Bucs Still Have A Pass Rush
November 14th, 2019
NFL Films data shows disruption.
Once upon a time in a land very close by, there was a football team with a defense that couldn’t breathe on a quarterback. And by actions and deeds, the football team demonstrated it wanted opposing quarterbacks to stand upright with clean, spot-free uniforms throughout a game.
Oh, how times have changed. And it seems that difference is totally flipping the script of this sad NFL fable upside down.
Yes, with the signing of Shaq Barrett, who leads the NFL (along with Chandler Jones) in sacks with 11.5, and the resurrection of Jason Pierre-Paul, the Bucs have become a strong pass-rushing team, in addition to being elite against the run (in a passing league).
Per the good people of NFL Films, who compile stats for BSPN’s NFL Matchup, the Bucs are the No. 9 team in the league when getting after quarterbacks. Sort of.
When the Bucs rush four or less men at the quarterback, without a blitz, the Bucs are one of the NFL’s best at pressuring, hitting or sacking opposing quarterbacks.
Yes, it is difficult to believe, but Joe trusts NFL Films.
The bad part about this? It goes to show just how horrible Bucs’ defensive backs have (not) covered receivers. But also, JPP and Barrett are free agents.
For the Bucs to bring these two back, Team Glazer is going to have to shell out quite a bit of loot in the offseason.
November 14th, 2019 at 11:10 am
I don’t understand why we blitz so much. Especially in the Seattle game when our db’s were struggling so much. You’d think Bowles would have access to the same analytics and adjust.
November 14th, 2019 at 11:11 am
Saw this on twitter and was surprised. Good info though. Figuring out how to pay JPP and Shaq seems like a good problem to have.
Man, Licht IS the GM version of Jameis. You have performances like the 2016 draft and McNichols (in the best RB draft in a long time) and then you have gems like Shaq pickup, Marpet, Godwin, JPP trade, Etc.
The whole franchise is a slot machine. It wins enough to keep you around and never pays out.
2017 RBs
Leonard Fournette
Christian McCaffrey
Dalvin Cook
Alvin Kamara
Joe Mixon
Marlon Mack
Kareem Hunt
The Bucs:
JEREMY MCNICHOLS
November 14th, 2019 at 11:36 am
Honestly if we don’t land jpp and shaq, it’s gonna be a huge hit to my confidence in the future. They are building blocks and solutions to years of irresponsibility.
Shaq will probably want to stay since we gave him a chance and he balled. not to mention we have improved a lot.
jpp may want to leave but we should pay him a lot. he’s the unquestioned leader on defense til white gets it. I am obsessed with his obsession. That’s how i would be if i were on that field. just watch his post game huddle hype and how he acted when vea wouldn’t communicate. The guy gets it and it’s been a while since we had someone that passionate and productive. Kwon was but he was average and still is no matter what san fran thinks. I miss his ass though. dude was a real one.
November 14th, 2019 at 11:39 am
we have decent pressure and coverage, right up until JW turns it over….lol…
GO BUCS!!!!!
November 14th, 2019 at 11:40 am
I think we keep JPP another year and resign Barrett….as info, JPP is buying a new mansion in Miami that is even badder than the one he already has…price tag of almost $5mil
Doesn’t sound like he is planning to retire…and we NEED him!!!!
November 14th, 2019 at 11:43 am
813 12 turnovers in 2 games. 10 in the other 7. You must be dreaming of those outliers.
November 14th, 2019 at 11:45 am
Too bad the line will break apart after the season.
November 14th, 2019 at 11:46 am
WhyIHateOurFans4TheMostPart Says
“I don’t understand why we blitz so much.”
It’s his most common play and always has been. It works more often than it doesn’t.
November 14th, 2019 at 11:49 am
Buccernutter Says
“Honestly if we don’t land jpp and shaq, it’s gonna be a huge hit to my confidence in the future.”
JPP will not re-sign.
The Bucs already had him locked in for next year, but in order to get him to agree to a salary reduction this year, they had to negate his final year. Since the Bucs had no reason to want to negate the last year (it had no guarantees), that means JPP insisted on it.
Which means he wants out.
November 14th, 2019 at 11:52 am
I think the Bucs HAVE TO shell out the money to re-sign JPP, Barrett, Suh and Nassib. And in addition, use a Top 3 Round pick on a DLineman (preferably a DT this year, but a DE would do to).
This defense has a very good chance to turn into something special. With a Front-7 starting lineup like Vea, Suh, JPP, Nassib, Barrett, LVD and White we’re in good shape. If the back 4-5 of Davis, Dean, SMB, Whitehead & Edwards can mature quickly this second half season we’ll have a solid defensive core for 2020 that SHOULD rank in the Top-15, maybe even the Top-10. UNLESS of course we let some of those veterans walk.
The Bucs’ offense is what needs work now. Via the draft & FA, we need to pick up 1 QB (backup or starter TBD), 2-3 OLineman, 1-2 RBs, 1-2 WRs & probably 1 TE. We’d also be wise to re-sign Auclair IMO. That’s 7-10 pickups on offense.
In addition to re-signing JPP, Suh, Barrett & Nassib, the Bucs’ defense will need to pick up at least 1 DT/DE, 1 ILB, 1 OLB, 2 CB, 1 Safety. We’d be wise to also re-sign Allen, Minter & Ryan Smith on short contracts IMO. That’s a total of 13 players on defense.
So all together, we’ll need at least 20-23 new signings next year. That’s to go with the 30 or so who are still under contract for 2020. IF we can find the right players via the draft & free agency, this team SHOULD be in the playoffs next year. And once in, anything can happen.
November 14th, 2019 at 12:55 pm
nutter
so thats 22 TO’s in 9games right….
so how many is JW accountable for?…2?…lol…
GO BUCS!!!!!
November 14th, 2019 at 1:35 pm
We need to draft at least 1 DLineman. If JPP wants to walk/retire, let him. Nassib, Barrett, VV, LVD, Whitehead, etc. are already forming the basis of another great Bucs defense. Mix in Bowles and let them play for a FULL SEASON!! JPP’s earlier accident scared him, and the man is seriously ready to retire. In the meantime, Go Bucs Sunday!!!
November 14th, 2019 at 2:35 pm
813 no dude, that’s not what was said here. You need to work on comprehension before i continue debating with you.
bonzai That’s not how I see it. He wants another payday. We had the ability to put him on non football ir and recoup that money. We agreed to let him play this season for a portion to see where he is at. It doesn’t necessarily mean he did it to show other teams. The bucs could have kept him next year and paid him a hefty salary for the year but have no idea if he was able to play. This move was beneficial to both but at no point does it dictate he wants to go somewhere else. It was merely a prove it year for everyone and hedged our liability for next season.
November 14th, 2019 at 2:40 pm
bonzai
basically if he didn’t play this year and agree to our restructure for 2019, then he would be a question mark for 2020. Nobody was going to give him a huge contract and we likely would have cut him since he didn’t play a down after a broken neck. he agreed to play this year for a reduction so he can get one more fat contract in which the last year option wouldn’t have been. and as i had stated above, teams weren’t going to pay him monster money.
sooooo, he played so we can see what we have, so he can prove to teams he’s still a baller without depending on a new contract with question marks for next year or us paying him for a year after he was out with a neck fracture. he did it for a contract, not free agency. IN MY OPINION.
November 14th, 2019 at 2:47 pm
Defense Rules—
You’re excellent with numbers and stats. I’d REALLY be interested in you playing GM with your suggestions and war-gaming how your suggestions might play out with the cap. Knowing you, you’ve probably already done that.
I wholeheartedly agree with you. Let our signature be a kick-ass defense who has been there TOGETHER! Then fill in some blanks on offense and see where we can go.
Me…not being a math guy (but appreciates others who can articulate “said math,” would really be interested if there’s a way to accomplish what you suggest knowing so many on our team might be inclined to “GET PAID” next year and beyond.
Will stand by.
November 14th, 2019 at 2:54 pm
nutter
you aint even worth debating…lol…
you’re clueless…
GO BUCS!!!!
November 14th, 2019 at 3:00 pm
813 quit being a hater your gator colors are showing. An don’t try an deny it you root for Hargreaves an hate on Winston. EVEN WEN WINSTON HAS A GOOD GAME THE DEFENSE STILL LOSES IT FOR US YES WINSTONS TURNOVERS ARE A PROB BUT NOT AS BIG OF A PROB AS THE SECONDARY GIVING UP 30 points a game put Tom Brady drew brees or joe burrow an they still won’t win with this defense no one can
November 14th, 2019 at 3:04 pm
813
do you realize how much dumb **** you say on a daily basis and get ripped for?
You will never surpass the physical limitations your brain has to allow you to truly be intelligent. The fact you came to a conclusion about my awareness because of two posts proves exactly that. You would get much further in here and probably in life if you opened your mind to people smarter than yourself.
You’re the type of person that says “you AINT even worth debating”… because you CAN’T and I would embarrass your internet obsessed ass. But the internet is good for you because you can snap and clear whenever you say something dumb and not be held accountable.
Keep trying though. I respect your tenacity.
November 14th, 2019 at 3:14 pm
I don’t expect Suh will be back. He is mainly here to collect a paycheck as he has big plans for his post football career. We will need to address the DL big time in the coming offseason. That is another subject. (Vea is emerging as a stud and a beast now.)
The last time we had a great DE combo (OLBs in our scheme) was with Sapp and Rice. Rice was brought in with a trade at a time when the team was obviously on the rise. He added something of real significance at the time.
The Bucs should be willing to pay whatever it takes to bring back JPP and Barrett. We need these guys to help us change our culture and launch a new winning generation. Only then can we talk about playoffs and Super Bowl runs. Losing either of them will be a big setback. It took us TOO MANY years to get to this kind of situation again.
Don’t blow it Arians-and-Licht!
November 14th, 2019 at 3:37 pm
I have the feeling that JPP does want to be here and maybe retire here. Yes, it is just a gut feeling if you will.
Arians and the Bucs could have written him off with the injury he sustained and most fans would not have faulted them.
I see his redone contract in the same light as the the two restructurings that Mike Evans made earlier this year. They were all for the good of the franchise without any financial damage to the players. I have to think there is some trust among all concerned, that is, Arians, Licht, JPP and his agent. There was some very interesting discussions that we fans will never know about. Just a guess.
JPP’s play can be seen by all. His leadership intangibles and football character are off the charts.
November 14th, 2019 at 3:55 pm
#1bucfan
i root for every buc on the roster…..lol…
i have 2 JW jerseys…lol….
even when the defense has a good game it doesnt look like it because JW turns the ball over giving the opponent extra possessions….
FSU fans like yourself love to say exactly what you just said…..JWs turnovers are a problem BUT……but nothing!!!!!!!…..its the main problem…..pick 6’s and shorts fields hang the defense out to dry….but you dumb FSU fans expect the defense to not give up any points on a short field….lol….
VHG sucked….time to move on…..
but he’s far from the only player to suck or underachieve…..
JW hasnt lived up to his 1st round bill but we know we know…its not his fault…..lol…
GO BUCS!!!!!!
November 14th, 2019 at 4:00 pm
nutter
obviously im more educated and smarter than you simply because i refuse to debate with someone who lacks intelligence….simple as that….
here’s some knowledge for you young fella:
smart men dont argue with fools because folks from a distance cant tell who is who…..
bye chump
GO BUCS!!!!
November 14th, 2019 at 4:05 pm
LOL you just proved me even more right but you’re honestly too dumb to see why.
Here’s a lesson for ya little guy:
Ignorant men do not argue with smart men because they can’t. They insult and leave to deflect from their lack of IQ.
and there you go…..
November 14th, 2019 at 5:13 pm
Todd … Once you’re in the playoffs, ANYTHING can happen. And I honestly believe that the Bucs COULD be a playoff team next year IF we make the right moves between NOW & the start of next season. The tone for that has to be set THIS year though. The key is to win & play great football doing it, so that this team KNOWS that it can play with anybody & win. Creating a winning culture starts NOW.
It’s that winning culture that attracts quality players to teams IMO (evidence the Patriots & some of the guys they’ve signed through the years JUST BECAUSE they’re the Patriots & are in the playoff fight every year). We can keep players like JPP, Barrett, Nassib AND Suh for FAIR paydays IF they’re convinced we can make a run for it next year.
Too many variables though go into figuring out TODAY what will be a ‘fair payday’ next year. But one thing’s for sure IMO, you don’t create a great defense on peanuts. And the current $59 mil we’re spending for the ENTIRE defense is peanuts. The only reasons we’re getting away with it are (1) we’ve got a lot of rookies on our defense; and (2) we’ve got a lot of 1-year ‘prove it’ contracts.
But I know that doesn’t answer your question. Personally convinced that we can build a Top-15 (and maybe Top-10) defense for about $85 mil or so next year.
Right now Spotrac (and Over-the-Cap) projects the 2020 salary Cap to be $199-$200 mil. Bucs will be rolling over $9.3 mil from this year bringing our total to $208.3 mil. We have 35 players under contract right now for 2020 at a cost of $114.9 mil. But I’d guess that 5 of those won’t be on the team next year (Beckwith, O’Connor, Stinnie, Ogunbowale & Dixon to name names … contracts totaling $3.3 mil). That’d bring the contracts for 30 players down to $111.6 mil. Of course that leaves us 23 spots to fill, and $96.7 mil to fill them with, PLUS potentially do a new contract for Chris Godwin.
The latter I’d think will cost us around $15 mil and Chris is slated to make a tad less than $1 mil next year now, so that difference ($14 mil) would be costly. Doubt we could afford that at the start of 2020 even if we wanted to. I think we have no choice but to wait until we see where we stand financially in the middle of next season, then try to sign Chris early to a new contract. IOW, we could have $96.7 mil to sign the needed 23 players, up to 7 of whom would be our 2020 rookies. The good news IMO is that 20 of those 30 under contract are quality starters or key rotational players who don’t need replacing. The other 10 are serviceable for the most part & probably won’t be replaced in 2020.
Way too much info I know, but the point is … it’s doable. But ONLY if we make sound decisions in terms of how to structure this team. Paying $30 mil (or more) for a starting QB is NOT a sound decision given our financial situation. If anything, we’ve got to at the very least keep the cost of our offense next year at no more than the current $100 mil (roughly). No way to do that if we pay a QB $30 mil (or more) annually), plus ME13 ($18.3 mil), Donovan ($14.5 mil), Marpet ($11 mil), Jensen ($10 mil), Brate ($6 mil), OJ ($3.5 mil). That’d be $93.3 mil for just SEVEN offensive players … with another 18 offensive players expecting to be paid from the remaining $7 mil or so. The numbers simply don’t work. That’d have to come at the expense of building a quality defense, and we’d be right back to where we are now. Interesting year ahead.
November 14th, 2019 at 5:44 pm
@D.R.
As always excellent posting. I agree with Todd.
I also agree with your strategy and hope you’re correct on the cap. I surely do not worry about the Glazers running out of $$$ and unlike some here I think the Glazers are so wealthy they are now free to become fans. THEY WANT TO WIN!
But the cap is different. Thanks for your work on the numbers now a technical question to show my lack of knowledge.
What is the penalty for teams that simply “ignore” the cap and blow through it? Any margin for error?
November 14th, 2019 at 8:10 pm
If they double Thomas and spy Kamara they may have a chance. That leaves Ginn and their TE to beat the buc def.