Simeon Rice Wants A Pass Rusher
April 25th, 2022
Begging for a new edge rusher.
One of Joe’s favorite all-time Bucs made a surprise appearance last night on “Path to the Draft,” seen on NFL Network.
And that man was Super Bowl champion defensive end and quarterback terror Simeon Rice.
NFL Network draft analysts Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks were making their 3,836th mock draft of the calendar year (right now, three days from the draft, “mock” truly is a four-letter word for Joe).
Jeremiah was about to make his selection for the Bucs at No. 27 and he was told someone wanted to offer advice. Suddenly, Rice appeared via Zoom or a satellite feed and shared very convincing words.
“This is big-time,” Rice began. “This is for the NFL draft. You know what we need. We were this close last year. That’s right, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This year we need to get it done.
“I need a pass rush, bro. I need a pass rush from hell. I need somebody that can get to the quarterback. Make it happen. I don’t know who is out there, who it is. We just need somebody to come off the edge. Preferable a double-digit sack guy that can get it done.
“Get to the quarterback and call us happy. Much like I did back in my day. Sorta, kinda. Can you get that done? I heard you are the best. I will be watching.”
Now the first thing Joe thought was, “Does Rice know JPP won’t return?” Joe has no idea what Jason Pierre-Paul’s plans are but over the weekend he had very interesting words about leaving Tampa.
And perhaps Rice isn’t won over yet by Joe Tryon-Shoyinka?
No one loves a good pass rush like Joe does. Joe has an erection for sacks. They are gamewreckers.
But Joe would be really, really surprised if Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht drafted an edge rusher at No. 27 a year after drafting JTS. First, history demonstrates rookie pass rushers rarely make a great impact unless their names are “Bosa.” Shoot, of all the rookie pass rushers drafted in the first round last year, only two had more sacks than JTS.
Maybe the Bucs can lure free agent JPP back now, if he is healthy, and give him a prove-it contract? Joe believes cornerback is a bigger need now, despite believing edge rusher is the most important player on defense.
April 25th, 2022 at 9:11 am
It sure looks like JPP is gone, and even if he isn’t, he is far from the player he once was.
I agree with Simeone Rice, we need a pass rusher!
It seems the only way we get pressure lately is an all out Blitz.
We all saw what happened with an all out blitz, against the Rams.
Maybe Licht will find us a pass rusher ?
I sure hope so!
April 25th, 2022 at 9:14 am
Think we lean more towards DT. There are some like Logan Hall that can play both outside, and in. Bucs like those type players.
April 25th, 2022 at 9:15 am
So, Rice wants a double-digit pass rusher at 27……but conveniently can’t name any player……he joins every single Buc fan……lots of luck with that.
If all else fails…..Jason should draft the best available RG…..now that’s not a gamble.
April 25th, 2022 at 9:16 am
Think we lean DT in the first. A player like Logan Hall can line up all over the line. Bucs like those type of players. We will take an edge no question, where is the question.
April 25th, 2022 at 9:20 am
yea and the guy picked a guard right after Rice said this to him. lmao
April 25th, 2022 at 9:21 am
“Pass rush from Hell “
Love it!
That can come from coverage to the actual DL
April 25th, 2022 at 9:22 am
Sam Williams in the 3rd is best value. The top guys will be gone (Johnson, Walker, Aidan and Kayvon), then Ojabo is injured and then the drop off starts. Sam Williams in the 3rd (not sure why he’s not getting more talk) would be awesome value and in the mold of Shaq, who’s 31. JTS might start as a 2nd year player and then the depth behind that is Nelson, Gill and Ponder. So we could definitely stand to draft or acquire a pass-rusher. But the value is not gonna be there in the first.
Sam Williams – 3rd round (even if that’s where I wouldn’t mind Ruckert at TE either)
The closer the Draft gets, I’m all about trading down in 1st round and gaining a plethora of middle round selections, where the meat and value of this draft are. Fine w/ staying put too, but I’m really likening to the idea of trading back in the 1st round.
April 25th, 2022 at 9:25 am
A trade down is ideal, but it is probably so obvious that it will be hard to actually execute this year.
I like Boye Mafe as a pass rusher.
Not as worried about interior DL as others are.
April 25th, 2022 at 9:33 am
finally, someone making sense talking DL. We need DT and DE. A great DT pickup would help the edge. I’m ok with either in the 1st provided it’s not a huge reach.
April 25th, 2022 at 9:36 am
If the Bucs had a so-called “shut down” corner (they all get beat) last year, Bowles wouldn’t have called a blitz on last play vs Rams?
April 25th, 2022 at 9:41 am
100% agree with Simeon. Rams beat us because we couldn’t stop their pass rush, and we couldn’t get to Stafford. Dominate both lines of scrimmage and you’ll win every game with TB.
April 25th, 2022 at 9:44 am
Drake Jackson!!!!
April 25th, 2022 at 9:51 am
CB or Pass Rusher are the only two realistic options in round 1
April 25th, 2022 at 10:03 am
“No one loves a good pass rush like Joe does. Joe has an erection for sacks. They are gamewreckers.”
YOOOO!!!! LMFAO!!
April 25th, 2022 at 10:03 am
Michah Parsons is not named Bosa……
April 25th, 2022 at 10:07 am
I think improving the dline could have just as much effect on our edge guys as adding another one I to the mix. If our dline sucks I expect Shaq, Nelson,jpp won’t have good years
April 25th, 2022 at 10:22 am
Agree with TBBF. Its fine to say a pass rusher is what we need, but if one is not there you do NOT want to reach. I say a CB (or WR if our strategy is to out-score all opponents) as those are deeper in this draft. We need depth a CB so when we do the all-or-nothing blitz, we don’t come up with NOTHING as we did against the Rams
April 25th, 2022 at 10:25 am
I think we could solve this with more DL. In this 3-4 front a strong DL taking up bodies allows the LB’s to fly around. LVD has show pass rush abilities BUT White has as well. The more free these guys are the stronger our entire pass rush will become. We have a shot to be a nightmare on the edges and the middle no one will know where the rush is coming from.
April 25th, 2022 at 10:27 am
In last yr draft the bucs had no impact player…..To solve the problems,….pass rusher, def tackle, O guard and punt returner….the bucs must go shopping around the league.
April 25th, 2022 at 10:37 am
I agree with Rice. Bucs need to upgrade pass rush. I’ve been convinced by Joe in recent weeks that it’s highly unlikely to get consistent production from a rookie pass rusher.
Tough situation for Jason. No JPP and No stud from the draft means Bucs are going in to 2022 with JTS and Anthony Nelson competing for a starting role.
Will the secondary struggle if SHAQ / blitzing is the only way to generate pressure?
Really important SHAQ stays healthy next year, or the season is done.
How many days till the draft!? Can’t wait!
April 25th, 2022 at 11:04 am
‘Joe believes cornerback is a bigger need now, despite believing edge rusher is the most important player on defense.’
Your statement would seemingly imply Joe that you feel we’re CURRENTLY better off at DE/OLB than we are at CB. Can’t see how that’s the case.
At DE/OLB we CURRENTLY have Shaq (767 snaps), JTS (560 snaps), Nelson (358 snaps), plus Gill (100 snaps) & Ponder (0 snaps).
At CB we CURRENTLY have Davis (638 snaps), Dean (685 snaps), SMB (461 snaps), plus Cockrell (474 snaps) & Delaney (213 snaps) from last year. But we also have Edwards (531 snaps) & Ryan (1002 snaps with Giants) who are really flexible DBs (CB and/or Safety).
Seems like at DE/OLB we have 3 guys who are starters/key rotational players vying for snaps at 2 positions. At CB we have someplace between 4-6 guys who are starters/key rotational players vying for snaps at 3 positions.
And the winner is??? DT & DE/OLB & ILB & CB & TE … BPA when we pick in Rnds 1-4.
April 25th, 2022 at 11:24 am
Nice plea there Simeone. But our Bucs ain’t listening. They honna go all out to give Brady a few new toys. The way things are playing out thus far, Our Defensive line is gonna be a little worse than it was last year. Opposing QB’s gonna have all day to complete passes. And then, of course, we gonna go to our whippin post scapegoat…..Coach Bowles.
April 25th, 2022 at 12:22 pm
Teams should take a look at Big Cat Williams from UCF. In the JPP mold.
April 25th, 2022 at 12:41 pm
It all starts up front.
OLine is in good shape. Yes – LG is a question – but there are at least 3 qualified young players who have been in our system vying for that spot (Stinnie, Hainsey and Leverette – sounds like a law firm LOL). Bucs also picked up the 4th year guy from the Bengals – Fred Johnson. One of those players will step up, show out and become a solid starter for us this year.
The other 4 Oline starters are A level players at their positions and all are under contract through at least 2023… Jensen is 31, Smith 29, Mason 29, Wirfs 23.
We GOOD up front for Tommy!
Would Zion make us even better – of course – if he’s there at #27 – you celebrate. But the chances of that happening are basically zero.
D-Line is where the “up front” draft resources need to be going this year.
Suh is 35. He’s likely to play 1 more year – but Bucs MUST draft his replacement now. And on the outside – Who thinks the fearsome4some of Barrett, JTS, Nelson and Cam Gill is going to be able to generate enough pressure to win another Super Bowl?
Bucs need to get younger AND add talent up front on Defense. Thats all there is to it. Must draft a starter level CB as well in preparation for next year’s need when Dean and SMB both come due for more expensive contracts. And at LB – LVD ain’t getting any younger – and they probably aren’t bringing Minter back….
1 DT
2 CB
3 DE/Edge
4 ILB
The 2022 draft needs to be about bolstering all levels of the Buccaneers Defense.
April 25th, 2022 at 2:22 pm
SMB gets burnt and roasted constantly. Throw all the numbers out you want. Dean is not much better and that is why on 3rd and long they are targeted. Good for an automatic 1st down. Keep drives alive. I am sure Licht will do what is best for the team in his an the staffs judgment.
April 25th, 2022 at 5:25 pm
I’d like a pass rusher in the first 3 rounds, if it falls that way for the Bucs.
April 25th, 2022 at 7:06 pm
I think JTS will do just fine as a full time starter in his 2nd year, however you can’t ever have too many pass rushers. If JTS doesn’t pan out, you’d at least have some hope. Plus if they did pan out, and JTS and the rookie area good, well you make space on the field for that, could always put one of them at end or something else.
April 25th, 2022 at 9:03 pm
I agree with Simeon. I hope it is a combination of free agency and draft.
Bigtime pass rushers are still in FA (Akiem Hicks, Jerry Hughes, J Clowney, Carlos Dunlap, Melvin Ingram, Justin Houston, Anthony Barr).
Draft within reach: A Ebiktete (low 1-2), Logan Hall (2-3), Myjai Sanders (3-4),
Sam Williams (3), Drake Jackson (3-4), Boye Mafe (3-4), Isiah Thomas (4-6), Isiah Chambers (7-FA). Sam Williams has rd 1 talent but off field issues.
April 25th, 2022 at 10:31 pm
Licht can’t draft an edge guy in the first or he will be saying JTS was a mistake. That’s always been an issue for Tampa GM’s they want their draft picks to be successful so bad they keep them hoping next year is the year. Ahem. Oj Howard comes to mind immediately
.
April 25th, 2022 at 10:38 pm
SR97 was my favorite player from that Super Bowl 37 roster.
April 26th, 2022 at 6:33 am
Deff times last year we’re our pass rush did NOT show up at all. Then let’s not forget that when one of our corners go down our defense gets soft like some ice cream on a hot day. Go with the best player possible between the trenches or DB. Need all the cover guys we can get n need all the pass rushers we can get. I really do love saq but he does go invisible for at least 2 games. I hope JTS improves but you can’t just bank on that. I good pass rush will always help out the DBs n make life easier for defense if the QB has no time to thro
April 26th, 2022 at 1:08 pm
We take the best player available! JPP wants to win and we have an extra “9 milli.. going to the city..” he will return