Bucs Get An “A”
May 18th, 2013
Does Joe really have to be graphic about the Bucs’ horrifying pass defense last year? The second-worst in NFL history?
For Joe, watching that pass defense was like re-experiencing the nuns that taught him in grade school: a period of Joe’s life he tries to purge from his memory, often with the help of Joe’s good friend, Mr. Alcohol.
So when Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik went on SiriusXM NFL Radio recently and spoke openly about upgrading the secondary, he wasn’t joking. It’s possible the Bucs have gone from the worst secondary to potentially the best.
For this reason, Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News gives the Bucs an “A” grade for their offseason transactions.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Grade: A
Best addition: S Dashon Goldson
So the Bucs finally did trade for Revis, but given the concern about his knee, the secondary move that deserves more love is the signing of Goldson away from the 49ers. He does everything at safety and is the perfect complement to another hard hitter in run support, Mark Barron. The Bucs aggressively addressed their huge secondary need with a home run.
On paper, it sure looks like the Bucs did a complete 180 with the secondary, including the drafting of Johnthan Banks in the second round.
For this reason in particular, Joe is intrigued to see how the Bucs defend the pass come September.
May 18th, 2013 at 7:33 am
Revis, Wright +Banks times Gholdson and Barron = No Fly Zone
May 18th, 2013 at 7:33 am
This off season certainly gives me high hopes for great things to come.
May 18th, 2013 at 7:54 am
If we hit on Spence (fingers crossed) and Black’s replacement plays well, and if injuries don’t destroy us again, this team could quickly become one of the top in the nfl.
May 18th, 2013 at 9:01 am
Does anyone believe that Rhonda Barber will stay retired by end of the season?
May 18th, 2013 at 9:14 am
Still say we blew taking baron over keakley in Carolina. Baron is okay Luke is special
May 18th, 2013 at 9:36 am
@Buqsfan
Yes. Sadly Ronde is done.
Off season grades mean nothing until they put it on the field. Cant wait to see what this new secondary can do for us. 3 months til training camp!!
May 18th, 2013 at 9:40 am
Bonzai is on target. Spence is key. But the off-season grade of A is fine with me. Reason for a lot of optimism.
May 18th, 2013 at 10:55 am
What I like about the Revis trade is the domino effect it has.
Revis can be left on island. This means safety help can be shaded to the other side to help out the #2 CB (and that safety happens to be Goldson!). Having Goldson ball-hawking deep means that Barron is free to do what he does best nearer the line of scrimmage.
Good example of one signing helping out several other positions.
May 18th, 2013 at 11:11 am
I would like the Bucs to finish 15th overall or higher. I would deem that a success for the off-season.
May 18th, 2013 at 11:52 am
Joc
How exactly is Luke special and Barron not the right choice. Amazing how you can pass judgment after one season. Not to mention Luke’s position translates easier to the NFL.
May 18th, 2013 at 12:56 pm
Anytime you add two all pros to a unit- you have done well!
3 starters look fantastic( Revis, Banks, goldson)
Hopefully Johnson and Gorrer can provide depth, and improve.
Don’t expect anything from wright. He has never played we’ll. anywhere.
Barron is a liability in coverage. He was ” walking dead”after game 6 last season. Hopefully he can improve some, but I think we will be forced to bring in Black on passing downs
But still a massive improvement. We now have a couple real CBs- that’s twice as many as we had last year.
If they stay healthy- that alone should get us 2-3 wins!
May 18th, 2013 at 1:26 pm
Buc – I’m biggest tide fan on the planet I have seen every snap he took in college. His open field tackling is below average u can juke him all day. His pass
Coverage is okay what he does is seduces u with the big hit. This year was the deepest safety draft ever. Luke and lavente wew…
May 18th, 2013 at 1:36 pm
Q. Black isn’t with the team n e more
May 18th, 2013 at 6:39 pm
@joc
Bucs needed a safety, if u pick Luke there, there is no safety equivalent to Barron, I agree Luke is special but so is Lavonte David.
May 18th, 2013 at 8:27 pm
who care about luke.go bucs
May 18th, 2013 at 8:46 pm
Al121976- um, ever hear of A.Black. Played in about 14 games last year?
Safety outta Florida? Any bells starting to ring yet?
May 18th, 2013 at 8:51 pm
Ahmed Black played in every game- and started one. Played all the passing downs from game 7 on.
Because Barron can’t cover
May 18th, 2013 at 9:52 pm
hey if you are cool with having a a guy that never makes a pro bowl at his postion over a guy that is gong to make the next 10 if he stays healthy then you have your guy.
May 19th, 2013 at 12:50 pm
John- reading comprehension. It’s important
My mention of Ahmed Black,was to Al’s post- who posted” Q.Black isn’t on team”, when someone mentioned Black.
And no, Barron won’t make pro bowls. 3 better safeties entered the NFL in this draft.
Barron is a “in the box” safety only. He I can’t tackle in space. He can’t handle TE’s with size. Can’t handle speed of slot WRs.
He is a big hitter. That’s all he has shown in his career.
We traded down two years ago- confident we would still get Mo Claibourne. Dallas traded up, and beat us out of him. The Barron pick took every second off the clock. It was a “oh! Damn” pick
May 19th, 2013 at 3:18 pm
That is what this destin boy is saying tim. Luke keackly was the guy there. There were sooooooo many safeties in this draft. Foster is between average and okay. That was are ray Lewis