“We Knew We Had The Edge On Them”
February 10th, 2016
A Super Bowl revelation reinforces Bucs fans banking on Jason Licht in 28 short days.
A funny thing jumps out if you look at the Bucs-Panthers box scores from the 2015 season.
Tampa Bay sacked the NFC champion Panthers six times but none was from a defensive end.
Gerald McCoy and Danny Lansanah dropped Cam Newton in October, and in the season finale, Bruce Carter, Lavonte David, Keith Tandy and Tony McDaniel all notched a sack.
Fast forward to the Super Bowl, when the Panthers’ offensive line was exposed on its edges, especially right tackle Mike Remmers, the former Bucs’ practice squad member in 2012 and 2013. Broncos starting defensive end Malik Jackson told 1340 AM radio in Denver that his D-line studied the Panthers and, “We knew we had the edge on them.”
That quote really got to Joe. How nice it must be to have an edge pass rush. Bucs fans really were teased in Week 2 when Jacquies Smith beat the crap out of Drew Brees with three sacks that day.
Yes, Jackson could be a 26-year-old free agent when the dinner bell rings in 28 short days, though he does say he wants to stay in Denver and loves living in the area.
February 10th, 2016 at 9:27 am
For the most part, we need to develop our own talent. Why would players want to leave places like Denver or Carolina to come to Tampa? Few free agents are going to want to play for the Bucs, unless they want an easy payday. I mean, I would love for us to be able to sign a slot receiver or an end, but very few are willing to come in here and put it all on the field for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But I do feel we are closer than we have ever been since January 2009. We did a good job drafting and players like VJax have been a gift. The culture change is underway. Jameis and Kwon, imo, are going to step up this year and make it clear what it takes to be part of this team. Almost there.
February 10th, 2016 at 9:28 am
he’s a 3-4 end…how does he fit bucs 4-3? D.Ware should have been a Buc a long time ago, would have solved the edge rush problem
February 10th, 2016 at 9:41 am
We are one good DE and a healthy Jack Smith away from solving this problem!
That good DE can come in FA..Mario Williams..or in the draft…or both!!
In addition a lot of edge rushers in a 3-4 are actually LB’s as much as DE’s.
I think Mike Smith will use LVD and Kwon’s speed and quickness to amplify our pass rush. LVD got 7 sacks one year…no reason that he and Kwon can’t get ten between them this year. If Jack Smith just holds the pace he had when healthy he too could contribute ten.
February 10th, 2016 at 9:53 am
Malik Jackson is a name I’ve been looking at for a while. I think he could be a swing lineman that would give the line a ton of flexibility. He has attributes that translate to a 3 technique alongside McCoy in a 4-3, a 4-3 end on early downs and as an end on a 3-4. I would like either him or Nick Fairley. A rotation with one of these guys with McCoy, Gholston and McDonald would be solid. This would be a huge talent upgrade to the line. Add a Noah Spence (if available) a health Jacque Smith and then see if we can get lucky on a couple more bodies and you might have something.
February 10th, 2016 at 11:32 am
@StPeteBucsfan
If you think that “Jack Smith” is the answer than you don’t know the question!!! He is a pass rush specialist and rotational guy only!!! If he starts this year, the Bucs are then in trouble again!!!
February 10th, 2016 at 11:35 am
I live in charlotte, home of the stinkin panthers, you guys would not believe the excuses i hear as to why the panthers lost. The panthers fans are now saying the game was rigged so that manning could win the game, cam was not smiling like he normally does, the catch that was called incomplete took momentum away, the broncos are 6-0 because of the ref that was calling the game. Its ridiculous up this way.
February 10th, 2016 at 11:55 am
The Panther catch that was ruled incomplete on the field and upheld after being challenged was the momentum change that swung the game to the Broncos. That ball never hit the ground. I never clearly understood the call on the field being upheld after replay. Carolina 0-2 in the Super Bowl is sweet however.
February 10th, 2016 at 12:09 pm
One of the many delicious morsels of Denver’s dominance was a reminder that Carolina can be beat. The Bucs actually started both games in 2015 well and basically went Limp Lovie-style. Winston appears more mature now than Scam in year 5 ( but then again, so does my 5 year old 🙂 ). Carolina losing like that restored my hope and faith in 2016 and beyond. A Carolina win and a Scam Showboating offseason would have shat-stained “The Shield” in my opinion. Go Bucs.
February 10th, 2016 at 12:34 pm
panthers offense didn’t come to play…wr’s dropping passes, rb and qb fumbling and oline whiffing…the defense came to play but didn’t produce as many turnovers as they should’ve and didn’t cash in when they got a turnover…the game was winnable up until cam fumbled the second time and completely quit on his team by not trying to dive and wrestle for the ball…I was disappointed in cam the player and person…GO BUCS!!!
February 10th, 2016 at 12:34 pm
@JonBuc
saying ” Limp Lovie-style ” is redundant!! Its like saying pudding is soft!!!
February 10th, 2016 at 3:16 pm
DL DL DL DL.
I’ve got nothing else to add. That’s all I want this spring. I want pass rush damn it and in a hurry.
February 11th, 2016 at 12:28 am
Sign Wilkerson and draft Noah Spence. Pass rush problem solved.
February 11th, 2016 at 9:06 pm
Denver’s dominance was a remainder that..DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS..Period.