Dominik: Bucs Defense Could Cause Trouble
July 17th, 2014
Former Bucs rock star GM Mark Dominik discusses the Bucs defense.
Yes, Joe is bringing you, piecemeal, the thoughts of former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik on his former team.
While working for BSPN and SiriusXM NFL Radio, the former 19-year Bucs employee had shied away from talking about the club.
Last week Dominik, who still lives in the Tampa area, opened up in a long conversation while co-hosting “The Blitz” with Howard David, heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
Dominik’s last big splash move as general manager was trading for All-World cornerback Darrelle Revis. The future Hall of Famer didn’t last a full year with the Bucs. It was a move that many, including Joe, still have their antennae raised about, as Dominik’s successor, Jason Licht, cut Revis this spring and replaced him with Alterraun Verner.
Dominik discussed this move and the Bucs defense as a whole.
“I would say [Verner] is a really good player in terms of a Cover-2 corner,” Dominik said. “I think that’s why they thought [Darrelle Revis was expendable]. I think the way Tampa Bay looked at it was, ‘Hey, we could have Darrelle Revis, or we could have Michael Johnson and Alterraun Verner.’ I think they decided they would take two very good players instead of one elite player.
“That’s good that they have the flexibility to do that and the desire to do that and the players available to [sign]. So I think that is important.
“Johnathan Banks has to continue to develop. But when you look at the back end with [Mark] Barron and [Dashon] Goldson and [Mason] Foster and Lavonte [David], they are a good defensive unit and now they have Michael Johnson coming off the edge. You have a chance to cause some trouble in the NFC South.”
Dominik makes a very interesting point. If L&L didn’t think Verner, or another top-shelf corner, was attainable, would they have turned Revis loose? If they did that, and struck out getting Verner or another strong corner, the best cornerback on the Bucs roster — that wasn’t someone else’s leftovers — would have been Banks.
While Joe likes Banks and thinks he will be a strong player in the not-so-distant future, would Banks have been ready to be the team’s top corner so quickly?
Amazing how the twists and turns of one team affects and influences others.
By the way, Joe totally is on board with what Dominik preaches here. Barring injuries, there should be no concerns about the Bucs defense this fall.
July 17th, 2014 at 11:12 am
Rack Star works for ESPN and Shaun “Fat Boy” King does not.
LMAO!!!!
July 17th, 2014 at 11:13 am
Bucs Defense will be top 5 this year and Lavonte David wins DPOY!
COUNT ON IT!!!
GO BUCS!!!
July 17th, 2014 at 12:11 pm
@Fan47- I agree. If we can stay healthy and get solid production, there’s no reason we can’t be a top 5-10 defense.
Oh, and Lavont….Forget about it!(say with New York accent!)
July 17th, 2014 at 12:20 pm
The Realist must be napping, no pop-star rant yet. I admit, I do enjoy the pop-star rants. Wake up Realist!
July 17th, 2014 at 12:32 pm
How does a Buc’s fan take any commentary from Dominik seriously? He’s months removed from being kicked to the curb and having a lot of his decisions undone. What on earth would make him objective talking about the Bucs? I’d rather listen to Herman Edwards, whose critique is about as valid as a senile old man.
July 17th, 2014 at 12:34 pm
Verner was the steal of free agency. I actually think he’s an upgrade over Revis. Time will tell.
July 17th, 2014 at 12:43 pm
So many former bucs working for T.V. now and that includes Schiano, Bucs have to be on top list with the most former bucs on T.V
July 17th, 2014 at 12:51 pm
How old is Dominik? A 19 year career with the Bucs, did he join the team as a teenager? On the job training. Too young to be a general manager,imo.
July 17th, 2014 at 1:12 pm
@ Pawel, i think Schiano’s also a consultant for the Patriots too. Not too sure though
July 17th, 2014 at 1:12 pm
@ Pawel, i think Schiano’s also a consultant for the Patriots too. Not too sure though
July 17th, 2014 at 1:14 pm
Dominik should save his opinion for his forte, hair care products.
July 17th, 2014 at 1:25 pm
Ah, the gullible Buc fan!
Counting the sum of the parts then already crowing that our formidable D can be top 5 this year.
Will we ever learn that it is chemistry and consistency over years to build a solid offense or defense?
Last year we mortgaged the farm for Revis Island because we were one, just one mind you, player away from being a defensive juggernaut. Then we started Dekota, Daniel T’ON and Clayborn who hadn’t recovered from injury. Add the rookies Banks and Spence too.
New system, new players, new coaches all take time to synch up. I really like what we’ve done, excited actually, but can’t we temper our expectations just a wee bit?
July 17th, 2014 at 1:54 pm
Louis:
So, you are saying if Dominik believes the Bucs defense will be strong, then the Bucs will be a giant sieve on defense?
July 17th, 2014 at 1:59 pm
@Zam
I like the move bringing in Verner and Johnson, but I won’t say Verner is an upgrade over Revis.
July 17th, 2014 at 2:03 pm
At this point in the 2014 season, every team has the NFL’s best defense … and the NFL’s worst defense.
I too think that the Bucs defense will do well this year, but there’s a lot that can impact that which is out of the Bucs’ control.
For starters, just look at the Bucs injury-plagued 2013 season.
Or a 2013 offense that couldn’t eat up the time clock to give the defense a rest once in awhile.
July 17th, 2014 at 2:04 pm
Louis Friend, the logic you provided would actually make think that Dominick would be overly critical or down on the Bucs bcuz he was fired. Not the other way around… I think we’re honestly so stacked that it commands respect from anyone who is really knowledgeable.
July 17th, 2014 at 2:44 pm
Darrelle Revis, post ACL injury, has yet to prove he is the Revis of old. He’s 29, there’s no guarantee he will EVER be the same player he was pre-injury. Verner may be better in any scheme than Revis now, and considering their ages, four years from now he will definitely be better.
July 17th, 2014 at 3:42 pm
@biff- In the words of Cris Carter, “C’mon man!” You have to admit that this is as good a defensive unit(on paper) as we’ve seen in a while. And considering that they weren’t too far away from being good, the added pieces just make it that much more fun to speculate on their greatness.
I get you though, it’s that Buc Fan Syndrome!
July 17th, 2014 at 3:55 pm
This defense is loaded with talent but besides McCoy, there aren’t a lot of recognizable stars nationally. We know Lavonte is a stud but the casual fan doesn’t because he continues to get shunned. Truth is, I think this works hardcore to our advantage. It reminds me of the mid to late 90’s Bucs teams that had a bunch of guys that nobody knew. They turned out to be pretty darn good. Sapp, Brooks, Barber and Lynch are certainly recognizable names now. Im very pumped to see our defense in action.
July 17th, 2014 at 4:31 pm
I believe Licht had signed Verner before offering Revis to stay at a lower pay rate. Pretty sure he signed every players replacement before letting any player go except for D Joseph.
July 17th, 2014 at 5:18 pm
yes it could especially if we had Michael bennett. o lets keep bowers and get rid of MB.
July 17th, 2014 at 5:31 pm
Brandon, I totally agree with you. Revis was not impressive last season and not worth the money or picks given up for him, not even close.
July 18th, 2014 at 1:07 am
You guys are being silly about Revis
July 23rd, 2014 at 3:54 pm
Please stop quoting this imbecile former-GM.