For Guard Help, Watch For A Tackle?
February 23rd, 2024
TCU left tackle Brandon Coleman.
OK, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht is in his 11th offseason with the club. And in that time, Licht has some tells when it comes to picking offensive linemen.
Bucs fans are clamoring for interior help on the offensive line. Yeah, Joe knows center Robert Hainsey has been a lightning rod for fans as he tried to replace Ryan Jensen.
When Joe Gilbert and Harold Goodwin were here working as offensive line coaches, they strongly had Hainsey’s back. With Gilbert and Goodwin now in Carolina, Joe has no idea what new offensive line coach Kevin Carberry thinks of Hainsey or left guard Aaron Stinnie, a pending free agent.
So what are Licht’s tells about interior offensive linemen? He likes small schools, studs during Senior Bowl practices and tackles. Licht likes moving tackles inside.
Licht did that with Ali Marpet, tried to do it with Luke Goedeke and did do that with Cody Mauch.
Now former Sean McVay disciple Liam Coen is the Bucs’ new offensive coordinator. Carberry also worked for McVay in Los Angeles. Joe thinks it is safe to say Coen and Carberry will set up an offense similar to what McVay has in Los Angeles.
So yesterday in his pre-combine press conference, NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, the former Eagles and Crows scout, was asked what offensive lineman in the draft fits McVay’s offense.
Well, if a guy fits McVay’s offense, he might fit Coen’s offense.
Jeremiah threw out a name who he believes can handle McVay’s blocking assignments and that is a Big XII tackle.
“A guy like Brandon Coleman from TCU, probably like in that third-round range,” Jeremiah said. “He has played left tackle and can kick inside and play guard.
“He is 316 pounds, so he kind of has that skill set as well that they can do anything.”
Well now, a big tackle that can play inside and likely will be moved inside.
Hello, Mr. Licht.
If the Bucs are looking to upgrade the left guard position, this Coleman seems to fit Licht’s pattern sans the little school background (TCU is in the Big XII).
Jeremiah thought Coleman in the third round to the Rams is doable. The Rams’ third-round selections Nos. 83 and 100 overall. The Bucs pick is No. 89.
Check out Coleman in the video below. Looks like he has a little bite to his play. In the run game, it seems Coleman enjoys throwing defenders to the ground, sort of like Mauch.
That’s Joe’s kinda lineman. Big and ornery.
TCU OL Brandon Coleman #BuildingTheBoard
I would be very surprised if the Bears draft an OT in round 1. But I could absolutely see them drafting an OT (who can also play guard) on day two or later and if I we're in the draft room I would pound the table for Coleman.
With… pic.twitter.com/3CpIYmoJ6v
— Chicago Football Connection (@CFCBears) February 20, 2024
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:05 am
Big, ugly, ‘tude, and wide base/good feet.
What’s not to like?
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:07 am
Ooo baby that play from guard where he threw one defender to the left tackle and perfectly picked up the blitzer coming inside was sexy
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:08 am
Yep, Licht likes the small school tackles moved inside. However, everyone is gaga about Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson. Most mocks have him gone by #26, but I wonder if Licht might move up a few spots for this guy?
I’m reading a couple comments about the Bucs possible trading one of our CB’s who can’t stay on the field. Any inside info about this Joe?
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:14 am
Would love to see Davis trade for Reddick of the Eagles.
We upgrade pass rush then can draft atop corner round 1.
Atop interior linemen round 2 and a safety and RB in rounds 3 and 4.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:17 am
Very good. Like his ability to get out into space as a run blocker. This guy might be real steal. Versatility along the line is a huge plus in the NFL.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:22 am
Yea – drafting Tackles for any spot on the Oline is definitely Jason’s MO….
I get it. Tackles are typically the most athletic OL players and Licht definitely prefers interior OL players who can pull, move well and get to the next level.
Bucs GM has done a great job over the years identifying and bringing in talented linemen. So I have confidence the current need for upgrades at LG and Center will be capably filled with at least 1 draft pick.
Perhaps 1 move (drafting the right Center) improves both positions as its not inconceivable that Hainsey is a better guard than Center.
Maybe Hainsey could move over – 1 spot to the left next to Wirfs – and be better at blocking the guy in front of him if that’s all he has to be concerned with….
However it gets addressed – When it comes to OL – In Licht I trust!
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:27 am
Trade back form 26 to pick up some extra picks later and fill our roster with solid pieces.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:28 am
Alll there interior positions are in need of upgrades
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:30 am
Was it our original intention to have Hainsey play center?
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:46 am
Of course not! Ryan Jensen was at center.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:48 am
Knee problems.
His knees buckle a lot.
He’s too slow to be a LT. And his center of gravity is too high for LG.
Pass!
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:09 am
The Bucs have some flexibility on the Oline. There are many different ways to go in the draft. The Bucs could draft Johnson if he’s available at 26. If not, I move down and gain more pics (additional 2nd and 3rd or 4th) and draft a LT or RT in the second round. This allows the Bucs to move Goedeke to RG and move Mauch to LG. Goedeke did a good job at RT but he’s better suited for RG and Mauch is better suited at LG. The Center position and Right Tackle position are the upgrades that need to happen. That leaves Hainsey as the backkup for all 3 interior positions.
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:12 am
We need a big maulers in the middle, but OL should be top of list behind winfield
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:13 am
Sign Evans and Mayfield
Draft an interior OLineman with a top 2 rounds pick
Go get Derrick Henry
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:26 am
They need to go D & OL their first two picks.
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:51 am
Powers-Johnson seems like the dream R1 O-line prospect if we go that direction.
If not it seems like we should have some good options at DE / CB / WR based on the typical mock drafts I’ve seen
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:59 am
Licht has been great at Oline.
With one major exception.
He was so incorrectly overconfident, that he let a bad O-line ruin our last opportunity with Tom Brady at QB.
If he had upgraded that O-line, Brady might have gotten us another ring.
We all make mistakes. Hopefully Mr. Licht learned from that one.
And the terrible D-linemen we’ve drafted lately( JTS,Hall)
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:06 am
I agree resign Winfield or tag him idc Bring him back basically. Same with evans and LVD. I really want Cedric Gray from UNC OLB. He’d be a great addition to learn from LVD. Can tackle , gets sacks , is quick and athletic. Can line up in coverage! I like him a lot. I don’t like too many 4-3 OLBs these days. I’m impressed by him.
With the first round pick I would suggest drafting a C simply because we may not have much of a choice. Sucks for real. Not many good centers in the NCAA anymore apparently.
So my
1. Powers Johnson at C
2. Cedric Gray LB
3. Best OL/ DL available.
I definitely would like the idea of Derrick Henry in Tampa as the starting RB if healthy. Loved the bigger backs since the Alstott days. It’s not all gonna come overnight some of these draft picks will very likely be backups for a few years before getting their shot to start in the league. It’s tough competition for some guys. not everyone stands out from the crowd.
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:09 am
Need big uglies on both lines.
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:11 am
Whoever Licht drafts is going to have the word athletic in their draft profile, and probably a wrestling background
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:13 am
@ Joe
Our GM also likes lineman with a very high RAS (Relative Athletic Score) @ the combine.
Ali Marpet, Robert Hainsey, Luke Goedeke and Cody Mauch both had very high RAS at the combine.
Alex Cappa was the only lineman drafted by Licht with a low RAS.
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:14 am
*all (not both)
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:46 am
Absolute monster get em
February 23rd, 2024 at 12:48 pm
Upgrading Goedonkey is an additional priority. Go Bucs.
Trenches.
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:08 pm
Trade back?
When was the last time we did that? It’s been awhile hasn’t it?
Just like trading a player before the deadline. Rarely/never happens with this team
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:23 pm
That’s the only way to get to Rams 11th in Rushing and not dead last. The Line.
How else will you increase Rushing/Game by 50%
Sure Bucs could go get Henry to carry the ball but how far? Without a strong Line that’s just Dumb.
Henry 2023 rushing. 2 games against HOU 28 carries for 51 yards. Had other games of 34, 38, and 24. 2@ 100 and 1 @ 150. others about 75 per game.
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:27 pm
I agree Dave Pear. Trenches.
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:28 pm
Holy crap, draft this big boy for sure, start him at G. I know it’s just highlights but now that I saw this I’ll be bummed if we don’t draft him. I love how he always tries to finish his blocks with the defender on the turf, and he moves really well for such a huge guy. Put him at G and that should help us run the ball and have some kind of time to throw. He looks like the type of draft pickups we need if we’re to fix the weakspots while still being able to afford to bring back ME13, BM6 and Winfield Jr! I sure hope we can!
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:29 pm
@ Dooosh
I believe the last time the Bucs traded back was when they drafted Logan Hall with the 33rd overall pick in the 2022 draft.
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:31 pm
@ Dave Pear
Goedeke actually had a pretty decent (not great) season at RT in 2023.
He was graded in the low 70’s and was @ the 16th ranked tackle in the NFL. That’s pretty solid.
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:40 pm
Licht has had great success drafting small school tackles, and moving them inside. Really? Let’s look at Marpet for example. Went from LG, to center where he admitted he sucked at, then moved to RG where he finally made his first pro bowl, only to retire early. Call that a success? Cappa. Struggled at first, but improved enough to get a contract with Cinncy, not us. How many pro bowls in his career? Goedeke. Another small school tackle who failed badly at guard. He’s playing better at tackle, which is what he was in college. Jury still out, maybe he makes the pro bowl, but it sure won’t be at guard. Mauch. Jury still out, showed some signs, but got man handled more then anyone would like. Hope they don’t put him on the Marpet career path. Hainsey was a tackle also, and Buc nation can’t wait till they replace him at center. So much for Licht’s midas touch moving small school tackles inside. Joe, why you keep pushing these so called success stories?
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:42 pm
Goedonkey did improve I admit. Still – tolerate him until you can replace him. Upgrade the trenches. No matadors.
February 23rd, 2024 at 1:58 pm
We know Licht’s M.O. on this. I don’t think he looks for short armed tackles *first*, but I think he focuses on skill sets and limitations of a college O-lineman and determines best fit. From there I think the grade is on strength, agility, ability to anchor, and toughness. I think Hainsey was a less successful projection because he just doesn’t have the lower body bulk to get much push as an inside player.
February 23rd, 2024 at 2:03 pm
Mentally, I am manifesting Cooper Beebe for LG in the 2nd round…He has G-C flexibility & fits what Coen likes in an IOL. Big, Nasty with movement skills.
February 23rd, 2024 at 2:19 pm
JC LATHAM!!!
Go Big or Go Home. JC played guard for Alabama two seasons ago. 360 POUNDS next to Wirfs. Bucs aren’t finishing 31st in rushing attack with a line like that.
February 23rd, 2024 at 2:37 pm
Hell yeah! For a Division-III tackle? Dude started on one of the NFL’s best offenses in the league. Marpet was widely regarded in NFL circles as a good guard if not very good. Wasn’t his fault he couldn’t make the Pro Bowl even though he played like a Pro Bowler.
Antoine Winfield didn’t make the Pro Bowl this year. Should the Bucs admit their mistake and let him walk?
February 23rd, 2024 at 2:46 pm
Anyone who doesn’t think Marpet was a successful pick has rocks in their head.
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:57 pm
Dave Pear you are Delusional, Goedeke played more than efficient football and he will get even better, he’s got a mean streak the same as Mauch the only weak link in our line is Hainsey. Why don’t you go watch more all 22 before you mouth off about the members of the Bucs Oline.
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:01 pm
This TCU Tackle is stiff in the Hips and slow with his hand work placement but if you move him to G he can always get better with his hands and the hips don’t matter as much. He finishes plays and seems to be tough minded. He would be good for a day two pick. Good article Joe
February 24th, 2024 at 8:14 am
No Joe, I don’t call Marpet a success. We wasted a good part of his career moving him across the line. Q. Nelson the guard from N.D. made the pro bowl his rookie year playing what he did at a high level in college guard. T. Wirfs is a success, made the pro bowl at RT, next year he will at LT, because that’s what he is. Drafting a small school LT, and making him move inside is crazy. Why pick this kid only to watch him struggle for a year learning a new position, and the speed of the NFL when you can pick a guard like the kid from Michigan who’s ready day one? Why move Mauch to center, when you can draft Van Pran? It doesn’t make sense. Top it off, Licht always moves up for these projects in the second round to boot, when they aren’t even rated that high in must mocks.