Predicting Bucs Direction
February 24th, 2020
Albert Breer.
No, this isn’t about red vs. orange vs. (God help us all) black.
This is about the future of the Bucs as in the players on the field, and what direction the team may go in what players to put on the field come April.
SI.com NFL insider Albert Breer gave a look at one position he believes each team will address or beef up on in the draft.
The Bucs, Breer believes, will address the secondary, specifically one position.
Buccaneers: Cornerback. Quarterback might seem the obvious one. But the Bucs have had a number of swings and misses on corners over the last few years—Vernon Hargreaves being the most prominent—so it wouldn’t be a stunner to see the team look at someone like LSU’s Kristian Fulton in the middle of the first round.
Now this seems strange as hell to Joe. After the Bucs tossed cornerback Vernon Hargreaves into the Bay, the defense got dramatically better at corner.
For example, Carlton Davis was second in the NFL in passes defensed with 19. Jamel Dean, a rookie, was tied for fourth in the NFL in passes defensed with 17, and he only started five games. All Sean Murphy-Bunting did was make plays.
Is this just a case of Boston-based Breer just not paying that close of attention to the Bucs? Joe isn’t sure and this is why:
Breer is one of the most plugged-in NFL reporters out there. He does his homework. Joe rarely if ever reads Breer throwing out something that is total BS.
Could it be Breer has been tipped off, even second- or third-hand, that internally the Bucs are not that happy with their corners so they plan to add one or two more early in the draft?
It makes Joe wonder. Because on the surface, it seems drafting a corner would be a luxury pick.
Now safety is another matter.
February 24th, 2020 at 1:01 pm
The bucs took a couple DBs last year and of course passed on a legit starter from LSU in Greedy Williams in 2nd round but jason licht is gonna jason licht; how is he still an NFL GM?
February 24th, 2020 at 1:05 pm
^^ I honestly like our young CB’s ALOT more than Greedy Williams.
February 24th, 2020 at 1:05 pm
Yes to the secondary, no to a corner. Safety, either Delpit or McKinney. The second line of the secondary needs one of them.
February 24th, 2020 at 1:07 pm
You need at least 4 good corners in this league. Even if we think the 1st three are fine. Who is the 4th? 3 are on the field 75% of the plays. The chance one being injured and out of games is huge. It happens to every team.
I don’t want that to be Ryan Smith or MJ Stewart.
Whether we get one in the 1st round, a later round, or free agency – we need a 4th corner more than we need a 4th defensive tackle.
I am not saying you don’t need a 4th defensive tackle. It is just that the 4th defensive tackle on your team is much less exposed over a 16 game season than a typical 4th corner.
By the way, if we model after the New England Patriots who run a 3-4 defense, they draft corner backs every year in the early rounds. Many more picks on corners than Edge Rushers or Offensive Lineman.
February 24th, 2020 at 1:14 pm
Greedy Williams was worse than Sean Murphy Bunting / Jamel Dean by every metric I saw and per PFF grades…
Greedy – 2 passes defended
SMB – 8 passes defended / 3 intereceptions
Dean – 17 passes defended / 2 interceptions
February 24th, 2020 at 1:15 pm
New England took Williams from Vanderbilt over Greedy Williams and New England has the best corner back play in the league – year in and year out.
3 other teams besides New England and Tampa also passed on Greedy Williams in the 2nd round.
Not saying that Greedy Williams can’t be a solid starter in this league. However, plenty of other teams saw at least some issues with Greedy not to take him.
February 24th, 2020 at 1:17 pm
moderation
February 24th, 2020 at 1:17 pm
they have young players developing in the secondary…no way this happens…both lines need bodies and one big frickin hole at the QB position!
February 24th, 2020 at 1:24 pm
Too many examples of media nor knowing what the hell they are talking about and it’s posted here daily. NFL offseason is a miserable time of year to look for football news but I punish myself all day everyday for some reason. Guess that’s the life of a fan, if were were a perennial playoff team I wouldn’t even worry about offseason and those are the days I miss when it didnt matter until preseason
February 24th, 2020 at 1:25 pm
LordCornelius Says:
“Greedy Williams was worse than Sean Murphy Bunting / Jamel Dean by every metric I saw and per PFF grades…
Greedy – 2 passes defended
SMB – 8 passes defended / 3 intereceptions
Dean – 17 passes defended / 2 interceptions”
~~~~~~~~~
Not to mention that Greedy wants NO PART of tackling anyone.
Kermit the Frog is more physical.
I am quite happy with our young CB’s.
February 24th, 2020 at 1:29 pm
LOL MF’S just know ppl by name. Greedy Williams? Really?! I’ve had enough of these arm chair GM’s. Clear as day that most ppl that comment on here don’t know what they are watching when they turn on the TV. Get back to playing madden they should have a new update ready for the off season
February 24th, 2020 at 1:31 pm
We have to go DLine in the 1st or maybe an Oline but have to invest in the trenches.
February 24th, 2020 at 1:45 pm
We have much more need than a corner……..Probably is the only one who maybe again,MAYBE, we can add a veteran on the open market……We need OL, DL, Safety, QB and RB……
February 24th, 2020 at 1:50 pm
Ace Says:
“Clear as day that most ppl that comment on here don’t know what they are watching when they turn on the TV.”
—
Why don’t you enlighten us, Mr. NFL GM?
February 24th, 2020 at 1:52 pm
Greedy Williams was getting blasted for not tackling!!!!!!
He was terrible.
February 24th, 2020 at 1:59 pm
Another ignorant Talking Head.
I hate this time of year: Idiots pretending to be insiders getting played by GM’s Liars Poker.
Nobody knows squat until the pre-FA dinner bell. FA shapes the draft, period.
February 24th, 2020 at 2:04 pm
Outside of QB – which will have priority adjusted depending on JW3’s situation…FO should only focus on OL / DL 1st 2 days of draft – if JW3 is back.
RT / IDL / Edge need to be taken care of (day 1&2), w/ WR/ RB / S / IOL on day3.
There’s S & CB help to be had in FA…(Depth pieces are needed more so than Starters)
February 24th, 2020 at 2:15 pm
Protect the passer, help the offense with an OT. Help the young secondary with a better pass rush by drafting D linemen. I’d bring in a vet corner, and safety for an already young group. Time to bolster both lines. We’ve put enough draft capital in the secondary the last two years.
February 24th, 2020 at 2:30 pm
After Rnd3, if a CB is BPA, take him.
February 24th, 2020 at 2:31 pm
Yes Joe just another (this time esteemed and supposedly knowledgable) take on the Bucs without having a clue as to their personnel. Yes we whiffed on Hargreaves and struck gold with Dean, Murphy-Bunting and Davis. Albert Greer is obviously no John Clayton as I will be shocked and mortified if we draft a corner in the first round this year. Wow incompetence at the highest level of journalism yikes!!!!!
February 24th, 2020 at 2:37 pm
No to CB, yes to safety. BUT, I think every single fan on this site would agree that we have more pressing needs to address like OL, DL, and RB. Don’t jump on me for saying it but, they better draft a QB too. Anybody seen our roster lately? Jameis and who?!
February 24th, 2020 at 2:39 pm
Greedy did not have a good year..
SMB & Dean blew him away.. Greedy is overrated
February 24th, 2020 at 2:46 pm
pure stupidity, does he even know the bucs?
needs are LT, Safety, DE and/or Rusher (JPP aint getting younger) and then BPA
and a QB in FA
preferably B-R-A-D-Y, trade ME for cap room and put sign Perriman
February 24th, 2020 at 2:47 pm
this might be the 1st post where everyone agrees. lol
(at least agrees he’s wrong)
February 24th, 2020 at 3:03 pm
O-Line/D-Line or bust. Also, Creamsicles or bust, though that’s just me.
February 24th, 2020 at 3:20 pm
O-Line/D-Line or bust. Also, Creamsicles or bust, though that’s just me.
February 24th, 2020 at 3:41 pm
Corner would not be such a dire need if Jameis was not turning the ball over so often 🙂
February 24th, 2020 at 3:49 pm
Sorry Joe. I couldn’t even finish the article when I saw him having us take a CB in the first round. Dude doesn’t watch Bucs games, he just parrots BS he read from another clueless writer. SMDH
February 24th, 2020 at 3:52 pm
I don’t think the Bucs need to draft another corner.
However, I wouldn’t mind seeing them sign a veteren DB in free agency to help the young guys along
February 24th, 2020 at 3:56 pm
Tampa Bay Demon Says:
February 24th, 2020 at 1:05 pm
^^ I honestly like our young CB’s ALOT more than Greedy Williams.
…………
THIS^^^^^^
Carlton Davis was 3rd in the league in Passes defended and Jamal Dean was 5th.
Greedy Williams wasn’t even on the FLIPPIN CHART and it went up to #76
SMDH again
February 24th, 2020 at 4:36 pm
The problem with our corners is depth! Who is the next man up if SMB goes down early in the season? I would not necessarily throw a first round pick at depth, however. Way better options than CB at #14
February 24th, 2020 at 5:14 pm
Safety/DB should be addressed in free agency. We already have plenty of young secondary players. Pittsburgh is in the negative in cap space, they have a good safety and very good cornerback that should be available at a good price along with a young right tackle. Jason Licht open your eyes.
February 24th, 2020 at 6:43 pm
Sean Murphy Bunting was better than Greedy Williams.
February 24th, 2020 at 7:17 pm
Being able to put pressure on the QB without sending the whole front 7 is the best secondary help you can get
February 24th, 2020 at 7:30 pm
So funny. “The bucs passed on a legitimate starter in Greedy Williams.” Did you even watch football last year? Greedy was injured most of the season and while he didn’t poop himself, he wasn’t good. Meanwhile, here in our own backyard SMB was voted rookie CB of the year by the AP and Jamel Dean won the same distinction by multiple sources. Greedy on the other hand won jack shiz. If you don’t know a thing about football, don’t comment.
February 24th, 2020 at 8:07 pm
If we want a top 15 pick again, then go ahead and pick a cornerback. That would be a dumb decision. Breer is a moron for even suggesting CB. I’ll go on record that he just doesn’t know this team and didn’t bother to do any homework. The pick is D Line or O Line and it should be a no-brainer.
February 24th, 2020 at 8:28 pm
Cmurda, I think you’re correct with the bucs pick but Breer is usually pretty knowledgeable. He may have put out this article before he did his research. I don’t know
February 24th, 2020 at 10:27 pm
Barring something very unfortunate happening with Davis, Dean or SMB between now and draft day there is zero chance we go CB in the first. Definitely a case of not paying attention to our team and talking out of his arse.
February 25th, 2020 at 12:49 am
Grant Delpit would be my pick at 14 if he’s there. Big strong fast winner with skills. If the Bucs don’t draft him they’ll wsj they did.
February 25th, 2020 at 8:29 am
Another example of a guy not doing his work. Breer usually is a worker but this time of year maybe everyone lives on going through other people’s articles?
February 25th, 2020 at 5:16 pm
we need to reclaim the oarnge before some other team poaches it