“It’s Going To Be Worth It In The End”
March 31st, 2020
Joe still thanks officials for ignoring this Jamel Dean crunch-time mugging that preserved a rare 2019 home win for the Bucs.
Seventh-year general manager Jason Licht is a patient man.
Not every Bucs fan is as patient.
With the Bucs in win-immediately mode, Licht and Bucco Brruce Arians have yet to upgrade their defensive backs stable since the free agency dinner bell rang two weeks ago.
Is there a true No. 1 cornerback on the roster?
Is there a No. 1 safety in the house?
Can you win a Super Bowl without a true No. 1 starter at either position?
These are questions that churn Joe’s stomach in the wee hours of the night as Joe recycles cans of Big Storm beer and wonders where the hell Team Glazer is since the Tom Brady signing. Joe sure hopes those guys are healthy, otherwise their collective introversion is as odd as O.J. Howard’s.
(Would it kill these Glazers to FaceTime a toast to Brady with a bottle of schnapps and a cheer for Bucs fans? Live a little, guys! It’s fun!)
The Bucs appear prepared to enter this season ready to gift two starting outside cornerback jobs and the important nickel gig to Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting.
It feels like the Bucs won’t bring in quality competition to push the youngsters. One reason Joe feels this way is Licht’s comments at the NFL Scouting Combine during an exclusive interview with iconic WFLA-TV sports chief Dan Lucas.
How do you feel about the 2018 draft a year later? Lucas asked Licht about his haul that included three defensive backs.
“I feel great,” Licht said. “And not only are those great kids and, you know, they got the right mindset. But they’re good players [and] we’ve got great coaches that developed them, and we’re patient with them and spent a lot of time getting them ready. And hanging with them during some early struggles, but [we’re] realizing it’s going to be worth it in the end.”
Yes, the Bucs were patient with their young DBs, who recovered from brutal to play good games late in the season.
Arians acknowledged that the defense often was “vanilla” because the young DBs weren’t up for more. And Rondé Barber was a bit more forward when he said the front-7 “covered up that young secondary.”
So what next for the youngsters?
The Saints and Panthers added firepower at receiver in free agency, and the Falcons already are stacked. Plus, the 2020 draft is loaded with receiver talent and the Bucs face Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers and more in the regular season.
There is promise in the Bucs secondary, but it just doesn’t yet feel like a win-now crew that can get the Bucs to the February game they’re yearning to play in.
March 31st, 2020 at 5:12 am
Licht seems to always be at least a year behind what is obvious to most others.
March 31st, 2020 at 5:19 am
Those young guys did a great job against Atlanta’s and Houston’s receivers last year. They’re ready for prime time
March 31st, 2020 at 5:22 am
Joe get off the free agency BS. There was not one viable #1 corner or safety on the damn market. Do you do anything but bitch?
March 31st, 2020 at 5:22 am
how is licht still an nfl gm?
March 31st, 2020 at 5:46 am
No team completely stops anyones passing game any more. The rules favor the receivers in football now a days. What we have is good enough. There is no sure fire star we could draft, or FA that’s a huge upgrade over what we have. We should be better in Bowles second year.
March 31st, 2020 at 5:53 am
The licht bulb gm has been in full blown do anything to save his job!!!!!!! There is no plan!!!!!!!!! And now there is almost no money left over, despite what some like buc bonsai with their wrong numbers, keep posting!!!!!! The sheep just have to “recognize” that only 4 to maybe 5 starters will be left from the opening day of the 2018 season!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is some plan by a so called gm going Into his 7th offseason!!!!!!!!! Way to build a team!!!!!!!!!!!
go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!
March 31st, 2020 at 6:00 am
The roster isn’t set yet… A lot changes will happen between now and September. I agree we need more depth at CB and some quality at the Safety position. I think we all realize the position of need. RT, RB, Safety.
March 31st, 2020 at 6:10 am
Did you see Davis shut down Hopkins last year? SMB and Dean were both voted rookie CB of the year by different publications. Whitehead can play. Maybe Joe should consider giving Edwards more than a year to develop. Maybe the staff knows more about what they have on the roster than Joe. They liked Dixon at safety before his injury and he’s still on the roster. Evan’s is here still and the staff knows more about whether he can healthy again the we do. They brought in 2 vet safeties last season and they couldn’t beat these guys out. Maybe Bowles and company know more about defensive personnel than Joe.
March 31st, 2020 at 6:15 am
We need depth. They have no one but those 3 and if one get’s hurt then MJ STEWART or Ryan Smith is our Nickel.. No thanks!
They need a vet CB or they need to draft another S and have Edwards and Whitehead battle it out. Whoever loses can then provide depth at Nickel.
March 31st, 2020 at 6:16 am
Bucs have spent $65 million in free agency on trenches and Brady – $ well spent.
They will address secondary with a couple of picks in draft, but top picks will most likely address trenches and running game .
Some think a receiver to replace Perriman could be no 1 pick, – depends on trench talent available , unless they go rb. Should be interesting.
March 31st, 2020 at 6:16 am
Hodad … Wish everyone would look at our Secondary as being ‘good enough’. Those youngsters were the weak link in the 1st half of the season, but they came on strong in the 2nd half (lots of PDs & we picked up 8 INTs in 8 games between the LBs & Secondary). And like you said, they’ll get ‘better in Bowles second year’.
I still believe however that we need to improve at Safety. I’m not convinced that Justin Evans will make it back, or if he does, how effective he’d be. Andrew Adams is a solid backup IMO, but not a true starter. Edwards was getting better at Safety, but I still see him as more of a ‘hybrid’ CB/Safety for specific situations. Plus our whole Secondary was all 1st & 2nd year guys. Drafting a rookie Safety to join that group when we’re thinking playoffs may not be the best way to go.
I’d prefer to see one true quality veteran at Safety to act as the ‘field general’ for these young guys (sorta like John Lynch used to?). I thought that Tony Jefferson would be a great fit, but Todd Bowles apparently doesn’t think so or we would’ve signed him. He’s still out there though, as are a number of other quality Safeties. Time will tell.
March 31st, 2020 at 6:16 am
Those youngsters did remarkably well in the later half of the 2019 season Joe. And one can only assume that they will improve even more this year. Might I remind you just how bad the rookie CB’s were in 1997. And those rookies turned out to be great. Rhonde Barber & Donnie Abraham.
Let’s not re-write history. Donnie Abraham was as 1996 draft pick and was fantastic right out of the gate. Barber was a ’97 rookie. He did not play. He only played in 1 game as a reserve, so it’s very hard to call him “bad” like you did. –Joe
March 31st, 2020 at 6:22 am
I personally think Licht is a great GM. Not all draft picks are his decision. Yes, he does make the final say but he does take input from the coaches and the his scouts. He has done well in the Salary Cap with virtually little dead money each year. He has gotten better with his FA pickups and I think they last 2 years were some of his better drafts, if not the best. He grown from learning the GM position to really mastering the finer points. He got BA and now Brady, all the ingredients to make the big game a real possibility. Give the guy a change, just don’t let him pick another kicker in the second round.
March 31st, 2020 at 6:31 am
I thought that there was enough progression to feel “good” about these young cats. Each one of them took major steps forward, IMO.
At safety, that’s where I think we need more development.
To the overall depth, you can never have enough competent DBs IMO. So yeah, I think we should bring in some vets.
March 31st, 2020 at 6:34 am
Davis & SMB are 2nd round picks…..they are supposed to be starters…..have some faith. We dumped a 1st round pick and got better……
March 31st, 2020 at 6:46 am
I still think we need veteran depth in the secondary.
March 31st, 2020 at 6:53 am
Is there a true No. 1 cornerback on the roster?
Is there a No. 1 safety in the house?
Can you win a Super Bowl without a true No. 1 starter at either position?
Didn’t Kansas City just win the Super Bowl with this exact scenario?
Lot’s of ways to win in the NFL.
San Fran got to the Super Bowl with great trenches.
Kansas City got to the Super Bowl with a less than average offensive line and running backs and just ok corners and safeties.
March 31st, 2020 at 6:56 am
Tampabaybucfan has a point, dump the licht bulb gm and get better!!!!!!!!!!!
go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 31st, 2020 at 7:24 am
I would kick the tires on Xavier Rhodes for sure. He gave Mike “the business” a few years back and he might just need a change of scenery.
March 31st, 2020 at 7:32 am
AlabamaBucsFan Says
“I personally think Licht is a great GM. Not all draft picks are his decision.”
I agree!The
I remember last year, there were so many Jason Licht haters. It was the first year he faced low cap issues, and because of it, they had ammo.
And yet he managed to sign the right players. Draft the right players. A year later, we were third in available cap space. A year later! I have never seen such a rapid turn around.
Now he has landed the best QB in league history. Our only needs on offense are RT and RB. The rest is depth.
On defense, we need safety and depth.
Contrary to what alcohol-influenced Joe says, I believe we are set at CB. Two drafts in a row and developmental time took care of that.
Defensive line needs the right developmental players as depth. An eventual replacement of Lavante David will be needed, but that can wait.
This team is Superbowl bound, and Bucs fans are too shocked to believe it.
If ever there was a time to speak things into existence, this is it!
March 31st, 2020 at 7:36 am
We don’t need veteran depth in the secondary. That’s the benefit of development.
Speaking of secondary, Eric Reid is suing himself out of the league right now.
March 31st, 2020 at 7:38 am
Tampabaybucfan how did we dump a first round pick?
If you mean Winston, we didn’t dump him. He expired.
March 31st, 2020 at 7:43 am
For the past couple of years i keep hearing about some db we have named Evans. Who is this guy and does he really exist?
March 31st, 2020 at 7:49 am
Good morning Bonzai,
Tbbf was referring to dumping VH3. I would’ve drafted Laremt Tunsil with that pick instead. His gas mask was our gain, but Licht traded back with the Bears (who took Leonard Floyd @11) and we took VH3@ 12. Tunsil went @13 to the Phins- who traded him last year for two first round picks +, while Licht dumped his player for nothing.
March 31st, 2020 at 7:52 am
Bonzai, he meant vh3.
March 31st, 2020 at 7:54 am
Also Buczilla, the colts signed Rhodes.
March 31st, 2020 at 8:21 am
Lol Jason I know right?! He’s a beast if he can get healthy and stay healthy. It’s hard to come back as a deep safety after all that tine away from live action but I’m still rooting hard!
Our corners did fine last year, they struggled early but were 2 of the better corners in the entire NFL the last quarter of the season. If only MJ Stewart was faster it could play safety we’d be set. He’s a solid tackler but is definitely a liability in a 1-on-1 with a speedy shifty guy. His college tape looked like a 1st round guy like Johnathan Banks did but some times you have to listen to that 40-time zebra it’s screaming at ya.
There are just too many what ifs and potential and not enough certainty in our defensive secondary. A veteran speedy safety wound Sure be nice but I think we’re just going to rely on our massive coaching staff to develop.
I still think we add a solid ring-chasing veteran pass rusher before this is all said and done and clay matthews sure would look good in a Bucs uniform.
March 31st, 2020 at 8:23 am
Licht is trash
March 31st, 2020 at 8:32 am
Should the Bucs have brought in veteran CBs when Brian Kelly & Ronde Barber we’re struggling early in their careers? And the youngsters didn’t earn their jobs the last 6 games last year?
March 31st, 2020 at 8:40 am
Licht is a brilliant GM he has somehow survived 2 coaches being fired and is still around A+
March 31st, 2020 at 8:50 am
Licht seems to do well drafting WRs. Team Glazer should make him the GM for only that position and hire a GM for the rest of the team. #PaidFloridaVacation
March 31st, 2020 at 8:57 am
Joe
Agree 100%
Was surprised that Licht didn’t bring in a veteran or 2 in the secondary to help the young guys along.
Maybe they will yet.
March 31st, 2020 at 8:57 am
>>> Licht is a brilliant GM he has somehow survived 2 coaches being fired and is still around A+ <<<
Don't forget firing two coaches *and* drafting a bust of a quarterback No. 1 overall.
Helps to be friends with the right people.
March 31st, 2020 at 9:15 am
I have significant faith in the three young CB’s. Could use a safety, but I’m not panicking.
March 31st, 2020 at 9:23 am
I’ll bet we see a S in the draft and 1 or 2 minimum salary vets at DB… nothing flashy just depth for smaller injuries and rest. All the high-priced trophies are in the trenches and that feels about right for this D.
March 31st, 2020 at 9:54 am
i would still rather build depth on the line and believe overall a d-line can mask things in the secondary. they may still add a veteran as these free agency times are unprecedented. end of the day if they can bring pressure then that is all we need. i would rather bulk up both lines, including the draft.
the fact that devin white in year 2 should be better from the get go will help greatly.
March 31st, 2020 at 10:16 am
If the backfield can switch from man to zone, or vice-versa, it will be great. I think the DBs learned enough that it might happen.
Do need a quality safety and they are scarce this year. Make that a priority.
March 31st, 2020 at 10:28 am
Ppl just say stuff to say without knowing. Preschoolers.
Chiefs
Daniel Sorensen
Charvarius Ward
Tyrann Mathieu A. K. A honey badger
Pretty good mix of vet and young cb.
Which we don’t have.
geno711 Says:
March 31st, 2020 at 6:53 am
Is there a true No. 1 cornerback on the roster?
Is there a No. 1 safety in the house?
Can you win a Super Bowl without a true No. 1 starter at either position?
Didn’t Kansas City just win the Super Bowl with this exact scenario?
Lot’s of ways to win in the NFL.
San Fran got to the Super Bowl with great trenches.
Kansas City got to the Super Bowl with a less than average offensive line and running backs and just ok corners and safeties.
March 31st, 2020 at 10:30 am
So the picture in the article… it clearly a blown call by the refs and should Cardinals win, but no one ever brings that up in the dumb we were 9-7 last year with a good kicker. Or if VH3 doesn’t make the play of his career to stop the panthers on the last play of the game either.
March 31st, 2020 at 10:40 am
Bengals just released Dre Kirkpatrick. He’s only 30 and still solid.
SIGN HIM! Since he was cut his contract is voided, he could be had for something very affordable.
SIGN HIM.
March 31st, 2020 at 10:41 am
A good pass rush covers a lot of deficiencies on the back end. I think if KLavon Chaisson is there at 14 you have to take him he’s young, talented, and has a couple good starters in front of him to learn from. Our secondary is young, talented, and fast. I think they will be fun to watch next season with our current pass rush we already have look for opposing QB’s to throw quicker than intended which can result it some nice turnovers. Having JPP for a full season with Shaq coming back is gonna make this Defense dangerous.
March 31st, 2020 at 2:09 pm
Geno agree many ways to get to SB but let’s agree that Pat Mahomes is a generational talent. He can make up for a lot of gaps on a roster.
March 31st, 2020 at 2:17 pm
Geno…. let’s agree that Pat Mahomes is a generational talent and went to AFC Championship His 1st full season as starter & then proceeded to win the SB the following. You cannot use the Chiefs as an example, he makes any Roster an INSTANT Contender. He sure is fun to watch…
March 31st, 2020 at 4:10 pm
Adrnagy Says:
March 31st, 2020 at 10:28 am
Ppl just say stuff to say without knowing. Preschoolers.
Chiefs
Daniel Sorensen
Charvarius Ward
Tyrann Mathieu A. K. A honey badger
Pretty good mix of vet and young cb.
Which we don’t have.
You made your own point. You do not know what you are talking about.
When I looked at their roster, they had Tyrann Matthew. Are you kidding on the other two. What reference are you using to say that Charvaris Ward or Daniel Sorensen are better than average. Tyrann Matthews has been better than average but he allowed 51 receptions as a safety last year. More than any safety in the league.
Get your facts right.
@Noles, Mahommes is a generational talent and I do not think the Buc’s can get in the same way as the Chief’s.
I just fail to see many fans or the Joe’s who make simple statements like how can you win without a #1 safety. The thing about the NFL is every team (not just some) has holes in it.
I want better O line play, better running backs, a 4th corner, a 3rd safety, another back up linebacker, a future qb, more depth at D tackle and 3rd wide receiver. We just are not going to get them all.
March 31st, 2020 at 4:19 pm
New England has continued to have great defenses without focusing a lot of picks on defensive line. In the last 4 years, the used a 3rd rounder on Chase Winovich and Derek Rivers a 1st round bust.
Lots of ways to be good in the NFL. Not just one formula.
April 1st, 2020 at 11:56 am
i think the bucs ownership is in a weird spot. they are rightfully worried about the optics of celebrating a huge offseason publicly when the whole world is at a low point
April 1st, 2020 at 5:49 pm
I guess I gotta come off the couch in quarantine to tell you untalented talent evaluators to shut the Buc up!
All the young corners are exceptional tacklers. Even Ryan Smith! He might cant cover a bed but the kid can tackle. Ryan and MJ are below average cover corner but good tacklers. Jamel Dean hit but need to wrap up. Carlton and Dean are big fast long and will hit hard. Whitehead the heat seeking missle bring the wood every time he see something moving. He even ran into a man wall name Quentin Nelson. Mike Edwards popped Saquon Barkley put him out. He hit a few players on that wheel and losing there lugs.
My point is coupled with that front seven nobody should run on us!
Side Bar: This year Defense might be in bad shape because Tom gonna score when we take the ball from the opts. So they might be on the field more then the offense. Tom Terrific can drop it in the bucket in stride. It might be like Winston to D.Jack on the first play but 10x better. Like the first 3 games Fitz played. I gonna finally go by me a jersey after 15 year the Bucs better not disappoint me.