Justin Tuck And The Bucs
March 9th, 2014
Just about everyone knows and understands the Bucs are shopping for a defensive end this weekend during the lead up to the free agent dinner bell ringing at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Now shopping and buying are two different things. The Bucs may kick the tires and sniff the bread and squeeze the tomatoes but that doesn’t mean they will have a defensive end in their trunk when they come home.
The two biggest names on the wish list of Bucs fans seem to be aging Jared Allen and Michael Bennett, the former Bucs defensive end and the sack leader for the Super Bowl champions Seahawks, who the Bucs let walk away last year for no good reason.
Now Greg Bedard, the X’s and O’s guy for theMMQB.com, has studied plenty of film and he believes the Bucs should go after former Giants defensive end Justin Tuck.
No. 49: Justin Tuck
Edge, New York Giants (Age 31)After having nine sacks over the previous two seasons, Tuck had 11 in a contract year. He ranked 23rd in The MMQB Pressure Points, behind fellow UFAs Brian Orakpo (7th), Greg Hardy (9th) and Michael Bennett (10th). Best fit: Buccaneers. Gerald McCoy needs help.
You damned right Gerald McCoy needs help!
Now “Pressure Points” is a calculation Bedard hatched where he combines sacks, sack pressures, hurries, tackles, etc., into a “point.” The more points, the more disruptive a defensive lineman is. Some coaches will tell you they will take disruption over a sack because a disruption often leads to interceptions and sometimes fumbles.
Strangely and surprisingly, Joe found that, for a team, Bedard had the Bucs tied for 11th in pressure points for last season. Imagine what the Bucs would be if GMC got help?
March 9th, 2014 at 11:37 am
I’d take Justin Tuck over Micheal Johnson in a heartbeat
March 9th, 2014 at 11:48 am
Perhaps not so strange. Was the “disruption” a cause of the turnover spree — you know, the interceptions the Bufs could not capitalize on?
March 9th, 2014 at 11:49 am
Agreed!!!
March 9th, 2014 at 11:51 am
A lot of fanatical Giants fans I work with are fine with letting Tuck go, so I’m thinking he might not be the answer.
March 9th, 2014 at 11:54 am
Tuck seems past his prime. Go with Johnson.
March 9th, 2014 at 11:54 am
@ Joe
Good thing you love your job. It’s non stop this time of year. I’m happy for you though not sympathetic.
In another life long, long ago I once anchored 6-11PM sportscasts..did radio pbp for our area college basketball team as well as hosting the Sunday morning coaches tv show. One year I did not have a day off from Jan 1st until after St. Patty’s day. But it wasn’t really work it was a labor of love.
So congrats to you Joe for connecting to a job that you love so much you’re putting in these long hours because it’s a labor of love and not just about the money. I know I feel like the luckiest guy on earth to have enjoyed those years with little time off doing what I loved.
March 9th, 2014 at 11:57 am
Love Tuck!
March 9th, 2014 at 12:03 pm
Some of you guys act as if these guys aren’t instant upgrades…
March 9th, 2014 at 12:16 pm
Architek: absolutely. There’s not a whole lot of names being floated around that won’t make the team better.
March 9th, 2014 at 12:39 pm
To think that we trotted out Teo Nesheim as a starter last year. That sh*t alone should have gotten that whole clown show canned. Yeah I would say anything is an upgrade when your starting point is Teo!
March 9th, 2014 at 12:41 pm
Joe says
“The Bucs may kick the tires and sniff the bread and squeeze the tomatoes but that doesn’t mean they will have a defensive end in their trunk when they come home.”
I love that line!
March 9th, 2014 at 12:51 pm
Thank God Pablo isn’t the Bucs GM. I have a feeling he’s not even a good Madden GM.
March 9th, 2014 at 1:19 pm
Tuck would be much better pickup than Johnson. Tuck is an experienced, versatile, super bowl winning pass rusher. He’s a physical freak and came across n really strong at the end of last season. We could still get at least two really good years out of this guy.
March 9th, 2014 at 1:22 pm
Tuck is only good for Subway commercials!
March 9th, 2014 at 1:31 pm
We need a longterm answer, I wouldn’t mind going after Tuck as an added bonus but you better bet the Bucs are going after a DE that will be here longterm.
March 9th, 2014 at 1:35 pm
Tuck could be Licht 2014 version of John Abraham. Do I see a two year deal coming? Michael Johnson would be fine. Atkins got hurt so dude seen more double teams. Get a Johnson and a Jason Hatcher from Dallas and our front four would be nice with solid rotation.
March 9th, 2014 at 1:48 pm
Johnson is better but he will also cost twice as much. And at this point in his career is Tuck really any better than Clayborn? I have my doubts. Pass.
March 9th, 2014 at 4:34 pm
“The Bucs may kick the tires and sniff the bread and squeeze the tomatoes but that doesn’t mean they will have a defensive end in their trunk when they come home.”
They better not come home without a DE!!!
March 9th, 2014 at 7:36 pm
Always worry about players who underachieve, then miraculously play well on their contract year.
If you Are willing to sign those kind of players, better be short term, incentive laden deals.
If he loafed in New York( which the media there frequently accused him of)?
Then he will loaf here.
Make sure he earns it.
Think Allen or Johnson are better options.
March 9th, 2014 at 9:53 pm
@StPeteBucsFan
Sounds like Al Keck to me. If so, hope you are well!
March 10th, 2014 at 9:35 am
I will take Tuck over Allen, Bennett, and Johnson in a heartbeat. The guy makes those around him better can play in and out, is excellent against the run while applying pressure.
March 10th, 2014 at 1:47 pm
ok yea so lets pay 9 million a year for who? Johnson ! who ? oh yea dude had 3.5 sacks last year I’m good on that bogus crap.