Bargain Shopping
February 24th, 2019
Discount?
Could a talented yet underperforming defensive end be had at a discount in free agency in two weeks?
Willie McGinest of NFL.com seems to think so. The long-time fixture of the Patriots defense typed an article for NFL.com and listed the best defensive ends/edge rushers available in both free agency (if these players are turned loose — unlikely) and in the draft.
McGinest believes Lions defensive end Ziggy Ansah might be a steal.
The 6-5, 275-pound defensive end is a big, physical player who uses his length well. He’s explosive at the line of scrimmage and creates separation with his length to get to the quarterback. He’s a coachable player who is still learning the game. In fact, I don’t feel like Ansah has even tapped into a lot of his ability.
This interesting on a couple of levels. Ansah, who will be 30 when the 2019 season kicks off, was playing for a guy Joe thinks is currently a stiff, Matt Patricia, a guy who like so many who rode the coattails of Bill Belicheat for a job only to be wildly overrated.
So it could be that Ansah just needs to be coached up if McGinest is accurate. Then again, a 30-year-old in the trenches who has a history of injuries is not a good forecast for success. Guys’ bodies begin to crack when they get on the wrong side of 30 in the NFL.
If the Bucs believe defensive coordinator Todd Bowles and defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers — who Joe believes is a hidden gem — can coach up Ansah, Joe would be fine with taking a flier on Ansah, but not breaking the bank.
Then again, if the Bucs signed Ansah, that almost surely means drafting Josh Allen is off the table.
February 24th, 2019 at 7:52 am
I think if Allen is there at 5 they will draft him regardless. He’s not likely to be and they know it. They have to plan as if he won’t. I think Licht’s contingency plan is to trade back and select the best OT, DE, corner, LB in that order unless a DT blows them away.
February 24th, 2019 at 7:53 am
Nope. Back injuries popped up in 3 separate seasons, and multiple past reports of attitude problems. Surely younger and more coachable DE cost-effective options out there.
Pass.
Go Bucs!
February 24th, 2019 at 7:56 am
I’m sure that McGinest was trying to praise Ansah, but to say that a 29-year-old DE is “a coachable player who is still learning the game” seems strange. Ziggy has had several good years (only played for 6 years) … one with 14.5 sacks & another with 12 sacks. Got beaten up last year (only got 7 games in) but he averaged 14.5 games/year for the 5 years before that … bum shoulder most of year, then on IR last 3 games for knee.
For a decent price, I agree with ya Joe that it’d be worth taking a chance on him, providing that his knee & shoulder check out OK. Bucs already have enough walking-wounded on the roster.
February 24th, 2019 at 7:58 am
IMO Keeping GMC with no mention of redoing his deal makes spending anything on the DL in FA very unlikely – there is no $$$ after him, JPP, Vea, Nassib, Allen, Gholston, Unrein
Some of these guys have to go….last 3 hopefully – let’s use draft capital on both lines early and often PLEASE!!!
February 24th, 2019 at 8:14 am
This Josh Allen talk has to stop this guy will not be there at 5. Please quit getting people’s hopes up, it’s not gonna happen.
February 24th, 2019 at 8:19 am
This would be a good move if we were still in 4-3 defense but we’re moving on to 3-4 under and McCoy is moving to defensive end or he will take on a role similar to Suh had with the Rams. In a dream world I feel we got the assets to get two first round picks from someone to rebuild this defense and draft J. Allen and D. White lol but no I just got a feel the pick is gonna be White with no trade down but with a high second I can see Licht and Arians trading back into the first round. But how bout this trade proposal to one of those teams with two first round picks is trading McCoy, Djax, and that second round pick for two first from someone this season maybe even add a third or fourth round pick to sweeten the deal.
February 24th, 2019 at 8:21 am
pass
February 24th, 2019 at 8:32 am
Idk, him being 30 and still “hasn’t tapped into a lot of his ability yet” is a turn off. But he would be an upgrade over Nassib
I know Nassib played well last season, but he shouldn’t be relied on as a starter imo.
February 24th, 2019 at 8:32 am
I think the operative words here are “taking a chance”.
If the price is right perhaps take a flier. But realize it’s a gamble and do not count on him as a main stay.
February 24th, 2019 at 8:36 am
Yes because licht would consider it logical to go out and a 30 yr old player when the most talent in this draft is in the trenches. It’s not wise to sign anyone that takes drafting an end or tackle off the table. JPP will probably be gone after this season anyway
February 24th, 2019 at 8:51 am
“Guys bodies begin to crack when they get on the wrong side of 30” a direct quote from Joe. But yet he is happier than Robert Kraft at an Asian massage parlor about keeping GMC around. Interesting. Joe never wrote that. Cute. –Joe
February 24th, 2019 at 8:55 am
Wow.
Ziggy Ansah and JPP are clones.
Ziggy from Ghana. JPP from Haiti.
Both have elite West African DNA.
Hes tough as nails like JPP too.
February 24th, 2019 at 9:10 am
Lmao @teacherman please read your post again
February 24th, 2019 at 9:15 am
We kept GMC & apparently the $13 mil……that takes a lot of expensive FAs off the table…..it’s simply a reality that we are not accustomed to.
February 24th, 2019 at 9:46 am
No.
February 24th, 2019 at 9:58 am
Pass on Ansah and pick Texas DE Charles Omenihu instead for a lot less scarce capital this year and much younger and a future 10 year starter to one day Replace JPP.
February 24th, 2019 at 10:10 am
Sorry Ziggy but no. JPP & Nassib (real deal) are our DE’s. Who in there right mind would take 30 yr old, oft injured Ziggy in place of Nassib. (Joeypoppins) Plus this draft is loaded with DL. I would think after Unrein, Curry Licht would have learned something.
February 24th, 2019 at 10:15 am
I think Ominihu is a diamond in the rough. He’s definitely on the list.
February 24th, 2019 at 11:02 am
@Tom
So now Nassib is the “real deal” because he looked decent in a handful of games?
That kind of reminds me of how we all thought Mike Smith was the real deal defensive coordinator after 2016 because the defense looked good in a handful of games.
Nassib overperformed what was expected of him last season, and that’s great, but he shouldn’t be relied upon to keep that up. And yes, Ziggy Ansah is more talented than Carl Nassib. That shouldn’t even be a debate.
February 24th, 2019 at 11:03 am
I would much rather see Licht trade back in round 1 and draft Brian Burns than see him sign a FA tho.
February 24th, 2019 at 11:49 am
we need to go younger
Ziggy aint no JPP and has been never even close
February 24th, 2019 at 11:52 am
Of all these players Joe profiles for us, I like the the Ravens linebacker CJ Mosely first
February 24th, 2019 at 12:21 pm
Bargain shopping is fine. As long as you know what you’re lookin for and getting. Bucs have quite a few Bargain failures.
February 24th, 2019 at 1:31 pm
We may see an elite player fall to us at #5…..we just need 2 Quarterbacks to be valued or sought after by QB needy teams. Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins just may do that. I can see the Jets trading out of the #3 spot for sure. They lost picks drafting Darnold and may be interested in recouping some draft assets. Perhaps the Jags (7), Giants (6), or even a team like the Dolphins, Bengals, or Redskins will sell the farm for a QB. 4 QBs went in the top 10 last year so I wouldn’t be surprised. Hopefully the Cards trade Josh Rosen for draft picks and take Kyler Murray #1 overall……that would almost start a trade-up frenzy for QB needy teams. I like where we stsnd at #5.
February 24th, 2019 at 1:33 pm
Ziggy isn’t special anymore, but he knows how to rush the passer! If he comes cheap, get him. Julius Peppers was effective up until he was 38 yrs old.
February 24th, 2019 at 5:06 pm
Na, I’ll pass. We’re not getting J Allen either….not unless we trade up which Im against. Now Sweat is probably gonna be there in the teens to 20. If we trade down and pass on D White, but pick up Sweat along with some more picks, then thats gold. But still, I want D White first! WE NEED A TRUE MLB!!! Thats been missing. If Beckwith can still play, then great, he’ll be quality depth…but i doubt he’ll ever be 100% again coming off of that shattered ankle injury.
February 24th, 2019 at 5:51 pm
We don’t need one Nassib and jpp are fine maybe a little depth! Ot and guard are way more important….imo
February 24th, 2019 at 6:00 pm
Ziggy needs a change in scenery from the cold harsh winters of the north to an environment he would be more accustomed to in Tampa Bay. As odd as it may seem I believe he would flourish and thrive in this climate.
February 24th, 2019 at 7:21 pm
A 30 Year old DE who hasn’t lived up to their potential yet and has been injured a lot… Hell no
When have the Bucs had coaches who “coached up” players?
Maybe this group can, but they haven’t proved anything yet.
No.
February 25th, 2019 at 7:03 am
Buc believer Says:
“Guys bodies begin to crack when they get on the wrong side of 30” a direct quote from Joe. But yet he is happier than Robert Kraft at an Asian massage parlor about keeping GMC around. Interesting.
LOL
February 25th, 2019 at 12:00 pm
Not pushing for Ansah but comparing him to other 30 year olds isn’t correct. He is a very young 30. He never even stepped on a football field until he was in his 20’s. Left BYU at 25, his body, though he has been injured, has very low mileage and he is a freak athlete that was often compared to JPP when he was coming out of college. .
February 25th, 2019 at 4:07 pm
If Ansah is injury prone,i say pass! We dont need to rehab someone at a rediculous salary for them to get well and play somewhere else.IE Sweezy and Revis.