Jamel Dean An Important Cog
February 6th, 2023
Bucs CB Jamel Dean.
The Bucs may have to take a page from former Bucs commander Greg Schiano.
In Schiano’s final season with the Bucs (2013), frustrated because the team couldn’t find a pass rusher — you know, maybe don’t let Michael Bennett walk out the back door for no good reason, huh? — Schiano decided to beef up the Bucs’ secondary.
If you can’t get to the quarterback, then make sure receivers can’t get the ball.
It didn’t work, in part, because lousy Lovie Smith came in and refused to work with Darrelle Revis, who immediately went to the Belicheats and won a ring.
Barring something unforeseen happening, like edge rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka blowing up or the Bucs pulling someone off the street who turns into Superman, Joe thinks it is a fair bet to suggest the Bucs’ pass rush won’t be worth a damn in 2023.
Joe loves Shaq Barrett but a dude turning 30 coming off a blown Achilles, man, that’s not good. At all. So with Shaq neutered and JTS still looking to prove himself, well, you better hope your secondary can cover.
Bucs corner Jamel Dean is scheduled to be a free agent. And Cody Benjamin of CBS believes Dean is the Bucs’ most important free agent.
Tom Brady’s second — and supposedly final — retirement means the Buccaneers don’t have to worry about re-signing the seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback. So that leaves Dean as the obvious priority, fresh off a career year opposite Carlton Davis in Todd Bowles’ secondary. In his first year as a 15+ game starter, he nabbed two picks.
Joe is convinced without Dean, the Bucs’ secondary slips and maybe slips badly. Sean Murphy-Bunting might be a much cheaper option but SMB is way too inconsistent for Joe. At times he looks and plays like an absolute stud. Other times he goes through stretches where he gets worked often.
If the Bucs don’t have an above-average pass rush — and right now nothing outside of “hope” suggests they will — then you better have a lockdown secondary, which makes keeping Dean is a priority.
How well did “hope” work for a pass rush during the Lost Decade? Hope should never be a strategy.
February 6th, 2023 at 8:04 am
Few teams have TWO good corners
February 6th, 2023 at 8:10 am
We had two good corners last year and got our ass handed to us
February 6th, 2023 at 8:19 am
We had no business pursuing Darrelle Revis in 2013, wasn’t worth our 1st rd pick, wasn’t used properly in Schianos’ defense, and we had him playing with a dude named Lequan Lewis who was barely a pro CB. Trying to put the blame on just Lovie Smith when Pop Rocks Star Mark Dominik had no business making that deal and the Glazers put that awful “No Fly Zone” campaign out while opposing offense flew on us all season long, is revisionist history. We weren’t a “Darrelle Revis” away from anything and Schiano iirc called Dequan Bowers a “10 sack kinda guy”…Sign/Tag Dean, work on a long term deal later, but the next big contract coming out of 1Buc should have Tristan Wirfs’ name on it
February 6th, 2023 at 8:20 am
CBs can only cover WRs for so long…..and because the Dline played so poorly this season…..the secondary got exposed badly…
People who know football scheming understands this concept….
February 6th, 2023 at 8:24 am
Would rather have the combination of SMB & Nelson than Dean……Dean will cost us too much.
Sorry to let him go but we simply can’t afford him.
February 6th, 2023 at 8:30 am
Run FA’s Run ‘
Actually you don’t need to tell them, watch NONE of the starting players or young guys with potential will stay.
POOF !!!
It’s all over, which is why I am calling for a AGGRESSIVE REBUILD that will include trading big names for draft picks over the next few years.
The well is poisoned and if you can’t see that, you will if Bowles is the head coach!
SAY !?!???
Why hasn’t Jason Licht addressed the 2022 season and the Buccaneers going forward.
The most bizarre chapter in Buccaneers history is overflowing like a clogged toilet into the 2023 season
February 6th, 2023 at 8:46 am
Why would he want to stay with a rudderless coaching staff?
February 6th, 2023 at 8:52 am
It will be interesting to watch the bidding war for J. Dean. There will be several teams in the mix. Given the current state of this team it wouldn’t surprise me to see him go elsewhere…
February 6th, 2023 at 8:57 am
TBBF … ‘Would rather have the combination of SMB & Nelson than Dean……Dean will cost us too much.’
Excellent point, but I hope you’re wrong. Dean’s Market Value is listed as $16.6 mil on Spotrac, and I think he’d be worth every penny of that (they’re figuring a 3-year contract for $49.7 mil). They give him a higher value rating than Lattimore, Davis or Jackson. I’d [personally rather have Dean than Davis if it came down to that, but hopefully it won’t (Davis is a FA in 2025, but unless his availability increases I can’t see the Bucs extending that).
Nelson had a good 2022, getting 17 games, 633 def snaps & 5.5 sacks, but he wasn’t exactly as pass rushing whiz (6 QB Hits & 4 TFLs). Where he did excel was in forced fumbles (3) & he doesn’t miss a whole bunch of tackles. Not sure what kind of contract those numbers would bring.
I like SMB as a Nickel, but he’s frustrating at times when playing outside. Still, would’ve mind at all re-signing him IF the price is right. Same thing with Mike Edwards, Keanu Neal & Logan Ryan. All 3 have excellent talent and we NEED quality guys at the back end. Just a question of $$$.
February 6th, 2023 at 9:09 am
Marine Buc … Wouldn’t surprise me either to see Dean playing elsewhere this year because of our money situation, but if that’s the case, sure would be nice to get at least ‘something’ back for him or at least be able to meet others’ offers.
Since Jamel is a UFA, he could be Franchise-Tagged for $18.1 mil (then we could match another team’s offer or if someone else signs him we’d get two 1st Rnd picks in compensation at least). Option would be to do a Transition Tag for $15.8 mil (no compensation, but we could still meet other teams’ offers).
February 6th, 2023 at 9:14 am
Cobraboy … Cheer up; there could be a pot of gold at the end of that rainbow. IF we do well this year, you’ll surely be pleasantly surprised. IF we do poorly, the HC that you dislike so much will almost surely be fired, we’ll get a high draft pick, we’ll clean up at least some of this salary CAP mess, AND our youngsters will get some valuable experience. How can you not love a deal like that?
February 6th, 2023 at 9:25 am
@DR: Bowles has ALWATS sucked as a HC. After last season there is no need for another “prove it” year.
I doubt this team will win more than 4 games in 2023.
February 6th, 2023 at 9:28 am
Of 22 starters, wonder what the average of players with rookie contracts are per team?
February 6th, 2023 at 9:38 am
Please let the rebuild start. It can be a quick one because we still have some great players. our oline was hurt with no jensen and stinnie. Smith sucked last year. a healthy jensen and resign stinnie to compete for the lg and our oline will be ok. let trask play. cut some fat like fournette and smith and shaq and draft 100% on defense. and 2024 we should be in a decent cap spot and will know if trask is the answer or not.
If we try to RELOAD this year we will push the cap can down the road and will not be a true Superbowl contender anyways. wasting another year to rebuild
February 6th, 2023 at 9:39 am
@ DR
Yikes – $18M?
I just don’t see that happening but I was also surprised when we used the frachise tag on C. Godwin and S. Barrett – our GM does have a history of making this type of maneuver in order to protect his guys…
The best scenario would be for another team to sign him away and the Bucs get the comp picks. I would be OK with that.
February 6th, 2023 at 9:45 am
Save your money your going to need it for Winfield and Wirfs 5th year option. Draft a cornerback in the first or second round or both. You need to keep your all pros.
February 6th, 2023 at 9:45 am
If they have to defer to the money situation, they prolly let Dean walk, sign SMB (is he up also?) for his spot, let McCollum sink or swim as nickel corner. At some point, draft picks HAVE to work out. Logan Hall in same scenario
February 6th, 2023 at 9:46 am
Next year Winfields a FA.
February 6th, 2023 at 9:48 am
Dline Dline Dline
February 6th, 2023 at 9:51 am
Sell the team Glazers !
February 6th, 2023 at 9:52 am
Embrace the suck.
I am a huge fan, but this franchise has a terrible head coach, NO QB and has serious cap issues.
I am hoping Jason Licht eats up all the dead cap money for 2023 so the Bucs can hire a new coach, be in a good position with the cap and have a top 5 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
February 6th, 2023 at 9:56 am
Dean has developed nicely and is an above average corner, but I don’t know if he will continue to be motivated once he gets paid. He said the money was his motivation before the beginning of the year whereas SMB said he loves ball and that stuff will take care of itself.
Not sure I trust that kind of person that needs a carrot to perform well because once they’ve been paid they aren’t normally the same player.
February 6th, 2023 at 9:58 am
DR
We could probably get SMB, Nelson, Edwards & Neal for the cost of Dean…..
I love Jamel Dean and would love to keep him but we have multiple needs….
Draft a CB high….and continue to develop Zyon.
February 6th, 2023 at 10:05 am
I think we can do average pass rush let’s see how it plays out benefit of doubt goes to Licht to bring the right pieces in
February 6th, 2023 at 10:06 am
SB LV exactly everyone loves the Glazers but the do not know nothing about football its just a toy Malcom bought for them.
February 6th, 2023 at 10:13 am
SB~LV Says:
February 6th, 2023 at 9:51 am
Sell the team Glazers !
^^^^^^^^^^
Yes, I’m sure they’ll sell because you want them to, even though owning an NFL team is like printing money. You could at least whine about something more realistic.
February 6th, 2023 at 10:28 am
Please do not over pay for just good players, that´s been Bucs problem over history….We have a serious cap problem, so act accordingly…..
Just look over the past before TB12 era…..paying tons of USD for regular/just good kind of players…
Grimes , for starters, Derrel Davis…etc etc etc etc
February 6th, 2023 at 10:30 am
There is NOTHING realistic about this franchise or the 2023 season.
The Glazers just think this is just part of the cycle, it’s different this time!
The basically rented their two Lombardi trophies .
February 6th, 2023 at 11:10 am
Cobraboy … ‘I doubt this team will win more than 4 games in 2023.’
Good chance you’re right, but just think how pleasantly surprised you’ll be if we win more than that & maybe even make the playoffs. C’mon Cobra, work with me here … keep hope alive because disappointment seems to be a lot more prevalent in our team history.
February 6th, 2023 at 11:11 am
SB, using that logic every team rents the Lombardi. No, we own those two trophies. Unless you want to concede that the Rams rented their Lombardi 2 years ago as well? Because if not I’m just not sure where you’re going with that line of reasoning. At least in our case we had a much better post win season than they did. And I agree with Joe in Michigan, whining every other post directly to the Glazers, as if they read this, that they should sell the team is meaningless and silly. With so many other things to talk about regarding the team that actually have merit and could possibly happen, you’d think there be plenty of other fodder for your dissatisfaction.
February 6th, 2023 at 11:14 am
TBBF … ‘We could probably get SMB, Nelson, Edwards & Neal for the cost of Dean’.
I suspect you’re right, and my brain says that’s the way we should go. But I’ve been a huge fan of Jamel Dean since Day 1 and it’d be so hard to say goodbye without getting really beaked at how badly this salary CAP has been butchered, preventing us from re-signing him. Oh well, life goes on …
February 6th, 2023 at 11:23 am
@DR: I will become more optimistic the day Bowles is given the apple & roadmap.
February 6th, 2023 at 11:26 am
I’m all-in for gutting the cap, trading for a bunch of future picks…to lure a QUALITY coach to take advantage of 2023 pain.
And it ain’t Bowles.
Give me a coach with balls and juice.
February 6th, 2023 at 11:38 am
Move wirfs over to left tackle and use the d. Smith money on dean.
February 6th, 2023 at 11:46 am
Marine Buc … ‘The best scenario would be for another team to sign him away and the Bucs get the comp picks. I would be OK with that.’
So would I, but I’m not sure it really ever works like that. When was the last time you heard of a team signing away someone else’s Franchise Tag guy and giving up TWO 1st Rnd picks for the privilege?
I suspect that IF we Franchise Tag Dean (I don’t think we can because of $$$, but who knows), we’d have just inherited an $18 mil CB for 2023 and then he’d hit the market again as a FA in 2024. Not exactly ideal, and not the way to build a TEAM.
BTW our Secondary is a mess. Under contract, at Safety we have Winfield, then 2 unknowns (Turner & Gardner). At CB we have Davis, then McCollum (who has yet to impress me) and then 2 unknowns (Chesley & Lowe). Bummer, especially when our DLine (and thus pass rush) is non-existent & we have no money.
We do have ray of hope in there however in that we have a BUNCH of FAs besides Dean who seem to like Todd Bowles defensive system & who’ve done reasonably well in it … SMB, Edwards, Ryan, Neal, Delaney. Rather than bring in a whole bunch of unknowns, I’d rather do what we can to re-sign those guys.
And the same with our DLine. We’ve got Vea, Hall, Shaq, JTS plus 4 unknowns (Greene, Prevlion, Rashed, Snowden) under contract right now, but none of them are screaming HOF to me. We’ve got a BUNCH of FAs though who we can negotiate with before other teams … Hicks, Gholston, RNR, Nelson, Nassib, Gill plus several others (Avery, Senat, O’Connor). For the right price, we need to keep some of those FAs (the alternatives MAY be more expensive).
Given that we’ve got to deal with MINUS $55 mil on salary CAP BEFORE we can even entertain the thought of signing any of our FAs, I’d say that we’re looking at a pretty big mountain. But for all those who vehemently dislike Todd Bowles, he’s not the one who built that mountain. But he is the one who’ll need to work a lot of magic with this defense if we expect to win any games next season.
February 6th, 2023 at 12:20 pm
@ DR
I agree. I believe the Bucs are better off signing quantity over quality…
We have 26 free agents – 16 are on the defensive side. I would attempt to re-sign all the players you listed as well as guys like:
– Nassib
– Nelson
– Avery
– Senat
– Roaches
I would also have a mostly defensive draft – especially rounds 1-3…
If we can pick up a WR/TE/RB in rounds 5-7 that is fine but we have more holes to fill on defense right now.
February 6th, 2023 at 1:54 pm
Joe loves Shaq Barrett but a dude turning 30 coming off a blown Achilles, man, that’s not good.
———
What’s really scary about Shaq is that he was undrafted for a reason, he had very marginal NFL level athletic ability. Not taking anything away from him, but guys like that can’t afford to lose anything off their fast ball. However, guys come back again and again from major injuries now and you’d never know they were hurt. So I think it’s 50/50 on if he returns to form or not. In any case the Bucs can’t really do anything with Shaq until after 2023.
February 6th, 2023 at 6:12 pm
They would be wise to sign or tag Dean. He is the most reliable CB on the roster. Davis is always injured as well as SMB. Dean has shown to be reliable and fairly sturdy. Imagine playing games without your two starting corners every year. If they keep SMB over Dean, this will happen. Davis and SMB injury is inevitable
February 6th, 2023 at 6:16 pm
@Defense Rules – sometimes quality is better than quantity. Btw Edwards hasnt shown anything this year, first year starting I will add, to make me believe he isnt easily replaceable. Neal is a depth piece now in his career, SMB is glass. I wouldnt be surprised to see them move on from these guys aside from maybe Neal who played well in his depth role.
February 6th, 2023 at 6:23 pm
Tampa needs work in both the draft and on offense. I also think guys like Gage, Smith, Barrett and Fournette should be released to free up money.
FA – DT, S, RB, and resign Dean and David
Draft first 3 rounds in no specific order – OT, Edge, CB/DT.
The cash free’d up will be used towards Dean and David as well as FA DT. Safety and RB FAs are fairly cheap which is why I dont have them listed in draft early rounds.
For DT they just need a couple big space eaters to draw double teams to allow Vea and edge guys get to the QB. Additionally to stop the run and allow White and David to wreak havoc behind them. Guys like Jordan Phillips, Poona Ford are fairly cheap and reliable options. Id love Hargraves but he will be pricey.
February 6th, 2023 at 7:49 pm
Sticking to my story
Dean can play
February 6th, 2023 at 9:03 pm
I agree that Dean is a priority, but F@CH taking a page from Dominik and Schiano’s “build a defense from the back approach”
It doesn’t work. Never has, never will.
You go get a pass rusher, whether that the draft or free agency. Or expect to have a lousy defense.
(Or, just blitz Devin White every play and have another guy line up who can actually drop back into coverage. Because White is not capable of that.)