One More Move
June 24th, 2024
Is Jason Licht finished shopping?
Yeah, Joe guesses Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht won’t add players to the roster until training camp opens in a month.
Still, there is a question mark in the Bucs’ projected starting defense where Joe would love to have an additional veteran body available.
With the trade of the Bucs’ best cornerback, Carlton Davis, Todd Bowles almost immediately named Zyon McCollum as the starter. Joe likes McCollum a lot but isn’t sure he’s fully ready for prime time as a starter.
Sure, the Bucs signed veteran corner Bryce Hall from the Jets, who has 26 starts under his belt in his four years in the NFL. Maybe he could be the answer if McCollum struggles.
Well, Matt Lombardo, a former Giants and Eagles beat writer, typed on his blog “Between the Hashmarks” that a quality free agent corner is on the streets looking for work. So, Lombardo thinks grabbing four-time Pro Bowler Xavien Howard would be a solid signing by Licht.
“Schematically, he’d be a really solid fit in Tampa,” an AFC Scouting Director told me, of Howard. “The only reason he is still available is his asking price. He wants top dollar, but injuries and declining skill at his age could make it tough to get top-of-market money.”
… Howard’s 29 career interceptions rank fourth in Dolphins franchise history, and the 30-year-old is coming off a 2023 season in which he held opposing quarterbacks to a paltry 86.7 passer rating when targeting him as opposing receivers averaged just 11.7 yards per reception when lined up against him.
The Buccaneers have the pieces in place, they believe, to begin the 2024 season in the AFC South pole position, and Howard is the type of plug-and-play perimeter cornerback who can elevate the secondary.
Joe thinks this would be a smart move. Now Bowles is solidly in McCollum’s corner because he said McCollum started so many games last year (nine) when Jamel Dean and Davis were injured that he already has the street cred.
But does he? McCollum sure seemed to play up and down. Maybe he has grown into the position? Maybe the Bucs are content with Hall, just in case?
Either way, if Howard can come down off his asking price, Joe doesn’t see the harm in such a move.
June 24th, 2024 at 8:31 am
Just stop with the old, high priced, injured veterans that ride the bench.
June 24th, 2024 at 8:36 am
I’d rather a depth ILB signing during camp or right before season during final cuts
June 24th, 2024 at 8:40 am
I wouldn’t even consider it; Overpriced and too much mileage. Zyon is the future and that future is now.
June 24th, 2024 at 8:41 am
Let’s lock up an extension for Tristan Wirfs before any further signings.
June 24th, 2024 at 9:06 am
Don’t think that’s a smart cap-clearing move. The Bucs are so far in debt the next two years and we still have to sign Wirfs ASAP.
June 24th, 2024 at 9:07 am
Meh, Howard isn’t as cheap or young as Keenan Isaac, Tyrek Funderburk, or Andrew Hayes and I’d prefer see who can rise up as opposed to just throwing money at a CB when we really don’t need to at this moment. If there’s a need for an emergency signing down the road, maybe, but there’s no “need” at the position to take reps from unproven guys we’re have some interest in already.
I’m with AlabamaBucsfan, sign Wirfs first.
June 24th, 2024 at 9:09 am
Nope!
June 24th, 2024 at 9:10 am
Is this a joke?
We traded an expensive #1 CB so we can start a cheap 5th round pick for the next 2 years.
Why would we sign a guy that is more expensive than CDIII?
This is the dumbest article ever.
Almost as dumb as thinking Hainsey is an NFL starter.
June 24th, 2024 at 9:13 am
That’s an interesting question though Joe: ‘If you can only add 1 player due to money, what position should we add?’
That’s a toughie, because we’re not very deep in several position groups. An injury to a key starter could potentially cost us the season. TE is very shallow for instance, and if Otton went down we’d be hurting. Other than that though, I think we’ve got some decent backups on offense.
Defense is a different story. ILB seems to have the least depth, although OLB lacks experience & we’re betting on a lot of potential there. Not sure how our defense would fare if we lost Vea for any length of time. Our Secondary’s young, but quite talented & Todd Bowles seems to find ways to keep them afloat.
I’d vote for adding a veteran MLB if we could only add 1 player.
June 24th, 2024 at 9:16 am
X Man would be a fun signing
June 24th, 2024 at 9:23 am
My guess is TE or LB……
But in injuries terms my prayers go Mayfield,if he gets down, well we are getting in to hell zone
June 24th, 2024 at 9:31 am
The dye has been cast as far as the roster going into training camp. As injuries occur, and players are cut you’ll see the Bucs having to make some moves. Right now, what you see is what you’re going to get.
June 24th, 2024 at 9:42 am
Joe you must not have seen the weirdness being attached to this guy and his cravings for Minors. No one is going to touch this guy. Stay current please JOE.
Let’s get Baked! Go Bucs!
June 24th, 2024 at 9:43 am
As I could tell, Zyon played at least as well as Davis, and is Randy Gregory even on the team? Seems like we might need one of those
June 24th, 2024 at 9:44 am
Joe: Have you read about Howard’s latest lawsuit? This guy has AB-type trouble written all over him.
June 24th, 2024 at 9:44 am
I think the Texans hold the pole position in the AFC South.
June 24th, 2024 at 9:45 am
Amen Joe in Michigan. Revenge Porn nut job is not a good quality person to bring into the locker room.
June 24th, 2024 at 9:58 am
I dont know about this idea Joe. I preferred your suggestion of signing/trading for Hasson Reddick. With our financial situation the way it is, for the Bucs to pay big money to a player, the player has to make a serious impact to team dynamics, not just be a good player.
I think Reddick would have done that. Having a serious 4 man rush would complete change the dynamics of the Bucs defense – being able to pressure the QB with a 4-man rush or an exotic blitz would make the opposing QB think he was “seeing ghosts”. Adding a good, even a very good CB without knowing if the Bucs can provide needed pressure on the QB would not be nearly as impactful.
June 24th, 2024 at 9:58 am
Id take Darius Leonard, should be much cheaper.
June 24th, 2024 at 10:17 am
We still know nothing without pads on.
June 24th, 2024 at 10:20 am
Nothing too see here…move along
June 24th, 2024 at 10:20 am
I agree on Leonard.
He signed a 100$ million dollar contract and then got cut from Indy.
Evidently he is the opposite of David with age.
Otherwise, Bowels could maybe get him back to All Pro form.
June 24th, 2024 at 10:27 am
If, If he comes down on price, he would be great depth and competition to start/starters. But only on like a one-year prove it contract situation.
June 24th, 2024 at 10:30 am
Rather sign some veteran help for the Trenches.
Similar to how Suh and JPP came in with that nasty streak for the front 7.
This defense hasn’t had that mean streak since Suh left.
Suh is gonna be in the hall of fame tho
June 24th, 2024 at 10:48 am
Not a Buccaneers man
June 24th, 2024 at 11:13 am
Hell the F No! If I wanted to watch my Bucs DB get burnt every play I’ll throw on some tape from the lost decade HARD PASS
June 24th, 2024 at 11:34 am
No to Xavien Howard. He wants too much money along with the baggage of what he sent to his ex’s son. Inexcusable behavior.
June 24th, 2024 at 11:47 am
Howard is a locker room problem and does dumb stuff off the field. That’s why he’s on the streets.
June 24th, 2024 at 12:01 pm
Have you guys not watched Darius Leonard the last year or two? Man had that back surgery and hasn’t recaptured his pro bowl form in 2 seasons. Philly didn’t even dress him for their game against us in the playoffs last season, but he played week 18.
June 24th, 2024 at 12:08 pm
The Truth be Told Says:
June 24th, 2024 at 9:42 am
Joe you must not have seen the weirdness being attached to this guy and his cravings for Minors. No one is going to touch this guy. Stay current please JOE.
__________
Joe probably considers this a “minor hassle”
😉
June 24th, 2024 at 12:22 pm
Who is the new “Joe” typing this article? The Buccaneers are NFC south NOT AFC south. Am I misinterpreting this article or did they miss type AFC?…TWICE. just checking
June 24th, 2024 at 12:24 pm
No to the head case Howard.
I’d support releasing Gregory and taking a flier on Shaquille Leonard to add depth to the ILB room.
TE is more difficult because Coen does not use that position as much as the previous two coordinators did and I have a firm belief that the new coach will help Otton and Durham raise their game.
June 24th, 2024 at 12:25 pm
Pass. The Charity Fund is Dry. Stop overthinking this. We put millions and millions out for poor play four years in a row. At some point you gotta quit giving millions away, Next Man Up is here times two Hall is the backup plan. Smith anyone? Could probably fill in if the other two can’t handle it, I know that’s a little out there.. hahaha!! Let’s Go Bucs!!!! They’re Baking Up something good, Can You Smell what the Bucs are cooking!!!
June 24th, 2024 at 12:26 pm
Joe was quoting Lombardo, Savage.
June 24th, 2024 at 12:30 pm
31 on july 4th, head case and sex tape lawsuit no thanks.
June 24th, 2024 at 12:51 pm
ESPN:
Former Miami Dolphins star cornerback Xavien Howard sent a male teenager a sexually explicit photograph of the teen’s mother because she refused to get an abortion, a new court filing alleges.
June 24th, 2024 at 1:42 pm
Why would she abort her meal ticket. What was he thinking?
Wrap it up or pay up.
June 24th, 2024 at 1:44 pm
I guess Joe missed last season’s games, when Zyon played more than any other corner on the roster and acquited himself quite well.
June 24th, 2024 at 1:48 pm
Just a weird unresearched column.
Guy wants a lot of money.
Guy is a football head case.
Guy has injury history.
Guy has multiple lawsuits that might prevent him from playing.
Just seems we could have found a better “One more move” article.
June 24th, 2024 at 2:11 pm
The Dixie Chicks will sign Xavien Howard, who seems like a better fit with that team.
June 24th, 2024 at 2:15 pm
We should be ok with McCollum and the bench behind him. McCollum is a good tackler but the big problem I saw last season was how often he’d lose his man or get confused in zone coverage. Even playing 7 to 10 yards off, he’d let his guy get past him and make a catch for big yards and a LB would be the one chasing down the receiver and making the tackle. D. White on a couple of occasions had to do that.
Hopefully more time in Bowles’ system will correct some of his issues. He’s a smart young player and a solid tackler.
June 24th, 2024 at 2:21 pm
But we do need a legit 4th CB.
We never have a good #4 CB. And we always have hurt starters.
So our #3 CB starts half the season. Every season.
And our #4 CB becomes our #3 CB a lot!!!
We need to start being 4 deep at CB and 3 deep at nickle. And 3 deep at safety. (We must always have a CB or a nickle who can be our #4 safety.)
Depth really is everything in the NFL. M
That’s why I love Bowles so much. He develops defenders! Omg!
His DB track record is sick.
You guys might hate on Logan Hall. But our DE is a a 3-4 pillar. He’s not meant to rush the passer very much. Gholston is perfect. Hall is not bad.
Bowles is the best DB coach in Tampa History.
But we need a 4th CB. Every season.
June 24th, 2024 at 2:28 pm
No. We’re fine at CB….
Defense Rules Says:
“I’d vote for adding a veteran MLB if we could only add 1 player.”
Why? – so you can cut a potential future ST star who might even turn into a starting quality MLB despite the ‘size’ concerns that left him undrafted? (talking about FSU stud Kalen DeLoach).
Bucs are already going to have to decide between keeping DeLoach or JJ Russell because they aren’t keeping more than 4 ILBers on the active roster.
And DeLoach has gotten national attention before even getting to training camp. So there’s no way he would clear wavers if the Bucs tried to slide him onto the Practice Squad….
Bringing in a Vet ILB at this point only means loss of (non existent) cap space, a hit to our Special Teams and having to cut a couple young guys that you don’t want to lose and probably will if you subject them to waivers.
Its a youth movement at ILB. Better get on board with that idea DR. Even more so probably next year when LD54 retires and we likely use a higher draft pick to try and bolster that irreplaceable void that 54 will leave when he’s gone.
June 24th, 2024 at 2:31 pm
Pass if anything we need another Linebacker to go with David. Cause the only other person we really have is KJ Britt and if one of the two get hurt we are really going deep in the depth chart at that point.
June 24th, 2024 at 2:47 pm
“Why? – so you can cut a potential future ST star who might even turn into a starting quality MLB despite the ‘size’ concerns that left him undrafted? (talking about FSU stud Kalen DeLoach)”
So much “yes” to this, give the kid 1 or 2 offseasons to put on some more muscle/mass and we legit got our 2nd(Sirvocea Dennis) in line to (try? good luck w/that)replace LVD. I’ve been seeing “we’re thin at MLB” on here lately and the answer is go look at the depth chart as of today. We got some potential there w/o needing to reach for unemployed names.
“Its a youth movement at ILB.”
All over the roster, we started with adding a ton of youth to the backend of the depth chart in ’22 and fleshed it out even more for 2023.now in 2024 we’ve got a handful of players(David, Evans, Gholston, & Triner) over 30 while everybody else is either in their 1st-3rd year or one foot into their primes.
Great points Pickgrin
June 24th, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Because McCollum replaced both Davis and Dean during injuries in 2023…he actually had more starts than either Dean or Davis. Also, he made improvement last year and the coaches believe he will take another big step this year. He may be the Bucs best CB…only time will tell.
June 24th, 2024 at 3:40 pm
SavageBucsFan Says:
June 24th, 2024 at 12:22 pm
Who is the new “Joe” typing this article? The Buccaneers are NFC south NOT AFC south. Am I misinterpreting this article or did they miss type AFC?…TWICE. just checking
Scouting Guy could actually been from at the AFC.
June 24th, 2024 at 3:47 pm
I might have though signing Howard to a one year deal might be very interesting. That even though I’ve always known him to be a litte too greedy. You, my fellow JBFers have talked me out of supporting signing that guy. Leonard might be interesting at a discount, but I know he’s a bit of a head case too.
June 24th, 2024 at 4:11 pm
Kalen Deloach is 5’10 1/2 210 who on the surface seems similar in size but is moderately less explosive than Deonne Buccannon while Deloach has comparable impact plays/statistics to the late and former Buc/Seminole Geno Hayes in college. That doesn’t scream like a special team star to me, but rather the definition of a tweener with no real position. Now the young man might be a likeable person who works hard which is great, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to production.
I am all for the rise of undrafted/underdog types. Can someone help me understand the appeal other than he played for the Seminoles?
June 24th, 2024 at 4:13 pm
Can the dude play soft zone? If so he’s a match for Todd’s defense.
June 24th, 2024 at 4:36 pm
It appears that this year’s roster will contain a mixture of young guys and veterans. We will not know how good the team really will look until mid season.
The thing I am a little concerned about is having too many undersized talented but undersized guys overall. There is room for a few on any given roster. The NFL is mostly for big athletes.
June 24th, 2024 at 4:49 pm
Is that supposed to be a good thing?
June 24th, 2024 at 5:42 pm
Nope, need a veteran edge rusher not named Randy Gregory.
June 24th, 2024 at 5:50 pm
A Bucs Fan Says:
“Kalen Deloach is 5’10 1/2 210…. Can someone help me understand the appeal other than he played for the Seminoles?”
Yes – his tape and his abilities on the field as a FOOTBALL PLAYER.
DeLoach was the star of an undefeated Seminoles defense last year. He was all over the field….
2023 – 68 Tackles – 10.5 TFLs – 7 Sacks – 1 Int – 2 PDs – 2 FF – I FR – 1 TD
Career – 212 Tackles – 24.5 TFLs – 11 Sacks – 2 Ints – 11 PDs – ” – ” – ”
5′-11 1/2″ as measured at the combine – 4.47 speed – 23 reps bench press
DeLoach has already been reported to have gained some weight since the combine and will be above 220 Lbs heading into training camp. He WILL be a major contributor on ST if he makes the squad this year. Could likely get up close to 230 coming into year 2 with a full offseason to add weight and muscle.
If DeLoach was 6′-1″ 230 lbs coming out – he likely would have been a 3rd or 4th rd draft pick. ‘Size’ was literally the only thing that kept him from being drafted. But ‘size’ does not measure the heart nor capabilities of a football player…. Winfield Jr is the perfect example of that fact…..
June 24th, 2024 at 6:27 pm
@A Bucs Fan
Look up Deon Bucannon and that “Moneyback” or $LB role he got from Bowles in AZ. Between DeLoach, and especially Tykee Smith can be that particular guy to patrol 2nd level of the field between & outside of the seams or blitz or spy the dual threat QBs we’ve got to account for. Would love that type of utility player for this years iteration of our defense.
June 24th, 2024 at 6:33 pm
Tykee Smith can be that bridge between our base D and then flipping the switch to nickel. In theory we’d have 2 OLBs, Vita at NT, Kancey/Gaines at 3 and now teams switch personnel packages we just rotate guys. That’d be an ask to have Smith responsible for covering RBs, TEs, & Slot WRs but his tape shows he’s got the skill to stick with and stick it too anybody play those positions. We need a $LB
June 24th, 2024 at 6:44 pm
Pickgrin … ‘Its a youth movement at ILB. Better get on board with that idea DR. Even more so probably next year when LD54 retires’.
Most of our roster is pretty much a youth movement, not just ILB. And I’m very much in favor of that Pickgrin, because, oh ya, we have no choice but to draft our way out of CAP he11.
I admittedly don’t know anything about Kalen DeLoach, but I agree that we’ll probably only keep 4 ILBs. Let’s ASSUME that those 4 are LVD, Britt, Dennis & DeLoach. IF KJ Britt (our signal caller) goes down for any length of time, who steps in? Dennis got 101 def snaps last season, with 83 of those coming in 2 games in the middle of the season (losses to 49ers & Colts when he substituted for an injured LVD). Apparently the Bucs don’t consider Dennis to be a MLB (Britt & JJ Russell got the call when White wasn’t in there). So if Britt goes down, would we really use a 5’10”, 210 lbs DeLoach at MLB? Maybe we would, but it seems unlikely. More likely to me that the 4th ILB will be JJ.
DeLoach is an OK size for a Safety. He apparently has good speed & very good instincts. If he shines in training camp, got a hunch that Todd Bowles will find a roster spot for him, someplace.
June 24th, 2024 at 7:29 pm
DR – Sirvocea Dennis is the answer to your question.
After LD and Britt – Dennis is now the next man up.
Dennis will be the replacement at either spot if a starter can’t play. And that’s if he doesn’t win the starting Mike job outright….
Dennis is cross training at Mo and at Mike this year. He focused on Mo last year – and is the Mo whenever LD54 isn’t on the field or isn’t playing – and at this point – is the intended replacement for David once 54 calls it a career.
However – since we have LD for at least 1 more year – Dennis is learning and working hard on all the responsibilities for the Mike position as well.
“Voss” (as the guys apparently call him) will be competing with Britt for the starting Middle spot next to LD this year. If Dennis does not win that starting Mike spot outright – he will likely still be seeing quite a few snaps there anyways throughout the season…. mostly on 3rd and obvious passing downs as Dennis brings coverage skills to the table that Britt will never possess. And Todd WILL utilize those playmaking coverage skills (that Dennis has already flashed – mostly in practice) this year.
Britt is a solid and well prepared LBer who reads well, plays his assignment to the letter and tackles well. He’ll be just fine if not ‘good” on 1st and 2nd downs. But ‘coverage’ is a bit of a problem for KJ – while its a strength of Dennis.
Yea – Yea -I know…. You’ve heard me talk up Sir Dennis before- and are still waiting to “see it” on the field.
You will. Dennis is going to make a big jump in year 2 – much like McCollum and Goedeke did last year… Voss may not be a “starter” this year – but he will get playing time – and he will ‘flash’ and make plays when called upon.
June 24th, 2024 at 7:30 pm
ILB depth… maybe RD 2 for Kwon Alexander? He’s at least habitat with some of the lockerroom.
June 24th, 2024 at 7:32 pm
*familiar (not habitat)
June 24th, 2024 at 8:08 pm
Fans are melting down because a depth player missed three days in June. They couldn’t handle Xavier Howard.
June 24th, 2024 at 10:10 pm
McCollum gave up a rating of 91. I’d gladly take a physically superior specimen like Zion going into year 3 over a guy that had a 86 rating against him at 30.
June 24th, 2024 at 11:28 pm
Jason knows what he is doing and I trust him. Clearly the Bucs pass defense was poor last season, and Jason and Todd know it. Expect scheme changes as well as the personnel moves already made.
#AsToddEvolves
#AsRichardDevolves
June 24th, 2024 at 11:57 pm
I think he’s still available since he sounds like a creep. According to court records, he sent pictures of a woman performing acts on him to her underaged kid after she refused to get an abortion.
Now, is it true? I don’t know, but there’s a ton of detail in the case and I believe he’s also involved in other cases as well.
Until that is resolved he’s going to continue to be a FA, and even then it’s really going to take the revelation that everything was made up and he’s complete innocent of the charges for anyone to sign him.
June 25th, 2024 at 3:11 am
I would wager that Howard wouldn’t be playing 15 yards off like dean does….
I would also wager that Howard has more ints than dean.
I’d also wager you could find Howard in coverage on all
Pass plays his way….
Just sayin…. Read the tape.
June 25th, 2024 at 5:56 am
Pickgrin … Thanks for all the good info on Dennis. I was really optimistic about him when we drafted him, but he was fairly invisible during the season except for S/Ts & those couple of games when he replaced LVD. Of course, KJ was pretty much the same for 3 years & now he’s starting.
June 25th, 2024 at 6:03 am
Dave Pear … I’ll gladly play your little game of scrabble:
#AsToddEvolves
#AsRichardDevolves
#AsDaveConvolves
P.S. I was gonna go with Revolves Dave but Convolve is an extra 3 points and I had to take that extra FG.
June 25th, 2024 at 7:09 am
The 1 move Licht needs to do is Cut Gregory right now!
And Howard, He!! No. Especially after being a Lowlife sending explict pics to the child of a Ex
June 25th, 2024 at 9:25 am
You are correct DoooshLaRue. Thank you, I reread the article again, my bad. Lombardo has absolutely no business writing or criticizing any team in the league if he doesn’t know which teams are in which division…he’s a hater of the Bucs, just like every other “talking head” we keep seeing and hearing about when reporting about the Bucs…they’re Morons. Except for the “Joes”
June 25th, 2024 at 7:57 pm
We do not need another head case gracing the locker room like A. Brown. Let’s stick to quality on and off the field. They are like a cancer, and needs to be removed.