Easy Out To Blow Up The D-Line In 2018
December 13th, 2017
You know it’s bad when Buccaneers fans are wondering what edge rushers like Tim Crowder, Stylez White and Howard Jones are up to these days.
(Jones, now with the Bears, sacked Andy Dalton on Sunday, in case you were wondering.)
The Tampa Bay defensive line is in shambles. They’re an old, banged up and highly ineffective group overall. And the young guys aren’t very good. And then there’s Noah Spence and his chronic shoulder problem.
It’s not pretty, but the future offers hope because the Bucs aren’t locked in to contracts.
Will Gholston, Robert Ayers and Chris Baker can all get the boot without any financial/salary cap pain.
Per reliable Spotrac.com, the Bucs could cut Gholston before Day 5 of the NFL league year in March and not owe him a dime. After that, his 2018 salary of $6.5 million is fully guaranteed. Ayers is owed $1 million on the fifth day of the league year, and then he’d have to make the roster to get the remaining $5 million due him. But if Ayers is cut in early March, the Bucs can cleanly clear him off the cap and the payroll. Same thing with Baker, dump him before March and the Bucs are off the hook for the $4.87 million he’d earn in 2018.
That’s about $17 million of 2018 salary! (Hmm, Dirk Koetter said the Bucs didn’t have $17 million lying around.)
Now Joe knows Bucs fans are going to start screaming about Gholston. But Gholston has regressed as a pass rusher this season, which is hard to believe since he wasn’t a good one anyway. Gholston is a tough guy, a hard worker and good against the run (he used to be great there), but Joe isn’t seeing the value at his price tag.
Frankly, given the overall messy state of the Bucs’ D-line, Joe would blow those three guys out in favor of new talent, draft picks and fresh energy. Perhaps there’s a trade market for Gholston.
For the haters wondering, yes, the Bucs could boot Gerald McCoy’s contract after this season with only a $500,000 salary cap penalty. However, not even the Bucs are that dumb.
December 13th, 2017 at 10:55 am
the losing culture is real and led by the captain of a failed dline. time to cure the cancer. let’s all pray crybaby captain blowout has played his last snap in a buccaneer uniform. let him take his fragile arse body and mentally weak play to dallas. his poser arse would fit in nicely in big d with the rest of the frauds.
December 13th, 2017 at 11:02 am
I’m fine with moving on from Gholston. I like the dude but he’s over paid for what he does. The contract was banking on him developing somewhat of a pass rush ability.
December 13th, 2017 at 11:08 am
Watch the dline ball out these next three games. I only wish gmc would stay home and stop infecting the locker room.
December 13th, 2017 at 11:09 am
Joe since you keep avoiding it I’ll say it the Bucs paid gmc 15 mil this yr for 5 sacks.
And he was crying bc he knew he wouldn’t make the pro bowl this yr with only 5 sacks.
December 13th, 2017 at 11:10 am
db55
you know ice cream man has to be near a camera of course he will still be infecting the team with his mentally weak approach and love of losing. and you can bet your arse he will be leading the wagon train right to the bank first in line a soon as the checks are handed out.
December 13th, 2017 at 11:10 am
I am fine with dumping Defensive Linemen…..IF IF IF we have a secure plan on how to replace them.
Having decent depth vs salary is another matter.
In my opinion, if we could just get a feared pass rusher(s) everyone on the DL would look way different.
December 13th, 2017 at 11:11 am
Jeeze maxipad repetitive much? Literally every comment is a combination of about 3 things.
1) GMC is cancer
2) GMC is fragile/soft
3) GMC is a career loser
December 13th, 2017 at 11:11 am
stars step up when it matters most. bucs have not had a shining star since Sapp walked out the door.
December 13th, 2017 at 11:12 am
Remember Stevie T is on IR and could possibly easily replace Baker.
December 13th, 2017 at 11:21 am
I say blow the whole damn thing up.
Move McCoy for a R2 and R4 pick.
Cut Gholston, Baker, Ayers.
Sign 2 DTs – ideally guys like Sheldon Richardson & Akiem Hicks – disruptive DTs who can push a pocket and defend the run.
Sign the best DE available on the market – if not 2 – Demarcus Lawrence and/or Zeke Ansah
Re-sign Brent Grimes or Sign a stop gap CB
R1 – Draft Bradley Chubb or Arden Key. Key’s stock may end up higher than Chubb’s after the combine. Both look like stud edge rushers; and we should be picking top 8 at worst and see one of them fall to us.
R2-R4 – Draft BPA – DT/RB/S/OG/OT
R5-R7 – Draft DT/DE/KR
With the extra 2 picks from McCoy we could literally draft all of those positions.
New D-line:
DT-Richardson
DT-Hicks
DT-R2-R4 pick
DT-R5-R7 pick
DE-Ziggy Ansah
DE-Chubb or Key
DE-Noah Spence
DE-R5-R7 guy
Entire new D-line basically other than Noah Spence – who was our only pure pass rusher.
And on top of that; because of dumping McCoy for R2 and R4 picks; we could also grab 2 O-lineman, a RB, and S or CB in that range.
Rebuild complete basically. CB would be a potentail weak spot but you can’t hit everything in a year; and I’d like to see how Ryan Smith/VHIII/Justin Evans all look behind a good front 4 pass rush
December 13th, 2017 at 11:23 am
Unless I’m wrong the Bucs had a DL Trapp who started one game , had a sack, which is more than most of the other DL & then got released. Then they pay Martin a ridiculous salary & get nothing in return. Probably could have had him for half what they paid him. As far as Gholston, Baker & Ayers. I would keep only Ayers & let Gholston & Baker walk unless they could trade them which is doubtful. In the end I don’t know who is responsible for these signings but they suck.
December 13th, 2017 at 11:28 am
Tmax
You’re a bad influence. I promised myself I wouldn’t even mention his name after his Kleenex audition. But you pulled me in…..lol….it’s too easy to clown rainbow sherbet.
December 13th, 2017 at 11:29 am
LC
I like the idea of getting some DEs and OLs. The rest of the positions can wait. And for goodness sake can they dump Conte please!
December 13th, 2017 at 11:35 am
Spence is a Linebacker
Other than McCoy and Clinton McDonald-nobody on that line is worth keeping.
We have a couple young guys, that are probably worth developing.
Other than that- clean house.
December 13th, 2017 at 11:39 am
I always thought Gholston was a huge reach for a “run-stuffing DE”! Puh-lease! Baker is a no-brainer but we may want to retain Ayers for depth. Buc fans know all too well that injuries play a huge role on that d-line every year. Get some youngsters in here with bad intentions and the play to back it up.
I’m not 100% sure that dumping GMC is a good idea. Of all the d-linemen we have, he’s the ONLY one with any talent. Plus, it’ll be hard to do a total re-build without a few pieces in place already. Just my opinion.
December 13th, 2017 at 11:39 am
Until we get a new defensive staff can’t make any decisions on players.
December 13th, 2017 at 11:47 am
I don’t care about Spence’s size. He was the only player that actually could consistently get pressure off the edge. He is a DE with DE abilities. I’m not sure why he dropped the weight.
December 13th, 2017 at 11:49 am
bucsfanman
they have already proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that they can lose with him why not try without the locker room cancer. the glazers owe it to the young guys to give them a cancer free workplace.
December 13th, 2017 at 11:52 am
The Bucs need draft picks more than GMC limping out his last year or two on the Bucs roster!!!!!!
It would be advantageous to start running a 3-4 just for a point of difference in the division!!!!! If you are going to change, change big and don’t patch!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!
December 13th, 2017 at 11:54 am
With all his injuries, they HAVE tried it and it still doesn’t look good. We need new blood in here. We simply don’t have anyone who can step into that position right now.
December 13th, 2017 at 11:54 am
bucsfanman
it did not look good when they were all healthy… i am confused
December 13th, 2017 at 11:55 am
Good point Realist! Wholesale change is not the worst idea for this defense or franchise right now.
December 13th, 2017 at 11:56 am
it has not looked good in 15 years
December 13th, 2017 at 11:59 am
tmax- My point is that they don’t have any talent. It’s hard to admit for you but they look worse when he’s not in the line-up. Look at Stafford after GMC went out! I heard he ordered and had a sandwich delivered from Jimmy Johns before a Buc defender came within 3 yards of him!
December 13th, 2017 at 12:08 pm
This fanbase was begging for the Bucs to re-sign Will Gholston. because he was so-call good against the run. These same fans are crying a river now.
December 13th, 2017 at 12:12 pm
Bucsfanman
even with her playing Stafford could have been lap dances and lunch before anyone touched him
December 13th, 2017 at 12:12 pm
Lakeland- I recall the banter as clear as day. We “must” re-sign him they cried. Correct me if I’m wrong, has he made ANY difference at all?!
Gone. Bye Felicia!
December 13th, 2017 at 12:19 pm
The defense is not good. However, there a way more problems with the Bucs than just the d line. Look at Jimmy Garoppolo. He only started 4 games before SF got him. Look at what he is doing with very little talent around him. Winston is almost done with his 3rd year, with all kinds of talent around him, and just look at the results. BIG DIFFERENCE!!! Winston is not, and may never be, a franchise QB. He also has too many personal issues with women.
December 13th, 2017 at 12:20 pm
CHRISTIAN WILKINS!!!!!!
Right now he is projected to go between picks 12 to 20 but after his combine I believe he will be a Solid top 10!
December 13th, 2017 at 12:22 pm
Shoot Larry, it ain’t just Garrappalo………..Wentz, Goff, Watson, Prescott are ALL looking better than JW3 right now.
December 13th, 2017 at 12:58 pm
Cut loose Koetter from Winston! Koetters given Winston all he has..and its not enough. Winston needs discipline now. He needs a QB coach. He needs to be taught..drilled to what needs to be done in certain situations. Winston panic’s
to much!! Either hire a new HC or let Koetter do just one job. Its that simple. Winston’s not unlearning any of his bad habits. He’s doing just what he did at the college level. And thats not workin in the NFL. He has the ability. But Winston needs coaching..Badly!
December 13th, 2017 at 1:03 pm
Pa Privateer Says:
December 13th, 2017 at 11:12 am
Remember Stevie T is on IR and could possibly easily replace Baker.
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A bag-a-ropes from any Flea market could replace Baker.
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Bucsfanman Says:
December 13th, 2017 at 11:59 am
I heard he ordered and had a sandwich delivered from Jimmy Johns before a Buc defender came within 3 yards of him!
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Subway maybe. Jimmy John’s is pretty damn fast.
December 13th, 2017 at 1:04 pm
I would cut Baker 100% in my opinion Clinton McDonald is better and that isn’t saying much. We need upgrades all along the DL. Only guy I think is a must keep at this point is obviously McCoy.
Our biggest needs I would think are DE, CB, DT and possibly even a S as far as the defense is concerned. If Koetter is kept on I would expect it will come at a cost with a major purge on the defensive side both players and coaches alike.
December 13th, 2017 at 1:07 pm
Gholston could be like a Greg Spires 2 gap DE. But that only works if the rest put on enough pressure, which they don’t.
Maybe a top10 DE pick will fix that and the whole issue.
December 13th, 2017 at 2:07 pm
@Lord, thank you! And there it is folks, great ideas from the great minds of simple posters putting it out there for free….and gm,s make millions. Just watch this board Glazers! 🙂
December 13th, 2017 at 2:18 pm
Newsflash the gm gets credit for that not the head coach
December 13th, 2017 at 2:26 pm
GM needs to go he has continued this crap of a defense and not building towards something that would help the bucs win…..the bucs could have drafted and signed FAs that would have built the defense in one yer but it was neglected and now there will be another MNF embarrassment to the crappy falcons, I do not know how JULIO JONES is not getting sized for his HOF jacket after padding his stats against whomever the bucs throw out there…where is that crappy 1st round draft pick that allegedly plays corner
December 13th, 2017 at 3:17 pm
It would be dumb to Cut McCoy but trading him wouldnt be. Despite how good some think he is the fact is with or without McCoy our D-Line simply cant get to the QB. Im all in favor of blowing up the D-Line, trading McCoy and stockpiling some young talent there.
December 13th, 2017 at 4:45 pm
a competent DC would fix a lot!!!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!
December 13th, 2017 at 5:06 pm
we don’t have a whole lot there to blow up lol
December 13th, 2017 at 5:47 pm
I’m a big McCoy apologist, but if I got a top 15 pick offer for him I’d take it and run.
December 13th, 2017 at 5:49 pm
Fatboy McLazy (Baker) needs to go just to set an example. Dude has the EXACT wrong attitude
December 13th, 2017 at 6:34 pm
Good Post)
December 13th, 2017 at 8:13 pm
Found this gem be sure to look for what DB55 had to say.
https://www.joebucsfan.com/2016/01/dirk-koetter-named-tampa-bay-head-coach/
December 13th, 2017 at 9:05 pm
I got no problem with trashing them all and only keeping McCoy and Spence.
I’d give Spence more time, he’s very young and might break out.
December 14th, 2017 at 8:15 pm
We need to re-sign Clinton McDonald and keep McCoy, Gholston and Ayers. How fast people forget just a year ago some were commenting that we had the best defensive front in the league. The Bucs just need to get Noah Spence back healthy and draft a DE in the first round. Draft a DT in the 4th round for depth and the DL will be fine. Howard Jones is just another example of a player this team could use right now. I do not expect Brent Grimes back next season which means they need to draft a CB in round 2 and try to get another in FA.
December 14th, 2017 at 11:05 pm
Let’s try to get as many draft picks as possible. We need some excellent scouting to see what kind of talent we can bring in through the draft but also sign some talent from are around the league.