Depth Addressed
August 14th, 2015
Smart signings by Bucs GM Jason Licht already paying off.
Joe can understand how many Bucs fans grumbled in March when the Bucs didn’t go out and get any big-name free agents.
Fans like buzz and drama (oh, yes you do.) and the easiest way for that to happen is to bag a bunch of big fish.
Problem with the Bucs in 2014, the fish hauled in were rotten to the core — from the head down. Josh McClown, Anthony Collins, Ghost Johnson. Ugh!
One thing the Bucs needed was players this past offseason, not names, not high price tags. And Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht got just that. Instead of making a splash, he signed solid players that, at worst, can add depth.
Jeff Darlington of NFL.com typed these players are making a difference.
Putting the Winston selection aside, it might be easy to dismiss the Bucs’ offseason because of the lack of sizzle when it came to signing new players. But that’s actually why general manager Jason Licht deserves credit. He avoided overpaying — a sin of one year earlier — and instead took a more calculated approach to picking up players like Bruce Carter, George Johnson, Chris Conte, Henry Melton and Tony McDaniel. He also rewarded Lavonte David with a long-term contract (after doing the same for Gerald McCoy last October). Carter is already showing signs that he’ll be a nice starter for the team at middle linebacker, and Johnson might lock up a top job by Week 1, too. The Bucs aren’t going from bust to boom this year — but they should make some nice strides on both sides of the football.
Licht didn’t knock out too many folks with those signings, but the depth added is key.
After rains pelted the Bucs practice fields yesterday, could the team use an indoor facility? Yeah, but not as much as the team could use players. And Licht did his part filling many depth holes the past few months.
August 14th, 2015 at 9:12 am
to me, Depth has not been the issue with the Bucs. The problem was that the “Depth” was starting! The Bucs need NFL starters!
August 14th, 2015 at 9:17 am
Depth in a few places is iffy. Any injuries to the starting corners, wideouts, defensive ends and whole offensive line will create issues. Probably going to see some waiver pickups along the way make this team. Not deep in many areas to say the least, but I like the starting lineup and if all stay healthy we can contend for the division.
August 14th, 2015 at 9:26 am
Did anyone else have trouble watching the second preseason game last night? Brighthouse had it scheduled on NFLN, but instead it airs Brandon Marshals life story.
August 14th, 2015 at 9:40 am
Depth is improving on the Bucs, no doubt. So much so that fans are setting their sights towards the heights. It’s a clean slate, let er rip.
August 14th, 2015 at 10:19 am
I always watch the pre season particularly the twos and threes that shows the depth of teams. The good teams still play well, something the bucs have been lacking for some years now. Hope they get it straightened out soon. Sat. Would be OK with me. GO BUCS!!!
August 14th, 2015 at 10:19 am
The depth addes is key to your prediction of 6 wins this year right? LoL.
August 14th, 2015 at 10:25 am
The improvement in depth … across the board … for the Bucs this year is huge. Could use some more help in terms of depth on the OLine and at DE (and possibly at safety), but we’re light-years ahead of where we were at this time last year. Really believe now that the Bucs will surprise a lot of people this year.
August 14th, 2015 at 11:03 am
@ unrealist
Depth was a huge issue for the Bucs. When we lost a cb in the first game, we instantly had an awful secondary (due mostly to Leonard Johnson). When McCoy was down, I don’t think we got a single QB pressure. And when we lost an average center in EDS, I thought the Gilk-master was bleeding out on the field. I was screaming, get the man some help, he’s dying out there. I think he’s been shot. (It turns out that’s just how he blocks)
August 14th, 2015 at 11:40 am
Good take Joe. Mistakes were definitely made in FA last year by this regime – yet I still feel like Jason Licht is doing a good job of bringing more talent to this roster than we had. Primarily through good drafting on offense – but also with the “depth” signings this year you are talking about on Defense. Moore, Melton, McDaniel and Conte all represent solid and upgraded depth – and we hope that Carter and Johnson will both be reasonably solid starters. All of this was added without overpaying and every one of those defensive players is fairly familiar with Lovie’s defensive scheme.
The Bucs are a much better team than last year on paper – and now have real talent at QB and some very talented weapons for Winston to get the ball to as well. AND for the 1st time since Gruden left – we have a top offensive mind directing the offense and calling the plays. The OLine is still a big question mark until we see what it looks like in real games – but even though 2 starters will likely be rookies – again we are better on paper than we were last year there – and a real OC will probably make a big positive difference there as well.
The future looks bright IMO for the Buccaneers and I like how L&L are going about this much needed remake of the Bucs roster. A couple more good drafts – and this team is going to be a serious contender and also built to last.
Another bonus looking forward is that after clearing a bunch of dead cap$ this year for the mistakes that both Licht and Dom made (Johnson, Collins, Goldson, Nicks and Barron) – the Bucs will have an extra $25M to spend next year so they can shop for a big name Free Agent or 2.
August 14th, 2015 at 11:42 am
At least if McCoy goes down we won’t be terrible on the inside. I hope LJ improves.
August 14th, 2015 at 12:25 pm
I agree with realest…
Thanks to Mark Domino’s clever off season maneuvers and wonderful drafts this team had gapping holes at offensive line, tight end, receiver, QB, safety, linebacker, defensive end and DT…
Now we only have gapping holes at offensive line, safety and defensive end…
Not bad progress after just one season…
August 14th, 2015 at 12:37 pm
I don’t know that we should get too upset about having two rookies possibly starting on the offensive line. Didn’t the Patriots have thre starting last night?
August 14th, 2015 at 1:10 pm
Coloradobuc it’s not always safe to exercise common sense here.
August 14th, 2015 at 4:07 pm
I have been a Buc fan since 1976, when Hugh Culverhouse was awarded the expansion Bucs. We have always signed the wrong players in free agency, Alvin Harper was one of the worst. During the 22 years since the NFL started free agency, I can only name a few successful free agent signings by us. Simeon Rice by far is the best, Hardy Nickerson, VJAX, Brad Johnson are the others. We should build through the draft, that’s the Buc way.
August 14th, 2015 at 8:18 pm
@Realist, depth has been a problem on this team for the last 10 years, regardless of the quality of the starters.