Are Bucs The Same Or Have They Improved?
March 29th, 2024
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Joe thinks he has solved this riddle of why so many NFL observers are shrugging their shoulders and yawning at the Bucs’ offseason. At the same time, Bucs types are irked why folks aren’t giving them props.
Cody Benjamin of CBS ranked each NFC team this week in a post-free agency period of the NFL calendar. He ranked the Bucs No. 9 — outside the playoff field.
Benjamin gave Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht props for bringing back his valued free agents but Benjamin asked a key question.
“[H]ave they improved? Or are they still just scrappy?”
And that is the key. Most NFL observers and analysts see the Bucs as a team that barely won (as in Week 18) a bad division and struggled to do so against a terrible Carolina team.
Then, they look at what the Bucs did in free agency and ask, “Where did the team improve?” It’s a fair question. The Bucs kept their core players but also traded their best corner. Did the Bucs get better in free agency? Are they a stronger team on March 29 than they were March 1?
Earlier this week at the NFL owners meetings in Orlando, Licht noted the Bucs have a bunch of young players they believe will improve. So in that respect, the Bucs believe they will be a better team.
Here is why: The Bucs got a lot of contribution from rookies last year. Rookie linebacker SirVocea Dennis didn’t make any sort of impact and a few others didn’t either, but overall it was a huge contribution. After he blew his hamstring in the first worthless preseason game, Dennis went all D.B. Cooper on the Bucs.
Often, players make a big jump from their rookie seasons into their second seasons in the NFL. If that happens given how many rookies made plays last year for the Bucs, then there is no question the Bucs ought to be a stronger team, or at least certainly a deeper team.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:05 am
Been saying this is the same team from last year with a harder schedule for a while now. As for the rookies, I like the experience they gained, but likely wouldn’t have played on a normal roster with less salary cap issues. We’ll see this year if they improve.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:06 am
Slightly improved but I think this team will improve the most from the draft if the draft falls in the Bucs favor.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:16 am
we got worse.
drop it like its hot will be eating wings and beer and blow a hammy by week 2
the situation will then be left trying to read the D and get blasted
not to fret though…they will both be home cheering on the makeshift OL and edge rushers we got from UPS.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:18 am
Even 9th is a Playoff possibility when you’re in the NFC South but you darn sure better win it.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:25 am
Still really weak at 4 spots.
Edge, Center, Guard, Pass rushing Lber.
Improve all of those- we make a huge improvement.
Running game and pass defense will become effective.
If we dont, its gonna limit our improvement. But we should be improved.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:27 am
The talent may be the same but improved due to experience with the same group and a bettet OC.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:28 am
The team at the END of the season wasn’t remotely similar to the one at the beginning. Even including that 9-0 Carolina game where Baker couldn’t throw the ball, Bucs averaged 24 points per game over the last half. Every area on the team had jelled, it’s undeniable
March 29th, 2024 at 9:31 am
Shoutout to the man that got our weather together. The project he is working on is not a 2024 project. This man will have us relevant from 2026 and beyond. Go Bucs !
March 29th, 2024 at 9:34 am
The same. They will do nothing without a decent edge rush.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:34 am
Probably too early to tell……but it doesn’t look like it.
We lost White & Davis….picked up Whitehead……changes with oline probably a wash….. We lost Gage but he didn’t play….but we still need a #3 WR.
We didn’t improve at RB, TE, WR
Let’s see what our draft produces.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:41 am
They have dropped down a bit on both offense and defense.
On offense:
1 and 2 receivers are about to be over the hill.
Not sure O-line is better with the replacements for Stinnie and Leverett.
On defense:
A lot of new holes in the roster without fixing the holes that were already there.
Edge rushing/contain dropped almost off the map.
Linebackers need someone to step up.
D backs dropped off without Davis, needs a splash of some sort.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:44 am
I think they’ve improved simply by getting a real playcaller. Canales is an outstanding cheerleader.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:46 am
Are the Bucs better? Ask that question again in mid-May and I’ll give an answer then.
March 29th, 2024 at 9:48 am
It’s a process, they are certainly improving.
Simply by having a returning starting quarterback under multi year contract is a massive improvement
March 29th, 2024 at 9:48 am
That schedule is tough so record wise idk
March 29th, 2024 at 10:00 am
Season is a long ways away.
March 29th, 2024 at 10:02 am
Got much better.
Young, smart, stable, scrappy QB
A real OC instead of “can of les”
No more stinking DW
No more creaky Carlton
Addition of Whitehead Wooooooooo!!!!!!
Overall a younger team
March 29th, 2024 at 10:19 am
I don’t think we have improved based on free agency, but I expect our rookies from last year to get better, and I think the draft might add a couple of players (or more) who can make an impact. We have a tough schedule and our division rivals have improved, so it will be hard to show progress on the field even if we have a more talented roster. The Pollyanna in me believes the Bucs will improve on offense with a stronger offensive line (as we add more players), and that our defense will get better as Kancy and Diaby get more experience and our secondary will be stronger with Whitehead. I am not concerned about McCollum. He’ll be fine.
March 29th, 2024 at 10:38 am
I don’t believe McCollum will start over Bryce Hall. If JWhitehead had anything to do with recruiting Hall, it’s because Hall play style is similar to JWhitehead, he’s an aggressive, head’s up, ball hawk type player. McCollum is still learning the basics of the nfl. Often he plays confused n lost.
What do these players all have in common?
McCollum
LHall
Ryan Neal
JTS
March 29th, 2024 at 10:45 am
Just saw something intriguing… Signing J.K. Dobbins as White’s backup. He’s a stud who knows how to slip tackles when healthy.
March 29th, 2024 at 10:46 am
I think we improved at Safety and backup CB and Nickel.
Maybe a starter Nickel if Tavierre Thomas can beat out Izien.
I also think Palmer and Jarrett will be better. We didn’t lose major value and we still have the draft. 2nd year with Baker to all the receivers. I think the scheme will be better even if we didn’t upgrade the line which we will.
Otton should have a breakout season.
It really is too early to tell, but I like the direction they are going.
I agree that I wouldn’t make too much out of the rookies. Maybe a few gems, but most wouldn’t get that much playing time on a good team.
March 29th, 2024 at 10:52 am
Teams never stay the same. Mary. They’re getting better or getting worse. The two players we lost, make that three, or guys we didn’t want. I think we will be better coached with a new offensive coordinator. We will be improved at safety and on the offensive line. Hard to predict at this point but the Buccaneers look to be a nine to ten win team. Injuries, turnovers, and luck will determine which way they go.
March 29th, 2024 at 10:57 am
Slightly improved….I think the new OC is an upgrade, getting Whitehead back should help prevent teams blowing the top off our secondary, definitely more chemistry and experience. We need better blocking on the line and/or a true all around TE.
March 29th, 2024 at 10:59 am
No we really haven’t gotten better, and I don’t think Licht is doing himself any favors by claiming we should be throwing a parade based on the re-signings. We were a .500 team in a terrible division. We’re now dedicating almost 10x our salary cap % to the same QB compared to last year.
It’s also disingenuous to say “we’ll be better because our rookies will have another years experience and will improve in year 2.” Every team in the league can make that same statement.
March 29th, 2024 at 11:01 am
LMAO One sure sign the Bucs are indeed getting better is Boss saying the Bucs are worse!
Better? Better what? Talent? Coaching? Team? So I take Joe and the other experts about questioning the improvement in “talent”. It hasn’t changed dramatically and no single draft choice is going to ‘dramatically” impact that.
So forget talent for a moment in that equation. It is obviously IMPORTANT but there is a lot more!
Starting with TEAM. Will the “group of talent” be an improved team, more cohesive, less mistakes. WHY NOT? Continuity is a great thing. Baker may drop off some but the other areas should pick up dramatically. White is still improving as runner and finished strong as did Edmonds..a big physical back like Braelon Allen would instantly give the RB room balance.
Coaching- I’m from the school that Baker and ME13 got Canales his gig at Carolina not that Canales got Baker his contract. I like Canales, respect that he’s a good young coach, but he was definitely learning on the job last year.
Baker was not. He’s ready. I think Coen is an upgrade over Canales.
Just to stir the pot and give half the board a reason to whine…I think Bowles has grown as well. He’s been through a LOT. Had to follow a popular winning coach, first year with tons of expectations the SB winning GOAT at QB phoning it in…perhaps more concerned with his garage which houses a stunning Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, valued at a whopping $3 million. THREE MILLION FOR A CAR!!! I’m sorry that’s just gross! Yeah it was his wife, and his desire to play elsewhere that distracted but Todd had to survive all of that and the loss of players like Gronk, JPP, Suh and others who helpled win that SB.
Then last year…What was Bowles given to begin the season? He’s learned a lot.
And trust me as the old dude here I can confirm you’re never to old to learn.
I trust Licht with the draft…enjoy reading you guys here…but I TRUST Licht.
Youth is another strength of this TEAM. There are a half dozen guys with potential the blow up in their 2nd or 3rd years. Maturity will improve the TEAM.
IMHO the Bucs have EVERY reason to be an improved TEAM. Continuity and coaching…Coen > Canales…Bowles experience..3rd year a charm. Plus another year for Baker and ME13 and all the receivers to get in synch better. Mayfield made some of his worst passes to Trey Palmer perhaps because the rookie ran a bad route or Baker was just not synched up with his speed. That should improve for both.
March 29th, 2024 at 11:01 am
Shane Callahan Says:
March 29th, 2024 at 10:45 am
Just saw something intriguing… Signing J.K. Dobbins as White’s backup. He’s a stud who knows how to slip tackles when healthy.
I’ve been thinking the same thing…wondering we can sign him on a team friendly incentives laden contract
Isn’t Nick Chubb a free agent as well
March 29th, 2024 at 11:03 am
We improved the depth, for sure. We improved the OC, for sure.
We lost an injury-prone CB, but added some potential there.
The rookies should make a step, which will be an improvement.
We will still need help in the draft to really improve.
March 29th, 2024 at 11:14 am
Here’s a different perspective. Many were predicting that Mike Evans and Baker Mayfield would sign with different teams. It was uncertain whether Lavonte would retire or if the Bucs could re-sign the kicker.
If you look at the loss of those four players, the team would be a lot worse! So re-signing them and bringing Whitehead home was an amazing improvement from what might have been. And that’s not factoring the addition by subtraction of letting Devin White leave.
I feel good going into the draft, and what’s essentially the next free agency period that follows the draft. Could be a much better team with the improvement of younger players and free agent pickups. Go Bucs!
March 29th, 2024 at 11:16 am
The OL should improve at every position, even without any drafted players. Mauch, Goedeke and Hainsey are all young and getting bigger while Wirfs will be more comfortable at LT year two. A really good IOL in round one or two would turn the line into a major strength, hopefully.
March 29th, 2024 at 11:29 am
How many teams that win the offseason, win the Superbowl? We definitely improved our safety position getting Whitehead back. Let’s see how the draft goes
March 29th, 2024 at 11:30 am
guys, guys, guys…. tsk, tsk, tsk…
all that matters is that Baker has continuity in teammates and coaching, and bucs will dominate
EDGE, LB, CB, etc, etc, etc…. all irrelevant (except a good C)
March 29th, 2024 at 11:33 am
Jeff … ‘They will do nothing without a decent edge rush.’ I’m pretty sure that at least one of the Joes would agree with that statement Jeff, but it’s premature to say that IMO.
I’m confident that JL will draft an edge (to replace Shaq) in either Rnd 1 or Rnd 2, unless of course the bones have been picked clean by that point. Shaq only had 4.5 sacks, 9 QB hits & 3 TFLs last season … roughly the same production as JTS. We also lost Devin White as a starter … he only had 2.5 sacks, 9 QB hits & 5 TFLs last season. The other 2 starters we lost were Carlton Davis (0 sacks, 0 QB hits, 0 TFLs) and Ryan Neal (0 sacks, 0 QB hits & 4 TFLs). And oh ya, we lost a key rotational player in Will Gholston … 0 sacks, 0 QB hits & 0 TFLs (maybe why Big Will hasn’t been re-signed?).
So we’ll be replacing 4 starters plus 1 key rotational player whose TOTAL 2023 production was 7 sacks, 18 QB hits & 12 TFLs in (wait for it) … 3,086 defensive snaps. It’s small wonder that those 5 are gone IMO (hint: they didn’t produce in relationship to how much they were making AND how much time they spent on the field).
Sorry, but if Jason Licht & Todd Bowles can’t find 5 guys to replace those 5 with better productivity for lower cost THEN they should be the ones looking for new jobs. Heck, our 3rd Rnd rookie Ya Ya Diaby produced 7.5 sacks, 8 QB hits & 12 TFLs ALL BY HIMSELF in barely 500 snaps. Folks need to be patient & have a little faith that this staff knows where it’s trying to build towards.
March 29th, 2024 at 11:47 am
I agree with StPeteBF. We have a team that is growing, still. BTW Joe, that was an interesting aside about D.B. Cooper.
March 29th, 2024 at 11:48 am
The Bucs will keep improving. We kept key players. We have Coen. There is familiarity and experience. Now we see what the draft brings us and go from there.
March 29th, 2024 at 11:56 am
Boss
Your posts show just how much of a troll you really are .
Clueless & someone like you should be on the saints jock !
March 29th, 2024 at 1:02 pm
@Bucben61
Nick Chubb is under contract thru this year. He has a $15.825 million cap hit and he’s coming off two knee surgeries so the Browns are debating what to do with him. Most of the “experts” are predicting a reworked contract to lower the cap hit…..more of an incentive laden extension to gauge his recovery and effectiveness. If they release him they save around $11 million on the cap but face a PR nightmare with the fan base. It should be interesting.
March 29th, 2024 at 1:19 pm
The Bucs are weaker without Canales and Carlton Davis and the division just got way tougher thanks to Canales and Raheem Morris. I hate to say it, but no division title OR playoffs this year. Our best bet is to draft a good O’ lineman and a solid edge rusher and get some proper clock management from HC.
March 29th, 2024 at 2:00 pm
I hate to say this because I love them so, but I think vegas got it right with an 8.5 over under. They are a 7-10 to 10-7 team. They just do not have nearly enough pass rush from their defensive front. If they had more pass rush they would get more turnovers and shorter fields and score a lot more points. Not to mention more 3-and-outs. Get a dang pash rush, Jason Licht!
March 29th, 2024 at 2:11 pm
DR –
All good points…
Shaq’s “production” last year can easily be replaced or exceeded by a promising rookie. White is addition by subtraction. Ryan Neal was a MAJOR liabilty in coverage (as was White obviously) and Davis had probably his worst year last year and misses an average of 5-6 games every year….
And those 4 players cost the Bucs almost $50M in 2023….
March 29th, 2024 at 3:02 pm
Its ok for them to look at the season as a whole and to come to that conclusion. I take the over because this team went on a huge run to end the season.
March 29th, 2024 at 4:10 pm
I do hope this is posted on our returning Safety Jordan Whitehead’s Locker inside and out. On his Mirror at home, in his car his own mix tape. Hated to lose him when he went to the Jets, completely understand that grass was greener, with a nice pay raise, along with different coaching lessons. And Jets Playing experience. Very glad he wanted to come back and play for the Buccaneers and HC Bowles.
This should also be what our two new Vet CB’s, read and re-read, daily.
Looking for some exciting Safety play this season, with our two very good Safeties, and some actual solid depth, IMO..
GO!!!!!BUCS!!!!!
March 29th, 2024 at 4:12 pm
Um……Todd Bowels.
March 29th, 2024 at 4:48 pm
I see Coen as an upgrade. The offense will improve. They will upgrade the interior OL and add a few more contributors on defense. Despite the loss of Davis, our D-backs depth is better now. We’ll draft another EDGE player.
Free agency doesn’t always provide the answers for team that go balls-out with it. The Bucs have been reloading with youth. Patience is still a virtue even in today’s NFL.
March 29th, 2024 at 7:53 pm
Boss, what team do you root for? Sure doesn’t seem to be the Bucs.