Bucs Have Good DBs For Long Haul
November 2nd, 2020
Youth movement leader
This Bucs team is a wonderful mix of youth and veterans.
You have a middle-aged quarterback playing like he’s 30 and two superior receivers under 28.
On defense, the Bucs have old talent (Ndamukong Suh, Lavonte David, Jason Pierre-Paul) with young studs (Devin White and Vita Vea).
And as far as the young secondary, one NFL observer believes the Bucs will be good for a long, long time.
Joe is a big believer in football lineage. A man who got the most out of his football talent likely was helped by a man who know how to play the position. So when ESPN’s Louis Riddick, who will call tonight’s game between the Bucs and the Giants from New Jersey, talks about defensive backs, Joe listens.
The former NFL safety and suit played for maybe two of the best defensive backs coaches who ever lived. Riddick had Nick Saban as his defensive coordinator in Cleveland and, of course, Bill Belichick was the coach there.
He learned from the masters. So this Twitter from Riddick sure caught Joe’s eyes recently.
23,22,23, 23,24,24 = ages of the top 6 DB’s on the #Buccaneers defense. They are going to be good for a while.
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) October 31, 2020
Man, in how many seasons before late last year did the Bucs have a downright awful secondary? Way too long.
So it sure is refreshing to read someone Joe respects say the Bucs are well-stocked with strong defensive backs for a few years.
November 2nd, 2020 at 7:39 am
Question: Would you trade a decade of being a miserable bottom-dwelling team for one dominating Super Bowl year…guaranteed?
November 2nd, 2020 at 7:40 am
Correction…Super Bowl WINNING year.
November 2nd, 2020 at 8:19 am
I want a competitive and winning football team. If AB behaves on the field and in OBP, then I don’t care about personal life. If he screws up, buh-bye.
Give me January, February and perhaps even March football!
GO Bucs
November 2nd, 2020 at 8:22 am
We might be playing the Steelers in the Super Bowl.
November 2nd, 2020 at 8:24 am
Arians was Licht’s best decision. Since then this team has changed every year for the better.
Go Bucs!!!
November 2nd, 2020 at 8:36 am
Dang… this giddiness is good for the soul..
The Buccaneers on National TV with the whole world watching on a regular season game. Welcome to the big time peeps.
November 2nd, 2020 at 8:40 am
Riddick is one of the best.
November 2nd, 2020 at 8:43 am
Ira Kaufman. Wow. I just listened to his podcast. Is a bright star on this site. Total fandom with enthusiasm. He has a good point about AB. I’m not worried about AB’s past or personal behavior. But for the experiment to succeed they can’t change the offense for him. He has to become part of the offense. If that happen they have a juggernaut. Its OVA
November 2nd, 2020 at 9:00 am
Outside of players, no question.
November 2nd, 2020 at 9:15 am
And Joe pushed all off-season for us to sign a less economical vet to waste roster space and hinder the development and retention of a young player.
November 2nd, 2020 at 9:15 am
Jason Licht has had some high profile misses.
VHIII and Aguayo along with not drafting Dalvin Cook.
However, he has done an incredible job of drafting players compared to other GM’s.
The Bucs draft this year may go down as the second best draft in franchise history.
November 2nd, 2020 at 9:37 am
I remember saying we should talk BA out of retirement on here back when DK was the coach….then the draft picks (which i completely missed on these hella DB’s we have), and then wanting TB12….and now look at us 🙂 we’e on our way babes!
November 2nd, 2020 at 9:48 am
yeah they do question is, in the age of free agency, astronomical contracts, and salary cap, how do you expect to keep them all on the same roster, riddle me that, bucman!!!!!!
November 2nd, 2020 at 10:06 am
I just hope these young Bucs realize, when their contracts are up, that team friendly contracts (possibly) equals multiple championships.
November 2nd, 2020 at 10:31 am
I still think Gump blew it when he drafted SMB in the 2nd round when Trevon Mullins was still available. Mullins is a stud and was the MVP of the National Championship game.
SMB would have been there in the 5th round.
November 2nd, 2020 at 10:56 am
good job licht….
under dirk amd smitty, the problem was(mostly) coaching and scheme NOT players and talent…
GO BUCS!!!!!
November 2nd, 2020 at 10:56 am
Trevon Mullins has been ok as a young pro. We beat him quite a few times in the Buc v. Raiders game in Las Vegas.
So far this year Mullins has allowed 24 receptions on 34 targets. Has no interceptions this year and 1 last year. Then you have to determine whether he was a Bowles type of corner. 56 PFF grade this year.
Stud in college does not always make stud in Pros.
I follow Dane Brugler – draft guide – as does Joe a little. Brugler is much more accurate than some of the Walters Football camp guys or even ESPN guys IMO. Maybe on Walter Football SMB was a 5th rounder. I am willing to bet that SMB has better career than Trevon Mullins.
Here was Brugler’s order for corners last year. Glad we did not get DeAndre Baker!
BYRON MURPHY Washington 1st
GREEDY WILLIAMS LSU 1st-2nd
ROCK YA-SIN Temple 1st-2nd
SEAN BUNTING Central Michigan 1st-2nd
DEANDRE BAKER Georgia 1st-2nd SR.
JUSTIN LAYNE Michigan State 2nd
JULIAN LOVE Notre Dame 2nd JR.
JOEJUAN WILLIAMS Vanderbilt 2nd-3rd JR.
DAVID LONG Michigan 2nd-3rd JR.
JAMEL DEAN Auburn 3rd JR.
TRAYVON MULLEN Clemson 3rd JR.
November 2nd, 2020 at 11:42 am
not so sure on SMB….
November 2nd, 2020 at 1:47 pm
Yea – SMB still seems to be finding his way this year. Definitely the weak link so far in our secondary if there is one.
Dean seems quite solid considering this is just his 2nd year.
Davis IS solid but his # of PI penalties (mostly longer ones) so far this year is definitely a concern.
Winfield is a 1st round talent and will likely be a top 5 Safety in this league within a couple years.
Whitehead and Edwards combo to man the other Safety spot seems at worse an adequate level of talent to complement Winfield Jr.
Many complained when Licht kept drafting DBs in rds 2>4 the last 4 years – and he did have a couple big misses earlier in the process with Hargreaves and MJ Stewart – but our entire starting secondary including primary back ups are a result of those drafting efforts and the Bucs are in good shape for years to come now as a result.
November 2nd, 2020 at 4:24 pm
Question for everyone….do you think that Todd Bowles made a deal with Arians and the team to become head coach in a few years after Arians retires? Would be great to keep continuity and think Bowles would be excellent in his next stint as Head Coach. When Bruce is ready to hang it up! Go Bucs!!!
November 2nd, 2020 at 5:38 pm
This is why we did t need Logan Ryan or whatever, Joe. One of you guys wouldn’t shut up about needing a veteran CB.
November 2nd, 2020 at 5:38 pm
*didnt