The Safeties
February 11th, 2017
Key to safety question.
Yes, it is 26 days and counting before the free agency dinner bell rings throughout the NFL.
Of course, Bucs fans have their ideas who the Bucs should chase. Joe’s concepts have been clear: wide receivers and versatile defensive lineman Calais Campbell should top Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht’s to-do list in free agency.
Andy Benoit has other ideas. The Xs and Os savant for SI.com and theMMQB.com typed an article of each NFL team’s top needs in free agency. Benoit is of the mind the Bucs should be chasing safeties more than any other position.
Defensive coordinator Mike Smith likes to play a variety of zone coverages, often with a disguise, and you don’t necessarily need great safeties to operate like this, although the better you are at this position, the better your disguises. Both of the Bucs’ starting safeties, Chris Conte and Brad McDougald, are free agents. Conte, a poor tackler who lacks range in coverage, lost his job to the much headier Keith Tandy in the final weeks of 2016 and should not be re-signed. McDougald is a quality downhill run-filler, but he can be a little hit-or-miss in coverage. Whether he’s retained will largely depend on how Tampa Bay’s front office feels about the NFL’s 2017 draft and free-agent class.
As Joe has written, the key is Keith Tandy. Which is the real Tandy? The guy who couldn’t make a tackle in the ugly loss to the Rams or the guy who went wild in the final month of the season and played like a Pro Bowler?
If the Bucs believe December Tandy is the real player, then they are pretty much set at safety, so long as another team doesn’t go drunken sailor and overpay Bradley McDougald (it only takes one).
If the Bucs believe Tandy’s play in December was a fluke, then yeah, Joe can see Licht shelling out Team Glazer loot for a new safety (or two).
February 11th, 2017 at 4:31 am
Budda Baker in the 2nd!! Instant upgrade.
Or if one of the 3 highly rated safeties falls to #19 – that should be a consideration in the 1st as long as the Bucs brainstrust loves that player and feels the value is high enough.
The bottom line is – we have to improve at Safety. McDougald has had 3 years as a starter to develop and its obvious to most we need an upgrade there. Re-sign him to compete and for depth but you better get some more talent in here on the back end Jason.
February 11th, 2017 at 4:34 am
They will be drafting safety in the first 3 rounds. I’d be shocked if they didn’t. As for free agents, I’m not sure there will be good value. Even though Joe is an advocate of irresponsible spending, we know Licht is a value shopper. Eric Berry ain’t happening.
February 11th, 2017 at 4:57 am
I can see the Bucs re-signing McDougald but not Conte, then bringing in a FA (no, not Eric Berry, but someone competitive) plus drafting a safety this year, then letting them all compete with Keith Tandy for the 2 starting spots. Budda Baker has some excellent talent, but if he’s really 5’10” & 180 lbs I’d rather pass. Much prefer safeties with excellent range, but who can bring the wood when they need to. Safeties like Marcus Maye (6′ & 216 lbs) or Obi Melifonwu (6’4″ & 219 lbs) should be available in the 3rd & 4th rnds.
February 11th, 2017 at 6:48 am
I think Tandy is the real deal. I don’t see us drafting a S before the 4th round, then who knows? We need DE in the 1st rd, then WR or RB in the 2nd rd, depending on who we sign in FA.
February 11th, 2017 at 7:43 am
Im under the impression we’ll sign someone, but if not, its definitely an issue to be addressed in the early rounds.
Another Evans (why not) Justin Evans https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8dRM2hgqYg
February 11th, 2017 at 7:44 am
Desmond King https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DowxI0vJXrM
February 11th, 2017 at 7:50 am
Hey Keith got his chance and showed everyone he should have been playing all along instead of standing on the sidelines. I can assure you that what you saw the last 4 or 5 games is what you will continue to see until god forbid he gets hurt or retires. He will prepare weekly and bring it every Sunday!!!! If the Bucs need another Safety it will be to replace McDougald or Conte. One side of the field is in good hands with Tandy….Nuuffff Said!!!!
February 11th, 2017 at 7:54 am
Obi is 1st or top of the 2nd….just trust me on that one. And if he was still there bottom of 2nd, no way we dont trade up for him.
Need to get Tandy some help and some rest when he needs it. Im all in for hanging onto him, he came on strong late.
February 11th, 2017 at 8:02 am
Pass rush, pass rush, pass rush makes all DBs better. All the safety play got better late last year; I would even be fine with Conte in a limited role. Tandy did ball late and McDougal can thump. It seems there are greater needs but, I wouldn’t mind more talent, just not so early in the draft.
Did I mention pass rush?
February 11th, 2017 at 8:23 am
As I mentioned on the previous article about safeties, Quintin Demps makes the most sense to me in FA as a bridge player that can step in and immediately play. I would still resign McDougald and then draft a rookie too on Day 3. I havent looked anything up on him but walter football has had Fish Smithson mocked to us in the 4th round for over a month now. Eddie Jackson is another name that can be there in round 4.
February 11th, 2017 at 8:25 am
wait genious licht passed on safety help round 2 last year then grabbed ryan smith from HCC in the 40th round… ATTENTION LICHT: teams needs OL, RB, WR DE and Safety help… maybe GM help too
February 11th, 2017 at 8:26 am
MadMax – whats good brotha? Hope all is well with you & the family.
Desmond would real good addition – I just wonder how long will it take…
…for him to make the transition from corner to safety. Couple years ago… a very similar prospect out of Iowa – Micah Hyde was drafted by Green Bay. He’s shown promise – but he’s still learning all the different nuances of the position.
Now Justin Evans – is a very solid prospect – that I’ve got Mad LUV 4.
Even though I thinks his former teammate – Armani Watts projects better in the NFL.
But I don’t agree with is this whole premise that – all of sudden we’re set at safety.
Chris Conte & Bradley McDougald are FA’s – and at this point in their prospective career – neither are considered the cream of the crop. I’ve heard of us bringing one back – but not both. So there’s at least roster spot to fill.
As for Keith Tandy – I’ve seen marginal improvement in his play.
He’s a converted from corner – so I expected him to display decent to above coverage ability attacking the seams. But he’s still a little skittish – filling the alley against the run consistently IMHO.
So I see two safeties – with a promising developmental project – Isaiah Johnson in the wings. So yeah – we need to address the position through FA’s, and the draft if possible.
Resign/Sign
• S/SS Bradley McDougald
• SS Jonathan Cyprien
Draft
• Justin Evans
Projection
• FS – Bradley McDougald |Keith Tandy
• SS – Jonathan Cyprien | Justin Evans
If McDougald bolts – I would go after FA- Barry Church as his replacement.
February 11th, 2017 at 8:33 am
I like Obi Melifonwu, even in the 2nd if necessary. Budda ranks higher in most prospect analysis but it is still very early in the draft season. We need several DB’s over 6’0 in the NFC South with the cast of receivers we see twice a year. I realize Conte is odd man out, but he did come through on some big plays and the number of tackles he made did suggest his role in Smith’s scheme may have been a little different than we perceive as that of a typical safety. I say add a FA or Draft pick into the safety mix and let them compete.
February 11th, 2017 at 8:43 am
All is good Bro….other than a stalker wannabe comic sticking to my a$$ at times LOL. Im def on board with Cyprien! I know Berry is out of reach, but if somehow someway we could, then that frees the draft for more pressing issues like DE and WR.
Curious, whats your first round rec at 19? no trading up, whats your “position” draft? (not a player, no names, but feel free to drop a name lol)
February 11th, 2017 at 8:45 am
Defense Rules – Budda Baker is listed at 192lbs – but to discount him based just on what the measuring tape and the scales read is a big mistake. Dude is a playmaker – with excellent coverage skills, a great tackler and has closing speed that you normally don’t see from the safety position. Have another look and tell me this dude is not one hell of a football player…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoXL6gsuFNs
Bucs would be crazy not to seriously consider the Budda if they haven’t addressed the position yet and he’s sitting there in the 2nd round for us.
February 11th, 2017 at 8:47 am
Jon Cyprien is a solid safety that wont command big bucks. I think PFF ranked him the 4th best overall safety last year. Go get him and add depth in draft.
February 11th, 2017 at 8:52 am
Im not loving the pick of howard at 19. Id try and trade down a couple spots and get another mid round pick. Id like to see another DE added first round. I like Charles Harris. Pure pass rusher. Id then use the acquired pick to move from 3rd round back into 2nd so have 2x2nd picks or at very least add more depth at a position.
February 11th, 2017 at 8:53 am
Ideal situation – 4 the Defensive Backfield
Resign/Sign
• S-Bradley McDougald
• S-Jonathan Cyprien
• CB-Josh Robinson
• CB – A.J Bouye
Draft
• CB Cameron Suttong
• S Justin Evans
Depth Projection
• LCB – Brent Grimes | Josh Robinson
• RCB – A.J. Bouye | Cameron Sutton
• SCB – Vernon Hargreaves | Jude Adjei-Barimah
• FS -Bradley McDougald | Keith Tandy
• SS – Jonathan Cyprien | Justin Evans
With a few guys in the wing – serving as a insurance policy / battling for a roster spot.
• CB – Ryan Smith
• CB – Javien Elliott
• S – Isaiah Johnson
It’s quite possible Josh Robinson walks – and Ryan Smith takes over his spot at gunner.
February 11th, 2017 at 8:55 am
*CB Cameron Sutton
February 11th, 2017 at 9:00 am
LUVing that right there! WTH you not getting paid for this? I dont know. But hopefully the right eyes hit this post.
And hang in there as best as you can Mr.Duemig, prayers sent #dogstrong
February 11th, 2017 at 9:21 am
Pickgrin, I like Budda too, just not as a safety (would probably make a great nickel). NFL.com (http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/budda-baker?id=2558009) lists him at 180 lbs, that’s where I got that number. Still, with so many other needs, can’t see us using a #2 rnd pick for a safety (3rd rnd, maybe; 4th or 5th rnd more likely). Our top picks need to be WR, RB, TE, DE/DT (not necessarily in that order).
February 11th, 2017 at 9:33 am
@LUV… Wut it do?
Did I read that right, your moving VHIII to the slot? Who is this A.J. Dude lol… I’m lazy when it comes to research on this interweb…
#theACCOUNTANT
#dogstrong
February 11th, 2017 at 10:21 am
We definitely need safety help. Either thru Free agency or the draft.
I trust Licht to strengthen the position.
Between Free agency and the Draft, we need
1) Wr
2) Rb
3) Te
4) Safety
5) Rt
6) Center
7)De
Not Necessarily in that order
You wont get all those guys in the draft, So you have to find some high caliber, low price Free agents
Licht will have his hands full. I wish him luck
February 11th, 2017 at 11:08 am
What BringBucsBack just said
February 11th, 2017 at 7:26 pm
I can live with a safety at 19…why not have a safety since the slowest skill players in the NFL will insure another tough year for #3. At least that would be filling a “need”?
What will drive me nucking futs is drafting a TE at 19…ANY TE…we are not DESPERATE there…we are desperate for some team speed and a #1 RB but hey…let’s draft a safety.
AGAIN…show me the money!!! Safeties are the lowest paid position in the NFL!!
Why is this? Could it be because they do not make the same impact as ALL the other positions which are paid higher than them?
February 11th, 2017 at 8:29 pm
Franchise Tag by Position
• QB -$19.953M
• DE -$15.701M
• WR -$14.599M
• LB -$14.129M
• CB -$13.952M
• OL -$13.706M
• DT -$13.651M
• RB -$11.789M
• S -$10.806M <
• TE -$9.118M
• K/P -$4.572M