Jabaal Sheard?

February 5th, 2015

SheardIn case you haven’t been paying attention, the Bucs need to put a lot more heat on quarterbacks.

The ghost at right defensive end didn’t work out too well.

Many expect young Browns DE Jabaal Sheard to hit the open market when the free agency dinner bell rings in 33 short days.

Sheard’s an interesting option. A Florida native, he was a 4-3 defense edge rusher in college at Pittsburgh and was a Cleveland second-round pick in 2011. The poor guy already has had three head coaches, including Mike Pettine last year, who ran a hybrid 3-4 defense.

Sheard’s career took off out of the gate with 8.5 sacks and 7.0 sacks in his first two campaigns in Dick Jauron’s 4-3 defense. But then he tailed off.

He had just two sacks last season but battled a foot injury most of the year. He played in every game and made five starts.

So was Sheard, 25, a victim of system and coaching changes, or is he the real deal?

NFL Network pegs Sheard as one of the top-5 free agent defensive linemen this year. Here’s the video cut. They say he’s physical, versatile and can play the run and pass rush, but he “won’t break the bank.”

The Bucs sure could use a guy like Sheard at the right price.

48 Responses to “Jabaal Sheard?”

  1. lurker Says:

    it just shows how it is easier to shore up other holes than qb. free agency is rarely an answer for qb. we should have drafted a qb last year. now we have no other choice and should get him with #1.

  2. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Jabaal & Jaboo…….music to some JFF’s ears…..

  3. Pickgrin Says:

    If the price is right – hell yes – bring him in. And bring in 2 more just like him. and then draft one too. We need value priced competition up front and lots of it. 1 of them will turn out to be a good player and emerge from the pack just like Jaquies Smith did last year.

  4. BirdDoggers Says:

    Sheard battled a foot injury and had 2 sacks. Sounds familiar. The Bucs need a player like Pierre-Paul. At least a Pierre-Paul at the top of his game. A top flight edge rusher. That’s the only way I can see Lovie’s defense becoming dominant. That and a MLB that can make the deep drop and more help in the secondary. Sheard could be a good rotational player or LE, but not up to par with what they need at RE.

  5. BucsQcCity Says:

    No enough of inconsistent FA. If production is not stable or improving it’s a gamble just like MJ

  6. rayjay1122 Says:

    I am not too familiar with him. I would go after Jason Pierre-Paul from the Giants or Jerry Hughes from the Bills. Both have been productive, are 26 and 27 years old and should be available to the highest bidder? If anyone has any more information on them, please pass it along.

  7. rayjay1122 Says:

    I like Greg Hardy also but since he had some legal issues, L&L may not consider him.

  8. rayjay1122 Says:

    I also really like the LB from the Chiefs, Justin Houston however, I doubt they will let him get away. Houston and Lavonte David would be a beastly OLB duo. Not much tin free agency at MLB though. Probably will have to draft a Mike LB if we want to upgrade from Foster.

  9. Yar Says:

    This sounds a lot like Johnsons write-up last year.

  10. Fuzzy Red Coin Purse Says:

    Too bad we can’t find a veteran QB and focus on building around him…oh wait

  11. Celly Says:

    LOL….

    you guys are really unreal…

    One year you complain about only bringing in the big name guys; the next year, you only want them to bring in the big name guys…

  12. Cascade Says:

    It’s not a big risk if the price is right.

  13. rayjay1122 Says:

    I for one have not complained about bringing in big named free agents. In fact, I was pissed about letting Revis walk and he was a big name and yes I realize that was a trade and not a free agent signing. I did not find any of the free agents signed last year to be “big names”. Someone like J. Peppers would have been a big name in my opinion. Not the clowns we signed. The only one who I actually thought was a bigger name who disappointed me was Evan Dietrich Smith.

  14. Rutgers4Schiano Says:

    Draft Leonard Williams, combine him with MCcoy, Mcdonald and (Fill in the blank) and you have the pass rush that has been missing since Warren “voted worst customer at the Bunny ranch” Sapp and Rice tore up the league. Winston has character issues and Marriotta is an above average TEBOW.

  15. Tom Edrington Says:

    The defensive end from Buffalo is the best guy out there — Jerry Hughes.

  16. rayjay1122 Says:

    @Celly

    I guess not everyone is an expert in all things like you. Could you give us the privilege of knowing how we can all worship you since you esteem yourself to be a God?

  17. The only Buc fan in Montana Says:

    I don’t care if we’ve barely heard of anyone we add, so long as we don’t break the bank for them and they PRODUCE. No big names thanks, lets fill several holes with role players and depth with that cash, and while we’re at it get as many draft picks as we can out of the guys we can’t use. The only big names we should be hearing about, is our QB in the first round, and possibly our DE/LB in the 2nd.

  18. Cascade Says:

    Value shopping this year. No swinging for the fences.

  19. Danthebucfan Says:

    How much would a guy like this get in free agency.

    Also, I saw an article in the other sports agency about how belicheat often traded down in order to get more picks. From a numerical standpoint, your odds are much better when you add picks. Although I think we desperately need a qb

  20. rayjay1122 Says:

    @Celly
    If you honestly believe that mock drafts are extremely accurate then you are as dumb as your picture looks. I never attacked Winston yet you attack my posts you douche bag. I try to keep it all in good fun mixed in with some analytical takes but who the hell do you think you are to stomp on my toes? You think you are so intelligent don’t you? Well keep that to yourself and it can be your little secret. Be nice and I will tell your daddy to stop molesting you.

  21. Cascade Says:

    @DTBF-

    Were it not for the desperate QB need, trading down would definitely be the best thing they could do with all the needs they have.

  22. RichBucsfan Says:

    Hmmm, he must be worth at least $15 million this year, $20 mill the next, $100 mill the next. Isn’t that the way the Bucs pay players on the decline? The Ghost is our case in point.

  23. unbelievable Says:

    I don’t know if a guy going into his 4th year can really be considered on the decline… Yes his numbers were down last year, playing in a new, hrybid 3-4 scheme instead of a 4-3.

    But I get your point, lol. But no way is Licht throwing that much cash at this guy. If he’s available relatively cheap, then go get him. We are not in any sort of bad salary cap position.

  24. WS99 Says:

    Bucs hired another college coach, asst oline coach. Further proof that Mr. Smith is fcking clueless OR not one got bam professional wants to work here. WTF!!!!!

  25. StPeteBucsFan Says:

    “we should have drafted a qb last year”

    And which QB drafted last year has put up better stats than MG8? Serious question I’ll wait for an answer. And please spare me won lost because AGAIN football is a team sport!

    The only QB from last you who didn’t suck was Teddy Bridgewater, and he doesn’t look like the second coming of Drew Brees. IE He may or may not yet turn out to be a franchise QB. Doubtful that Johnny Flash in the Pan is going to come out of rehab and light it up…and Blake Bortles found out that the NFL is not the competition he faced at UCF where his physical prowess could overwhelm many opponents.

    Just who did we miss out on last year?

    In point of fact, yes QB is the hardest position to fill, and right behind them are DL who can rush the passer! Right behind that are franchise left tackles.

  26. WS99 Says:

    Derek Carr isn’t pure garbage.

  27. Brandon Says:

    If he comes cheap, bring him in to compete. Sign Rolando McClain to a prove it deal to play Mike. We need competition signings, not guaranteed stars…those players almost never work out.

  28. gatrbuc17 Says:

    We shoulda taken Derrick Carr after ME13 last yr instead of ASJ. JMO tho

  29. iamkingsu Says:

    JPP is not the same player he once was because of the back and you can’t pair Jacques smith with jerry Hughes because you can’t have both of your ends at that size. Besides Hughes and JPP are going to want top dollar. I’m cool with Sheard at a low price

  30. WS99 Says:

    Gatrbuc

    He was gone by our second pick. We missed him by 2 picks.

  31. Dreambig Says:

    2 sacks for the entire year? Isn’t this exactly the kind of reach we filled last years off season with? This sounds like every free agent we obtained last year.
    How about we bring in free agents who actually had a few good years in a row, counting last year and not hang our hats on guys we hope can bounce back from mediocrity! 2 sacks is not even mediocre. I say pass on this guy.

  32. gatrbuc17 Says:

    We coulda finagled some DB don’t ya think? I think the kid is better than his brother and his bro got a bad deal.

  33. gatrbuc17 Says:

    Im used to calling you DB rather than WS

  34. Broy34 Says:

    Just so everyone knows GregSchiano(as in the username) simply quoted SportsCenter. They said not a single 4 or 5 star high school recruit was in the Superbowl so all the dudes who attacked him should know. Not related to the topic don’t care. Just today I had an epiphany of the Bucs drafting Manziel(Mariota with off field troubles,system QB) instead of Bridgetwater(Winston) I do think they’ll pick Marcus.

  35. Cascade Says:

    WS99 Says:
    February 5th, 2015 at 9:20 pm

    Bucs hired another college coach, asst oline coach. Further proof that Mr. Smith is fcking clueless OR not one got bam professional wants to work here. WTF!!!!!

    Well, that’s one interpretation. There are others.

  36. WS99 Says:

    Gatr

    No doubt totally agree.

    Cascade
    Our coaching staff isn’t exactly an Allstar team. And all the recent hires are college coaches and Lovies kids. Come on man.

  37. iamkingsu Says:

    Off topic, I just wish we didn’t get go all offense last year in the draft. This draft is filled with gems from top to bottom so I know a lot of players ate going to slide. I just wish we were at a position to draft best available instead of a need. The rich will get richer this draft. On the bright side we can find O line talent throughout this draft

  38. Bogiedr Says:

    For all the JPP lovers here, look at the inconsistency which is masked by total stats. Get past the number of sacks and see when and how he got them. Before you all start your squawking, quit being lazy, go look at the stats, they don’t lie. Very inconsistent dude, you are better off resigning AC for a lower price.

  39. WS99 Says:

    JPP no thanks.

  40. jfat Says:

    WS99 Really?? We’ve got a head coach with NFL exp, a former HC at DC and an experienced NFL OC. These are assistant position coaches and QA guys, don’t get your panties all bunched up just because they came from college.

    People just wanna bitch about everything, irritating as hell. Lovie and Licht are gonna right the ship and I can’t wait to see the ensuing crow feast.

  41. WS99 Says:

    jfat

    My fault you right I forgot all about Frazier. I mean he does have a SB ring. We are in great shape. He won like 4 games his last two years as HC right? Yea we are in great shape. I know brees, Ryan and Newton are happy.

    Sometimes it’s difficult for me to complete a sentence cuz I be laughing so hard.

  42. WS99 Says:

    Don’t get me started on Koetter and bajakarian. Riddle me this jfat what happens if Koetter break his hip and has to go on medical? Then what? Another college coach as OC. How is that any different than last year? Talk about ignorance. Who the fck does the same thing that screwed them last year? Mr. Lovie Smith, that’s who.

  43. gotbbucs Says:

    Lord I miss some of the old posters on joebuc that used to have a clue.

    #1-who fking cares who we shoulda or coulda drafted last year. Its over.
    #2-are we really going to argue about assistant position coaches?
    #3-with JPP you’re going to be paying for past percormance, jerry hughs is going to get paid way more than what he’s worth and we all know how that story ends.

    We need a whole platoon of guys like jaq smith and jabaal sheard who can all rotate in and out. Sign several guys with something to prove to one and two year contracts and watch them work their asses off for a future contract.

  44. LargoBuc Says:

    I wouldnt mind bringing this guy in as long as he dosent demand a 40mil$ contract. It would be wise to have some depth behind him ie a backup plan. Last year we brought in Johnson and had these expectations for him to be like the new Simeon Rice. Then when it was clear he couldnt do it we had nothing to fall back on and essentially put all our eggs in one basket. If a pretty good player demands the money of an elite player then Licht would be wise to sign someone else. Otherwise by mid season your getting average production from a player making way more than they deserve! Sorry for rambling but basically good gm’s keep their options open!

  45. Pickgrin Says:

    WS99 Says:
    February 5th, 2015 at 11:16 pm
    Don’t get me started on Koetter and bajakarian. Riddle me this jfat what happens if Koetter break his hip and has to go on medical? Then what? Another college coach as OC. How is that any different than last year? Talk about ignorance. Who the fck does the same thing that screwed them last year? Mr. Lovie Smith, that’s who.

    —————————————————————————-

    DB – er WS – you keep saying this same thing and I have corrected you twice already. So to me – it is you who is showing ignorance in harping on it.

    1st of all – how often does an NFL team lose its OC due to injury or medical problems? Not very often of course – last year was an anomaly.

    Secondly – there is a HUGE difference between Arroyo’s “experience” and Bajakian’s experience.

    Bajakian has been teaching QBs for almost 20 years. He does have 3 years of NFL experience as an Offensive assistant in Chicago including their SB year – and beyond that, he’s been an OC and calling plays for the last 8 years – including the last 2 at Tennessee in the SEC.

    Arroyo had 1 year experience calling plays on a 1-11 team.

    Doesn’t sound much like the “same thing” to me….

  46. MadMax Says:

    Yes we DO need more heat on QB’s!!!

    Leonard Williams is sitting right there as the answer 😉

  47. Nole on Sat.-Bucc on Sun. Says:

    Defensive tackle first over all,yea right…

  48. White Tiger Says:

    Not a Jabal Sheard fan…Michael Johnson had a similar bio before joining the Bucs.

    Still not a Jabal Sheard fan.

    You folks thinking Leonard Williams is an option…apparently haven’t figured out that we need a RUSH end…not another 3 technique under-tackle. Don’t give me that crap about him being able to play inside or outside in the NFL – he can’t and he won’t. In a 4-3 he’ll be an under tackle, in a 3-4 he’d play defensive end.

    We already have similar players in Da’Quan Bowers and William Gholston – we don’t need to draft another one with the 1st pick.

    …ain’t gunna be Fameis and it ain’t gunna be Leonard Williams..

    Only one left…