Azeez Ojulari And The Bucs (Again)
October 17th, 2024
Help wanted at outside linebacker.
Over at BSPN, good guy Jeremy Fowler looked at players who may get traded to contending teams. An interesting name popped up for the Bucs.
While Joe is fixated on edge rusher Haason Reddick, many in the NFL world are connecting dots that Reddick is heading to Motown in the wake of Aidan Hutchinson’s season-ending broken leg.
Seems reasonable.
Fowler, however, isn’t certain the Jets will even trade the rights for Reddick, despite giving Reddick’s new agent, oily Drew Rosenhaus, permission to find a suitor.
Joe understands the following statement may shock you, but the Bucs need an edge rusher.
Fowler thinks another edge rusher teams may be looking at is Giants outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari, who may be expendable on a team likely looking to stock up on draft picks.
Tyler Sullivan of CBS believes it makes way too much common sense for the Bucs to go out and pull in Ojulari.
With Brian Burns and, when healthy, Kayvon Thibodeaux being the pillars of New York’s pass rush, Ojulari is expendable as he plays on the final year of his rookie contract. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers could use an extra pass rusher, and Ojulari has three sacks and four quarterback hits through six games this season.
Don’t think three sacks is good enough? Well, Ojulari, who Joe wrote about last month, has three times as many sacks as the Bucs’ starting outside linebackers.
The Bucs just played their sixth game of the season. A third of the season is already gone and the Bucs’ two starting outside linebackers are on pace for three sacks each this season.
Please don’t get mad at Joe for pointing this out. Joe isn’t the one who somehow thinks this is OK production for a team Joe assumes has a goal of winning a Super Bowl.
October 17th, 2024 at 7:12 am
Azeez! Light!
October 17th, 2024 at 7:26 am
Greg Newsome II (CB from the Browns) has been linked to the Bucs. We have 17 team QB sacks so far (top third among defenses in the NFL), but yes, pass rush is a higher priority. We want the opposing QBs to go down and go down hard.
October 17th, 2024 at 7:33 am
IF we can afford and they are willing participants, we should definitely go after Reddick or Ojulari. They would complement the existing cast nicely, and if they play true to form would make our defense dominant. What’s the paridgym? Defense wins Super Bowls.
October 17th, 2024 at 7:37 am
There’s a guy from JAX also, they may do a fire sale soon
October 17th, 2024 at 7:37 am
Bucs need an ILB that can cover more than an OLB. Teams have exposed KJ Britt in passing game at an alarming rate,
October 17th, 2024 at 7:40 am
Sorry Joe, but OLB in Bowles intricate system is so incredibly complex and hard to learn that only a certified genius is capable of picking it up right away. So Licht has just announced that he is trading for Stephen Hawking. Yes, he had advanced ALS, and yes, he passed away, but unfortunately he remains the only possible option.
October 17th, 2024 at 7:42 am
This would be a good trade, he would not cost that much
October 17th, 2024 at 7:46 am
Haason Reddick? When was the last time he even played? Dude’s 30 years old. He’s in his 50’s in football age. He’s what – 6 maybe 7 games away from game shape? Pass- save the draft pick(s) so JL can work his mojo.
October 17th, 2024 at 7:55 am
I always liked him as a pass rusher. He’s had some injury issues since his rookie season but he’s been healthy this year and he is only 24. Go for it.
October 17th, 2024 at 7:57 am
Oddball:
What is The Fifth Element for $1000.
October 17th, 2024 at 8:00 am
If we trade for anybody it should be for Max Crosby. IDC if it’s a first and a little extra, he’d be worth it
October 17th, 2024 at 8:23 am
No way the Raiders trade Crosby, literally zero chance.
Reddick is not getting traded to the NFC unless it’s huge compensation. Jets would have to give the Eagles a 2nd round pick if they retrade him to the NFC.
Bucs are going to roll with who they have.
Young dudes need to step the **** up!
October 17th, 2024 at 8:24 am
@Mr. Editor isn’t Newsome a slot CB?
October 17th, 2024 at 8:26 am
Trey Hendrickson from the Bengals always destroyed Donovan Smith when he was a Saint..
Would be nice if the Bengals would let him go..
October 17th, 2024 at 8:34 am
Joe, as you know you have been spot on with this. We have a count down, sort of, as to when this deficiency is going to bite us in the a$$. All we need is someone to break lose and start disrupting the backfield so that our other studs can bury him. Keep on this Joe, I think the powers are listening.
October 17th, 2024 at 8:38 am
If the Jets send Riddick to an NFC team the 3rd rounder owed to the Eagles becomes a 2nd rounder.
October 17th, 2024 at 8:51 am
” Please don’t get mad a Joe for pointing this out.”
When has Joe worried about readers getting mad at him? This seems more feasible than Reddick
October 17th, 2024 at 8:56 am
The comedian?!!!
October 17th, 2024 at 9:00 am
Joe: Unfortunately you’re not going to get sacks from the outside linebackers this week because they will be in contain mode. However, our gut boys will get 5 sacks because Lamar will not be able to escape the pocket
October 17th, 2024 at 9:00 am
Really doubt it too. Just yesterday Crosby said he wanted to stay.
October 17th, 2024 at 9:15 am
I’m more concerned about ME13 getting his leg healed than I am the D. I only pay attention to Tampa so I don’t know much about the other teams. Here, no comment here.
October 17th, 2024 at 9:15 am
*Hence. I really need to wake up.
October 17th, 2024 at 9:15 am
ocala … ‘Bucs need an ILB that can cover more than an OLB. Teams have exposed KJ Britt in passing game at an alarming rate’.
I agree 100% with you Ocala, although I’m sure that Joe wouldn’t because it’s only about sacks. Bucs have been very consistent during Bowles tenure as our DC in the number of sacks they’ve gotten (ranging from 45-48 per year). This year we’re on-track to get, yup, 48 sacks. Like IrishMist said, it’s an ‘intricate system’, very ‘complex and hard to learn’.
Personally I think it’s largely because of what he asks the OLBs to do (focusing more on run defense & pass defense than on pass rush). Bucs do a lot of blitzing, but it comes from all over (and not that much from our OLBs).
What’s long fascinated me though is that the year that Shaq got 19.5 sacks (2019), he blitzed 174 times in 16 games (that’s an incredible amount of blitzing for any 1 player). It paid off for him, but the Bucs as a team STILL only got 47 sacks. And oh ya, our record sucked (7-9). We had the #1 run defense but the #29 pass defense.
Bowles adjusted, and in 2020 Shaq blitzed a lot less (the team blitzed less too). He ended up with fewer sacks (8) but some others got more and the Bucs as a team ended 2020 with, tada, 48 sacks. And oh ya, a MUCH BETTER RECORD (11-5) and a SB victory. We still had the #1 run defense, but our pass defense rose to a more respectable #21 ranking. And in the process, our OLBs’ PDs went from 4 in 2019 to 10 in 2020. Coincidence? Nah (Joe doesn’t believe in coincidences either).
October 17th, 2024 at 9:16 am
Jose, you are welcome to point out anything you want on your personal website. For example, you are welcome to note that Ya Ya has been a big No No this season.
October 17th, 2024 at 9:38 am
As long as the team as a whole is producing sacks, that’s all that should matter. I’m not sure why you’re so stuck on one individual getting sacks. I don’t care who gets the sacks, as long as we get the W.
October 17th, 2024 at 9:52 am
Oddball Says:
October 17th, 2024 at 7:12 am
Azeez! Light!
BRILLIANT!! LMAO!!
October 17th, 2024 at 10:18 am
Browns need draft picks and Za’Darius Smith should be available.
October 17th, 2024 at 10:22 am
Joe, I’d love an edge rusher. I want sacks as much as you do, it’s just not happening. I honestly cannot believe it will. It’s been 5 years with him and especially since last year, he consistently gets 40 plus without a stud pass rusher. I mean he has edge guys dropping into coverage, frustratingly, more often than not. I’d say we need to focus on the middle so that we can force the qb to be near our young guys to “hopefully” make the sack. Plus a free agent takes valuable opportunities from our young team.
October 17th, 2024 at 10:43 am
can’t rely on Dennis coming back this year. i like britt, but a stud alongside David (and an insurance policy for an injury to David) would really really help us over the middle in coverage. we could use a special teams stud too. maybe those two things could be solved with just one guy?
October 17th, 2024 at 10:45 am
Offer the Raiders our #1 Pick next year for Maxx Crosby.
October 17th, 2024 at 10:46 am
Give the Raiders an offer they can’t refuse for Crosby. They’re rebuilding.
October 17th, 2024 at 10:47 am
” Pass- save the draft pick(s) so JL can work his mojo.”..Lt. Dan
Every deal has OK/pass decision. But I am trying to remember when Licht used any MOJO is drafting edge rusher. Was it JTS or the “almost ready” Daquon Bowers. They sure worked out well.
I watch Nick Bosa every week and cannot recall any time he is asked to drop into coverage. I realize the 49rs play a different system. I’ll take their system over any system that has JTS in coverage.
October 17th, 2024 at 10:58 am
Irish..
Hawking does have a better 40 time..
October 17th, 2024 at 10:59 am
I don’t mind the OLBs dropping. When was the last time you saw a dig route against Tampa. How about a quick slant? Bowles does a good job of taking those away allowing CBs to use the sideline to their advantage. The problem is deeper center of the field. KJ Britt is just not fast enough to bite on PA and then get deep enough to cover. David has lost some speed with age.
A true shutdown CB like Jalen Ramsey would also go a long way.
At this point Ya Ya gets pressure but the ball is out too quick to get all the way home. I am convinced we need to upgrade CB and ILB first.
Probably your 1st 2 draft picks next year IMO. Maybe TE sneaks in there.
October 17th, 2024 at 11:00 am
Bowles likes optionality.
He saw the greatest defensive player ever, LT. Set tge edge but also cover and stop the run.
I even named our dog after LT.
It’s hard to find an LT.
Mccabts for example, Broderick Thomas, he’ll, nowles used his top ick he ever had on 45, he wasn’t it either.
Dungy gave up and used the cover 2 instead with sapp dominating the middle.
Knockoffs are the only choice, we will never have one available in the draft. We took a guy that played for lts coach saban, but he’s not LT either.
Painful reality. I just don’t buy joe knows how to accomplish his goal. Yes he’s right, but no one is stupid enough to let that kind of talent slip away.
October 17th, 2024 at 12:01 pm
In his last year of a contract… You don’t give up more than a 7th round pick unless you have a very strong sense that he’s a guy you can sign to an extension beyond this year.
I still think they’re not desperate (although fans and “journalists” may be) for acquiring outside help. They have YaYa, whose time is coming, and Braswell seems to be growing into it… You don’t push your young guys to the bench for short term answers. That said, if they like the player and see him as a culture fit, maybe… Still, they’re 4-2 and I don’t think they’re feeling desperate.
October 17th, 2024 at 12:08 pm
Go get Maxx Crosby!
October 17th, 2024 at 12:25 pm
lol @ oddball. That’s where I know that name from!
October 17th, 2024 at 1:03 pm
When Davis askes Brady “should we let Crosby go” Brady will say,, are you out of your >\*|€|€|€|€|!| mind!!! Now Haslem on Miles Garrett may say,,, why not
October 17th, 2024 at 1:34 pm
@. Dewey Selmon… is that true? There is a condition on that trade to try and keep him out of the NFC?
Anyway, the idea of someone like Ojulari, on the last year of his deal is great to me. Use what cap space we can afford the rest of this season and not be tied to big money for 2025 unless they earn it in the 10-14 games for us.
If the Cowboys continue sucking, which I pray happens, Demarcus Lawrence is last year of deal, I know he’s not currently healthy.
I would be very happy to get a star edge like Garrett or Crosby but I am also very excited about the upcoming seasons where we gain cap space and hopefully continue drafting well. Win these next 2 games and I will be much more comfortable mortgaging the future making a big swing this season.
October 17th, 2024 at 2:13 pm
The last pass rusher Jason got from the Giants was pretty good.
October 17th, 2024 at 2:50 pm
miles garrett is the name imho
and only if baker is okay with it
October 17th, 2024 at 3:07 pm
The Browns are imploding….they need draft picks going forward. A name worth remembering is Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. He’s only 24….pro bowler last year….has gotten better each year and is under contract for 3 years….37.5 million…20 million guaranteed. You don’t hear a lot about him but he’s a beast all over the field and hasn’t met a hard hit he didn’t like…..and has 4.4 speed.