Invasion Of The Cardinals
February 20th, 2019
Free agent linebacker targeted?
Since new Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians came on board, he has stated he’s not interested in a rebuild.
Given that he is 66, that goal is understandable.
So follically-challenged Billy Barnwell of BSPN believes it is fair to reason Arians along with his right-hand man, defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, are going to import some players they have worked with to turn the Bucs’ fortunes around sooner rather than later.
The invasion of Cardinals began yesterday when the Bucs signed former Cardinals/Arians running back Andre Ellington (bye-bye Jacquizz Rodgers?). Barnwell believes Arians should not stop there.
Wide receiver John Brown should be signed, Barnwell believes, and Joe has been beating that drum for weeks. Let DeSean Jackson go and with the $10 million cash that was allocated to Jackson, instead, give it to Brown and keep Adam Humphries.
Barnwell continues that the Bucs should also sign Cardinals linebacker Deone Bucannon, who he thinks hasn’t been the same since Bowles left for the Jets. Barnwell also claims former Cardinals coach Steve Wilks terribly misused Bucannon. He’s 26 and was the Cardinals’ first-round pick in 2014.
[Bucannon] went from looking like the prototype for the new hybrid linebacker during his time with Bowles to totally getting lost in the shuffle last season under Steve Wilks. Bucannon needs to end up in a place where the defensive coordinator will play to his strengths instead of emphasizing his weaknesses. Going back to what worked with Bowles would make sense for both parties, especially if the Bucs don’t re-sign [Kwon] Alexander.
Well, it’s not like the Bucs are busting at the seams with linebackers. Yeah, Alexander, a free agent coming off knee surgery, is an unknown. Also unknown: Kendell Beckwith. There really is no telling if Beckwith will ever play again after needing surgery to repair an ankle he broke in a car accident last April.
At worst, this Bucannon could provide depth and knowledge of what Bowles wants to do on defense.
February 20th, 2019 at 12:20 am
You could scrap the entire roster and match the same basement results that career losing mentally weak cancer93, lvd, kwon, dotson and the rest of bums you low standard bucfans are so emotionally attached to achieved.
February 20th, 2019 at 12:29 am
Wouldn’t complain. Just a little leary of signing all these ex cardinals after what Lovie Smith accomplished.
February 20th, 2019 at 1:02 am
Imagine
Kwon, LVD, Buccannon, and Tyranne Mathieu on the field at he same time.
Imagine the speed.
Imagine the exotic blitz packages.
No RB’s or TE’s would be uncoverable.
I want a hybrid defense.
Like the Chargers ran to beat the Ravens.
I prefer fast, small, LB’s that can run and cover.
Mathieu was supposed to be our next Ronde. I called for us to draft him in the 2nd or 3rd. Instead, we drafted Johnathan Banks and Mike Glennon.
Sign him!
February 20th, 2019 at 1:03 am
Liquor…that’s what it takes to be a Bucs fan.
Tmax…well liquor and Dotson….being emotionally attached to Dotson keeps me going LMAO!
February 20th, 2019 at 1:06 am
.
Thought the same thing.
February 20th, 2019 at 1:07 am
A former first round pick that is only 26 years of age and is versatile, has speed (sub 4.5) and would likely be aching to return to form with a defensive coordinator who knows how to deploy him properly and is familiar with his scheme. Bowles used him as a hybrid box saftey and nickel linebacker on passing downs. Can probably be had on the cheap for a incentive laden, prove-it deal. The Bucs cannot continue to squander things like this (ahem, Mark Barron). Existing roster be damned. Bring him in and have him compete. What are you afraid of – he’s going to take Jordan Whitehead’s job? … oh, no.
February 20th, 2019 at 1:18 am
Also, this fear of bringing in players from previous regimes needs to be addressed. Lovie’s system was not predicated on an attacking style of football that let players simplify their assignments and play instinctively. He was a square-peg, round hole operator who needed veterans that had his scheme mastered and relied on the read and react. Way too passive, and Mike Smith followed suit and they were both eaten alive.
Bringing in former Bears and Falcons is not the same as this, because Todd Bowles is literally the complete and polar opposite; he’s going to attack the LOS and disrupt the timing on every down. Those other guys were deathly allergic to it and could not get the most out of their players because of it. Let Todd bring in his guys and establish his philosophy.
February 20th, 2019 at 1:32 am
BA is not the defensive coordinator so it TODD BOWLES is bringing guys in he’s familiar with I wouldn’t call it an invasion, obviously we need players to fit the new scheme and this is better than the unknown. Besides the defense is the weak link so bring in whoever you can, jets invasion, cardinals invasion whatever doesn’t matter. John Brown on offense just makes sense with the free agents.
February 20th, 2019 at 1:40 am
Sign him. Inexpensive and like the article says, he was the next big thing as far as hybrid LB. Maybe he is scheme dependent, I don’t know, but we need more talented defenders. He has done it at a high level before and he shouldn’t break the bank.
February 20th, 2019 at 1:40 am
We have reports about Kwon recovery but absolutely silence on Kendell Beckwith. Joe – have you heard anything on his recovery?
February 20th, 2019 at 1:42 am
Why couldn’t we have started this last year with Calais Campbell? Oh that’s right, we didn’t have $17 million sitting around. I forgot.
February 20th, 2019 at 1:43 am
Hey Tmax,
You use that cancer insult pretty lightly. Don’t know why Joe is fine with that, but if your doctor ever gives you the worst news, hopefully you’ll remember all the times you ripped on 93.
February 20th, 2019 at 1:52 am
Bruce Arians is a creature of habit and intensely loyal to his guys. I would not be surprised to see WR John Brown/Ravens in pewter and red if WR Desean Jackson is cut or traded. Bruce may be getting the band back together again. In that same vein, DE Alex Okafor/Saints, FS Tyrann Mathieu/Texans, LB/SS Deone Bucannon, and OG Mike Iupati/Cardinals, all UFAs ,all part of that Cardinal road crew and nobody that is going to break the bank. I can’t say this for sure, but I wouldn’t bet against it either. Go Bucs!
February 20th, 2019 at 2:53 am
I must say the writers of Tampa have this fan base believing in a lot of acquisitions for a little bit of cap. I think J. Brown and T. Mathieu will be acquired by Tampa this offseason and we got Ellington which I’m not high on him but he will be a great camp competitor imo for whoever else is running back on the team come that time. Ion think there will be too many changes on top of the roster as far as who we have but obviously the scheme change on defense will be change enough. I believe McCoy will move to defensive end if he is retained huge chance he isn’t though but he is a career pass rusher but his drive and intensity will determine a whole lot this season and I don’t think the organization likes his low intensity too many former players call it out too. I think our fan favorite Nassib is also on the brink right now as well. To wrap it up we’re not getting Buchanan, N. Spence still won’t start because they’re committed to JPP and that will lead to Nassib being let go because he can’t run 3-4. JPP was traded to us for the same reason but I believe the staff will move him into an outside linebacker spot and Kwon as well if he’s retained and again it’s very likely he is let go. They’ve already said LVD is moving to the middle and I believe Pewter Report is dead on with their mock draft right now by having us select D. White. J. Allen is great as well but White seems like another can’t miss as Vea was as well. I think Iupati is another real chance to watch because they need a guard clearly. D. Smith will return and be worth every buck trust me I’m realistically hearing of short term deals for him and Kwon this offseason but Hump is a gonner and they are looking to replace him with AB from the Steelers for a third round pick to pair with Djax and J. Brown. Dotson will stay as well. TBH Hump leaving will make this team or break it but for everything I’ve ever seen in his negotiating he’s not coming back and he couldn’t wait for this offseason either to get paid outside of Tampa
February 20th, 2019 at 5:57 am
Again, we don’t need 6 pass catchers. That is how your team is lopsided and you throw 40 times a game. I think John brown needs to replace Desean and we need to choose between Cam Brate and Adam Humphries
February 20th, 2019 at 6:27 am
@PriMech54 … “Bowles used him (Bucannon) as a hybrid box saftey and nickel linebacker on passing downs.” The Ellington didn’t excite me at all, but the possibility of signing Bucannon does. Primarily because of what you said PriMech … he was really used early-on as a hybrid S/LB, and was very effective in that role it looks like. At 6’1″ & 211 lbs he’d probably get banged up pretty good in a traditional LB role, and that looks like what happened in 2016 & 2017 (ankle injuries especially). But his 2014 rookie year under Bowles he got 65% of the defensive snaps, and that built to 95% in 2015 under their new DC Bettcher. Fell in 2016 to 76% (IR for ankle last 3 games), then to 67% in 2017 (hurt again), and even more to 35% in 2018 under new DC Holcomb (no longer a starter).
Bucs need an experienced safety and LBs right now. Signing a hybrid S/LB could solve 2 problems at the same time for relatively little money. Bucannon would most likely not be re-signed by the Cardinals this year (FA who made $2 mil last year).
February 20th, 2019 at 7:21 am
Unlike Lovie & Dirk I trust BA’s judgement on player personnel…
We have some salary cap issues and we can’t fix everything through the draft…The solution being finding cap friendly options that are familiar with the scheme/coaches and most importantly ones that can still contribute…
Ellington, Brown, Mathuie, and Buchanan are all guys I hope we can bring in…
February 20th, 2019 at 7:26 am
@Winnipeg
My thoughts exactly! I also live in the peg city. Beers and Bucs one day?
February 20th, 2019 at 8:19 am
Invasion of the Cardinals seems a bit strong.
It’s only 1 guy, so far, lol!
I don’t have any problem with Arians & Bowles bringing in a few of those Cardinals players. That was a very good team when those guys were there, and there have to still be a few guys that would benefit greatly from a fresh start here in TB with those guys… and ready to perform at a high level.
February 20th, 2019 at 8:21 am
John Brown has a history of illness and injuries
Humphries was a factor in 2 wins last year- 49ers and Panthers
You want to spend $15 million on these 2 and bury Watson and Bobo on the depth chart, not to mention jettisoning DJax who WAS a factor in wins when used properly- keep on losing Bucfan
February 20th, 2019 at 8:31 am
Yes, jettison the loser DJax.
John Brown would be a fine replacement.
February 20th, 2019 at 8:57 am
Wouldn’t complain. Just a little leary of signing all these ex cardinals after what Lovie Smith accomplished
yeah, throw dirk in that mix too!!!….hawley, grimes, quizz, mcclain….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!!
February 20th, 2019 at 9:00 am
Lovie and the Bears
Dirk and the Falcone
Bruce and the Cardinals
Anyone see similarities?
Mark it down…this will end badly for us fans.
February 20th, 2019 at 9:45 am
^ Ridiculous take.
Every coach that has ever hired on to coach a new team, has brought a few players from his former team.
Literally EVERY SINGLE ONE.
February 20th, 2019 at 9:58 am
ok, worth a look, but please never type these words again!
“needs to end up in a place where the defensive coordinator will play to his strengths instead of emphasizing his weaknesses. “
February 20th, 2019 at 11:56 am
This article makes sense, but I wouldn’t look too much into the Ellington signing. Many, many times when new coaches come in they sign savvy vets from their previous stops to come in as part safety net and part teaching tool / example setter. Ellington knows the drills and the protection schemes and come come right in and show guys like Rojo exactly how Arians and company expects everything to be done. That is so much easier than having to teach every single player on the roster from ground zero.
February 20th, 2019 at 12:43 pm
All new coaches attract players and coaching staff from their former destinations. This is nothing new. I remember people calling us the TB Trojans because John McKay drafted so many USC guys. Perkins Alabama on the present day. I was thinking it was an advantage to have both Bowles and Arians (and other experienced coaches) having a leg up on signing any of their former players.
February 20th, 2019 at 4:10 pm
Every coach generally brings in guys he has known, if for no other reason than he knows them and they can help teach the system. Nothing at all wrong with that.