“We Better Shore Up That Defense”
August 21st, 2015
Bucs GM Jason Licht’s words will have fans scratching their heads over beers tonight.
Telling words from Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht yesterday on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
The thing is, Joe isn’t exactly sure what those words tell.
As the satellite radio channel did its annual preseason visit to One Buc Palace to devote an entire three-hour show to previewing the Bucs, Licht chatted with co-hosts Booger McFarland and Zig Fracassi. There, Licht explained what motivated the Bucs to sign free agent defensive tackle Tony McDaniel.
What sparked the transaction, Licht claimed, was the running game of the Bucs.
“We were pretty successful in practice running the ball here the first couple of weeks, which was a good thing,” Licht said. “Then we also realized, hey, we better shore up that defense a little bit if we can. Get an anchor in there and so we got Tony. He wanted to be here and we are really excited.
“The first day he was in pads, he made a difference. He is going to be in rotation there and he is going to give those guys a breather and maybe play a little bit more than that.”
Hhhmmm? Joe initially though signing McDaniel was a combination of Akeem Spence’s injury and uncertain return, as well as possibly the return of Da’Quan Bowers at defensive tackle being a lost cause.
The running game motivated Licht to sign McDaniel? Well, now. Joe thought defensive tackle was the one area on the squad that indeed was deep and strong. Apparently, not so. Or could it be that rookie guard Ali Marpet is the monster Mike Mayock thinks he is?
Perhaps the Bucs running game is better than anyone guessed? Or could it be the interior of the Bucs defensive line is overrated? Or was this the moment Bucs coach Lovie Smith decided to take over playcalling duties for his defense? This has Joe’s brain working overdrive.
Let the dot-connecting begin.
August 21st, 2015 at 4:11 pm
Or is just Licht doing his job by improving the d-line. But where is the drama in that?
Or maybe it was the Glazers doing???
Or just a GM doing his job…
…Go Bucs!!!!
August 21st, 2015 at 4:15 pm
Gerald McCoy has been driven of the ball a bit too frequently in camp, I remember the year Warren Sapp had all the talk in the pre season he lost weight and it turned out to be one of his worst years, the next year the belly was back and so was he
August 21st, 2015 at 4:15 pm
@Joe
Our interior D line and D tackles are not overrated. But I feel ALOT BETTER about our rush defense’s potential with a solid space eater in there on 1st and 2nd down like Tony McDaniel as opposed to Clinton Mcdonald….”Simple as that”
August 21st, 2015 at 4:17 pm
Can’t just have pass rushing DTs, Seattle runs a form of bump cover 2, but always have a monster big d lineman, They actually evolved
August 21st, 2015 at 4:22 pm
Possibly all the above?
August 21st, 2015 at 4:36 pm
Or could it be the interior of the Bucs defensive line is overrated?
*******
I don’t think McDonald or gholston are overrated but I can’t say the same about spence. I thought bowers played with a little passion last year. Either way McDaniels seems like an upgrade from spence and bowers.
August 21st, 2015 at 4:44 pm
6’7 315lbs should make life easier for whom ever is lined up next to him. It’s why Michael Bennett was a little salty about seeing him leave. This along with the Swearinger acquisition will prove to be quite competent moves by Lovie/Licht and company. Watch and see.
August 21st, 2015 at 5:44 pm
Big man like McDaniel might not produce monster stats but hell eat up double teams like crazy
August 21st, 2015 at 5:51 pm
I was critical of GMC a few days ago on these posts. I am seeing the same thing some of you are seeing. Gerald is super quick, no doubt about that, but when he doesn’t get by his man he is getting manhandled. I don’t know if it’s because he lost weight or what. He was never considered a “strong” guy even coming out of college. Maybe his leaner frame is just a little bit easier for these offensive linemen to push around. So far I have been underwhelmed by his performance both during training camp and during the first preseason game. Hopefully something changes because our D line will only be as good as GMC plays.
August 21st, 2015 at 5:55 pm
Is it just me or have things really changed at One Buc? Last year I feared Lovie had too much power and Licht was just a figurehead.
Then comes 2-14 and all of the sudden it seems Licht now has the Glazer’s ear and is actually doing the GM job. Perhaps the Glazers changed the balance of power during the off season?
August 21st, 2015 at 6:05 pm
St Pete
Totally agree. It’s like licht said if I’m going down I’m going down swinging. Case in point Lovie didn’t know Cherilus was signed. He knew Cherilus came to visit but was surprised when the media told him he was signed.
I’ve got more confidence in licht and Hardy right now than anyone else.
August 21st, 2015 at 6:52 pm
DB55
Agree with the confidence in Licht and of course Hardy. I’d add Koetter to that group and if he can implement his hurry up offense I think we might be on to something. The Bucs seem to do better when we go no huddle or at least play quickly.
Last year I’ve lost track of how much beer I spewed at the TV screen when we couldn’t even get a play called without taking a timeout…to start a game? Or was that Schiano’s team? This horror show has been going on long enough that the teams are starting to run together for me.
August 21st, 2015 at 7:18 pm
It’s not that hard to figure out why McDaniel was brought in. Any time you can afford to bring a good player in at a reasonable price – you do it. Even if it is at a position of strength for your team – you still do it. Injuries happen every day in the NFL and McCoy has missed games in 3 of his 5 seasons as a Buccaneer.
McDaniel can eat up space in the middle and stuff the run better than any of the other D Tackles we have. And we have some damn good tackles already. So McDaniel is both a run stopping specialist and a good insurance policy for a very reasonable price this year. His salary almost doubles in 2016 – so he has a 16 game audition to help the Bucs determine if he is worth paying $4.5M to next year.
Another good move by Licht to get this guy signed to a contract that makes sense. Dude is on a roll.
I thought they would front load LD54’s new deal a bit more than they did. $5M extra of this years cap # went to LaVonte in the form of a “signing bonus” on top of his $1Mish salary that he was already set to earn under his rookie contract. So with the signing of McDaniel – I believe the Bucs still have at least $10M and possibly a bit more left to work with this year if needed.
Next year we get an extra $25M on top of whatever the automatic increase in cap space is – as Licht is clearing roughly that amount from the books this year with a big dead $ cap hit for the mistakes that both he and Dom made (Johnson, Collins, Nicks, Goldson and Barron).
August 21st, 2015 at 7:27 pm
Great insight Pick.
August 21st, 2015 at 7:48 pm
SPBF
You are correct sir, it’s been far too long.
August 21st, 2015 at 9:51 pm
@Stpete | DB55
Good Read – I appreciate the good dialogue.
August 21st, 2015 at 10:11 pm
@SPBF:
It was Freeman during the Jets game in 2013, who had helmet “problems”, and couldn’t call even one play before taking back-to-back delay of game penalties.
Still SMDH.
tickrdr
August 21st, 2015 at 10:49 pm
Perhaps neither line is worth a sht and the cat is chasing it’s tail on the field, in the coaches meetings and at the takeout counter, I mean lapdog Licht’s office!
Let the remedial dot connecting continue…
August 21st, 2015 at 11:10 pm
Licht’s words made sense to me. The defense was getting run over – bring in a good run stopper. The question is: is that working? Are we stopping the run better?
August 21st, 2015 at 11:38 pm
Gerald McCoy got pushed 5 yards back into his own endzone when the Vikings scored on the goaline. It was pathetic. Go back and watch the film, make sure you have a few beers though first. Its hard to watch.
August 21st, 2015 at 11:44 pm
Maybe the Vikings were just waiting for Jameis to throw but the early running game looked pretty strong. Mind you, you don’t want your first team RB’s to take too many hits in preseason.
August 22nd, 2015 at 12:42 am
@Joe
AdrianClayborn looking explosive for the falcons lol smh. Just picked up a sack
August 22nd, 2015 at 12:48 am
@Joe
Followed by a tipped pass on the next series. He’s jumping off the screen lmao. I’m not making this stuff up
August 22nd, 2015 at 1:03 am
Just watched preseason game 1(our first team o line is not bad) Martin actually gained yards
August 22nd, 2015 at 1:47 am
McDaniel was a steal. To be able to throw him into our rotation at DT will do nothing but help. I’m looking forward to the waiver wire the next couple of weeks!!
August 22nd, 2015 at 3:38 am
I think this defense will be fine but I think Melton should be our starter at defensive end because he has the motor for it. He will get sacks and tfl’s. Swearinger should start as well. I think lovie should keep whoever is capable of creating a turnover on this team all the way down to the practice squad. They definitely better find a way to get Carter on the field this season by coming with some four linebacker formations to rush the passer snd take advantage of the speed of Carter and the mind of Alexander and Lansanah.
August 22nd, 2015 at 7:31 am
Yup, put the guy in with the motor for more sacks and tfls. Good idea too about making all those turnovers. I also like the one about taking advantage of the speedy guys and the ones with minds.
Go Bucs
August 22nd, 2015 at 11:48 am
Gerald McCoy got pushed 5 yards back into his own endzone when the Vikings scored on the goaline.
GMC discussed that very play after the game and conceded it wasn’t his best effort!
But was it pathetic? Not really. It’s called smart! I just watched a discussion on the NFL net about how much vets let up in preseason. The guys talking were all stars in their day and EVERY ONE of them talked about preserving themselves in preseason and not playing like they did during the regular season.
That TD was inevitable! He got pushed five yards into the endzone because he and everybody else on the field…Bucs and Vikings knew what was going to happen.
Pathetic? I’d call in a smart play when the result is already determined.
If it was a regular season game then I’d call the “effort” pathetic.
August 22nd, 2015 at 10:29 pm
Nole don’t you ever put the word competent in the same sentence as Lovie Smith. The expert in word definitions on this site says he’s done ABSOLUTELY nothing to deserve that word so please refrain my brother. LOL!!!