SI.com: Shame On Bucs!
December 21st, 2016
Can’t do it alone.
Since the end of last year, Joe begged, pleaded, prayed that Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht would go out and get America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, weapons.
Aside from retaining Doug Martin (which appears to be an iffy decision now, to be fair that’s some serious rearview-mirror grazing) Licht chose to pretty much remain status quo.
And the chickens have come home to roost.
It is for this reason, Greg Bedard of SI.com wags the finger of shame at the Bucs for letting down Jameis. Bedard suggests what Jameis has around him is among the worst for an NFL quarterback.
25. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS *TIE* (20.4 SITUATION AVERAGE)
PASS PRO: 19; RUN GAME: 31; WEAPONS: 21; COACHING: 23; DEFENSE: 8An offense without Vincent Jackson has basically made Tampa’s passing game the Mike Evans Show with Cameron Brate sprinkled in. The offensive line has had issues blocking for the run and pass outside of right guard and center, and RB Doug Martin has missed a lot of time. The defense has been shooting up the charts as of late, which helps, but Jameis Winston will need more pieces around him going forward.
QBR ranking: 10. MV-QB ranking: 4. Considering what he has around him, Winston has played very well this season even if his stats (21st in passer rating) wouldn’t necessarily indicate it.
Joe is convinced if the Bucs miss the playoffs, this is the reason right there. Look, even veteran quarterbacks would struggle with receivers pulled out of a Dunkin Donuts drive through, much less a 22-year old quarterback.
In Joe’s eyes this offseason, the priority is simple: The Bucs must get Jameis more weapons. Not just in free agency, not just in the draft. Both!
It is irresponsible to invest so much in a talented quarterback and leave him with discarded furniture to work with.
December 21st, 2016 at 5:06 am
couldnt agree with this article more. another reason why i think jason licht is overrated. he has made way more mistakes then he’s hit on!!! i asked for him to be removed along with Lovie and im still asking for the same. Jason Licht is a trash talent evaluator. Mike Evans and Jameis Winston were considered cant miss prospects why does Licht get credit for drafting the obvious? he’s made 1 pick that you could be considered a diamond in the rough and thats Kwon and im sure Lovie had a say on drafting him not Licht!
December 21st, 2016 at 5:10 am
How can you not bring in a wr after 2015 season? Bucs have too much cap room to not improve their roster. Also personnel groupings makes oure offense too predictable, we need rbs that can run and catch and a TE that can catch and block. Socker in game run or play action, Brated in game pass or screen.
December 21st, 2016 at 5:29 am
Agreed.
I think that’s the issue many franchises have when drafting a young franchise QB. It’s the chicken or the egg theory. Do you get him protection up front or get skilled players around him? Marpet and Pamphile have been studs, all things considered but Smith (wildly inconsistent) and Dotson are just not gonna cut it. The question is are the Bucs gonna build dominance or built to suit?
What I mean is are they settle for just good enough from ok players like Smith and Dotson or keep upgrading?
Gambling on VJax and Martin staying healthy was VERY irresponsible, if you ask me. I saw MULTIPLE vet RBs and WRs that are strong contributors on other teams (Boldin, Hightower, and others). Not to mention counting on Jack Smith to stay healthy.
I love Jason Licht but this off-season he MUST be smart and aggressive and not gamble so much because Jameis and this defense is covering a multitude of sins on this roster. I’m proud of the team and I am excited about the future but don’t mess around, GET SOME WEAPONS and speed for this slow team.
December 21st, 2016 at 6:17 am
it’s only been 2 years people. We had to go defense in this past draft and as you can tell, it has worked. Everyone on the team is still learning. They had two very good receivers at the beginning of the year. That is all you can ask for. Jackson is on the payroll. How many top notch receivers can you afford to pay? To say that Light has not done a good job is a terrible comment.
December 21st, 2016 at 6:20 am
We need two more weapons on offense and better o lineman. We need another top vorner in the draft to groom behind grimes, we need a lot. It eill take time doesnt happen overnight
December 21st, 2016 at 6:25 am
LOL the other guy has no elite WR like Evans.
December 21st, 2016 at 6:28 am
Funny how Joe focuses on Bedard saying the Bucs have no receiver weapons outside of Evans, but totally glosses over Bedard saying the Bucs O-line run blocking has been bad.
December 21st, 2016 at 6:30 am
First on the list for the off-season is MIKE SMITH!
GIVE HIM MORE MONEY PLEASE. WE HAVE A SPECIAL DEFENSE ON THE MAKING.
Then work on the players.
Go Bucs!!!
December 21st, 2016 at 6:48 am
See jf this is where you show your lack of knowledge. The “other guy” has the number two rushing offense in the NFL and their offense is based on that. In addition both teams have the same record but one doesn’t get to play the Jags twice a year. Again I’m sure they have a fan website so go there.
December 21st, 2016 at 6:53 am
Better weapons are a must!!! Watching Kirk Cousins throw to Garçon and D Jax with Jordan Reed and a Jamison Crowder as the third and fourth option makes me wonder what Jameis would do with a similar group. Oh and don’t look now but the Refskins also drafted Docson to continue to surround their QB with weapons.
December 21st, 2016 at 7:00 am
You can’t fill all holes in an off-season. Kenny Bell was supposed to be the speed-deep threat WR. That didn’t work out. Doug isn’t muscle hamster anymore and ASJ was booted because he was a drunken idiot.
3 players envisioned as starters on offense.
i like Doug but he should be benched. He clearly lost a step.
I’m not worried for next year. FA will want to play in TB. our drafts in the last 3 years is already way better than under Rockstar
December 21st, 2016 at 7:07 am
It’s so classic of this website. Jason Licht is the man when they are winning and a donkey after one loss. Of course Jameis needs more weapons. Remember all the bad injuries on offense this year that no one could have predicted. Sure, we could have drafted someone other than a kicker with this high pick. What people forget is how bad this team has been for such a long time. You can’t go from zero to hero in one dang year. Especially with how bad the defense was. Get a grip. Bucs in great shape. Have more cap space than any other team next year. I hope they make playoffs but even if they don’t , you can see they are headed in the right direction for the first time in around 10 years. Shame on you joes
December 21st, 2016 at 7:08 am
Dak Prescott is a star now even though he is a rookie drafted in the fourth round. Ezekiel Elliot is a super star rookie running back right now on the same team. Amazing how one has all day to decide where to pass the ball and the other is running through holes that appear as if Noah is parting the Red Sea. We need some stud offensive tackles and so glad agrees with the article above. Finally coming around. Lol, of course he was focusing on wide receivers but you can’t ignore the fact that the tackles are bad and we need to upgrade.
December 21st, 2016 at 7:11 am
Look, Lightning, Genco & Tampa Tony below (whose drivel was deleted), Joe doesn’t bore readers with endless takes in one post. Joe picks what Joe finds interesting and relevant. Obviously. That’s been going on here daily since 2008. It has nothing to do with the specific subject matter. Two days ago, Joe wrote about making two moves on the offensive line. One now. One in the offseason. –Joe
December 21st, 2016 at 7:18 am
The Buc Realist Says:
August 9th, 2016 at 10:57 am
NFL Draft 2017 WR, TE, DT, Safety!!!!!!
I told you a long time ago!!!!!!!!
https://www.joebucsfan.com/2016/08/vincent-jackson-is-banged-up/
December 21st, 2016 at 7:19 am
If Licht doesn’t upgrade the offensive talent he should be arrested by Tampa PD for crimes against Bucs fans
December 21st, 2016 at 8:31 am
We needed to fix the defence in the offseason, so I can understand why the offence was neglected.
That said, I think the decisions in the offseason showed a lot of faith in ASJ breaking out and Vjax having another year at a decent level in him. Neither of those things happened and the running game simply hasn’t been good enough to cover for it.
Receiver and oline are definite needs in the draft. I wouldn’t be averse to spending there in fa too.
December 21st, 2016 at 8:49 am
The sky is always falling around here after a loss. You can’t upgrade every position in one off-season. We had a lot of holes on this roster and Jason Licht has done a great job addressing them. How does this season look if we have VJax healthy and playing like he has every other year he was a Buc? Hindsight being 20/20, it’s so easy to criticize what should have been done. Also, I’m so tired of hearing about who we should have picked up in free agency. Free agency is a two way street. Sometimes guys have reasons for not wanting to come play for a team. It’s not fantasy football or the draft where they have no choice. No team wins every transaction, but it seems like that’s all that some of you will tolerate. I trust that Jason Licht has us headed in the right direction.
December 21st, 2016 at 8:50 am
I also agree, you can yell for FS, DL, and CB’ all day long but you invested heavily in that last year and I might add our defense has improved dramatically. This year we need to invest in all things supporting Jameis. That includes OL, WR, TE, and RB. Now that Winston has been in the league for two years every team has focused on him and now Mike Evans. Stop them and you pretty much stop the Buc’s offense. We need to score on average 10 more points a game need year, so Glazer’s get out your check book and Licht find the players we need to do the Job. We have a Franchise QB, don’t waste him or get him injured with sub-par players.
December 21st, 2016 at 9:05 am
Truedat Bird, truedat
December 21st, 2016 at 9:15 am
Draft and free agency look simple-
O line – beef
D line – beef
WR – speed
DB – speed
They probably also go after another LB
December 21st, 2016 at 9:36 am
Joe, you have remotely talked of the O-line, but you continue to not put ANY, not one iota, of Doug Martin’s struggles on said line. But you do always remind us that Jaboo has no weapons.
December 21st, 2016 at 9:58 am
I 100% agree with the article.
Jameis has been incredible with what he has to work with on offense.
Mike Evans is great and Cameron Brate is turning into a very good TE.
However, our running game is awful, the pass protection stinks.
I really wanted the Bucs to go after Sanu in free agency and/or attempt to draft a player like Tyler Boyd from Pitt, but unfortunately neither happened.
I said before the season our starters are playoffcaliber but if we have injuries we are in big trouble because the back half of our roster is in the bottom five of the NFL.
The Bucs have the most cap space for 2017. They need to be aggressive in free agency and still get more weapons in the draft.
Free agency has some depth at WR this year so I’d like the Bucs to get 2 in free agency and one in the draft. This is also a good year for TE’s in the draft so we can add another weapon to go along with Brate there also.
How fantastic and dangerous this team would be if we drafted WR Corey Davis from Western Michigan in the first round,
TE OJ Howard from Alabama in the 2nd round and then got
Alshon Jeffrey or Terrell Pryor and a speed guy like Marquise Goodwin from the Bills.
December 21st, 2016 at 10:15 am
Somehow our gm thought getting a kicker would help more than drafting a WR. Dumb move Jason.
December 21st, 2016 at 10:45 am
#AlexCross
Lol, I love this kid but most importantly the fact that he plays and contributes is a microcosm of what the article speaks to.
The majority of the offense (I think) are undrafted free agents. Cray cray.
December 21st, 2016 at 11:01 am
Joe are you insinuating Freddie Martino is not a future Hall of Fame receiver? Say it aint true!!!!!!!!!!
December 21st, 2016 at 11:09 am
when you consider that the bucs spent 2 entire drafts on offense, that’s a tough statement to hear
December 21st, 2016 at 11:10 am
this is why taking Roberto was mad. we passed on so many players that are doing well in the league that we needed.
if you have a great dt and you don’t have an outside rusher he goes to waste.
if you have one great wideout and nothing at the 2 he goes to waste.
if you have a great young qb and no line or weapons for him again why bother.
if you have a slightly above average back and no line or wideouts he goes to waste.
games are won and loss by the front office. there is no cap on scouting.
lets get jameis some offensive lineman its not sexy but we don’t win without it.
lets get him a legit 2. then lets find a way to get a franchise back.
December 21st, 2016 at 11:26 am
draft oline in the first round….that would solve a lot of our problems….a good oline can mask some weaknesses on the offense…..a good oline can make an average rb and average qb look great…..they can make a great qb and great rb look like hall of famers…..
this offseason licht has to double down in FA and the draft….draft and sign a FA for the oline, wr, te, dline….GO BUCS!!!
December 21st, 2016 at 11:35 am
all of our problem could be solved this offseason…we only need 1 rt, 1 athletic te, #2wr, dt, and de…..we’re not that far off…..if licht can continue to draft well and begin to hit on his FA’s then we’ll be in good shape….GO BUCS!!!!
December 21st, 2016 at 12:29 pm
Exactly 813. I wouldn’t even call an athletic TE a need. Brate is just fine and a blocking TE is a dime a dozen. I agree on the rest though. Add in at least 1 safety.
December 21st, 2016 at 12:33 pm
Funny thing…when Vincent Jackson was healthy, we was rarely getting thrown to anyway.
December 21st, 2016 at 12:42 pm
813bucboi Says
“…draft oline in the first round…”
I disagree. Second round should be fine. Maybe even third round. First round NEEDS to go to defense, which was neglected for so long.
I I had my way, it would go DE, WR, OL in that order. And then sign a WR and OL in free agency.
OR…a truly insane idea:
Trade our most valuable player on defense…GMC, for a first and second this year and a first and third next year. He has the value. His contract is reasonable.
Use those picks to replace him and fix the rest of the team.
I love having him here, but that is the quickest way to get a lot of high picks…and Licht is great in the draft, as opposed to free agency. Go for the picks.
Kimmy Johnson did it once, and turned the cowboys around as a result. All of his picks from that trade became hall of famers.
December 21st, 2016 at 12:43 pm
In the above scenario, I would pick DT, DE, WR, OL in that order, rounds 1 and 2. (we’d have two of each)
December 21st, 2016 at 1:10 pm
@bonzai….cant ignore protecting the franchise….you look at the teams that control their own destiny in the playoffs and they all have at least 1 successful first round olineman…more specifically at the tackle position….look at the falcons, giants, cowboys….cant be cheap when you have a franchise qb….
with that being said, I agree with you 1,000% about GMC….I’ve been saying that since last year….he holds more value to us as a trading piece….I think your asking price is a little too high tho….I would take a 1st and 2nd this year and a 2nd or 3rd next year….but if licht could swindle a gm into your deal, hats off to him….GO BUCS!!!!
December 21st, 2016 at 5:10 pm
@bonzai says”First round NEEDS to go to defense, which was neglected for so long”…..1st 2nd and 4th round went to the defense last year……GO BUCS!!!!