Why The Bucs Have Stunk
September 2nd, 2018
One-man gangs don’t work, writes an NFL insider.
Some interesting words from a former NFL suit about building a defense.
Former Raiders, Patriots and Browns player personnel man/general manager Michael Lombardi defended Chuky’s trade of Khalil Mack to the Bears. Joe didn’t expect him to write otherwise (Lombardi is a former colleague of Chucky’s). Lombardi wrote, in short, to build a good defense one has to have a bunch of good players on the defensive line, not one great player and a bunch of wannabes.
Lombardi, typing for The Athletic, pointed out the Raiders had a lousy defense with Mack because Mack made it lopsided.
For a GM, the first rule of building a great defense is to collect enough players who can beat single blocks when pass rushing. Stopping great offenses is never about coverage; it is always about the rush. The more one-on-one matchups that favor the defense, the harder it becomes for the offense to move the ball.
Which brings Joe to the Bucs, who neither could rush the passer nor cover anyone (unless the defender’s name was Brent Grimes). Other than that, how was the car ride, Mrs. Kennedy?
The Bucs have been total garbage for a decade at rushing the passer from the defensive line. Gerald McCoy is regarded as one of the best defensive tackles of his era. The Bucs were naive enough to think a defensive tackle in the 21st century could carry a defense by himself.
Yesterday, after all the cuts in the NFL were announced, Ghost Johnson, Swaggy Baker, Robert Ayers and Clinton McDonald are all unemployed. Not even good enough to be benchwarmers yet the Bucs banked on every one of these guys to be difference makers on the defensive line.
(To be fair, McDonald has never fully recovered from an infection he is fighting in his shoulder.)
After more than a decade, it seemed someone at One Buc Palace finally had an epiphany and decided to bulk up the defensive line with proven players.
Will the new defensive line be enough to cover for what appears to be, at best, an unproven defensive backfield and compete in the NFC South? Or will the upgrade prove to be too late to save jobs?
September 2nd, 2018 at 3:05 pm
“Lombardi defended Chucky’s trade of Khalil Mack to the Browns.” I thought it was the Bears???
September 2nd, 2018 at 3:05 pm
Injuries appear to be set to ruin any continuity on the DL. . . for at least the first few games.
We need some guys to get healthy quick
Im sure it happens all the time to other teams but it sure seems we get snakebit (multiple injuries) at different positions OL/DL/DB. . .
September 2nd, 2018 at 3:10 pm
@Joe … “McDonald has never fully recovered from an infection he is fighting in his shoulder.” Hadn’t heard that about Clinton. Bummer. Get well fast big guy. Would still love to see us bring him back, even if only until Unrein makes it back into the lineup (assuming that Big Mac’s healed up of course).
@Joe … “Will the new defensive line be enough to cover for what appears, at best, to be an unproven defensive backfield and compete in the NFC South?” The question of all questions Joe. Without Vea & Unrein to help establish a nice rotation to keep guys fresh, we could be in trouble in these first 3 games especially.
September 2nd, 2018 at 3:11 pm
YOUHOO…………
Didn’t Mack get traded to the Bears, not the Browns.
Oh, what the hell, don’t let facts get in the way of your obvious point.
September 2nd, 2018 at 3:23 pm
Very simple, complete and total lack of organizational leadership and commitment to excellence versus acceptance of excuses. Couple that with Soft mentally weak captains for nearly a decade. This team is the blackhole of leadership voids.
September 2nd, 2018 at 3:26 pm
I think the attempt was there they just struck out too many times both in the draft and free agency.
September 2nd, 2018 at 3:29 pm
Can we get a supplemental pick in the 7th round for GMC? Or it’s too late?
Or just trade GMC for a practice squad player preferring a Tackle that could help us win
September 2nd, 2018 at 3:33 pm
JPP needs to make teams pay for single blocking him for this defense to see major improvement.
September 2nd, 2018 at 3:43 pm
I have see this all too many times before! Looking real good on paper with all the “new” right folks in all the needed positions to make a real difference. Then injuries, horrid officiating (Me thinks not too many zebras like the ole Buccos) along with a good dose of dumb Buc luck and 7-9, 6-10, 5-11 & or worse season…
I will always root for my team but they do make it frustrating to do from season to season…
Go Bucs!
September 2nd, 2018 at 3:55 pm
Vh3
Spence
Roberto A Traded up
Ryan Smith
Best d line draft in centuries
This is why we have been awful
September 2nd, 2018 at 4:03 pm
So almost everyone here spent the entire summer bragging and raving about the “upgraded” dline, now we learn (some already knew from day 1) that the number 1 pick can’t play in 98 degree heat and 150% humidity, Unrein prob won’t even make it back from injury and I’m not sure Allen even made a tackle in the preseason. Lol. Man, even philly fans are like Vinny Curry who?
Sloooooooooooooowwwwwwww.
Oooh and wait, and it seems to me like a couple of people have suggested trading gmc for picks or players but wtfdwk?
If you think the Bucs will win 11+ games please raise your hand, I need a good laugh.
September 2nd, 2018 at 4:40 pm
Ahhha hahah aha a hhahah!!!!!!!!!!!
#trust the coaches!!!!!!!!!! Fix the “real” problem!!!!!!! The Roster!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 2nd, 2018 at 5:10 pm
Joe
You are dead on.
And the Bucs passed on Aaron Donald for offense.
And the Bucs passed on Luke Kuechley for a safety.
And the Yucks just go on and on and . . .
September 2nd, 2018 at 6:57 pm
Just give Licht 10 more years and maybe eventually he can land on a solid line or two. I’m sure some special fans here would want him extended even if the team finishes in the bottom third of sacks again this year and the o-line looks like garbage. Because it’s all the coaches fault (that Licht hired), no blame should be given to a GM who neglected or missed on the O and the D-Line for 80% of his tenure here. It’s not like that’s what wins games or anything.
September 2nd, 2018 at 7:24 pm
And I thought you were going to bring up the fact that the stadium was built on an Indian Burial Ground.
September 2nd, 2018 at 8:19 pm
(some already knew from day 1) that the number 1 pick can’t play in 98 degree heat and 150% humidity,
True dat also….
September 2nd, 2018 at 10:10 pm
Would you trade Brate and GMC for Mack , well if you want to win or hv a clue about building a D for this year the answer is yes!! …….. Does Mack bring more to winning than Brate and McCoy , well the answer to that is clear and proven !!
Btw Miami has a great D end the Bucs should have for a fourth !! Fact Jack. !!
September 2nd, 2018 at 10:21 pm
The stink starts at the top. Poor drafting plus even worse free agent signings have been the formula for losing. #GlazerLootIsTheBest #PaidFloridaVacation
September 2nd, 2018 at 10:58 pm
“We” know this how?
September 2nd, 2018 at 11:02 pm
Licht may have hired two assistants (Koetter and Buckner). There is someone else in the building that hires head coaches.
September 3rd, 2018 at 2:08 am
U guys sure ur bucs fans gtfoh SMMFH
September 3rd, 2018 at 10:24 am
Hilarious! Trade GMC so we can get WORSE!!
Get ready for it fellas. This team’s going to be interesting. The banquet is being set. Crow will be served!!
September 3rd, 2018 at 3:04 pm
Bucsfanman they will deny it n say they knew we’d be great this year all along lmfao