Hunting A Defensive End?
February 23rd, 2019
War room strategy.
Joe suspects there are a couple of reasons for the viral hate being spewed by some Bucs fans over news the Bucs intend to keep stud defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.
Of course, the obvious reason is that GMC may be the most disliked Bucs player by a sect of Bucs fans. You know the type, the same kind that couldn’t wait to dance on his grave and hoped for news the Bucs released him due to salary cap concerns. This crowd is downright angered one of the better defensive tackles in the game will return and barring injury, complete a full decade with the Bucs.
The other element was those hoping the Bucs would draft this Quinnen Williams, a defensive tackle from Alabama. Well, now that’s unlikely — nor is it likely the Bucs draft any defensive tackle at No. 5.
If a player is going to be drafted at No. 5, no team has plans for that guy to ride the pine, or even play part-time. You want that guy on the field for as much as possible.
GMC is due $13 million this season unless he reworks his contract. He is not being paid that sort of Team Glazer loot to be a part-time player or to ride the pine.
And then there is Vita Vea, last year’s first-round pick. After a slow start he ended the season on fire sparked by a sitdown with general manager Jason Licht himself. Think about that for a moment; it took a suit to get Vea on the right track, not a coach, but a suit! Vea surely will not ride the pine or split time at tackle.
Adding all of this up, Joe just cannot see the Bucs drafting a defensive tackle in the first round. That would seem to fly in the face of both common sense and against the spoken command of head coach Bucco Bruce Arians, who has stated the Bucs need to win now, not later as part of a possible rebuild.
February 23rd, 2019 at 7:30 am
The hunt for a DE will likely be in the draft…..unless peanuts will attract one in FA…..because that’s all we have folks……do the math.
February 23rd, 2019 at 7:37 am
Yeah!
Softie can complete a full decade of losing with our favorite team.
That is such a feel good story…….
February 23rd, 2019 at 7:46 am
They are keeping McCoy so they can trade him. Most likely on day 1 of the draft.
February 23rd, 2019 at 7:53 am
Its obvious the bucs are going to the playoffs this year.Yes I said it facts.Why not let GMC be apart of it.The man has played his ass off.And know most of you dont agree but he has.But honestly I dont want him to leave.He will take a pay cut just like Derrick Brooks and others have done in the past.This man is productive in our community.To me its more than just football.One man can’t win by his self.GMC take a pay cut and go win us a championship.
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:00 am
Vea did look better but was injured good portion of last year.
McCoy has been injured in past ( I hope they reworked deal)
Unrein injured the whole year for concussion and I hope he smartly retires.
Beau Allen is well beau Allen. Average at best.
“They DT spot is not that strong”. Captain Obvious.
And McCoy will be gone at some point. Before trade deadline or at end of year.
Quinnen Williams if there …you have to take…. nothing wrong with getting pressure and sacks from up the middle. He is one of the few can’t miss players. (Bosa, Williams and white).
Can’t miss out on potential next great thing – Aaron Donald esk
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:00 am
^^ You could be right, but I am not feeling it. I am not sensing that he is going to be traded.
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:00 am
As much as McCoy has been injured, he has been a part time player. I would love to see McCoy back but not at 13 mil. Hope he would settle for around 10 mil but I don’t that will happen.
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:09 am
Yeah well don’t lump me in with the McCoy haters crowd, because the majority of his career here he was indeed a top tier DT in this league.
Here’s the thing though, he’s not anymore. 2018 was by far his worst season as a pro. And 2019 is guaranteed to be even worse than that. He ain’t worth 13 Million plain and simple. Him being retained at that salary is a poor alloacation of resources.
Especially when the 2019 draft is historically deep at DT.
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:12 am
He WAS one of the better defensive tackles in the league, that’s no longer the case. He ain’t giving 10 million a year type production especially the last two years, the media is just afraid to say it and fans can. It’s wht so many articles came out about him being a cap casualty in the first place. Media tries to act like it was our idea to cut him. JPP will make more but his salary didn’t come into question hmm maybe it had something to do with production.
You try to say the defense got better after Kwon got hurt but guess who was the exact same guy when the defense improved under duffner?
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:14 am
we need a mean n nasty play maker DT. Not ur injury prone “my bad Ben” type softie like McCoy. I’ll take Suh or any of the DT player from Bama or Clemsom.
I’m still waiting to c if BA is a man of his word to bring in aggressive, mean, attack the ball playmakers on defense. The jury is still out.
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:20 am
^ Wow man, no thanks on Suh. Can’t stand that mercenary who shows up for 2 games a year.
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:23 am
“If a player is going to be drafted at No. 5, no team has plans for that guy to ride the pine, or even play part-time.” – Joe
I completely disagree with this statement. There are ALWAYS exceptions. Even with the first pick in the draft. Do teams not take a QB with the first pick and then not start him right away?
Warren Sapp rode the pine for 8 games in his rookie season.
And I also disagree that they won’t take a DT with the first pick at 5…especially if GMC does not restructure. They might not, but I don’t believe keeping McCoy will affect the decision.
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:30 am
I for one am glad they are keeping GMC.
They should offer him 3 years at $24 million with 2 years guaranteed
They need to be talkng to the Cardinals, 49er’s, Jets and Raiders about a draft day trade if they want Bosa or Josh Allen.
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:34 am
I love how you give Jason Licht credit for getting Vea “on the right track” Joe. Nothing like a good tongue-lashing or inspiration speech by the GM to get HIS #1 draft pick performing like a #1 draft pick. Ya right. I’m sure that Buckner had absolutely nothing to do with Vea’s ramp-up.
Agree with your conclusion that the Bucs won’t be “drafting a defensive tackle in the first round”. But I could see us picking one up in Rnd 2 or even Rnd 3 since this draft is supposed to be deep in DLine talent. Still think the most likely scenario (right now at least) is that the Bucs trade down (hopefully not very far down though) with one of the QB-needy teams & pick up AT LEAST an extra 2nd Rnd pick (hopefully more). Also think we’ll draft a DE high (top-3 Rnds).
But mock drafts at this point really are moot (although speculation is fun). Free agency will determine our NEEDS going into the draft, as well as the PRIORITIES of those needs for the most part. Really hoping now that we franchise Donovan, re-sign Hump, Taylor, Lynch & Griffin (as a minimum), as well as tender RFAs Barber, Adams, Wester & Liedtke so we can (hopefully) keep them in the fold. Plus sign some quality experienced FAs to plug certain ‘holes’ (RB, Guard, MLB, outside CB, Safety). IF Bucs can pull that off ($$$ being the biggest issue), our NEEDS in the draft would be pretty well defined (and reduced) to drafting … in the Top-4 Rnds … OT, DE, RB, LB, DT.
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:36 am
For those thinking 2018 was a sign that he’s only going to get worse, use your brains. Even the most elite players have down years. Take a look at JPPs stats. He’s great but it’s been a rollercoaster with him.
And let’s not pretend hedid not help JPP and Nassib get those sacks. For years, the McCoy haters like TMax and company said “Good players make those around them better!”
Well, now that is happening and they decide it’s not good enough.
An the assumption that Vita Vea was drafted to replace him is completely wrong. First, Vea plays the other DT position. Second, at the time he was drafted, there were no 3-4 plans.
And finally, I have to laugh at those who say he’s not good enough…and then say they want him at less money. First, the money doesn’t matter. The Bucs will keep who they want to keep regardless of cap. They’ll find a way. Second, if he is good enough at less money, that means he IS worth keeping!
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:36 am
^ DR, always respect your thoughts on anything (especially Defense related) but Vea himself really does credit Jason Licht a great deal for the sitdown conversation that they had, and says it made a huge difference for him.
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:38 am
“My bad Ben!”
“My bad Matt!”
“My bad Aaron!”
“I bad Dak!”
“I bad Tom!”
Trade this has-been on day one, please. The. We could say, “You good Jason!”
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:39 am
We need to resign more than just Smith, Humphries and Alexander. There are Oline players to resign too.
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:45 am
Keeping GMC and signing all of these players and signing FAs just simply add up.
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:49 am
Joe, please name your articles better. It’s misleading. This article had nothing to do with looking for a DE. It was all about not drafting a DT.
As we know Bosa and Allen will be gone at #5, so the Bucs only draft options are trade up or find someone else you like in the 1st round. That’s what I thought you were writing about.
By the way, I’m OK with the Bucs keeping GMC, but not at $13M. Hopefully, there is a restructuring of his contract going on in the background that we aren’t hearing about.
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:54 am
Joe-
Agree with you that Bucs need a DE – very important, but I hope you don’t spew the same “viral hate” you talk about if Bucs decide to keep DJax, which word is they are leaning that way.
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:59 am
Really Trade GMC
No one is picking up a player they have to pay 13 million to do they can get a couple of sacks and 10 tackles
A small selection of fans don’t like GMC
WAIT A SEC. I believe fans, ex players, and players have called GMC out for soft play
EVEN JOE has written stories on this
GMC IS NOT WORTH 13 million no matter how much you like him
February 23rd, 2019 at 8:59 am
So glad the dummys are not ruining our players anymore
February 23rd, 2019 at 9:00 am
Can someone say Devin White? Nice.
February 23rd, 2019 at 9:03 am
Like one Dt is going to make a team go to the playoffs you tards! He’s had 5 D coordinators and no help from anyone until JPP got here! Plus a handful of suck ass head coaches. With a bunch of subpar Qb play! Get real ! This roster is so over rated….
February 23rd, 2019 at 9:16 am
We need to let Jackson, Rodgers, Conte, Dotson, Grimes, Allen, E. Smith, Benenoch, Unrein, and Gholston go it would open up a lot of money for free agents
February 23rd, 2019 at 9:22 am
TB DEMON … “Vea himself really does credit Jason Licht a great deal for the sitdown conversation that they had, and says it made a huge difference for him.”
I’m sure you realize how pathetic that makes it all sound when the GM has to ‘motivate’ the crown jewel of the restructured DLine to actually perform like a #1 pick should. That’s wrong on so many levels.
February 23rd, 2019 at 9:28 am
You are taking a moronic mistake by a terrible coaching staff as evidence a No . 5 pick should be a part-time player behind a $13 million tackle? LOL
With holes on a roster all over the place, am confident Bruce Araians is all in on a No. 5 draft pick being selected at one of the few strengths on the team.
Arians didn’t come here to help build a roster for the next coach in 2023. smh
February 23rd, 2019 at 9:29 am
I’m fine with the Bucs keeping GMC. He is without question one of the team’s best players.
February 23rd, 2019 at 9:29 am
Bucs Guy Says:
“Joe, please name your articles better.”
——
LMAO, there is a complainer in every crowd and behind every door.
February 23rd, 2019 at 9:32 am
this draft is rich with pass rushing ends we should have no issues finding one whether it be josh allen or montez sweat there are quite a few– i would use free agency to address positions like RB, guard, safety and CB perhaps— use the draft for the trenches
February 23rd, 2019 at 9:36 am
Joe Says
“You are taking a moronic mistake by a terrible coaching staff…”
See now, that statement makes me think you were not a BUcs fan back then. Sapp actually started the year as a starter and was so bad they had to demote him. It had nothing to do with the staff, which, by the way, Sam was not a horrible coach, and he was the one who was bright enough to draft some of the best players in team history.
February 23rd, 2019 at 9:42 am
Defense Rules Says:
“I’m sure you realize how pathetic that makes it all sound when the GM has to ‘motivate’ the crown jewel of the restructured DLine to actually perform like a #1 pick should. That’s wrong on so many levels.”
——-
I definitely hear you on that point and it initially concerned me that maybe he needed to be “motivated”. — What I am hoping is that it had less to do with motivation, and more to do with the kid just getting out of his own head. Quit analyzing so much and just play football with the God given ability that he has. It seemed to really help him.
February 23rd, 2019 at 9:44 am
So…..are we saying that if by some chance Quinnen Williams is available to draft at #5 that we would pass on him…..or would we draft him and then trade or cut GMC…..save the $13 mil for a DE or a couple of other positions?
February 23rd, 2019 at 9:46 am
Players we need to resign:
The Obvious
• Adam Humphries
• Donovan Smith
• Kwon Alexander
Those Commonly Not Mentioned
• Leonard Wester
• Peyton Barber
• Michael Liedtke
• Andrew Adams
• Christopher Conte (at 30, like it or not, he’s quality depth)
February 23rd, 2019 at 9:51 am
Personally, I think Joe ends up with his first round Running Back this year, barring a change in circumstances.
February 23rd, 2019 at 9:56 am
And we thought the Bucs wouldn’t draft a TE when we already had Brate, If Williams is there, you take him as the BPA, plus he is only 20 y/o. Likely both Josh Allen and Q. Williams will be off the board anyway. With a dominant interior, it makes the DEs better, BTW who plays DE for the Rams.
February 23rd, 2019 at 10:00 am
Means a trade down. Allen won’t make it. And the other DEs aren’t worth the 5th. Worth 12 though…
February 23rd, 2019 at 10:02 am
RD3 – DE Charles Omenihu/Texas 6-5 275 4.83
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T7JPvQ1r2I
February 23rd, 2019 at 10:05 am
“Only reason GMC is still here is because we have too many immediate holes that need to be filled if we are to become a possible 2019 playoff team
Todd Bowles needs 2 must players to make his defense competent and worthy
leader (linebacker Devin White)
and #1 corner
these 2 positions will and must be filled before the defensive line inadequacy”
Kobe Faker
February 23rd, 2019 at 10:56 am
I don’t think we want to make the same mistake we made when we had cadillac Williams and we passed on Adrian Peterson. If we have a chance to pick a player as talented as DT Quinnen Williams, you pick him. McCoy will only be here probably one more year. So then we passed on a potential pro bowl player and have nobody to replace McCoy? Not smart. You pick by talent not need.
February 23rd, 2019 at 11:10 am
When you refer to him as stud you must be talking about his perfectly manicured nails and hair. This is after playing a full NFL game. Only guy on the D line who somehow gets zero dirt or grass stains on his uniform while JPP looks like he was in a fight with a pit bull. Very sad this is how grown men are obsessed with him.
February 23rd, 2019 at 11:14 am
Pick Quinnen Williams if possible. He better be on our top 2 BPA draft room board.
Before that:
Sign Roger Saffold (G) and/or Darryl Williams (T) on the OL.
Sign Morris Claiborne (CB) and Honey Badger (S).
Edge-rushers and interior Dlineman are deep in the Draft.
If we can just get this type of Oline and Secondary help in free agency, I’d legit trade back, draft Josh Jacobs and go defense heavy the entire rest of the draft. Quality interior Olineman (Chris Lindstrom (G) to Tytus Howard (T)) and Dlineman (Jerry Tillery to Khalen Saunders) may be had with an additional pick also.
February 23rd, 2019 at 11:15 am
Agreed ChipBuc!!!
February 23rd, 2019 at 11:55 am
Yes we have McCoy and Vea at tackles but we also have JPP and Nassib at ends.
IMO, McCoy is the most expensive weakest link in the bunch.
February 23rd, 2019 at 12:16 pm
Bonzai,
I would like to debate your statement that, “like it or not Chris Conte is quality depth”.
😂 😆 😝
February 23rd, 2019 at 12:33 pm
If Williams fell to #5 – then the Bucs are likely drafting him – and rightfully so as he would almost certainly be the highest rated player on their board.
That’s not going to happen though…. Bosa, Allen and Williams will all be off the board at #5 and the Bucs would be wise to trade down if possible – at least a few spots – and then draft two OL and two DLine players within the first 3 rounds to bolster the trenches and make this team “strong” where it really counts! At the line of scrimmage….
February 23rd, 2019 at 12:40 pm
Extremely slim chance quinnen Williams is still available at 5. Extremely unlikely. He’s the only DT worth taking that high. Chances are he goes 1 or 2. He’s that good. Resigning McCoy just means we aren’t screwed when that happens. Great draft for licht to trade down. Grab an extra defensive player or 2 to help this defense and offensive line turn it around.
February 23rd, 2019 at 1:46 pm
Look to draft Sutton Smith and/or Maxx Crosby in 4th round.
February 23rd, 2019 at 4:19 pm
I am OK with GMC as a DE in a 3-4 Defense because he has good get off just like PFF has. I do hope they got him to reduce his salary in line with last year’s production, though. Since the Bucs have not Frachised or given an extended contract to D. Smith I am hopeful they are shopping him for a good draft pick and I hope they do the same for VJax. Then we need to drop down in round 1 and take a LT first while retaining Liedtke who can hold LT til the rookie is developed to start. Grab Honey Badger, Claiborne, and Minter in Free Agency, then take Lindstrom as the second first pick, 2d round take DE Omenihu, 3d round take Snell and 4th rd Saunders
February 23rd, 2019 at 4:49 pm
You don’t draft defensive lineman expecting them to start. If you do, you end up like the Bucs last year where they got maybe 5 good games out of Vita, and nothing the other 11 games. It’s moronic to ignore history in hopes of getting getting a year in year out pro-bowler in a lottery. Morons.
February 23rd, 2019 at 4:53 pm
I know Bosa and Allen are out of reach (barring a trade up which i dont think is needed with so many holes).
We trade down about 4-5 spots, draft Devin White, then find a way to move back into the first for Sweat. If we cant get Sweat, get an OT or G, then Chase Winovich in the 3rd.
February 23rd, 2019 at 5:35 pm
Rod Munch your wrong. Getting a year in year out probowler is the goal with a top 5 pick.
Anything less is a failure.
Let’s please keep persceptive here and remember that there is a very real difference between a Top 5 pick and a middle round pick.
February 23rd, 2019 at 10:12 pm
I like the move of keeping McCoy. Scheme wise this will create matchup nightmares for the oline. Vea will garner more attention this year and will likely draw double teams from a nose position. McCoy and his fast twitch gap shooting will become far more successful… Not to mention that you will have JPP or Nassib on that other side. All Tampa needs is speed rushers on the edge (like Allen perhaps? or a revitilization of Spences career) and they will have a very good blend of size and speed on the dline. IMO the area of concern has to be the secondary. I feel linebackers will be fine with Beckwith and Alexander coming back (remember that a 3-4 defense really only fields 2 true linebackers), but our corners are still wet behind the ears and have done nothing noteworthy. Here is hoping that Bowles can unscrew all the crap that came with our previous coaching staff. Get the HoneyBadger or Collins at safety and i think we are good to go!
February 24th, 2019 at 8:36 am
^ Beckwith and Kwon may never play at top level again after their injuries….and Kwon was already disappointing plus he’s up against our salary cap, hes probably gone.
WE NEED A TRUE MLB, DEVIN WHITE!
February 25th, 2019 at 8:44 pm
If I’m the Bucs I let Kwon walk & draft Devin White to replace him. I wouldn’t sign him for 10 mill. He hasn’t played a full season basically ever. W/ the depth of this draft on the d-line I’ll grab staters w/ round 2/3 pix.
You draft this kid & he starts day 1 & his a playmaker