The Giant Gamble
January 31st, 2021
Joe finally finished the research.
Not since the 2006 Colts has a team made the Super Bowl without a current or former Pro Bowl cornerback or safety on the roster.
Three-time Pro Bowler Antoine Bethea was a rookie on that Father Dungy team and had not yet earned the honor.
Of course, the Bucs are in that boat now with a crazy-young secondary.
Given the history and youth, Joe believes general manager Jason Licht and Bucco Bruce Arians rolling with the five young defensive backs in key roles was the biggest gamble of the Bucs’ all-in offseason.
Obviously, it worked out. All were drafted by the Bucs — Carlton Davis, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Jamel Dean, Jordan Whitehead and Antoine Winfield Jr., as was key backup Mike Edwards. That begs the question, when’s the last time a Super Bowl team fielded a secondary (3 cornerbacks and 2 safeties) comprised of homegrown draft picks??
Joe’s tipping a cap today to Licht and Arians not because Joe expects the young secondary to get burned against the Chiefs, but because it’s worth celebrating their decision regardless of how they fare next Sunday.
It was the right call.
January 31st, 2021 at 1:36 pm
& the Colts won that Super Bowl. So let’s do the same.
January 31st, 2021 at 1:37 pm
@Joe I think you are missing a word, perhaps Pro Bowl.
Thanks for the correction, guys, a few of you. –Joe
January 31st, 2021 at 1:40 pm
I would say we have at least two future Pro Bowlers, Carlton Davis and Antoine Winfield Jr.
January 31st, 2021 at 1:45 pm
Looks like the 2016 Falcons starting secondary were all home grown. 4 draft picks + unstaffed free agent that first signed with the Falcons. Then before that the 2013 Seahawks.
January 31st, 2021 at 2:04 pm
Joe your missing one important point. The 2006 SB QB’S were HOF Payton Manning versus Rex Grossman, not exactly Mahomes. More like apples & prunes versus apples to apples.
January 31st, 2021 at 2:42 pm
The 49ers of the 80s did well with their young gun secondary. Eric Wright, Ronnie Lott, Carlton Williamson drafted in one year alone. The Bucs flooded the zone with high picks, it made sense you were gonna get some talent out of it, especially since they got their growing pains out last year (and AW Jr studied his dad for 14 years). Heck, even VHIII and MJ Stewart played major minutes for their teams. That was always a bit of kvetching for you, Mr. Joe, this worrying about the youngsters. In the salary cap era you gotta have a chink…the Bucs just decided to gamble on talented youth for theirs.
January 31st, 2021 at 3:34 pm
Maybe the Legion of Boom if I’m not mistaken, someone correct me if I’m wrong
January 31st, 2021 at 3:51 pm
Joe your research is faulty. You forget the colts had 2005 pro bowl and all pro bob sanders on that defense. Many stated he was the heart and soul while freeny was the best player. Just saying
January 31st, 2021 at 4:36 pm
Webby, you good?
January 31st, 2021 at 4:40 pm
White plays like Sanders, that man could hit.
January 31st, 2021 at 5:17 pm
As long as you have one DB named Antoine, you’re good.
January 31st, 2021 at 8:13 pm
Winfield will be a Pro Bowler in the future, barring injury.
January 31st, 2021 at 8:49 pm
I’ll gamble with the Young Guns as the older leadership will steer them right. I mean hell, they have to practice against the GOAT every day, right?!!?