Eight First-Round Picks On Defense
August 6th, 2019
Joe’s put a lot of study into this year’s edition of the Carolina Panthers, primarily because the Bucs will face them twice in the first six weeks before a Week 7 bye.
And frankly, the Bucs season could be over at that point.
Joe is quietly praying to the football gods for that not to occur. October draft talk following, say, a 2-4 start by the Bucs would be too much for Joe to bear.
One stunning stat to consider is the Panthers have eight first-round picks on their defense. Eight!
And that does not include Pro Bowl manbeast defensive tackle Kawaan Short, who was a second-round pick in 2013, one pick after the Bucs chose cornerback Johnthan Banks. (Can’t blame that on Jason Licht!)
The Bucs, by contrast, have five first-rounders on their defense: Deone Buchannon, Ndamukong Suh, Vita Vea, Devin White and Vernon Hargreaves, plus injured Jason Pierre-Paul, a 2010 first-round pick.
The Panthers total of eight first-round picks really stunned Joe. That’s a lot of raw talent. One of those eight, of course, is former Bucs Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy, who has become a fan, coach and player favorite on his new team.
McCoy was blubbering on NFL Network recently about how the Panthers have six or seven players who can beat 1-on-1 matchups en route to the quarterback. So he’s expecting an extraordinary pass rush.
McCoy also was saying a big reason he took the Panthers gig was to practice against four-time Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner, a 2014 third-round pick who was taken 23 spots after the Bucs grabbed running back Charles Sims. (Yes, blame that on Jason Licht.)
For those wondering, the Bucs have five first-round picks on offense: Jameis Winston, Blaine Gabbert, Breshad Perriman, Mike Evans and O.J. Howard.
August 6th, 2019 at 6:04 am
Gabbert was a 1st rd pick. Now that’s crazy lol
August 6th, 2019 at 6:06 am
Yup. Could be over by then. My projections are 1-6, maybe 2-5 at that point and I hope like crazy I’m wrong. Especially with a trip to Nashville on the calendar that I’d rather not have be a basically meaningless game and another year of sorrow. Boy, hope I’m wrong.
August 6th, 2019 at 6:07 am
Winston was first overall. With all the grief, pain, and plight, bet the Glazers want that one back.
August 6th, 2019 at 6:29 am
Time to start shaking in our boots … Joe has spoken. And yet, the vaunted Panthers defense ranked #19 in scoring last year and gave up 382 points … 24 PPG average. And oh ya, the team finished 7-9 on the season. But of course the Panthers DID listen to Joe in the 2019 draft and selected not one, but TWO DEs (Brian Burns & Christian Miller), so obviously they’ll now be the #1 defense.
And Magadude, we could just as easily be 6-1 or 5-2 by the time we finish all those initial road games. There’s just no way to know at this point. So yes, I HOPE you’re wrong too.
August 6th, 2019 at 6:30 am
Banks ran a 4.6.
Dom was dumb.
August 6th, 2019 at 6:36 am
tape study and playcalling. If they are getting home the screen is there or the dumpoff to your 6’5 tight ends. Winston is a much beyter scrambler than given credit for as well.
Its chess, ITS COACHING!
August 6th, 2019 at 6:40 am
Nah . Bucs start against the perfect team – 49ers (very beatable )
They get early win and raise their confidence
Defense looks leaps and bounds better (and I know it’s practice )
Arians is QB Whisperer so Jameis has 1st year of 2 to 1 TD to Int ratio.
Bucs are around 9-7
Unfortunately , we play in NFC south where you got 3 other teams that can make the playoffs (if Cams shoulder is better , panthers will be better )
August 6th, 2019 at 6:40 am
@Magadude. I’m heading to Nashville that weekend as well. Most of my friends going are huge Jameis’ fans. To picking Jameis first – it was either him or Mariota – So I am glad we got him.
Still think one of our1st round players (JPP) will be playing week 7 in Nashville.
August 6th, 2019 at 6:40 am
With those comparison picks it is like whoever has been running the bucs has zero clue on how to build a winning organization
August 6th, 2019 at 6:45 am
WOW
The love affair continues
August 6th, 2019 at 6:48 am
We worried over the Saints and the Eagles last year about this same time. Anything is possible on any given day in the NFL.We have an exciting secondary now that will be interesting to watch and our D-line with Suh and Vea and Carl Nassib and others.We have linebacker depth. Lots of match ups–our team is young and exciting.We have a team of receivers and tight ends that may be the best in the league! Go Bucs!
August 6th, 2019 at 6:51 am
New scheme
Lot of new players
And I believe Rivera is calling plays
It may take a bit for them to get it together
August 6th, 2019 at 7:00 am
Think we’ve been suffering?
The Rams did not have a single winning season for 13 straight years until Sean McVay took over and turned out an 11-5 season from a 4-12 the year before.
Why? Because anything is possible in the NFL and coaching is more important in football than any other sport.
Many of you have the Bucs 1-6 before they have played a game. In my mind they are 0-0 and tied for first place. Can’t wait to get things rolling and see if we hit the coaching jackpot.
Even if we suffer through another losing season, if I see guys flying around on defense and making plays I’ll be happy. I don’t think BA would have taken this job without extensive study, concluding he could turn things around.
We’ll see …
August 6th, 2019 at 7:05 am
I don’t know why but, whenever I see Gerald’s picture I just envision Peyton Barber running through a hole the size of a mack truck as GMC either gets rag-dolled or gets sideways!
Note to Bruce and Byron: Wherever GMC lines up, run to that hole and whatever you do, BRING THE PAIN!
August 6th, 2019 at 7:25 am
@Defense Rules
Agree with your point. Certainly 1st rounders Poe, McCoy and Irvin are well past their prime as players.
Reid, while not that old, seems to be more of an average player as well.
35 sacks as a team last year.
Rookie Brian Burns not showing anything at this point for Carolina. So where is their pass rush from.
August 6th, 2019 at 7:25 am
Perhaps McCoy poisons the Panther locker room with his nonchalant, non intense attitude and the Panthers do a 3-13 freefall, its not like the pundits think the Panthers are going to go 13-3 though you would never know that by reading some posts. Perhaps Cam Newton is washed up… Perhaps Bucco Bruce gets the Bucs to play smart intelligent football for 60 minutes and manages the clock better than Dirk Koetter ever did. Hey its probably not gonna happen and the Bucs could end up in the basement but if people predicting a 2-5 start can call the glass half empty, well I am glad that GMC is not in that glass anymore and perhaps it is a case of addition by subtraction at One Buc with the loss of guys like Gerald as well as that prima-donna DJax….
BTW: Big Duthsty, RIP to your old nemesis Harley Race, you certainly had some epic battles against that dude at the old armory on Kennedy, Sarasota’s Robard’s arena as well as on WTOG with good old Gordon…….
August 6th, 2019 at 7:33 am
Their receivers are pure garbage with that gimmick offense. Defense is the only reason they have been decent. But these seasons result go the way most expect them to. Geraldine usually exaggerates shop not surprised to hear that from him. They had the same guys last year and sucked so means nothing
Dee Ford not playing week one so panthers night game will tell us exactly what this team is week 2
August 6th, 2019 at 7:39 am
I’m cautiously optimistic about this year. I believe a lot of Bucs fans are.
Honestly, it reminds me of when Tony Dungy was hired. Fans were pretty down in the dumps back then…following a lot of losing seasons. At this point, I think most of the bandwagon fans are gone. Any more fans drop off, they are probably more wounded than bandwagoners.
Personally, I am trying to temper my expectations this year. I don’t know if it will help manager stress later, but I’m giving it a try.
If the offense can be as good as it has been, and the defense is greatly improved. that will make it all worth enjoying. Mostly, I want the kicker position fixed. Nothing stressed me out more the past few years than knowing we would miss field goals.
August 6th, 2019 at 7:41 am
JA Says
“Think we’ve been suffering?
The Rams did not have a single winning season for 13 straight years”
Check the Bucs record before Dungy. We’ve more than paid our dues.
August 6th, 2019 at 7:42 am
I’m no Analytical Chemist like one of my boys…and have never had Trig. But by my calculations, the season won’t be over until we play 16 games…and I’d bet Arians won’t allow the guys to pack it in until the last game is over. May I suggest we just take one game at a time before patting ourselves on the back or kicking ourselves on the other end,
August 6th, 2019 at 8:01 am
Bonzai–
You’re correct on the payment of dues. Before Dungy, the Bucs were horrible, carding 14 seasons in a row without a winning record.
My point, however, is that a quick turnaround, albeit improbable, is not impossible. I too am cautiously optimistic. Perhaps more optimistic than in recent years because of the coaching change. For the first time in a long time I feel that we finally have someone that knows what the hell he is doing out there.
August 6th, 2019 at 8:23 am
The Panthers have 8 first round picks and two of them are cross dressing crybabies. Good for them. I’m not worried a bit. Sham and McCrybaby more then likely will be out having strained their lady parts by the time we get to the second game.
August 6th, 2019 at 9:34 am
McCoy was blubbering on NFL Network recently about how the Panthers have six or seven players who can beat 1-on-1 matchups en route to the quarterback.
I noticed he didn’t include himself. He sounds like he’s giddy that they alone can accomplish this feat without his services. This way GMC won’t be singled out if the Dline is successful. It will help provide cover for his crappy contributions. I bet he’s not going to be an every down player now. He’ll probably work in a rotation, something he wouldn’t agree to here in TB.
August 6th, 2019 at 9:56 am
Sip, sip ahhhhhh get your tea cups ready for those sweet Carolina tears they’re going to be so tasty and delicious and don’t worry Scam & McTears will give plenty of refills.
August 6th, 2019 at 11:02 am
Screw the Panthers. Hopefully Alex Cappa gets in a bar fight with McCoy on the field.
GO BUCS
August 6th, 2019 at 12:51 pm
dont see mccoy being an impact player with carolina. never was much of a playmaker. GO BUCS.
August 6th, 2019 at 1:50 pm
not that stunning. 2 months ago before the GMC signing the bucs had 6 on defense and the panthers had 7. and not all former first rounders on both squads are equal – there are studs, busts reborn as backups, and castoffs like GMC. small numbers = random patterns, little to learn from.
August 6th, 2019 at 2:37 pm
I think Bruce Arians is way over-rated, so I expect to see that 2-4 more likely than not. If we’re lucky.
August 6th, 2019 at 2:41 pm
We have speed now to stifle Carolina’s passing game, and just let their QB try a QB sneak with Suh and Vea on either side of their Center and knock him on his behind. Our running game should take advantage of after McCoy vacates his lane running after Jameis. Can’t wait for us to whip the Stinking Panthers on Thursday Night Football. That will be nationally televised and up our power ranking quite a bit.
August 6th, 2019 at 3:07 pm
“ATrain Says:
WOW
The love affair continues”
Well said, who gives a crap about the Panthers and McSoftie other than Joe?
August 6th, 2019 at 3:29 pm
Negative Nancy Says:
August 6th, 2019 at 2:37 pm
I think Bruce Arians is way over-rated, so I expect to see that 2-4 more likely than not. If we’re lucky. : :Yeah 2 time coach of the year awards and turning around multiple franchises into perennial contenders & going worst to first is “way over-rated” keep drinking the hater-aid “Negative Nancy” OK.
August 6th, 2019 at 6:19 pm
All your deep study and this is the kind of article we get???
To paraphrase: “arbitrary evaluation metric X is a bigger number than our same arbitrary evaluation metric X, so therefore the sky is falling and we’re going to get this ship kicked out of us. Also, my crush is still dating other people and I can’t stand it. But damn if can’t wait till I lay eyes on him again in a few more weeks, even if it’s just to wonder oh what could have been, as he parades around with his new love, killing me softly….”
Can we just have Ira writing articles and maybe you guys hire some other people with legitimate football analysis credentials and reporting acumen, and you can stay on the marketing side of things or something… or just cash your fat clickbait paychecks and go sit on the beach? I’m not joking. This is garbage.
August 7th, 2019 at 10:32 am
Haven’t studied the Bucs enough to comment. But some of y’all obviously haven’t studied the Panthers either. These two are way off the mark:
“Their receivers are pure garbage”
“Rookie Brian Burns not showing anything at this point for Carolina”
I can tell you those 8 1st rounders sound great on paper but one of them is Vernon Butler, who is close to moving to bustville. Poe takes up space but made zero plays last year. And as another poster said Eric Reid seems average and has been out of position a good bit. They signed Tre Boston at FS so hopefully he can cover that up.
Carolina wins the week 2 game but think the Bucs can’t help but be better under Arians. Rematch may be a different story. Wish y’all had kept Koetter.