Can Brentson Bucker Recruit?
February 20th, 2018
Former teammate of new Bucs DL coach.
Joe is curious to learn just how much street cred new Bucs defensive line coach Brentson Bucker has with his former teammates.
Of course last night, Buckner was announced as the new member of Dirk Koetter’s staff. Joe likes this hire for a bunch of reasons, but the biggest may be he has no direct history with Koetter.
This is not a knock on Koetter at all. But if you look at Koetter’s assistants, most of them have almost forgotten their playing days it’s been so long since they snapped on a chin strap. Buckner? He actually played this century, only 13 years ago.
In other words, Joe is hoping Buckner, 46, may be able to relate to his players. It also helps that he last coached a defensive line, you know, last year. There is no gap in his resume.
Joe is also hoping Buckner can recruit. Why?
In Buckner’s final four years in the NFL, he was a starting tackle for the Stinking Panthers. Just outside of him on Carolina’s defensive line was budding superstar Julius Peppers.
Yeah, the same Peppers who, at 37 last season, racked up 11 sacks for Carolina and is a free agent — 22 days away from the free agency dinner bell ringing.
Joe is crossing his fingers that Buckner and Peppers were tight and stayed close. The Bucs need a pass rusher in the worst way and Peppers is likely about to sign his final contract. Might Team Glazer make that contract worthwhile?
And if Joe can dream a bit more, perhaps Peppers can teach a thing or two to Noah Spence?
February 20th, 2018 at 12:14 am
Maybe part of the reason he was picked because he can help the recruiting process? i hope so..
February 20th, 2018 at 12:25 am
Joe says:
‘He actually played this century…’
I don’t know why but that’s funny af!
February 20th, 2018 at 12:26 am
🙂
February 20th, 2018 at 12:28 am
FYI before folks pile on, Joe is very aware that Peppers in an article published on Monday said he is “leaning” toward playing only for the Panthers, there is no quote from Peppers that Joe can find where he flat out said he will retire if he doesn’t re-sign with Carolina.
People writing that (unless they have a direct quote) are simply speculating.
February 20th, 2018 at 1:04 am
This is just setting the stage for Bruce Arians.
February 20th, 2018 at 1:56 am
Julius Peppers is not the answer. He has no upside and is at the very end of his career. No upside off an 11-sack season? Last year Peppers was nicely fit into a part-time role. Then injuries pushed him into full-time and he had plenty left in the tank. –Joe
At best Julius Peppers woud have 1 good season left and then what? You are back again trying to fix a problem. The Next Juilus Peppers is what we want and that is through the draft. I’m pretty sure Peppers is not interested in being a mentor at this point in his career. I’m sure he wants a championship or to finish off in Carolina. Picking up washed up FA’s like chris baker, sweezy, ayers, djax, tj ward are the problem and not the solution. You only have to look across the city to the Tampa lightning and see how their management is developing a consistent winner. It is through proper talent evaluation and development of young players. Players with upside. Draft to win. Bucs need to be run like a business and not like a circus.
February 20th, 2018 at 5:01 am
I’m ok with Peppers, but Star Lotulelei is a better recruit. With the right coach Lotulelei is capable of multiple pro bowl seasons. He’s not Simeon Rice, but he would be a great addition to the Buc DL.
February 20th, 2018 at 7:10 am
Now we expect a DL coach to be The Savior by recruiting old guys?
:sigh:
Cleveland is looking down on the Bucs…
February 20th, 2018 at 7:12 am
Bucs should offer Peppers a huge 1 year contract….perhaps $6-7 million….if he’d like to stay a Panther at least it will make our rivals pay for him.
February 20th, 2018 at 7:15 am
@loggedon From your mouth to the Glazers ears!!!
February 20th, 2018 at 7:21 am
Tampabaybucfan, $6-7 million is not huge for a man like Peppers.
February 20th, 2018 at 7:23 am
I don’t think there is any chance at all that Peppers will play for another team, especially in the same division.
February 20th, 2018 at 7:25 am
Peppers has already stated that if he plays next year it will be with the Panthers.
Peppers is a UNC grad and wants to stay home.
There are plenty of high level free agents that the Bucs can bring back to Florida.
The first two I would call is Lamarcus Joyner S LA Rams and Patrick Robinson CB Philly.
February 20th, 2018 at 8:22 am
Bonzai
$7 mil would be double his current contract…..
February 20th, 2018 at 8:41 am
Money is of no concern for Peppers he’s probably one of the highest earning players in history he was drafted when rookie contracts were crazy and had 2 massive FA deals
February 20th, 2018 at 9:00 am
OK….Guzzie & Bonzai…
Don’t even try to acquire Peppers…..just assume he won’t come…..so, if we offer him $10 million, he would turn it down so we have nothing to lose but jack up Carolina’s cap. Oh, I forgot…..11 sacks not worth $10m…..so, lets offer $9….according to you he won’t take it anyway so we have nothing to lose.
February 20th, 2018 at 9:11 am
This is not a knock on Koetter at all. But if you look at Koetter’s assistants, most of them have almost forgotten their playing days it’s been so long since they snapped on a chin strap. Buckner? He actually played this century, only 13 years ago.
so joe, are you suggesting that the defensive system smitty is running is outdated?…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
February 20th, 2018 at 10:17 am
Joe. No upside. Hes at the very end of his career. He was a great player but the time to sign jim was 2008 not 2018.
February 20th, 2018 at 11:04 am
11 sacks last year. That’s nearly three times what any Bucs defensive end had in 2017.
February 20th, 2018 at 11:31 am
Too bad Peppers will never ever, EVER play for the Bucs. He’s already said thru his agent the only team he will come back for is Carolina. Time to let it go… Go after Ansah!!!!
February 20th, 2018 at 11:34 am
Too bad there isn’t any quote from Julius Peppers that Joe can find where he said this.
February 20th, 2018 at 9:14 pm
I’m reading a fair amount of posts, especially on FA’s, stating that this or that player would only be good for a year and had no future upside.
I say the future is NOW!!! I’ll worry about the 2019 team after the ’18 season.
Let’s pull out all the stops and win this year! This is where I agree with 813. Win now and NO EXCUSES.
February 20th, 2018 at 9:44 pm
Don’t worry STPeteBucFan…its do or die for these Bucs. Koetter either wins or he’s gone next year. I’m luvin it because the Bucs should have just cleaned house this off season. We shall see. No hiding in this league. I don’t know why Koetter thinks he’s gotta save Mike Smith’s career. he’s paid him back. Smitty is done. So they bring in a tough D line coaching guy to do what Smitty can no longer do. So Koetter can give him the credit? If I were Koetter and I wanted at least 9 or 10 wins this season? I’d concentrate 100% on Defense. And that still might not be enough with his weak link..Mike Smith still here.
February 20th, 2018 at 9:48 pm
Get an experienced rec coach let skyler work with the young guys, Evans and Desean will laugh at this kid