Almost A Forgotten Man
May 8th, 2018
Remember him?
With all the talk of the new Bucs rookies and how they will play, it seems a top shelf player has been forgotten.
With all the praise (scorn?) for the Bucs for picking Vita Vea and how Gerald McCoy finally has help to raise his game, one former NFL quarterback believes folks have forgotten about another Bucs defender.
That would be Jason Pierre-Paul.
In a recent edition of NFL Live, seen on BSPN, former NFL quarterback Tim Hasselbeck brought up JPP wrecking opposing defenses.
In a segment where several analysts were asked which newcomer will have the biggest impact on his NFC South team, Hasselbeck cited JPP. It was for the same reasons folks think GMC will blow up playing next to Vea: JPP will not be double-teamed so often.
“I think a change of scenery probably will do him good,” Hasselbeck said. “[JPP] going to Tampa where they already have talent, especially on that defensive line, with McCoy, I think just the opportunity to have one-on-one matchups, as many as you can, won’t be an issue.”
It is hard to disagree. People keep talking how GMC won’t be double-teamed as much with Vea, but what about JPP? If teams double-team him, in theory, the Bucs should easily collapse the pocket with Vea and GMC busting heads.
May 8th, 2018 at 1:03 pm
#90 will single handily….make the WHOLE year better….
May 8th, 2018 at 1:13 pm
I am hoping that an increased amount of disruption from the DL will allow for Kwon and Lavonte to get after the QB in blitz situations.
May 8th, 2018 at 1:13 pm
Great article Joe, I had forgotten him also with Vinny Curry and the improvement of the DL’s. Come September we’ll be chanting his name.
May 8th, 2018 at 1:20 pm
We do realize he played next to snacks arguable the best run stopping DT in the league right?
And you guys do realize McCoy doesn’t get double teamed as often as you think he does right?
And we do realize that vita maybe be a big kid but the olines we face in the nfc south are on avg just as big as vita. And I’m just talking center and guards.
It’s possible that neither get doubled and there’s still no pressure applied. But wtfdik?!
May 8th, 2018 at 1:25 pm
Also when our draft is graded he is a third round pick.
May 8th, 2018 at 1:28 pm
DB55 is a negative Nancy.
May 8th, 2018 at 1:28 pm
Just one more interesting note. Although I have no idea who Tim Hasselbeck is not fo I care, imagine he’s Matt’s less successful brother which speaks volumes.
The guys I like to listen to like Willie McGinest just compiled a list of his top 10 pass rushers and neither JPP nor gmc were listed. Aaron Donald was listed #2 behind Von Miller.
It’s interesting bc JPP is the third highest paid DE in the league and gmc is top 3 also at his position yet neither are performing at their pay level.
Food for thought.
May 8th, 2018 at 1:39 pm
Exactly 55. Wtf do you really know?
May 8th, 2018 at 1:39 pm
Topdoggie
My bad, your right bahhhh, the Bucs dline is like the bahhhh est dline in the bahhhhhfl. Teams aren’t going to bahhh able to beat us at all. 16-0 here we come.
Every team in the nfc south will be shaking in their boots the second they see gmc walk onto lmao my bad couldn’t stop laughing.
May 8th, 2018 at 1:43 pm
Bucsfan
I know vita will need at least 100 tackles to be at the same performance level as snacks. So if team could afford to double jpp with Harrison next to him what would stop them from doing it now?
Oh bc Tim Hasselbeck said so…….gotcha š
May 8th, 2018 at 1:44 pm
GMC had 60 tackles just for comparison sake.
May 8th, 2018 at 1:45 pm
DB55- To your point about JPP and GMC’s salary, I think we are all collectively hoping that their production improves as the defense’s production improves.
I agree about Willie, he’s one of my faves. That said, does anyone on the last rated defense in the league deserve to be on any top 10 list? Resoundingly, NO!
I’ll use “collectively” once again, Allen, Curry, Unrein, Spence, Gholston, along with Vea, GMC, and JPP, that’s not too terrible a group. Yea, we might not get pressure ALL the time but I’ll bet my paycheck, it’ll be far better than last year.
May 8th, 2018 at 1:46 pm
Oh bc 55 said so….. gotcha
May 8th, 2018 at 1:48 pm
Db55
Ydrkfm cuz those guys arent Vea’s size. He didnt play next to snacks last year. And gmc does get doubled the same as i thought. Because i watch. And yes it is possible, most things are.
May 8th, 2018 at 1:50 pm
He didn’t play next to snacks last year? Really? How do you figure?
May 8th, 2018 at 1:54 pm
I don’t think that anyone can argue that the D-line should definitely be better than last year!
Still…. I want to see the Bucs draft a D-lineman on the 1st or 2nd day of every draft for ever!
May 8th, 2018 at 1:58 pm
I understand where DB55 is coming from. Its the same reason I was against draftiing James over Vea. Its not that I didnt think he was good. I just didnt want to assume our DLine was already great without seeing them take 1 snap together.
May 8th, 2018 at 2:03 pm
JUst an FYI
“So @snacks is undoubtedly the most consistently underrated NFL player just b/c of the position he plays. Led the NFL in run stops in 17′ despite playing through multiple lower-body injuries. In 16′, he had more stops than 5 teams’ DTs combined”
Funny cuz when our DT hurts his hand he sits out 3-4 games š¤£šš¤£šš¤£š
May 8th, 2018 at 2:04 pm
2018 looks acceptional on paper. Can wait for next season! Go Bucs!
May 8th, 2018 at 2:10 pm
Can’t forget about Vinny.
May 8th, 2018 at 2:10 pm
Steve in Mad Beach Says:
May 8th, 2018 at 1:54 pm
I donāt think that anyone can argue that the D-line should definitely be better than last year!
—————
Hold my beer
Just compare Ayers vs Curry and McDonald vs Allen production from last yr and then consider what Ayers and McDonald were getting paid vs what curry and Allen are getting paid and BOOM you have you’re answer.
I’m still at a loss over how licht had 3 second round picks and didn’t use one to trade for David Irving. 7 sacks last yr and an absolute beast from the inside or outside but again wtfdik?
May 8th, 2018 at 2:19 pm
@DB55 now i understand you’re trying to relax the expectations on Vea. However to say there are players on average that are just as big him is factually untrue. The Saints biggest interior lineman is guard Larry Warford at 317, the Falcons is center Alex Mack at 311 and the Panthers is guard Trai Turner at 315.
May 8th, 2018 at 2:21 pm
licht had 3 second round picks and didnāt use one to trade for David Irving.
————–
Why does bleacher report have M.J. Stewart as the Bucs biggest bust of the draft? M.J. Stewart the 2nd round pick.
May 8th, 2018 at 2:22 pm
DB55 right on………licht is GM of the year on paper for his FA moves which have overwhelmingly been horrible and then his kooky moves get people fired up for some D2 project and has a good portion of the fan base in his corner for some reason, until the bucs are in the playoffs he has been an abysmal failure…i hope that JPP returns to form and Vea does something rookies dont do, play well on the DL, and Cury who was invisible or just another guy on defense lights it up, Currys wearing 75 down here have not impressed…..GO BUCS
May 8th, 2018 at 2:22 pm
@DB55
Few points to make here:
1. Vea is supposed to be able to collapse pockets / pressure the QB in addition to being a top run stuffer. Harrison has nowhere near the same athleticism / movement ability. He is all strength.
2. JPP Played next to Snacks but they didn’t have another disruptive 3 technique DT as well. They did have Olivier Vernon – and the Giants defense would have probably been dominant if not for the sh1t product they had in terms of an offense in 2017. The year before they were the #2 defense in PPG and #10 in YPG for example with basically the same players. A big reason was JPP+Vernon+Snacks on that line.
3. I agree McCoy isn’t always doubled. I don’t even think that’s the big advantage of Vea as much as it is having 4 legit threats on every down vs 1. Our rushes / stunts should be less desperate and ineffective when you don’t have Lambert & Ward as 2 of the top 4 lineman on Sunday. The majority of our D-line starters in 2017 were people no one has ever heard of which is simply insane lol. Good luck to ANY defense starting street dudes and LBs like Beckwith as DEs because of such complete desperation
May 8th, 2018 at 2:26 pm
DB55, the most accurate part of your daily word salad is your closing – ‘wtfdik’. So let’s see if we can get this straight. Just because you happen to personally favor Willie McGinest as an analyst and just because he happens to offer his 1 out of 100 pundits list of top 10 D-lineman and just because that happens to align with your worldview better than that of Hasslbeck’s (and many others) you’re ok with it (I hope he got your congratulatory text)? Just want to make sure we’re clear here. What if JPP were 11th and GMC were 12th on his list, would that have made any difference? If they were being paid less money (that’s not yours) would that be ok? Neither one of these players is handcuffing the team fiscally, FYI. Lastly, at a minimum Licht, Koetter and Smith, who collectively have forgotten more football than you’ve ever known obviously disagree with you. But wtf do they know?
May 8th, 2018 at 2:30 pm
Db 55 is just keeping it real and is pretty close to accurate !!!
McCoy even when not double teamed just isnāt engaged in the play far to many time , heās engaged in running to daylight , opening a hole the size an suv for a linebacker to make a play but really not trying in any way shape or form making the play !!! He truly is acting on the field doing the things that allow him to be called a disrupter but what he really does all to often is leave the rest of the D hanging with his absurd overplaying the play !!! Watch the the plays and the tape , listen you donāt get called out by Gruden on Mon Night if he didnāt see the same garbage in his game analysis prep !!! Heās only one of the many professionals , including multiple peeps at the pro bowl !!! I canāt recall another player getting called out by so many qualified people , watch the game , watch the plays , not the smiley interview !!! New new d line coach had better stand tall or he will poisenThe effort again . Great Guy, Very very talented, Doest play up to half his potential and every player and coach knows it and covers it up !!! Well you canāt cover it up , look at the D !!! You just reinvested in the draft and free agency and this 20 percent on 80 percent actor along with a softy head coach and proven soft d coors will poison things again unless Buckner and Jpp go biserko and put an end to it !!! Db 55 is just stating the obvious for those that want to look and listen to the experienced professionals.
May 8th, 2018 at 2:51 pm
Every poster here is keeping it real. We all have opinions. 55s shtick is to be a contrarian. We get it. I feel a bit more optimism this offseason than I have in quite some time. Will know soon enough if that pans out. But to pretend that I know more then guys who get paid to do this is hubris.
May 8th, 2018 at 2:56 pm
I’m starting to like this… they double-team each of our D-line–that take 8 people. That means the rest of our team only have to take care of 3 guys. Sounds like a game plan. LOL
May 8th, 2018 at 3:15 pm
K2
Lmao that what they make it sound like right? GMC, JPP and Vita getting doubled on every play. Okay! Lol
May 8th, 2018 at 3:19 pm
Re: off lines
By the time vita finishes camp he’s prob 330-335. The olines are listed at 311-315 but we all know they fatter than that. A guy might be listed at 315 but plays at 325.
My point is he’s not playing against pac 12 lineman. He may not have an extra 40-50 on the guys across from him.
May 8th, 2018 at 3:27 pm
Steven007 Says:
May 8th, 2018 at 2:51 pm
Every poster here is keeping it real. We all have opinions. 55s shtick is to be a contrarian. We get it.
Josephs don’t get it…
May 8th, 2018 at 3:32 pm
issic haggins
I agree!!!!…GMC loves to shoot the gap only to have the RB run right pass him….
and for those think vita will be our savor, yall got another thing coming….no doubt he’s talented and should be productive playing next to GMC but he will be a rookie……I expect him to have a decent year but it will be filled with ups and downs….I think he’ll stuff the run pretty well but may struggle at first to rush the passer….so teams will still have a choice between doubling GMC or JPP….
who knows…..we’ll have to wait and see….with our luck, smitty will JPP and vita playing 10yards off the ball while claiming they have “freedom” to line up wherever they want….lol…
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!ā¦.#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!ā¦GO BUCS!!!!
May 8th, 2018 at 3:41 pm
DB55
I hear ya!!!!
you in, wait and see mode!!!!….prove me wrong mode!!!!….sick of the hype mode!!!!
nothing wrong with that….I respect that…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!ā¦.#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!ā¦GO BUCS!!!!
May 8th, 2018 at 3:54 pm
you in, wait and see mode!!!!ā¦.prove me wrong mode!!!!ā¦.sick of the hype mode!!!!
BAM! Nailed it!
May 8th, 2018 at 4:11 pm
Definitely in wait and see mode.
But I have to think our D-line is somewhat improved from JPP alone, and at least marginally better from Vinny Curry. Can’t really be worse than last year, can it?
If Spence finally stays healthy, that would be huge. Big if, but there’s no doubt Spawn has the skills to really rush the passer. Can prob learn some things from JPP too.
The entire 2018 season will come down to the play of our lines. That was our biggest weakness in 2017. If the o-line can actually open holes, we’ll have a run game and Jamies can flourish. Too many weapons not to. Coupled with 4 new defensive lineman so far, things have to change around here.
May 8th, 2018 at 4:18 pm
He hasn’t been off my radar. JPP is a KNOWN commodity and I’m stoked he’s on our defense.
May 8th, 2018 at 4:42 pm
Week one is starting to look better and better with Mark Ingram being suspended 4 games for peds. Guess our line will be testing kamara durability, this year there won’t be holes in the middle of the defense on run downs except when McCoy is in there
May 8th, 2018 at 4:48 pm
the only thing that worries me about the signing of curry and JPP is the fact that they aren’t playing for much…..they have a ring….they have money….what will be their motivation?….records?….stats?….proving folks wrong?…..
don’t get me wrong, I love the signings but are they motivated?….will these coaches get the most out of them?…..
lots of ????? marks this year…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!ā¦.#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!ā¦GO BUCS!!!!
May 8th, 2018 at 4:58 pm
813bucboi
Canton
May 8th, 2018 at 5:19 pm
813
Just wait till McIceCream gets a hold of them. They’ll all be playing for pro-bowls. I mean who wouldn’t want a free trip to Orlando, amirite?
May 8th, 2018 at 5:34 pm
813bucboi … Not really worried about JPP’s motivation. This is ‘home’ for him, being from Deerfield Beach & going to USF and all. And with this DLine he has an opportunity to do some really good stuff. Plus looking at the time he’s spent on the field in years past, JPP LOVES football IMO (plays at a really high level & just refuses to come off the field). And Vinny Curry is looking for a chance IMO to make his own mark before his career ends, not as just a key rotational player but as a starter (he’ll be 30 next month, and didn’t start any games until last year). Those two are great additions.
But the forgotten man in Bucsville is Beau Allen. He only started 8 games in 4 years with the Eagles, but IMO he’s gonna be awesome. When you’re on the same line with GMC & Vea, I guess it makes sense that you won’t get as much publicity as they do. But of the three, Allen’s gonna be the horse that pulls the carriage. And what’s neat is that he’s still young (only 26) and has proven to be very very durable. I like that personally.
May 8th, 2018 at 6:06 pm
Vita is a rookie defensive lineman… Rookie defensive lineman rarely do anything in the NFL. Those who think Vea steps in from day 1 and plays don’t really know the position or the history of the position, not to mention Vita has to prove he’s more than a 2 down player in the NFL.
Would LOVE it if Vita comes in day 1 and is a 3-down stud, but counting on that is like counting on Jacquies Smith to come in and have 7 sacks off the edge next year.
May 8th, 2018 at 7:04 pm
He may ALMOST be the forgotten man, but THE forgotten man is……Noah Spence.
With all of the D-Line improvement over the offseason, how about standing Spence up more often on defense? The young man is slight-bodied for a D-lineman but FAST, therefore he should get around that corner a lot better if he were standing at the snap.
May 8th, 2018 at 7:20 pm
Joe I have been saying the EXACT same thing every time analysts brings up that’s it’s so huge for Vea to be playing next to GMC. And they never seem to mention GMC will be next to JPP. Assuming Vea shows up, this d-line has three players worthy of being double teamed plus Curry and Spence. Numbers just don’t add up for opposing o-lines by a long shot. So f#ckin hyped!!!
May 8th, 2018 at 7:28 pm
Top rushing teams always make the playoffs. Pound the freaking rock as Mr. Gruden used to say. Keep JW’s attempts in the 20’s , not the 30’s or more. Running the ball keeps your D fresh , because you own time of possession. Stop being unwilling to run on 3rd and 3 , and let your O-line exert their will and let Barber deliver some slobberknockers as the lead dog. Fixing your lines is the recipe for more in the W column. Add more depth to both lines so injuries do not decimate you.
May 8th, 2018 at 7:40 pm
DB55
“My point is heās not playing against pac 12 lineman. He may not have an extra 40-50 on the guys across from him.”
Vea has been brought in to stop the run. Him and the Bucs know he has to get better at getting to the QB. He will lose weight but he’s also gonna put on more muscle. Add that to his 41 bench reps, spirit rock, and gigantic legs. Don’t care if it’s not pac-12 lineman, there’s a good chance he’ll be able to push some dudes back. We shall see.
May 8th, 2018 at 7:58 pm
Our whole dline unit is improved. Anyone can see that. But I agree that we as fans should feel as we want to see results b4 we schedule a parade just by the off season acquisitions that were made. But we CLEARLY have depth and will roll 8 deep with quality, something I can say that I haven’t seen in a long long time, even on paper. So the room should be optimistic! IMO, Buckner is going to prove to be the biggest acquisition of them all, I feel he possibly will become our D coordinator if Smitty doesnt right the ship this year. Hell I can even envision Buckner as head coach someday, and wouldn’t be upset if it was here.
May 8th, 2018 at 8:16 pm
Def rules
Do you think Buckner is an improvement over Hayes?
SOE
Joe swears Vita is the real-life demi-god Maui and Joe is yet to steer me wrong so….let’s see que pasa
May 8th, 2018 at 8:17 pm
CalBucsFan – Agreed, the forgotten man is Spence, but that’s a good fit for him since if he gives you anything it’s a bonus. I think most people are expecting JPP to be productive and to have a big impact on the d-line. Spence, I’d hope, is used more as a straight edge rusher, perhaps as a stand-up rusher depending on what he prefers.
May 8th, 2018 at 8:25 pm
LC
Ty you always dropping knowledge I appreciate you.
May 8th, 2018 at 9:03 pm
Funny part about āpound the rock ā is Gruden is such a talk before you think coach , he didnāt mean run the football like everyone and anyone would have thought !!!
Guy was pretty good in the booth but his mouth spewed when coaching !!!
May 8th, 2018 at 9:47 pm
“The only thing that worries me about the signing of curry and JPP is the fact that they arenāt playing for muchā¦..they have a ringā¦.they have moneyā¦.what will be their motivation?ā¦.records?ā¦.stats?ā¦.proving folks wrong?ā¦..”
The love of football. Wanting to win and dominate. People that have played and play understand that.
May 8th, 2018 at 10:54 pm
If healthy our d line could be stout.
I think we should have drafted another DE.
I would have taken Hand from bama with our 4 pick.
May 9th, 2018 at 7:54 am
Who forgot him!?! You? And the media Y’all suck
May 9th, 2018 at 11:51 am
I am super stoked about Jason Pierre-Paul becoming a member of the BUCS, and would echo sentiments made by others previously that the player I am most interested in seeing the response of this year is Noah Spence.
May 16th, 2018 at 1:24 pm
All looks good unless the Yukaneers curse strikes again!!!