E.J. Speed And The Bucs (Part II)
March 19th, 2025
So a very productive inside linebacker Joe wrote about as a possibility for the Bucs remains on the free agent market.
The Bucs need inside linebacker help and 29-year-old E.J. Speed has very low mileage on his body and a lot of tackles on his resume. That includes 142 combined tackles for the Colts last season and 102 in 2023, his first year as a starter.
The six-year veteran barely played on defense in his first four seasons when he was known as one of the NFL’s best special teams players.
Joe sees Speed as a guy who could play effectively alongside Lavonte David. He’s used to playing with NFL tackles leader and Pro Bowler Zaire Franklin.
Speed, a 2019 fifth-round pick out of the Division II ranks certainly can do it all but he is known for missing tackles. The data nerds say he’s the worst in the NFL in missed tackle percentage, but he also had 142 tackles last season, so that’s a unique reality.
Joe can’t see Speed commanding a ton of money after completing a two-year, $8 million deal and not finding a bunch of takers in free agency. He seems ripe for a one-year deal for a few million plus incentives.
The Colts have a new defensive coordinator, so Joe can’t fault Speed for being unwanted. Perhaps Speed is a guy Todd Bowles feels he can get more out of?
Joe continues to wonder if Speed’s podcast with Franklin is an issue. It’s R-rated and has been controversial, though it’s primarily Franklin drawing the headlines.
Would Speed agree to kill the podcast for a job with a Super Bowl contender in Tampa.
March 19th, 2025 at 9:58 am
Solid stats the last two years. I wonder why the Colts didn’t resign him?
March 19th, 2025 at 10:04 am
Pass.
March 19th, 2025 at 10:15 am
It can’t be worse than KJ Britt. I’m pretty sure a tackling dummy would have covered the middle of the field just as effectively, though, so that’s not saying much.
March 19th, 2025 at 10:22 am
The Colts not even offering him a ham sandwich is a red flag. Perhaps he’s not a Buccaneer man.
March 19th, 2025 at 10:27 am
Makes too much sense. Bucs will pass.
March 19th, 2025 at 10:33 am
This sounds like Barrett Ruud.
March 19th, 2025 at 10:40 am
Nah do not need any more head cases on the radio here in Tampa. Missed tackles and LBs are a bad combo Joe. See Diva.
Go Bucs!
March 19th, 2025 at 10:41 am
The more the merrier. We need all the LB help we can get. On of the few holes on this Solid team. Go BUCS!!
March 19th, 2025 at 10:43 am
Take him if he agrees to bring a lawn chair with him to help our pass defense.
March 19th, 2025 at 10:48 am
Yeah, no. We don’t need another older player. We already have Deion Jones, Walker, and David. We need some youth. Your experience is on the roster. They will draft an ILB.
March 19th, 2025 at 10:57 am
Quit trolling and clean your room grandson
March 19th, 2025 at 11:11 am
Maybe LVD & Caldwell can upgrade his tackling technique and he can improve?
Not carrying either way. I’d still like to get Campbell. He may still be available after the combine if we need the depth.
March 19th, 2025 at 11:28 am
Stay away from the colts castaways. Did not hear anything good about their respective culture over the last couple years.
March 19th, 2025 at 12:16 pm
Bucs will not stand still in the draft. If they don’t trade up, they will move back.
Keep your eye on Campbell’s availability.
March 19th, 2025 at 12:36 pm
Looks like he is a very typical linebacker solid against the run gets exposed all the time in the passing game.
Another reason LaVonte Davis is special.
I might consider 2.5 million to 3 million a year with 2 year deal.
He is just a guy that looks like he is above average on 1st downs and special teams and below average on 2nd and 3rd downs.
March 19th, 2025 at 1:24 pm
Barrett Ruud king of the downfield tackle
March 19th, 2025 at 2:23 pm
If you have 142 tackles playing next to Franklin the nerds can kiss my ass