Father Dungy Talks JPP
April 10th, 2018
The transaction that completely transformed Buccaneers fandom is easy to pinpoint this year.
And Father Dungy seems to feel it, too.
The Hall of Fame head coach was a guest on WDAE-AM 620 recently and was asked about the trade of a third-round pick for defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul. The Bucs also favorably swapped fourth-round picks with the Giants in the deal.
Father Dungy loved the move on all fronts but thinks JPP isn’t what he used to be.
“I think he still has the ability to do [pass rush]. I don’t think he’s the player that he was before the hand injury because, you know, something’s taken away there: your ability to grab and utilize all those fingers,” Dungy said. “But he’s an exceptional athlete. I think he’s going to be motivated to play here. He’s what we need. Sometimes it’s that just special moment where a perfect storm comes together and you get the qualities that you need, when it’s needed, and it really blossoms. So let’s see if that happens, but he definitely brings an element that we really need.”
Interesting to hear Dungy say he thinks JPP will be “motivated to play here.” Dungy knows how it goes with free agents and/or new veteran arrivals to any team. Sometimes they follow the Tampa paths of Michael “Ghost” Johnson, Albert Haynesworth and Chris “Swaggy” Baker.
The word on JPP is that he’s an infectious competitor who grinds and grinds on every snap, playing the most defensive snaps in the NFL last year. He’s also got a Super Bowl ring and formative years under Tom Coughlin.
Please, please, JPP, please don’t fail.
April 10th, 2018 at 11:09 am
The additions of JPP and Curry coupled with a healthy Spence (if he can stay that way) Will free up GMC to wreak havoc up the middle!
Now trade back and get Davenport or Taven Bryan and we will Really be talking Pass rush!
April 10th, 2018 at 11:10 am
I think he’s going to bring that spark that we need to kick start our pass rush. Ideally, everyone else on the defensive front will feed off of each other.
April 10th, 2018 at 11:11 am
SB I am much more comfortable taking Davenport now. He and Spence would develop nicely under JPP.
April 10th, 2018 at 11:16 am
Well of course he’s motivated, the young BULL is coming home.
April 10th, 2018 at 11:16 am
“we”
April 10th, 2018 at 11:20 am
Taking a DE high in this draft is still absolutely vital. Back in their glory days the Giants weren’t winning because of Eli Manning, they were winning because they had an 8 deep layer of D-linemen who were quality. The Bucs at this moment might be 4-5 deep for players who’d absolutely make another roster. 3-4 of those guys have ability to get to a QB, depending on Spence.
If the Bucs neglect drafting a DE high, we might be regretting it badly 2-3 years from now. They don’t come out instantly developed. Having them here this year prepares them for when we’ll have to them producing in 2019-2020. A good GM has to think beyond what this year’s results need to be.
April 10th, 2018 at 11:21 am
Come on Glazers do the right thing Tony Dungy for the Ring of Honor this season.
April 10th, 2018 at 11:25 am
Davenport would complete our defensive line, but can we afford to draft him over a defensive back or running back? Overall YES because great defense began with the pass rush. Plus Davenport and Spence can learn how to play the position from proven veterans and we can keep them fresh.
April 10th, 2018 at 11:36 am
I’m very curious to see what the JPP signing does for McCoy. Lets face it, he has never had somebody lined up on the outside that defenses had to account for.
If JPP can take just a little pressure off McCoy, out entire line looks different.
Thats not even taking the other defensive line signings into account.
April 10th, 2018 at 11:38 am
Imagine our line if Chubb falls
We could have two 10 sack guys
Seems weird to say…
April 10th, 2018 at 11:38 am
For some reason I can’t shake the feeling that Davenport may be better than Chubb when it’s all said and done. If you were to tell me that I could trade down and possibly add picks to address other needs ie. LG, RB, CB OR S(no particular order) I’m likely making the trade without hesitation. In Licht’s case, it comes down to the board situated in the war room.
April 10th, 2018 at 11:39 am
Lowell Lotuleilei at pick 144 in Round 5 would allow GMC some much needed snap reduction thereby extending his career , and he can begin the grooming process to take the starting role in a couple of years. At 6-2 315 he is a Heck of a run stuffer and will supply 3-4 sacks per year , once he assumes a starting role. His brother Star has been teaching him the little secrets it takes to excel in the league.
April 10th, 2018 at 11:39 am
Luke Easterling’s most recent mock draft is the perfect storm. Trade back with the Pats & draft:
1st Rd- OG Hernandez
1st Rd- CB Alexander
2nd Rd-DT Payne
2nd Rd-SS Harrison
2nd Rd-RB Penny
4th Rd-DE Ejiofor
April 10th, 2018 at 11:45 am
Easterling’s mock is more homer than any of the one’s we’ve put together here.
New England never trades up like that. If we trade down it’ll be into the teens with Miami/Buffalo/Arizona.
I keep seeing tons of mocks where 3 QBs and the big 3 are gone by 7; yet no mocks project a trade with the Bucs and they just have guys like Mayfield or ALlen falling till Buffalo or Miami takes them at 11 or 12.
I’m sorry but wtf mockers that isn’t going to happen. 2 teams in the same division. You think Buffalo is just going to say “f*ck it Miami can take our guy” after making all these moves to build up draft capital while having a desperate QB need?
April 10th, 2018 at 11:45 am
RawBucsFan….I like everything but Penny, maybe a RB with an earlier 2nd round pick.
April 10th, 2018 at 11:45 am
If the draft falls anywhere close to what Luke’s mock suggests, that’s one hell of a haul. Talk about wishful thinking…..
April 10th, 2018 at 11:47 am
Also I see a ton of trade downs with the Giants to 12.
That isn’t happening either. If it does then it’s the biggest smoke screen I’ve ever heard of.
For one – they should have just made the trade with the Jets then.
Second – every prospect they are interviewing is either a QB or the big 3 (Barkley/Chubb/Nelson). They haven’t been linked to anyone outside that top 5-6 range.
Giants at most will move back to like 4 or 5 imo. Maybe they do that if their QB they want goes at 1 and the Broncos want to take some guy they don’t care about. Even then – they likely stay and take the Blue Chip prospect of their choice.
I CANT TAKE THIS GUYS STILL 2 + MORE WEEKS LOL
April 10th, 2018 at 11:58 am
SB
I agree….davenport or t.bryan but I would prefer bryan because of his versatility…..he can play 43 or 34….he can play DT or DE…..his game is very very similar to cam Jordan of the saints…..uses brute strength to over power linemen…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
April 10th, 2018 at 12:00 pm
@Wausa,
I noticed that too. Great to hear that from the old ball coach.
April 10th, 2018 at 12:01 pm
Why are people advocating for the Bucs to reach for a DE this year when the class is extremely weak?? Beyond Chubb its slim pickins for a true 4-3 DE. Doesn’t mean you don’t take a chance on a guy you like in the 5th or 6th rd – but burning a 1st rd pick on a 3-4 OLB pass rusher like Davenport or Landry just because we need more pass rush help – that just seems like a very bad idea.
Its a pretty good class of DTs so if you want to continue bolstering the Dline – then look there in early rds this year. Next year will be a much better crop of DEs to choose from.
Just stop it with the wishing for Davenport – for God’s sake. He’s probably going to go top 20 which is about 25 spots too high…
April 10th, 2018 at 12:07 pm
@Pickgrin
I agree for the most part but I do like Duke Ejiofor / Chad Thomas / Ade Aruna if the value is right later.
All have the body types. Ejiofor in particular was pretty productive in college and has most every pass rush move even if he isn’t an elite athlete.
Aruna is just a physical freak at 6’6 / 262 lbs / with a 4.6 40 and top 2 verts and broad jumps. Would be a project but would love to add him with a R5/R6 pick if there and see if something clicks after a year or 2
April 10th, 2018 at 12:24 pm
LC – I’ would be perfectly happy if picks 5,6,6 and 7 ALL get used for promising DL and OL prospects. If you “hit” on even 1 of them it was a wise investment.
April 10th, 2018 at 12:24 pm
raw
I like everything about the mock except for penny…..guice and scarbrough are the guys I want…..1 angry runner and 1 powerful runner…..we need a big strong powerful back that is a guarantee for short yardage situation and someone who can wear down defenses after guice and barber soften them up…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
April 10th, 2018 at 12:26 pm
How much has the loss of his hand affected his game?
April 10th, 2018 at 12:30 pm
I agree 813. I think Taven Bryan will be a household name in a couple years.
April 10th, 2018 at 1:02 pm
If Dungy is considered the Father and Gruden as favorite son….
What does that make Raheem, Schiano and Lovie????
April 10th, 2018 at 1:42 pm
@GhostofSchiano
Larry, Moe and Curly?
April 10th, 2018 at 1:48 pm
I’m cautiously optimistic regarding JPP…he simply isn’t near the same player he was before his firecracker folly ( sorry…sad but true )…the Giants saw that…realized their sunk costs ( contract and otherwise ) and got a high 3rd rounder who will be cost effective for at least 4 years.
April 10th, 2018 at 1:49 pm
Dungy comes in for a couple of minutes and makes more sense than anyone we got now at OBP.
Outstanding coach and man.
Too bad the new found “patience” wasn’t applied to him. Or Gru.
That is reserved for losers apparently.
April 10th, 2018 at 3:32 pm
What Dungy said is 100% correct as it’s impossible to be the same guy he was when he had two full hands, but I don’t think people think JPP is going to have 16 sacks and be in consideration for league DMVP either. I mean if it happens, amazing, but unless you’re a complete dolt just getting a solid season out of JPP, maybe hitting 9-10 sacks and just consistently applying pressure is a giant upgrade.
April 10th, 2018 at 4:07 pm
Love that he is still invested in the Bucs. Using the word we, is excited, and hopeful for improvement. JPP will never be the same player but is still a very good one and very productive. McCoy should see the biggest improvement. Time for him live up to the hype
April 10th, 2018 at 9:11 pm
Vita should still be on the board of you didn’t promise the tackle postions to a backup.
April 10th, 2018 at 9:14 pm
The reason you still draft a DE is because your 1 injury from being in the same spot of not having a past rush
April 11th, 2018 at 1:03 am
Buc fans though are being lulled to sleep thinking..we have conquered the rush problem with the additions of JPP and Curry. We have not. Dungy is spot on. JPP will be good. But he needs lots of help. We need to get another quality DE in the draft. You can never have enough of them. I’d even go De over a Defensive back.
April 11th, 2018 at 1:42 am
Bring On Davenport!!!!!