Rich McKay continued -
The 1999 Buccaneer draft review
The Bucs drafted 15th in the first round and then alternately 19th through 15th from then on. The additional 6th and 7th round picks came from the Jacksonville Jaguars in return for swopping 6th round picks. The original 6th round pick had been traded to Baltimore for QB Eric Zeier, but an additional 6th round pick came from the Kansas City Chiefs in return for S Melvin Johnson.
DRAFT ANALYSIS - Another great draft through the top selections with starters everywhere. The Bucs were drafting by need and hit every one of their goals in the process.
GRADE: A
The 2000 Buccaneer draft review
The Bucs drafted alternately 27th and 26th through the seven rounds of the draft. The additional 1st round pick came from San Diego as a result of draft day dealings in 1998. The two 1st rounders were then traded to the Jets for Keyshawn Johnson. The fourth round pick was traded to Carolina for the chance to swop picks in the 2nd round
DRAFT ANALYSIS - Keyshawn was one of the best offensive players during his first three years in Tampa and the Super Bowl run making the trade of the two No.1 picks worthwhile. Every other pick contributed in some way even if Whalen was away from the Buccaneers, making this draft a positive overall instead of a negative.
GRADE: B
The 2001 Buccaneer draft review
The Bucs had the 21st overall selection in the 2001 draft but made a draft-day deal with the Buffalo Bills to move up seven spots in the 1st round. The price was a 2nd rounder/ The remaining rounds of the draft saw them select alternately 20th, 23rd, 22nd and 21st. The additional 7th round pick came from Atlanta for QB Eric Zeier
DRAFT ANALYSIS - The need to draft a left tackle forced the Bucs' hand in trading their 2nd round pick to move up and take Kenyatta Walker. It just did not work out. Dwight Smith and John Howell were both good picks and the two sixth round selections, Cook and Wyms, both also contributed to the success of the Bucs over the next few years. So because of the Walker mistake, the overall rating for this draft is a low one. GRADE: C
The 2002 Buccaneer draft reviewThe top two picks in this draft went to Oakland as part of the deal that brought Jon Gruden to Tampa Bay. The Bucs selected alternately 22-21 in this draft. They also received three additional 7th round selections as compensatory picks.
DRAFT ANALYSIS - In terms of the players selected, there was no impact at all apart from Jermaine Phillips. But in terms of the picks traded for Jon Gruden, well, there is a Vince Lombardi Trophy at One Buc Place with his fingerprints all over it.
Im struggling with Scott Reynolds take on Jason Licht already being the best GM in Bucs history.
I might be alone in this thought, but what about Rich McKay? He helped turn the Buc’s around from being the Yuccaneers. Is there a reason I’m missing Licht being put on this pedestal already?
McKay was not a great drafter. He only drafted 2 good offensive players, ever -- Dunn and Alstott. People hold him in high regard because before him, we had buffoonery running the front office. He hired Dungy, so he gets credit for turning around the franchise... but Licht is a far more accomplished GM and a better talent evaluator. It's really not even close. McKay was overrated and got pushed upstairs in Atlanta because they wanted a real football guy as GM.
1) “McKay was not a great drafter.”
- FALSE
2) “People hold him in high regard because before him, we had buffoonery running the front office.”
- Is that any different than why Licht is being held in high regard?
3) “He hired Dungy, so he gets credit for turning around the franchise”
- McKay’s hires were Dungy and Gruden. Hit gold on both. Licht has had trouble with coaches outside of BA.
4) “Licht is a far more accomplished GM and a better talent evaluator. It's really not even close.”
- That’s a really bold statement. Please explain…
5) “McKay was overrated”
- How?