Happy 30th, JPP!
January 2nd, 2019
The Buccaneers’ defensive MVP turned 30 yesterday and he hit many milestones recently, including his 100th career start.
Team Glazer owes Jason Pierre-Paul $14.7 million next season, and rest assured they’ll be happy to pay him for his 10th NFL season.
JPP was a bright spot on a dark, dark season in so many ways. He broke the double-digit sacks barrier (12.5) for the first time since Simeon Rice in 2005. But he was more than that in the run game, and in his interest in making those around him better.
The Bucs wanted JPP to be part of a rotation. That was the plan. But it didn’t work out that way; JPP rarely came off the field.
If there’s a red flag on JPP, it’s his health. He made it very clear many times that this was his most injury-riddled year in the NFL. But he is a special man when it comes to dealing with pain, JPP loves to tell people. JPP believes he can push through anything after blowing his fingers off in his famous accident and fighting through that pain and recovery.
Still, it’s likely that JPP’s best football is behind him. Joe hopes not, but that’s something to consider for the front office and the new head coach. How many more years can this guy play nearly every snap?
JPP says he’ll “embrace the change” to a new Bucs coaching staff. Joe hopes that means he’ll show up for a few spring practices, just to help the new head coach set the tone.
Enjoy JPP’s final news conference below:
January 2nd, 2019 at 12:55 pm
#1 Trade Candidate – He could easily fetch us a late 1st or 2nd round pick.
January 2nd, 2019 at 1:01 pm
MVP !!
HBD !!
January 2nd, 2019 at 1:04 pm
If we could get a 1 or 2 for him do it.
I’d prefer we moved McCoy for a 2 or 3 if we could get it.
Move Djax for a 4.
R1-Ed Oliver DT
R2-Zach Allen DE
R2-OG/OT
R3-RB
R4-OT/OG/CB
R4-OT/OG/CB
DE-JPP/Allen
DT-Oliver/Unrein
DT-Vea/Allen
DE-Nassib/Curry or another FA
That’d be a fun rotation to watch. Sign a CB with the McCoy $$.
Outside CB – FA / Calrton Davis / Ryan Smith / draft pick
Slot CB – VHIII / Elliot / Stewart
LB-David/Kwon/Beckwith
I really don’t care that much about addressing the secondary this year. Not until we have an elite front 7 / d-line built. Otherwise that unit will continue to suffer/not develop.
January 2nd, 2019 at 1:08 pm
only a keyboard idiot would utter the notion of trading JPP…
January 2nd, 2019 at 1:10 pm
I like Oliver. No way ya trade JPP tho. You don’t trade your best defensive player. Really like the DE from Kentucky, Allen. Guy might not be around at 5 tho, especially after dominating penn st the other day. I’d put him right there with Bosa as best pash rushers. Take the LT if those 2 are gone. As much as i like oliver we need another great DE or LT more.
January 2nd, 2019 at 1:11 pm
LC
Check out Jeffery Simmons against IOWA.
January 2nd, 2019 at 1:11 pm
You don’t trade JPP or McCoy or David unless you’re rebuilding – and if we’re rebuilding then that means another half-decade, at least, of losing.
Licht was kept in order to NOT do a rebuild.
Again, look at San Diego two years ago.
They had 35 turnovers on offense, they had a QB who people said was turnover prone and needed to go, they lost every single close game.
The Bucs this year… they had 35 turnovers on offense, they had a QB who people said was a turnover prone and needed to go, and they lost every single close game.
San Diego, instead of rebuilding, just gets a new coach, a new culture, and they only lost the #1 seed in the AFC due to a tie breaker.
Coaching matters.
Dirk was, and is, a very good offensive coordinator, but he’s an awful head coach who lacks the qualities you want in a head coach. Just dumping him, while not tearing apart the team, could lead to a big turn around, in particular if that happens at the same time as Brees finally getting old, Matt Ryan doing his normal choke routine, and hopefully Cam having his arm fall off.
January 2nd, 2019 at 1:20 pm
@LUVMYBUCS -“#1 Trade Candidate – He could easily fetch us a late 1st or 2nd round pick.”
Finally have someone who is elite and now you want to trade him? Typical Bucs fan.
January 2nd, 2019 at 1:21 pm
@ Rod
Moving McCoy for me is about improving immediately and changing the culture of the locker room. Not rebuilding.
I’d rather spend his $13 mill on a shut down CB / an upgrade at RG or RT and then draft his replacement in what is a super rich DT draft. There’s like 5-7 3 technique penetrating pass rushing DTs projected in the 1-2 rounds.
For all we know – a guy like Simmons or Oliver or the Alabama kid or whoever would actually be an upgrade over McCoy in his 30s. McCoy is already declining in performance now. DEs can typically play longer than DTs which is why I’d keep JPP. Lot of DEs play well into 33/34/35 years of age.
January 2nd, 2019 at 1:22 pm
newsflash! their keeping crabman, aka jaymiss
i.e. we will be rebuilding again, as no decent coach would take this job on that fact alone
January 2nd, 2019 at 1:25 pm
@Robert
If we hire an established decent coach will you own this failed prediction?
January 2nd, 2019 at 1:28 pm
sure if I’m still around.
let’s see, I’ve been right about him every year so far. lol
January 2nd, 2019 at 1:39 pm
While I am not a fan of trading JPP- I can see where LUV is coming from.
Basically it would be us trading our 3rd for a first or second AND getting JPP all last year. So we would be getting paid draft picks to take on JPP and his salary last year.
I don’t know if Licht is savvy enough to pull that one off or if you could really get a 1st or 2nd for him but I could see the logic.
January 2nd, 2019 at 1:39 pm
Time to go with a 3-4 defense. You already have 2 perfect pieces for it in Vita Vea at NT and Spence at the roaming pass rusher/LB. Other LB’s are fast enough for the 3-4 D. As for the draft, get a shut down CB early, then draft another DT and Ol. With a better pass rush coming from all sides, their QB will have about 3 seconds to make his pass decision. If we get that shut down corner in the draft, it will be lights out for the opponents offense !
January 2nd, 2019 at 1:44 pm
Snowman exactly!!
Buy Low & Sell High
January 2nd, 2019 at 1:49 pm
OMG, my world just fell apart … I agree with Rod Munch right down the line. Agreed with you once before too Rod … when you wrote that Bucs should make Mike Smith HC & let Dirk go back to being an OC. Fortunately they were smarter than both of us & ultimately fired them both.
I like the comparison to the Chargers. They went 5-11 in 2016 … powerful but inconsistent/erratic offense (#9 offense – 410 pts scored), but a terrible defense (#29 defense – 423 pts allowed). They drafted well in 2017 (fairly balanced offense & defense) & improved to 9-7 that year (with a new coaching staff). Their offense slid a tad (#13 offense – 355 pts scored), but their defense improved dramatically (#3 defense – 272 pts allowed). Their new DC? Our own Gus Bradley. Then in 2018 they further improved to 12-4 after another excellent draft. Their offense bounced back up (#6 offense – 428 pts scored), and their defense still did quite well (#8 defense – 329 pts allowed).
You’re right … “Coaching matters”. But so does having quality talent. Only 7 out of 22 players drafted by them in these past 3 years are considered starters, yet two-thirds of the 22 got significant playing time. And drafting guys like Bosa, James & Feeney in those years certainly hasn’t hurt.
And BTW, lots of JBFers have commented on hiring a ‘retread’ as HC. Chargers HC is a guy named Anthony Lynn (survived 1 year as Bills HC). Their OC is a guy named Ken Wisenhut (8 yrs experience as a HC). Their DC is Gus Bradley (4 yrs experience as a HC). Hmmm, maybe some of those old ‘retreads’ do still know a little about football after all.
January 2nd, 2019 at 1:58 pm
Jason Pierre-Paul DE – $13,450,000 (Age:30)
Gerald McCoy DT – $13,000,000 (Age:31)
DeSean Jackson WR – $10,000,000 (Age:32)
Those 3 players could fetch us anywhere between 3 to 5 draft picks.
And possibly a combination of a young prospect or two. Use the additional cap space to strengthen the interior offensive line, edge rushers, corner, and safety spots.
January 2nd, 2019 at 1:59 pm
He did make everyone around him better!! Except for #93 Batman err GMC. He made him look silly and showed what trash GMC actually is. IMHO
January 2nd, 2019 at 2:09 pm
Don’t disrespect JPPs thread with the mention of MeJax! This is about a player who played his heart out! JPP was fantastic! Happy Brithday!
January 2nd, 2019 at 2:09 pm
@LC
The last 3 Top Flight DT’s – From Mississippi St. under Coach Dan Mullen and his staff.
DT Fletcher Cox – Philadelphia Eagles / 1st / 12th pick / 2012
DT Chris Jones – Kansas City Chiefs / 2nd / 37th pick / 2016
DT Jeffery Simmons – Tampa Bay Buccaneers / 1st / 5th pick / 2019?? <-
January 2nd, 2019 at 2:11 pm
JP was one of the better Licht moves.
January 2nd, 2019 at 2:29 pm
Defense Rules – Actually I think this season is incredibly different if Dirk was fired and Mike Smith was promoted as I think most of the issues are coaching. Because Mike Smith was a bad DC literally has nothing to do with him as a HC, and he had a long history at HC and was a proven winner there. At DC he was out of touch and called terrible games, but as HC, he’d have been able to let Monken do his job without Dirk’s involvement (ie the mandatory run up the gut for 1.8 yards on first down) and while on defense, as owner, I’d tell him he’s not allowed to call any play, ever. As far as getting the team prepared each week, just managing the staff, I think that is what Mike Smith could have brought something and it’s where I think Dirk was his weakest. Dirk just isn’t/wasn’t head coaching material. He was too aloof/goofy to really get guys respect I think, he made dumb analogies like saying Winston is more like Aaron Rodgers than Tom Brady (no Dirk, Winston is more like Brett Favre than Rodgers or Brady), he was quick to throw his players under the bus, he literally threw hissy fits during games, he still had yet to figure out how the play clock and time outs worked, etc. I mean this is a coach that in year one quit on the team in the game against Denver when he threw a hissy fit because Winston threw 2 INTs against what was then the best defense in football (and on that had 2 TO’s in it’s prior games against guys like Newton and Luck), and in the 4th quarter of that game punted the ball away when the Bucs had to go for it to stay in it, then post game said it’s not like they had a chance to get the 1st down anyways. Dirk is/was a j/o, and that’s a terrible leader. That’s where Mike Smith, I believe, would have been a very positive influence and just brought some professionalism to the team. Not saying bring him in at this point by any means, that bridge is burnt, but I’d have fired Dirk in week 5 over Smith, and I bet you anything the team would have been at least 3 wins better, at least.
Anyways I’m still hoping this isn’t a teardown and rebuild. The Bucs have talent, they show it when they go out and manhandle bad teams like the 49ers. They’re not a team with little talent, they have tons of talent, they just have little depth – which is no small issue. But they have the guys here, right now, to win, right now. Just get a head coach in place who isn’t going to tear apart the team, who wants to win right now with the guys who are here, and I think that will happen really quickly. If we go the rebuild route then it’s another 5 years, at least, of losing – and that’s why I believe Licht was kept here. I don’t think the Glazers want a rebuild, I think they believe they have the individual players to win, and I think they’re really close to being right.
January 2nd, 2019 at 2:32 pm
There was only one BATMAN and that was RICHARD BATMAN WOODS !!!!#54.
McCOY will have to find a different nickname!!!
January 2nd, 2019 at 2:41 pm
@LUV
That’s a solid endorsement. I’m open to any of the penetrating pass rushing DTs that are entering this draft. That seems to be the value of R1.
There doesn’t appear to be a Jalen Ramsey / Marshon Lattimore type CB prospect. If that’s what Greedy Williams is I like him.
The Alabama O-lineman / only O-lineman I see projected high has questions about where he could play on the line given his frame.
Basically right now, knowing Nick Bosa is going top 1-2, I am feeling the value of this draft is in the elite DTs. You could probably even trade back and still get a guy like Simmons/Oliver/Brown from Auburn or Wilkins from Clemson.
Do you see a big dropoff between Simmons and other DTs like Oliver/Brown?
January 2nd, 2019 at 2:44 pm
J.P.P Keeps it real.Hes been through a bunch and his demeanor and attitude shows it.He has the heart of a lion.I am a 40 plus year buc fan and am glad hes here.I hope he leaves a great legacy here .Awesome !
January 2nd, 2019 at 2:51 pm
Trade JPP? The guy is the tempo setter in year one with the team. 30 or not, hes the only defensive player I trust on this team.
January 2nd, 2019 at 2:56 pm
JPP is one of the very few bright spots on Backstabbin’ Jason Licht’s resume. The problem is that the defensive line *still* needs to get younger so he has to find JPP’s replacement in this draft.
Do you trust him to find that guy? I don’t (Noah Spence).
January 2nd, 2019 at 3:16 pm
After reading so many negative comments, sometimes I wonder if some of the commenters are even Bucs fans at all.
January 2nd, 2019 at 3:30 pm
Unless a team is willing to overpay, I highly doubt JPP is moved. McCoy on the other hand is scheduled to make 13 mill. He’s not worth that. McCoy acts like the world’s nicest human being but is he willing to restructure that contract? I’ve seen no indication that he is. I see him being moved. I would say for a 2nd or 3rd rounder and change. I do not expect #93 in a Bucs uni next year.
January 2nd, 2019 at 3:40 pm
Things I hope in general:
Jason Licht’s first 2 years he mostly went under Lovie direction on FA and what positions to target in the draft. Lovie did say the O-line needed overhaul which is what prompted releasing Zuttah & Penn and drafting Smith/Marpet. Charles Sims also was a Lovie type pick it seems.
The decision to promote/hire Koetter was supposedly an “organizational” one more so than a Licht decision.
The decisions to target smaller type CBs in the draft and pushing them into zone was a Mike Smith direction / desire.
The decision to draft Aguayo was pushed by the Glazers.
The high evaluation on Rojo was a Koetter thing.
If all the above is true I can deal with things a lot better. That’s the tough part of evaluating a GM – we don’t know how much influence he truly had in every decision.
What I do know is that Koetter seemed to have a lot of influence on the RB room and who started and who we targeted. Mike Smith loves small CBs and soft coverage. Lovie Smith loved a lot of bad things. And the Glazers can be pretty dumb when they involve themselves in anything (i.e. Aguayo possibility).
So here’s to hoping Licht isn’t the total f*ckup for all these things that we may think he is.
January 2nd, 2019 at 3:46 pm
LUV
cant trade JPP….he’s helping change the losing culture….
ed oliver…quentin williams-RD-1
i wouldnt mind allen from BC…..love his motor….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!!….#ADIOSDIRK!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!!
January 2nd, 2019 at 3:50 pm
Trading JPP = stupid
Keep McCoy restructured deal
DJax trade
Draft heavy defense and a RB
Use $$ from DJax to sign Hump
January 2nd, 2019 at 3:55 pm
In reading many of McCoy’s comments I am starting to believe he will restructure his contract to stay and eventually retire (stop clapping Tmax) a Buc.
January 2nd, 2019 at 3:56 pm
In reading many of McCoy’s comments I am starting to believe he is going to restructure his contract to stay and retire (stop cheering T-max) a Buc.
January 2nd, 2019 at 3:59 pm
I have a co-worker who is a huge NYGiants fan. Everytime I see him I say “Thanks again for JPP”.
He shakes his head in disgust and admits letting him go was a big mistake.
Makes me wonder if that trade was what kept Licht employed. If not for that trade what did Licht really do well this year?
Joe, is it true the word “Kicker” was banned from one Buc Palace?
January 2nd, 2019 at 4:06 pm
DR
anthony lynn was the interim HC in buffalo once they fired rex in late december….he only coached 1 game in 2016….lol…its not like he had a full year on the job….when he was hired as an HC for the chargers it was basically his first time being hired as a HC…..
Gus and Ken both failed miserably…..they are who we thought they were….coordinators not HC’s…..same with dirk…..
so screw the re-trend HC’s….we’ve already seen them fail…..time to go after richard, edwards, eric.b……
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!!….#ADIOSDIRK!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!!
January 2nd, 2019 at 4:07 pm
There was only a couple players on D who refused to accept this losing culture and JPP was one of them. We need the young players to learn from him! Let the rest of them walk.
January 2nd, 2019 at 4:23 pm
@Rod Munch … “while on defense, as owner, I’d tell him he’s not allowed to call any play, ever.” OK LOL Rod… and maybe for emphasis “EVER, EVER, EVER”.
@813bucboi … “Gus and Ken both failed miserably…..they are who we thought they were….coordinators not HC’s…..same with dirk”. Don’t disagree at all with that bucboi. Being a HC is obviously FAR MORE DEMANDING than being an OC or DC. That said though, dual-hatting Dirk Koetter in 2016 as OC AND rookie HC was the kiss of death. Glazer Boyz & Lapdog Licht were so worried about him being hired as a HC by someone else that they panicked I’m convinced & promoted him … all so that he could continue to help Jameis ‘develop & mature’. Wow, what irony.
January 2nd, 2019 at 4:32 pm
LUV
Don’t disagree with your logic at all. And I would trade ANY player…perhaps…PERHAPS…not Jameis or ME for a 1st rounder.
I just don’t see how 12 1/2 sacks improved JPP’s value from a 3rd rounder to a first rounder. But perhaps you are correct.
January 2nd, 2019 at 4:33 pm
Yes to cutting McCoy. 13 million freed up. That’s my CB.
Don’t worry about losing a good player. Take a peek at the upcoming draft. McCoys replacement is waiting for us. It will be a very smooth transition
A DE later on would be a good idea.
At that point we will have a very young Dline. Excuse me but I do not want young players coming in and seeking out the face of the franchis(McCoy) to learn how to be pros. I want them looking up to JPP.
There’s not a more perfect time to move on from McCoy then this time.
January 2nd, 2019 at 4:33 pm
LC- I was just thinking last night how Rojo had to have been a Licht move.
Otherwise, wouldn’t Koetter have wanted the guy he pounded the table for to play?
I feel like Koetter lost Lichts support when he refused to play Rojo and he benched Lichts former #1 overall pick. Both decisions were not wise in the end but hey Koetter went out “his way”.
January 2nd, 2019 at 4:35 pm
Whoever say trade JPP knows next to nothing.
January 2nd, 2019 at 4:52 pm
LUV – understand the thought of buying JPP low and selling him high. However, of the 3 (DJax, McCoy) included, only JPP is worthy of keeping just based on the positive influence he has on this team. Love the hustle combined with talent and while i realize he is turning 30 and his skills will eventually diminish, he is still one of the better DE’s in the league.
I would love to see McCoy and DJax get us a couple of extra picks while also possibly trading down from 5 to also gain a couple of picks. Need to beef up both sides of the line with OL taking priority.
January 2nd, 2019 at 4:54 pm
@Alaskan.
I’m not sure – these are just my hopes for Licht’s sake lol.
Koetter heavily favored Steven Jackson over Devonte Freeman in Freeman’s rookie year despite Jackson being very ineffective.. I’m just connecting the dots that Koetter ran the offense / was known as the sole reason Martin ever stayed and kept starting. I would be shocked if he at least wasn’t heavily involved in picking McNichols & Rojo. Just as I’d be shocked that Lovie wasn’t involved in the Sims decision given that he was a Forte clone.
So here’s to that hope lol.
January 2nd, 2019 at 4:57 pm
@JimmyJack … “There’s not a more perfect time to move on from McCoy then this time.” Agree that GMC’s getting ‘long in the tooth’ JimmyJack, but we’ve got greater NEEDS right now than drafting a DT to replace him.
For starters: draft a LT with our #5 pick. Donovan is NOT the long-term answer to our LT position, although eh may very well be the answer to our LG position, allowing us to move Ali back over to his REAL (natural) RG position. We also desperately need a stud DE (to pair with & ultimately replace JPP) & those are almost always high-round picks. Add in our NEED for a stud RB & a true MLB and we’ve got more NEEDS than we can possibly fill in one draft (and possibly even in 2 drafts). Still in favor of picking up (in free agency) a top RB, a RT, 1-2 LBs, 2 starting-caliber CBs, 1 starting-caliber Safety, and oh ya, a REAL kicker. Other than that (PLUS re-signing Hump & a few of our own FAs) we’re in outstanding shape. Once we hire a coach & coaching staff & fire Lapdog that is.
January 2nd, 2019 at 5:30 pm
JPP =BADASS!
January 2nd, 2019 at 5:56 pm
Lord C
Definitely believe DK was the force behind drafting McNichols because of the Boise State connection.
January 2nd, 2019 at 6:12 pm
Defense Rules…..From what I heard this is one of the most top heavy Dline drafts in a while.
With a Top 5 pick that’s what I think we should do. Don’t follow college ball just the reports & if what they say is true we will be foolish to pass on a Dline.
If we pass on a lineman now we could be stuck looking for one and failing for the next decade.
I’m not saying it has to be a DT just to replace McCoy. But it should be Dline reguardless of McCoys status.
To me, McCoys status should have no bearing on this decision. It just so happens that the Dline prospect s are the strongest canidates making it a perfect time to move on from McCoy.
January 2nd, 2019 at 6:48 pm
I hear ya JimmyJack, but one question back: What do we do about a Left Tackle for 2019 and beyond? Are you satisfied re-signing Donovan Smith to a long-term contract for big $$$ (LTs don’t come cheap)? And he’s in the driver’s seat since we don’t even have a decent backup LT on our roster.
Doubtful that we’d find a QUALITY STARTING LT in free agency that we could afford given our other NEEDS. And it seems to be rare that any team finds a QUALITY STARTING LT in the middle or lower rounds of the draft. But if this draft is truly deep in DLine talent, we could very likely find a quality DT or DE in the SECOND ROUND if we used our FIRST ROUND pick on a LT. Probably (Lapdog’s record with 2nd rnd picks is, shall we say, circumspect?).
January 2nd, 2019 at 7:06 pm
Defense….The LT spot does need to be addressed. Might be a good way to go in round 2.
You can’t pass on top end Defensive line talent IMO. It’s just too hard to find. I understand the same can be said about LT but these defensive lineman have been talked up for well over a year.
Like I said I don’t follow college so I could easily be wrong and there is a future probowler at LT this year but do remember that a lot of the “ratings” we see on these players is based off of team needs. They will rate somebody higher on their mock boards because they know a team will reach for that guy based on need. This happens a lot with LTs because teams always need them.
January 2nd, 2019 at 7:10 pm
Heard NE is projected to let their LT go. Don’t even know his name. I do think that an option.
I also won’t mind to see us take a LT later and develope him. That means you gotta franchise D. Smith for the time being. I would not be opposed to that.
January 2nd, 2019 at 7:20 pm
There is no guarantee a first round draft pick pans out. JPP is proven. I guess all the years with high draft picks is the only thing some Bucs look forward to.
January 2nd, 2019 at 10:34 pm
JimmyJack – Smith is fine at LT, and the Bucs already have the highest paid center, one of the highest paid guards, and if they go into a FA bidding war they’ll have yet another highest paid LT. That’s a lot of money when only Marpet is worth it. If they can resign Smith at a discount, or a good rate, then you keep him around. If the Bucs aren’t running a deep ball offense, if they’re mixing it up more and getting the ball out faster, the entire line will be better – and really the line wasn’t that bad this last year.
Most likely if they let Smith go they’re going to draft someone, probably very highly. From a pure cap standpoint there’s only so much money you can put into your line unless you think you have the best o-line in football, and certainly the Bucs aren’t there.
So to me it’s keep Smith at a discount, or hope you hit on a rookie. But that’s a huge gamble.
Also the Pats guy, whose name I can never remember either, when I hear Pats fans talk about him all they do is whine about him as much as Bucs fans whine about Smith, so I’m not sure he’d be an upgrade, and from the sounds of it, would be worse. Smith is a middling OT, he’s by no means the worst LT in the game, he’s not even in the bottom third of tackles, but people think if you don’t have a top 10 guy at every spot you’re terrible. Well the cap makes that impossible.