Shaq’s Value In The Spotlight
January 3rd, 2021
Joe suspects Oily Drew Rosenhaus, agent of Bucs edge rusher Shaq Barrett, was very pleased by what he saw today on the field formerly known as the Den of Depression.
Matt Ryan attempted 44 passes and the Bucs only dropped him once, and Ryan was averaging nearly three sacks absorbed per game. He was hit just six times, which is a comfortable day for the statue-like veteran, who finished 29-of-44 for 265 yards and two touchdowns.
Notice how Jason Pierre-Paul didn’t look like the Pro Bowler he is without Shaq?
Shaq is expected back for the playoffs after missing today’s game on the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list. Word buzzing last week was that Shaq wasn’t infected and only was a “close contact,” per NFL guidelines.
Joe loves that Shaq got a day off and the Bucs still won. That’s a major positive. But Joe’s also a little bummed out that Anthony Nelson couldn’t step up.
In some ways, this was a quite a day for Shaq, who is eager for a whopper of a new contract after being tagged as the Bucs’ franchise player this season. It was on full display that the Bucs desperately need what Shaq delivers.
January 3rd, 2021 at 5:11 pm
They’ve got to load up on the D-Line/OLBs in the draft and add a solid corner in FA.
The Bucs are in dire need of depth on defense.
Hopefully they’ll beat the crap outta NFC Least “Champ” in the Wild Card and maybe more after that.
If the salary cap stays the same, they’ll be in good shape to resign the vets and load up for 2021.
Go Bucs!!!
11-5 feels so good.
January 3rd, 2021 at 5:13 pm
Maybe it was because Devon White wasn’t rushing up the middle to create the QB to slide in to JPP and Shaq for them to get sacks?
January 3rd, 2021 at 5:18 pm
The lack of pass rush up front has been a problem all season. We are too streaky and not winning one on one. Especially without the interior pass rush with Vea. We have to create our own pressure and rely on the blitz a little too much. Been saying it since the beginning White is our most dangerous rusher. Yes he can fly but he’s got the leverage and moves to back it up.
January 3rd, 2021 at 5:19 pm
Anthony Nelson didn’t seem to step up. We missed Shaq, White and Davis badly. This defense is clearly not very good on the back end and requires lots of pressure. Sort of like that ugly girl in high school could look at least a little better with a Clearasil stick to cover up those pimples.
January 3rd, 2021 at 5:25 pm
Sorry Joe, but this may end up coming down to Shaq vs Godwin & Godwin wins……Shaq needs to be signed to a multi-year deal at around 12 mil per…..
Godwin may end up being franchised,
January 3rd, 2021 at 5:31 pm
If you are going to retire the DEN then actually retire it, not this formerly bull spit.
January 3rd, 2021 at 6:00 pm
ElioT
Agreed. Hawk LVD type OLB if there’s the opportunity. Sign a prime CB with Donovan Smith money. OT in the second round.
January 3rd, 2021 at 6:03 pm
Raymond James stadium. Or RJS.
January 3rd, 2021 at 6:05 pm
Colonel_mp, spot on.
January 3rd, 2021 at 6:49 pm
I guess I didn’t see what you saw today. Looked like the same weak pass rush when 4 were sent. JPP this year has had a couple of games were he changed the outcome of the game, White the same thing. I have yet to see that out of Shaq. I do think Vea blowing up the middle has both hurt JPP and Shaq, but I don’t see Shaq worth Mack money.
January 3rd, 2021 at 8:07 pm
Mack wasn’t even worth Mack money
January 3rd, 2021 at 8:33 pm
That defense needs to get straightened out quickly, they may get by NFC East game but Roger’s, Brees & Russell will carve them up. Not realistic to score 40 poi its per game to get the win.
January 3rd, 2021 at 9:04 pm
Agreed , #3, you said you were going to retire the “Den”, your readers expected you to live up to your word. Using “formerly known as is BS!
In the meantime, Washington’s D line is looking ferocious. What is Tommy going to do , SH.t ! Hopefully our line is a lot better than Philly.
January 3rd, 2021 at 9:29 pm
I agree with the Den BS you’re still writing. Now to address the meat of this article. Yes Shaw was missed. But don’t act like without JPP he can still perform at the same level. They need EACH OTHER in order to own the QB. It’s not one or the other. It is both of them!
January 4th, 2021 at 2:53 am
WASHINGTON is no walk in the park