Could Ryan Kerrigan Provide Depth?
March 25th, 2021
Free agent pass-rusher.
A guy who has been one of the better pass rushers in the NFL the past decade has been reduced to one-trick pony status. And while his days with the club that drafted him may be over, this man currently is bouncing from NFL city to city looking for work.
Is there room at the Bucs’ Inn for Ryan Kerrigan?
He turns 33 in August and is the all-time sacks leader for Washington. In recent years, Washington has loaded up on edge rushers drafting Montez Sweat and Chase Young. By flipping to a four-man front, old man Kerrigan is the odd man out.
Kerrigan started just 12 games in 2019 and one last season but combined for 11 sacks in those games playing part-time on passing downs. Kerrigan missing four games in 2019 were the ones he missed in his 10-year career.
The reason Joe brings up Kerrigan is some Bucs fans believe the team should be drafting an edge rusher at No. 32 — in part for depth — and in part because Jason Pierre-Paul (32) is coming off minor knee surgery.
If JPP or Bucs sack king Shaq Barrett go down, the Bucs’ pass rush takes a major hit.
So Joe would like to ask folks, would they be more comfortable with Anthony Nelson, who is an OK backup, or Ryan Kerrigan backing up Shaq and/or JPP or entering the game as a designated pass rusher? If you are all-in for another Super Bowl victory — and the Bucs are — Joe trusts Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles can squeeze more juice out of Kerrigan.
Of course, this likely would mean furniture-tossing, bicycle-throwing receiver Antonio Brown and/or Playoff Lenny won’t return, but Joe would consider Kerrigan a smart buy on a one-year deal.
Guys who are still out there looking for work likely won’t be breaking the Team Glazer vault.
March 25th, 2021 at 8:06 am
Depends on the money….
We still have contract negotiation possibilities or extensions with Jensen, JPP, Godwin, Marpet, Gholston…..
We’ve got to be getting tight on money….need Backup QB money for draft class…
Get to work, Jason….
March 25th, 2021 at 8:06 am
or at least find a sleeper guy like styles white or jaques smith…
but a guy who fits a 3-4…
great gms find these types…
find a yungry overachiever who stands out all season on defense that jenna can rave about mr. licht…
it can be done…
March 25th, 2021 at 8:08 am
Kerrigan would be interesting, if we can afford him.
A team can never have too many pass rushers.
March 25th, 2021 at 8:08 am
wait….can noah spence be that guy…
lol…
yeah i said it…noah spence…
can spence have a revival as a pass rush specialist on a stacked team…
???
March 25th, 2021 at 8:11 am
Effffff Yes. Been saying his name on this website for days now. Thanks Joe!
March 25th, 2021 at 8:15 am
Id rather have a 3rd pass rusher making $4-6 mil then a 3rd receiver.
March 25th, 2021 at 8:39 am
Maybe Aldon Smith can be had for less $$?
March 25th, 2021 at 8:43 am
Kerrigan would be a great depth piece. So might Matthews, but he’s a bit longer in the tooth. Could come cheaper though.
March 25th, 2021 at 8:45 am
Have to agree with Colin in Canada. If it came down to it, I would prefer Kerrigan over AB. But since Joe is always throwing ‘stuff’ against the wall, sure, why not both!
Problem is, if Kerrigan is “…currently is bouncing from NFL city to city looking for work…” I assume he wants $$$. But you don’t know if you don’t ask.
March 25th, 2021 at 8:45 am
The Bucs need to become this generations “Over The Hill Gang.” Kerrigan would be a great signing. Heck Adrian Peterson has more gas in the tank than Shady, and we should kick his tires to join the gang.
March 25th, 2021 at 8:49 am
Wasn’t Shaq an undrafted FA? Get our scouts scouring the prospects. Trainee on the cheap.
March 25th, 2021 at 9:05 am
Last year there was speculation about bringing in a pass rusher for depth and nothing happened. I expect the same this year.
March 25th, 2021 at 9:09 am
sign every old edge rusher we can, but let a legit #1 WR in AB walk……*shaking head*
March 25th, 2021 at 9:18 am
Sign Kerrigan.
Draft Javonte Williams.
March 25th, 2021 at 9:20 am
I read an article where Kerrigan said he expects to be a starter on his new team. He probably wants starter money, too. That leads me to believe he might not be a fit with the Bucs.
March 25th, 2021 at 9:28 am
this would be smart to have him rotate with our 2 studs. keeps them fresh longer and great insurance.
March 25th, 2021 at 9:30 am
Bring him in, kick the tires, and if he’s good. Sign him.
March 25th, 2021 at 9:37 am
If you value an old pass rusher as depth over AB you’re an idiot. Godwin and Evans both we injured at some point last year. AB will be dangerous, on the field, in 2021.
March 25th, 2021 at 9:42 am
Could provide depth? Yes he could. Will? That’s the question.
March 25th, 2021 at 9:43 am
I keep seeing people say sign Matthew’s cheap. A bunch of teams tried. He said straight out he won’t play for less than starters money and he didn’t. Maybe a ring would entice him but I think he got one in GB.
March 25th, 2021 at 9:49 am
Bring in vets who are ring hungry. Who can play make plays in the playoffs
March 25th, 2021 at 9:50 am
Isn’t Carlos Dunlap still looking for work? He might be nice to have.
March 25th, 2021 at 10:15 am
Joe in Michigan you may have cracked the case. The first thing fans should always consider when they hear these rumors and ideas being tossed around is fit. Fans like to toss out big names without thinking about the fit but i guarantee you the agents, players, and teams are talking about fit.
All that said we are returning Champions with Brady as Captain. Its not far fected that the player could say to hell with fit. I want a ring!!
March 25th, 2021 at 10:22 am
I’d say wait until after the draft before signing a 33-year old on a 1 year. I’d say a promising rookie to develop and suuceed JPP would be ideal.
March 25th, 2021 at 10:48 am
Remember when we were all saying, “I hope they get Shaq from Denver!”
No you don’t. Because no one had every heard of him. Because he was nobody.
I’m more excited about the next Shaq. That sleeper Bowles has been wanting and waiting to get.
March 25th, 2021 at 11:03 am
Kerrigan or Dunlap would both or either good pickups if the money’s right.
March 25th, 2021 at 11:11 am
The Buccaneers may have to put in more handicap parking spaces if we keep signing all of these old men. Experience always provides intelligence to a team that is looking to win it all. I have said several times that when you have younger players in a locker room you need experience to teach them.
GO BUCS!!!!
March 25th, 2021 at 11:23 am
@Show Me the TDs Says
If you value an old pass rusher as depth over AB you’re an idiot. Godwin and Evans both we injured at some point last year. AB will be dangerous, on the field, in 2021.
Godwin and evans were both injured correct but scotty miller is dangerous deep and makes a defense more honest which means better running lanes. johnson is pretty good and you still have brate oj and gronk. AB is a bonus. we have nobody is shaq or jpp get hurt and dont say we have nelson cause he is not going to get pressure. This Defense sucks when we get no pressure
March 25th, 2021 at 11:38 am
Agent promoted rumor.
March 25th, 2021 at 11:59 am
We shouldn’t pay good money for players like him, and Fitzgerald. If they want a chance at a ring play for cheap.
March 25th, 2021 at 12:03 pm
I trust in Bowles, draft the guy that fits the scheme, physically and mentally and the same way AWJr. progressed, I believe a rookie will be just fine, like drafting a QB in round three or later, they are going to be in a room with greatness and coaches.
March 25th, 2021 at 12:09 pm
Did Chase young even play in the playoff game between the Bucs and the WFT..? Oh wait – thank you Mr. Wirfs and Mr. Smith !!
March 25th, 2021 at 12:13 pm
I would love they get this guy.
Good player and a mentor to teammates
March 25th, 2021 at 12:17 pm
Aldon Smith?
March 25th, 2021 at 12:41 pm
The team matter…so the Bucs are trying hold the team together. We aren’t in the locker-room but the coaches and players have different values on the personal than fans. So, maybe they know more than we do….at least a small possibility.
March 25th, 2021 at 2:22 pm
Kerrigan is up there with JPP. Two of the best pass rushers of the 2010’s.
March 25th, 2021 at 2:42 pm
I’d rather draft 3 or 4 rookie edge rushers and let them learn from Shaq and especially JPP. Keep slinging darts Licht!
March 25th, 2021 at 4:22 pm
Joe is VERY WISE and knows that great D Lines always give you a chance to win Championships.