January 31st, 2023 at 2:50 pm
If he is still there when the Bucs pick he would be a great pickup. He could definitely develop into a game changer.
January 31st, 2023 at 2:56 pm
Licht will pick some guy from Pigs Knuckle State College that has a “ton of potential”…without Arians telling him to pick, Licht will flame out.
January 31st, 2023 at 2:59 pm
The Bucs are going to draft whoever they want to draft, but I’d prefer a pass rusher early…IF Brady comes back, Gronk might come back…I only watched one college game all year, so I can’t say I know.
January 31st, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Luke Schoonmaker is projected to be a day 2/3 pick and also regarded as one of the better body movers in this class of TEs. Even spending a 2nd-4th rounder on a TE with the talent in this entire draft class would be misappropriation of resources. UDFA? sure go for it, but spending a pick earlier than day 3 on a TE for this roster, you should put the flakka pipe down.
January 31st, 2023 at 3:02 pm
We would be taking him in the same slot as OJ Howard a couple years ago.
January 31st, 2023 at 3:02 pm
No, draft nothing but fat guys.
January 31st, 2023 at 3:05 pm
Looking at his stats, he had 3 TD’s in 3 years. He had a nice average per catch for a TE, though.
January 31st, 2023 at 3:09 pm
Not a bad idea. I’d like to see the Bucs invest heavily in the trenches with most of their picks this year.
In 2024 they can draft a QB.
January 31st, 2023 at 3:12 pm
We will need a TE, LB & CB…..probably in the first 3 rounds….
If Monken will sign….give him the pick he wants….
January 31st, 2023 at 3:20 pm
We have no pass rush. When you see how the Eagles dominate people it becomes more evident
January 31st, 2023 at 3:21 pm
Bucs need proven talent on Oline and that right now. Dalton Risner is a FA and can play anywhere and never gives up sacks or penalties. Sign Risner .
January 31st, 2023 at 3:21 pm
Absolutely not taking a TE again in the 1st round.
January 31st, 2023 at 3:28 pm
My offseason plan with Brady or swap with Carr
ReSign or tag Dean
David team friendly deal
Resign Nelson
Cut Smith, Barrett, Fournette and Succup to save $$$
Draft LT and Edge in rounds 1 and 2 – consider moving Wirfs to LT.
Sign cheap FA safety depth, draft in mid round
Sign power RB to complement White – should be fairly cheap
Sign Jordan Phillips – Buffalo and Ford or Hargrave seattle or philly – Phillips should be cheap and adds some pass rush, Ford and Hargrave might be a more costly.
Add under the radar FA edge like barrett and reddick 2-3 years ago. Look at Jacksonvilles FA rushers for example.
Extend Evans, Godwin, Jensen, Mason, to kick the can down the road.
January 31st, 2023 at 3:28 pm
Trenches trenches trenches trenches trenches. Period.
January 31st, 2023 at 3:33 pm
No been there done that with OJ can’t miss tight end.
January 31st, 2023 at 3:38 pm
Joe … ‘Monken is a big believer in a balanced attack. He’s a rare playcaller in that he’s proven he can run offenses that are high-flying and ground-and-pound. Consider what he said before this summer.
“You can’t control the game if you can’t run the ball comfortably. You can’t. You cannot control the game,” Monken said. “You can have a bunch of statistics that make it look better, make you feel better. But if you can’t run the ball comfortably, you can’t win the game. And that’s coming from a guy that likes to throw it and my whole background is wideouts and quarterbacks.”
Now THAT deserves repeating and repeating and repeating. Hire Monken now.
January 31st, 2023 at 3:45 pm
Joe … ‘One could argue that manbeast Georgia tight end (6-7, 270 pounds) Darnell Washington is a spectacular fit for Tampa Bay in the first round.’
You’re on a roll Joe. We’re picking #19 this year. Last time we picked #19 we drafted OJ Howard. Coincidence? Nah.
Actually, although he’d be a great fit, Bucs have other needs that should be far higher priorities than TE. Priorities like a quality ILB to replace LVD, or a beast DT to pair with Vea & replace Hicks (who replaced Suh), or a high energy DE/OLB to replace JPP, or heaven knows a QB to replace Tom Brady (should one happen to fall into our lap). Maybe even a CB to replace one of those we’re about to lose. Nah, let’s go with a TE because we don’t believe in coincidences.
January 31st, 2023 at 3:45 pm
I hope Monken takes the job…but at the same time, I feel bad for him if he does.
As far as a TE..I prefer to address the trenches.
January 31st, 2023 at 3:50 pm
Tackle should be top of the list. Pass rusher and Linebacker should be next.
January 31st, 2023 at 3:52 pm
He will still be there in the 2nd, maybe 3rd round. Get some linemen, preferrably on Defensive side.
January 31st, 2023 at 3:52 pm
Agreed with Rod- TE just doesn’t seem like a 1st round priority given our needs on both lines, the secondary, and possibly at linebacker too.
Re: Monken and the run game- how was our run game when he was here as OC? IIRC, it was bottom-3 every season except 2015 or 16.
January 31st, 2023 at 4:01 pm
He reminds me of Gronk in several ways. He’d be great but I think he has to be 2nd or 3rd round. Need DL, OLB and ILB.
January 31st, 2023 at 4:04 pm
Jason Licht is 66-80. He’s proven he can’t build a consistent roster pre-Brady and Arians.
What’s his philosophy or team identity? There was never one
January 31st, 2023 at 4:07 pm
You people are lost on Monken. A college coach that was terrible coaching in the NFL, especially the Bucs, with another sh!t for brains HC but Koetter was a offensive coach. Now we got Bowles who doesn’t know d!ck about offense or being stern HC.
January 31st, 2023 at 4:07 pm
@Unbelieveable
2016-’18
Run Yards: 24th, 27th, 29th
Run TDs: 29th, 25th, 23rd
Yards per Attempt: 29th, 27th, 31st
Over that span we were fielding Peyton Barber, Doug Martin, Jacquizz Rodgers, Dare Ogunbawale and Charles Sims out of the backfield lol
January 31st, 2023 at 4:07 pm
TE would be a ridiculous pick — we took 2 last year.
A first round pick shouldn’t be a guy that rotates off the field regularly.
We need a G/T. The OL is a mess
January 31st, 2023 at 4:08 pm
Brian Says:
January 31st, 2023 at 4:04 pm
Jason Licht is 66-80. He’s proven he can’t build a consistent roster pre-Brady and Arians.
What’s his philosophy or team identity? There was never one
_________________________________________________
That is a very good point!
January 31st, 2023 at 4:15 pm
He better tuck learn to tuck in that ball better. Watch what he does after the catch. In the NFL, that thing will get punched out every time.
January 31st, 2023 at 4:28 pm
It’s amazed me that no one has mentioned that Licht traded out of the first round with George Karleftis on the board, as us needing a pass rusher
January 31st, 2023 at 4:31 pm
Unbelievable … Monken was the OC under Koetter in name only except for most of 2018 (he didn’t call the shots until 2018). Per Jenna Laine for ESPN on 17 Nov 2018 …
‘Koetter had previously called plays for the Buccaneers as offensive coordinator in 2015 and as head coach in 2016-17. But he handed playcalling duties over to Monken during the offseason. That role continued into training camp and preseason. Monken had called plays this season (2018) up until the Bucs’ 16-3 loss to the Washington Redskins last week, which is when Koetter called plays for the first time this season. In that game, the Bucs had 501 yards of total offense but managed just three points.’
January 31st, 2023 at 4:33 pm
Interesting tidbit just stumbled across on ESPN under the title ‘Sources: Broncos finalizing deal with Saints for Sean Payton’.
‘The New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos are finalizing compensation in return for Super Bowl-winning head coach Sean Payton, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
This clears the way for Payton to sign with the Broncos to become the franchise’s next head coach.’
Betcha that Payton’s pay is a mile-high right about now.
January 31st, 2023 at 4:33 pm
Monken is going to Baltimore before he comes here. He would be crazy not too if he wants to work with a good coach.
January 31st, 2023 at 4:41 pm
Really Joe???? A THIRD TE in two yrs when the rookies from last yr look promising.??
Biggest waste of a draft pick ever. Well……Since Aguyo.
January 31st, 2023 at 4:43 pm
Thanks DR! I was just about to research that.
One of the most beautiful places to live in America too.
January 31st, 2023 at 4:48 pm
Well now Broncos and Texans have their HC!
will they be in the market for OC such as Monken…
January 31st, 2023 at 4:48 pm
Uglies.
Big ones.
Mobile, agile, and hostile ReallyReallyReally Big Uglies.
January 31st, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Payton to the broncos. Saints will get first, second and third round draft picks.
January 31st, 2023 at 5:03 pm
Cobraboy … ‘Uglies. Big ones. Mobile, agile, and hostile ReallyReallyReally Big Uglies.’
I couldn’t stop laughing Cobra. You made my day.
January 31st, 2023 at 5:24 pm
@BucsFan81 NO gets a #1 this year and a future 2nd rnd pick, they give DEN a future 3rd rounder
January 31st, 2023 at 5:24 pm
@BucsFan81 NO gets a #1 this year and a future 2nd rnd pick, they give DEN a future 3rd rounder
January 31st, 2023 at 5:31 pm
At 6’7″ he’s a giant.
Can he keep his pad level down?
Is he injury prone?
4.80. 40 yd worries me.
See ya at the combine big man
January 31st, 2023 at 5:39 pm
We need a TE that can score TDs, the giant does not sound like that guy.
January 31st, 2023 at 5:39 pm
This is a passing league, but I agree with monken. You must have at least the threat of a running game. Joe I disagree. The TE takes pressure off the wide outs. No diva is running those hospital routes. Not in this league anyway. Licht is a great drafter when he has high picks. Look at his last two and tell me he’s done a good job. It’s hard to draft when picking at the end of every round, ask Belichick. Of course they could find a gem, but it doesn’t happen often. I’m so conflicted as to what they should do. They obviously need a TE. The two they drafted are not the answer.
January 31st, 2023 at 5:40 pm
Monken could do the OC job well!
Darnell Washington stood out in games i watched excellent TE.
Monken and Washington would improve the offense much!
January 31st, 2023 at 5:56 pm
I’m cool with Monken and a huge tight end. We’ll forget about OJ. 😁
January 31st, 2023 at 6:05 pm
Bucs still flailing around wondering about Brady and the OC plus many other coaches. Bucs are flopping around on the deck. Outlook not so good.
January 31st, 2023 at 6:31 pm
A TE at number 19?, there’s already a bad precedent set along those lines.
January 31st, 2023 at 6:37 pm
@Dooley – ok that’s what I thought, not good.
2015 was the year that Sims and the Druggernaut were an outstanding 1-2 punch. We never had a run game again until 2020.
@Defense Rules – good catch re: Monken and play calling. That would make me a little more optimistic.
January 31st, 2023 at 6:58 pm
Redeemer … ‘They obviously need a TE. The two they drafted are not the answer.’
There’s hope Redeemer; there’s always hope. Yes in our case it’s fleeting, but we can call it a glimmer of hope.
Otton didn’t do that badly for a rookie in Lefty’s offense, especially for a 4th Rounder. He got to play in 16 games, and was targeted 65 times (4 times a game average) & caught 42 of those (64.6%) for 391 yards. That’s not all that bad for a rookie. Heck, Cam Brate has caught 64.7% of the passes thrown his way over his 9-year career (but he only caught 52.6% last season). Our other veteran TE, Kyle Rudolph, only got targeted 5 times all season & caught 3 of those for 60%. Not a bad gig for a TE making $2 mil last year (works out to $667,000 per catch; sign me up, I want a piece of that action).
Ko Kieft (love that name) surprised me in that he caught 7 of the 10 balls thrown his way (70%) for 80 yards. Even managed to score a TD. I enjoy watching him block; reminds me of a lumbering St Bernard my brother used to own (never seemed like he was going very fast, UNTIL he hit you). Still expect to see him used more in the FB role IF we get an OC who knows how to run the ball.
There are 42 free agent TEs on the market this year. We only need ONE (I’m assuming we’ll draft 1 in the later rounds). See, keep hope alive. Now, which one of us gets to talk to Jason Licht to get him onboard?
January 31st, 2023 at 7:06 pm
TRENCHES
January 31st, 2023 at 7:29 pm
OJ Howard vibes
January 31st, 2023 at 7:34 pm
Nice Joe! Was off my radar! But not at 19…..somewhere in the 2nd rd….may even be there where we pick.
I want LT Jaelyn Duncan or CB Cam Smith….move DS to LG.
January 31st, 2023 at 9:24 pm
No way he’s the next OJ Howard. Bowers was and is 100X better.
January 31st, 2023 at 9:58 pm
LOL, you guys act like Monken is coming to Tampa.
I would be shocked if he left Georgia, who are literally a Dynasty.
He is well liked and paid 2 million dollars well at Georgia.
One more National Championship win by Georgia, he could have most any Head Coaching job in the NFL.
Why would he throw all that away to come to Tampa, to work with Todd Bowles ?
I agree that Tight End would be a luxury pick in the draft. I want to see us re stock the Trenches on BOTH sides of the ball.
February 1st, 2023 at 12:01 am
They have to focus on OL/DL.
February 1st, 2023 at 2:13 am
Bucsfanman – I agree with that in general, but by the end of the year Otton was starting to come on. Also rookie TE’s rarely do much, so I’d expect Otton to make a big jump from year one to year two – AND a rookie TE, again, I just wouldn’t expect much from them. If Brady is back, it’s almost certainly one year, and you need to spend that 1st on someone who can play right away. Then, if Brady isn’t back, well, a TE is way down the needs list as you’d want to see what Otton develops into.
I mean if they took the guy I wouldn’t throw a fit or anything, but I’d much rather spend the pick on a lot of other positions. A third WR, to me, is a much much much bigger need than another TE, for example.
February 1st, 2023 at 3:49 am
I don’t think Monken actually takes the job UNLESS Brady is 100% locked up with certainty in coming back for another year. At this point that is EXTREMELY unlikely. Coming back to the Bucs is obviously plan Z for Tom and he repeatedly has indicated that Tampa is NOT his preference. Not with Vegas, Titans and his dream scenario of the 49ers having a slightly opened crack in the door for him to walk thru with the Purdy injury. No way Monken steps right back into a one year job like the Koetter lame duck Head Coach situation he had a few years back. Monken is such a hot commodity and why waste that leverage by taking our OC job. Would be a career killer. He would only be 50/50 to have a job after next year when Bowles is rightly fired for our rebuild. UNLESS we have Monken on our radar to be our Head Coach after Bowles is canned next year. I don’t see Monken taking the OC job in any other way. Furthermore we have a zillion roster holes. We drafted 27 Tight ends the last few years in way too many earlier rounds. I would throw up in mouth a little if we took another. We have higher priority needs in 5 or 6 other areas. Just like everyone is starting to note, the Bucs OC job is extremely uninviting. At this point I think that position is going to get filled by younger unestablished coach that is trying to make a name for himself. It’s a mess.
February 1st, 2023 at 5:56 am
Pass rush pass rush pass rush. Oh did I mention pass rush
February 1st, 2023 at 8:26 am
Mayer is the TE to draft.
February 1st, 2023 at 9:43 am
Tight end isn’t a position for #19 draft pick. This team needs offensive linemen in this draft more than any other position. Secondly they need speed at WR, find a big time playmaker that can run past corners in 3rd and 4th rounds.
Quarterbacks are needs, if there is a big bodied guy who can move in QB position, bring him here in 2nd or 5th round. Even if he’s a project. It took Hurts until year 3 to work out.
TIght end isn’t an urgent need. A good OC can get some production out of Otton and Kleif.
February 1st, 2023 at 10:57 am
Michael Mayer is a much better TE in all areas. Washington is OJ Howard 2.0.
February 1st, 2023 at 11:30 am
DARNELL WASHINGTON!!!
That guy is an extra OT, downfield blocker, red zone threat, 3rd down converter. With the right OC, DW changes the game.
No brainer.