Fix The Secondary
October 17th, 2019
Start working the phone!
Look, Joe isn’t doom-and-gloom here. But he’s close.
The International Embarrassment on Sunday was galling. It nearly had Joe throwing the towel in on the season. Joe nearly came to the conclusion the Bucs should unload half the team, including America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston.
Yes, Joe nearly succumbed to the Winston Derangement Syndrome lunatics.
Then Monday night Joe had an epiphany. The Bucs, led by Jameis, have scored the most points in the NFC. That’s huge! Joe doesn’t even think this offense is well-oiled and to find out it is still scoring points at that rate blew Joe away (just the opposite of last year when the offense was humming but couldn’t score points).
And Joe is well aware the Bucs have an awesome run defense. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It’s a passing league. Joe fully understands.
And the pass defense is appalling.
If the Bucs can just find at least one competent corner, this team could make a run at a wild card. Yes, Joe just typed that in all honesty.
But as Jenna Laine of ESPN points out, if the Bucs do not address the secondary before the Oct. 29 trade deadline, this season could go down the chute really quick. As in the next three weeks.
Laine believes, just like Joe, this team must address the secondary in the next two weeks if the Bucs are serious about winning.
The Bucs have the worst pass defense in the NFL, allowing 304.5 yards per game. Fourth-year cornerback Vernon Hargreaves has gone from making the two biggest plays in Weeks 1 and 2 to surrendering some pretty big plays. The past two weeks in particular, he has given a lot more cushion to opposing receivers when, in his own words, “what he does best” is press. Now he’s getting picked on by opponents. The Bucs have to explore ways to help him.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Bucs have given up 69.4% of passes outside the numbers on the left side (Hargreaves) and 49.3% outside the numbers on the right side (Davis). The Bucs have surrendered seven passing touchdowns on the left side of the field (outside the numbers and number to hash) versus four on the right.
It boils down to this: Joe is a firm believer in either you play for the playoffs or you play for the draft. If the Bucs do not upgrade the secondary in the next two weeks, that tells Joe they are playing for the draft. And if that is the case, then there should be a fire sale.
If the Bucs are serious about winning, they will find a defensive back, preferably a corner. Inactivity is not the best activity here. In fact, it would be the absolute worst thing to do.
If the Bucs win the Tennessee Ready II game and pull within 3-4 with nine games to go and don’t get a corner to help out, it is downright irresponsible and a slap in the face to fans who spend their hard-earned dollars at the Den of Depression.
With the division so skunky this year, the Bucs have a shot to make inroads. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a Pro Bowl corner. Just one who starts and is competent.
Out of 31 other teams, you can’t tell Joe one decent corner cannot be found.
The season is not over — yet. But it could be over very quickly unless this team gets secondary help. Not backups, but a starter.
Get on the horn!
October 17th, 2019 at 5:18 am
Hey joe, name one time this team has made a blockbuster in season trade of any muster. I can’t think of one. The team just doesn’t do it. Kind of like firing head coaches mid season. The team is stubborn once the season starts.
October 17th, 2019 at 5:20 am
No chance. Back up QB
October 17th, 2019 at 5:25 am
No DB is going to save this season. Save any draft capital for a new GM who knows what he’s doing. You’ll never win with America’s turnover machine Mr. Magoo.
October 17th, 2019 at 5:28 am
Do you think this is lost on Todd Bowles and Bruce Arians?
Good God I hope not.
After attending The Great International Embarrassment (Home game? Yeah, right…less than 10% of the fans wore Bucs colors), I suffer from Bucs-lag, not jet-lag. You’re right, Joe…if the Bucs don’t secure C1 talent, it’s simply over.
And I will find it difficult to “trade on hope” relating to next year. To date, I’ve held BA and TB on a pedestal…and if they do nothing to address the most glaring problem on this team, I will just consider them “controlled opposition.”
Calling Patrick Peterson.
October 17th, 2019 at 5:33 am
Our Guys are our Guys. LOL!
October 17th, 2019 at 5:49 am
“Teflon Gump will trade OJ Howard for a 2nd round pick to get another cornerback in the draft
My dad and I sympathize to a lot of the older posters here
Gump is here till 2024,
Gump is their last GM they will have of their beloved Bucs before they checkout
My Dad has fought the good fight and his hands are clean
3/4 years ago, Kobe Faker has predicted this exact scenario and status of the Bucs we are in (archives is your friend)
Don’t come running to us crying and asking for forgiveness”
Son of Kobe Faker
October 17th, 2019 at 5:50 am
Lets keep putting lipstick on a pig and calling it beautiful !!
October 17th, 2019 at 5:54 am
Off topic, but Happy Pronoun Day!
Quick question.
I’d FU(KTARD a “Master Pronoun” that covers zem all.
I think so.
Asking for a friend.
October 17th, 2019 at 5:55 am
Name a couple to go after. They don’t grow on trees ya know.
October 17th, 2019 at 5:58 am
Wow….nearly done with this Neanderthal site. The secondary is young and this thing needs to be given time. Not 5 years like the fraud at QB. Trade picks to add to a crowded secondary? Insane. The pieces are coming together. Need a QB that won’t f*ck everything up. End of story…..
October 17th, 2019 at 6:09 am
I’m in full doom and gloom mode. Jameis dissolved any hope I had for him after last weeks performance. They can get rid of anyone outside of Mike, Godwin, Shaq, and any player with than less than 3 years of expedience for all I care. The only exception is that I would trade our 5th overall pick this year, Eugene Marve Jr. while he still has some value. Devin Bush just got AFC rookie of the week. I’m sure thats sitting well with the Joe who disliked our pick of White and I’m looking forward to that article. 😃
October 17th, 2019 at 6:34 am
Licht has spent around nine draft picks plus on DBs. It ain’t fixed. One right pick st QB and it could be fixed.
Is it harder to fix the secondary in a passing league, than it would be to just select s new QB and hit with consistency?
October 17th, 2019 at 6:42 am
The season is over once again before October is over. Pretty used to it. Doesn’t surprise me at all.
This team is nowhere close to a playoff team.
Don’t give me the “there’s a chance they can turn it around”. Don’t do this to yourselves. Hope will not help the Bucs win games.
There are too many holes on this team. They will probably win just enough games to not get a top 5 pick. Doesn’t matter anyway.
Jason Licht will screw up the pick anyway.
October 17th, 2019 at 6:47 am
Did Bucs lose to 49ers and Giants because of secondary? Those are 2 games Bucs were in position to win.
The last 2 games, teams are finding a weakness in Bowles secondary, plus it’s tough when you have injuries to LB’s and secondary. And Barrett played injured last week.
NFL is about adjusting- Arians’ teams usually have stronger 2nd halves, but with inconsistent Jameis, who feels confident Bucs will start winning?
October 17th, 2019 at 6:49 am
Yep worst pass defense, below average running game, one of the worst punt/kick return units, slightly below average oline (well below when not healthy), very little pressure on the other teams QB, yet a high scoring offense and competitive in most games due to said passing game. Oh yeah we also lost one game due to a missed chip shot FG.
Moron fan conclusion=let’s get rid of the QB that will fix everything.
It is truly amazing how clueless people are. It just goes to show you how little people truly know about this sport.
October 17th, 2019 at 6:55 am
Moron fan conclusion= let’s redraft several picks to get a top unit around the QB, when it would easier to pay a rookie QB and get the same production and then the $ in cap space to buy other positions.
October 17th, 2019 at 6:59 am
And if we lose against Tennessee to fall to 2-5, then we need to be sellers. Let’s see what KC will give us for Suh ( they need serious help with there run D.
October 17th, 2019 at 7:09 am
Only corner worth trading for now is Patrick Peterson … Bucs should have done everything in power to get either peters or Ramsey and they screwed that up
October 17th, 2019 at 7:09 am
The season is over Joe. 4 win team will not waste draft picks to make trades for overrated veteran players. We need to use our picks to trade up and get a QB.
October 17th, 2019 at 7:23 am
Cameron Brate for Jonathon Jones straight up-problem solved. Licht Brain is a freaking hot mess as a GM , that is why it will not happen.
October 17th, 2019 at 7:33 am
HAHA you want this GM to fix the secondary with a trade. The same idiot that drafted a kicker in the second round. The same guy that has drafted about 7 defensive backs and none of them have worked. Be careful what you wish for he knowing the Bucs they will fix it by bringing back Brent Grimes because that would be a buc thing to do.
October 17th, 2019 at 7:35 am
There are 3 types of mind sets with the Bucs.
1. Glass half full.
2. Glass half empty.
3. Glass shattered when thrown accross the room Sunday.
October 17th, 2019 at 7:38 am
Deleted my comment?…I’m about to delete you. Worthless gibberish to save a crappy QB. I lived through Testaverde, Freeman and a multitude of QB garbage and this guy is the same. He’s proven his deficiencies over and over and all you guys do is defend him with the stupid “America’s QB” baloney. I’m just about had it with the franchise too. Resigning this bum will nail the coffin for me….good luck
October 17th, 2019 at 7:43 am
I agree with this, but the problem is we are terrible at picking in the draft. I almost would rather trade away our picks for proven talent than bet in Lichtenstein and his staff to draft productive players at this point. I mean, light use to be an offensive lineman. One would think he would, at the very least, be able to put together a solid line, but this has not been his strong suit. Our line is overpaid and below average even though they are paid as a top five unit.
October 17th, 2019 at 7:45 am
Silly article. Bucs aren’t pulling off a blockbuster trade considering we are 2-4. Either: 1) bench Hargreaves, or 2) scheme to give him more safety help or something.
If anything I take this as encouragement that Carlton Davis is developing into a legit CB
October 17th, 2019 at 7:50 am
secondary has been piss poor…..but so has the pass rush….
outside of shaq, pass rush doesnt exist….
JPP may help once he hits the field but thats a big MAY….if we do a trade, it should be for a DE first then a CB….
GO BUCS!!!!!
October 17th, 2019 at 7:56 am
Does Mike Evans want out? You have to ask yourself…
October 17th, 2019 at 7:56 am
Unless the pass rush and pass defense get fixed, the only time the Bucs will win is the games that Winston and the offense play near flawless and that won’t happen but maybe once or twice more this season and not with half the OL out with injuries
October 17th, 2019 at 8:08 am
Should have hired Kris Richards. The defense would have better. Todd Bowles defense hasn’t been in the top 20 in years. Its all about good coaching you can’t be drafting dbs year after year and they are all bad.
October 17th, 2019 at 8:08 am
Not talking about a blockbuster. Joe never mentioned that whatsoever. Just a competent corner. Since the Bucs have the worst pass defense in the NFL, damn near any starting corner would be an upgrade.
October 17th, 2019 at 8:10 am
Bucs have THE WORST pass defense in the NFL. Guessing there are 50 corners that could come in here and start and do a better job than what is currently on the roster.
October 17th, 2019 at 8:11 am
That has crossed Joe’s mind. He did say before the season he’s getting really sick of losing. Then again, he’s got a nice contract.
October 17th, 2019 at 8:14 am
Trade OJ Howard for Patrick Peterson straight up no draft picks involved. Howard is overrated get something for him before the rest of the league finds out.
October 17th, 2019 at 8:20 am
Jameis is like a pitcher with loads and loads of talent, but they peck around the strike zone, are inefficient, walking a lot of guys. This leads to the defense behind the pitcher playing with less focus and enthusiasm because of the inconsistency.
Jameis was off and our offensive teammates are human too. They can have an off day. Evans was sick as hell at the Brighton of the year so forgive his first two games.
I do think he could battle more, and I do think evans can expect more from Jameis’ precision.
Evans did drop that bomb in his breadbasket last week, however by and large it’s been Winston missing guys deep for the last 4 plus years.
October 17th, 2019 at 8:20 am
Trading for a corner won’t save Jameis. Jameis actually playing consistent might save Jameis- of course the Bucs will continue to lose with winston under center but by all means lets hamstring the Bucs for a few more years.
October 17th, 2019 at 8:25 am
Allbuccedup Says:
October 17th, 2019 at 8:08 am
Should have hired Kris Richards. The defense would have better.
BINGO!!!!
i tried to tell folks the thing that would help winston the most was a defensive HC and not another offensive guru…..
with that said, JW cant stay out of his own way….his TO’s kill us every time….
GO BUCS!!!!!
October 17th, 2019 at 8:27 am
He’s not *the* problem, the secondary is.
Jameis’ picks are *a* problem, not *the* problem.
October 17th, 2019 at 8:28 am
Licht needs to be drug-tested if he does that.
Not even sure would trade Brate straight up for Peterson.
October 17th, 2019 at 8:30 am
Exactly where did Joe state the Bucs need to pull off a “blockbuster” trade? Might want to read the article again.
October 17th, 2019 at 8:35 am
We are leading the NFC in points scored and 1 point from leading the NFC in points allowed.The defense is again the problem.
October 17th, 2019 at 8:38 am
“He’s not *the* problem, the secondary is.
Jameis’ picks are *a* problem, not *the* problem.”
You are *Wrong*
October 17th, 2019 at 8:43 am
Let Joe know what quarterback can consistently win when your pass defense bends over and gives up 300+ yards a game. Every. Freaking. Week.
BTW, the Titans have a QB available that doesn’t throw picks. Of course, he doesn’t do anything else but run around. But he doesn’t throw picks. Hey, if that’s what’s you want…
October 17th, 2019 at 8:47 am
Joe if Howard was 6′ 3″ he would not be in the nfl.
October 17th, 2019 at 9:10 am
i disagree joe…..
JW is *THE* PROBLEM…..
this is year5….3rd HC….
18games with multiple INTS…..
the secondary was trash even when revis was on the team…..
which players were in the secondary when we went 10-6 with freeman?…
dont know but we had m.bennett and GMC rushing the passer effectively….
GO BUCS!!!!
October 17th, 2019 at 9:15 am
joe
let the fans know what QB can consistently win when he’s turning the ball over every week?…..
BTW, JAX just traded a #1 lockdown CB….and it aint because of his attitude….its because of they have a pass rush…..
GO BUCS!!!!!
October 17th, 2019 at 9:15 am
Joe,
No thanks to
mariota!
I want a rookie, paid like a rookie, with the chance to be better than this after four plus years.
Kyle Allen
Gardner Minshew
DeShaun Watson
Carson Wentz
Pat Mahomes
Jared Goff
Lamar Jackson
Sam Darnold
Young guys, with less NFL experience, off the top off the top
Of my head whom are performing better- on a consistent basis OR clearly have more upside.
The poor is we can’t pay top
Dollar for subpar play.
October 17th, 2019 at 9:21 am
^* or who’ve proven more!
October 17th, 2019 at 9:29 am
I love articles like this. It brings out all the crazies…
@Bruce Blahak Says:
“…The secondary is young and this thing needs to be given time…. The pieces are coming together.”
———————————-
Where are they coming together? We have spent so much draft capital on DBs and have sh!t to show for it. The biggest problem with that is in spending that many draft picks on one position group, we are BADLY neglecting other positions, like OL, DL
@Ben real Says:
“…Bucs should have done everything in power to get either peters or Ramsey”
———————————–
Yeah, the Bucs need to give up two 1st rd picks and a 4th because we are so deep in talent. Brilliant!
@SteveK Says:
“…it would easier to pay a rookie QB and get the same production….”
———————————–
Sure, sounds like a plan. Stupid Miami and Redskins going to tank the season to get that top QB when they could just as easily get a guy off the street and save money. Or maybe you mean like Jacksonville or the Panthers, where both teams have a great defense? The Bucs make Danny Dimes Kyle Allen look All Pro. Lets be real, our defense sucks BADLY, that is why we are consistent losers.
October 17th, 2019 at 9:59 am
407bucfan … “We are leading the NFC in points scored and 1 point from leading the NFC in points allowed.The defense is again the problem.”
That’s Joe’s diversionary argument 407; don’t fall for it. Our offense has had exactly ONE great game (Rams) when we scored 55 points. And guess what … over HALF of those points came as a result of FOUR Rams’ turnovers generated by our defense (giving our offense great field position & allowing them to score 3 TDs & 1 FG) AND that same defense also added 7 points on its own via a fumble recovery & score. The defense got tagged with allowing 40 points in that game, but Jameis’ 1 INT for a Pick-6 in the 4th qtr gave the Rams 6 pts (our defense stopped them on their 2-pt conversion).
Remove that 1 game from our current 6 and we’ve scored 118 points in 5 games. Of course, our defense also had a Pick-6 in there, contributing 7 points, so our OFFENSE has REALLY generated 111 points in 5 games … 22.2 PPG average. Hmmm, about the same as Jameis & this offense has done EVERY YEAR from 2015-2017 (21.4, 22.1 & 20.9) but less than we did last year (24.8 PPG).
Won’t even talk about how our offense’s costly turnovers have been charged against our DEFENSE, except to say that Joe’s right … we’re #30 in POINTS ALLOWED with 185 points being surrendered. Of course, 21 of those points were ‘gifts’ from our offense (3 Pick 6s) & another 2 points came via the safety in Game 2. Even disregarding all the other turnovers & the terrible field position that resulted, just removing those 23 points puts us at 162 POINTS ALLOWED in 6 games (27 PPG). That’s BAD IMO, but considering the youth that we’re starting in the Secondary (and worse yet, VHIII), it’s pretty understandable at this point. Heck, the Rams have allowed 154 points; the Eagles 149 points & the Seahawks 146 points.
Yup, turnovers are a ball-buster, and the ones who REALLY pays the price is the DEFENSE in terms of points allowed (TDs or FGs if we’re lucky), significantly more time-on-the-field (TOP), more defensive snaps (let the defensive beatings continue until the offense gets it right), etc. Through 6 games, our offense has had 415 offensive snaps; our defense has had 428 defensive snaps. That’s NOT a good thing when you have an inexperienced Secondary and are playing offensive powerhouses like the Saints & Rams.
October 17th, 2019 at 11:00 am
LMAO here. Fix the secondary? How bout fixing your Defensive front 4? You can’t get to the passer so you blitz on every play leaving your secondary exposed. We been fixing the secondary for 3 yrs now. Yet, we pass on outstanding D front 4 players and DE’s.
October 17th, 2019 at 11:34 am
Did anyone get the QB grade from coaches over the last 2 weeks? How about the O line grades? How about the DB grades? How did the coaches who reviewed the tape grade those units and individuals? Point being, some of you know it all, I have a right, zero loyalty, no idea how a team works, let alone NFL posers are pitiful. You’d turn on your mom if she forgot the salt. Sad. Go Bucs!
October 17th, 2019 at 12:06 pm
Can we trade Winston for a legit corner?
October 17th, 2019 at 12:29 pm
Fire Licht and burn it all down. The house is haunted.
Start over with Godwin, Vea, Rojo, OJ, and Marpet. Maybe Evans.
The rest can go.
October 17th, 2019 at 12:39 pm
Please look up the W-L record of any QB when his defense gives up 27+ points in a game….
Go ahead, I’ll wait.
October 17th, 2019 at 1:01 pm
Here is a way to potentially fix two problems at once.
INTs are a big problem for Jameis, and our defensive backs are not getting enough pass breakups or INTs themselves.
So, let’s put one of our cornerbacks on offense and have them shadow Evans or Godwin, whichever is the primary receiver that Jameis locks in on and stares at before delivering the ball. That way our cornerback at least has a chance to breakup the INT before the opposing CB gets it, or perhaps make the “INT” himself, which would obviously count as a completion. The only problem might be our cornerback running that “INT” toward our own goal line for a safety, if JW3 threw one of those ”pick6” thingies.
tickrdr
October 17th, 2019 at 3:41 pm
Yes, Joe nearly succumbed to the Winston Derangement Syndrome lunatics. Those people who see 2nd and 3rd string Qb’s who are way more consistent? those lunatics? I thought you were talking about the loons who call him americas quarter back and defend his turnover machine self.
October 17th, 2019 at 9:35 pm
Your insane! ( doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result) haven’t you seen enough of Winston? Or are you just a Lunatic?