Until Further Notice
February 13th, 2025
Taking the next step.
Some NFL observers and maybe a few Bucs fans would take the following comment as an insult if not a swipe.
It’s not meant to be and is actually better than the alternative (yeah, Joe is looking right at the slimy Saints, the Dixie Chicks and the Stinking Panthers).
What is this observation?
“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have proven to be the class of the NFC South.”
That’s what Frank Schwab of Yahoo! Sports typed about the Bucs in his offseason analysis. And that’s not a bad thing, but who the hell has a goal of being the pit bull of the worst litter in the league when you step out of that division and turn into a cuddly lab?
Joe guesses the folks at One Buc Palace want to be that angry Doberman of the NFL like the Eagles just became. The Bucs have some elements that mirror the Eagles but not enough.
Schwab notes the Bucs have a strong core.
So, how do the Bucs grow from a pit bull of a bad litter (NFC South) to the big dawg of the NFL?
The Bucs need an edge rusher worse than Joe needs a cold beer on a July Florida afternoon. This is just absolutely glaring.
And depending on Lavonte David’s decision to continue or end his career, the Bucs may have two starting holes at inside linebacker.
Unless the Bucs think Jamel Dean can stay on the field in December, January and February and Jordan Whitehead just had a fluke bad season, then you’re looking at two starting positions in the secondary in need of an upgrade.
Yes, the Bucs have a core of a good team. But that defense, especially at its most important position (edge rush), boy oh boy do the Bucs need upgrades if they want to dethrone the Eagles.
It’s not an impossible task.
In 2023, the Bucs mopped the floor with the Eagles in the playoffs. The Bucs aren’t that far away, so long as they are aggressive next month. They cannot be satisfied with just winning the NFC South.
February 13th, 2025 at 4:36 am
@Joe
Did you know last year we were not in the top 40% in cap space for any position group other than two? WR makes sense as we had 2x$20 mill+ players (3rd overall). But the other was DB at 4th overall (out of 32). How did we have such p!ss poor defense against the pass with that much money invested. Oh, and joe, we were almost dead last in LB pay (30th). Why not spend some of that secondary money on an OLB that can rush the passer?
February 13th, 2025 at 5:00 am
Joe … ‘So, how do the Bucs grow from a pit bull of a bad litter (NFC South) to the big dawg of the NFL? Way too many holes on defense. There’s a hole on each level of the defense. In some cases more than one.’
Fabulous analysis Joe. No way we can ‘fix it’ with just the 2025 draft, but with a couple of quality FA signings, I’m convinced we could put together a defense that’d move back into the Top-10 rankings this season (assuming a quality draft).
Free agent priorities: Bucs priority #1 must be to re-sign certain of our own defensive players: LVD, Gaines, Nelson, JTS, Shaq, Britt, Russell. Need to be aggressive early though in FA if we expect to get the cream of the crop in the following positions:
1 – ILB (need someone to ‘man the middle’ ASSUMING LVD can give us 1 more year). As of right now I like Cody Barton (Denver) as the leading candidate (6’2, 237 lbs, 28 years old).
2 – DT (in addition to re-signing Greg Gaines). Adding this DT would be analagous to when we had Suh to complement Vea back in 2019-2021 (along with RNR); allowed us to get consistent pressure up the middle and play the run very effectively. As of right now I like Javon Kinlaw (NY Jets) as the leading candidate (6’5″, 315 lbs, 27 years old).
Seriously doubt that JL & TB will sign an expensive FA Edge rusher this year. By beefing up the middle of our DLine even more, I think Todd will be satisfied to go with Diaby, Braswell, plus Nelson & JTS (I think we’ll re-sign both assuming price works out).
Draft priorities: We’ve gotta fix the Secondary as a priority, and that means drafting a starter-quality CB in Rnd 1. I’d then take an ILB and a DE/Edge in Rnds 2 & 3, followed by a Safety in Rnd 4. Then Rnds 5-7 could go to Best Players Available at any positions (might even include a Punter in there).
February 13th, 2025 at 5:16 am
Defense Rules: I agree with a lot you say, but I think the Bucs HAVE TO improve at Edge significantly. If not, the JBF Joe who is like me and loves a fierce pass rush might lose it.
It would’ve been nice to see more of Braswell last year, to give him some more game experience. I don’t see why the Bucs would have any interest in resigning JTS.
February 13th, 2025 at 5:40 am
Joe in Michigan … JTS regressed considerably in 2024, but it’s hard to know if that’s because of his lack of talent/motivation or simply how he was being used. Diaby regressed too, and Braswell only had a meh year, even for a rookie. Even Nelson (4 sacks) didn’t show much. Are they all just meh players or does it have more to do with how they’re being used?
I keep wondering how these particular OLBs would perform if they were allowed to play the more traditional DE/OLB roles. Could we get more consistent pressure by rushing 4-5 regularly and blitzing less frequently if we upgraded talent?
I think the middle of the DLine is the key. Vea (7 sacks), Kancey (7.5 sacks) & Hall (5.5 sacks) did quite well, but the rest (Gaines, Gholston, Brewer, Greene) only contributed 4 sacks among them. Add another power DT to rotate in with Vea, and those 4 should be able to keep consistent pressure on.
February 13th, 2025 at 6:03 am
Defense Rules: You have a point, the Edges were dropped into coverage about 25% of the time (from what I’ve heard), so that’s part of it. Honestly though, I think we’ve seen enough of JTS to wonder if he deserves any playing time.
February 13th, 2025 at 6:37 am
Could one of our crack researchers find how the Divsions have ranked in Post Season play and combined win % the past five years.
I’m growing very weary about the “stinking NFC South”. Recall the year the Bucs won the SB they were SECOND in the stinking south.
Another tidbit…since 2004 only ONE top seed won the SB and only ONE 2nd seed has won. Consider that for a minute when all the yammering about “strength of schedule” and “weak division” crap intensifies.
Last season the Panthers hit a losing streak that began with THREE POINT loss to the defending SB champs and runners up this year, KC. They then lost another by THREE points to the Bucs and a SIX point loss to Philadelphia.
Strenth of schedule and “weakest division” yammering are just that…as the Billy Shakespeare said, “Much ado about nothing”.
There is another saying, “On any given Sunday” or perhaps you prefer the late Chris Thomas’ pronouncement..NFL stands for No Freaking Logic!
Again for perspective…The worst team in the Bucs division lost to the defending Champs by THREE! To the current Champs by SIX and to the Division Champs by THREE in 3 consecutive games.
Who freaking cares about whining over the strength of schedule or strength of Divisions. The Bucs won the SB finishing in SECOND place in their Division.
Again from the Bard…”full of sound and fury, signifying NOTHING.”
February 13th, 2025 at 7:13 am
Signing HOF’er Khalil Mack to a two year deal must be a priority and can be accomplished for under 15 mil for 2 years. That is not a lot of dough for a player that has averaged 10+ sacks over the last 3 seasons. JTS is a straight up soft player that we should have 0 interest in , even at the league minimum. Draft Green out of Marshall if he is available or trade back and amss quality LB’s in Rounds 2 and 3.
February 13th, 2025 at 7:24 am
Emmanwori
Schwesinger
Revel
Skattebo
Debo Williams
Punter Kai Kroger
February 13th, 2025 at 7:37 am
This is the time of the year where writers say things about the teams and we really need to question their real life value.
How about this one I just saw in last 24 hours:
“Andy Reid should step down as head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs,”
“Where were the adjustments? Where was the game plan? I’m not a football coach. Guys who were football coaches and players questioned the game plan—no running game to start at all. And then you get behind, and then you gotta pass.”
“This is what he did in Philadelphia all the time – pass happy. Always throwing the ball; they got tired of that in Philadelphia.”
February 13th, 2025 at 7:52 am
Bucsfan Says:
February 13th, 2025 at 7:13 am
Signing HOF’er Khalil Mack to a two year deal must be a priority and can be accomplished for under 15 mil for 2 years. That is not a lot of dough for a player that has averaged 10+ sacks over the last 3 seasons. JTS is a straight up soft player that we should have 0 interest in , even at the league minimum. Draft Green out of Marshall if he is available or trade back and amss quality LB’s in Rounds 2 and 3.
^^^^^^^
I agree with a lot of this, but I think the Bucs will probably take a CB in the first 3 rounds of the draft…Along with a FA CB or 2.
February 13th, 2025 at 7:58 am
Mopped the floor with an Eagles team in 2023 that just the week before lost 27-10 to the then 5-11 Giants. Wow. That was an impressive win. Worse team performance in a Wild Card Game since a crippled Big Ben threw 4 picks and someone fumbled in a 5 turnover W.C. game in 2020.
2024 season lost 2 to the Falcons with a QB that had not got his land legs back and was eventually benched.
Can’t see how anyone can say they can be a Supreme Team with a few additions. Not when you factor in the subtractions that could be coming down the pike. Right now it’s the best of the Worse. Gained more yards and scored more points than the year before but did not get better as a team.
NFCS is far from being a lock in 2025. CAR, NO,and ATL will all be better next season especially on the defensive side of the ball and if the Bucs rest on their laurels could be looking up like seasons past.
Upside is NFCS has to play NFCW that’s always tough and and AFC East that could be better this season. 8 wins could be enough in 2025 with a tie breaker again.
Outcome could l depend on how well the Bucs perform against the odd ball games vs Lions, Eagles, and Texans.
February 13th, 2025 at 7:59 am
Haven’t the Bucs already told Joe that they aren’t remotely interested in a pass rusher?
February 13th, 2025 at 8:20 am
You can let go of the 2023 victory against the eagles this is not that team and no the Bucs are very far away from duplicating what they had because soft zone will never get it done. Interceptions? With a fierce pass rush are we relying on everything to be sack fumbles? It’s not eagles vs Bucs it’s vangio vs Bowles
February 13th, 2025 at 8:48 am
kaimaru,
Yes, Bucs overpaid for DB’s and Safeties and they all underperformed last year. Mediocre DB’s and Safeties all look better with a ferocious pass rush. Look no farther that what Philly did to All World Mahomes in the first half of the Super Bowl. Joe is right about EDGE being biggest priority. Hope that Licht realizes that guy is not going to be around at 19. Just make a deal to get a proven EDGE now. The difference will be immediate and obvious.
February 13th, 2025 at 9:08 am
Every one of these corners and safeties were good enough to win a Super Bowl. Bucs upgraded from Carlton Davis, Zyon even played a little safety in that game. Dare I say Bowles was actually creative with his scheme. The corners did not get old you mean our players just start to suck when they get play? Oh but on the defensive side of the ball. Apparently bucnation is under the impression everybody in the nfl with a good defense has top flight corners. Even Bucs pass defense with Brent grimes and vh3 as a rookie ranked higher than this one has. Why do you need a top flight corner if you play 7-10 years of the ball?
February 13th, 2025 at 9:18 am
How about we hang on to the 2024 victory over the Eagles where we pole axed them 33-16. Bucs give Eagles fits and I look forward to seeing Iggs in the playoffs next season.
February 13th, 2025 at 9:27 am
They can win the NFCS again – they just need to coach it better and play it better and manage it better. Has anyone looked into attendance since Bowles was anointed? I’m sure it’s directly correlated to squandering the end of Brady’s career but curious nonetheless- all hail “El Sepiente”
February 13th, 2025 at 9:41 am
Best of all the rejects! Bucs won’t spend the money they need to. Edge will be addressed on the cheap in the draft.
February 13th, 2025 at 10:06 am
Until we get a different philosophy about playing pass defense, any money spent on an edge pass rusher is money down the drain. As has been said above, this defense drops the edge guys and even the tackles into coverage way too often given the results.
But expect different results by doing the same things only harder. Yay.
February 13th, 2025 at 10:41 am
Jeff
Do realize the NFL has a salary minimum mandate as well as a salary cap.
Given that the Bucs have spent way OVER the Cap do you realize your constant yammering about being too cheap is simply absurd.
Perhaps too cheap to hire the coaches and cheerleaders you prefer but when talking about players there is NO cheapness involved!!!
“Edge will be addressed on the cheap in the draft.”
Cheap in the draft means STRATEGICALLY as in saving cap room for the future as in signing their franchise QB, and other growing talents down the road like Calijah.
IE Teams frequently prefer to draft a solution NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE CHEAP!
They do so to MANAGE their salary cap. A debate can be made if they do that properly but cheapness has NOTHING to do with it.
February 13th, 2025 at 11:03 am
@stpetebucsfan …. Jeff I think is a Saints fan that just does not know football.
Who can forget these great prognostications from Jeff:
Jeff Says:
March 6th, 2023 at 11:39am
Wow! Saints back on top. Saints 11-6 Bucs 4-13. If Bucs had Carr they would win 8 games. Folks, the Bucs are a below average team right now. It could be that way for a few years.
Or
Jeff Says:
March 12th, 2023 at 8:30am
Bucs look like a 2 win team in 2023. Wonder if Jason can ruin another #1 Draft Pick! You bet your sweet Aspercreme he can!
February 13th, 2025 at 11:13 am
Do away with the idea that our OLBs can consistently put pressure on the QB and sign some big DEs or DL types that can play DE. Our OLBs just suck at everything: pressure, cover, and tackling. We need guys that are pass rushers and own the edge on running plays. 4-3 with strong DEs is the answer just like The Eagles.
February 13th, 2025 at 11:21 am
I couldn’t disagree with DR more. He’s been gone a while, did someone else take over his account? Our priority should be bringing back the same, no name players that led our D to being the laughingstock of the league? No. Most of those guys you listed are depth pieces anyhow. I HATE to say it, but LVD is getting up there and has already regressed slightly. I’m assuming more regression next year. I’m not saying don’t bring him back, but we’ve got to be honest about what we’re getting. We can’t build the D around him anymore. The 28th ranked pass D’s “priority” for the off-season is resigning depth EDGE, DL, & ILB pieces? No. JBF should do a poll to see what the fan base thinks of bringing back these players you listed as “priority” resignings: JTS, Shaq, Britt, Russell. My guess is there would be more votes for “launch them into the sun” than there would be for re-signing them. These guys have NO market outside of TB, like so many other players (ahem, AND coaches) we hold on to like they’re made of gold. We’ve invested heavily in the interior DL and found success. That should NOT be the area of focus for FA or the draft. We need help at LITERALLY every other position on the D more. EDGE/OLB or ILB is top & second priority (depending on if LVD comes back & their faith in SVD’s health), then CB. We don’t have a CB2 for the love of Buc! Get RIGHT on out of here talking about JTS, Shaq, Britt, Russell.
February 13th, 2025 at 11:29 am
geno711
Damn is that really you keeping receipts Jason Licht? I don’t know which is more disturbing, having saved a comment like that for 2 years or searching all over the web for it. Anyway cut Jeff some slack and by the way JPP was a 3rd round pick trade, since you’re making fun of him go ahead and give me a run down of these blockbuster free agent signings from Licht
stpetebucsfan Stop acting like want Myles Garrett or Josh sweat but suddenly you’re fiscally responsible. How do you know they won’t have money to do what they need to do if they jump into the free agent pool?
RANDY GREGORY QUALIFIED AS CHEAP!
February 13th, 2025 at 11:53 am
We would have given the Eagles a much better game. No way our offense would have looked as bad as KC. Our OL would have stood up to Philly much better and Irving White > Hunt Pacheco.
So yes we are close.
February 13th, 2025 at 12:25 pm
I Remember 21 … ‘We don’t have a CB2 for the love of Buc! Get RIGHT on out of here talking about JTS, Shaq, Britt, Russell.’
Money & draft picks IS our problem; we can only afford to replace so many chess pieces. Each of those guys is very experienced in Todd Bowles defense, and each can be had very inexpensively. Beef up the DLine interior with a quality FA to complement Vea (like Suh used to), and each of those 4 guys SHOULD become more effective.
In terms of prioritizing a CB, here’s what I wrote: ‘We’ve gotta fix the Secondary as a priority, and that means drafting a starter-quality CB in Rnd 1.’ Is there something about that you disagree with? And BTW, I’ve said elsewhere that I’d re-sign Bryce Hall as a priority also.
February 13th, 2025 at 12:53 pm
Bucs Streaks
4xNFCS Titles (longest in conference history)
5xPlayoff Appearances (longest current streak in NFC)
We have a good thing going. The Bucs should win the conference the next 2 years at a minimum. 7 years of NFL relevance is impressive.
February 13th, 2025 at 1:11 pm
Funny how this same “we won our division” argument is always used to prop up why Bowles is such a great coach.
February 13th, 2025 at 1:14 pm
Geno
“Andy Reid should step down as head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs,”
Yeah that pretty much takes the cake. Perhaps it’s we “old” dudes realize what an incredible achievement this is during the salary cap era.
Possibly in Kindergarten…you were watching the “legendary” coaches like Landry and Noll. It was such a DIFFERENT game back then. They really had minimal trades or FA’s at all. Most all rosters were able to stick together.
The Chiefs were lucky to hold it together as long as they have. Their OL was ranked 5th this year but that was because of a great start, with 4 great OL but NO LT the Chiefs just couldn’t protect Mahomes.
Now reason for jumping up and down. The Bucs were THIRD ranked OL in the league. And it’s no coincidence that the Bucs were the opposite of the Chiefs. All Pro at LT! We Buc fans are lucky to see true greatness this coming season!
Tristan Wirfs and ME13!
February 13th, 2025 at 1:16 pm
D.R.
I was about to type sounds like a plan when out of the blue…..
You did a better job of pointing out the flaws including perhaps fast reading, certainly misreading all that you had posted. Thanks for saving me the keystrokes.
February 13th, 2025 at 3:14 pm
This years draft is deep in edge rushers. Wouldn’t mind a free agent edge rusher and a rookie, also bring back Nelson.
February 13th, 2025 at 5:22 pm
Sign and trade JTS to Cincy for LB Pratt str8 up
February 13th, 2025 at 5:31 pm
cant trade JTS…lol, hes a FA
February 13th, 2025 at 5:48 pm
Alstott40 – Haha, exactly. One post, Joe types how negative fans are crazy to want to fire a 3x division winning HC. Literally the only thing Bowles can hang his hat on.
Next post, Joe writes – who cares about winning this soft division?
February 13th, 2025 at 5:54 pm
Our top priority should be to re-sign JTS, Gaines, Shaq, Britt and Russell?!
And the reason being because they know Bowles’ system? That’s one of the most ludicrous things I’ve read. Just like how we re-signed Edwards, Whitehead, Ryan Neal for a smashing success. There are good football players outside One Buc. Broaden your scope.
… I guess people here really are content with perpetual mediocrity.
February 13th, 2025 at 8:22 pm
Pretty sure Ward wants to leave Cleveland also,,, pull a Ditka and offer up the whole draft class for Garrett/Ward and Coach Schwartz ,,, get LVD back,,, and problem solved!!!! Can sit around on draft night and relax
February 13th, 2025 at 9:19 pm
“Literally the only thing Bowles can hang his hat on.”
He’s “literally” a SB winning Defensive Coordinator. That’s meaningless?
He has now moved into 3rd place on the Bucs all time winningest coaches. There are only FOUR out of 13 with a winning % Todd is one of them, passing Chucky for 3rd place. Is that also “literally” meaningless?
February 13th, 2025 at 10:48 pm
stpetebucsfan –
I don’t care if Bowles has the 3rd best winning percentage of Bucs coaches. Just comparing him to an awful history of poor Bucs coaches doesn’t make him good. He currently has the 22nd best winning percentage out of 32 HCs. Wow, super!
You keep brining up he has a better winning percentage than Chucky. Dude, everyone knows Gruden won the SB then fell flat the remainder of his time here. Your tired argument isn’t nearly as compelling as you think it is.
Yeah he won a ring as a DC. But he’s now being paid as a HC, that’s his job and those are his responsibilities. We’ve seen his ceiling and you’re just being ignorant if you think the light is all of a sudden going to flip for this 61 yr old, nearly- retired dinosaur.
February 13th, 2025 at 11:23 pm
“The Bucs need an edge rusher worse than Joe needs a cold beer on a July Florida afternoon. ”
That’s some classic journalistic imagery right there, Joe. The late, great, Tom McEwen would be proud.
February 13th, 2025 at 11:57 pm
It did look like Mahomes was getting attacked by angry dobermans both Super Bowl losses
February 14th, 2025 at 9:48 am
The pit bull of a bad litter? I’m not a dog breeder Joe, but I’m pretty sure that’s not how it works.
February 15th, 2025 at 7:19 pm
AFC South is worse than us