New Look Defensive Line
March 10th, 2019
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
When the Bucs take the practice fields of One Buc Palace next month, the defensive line could look totally different.
And it is not a stretch that the Bucs could have four new defensive linemen. Jenna Laine of ESPN looks at potential changes on the defensive front.
Some players on lesser deals who are candidates to be cut include defensive end William Gholston ($3.75 million against the cap in 2019), defensive tackle Beau Allen ($5 million) and defensive tackle Mitch Unrein ($3.75 million), although Allen is already guaranteed $1.5 million and Unrein $1 million in 2019.
And then there is Gerald McCoy’s $13 million — for a team that has jammed itself against the cap largely with players who have lost 22 games the past two years. If the Bucs need to trim salaries in order to buy decent players, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht could start at the defensive line and save a lot of bread.
This is why Joe believes the Bucs can still trade for or sign a defensive end.
March 10th, 2019 at 3:09 pm
They have to clear up cap space somehow and this is probably where they start.
March 10th, 2019 at 3:10 pm
Licht looks defensive….
March 10th, 2019 at 3:12 pm
All new D linemen last year … dude sucks…. hope BA is running the show and Licht is nothing more than a face with NO input on personal.
March 10th, 2019 at 3:21 pm
Reporting elsewhere says reworking Evans contract along with McCoy frees up nearly $10 million….and keeps McCoy
March 10th, 2019 at 3:22 pm
In this division Geraldine money needs to go to honey badger. I don’t think I can take licht gambling on veterans like him that make more than they produce to suddenly transition to a 3-4 for the first time and think he’d do more than the 5 sacks he’s given the last couple years only to gamble on inexperienced late round talent at corner and safety
March 10th, 2019 at 3:25 pm
No need to trade. Just draft SWEAT!! He killed it at the combine and he will have a rookie salary number. Trade DJAX and rework GMC’s contract and move on. What the Bucs have done hasn’t worked. Do what you have done, get what you have got. It’s pretty simple!
March 10th, 2019 at 3:29 pm
We need to do some serious work to come up with enough cap money to address our needs…..
MLB, CB, OG, LS, RB 2 (Barber plus 1), S, Backup QB,
& Joe keeps pining for a DE. Salary for the new draft picks and a few other depth players.
Yes….we can cut a few….but we have to replace them too.
There are those that want to sugar-coat this…..but they don’t consider all of the needs…..
The big money is with GMC & Djax……
March 10th, 2019 at 3:31 pm
It’s a domino effect ! Licht said it. So nobody in the current roster is safe except Winston, Marpet, Donovan,Evans,Dotson.
March 10th, 2019 at 3:34 pm
“THERE HE IS!
GUILTY AS HELL!
PUT BARS IN FRONT OF THIS PICTURE!
The Flock of Seaguls loving Dominik is better than this ACDC loving Gump!”
Kobe Faker
March 10th, 2019 at 3:36 pm
Licht should have gone with Koetter….
March 10th, 2019 at 3:36 pm
Look for Brate,McCoy,gholston, beau to be traded.
March 10th, 2019 at 3:41 pm
You can throw in a WR to that large group of needs above because Hump will be gone as well as Djax…..
March 10th, 2019 at 3:41 pm
@Larry
The combine is not a projection of how players will do in the NFL. Many great combine performers have gone on to the NFL and failed, and Sweat is one of those. His combine performance is great but people are saying he needs a lot of work, he’s a guy that I’m wary of.
March 10th, 2019 at 3:48 pm
My plan for free agency would be the have no desperate needs heading into the draft. Right now we have 2 Guard and LB.
They need to address these positions so we can take BPA at 5. We can’t be needing to draft White if Q is on the board.
March 10th, 2019 at 3:53 pm
So much for the ” licht did his job” crowd that cried that all last year!!!!!!!!!!
2019 season will reveal answers to the sheep, that the “real” fans already know!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 10th, 2019 at 3:53 pm
TBBF half of those needs you are talking about do not have to be filled with high investments. Let’s focus on the dire needs for now. Remember there will be post draft cuts and TC roster cuts if we still have a couple questions marks after the draft
March 10th, 2019 at 3:53 pm
WR being a perfect example
March 10th, 2019 at 4:09 pm
Up against the cap with players who went 5-11 two straight seasons.
Not a very good look for the GM now is it?
March 10th, 2019 at 4:11 pm
Trade DJ now. Rework McCoys contract. Gholston..be gone. Draft either Sweat or White. Something deep inside me says Licht should have received his walking papers right along with Koetter and Smitty.
March 10th, 2019 at 4:14 pm
Guard TJ Lang was released from Detroit as a casualty of the cap. He’s 31 and has some life left in him with mega experience. He’s also considered a magnetic presence in the clubhouse.
March 10th, 2019 at 4:15 pm
This picture perfectly captures Licht Weight…saved at the 11th hour by luring Arians to Tampa.
March 10th, 2019 at 4:21 pm
@JimmyJack
I realize we don’t have to fill many of those positions with high-priced players but the sheer number of needs…even at $750k each is very high……it adds up….and people think we can cut a $3mil player or 2 and bring in one for $15mil are nuts.
When you cut a guy like Beau Allen or Gholston…..you would be lucky to get the same production out of a player for the NFL minimum…..
My point is….if you want some real cap savings, you have to cut a couple of very large salaries…..
March 10th, 2019 at 4:33 pm
Ain’t nobody gonna trade with us for beau Allen and will Gholston
We will have to cut them
March 10th, 2019 at 4:37 pm
This is a load of crap the night before the tampering period starts and we barely have 3 million dollars in cap space and this Licht has only cut Curry so far and the only reason he did that was to make sure we had enough cap space to resign D Smith and if the next few days of free agency that’s all Licht has to show us fans that he’s trying to fix the roster holes on this team someone need to put there foot up his ass and kick in the freakin brain I mean come on man he’s going to drive us all crazy
March 10th, 2019 at 4:37 pm
TBBF……I have to disagree about Gholston. That guy does nothing. Biggest stiff on the team. He would be easily replaced with a TC roster cut.
I really hope that guy is off the team and it has nothing to do with money he is just a bad bad football player.
March 10th, 2019 at 4:39 pm
Justin Houston is who we need to go get. Dude is only 30 and had 22 sacks in a season just 2-3 years ago. Had 8 last year in 12 games
March 10th, 2019 at 4:42 pm
Houston just released by KC too. But we know he’s gonna wanna sign with a contender.
March 10th, 2019 at 4:43 pm
Miketb………Breathe baby. The Bucs are going to make some moves in FA don’t pop a vessel before it starts.
But we may sit back while all the 20million dollar players sign and might not make any immediate moves. You might wanna spare some stress and take a few days off.
March 10th, 2019 at 5:02 pm
I think we will make some moves…..probably a RG……..maybe a S….
I think we will leave MLB & DE open…..don’t know about WR & RB…..maybe later round picks…
I hope our first 2 picks are MLB & Oline…..maybe DE & Oline, RB….and GMC is traded DT & Oline…..but not big salaries
I guess you can tell I’d like a high draft pick on a Olineman…..replacing Dotson in 2020 and perhaps RG if Cappa doesn’t work out.
No more Oline projects please.
I am also hoping that BA & Bowles have more than just input…..don’t trust Licht beyond the 1st pick.
March 10th, 2019 at 5:06 pm
QUESTION…
Why would the Bucs tie up so much salary cap space in TWO TIGHT-ENDS?
It seems like as soon as Howard showed promise at all, they should have traded Brate while he was value was at its peak.
March 10th, 2019 at 5:25 pm
@JimmyJack
Referencing your 3:48pm post, NO ONE in their right mind, regardless of need or otherwise, takes Devin White OVER Quinnen if both are on the board at #5, which White would be of course. THAT…isn’t even a toss up for any GM.
That was close…to a @Bonzai comment there.
Go Bucs! Land Quinnen!
March 10th, 2019 at 5:37 pm
For all the talk from BA & Licht about how talented our roster is, we seem to have an awful lot of open slots right now (otherwise known as NEEDS). I’d still challenge anyone to go down the Bucs’ CURRENT roster (disregard FAs) and see how many you’d consider to be KEEPERS. I come up with 35 at the most, meaning that we’ll need to sign our 6 draft picks PLUS about 12 others … some of whom were Bucs last year. And we’ve got to do it on relatively little money. Not an enviable position to be in right now.
Obviously the price has to be right, but I’d like to see the Bucs re-sign Barber, Griffin, Adams, Taylor, Minter, Wester and possibly Lynch (for his S/Ts ability). That’s take care of 7 of the 12 FAs needed and make the FA period more manageable. For those advocating gutting our DLine by releasing GMC, Allen, Unrein & Gholston you might want to think again. We’re already down 1 DE … to go short 3 DTs plus another DE would be catastrophic because Bucs can’t make that up in the draft.
March 10th, 2019 at 5:49 pm
And what successes has Jason Licht had doing that?
Or drafting- at least in the second and third rounds?
March 10th, 2019 at 6:05 pm
Do we go after Justin Houston now?
AFAF…
March 10th, 2019 at 6:19 pm
A combine warrior changed this franchises history. We traded from 7 to 12 in the 1995 draft so the Eagles could select Mike Mamula who had one of the best combines ever, we then selected Warren Sapp and used the extra picks to select Derrick Brooks. I wouldn’t select Sweat at #5.
March 10th, 2019 at 6:21 pm
Teams that lose this much shouldn’t be in this much cap trouble
Licht sucks
March 10th, 2019 at 6:41 pm
I would certainly choose Quinnen over White…..and the same goes for Allen or even Bosa….
If Quinnen is there….take him and pick up a MLB in the second round of FA or in round 2 or 3 of the draft. I’m not concerned that other teams know what we need in the draft…..It may be obvious…..it may not be.
Defense Rules…..
You and I seem to be the only ones focusing on the sheer numbers of players we have to sign and the little money……posters forget that when we cut a player they have to also be replaced…….and….the last time I checked….we are trying to get better….so, I suspect they won’t be UDFAs.
March 10th, 2019 at 6:48 pm
A ton of fools who still think the gm coaches the team.
Youll all be kissing his azs for bringing Arians here this time next year
March 10th, 2019 at 7:01 pm
We should trade JPP and sign Flowers from the Patriots.
March 10th, 2019 at 7:04 pm
TBBF … It’ll be interesting to see whose stock goes up or down as we get closer to the draft. Far as I’m concerned, we NEED 1 DE (since we cut Curry). But we also NEED 1 MLB (since we have none on the current roster). I’d be happy with Quinnen, White, Allen or Bosa (theoretically we COULD miss out on all 4). I tend to think that White would have more of an impact in his rookie year than the other 3 though (if he stays healthy, he’d probably be on the field for 100% of the defensive snaps).
We do have ‘some’ money though TBBF. Spotrac has 61 Bucs under contract, of which the highest paid 51 count against the salary Cap. Personally I think Bucs will keep 35 of those 51 but they might be forced to keep as many as 40. that’d leave us someplace between 13-18 short, and that ‘shortage’ translates into salary Cap $$$ saved (for now). Hopefully 6 of that shortfall will be filled by draft picks. If we sign 7 of our own FAs we’d either hit the 53 or be up to 5 short (to be filled by additional FAs from ‘someplace’). Personally I’m hoping that we do add a RB to complement Barber, a slot WR (to replace Hump), a veteran OG, a veteran CB & a veteran Safety. It’ll be interesting to see ow it all falls out in any event.
March 10th, 2019 at 7:06 pm
Stout I won’t lie that hurt. I’ll take credit for a dumb post. Can’t help it with this team though. I don’t care how good a draft pick is it’s hard to trust the Bucs not to botch it.
If White & Q are both on the board at 5 their will a pit in the bottom of my stomach until they make the call.
March 10th, 2019 at 7:23 pm
Lol…that was a ….stout…response from you @JimmyJack.
It’s Quinnen all day, every day, but he likely won’t be there at #5. Question is, if he’s there at #4, then what?!
Go Bucs! Land Quinnen!
March 10th, 2019 at 7:23 pm
Defense Rules & TBBF. It just sounds to me like you guys are overly concerned with bottom of the roster players.
Not everybody making the team next year is going to be a big CAP hit. That’s not the way it works.
The bottom roster is important but that comes later. Right now they have to solidify the top of the roster. We got one LB and ton of dead weight on the DL. Obvisously the current roster needs to change if you have 1 LB. What your looking at today is irrevelant to the future.
I understand about needing 53 but first let’s worry about our 22 starters because as is Benechot is your RG blocking for RoJo and our defensive formation is gonna have to be a 6-1 base……..I don’t think that’ll work.
March 10th, 2019 at 7:27 pm
“Bingo” what Defense said. Who ever the pick is needs to be counted on for immediate day one production. Now if you’re telling me 93 will be gone fine select Q if possible. If not you’re not drafting a guy that high to be a part time player to anyone. Every year folks round here casually say “you can just get one in the later round” sort of the theme round here along with trade down. How about grab a guy that signs point to be a star once they arrive.. #Devin White. This none since 5 is too high to draft MLB please. Not if he becomes an All Pro.
March 10th, 2019 at 7:29 pm
If you think Q is a future HOF you trade up.
Or Bosa if he’s the guy who falls.
March 10th, 2019 at 7:29 pm
The Bucs can’t go after anyone significant until theycan get more cap help. I sure hope this BA hiring works out. I’m starting to wonder. He talks the talk but can he walk the walk.
March 10th, 2019 at 7:34 pm
Sure, there are some bottom of the roster slots…..but others also.
Peyton Barber
Adam Humphries
RG positon filled but inadequate
Kwon
Adarius Taylor
Vinny Curry was not bottom of roster
Brent Grimes
Even Chris Conte wasn’t bottom of the roster
Fitz was our primary backup
And we are talking about dumping a bunch of depth…….Beau Allen, Gholston, Unrein….have already dropped Adams….Wester.
March 10th, 2019 at 7:37 pm
This year will be the most difficult yet for Licht…….that is why things are moving so slowly…..when you have little money, the job (no matter what job) is tougher.
He absolutely saved himself with the BA hire…..and BA and Licht will go down together with the sinking ship if that happens……
I truly believe that Licht will rely very heavily on BA & Co. for most of the decisions on the roster….and that has already started.
March 10th, 2019 at 7:48 pm
We are tapped out and have marginal talent..
Man I wanna win and I just don’t see it
March 10th, 2019 at 7:50 pm
TBBF out with the old in with the new.
Fitzpatrick doesn’t need to return because we have the QB wisperer. He is expected to groom us a starting caliber QB on a base salary.
Vinny Curry was replaced last year by Nassib. We don’t need Curry anymore and have a younger cheaper(better) option.
Conte was replaced last last year by Whitehead. We don’t need Conte anymore and have a younger cheaper(better) option.
Miko Grimes was replaced last year by Carlton ……ect. ect. (better)
Glanton? Is he gonna break the bank?
Barber will be paid and will not break the bank.
Hump is not needed. This goes without saying we have plenty of recidving weapons & strong depth.
Kwon & RG. We need to address these position.
None of the others are huge needs.
March 10th, 2019 at 7:57 pm
JimmyJack
I finally discovered a bigger optimist than myself…….yes, I agree that we can do better by replacing many players……but to make a true impact…..we will have to cut some good players.
I don’t think we will miss most of the ones you described……but we will miss some of the ones we cut unless Licht & BA are very skillful…..Maybe BA will make the difference because Licht hasn’t proven to be skillful in FA…..and only half-a$$ in the draft.
March 10th, 2019 at 8:10 pm
TBBF.
Don’t get me wrong. The roster has problems.
Specifically on defense. It’s an abomination. My post above was just to say the the CAP don’t have the problems many think. It don’t mean our roster is set.
How to fix the roster is the real question……..One fan could fix it by cutting players and having a solid 70M to play win. Another could do it on 15M and a few cuts.
Gonna be interesting to see what the Bucs do.
March 10th, 2019 at 8:13 pm
Ok why would the Bucs keep GMC
He’s over 30
Production has dropped off
Hurt last year for several games
Gets hurt every year
Cost 13 million
Especially since he is Soo Good we could get high picks for him and clear up cap space
Joe what would GMC bring in A trade 1-2 rounder
March 10th, 2019 at 8:18 pm
I think the roster needs some tweaking…not a major overhaul…….a RG, MLB, S CB and perhaps a RB…..
If we are smart, we can make the necessary improvements……with a Djax cut along with a couple of defensive depth players……
We can pick up 2 starters in the draft……probably at this point a MLB & RG……
It’s doable…….most of this will depend on Winston’s development and Todd Bowles defense….
March 10th, 2019 at 8:21 pm
There is no telling what the Bucs will do. The Joe’s don’t even got a clue. Nobody knows what’s going on with Djax. And we have heard very little about Brate and McCoy. I’d wouldn’t be surprised with any of them three getting cut.
March 10th, 2019 at 8:34 pm
When you look at all the position groups and how the roster has been built the biggest problem spots is OL & Secondary.
Both problems are coaching related and because we couldn’t develope.
We got a fountain of youth on Secondary & Billions invested on the OL. These should absolutely not be needs. But we had sucky coaching so they are.
March 10th, 2019 at 8:58 pm
I’m looking forward to an article entitled; “New Look General Manager”.
March 10th, 2019 at 8:59 pm
Stout,
You choose white over Quinnen, if you’re in your right mind. The mind of a metrics geek. While you believe that is not the decision a sane rational mind makes… The opposite could be said about your opinion. Which if you’re keeping score is 0-0.
Your best argument is based solely on the individual players potential to translate from the college to the pro game. (Obviously! )
Game tape, skill set and physicality dominate, check, check check. Top 5 picks have the highest expectations associated with them and it’s multiple pro bowls and all pro team selections that determine whether the pick was worth it.
White can check all the same boxes as Q. No advantage over one or the other.
Q plays a position a higher value associated with it compared to middle Backer.
Reward v risk . Reward is a high bar for anyone picked top 5 to deliver on.
Following…risk is the next item.
Oddly, risk is not something which you can build a case for on solid ground. Not in this case. Both players seem like a lock. And potential is a word that gets tossed out there as if it was a tangible item. Higher ceiling….sounds like.you really know what you’re talking about. Fact is that type of talk is little more than empty slogans.
Stay with me, look at risk from a top 10 pick, historical and position bias.
IOW use data analysis to support your opinion instead of opinion alone. Coke vs zero calorie, non gmo, organically farmed, no artificial ingredient , zero carb , soda. The facts support the opinion that white is less risky and will achieve the high rewards of the pick. Facts support the idea of Q achieving these as a 50-50 coin toss.
Unbiased number crunching approach vs the other side. Some people may say it’s unwise to show up for a gun fight armed only with a strong opinion of gun control
and a group of people chatting how righteous they are. Regardless of the result,
At least one side is bringing something to the fight that can called a sure bet.
I don’t see many fans attempting to justify the 2nd round draft pick of a kicker
And those who do ..are as feeble in the attempts as bringing an unloaded gun to the gun fight. Afterwards, it’s just assigning different degrees of futility to a total disaster.
All that aside…yeah..Q over w.
Belief > reason.
March 10th, 2019 at 9:04 pm
JimmyJack … You’re absolutely right. The biggest problem spots are OLine & Secondary. And oh ya, the RB position group(at this moment we have ZERO RB starters under contract) & the LB position group (beyond LVD the cupboard is pretty bare). Unless of course we start cutting DLinemen to gain Cap $$$; then DLine position group becomes a problem spot too.
You’re also right that we’ve got the fountain of youth in our Secondary. Sure do hope that youth plays up to its’ presumed potential more this year than it did last year. And I don’t know about ‘billions’ invested in our OLine, but we do have a lot of $$$ tied up there. With no new players, exactly how much better do you expect them to perform this year than last year? I only ask that because our OLine was mediocre last year, especially when it came to run-blocking. Better coaching will surely help, but so would replacing our RG & RT.
March 10th, 2019 at 9:25 pm
I just read this article saying the Bucs have the lowest cap space and the highest amount of money spent on mediocre players.
It’s incredible how Jason Licht still has a job. He has completely botched everything.
March 10th, 2019 at 9:27 pm
DefenseRules we can pencil in one DL for a rookie. They say it’s three rounds deep for DL this year.
The OL really bothers me because we gave the last coach 3 years and he didn’t give us one OL player. Not one guard not one tackle or even a center. We have nothing & there’s no excuse.
I like our OL to play better this year cause we got a better HC.
March 10th, 2019 at 9:31 pm
Overall I don’t expect our offense to do too much more. They just need to keep moving the ball like they do but they have to convert more TDs.
If that happens it probably means we are rushing well……..But whatever it takes. Too many expectations for that side of the ball.
Our defense is a nother story.
March 10th, 2019 at 9:32 pm
Onward and upward, out of the NFCS Basement! The quickest way- clear the space to sign Le’Veon Bell. He’s Le’Veon 🔔 🐄!
March 10th, 2019 at 9:33 pm
My goal for the defense is 25th.
March 10th, 2019 at 10:35 pm
Absolutely. The only way to slow an offense down is to get after the quarterback. Not sure why people haven’t figured this out.
The Bucs have had one of the absolute best linebackers in Lavonte David and the pass defense is awful beyond words. And a stout defensive line will allow lesser linebackers to roam free.
March 10th, 2019 at 10:36 pm
Before I rip this roster again I want to see them with this coaching staff. Last year it was just so clear how bad that staff was. I mean playing off zone when we had press man corners, making our gap shooting linemen hold linemen while two gaping, putting the slower Hump back to return kicks while having DJax and Bobo on the roster, not committing to the run game reagardless of score, not holding anyone but the QB’s accountable and so on and so on. They flat sucked so you want to see these players hopefully with a staff that doesn’t suck.