Bucs Just Need A Defensive End
February 23rd, 2011
Sure, the Bucs had a great 10-win season. If not for that horrid game against the Lions, the Bucs would have been in the playoffs.
As recent years document, just get to the tournament and damned near anything can happen. Hell, the team that beat the Bucs out for the final playoff spot in a tiebreaker, the Packers, won it all. Arizona won the putrid NFC West two seasons ago and came within a handful of seconds of lifting the Lombardi.
Alex Marvez of FoxSports.com believes he knows just what the Bucs need to propel them over the hump and get the Bucs in the playoffs.
That would be a defensive end. Marvez breaks down what each NFL team needs to be an elite team and a defensive end is just that void for the Bucs.
Tampa Bay: A pass-rushing defensive end. The Bucs solidified their defensive tackle spots for years to come in the 2010 draft. Tampa Bay must now upgrade the two spots next to Gerald McCoy and Brian Price. Bucs defensive ends tallied a combined 11.5 sacks, which is a lower total than the efforts of six individual NFL players last season.
Joe isn’t so sure the Bucs actually need two defensive ends, but it would not surprise Joe if Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik did draft two defensive ends early, but like last spring when he drafted both Gerald McCoy and Brian Price with his first two picks.
But with the addition of two defensive line coaches, maybe there is still some hope left for Kyle Moore?
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:27 am
Charles Johnson!
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:39 am
Im not buying the drafting of 2 DEs early .. Everyone uses last season as an example .. Lets not forget it was one of the deepest DT and WR classes in a LONNNG Time.
Although this is a Top Heavy DE class it falls off somewhat dramatically after round 1. Which could cause some teams to reach for DEs.
I believe the Bucs just drafted BPA in rounds 2 and 4 last season with Brian Price and Mike Williams and we just lucked out it was what we were in need of.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:17 pm
in the first roung i guess kerrigan or clayborn would be available so one of them would be nice, greg romeus in the 4th would be great too
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:30 pm
It’s not any big secret the Bucs need a better pass rush and DE is an obvious need. However, I was reading about Linebackers in the upcoming combine on NFL.com and they ranked them by position and 3-4 or 4-3 scheme and possible team to take them. They have the Bucs taking an inside linebacker high in the draft. I guess they see the same weakness in the middle that us fans see.
February 23rd, 2011 at 1:03 pm
ScottB ..
The Bucs typically attack a drafts strengths in recent years .. MLB is poised to be very strong next season …
If the Bucs do take a MLB .. expect to be a player that can play both OLB and MLB as I believe they will address MLB early next DRaft .. just my .02
February 23rd, 2011 at 2:03 pm
DE is the huge need. But I haven’t given up on Magee,Crowder,Bennett or Moore. We all agree that DT takes a couple years to fully develop- so does DE! This guys got great playing time last year. Also have one of the all time great pass rushers coaching them. I expect to see major improvement from all of them. I expect that Magee and Bennett will hold down that LE ( strong side) spot, while we draft a 4th or 5th round pick in that spot.
Whote’s lackadaisical practice habits obviously did him end last year, as he brought nothing to the team. We need a Qb terrorizing DE. There are some in this draft. I trust Our guys to find two this year
Our other big need is two OLBs. That is the opinion of the majority of draft experts. MLB is only a need if we don’t sign Ruud. If they sign Ruud, then we only need to replace our pedestrian OLBs. For those of you that don’t like Ruud, then trust them to start Wheening MacKenzie onto the field. Either way I don’t care. He’s not the big problem- IMO
February 23rd, 2011 at 3:08 pm
I’m sure that most of you know that we need to make a distinction between RDE and LDE. A RDE is a pass rusher that has the speed to beat the LT on the edge, or the quickness to come inside to stop the run or the pass. He can move inside and play the 3-technique or drop back into coverage. The LDE is usually the heavier, slower but stronger DE that can bull rush and push the RT into the pocket, move inside and play the 5-technique to stop the run. Clayborn, Watt, And Jordan are LDEs – Bowers , Quinn, and Smith are RDEs. What the Bucs need most is a RDE (Quinn,Smith or Houston) – a Simeon Rice-type that can come off the edge. As Capt. Tim says we already have people (Magee,Moore,Bennett – maybe not the best) who can play LDE.
February 23rd, 2011 at 3:44 pm
The Panthers declined to place the franchise tag on defensive end Charles Johnson, instead placing it on Ryan Kalil. This means he might actually be allowed to test free agent market. He just finished last season with 12 sacks and is only 24 years old. With Charles Johnson, Ray Edwards and a few other guys out there to entice them, the pickings are just looking too good for the Bucs to fail to address DE through free agency. Drafting one and signing one looks to be the strategy that makes sense. Man, would Charles Johnson instantly upgrade this defense!!!
February 23rd, 2011 at 3:56 pm
I wouldn’t mind a Simeon Rice type of vet, and draft a DE. Yeah…that would rock.
I suspect one of the DTs will move to DE from time to time as well, to stop the run.
February 23rd, 2011 at 4:06 pm
If Charles Johnson hits free agency we would be fools not to go after him, that guy is a beast. Doubt the panthers let that happen though
February 23rd, 2011 at 4:13 pm
Unlike previous years, I wouldn’t mind trading up to get Quinn. He reminds me of Peppers! The great thing is, due to his suspension, he might slide to 10 or later. I think this draft has good DEs into the 4th round- great class. But the biggest game changer- the guy who’ll strike fea in the hearts of QBs- is Robert Quinn- NC. Would like to see him next to McCoy and Price! That would be a DL to rival anything we’ve ever seen here!
February 23rd, 2011 at 5:27 pm
jesse j- well the cheapest way the Panthers could have signed him was to franchise him(assuming the franchise tag is in new CBA). Are they really going to pay him even more money to keep him after franchising Kalil instead? Or might they just let him walk and go ahead and draft DaQuan Bowers with that first pick considering the lack of a solid franchise QB prospect in this years draft? Wouldn’t the likelihood of a rookie wage scale would mean that they would have Bowers for cheaper than resigning Charles Johnson? They have up and comer Greg Hardy still at defensive end too.
February 23rd, 2011 at 5:38 pm
If the Bucs should trade up for anybody, I think it should be Aldon Smith. He has just as much, if not more, upside than Quinn. He is coming out as a redshirt sophomore and if he had stayed in school another year or two than he would very likely have been the top defensive end in the 2012 or 2013 draft. Smith should be easier to trade up for with just as much potential. Then again if Smith outperforms Robert Quinn at the combine he may just leapfrog him on teams draft boards.
February 23rd, 2011 at 6:04 pm
gitar, Once the new cba is done, i have to believe carolina signs Charles Johnson, a guy with 12 sacks 60 tackles last yr to a long term deal. Obviously the market will take shape for him. Im all for this guy and I guess positive thinking and all, who knows. But, guys with those numbers just dont walk in their 3rd or 4th year.
February 23rd, 2011 at 6:11 pm
I am probably in the minority here but I read an article about Aldon Smith and he NEVER finished a football season or any team sport until his senior year of high school .. That worries me .. If this sport isnt a true passion he could emerge a huge bust once he becomes a millionaire ..
I seriously doubt Cody Grimm ever lacked the desire to finish a football season .. On ANY Level
February 24th, 2011 at 12:10 am
When you look at the amount of money we will need to spend, we can probably sign 4 quality FAs. That’s a DE, LB,Safety, and probably TE. That’s really filling in most glaring weaknesses. Sort of like signing Simeon Rice, Cato June, Ken Dilger, and Michael Pittman. Seems hauntingly familiar some how . . . Hope it turns out the same way it did last time.
February 24th, 2011 at 10:21 am
They see something in Klye Moore, hopefully he busts out, if not he will be gone.
As I have been harping, I hope they snag a DE in round 1 and Greg Romeus in round 3-4. PLUS sign Kiwanuka or Edwards. Those 3 with Bennett & Crowder OR Moore would make 5 DEs for years to come.
February 24th, 2011 at 10:28 am
Dave:
This is a make or break year for Kyle Moore. First thing he has to do is get healthy. Then he has to start showing some progress on the field. If he is still invisible this season, he’s a goner.