Inside Senior Bowl Day 1: Bucs Interview Monken, Tierney, Curry

The first day of practice at the 2023 Senior Bowl is complete and the Bucs also spent the day conducting two more interviews for their vacant offensive coordinator position. Here are Pewter Report’s practice observations and inside scoop live from Mobile, Ala.

Bucs Interview Monken, Tierney, Curry

Bucs general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles were not at the first day of Senior Bowl practice on Tuesday as the two were conducting a pair of interviews for Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator job. The Bucs interviewed Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken virtually on Tuesday. Monken was supposed to fly to Mobile for an in-person interview but issues with Monken’s flight forced the Bucs to conduct the interview virtually instead.

Monken was the Bucs receivers coach (2016) and offensive coordinator (2017-18) under Dirk Koetter before the coaching staff change in 2019 that brought in Bruce Arians and his staff. Monken spent the 2019 season as the Browns offensive coordinator before spending the last three seasons at Georgia where the Bulldogs won back-to-back national championships in 2021-22.

After Monken, the Bucs interviewed Giants quarterbacks coach Sean Tierney in person in Mobile, as well as Saints passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Ronald Curry. Now the Bucs have met the NFL’s Rooney Rule requirement for interviewing at least two minority candidates for the offensive coordinator position and can hire anyone they choose. Curry and Vikings wide receiver Keenan McCardell are both African-Americans.

Tampa Bay has now interviewed a total of seven candidates so far – Klint Kubiak, Jim Bob Cooter, Dan Pitcher, McCardell, Monken, Tierney and Curry – for the right to replace Byron Leftwich, who was fired after the team’s 31-14 playoff loss to Dallas.

Aside from the offensive coordinator position, the Bucs also have to fill the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and outside linebacker coaching roles this offseason. The Rooney Rule also states that Tampa Bay must interview at least two minority coaching candidates for the QB coaching job before making a hire. The Bucs plan on letting their new offensive coordinator have some say in who the quarterbacks coach will be.

Senior Bowl Standouts – Day 1

While Licht and Bowles weren’t at practice on Tuesday, vice president of player personnel John Spytek, directors of player personnel Mike Biehl and Rob McCartney, and assistant director of college scouting Byron Kiefer and the team’s scouts were there. Here are some of the possible Bucs Senior Bowl targets that stood out on Day 1.

Running Backs

Tulane’s Tyjae Spears and Oklahoma’s Eric Gray were the two standouts in Tuesday’s practice. Both caught the ball well and showed off their speed and explosiveness on hand-offs. Spears, who was the Bucs’ fifth-round pick in the initial Pewter Report Bucs mock draft, had an electric run and a dazzling gain on a screen pass. With a big week in Mobile, Spears could rise to the third round, especially since bulking up to 205 pounds.

Wide Receivers

Michigan State’s Jayden Reed, Virginia’s Don’Tayvion Hicks  and Houston’s Nathaniel “Tank” Dell all stood out in the first Senior Bowl practice. Reed was a silky smooth route runner with wheels, while Hicks used his size and speed to separate. Dell was quick, agile and shifty and just got open despite his smallish stature. All three could help Tampa Bay’s receiving room as Day 2 or 3 picks.

Offensive Line

The Bucs likely don’t have the need for a guard with Luke Goedeke, a former second-round pick, Robert Hainsey, a former third-round pick, and Nick Leverett all slated to battle for the left guard spot next year. But Florida’s O’Cyrus Torrence was dominant on Day 1, just throwing defensive linemen around.

Alabama left tackle Tyler Steen was a big surprise and had some real quality pass reps. In fact, he might not have been beaten all day.

Ohio State right tackle Dawand Jones and his massive wingspan starred on Tuesday, looking like a bouncer tossing guys out of the night club. He could be an option for the Bucs early if they cut Donovan Smith and move Tristan Wirfs to left tackle.

Defensive Line

The best defensive tackle on Tuesday was Bowling Green’s Karl Brooks, who was an edge rusher last year that finished with 11 sacks at 300 pounds. Moving inside is the only logical move in the NFL, and Brooks showed he’s ready for it with a big afternoon. He would look great in red and pewter. Other standout defensive tackles include South Carolina’s Zacch Pickens, who showed great strength, Oklahoma State’s Tyler Lacy, who is a quick, agile defender at just under 300 pounds, and Alabama’s Byron Young, who has a nice mix of speed and strength.

Edge Rushers

Auburn’s Derick Hall is a chiseled block of granite that plays with a high motor and has a physical presence. He had some nice reps in 1-on-1’s and in team drills with his long, 83-inch wingspan. He’s only 6-foot-2, 255 pounds, but that’s how big Shaq Barrett is, too.

Notre Dame’s Isaiah Foskey was as good as advertised and may be the first Senior Bowl edge rusher off the board in April. Foskey is a polished rusher, and is solid against the run and forced a fumble. Outside of losing a rep to Ohio State right tackle Dewand Jones, Foskey had a great day in Mobile and might be a Bucs target near the end of the first round.

Linebackers

The American squad has two standout linebackers in Tulane’s Dorian Williams and Jackson State’s Aubrey Miller. Williams was incredibly productive for the Green Wave and had an impressive first day with solid coverage and steady run fits. Miller was all gas, all the time and played fast and physical in Mobile, showing that the HBCU standout not only belongs in the Senior Bowl – but also in the NFL. Either would be a fit in Todd Bowles’ defense. Texas’ Demarvion Overhown and Cincinnati’s Ivan Pace Jr. also had impressive moments on Tuesday.

Cornerbacks

Kansas State’s Julius Brents was incredibly impressive on Tuesday. He showcased good speed and great agility despite his long, 6-foot-3 frame. Brents’ physical play was also on display as the Senior Bowl practices kicked off. If he keeps this up he’s going to go from a third- or fourth-round pick to the second round – possibly to Tampa Bay. Miami’s Tyrique Stevenson is a thick, 6-foot, 204-pound cornerback who was very physical in the press-release drills. Stanford’s Kyu Blu Kelly, the son of former Bucs cornerback Brian Kelly, dropped a couple of interceptions, but his anticipation put himself in position to break up a few passes.

Miami’s Tyrique Stevenson is a thick, 6-foot, 204-pound cornerback who was very physical in the press-release drills. Stanford’s Kyu Blu Kelly, the son of former Bucs cornerback Brian Kelly, dropped a couple of interceptions, but his anticipation put himself in position to break up a few passes.

Safeties

Alabama’s Demarcco Hellams had a nice pick and was a solid, all-around defender in the secondary. Hellams got overshadowed a bit at Alabama by Brian Branch, who will be a first-round pick in April, and Jordan Battle, but was the star of the show in Mobile.

Georgia’s Christopher Smith was also great in coverage. Illinois safety Sydney Brown is built like a fire hydrant at 5-foot-10, 213 pounds. Any of these three could help the Bucs.