Stroud: “That’s Going To Be An Issue For Them”
July 20th, 2016
Longtime Bucs beat writer Rick Stroud sees trouble brewing on the Buccaneers’ defensive line.
Gerald McCoy, Akeem Spence and Clinton McDonald and noted interior pass rusher Robert Ayers is not a foursome impressing Stroud. It’s all broken down in the WDAE-AM 620 podcast below.
“Again, they have very little depth inside, and that’s going to be an issue for them,” Stroud said.
Joe can’t agree. Will Gholston is a huge body that can also help inside, but more important, defensive tackle depth is something commonly available when cuts are made across the league. Heck, the Bucs’ had an outstanding run defense last year, one of the NFL’s best, with Tony McDaniel and Henry Melton taking their share of snaps. Those guys are on the street looking for work.
Depth was not an issue on at D-tackle last year, Joe believes, and Joe is confident that will be a solid position again, if not a strength.
July 20th, 2016 at 12:01 pm
Our dt depth has been solid since schiano. Edge is the concern. Hopefully goldston, ayers and noah make some noise. Not only that in my opinion the best addition this team could have made was Jay Hayes. Coaching is everything. Watch!
July 20th, 2016 at 12:22 pm
kick the tires on melton and mcdaniel def need depth at that spot
July 20th, 2016 at 12:23 pm
Kevin hit right on the head..and it looks like noah and Robert Ayers have become friends..what a good mentor for the young one..
July 20th, 2016 at 12:27 pm
I fully expect the Bucs to pick up an additional body or two before the start of the season. There will be cuts the last couple of weeks of pre season and some guys will become available. I’m not saying who they pick up will be an all world starter but if they need beef up front to stop the run (in a limited capacity) allowing the others on the line to get the QB they’re will be options. IF there is an injury God forbid during camp then I expect Licht to beat the weeds to see who he can flush out to fill in for that player. I have faith in Hayes as a D line coach and think he can coach anyone up just look what he did with ghost Johnson.
July 20th, 2016 at 12:35 pm
While the DT’s is better than the De’s I would not call it a “strength” while it is good to average group, I was really hoping that they would have drafted some talent to infuse into this group. And the rookie contract would basically have gone up to the end of GMC93’s contract and most likely career!!!!
I am not surprised that Joe has overestimated the grade for the current DT’s as he also has GMC93 graded as the best DT in the game today!!! and we all know the truth about that!!!!!!
July 20th, 2016 at 12:40 pm
Hi Buc Realist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good grief man
July 20th, 2016 at 12:44 pm
Agree Joe! Depth wasn’t an issue last year with all kinds of injuries…it looks a lot better this year.
July 20th, 2016 at 1:31 pm
Well, Rick Stroud’s not impressed. Let’s cancel the 2016 season, then. Shut ‘er down.
July 20th, 2016 at 1:49 pm
When we were on the clock in the draft I was really rooting for Sheldon Rankins but I am also very pleased we got VH3
July 20th, 2016 at 1:54 pm
Best DT in the game today, that’s a funny one.
July 20th, 2016 at 1:58 pm
Stroud is only saying that because McCoy, McDonald and Akeem Spence all had injuries last year. If all 3 manage to stay healthy this year – that is a very strong threesome to man the 2 starting spots IMO – and if you add Ayers and perhaps Gholson if need be into the mix, I don’t see any problems at all at DT.
Defensive scheme and better coaching is going to make a huge difference for our entire DL this year – and the additions of Ayers and Noah Spence are likely to be just the spark needed in the talent department to give opposing offensive coordinators cause for concern.
July 20th, 2016 at 2:00 pm
Speaking for Pablo
“Pablo agrees with Kevin that Hay Hayes is the best addition to the Dline…..Pablo also agrees with the Hoes that DT is not a weakness. Pablo thinks the weakness has been at the DE position with Houseplant Hohnson….hopefully Hay will get some improvement form Haquis & Howard Hones”
July 20th, 2016 at 2:20 pm
Spawn is going to take over the NFC south.
July 20th, 2016 at 2:44 pm
Actually agree with Realist but still happy with the draft. I’d like to see us draft a DT with a top 3 round pick next year if the value is right.
Next year I’m feeling WR/DT/S if I could pick 3 positions where I think our needs will be.
July 20th, 2016 at 2:55 pm
That is a good order Lord of Corn. I would even put TE with a couple of ??? unless one of them really steps up this year!!!!
July 20th, 2016 at 2:56 pm
In the deepest d line draft in 20 years we took one lineman.
We should have drafted Rankins instead of Vernon With our 3 pick nobody wants a bad kicker but there was soooo much d line talent still on the board.
Reminded me of the Jason’s first draft. We passed on guys who have gone on to be pro bowlers whole drafting average players in asj and sims.
we have a average d line at best
July 20th, 2016 at 3:12 pm
Dt depth is shaky. But how about LB? That is what scares me. You have Glanton & George-career special teamers, rookie FAs. Better hope The RC otu of Oklahoma or Keyes has a nice camp.
July 20th, 2016 at 3:31 pm
Bill, I agree with you about DT depth and LB depth. Starters aren’t the major issue; it’s depth. If just one of the starters from each of those 2 positions goes on IR early, we could be hurting. Before the season starts, I’d like to see us pick a solid (starting-caliber) DT, LB and Safety. Probably won’t happen, but it doesn’t cost anything to dream.
July 20th, 2016 at 3:48 pm
No worries Jaboo will play DT, have you seen his new body? Homie is DIESEL now.
July 20th, 2016 at 3:58 pm
A. Spence and McDonald were both out for the majority of 2015 and McCoy was injured all year and disappeared late in games… But yeah, no depth problem. SMH
They better bring in some help at DT, and a “big” DE isn’t the answer.
July 20th, 2016 at 4:24 pm
I liked Henry Melton.
July 20th, 2016 at 4:42 pm
You guys give me a break, I’ve been saying all along dt depth is an issue. Gholston isn’t a dt. Joe states our depth will be ok if we add a waiver guy. I might agree then, right now I don’t see any depth. Same issues at wr..
July 20th, 2016 at 4:47 pm
Glad all you guys have faith in licht to add some bodies. Must be nice. I don’t believe it til I see it and I’m not real patient..
July 20th, 2016 at 6:14 pm
I think this years d-line is last years o-line. The D-line will surpass all expectations!
July 20th, 2016 at 6:18 pm
William Gholston is a first and second down DE to stuff the run.
He will be replaced every third down by Jacquies Smith/Howard Jones/ Noah Spence (speed guys_
I have created the “heavy weight/late round theory”
D-Line play is like a BOXING match.
You want to destroy the other team in the FOURTH quarter.
It’s like a late-round knock out.
So, according to my theory
we want BEASTLY defensive ends to BEAT up our opponents offensive tackles on 1st and 2nd downs, speed-rushers stay fresh for 3rd downs and passing situations.
And we REST one DE for 3 quarters. So he can go against a worn down offensive tackle in the fourth quarter.
Go Bucs!!!
July 20th, 2016 at 8:16 pm
I am one of belief that every facet of our Defense got better from front to back and coaching. I am not going to go looking for sh!t to be pessimistic about. Have a beer and smile Stroud.
July 20th, 2016 at 10:29 pm
In the fourth round Jason Licht drafts Ryan Smith over DT Andrew Billings, who was projected to be a first round pick? Licht could have pulled of another grand slam but choose to pass on the best nose tackle in the draft. IMO there is sufficient depth on the defensive line. There are six DE’s, of which two can play DT and four DT’s. Noah Spence, Jacquies Smith, William Gholston, Howard Jones, George Johnson and Robert Ayers at DE. Gerold McCoy, Clinton McDonald, Akeem Spence and AJ Francis (6-5 330), who is like parking a M1 Abrams in the middle of the line, who can play inside. Their is more than enough DE depth and with Ayers and Gholston rotating at DT. There is plenty of talent up front. N Spence is going to ball, combined with Ayers and Gholston they should free up McCoy from some of those double teams. I see McCoy dominating as he always has in both the pass and run game.
July 20th, 2016 at 10:37 pm
VERY interesting perspective godzilla 13. As many here will attest to, I was a Huge Billings fan. I had a connected friend tell me he thought he would be the best DT in the draft 5 yrs down the road. All I really want to do now is root on the team we are putting on the field as I think it is a good one!
July 21st, 2016 at 8:51 am
tom jones stutters like porky pig
July 21st, 2016 at 9:51 am
The bucs look at Gholston & Ayers as 3rd dwn pass rushers at DT. So there more depth then u think. I think ppl forgot how important C Mac is at DT and what he brought. He’s very under valued imo.