Back To The Future
February 23rd, 2019
Go back to step forward.
Should the Bucs reach back into their past for a player that could help rescue the team from drowning in Buccaneers Cove (last place in the NFC South)?
That’s the suggestion from Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report. On the left coast is a player that was run out of Tampa Bay by that noted football savant inept Lovie Smith. Like so many other defensive players Lovie had no use for, cornerback Rashaan Melvin had success as a starter in the NFL away from Lovie Tampa Bay.
Davenport, noting how void the Bucs are for starting cornerback talent (they have a Budweiser warehouse full of nickel corners), believes Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht should right a past wrong and bring Melvin back to the team that discovered him in the first place.
In recent years, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have struggled mightily to stop the pass. Last season was no different, with the Bucs ranking 26th against the pass, surrendering 259.4 yards per game. That was actually an improvement over 2017, when Tampa was dead last against the pass. The Buccaneers were 22nd in pass defense in 2016. That is, as they say in technical terms, ungood.
Tampa’s need at cornerback is amplified by the pending free agency of veteran Brent Grimes, who looked every bit of 36 years old for the team last year. Unfortunately, as things stand, the Buccaneers aren’t in position for a spending spree, with less than $16 million in cap space.
In other words, the Buccaneers are going to need to hit the half-off rack and look at a player like Oakland’s Rashaan Melvin. The 29-year-old actually spent his first two seasons in Tampa, and while he’s played for four teams since and has never played in all 16 games in a season, Melvin’s a steady vet presence when healthy.
This is just about a perfect suggestion. Not only would it irritate Chucky, it’s a good bargain. Melvin won’t break the bank and gives the Bucs a starting corner with experience in case Vernon Hargreaves can’t answer the bell. Melvin started seven game for the Raiders last season and played in 14.
Joe understands a number of Bucs fans are clamoring for Licht to draft this tackling allergic corner from LSU, Greedy Williams. Joe believes that would be irresponsible. The Bucs have spent three premium draft picks on corners the past three years. Time to either develop these guys, or buy a corner and quit ignoring other areas of the team that need high draft picks.
February 23rd, 2019 at 2:15 pm
Greedy William’s may not be a terrific tackler but he’s by far the best corner in this draft when you take in to account both his skill in coverage where he is unrivaled in this class and his physical gifts. He is nearly 6’3 and has ridiculously long arms.
He’d be a great target if we were to trade down a couple spots to a corner back needy team and were still able to pick up elite prospects like Dre’mont Jones or Jaylon Ferguson in the early 2nd.
After all then we could let one of Joe’s favorite punching bags Ryan Smith hit the road. Plus we still have to replace money stealing load Grimes who was far more allergic to tackling than Greedy was last season.
February 23rd, 2019 at 2:19 pm
Carlton Davis is going to be a really good player. Hes a lock for a starting position. Next is to replace Brent Grimes which could be done by placing a tackling dummy in his spot. I like the idea of getting a solid bargain CB in FA like Melvin and then having Hargreaves and MJ Stewart battle it out for the nickel spot.
February 23rd, 2019 at 2:21 pm
Or we could trade down a spot or 2 and draft Devin White who is a sure fire prowler at MLB for whatever team lands him. And then we could draft JoeJaun James who’s slightly taller than Greedy but is straight jacked. I mean this kid is an absolute unit. He’s incredible in press man and a dynamite tackler but needs work in some areas.
February 23rd, 2019 at 2:22 pm
If Rashaan can play eight and creampuff Hargreaves Manages to shy away from contact for eight,we have a good chance to cover the season.
February 23rd, 2019 at 2:24 pm
Trade down to a quarterback needy team rather is what I meant to say.
February 23rd, 2019 at 2:39 pm
Melvin would be cool. Don’t depend on Hargreeves.
February 23rd, 2019 at 3:14 pm
Why is there so much unwillingness to allow for the guys we drafted last year to develop? Many players make great strides from year one to two. Don’t we have better coaches now?
And F that “irritate Chucky” comment. I like and respect Jon Gruden. Just like Coach Dungy. Neither asked to leave. Stop with that nonsense, Joe.
February 23rd, 2019 at 3:33 pm
I also think Carlton is going to be a good solid #1. I’ve saw Melvin on the FA list and thought he might be a good dude to bring back. His problem here was health and this year (as opposed to others) we cannot afford to pay him 5-6M to sit on the bench.
As far as Greedy, I’m not sure on him. Lots of people saying he is raw but has great athleticism. I think drafting a CB or any other position besides DL in the top 10 of THIS draft is absolutely asinine. White could be good if we trade down but if we take anything but DL with #5 then Licht just outsmarted himself once again.
February 23rd, 2019 at 3:34 pm
Fully in agreement Joe’s. Time to go a different route with filling the holes at CB
February 23rd, 2019 at 3:39 pm
VH3 was starting to produce until his injury…..if he can stay healthy, he’ll be fine……we do need another CB…..and FA is the best place for experience.
I agree that Carlton Davis has great potential…..he was thrown into the fire last year and I’m sure he learned a great deal…..at times he actually looked pretty good.
And….haven’t we always made failed investments in CBs?……How about Revis….Jonathan Banks, Myron Lewis?…..I mean, the list goes on.
February 23rd, 2019 at 3:52 pm
Bus have Davis, VHIII, Stewart, Ryan Smith & Rivers under contract right now. Davis has probably the best chance to become a starter outside, and folks shouldn’t count out Ryan Smith just yet with better coaching. Several nickel CBs obviously, but we desperately need another starter outside. Several OK free agent CBs, but none really jump at me as a ‘must-have’. But hopefully Todd Bowles and his coaches will see something in someone who we can bring in at a reasonable price & who’ll fill our need for a starter outside AND provide a veteran presence for our younger CBs.
February 23rd, 2019 at 3:55 pm
Buy a safety. Draft the trenches. And remove the contracts of beau Allen, Gholston, cam Brate, Djax, and Evan Smith ASAP.
February 23rd, 2019 at 4:38 pm
Davis, VH3, Stewart and Ryand Smith will all look better than most expect this year I imagine.
Bucs do need to bring in an affordable FA CB though. One with at least some outside starting experience…
February 23rd, 2019 at 4:41 pm
The only pass defense worse than the Bucs was the Raiders….
So we’d be trading a starter from the 2nd worst pass defense, for a starter from THE worst defense.
That’s a hard pass for me.
February 23rd, 2019 at 4:42 pm
Pickgrin – If Ryan Smith, who has literally been the worst corner in football since he got here, is still on this team come the regular season then Licht needs to be fired, immeditially, since it means he’s left the defense so devoid of talent that they’re still relying a truly God awful player.
February 23rd, 2019 at 4:44 pm
Whatever Munch…
Ryan Smith visibly improved last year. He’s not half as bad as you are saying…
February 23rd, 2019 at 4:46 pm
Plus Smith is a damn good gunner on special teams – so while he’s still on his rookie 4th rd contract he will be a Buccaneer for that reason alone….
SMH at your stupid take….
February 23rd, 2019 at 4:47 pm
He did improve. Interesting to see what happen with some coaching.
February 23rd, 2019 at 5:08 pm
Ryan Smith was our highest rated cb last year. I’m not saying that’s a positive but it is true.
VHIII is going to play great in Bowles system. I haven’t been a big VH fan in the past but this system is tailored to his style of play.
February 23rd, 2019 at 5:19 pm
Our need for DBs is only part of the problem.
People look at have the worst rated passing D. Blaming it all on the DBs is lazy and wrong.
Our LBers are very much a major contributor. TEs and slot receivers eat us alive. A ton of the yardage given up is right over the middle and not designed to expose our CBs.
Just don’t pretend that we are a CB or 2 away from having a good pass D. That is far from the truth.
February 23rd, 2019 at 5:28 pm
Agreed about Ryan Smith. He played a fine year and did very good in coverage. Feel very comfortable with him as a depth player for us.
As far as Hargreaves goes I would expect what he has shown us…….nothing. If he becomes a contributor that’s awesome. But if the Bucs are relying on that it’s a huge mistake.
A fan above posted that he played good this year. True….he had that one good quarter……….And what about the other 104 quarters of subpar football?
February 23rd, 2019 at 5:34 pm
Pickgrin …
Zero times anything is zero.
February 23rd, 2019 at 5:58 pm
“Noted football savant Lovie Smith”. Good one, Joe.
February 23rd, 2019 at 6:14 pm
One thing I don’t understand is how De’vante Harris starts 1 game for us this year ( week 13 vs panthers ) and has 3 pass deflections and doesn’t get the start the week after or barely any playtime at that. Really confusing.
February 23rd, 2019 at 6:18 pm
Why would he want to come back after they gave up on him now that he’s developed? They have to want to play here and I’m sure relevant teams would be more important to some than other especially when no one is overpaying for you
February 23rd, 2019 at 6:29 pm
Double plus ungood Joe.
February 23rd, 2019 at 6:40 pm
Munch says:
GRRRRRRR!!!!!!! I don’t wanna give Ryan Smith more time with better coaching.
GRRRRRRRRR!!!!! I only allow extra time for my hero Jamies. GRRRRRRR, I’m so angry!!!!!!!
GRRRRRRRR……..You’re a Fancy man who’s sh!t is getting old.
February 23rd, 2019 at 6:49 pm
Davisnshould shadow yhe bigger wrs, hargraeves is better than the stats suggest, he is a press corner that can stick with the number 2wr. Getting a player and part of thw motivation being irritating jon gruden ehhh….draft a guy use fa money elsewhere the scheme and coaching alone will be an improvment
February 23rd, 2019 at 6:51 pm
Get a dam pass rush and our current CBs will be just fine
February 23rd, 2019 at 6:58 pm
Wish list, in order:
Dwayne Haskins, Josh Allen, Q Williams, Jwann Taylor, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown.
February 23rd, 2019 at 7:35 pm
My problem with our secondary is a lack of leadership. I wanted to trade for Patrick Peterson for this role but his contract is huge. They could still afford him if they wanted but I think the way they would do it is to dump McCoy……..Since it sounds like they are keeping Gerald it might rule out taking on a new 15M contract.
My guess is that the Bucs will now look for lower end FAs for the secondary. Melvin don’t sound half bad but if we do that I hope we add a lot of competition/camp meat since Melvin is one of the most unreliable CBs in the league.
I do not think this is a bad plan for our secondary but it does not address the biggest neeof leadership. If they do this it puts a big-time emphasis to bring in a big name Safety…..Honey Bagger
February 23rd, 2019 at 7:42 pm
Kareem Jackson and T. Mathieu the way I see it with a late round corner pick.
February 23rd, 2019 at 7:53 pm
Tough part about getting Peterson is the Cardinals may not even consider the Buccaneers as a trade partner.
We already got their former HC and fans could start getting ticked off if we get their best player too. They would come unglued if we started winning with them.
This will make it doubley fun if the Cards trade Peterson to a non-Bucs team. Tamp fans will overreact and blame the Bucs for not doing the trade without understanding that we may not even be a option. Same goes for FAs. You may think they are all options but gotta remember that don’t mean that Tampa Bay is always a option.
If your not looking at it from both perspectives then you are being niave.
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:09 pm
Dooshlarue…. embarrassing.
Sad, just sad.
I’ll pray for you.
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:40 pm
No offense Joe but I’d rather work with Mo Claiborne who has already played in a Todd Bowles defense.
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:48 pm
We have been a zone defense for the last 5 years but have been drafting press man corners. Then we complain our CBs are slow to develop how about we let them be coached to play to their strengths before giving up on them.
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:54 pm
We need a corner,saftey,tackle,guard,lb’s,running back,kicker and depth at de with only 14-16 million currently in cap space whatever we take in the the first 3 rounds 100% have to be plug and play starters.
February 23rd, 2019 at 9:20 pm
Not sure Greedy Williams is the best CB coming out of college. Most have him in the top 3, though not always #1. Some have the guy out of UW and others the CB from UGA. I think it’s a matter of what you’re looking for in a CB.
February 23rd, 2019 at 9:50 pm
Cbell I do not like your plan because it is about nearly impossible to get 3 plug and play guys all in a row.
And your plan sucks because you only got 14M. That must mean you want to keep some of these overpaid bums on our roster.
In my plan we have a ton of of spending 💰. Enough to buy 2 players at each position. Even 2 kickers….Matt Bryant is on my roster to come out for game winners. K#2 does all the other stuff.
February 23rd, 2019 at 10:32 pm
Great Scott!! I think joe has a point.
February 23rd, 2019 at 11:40 pm
Not an awful suggestion.
February 23rd, 2019 at 11:52 pm
I just really want to see what guys that are clearly press man corners are capable of when they are actually allowed to do what they do best. I was not a fan of the Hargraves pick but I do think he will be much better if he’s allowed to play his game. I mean almost all the defensive players that showed effort last get a pass from me as the coaching and scheme were just so bad it is hard to believe. I mean every player we have can’t suck and it sure looked that was the case the past few seasons.
February 24th, 2019 at 12:22 am
Ryan Smith was good the last Atlanta game
February 24th, 2019 at 1:06 am
NDOG,
True. Add to your comments an improvement in pressure so the corners aren’t hung out to dry and there should be an improvement.
DB55,
Why would you like Haskins over Murray? I mean skill set wise Murray is superior to Haskins
and the fit for an Arians offense would favor Murray.
February 24th, 2019 at 1:50 am
Rod Munch Says:
March 15th, 2018 at 12:45 am
Ryan Smith AND Chris Conte… all playing 15 yards off the line of scrimmage DARING teams to pass on them…
33rd ranked passing defense, here we come!
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Only 2 off…
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Rod Munch Says:
March 15th, 2018 at 1:27 am
Sherman cost John Lynch $3m guaranteed… for that he gets a real shot at a top corner if healthy. Meanwhile the Bucs gave some guy who was the 4th DE on the Bears $4m in guarantees. Oh and gave $4m guaranteed to a kicker who missed 9 extra points over 2 years (’15-’16).
For me… I’d rather take a risk on Sherman at a very low and affordable price than pay some backup backup money and have them produce nothing and then wonder why nothing has improved.
As for the kicker… he had a fine season last year, but he lost his job in Arizona for a reason. That’s a lot of guaranteed money for a kicker who has a very questionable past – and that kind of guaranteed money means there is no competition, he’s been given the job.
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I should really be the GM.
February 24th, 2019 at 1:51 am
Rod Munch Says:
January 7th, 2018 at 4:46 pm
If Ryan Smith is anything other than a 5th corner and special teams player next year AND Chris Conte is still employed by the team then Licht needs to be fired. Ryan Smith is the worst corner I’ve ever seen ever, he’s awful. If he’s good on special teams then make him a special teams player, but him running around completely clueless getting burned on every play was the worst part of that Bucs defense. He’s truly terrible at corner and does not deserve to have a spot as a defensive player on the team.
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This guy knows his stuff!
February 24th, 2019 at 9:15 am
Quoting yourself on a blog site like if you are intelligent?
The kid did improve and plays good special teams.. Oh and newsflash he’s on a cheap contract which this team desperately needs with their DEPTH.
You clearly didn’t watch Myron Lewis as well.
February 24th, 2019 at 9:35 am
Munch, now you’re dipping your toe into Realist!!!! territory with the reposts. Not the best look but I got where you’re going with that. Also, the Smith thing it’s just something you should give up on. He was demonstrably improved and is the most athletically gifted cornerback we have. Let’s see what he can do with some coaching.
February 24th, 2019 at 12:27 pm
Rashaan Melvin is a horrible, inconsistent player.
And I would not say he had success anywhere.