Needing An Edge Rusher
January 19th, 2014
You don’t let your sacks leader leave for no good reason!
Joe knows there are Bucs fans who have gone through the ringer so badly wanting an edge rusher, they drank countless beers and drained untold bottles of Ketel One, and had to go through AA to help resolve their issues.
The final straw for some came last week when last year’s sacks leader Michael Bennett, who was let go by the Bucs for no good reason, help lead the Seahawks to the NFC title gamet.
On Wednesday, when Leslie Frazier met the Tampa Bay pen and mic club, it seemed Frazier was channeling said Bucs fans who are tired of having the shakes watching opposing quarterbacks have so much time to throw they could order a pizza. Frazier said in no uncertain terms how critical it is for the Bucs to get pressure off the edge.
It is “extremely important in our league today with the way the league has become pass-happy league with the numbers,” Frazier said. “The statistics are off the charts. You need someone who can rush the passer without having to always bring an extra guy. You need that guy who can beat an offensive tackle or … to find a way to get to the quarterback if you have a great defense. In this system, like any system, you need that one guy if you can find him. They are sometimes rare but we had one in Jared Allen. We had one in [Julius] Peppers in Chicago. It really makes a difference in our league if you can find a guy who can rush without having to blitz all the time.”
It seems as if new Bucs coach Lovie Smith and Frazier will stop at nothing to find that edge guy, whether it is through the draft or free agency, given the Bucs have a good amount of salary cap space.
Just a mention of Allen or Peppers has fans drooling. Yes, it would be nice to have an edge rush. But just how much do Allen and Peppers have left in the tank? Even if they have a little, and come at a decent price, something is better than nothing.
And the Bucs have had virtually nothing since Simeon Rice left. It’s been so long it’s almost irresponsible.
January 19th, 2014 at 9:27 am
We should sign Peppers and Allen.
Bet we get sacks then.
January 19th, 2014 at 9:28 am
We need to get this done….I don’t think Clowney will make it to 7….Mack will be there but I’m not sure we will take him….maybe a QB or Sammy Watkins….so FA is the place to go. Its the only place we can get a proven NFL pass rusher.
We have been burn too often with our draft picks.
And…yes….one more time we are subjected to the Michael Bennett loss. Lets just pay him $50 million and get him back so we don’t have to endure the countless rehash.
January 19th, 2014 at 9:41 am
Kidding by the premium they’re placing on the position it’s sounding like them moving up to get Clowney may be on the table. Not saying it’s what I would prefer but it sounds like the Lovie/Frazier duo might be hatching a plan. If rather move up for a phenom de than a qb though so if it’s going to happen if prefer we go get Clowney.
January 19th, 2014 at 9:52 am
They can’t be more upfront without breaking tampering rules. Allen and Peppers one or the other will be a Buc.Tillman,Hester also.With Clayborn,Gholston,Bowers and a mid round Edge rusher mixing in.
Because of John Abraham success at 35 years old These more seasoned ends will get a 2-3 year deal.
Also people say Allen had a down year with 11.5 sacks.Minnesota 3tackle and backend weren’t as stout as what we have.He would dominate here.
January 19th, 2014 at 10:07 am
I’m sorry a 34 yr old Peppers does not make more drool, Allen would be exciting. after watching some pass rush prospects in the draft, Aaron Donald DT from Pitt might be my Fav, You better not base your Def around the 3 tech and have no depth
January 19th, 2014 at 10:10 am
Judging not kidding
January 19th, 2014 at 10:25 am
Julius Peppers, at 34 years young is better, now and for the next two years of Clayborn/Bowers.
Sign Allen and Peppers. Bet we win atlwast double the games we won last year.
January 19th, 2014 at 10:40 am
Bring sum guys in… In the words of the late Al Davis “just win baby”
January 19th, 2014 at 10:41 am
Just as long as the guy we draft to pass rush doesn’t have to do it his rookie year. It NEVER works. Not. Ever. Always takes 2+ years for DEnds to perform.
January 19th, 2014 at 10:53 am
“Joe knows there are Bucs fans who have gone through the ringer so badly wanting an edge rusher, they drank countless beers and drained untold bottles of Ketel One, and had to go through AA to help resolve their issues.”
Ahahahaa.smh
January 19th, 2014 at 11:01 am
New Rotation
-LDE Justin Tuck Adrian Clayborne, William Gholston
-DT Gerald McCoy, Kendall Langford, William Gholston
-NT Tony McDaniels, Akeem Spence
-RDE Julius Peppers, Daquan bowers
(Tree Trunks with Pass Rush)
*From The Left Side
-Justin Tuck 6′ 5″, 268 lbs
*From the Defensive Tackle
-Kendall Langford 6′ 6″, 313 lbs
*From the Nose Tackle
-Tony McDaniel 6′ 7″, 305 lbs
*From The Right Side
-Julius Peppers 6′ 7″, 287 lbs
Would be one of the most stout rotations in the NFL
January 19th, 2014 at 11:06 am
OR
-LDE Justin Tuck Adrian Clayborne, William Gholston
-DT Gerald McCoy, William Gholston (DRAFT PICK)
-NT Tony McDaniels, Akeem Spence
-RDE Julius Peppers, Daquan bowers
January 19th, 2014 at 11:10 am
“Allen and Peppers one or the other will be a Buc.Tillman,Hester also.” said Northend – I’m right with you
I think the new coaches can take DE Gholston to a new level. May be draft a backup for the 3 technique, speedy rec. and best available QB that fit our offensive scheme.
With all that our defense will be able to create the opportunity to split games in our division with a wildcard well within our grasp.
Playoffs will be possible. Our biggest problem this past year was COACHING. No more Laughing Stock II. Good Coaching with talented players are always the foundation to winning. We learned our lesson. Now the Wins will come.
January 19th, 2014 at 11:13 am
Lovie has been in the ‘business’ long enough to know that you don’t show your hand before the draft. You talk about how good it would be to have a premier DE. They you talk about a franchise-type of QB. Before the draft, I bet we hear how great it would be to have a speedy receiver or anchor-type O-lineman, maybe even a stud LB. The major talk should be on what is the highest need (league wide) and yet, too short on supply.
Let the QB drool begin. ( Of course here in Joe Country, it’s been going on for years(or so it seems)) ;^)
January 19th, 2014 at 11:16 am
(Justin Tuck aka Mr. Versatility)
Justin Tuck #62 Top 100 NFL Players of 2012( No Pun)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiZavJj6g0k
From The Left Side
Sacks-*(12)
Hurres-*(41)
January 19th, 2014 at 11:23 am
That’s right…been saying that for years how there has been no pass rush since Simeon was cut. Sad. Hopefully this regime will actually fix this
January 19th, 2014 at 11:25 am
Never forget this (Listen to Mayock)
Jared Allen vs Donald Penn Thursday night football
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A3Vq8t8Xts
Penn talked all that smack then got blown up on the next play. A tleast we won. Great game still though.
January 19th, 2014 at 11:33 am
@LUVMYBUCS
In order to sign a Tuck and a Peppers I would think we have to free up some cap space. We are currently at the $16 mill mark from what I last read. We would definitely be pushing our mark with those two guys. Not leaving much room for a Tillman or a Hester or draft picks. Restructuring will be a necessity for our new GM. Which is why we need his ass in office ASAP to get acclimated.
I really want to see what A Clay can do with this coaching staff. He had a very promising rookie year then fell victim to an unlucky knee injury and has never returned to form. Maybe Lovie and Co. can bring out the best in him.
January 19th, 2014 at 11:37 am
personally i’d rather BUILD a winning defensive line, i dont want to start bringing in the elderly and paying them based on what they did for other ball clubs, simeon rice is the only guy on the defensive line we ever brought in from free agency that i can remember doing much of anything….no darelle revis already costs enough, i’d rather build a team that can stay around long enough to win consistently. doesnt matter if we get allen or peppers because like donald penn their up their in age, once we get them and start winning there’s no such thing as a high draft pick and when their production falls off we’ll be right back to square one
not to mention geraldini is gonna make 12 mil this season alone
January 19th, 2014 at 11:47 am
im more curious about what lovie could do with McCoy, AC, and bennett back in the fold….i’d be so po’d if peppers got here and started to play like his age. the colts looked like very intelligent by letting go of dwight freeney’s contract, havent heard from him since
January 19th, 2014 at 11:51 am
(Per: Former Sports Agent -Joel Corry )
NFL teams were informed at an NFL meeting on Dec. 11 that the 2014 salary cap is preliminarily projected to be $126.3 million. This is a 2.68 percent increase over the current $123 million salary cap. When the 2014 salary cap is set in late February or early March, it could be as high as $128 million.
Each team’s actual salary cap (known as adjusted salary cap) is typically different from the NFL’s set amount because unused cap room can be carried over from one year to the next and other adjustments can further increase or decrease cap space.
For example, the Redskins have the lowest adjusted salary cap this year at slightly more than $110 million because of a $36 million salary cap penalty split evenly over 2012 and 2013 for violating unwritten spending rules during the uncapped 2010 season.
According to rough estimates we should have between $17-$20 Million
Releasing the Following Players ( All-Non Guaranteed Contracts)
-Donald Penn: $7,066,665
-Davin Joseph: 6,000,000
-Jeremy Zuttah: 4,000,000
- Michael Koenen: $3,250,000
+(Cap Savings: $20,316,665)
Running total=$37-$40 million
Then if you take into consideration that if we don’t release or trade Revis or Goldson. Instead push their 2014 salary-cap hit into bonus money before the end of this season. We’re somewhere in the $50 million+ region
January 19th, 2014 at 11:54 am
Comparable Vet Defensive end contracts (2013)
-DE/OLB-John Abraham (Jul 25 2013) 2 year $4.6 million contract (ARI)
-DE Osi Umenyiora (Mar 27 2013) 2 year $8.5 million contract (ATL)
-DE/OLB Dwight Freeney (May 18 2013) 2 year $13.35 million contract (SD)
January 19th, 2014 at 12:09 pm
@LUVMYBUCS
great stats but isnt that part of the reason coach SHE isnt here?
According to rough estimates we should have between $17-$20 Million
Releasing the Following Players ( All-Non Guaranteed Contracts)
-Donald Penn: $7,066,665
-Davin Joseph: 6,000,000
-Jeremy Zuttah: 4,000,000
- Michael Koenen: $3,250,000
+(Cap Savings: $20,316,665)
Running total=$37-$40 million
only problem with that is every defensive end you mentioned is garbage old and washed up, this is a young man’s league…..
i understand people wanting to get rid of donald penn but with all the holes we have, you plan to replace him, jeremy zuttah and davin joseph with……..dont worry we can wait. doesnt really work the same way madden does, these are billionaires not millionaires so michal koenen yea dominick overpayed for a punter, zuttah really do you think 4mil for 2014 is to much to pay a veteran? davin joseph had a bad year coming off of an injury but your trying to do what raheem and mark dominick did and set us back another 6 years…..lovie is a teacher, i dont think he’s afraid of coaching up younger players he’s not as weak as schiano who went banana’s in free agency and still couldnt win games, it’s a great debate cant wait for free agency to find out what this regime is all about
January 19th, 2014 at 12:15 pm
c’mon luvmybuc
seriously with all the cut this guy and that guy and roll the money into dead money…
I wouldn’t be surprised if they rolled with what we have to see what we have. they might not see the same “holes” you all see. why do you all want retreads with no guarantee of future performance? revis is on a year-to-year at least so he has to ball every year.
lovie is gonna get us into cap hell which will screw us worse than has already happened. we are sittin fine, cap-wise, right now.
January 19th, 2014 at 12:16 pm
and buc4lyfe…lol
January 19th, 2014 at 12:23 pm
Going by this this season Michael Koenen: $3,250,000 is INSANE!
January 19th, 2014 at 12:33 pm
@lurker
It’s a leftover from greg schiano’s staff that couldnt find a job so he’s lol ing on joebucsfan
January 19th, 2014 at 12:41 pm
@bucs4lyfe
I don’t understand your whole Madden Philosophy. I’ve played it like everyone- yes. And My sons whom roam these blogs can attest to that.
As for what you can and can’t do in the NFL. I recall the CHICAGO BEARS -Cleaned house( Except Garza)
Signed Key Free Agents
Free Agents
LT
Name: Jermon Bushrod
DOB: 1984-08-19 College: Towson State Height: 6’04″ Weight: 315
Drafted: Annual NFL Draft Year: 2007 Round: 4 Selection: 125
QB sacks this year: 4
RG
Name: Matt Slauson
DOB: 1986-02-18 College: Nebraska Height: 6’05″ Weight: 316
Drafted: Annual NFL Draft Year: 2009 Round: 6 Selection: 193
QB sacks this year: 3
Signed Great Blocking TE’s
Name: Martellus BennettDOB: 1987-03-10 College: Texas A & M Height: 6’06″ Weight: 259Drafted: Annual NFL Draft Year: 2008 Round: 2 Selection: 61
Name: Dante RosarioDOB: 1984-10-25 College: Oregon Height: 6’03″ Weight: 241Drafted: Annual NFL Draft Year: 2007 Round: 5 Selection: 155
Drafted
RG/RT
Name: Kyle Long
DOB: 1988-12-05 College: Oregon Height: 6’06″ Weight: 313
Drafted: Annual NFL Draft Year: 2013 Round: 1 Selection: 20
QB sacks this year: 3
RT/RG
Name: Jordan Mills
DOB: 1990-12-24 College: Louisiana Tech. Height: 6’05″ Weight: 316
Drafted: Annual NFL Draft Year: 2013 Round: 5 Selection: 163
QB sacks this year: 3 *Weak Link (62) QB pressures
And Above All else they signed one of the Best Offensive line Coaches in the Business
AARON KROMER!!!!!
-SAME GUY THAT HELPED TAMPA & OAKLAND REJUVENATE THEIR LINES-
Known for his teaching skills and attention to detail. Under Kromers watch
*Five Saints blockers were selected to the Pro Bowl. That same line only allowed 70 sacks over the past three seasons, the third-lowest total in the NFL.
This line has been overpaid & overhyped for awhile now. Not to get all risk management (But Its time to clean house)
Keep:
Demar Dotson
Target/Sign Free Agents:
Name: Alex Mack DOB: 1985-11-19 College: California Height: 6’04″ Weight: 311 Drafted: Annual NFL Draft Year: 2009 Round: 1 Selection: 21
*Ranks as one of the Best Run & Pass Blockers the past 3yrs
*Giving up only 1 sacks this year
Name: Jon Asamoah DOB: 1988-07-21 College: Illinois Height: 6’04″ Weight: 305 Drafted: Annual NFL Draft Year: 2010 Round: 3 Selection: 68
*Good Run & Pass Blocker
*Giving up only 1 sacks this year
Sign Blocking TE’s (That can catch of Course)
Name: Brandon Pettigrew DOB: 1985-02-23 College: Oklahoma State Height: 6’05″ Weight: 263 Drafted: Annual NFL Draft Year: 2009 Round: 1 Selection: 20
Name: Brandon Myers DOB: 1985-09-04 College: Iowa Height: 6’04″ Weight: 250 Drafted: Annual NFL Draft Year: 2009 Round: 6 Selection: 202
Draft:
(1st Round)
LT-Greg Robinson 6-5 315
(4rd Round)
RT/RG JaWuan James Tennessee 6-6 315
(7th Round) Red Shirt 1st year
G/C Spencer Long Nebraska 6-4 315
January 19th, 2014 at 12:43 pm
Allen? Peppers? Please, no over the hill one or two-year types! How about showing Bennett some love Lovie and bringing him back? The Glazer boys should be the pilot, co-pilot and even serving the drinks, blankets and pillows on the plane ride visit too just convince him he is really missed back in TB!
January 19th, 2014 at 12:46 pm
So Da Bears played Madden 2 I guess. Who knew? smh..lol
January 19th, 2014 at 12:52 pm
-DE/OLB-John Abraham (Jul 25 2013) 2 year $4.6 million contract (ARI)
How many sacks this year……I’ll wait? Seem’d like the Ole’ guy was having a ball this year to me. Not to mention Manning & Brady and countless others.
January 19th, 2014 at 12:54 pm
@LUVMYBUCS
ok ok take it easy grab some crunch berries its ok im a buc fan just like you….MY PHILOSOPHY since im no nfl guru is since we haven’t been to the playoffs in like 12 years the most exciting time is the offseason when were putting together a roster, i just dont understand the whole clean house mentality, we dont have a clean house roster, we have a roster better than most with a few KEY pieces missing, makes no sense to ME to get rid of players under contract because they underperformed under a coach that cant even get a coaching job in pee wee league now…. Yes im attached to players with time vested in this franchise and i understand not every player that spends most of his career with one team is going to be a derrick brooks hall of famer but players like davin joseph your not going to replace them as a player or as a leader of a team UNLESS YOU PAY FOR THOSE QUALITIES.
simply put im a wait and see what this regime is gonna do, im not disputing anyone’s take but no i dont agree with going out and buying free agents as old as the one’s we have, i’d rather see michael bennett here than peppers or jared allen, i want to keep a young roster and what lovie did in chicago is virtually irrevelant now because what he did for the bears got him this job but it wont allow him to keep it if he doesnt repeat that success
man its gonna be a long two months waiting for free agency and the draft…lets get rid of solid starters and create more holes than we already have, were not the only one bidding for free agents and not all of them that will come to visit will want to sign a contract….it’s all guesswork but we know what we have with the players in place and the first dude thats gonna get replaced anyway is MIKE GLENNON not donald penn
January 19th, 2014 at 1:03 pm
Honestly I’d like to go younger than Peppers and Allen and get Greg Hardy. He’s only missed 2 games over 4 years and is coming into his prime. That is a guy who we pair up with McCoy for 4-5 years. Maybe get a Henry Melton DT. With his injury last year he might come cheap, he’s definitely worth looking at. Last year D-Lineman didn’t get the big contract everyone thought they’d get.
January 19th, 2014 at 1:09 pm
@bucs4lyfe – we had a number of instances last year where both the offense and defense did well when the coaches just got out of their way. That says there is talent that was poorly used. Cleaning house would be a mistake
January 19th, 2014 at 1:15 pm
@bucs4lyfe
This time year, all we can do is jaw jack & speculate. And sure you can’t get rid of the leadership qualities Mr. Joseph has displayed. But with that said these are my views, and I come on JBF to express them. It’s time we developed into a three-phase team. Making up excuse after excuse, year after year for mediocre overrated talent is useless .
Lets wait in see. GO BUCS!
January 19th, 2014 at 1:20 pm
Remember Da Bear where a 10-6 team and they fired Lovie. Revamped one of their biggest weakness; their OFFENSIVE LINE. And moved on. I’m suggesting the same.
January 19th, 2014 at 1:36 pm
TRUE GO BUCS
high hopes but low expectations until the draft and free agency period is over and were in training camp
January 19th, 2014 at 1:48 pm
The smart plan would be to try and sign either Peppers or Allan, draft a De high, try to trade AC while some in the league think he has value, Aim for a conditional 2nd round with room to negotiate for a high 3 round and a future pick (5th pick to higher based on stats).
January 19th, 2014 at 2:20 pm
My prediction is as follows:
FA:
Jared Allen (cert)
Tillman (cert)
Bennett or less likely Hardy or Johnson (possible)
Alex Mack (high possibility)
Draft: (my pick)
1st: Bortles (trade up)
2nd: Best TE or WR available
If we can’t get Bortles then go for Matthews or Robinson OT
Draft (Most likely):
1st: Khalil Mack (this would complete the perfect defense if combined with the above)
2nd: Garoppolo
January 19th, 2014 at 2:55 pm
@87 – I’ve got no qualms with your most likely scenario. Beefing up with of our lines in the draft is great with me and a qb brought in to develop beside glennon would be perfect. I just don’t want the high draft tag on a new qb that would indicate that he would need to start over glennon because of his draft spot and not because he legitimately beat him out.
January 19th, 2014 at 4:06 pm
Everyone talks about us letting Bennett walk but once he got out he had a lot of negative things to say about Schiano and such. Who’s to say we didn’t try to keep him and he chose to leave? It does take both sides to come to an agreement unless you franchise which would have paid him roughly 11-12 million. He didn’t even get half of that in Seattle. Why isn’t this ever considered when talking about Bennett? Unless I missed the article on it somewhere. Was Joe told by Dom that we didn’t even attempt to keep Bennett or is it just assumed since he is playing in another uniform?
January 19th, 2014 at 4:08 pm
Bucs4lyfe- You are forgetting Dave Pear and Huge Green. But other than Sim it’s been awhile.
I have heard about 9 guys people have said will never drop to us at 7, I’m no mathematician but I know that can’t be right.
January 19th, 2014 at 4:53 pm
Please can anyone name one team won with a bunch of high priced free agents? You can’t win with a high turnover on a team. Redskins has done that many of times. It hasn’t help them at all. You build through the draft and fill in through free agency. The Bucs and the Glaziers have done this twice in it’s history. I do believe a lot of the players can, and will be coached up thats on this team.
January 19th, 2014 at 6:54 pm
Frazier was Allens coach.
Lovie was Peppers coach.
Julius Peppers, Jared Allen, and Darrelle Revis on the same D for fhe next 2-3 years?
Priceless.
Dont forget, Clayborne and Bowers are in the final years of their contracts.
So, they both may be gone next year.
Imagine McCoy and Goldson inside, with Allen and Peppers on the outside on third down?
Damn. Thats some scary ish.
January 19th, 2014 at 9:13 pm
LUVMYBUCS
So you want to gut the whole team? Yeah. That will work.
BTW, do you have a life?