Bucs pick Rutgers guard in third round

The Bucs selected Rutgers guard Jeremy Zuttah in the third round Sunday. He also could play center or tackle.

The 6-foot-3, 306 pound Zuttah played all three positions during his four-year career with the Scarlet Knights, starting 28 straight games at right tackle.   

The selection of Zuttah continues the Bucs commitment to building the offensive line. He graduated in December with a degree in economics.

The Bucs likely expect Zuttah to be a swing player who can start at multiple positions. Tampa Bay already has two high round picks at guard - Davin Joseph (first-rounder in '06) and Arron Sears (second-rounder in '07). The Bucs signed Saints free agent Jeff Faine in the off-season.

""I'm very physically mature but I'm only 21-years old,'' Zuttah said. ""I'm strong, I'm fast, I think I'm physically ready. It's just how fast I can learn the system. That's also one of my strengths, my intelligence, so I can learn it quickly. I guess the speed of the game will be different, too.''

(Photo: Jeremy Zuttah, bottom right, did not allow a sack over his final two college seasons. AP Photo. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[Scratching My Head]

wrong side of the line guys ... should be concentrating on finding the best player we can get onto the field to help the DL

[kevinmmills]

I already feel the Boo Birds coming in on this one.

I Think everyone wants a RB or QB.

Before the pick I was thinking we could use some more depth at RB/FB and you can always use quality Linemen, offensive and defensive.

I think the Bucs should just draft the best player available from here on out [and still get that running back if he's one of the BPA]

[Kool-Aid Lover]

Clearly this young man will be a HOFer, since Bruce Allen and Jon Gruden are INFALLIBLE. These men know how to draft! Anyone who DARES to criticize this pick should be excommunicated, castrated and summarily executed. All hail the great Chucky!

And if this kid is a bust, it's Dungy's fault.

ESPN had him as a projected 7th rounder.

I don't get this pick at all. Where does he fit in to the current line? They should have drafted another WR. You have a complete unknown in D. Jackson, you might as well improve your chances of landing a contributor at the WR position.

[PJ]

Rick,
I understand it is great to get some versatility on the line, but the projections I've seen say he was a 6 or 7th round pick... do you have any other insight?

[J]

Aaron Sears was a second round pick, not a first rounder as mentioned in the story above.

[JC]

Disappointing. Especially with players like Tashard Choice, Andre Caldwell, Mario Manningham and the like still on the board. I hope that a "playmaker" is still available next round, since that's what Gruden SAYS he wants.

I see a lot of people clamoring for Manningham - why? Mr. Wonderlic 6 has documented problems with digesting anything more than "line up and run downfield" and we want him to come memorize Guru's Bible with 100 different ways to run a draw/slant/hail mary?

[kevinmmills]

Guys who want another WR,

Just curious, if we draft another WR, say caldwell or whoever, who gets cut? Just curious to see who you think our other 3 or 4 WR's would end up being?

I'm also curious about ESPN projecting him that late. Is that an old evaluation, did his stock rise? That would be a waste of a 3rd round pick.

[Mike]

PATHETIC DRAFT. NICE JOB BY CURLY ALLEN AND MO GRUDEN.

[JC]

Gruden stated he wants dynamic playmakers. it's evident they need talent at ALL offensive skill positions; i don't think one can argue they have truly addressed that through FA or the draft thus far. it makes sense then, to me, that they pick another receiver or a running back; who gets cut will get sorted out in camp.

[d]

your all too negative. This Offensive lineman is a good pick up. It all happens in the trenches and are offensive line is getting better and better which will improve the run and protect our aging qb. It also provides depth and versatility. Theres no one pick that will cure all but if we plug the holes ( wr/ kick returner ) ( CB - loss of Kelly ) ( injuries OL left side ) we will improve...enough of the negativity support your team. Go Bucs!!

[MP]

Not sure where you guys are getting your projections from, but Kiper had him projected as a second round, may late first round pick. You can never have too many good o-lineman.

[DanW]

this is a great pick i think, hes a big talented guard, who hasnt let up a sack in 25 games. what draft projections are you guys looking at, if your watching the draft they just said they thought he would go in the 2nd round. early doucet was already off the board, we can get a wr in the next round. then as far as rb, we dont really need one, graham did good last year, bennet will be more familiar with the playbook and have a better year for us and then we have warrick dunn back, and then well get caddy back in the middle of the season.

[Justin M]

For those saying Zuttah was a projected 7th rounder, you are wrong. Zuttah is a Day 1 talent we got in the 3rd round. Solid pick considering his ability to play all O-line positions. The Bucs have incredible depth on the offensive line.

[Denver Buc Fan]

When Zuttah was picked, Kiper had him as the 3nd best player available, and the best O-line guy left in the draft. The guy was Rutgers leader on O-line and can play C, G, and T. Any other pick doesn't make sense. good pick

[Jake]

I was very negative yesterday about the Buc's picks and I still beleive we wasted our 2nd rd pick; with that said I think this isn't a bad pick.

Don't put so much stock into what ESPN said this guy is dominate OG/OT, and beleive he may end up playing LT for us. LT is still an area of concern and this at least gives us a option that may turn into a pillar on that side.

I still think we need that playmaker though...hopefully he is coming soon.

[jeffA]

i don't get this pick. all the high picks in OG: joseph, sears, beuning. could have gone RB, DL or another WR or CB.

[Eric Cullison]

Im not a fan of the pick, but anybody saying that this kid isnt a good TALENT is wrong. I just feel that we could definitely still fill a playmaker need. Dexter Jackson is an exciting player whos numbers are down because of a run first spread offense. Its a good character kid would is going to provide alot of help for this team. Talib over jenkins i dont like but hey does fit really well into our system

[Justin M]

It will be interesting to see what position Zuttah primarily plays. I know he will most likely learn all positions as time goes on, but what will be his main position? I think the Bucs believe he can be a strong NFL tackle.

I see where everyone is coming from with concern for our group of WR's. Galloway is aging, Hillard is solid but not flashy. After that it's a lot of question marks.

I really do think A. Bryant will be a big boost though. Talent has never been a problem with him. Most of his problems have been attitude related [no substance abuse problems like Boston]. He's on his last strike and probably wants to prove himself so he can get a big contract while he's still young.

Stovall is coming into his third season and is a hard worker and if youve watched him you can tell he loves to play. It's time to throw him in the fire and see if he can play.

If Dexter Jackson is our 4/5th WR on some sets he's a dangerous option to have.

Clayton/Warren know the system and will give us some depth incase of injuries.

We all saw how well Warren played last preseason, hopefully Gruden learned something from Earnest Graham about playing guys he continually produce in preseason.

I think the talent is there with this group. It's a matter of getting them to produce. Which does fall on gruden.

[kevinmmills]

My main point was I dont see the value in using another draft pick on a WR who will never play or not even make the team.

You can never have to much depth at the lines.

Having said that I think we have depth at most every position now.

we could use another Dlineman but other than that and a RB i'm not sure if any players drafted from this point on will have a good shot at making the team.

[B]

Good pick. You never get through a season without having some OL injuries. Depth on the OL is vital.

[Rick]

Good catch J. Thanks.

The Gruden / Allen basher "fake Buc fans" need to quiet down. NEWSFLASH guys.........DUNGY LEFT 8 years ago. HE ISNT COMING BACK GET OVER IT.

Solid draft so far. We addressed our biggest needs....CB and WR. Im already imagining Jackson in the slot with Galloway and Clayton on the outside and Alex Smith running the short curl. Unstoppable.

The OL needs depth. This kid from Rutgers played tackle in college but will probably play OG or Center. A versitle lineup who can fill about any hole. GREAT PICK.

Another WR? WHY?

I love the armchair QB's who think they can do it better than the pros. Have another beer guys.

[Jeff]

we drafted PACMAN II in the first.
Ike Haggins in the second
and a GUARD in the third

how 'bout at least a LEFT tackle.

Wow.

The Saints look brilliant.

LOL @ adding Dexter Jackson equaling an unstoppable offense. Wow, who spiked the Kool-Aid with Bacardi 151???

[JS]

I consider Jeremy to play when luke goes down with an injury which is most likely to occur... and then we will have a monster line... only then... I hope we draft josh johnson in the fourth and a DL in the fifth.

[Jim]

WOW!! More incompetence from the Buc's "brain trust?" They pass on great wide receivers, pass on the best CB, then more OL "prospects". I don't think that they see the forest for the trees.Since Frick & Frack have been drafting, how many pro bowler's have we had?

0 Pro Bowlers, yet when you dare to criticize their drafting results their cult will bring up Buenning, Hayward and Darby(even undrafteds like Graham.

Once again the ignoramuses come out to spout off about a player they know nothing about because he didn't play at UF or USF.

Zuttah is a good pickup b/c of his versatility - he has the athleticism to play LT later on down the road and in the meantime will back up Sears and Joseph. Zuttah was a Michigan recruit who switched to Rutgers last minute and played a big part behind their rise to prominence blocking for Ray Rice.

As for the 7th round projection - I believe that to be old cause his workouts at the combine lead his stock to fly up the charts.

Observe his athleticism in this play:
_youtube.com/watch?v=Q8wPeK1qx2Y

At WR - Manningham is a moron and Caldwell is a another UF WR who won't do a damn thing in the pros. The QBs at this point are pretty spare too and if we drafted one of them, you clowns would be the 1st people bashing Gruden for picking up another QB. If we do go QB I would like us to take Josh Johnson late in the 5th.

Mel Kiper said he could have seen Zuttah go in the late 1st, early 2nd and really likes his versatility to play G or T.

youtube.com/watch?v=6iioXJycf5w

Can the moron fake Bucs fans who get off bashing Gruden/Allen please pipe down, its obvious that you're not fans anyways

[kevinmmills]

I dont think anyone is arguing the Bucs have been great at drafting. Especially in the later rounds, maybe we need better scouts.

However the last Three years I'd say most of our early pics have turned out well.

Yes because only true fans never criticize or question moves by the front office.

Jawohl, mein Kommandant!

[What the Buc?]

Zuttah seems to be a solid pick ... I can't fault an effort to solidify an O line that definitely needs it. Depth (as pointed out) is very important and this guy was one of the best remaining (which is key from here on out because it will all be "best of the rest") players ..... as for Caldwell not performing in the NFL ... before he's even lined up ... come on ... he might not be a game breaker but I'd eager he'll contribute to the Bungles offense (which lost "thug" Henry and will likely lose Chad (hear me cry) ... God don't sign that blow hard ... he's a nuclear waste dump that'll blow up in our face!

"Yes because only true fans never criticize or question moves by the front office.

Jawohl, mein Kommandant!"

Yes but it got old when you criticized every move that has ever been made post-Dungy cause you don't like Gruden personally. Most of the negative people on here base all their opinions on their personal dislike of Gruden and so, no, I don't consider them to be fans, I consider you to be a Gruden basher and not a Bucs fan

[Vince]

Build through the draft does not mean draft to win the Super Bowl this year, it means draft for value. This lineman may not fill a pressing need, but he will likley be a very good player for the Bucs for many years (good value).

Where's the patience? Does anyone recall how well the Raiders were doing before Gruden came here? Let's see, Gruden would have taken the Raiders to the Super Bowl, but for a bad call that has since resulted in a rule change.The next year,the Bucs played the Raiders in the Super Bowl. I would say that Raiders team was pretty successful.

Who built that Raiders team? Allen, right? How -- good drafting and few key free agent pickups. Sound familiar?

C'mon people. Relax.

'as for Caldwell not performing in the NFL ... before he's even lined up...'

Add his name to the list of WRs from UF who did well in the swamp and crapped out in the pros. That list goes about 30 deep in the last 10 years.

[kevinmmills]

Nothing wrong with criticizing. But people who continually call them incompetent and moron's are really offering any valuable criticism.

It's more like exaggeration with a little of chicken little's the sky is falling routine.

Criticism is saying they arent very good at find talent late in the draft and that they dont have a great track record of drafting WR's that can put up numbers.

I think DJ was an okay pick, and wasnt convinced Thomas or any of the other WR's, all of whom fell out of the first round for a reason, were going to be a sure thing. But even best case scenario Dexter Jackson will probably be a no 2. More than likely he'll never be better than a dangerous slot receiver.

But where we were I think it made sense to draft him.

"Who built that Raiders team? Allen, right? "

Not many of their picks are cornerstones of that club, unless you count Janikowski lol.

Problem is, a lot of Grudenistas are paranoid and thin skinned. If someone comes with a valid, non-Duemig-esque concern about bypassing top WRs, leaving our RFAs unsigned as of yet or not pushing for certain FAs, their only response is "you just hate Gruden". News flash - not everyone hates Gruden. You can criticize the team and its direction without making it personal.

Dre Moore -- great pick up, good value

[kevinmmills]

I really need to start proof reading my posts. we need an edit feature on here.

[dbuc]

Good, solid pick. Bruce knows what he's doing on this one. Smart, agile, fast and big - all adds up to great investment on a Sunday pick. He's good at all o-line spots and has his degree, great value.

[Mark]

Zuttah is a solid pick. Look at the yards Ray Rice racked up running behind this guy. Plus, you know Rutgers players have their head on straight. Dexter Jackson is the far more questionable pick. Small WRs don't translate well to NFL...300 lbers always do.

[Tuck]

Kevinmmills, Try copying your text, then pasting into a Word document, where you can use the spelling and grammar check. You can make changes in Word, (if necessary), and then copy and paste back to the SPT page to post your comments.

Im just really happy we passed on manningham for this guy!!! NOTTTTTTTTT

[ben bolt fan]

This guy will have a oppritunity to start at right takle. Do not pncil in the currnet starter as a go. This guy can mash people and he is condidente and mean.

[Dwayne]

there was no problem with the Zuttah pick he can pic, mannigham smoked weed just like Talib and u guys were hatin on the talib for that at least he admitted it unlike manningham who lied to coaches faces, some of you buc fans just dont know wat you guys want, you cry about sumthin but encourage it other players, Zuttah is a big lineman that can flat out run if you dont believe me look at this video, if one of our guards gets hurt this guy can pull out and become a good blocker if he move like this check out this video

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Q8wPeK1qx2Y&feature=related

[travis]

Zuttah is a great value pick in the third round. First day talent and can play all over the O line. Will fit in well with the rest of the young strong line. Has not given up a sack in two years.

[Kurt]

For all of you GruAllen haters, consider this: They turned 5 picks into 7 without sacrificing a thing really, addressed the CB, WR, DT, LT (that's where he played for 48 straight games,) QB, RB and special teams (with the kid from FSU.) In essence, we addressed everything all of you have individually felt like we needed to. Yet, here we are complaining about what a terrible job they've done. Look at Gruden and Allen's record in division titles, conference championship appearances and SB's in their short (and young) professional careers. No program is without fault (like the Patriots cheating,) but you should look a little closer and see that they picked players in every position needed and have done a good job of rebuilding this franchise over the past few years. All picks are a crapshoot from college to NFL, but they've done pretty good overall, especially linemen.