Rotation, Rotation, Rotation
March 13th, 2017
New Buccaneer defensive tackle Chris Baker opens up on radio
We already know Dirk Koetter admires the eight-man rotation that D-line coach Jay Hayes had in Cincinnati.
So it’s safe to assume Koetter wants that kind of depth and confidence in Tampa.
Enter new, big money free agent defensive tackle Chris Baker, who will begin his ninth NFL season after a long stint with the Redskins.
Baker is earning starter money, but he’s pumped to rotate snaps and be in a true unit.
“Any good defensive line has more than one or two guys,” Baker told WDAE-AM 620. The fact that we have a lot of depth around here, it’s going to be fun to rotate guys in and out and not, you know, drop in production or have lack of talent. We’ll able to be fresh all game, so it’ll be a great opportunity.”
Yes, 30-year-old Clinton McDonald is still on the roster, a returning defensive captain in a contract year. He’s earning just $2 million in 2017. What a steal McDonald will be if he doesn’t get hurt — again. McDonald can play either defensive tackle position, as can Baker.
Joe likes Baker’s attitude. During the radio interview, he mentioned he had dinner Friday with Mike Smith, so Joe suspects the rotation talk is something he’s parroting from the defensive coordinator.
So who will be the fourth defensive tackle in the rotation? Will it be newly re-signed Sealver Siliga, the 345-pound veteran? Or is Jason Licht gearing up to draft a defensive tackle to balance the advanced age up the gut of the Bucs’ defense?
March 13th, 2017 at 5:17 am
This is where scoring comes in.
You get 8 studs… With a good qb…
You are always in the hunt for a title.
I would more then every team combined on scouting
March 13th, 2017 at 5:36 am
Can see an 8-man-rotation on game days, but Bucs will surely carry at least 9 and possibly 10 DTs & DEs on the roster (hopefully 10 given our DLine history of injury). Looks like GMC, Baker, McDonald are locks at DT, and that Ayers, Gholston & Spence are locks at DE. Jack Smith, assuming he’s all healed up, should also be a lock, so that’s 7 key DLine players right there. Bucs still have 5 more under contract: Siliga, Lambert, Johnson, Russell & Ward (I’d put my money on Siliga & Lambert making the team at this point). Plus very good chance that we’ll draft a DT/DE since this year looks to be pretty decent in that department. All in all, I think the Bucs are in excellent shape on the DLine to start the season.
March 13th, 2017 at 5:40 am
We need to resign smith at olb for one more season and pick up a stud olb in the 3rd rd. so he can learn from smith.
March 13th, 2017 at 6:05 am
We drafted Bond last season to take over D. Smith’s role
March 13th, 2017 at 6:38 am
Clemson DT Carlos Watkins in 3rd-4th Rd if available. Need some youth @ DT while he has the pros there to mentor him.
March 13th, 2017 at 8:02 am
So far Depth heading into draft
Defensive Line
• Robert Ayers | Noah Spence | Jacquies Smith
• Gerald McCoy | Clinton McDonald | Channing Ward
• Chris Baker | Sealver Siliga | DaVonte Lambert
• William Gholston | Ryan Russell
Linebacker
• Lavonte David | Cameron Lynch
• Kwon Alexander | Adarius Glanton | Jeff Knox
• Daryl Smith | Devante Bond
Corners
• Vernon Hargreaves | Josh Robinson
• Brent Grimes | Ryan Smith | Javien Elliott
• Jude Adjei-Barimah | Cody Riggs
Safeties
• Chris Conte | Keith Tandy
• J.J. Wilcox | Isaiah Johnson
March 13th, 2017 at 8:08 am
**Concerns
Safety
• Age Concerns: None
• Depth Concerns: Yup
• 2018 Free Agents: Keith Tandy
Edge Rusher
• Age Concerns: Robert Ayers (31) Will be 32 in Sept.
• Depth Injury Concerns : Robert Ayers (31), Noah Spence, Jacquies Smith
• 2018 Free Agents: Jacquies Smith
Cornerback
• Age at Position: Brent Grimes (34)
• Depth Concerns: If either Hargreaves or Grimes(34) goes down –who’s up?
• 2018 Free Agents: Brent Grimes (34), Jude Adjei-Barimah
March 13th, 2017 at 8:22 am
@LUV- LB depth concerns me as well. The names outside of Kwon, LVD and Smith don’t exactly instill fear in opponents.
I’m “concerned” with the depth all across the board, DB especially.
March 13th, 2017 at 8:51 am
Bucsfanman
Yeah if either Lavonte David or Kwon Alexander goes down – there’s a huge void as well. So you draft a Hybrid Safety, Mike, Leo – Linebacker like Hassan Reddick?
March 13th, 2017 at 8:54 am
*So do you draft…
March 13th, 2017 at 9:17 am
If we are looking for a young but reliable D tackle to even out the rotation, I say we bring in johnathan Hankins for a visit. Very good run defender. He isn’t great against the pass but he doesn’t have to be when we have so many guys up for rotation. Not sure if he’s signed anywhere yet but we should see how much he is going for and maybe bring him in for a visit.
March 13th, 2017 at 10:38 am
They are looking at a OLB and DE in 3rd day of draft.
March 13th, 2017 at 10:38 am
DT in 1 or 2nd round.
March 13th, 2017 at 10:39 am
And development DT in 6,7 or non-drafted.
March 13th, 2017 at 11:02 am
LUV- Sure, depth can’t hurt. And if you can get a guy that can play multiple positions, that’s a bonus. What do you have on this Reddick kid?
March 13th, 2017 at 11:40 am
DeAndre Levy, bring him in for a physical and if healthy give him the slb position.
March 13th, 2017 at 12:18 pm
I was surprised they released him DB. He’s only 29. You know, I’m starting to buy into this whole DB55 as Buc GM thing!!!