Defensive Minefield
February 9th, 2018
Harsh analysis.
Super Bowl odds for the 2018 season are out. And if one likes to wager on a jackpot, perhaps the Bucs might be worth putting down a shekel or two?
Jenna Laine of ESPN has the odds for the Bucs to win it all next February, 60-1 by way of the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.
Those are big odds to overcome and, frankly, unrealistic. Why? Laine points a finger squarely at the Bucs defense.
The Bucs gave up a league-high 378.1 yards per game on defense last year. They also gave up 124 explosive plays, second-most in the league. Despite that, they opted not to make any coaching changes on defense in 2018.
Unless Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht swings a trade for defensive end, or the Giants turn loose one of their expensive DEs, or the Seahawks cut ties with Michael Bennett, there is no cavalry racing in to save the Bucs’ pass rush in 2018. Rarely do rookie defensive ends get double-digit sacks, so the Bucs are in a pinch when it comes to an edge rush.
There are opportunities to get a corner via trade (in theory) and free agency. But the help won’t come cheap.
Unfortunately, with the defensive staff’s inability to develop a young corner, selecting a corner on the first or second day of the draft seems like throwing away a valuable asset. Might as well use said pick(s) as ransom to obtain a proven, veteran corner.
Can the Bucs find enough bodies by May to at least make the defense respectable, thereby giving the offense and the team as a whole a chance to succeed?
February 9th, 2018 at 10:10 am
This will be Koetter’s undoing. We all know it. But whatever, all we can do is wait and see if it was the COACHING/SCHEME or the PLAYERS/TALENT that held us back last season. But honestly, we all know the answer. Mike Smith is washed up as a defensive mind. Koetter is betting on Smith just like he bet on Doug Martin. Choosing allegiances over logic is not the way to run a football team.
February 9th, 2018 at 10:13 am
Calais Campbell!
Why did we pass on him in favor of being back Drug Martin and 🌴 Humping Baker?
Shameful AF! Who is the guy calling those shots, bc they could really use a phucking clue.
February 9th, 2018 at 10:16 am
SteveK:
Have to keep in mind that free agency is not a draft. We do not know for sure if Campbell had any desire to come here short of Licht going bananas with Team Glazer’s loot.
February 9th, 2018 at 10:25 am
If only we could have solve some of these issues last off season …
Oh yes we could have, we just didn’t !
February 9th, 2018 at 10:32 am
@SteveK
I agree with Joe’s assessment. We don’t know if Campbell even had any interest and we also don’t know how open the Glazer’s wallets were for Licht to spend their money.
This could be simply Campbell not wanting to come here…it could be the Glazers being too cheap to close the deal…it could be Licht making a genuine mistake…it could be a combination of all three. I suspect we’ll never really know.
February 9th, 2018 at 10:32 am
oe Says:
February 9th, 2018 at 10:16 am
SteveK:
Have to keep in mind that free agency is not a draft. We do not know for sure if Campbell had any desire to come here short of Licht going bananas with Team Glazer’s loot.
————
Fair point, Joe! Would it be possible to please straight up ask if the Buccaneers matched/exceeded Jacksonville’s offer?
I know Koetter said “we didn’t have $15 million lying around”, and I say BS to that: Doug Martin, Will Gholston, Swaggyless Baker would’ve made the pay day possible and all three had minimal/less than average contributions to the team last year.
I will sleep easy knowing that we DID offer the SAME/BETTER deal to Mr Campbell.
I find it hard to believe that we were willing to “waste” millions on keeping scrubs, when a true man beast DE was available.
February 9th, 2018 at 10:37 am
Since signing rice and going to the Superbowl, what the bucs have done in free agency has not made a but of a difference but I applaud the die hards who believe so much in this team from January to August because that is the only time this team has any kind of momentum, you are all a special breed. I will continue to think why not us and we can go from worst to first. I’ll think it but I won’t believe in it until I see it, the period of blind Faith had ended for me in this team
February 9th, 2018 at 10:37 am
Totally confident, right guys?
February 9th, 2018 at 10:37 am
Some if y’all seem to think we get 36 picks in the first 3 rounds of the draft every year. We drafted Noah Spence. It’s not Light’s fault he got hurt two years running. And sure, we could’ve drafted some more guys for the edge. But, who are you willing to give up to go there? Justin Evans? O.J. Howard? Ali Marpet? Donovan Smith? Kwon? Mike Evans? Jameis? Tell me, who do you give up for a chance to roll the dice on a rookie edge rusher?
February 9th, 2018 at 10:38 am
Agreed, St Pete.
I just want to know if the Buccaneers extended the same/better deal than Jacksonville bc we absolutely should of.
Whether it was the decision to pay Swaggy Baker, resign Will Gholston, or retain a suspended/Subpar Doug Martin, those poor decisions cost the same as it would’ve been to pay Mr. Campbell.
To throw gas on my fire, Licht was from arizona so you know he knows all to well about Calais Campbell’s beastly abilities. Additionally, Mr Campbell played his college ball at Miami, so WE KNOW he can handle the Florida weather.
I am at a complete and utter loss for why we didn’t write any Campbell a blank check.
Now, if we can show the fans that BUCS BRASS DID offer the SAME/BETTER deal, and Campbell chose not to take it, then it would be “ok”.
But to just not pursue that beastly D-Lineman bc we thought we were “good” is the dumbest thing ever. Dumber than Dominik refusing to draft O-Linemen.
February 9th, 2018 at 10:38 am
Why do buc fans believe every free agent available has tampa on top of their wishlist or that tampa has the inside track of signing said free agents? It does not work like that. There are 31 other teams in the nfl. Tampa fans are hillarious.
February 9th, 2018 at 10:39 am
Already in moderation?
February 9th, 2018 at 10:45 am
Yeah, that was BS. Bucs had the cash. And it wasn’t just Campbell. There were other defensive ends out there who could have helped and the Bucs passed on each one.
February 9th, 2018 at 10:45 am
It’s on for the team leadership to say, “you know we made just as strong/better offer as Jax for Mr. Camobell’s services”.
Those are the words we need and expect to hear.
To think we were “good” win Jacquies Smith, Noah Spence, Swaggy Baker, and Will Gholston is dissapointint.
Now, if we did extend that same pay day opportunity and terms to Calais Campbell and he just didn’t choose us, that is ok. That means we DID EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER to make the best love for this franchise.
I have my doubts, and I will continue to roast the hell our of Bucs Leadership, especially since they “cringe at expectations” and are so out of touch by saying “fans expected 50ppg”, or when they said “coaches care 10,000,000 times more”.
BS. Our fans are punished with a subpar product and piss poor results. That justifies the need for transparency bc whatever their cooking ain’t working.
Not pursing Calais Campbell is just as bad of a move as it was to cut Michael Bennett. I’m sorry, I know Campbell was not under contract, but fans need to know if the Bucs regime was “smart” enough to offer the same/better deal.
We wouldn’t need to be so nosy if we could win some damn games.
February 9th, 2018 at 10:48 am
Agree whole heartedly Joe.
In order for fanatics such as myself to feel satisfied with the current state of the Buccaneers, we deserve an explanation and transparency.
Bill Belichick doesn’t need to explain himself because he WINS.
I’d love for the opportunity to question our HCs decision to bench the best defensive player in the super bowl. That would mean we actually won some playoff games!
February 9th, 2018 at 10:49 am
but didn’t CC sign with the jags even tho he didn’t speak to the HC….I believe he only spoke to the owner and GM…..that tell me money talks…..
im surprised he passed up the chance to play with GMC….everyone says he’s a great player and one of the best DT’s…..so why wouldn’t he want to play with GMC..LVD…KWON….GRIMES….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
February 9th, 2018 at 10:50 am
Webster,
You’re issuing my point, I could give a sh!t less if FAs choose the Buccaneers.
What I do want to know is if the Buccaneers offered the same/better deal and said player just “chose” not to take it.
Now if we are low balling FAs then that is the Buccaneers making the choice for status woe.
February 9th, 2018 at 10:52 am
Exactly 813 BucBoi!
DID JASON LICHT OFFER THE SAME/BETTER CONTRACT TERMS TO THE BEST FA IN YEARS, AT A POSITION OF DESPERATE NEED?
The answer to that question should determine if we are sticking with our current GM vs firing them yesterday.
February 9th, 2018 at 10:57 am
Now if Jason Licht signs Adrian Clayborn, can the first question ar the press conference be:
“Jason, where was the DE acquisitions in FA last year? Do you cringe at the expectations, knowing you’re signing obsolete talent thus passing on a first team all-pro in Calais Campbell?
Did the Glazers decide not to offer Calais Campbell those terms? Was it the Glazers that drafted a lousy kicker in the 2nd round?
I only have these questions because of the current state of the team. I care much more than a lot of the overpaid players/coaches/front office. If they truly cared we, the fans, would get an explanation for the suck.
If you fail, you owe the fans “why”.
If you win, the. I will stfu and mind my own business. Fans legitimately feel we could not do worse in terms of picking talent.
I for damn sure would’ve taken a RB last year in round 2, specifically I like Kareem Hunt.
Why Jason, Dirk, Joel, Bryan, etc? Why did you make the choices that made us 5-11? Understanding helps cope with the pain of so much losing.
February 9th, 2018 at 11:00 am
All I know is if we don’t offer the same/better deals to top tier FAs the. We won’t get their services.
Who wants to clean e to Tampa? Sure the taxes are nice, but it’s hot and the team is terrible.
You gotta throw more money at players when your team sucks and isn’t appealing to join bc a lack of results.
February 9th, 2018 at 11:01 am
William Berry:
That’s a strawman argument.
First, there is no question O.J. Howard will be a stud if he stays healthy. But for a team with serious holes on defense that was on the cusp of a playoff berth, drafting a tight end when the team already had one of the best tight ends in the NFL bordered on irresponsible. Again, Howard will be a star. Tight end was not even remotely a need.
Second, picking a kicker was bad enough — Joe understands Licht’s reasoning for this but unfortunately, it didn’t pan out. That is the draft in a nutshell. Smart if you pull it off, dumb if it doesn’t.
What makes it worse was the players the Bucs could have drafted instead of a kicker. Joe knows for a fact people in football operations were very high on Yannick Ngakoue. But because of trading up for a kicker, Licht didn’t have the ammo to go get Ngakoue.
And lets not forget there were more than one defensive end on the free agent market last year the Bucs apparently didn’t try to sign who could have helped out the team not named “Calais Campbell.” One guy had 11 sacks. Another just got a ring five days ago.
February 9th, 2018 at 11:07 am
Thank you Joe!
You’re realistic and truthful journalism is a lost art.
So often, media fluffs/manipulates/presents an agenda.
I wish all Bucs media could be as up front and honest. Hearing radio shows you’d never know this is a pat place team. so much positivity.
February 9th, 2018 at 11:07 am
Sometimes in any job, in life, in any endeavor..you have a window..a life..a run. Mike Smith’s run is up!! And its going to get Koetter fired right along with him. IF Koetter were smart. He would have changed Defensive Coordinators and coaches. If nothing but to say, We will change. But he’s faithful to Tonto-DC Smith. I’m callin 8-8 and gametime is a long ways..away!
February 9th, 2018 at 11:08 am
Can we ask the Glazers why their football team can’t match the success of their kickball team? Are their interests spread too thin?
February 9th, 2018 at 11:08 am
KLEMKO: Did you get a chance to talk to Doug Marrone?
CAMPBELL: Afterwards. After I signed I talked to everybody. But before I signed I didn’t talk to anybody.
***************************************************************
@stevek
and to your point, my research only shows Denver being the only other team that made a serious go at him…..he viewed jax as a young up and coming team that needed some defensive leadership…..
I think the biggest thing is the front offices passion to win and being proven winners…..he knows coughlin wants to win and he’s a proven winner…..don’t think he can say the same about anyone at one buc place…..
but him signing with the team before talking to anyone says the jax offered the most loot and he was ready to cash in….we should’ve paid him….CC plays DT and DE….that’s killing 2 birds with 1 stone…..now your going into the offseason and draft with the same needs as last year….nothing has been fixed…we only got a leaky patch…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
February 9th, 2018 at 11:10 am
813BucBoi,
Thanks for the research on Campbell!
I just really need to know that we offered just as lucrative of a deal, bc no team in the NFL needs his services more than us. But apparently, our regime doesn’t think so? Smh
February 9th, 2018 at 11:12 am
William Berry Says:
And sure, we could’ve drafted some more guys for the edge. But, who are you willing to give up to go there? Justin Evans? O.J. Howard? Ali Marpet? Donovan Smith? Kwon? Mike Evans? Jameis? Tell me, who do you give up for a chance to roll the dice on a rookie edge rusher?
______
Roberto…remember him? 2nd round pick that’s NOT in the league. Damn yo, are u trolling?
February 9th, 2018 at 11:15 am
If the Bucs sign Adrian Clayborn, they might as well strike down that giant Bucs flag on MLK Blvd. and instead raise a giant white flag and on Buccaneers.com have a full-screen headline that screams, “We Give Up.”
Just what the Bucs need, a loafing, injury-prone, one-game wonder.
February 9th, 2018 at 11:16 am
Justin Evans was a nice pick but if anyone tries to tell Joe that Alvin Kamara wouldn’t have had a bigger impact on the Bucs than Evans, Joe would want to share whatever one is drinking.
February 9th, 2018 at 11:18 am
Can we wear creamsicle uniforms until we want to win?
The creamsicle colors and raise the white flag, Joe! Lol so good!
February 9th, 2018 at 11:22 am
Licht will be putting extra focus and resources towards fixing the Dline over the next 2 years. There’s basically no choice.
Unfortunately – (short of the dream scenario where Chubb falls to #7) – there will not be a great crop of DEs to choose from in either FA or the draft this year.
There will be more opportunity to get young talent at DT in 2017. So go that route – and focus on our other 3 needs which are OG, RB and CB this year and pray that Noah Spence can stay healthy and that Ayers can squeeze 1 more decent year out of that 33 year old body. If a Chris Long or a Peppers were to come available – you over-pay them for 1 year to help get you through until more and better young talent at DE comes available in 2019.
The really good thing about this year’s draft is that there are legit blue chip players (at the top of most everyone’s boards) available at each of our 4 positions of greatest need. Chubb (DE), Nelson (OG), Barkley (RB), Minkah (CB).
ONE of those players WILL be available at #7!!! And if not – we’d be in great position for a nice trade down offer from a QB hungry team.
Win – Win – Win – Win – WIN!!!!
There’s no way at least 2 QBs won’t be chosen ahead of us. Therefore – Every one of our 5 possible draft choices/scenarios is a WIN and fills a need with a great player or cache of extra picks. 🙂
February 9th, 2018 at 11:24 am
“Unfortunately, with the defensive staff’s inability to develop a young corner, selecting a corner on the first or second day of the draft seems like throwing away a valuable asset. Might as well use said pick(s) as ransom to obtain a proven, veteran corner”
.Just some thoughts…. We tend to criticize the fact that “We can’t teach rookie corners,” and I understand that reasoning to some extent, but can you fully blame any corner when the QB has all day to throw the ball (no pass rush) or the WR in your division are on average 4 inches taller than our DB’s and (though I know many will laugh at the suggestion that players teach players.) iI Grime’s stays another year and Hargreaves returns to form and we get a Butler type FA Then maybe the boo hoo’ers will stop moaning about our DB’s, I am compelled to think that it is not just the coaches, it multifaceted repair necessary. Maybe draft Fitzpatrick out of Alabama to play centerfield. Just another day at the offseason “Killing Fields.”
February 9th, 2018 at 11:33 am
if the eagles cut chris long get him….good locker room presence….he’ll put pressure on the QB….we need all the help we can get….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
February 9th, 2018 at 11:37 am
This was the time for the headline,
“So you’re saying there’s a chance”
February 9th, 2018 at 11:38 am
Why did we pass on Campbell??
Because GMC is the only star DT on this team
He is happy making money
Face of Bucs
Shaking hands and smiling
A Superstar like Campbell would DEMAND MORE
LOOK AT THE EAGLES
or any other great defense they were held accountable by the leaders
Even Brooks and Sapp held players accountable
The Bucs do not have that
GMC WILL NOT DO THAT
So make all the changes to coaches
Bring in FA
#1 picks
But nothing changes till the lockerroom does
I know I’m a hater
But you are a Blind Lover
February 9th, 2018 at 11:41 am
ATrain,
Great point. Fans deserve “why” when results are terribad.
February 9th, 2018 at 11:48 am
2016 Atlanta Falcons Defense
Points Against | 406
Total Yards | 5939
2017 Atlanta Falcons Defense
Points Against | 315
Total Yards | 5094
2106 Defensive Coordinator
Richard Smith
2017 Defensive Coordinator
Marquand Manuel
Sometimes a coaching change is more effective
Than changing players
February 9th, 2018 at 11:58 am
The Bucs will be fine on defense as long as other teams don’t throw the ball.
February 9th, 2018 at 11:58 am
What a terrible year. They played a soft ass zone to not give up big plays and gave up the 2nd most. So they couldnt even stop the one thing they were selling out to stop. And smith gets to keep his job. Only in tampa. If he throws out that same cover 2 next year without a pass rush it wont be worth watching. Man i cant believe these coaches are coming back. Optimism is low these days
February 9th, 2018 at 12:12 pm
Can’t sack the qb when nobody is open
February 9th, 2018 at 12:23 pm
@lakelandBuc
Indeed!!!!!!!!
2014 Bucs Defense
points against | 410
Total yards | 5903
2015 Bucs Defense
points against | 417
Total yards | 5446
2016 Bucs Defense
points against | 369
total yards | 5887
2017 Bucs Defense
points against | 382
total yards | 6049
Thank goodness they dumped loser lovie!!!!! Even with all the injuries and harder schedule, points were still way down!!!!!!!! I will galdly give up 9 yards a game extra to take a full field goal off the score board!!!!!!!!!!
Notice Joe won’t ask questions about the points given up almost the same as 2016!!!!!! Or that the offense was in the bottom of turnovers!!!!!!! NOPE, we get to hear 100 ways one of the defensive coaches should have been fired!!!!! And why????? to deflect from the offense of course!!!!!!! have to keep the narrative of how all the coaches and players are holding JW3 back!!!!!!!
I will put the ” they cannot develop talent statement right up with the “lovie makes this defense a instant top 10 because dominik stocked so much talent and the coaches are holding this roster back!!!!!!!” that was a good one!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!
Fix the “real” issue. the “trenches”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 9th, 2018 at 12:25 pm
But why stop at dumping Loser Lovie?
You should flush the stench, after each dump.
February 9th, 2018 at 12:30 pm
And the Tampa Bay Buccaneers toilet is full of stench.
February 9th, 2018 at 1:00 pm
C’mon Joe, when a player like that is on the board you have to take him. Do I need to remind you who the Bucs passed on in the 2007 draft because they picked a position of need?
February 9th, 2018 at 1:24 pm
The Buc Realist Says:
July 23rd, 2017 at 8:31 am
Guess who’s BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The very good Defense should not be a surprise!!!!!
The Buc Realist Says:
July 28th, 2017 at 8:30 am
Do not be surprised, and we all saw the signs last year!!!! The defense will not have a “break out” season, but will “carry this team”
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OH NO….looks like smitty never got that memo!!!!….lol….so what happened?….
that defense sure helped guide us to a 5-11 finish……and if you haven’t noticed the defense regressed judging by those numbers…..but im sure i’ll blame that on the coach who hasn’t been here for going on 3 years now…..and HK…and IRMA….and SOS….and whatever other excuse you come up with….
you’ve lost all creditability(the little you had anyways)…..you’ve been dead wrong about this staff…..
the only thing that can save them this year is PLAYOFFS!!!!….not injuries….not IRMA….not SOS….not lack of talent….not HK…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
February 9th, 2018 at 1:26 pm
“Despite that, they opted not to make any coaching changes…”
I am more tired of that sentence than I am of “Siege the Day.”
February 9th, 2018 at 1:27 pm
Oh the joys of being a Bucs fan, lol, are we already looking on to 2019?
February 9th, 2018 at 1:28 pm
Last year’s stunted growth and progression to playoff possibility was because of…
2016 putrid draft…..nots it ….and nothing else
you build a team thru the draft and fill holes/add final touches thru free agency
You can not totally wiff like forrest gump did in the 2016 draft
those 2016 draftees was supposed to produced and play a factor last year.
a starting cornerback and a pass rusher SHOULD HAVE been addressed on the 2016 draft.
look at our division rivals and their last 4 drafts. consistently plugging starters thru the draft.
Dont blame Smitty blame Forrest Gump
February 9th, 2018 at 1:30 pm
@D-Rome – Pick a TE because a decade ago a hall of fame RB was available?
TE Zach Ertz just won a Super Bowl, btw.
February 9th, 2018 at 1:33 pm
Going to take 3-4 years to build a legit D-Line. Light will be gone by then. I’m not sure JW survives in Tampa due to his affinity for crotches that do not belong to him.
February 9th, 2018 at 1:34 pm
Better get used to it. Not only is it true but it could be Dirk Koetter’s trap door in 10 months.
February 9th, 2018 at 1:36 pm
Well, for the folks who cling to that, then they better not also be whining about running back or defensive end.
February 9th, 2018 at 1:39 pm
keep marquad manuel on your HC coaching radar….former NFL player….young and innovative….knows defenses…..knows how to develop DB’s…..k.neal has 2 pro bowls and has only been in the league 2 years….brian poole was an UDFA 2 years ago but has been a key member of the defense from day1…..keep an eye on him…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
February 9th, 2018 at 1:45 pm
@Joe … “First, there is no question O.J. Howard will be a stud if he stays healthy. But for a team with serious holes on defense that was on the cusp of a playoff berth, drafting a tight end when the team already had one of the best tight ends in the NFL bordered on irresponsible. Again, Howard will be a star. Tight end was not even remotely a need.”
Joe, I simply can’t believe what I’m reading. Is the above sarcasm? Have you started drinking early today? I’ve NEVER seen you write things like this before. Did I see the word ‘NEED’ in there associated with our 1st Round pick? Oh yes, and ‘IRRESPONSIBLE’? Wow, even if you’ve been drinking, there might be H-O-P-E for you yet.
It ALMOST sounds like you’re questioning Licht’s prowess in building this team as much as I do. Drafting OJ & Aguayo. Not drafting Ngakoue (or a number of other DEs/DTs). Not aggressively pursuing Campbell or any number of other DEs available in free agency in 2016 & 2017. Yup, maybe there is H-O-P-E for you yet.
February 9th, 2018 at 1:51 pm
@Pickgrin … “There will be more opportunity to get young talent at DT in 2017.” Totally agree Pickgrin (several gems near the top of the pile). Also decent talent available (near the top) at CB. Oh ya, and several potentially decent DEs in Rnds 3-5. So we fix what we can in free agency (Guard, maybe Center, hopefully 2 starting-caliber CBs, only because rookie CBs can be really dangerous, especially when operating behind a no-pressure DLine) then draft 1-2 DTs, 1-2 DEs, 1 CB, 1 Safety, 1-2 RBs and we’re done. Bucs go 16-0 next year, win the SB, and I’ll retract everything bad I’m ever said about Jason Licht. Trust me.
February 9th, 2018 at 1:53 pm
@Kobe Faker … “Dont blame Smitty blame Forrest Gump.” A-W-E-S-O-M-E !!!
February 9th, 2018 at 1:57 pm
@D-rome
That is the exact reason talk show host dominik was so popular!!!!!!!! Desperation and drafted for need!!!!!!!! Then they wonder why he can not get a call back from the league that he so desperately wants to get back into!!!!!!!
its no mystery if some would actually look!!!!!!!!!
Fix the “real” problems, the “trenches’!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 9th, 2018 at 2:03 pm
Realist, you’ve got me bewildered now. Dominik was fired because he drafted for need? So now you want Licht to fix the “real’ problems, the “trenches”? Are they NOT POSITIONS OF NEED? (BTW, I agree with you about fixing the DLine & OLine. I just want Licht to fix the OLine in FA & the DLine (as best he can at this point) in the draft).
February 9th, 2018 at 2:23 pm
I bet if the bucs went back to creamsicle colors not only would they attract top free agents but it would change the swag and confidence if the team on the field.
February 9th, 2018 at 2:23 pm
We can all wait and see what happens in terms of who we draft and sign on the defensive side of the ball! But the bottom line is Coach Mike Smith is the Defensive Coordinator and that is not going to change things in terms of his schemes!! Sorry Bucs Fans but when 18 is over the Bucs Orginization is going to be looking for a New HC and New DC !!!! Can’t win under that leadership!!! I may be wrong but I may not!!! One thing for sure is that it will be my last do over for keeping Licht, Koetter and Smith after what happened in 17. IMO we had the talent to have been successful.
February 9th, 2018 at 2:23 pm
@Defense Rules
I said fix, not draft!!!!! whether that is free-agency, trades or draft!!!!!!!
The ” fix the real” problems is just a line that goes back to when most were complaining about play calling and want coaches fired!!!!!!!!!
February 9th, 2018 at 2:56 pm
Don’t care about SB odds less than a week after the last SB.
-No FA
-No Draft
-No Trades
-No practice
-No TC and pre-season
I’ll listen to your odds next September. Maybe a little earlier.
February 9th, 2018 at 3:09 pm
If doing the year over again I’d still take Howard over a RB. I just would have started Peyton Barber and had a full 1+ YPC better run game all season… and better run game in the red zone…
But yeah Dalvin Cook kept us from the playoffs / Super bowl…
lol
And in 5-7 years when these RBs are washed up we will be looking at extending Howard another 5-7 years.
February 9th, 2018 at 3:19 pm
And sorry but Cam Brate is not one of the best TEs in the NFL just because he scores X amount of TDs.
Just massively disagree. He’s not a YAC monster he’s not a matchup nightmare and he isn’t a great blocker. He’s a great route runner that is good at finding space and has excellent hands and chemistry with Winston in the red zone.
Not trying to knock him but it is what it is.
Julius Thomas had 12 TDs in back to back seasons with Peyton Manning- was he the best TE in the league? Obviously not. Went on to average like 300 yards / 4 TDs per season as the primary TE for Jacksonville & Miami. And that guy is more athletic than Brate is.
Oh and we run 2 TE sets a lot… it’s not like Brate’s on the bench because of Howard…
February 9th, 2018 at 3:22 pm
I agree on using some late picks to get a veteran or two who can step in and play right now. Most obvious target would be Talib – if Denver is going to cut him then maybe a 5th (or even later) gets it done. For those that say just sign Talib once he’s a FA… what makes you think anyone is eager to sign with the Bucs when the entire front office and coaching staff is likely to be cleared out in a year? If the Bucs want to win now – and they should – then make some moves to make that happen. For example if you can dangle Brate and a pick out there for a quality DE, then do so. I like Brate, not eager to get rid of him, but to get something you have to give up something, and as a #2 TE he’s a luxury that could be a valuable asset to someone.
February 9th, 2018 at 3:39 pm
Joe Says:
SteveK:
Have to keep in mind that free agency is not a draft. We do not know for sure if Campbell had any desire to come here short of Licht going bananas with Team Glazer’s loot.
Was that not the problem? Licht DID NOT go bananas with Glazer Loot. Someone tell the Glazer boys do like Steinbrenner and buy a championship because we will never duplicate 2001-2002.
February 9th, 2018 at 3:51 pm
GhostofSchiano – Who had any desire to go to Jacksonville, for any reason, ever? Campbell took the most money, pure and simple – which I’d do as well if I was him and this was basically my last contract. Also keep in mind that Jacksonville had more money to spend than the Bucs did and they overpaid for everyone over the last couple of years. Yes it will catch up with them in the future (or maybe not since they don’t have a QB locked up on a long-term deal thus they have more free money than other teams) but for now, they wanted a quick turnaround and they took those years of top picks and sprinkled in a bunch of big money FAs.
From the Bucs side they set a budget and refused to budge and it cost them. If the Bucs want to get people to come here this offseason they’re going to have to overpay guys – and when you look at the list of talent at DE there isn’t really anyone that you’d want even if you got them at a discount. This is a very very bad year to be desperate at DE.
February 9th, 2018 at 3:52 pm
My free agency wish list –
DeMarcus Lawrence, Cowboys Andrew Norwell, G, Panth
Ezekiel Ansah, Lions Malcolm Butler, CB, Pats
Alex Okafor, Saints
Adrian Clayborn, Falcons
William Hayes, Dolphins
Julius Peppers, Panthers
Kony Ealy, Jets
February 9th, 2018 at 3:58 pm
The Buc Realist Says:
July 24th, 2017 at 10:34 am
I have how good they are on Paper!!! And now we just need to see some “on the field” training camp and a preseason, Then when Joe does the annual ” Go On The Record” story I will give you the official prediction!!!!!!!
fast forward to today and now you want to say:Fix the “real” problems, the “trenches’!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
what happened?…..last offseason you and many others were saying how “good” we looked on paper….no one looked at our roster and said, “oh boy, we have a ton of holes to fill”…..no one…you included….your only excuses during the offseason was HK….which isn’t an excuse at all…..that’s a cop out…..
good teams find a way to win…..sorry teams find excuses….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
February 9th, 2018 at 4:03 pm
The Buc Realist Says:
May 18th, 2017 at 4:07 pm
All the cards are in the Bucs hand!!!!!! Head Coach Koetter will get a great look at the running back stable thru training camp, preseason and 3 games into the season!!!! If the backs look good then it is cut/trade option for drug martin!!!!! Or if they are not getting the job done or injuries then its drug martin waiting in the wings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so what happened?……obviously dirk needs new glasses!!!!!….lol….
good teams find a way to win…..sorry teams find excuses….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
February 9th, 2018 at 4:21 pm
and BS to all those who call dirk a “straight shooter”….
“change is going to happen”
Brace yourselves, Bucs fans. Changes are a comin’.
While the Bucs had a nice, 9-7 season. It was good but not good enough. In his final exclusive sitdown of the 2016 season with dangerous Dan Lucas of WFLA-TV Channel 8, Koetter cautioned fans that the team will add players, say goodbye to players and possibly coaches.
It’s not that Koetter wants to break up a winner, but Koetter noted you cannot stop change.
“I think we set the bar higher moving forward,” Koetter said. “Change is going to happen. You are going to have changeover in the players. You are going to have possibly some changeover in the coaching staff.”
so what happened to”set the bar higher moving forward”?…..what happened to 9-7 being good but not good enough?……
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
February 9th, 2018 at 4:51 pm
When you draft for need instead of getting the best player available you end up with Gaines Adams.
February 9th, 2018 at 6:02 pm
So it will cost even more to watch my beloved Bucs score around 19 points a game while giving up 30 or more……pass the beer…and the tums.
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bucs/2018/02/06/bucs-to-raise-some-season-tickets-again-for-2018/
Should be an award for a fan base that endures the most from it’s team. I know the Browns have a good head start but we might be able to catch them.
February 9th, 2018 at 7:46 pm
I can see Dork reprimanding Jenna, for daring to print the truth.
February 9th, 2018 at 8:06 pm
Cam brate is top 5 most overrated players in the NFL
dude will be cut by more than half the nfl teams
Cam cant and will never be able to separate from a pass defenders. Most qbs cant throw the seam pattern like jameis does for brate in those tight windows
“I still want to see that harvard graduation di
February 9th, 2018 at 8:09 pm
“I still want to see that harvard graduation degree. A person that goofy looking absolutely can not graduate from a ivy league school”
Kobe Faker
February 13th, 2018 at 11:04 am
“Can the Bucs find enough bodies by May to at least make the defense respectable, thereby giving the offense and the team as a whole a chance to succeed”?
Yes. They have to re-sign Brent Grimes, Clinton McDonald and TJ Ward/Keith Tandy. Sign a CB, Aqib Talib, Morris Claiborne or Malcolm Butler. Sign a DE, Denico Autry or Chris Smith. The key is if Noah Spence can stay healthy and Robert Ayers does not get cut. Remember almost the identical defense produced 38 sacks just one year prior and generated the 2nd most defensive pressures in the league. The defense gave up so many yards per game because the offense had no running game. If Chubb is gone draft Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame and move Ali Marpet back to RG. If we draft Chubb then go after OG Will Hernandez in top of second or late first round. Draft a DT and another DE in rounds three and four. I will take those 60-1 odds.