Until Proven Otherwise, It’s Not Enough
May 24th, 2024
Impact in 2024?
Joe said on a recent recording of the “Ira Kaufman Podcast” (soon to be published) that Joe is not going to quit whining about the team’s dismal edge rush until the Bucs prove they can fix it.
Attempting to fix it is not fixing it. It’s just that: an attempt.
In highlighting games in the 2024 season, Jenna Laine of ESPN focuses on a “revenge game” with the Lions. She believes the Bucs may just knock off the Lions because the Bucs addressed the reasons why they lost to the Lions in the divisional round.
Many of the changes they made this offseason were in areas they fell short during that postseason loss: inability to affect Goff and failure to protect Mayfield.
Well, the Bucs made “changes” just like Joe can change a pair of socks. Doesn’t mean Joe replaced one dirty pair with a clean pair, just that he changed socks.
If rookie defensive end Chris Braswell gets double-digit sacks this year, Joe will happily buy him a dinner of unlimited Hooters wings — all on Joe’s tab.
Generally, rookies do not have impactful seasons rushing the passer — as always, there are exceptions like the Bosa Bros. and Devin White Josh Allen. So no, Joe is not expecting Braswell to have 10 or more sacks.
Does Joe hope he has 10 or more? Of course! Does Joe hope he becomes the next Reggie White? Hell yeah! But that word “hope” is so evil if not irresponsible.
But Joe, you forgot Randy Gregory. No, Joe did not. But Joe also has to wonder if the Bucs were willing to sign Gregory, does that mean Arian Clayborn wasn’t available?
Did the Bucs address the pass rush? Yes. Did they fix it for this season? In the immortal words of the great Eastern philosopher Moe Howard, “We shall see.”
May 24th, 2024 at 5:44 am
It’s the offseason Joe, we don’t know how these rookies will play. Same for every team in the NFL. I’m happy with Lichts decision not to bring in a high priced
FA rusher and not to give up valuable picks to trade up in the draft for an edge.
May 24th, 2024 at 5:50 am
“…But Joe, you forgot Randy Gregory. No, Joe did not. But Joe also has to wonder if the Bucs were willing to sign Gregory, does that mean Arian Clayborn wasn’t available?”
Amen brother. Gregory is not just done, he has been done. That was just a waste of Glazer loot. I love JL, but I dont get the Gregory signing. Harry will put money down that JTS will have more sacks than Gregory. And that is NOT an endorsement of JTS. We’ve seen the best JTS has to give, and it ain’t much.
May 24th, 2024 at 6:59 am
“…Eastern philosopher Moe Howard” hahahahaha!!!! That’s a classic Joe!
May 24th, 2024 at 7:34 am
Joe , if Braswell get as many sacks as last year rookie edge rusher, I’ll consider that a win.
May 24th, 2024 at 8:10 am
Joe, hope is not an evil word. In fact, it’s hope that drives progress.
May 24th, 2024 at 8:12 am
@JimBobBuc —
Most fans don’t care how much Glazer loot goes to high-priced, low-priced, or in-priced free agents. We want results. I sure don’t care about the owner’s bottom line.
More generally, the edge became a problem in 2021 when JPP’s production slowed. Became a big problem in 2022 when Barrett went down. It has stayed a problem because JL’s picks have not done the tricks.
Similar to the OL puzzle, where we had a great lineup in 2021. One retirement, one injury, and one FA get-away later and there was a total disaster up front. We learned that the depth there was shallow (sound familiar?). Took two years to reshuffle that deck and we’re still not sure it’s fixed.
So if Buc player salaries go up and the ticket prices stay the same, all’s good in the neighborhood.
May 24th, 2024 at 8:33 am
(Sigh)
It all starts up front. You wanna score on opening drives? You wanna be better than last in Rushing?
Fix the Offensive line
Our Tackles are outstanding
Our Right Guard is Cody Mauch. First year player. Was horrible last year. Graded out as one of the worst guards in the league. Most Rookies make big improvements in Year one.
Guess we are hoping Mauch does. I think he will.
Our Center – Graham Barton. Rookie. Rookie linemen need a year to get stronger.
He played Left Tackle last 2 years. Gotta readjust to center.Hes gonna be great, but hard to imagine he wont struggle this year.
Left Guard. Unless we bring someone else in, looks like its Sua Opeta or Ben Bredesen. Sua Opeta is a career Backup. Could never crack the Eagles starting line up. They let him walk. Hes strong as a bull, but heavy legged and slow.
He’ll be a weakness, not a strength.
Ben Bredesen. Has all the skills. Will never be a decent starter. Not his fault. His arms are to short. 3rd shortest Arms for a linemen ever measured in NFL history.
This allows defenders to get in to his body, instead of him stearing them away.
He also would be a weakness, not a strength.
A first year player, a Rookie, and a career backup up Or Trex.
There are solutions. Dalton Risner(guard) and Connor Williams(Center) are both quality Starters, still looking to sign. There are others that will be available soon.
Otherwise, we will do what we’ve don since we lost Cappa,Marpet, and Jensen.
We’ll try to get by with backups, rookies, and bad players.
We gotta deal with Bartons growing pains.
We dont have to risk our Season on Cody Mauch improving. He may not. Gave up 8 sacks last year.
And we arent going have a great offense, if we keep starting Backups.
Fix the Left Guard position. If Mauch doesnt look much better- get someone else in here.
May 24th, 2024 at 8:35 am
Sorry guys, post above was for another post. Sorry
May 24th, 2024 at 9:01 am
I’m not counting on Gregory at all. He only has 22 sacks in his career, and he’s never had more than 6 in a season. He’s only started 10+ games in a season one time. I seriously doubt he’s anything more than camp meat. If he’s hungry, maybe he makes the team. We’ll see.
May 24th, 2024 at 9:32 am
Oddly enough, Chris braswell looks almost exactly the same in every picture I see of him…
May 24th, 2024 at 9:47 am
Agreed Joe. Keep beating the drum for a legitimate pass rush until the Bucs have one.
It’s kind of like beating the drum about a losing head coach until he’s not one. And, the two are related.
May 24th, 2024 at 9:51 am
Colonel Tim again for the win.
May 24th, 2024 at 12:49 pm
Honestly, I’ll be disappointed if Gregory evenakes the team.
May 24th, 2024 at 1:31 pm
I agree with you Joe. If Braswell can get six or seven sacks that will show great promise. The hidden ace in the hole for this team will have to be JTS. Will he finally wake up and quit playing nice guy in the trenches in order to save his career as a starter in the NFL. Will he show a lot more hunger and anger in getting to said QB because that is what you have to o in order to get a big paycheck in the NFL. Four or five sacks may get him resigned on another team, but it doesn’t guarantee much more than NFL minimum wage money.
May 24th, 2024 at 1:45 pm
Exactly!
May 24th, 2024 at 2:53 pm
The Bucs D needs to generate 50 sacks & 100 pressures/QB hits over the course of the season…I do not care how that number is spread across players individual performances…Just hit those #’s as a team & then we can say that the Bucs fixed their pass rush.
May 24th, 2024 at 3:11 pm
Jeez Joe, you sure are getting cynical in your old age.
May 24th, 2024 at 4:49 pm
Let’s hope the re-addition of Whitehead and a solid secondary can make opposing QBs hold on a little longer and would go a long way to more pressure!!!! It’s a BUCS life after all.
May 24th, 2024 at 5:09 pm
“Attempting to fix it is not fixing it.”
GREAT OBSERVATION!
On your point … Attempting to score and attempting to defend isn’t scoring or defending.
You know why?
No one is playing football. It’s the off season. Is this attempting to write a story?
Here’s some story ideas for the dog days of summer …
How Licht compares to past GMs? Pro Bowls, Playoffs, Player Turnover, HCs.
How long is Licht onboard as GM?
What’s in store for Greenberg?
Analyze the other NFCS Team Schedules
Analyze the other NFCS Team Cap
How many rookies are under contract?
Former Bucs at camp
New coaches (TE)
May 24th, 2024 at 5:25 pm
Confident yet cautious Joe. Nothing wrong with that.
May 24th, 2024 at 5:29 pm
Agree with @drsneast – If we get 6 or 7 from Braswell (or anyone on the other side), it may allow Diaby to improve on his 7 last season… net win! That would be the best edge performance in YEARS.
Still, @Joe is spot on, keep whining until it’s proven. There still are options that could be brought in…but the owners, JL & coach have to be willing to make that call. If they are not they’re gambling that they found the solution. It does kinda sound like they’re betting too heavily on hope.
Right now we’re all excited about Braswell (the other edge JAG’s) and Barton, but they’re really unknowns – and we don’t have fallback plans on the roster.
Just keeping score in the offseason.
May 25th, 2024 at 5:11 pm
I believe wholeheartedly they got it taken care of
May 26th, 2024 at 1:19 am
Braswell will get 8 sacks
May 26th, 2024 at 1:20 am
and 12 next year…..i know my guys