Bucs Need Shaq (And JPP) Sharp
June 4th, 2020
Fresh wheels needed
You take Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul off this roster, and it’d be the same ol’ Bucs defense as it has been since Bruce Almighty was in charge.
The Bucs would have absolutely no pass rush without Shaq and JPP. And Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com believes if Shaq, the NFL sack king, and JPP regress, the Bucs defense could collapse.
Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaq Barrett were an incredible duo once JPP was healthy last season. Barrett always flashed potential in Denver, but his ability to play at an All-Pro level again will help set the tone for this promising defense.
Joe’s readers will likely read the following often until training camp begins, whenever that may be. Shaq is important, but Joe believes JPP is more important.
Again, look at how the Saints and Panthers locked up Shaq in back-to-back weeks after he tore up the NFL in September, he vanished and there was no one to pick up the slack in the pass rush despite Shaq getting double- and triple-teamed.
JPP returned healthy the following Sunday and teams couldn’t focus solely on stopping Shaq. And Shaq blew up again with 10.5 sacks in his final 10 games.
Just like the Bucs offense must keep Brady on his two feet, Joe believes the Bucs must keep JPP fresh all year and hopefully into the playoffs.
For if JPP runs out of gas and offenses only need one player to slow him down, that’s terrible news for Shaq. And for the Bucs.
June 4th, 2020 at 9:20 am
Agreed. Which is why next offseason we need to strengthen that D line with Suh probably gone and JPP entering the final year of his contract. This year they just need to stay healthy. JPP, get a designated driver so you don’t bin it in your supercar again eh?
June 4th, 2020 at 9:22 am
Unless Anthony Nelson is going to be a solid rotational pass rusher who can contribute 6 to 8 sacks, this team likely lacks one more pass rusher to fill on when injuries happen. Clay Mathews would be a perfect fit and if Shaq gets signed to a long term contract giving cap relief this year, then Bucs would have money to give Mathews a decent 1 year contract @ $5-7 mil.
June 4th, 2020 at 9:28 am
JPP? I live by the mantra “don’t worry about a problem until it becomes one”.
June 4th, 2020 at 9:39 am
That’s exactly why I’ve been screaming for Licht to not rest on his laurels and to add another pass rusher!
June 4th, 2020 at 9:48 am
@ Waterboys
I am with you bud, Clay Mathews is exactly type of player we could use. Veteran rotational pass rusher.
June 4th, 2020 at 10:19 am
Joe’s given up that fight. It’s like hollering for the sun to set in the east. That isn’t going to happen.
June 4th, 2020 at 11:04 am
I think they have a lot of faith on Nelson, is the only explanation I find…..But teams will be prepared for those two guys, that´s gonna happen….So probably that´s a good chance fro VEa or Gohlston, even some guys from the back…..
June 4th, 2020 at 11:17 am
When teams make their cut down to 53, Licht usually picks up a few good players. I believe that is how we got Carl Nassib. As for Nelson, he is a slitting image of Nassib, 6-7, 275 lbs. He ran a 6.95 three-cone drill and a 4.23 20-yard shuffle in last year’s combine. Incredible for a defensive linemen. Perhaps between Nelson and Nunez-Roches licht feels like we have decent backups.
June 4th, 2020 at 5:49 pm
The same thing could be said of every other team in the league, and there is no magical tree to go pick a great player from.
If any of the players that had a great season last year does not keep it going into next year, it is a terrible blow to their team. Injuries and anomalies happen though.
(We gonna keep Beckwith on the roster?)
I’ve seen Nelson play about as much as I saw Mathews last year… which ain’t a lot obviously. But I guess I could see it working, a pass catching RB veteran free agent would make more sense to me though.
I could see a S coming in as well, but it seems the coaching staff is sticking with the young guys. Maybe if they cut Justin Evans they might look for a vet…
June 4th, 2020 at 6:33 pm
No Brainer 👍🏻 Waterboy !!