Best Move By Bucs This Offseason
July 11th, 2023
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
So what was the best offseason move made by Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht? One NFL observer has a strong opinion.
Over at CBS, Jeff Kerr believes Licht got a helluva deal on a very good cornerback, re-signing Jamel Dean to solidify one of the best corner duos in the game with Carlton Davis and Dean.
In a passing league, this matters, Kerr types.
… The Buccaneers used their cap space wisely in re-signing Dean, which appeared to be a formality he would move on at the beginning of the offseason.
Opposing quarterbacks had just a 66.2 passer rating targeting Dean last year (47.9% completion rate), and he’ll be paired with Carlton Davis for the next few years. Paying both Davis and Dean probably wasn’t the wisest move for the Buccaneers, but a necessary one if Tampa Bay wanted to keep the core pieces of its defense intact.
The Buccaneers can repeat as NFC South champions in 2023.
Joe has seen advanced stats that suggest Dean was one of the better cover corners in the league last season while NextGen data says Dean isn’t that guy. Regardless, as Joe constantly pointed out in the early days of free agency, you cannot let a young corner like Dean walk from a team struggling to find an edge rusher.
If somehow, someway, the Bucs can get a consistent edge rush from Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (4 sacks), Anthony Nelson (5 1/2 sacks) or rookies YaYa’s flame-broiled chicken and José Ramirez, the Bucs could have one of the best defenses in the NFL.
July 11th, 2023 at 12:21 am
At this point in time, the offense is almost a complete unknown with several major question marks.
The defense will need to be stout, especially early on while the offense ‘figures it out’.
July 11th, 2023 at 12:30 am
Teams are investing in offenses receivers and quarterbacks, smart idea to have good cornerbacks that can hold up for a coach who will blitz more than any coach in the nfl.
July 11th, 2023 at 1:19 am
Ryan Neal addition to the secondary with loss of Edwards and Whitehead in the past two years. Third times a charm with warm butter Kancey.
July 11th, 2023 at 2:07 am
I think it’s Canales.
July 11th, 2023 at 2:17 am
Dean got his money, and White is salty lol. Some just deserve it more than others.
July 11th, 2023 at 4:54 am
Where would the O-line be without OL Matt Feiler
ILB Lavonte David::: More important than Dean!
DL Greg Gaines::: Help for Vea.
Depth guys are important.
DB Dee Delaney, G Nick Leverett, OLB Anthony Nelson, G Aaron Stinnie
Kudos Jason
Go Bucs!
July 11th, 2023 at 5:41 am
It all starts in the trenches.
Greg Gaines could very well end up being our most important signing.
The best move however could well be moving Tristan Wirfs to LT so that we didn’t have to re-sign Donovan Smith for beaucoup bucks (which then allowed us to re-sign Dean & probably several others).
July 11th, 2023 at 6:06 am
I’m hoping we can now get back to curbstomping other team’s running attacks
July 11th, 2023 at 6:33 am
Joe, has anyone from the buccaneers ever got mad or said anything to you about giving players a nickname?
July 11th, 2023 at 7:18 am
The firing of Leftwich.
July 11th, 2023 at 7:53 am
Yep, definitely S-canning Leftwich.
July 11th, 2023 at 9:47 am
Coach Canales, David Raih, Brad Idzik, Skip Peete, & George Edwards those are our best signing this offseason.
July 11th, 2023 at 11:09 am
I agree regarding Canales. Addition by subtraction with the firing of Leftwich.
July 11th, 2023 at 11:27 am
Edge rushes and DBs are top priorities on defense. I don’t they are the best duo in the league but they deff are better than most. If the secondary can recapture gravedigger status then and we get somewhat of a pass rush this defense can be dangerous.
July 11th, 2023 at 4:41 pm
Licht screwed up when he did not go after a decent vet at QB after Bradys departure. The team itself is not bad. But we got nothing at the QB position. What he see’s in Mayfield I have no idea. But Baker is not getting us to any playoffs.
July 11th, 2023 at 5:33 pm
@mike Johnson. You forgot how screwed cap wise the bucs were this off-season right? I think he did an amazing job considering the cap situation. There was no QB worth the top tier pay they got this season. I can’t imagine carr being much better in NO.
July 11th, 2023 at 5:54 pm
Now the best move for next season would be to dump Todd. I’d be shocked if he makes it after this year. Only way I think he makes it is if they make the playoffs again.