Jason Licht, Find Your Greg White!
February 27th, 2018
General manager Jason Licht
There will be a no-name free agent pass rusher this season who shines in a big way.
It’s inevitable. Therefore, Joe doesn’t want to hear nonsense that Jason Licht can’t find one.
Baloney!
So the job will be much tougher than usual in 2018. That’s life as a general manger. Deal with it.
No excuses.
In 2014, Licht adeptly found an impact pass rusher off the street: Jacquies Smith. Buffalo cut him after training camp and the 24-year-old latched on with the Bucs and had 6 1/2 sacks in seven starts in limited action. More important than the numbers, Smith truly was dangerous consistently off the edge. The next season,
Smith cranked out seven sacks and three forced fumbles in 12 games. He almost beat the Saints on his own in Week 2 of that 2015 season, Jameis Winston’s first victory.
The Bucs got nowhere near that kind of production from a DE last year.
Do it again, Licht. Find that guy.
Back in 2007, Chucky listened to his brother, Jay Gruden, and signed for Tampa Bay an Arena League guy named Greg White, who previously had failed to stick in the NFL or take a snap. The result was magical. White, who later changed his name to Stylez, cranked out seven forced fumbles and eight sacks as a rotational player that season. He was an animal, a gift from the football gods as the Bucs won the NFC South and made the playoffs. (Yes, the Bucs were once a playoff team.)
Squeezing sacks and raw, dangerous production from a nobody defensive end has been done before here. And, as Joe wrote above, it happens every damn season in the NFL. Hell, the freakin’ Saints rode [sackless Buccaneer] George Johnson down the stretch in 2017.
Find a way, Licht. You’ve got a handpicked defensive line coach and a world of experience.
February 27th, 2018 at 3:52 pm
Lions have franchised Ziggy Ansah – not a shocker but certainly takes him out of the FA equation for the Bucs….
Licht has to find a Simeon Rice. Some how, Some way. I’m good with giving up a 4th round pick to the Rams for Robert Quinn…
February 27th, 2018 at 3:55 pm
Like I’ve been saying, they better try to scheme around the talent of the guys they have. This is not the year for edge rushers, in the draft or free agency, and it just got thinner.
The Detroit Lions has placed the Franchise Tag on Ezekiel Ansah
February 27th, 2018 at 4:14 pm
slim pickins this year in our biggest area of need.
Licht has the unenviable task of trying to find us some real pass rushers amidst a wasteland of mediocrity
February 27th, 2018 at 4:17 pm
Sh1ts not looking good at DE.
Ansah not available
Lawrence not available
And as Joe alluded to it sounds like the Rams want to keep Quinn since they didn’t want to use him as part of the deal with the Chiefs.
February 27th, 2018 at 4:17 pm
Arden Key =’s Sacks the Bucs have been searching for…..if he can say off the police blotter and NFL suspension list…
February 27th, 2018 at 4:24 pm
Trent Murphy / Alex Okafor / Julius Peppers / Kony Ealy / Denico Autry / Pernell McPhee / Vinny Curry / Michael Bennet
That’s our likely pool of candidates. Sucks when needs do not meet value in the offseason. Oh well get at least 2 of the above; get back Noah Spence; and get at least 1-2 DEs in the draft and at least we have something to work with that isn’t complete dog sh1t
February 27th, 2018 at 4:35 pm
Ive been seeing all kinds of stories about Quinn. Some say the Rams brought him into the trade talks with KC. I dont think KC wanted to give up enough. N Fanalzyer…of course yoire good giving up a 4th for Quinn. Who wouldnt be? All GMs looking to deal a DE have Licht by the short hairs. No way bucs are getting quinn for a 4th. Guy has 62.5 sacks in his 7 yr career. 19 one year. He can be a difference maker. A guy like that will fetch a 2. I think Licht should deal a 2 in a heartbeat for quinn. Nobody in this draft or any who can come in and put up 10 sacks or more in his first year. Its obvious from last 2 years smitty isnt going to manufacture a pass rush from anyone other than the linemen. Licht has to find guys and find them fast.
February 27th, 2018 at 4:37 pm
Lord Cornelius says :
And as Joe alluded to it sounds like the Rams want to keep Quinn since they didn’t want to use him as part of the deal with the Chiefs.
Just read an article that they have 40 million in CAP space but have to sign peters to an extension, next year Goff and Gurly must be signed / extended. If Licht puts a sweet enough offer on the table like draft picks ( since they gave up some to get peters) they might be interested. Trading Donald to us for draft picks would be very beneficial to the Rams. Wait and see
February 27th, 2018 at 4:37 pm
LC
Doesn’t look pretty… if we miss out on Bennett maybe take a look at Murphy? Or Okafor, pretty sure Buckner was his coach when he had his 8 sack season.
February 27th, 2018 at 4:39 pm
Lord Cornelius Says:
Trent Murphy / Alex Okafor / Julius Peppers / Kony Ealy / Denico Autry / Pernell McPhee / Vinny Curry / Michael Bennet
Vinny Curry And Bennett are both under contract at this moment for other teams and not free agents. Unless we trade for them.
February 27th, 2018 at 4:40 pm
@ ManzielMadness,
You are correct sir, 2014 season. Buckner was Okafor’s coach, 8 sacks.
February 27th, 2018 at 4:47 pm
Lord C, Bucs MIGHT get one of those, but wouldn’t put money on it at this point. Most will stay with their current teams IMO, and any that do hit the FA market probably wouldn’t be worth the $$$. I’m hoping that Noah Spence makes it back but closer to the 250 (or maybe more) he played at in college as I remember (he was just too light last year). Bucs best bet this year is to give priority to fixing the interior DLine (there are several beastly DT/NTs in FA & the draft it looks like who we could build around). More push up the middle give our DEs greater opportunities to pressure from the outside, as well as more opportunities for our LBs or secondary to blitz (we weren’t penetrating in the middle all that much last year it looked like to me).
February 27th, 2018 at 4:59 pm
Darin,
You give up a 4 for a guy who has averaged 6 sacks a season the last two years – not a 2. Plus he has only 2 years left on his deal. Giving up a 2 (a high 2 at that) for essentially a two year deal is a bad trade off – especially with so many other crater sized holes on the roster.
February 27th, 2018 at 5:01 pm
Agree DR that the best D-line talent in FA will definitely be interior lineman.
I do think at least 1/2 that list will be available though; and that we try to sign at least one guy from it.
Regarding Quinn – our 2nd rounder is a high pick / borderline late 1st and we’re taking on a large contract. I’d have to get a 4th rounder back in that deal. Or just give up a 3rd straight up.
February 27th, 2018 at 5:10 pm
I think the Bucs can get pressure from Ayers, Gholston, Clarke, Spence with the right schemes and coaching.
Robert Ayers had a 89.3 grade at PFF
10th among DEs
Ezekiel Ansah had a 80.2 grade at PFF
40th among DEs
The primary objective is to make the quarterback uncomfortable, and Ayers did that throughout last season. He generated 45 pressures (two sacks, 17 hits and 26 hurries), according to Pro Football Focus. Among Bucs defensive ends, that was by far the most. Among all Bucs players, that was only two fewer than McCoy even though he played more than 200 fewer snaps.
But Ayers wasn’t just one of the most productive linemen on the Bucs; he was one of the most productive linemen in the NFL. His pressure total ranked 20th among defensive ends who play in a 4-3 front. On a per-snap basis, he was about as disruptive as Michael Bennett of the Seahawks and Everson Griffen of the Vikings.
February 27th, 2018 at 5:15 pm
Ayers also rated as one of the best run stoppers in the league. He recorded a “stop” on 8.4 percent of his run snaps last season, the eighth-highest rate among 4-3 defensive ends who played at least 50 percent of their team’s run snaps. Pro Football Focus credits a player with a stop when he prevents a runner from doing one of the following:
• gaining 40 percent of the yards needed for another first down on first down.
• gaining 60 percent of the yards needed for a first down on second down.
• converting a third or fourth down to a first down.
February 27th, 2018 at 5:18 pm
Get anther great DT to play next to McCoy and the DE’s will work themselves out!
February 27th, 2018 at 5:22 pm
Bucs already have Noah Spence on the roster. Gotta believe they’re going to pick up Landry, Key, Davenport, or Hubbard in the second.
February 27th, 2018 at 5:26 pm
This is where the trade of ME 13 comes into play…IMO
February 27th, 2018 at 5:51 pm
In the deepest defensive line draft in 25 years this was our haul.
1. round>a slow 5’9 inch corner who should have been a 3rd round pick
2nd round> a 230 pound defensive end with one move to the outside.
2nd round traded up for a kicker………………
February 27th, 2018 at 5:57 pm
Boys if we are depending on Licht to find a Defensive End Diamond in the Ruff we are in trouble!!!! He is going to be looking for his butt after this season is done and over with!
February 27th, 2018 at 6:05 pm
IMO a 3rd this year and maybe a late next 5-6th should work for Quinn. Especially since Rams trying to shed his contract to get extra $ towards Donald.
February 27th, 2018 at 6:07 pm
Will everyone just stop it with the Arden Key nonsense?! Dude is a punk off the field, as 1 out of every 2 players are at LSU. No idea what’s going on at that school. PLUS…he’s way too light (even with an NFL weight room) and will be tossed aside by mean Guards, and certainly solid LT’s in the NFL.
Outside of Chubb there just aren’t any this year, not even raw Davenport who stands up too much, yada, yada.
Two words…Vinny Curry, in a trade, a decent fix, restructure Ayers.
Go Bucs!
February 27th, 2018 at 6:14 pm
Man, I used to be a huge licht supporter but I am losing faith, FAST! Trade McCoy if you can get any type of good compensation and start fixing the trenches.
February 27th, 2018 at 6:26 pm
There a plenty of quality De’s in the draft who will be around rounds 3-5 that will be upgrades from what we have now. None of them will likely be superstars but will more than likely be quality rotational players with “upside” I am not going to list names but I believe they will be there. NONE even Chubb from Nc state will be automatic 10+ sack guys right out the gate imo. So in first round draft bpa at 7, top rb available in the 2nd and then get some youth on dline in rounds 3-5 , unless they can package a couple picks for a difference maker like Quinn. If we fix a few of our problems this year via draft \ free agency , we have next years crop to hopefully fix remaining needs. Just cant put the wagon in front of the horse. DON’T MESS THIS UP LICHT!!! GO BUCS
February 27th, 2018 at 6:29 pm
Kobe here to drop some X &Os
the failure of our 2017 defense was…lack of dline pressure with soft off coverage of our pass defense. the opposing offenses were carving us up with the short passing game even with journeyman QBs. QBs were completing over 70% because the receivers were wide open for the 1st 10 yards and there was absolutely no push upfront
like alot/most teams in the NFL, there are looking for elite pass rushers. forget the pipe dream the bucs will ever have a fearsome foursome front line…ever in the next 10 years…..WHAT THE BUCS DEFENSE NEED TO DO
Tell Miko and her boytoy grimes and his soft coverage out of the Tampa are NOW!
We need man2man press coverage defense from our cornerbacks
get 2 FA press corners and try to sure up the defensive line
draft fitzpatrick #7 or trade down
OUR DEFENSIVE LINE WILL PLAY BETTER WITH TIGHT PRESS COVERAGE
February 27th, 2018 at 6:48 pm
Love I’ve been screaming that forever. I disagree on Grimes though he can play tight enough without risking getting manhandled by larger ers and still do a really good job.
Vh3 played his best ball in Florida playing tight up on the line.
I like.Ryan Smith as well but nobody can cover a wr playing 12 yards deep and nobody can sack the qb.when every frieking we is open before the ball is even snapped.
Play press man coverage and the current dline would close to.double its.producrion by default. Go get Talib go get help, yes I agree the position can be upgrade but its.not.going to help with the current scheme.
Also Noah Spence would be a monster olb in a 3-4, he is built for it. Mike Smith blows
February 27th, 2018 at 6:51 pm
Yes, our defensive line is far from good , BUT WE NEVER GAVE THEM A CHANCE
The opposing QBs were getting the ball out of their hands easily because our corners were playing 10 yards off the line of scrimmage…
You cant get near the QB in less than 2 seconds when the recievets were wide open with our soft zone covrrage
” We need their QBs to hold on to their balls longer”
Kobe Faker
February 27th, 2018 at 6:53 pm
“Love?”
Kobe Faker
February 27th, 2018 at 7:19 pm
Kobe,
I have said this a thousand times
The players wasn’t the problem
The system was the problem
It don’t make sense to get new pplaers
Then put them in the system to fail
February 27th, 2018 at 7:20 pm
****players****
February 27th, 2018 at 7:27 pm
Lakeland, on taking a 2nd look at Ayers, I agree with you. At age 33 (when the season starts) I get wary of guys whose production slipped like his did (6.5 sacks in 2016 to only 2 sacks in 2017). Plus he’s only played 12 games in each of the last 4 seasons due to injuries. BUT … you’re right, he’s done a very good job of getting pressure on the QBs when he HAS been healthy. Since he’s under contract for 1 more year ($6 mil CAP hit this year) I’d say hold onto him, and if others clearly beat him out in camp, then so be it. I do want Licht to re-sign McDonald in any event (Bucs desperately need his leadership on the DLine … plus he’s a bawler).
Of course, a big part of our DLine’s problem is that it lost too many games due to injury (Ayers, McDonald, Spence, Jack Smith, Stevie T, Trattou, Lambert). That’s a pretty big DLine hit.
February 27th, 2018 at 7:29 pm
And Lakeland, sorry but the lack of quality T-A-L-E-N-T is a large part of the problem. Compare Eagles’ DLine with ours & the difference in talent is quite obvious. Coaching MAY be a big factor, but until Licht improves the talent level, it’s hard to point the finger exclusively there.
February 27th, 2018 at 7:31 pm
Yes you have
And i agree with you that breasand from wash is our best acquisition, however they trading their corner to the cheifs is going to hurt us from getting him
Need fuller from chicago or any of the top press corners.
We need to hit a homerun. We need fitzpatrick to be another jalen ramsey or a notch lower and at least be a saints lattimore clone
February 27th, 2018 at 7:38 pm
Defense Rules
It’s a combination of talent and coaching
February 27th, 2018 at 7:49 pm
Agree Lakeland. Considering the lack of DE talent on the Bucs roster – as well as the lack of talent at that position in both FA and the draft this year – keeping Ayers for 1 more year since he’s already under contract for $6M in 2018 is a pretty easy decision.
February 27th, 2018 at 8:01 pm
Then pretty soon we will have the luxury of rotation, rotation , rotation and by then it will be bye bye you Friggen ice cream man!
February 27th, 2018 at 8:08 pm
What does it mean when my comment is awaiting moderation always? Joe
February 27th, 2018 at 8:09 pm
Am I red flagged for some stupid reason? Why because I can mc puke ice cream man?
February 27th, 2018 at 8:30 pm
I started to post options.
But why bother. Both this GM and this coach have ignored the 2nd most important position on the team, since they got here.
Two things you gotta have, to be a serious playoff team
A) A QB. If he isnt a Uber gropper, We MIGHT have one of those.
B) people to rush the Passer. We have the same one we had when they got here. Gerald McCoy. And heaps of debris.
Ayers has some good stats. But only because McCoy herds everything to him. The only thing beasting about Ayers, is his mouth.
Gholsten plays, like noone has ever told him to cross the line of scrimmage.
Teams typically dont release anyone, who can provide any sort of pass rush- unless they are ooold and declining. FA wont matter.
We can, and must, draft A couple rookies. But they ussually take 3-4 years to develop. This team is always a loser, and doesnt have the patience to wait for a rookie DE to develop.
See “Adrian Clayborn” among others.
So, the answer is not a good one- but the stupidity of team management has left us with no choice.
We have to trade for a DE. And its gonna be a painfully high pick.
In addition to a trade, and the draft. There is one more thing they must do.
They should bench Ayers and Gholsten. They offer nothing.
Then Start Ryan Russell and Will Clarke. Both showed flashes of talent.
Lets, for once, try to develop young talent. What difference can it make? This team is a loser, and isnt going anywhere anyway.
But they wont do any of this. They will again expect McCoy to generate all the pass rush
They are all dead men walking. Just wasting a year of our lifes
February 27th, 2018 at 11:14 pm
Please stop the unbelievable task BS you have to work at it ,,,,,,,there are plenty of GMs needing parts and cap relief it’s just that 90 percent of the GM s are on survival government mode and are afraid to make deals. Well winners are not , please look at the deals cut by NewEngland
Last year , look at the deals cut by McKay to build that Super Bowl team ,those GMs were shakers and movers ……….. Licht thought he was a shaker trading up to fulfill what he thought he learned from Bill B about the kicking game, however he’s not a good enough personnel guy to realize Roberto was an-angles kicker and and was never a good heads on kicker and wasn’t really that good a kicker period his senior year. How much tape do you need to watch before you realize FSU always had him on a hash , a wide college hash , which in theory is a harder kick unless you just aren’t comfortable hitting the ball heads on . Let’s trade up in the second for a guy that can’t kick heads up and trended down his senior year. Licht got Bafoon laughed and he truly had no idea why , Well JL you learned the importance of the kicker but your horrific scouting blunder has shown you still have allot to learn . Remember you got bafoon laughed for a reason !! You were totally clueless !!!
Now wake up ,get over it and go to work building a team with cap tools that all / most other GMs don’t have .
February 27th, 2018 at 11:16 pm
Was just looking at de from Arizona that will be free agents. Since are new d line coach could probably recruit them well. Saw a guy named Olsen Pierre from Miami 24 years old 6”4 295 had 5.5 sacks last year started 7 games. Sounds like he could be that guy
February 27th, 2018 at 11:19 pm
Olsen Pierre free agent from Arizona should have good chance of getting him. Had 5.5 in his first season playing. He is big and young.
February 28th, 2018 at 6:20 am
david irving in a trade with the cowboys!
February 28th, 2018 at 8:06 am
“The result was magical. White, who later changed his name to Stylez, cranked out seven forced fumbles and eight sacks as a rotational player that season.”
– J0E
And then he never was good again. A one year wonder. His entire career last 5 years and he was gone from the NFL.
Frankly, I don’t want a Greg White, as much as I like his commentaries.
February 28th, 2018 at 8:09 am
LakeLand Says:
“This is not the year for edge rushers, in the draft or…”
I completely and totally disagree with this statement. Chubb. Harold Landry. Sam Hubbard. Etc.
There are plenty of good pass rushers in this draft…and likely a couple future hall of famers too.
February 28th, 2018 at 8:13 am
I’m a Tandyman Bucs Fan Says:
“Boys if we are depending on Licht to find a Defensive End Diamond in the Ruff we are in trouble!!!! He is going to be looking for his butt after this season is done and over with!”
I bet you are just hoping to be right. Nevermind that you SHOULD be hoping Licht succeeds because the team would win.
February 28th, 2018 at 9:02 am
Bonzai buddy just going on his past decision’s. His track record is not very good which to me is why the Bucs are in dire straits. Him, Dork & The 32nd Best Defensive Coordinator in the NFL. Hey man I want the Bucs to win as bad as anyone. He just has to do better in getting the right personnel in…That’s all. I may be wrong but I may not!!!
February 28th, 2018 at 9:41 am
I haven’t seen this talked about as much or maybe I have missed it but I think we should maybe consider taking the best DT at 7… The DL needs help period and if Chubb is gone it doesn’t leave us with many options along the DL that early…
February 28th, 2018 at 9:57 am
I would love to figure a way to spend our first three choices on two players and in fact if I could get BOTH of these guys I wouldn’t mind tossing in a later pick from next year.
Imagine if we could get both Chubb and Vita Vea. That would be exciting. Not likely but you never know. I saw a recent draft where it was QB crazy at the top and Chubb fell to 5th. Two spots? I might give up some draft capital depending on the price. Then if we packaged some other 2nd 3rd..maybe a pick from next year we move back up to get Vita Vea. Can you imagine those two along side each other with Noah and GMC?
February 28th, 2018 at 12:45 pm
They probably should invest in drafting a sleeper like Josh Sweat in the second or third round. Sweat is speedy and all round suited for a 4-3 at this point. He once was considered a beast for a 3-4 scheme but his hs knee injury took just a little athleticism from him and forced him to play with more caution. I say draft Sweat keep guys like Ryan Russel developing as well and he’s becoming a gamer as well. Wait for Spence and keep looking for efficient and effective ways to use William Gholston as well. Ayers can be of good use but if we draft Sweat
February 28th, 2018 at 12:47 pm
If we draft Sweat and wait on Spence slowly then Ayers becomes that formidable bridge layer.