The Draft
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Still don't know enough to contribute much, but this from Fansided: "The acquisition of Jason Pierre-Paul is still one of the best moves by Jason Licht during his tenure. From a Pro Bowl to winning a Super Bowl, it is obvious that this move was equally beneficial to JPP as well.
. . . it probably wasn’t revealed with the proper level of pomp and circumstance, but we can essentially close the door on Jason Pierre-Paul returning to the Buccaneers in 2022 to chase another ring.
Pierre-Paul was another player like Ndamukong Suh who joined the team and played a role in the turnaround, but the team has likely come to the conclusion that his age, health, and the emergence of Joe Tryon-Shoyinka have made this partnership too expensive to maintain.
As much as it might hurt, this is the right move by the Bucs. It is time for JTS to shine as a starter. The Bucs spent a first-round pick a year ago, the tape is there, and this seems like the perfect time to hand over the keys of the car to the young guys.
This Tampa defense is going to look very different, but this group is going to be very good."
That'd be a change from last year, sho 'nuff.
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Players work on a bell curve of talent and skill. At first, all but the very best may have talent, but need to learn their craft at the NFL level. In college, superior talent can conceal many flaws. In the NFL, everybody is talented. As the player obtains skill and wisdom, his natural talents starts to diminish. He loses a step. For instance, 0.2 seconds is not much time, but it's the difference between a pass rusher getting to the QB or not.
Most rookie contracts are a cheaper for the team, at least for the first four or five years. A free agent is usually paid less than a draft pick. If a player is really good and especially if the position is a very valued position (QB, DE, LOT), the player's next contract is where he makes the big money. Unless he gets cut, of course. The average career is less than four years for marginal talent. But if he's good... After that, he's probably 8-9 years in the league, total. His next contract (3rd) will probably be shorter, less money and it will contain a cut clause favorable to the team. Or at the end of his career, it might just be a one year contract with an option. There are a few guys that can play into their mid-30's, having 11-12 year careers, but they aren't many. The guys that play until almost forty or thereabouts are unicorns and always QB's.
Lots of players joke that NFL stands for "Not For Long". Make your money while you can, since you'll carry the battle scars for the rest of your life.
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Tomlin got a steal if he can keep Pickens' healthy in body and mind. The kid is a Top 5 talent if he can get his head screwed on straight.
Coming out of 2021, Pickens was the top rated receiver in the country. He tore his ACL at the Spring Practice and could have just rested and prepared for the draft, but instead he worked his ass off to rehab and get back on the field for the last game and the playoffs and was an important part of their postseason success and championship. I love that story. Sounds to me like the kid’s head is screwed on pretty straight…
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Any relation to Carl Pickens? he's about the right age.
Bengals have really upgraded their secondary with three very fast picks. I like them all. I also like the NDSU right guard they drafted - 6'6" and 320 lbs. Add in the D tackle and I'd say we will be more solid than we were.
If we can give Burrow time to work without running for his life....
“I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill
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Here's a summary of draft highlights for the Bucs from Bucs Redzone:
"[Logan] Hall, projected to line up at more than one spot on the defensive line, signals A) the team's desire to get younger up front, and B) possibly the end of 35-year-old all-pro Ndamukong Suh's tenure in Tampa Bay.
Offensive guard Luke Goedeke of Central Michigan, the team's second pick of Round 2, evolved from a Division III walk-on to an NFL prospect. He helps replenish the depth-chart hole created by Ali Marpet's retirement and free agent Alex Cappa's departure for Cincinnati. Third-round pick Rachaad White, a versatile Arizona State tailback, joins Leonard Fournette, Giovani Bernard and Ke'Shawn Vaughn on the depth chart.
The Bucs began Day 3 of the draft selecting University of Washington tight end Cade Otton, addressing a position of need regardless of whether Rob Gronkowski returns in 2022. They further fortified the tight-end room later in the day, selecting Minnesota's Ko Kieft in the sixth round.
Also on Saturday, the Bucs — notorious for their abysmal history of drafting kickers — exposed themselves to more potential abasement by using a fourth-round pick on Georgia punter Jake Camarda.
Additionally, they used a fifth-round pick on Sam Houston State cornerback Zyon McCollum — a speedster with the potential to emerge as the sleeper of this draft class — and selected LSU edge rusher Andre Anthony in the seventh round."
Still no word from Gronk, which is starting to feel very weird. I'm wondering if he's having CTE issues, and is undecided about whether to commit to another season. I so hope not!
Success is measured by your discipline and inner peace. – Mike Ditka
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Any relation to Carl Pickens? he's about the right age.
Bengals have really upgraded their secondary with three very fast picks. I like them all. I also like the NDSU right guard they drafted - 6'6" and 320 lbs. Add in the D tackle and I'd say we will be more solid than we were.
If we can give Burrow time to work without running for his life....
No relation… But holy crap, the kid the Steelers got in the 4th might be even better. He just flat out flies. (2nd best time in the combine) and also has range (second best vertical leap at the combine)…
If Kennywood, Mason, or Mitch are average as a starter, the Steelers are still relevant.
The Brad
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Here's a summary of draft highlights for the Bucs from Bucs Redzone:
"[Logan] Hall, projected to line up at more than one spot on the defensive line, signals A) the team's desire to get younger up front, and B) possibly the end of 35-year-old all-pro Ndamukong Suh's tenure in Tampa Bay.
Offensive guard Luke Goedeke of Central Michigan, the team's second pick of Round 2, evolved from a Division III walk-on to an NFL prospect. He helps replenish the depth-chart hole created by Ali Marpet's retirement and free agent Alex Cappa's departure for Cincinnati. Third-round pick Rachaad White, a versatile Arizona State tailback, joins Leonard Fournette, Giovani Bernard and Ke'Shawn Vaughn on the depth chart.
The Bucs began Day 3 of the draft selecting University of Washington tight end Cade Otton, addressing a position of need regardless of whether Rob Gronkowski returns in 2022. They further fortified the tight-end room later in the day, selecting Minnesota's Ko Kieft in the sixth round.
Also on Saturday, the Bucs — notorious for their abysmal history of drafting kickers — exposed themselves to more potential abasement by using a fourth-round pick on Georgia punter Jake Camarda.
Additionally, they used a fifth-round pick on Sam Houston State cornerback Zyon McCollum — a speedster with the potential to emerge as the sleeper of this draft class — and selected LSU edge rusher Andre Anthony in the seventh round."
Still no word from Gronk, which is starting to feel very weird. I'm wondering if he's having CTE issues, and is undecided about whether to commit to another season. I so hope not!
Gronk said yesterday if Edelman goes to Tampa, he's in.
“Cry havoc and let slip the DOGE of war!”
Warning: I post things that interest me. Read and comment at your own discretion.
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@LuFins-Dad said in The Draft:
Any relation to Carl Pickens? he's about the right age.
Bengals have really upgraded their secondary with three very fast picks. I like them all. I also like the NDSU right guard they drafted - 6'6" and 320 lbs. Add in the D tackle and I'd say we will be more solid than we were.
If we can give Burrow time to work without running for his life....
No relation… But holy crap, the kid the Steelers got in the 4th might be even better. He just flat out flies. (2nd best time in the combine) and also has range (second best vertical leap at the combine)…
If Kennywood, Mason, or Mitch are average as a starter, the Steelers are still relevant.
About as much as the Reds are.
