Disaster Looming
April 9th, 2019
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” — philosopher George Santayana.
And so the Bucs are slightly over two weeks away from another draft. A draft top-heavy with edge rushers if not defensive tackles. Would the Bucs be foolish enough to ignore the confluence of both need and opportunity to reach for a position that is nearly outdated in 2019?
One well-plugged in NFL scribe believes, yes, they may.
Typing yesterday in his “Monday Morning Quarterback” column, Albert Breer of theMMQB.com said he is hearing the Bucs very well may do what no team has done in the past 26 years. And that is drafting an inside linebacker with a top-five pick.
Word is, the Bucs love White, and they have a clear need with the loss of Kwon Alexander. Williams slipping here could make for an interesting decision, since Williams could free them to cut Gerald McCoy.
Let’s see: With the exception of 30-year old Jason Pierre-Paul, whose contract is up after next season, the Bucs have no pass rush. Ever since Simeon Rice left, the Bucs haven’t had a consistent pass rush.
And since Rice left, the Bucs defense more often than not has been horrid. You don’t think there is a connection?
In a league that is pass-happy and passes more often than runs, in a division with potentially three Hall of Fame quarterbacks the Bucs face twice a year, the Bucs are going to burn a No. 5 pick not on a guy that can put pressure on a quarterback for perhaps the next decade but instead draft a guy to stop inside runs and short inside passes?
Has Joe been transported back to 1971 and just hasn’t picked up a newspaper (remember those) yet?
This reminds Joe of two years ago. In a draft loaded with running backs the Bucs all but ignored that position, finally settling on a guy who can’t read playbooks. How’d that turn out for the Bucs, which currently have a wretched running attack?
But the Bucs drafted a tight end, even though the team already had a tight end.
Why is this franchise so paranoid of pass rushers? Why does this team all but ignore the most important position on a defense (edge rusher)?
April 9th, 2019 at 5:11 am
…… and why does Joe keep telling us that the sky is falling?
Relax, it’ll be alright.
April 9th, 2019 at 5:22 am
To say linebacker as a position is outdated is completely absurd and spits in the face of reality.
~Bill Romanowski
April 9th, 2019 at 5:34 am
All these articles about Devin White are becoming the same. Someone informed in the NFL circle says the Bucs love White, Joe calls it stupid for the same reasons over and over. Only thing that changes is the person being quoted lol.
Tbh this is starting to feel like Dalvin Cook from 2017 and Derwin James last year. In the final weeks leading up to the draft, everybody and their mothers thought that was who we were going with and it didnt happen.
Its probably just wishful thinking, but Im hoping the fact that there is absolutely no noise about the Bucs and Brian Burns means there is legit interest from the Bucs and they are keeping it close to the vest.
April 9th, 2019 at 5:37 am
Hmmm Joe…seems like you are pointing the finger at ….JASON LICHT
April 9th, 2019 at 5:38 am
I have to agree. A dominant edge rusher’s value on defense is the equivalent to that of the QB on offense.
Crappy pass rushers, defense will stink.
Crappy QB, offense will stink
April 9th, 2019 at 5:41 am
We have exactly 1 NFL LB on the roster – have JPP and Nassib plus Shaq they just signed and Spence to develop
If Bosa,QW, Allen are gone, I’d take White – he’s a 3 down backer period – plays every D snap-
Do you want to spend a top5 on a rotational pass rusher?
April 9th, 2019 at 5:57 am
belichick spends for defense as follows.
Safeties and Corners get the most.
followed by Line Backers and then speed rushers followed by the balance of his D line. his reasoning is it is a pass-happy league.
April 9th, 2019 at 6:00 am
White !
April 9th, 2019 at 6:03 am
Devin White is my favorite person in this draft, KEYWORD person, he is not my favorite player, Take a D-lineman in the 1st!!! Allen or Oliver.
April 9th, 2019 at 6:11 am
What the hell is the reason for the meltdown joe. Why do you keep asking that question after every mock draft of someone mocks a draft knowing these people do not represent the team or have any idea what they will do. Last time I checked peter king is nothing to the nfl but everything to the media. You need some damn tums. So much for media being a calming voice for fans when we have to talk you off the ledge. Even if white was the pick stop acting like it’s the only pick they have or like 32 pass rushers will be pick and they will be out of them by the second round
April 9th, 2019 at 6:14 am
I agree drafting a lb at 5 would be a bad move although white is a really good player. Id rather have a dlineman. Oliver could play dt, de or lb
April 9th, 2019 at 6:24 am
Great quote … “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” And speaking about the past, drafts that is, look at what the past 2 GMs have drafted for us over the past 10 years in terms of DLine:
o 2018: DT Vita Vea (Rnd 1)
o 2017: DT Stevie T (Rnd 7)
o 2016: DE Noah Spence (Rnd 2)
o 2013: DT Akeem Spence (Rnd 4); DE Gholston (Rnd 4); DE Means (Rnd 5)
o 2011: DE Clayborn (Rnd 1); DE Bowers (Rnd 2)
o 2010: DT McCoy (Rnd 1); DT Price (Rnd 2); DE Lorig (Rnd 7)
o 2009: DT Miller (Rnd 3); DE Kyle Moore (Rnd 4)
That’s 70 draft picks in 10 years, and we’ve used 13 of them for DLine, including 3 in Rnd 1 and 3 in Rnd 2. The Rnd 1 guys have done OK, but the Rnd 2 guys have pretty much fizzled IMO. The rest? Meh, thus we keep ‘importing’ DLine players. And the strange thing is that for most of those picks the Bucs HC was a DEFENSIVE guy (Raheem, Schiano, Lovie).
Great track record. Ya right. JPP has several years of production left in him. Nassib came on pretty strong last season. Barrett sound like he’s got promise. Gholston MIGHT flourish in a 3-4 hybrid defense. Even Noah Spence MIGHT undergo a revival. But right now we have NO starting caliber MLB. IF the Bucs “love Devin White” as you wrote, it’s because the NEED there is so glaringly obvious. Well, except to you Joe.
April 9th, 2019 at 6:28 am
With “Dunce Cap” Licht in charge, things are always as bad as they seem.
He’ll pick the wrong guy (again) unless BA comes to the rescue.
April 9th, 2019 at 6:32 am
One possibility I don’t see kicked around is this. Bucs trade down and take a CB in first rd. Not to say I’m for it. But the draft is limited at this position. There are only a few good ones and the Bucs have a need there too. There will be some quality LBs available in second rd. We all know there are tons of DL in this draft too. IMO there is more of a drop in talent at DL than at LB in second rd. At CB there are maybe only 3 good ones that can poosibly play on an island. Just for the record I hope we go DL if one of the top dogs are there. I do like White at LB, but if you can get a QB killer Dlineman in first you do it.
April 9th, 2019 at 6:51 am
I’m gonna puke if they draft an inside linebacker. Best pass rusher available. No reason not to
April 9th, 2019 at 7:07 am
“Edge rusher?
Lol
With the quick ball out offense the edge pass rush can be schemed out. This is why defensive tackle push and pressures in front of the QB. Is getting more important to counter the “get the ball out less than 2 sec” scheme
When it comes to the defense, all the players have to work together as 1 and unit. Denver has 2 of the best edge rushers and their defense suked. KC led the NFL in sacks but was the worst defense statistically
Our defense will get blown out because their is NO TALENT on all 3 levels…
But the Glazers are happy with Gumps drafting
Crickets coming at RJS”
Kobe Faker
April 9th, 2019 at 7:30 am
Bucs need a MLB…..Bucs need a RB, Bucs need a CB, Bucs need a S, Bucs need a G….Bucs need a RT…..Bucs will need a DT (if GMC gone) and yes…..Bucs need a DE.
So there….if the big 3 are gone….trade down if the opportunity is there….and pick up 2 of these needs instead of 1.
As far as Devin White is concerned…..I’m very good with it……Joe, calm down…you doth protest too much!!!
April 9th, 2019 at 7:31 am
The fact is we need more players at DE, DT, and LB. Now we’re moving to a 3-4, we need more linebackers than linemen. And in a division with Kamara, McCaffery, etc. we need someone who can chase those guys down.
I actually think DT is the biggest need, however. Apart from Vea, who do the Bucs have, especially if they trade/release McCoy? You’re looking at a starting line of Vea / Gholston / Allen. Not exactly setting the world alight.
April 9th, 2019 at 7:31 am
No reason that a middle linebacker can’t rush the passer in the 3-4 defense.
Question is how much they will be in the 3-4 alignment. With Vea coming into his own, the need for a three technique type of DT won’t be needed as much in this formation. With the exception of LVD,linebacker play was not good. Minter laid a crushing hit on Cam but was injured shortly after.That’s a red flag for me.
Just because there has been a trend to hybrid safety?LB does not mean the MLB position is going away.
What would be mistake IMO,would be draft a player that’s main skillset is as an edge rusher. IMO J PP and Simeon were perfect examples of players that could both rush the passer and stop the run. Question is ,is the the next JJ Watt in this draft,that would be the only reason to ignore the glaring need
at linebacker.
April 9th, 2019 at 7:32 am
I can’t believe I agree with Kobe.
We are doomed.
Besides QB, there is no position that has a higher % of 1st round busts than DE.
And as long as Kamara and McCaffrey have wheels, the Bucs will need a kick-ass ILB that can cover sideline-to-sideline…
A great pass rush can be schemed.
April 9th, 2019 at 7:56 am
Kobe’
While I agree with a lot of your above post. Denver’s top defense of 2015 did not suck. They pounded Brady and disrupted his short passing game But Demarcus Ware and Von Miller were linebackers in their scheme.Both played at 250 lbs. or more unlike Noah spence who came in at 235 lb. one year.
April 9th, 2019 at 8:06 am
Had to check the date on the article to make sure it wasn’t from last week…or the week before. Maybe this quote was new though:
“…but instead draft a guy to stop inside runs and short inside passes?”
Didn’t think about this awful eventuality. It would be terrible to fill an “obsolete” position with a player who would take away the short game, make the opponents more predictable and thus have our defense dictate play.
(**Sarcasm Off**)
April 9th, 2019 at 8:20 am
I am all for improving the pass rush, lord knows we could use the help. But, if White is indeed a generational player, and since the draft is deep with D-linemen, it does make sense to draft him. The Bucs could get the best linebacker in the draft in round 1 and an above average D-linemen in the 2 versus an above average linemen in the 1 and an average/below average linebacker in the 2. This makes sense to me providing the top three Bosa/Williams/Allen are gone before the 5 pick. Personally, I would draft Oliver before I chose Allen. But WTFDIK?
April 9th, 2019 at 8:28 am
“Bob
When denver won the superbowl they had 4 allpros at the secondary and 2 very good linebackers. That defensive unit was top 5 defense in NFL history
Last year they had miller and chubb who both played great but their secondary was young and learning. Last year denvers defense sucked and no NFL team has better 2 edge rushers
My point is, just having a very good defensive front will not make a overall good defense. You need talent and good players in all 3 levels”
Kobe Faker
April 9th, 2019 at 8:31 am
Bingo Rules,Kobe and Valrico. Of course BA loves Devin White he’s a BA type of football. Hella talented,playmaker and oozing bravado confidence and swagger. That an like another poster stated ITS A GLARING NEED.
April 9th, 2019 at 8:53 am
I’m with you Joe, Edge Edge Edge Edge please don’t grab a LB ….-_-
April 9th, 2019 at 8:58 am
Linebacker is OK at No. 5 (who can rush the passer). Just not an inside linebacker.
April 9th, 2019 at 8:58 am
While Devin White might be fast, he has a lot to learn. He needs to put on size, he needs to learn to hit. 95% of his highlight videos are him arm tackling, not of him lowering his shoulder and putting a hit on someone. He gets blown back by pulling lineman, shedding blockers is an issue. He needs a strong DL in front of him to allow him to get in to space. I don’t think he is a #5 pick.
April 9th, 2019 at 9:02 am
Seems I remember us getting beat by short inside passes that ended up going for 15 or more yards because nobody could stop anyone. If we get a guy who will prevent those short passes from being thrown, the guys on the front line may have more time to hit the QB.
April 9th, 2019 at 9:44 am
If White is picked at 5 he better be a Hall of Famer. I hope he isn’t a high pick solely because of the lack of talent at linebacker in this draft. If there is one position that I think Licht can draft it is at linebacker, it seems to be the one position he has picked well at. I don’t believe he has spent more than 3rd round pick on one either.
April 9th, 2019 at 9:51 am
With all these great edge rushers that are going to be drafted maybe it makes more sense using your first pick on the best right tackle in the draft J.Taylor. It’s a deep draft for DT’s, and DE’s, get someone who is the best blocker in the draft first.
April 9th, 2019 at 9:53 am
With all these great edge rushers that are going to be drafted maybe it makes more sense using your first pick on the best right tackle in the draft J.Taylor. It’s a deep draft for DT’s, and DE’s, get someone who is the best blocker in the draft first.
April 9th, 2019 at 9:57 am
Blog speaks truth
April 9th, 2019 at 9:59 am
Joe
Please google 3-4 defense and read up on the scheme
MLB can blitz and cause pressure up the middle
Bowles is no Mike Smith he’s creative and will create pressure
April 9th, 2019 at 10:01 am
Any linebacker can blitz in any defense. There’s no rule against that except in the Pro Bowl.
April 9th, 2019 at 10:03 am
NFL team sack leaders and playoffs?
1) KC 52 > yes
1) Pitt 52 > NO
3) Chi 50 > yes
3) Min 50 > NO
5) NO 49 > yes
5) Ariz 49 > NO
7) Was 46 > NO
8) GB 44 > NO
8) Den 44 > NO
8) Phil 44 > yes
6 out of the top 10 leaders in team sacks DID NOT make the playoffs. Thinking the Bucs have to have a pass rusher is a huge mistake. What the Bucs need to do is take the BPA be it pass rusher or any other position that said player is an automatic starter. Failure to take the BPA is well repeating past mistakes don’t ya think?
April 9th, 2019 at 10:07 am
I’m not stressing over it this year. I’m not even doing a wishlist. I figure if I don’t do the research, anyone they pick will just have to prove themselves.
About the only positions that would stress me out are Wide Receiver, Kicker and Quarterback with our first pick.
Of course I’m leaning toward certain positions, but unlike Joe, I won’t stress if they take White. If Arians is really going to make a difference and turn this team around, his supporters need to trust his decisions.
Personally, I don’t see any reason to support him so far because all I have seen are red flags. However, although I might point out those red flags, he can earn my support by making some good decisions.
The last two years, I pointed out that the free agent moves were horrible and time proved me right. This yea is the worst I have ever seen…with any team.
April 9th, 2019 at 10:08 am
For the 1,000th time there is NO “Edge” Rusher that is expected to be of VALUE at #5. Montez Sweat is NOT a top five player in this draft. Unless Bosa or Allen fall and you cannot get a favorable spot to move down you take the best Player. My Peference is trade down and try and walk away with Brian Burns and Devin Bush as your first 2 picks in the 1st round.
April 9th, 2019 at 10:10 am
Joe doesn’t have to think; he knows. The answer is “No.”
What if that “BPA” is a wide receiver? Or a quarterback? Or a tight end? Wouldn’t that be beyond stupid to draft a guy at those three positions No. 5 overall?
Matt Millen was a guy who blindly followed the “BPA” nonsense and picked wide receiver year after year in the first round.
And what, pray tell, would you think the reaction of Bucs fans would be if the Bucs had a punter (or a kicker) rated as the best player available?
April 9th, 2019 at 10:12 am
Montez Sweat is ranked #6 in prospects. You remove Hockenson from that equation because he is a TE and Montez is #5.
As far as edge or DE goes, he is #3 with Josh Allen and Nick Bosa in front of him.
April 9th, 2019 at 10:17 am
@Joe, you conveniently left out part of my quote.
” What the Bucs need to do is take the BPA be it pass rusher or any other position that said player is an automatic starter.”
A Wr, Qb, or Te, would hardly be an automatic starter. Also are you really going to argue a punter or kicker as BPA? I think I triggered you this morning with more logic than your brain can handle. Try a bran muffin.
April 9th, 2019 at 10:19 am
Here are the TOP graded prospects for the NFL draft:
1. Quinnen williams – 6.70 – DT
2. Jeffery simmons – 6.67 – DT
3. Josh allen – 6.66 – EDGE
4. Nick bosa – 6.55 – DE
5. T.J. hockenson – 6.35 – TE
6. Montez sweat – 6.34 – EDGE
7. Rashan gary – 6.31 – DE
8. D.K. metcalf – 6.30 – WR
9. Ed oliver – 6.26 – DT
10. Kyler murray – 6.25 – QB
Notice, Devin White is not graded in the Top 10.
April 9th, 2019 at 10:30 am
BucEmUp Says:
April 9th, 2019 at 6:14 am
I agree drafting a lb at 5 would be a bad move although white is a really good player. Id rather have a dlineman. Oliver could play dt, de or lb
BINGO!!!!!!!
school these fools @BUCEMUP!!!!!!
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
April 9th, 2019 at 10:34 am
the mistake we’ve made is not stock piling the dline…..
ed oliver -R1
jachi polite-R2
dline makes the backend look better than they are…..ive never heard of a back 7 making the dline look good…..it dont happen…..
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
April 9th, 2019 at 11:11 am
Just as that edge pass rusher hits Drew Brees, he gets rid of the ball to Kamara or Cam to McCaffrey, take Devin White, this is a weak ILB class, so take the difference maker, at the end of the day it is about forcing the punt. Maybe we get lucky and Jaylon Ferguson falls to us or just like Joe talks about developing players, it’s the return of Noah Spence to what he was drafted to do in the first place, hunt the QB, even in his first year he had a knack of not only getting to the QB, but also stripping the ball. The competition between him and Nassib should bring out the best in both.
April 9th, 2019 at 11:41 am
I think pass rush is still very important but ILB who can cover is becoming another important position, along with the hybrid S position that really is a S/LB/CB.
Derwin James only played like 1/3 or 1/4 of his snaps at S last year for example. He played on the line, in the slot, or as a LB the majority of his snaps.
That’s why I question the impact he would have had under Smitty’s leadership – if he would have just made James play traditional safety snaps WAY off the ball as he did with neutering our other safeties and corners.
If you’re reading this Kobe – that was my point. Can’t make plays if you’re schemed 40 yards off the line. Derwin might have been neutered here.
Also – Denver was a top 13 scoring defense last year. If their offense was any decent then probably a lot better than that.
Kansas City confuses the hell out of me honestly lol. You would think even in their shoot out games a pass rush would come more into play. I know a lot of scoring had to be garbage time with the scores they ran up but still.
April 9th, 2019 at 11:54 am
Guys, it is critical to draft a future All-Pro at the number 5 spot regardless of position (I’m excluding punter and kicker). Ask yourself which player has the greatest probability of being an all-pro? Is it White? Sweat? Burns? I’m assuming the big-3 are already taken. We need to draft an all-pro regardless of how early or late in the first round it occurs. When was the last time someone criticized a GM for drafting an all-pro too early?
April 9th, 2019 at 1:13 pm
So if Bosa Allen an Williams are all gone who do you want the Bucs to draft at 5 Sweat ??
April 9th, 2019 at 1:14 pm
I’m asumming they love with with the top 3 allgone
April 9th, 2019 at 2:43 pm
There will be several great options if they stay at 5.
DLine, LB or OLine
They will get a great player
I would stay away from Sweat, though.
April 9th, 2019 at 2:55 pm
I would love a stud pass rusher , however , there is still value in the middle of the field. despite joe’s constant “the sky is falling” outbursts , I will throw one name at you…… luke keuchly! how soon joe forgets.
April 9th, 2019 at 3:07 pm
Cam Newton a hall of famer 🤣
April 9th, 2019 at 3:19 pm
If big 3 are gone, TRADE DOWN if possible! Not below 12 though…
See if you can pick up White or Oliver at that point along w a 2nd, a 3rd, or both, lol!!!
We need a couple of more higher picks to address RB, right guard, & DE…
April 9th, 2019 at 3:43 pm
With so much defensive talent available in this year’s NFL draft, I think Bucs can’t lose with whoever they select. With Williams, Allen, Oliver, or White it’s a WIN, WIN situation. I’m more concerned about our history with botched 2nd rd picks.
April 9th, 2019 at 4:05 pm
if some miracle occurs and Josh Allen is there at 5 then Licht needs to get him! Bucfan88 is right trade down if top 3 gone but not far–then get White at 10 or higher
April 9th, 2019 at 5:58 pm
DOOSH;
Heres why Joe says the sky may be falling.
Hugh Green
Broderick Thomas
Keith McCants
Thats three of the four 1st rounders the bucs have selected! No hall of famers there.
April 9th, 2019 at 7:30 pm
D-line over M-LB, BUT he should would be fun to watch on Sunday!
GO Bucs!