Spark Of Reason In A Silly World
December 30th, 2017
Still haven’t replaced him.
Joe understands some don’t like facts. So this may be difficult for that crowd to swallow.
In the wake of the news that Bucs coach Dirk Koetter has been retained for the 2018 season, those that wanted Koetter launched are struggling as we close out 2017.
Not to worry, typed data-driven, limousine-ridin’, jet-flyin’, kiss-stealin’, data-analyzin’, Bucs-film-studyin’ Thomas Bassinger of the Tampa Bay Times. Koetter is not the problem for the losing season.
In fact, noted Bassinger, the problem lies on the defensive side of the ball.
@tometrics: To me, the #Bucs’ No. 1 issue this season has not been Koetter’s play-calling or even Winston’s injury. It has been a near absence of a pass rush. That was a problem last season as well. In fact, it has been years in the making.
Damn near a generation, to be blunt.
As Joe has stated many, many times, including often on “The ScuttleBucs” podcast with Jeff Cameron and Tom Lang, this is an organizational issue, not a Jason Licht issue.
Think about it, when is the last time the Bucs drafted and developed a consistent double-digit, edge-rushing sack guy? Off the top of Joe’s head, it was Lee Roy Selmon, the very first draft pick in team history!
December 30th, 2017 at 8:05 am
Chubb Chubb Chubb.
I want the bucs to fight hard in last game but securing #5 and #4 if Texans beat colts then rest starters at half and say you didn’t want guys injured going into next season.
It’s the saints and they have something to play for in playoff seed so it shouldn’t matter. Say you want to rest Jameis shoulder
December 30th, 2017 at 8:06 am
So why does Joe want Coach Smitty to take that fall????? in 2016 he covered up that huge issue for a stretch with NS57 that cut down the time to pass or drew attention from the extra protection of a RB/TE that left a free rusher to manufacture a pass rush!!!!!!!!!!!
Think what Coach Smitty do if he had a real DE!!!!!!!!!
#waiting_to_hear_Coach_Smitty_retained!!!!!!!!!
Fix the “real” issues, and that is 2 players on each of the trenches and this team will be fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 30th, 2017 at 8:07 am
It is mysterious why we have no pash rush for almost a decade.
Mike Smith and the whole defensive staff will be gone.
Hope the bucs trade GMC for a 3rd rd pick….once Mr Cancer93 is gone then maybe defensive line players will be held to a higher standard cause lord knows Cancer93 isn’t doing so.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:09 am
Even if Chubb is gone still have keys and Ferrell , maybe we can down up a couple spots still get one and pick up a extra second and use it on rb and CB
December 30th, 2017 at 8:10 am
Realist.
Agree. 2 quality dline man and oline man
Plus everydown back would be icing on cake.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:11 am
Here comes 5-11 next year with a complete firing of the entire staff and then a nobody coach from the college ranks and a nobody GM. Then we are told after a couple of more losing seasons we need to be patient because we fire coaches to soon. Blah Blah Blah. Meanwhile the three stooges aka the spoiled rotten I only care about the money Glazer boys keep lining there pockets with NFL gold because let’s face it if you own an NFL team you own a money printing press. Such is the life of a Bucs fan.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:12 am
Well a defensive back (Ryan smith And Vernon Hargreaves are que terrible) is a big need too after signing grimes for another year.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:28 am
So in other words…no coach is going to straighten this out because this is a P poor organization that is inept up to the very highest levels, and will never be straightened out until it gets new owners. I’ve come to suspect as much…others have said as much and I’ve let it pass…but there is little doubt now. So will that make us feel better about Jameis or Koetter? Only on the most superficial level, for it you believe one or the other isn’t part of the problem, you are left with the fact that there are no real solutions any GM, HC, or group of players will make…or real reason for hope. It is just another year…another iteration of the same thing,..all ending in the same outcome, give or take a few wins or loses.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:35 am
Here’s how I’d like to see the draft go in rounds 1-4
Chub or trade down and take an extra pick
If Chub, then go CB, RB, Oline
If trade down go
DE or CB, DE & CB, RB, Oline, CB
Then in FA…..resign Grimes(give him 2 years)
Pick Up a Center (big money)
Pick Up a DE (Big Money)
December 30th, 2017 at 8:36 am
Chubb may be gone by the time we draft. I actually like Arden Key better. He is a beast with attitude. He is fast, can bend and has several moves. Reminds me of Simeon Rice and Julius Peppers combined. He is also from LSU, which we had had recent luck with our LBs.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:40 am
No worries everyone, we can get DT, RB, and CB covered in FA this year. Then we address OL, S, and DE in the draft
December 30th, 2017 at 8:46 am
Buc4lyfe – my only concern with Key is that he is dealing with injuries
December 30th, 2017 at 8:53 am
Oh no
DE, DT, and CB……should be top 3 picks of the draft
….wait til the later rds for RB….all we need is a serviceable RB
This draft should be 80% defense
December 30th, 2017 at 8:55 am
Anthem if you are referring to my post I want the RB picked up in FA
December 30th, 2017 at 8:55 am
Chubb in the draft Lawrence in FA. Those two pieces will drastically change our DL.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:58 am
Ahh…the dream goes on forever.
December 30th, 2017 at 8:59 am
If we trade Jackson and cut some of our dead weight we will have the cap space to over pay LeVeon Bell, then grab Poe and Butler for the defense. Then we draft DE with our first pick
December 30th, 2017 at 9:02 am
A dream goes on forever. No wake up call for this organization.
December 30th, 2017 at 9:07 am
Lawrence won’t hit FA but I am okay with that, he has been injury riddled and a contract year hero. We have had too many of those already.
December 30th, 2017 at 9:09 am
USF and BUC in the same name…brave man.
December 30th, 2017 at 9:14 am
Hey it’s been two good years in a row for USF
December 30th, 2017 at 9:26 am
@Joe … “As Joe has stated many, many times … this is an organizational issue, not a Jason Licht issue.” HORSEPUCKEY !!!!!!!!!!!!!! (That was for you Realist).
You asked “When is the last time the Bucs drafted and developed a consistent double-digit, edge-rushing sack guy?” Aw come on Joe, you can’t have it both ways. Who’s responsible for the drafting? The GM … Jason Licht. THAT’S HIS JOB. Not Koetter’s, not Smitty’s. And no, not even the Glazer Boys (although they probably stick their collective noses in periodically). Licht has passed on PLENTY OF DE’s (and DT’s) in these last 4 drafts who’ve turned out to be studs … with other teams. He’s passed on PLENTY OF DE’s (and DT’s) in the last 4 years of Free Agency who’ve gone on to help their new teams big-time. Stop covering up for him. In his 4 years we’ve gone 2-14, 6-10, 9-7 and 4-12 (potentially) … that’s a combined 21-43 record over his 4 years. And the only reason we had that ONE winning year is because of Smitty’s defense playing well above their talent level for half a season; other than that, we would’ve been 5-11 or so.
How can you seriously say that this is NOT a Jason Licht issue?
December 30th, 2017 at 9:37 am
1st – Hire A New Defensive Line Coach
Option:
Defensive Line Coach:Craig Kuligowski
Asst. Defensive Line Coach: Justin Smith
December 30th, 2017 at 9:39 am
Sure pass rush is a big problem are we talking about the draft now? What does it have to do with the decision made on koetter? Is he a good offensive coach? Is he innovative? Dies he utilze the wapons on his disposal? Does he put the decent rb on the field? Does he have command over the locker room or is he just a nice guy with a soft training camp? What pass rush got to do with any of that? Im a bad coach too. Hire me, we got a bad pass rush. Smh
December 30th, 2017 at 9:51 am
Add at least “2” of these guys in the draft
Edge Rush Prospects
• Bradley Chubb North Carolina St. 6-4 275 4.85
• Duke Ejiofor Wake Forest 6-4 275 4.85
• Justin Lawler S.M.U. 6-4 265 4.85
• Tyquan Lewis Ohio St. 6-4 265 4.80
Honorable Mention: Marcell Frazier, Chad Thomas, JaVon Jones
December 30th, 2017 at 9:55 am
Ahh…the perennial smell of the draft blossoms at one Buc place.
December 30th, 2017 at 10:00 am
mark2001 lol
December 30th, 2017 at 10:06 am
With the lack of talent even in the beginning of the season on the D line did anyone expect them to light it up? All efforts have been on weapons for Winston! That was the quote of the entire off season which was fine. So who do you think under performed? The D line who had no studs on it to begin with; OR the offense that was given all these weapons but could not score in the first half of games or even come close to the league average?
December 30th, 2017 at 10:47 am
What do you mean by “organizational issue”? Who picks the players? Who did it for the last 4 years? Losing is also an organizational issue so lets not blame the coach. Ah, well, he got another year.
December 30th, 2017 at 11:22 am
So “good drafting” Jason Licht hasn’t found a decent pass rusher during his 4 seasons as GM?
December 30th, 2017 at 11:28 am
But Lakeland…where is your faith…he will draft two great D ends, a couple of great 5’11” 4.3 corners and future HOF center this draft and RB…and maybe a new LT…didn’t you know?
December 30th, 2017 at 11:39 am
That defense got dirk his 5 game winning streak which kept him from getting fired last year
December 30th, 2017 at 12:12 pm
Yep that time of year again, right LUV? Wats up bro!
Hopefully we pick 4 or 5 and Chubb is still there. If so, I want a DT too. Vita would be perfect to throw at nose T but we would have to trade up and have just too many holes. So, Im thinking about Harrison Phillips (stanford) Kid went undefeated in wrestling and he just stands out as one of those 2nd round hidden gems. But if we dont land Chubb, then maybe trade back a few and land Vita, then grab the next best available DE.
I’d like Key if we miss on Chubb but he’s had some injuries and is a Junior. So I think Vita here, especially if we can sign Ziggy in FA. Some of the other DE’s nobody is mentioning are Aikeem Coleman (Idaho) and Porter Gustin (USC). These are later round guys that I think will be hidden gems, especially Coleman, kid is thick!!
BUT LIKE THAT BIRD UP THERE WAS SAYING, CHUBB! CHUBB! CHUBB! Been touting him for a long time now and he played a lot better this year than I expected. He’s going to be a BEAST for somebody and I hope its us!
December 30th, 2017 at 1:17 pm
mark2001
Carl Lawson has 8.5 sacks for the Bengals. Jason Licht knew that we needed another young pass rusher off the edge. And what did he do? He passed on Carl Lawson 4 times.
December 30th, 2017 at 1:28 pm
Max…you sure are counting on that number four or five picks, aren’t you?
But you do know that in the Den of Depression AKA Heartbreak Hotel, all things are possible. The Bucs could win this game…and if that happened…oh joy, a moral victory.
December 30th, 2017 at 2:30 pm
I’m going to keep typing this for over the thousandth time…
The Bucs need to focus ALL of their resources on the trenches this offseason: the defensive and offensive lines. Two things are absolutely and irrefutably clear:
1. The Bucs cannot fix everything in an offseason. They never have. They never will.
2. Saying we just need two defensive ends or two new lineman is absurd and insane. It’s how the Bucs have tried to fix their issues for 4 decades. It does not take into account the bust factor, poor scheme fits, or injuries.
Solution:
The Bucs need to go ALL IN and add 8 new players along the offensive and defensive lines and let them battle and compete with the incumbent players that are worth keeping as well. Some of those eight players should be premium draft picks and free agent signings… others can be lower radar picks and signings.
They need to bring in 8 guys and let them compete and push each other. Better starters will emerge and the quality of depth will vastly improve. Nothing helps a football team more than great line play. Nothing.
Fix the trenches and you fix the Bucs.
December 30th, 2017 at 2:38 pm
Since last January Ive said it
“You cant win in todays NFL, without a pass rush”
And many have failed to produce a pass rush.
And they paid with their hea . . Umm jobs (too much GoT)
Now Koetter/Licht havent even made an attempt.
They, and everyone they hired- should be fired. Sunday night. As soon as the Bucs next wretched performance in the books
They, along with their predecessors, have wasted our chance to have a truly superior defense
The hardest player to find, in todays NFL, is a defensive tackle that can collapse the Pocket.
We’ve had the best one in the league. If we had aquires to good- not even great, DEs- Then McCoy would have made them great. He colkapse pockets up the middle- flushing QBs into the waiting arms of our DEs
Except we dont have any DEs. Ayers backs- then spends all game being knocked on his butt by TEs and RBs. They dont even waste a tackle on him anymore.Gholsten is a rock. He holds his position against the run. Dont think hes crossed the line of scrimmage all season.Spence is too damn small.
The only redeeming part of this pile of horse manure has been Ryan Russel and Will Clarke. Both young- but at least play like DEs. Might be good back ups in the future.
We had our Sapp- yet idiot after idiot has refused to find his Simione Rice.
And we keep losing. And losing . And losing.
“In todays NFL, you cant win, if you cant rush the Passer”
Yes. Fire them. Fire them all. Every single one!
December 30th, 2017 at 3:01 pm
Oh its happening mark2001…..we all saw that wink and nod the Glazers just gave Coach K…. I.Know.Thats.Why.2.Days.Before.The.Game.
doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure it out….. and Im glad they did it before this meaningless game.
December 30th, 2017 at 3:34 pm
MadMax
What’s good bruh?
Lol man no matter how many mocks I make.
I keep trying to find a way that we can draft both:
LG – Quenton Nelson – Notre Dame || 6-5 Weight: 325 || 40 Time: 5.15
NT – Vita Vea – Washington || Height: 6-5 Weight: 332 || 40 Time: 5.20
Both would immediately upgrade the interior.
December 30th, 2017 at 3:58 pm
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As much as we need a pash rush, if SAQUON BARKLEY is on the board when we pick, it is going to be extremely tough for Licht to pass on that kid … he could literally be the difference between the Bucs being a 20-22 ppg team next year and them being a 28-30 ppg team.
Now, if Barkley AND Chubb are off the board I’d love to see MUTLIPLE trade-downs.
For example, the draft could unfold as such:
1. Browns: Saquon Barkley (there is talk the Browns may want Mayfield, who they could get with their 2nd #1 pick and that they will pull the trigger on “Mr. Perfect” with their #1 overall pick)
2. Giants: Sam Darnold aka White Jameis
3. Colts: Bradley Chubb
4. BUCS … TRADE DOWN to #6 with the Jets & add a 2nd round pick
4. Jets: Josh Allen
5. Browns: Baker Mayfield
6. BUCS: TRADE DOWN AGAIN with the Cardinals & add a 2nd & 3rd rounder
6. Cardinals: Lamar Jackson
7. Bears: Arden Key
8. Broncos: Connor Williams (I’m guessing they acquire Eli Manning so no QB)
9. Bengals: Derwin James
10. Raiders: Da’Ron Payne
11. Dolphins: Quenten Nelson
12. 49’ers: Calvin Ridley
13. BUCS: Clellin Ferrel, DE or Mike McGlinchey, OT, or Derwin James, SS
So,, let’s say we take Ferrel with our 1st rounder … with out THREE 2nd rounders we could grab SS Ronnie Harrison, OT Orlando Brown and C/G Billy Price … and then with our TWO 3rd rounders we could grab the best RB available and the best DT available and use our 4th rounder on the best CB available … that would be quite the draft!
In conclusion, I EXPECT the Bucs to draft either Saquon Barkley, Bradley Chubb, Minkah Fitzpatrick OR to trade down at least once for extra picks ….
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December 30th, 2017 at 4:08 pm
Luv you dont know how bad I want Nelson…..if our D line wasnt so needy….man. Been watching him for 2 years. He’s a top 10 for sure. We’re out of luck unless we address DE and DT in FA and decide to beef up our Oline. He’s a Logan Mankins Jr! Would be around for 10+ years.
Getting ready to watch Vita in this Fiesta bowl thats starting. Watch him shut down lanes for the over rated RB Barkley….poor kid has been over used in college. I think if we cut Baker and sign Vita (if we miss on Chubb) we’ll still have another upgrade. Then maybe move Marpet back to guard and sign or draft a C to get us through another year of maybe .500
December 30th, 2017 at 4:24 pm
Hope you are right Max…. But you need to remember this game is being played in the Den of Depression…the Heartbreak Hotel…nothing is certain.
December 30th, 2017 at 4:25 pm
^except losing a lot more than winning….unfortunately
December 30th, 2017 at 4:28 pm
Btw, Vita probably wont play much, just like Chubb yesterday. they know theyre 1st rounders and dont want to risk injury (and kill their draft stock) if their team is up.
December 30th, 2017 at 4:38 pm
MadMax … believe me, I LOVE Quenten Nelson too and think the guy has all-pro potential … I would not be upset at all if we drafted him … just not at #4.
And … I can’t agree with you calling Saquon over-rated … the kid has a HOF skillset and can do it all.
December 30th, 2017 at 4:49 pm
But I see a lot of miles on that kid…..injuries in his future, unless he really is an Adrian Peterson freak clone. I dont know. He’s doing good right now though. Vita constantly doubled when he’s in.
December 30th, 2017 at 5:30 pm
Dang! Rethinking my stance on Barkley…..kids looking healthy at 230 and 4.3-4.4 speed. But we need D so BAD!!!! I dont know….and thats the fun in it all!!! 😀
December 30th, 2017 at 5:51 pm
^ MadMax … you’re seeing the light, amen!
Saquon is “Marshall Faulk with more power and explosion” … he’s absolutely amazing!
December 30th, 2017 at 5:53 pm
And, what I really love about Saquon isn’t just the elite speed, elite power, elite hands, elite balance, etc … it’s that he’s known as an incredibly hard worker, great teammate, extremely humble … and a great pass blocker … he truly is a “perfect prospect” as he doesn’t seem to have a single weakness is his game or personality.
December 30th, 2017 at 9:19 pm
Alright….Im good with him at 4th or 5th if Chubb is gone….or either one. Imagine the way he could open up the passing game. Yeah, he’s going high.
December 30th, 2017 at 11:59 pm
It is not all that complicated. All we need is a Houston victory and another loss and we get the fourth pick in next years draft. DE Bradley Chubb is the player the Bucs need and he should be there at number 4, unless the Colts go after him before us. What if RB Saquon Barkley (5-11 223), Penn State is available? In all honesty its time for our GM to make a gutsy move and do what is necessary to turn this team around in one year. Trade the Browns our next years 1 and 4th picks along with this years 2nd and 5th picks for their number one pick. Giving the Bucs two first round picks in the top ten.
1) DE Bradley Chubb (6-4 270) NC State
1) S/CB Minkah Fitzpatrick (6-2 216) Alabama or CB Denzel Ward (5-11 184)
3) RB Nick Chubb (5-10 228) Georgia
4) CB Jordan Wyatt (6-0 192) SMU
6-7) OG, DT
In FA go after the best player available at DE, OG, C and WR. This team will be Super Bowl bound (and change the uniforms!) in no time at all.
December 31st, 2017 at 12:40 am
Our offensive drive adjusted stats have us 11th in yards per drive, 7th in drive success rate, 9th in plays per drive. The only thing we’re lower on is points per drive (19th), a product of poor play calling in the red zone and punting on 4th and 4 and 4th and 2 from the opponents 39 yard line (down 14 points) and 41 yard lines down (10 points). Of the 10 teams ahead of us, only Dallas isn’t in the playoffs.
On defense, our big game against Carolina moved us up to 29th in yards per drive, 30th in points per drive, 29th in drive success rate and 25th in plays per drive. We were 30-32 in everything except points per drive last week.
December 31st, 2017 at 3:59 am
You can change the year of these posts and you couldn’t tell if it was 2010 or 2017. This team is an epic failure, because the guy calling the shots is an epic failure. Not just Licht, but every GM after McKay. Look at the track record of Allen, Dominik and Licht. This discussion will be had exactly one year from now, why? Because the same crew will be back next year to extend this teams streak of pissed poor management and coaching. And the argument about all the injuries…you have to be a jackass not to realize EVERY team has injuries. No one has suffered more injuries than the Packers, yet there they were, still in the hunt until the Panthers game. Not to beat it to death, but this current genius GM traded up in round 2, and passed on a kid from Maryland who has almost 15 sacks in his first two seasons with Jacksonville. You really think he’s going to fix the D-line at any point in time? Lol. He still hasn’t addressed the O-line! As for Koetter, some guys are better coordinators than head coaches…see Wade Phillips. This move is all about money, paying guys to try and coach for two years, only to fire them after they don’t pan out. At least the Glazers want to try and get their money’s worth with a third year out of koetter. Lol. Mike Smith needs to go but most likely will be back, because he’s buddies with Koetter. Jay Hayes is finding out life in the NFL isn’t fun, without a Carlos Dunlap coming off the edge, which made him look good. If anyone is let go, it’ll probably be Hayes…but I seriously doubt it. Looking forward to 2018…Lol.