Playing Poker With DL
February 24th, 2020
Trade target?
What was there not to like about how Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles transformed the Bucs defense from laughing stock to one of the best in the NFL. One player who made that happen was Ndamukong Suh.
The veteran defensive lineman may not have gotten many sacks but he was a total force inside and was a key reason why the Bucs became the best run defense in the NFL.
However, Suh is a free agent. And sadly, Joe doesn’t think it is a stretch to envision one of the Bucs’ Big Three defensive free agents (Shaq Barrett, Jason Pierre-Paul and Suh) not here this fall.
So why not be proactive and perhaps get a younger version of Suh?
Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones is a free agent and the Chiefs don’t have much salary cap room. There is a lot of speculation the Chiefs would tag-and-trade Jones, which is what they did last year with Dee Ford.
And in looking at potential landing spots for Jones, Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report ID’ed the Bucs as a candidate.
One thing is for sure: Head coach Bruce Arians wants to make defense a priority this offseason. “I don’t care who’s my quarterback. We’ve gotta have a defense,” Arians said, per ESPN’s Jenna Laine.
Jones should be a prime target for the Buccaneers, but adding him probably won’t be the team’s biggest goal. It will likely first look to lock up edge-rusher Shaquil Barrett, who had a league-high 19.5 sacks in 2019.
After securing Barrett, though, Tampa could zero in on Jones—likely to play end in Todd Bowles’ 3-4 base scheme. Though they will play the Chiefs in 2020, the Buccaneers could be viewed as a tag-and-trade option since they reside in the NFC.
Yeah, Joe agrees that it is unlikely the Chiefs would trade Jones within the AFC.
This isn’t a new revelation. Joe wrote about this earlier and also noted how long-time Chiefs beat guy Adam Teicher of BSPN said he could easily see the Chiefs tag-and-trade Jones.
Suh is 33. No spring chicken. Jones will turn 26 this summer. Jones would be an investment for the future.
Yes, Joe hopes Suh stays. But you know what Joe says about banking on hope. Banking on hope is one major reason the Bucs are the Bucs.
February 24th, 2020 at 12:22 am
If we dont bring Suh back (retirement, not enough $$) then this is probably our best option…but he’s gonna cost more $$
February 24th, 2020 at 12:31 am
Suh is statistically average. He’s replaceable. Shaq and JPP aren’t
February 24th, 2020 at 12:47 am
Draft marlon davidson….de and dt.
February 24th, 2020 at 1:12 am
Nope.
February 24th, 2020 at 2:01 am
Suh is the best thing to happen to this team since Sapp.
A real man on th D line changed everything
Stop taking him for granted bucsfan
February 24th, 2020 at 2:10 am
Todd Bowles did not make the defense one of the best in the NFL.
February 24th, 2020 at 2:58 am
MMITW: some statements made here are nonsensical !!!
February 24th, 2020 at 3:37 am
It’s called the draft Joe, because you know nothing about the prospects you go all in on trading for expensive guys and any free agent with a pulse. Get with it man seriously because he can be replaced on the cheap with a better player. Why do you make things up? Free agency shapes the draft every year. This year it will more than most for the Bucs –Joe Every year lately you go in on some average chiefs player last year it was dee Ford because of that one year with 13 sacks and wouldn’t you know it ends up with 6.5 sacks, that’s Geraldine production which cam be had in the draft
February 24th, 2020 at 4:22 am
Clean House
exactly
February 24th, 2020 at 4:35 am
You can get suh for 5- 6 million
February 24th, 2020 at 4:51 am
Why trade for him when L. Williams is an UFA. He LOVES Bowles and is the same age, and has also played in this system.
February 24th, 2020 at 6:00 am
Clean House … Thank you; good to see someone ‘gets it’. Suh is a BEAST on our DLine. Yes he’s 33, but he plays like he’s at least 5 years younger, and that’s all that’s important. IMO he should be one of the first ones re-signed. Lets the other FAs know that we’re serious about ‘building a wall’ and also lets us know if Suh is contemplating retirement. Personally I’d offer him a 2-year contract at $10 mil a year, both guaranteed.
February 24th, 2020 at 6:11 am
Clean House, right on. All you have to do is look at Aaron Donald’s drop in production after Suh left, he makes those around him better by doing the dirty work.
Also if we’re not able to afford Barrett, Suh, JPP how the hell could we afford Barrett, JPP and Chris Jones?
February 24th, 2020 at 6:53 am
I’d hate to lose Suh. Bet he has two real good years left. Don’t remember him being injured much during his career. He’s a rock in the middle you can count on. Keep the band together on defense, I don’t care who my QB is.
February 24th, 2020 at 7:14 am
If you sign Jones, Barrett and Winston thats at least 65 mil does not seem feasible.
February 24th, 2020 at 7:34 am
well said Joe….but leave my boy alone
February 24th, 2020 at 7:48 am
Stop it just stop it not gonna happen
February 24th, 2020 at 8:27 am
Suh is the only defensive player since sapp left that can actually make those around him better simple as that. You people are so desperate… bucs defense played decent about half the season and were embarrassing the other half. Judging this defense as fixed or anything but a work in progress would be typical low standard bucfan. Barrett is just as likely to be swaggy baker or cancer93 after signing any deal. There is no track record of sucess outside of suh on the entire defense….
February 24th, 2020 at 8:30 am
Sorry i left off jpp who successfully blew off half of a hand and missed another half the season working on driving skills…. you people are clueless and setting yourselves up for the yearly Glazer sponsored nut punches
February 24th, 2020 at 8:33 am
I think they will keep Suh, Barrett, and JPP and let Nassib go because they have Nelson and Gholston. Gholston played really well versus the run last year.
February 24th, 2020 at 9:23 am
Clean House:
Helluv good point.
February 24th, 2020 at 10:24 am
westernbuc Says:
I’m sorry, but only a complete football moron judges inside DL with statistics.
I love line play. I watch “coaches film” after every Bucs game just to watch line play. Suh was a massive force inside, constantly taking on two OL and holding his ground or winning the vast majority of the time. Same with Vea.
The number of NFL teams with an equal force inside their DL can be counted on one hand with fingers left over.
IMO, the REASON the Bucs pass rush came alive, the reason Barrett and JPP were monsters, the reason Nassib was effective is because of the havoc Vea, Suh, Allen and Nunez-Roches caused inside. It was a beauty to behold, easily equalling the interior DL’s of the Sapp days.
IMO, losing Suh would be tragic unless the Bucs draft one of those bada$$ DT’s at #14…and then it would take some time to get up to NFL effectiveness.
I would sign all the DL FA’s before I’d sign America’s Turnover Machine.
February 24th, 2020 at 10:25 am
I left out Gholston in the ^^^above^^^ post. He was outstanding last season because he was not required to be a pass rusher in a 3-4 as opposed to past seasons.
February 24th, 2020 at 10:47 am
Denver radio guys think there is no way Chris Jones is allowed out of KC but who knows. Interesting how people have such different takes on what is realistic or not when it comes to FA possibilities.
February 24th, 2020 at 11:14 am
Please watch the tape on Jones before we go comparing him to Suh. The dude cannot play the run to save his life. That’s why the Chiefs are willing to let him go. He is basically a more expensive better pass rushing version of GMC.