2017 Bucs Resolutions
January 1st, 2017
Who will take over?
Joe hates New Year resolutions.
Why wait until a day on the calendar to try to better yourself? Especially since it will only last 10 days.
Still, Joe hopes Team Glazer and AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht have resolutions for the Bucs. Joe will get into his Bucs resolution shortly but Jenna Laine of ESPN has her resolution for the coming months.
Get back their ground game.
The Bucs went from averaging 135 yards per game on the ground in 2015, which was fifth in the league, to 100.3 yards per game in 2016, which ranked 22nd. The running game is crucial to setting up the Bucs’ play-action passing game, and it creates more opportunities for Mike Evans downfield. Speaking of downfield, the Bucs also really need a receiving target to line up opposite Evans and replace Vincent Jackson, who is wrapping up the final year of his contract.
Joe cannot disagree with Jenna at all on this. A good ground game makes Jameis a better quarterback. That’s just Football 101.
Joe suspects there will not be a decent running back available in free agency, at least not a bellcow. So that means Licht must find respectable receivers to help Jameis and, more importantly, Mike Evans.
When the Bucs started relying on dudes off the street in November to play wide receiver is when the season began to tumble for the offense, and the Bucs as a whole.
Joe is beginning to warm to looming free agent wide receiver Pierre Garçon of the Redskins as a reliable, productive potential option. As for running back, Joe would be shocked if manbeast LSU running back Leonard Fournette would be in the range of a draft-day trade.
Then there is Dalvin Cook. Could he slip far enough?
Or is there another running back lurking in the bushes?
January 1st, 2017 at 7:05 am
Fournette is a beast , paired with new receiver , DE , maybe another TE besides brate and our team is looking much different
January 1st, 2017 at 7:20 am
I like McCaffrey even as are first round pick. Might not be a 3 down back but is a way better version of Sims. Better rusher, better pass catcher with more speed and a good returner n punts and kick offs.
January 1st, 2017 at 7:45 am
IF the Bucs win today (I hope), they are probably going to pick around 20. Both Fournette and Cook will probably be gone. We have too many needs to trade away picks to move up – JMO. Why not get a RB in the 2nd who finished as the nation’s leading rusher and the only FBS player to rush for 2,000-plus yards in the regular college football season?
D’Onta Foreman is projected to be a Day 2 draft pick (second or third round) by NFLDraftScout.com. He finished with 2,028 rushing yards on 323 carries and 15 touchdowns, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. Foreman was the only FBS player to rush for at least 100 yards in every game he played in 2016, setting a Texas school record.
At 6-foot-1 and 249 pounds, Foreman is a physical Earl Campbell type of runner with the balance and toughness that makes him a chore to tackle, picking up his knees and running through contact. He isn’t exceptionally fast, but gets where he is going quickly with the vision to follow his blockers to the hole and scamper through tight spaces.
Although he is more of a tank than a make-you-miss back, Foreman has loose hips to weave through run lanes, picking up speed as he goes. He is also an imposing back, the type of ball-carrier that forces defenders to think for a split-second before attacking due to his powerful build. The Bucs need a big back that can wear a defense down, take a licking and keep on ticking. I think Koetter would appreciate another RB like Steven Jackson in the lineup. (Excerpts courtesy of NFLDraftScout)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svGVD4cTHuI
January 1st, 2017 at 7:56 am
I don’t like using a 1st rd pick on a RG. Personally, I’d take a DE – we have to have a fierce pass rush to stop good QBs when we get into the playoffs. Besides, we do not have to use a high pick to have a good running game:
DeMarco Murry – 3rd rd, 2011 DAL (1266 yards – 4.5 ypc)
Jay Ajayi – 5th rd, 2015 MIA (1213 yards – 5 ypc)
Devonta Freeman – 4th rd, 2014 ATL (986 yards – 4.6 ypc)
12 to 15 sacks per year is far harder to find. Use that 1st rd pick to get a quality DE. Regardless of what some say, you can never have enough stud DEs who get 10+ sacks a year and we still don’t have one.
January 1st, 2017 at 8:00 am
Wake up Blake! Asked a few questions on that thread from last night but if you didn’t go back that one I have a fresh one for this here thread. Emmitt Smith played at 5’9 216lbs Walter Payton played at 5’10 200lbs how did these two HOFers manage to play so long and be so great in the process??? Holla back homie. Sometime size doesn’t matter.
January 1st, 2017 at 8:05 am
There is no way DC or Fournette will be there when we pick. This isn’t a Lovie coached team. Those two will be Looong gone. But good news! Check out Alvin Kamara from Tennessee. That dude can play. Projected second rounder. Corey Davis in rd one (after signing Alshon Jeffrey) and Kamara in rd2… That’s a scary offense.
January 1st, 2017 at 8:09 am
Chris Johnson was selected 24th by the titans. Why exactly did 23 other GMs pass on him after he set a combine 40 record???
January 1st, 2017 at 8:14 am
Oh by the Blake Johnson’s a measly 5’10 203lbs. FYI guy.
January 1st, 2017 at 8:15 am
2000 yard season on his resume.
January 1st, 2017 at 9:29 am
Jenna Lane’s assessment is spot on … Bucs need to improve the run game a bunch. But if we learned anything this year it should be that you get the horses (in the trenches) first, then worry about the carriage. Works the same on defense.
January 1st, 2017 at 9:46 am
This team has a lot of resolutions
-Fix Jameis’s turnover and mechanics problem
-Add 1-2 wide receivers
-Strengthen the offensive line in the middle namely at center
-Stop being so damn passive on defense and create some pressure outside of the front four
Fix at least a few of these glaring issues and this team will be dangerous in 2017
January 1st, 2017 at 9:55 am
I like that assessment Tony. I would only differ with the o line position of need. Dot is a back up man. We need NFL quality level starting RT.
January 1st, 2017 at 10:03 am
Okay guys hear me out If we were to work the draft I think RT should be our top priority in the first round in the 2nd round we need to take Samaje Perine from Oklahoma look nobody talking about this kid but what the Bucs need is power & speed this kid can do both he got great vision pass blocking maybe gotta work on that but overall he’s the kid we need to look at
January 1st, 2017 at 10:37 am
Nole- Can’t disagree with you either. Center and RT are the biggest weakness on the o line right now. I’d value Center as a greater need personally as Holley gets pushed back far too often in both pass protection and the run game. Dotson is serviceable when healthy. Couldn’t go wrong upgrading either though
January 1st, 2017 at 10:41 am
Been wanting Garçon for a while, very reliable and can play all over the field. And cook is far better than fournette anyway, fournette will be injured all the time just likenjenwas in college.
January 1st, 2017 at 10:47 am
Bucfan 88
I totally agree with your RT priority. It is not sexy and I think posters like us will be ridiculed for not considering a Local state talent. But i think Jameis needs protection and our run game needs a long term solution. Dallas built an OL and coaches and scouts were laughed at, but Zeke Elliot is a successful rookie because of Dallas has given him quality protection. Some things in this game just don’t change. and it all starts up front is an undeniable axiom.
January 1st, 2017 at 10:59 am
i would pass on Leonard Fournette for 2 reasons. 1st he is fragile and has not made it through a 12 game college season healthy. 2nd, he quit on his college team, its just a matter of time to when he quits on his professional team. would you spend a high draft pick on a proven quitter who is injury prone?
January 1st, 2017 at 11:09 am
No ridicule over here martini we all have our personal beliefs. We can agree we’re hungry for some playoff football.
January 1st, 2017 at 11:28 am
Nope you throw out Chris Johnson who had one maybe two good years. He’s crap
Your blind bias to fsu degrades your credibility. Pump the breaks hermano
January 1st, 2017 at 11:29 am
Has anyone else drooled over Dede Westbrook like I have? This guy is the perfect compliment to Evans and Brate. Big playmaker.
January 1st, 2017 at 11:30 am
Neither will be there most likely
January 1st, 2017 at 11:57 am
Cook would be a nice addition to the Bucs. Agree that he likely won’t be there long for the taking. I’ve seen mock drafts that have him being picked from the seventh spot up to the sixteenth spot.
January 1st, 2017 at 12:01 pm
Throw out Chris Johnson, now if that ain’t first stupid comment I’ve read of 2017 ion know what is. And y’all continue stating “someone won’t be there when we pick” is beyond me. For the umpteenth time Atl moved 11 spots for Julio. They didn’t hold themselves back on some too many holes on they’re team crap. They saw future superstar and made it they’re business to go get him.
January 1st, 2017 at 12:04 pm
Shadow so in your mind Jinmie Johnson was acting on bias when he was drafting Hurricanes in the 90s??? H3ll no he had just coached those super talented football players and figured it would plain stupid not to draft them because I was they’re coach in college.
January 1st, 2017 at 12:04 pm
Uhh yeah and when tony and Michael and roddy retired or phased out they paid the price dearly for about 4/5 years bc they had to give up so much
Good try tho
January 1st, 2017 at 12:06 pm
Again Bright guy Johnson has a 2000 yard season on his resume. Had the titans chosen not to run him in the ground he more than likely would still be one of the leagues best runners.
January 1st, 2017 at 12:07 pm
Man please. They winning the division and inn they’re way to the playoffs. I’m sorry you try again.
January 1st, 2017 at 12:07 pm
Look guys get real we are not going to get cook it’s not happening we need to look at RT if we fix that then two things instead of one got get Samaje Perine in the 2nd round look him up this kid is amazing I’m surprised nobody talking about him this kid with a good oline will be rookie of the year plus if we break bank for Eric berry find some way to lure nuke Hopkins or Parker to Tampa for a decent contract pay mike Evans some how get speedy noil my god Tampa will be scary good
January 1st, 2017 at 12:07 pm
Talk about a stupid comment. The hurricanes back then were all NFL guys. Literally. Fsu has a cpl NFL guys. If you’re comparing fsu now to the hurricanes back in the day then lmao man you must have had an awesome New Year’s Eve. I kinda wish I was with you so I could be on that level Maine
January 1st, 2017 at 12:08 pm
2000 yards at 5’10 203lbs I might add.
January 1st, 2017 at 12:10 pm
OMG that’s as dumb @$$ retort. No one had ever said go draft all Seminoles. I’ve stated one name. The best player on the team. At position of need for our beloved Bucs.
January 1st, 2017 at 12:11 pm
88 how many O linemen have Licht brought inn in free agency since taking over the job??? After you reach your conclusion then tell me would it be beyond realm of possible to do just yet again.
January 1st, 2017 at 12:32 pm
Noel fan ur a great guy ask me this who drafted ail marpet, D smith & Kevin p
Jason licht now I know he did terrible in free agency but in the draft he finds what we need & right now we need a RT I agree cook is an amazing RB but to go all out to get him would be a crazy look at Dallas I say Elliot is not that good of a RB he’s just playing behind a great oline something if we do will make life easy thats all I’m saying fix the oline & this team is dangerous
January 1st, 2017 at 1:14 pm
I agree about that Elliot part bro.
January 1st, 2017 at 1:16 pm
We will sighn Adrian Peterson. Write it down JOE, you heard it here first
January 1st, 2017 at 2:19 pm
@D’onta Foreman
If your guy is the real deal I like the way you think. I’d love to have a giant back so we could go into beast mode.
Doug even in his prime was not the guy to wear down a D…unless the Oline was really rocking it….a giant like Marshawn Lynch or Eddie Lacy would be nice.