Mark Dominik: Hold Up On The Defensive Housecleaning, Le’Veon Bell A Possibility
January 10th, 2019
The Tampa Bay general manager with the most wins over the past 10 years was talking about the Bucco Bruce Arians hire today, along with a potential Bucs target in free agency.
Former rock star GM Mark Dominik was on WDAE-AM 620 and first referenced the difficult transition to a new head coach for a working general manager, something he experienced when Raheem Morris in 2011.
That’s the predicament Dominik believes Jason Licht found himself in last month.
“If you’re having conversations with the Glazers about, you know, who the next coach is going to be and you’re looking at Dirk Koetter walking down the hallway, and all the other coaches that may or may not hold their jobs, that’s a hard place to be in,” Dominik said. “But that’s part of being a general manager.”
Dominik went on to caution fans about assuming there will be massive overhaul of the defense and that a base 3-4 defense is guaranteed to appear in Tampa next season. The reason, he said, is because new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles is a master at working with the talent he has, and a master at adding great pieces in the draft.
Dominik said Bowles will run a 4-3 defense if that’s what best. But there will be a “massive push to work on the back end on that defense,” he added.
On free agency, Dominik said running back Le’Veon Bell is a possible target for the Bucs because of what rookie Ronald Jones did/didn’t show this season, but Dominik said it’s more likely Arians is thinking he got All-Pro David Johnson as a third-round pick with Arizona and would prefer to spend big free agency money on the secondary and/or offensive line.
January 10th, 2019 at 2:26 pm
F#ck no to Le’Veon Bell. Guy wants to be the highest paid RB in the game. 23 year old kareem Hunt is the better choice and likely getting him cheaper than he would be with his serious legal problems at the moment. Certainly be cheaper year one.
January 10th, 2019 at 2:28 pm
investment in the offensive line is an investment in the running game. You don’t need to get a high priced RB if you’re just going to run him in to a line that doesn’t create any holes for him. If we don’t eventually start doing some quality work there, and on the defensive line, then all of these other conversations about skill position and secondary players are meaningless
January 10th, 2019 at 2:30 pm
Mark Dominic again????? Come on Joe!!!! Got a lot of respect for you with your call on Arians, but you bring here Dominic quite a lot…..and the truth is what this guy has to say is irrelevant…..
January 10th, 2019 at 2:31 pm
If we get Bell I will stop watching the Bucs.
January 10th, 2019 at 2:33 pm
My understanding is that the Giants let JPP go because they were switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4. What kind of sense does it make to take your best Dlineman and make him obsolete?
January 10th, 2019 at 2:37 pm
You will not stop watching the Bucs. If they sign Bell a running back and a threat out the backfield catching. That will open up the intermediate throws for Winston and Winston is probably the best QB in the league at throwing the intermediate routes.
January 10th, 2019 at 2:41 pm
Realistically, how in the hell are we going to get David Johnson? At least Bell won’t cost us draft picks and has at least 2 years left in him.
January 10th, 2019 at 2:45 pm
Demetrios, hes talking about how they got a quality running back like David Johnson in the 3rd round of the draft…. not actually going to get David Johnson from a trade
January 10th, 2019 at 2:46 pm
i actually agree with dom on this one…lol….
i dont think we’ll make a complete switch and bell is a possibility….
we need an RB that can be on par with: c-man, AK & MI and freeman….
no risk it no biscuit remember!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
January 10th, 2019 at 2:48 pm
syl
i agree…
GO BUCS!!!!
January 10th, 2019 at 2:49 pm
We have no idea what we even have in Barber and Rojo until we can see an offensive line capable of opening holes for them. It makes no sense to spend big on a RB until then.
@SeminoleBill
That has been addressed. Our new Defensive Coordinator is adept at running either defense, according to his personnel fits.
January 10th, 2019 at 2:54 pm
I think that the defense will have some changes. I don’t think Kwon will be back. I really think he is more suited to play outside in a 4-3. He also misses alot of tackles in space. I think JPP will play another season with the Bucs. I can see them using him like John Abraham when he got to Arizona under Bowles. He will be utilized and he will still be effective unless someone comes offering a 2nd or 3rd round pick for him. I’m not sure what will happen to McCoy. I think his only options is trade or release. I think if release he will have a market but he will not have the money had in Tampa but there will be teams after him. If that happens I can see Atlanta trying to go after him.
January 10th, 2019 at 2:54 pm
As of today January 10th 2019
This defense still sucks. Gonna have to make personal changes on that side of the ball.
January 10th, 2019 at 2:55 pm
Kareem Hunt.
Let him room with crotch grabbing Jameis.
January 10th, 2019 at 2:55 pm
I wish people would stop talking about Hunt. If this guy does get picked up he is likely to be suspended for a very long time. We don’t need that. Waste money on someone who won’t help?
January 10th, 2019 at 2:57 pm
@Seminole Bill,
The alignment (34 v 43) is far less important than the gap scheme (one-gap v two-gap). There are plenty of 34 defenses that incorporate one-gap styles, and plenty of 43 defenses that play a two-gap style, and plenty of both alignment styles that incorporate mixed gap schemes – this last one is something Bill Belichick is famous for doing. For what it’s worth, Bowles has mostly used an aggressive and attacking one-gap scheme, regardless of the alignment, during his career.
January 10th, 2019 at 2:57 pm
With Murray in the draft, we are sitting in great position again (just in front of the Giants) to trade down.
January 10th, 2019 at 3:01 pm
Bell would be incredible for the Bucs offense. The Bucs have had a horrific running game and Leveon Bell is one of the top backs in the NFL.
However, I would rather the Bucs hopefully fix a few more holes on the roster
If the Bucs stay with a 4/3
My realistic wish list of free agent signings:
Roger Saffold G LA Rams
Tre Boston S Arizona
Tevin Coleman RB Atlanta
Mark Ingram RB New Orleans
Ronald Darby CB Philadelphia(had surgery but should be good to go by camp)
Sign Adam Humphries long term
Sign Kwon Alexander one year prove it deal
Franchise Donavan Smith (the 2020 draft is much better at the offensive tackle position compared to 2019 so he can explore free agency then unless he has a great year)
Cut Desean Jackson, Caleb Benenoch, William Gholsten, Evan Smith, Noah Spence, Mitch Unrein, Bryan Anger and Ronald Jones.
January 10th, 2019 at 3:03 pm
I don’t agree on Bell….
But I do agree that massive changes to the Defense may not be necessary…..let’s add a few pieces in FA & the draft…..and let’s fix the Oline.
January 10th, 2019 at 3:03 pm
Yes that’s what Jameis needs, Darby on his team.
January 10th, 2019 at 3:04 pm
I don’t want Bell, it’s good on paper but this guys ego is worse than Desean Jackson’s..this is the last thing the Bucs need in a cleaninghouse if the culture.
With guys like Bell, 1 thing goes wrong and everything falls apart.
Remember he’s used to being on a winning team. He would not and will not survive as Buc.
January 10th, 2019 at 3:06 pm
Bruce gave a great answer for you folks so hung up on our defensive alignment. Nickel is played in the NFL probably 60 to 75% of the time which essentially has you lined up in a 4 man front. They will be multiple just like most teams in the NFL at this point. Stop worrying about this question as it is no big deal.
January 10th, 2019 at 3:08 pm
Bring in Kareem Hunt!!!!
Kareem is innocent
He was not found guilty in the court of law
But yah know he’s black so people will hate him for kicking a white girl that called him the N word
January 10th, 2019 at 3:12 pm
Yeah agree with 813 / Dom on the defense.
It’d be easier to stay in a 4-3 in terms of the pieces we’d need to change out and add vs a 3-4.
It’d be more ideal from a cap management / team management standpoint to find a RB in the draft vs signing Leveon Bell, but I’d be open to the signing just for what he would do to the offense and how easy he’d make life for Winston.
If we could get Bell for like $15 mill then we could basically swap McCoy for him on our books.
If you look at it like that; I’d rather have:
Leveon Bell at $15 mill at age 27 +
1st round DT to replace Gerald McCoy and pair with Vea for the next decade
vs
Gerald McCoy in his 30s at $13 million
Some rookie RB + scrap heap FA RB +
Ideally we would swap McCoy out and use that $$ on either:
O-line
CB
S
And draft DT and find a stud RB in Round 3
Damnit rojo
January 10th, 2019 at 3:14 pm
Lord Cornelius
Agree with some of your points but we cannot afford to use another 1st rounder on a defensive tackle again. Don’t make the same mistake twice, the Bucs desperately need secondary help.
January 10th, 2019 at 3:14 pm
they had a press conference at 230 its on the bucs site. wish i would have known about it
January 10th, 2019 at 3:18 pm
They’re not going to stay in a 4-3 defense to satisfy Kwon, and David. Kwon is coming off an ACL, he won’t be able to participate in OTA’s, or training camp. Might not be ready for the season. David is on the down side of his career, if he can play in a 3-4 fine, if he can’t, good bye. Beckwith probably can, but who knows if he’ll be healthy. The rest can go work at Lowes. Are we going to stay in a 4-3 for McCoy, and JPP? They’re on the back end of their careers, and McCoy can pound sand now. We’ve sucked with all these great players in a 4-3 forever, why keep it? Now is the best time to make the switch.
January 10th, 2019 at 3:21 pm
Why does this guy get any air time? Just be quiet please no one cares about your opinion. Unlike mine of course 😂😂😂
January 10th, 2019 at 3:28 pm
A RB? Isn’t that what the 8th round of the draft is for? Hello Phillip Lindsay anyone? Is this thing working? Plus didn’t we just hire THE rb whisperer ?
If the Bucs spend 15m on a RB, the thought alone make me want to puke.
January 10th, 2019 at 3:28 pm
No way they pay Bell at $15+ mill and Winston at 21 mill. Evans? You’ll have 5 guys eating 40% of the cap. Not happening. Wake up.
January 10th, 2019 at 3:29 pm
No Bell or any other whiner malcontents.
January 10th, 2019 at 3:35 pm
Bucs fan 7423, so you’re saying fight words with physical assault? Man there are some mentally weak people.
January 10th, 2019 at 3:41 pm
Bucs fan #7423
So what you are saying is that it’s OK for me to kick people every time I’m called “cracker?”
News Flash: don’t be so sensitive.
January 10th, 2019 at 3:48 pm
I’m with the group here who say NO to Leveon Bell. A team trying to turn around it’s “culture” should not be involved with one of the biggest head cases in the league.
I have a lot of respect for Mike Tomlin and the entire Steelers organization…one of the top 2 or 3 owners in the entire NFL.
If they struggled with LeVeon how do we suppose an organization like the Bucs that has continually been used by malcontents and losers would handle it any better?
Kareem Hunt is different. He had one major HORRID situation.
AGAIN…since my ole man beat the hell out of my mother…one time I honestly thought she would die….I just HATE any wuss that feels the need to put his hands on a freaking woman. Man up….grow a pair…it doesn’t matter what she calls you and does anybody know whether she dropped the n bomb before or after he hit her? Not really that important. Kicking a woman when she’s down is simply WRONG!!! BIG TIME!!!
Kareem’s violations bother me far worse than JW”s because JW’s amorous moves might have been inappropriate but he wasn’t violent…didn’t try to injure any woman. JW may be guilty of disrespect but I don’t think he ever thought to harm these women. He was wrong but we all make mistakes.
Between Kareem and Leveon though I’d lean to Kareem because it’s a one time thing and he truly seems contrite. Leveon has been a dik for a long time now and he has the potential to destroy a locker room. I do not see that in Kareem. He made a HUGE mistake which as the son of a wife beater is hard for me to forgive….but…who knows. Just NO Leveon. He’s a superior talent, with a superior EGO and greed. He is the OPPOSITE of a team player!
January 10th, 2019 at 3:48 pm
“Agree with some of your points but we cannot afford to use another 1st rounder on a defensive tackle again. Don’t make the same mistake twice, the Bucs desperately need secondary help.”
Our mistake has been prioritizing secondary players in the draft or FA over the front 7; and those rookie secondary players sucking because our front 7 had no pass rush to it and was a liability in the run game.
IMO at least.
Carolina has been using this model for like a decade. Dline Dline Dline. They had a top 10 scoring defense one year with their two starting outside CBs being 2nd and 3rd round draft picks.
Front 7 >>>>>>>>>>>s secondary
in the draft
for me at least
January 10th, 2019 at 3:49 pm
“Kobe’s opinions come from a unbiased and forward thinking point of view
Alot of people really dont understand Leveon Bells argument of WHY he wants 15 million per year contract
He is stating pay for MY PRODUCTION (1k run 1 k pass yards) and not my position (rush yards)
Bell is a duel threat player. He gains 2000 yards(run+pass yards)…PAY ME. AB makes 16 mill just no pass yards
Most uninformed people like the Kobe Haters following the national lazy journalism and they all scream he is a running back!…runningback!..etc
Bell will create havoc to the defense run and pass inside the 1st 10 yards while JW and recievers will completely destroy over the top
CUT CAM BRATE (7 mill or bring him back at the vet minimum)
CUT DEJAX (10 mil)
Get Bell and extend hump
2019 Bucs will shatter all and every offensive stat in the history of the NFL”
Kobe Faker
January 10th, 2019 at 3:55 pm
My belief is that you cannot do the complete switch to 3-4 in one off season…not and expect it to immediately be successful. So they will probably go with 4-3 and start adding players who fit both this year and next. And we’ll see a LOT of dime packages.
January 10th, 2019 at 3:58 pm
“ON THE DEFENSIVE SIDE…
Draft Greedy Williams or getthe top #1 FA man shutdown corner
Shutdown corner cutting half the field is a defensive coords best friend
if we are going to go more man defense with bowles we must have a elite #1 corner
Kobe wants Jalen Ramsey for our #5 and 4th round pick to Jax”
Kobe Faker
January 10th, 2019 at 4:00 pm
Doctor_berto Says:
January 10th, 2019 at 3:35 pm
Bucs fan 7423, so you’re saying fight words with physical assault? Man there are some mentally weak people.
_____
If you look at the video, you’d see the girl physically attacked him first
________
Anonymous Says:
January 10th, 2019 at 3:41 pm
Bucs fan #7423
So what you are saying is that it’s OK for me to kick people every time I’m called “cracker?”
News Flash: don’t be so sensitive.
_______
Yes it is okay for you to kick a black person if they call you a cracker lol. DON’T TALK SH#T IF YOU DON’T WANT THAT SMOKE!!!
LOL
January 10th, 2019 at 4:02 pm
Anonymous –
If black people don’t want you kicking them then they should not call you a cracker.
Simple as that
hahaha
January 10th, 2019 at 4:02 pm
Good day for defensive articles it looks like. I agree with most of what Dom said about the defense … I don’t think there’ll be a MASSIVE overhaul of our defense either, other than fixing the holes that we already obviously have (starting MLB & outside CB plus another quality DE). And oh ya, some DEPTH players (we’re weak there).
JPP ‘ain’t goin noplace’ IMO. He played 933 snaps on defense last year (2nd on the team to ME13’s 940 snaps on offense). That’s more defensive snaps than Curry (447), Gholston (402) & Spence (45) had ALL TOGETHER in 2018. It’d take TWO DEs to replace him, and we can’t afford that. And besides that, he’s a BEAST.
GMC ‘probably’ won’t be leaving either IMO, assuming that he’s willing to work for less to finish out his career here. For all the hate that he generates from some, most seem to recognize that he’s still a Top-5 or so DT. Only missed 2 games last year, playing 730 snaps. You don’t replace someone like GMC with a low-round draft pick, and we can’t afford to spend our #5 pick on a DT this year (too many other NEEDS right now). And Beau Allen wasn’t the answer (part-time player who barely played HALF the snaps that GMC did).
LOTS of questions behind the DLine, but again not sure how much we can AFFORD TO FIX in a single year. Our LB corps got pretty well banged up this past year and Kwon & Taylor are FAs right now. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if we didn’t re-sign Kwon, but instead grabbed a starting FA MLB in the next month or two. Would also bet that we’ll sign at least 1 starting outside CB AND 1 experienced Safety prior to the draft.
I know you’d like us to draft a DE at #5 Joe, but I still think Bucs greatest NEED right now is for a starting LT (Donovan just isn’t the long-term answer at LT, but I would love to see us re-sign him as a Guard IF the new coaching staff believes he can transition to that position). However, if the LT value pick isn’t there at #5, then drafting a DE at #5 would certainly be my next preference.
In any event, it’s gonna be an interesting next several months as the Bucs restructure their roster for BA & his coaching staff.
January 10th, 2019 at 4:06 pm
@Defense Rules
I could see them trading GMC if the right offer comes in.
January 10th, 2019 at 4:20 pm
A. Bell isn’t Jackson. He wants to be paid and knows his position is the shortest life. Jackson got his money and complains about everything and then is rewarded. Unless I’m mistaken I don’t see bell complaining when he’s paid.
B. Why are we talking about the draft in January. Didn’t we learn from last year? Went into off-season with d end biggest need and before draft it was no longer the biggest need. Also went in thinking Derwin or Fitzpatrick if Nelson or Chubb didn’t fall. Ended up trading down taking Vea. I’m not calling for it this year. Especially prior to free agency. Example we will probably sign matheiu and i don’t think it’s likely but what if we traded for Peterson ? Immediately makes the idea of greedy Williams a moot point. So hold off on the predictions and ideas. They’re all pointless. Free agent needs and wishlist totally different
C. Why are we talking about 3-4 vs 4-3. Arians and even koetter said the game is run through nickel and dime. Not gonna let go of talent like Lavonte and JPP to switch to a 3-4. Not a chance.
January 10th, 2019 at 4:28 pm
I agree Bonzai but I dont think it would take more than a 2-3 round draft pick to get McCoy from Licht.
January 10th, 2019 at 4:29 pm
LC
thats the perfect scenario…..
swap GMC for bell on the books…..
or keep GMC at a reduced salary(3years/18mil) and cut gholston, urein, and maybe restructure/cut brate….auclair looked good imo….dont know why licht was in such a rush to resign him….
either way we have to draft ed oliver or quentin williams at #5 to pair with vita….our replacement for GMC is already on the roster in vita….we need to draft his running mate….if GMC stays, he’ll be great depth….
GO BUCS!!!!
January 10th, 2019 at 4:31 pm
I think it might be the best move to rework McCoy & Brate down to reality to resign Qwon and Hump
Let DSmith walk
Draft OT Williams at #5, best RG in rd 2, best RB in rd 3 and maybe another RB in 5 or 6
Use FA to sign secondary veterans in the same spots and LB and let the best men win..
When we start winning again, all of players are going to shoot up in value, we have to build with as many draft picks as possible for the long term benefit and short term cap savings…
January 10th, 2019 at 4:32 pm
If we can’t get a “generational” pick with that #5 work a deal and get more good players. Every player on our team cannot be like ME or JPP…we just need more quality athletes…getting two first rounders and an extra second rounder could really be a blast.
I think I’m still on the Greedy bandwagon. One pick could literally fix the back end of our defense. A 6-2 or 6-3 185…he’s coming out early so he’ll gain weight…”long” DB who has the rare talent of being able to cover the big guys in our division while still having enough athleticism to cover the small guys as well.
There are two tackles projected in the top five…surprise Bama’s offensive tackle and their defensive tackle…both areas of need so I wouldn’t be upset if they go that way.
I kind of like the Gator OT who still has room to improve. We might be able to trade down and still get him.
The draft is going to be fun this year and I have only ONE prediction. The fur will be flying as the debates over who to take break out on JBF. LMAO
January 10th, 2019 at 4:37 pm
Honey Badger coming to Tampa as a FA!!
January 10th, 2019 at 4:38 pm
i dont know why folks say we cant/should pick a DT @ #5….we cant/shouldnt go into the season with vita and GMC being the top at DT’s with a major drop off in talent after that….
we need to build quality depth at that position…the trenches in general….
imo, should draft linemen with our first 3 picks….if we have 7 picks 4 should be linemen with a RB,DB and LB sprinkled in…..
GO BUCS!!!!
January 10th, 2019 at 4:44 pm
im rooting for wester and liedtke(might’ve misspelled his name)…lol…
those 2 might be the most important pieces to the offensive puzzle….if they are trash along with benecoch and d.smith walks, then we’re screwed and have 0 depth,competition or experience on the oline…..
GO BUCS!!!!
January 10th, 2019 at 4:56 pm
L. Bell is is ripe for a big injury after that year off. Just sayin’
January 10th, 2019 at 5:20 pm
Draft greedy williams or trade down a few for deandre baker in first is my pick but i would love devin white in 1st t and treyvon mullins in 2nd. Sign honeybadger and trade a 3rd to cardinals for peterson. Both loved and played well with arians. Secondary would be pretty set
January 10th, 2019 at 5:32 pm
BTW this is not the first time Bell has held out. In addition he avoided training camp in 17 claiming he was protecting his body.
He started very slowly that year without any preparation….he’s great…but he does not walk on water.
January 10th, 2019 at 5:53 pm
“The Tampa Bay general manager with the most wins over the past 10 years“
LOL.
That’s the equivalent of the hottest stripper working the turesday lunch shift…
January 10th, 2019 at 5:54 pm
I guess most of you didn’t listen to BA at the press conference. In today’s NFL, you’re in Nickle D 75% of the time – which means 4 lineman.
No one exclusively plays one defense anymore.
Wake up.
January 10th, 2019 at 5:55 pm
Go get Tyrann Mathieu to wake up our lazy guys on defense.
CAN’T WAIT TIL SOME OF THESE BUMS ARE GONE!!!!
January 10th, 2019 at 6:04 pm
LeVeon Bell is coming. JW is a clown loser that will be gone by March 23
January 10th, 2019 at 6:12 pm
Bell would be that guy we need to open up our offense
January 10th, 2019 at 6:14 pm
Save that money for a QB that doesn’t get suspensions.
January 10th, 2019 at 6:51 pm
No Bell, If you are gonna take a chance on a RB like that, Get the rights to Kareem Hunt- no question about it. Negotiate a 4-6 game suspension with the NFL and sign his ass up for 4 years and have that thing so filled with incentives and clauses if he gets in trouble again, he gets cut without penalty to our cap- that is what Licht gets paid to do. Look at all the cry babies out tonight- Impressive.
January 10th, 2019 at 7:07 pm
@813bucboi … “we need to build quality depth at that position…the trenches in general.” Agree totally bucboi, BUT … there are offensive trenches and defensive trenches. Right now our defensive trench actually looks quite a better than our offensive trench (we’ve got TWO viable starters on our OLine IMO). I’d also love to draft a stud DT to pair with Vea, but right now we have a greater NEED for a stud LT to protect Jameis & help our running game. Donovan isn’t the long-term answer, and finding a stud LT in FA just doesn’t happen (without paying a king’s ransom that is, IF one’s available at all). We’ve got to use our #5 pick to draft a LT. And as much as I love Alabama, I don’t consider Williams to be a viable #5 pick (not big enough & not that athletic). It’ll be interesting to see how the Combine shakes out.
January 10th, 2019 at 8:45 pm
Please dint bring any of those Pittsdivas here!
January 10th, 2019 at 9:37 pm
People can say no Bell all they want, but there is no doubt adding him would make this offense lethal! If Arians is a no nonsense coach then why couldn’t he keep the consistently dominant Bell in check for what has already been described as “going for it now?” Btw, he has 3 more full seasons on the right side of 30 and will clearly be healthy.
January 11th, 2019 at 1:13 am
Did that guy jus say woman beating Kareem Hunt should be on our team because he will be cheaper than Leveon? You sir are a real P.O.S.!!
January 11th, 2019 at 7:08 am
I would rather have Kareem Hunt than Bell.
January 11th, 2019 at 10:12 am
Last thing the Bucs need at this point is another cancer in the locker room like Bell or Ant Brown. But I don’t think it would be a bad idea to talk to K Hunt which I would also rather have. Remember the Bengals took a chance with Mixon & that turned out pretty well. (so far)