Question Mark
February 5th, 2018
Interesting offseason.
So now the 2017 NFL season is over. Major props to the Eagles who, with a backup quarterback, showed that the Belicheats are actually mortal.
Now it’s time for the Bucs to get down to business. And Mike Sobleski of Bleacher Report believes the Bucs defense needs “massive upgrades” to contend for meaningful games next January.
A Truly Offensive Defense
The NFL’s worst defense resides in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers finished dead last in total defense, pass defense and sacks. The latter two go hand-in-hand. Mike Smith’s unit finished with a measly 22 sacks. Defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Clinton McDonald accounted for half of those. The team’s edge presence is nonexistent. All of the Bucs’ defensive ends combined for 8.5 sacks.
Meanwhile, McDonald is a free agent. Re-signing the 31-year-old interior defender and cutting some of the dead weight at defensive end seems to be a logical move. Tampa Bay can add $6 million to its already ample $64.5 million in salary-cap space by releasing Robert Ayers. The front office can then concentrate on trying to acquire free agents like DeMarcus Lawrence, Ziggy Ansah, Adrian Clayborn or Aaron Lynch if they don’t re-sign with their current teams.
A lack of pressure forces defensive backs to cover for longer. More often than not, receivers find a way to get open when there’s plenty of time to separate. Brent Grimes has been the Buccaneers’ best cover corner over the last two seasons, and the 34-year-old veteran is a free agent as well. The Buccaneers offense is loaded. The team, however, will never reach its playoff potential without massive upgrades to the defense.
The Bucs’ offense is mostly loaded, actually. Just need a running back (or two?). But Joe gets what Soblewski is suggesting. The Eagles may be the new NFL blueprint.
The Eagles, however, shined the light: Savvy moves in-season and during the offseason can get a team over the hump.
Consider the Eagles needed to beef up their pass rush. They went out and got over-the-hill Chris Long who proved he still had gas left in the tank. No, he’s no longer a double-digit sack guy but damnit, he can get to a quarterback.
And don’t give Joe any of this nonsense that outspoken political views tear up a locker room. Long looks like Reggie White compared to the franchise embarrassment the Bucs’ edge rush has been since some NFL version of Albert Einstein at One Buc Palace decided to let Michael Bennett walk away for no good reason. It’s to the point that if any half-way decent edge rusher (Bennett?) gets to the open market or is a cap casualty, then the Bucs must overpay him if need be.
Hell, if you have to, kidnap the SOB because it is that bad in Tampa Bay for edge rushers.
Running backs: Geez, the Eagles won with a pair of backs the Bucs could have had. Blount was let go from the Bucs, in part, because he apparently wasn’t on the same page as the future defensive coordinator of the Belicheats a Buccaneer Man.
And that’s true! Blount isn’t a Buccaneer Man — he went on to win three Super Bowl rings.
Jay Ajayi? He was pulled of the Dolphins roster for a fourth round pick!
While Joe had fun watching the game last night, and despite getting depressed at thinking of how the Eagles built their championship, Joe is comforted knowing Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager can swing a few right moves and — presto! — the Bucs could at least get back to the playoffs.
February 5th, 2018 at 1:11 am
Upgrade the Edge Rush, Secondary and Running Back room and we’ll be fine. This draft and offseason should be strictly about adding playmakers- guys that opponents have to game plan for consistently. And if Jason Licht drafts a guard at 7 with all of our other needs…. he needs to go post haste….
February 5th, 2018 at 1:23 am
Joe is comforted knowing that Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager can swing a few right moves and — presto! — the Bucs could at least get back to the playoffs.
Someone is living in a dream world. Doesn’t matter how much talent the bucs acquire this off-season there is nothing about dork koetter that says playoff caliber head coach. Here’s a coordinator put in charge of an NFL team and is way in over his head.
The NFC is stacked and there’s not one team in the NFC he can beat in the playoffs, eagles were well coaches and disciplined, opposite of teams like us who seem to get crucial penalties at critical times because they lack focus
February 5th, 2018 at 2:10 am
Koetter is still the coach, so what is the point? AND, a Buccaneer man is the stupidest $hit I have ever heard. The Bucs have had top tier players, but people like Bird brain insists that they do not play in Tampa.
February 5th, 2018 at 2:12 am
That line-up of DE’s is awful – and what FA is coming to Tampa when they know Dirk and Licht are a year away from being fired?
Change the defense to a heavy blitzing 3-4, figure out how to resign Grimes then trade for Talib so you can play man-to-man since you’ll be blitzing, hope VH3 bounces back, get another safety to replace Conte for God’s sake and tah dah, you now have a defense that’s like 23rd in the league.
Now on offense UPGRADE the offensive line by getting a real center and moving Marpet back to G where he’s nearly an all-pro level talent. If you can find a stud LT then sign them and move D Smith to RT, unless Dotson is healthy, if he is then move D Smith to G. Now get a RB… Carlos Hyde would be a great fit, but to be safe get another guy too and keep around Barber and Sims as a 3rd down specialist.
The Eagles just won the SB with Nick Foles, and that has everything to do with that offensive line giving him all day to throw the ball. Build the offensive line and suddenly you have a running game and Jameis steps up into that elite 8 group. On defense you’re not going to be able to fix it in one offseason, so instead change your scheme and use the talent you have. David is the best pass rusher on this team and if Spence is healthy, he’d be a great 3-4 edge guy. McCoy can move over to DE and play the role of Lee Roy and Gholston is a natural fit at the other DE as a run stopping end. Then you just need a NT, a big guy to eat up space, and we drafted a guy last year to be just that (even though the Bucs weren’t running a 3-4 they drafted a typical NT for some reason… hummm).
February 5th, 2018 at 5:10 am
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SIGN: Malcolm Butler, Grimes or Talib, Lawrence or Ansah or Ealy, a SS (Eric Reid, Tre Boston, etc) and Carlos Hyde or Isaiah Crowell or Jeremy Hill.
Draft: Arden Key and Marcus Davenport or Sam Hubbard at #21-22 after trading down with the Bills, Will Hernandez (2nd), Derrick Nnandi (3rd), Frank Ragnow (4th), Desmond Harrison (5th), DJ Reed (6th) and the best QB available (6th).
Voila … team is ready to make the playoffs … seriously.
RBs: Hyde/Barber/Simms/Quizz = LOADED
O-Line: Smith/Marpet/Ragnow/Hernandez/Dotson
+ Wester/Pamphile/Hawley/Bennenonch/Harrison = LOADED
D-Line: Ziggy/GMC/Nnandi/Davenport
+ Key/McDonald/Gholston/Spence = LOADED
DBs: Butler/Talib/Hargreaves + Reid/Evans
+ McClain/Smith/Elliot + Tandy/Conte = LOADED
We could be in the SuperBowl next year … not saying we will, as there are literally about 10 NFC teams that “could be” but we’re one of them … NO ONE was picking the Eagles to win the NFC when the year started … NO ONE … nor was anyone picking the Falcons the year before … or the Panthers the year before that … the last 3 years have been literal shockers and the NFC is wide-open unlike the AFC where the Patriots and Steelers … and now Jags, reign over every other team.
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February 5th, 2018 at 5:40 am
Blount signed for 1 million!!!
He looked fast last night! We could have signed him last year!
But no, we kept Doug Martin because Licht and Koetter are “loyal.”
Fu$$ loyal! Be LOGICAL!
February 5th, 2018 at 6:36 am
Did anyone else watching the Super Bowl wish we had a QB who put the ball on the money every single throw. No wonder these two QB’s made it to the big game. Hitting WR in stride. Putting the ball where ONLY the WR has a chance to catch it. Wow! Every throw was a strike, no pitches in the dirt or two feet out of the box. When we see this accuracy on every play during the season we might make it to the Super Bowl.
Go Bucs!
February 5th, 2018 at 6:36 am
Maybe the idiots running and coaching the Bucs watched and learned what real teams did to get to the Super Bowl.
Watching this game just illustrated how far off the Bucs are.
The coaching of this team is horrid compared to the good teams.
5-11 and didn’t fire anyone lmao. Playoff teams fired people because the demand excellence but the Bucs?
Nah we’re good. Lmao. Bring on 5-11 or 6-10 next year.
February 5th, 2018 at 6:41 am
Watching the EagleS play last night makes you realize how far the Bucs are away. Doug Peterson called a brilliant offensive game. Perfect aggressiveness complemented by precision execution by his team. Not looking to fire Koetter yet, but man, I don’t think he has that kind of play calling in him. As for bringing in more D-line help through free agency, Licht hasn’t exactly excelled there. Not very optimistic this off season.
February 5th, 2018 at 6:45 am
I love statements like ‘We could be in the Super Bowl next year’ NFLNut. Did you happen to notice that Super Bowl LII featured 2 teams that BOTH ranked top 5 in scoring offense AND scoring defense (Eagles: #3 offense, #4 defense; Patriots: #2 offense, #5 defense).
Yup, we’re close. Just add a little piece here, or a little piece there, and voila … Bucs will be Super Bowl champs. All we need is for Jason Licht to listen to Joe for a change: “Joe is comforted knowing Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager can swing a few right moves and — presto! — the Bucs could at least get back to the playoffs.”
Sure gives me comfort too Joe. Well, maybe a tad too optimistic. How’s about we shoot for actually BUILDING A T-E-A-M for a change and shoot for something like the 2021 Super Bowl. Ya, that one that’ll be held in Tampa.
February 5th, 2018 at 6:57 am
Well, we know this much….the draft should go well (emphasis on should with a #7 pick, maybe traded for more picks of our main guy Chubb isnt there)….we’re probably replacing Baker and Dougy….Hopefully with Vita and Penny!!!
We have the talent, we have a playoff caliber team….but its the coaching thats going to friggin kill us! Maybe 6 wins next season unless something BIG happens with the staff mid season to turn things around.
February 5th, 2018 at 7:22 am
If philly called the same scared timid game Dirk calls weekly last night they lose. You have to believe in your players. And yes Nick Foles looked great BUT he also had a heck of a running game and didn’t get touched all night. Just imagine what Jameis could do with that!
February 5th, 2018 at 7:30 am
Exactly Ndog!
Koetter needs to aggressively coach for his job.
Jason Licht needs to embrace expectations and hot on some free agents
The defense needs to get nasty. We are too nice and don’t strike fear in anyone other than our own fans.
Biggest 2018 need: defense with some teeth behind it. We are out there gumming other teams and it’s not working.
February 5th, 2018 at 7:32 am
Jason Licht better “presto” this 2018 team to ten wins/ or a playoff birth.
Mediocrity or less will not be tolerated. It’s been 5 years, fix it.
February 5th, 2018 at 7:38 am
Anyone else blown away by how much cap space we have?!? I never understood the Glazer hate but, holy crap! They need to go all out and bring in whoever they can to make this team better. It’s a slap in the face otherwise.
February 5th, 2018 at 7:57 am
A great army has great generals, a great team has great coaches. The Browns have great picks every year and still tank. The Bucs need better coaching to be great.
February 5th, 2018 at 8:02 am
I saw a lot of creativity on offense last night that I just don’t think we’ll ever have with our current leadership.
Middle run on first down (if we gain 4yrd or more)
Run on 2nd down…
3rd and short – throw deep
Punt
February 5th, 2018 at 8:41 am
@MadMax … “We have the talent, we have a playoff caliber team….but its the coaching thats going to friggin kill us!” Playoff caliber team? Seriously? Did you watch the SB last night MadMax? Those were 2 ‘playoff caliber’ T-E-A-M-S. Two heavyweights battling it out. Total of 74 point in a regulation game, with almost 1200 yds of OFFENSE between them, with 4 receivers over 100 yds. Almost 900 yds passing total & only 1 punt & 1 sack allowed between them.
The other 3 teams in Eagles’ division had a combined 19-29 record. Other 3 teams in Pats division had a combined 20-28 record. Want to guess what the other 3 teams in Bucs’ division had? Yup, a combined 32-16 record. And we were the little pooch left sitting on the porch with our 5-11 record. No sir, Bucs don’t have the talent to be a playoff caliber team. Despite what GMC says, we’re not really that close.
DislocatedBucsFan made a GRREAT point above … “Anyone else blown away by how much cap space we have?!?” That translates into beaucoup more $$$ in the Glazer Boys’ pockets, and far too little T-A-L-E-N-T on the field. For all JBFers who keep crowing about how much young talent we’ve accumulated, y’all need to focus on 2 things: (1) a real playoff-caliber T-E-A-M doesn’t just consist of 10 or 12 quality younger players; and (2) our 5-11 record speaks volumes. Might want to add that some of that young talent is gonna walk when their initial 4-yrs is up unless we give them something to stay for besides $$$. In the final analysis the NFL is a business, and that business is mighty competitive.
February 5th, 2018 at 8:44 am
Lol!
“A few pieces??”
The Only positions that are Average or better
Are- TEs, Wrs, Ots. DTs,And Lbers.
EVERY OTHER UNIT on this team is below average.
You need multiple units that are ABOVE average to win playoff games.
And we have an inferior coaching staff and front office.
This team is a LOOONG Way from being a good team.
And none of it moves foward, until we have a new coaching staff in place.
Licht has draft well- but had some big misses.
His refusal to address the DE position proves that he doesnt know how to build a team. Hes gotta go too.
Once we (Again) install a new offensive and defensive staff/system- then the team rebuilding starts(again).
2018 will be a waste. Just holding on to a lame duck coach and front office.
This team is years away from contending.
Dont kid yourselves. You’ll just be disappointed again
February 5th, 2018 at 8:48 am
Should have not gotten d jack and poured that coin into C Campell.
If I owned the team and the gm came into my office and said he wanted to sign baker like we did…
If fire him on the spot.
His track record was sooo bad coming in.
We need to have Derrick Brooks iland ronde in the front office
February 5th, 2018 at 9:11 am
Can anyone really picture Dirk calling an aggressive game like the Philly coach?
He would have been looking down his glasses for ways to run out the clock or position for a field goal.
February 5th, 2018 at 9:17 am
@Defense, agreed! I guess we dont. Thanks for checking me. And yes, Ive watched it all, the game, and everything about how both teams got there. The Pats, its a given almost each year. But how do we have talent and let them go (or trade them away) only to see them succeed on another playoff or SB team? How do we fix this sjit? Its always there!!! The pieces to the puzzle are out there somewhere I guess, we just have to get lucky to find them and make them work.
February 5th, 2018 at 9:22 am
Joe what makes you think that Licht has the brain power or the testicular fortitude for that matter to go out there and make this team better in free agency? Obviously he hasn’t done it yet and I have zero confidence that he will go out there and make the bold moves this joke of a franchise needs to make to get back to respectability, let alone to be any kind of contender. There’s way too much dead weight in this organization starting at ownership all the way down to the roster to pull us from the bowels of mediocrity. Things have to DRASTICALLY change for that to happen. I don’t see these a$$ clowns doing that anytime soon.
February 5th, 2018 at 9:42 am
“The Eagles may be the new NFL blueprint”
Every year we hear a new team is the blueprint. You know what team is always in the mix without fail?
The Patriots.
That should be our goal, not one year wonders like the eagles, Falcons or Panthers.
Outside of an overage, unhealthy right tackle, I think our offensive line is fine. I just needed field time to get acquainted and to start to gel. They were starting to gel when the starters were put on IR this year (which would not have happened if we had something to play for).
Our primary goal is Defensive Line. We need to resign MacDonald to a 2 year deal, and cut everyone else except McCoy and Spence. We can’t do any worse with an all new (mostly) line.
I’m for bringing in Bennett if he becomes available in free agency (not trade). He’d make a good bridge player. We will need to draft a defensive end and acquire another DT to play next to McCoy in either the draft or free agency. Next year, unless we trade him away this year, we can look for a McCoy heir.
And we can get a good RB in free agency. Easily.
February 5th, 2018 at 9:45 am
pewterpirate99 Says
“…what makes you think that Licht has the brain power or the testicular fortitude for that matter to go out there and make this team better in free agency? Obviously he hasn’t done it yet…”
While his weakest area certainly is free agency (veteran evaluation apparently), your statement is not entirely true.
We have several free agents that have been successes that he brought in. Yes, he’s had just as many failures, and fans tend to see the failures more than anything else, but there have been successes. Just not enough.
I would not give up just yet. Licht will nail it this year.
February 5th, 2018 at 9:45 am
MadMax … Didn’t mean to seem like a ‘Debbie Downer’ but danged this sheet is getting old. I’ve been a Bucs’ fan since 1982, and with the exception of maybe 10 years (max) in there, my Bucs left a LOT to be desired. But still I’ve kept rooting for them (kinda like the greyhound with only 3 legs … he’s never gonna win at the track, but he’s so love-able you let him race anyways).
Far as the Bucs letting our best talent walk (or trading them away), that’s what losers do. And that’s why they’re losers … they don’t know how to build a real T-E-A-M. Both the Pats & Eagles were built in much the same way it seems to me: they drafted well over a number of years, they developed a strong core & only added pieces (through FA & trades) where the NEED existed. Both have very imaginative coaching staffs (quality coaches) & both had excellent leadership on the field (and yes, Tom Brady AND Nick Foles both provided outstanding leadership AND consistently made critical plays one right after another). There’s really no magic to it IMO: a winning culture starts at the very top (with the ownership AND management), progresses through the coaching staff all the way down to putting quality players on the field (with strong depth behind them). Bucs aren’t even close to that IMO … at any level.
But ya know what, I still love ’em. And undoubtedly always will. Gets back to that 3-legged greyhound I guess.
February 5th, 2018 at 9:53 am
Yeah Im with you @Defense, hanging in there too. Very good comparison there, pulling for the 3 legged dog, lol pretty much sums it up for me. Ive been a fan since 1998 when I got into defense and reads. Been growing since and still have much more to learn….we never stop learning.
February 5th, 2018 at 9:55 am
@MadMax … “we never stop learning.” B-I-N-G-O !!!
February 5th, 2018 at 9:56 am
@Defense Rules
The Bucs are building through the draft, and most of those drafts since Licht arrived have been good ones. I understand the frustrations. I feel them too.
But I do NOT think we are as bad off as a lot of fans seem to think. We only need a couple pieces added to be great, most of them on defense.
This entire draft should be for defense. We can get a good RB in free agency. There are always RBs who have been great who consider retiring because teams went younger. Great RBs.
February 5th, 2018 at 10:12 am
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
February 5th, 2018 at 9:45 am
pewterpirate99 Says
“…what makes you think that Licht has the brain power or the testicular fortitude for that matter to go out there and make this team better in free agency? Obviously he hasn’t done it yet…”
While his weakest area certainly is free agency (veteran evaluation apparently), your statement is not entirely true.
We have several free agents that have been successes that he brought in. Yes, he’s had just as many failures, and fans tend to see the failures more than anything else, but there have been successes. Just not enough.
I would not give up just yet. Licht will nail it this year.
Buccaneer Bonzai I really appreciate your optimism and positivity , but I will respectively disagree with you. What free agents other than Brent Grimes, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Clinton McDonald has he brought in here that has been a impact player on this team? Not D. Jackson, that guy has been mediocre at best. Having 668 yards and 3 TD’s doesn’t impress me. Now I know it’s partly because of the ridiculous play calling by Coach Duffus, but you are what your stats say you are. I was expecting a lot more from D. Jackson. I’m sorry but I’ve had enough of this regime. Licht has had more failures then success in his FA evaluation.
February 5th, 2018 at 10:58 am
I have total confidence that this front office has no idea what they’re doing with free agency and or the draft. The proof is in the product.
February 5th, 2018 at 11:12 am
Why wouldn’t they re-sign their current teams though. They’ve already begun by resigning the entire BS coaching staff.
February 5th, 2018 at 11:57 am
Oh yeah brah, easy as 1-2-3. Right back in to playoffs no prob.
We’ve been saying that around here for the past 15 years. It’s almost as if everyone in this area are completely impervious just just how FAR we are from being anywhere near capable of what the Eagles did last night from the play calling to the players, the depth. And please do not reference a Thursday night game early in the season that the Patriots didn’t give two sh*ts about.
February 5th, 2018 at 12:21 pm
Mike Sobleski of Bleacher Report believes the Bucs defense needs “massive upgrades” to contend for meaningful games next January.
News Flash!LMAO
February 5th, 2018 at 1:28 pm
go for the face30 Says:
February 5th, 2018 at 11:57 am
Oh yeah brah, easy as 1-2-3. Right back in to playoffs no prob.
We’ve been saying that around here for the past 15 years. It’s almost as if everyone in this area are completely impervious just just how FAR we are from being anywhere near capable of what the Eagles did last night from the play calling to the players, the depth. And please do not reference a Thursday night game early in the season that the Patriots didn’t give two sh*ts about.
Exactly right!!!
February 5th, 2018 at 1:30 pm
Sign 2 of the best pass rushers available. Draft one in first 2 rounds and one in round 3 or 4. Sign two rbs and draft one or reverse. Sign a corner and draft one. For offense I would say just see if yoy can sign or draft a guard or even a center and move market back. If yoy can do that with both guard spots even better. If we coukd actually manage to do all thag and half of those free agents or draft picks work out well then we’d be looking competitive at least
February 5th, 2018 at 2:56 pm
The Bucs are the anti-Patriots. Their disappointing season is a loss in the Super Bowl or an early exit in the conference championship. They win because they are built to win, because they make the tough decisions. That’s what good organizations do. It’s EXPECTED.
What do Buc fans expect? Well, add me to the list of long-time fans (1977-?) who have come to expect off-season optimism followed closely by gut-wrenching, alcohol consuming induced disappointment.
Frankly, I’m not sure that this will be an off-season of optimism. After all, we are expecting the same staff to deliver us from the basement that put us there to begin with. Color me unimpressed.
All that said….Go Bucs!!!
February 5th, 2018 at 2:59 pm
I think we’re further away talent-wise than some suggest. It’s not just the current holes we have to address, there are aging veterans at key positions that will also have to be weighed. Oh, and that’s assuming that our own FAs don’t sign with other teams.
February 5th, 2018 at 3:17 pm
I stand by every word of my above post … the last three seasons featured a COMPLETE SHOCK winning the NFC … it wouldn’t surprise me if the Cowboys, Lions, Rams, Bucs, Vikings, or about 6 other teams represented the NFC in the SuperBowl next year … but it would be a complete shock if anyone other than the Pats, Steelers, or maybe Jaguars represented the AFC … teams can be completely turned around in one offseason and the Rams, Eagles, Jaguars and Saints all were proof of that this past season …
February 5th, 2018 at 8:25 pm
NFLnut
Agree 100%. I’m not certain but we have as much chance to turn around as we do to suck and get Koetter and Smitty fired.
It comes down to health..especially two players at critical position…obviously we can’t afford to have #3 struggle with a bum shoulder and speaking of shoulders…Noah was just coming into his own…if he’s not healthy we’re probably hosed unless we get incredibly LUCKY in the draft.
Again DE’s and DT’s do not usually blossom in year one..Sapp..8 games and only 3 sacks his rookie year…the next year he blew up with 9 sacks. We need to have Noah healthy because he has enough experience now to get some sacks…or at least disturb the QB. He had five sacks his rookie year…again with a bum shoulder. We absolutely need a break and have him healthy!!!
February 6th, 2018 at 6:50 am
Releasing Robert Ayers? Our best DE? Bad move. Clinton McDonald is a free agent and so is Brent Grimes, Keith Tandy, Sealver Siliga and Will Clarke on defense. Re-signing the 31-year-old interior defender McDonald and Grimes are a must. On offense re-sign Evan Smith, Charles Sims, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Kevin Pamphile. The money is there. Next sign Aqib Talib/Morris Claiborne/Malcom Butler in FA. Sign a DT Bennie Logan, Nick Fairly or Star Lotulelei. Draft the guard Nelson in the first round and the best DE in the second round.