FAB 5. SR’s Buc Shots

• Here’s one more interesting tidbit about that pre-draft lunch with Jon Gruden in 2005. It was funny because he practically told me the Bucs were going to draft Cadillac Williams at that lunch, but the thought of Tampa Bay taking what was going to be the second or third running back with the fifth overall pick – when a pass rusher like DeMarcus Ware would be available at No. 5 – made me queasy. I was actually repulsed my the idea, as I wasn’t a fan of Williams in the pre-draft process.

Former Bucs RB Cadillac Williams – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

I actually preferred USC wide receiver Mike Williams, who would end up being a bust, instead of Cadillac Williams, and ignored Gruden’s hints about drafting the Auburn running back because I just didn’t want to believe it. On April 23, which happened to be my birthday, Gruden drafted Williams, whom he coached at the Senior Bowl, on the first night of the draft. I was not happy and my birthday was ruined.

If Williams had gone by his real name, Carnell, instead of his “Cadillac” nickname, I really don’t think Gruden would have been intrigued about him as much as he was – and I’m serious. I think part of the reason why Gruden drafted Williams was because of his “Cadillac” nickname. Gruden is quirky like that.

Following the 2005 NFL Draft, the league would move the draft back a week or two to the last week of April or the first week of May. But the league decided to push the NFL Draft up this year, and the first night is again on April 23. I sure hope Bucs general manager Jason Licht and head coach Bruce Arians don’t ruin my birthday the way Gruden did in 2005. Please make the right pick, guys.

• Speaking of the draft, I don’t know if the Buccaneers are going to select Penn State EDGE rusher Yetur Gross-Matos or not, but if they do there will surely be some fate involved. Gross-Matos lost his father and his brother in two separate tragedies years apart. Gross-Matos’ older brother was killed at age 12 when he was struck by lightning while at a youth baseball game. Just after Gross-Matos got his first sack as a freshman at Michigan State a three-hour thunderstorm delay ensued.

Gross-Matos took that as a sign from the heavens that his brother was with him and he cried in the locker room during the entire rain delay. Watch this ESPN video that tells the tale. I was literally moved to tears viewing it. If Gross-Matos were to be drafted by the Buccaneers, he would of course be coming to Tampa – which just happens to be the lightning capital of the world.

• OJ on the trading block? Mark Cook couldn’t attend the last Pewter Nation Podcast, but yours truly was joined by Matt Matera and Taylor Jenkins to discuss the possibility of a David Johnson – Bruce Arians reunion in Tampa Bay, as well as suggest that the Bucs may look into trading tight end O.J. Howard during the offseason. This one went an hour, folks. Yes, it was that good. Click the link to listen to it, and you’ll hear why.

Pewter Nation Podcast Episode 180: Howard Trade Speculation, Johnson To Bucs Possibility

We followed up a previous SR’s Fab 5 column on Philip Rivers possibly coming to Tampa Bay with an enhanced discussion on that topic from all of the Pewter Reporters. If you missed it, make sure you click on the link to listen to it.

Pewter Nation Podcast Episode 179: Is Rivers In Play As Bucs’ Next QB?

The Pewter Report staff will tape a brand new Pewter Nation Podcast on the afternoon of Friday, February 14. The new podcast will be posted later in the afternoon. Stay tuned.

There is no better time to listen to a new Pewter Nation Podcast, which is presented by Chris Garrido of Westshore Financial, than on your drive home from work on Friday or early Saturday morning at the gym or running errands.

The popularity of the Pewter Nation Podcast continues to grow. In addition to listening to the Pewter Nation Podcasts on PewterReport.com you can also subscribe to the free podcasts at PodBean by clicking here and on SoundCloud by clicking here. And of course the Pewter Nation Podcast is also available on iTunes. Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode.

• Last year’s Tampa Bay draft class appeared to have several hits in it for general manager Jason Licht and head coach Bruce Arians, including cornerback Jamel Dean, one of the team’s third-round picks. Pro Football Focus graded Dean, who had two interceptions and 17 pass breakups, as the highest-graded rookie cornerback in 2019.

Highest graded rookie CB

1. Jamel Dean – 76.4 pic.twitter.com/FHchlFR9T2

— PFF (@PFF) February 5, 2020

• FOLLOW PEWTER REPORT ON SOCIAL MEDIA We appreciate the 34,000 Twitter followers we have on the @PewterReport Twitter account and passed that big milestone at the end of 2019. Now we’re on our way to reaching 35,000 in 2020. So if you don’t follow us on Twitter please take the time to do so, Bucs fans.

Also, make sure you follow PewterReport.com on all social media platforms this offseason as we cover the NFL Scouting Combine next month and the NFL Owners Meeting in March, plus any breaking Bucs news or press conferences.

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• The first Bucs draft prospect I listed in Fab 1 was Louisville offensive tackle Mekhi Becton, whom Tampa Bay would love to draft. The Bucs aren’t the only ones who love Becton. NFL analyst and former offensive lineman Brian Baldinger also loves Becton, too.

Although Baldinger needs to learn how to pronounce his first name correctly. It’s pronounced Mek-HI, like the actor Mekhi Phifer – not Micky, as Baldinger said in this video clip.

.@UofLFootball #MekhiBecton is a helluva prospect that has tremendous size and yet can move that big body. Who doesn’t want Large People to build their offensive line around. I promise to do lots of film work on this player over the next 8 weeks. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/rTY8I3KNhD

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) February 13, 2020

• And finally, if you love to get dressed up and need a new suit, sports coat, slacks or dress shirts, turn to the fine folks at Bespoke & Co. – the official clothier of PewterReport.com. David Kahn and his staff at Bespoke & Co. have been outfitting the PewterReport.com staff in custom-fit suits, shirts, slacks and sports coats for years, and are also the clothiers for several members of the Buccaneers and Tampa Bay Lightning, too.

Bespoke & Co. have several packages that make great birthday, anniversary or Valentine’s Day gifts, including custom-fit suits and dress clothes. Visit the BespokeAndCoFL.com website to view the packages and selections available and then call (813) 902-1963 to set up an appointment for measurements.

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I trust them for my wardrobe needs for game day and my appearances on WFLA News Channel 8’s Bucs Bonus show, and with one visit to the Bespoke & Co. showroom at 3305 W. Bay To Bay Boulevard in South Tampa you’ll feel the same way, too.

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