Cracking The Defensive End Riddle
March 30th, 2015
The way the Bucs have swung and missed obtaining defensive ends the past decade — and letting the only decent one walk away for no good reason — is bordering on the ridiculous.
It’s almost like the campy “Batman” TV series from the 1960s, when an evil villain appears twice a month to take over Gotham, yet is foiled time and again by Batman and Robin.
From sackless Kyle Moore to B-actor wannabe Stylez White to ghostly Michael Johnson, it is comical how this franchise has gone 10 years since the great Simeon Rice had a double-digit sack season.
This is why Pat Yasinskas of ESPN is confident the Bucs go after a defensive end in the draft no later than the second day.
Defensive line: It’s more than a little surprising that the Bucs haven’t added a defensive end. The pass rush needs help on the outside, but the Bucs haven’t done anything there. The team has high hopes for Jacquies Smith, Larry English and Lawrence Sidbury. But they’re role players. The team needs to land a strong pass-rusher in what’s left of free agency or in the draft. The Bucs are in great shape at defensive tackle with Melton likely to rotate with Gerald McCoy and Clinton McDonald.
What the hell does it take to get a defensive end for the Bucs? Geez, it is pathetic.
Does Team Glazer need to pick up a Batphone? Does Team Glazer need to call Commissioner Gordon? Or have The Riddler somehow provoke Bruce Wayne to exclaim, “To the Batcave!” It’s getting to that point of desperation.
If Joe had to lay cash down, the Bucs will draft a defensive end with their second pick, if not trading back up into the first round to nab one.
It is really sad how a team tries so hard to land a defensive end, and strikes out each and every time.
March 30th, 2015 at 5:49 am
Had to read this article twice Joe. Still, couldn’t find Winston’s name in there, not even once.
Not awake yet? More coffee … You need more coffee.
March 30th, 2015 at 6:41 am
I’m getting very nervous that lovie will draft a defensive end with the first pick. Leonard Williams….
March 30th, 2015 at 6:44 am
My question is, who’s worthy of moving up for in the 1st round that is a sure bet?
March 30th, 2015 at 7:19 am
I see a few OL sitting there possibly, dont really see many DEs, worst thing the worst team can do is reach
March 30th, 2015 at 7:21 am
I dont think Williams is projected to be a DE…maybe in a 3-4, but in our scheme, hes a 3 technique…and were set there.
March 30th, 2015 at 7:25 am
For all of you kids out there, that’s Frank Gorshin, The Riddler! lol.
March 30th, 2015 at 7:41 am
after signing Michael Johnson I wouldn’t be wasting time on big name free agents that have to develop into the system like they did last year either if I was lovie. might as well draft your guys because no matter how sorry Michael Johnson is he should have atleast been good for more sacks than JS. guess lovie didn’t factor the homesick rating when picking up free agents last year. we’ll be just fine theres plenty that can be done between now and the start of training camp
March 30th, 2015 at 7:52 am
Its funny, joe listed most of the swings and miss, but he never brings up the only time that the Bucs spent a 1st round draft pick and the player was a bust! for some reason joe does not want to even mention his name.
March 30th, 2015 at 8:04 am
it’s not really a riddle to the glazers, everyone they hire sucks at spending in free agency so why do it
March 30th, 2015 at 8:05 am
We cannot pass on Jake Fisher in the second rd. The left Tackle spot is more crucial at this point than DE.
March 30th, 2015 at 8:06 am
It took how many tries under how many coaches to score on a kick off?
March 30th, 2015 at 8:07 am
Riddle me this…
What is it that no man wants but no man can afford to lose?
March 30th, 2015 at 8:20 am
@Pete 1
His Hemorrhoids
March 30th, 2015 at 9:03 am
Alvin Dupree || Kentucky || 6-4 || 269 || 4.56
March 30th, 2015 at 9:15 am
I personally think we should have kept Johnson at least one more year. I mean he couldn’t have been worse than last year but he could’ve been better. I think it was a knee jerk reaction to cut him w/o a replacement in place. Not like we saved alot or needed the cap room.
March 30th, 2015 at 10:05 am
LuvMyBucs – I think Dupree will be really solid but will go in the top 15. We can’t trade back into the top end of the draft for Alvin with all the other needs we have.
March 30th, 2015 at 10:09 am
Ok thats karma for taking Simeon Rice for granted. I thought he had another couple years left when Gruden cut him. Franchise defensive ends don’t grow on trees.
March 30th, 2015 at 10:26 am
Largo- I believe that was a Bruce Allen move, not a Gruden move. They picked up no-Gaines Adams RIP to replace him. One of the many laughable decisions by that franchise destroyer.
March 30th, 2015 at 10:31 am
Eli Harold would be nice to trade up for. Licht said he wants a DE that u dont if he should be a DE or 3-4 OLB (mite not be exactly what he said) and Harold fits that mold
March 30th, 2015 at 10:33 am
And we can still trade back in the 2nd for Jake Fisher
March 30th, 2015 at 12:16 pm
Who ever it was, Gaines Adams was not ready to be that guy. I guess hindsight is 20/20 but you would hope an NFL staff could forsee that. Oh well. Allen and Gruden were never known for their dazzling draft classes.
March 30th, 2015 at 12:31 pm
I like Leonard Williams but he is simply not worth the top pick in the draft. That would be a huge waste.
If a DE falls far enough we could package a deal and take that 34th pick and move back up into the first round.
If it’s Williams and Fowler neck and neck and now Gregory drops because of the weed, there have to be some opportunities.
I take pick 34 package it with a player and or draft pick and if a stud LT or DE drops out of the top 15 I go after them.
March 30th, 2015 at 1:32 pm
I like the L.Williams scenario. Can play left end in cover 2. Jack Smith at RE…
March 30th, 2015 at 1:37 pm
An interesting FanPost discusses the qualities and skills that DE’s need in the 4-3 T-2 system. Basically, speed around the corner beats everything else. Lack of strength against the run is not disqualifying for this defense. A long-range problem is that if we tailor the draft to skills specific to the T-2, we could end up with a pile of mismatches when Lovie moves on.
It lists Nate Orchard (Utah), Kikaha (Washington), Golden (Missouri), Maudlin (Louisville), and Gwatcham (Oregon St.) as scheme fits, with a dream pick of Orchard at the top of the 3rd Round.
My concern is that with several other teams running forms of the Tampa-2, these players will be gobbled up before we get a shot. I hope a Glennon trade can give us ammunition to climb into the middle of the 2nd round and grab a player fitted to the defnse we are running.
March 30th, 2015 at 3:08 pm
Leonard williams would be a dumb choice
March 30th, 2015 at 9:16 pm
Do not be afraid.
One shall go as one.
94.
Do not be afraid.
A few shall riot.
94. Do not be afraid.