What Could Be For The Bucs
January 28th, 2013
Gerald McCoy played his first full season in 2012, which led to a Pro Bowl appearance. Staying healthy in 2013 will go a long way to helping not just the line, but the secondary as well.
Joe is already being peppered with questions about who the Bucs will pick in the first round in April’s draft. Joe sort of chuckles when he gets these missives on Twitter.
In a polite way, Joe tries to tell the questioners that it is still January and the draft is 1/4 of a year away, three months. A lot will change before then.
But Joe does tell the same fans that — and it is nothing more than a hunch — if there is a talented pass rusher available at No. 13, Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik just may pull the trigger on said defensive lineman.
History shows how much Dominik coverts defensive linemen.
Sure, the Bucs could lose Michael Bennett to free agency. A franchise tag is a bit expensive for Bennett’s numbers. And the Bucs could also lose tackle Roy Miller, but Joe doubts that will happen.
One reason why the Bucs’ defensive line, though improved greatly since 2011, has trouble pressuring quarterbacks is because the Bucs’ defensive line seems to always be dinged up, as pointed out by Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.
If it’s not Gerald McCoy, it is Adrian Clayborn and if it’s not Clayborn who is hurt it is Da’Quan Bowers.
McCoy, Bowers and Clayborn each missed time the past two seasons, which Dominik considers one of the biggest reasons the Bucs fell short of the playoffs this year.
“We never had those four players playing together at the same time – ever,” he said. “And whether that’s us being snakebit or whatever, it’s still an important thing that just didn’t happen.”
If Bennett returns to the fold and he, GMC, Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers are all healthy, it could be living nightmare for quarterbacks.
And as we all know, a pass rush is the best medicine for a woeful secondary.
Joe thinks it’s very premature to guess who the Bucs are picking in the first round. Re-signing Bennett may just eliminate one position Dominik will select at No. 13.
January 28th, 2013 at 8:46 am
Trade up and get Star Lotulelei. Him, Bowers, Clayborn, and McCoy would be nasty.
Also I’ll sign Cliff Avril before I re-sign Bennett.
January 28th, 2013 at 8:46 am
I know we absolutely need secondary help but I would be very pleased if Star fell in our lap. I’m not sold on Ansah, a little too unpolished. Athleticism only gonna get you so far in the NFL.
January 28th, 2013 at 8:57 am
Like the first post.
January 28th, 2013 at 8:57 am
It seems every time we choose a DT or DE with our first pick, we get snake bitten and end up having a grade C draft. Maybe the key to our success is to be unconventional like last years draft and choose a different position other than DT or DE. Maybe this year we jockey up or back and choose a defensive back first. It worked for us last year when we got 3 exceptional players in the first three rounds. Just a thought!
January 28th, 2013 at 9:26 am
no matter what kind of secondary we have, no one can cover forever, The Bucs were tied as 29th in pass rush. Considering how many times we blitzed and brought the house, that number is better than it should be, We need pass rush!
January 28th, 2013 at 9:38 am
Hope we get a good haul in free agency. Should change everything as far as draft goes. Should focus on that for articles because it looks like we’re doing it again this year!
January 28th, 2013 at 9:40 am
For the Bucs to get Star Lotulelei, he either has to have a horrible Combine and Pro Day or they Bucs will have to pull a Redskin and give up 3 years worth of 1st round picks to trade up to get him. They Bucs do not have anything to trade up with. Since the rookie salary cap top picks are back to being premium picks with more salary cap friendly signings.
Have you seen the type of money Cliff Avril wants. If Dom can sign him I’m all for it, but I doubt he will come for less than 11 million a year.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/eye-on-football/21464483/lions-de-cliff-avril-is-still-ok-with-rejecting-30-million-contract-offer
January 28th, 2013 at 9:42 am
Screw the defensive line – go offensive and get a 5-year starter at RT or center. Leave the defense for Round 2 because most the of the Bucs Round 1 defensive picks spend way too much time on the IR list.
January 28th, 2013 at 9:54 am
Dom said “4”, not “3”. We have to re-sign Michael Bennett for this DL to come full circle, as he’s the only 1 of our 4 d-lineman yet to be on the injuries reserve/PUP list and not only has he been healthy, but he’s been getting progressively better in his time as a BUC. Seeing how we didn’t have to spend a first or second round pick on the dude, but signed him off waivers, Dom would be a fool for not re-sigining him, especially after giving guys like Quincy Black & Eric Wrong pricey pay day’s. As a GM who’s beat the “build through the draft” drum like Animal, Dom would lose my faith if he let Bennett walk, because apparently he’s not willing to reward a hard work and production in-house. Re-Signing Bennett should be priorty numero UNO, because if we any draft Bjoern Werner, we’ll be drafting a project DE when we’ve got proven product in Bennett right here in Tampa already.
January 28th, 2013 at 10:03 am
I woudn’t doubt that they go for a D-Lineman with the frst pick and get a CB in the 2nd round – too early to say with confidence. If they do go that route, I’d bet they go DT before DE.
We need someone inside that can take the double-team off of McCoy even though they re-sign Miller. Sheldon Richardson is a interesting prospect though not without some risks. He is a loud mouth like Sapp, has off-field baggage like Sapp (suspended for skipping class), rated as the best interior pass-rusher and is good against the run. He also plays with the speed and aggression of Sapp. However, he is viewed as a 1 year wonder, but I might take that chance!
January 28th, 2013 at 10:09 am
I like what Gil Brandt and Mr Lucky says except a quality Offensive Tackle would solidify the OL for a decade. With the 13th pick there are a half dozen can’t miss players. If the offense can grind out 6 more 1st downs a game, the defensive line will be all right as is.
I would also be all right if they chose Eifert out of Notre Dame at TE, that guy is game changer. He would also generate 6 more 1st downs a game and would be lights out in the Red Zone.
If the Bucs want to go to the promised land, they still need to make a move at QB. Gosh can not consistently sustain long time consuming drives. He puts too much pressure on the defense.
Did anyone see Russel Wilson in the Pro Bowl? When they interviewed him on the sidelines, I had the sound turned down. A little guy wearing #3, I thought he was a FG kicker. A rookie QB with one week in a new offensive scheme and he tore it up. No more excuses for Gosh, who will never see Hawaii as a pro.
January 28th, 2013 at 10:13 am
Trade with Jacksonville they need RB and O-lineman. Give them Blount and Trueblood and the 13th pick.
January 28th, 2013 at 10:17 am
The tape on Ezekiel Ansah from BYU is very very impressive…I found myself drooling halfway through…Is he raw? Yeah, maybe, it took GMac three years to find his groove and I think we’re all happy with that…but Ansah has ALL the intangibles.
January 28th, 2013 at 10:32 am
@SirustheVirus
How can you trade Blount and Trueblood when they are not under contract?
January 28th, 2013 at 10:36 am
Didn’t know that. Thought Blount was a RFA.
January 28th, 2013 at 10:48 am
Sirus/Sneedy,
You both have something to feel good about. Sneedy, you’re right you can trade Trueblood, he is not under contract, he is a UFA. Sirus, you’re right, Blount is a RFA, he can be traded. Split the baby!
January 28th, 2013 at 10:52 am
Oh my mistake. Thought they already resigned Blount last offseason.
January 28th, 2013 at 11:12 am
Corection: Typo
Sneedy, You’re right. you CAN”T trade Trueblood. Lesson Macabee – stay out of other people’s fights! lol
January 28th, 2013 at 11:13 am
Lol thanks. Well give the jags Benn or Miller.
January 28th, 2013 at 12:44 pm
I strongly feel we should re-sign Bennett for 2 reasons. 1. He is one of our most dominate and consistent players on the D-Line and plays with the intensity i want the whole defense to play with. 2. It shows our young team, If you play for it we will pay you for it. Show that being one of the best at your position doesn’t get you cut, it gets you the raise you’ve been seeking
January 28th, 2013 at 12:59 pm
I sign Dwight Freeney or Osi Umenyiora fir a year before I sign Bennett to a 4 year deal. We need at least one true pass rusher on the team. I like them mentoring Bowers and Clayborn better. Bennett only had one good season and to me that was due to Mccoy being healthy and Miller playing better. Did you see the people he went against when he got sacks. Just my thoughts
January 28th, 2013 at 2:35 pm
If Bennett walks, then we basically just have to draft to replace what we let go. Then we’ll be at the same spot we are now!! We won’t advance and get better.
January 28th, 2013 at 3:26 pm
The longer it takes for Dom to sign Bennett the more its likely that he walks. With a little over a month left til Free Agency starts, its looking more and more like Bennett is leaving. Big mistake Dom. Unless of course Bennett is demanding much more than he’s worth.
January 28th, 2013 at 6:04 pm
@BadNewsBus
Exactly
January 28th, 2013 at 6:17 pm
@Buccin Lovin it
You are totally right.
Bennett is a Buccaneer man. From UFA to prime FA. He has worked for it. I think he plays with the heart and intensity we need. and we need to show some loyalty to our guys.
However, some team might open up the checkbook for him and sign him away. The 13 pick in the draft with only sign for 4 years 12 million. Bennett will demand 5- million per season. do the math.
Sady, we might let him walk, and draft his replacement. another DE.
Dion Jordan, Ziggy Ansah, or even Jarvis Jones. This draft seems deep in pass rushers.
And if we were the 29th in the NFL in pash rush, and last in pash defense, then there must be a connection.
We must get to the QB!!
January 28th, 2013 at 6:21 pm
Trade up to get a Bjoern Werner or Damontre Moore and let Bennett go. Thoses are guys who will get double digit sacks or consistently give you minimun 9 sack seasons. 3 years 14 sacks to me that’s just not good enough for my team when I’m seeing otherplayers do that in 1 year. I’m tired of these I can play both run and pass guys. I want a true pass rusher who gets to the QB and I’m sorry Bennett isn’t that. His 9 sacks this season is a very misleading stat, plus I want guys that use there hands alot more and read the QB’s eyes.
January 28th, 2013 at 8:03 pm
I would trade down and then take Eifert. When I see the difference Gonzalez makes for Atlanta, or Jimmy Graham for the Saints or Gronkowski for New England I can see a 6’6″ with great ball skills teaming up with Williams and Jackson and making this corp of receivers a living nightmare for defensive backs.
January 28th, 2013 at 9:46 pm
“thanks for teaching us to hate, too, grandpa miguel”
January 28th, 2013 at 11:47 pm
@ Bobby
Michael Williams, TE, Alabama
This guys is a best blocking and would be a great redzone threat. You could get him in the 4th or 5th round. With this guy there should be no problem getting short yardage. He’s also a nice guy to have chipping a DE when going out.