It’s Buckner! Bucs Hire New D-Line Coach
February 19th, 2018
Welcome, Coach!
Updated: 6:57 p.m. – Hooray! The Bucs have hired a new defensive line coach, a seasoned pro and a guy Joe hung out with a bit in Vegas last year.
Brentson Buckner is now the boss on the Buccaneers’ defensive line. Vegas after-dinner chat aside, Joe likes the hire. Buckner had successes in Arizona with the Cardinals, where he spent five seasons (2013-2017). And he brings the credibility of playing tackle on some of the great Carolina Panthers defensive lines of the early 2000s.
He retired after the 2005 season following a 12-year playing career and jumped into broadcasting and then coaching.
Buckner will be a busy man. Aside from having to fix a stinky defensive line, there’s no doubt the Bucs will bring in new blood to the line in free agency and via the draft.
A big question is whether the Bucs are going to trust Buckner’s assessment of the line and its parts as the spring and summer seasons move forward. Buckner is an outsider to defensive coordinator Mike Smith and to Dirk Koetter. He likely will have a significantly different line of thinking.
As Joe learned, see link above, Buckner and general manager Jason Licht have been close since their days together with the Arizona Cardinals.
A bit of history. Buckner also is very close to manbeast NFL defensive player of the year Calais Campbell. Many Bucs fans and Joe yearned for Campbell last year in free agency. Campbell said in an interview after signing with the Jaguars that Buckner helped him pick a new team — while the Bucs were signing disappointing Chris Baker.
Joe wishes Buckner well.
Be gone, status woe.
February 19th, 2018 at 6:55 pm
Joe, Hayes had a great reputation with the Bengals. I wouldn’t get too carried away with this hire. We still have the same d-line as last year.. I would wait a season before making claims about this hire
February 19th, 2018 at 6:59 pm
At least they have someone. Glad this didn’t go on too long as it’s important this coach evaluate the players we have prior to free-agency and the draft.
February 19th, 2018 at 7:02 pm
Much better than the Colts washout, and definitely better than Hayes.
February 19th, 2018 at 7:05 pm
Poor guy.
February 19th, 2018 at 7:05 pm
@JL47 at least we stop recruiting the friends of Koetter and Smith, trying to recreate their Jags band.
I don’t know how much involve in the recruitment process are the coachs involved so we will see if some new bloods will arrive on the DLine
February 19th, 2018 at 7:08 pm
tmaxcon youre still here dont you have anything better to do with your life than troll JBF articles?? get a job and a life bro and if this team bothers you so much why are you still here? get over it poopy
February 19th, 2018 at 7:08 pm
@jooe
That is true, however, if Buckner decides to switch up the d-line’s game plan that goes against Koetter and Smith’s philosophy, he’d get a swift kick in the butt
February 19th, 2018 at 7:09 pm
Nice, now go get the Man among boys Mount VEA!!!!!!!!
3-4 anyone???????
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 19th, 2018 at 7:11 pm
**************
I’d be geeked if he was bringing Chandler Jones with him … but he’s not.
I’d have been thrilled last year if he was bringing Calais Campbell with him … but that didn’t happen.
However … I’m still very happy with this news … WELCOME MR. BUCKNER! TURN SPAWN AND WHOEVER WE DRAFT INTO STARS!
**************
February 19th, 2018 at 7:12 pm
JL47 Says
“Joe, Hayes had a great reputation with the Bengals. “I
It was a different kind of reputation. Hayes was considered a good staffer with good line skills.
Buckner is considered a very aggressive line coach. Closest thing to Sapp as a coach that we’ll get.
February 19th, 2018 at 7:14 pm
And, btw…Koetters staff was mostly built by…Lovie Smith. Not Dirk. Not Licht (because Lovie had full control).
February 19th, 2018 at 7:15 pm
Much better than the former colts DC. Nothing wrong with a difference In opinions, some of my most productive conversations have stemmed from disagreements with coworkers.
February 19th, 2018 at 7:15 pm
WELCOME COACH BUCKNER!!!
I’m sorry to inform you that by the end of 2018, you will be wondering why you didn’t sign with the Browns, and how you all of a sudden forgot how to coach.
Oh you enjoy your stay here at the MikeSmith in. It’s a fixer upper.
February 19th, 2018 at 7:21 pm
It all depends on the talent he has to work with….bad bad run of luck with DL…years of promising young players then plagued with injuries…does not look good for Spence
February 19th, 2018 at 7:23 pm
Saving all comments until after… with the number 7 pick the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers select
February 19th, 2018 at 7:32 pm
Great hire!! Congrats and welcome Big Buck!! First bit of good coaching news with this team in a long time. He will get em goin.
February 19th, 2018 at 7:33 pm
I feel sorry for the guy. If Koetter finishes less than 8-8, He out the door along with DC Smith. Excited about the hire? Nope..Not at all
February 19th, 2018 at 7:36 pm
Bucs switching to 3-4
February 19th, 2018 at 7:48 pm
Welcome Coach! I enjoyed Joe’s article about this guy saying that quitters are taking money off your table, etc. Definitely seems like a change from Jay Hayes, good reputation aside.
I don’t normally get all jazzed about moves like this, but it sounds like this was the guy we needed. Well done Jason. Seems like all of you have forgotten that “In Licht, We Trust”.
February 19th, 2018 at 7:53 pm
Mike J…maybe he’ll become the next HC… LOL…
February 19th, 2018 at 7:58 pm
Don’t worry about who is in the door or out the door until the season plays out!!!!!!
And I feel better that Mike Johnson is not excited!!!! Because he was excited for year 3 of lovie or some other tie in to a tampa2 back to the past type coach!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 19th, 2018 at 7:59 pm
It all starts with the defensive line ladies and germs ! Coaching the DL has been unbearable for the last 10 years. Really, really hoping Buckner KICKS some serious butt this year. Swaggy’s butt would have been a serious target.
February 19th, 2018 at 8:08 pm
At least he looks like he means business
February 19th, 2018 at 8:12 pm
Good luck coach. You’ve got just a bit of fixin to do. Hoping you’ll find or can make someone a 10 sack guy. Nice beard btw!
February 19th, 2018 at 8:14 pm
Sounds like a very good hire considering the limited choices available this time of year. Too bad this didn’t happen last year as the Bucs might have actually had a chance of luring Campbell here if it had.
Good luck coach Buckner! History says you probably need some. Perhaps we will get our 1st shot of collective luck on April 26th at about 9:05 as Licht’s card gets raced up to King Goodell at the podium with Chubb’s name written on it!
February 19th, 2018 at 8:14 pm
I have a feeling McCoy is not going to like this move.
February 19th, 2018 at 8:18 pm
Welcome to the loosing Bucs. It’s our way of life since Malcom. RIP.
February 19th, 2018 at 8:20 pm
I like it! Sounds like he has alittle of the Robert Ayers “naturally pi$$ed off” in his personality. Finally! Welcome aboard Mr Buckner.
February 19th, 2018 at 8:30 pm
There might be some serious beefing up on the d-line this offseason
February 19th, 2018 at 8:41 pm
He will replace Mike Smith for 2019 year, thats the plan.
February 19th, 2018 at 8:43 pm
New blood and a fresh perspective will be good but I remember being all excited when Hayes got here so welcome buckner but they’ll be no parade until we see dominance up front in live games.
Please please help this coaching staff evaluate line talent and get some guys in here, all Mike Smith seems to want are run stuffers. He doesn’t realize there are players who can do that and rush the passer
February 19th, 2018 at 8:45 pm
Love all the whining and b!tching even when they make an objectively positive move. People have some screws loose. Get over it. It’s a new season.
February 19th, 2018 at 8:45 pm
Great hire!! We need someone to teach these guys discipline. Stay in your gap McCoy!! Now go get Jones from Arizona too!!1
February 19th, 2018 at 8:50 pm
I am just happy we GOT a coach. It is not like Tampa is the most enticing place for a career move these days, with the instability of Licht, Koetter, and Smith. All 3 will probably be gone after this year, unless we reach the playoffs.
February 19th, 2018 at 9:00 pm
I sure hope he pays no attention to the friendly he he Ha Ha I’m a nice guy McCoy show and just coaches football with effort and intensity.
Maybe something like this ……….No offense Gerald I’m here to coach and get the most out of ya and we aren’t going to be friends , I’m here to judge you on your game day actions. Your 34 tackles a year ain’t gonna cut it , with your talent you should have that by accident !!
The play boy premadonna show is over
Now Shut up and get to work on something other than your get off !!
February 19th, 2018 at 9:01 pm
Congratulations
February 19th, 2018 at 9:24 pm
Can’t wait for comments from CancerTmax…
February 19th, 2018 at 9:32 pm
Eureka! The reason we had the least amount of sacks last year was because of the DEFENSIVE LINE COACH! How could we not have realized this?! It has nothing to do with the fact that we’ve drafted exactly one defensive end in 4 years and have nothing next to Gerald McCoy!
February 19th, 2018 at 9:34 pm
What is the guys deal, is he a hardass that will constantly be on the players – or is he a players coach, or something in between. I still wonder if all of this is about keeping Baker around and wanting someone that will ride him constantly to try to recoup some of the money paid to him. Again, last offseason, at the time the Bucs signed Baker everyone at every level said it was a great deal for a productive player, including writers in DC and every national article I saw. For $5-mil, which is back-up money in 2017-2018, the Bucs should keep Baker around and see if anything clicks – if not, then dump him since I doubt with all the cap space the Bucs have that they’re going to come anywhere close to spending it all, so a pre-June and post-June cut shouldn’t matter much.
February 19th, 2018 at 10:40 pm
Joe hats off on calling this one. Only name mentioned on this site as a potential candidate. Hats off to the chef
February 19th, 2018 at 11:01 pm
I can’t wait for Buckner to light into this D Line!
No more patty cake, or excuses, time to whip some ass.
I love Joe’s (Lee’s) mention of Buckner when he goes off on quitters calling them “vile”.
If this D line sucks because of talent, ok, but I’m pumped about seeing max effort. These guys are capable of better and they need to be held to the NFL standard.
February 19th, 2018 at 11:03 pm
Welcome to the squad coach Buckner!
February 19th, 2018 at 11:09 pm
Ndog Says:
February 19th, 2018 at 8:14 pm
I have a feeling McCoy is not going to like this move.
He will not like it if they switch to 3-4. Hell he hate it when they ran the 3-3-5. We only have 3 d-linemen suitable to play 3-4. William Gholston, Siliga, Stevie T.
February 19th, 2018 at 11:26 pm
Who knows it might all work out. Remember Jacksonville was predicted to break through several times before it finally happened.
Looks like a good addition to the staff.
Now get the guy some talent to coach.
February 19th, 2018 at 11:26 pm
Poor guy…..
He is going to get called out for coaching a team that is last in sacks.
I can hear it now.
Doesn’t matter that we have the worst pass rush personal in the league
February 19th, 2018 at 11:52 pm
Things will get interesting – if we hire Outside Linebackers Coach Levon Kirkland as well.
February 20th, 2018 at 12:01 am
Go Bucs! Optimism is high. Bring on FA, the draft and what the hell… even preseason. Just don’t let the regular season start. It’s usually a kick in the nuts by September. Tampax has shown me the Licht.
February 20th, 2018 at 12:25 am
I love the hire. A huge step in the direction I’ve been preaching all offseason…
FIX THE TRENCHES, FIX THE BUCS!!
February 20th, 2018 at 12:46 am
Side note, does this mean that Calais Campbell choose NOT to come to Tampa?
‘Campbell said in an interview after signing with the Jaguars that Buckner helped him pick a new team”
February 20th, 2018 at 4:58 am
Congratulations Mr. Buckner. Welcome to Tampa. As I am sure you are aware The Buc’s have had some problems with their DL, especially when it comes to Edge Rushers. While we don’t expect miracles 20 more sacks a game would sure cool down a lot of fans and might save our coach and GM’s job in 2019. Best of Luck, Go Buc’s.
February 20th, 2018 at 5:00 am
20 more sacks a year. 20 more per game would be a miracle.
February 20th, 2018 at 5:19 am
Buckner is a great hire. Good coach. Smart guy.
But the Best race horse trainer in the world will fail- if all he has to work with is
A bunch of Jacka**es.
Buckner has McCoy, Mcdonald- and thats it
Unless he sees promise in Russell and Clarke.
February 20th, 2018 at 7:49 am
Draft Vita Vea instantly you become a 3-4 defense, Stevie T. as back up. McCoy can play D end or go away. Spence, if he ever can stay healthy, and become something, would also be better served as a L.B. in a 3-4. The change should be easy.
February 20th, 2018 at 9:05 am
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
February 19th, 2018 at 7:14 pm
And, btw…Koetters staff was mostly built by…Lovie Smith. Not Dirk. Not Licht (because Lovie had full control).
so lovies staff guided dirk to a 9-7 finish?…..who would’ve thought….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
February 20th, 2018 at 9:46 am
I like the pick for DL Coach. If he can straighten out Swaggy so he gets fit and serious and gets the production we already paid for, let Swaggy stay til preseason and compete to keep his job. I am OK too with Vea if we could get him to be NT in a Three Four. There are at least five 250 lb. DTs in this draft that we can turn into OLBs in a three four; so even if Noah Spence is done for we can get two of the Small DTs in the draft and with David also as an OLB and we can also move Beckwith outside as an OLB too we can have plenty of pressure on opposing QBs and we can replace Beckwith with Riley Bulloch along with Alexander as ILBs and we would be fine. I don’t think Chubb will drop to 7 so we can’t get pressure from a 4-3 without risky blitzes. Keep Stevie T as backup NT to Vea but even without Vea and moving down for Orlando Brown or one of the other four top LTs in this draft, I believe Stevie T with good coaching from Buckner could start as our NT backed up by Siliga.
February 20th, 2018 at 10:05 am
Typical Buc mentality of old. This guy shapes’em up and Mike Smith gets the credit. Great Spin Move!
February 20th, 2018 at 10:27 am
I am hoping Buckner can also convince McCoy to pass on his Captain of the Defense gig to Alexander who calls the Defenses anyway and has the passion to motivate those around him for maximum effort, which McCoy can never do, and Alexander can keep the defense accountable like is needed too. McCoy needs to just concentrate on being a super 3-4 DE who can stop all runs to his side and without constant double teams and his speed can now be a sack leader in the teens for once and keep plenty of pressure on the QB and knock down passes if he can’t get there. That would allow him to not only make All Pro but one day make the Hall of Fame too. Buckner needs to teach Gholston how to rush the passer using his hands and power, and knock down passes if he can’t get there. Gholston already knows how to hold the perimeter against the run and just needs more pass rushing training and how to use his height to knock down passes. Vea and Stevie T both can push up the middle and put pressure on the QB too. If our DC will just can the passive zone defense and go aggressive man to man at the line of scrimmage and back pedaling for the DBs putting his best DB on the best receiver, and at Safety play Evans at FS and a Free Agent Safety who is a hard hitter and good tackler and keep Tandy not only for his Special Teams Expertise and ability to sub if needed, but also to study film and advise the starters and even yell communications to the Safeties that are starting and keep Chris Conte as a great backup for the Strong Safety, it can make a world of difference. The DC also needs to call different blitzes like he did the second half of 2016 to keep QBs unnerved and hesitant.