Bucs Are In A Bad Position
October 16th, 2017
Will he return?
Joe wrote about the fall and loaf of Vernon Hargreaves today and yesterday, but there’s more to the story.
Because Hargreaves has fallen off the map so badly, the Bucs are likely going to have to draft a corner early next year, and sign a decent corner as well.
No, the Bucs are not going to give up on Hargreaves. He’s only 22 for crying out loud and he’s signed through 2019. But the Bucs currently have no reliable back up. And here comes the hard thing to write:
Unless the Bucs give ageless Brent Grimes a massive contract, Joe isn’t so sure he will stay. Already we know Grimes toyed with retiring last offseason to play minor league basketball. His contract is up after this season and if Grimes decides to play again, then at 35 years old, he likely seeks the highest bidder.
Already Grimes’ wife, Miko, has hinted on social media this month that her husband may hang it up after this season. Knowing how savvy and intelligent Miko is, Joe believes that’s more of a contract ploy than anything.
But at this point, we do not know if Grimes will return or whether Hargreaves will be able to turn things around and look like an NFL starter. So very likely, cornerback already is a high 2018 priority for the Bucs in the offseason, in the draft and in free agency.
Yeah, it sucks to be writing about offseason priorities before friggin’ Halloween. Again.
October 16th, 2017 at 1:02 pm
Oh my lord,
what will the bucs do if he retires………………
I don’t even want to imagine how bad our secondary will be next year without grimey
October 16th, 2017 at 1:06 pm
When aren’t the Bucs in a bad position? here’s an idea. get rid of these stupid uniforms, bring back the previous red and pewter or at least get uniforms that don’t suck, and let’s try to recapture Malcolm Glazer’s ability to make the right decisions to steer this organization.
The silver lining for me is at least now I can temper my enthusiasm and realize that we will be once again picking pretty high in the draft.
October 16th, 2017 at 1:08 pm
this is why is important to address, the D-Line, a good pass rush can help a secondary
October 16th, 2017 at 1:10 pm
Its being reported on ESPN Jameis has a shoulder sprain and might play thru it. I say bench him a game or 2 and go with Fitz. Anybody Notice Fitz moved the team rather well? This shoulder sprain might be a good thing. It might force Jameis to actually concentrate his throws better. Just sayin.
October 16th, 2017 at 1:11 pm
Grimes is the team MVP…Always shows up…Whatever it takes to get him back has to be done…Team can’t function without him, that was already proven
October 16th, 2017 at 1:13 pm
Trumaine Johnson, Malcolm Butler and Vontae Davis are all expected to hit free agency after this season … all three seem like they would be a massive upgrade over Hargreaves … I expect Grimes to return though and I imagine we’ll draft a DE & CB in the first two rounds of the draft as well
October 16th, 2017 at 1:13 pm
“cmurda Says:
October 16th, 2017 at 1:06 pm
…………..here’s an idea. get rid of these stupid uniforms, bring back the previous red and pewter or at least get uniforms that don’t suck, and let’s try to recapture Malcolm Glazer’s ability to make the right decisions to steer this organization……”
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
STANDING UP AND APPLAUDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…….i hate our current ugly uniforms too
October 16th, 2017 at 1:14 pm
Grimes will probably go to a contender and chase a ring. I wouldn’t blame him a bit.
October 16th, 2017 at 1:20 pm
Bucs will continue their decline. Grab yourselves some exlax or pepto Bismol. We got..lots more losses comin starting this Sunday in Buffalo. We might just get one of the top 5 draft picks next year! Funny how many of you who annoited Koetter as the..2nd coming Savior are now and will soon be..calling for his head.
October 16th, 2017 at 1:20 pm
Yup we need 2 cornerbacks at minimum…
October 16th, 2017 at 1:29 pm
Mike Johnson … another poster who should have a troll emjoi next to his name …
October 16th, 2017 at 1:35 pm
With the exception of the Linebackers and Safeties, the Bucs need to spend the entire offseason rebuilding the D-line and CB’s! Their pass rush is non-existent!
They should have signed Lamar Houston when he was here for a workout! Gerald McCoy needs to stop challenging fans who criticize the team to meet him at One Buc Place and be a leader on defense
October 16th, 2017 at 1:36 pm
That’s ok NFLNut just ask him how his boy Lovie is doing in college. But to answer the question in the caption with another question. Would you come back to this?
October 16th, 2017 at 1:38 pm
We have the best uni in the league, just stop it. Oh wait I forgot you want to look like ever other boring team in the league with solid color everything. SMH
October 16th, 2017 at 1:38 pm
They should be giving offer right now.
He is one of our best defenders. Even at 35. Pay him 8/yr
October 16th, 2017 at 1:39 pm
My guess is Grimes will go wherever the money is … he really hasn’t made all that much in his career, so if the Bucs pony up with a nice 1 year high salary offer I imagine he’ll stay … no state taxes and nice weather is only possible in Tampa (and continuity is a nice bonus), Jacksonville (they don’t need Grimes), Miami (I doubt he’d chose the Phins over the Bucs), the Texans (I doubt they pay him as they wouldn’t even pay Bouye last offseason) and the Cowboys (I doubt they top our offer), so I doubt he leaves … unless he retires.
October 16th, 2017 at 1:51 pm
My guess is that there’s less than a zero percent chance Grimes returns to Miami. Richie Incognito has a better chance of returning there.
October 16th, 2017 at 1:51 pm
WOW…Mike Johnson I wish we could bench you…oh wait you don’t play…and you may or may not be a BUCS fan…
October 16th, 2017 at 2:00 pm
Nole4jaBoo.. I was a Bucs fan when YOU..were in diapers.
October 16th, 2017 at 2:05 pm
Nole4jaBoo..I’m just bluntly honest. Many here don’t like it. They’d rather make excuses, waive pom-poms. I beleive in winning. By one or 501..Just win. Ive seen more excuses than pimples on my A…over the years. I’ll continue my voice until..we becaome champions again. But that might be..a long..long..time! I’m hnest. A quality thats rare these days..from the presidency on down.
October 16th, 2017 at 2:05 pm
If I were Licht, I’d be on the phone with the Packers and ask if they have interest in Fitzpatrick.
October 16th, 2017 at 2:07 pm
RUN THE BALL!! To many pass plays!! It pains me to ask this, but is Winston really going to be our QB of the future?
October 16th, 2017 at 2:10 pm
Nnahhh, keep Fitz and start him in Buffalo. Let Famous Jameis watch from the sidelines. let his shoulder heal. You never know..Fitz actually moved the ream quite well….
October 16th, 2017 at 2:12 pm
Run the ball!!
October 16th, 2017 at 2:12 pm
Draft another kicker and dancing running running back…
No one will see that coming
October 16th, 2017 at 2:26 pm
Put Hagreaves on the bench.
Start Ryan Smith.
After the first game, hes looked good.
Worst case senario?
Opposing QBs target him, and complete every pass.
Which is exactly whats happening to Hagreaves
Ryan Smith is Bigger,Faster, and better attitude.
October 16th, 2017 at 2:28 pm
^ I actually agree … I think VH needs a PUBLIC benching, if for no other reason than to wake him up!
October 16th, 2017 at 2:32 pm
But Joe said CB was among the deepest positions on the team in preseason….
A point I challenged just about every time it was written.
I believe Hargreaves will find his way and Grimes is excellent – for now – but at 34, father time will catch up to Brent sooner than later most likely.
For right now, Hargreaves is seriously underachieving – and behind them we have what? Ryan Smith who is not yet “ready” while coaches still hope he can develop into something other than a ST contributor? McClain who (other than 1 play) has not been any good at all playing nickle? UDFA Elliot who has not seemingly progressed much either?
Bucs need to find DE, CB, RB and OT help in next year’s draft
October 16th, 2017 at 2:45 pm
Careful what you wish for. How bad is Ryan Smth? With Hargreaves on the opposite side, Vikings targeted Smith. Relentlessly.
October 16th, 2017 at 2:53 pm
Never understood the hype about the bucs defense in the preseason.
October 16th, 2017 at 2:54 pm
A lot of our secondary’s struggles is directly attributable to our pathetic D Line (minus McCoy). The fact that McCoy commands at least a double team on virtually every play is a further indictment on just how pathetic our D Line is. I don’t blame Licht for this. He tried to get Calais and it didn’t work out and it was necessary to get weapons for Winston. I like Noah Spence but he’s not getting the job done. He gets manhandled rather easily and he seems to be limited in his attacking. There’s at least some optimism in the future with Spence but Ayers is useless. I realize not all passes that are thrown at our defense take a long time but when the opposing QB’s need time, it is no problem. Mike Smith won’t blitz and even every blue moon when he does, it is obvious to opposing QB’s. Those long 3rd downs when the opposing QB can just sit back there and eventually find someone are the ones that really tick me off. 3rd and 13, we should be blitzing virtually every time. I won’t make excuses for VH3 being terrible this year but this D Line is only making it tougher on our secondary.
October 16th, 2017 at 3:00 pm
I agree with M. Johnson. Start Fitz against Buffalo. JW Shoulder will not be fully recovered and not risk further injury which could end his season. The way JW has been playing won’t give us the best opportunity to win against Buffalo at this point . Give Fitz the opportunity for a full game and I believe the players will rally around Fitz and upset Buffalo Sunday. I would also bench Vernon and start Smith. The Head coach is not being accountable to the other players if he starts Vernon . I have seen
October 16th, 2017 at 3:03 pm
Ryan Smith play. He is better. Give him the opportunity and start him. The Bucs scouting employees did a terrible job assessing Vernon. He will avoid contact and inconsistent tackler at the NFL level.
October 16th, 2017 at 3:17 pm
@Swanee
No doubt try out Ryan Smith. He’s big,fast, and has hands and there is NO freaking way he could less than VH3.
October 16th, 2017 at 3:24 pm
I agree. Bench VH3 as the starting corner and start Smith. Bench Jameis and start Fitz to let Jamies shoulder heal.
This season is toast anyway as far as making the playoffs is concerned. With 6 division games coming up, we’ll probably only go 3-3 at best, which leaves going 5-0 in the remaining non-division games to go 10-6. 10-6 won’t win the division, not this year.
October 16th, 2017 at 3:30 pm
I wouldn’t necessarily be opposed to resting JW … but this is an injury that calls for 2-4 weeks rest and if we give him 4 games off, we’re sunk … HOWEVER, if we do start him which I believe we will due, Koetter better put a LOT of short throws into the game plan and forget about the big 40+ yard throws … I remember when Big Ben had the same injury and the throws are NOT the same!
October 16th, 2017 at 3:36 pm
Just put him at nickel.. but teach him how to get physical.
October 16th, 2017 at 3:37 pm
It took to the end of the 3rd year, and really going into his 4th year when grimes started playing good!!!!! Might give it a little more time before we all start the doomsday scenario’s!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 16th, 2017 at 3:44 pm
mike10 Says:
October 16th, 2017 at 3:36 pm
Just put him at nickel.. but teach him how to get physical.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
…….just put em’ on the bench
October 16th, 2017 at 3:52 pm
TheBucsAnthem Says:
October 16th, 2017 at 3:44 pm
mike10 Says:
October 16th, 2017 at 3:36 pm
Just put him at nickel.. but teach him how to get physical.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
…….just put em’ on the bench
—————-
Maybe, but ehh… Ryan Smith?
October 16th, 2017 at 3:52 pm
when it comes to VHG, coaching is the problem….the only thing they have to do is tell him to play at the LOS and jam jam jam….that’s what he’s always been good at…ryan smith included….GO BUCS!!!
October 16th, 2017 at 4:03 pm
Since DJax isn’t really the right guy for Winston and Godwin is showing good strides at WR why wouldn’t we go trade DJax to the Giants for a much needed say CB? Or maybe even a DE? I just think the defensive side needs a lot of help and we might have to give away a few pieces on offense to balance this team out. It’s Monday and I just don’t see any hope right now in this team. That Cardinal ass whooping made me sick to my stomach. We cannot continue putting a defense like that out on the field every week or we are going to be toast!
October 16th, 2017 at 4:06 pm
“Knowing how savvy and intelligent Miko is”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/07/11/miko-grimes-denies-being-anti-semitic-for-jew-buddies-comment-about-dolphins-owner/?utm_term=.fe976ab89378
lol.
October 16th, 2017 at 4:10 pm
I was never sold on hv3 anyway that would have been the perfect time to trade down. No one is rooting harder for hv3 to turn it around than licht because that pick looks about as bad as that dude’s hair, maybe if he cuts that mop off his head he’ll turn his season around
October 16th, 2017 at 4:11 pm
Don’t think that is true in any way.
October 16th, 2017 at 4:19 pm
I don’t agree. He’s spot on about some of the fan base around here. How cool will “Stick Carriers” be if team goes 8-8 or worse and ends up getting canned? The local media and fans just *love* a quotable head coach. Rex Ryan was a fun-loving quotable guy. How did that work out for him in NY?
October 16th, 2017 at 4:19 pm
It’s a shame after five weeks we, as fans, are talking about the off-season. Winston has been a disappointment, the coaching is an embarassment and the players…to a player…believed all the preseason hype. Same ‘ol Bucs!! SAD!
October 16th, 2017 at 4:25 pm
DOOMSDAY…DOOMSDAY…DOOMSDAY…DOOMSDAY is here!! And the SKY is starting to fall!!!! Which one of our current coaches will get the LOVIE TREATMENT………pick one!! I have no stats…no inside information…but my eye-test tells me if we don’t soon get on a 3 game winning streak, the season will be a bust!
October 16th, 2017 at 4:44 pm
Lol, you guys are so funny. I love JBF.
October 16th, 2017 at 5:03 pm
Yup, I think we need to assume Grimes is gone. And restocking the CBs and DEs in one offseason sufficient to build a playoff caliber defense is a tall order. Maybe we can hope that Ryan Smith grows into his NFL-caliber speed and athleticism to become a quality CB. I think Hargreaves is a bust, destined for nickel CB duties. And we have ZERO defensive ends. With Spence’s shoulder problem and lack of adequate size for the DE position, we have literally no one to reliably apply pressure from DE. This team is doomed until we find players at DE and CB. No playoffs this year. No playoffs next year.
What a disaster the 2016 draft has turned out to be, as our top 3 picks were:
1) Hargreaves (BUST)
2a) SPence (INJURY BUST)
2b) Aguayo (EPIC BUST)
… and we passed on Yannick Ngakoue in favor of trading up for a gawddam kicker!
Our other picks from the draft:
4) Ryan Smith CB
5) Caleb Benenoch
6) Devante Bond
… these guys have a better chance of contributing positively in the future, and for their draft positions aren’t bad picks.
It could’ve been a turnaround draft, but instead it looks like a turn-backwards draft.
October 16th, 2017 at 5:25 pm
@realist….the “sheep’s” are running wild….LOLOL…..where’s the repost?….I know you saw this coming?….don’t hide….here kitty kitty!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
October 16th, 2017 at 6:18 pm
Ohhh you mean the guy with his skirt in the air all the time waving his pom-pom. That be..Buc Realist. He proclaimed Koeeter as our..Savior.
October 16th, 2017 at 6:36 pm
You heard it here first…. VERNON HARGREAVES SHOULD BE MOVED TO FREE SAFETY! Let him free roam a bit and I bet you’ll see those ball skills come back. Doesn’t seem to mind sticking his nose in on run defense either!
October 16th, 2017 at 6:40 pm
Would love to see Hargreaves @ FS and Evans @ SS. Think that should be the focus the rest of the year and off-season.
October 16th, 2017 at 6:40 pm
They have been in a bad position since 1975, since Hugh Culverhouse was awarded the franchise. They have had a few good seasons during the past 41 years. But overall they have been a bad football team.
October 16th, 2017 at 7:21 pm
Fire Mike Smith thats the first priority otherwise you could have double amputees playing back there and it will make no difference
October 17th, 2017 at 1:31 am
I was 100% against the VH3 pick and knew his height would be an issue vs. K Benjamín in this division Etc etc but I had no idea he would suck this bad. I mean any way you look at it, I have no F$&@ing idea why when the bucs had shots at projectable 6’3″ CB etc. in this years draft 2 round, and year before. I saw so many guys like the Seattle Seahawks style long physical corners. Jason Lichtenstein is really not my favorite guy right now for many reasons.
October 17th, 2017 at 2:46 pm
TheBucsAnthum Says- I agree completely with you. I think 2018 is the year the Bucs can make a change with the uniforms. Didn’t the Cardinals uniforms look bad a#$ Sunday?
Sign Grimes to an extension. I still believe Hargreaves will become the CB he was drafted to be. This team only needs another dominant CB, An elite DE along with a tall, speedy WR who can get open. That is not that tall of an order. Get one in the draft and go after the two best FA’s available. The front office needs to do a better job with both the draft and FA. A good example is how well Cameron Brate played Sunday. 7 for 7 catches with some very difficult ones. We really did not need to spend our first pick on a TE when we already have a great one.