Questioning A Starter
April 12th, 2019
Popular NFL analyst no fan of new Bucs starting LB.
Look, we all know the Bucs defense was a football atrocity the past two seasons and former Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith should be brought up on charges at The Hague for crimes against humanity.
And even though the Bucs lost linebackers Kwon Alexander and Adarius Taylor, Joe keeps reminding himself that the Bucs lost two starting linebackers from the worst defense that mankind has ever seen. It’s not like losing two starters from a defense that made opposing quarterbacks wet their pants at midfield.
With new coach Bucco Bruce Arians turning the defense over to Todd Bowles, who prefers a three-man front, a new potential starter at linebacker is former Denver defender Shaq Barrett.
Speaking this week on his popular show, “Movin’ the Chains,” heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Pat Kirwan said thinking of Barrett being a starter gave the former Bucs scout and former Jets director of pro player personnel indigestion.
In breaking down Bucs draft needs, Kirwan was no fan of Barrett starting at linebacker.
“They have penciled in Shaq Barrett as a SAM backer — uuuggghhh!” Kirwan exclaimed. “I like Shaq as a backup and a guy that can cross train for SAM and WILL and I like him as a pass rusher occasionally because he can do that as a backup pass rusher.”
Largely based on the Bucs needing more linebackers and really only having one that is capable, in Kirwan’s eyes (Lavonte David), Kirwan believes the Bucs will be the first team in 26 years to draft an inside linebacker in the top-five of the draft.
April 12th, 2019 at 12:47 am
He said he could rush the passer? I’m good with it then. This game is about pressuring the Qb. It’s a passing league. You have to adapt to the times. Vea and whoever is beside him will be responsible for stopping runs. I want my LB’s in the 3-4 rushing the passer.
April 12th, 2019 at 1:15 am
White is a heck of a player, that’s for sure, but the Bucs need pass rushers. Arians may be a heck of a coach but if you look at his days in Arizona, his drafts were never that great. Let’s hope he has better luck in Tampa.
I think the offense can win right now but the defense has to get much, much better. Putting pressure on opposing QB’s is one way to make that happen immediately.
April 12th, 2019 at 2:05 am
I have high hopes (not expectations) for Barrett. I think he might be a case of NFL politics and being trapped behind two first round picks they didn’t want to give up on but he was still good enough to see playing time and did well when given the opportunity.
The one year deal and this opportunity to hit FA next year could motivate this guy to play better than he ever has before. He still has to beat out other players on our team and who we pick up in the draft, and because this coaching regime has no ties to draft picks or players, let the best man win!
April 12th, 2019 at 3:00 am
@Joe … “first team in 26 years to draft an inside linebacker in the top-five of the draft.” Imagine that Joe … the Bucs as path-setters. Wow, whodathunkit? (Nice find on the stats BTW … and a nice dig on those of us who advocate for Devin White).
The only truly starter-capable LB we have on our roster is LVD, and in these past 2 years he’s missed 5 games himself & been Doubtful/Questionable in several others (he was hurting IOW). Kevin Minter lasted all of 5 games with us last year before going on IR, and spent half of 2017 with the Bengals either Out or on IR. Deone Bucannon was Out for 3 games in 2018 with Arizona & missed 4 more games in 2017 (his snap count dropped from 67% in 2017 to 35% in 2018). Beckwith was on IR all season as everyone knows. Bond was on IR for 5 games, Bullough for 7 games & Cichy for 10 games. Our healthiest LB last year was Adarius Taylor. Oh wait, he’s gone.
Wow, pretty sad injury history for our present LB corps. Only ONE is starter quality IMO (our man LVD), but hey, by all means let’s not draft a stud like Devin White to help strengthen that obvious weakness in our defense.
And before touting Shaq Barrett as being ‘starter-quality’ consider that in 5 years in Denver he STARTED a grand total of 15 games. He had a grand TOTAL of 137 combined tackles, 14 sacks, 35 QB hits, 25 TFLs & 7 forced fumbles. Those are his FIVE year TOTALS. Heck the guy he’d be starting opposite (JPP) did over half of that just last year. Nah, like Beau Allen, Barrett more than likely is who Kirwan implies that he is … a decent part-time rotational player. We NEED those, but we also NEED starter-quality LBs. DRAFT DEVIN WHITE.
April 12th, 2019 at 5:58 am
I don’t really care if another team has done it. If White can help this team win for the next decade, then I’m for it.
It seems to me that if a draft is filled with pass rashers, a team can afford to target another need early.
What I do know is that if Beckwith were healthy, Shaq Barrett would not have a chance to make the final roster…so if he’s our starter, we are in big trouble.
April 12th, 2019 at 6:08 am
Linebacker is the most glaring need on the team ,IMO. Replacing Carl Nassib who had
6.5 sacks , 12 tackles for loss ,and 2 forced fumbles for a boom or bust edge rusher would be a questionable move at best. He is scheduled to earn less than
a million and will have little effect on our salary cap. Being able to stop the run is also a critical part of a defensive end’s game and Carl has shown he is capable in this area as well.
This is one of Licht’s best additions to the team in the off season so far,IMO.
April 12th, 2019 at 6:35 am
Nassib also had 14 QB hits to go with 6.5 sacks in a limited role. Nassib only started 9 games and he outplayed the high priced Vinnie Curry.
April 12th, 2019 at 6:40 am
Joe’s already given very clear opinions on this subject. Also, trying to emulate the Patriots is just about impossible for obvious reasons. Just look at the many GMs from the Belicheat tree. Those guys even hang out together at the NFL Owners Meetings and compare notes.–Joe
April 12th, 2019 at 6:45 am
I’m OK with drafting an LB in the 1st round — just not at #5. It’s not good value. If the Bucs really want an LB in the first round, then trade back!!
You can get White or Bush in the 6-15 range and get at least another pick.
April 12th, 2019 at 6:49 am
If he becomes the next Patrick Willis or Ray Lewis like he has been compared too (or the next Luke Keukly who is an absolute baller ) , I would be the first GM to draft an inside linebacker at 1
April 12th, 2019 at 6:53 am
DLINE or linebacker I know we need to put pressure on the QB but we need some who can cover all these pass catching running backs we have in our division too so many needs lol
April 12th, 2019 at 6:55 am
The Dline is deep in this draft. Going thru round 3 even. Maybe a hidden gem in round 4. It plays into Bucs needs. Heck they could give up picks next year for an extra guy this year.
So what is so bad with taking inside linebacker at 5 when you barely have any linebackers on the roster that are either healthy , young or worth a damn.
I honestly hope they draft devin white now. And he is rookie of the year and becomes a yearly pro bowler. I mean when the joes like a guy , that’s the guy you stay away from. Aka Johnny football . I mean “ John football “ cause he is more mature now. Really great player still in joes eyes. 😂
April 12th, 2019 at 7:26 am
Linebackers can still rush the passer especially in a 3-4 and White is a very good pass rusher as well.
April 12th, 2019 at 7:32 am
Ed Orgeron who coached White, Willis, and Lewis says that White is on par with those guys. That’s good enough for me. I don’t think that it’s just coach speak either. Orgeron wouldn’t compare his greatest player to a lesser athlete, that would be an insult to Willis and Lewis.
April 12th, 2019 at 7:35 am
Defense Rules just made the case for why it HAS to be White over Oliver. Are the Bucs elite on the d-line…no. They are serviceable. Assuming Beckwith isn’t making it back, then the LB corps is a downright liability. If Beckwith comes back healthy, then the talent level of the LB corps will be on par with the d-line. The DB’s as a group are serviceable as well. The o-line is serviceable. The QB is serviceable. When everything is serviceable, you take best player available. When you have a liability you have to fix it. Ideally they would trade down and still get White. The rub is that the Broncos, Lions and Bengals are all natural spots for White to land if Bucs don’t grab him at 5. I think they have to take White at 5 if that’s who they want. If they view Devin Bush as equivalent or better, then they can roll the dice on a trade down the teens. Neither is likely to be available lower than that. If they trade down to the 20’s then I think it’s o-line or a second tier d-lineman…then you pick a second tier LB in round 4 or 5 b/c there are no clearly better LB’s in the second tier.
April 12th, 2019 at 7:43 am
wtf is going on with kendell beckwith…career mush be over???
April 12th, 2019 at 7:44 am
https://youtu.be/bNhWSqIeTfg- better than any pass/edge rusher in this class.
April 12th, 2019 at 7:45 am
if you hit on 20% of these one you contract “prove it deal”guys you do ok…bucs must have signed at least 10 of them…so if you hit on 2 you did very well…many of the others wont be in this league next year
April 12th, 2019 at 7:46 am
the nfl is the “not for losers” league…win or gtfo…
3 years before you go drink beers
April 12th, 2019 at 7:50 am
Could we use an extra edge rusher…..absolutely…….are we desperate for a MLB, positively.
I really don’t care if a LB hasn’t been chosen at 5……if he’s the right player….draft him.
April 12th, 2019 at 8:00 am
Steelers with Ryan Shazier points against in 2017 > 19.3
Steelers without Ryan Shazier points against in 2018 > 22.5
If Devin White is the BPA at #5 you take him.
April 12th, 2019 at 8:10 am
I want us to pick White just so Lee will quit and be done saying all this BS about you can’t pick a linebacker high and blah blah blah. Guarantee a redraft has Ray Lewis as top five pick in his class. Don’t be obtuse, Dekemper.
Bye Lee!
April 12th, 2019 at 8:21 am
I have a suspect that Beckwith is fine and will be ready to go. Smoke screen on White.
April 12th, 2019 at 8:23 am
I suspect that Beckwith is fine and will be ready to go. Smoke screen on White.
April 12th, 2019 at 8:47 am
What we need is a new leader on defense, think about it, we have none. McCoy never was, and he’s gone. David has never been that type of guy. Remember how good we were with Hardy as our leader? If Whites that player that can lead this defense, call the plays, hold team mates accountable, I want him. We don’t just need an edge rusher who will split time on the field. We need an every down leader kicking ass, making plays all over the field, getting his team mates excited. If that’s the type of player White is, that’s what we need. If Sweat, or Allen, or Williams were that type of alpha male, who could lead a defense as a rookie I’d be all for them. They are not, White is a natural born leader. So what’s more important, the play caller on defense who’s a natural born leader, and a demon of a player, or Sweat, who will split reps at D end?
April 12th, 2019 at 9:40 am
Shane247 Says:
“I suspect that Beckwith is fine and will be ready to go.”
——-
Sadly, no.
Definitely no.
Most likely never to take another NFL snap.
Sadly.
April 12th, 2019 at 10:15 am
we draft white and pick up dline in the 2nd or 3rd round and folks will be saying white is a bust because olinemen are getting to the second level blocking the sh!t out of him….lol….blitzing him wont work because the dline aint commanding double teams…..
all the ray lewis comparison is all fine and dandy but ray wouldnt have done sh!t without tony siragusa, sam adams, terrence cody, arthur jones, pernell mcphee or haloti ngata controlling the LOS…..
without great dline play, devin white will look more like zach thomas instead of ray lewis…..
we’ve been losing the trenches for too long….stock pile the dline………
draft ed oliver……
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
April 12th, 2019 at 3:46 pm
Inside LB hahaha yeah right fools. It happening !!! We going DE/DT. If Bosa,Williams, Allen don’t fall I see us going for Oliver, Sweat, maybe Gary
April 12th, 2019 at 4:17 pm
Again , not at 5 they won’t , won’t happen !!! They may move a few spots for a third and do it but it’s not happening at 5 !!!
April 14th, 2019 at 10:52 am
We had a natural leader and undersized player at MLB already who could go side line to sideline and had the worst defense in the league. White is not worth a 5th pick. Trade down and get the DT or DE and RG we need and then get a big MLB. I am not impressed with White’s sack totals.