“Safety Is A Position They Have To Address. I Mean, They Just do”

January 24th, 2017
Safety Bradley McDougald

Starting safety Bradley McDougald

Would it be so bad if the Bucs returned to the field next season after re-signing safeties Bradley McDougald and Chris Conte, and letting them compete with surging Keith Tandy?

Longtime Bucs beat writer Rick Stroud thinks that would be a grave error by general manager Jason Licht. Stroud returned to the WDAE-AM 620 airwaves this morning for an interview and put his foot down.

“Safety is a position they have to address. I mean, they just do,” Stroud said. “And I think they will. It’s one of those deals it’s hard to know what quantity you put on as far as the draft goes.”

Joe has no clue what Stroud was talking about with “quantity” when he referenced the draft.

That aside, Joe isn’t too hung up on the safety position for 2017. The Bucs have bigger fish to fry this offseason.

And unless the Bucs can make a definitive upgrade at safety, then Joe’s not seeing why McDougald, Conte and Tandy would be a disaster. They know the system. They’re young and experienced. And they were the safeties when the Bucs were choking out offenses last season.

118 Responses to ““Safety Is A Position They Have To Address. I Mean, They Just do””

  1. Warren Says:

    Wasn’t Conte on the way out? Left locker room early etc or am I remembering wrong?

  2. Joeypoppems Says:

    The Safety duo of Tandy and McDougald isn’t terrible, but it can definitely be upgraded. I agree with Joe that it’s not the biggest need. Wouldn’t mind seeing them take a safety in the middle rounds to compete for a starting job. Alabama safety Eddie Jackson could be there in Round 4 because of his size and leg injury. He has good instincts and ball skills.

  3. Mojiska Says:

    One should fall in the first few rounds. There are some good safety to be had in the first 3 rounds. Do not trade up for one, but upgrade if available.

  4. Arealbucfan Says:

    Conte had a few good moments this year.. let him ride the bench for cheap.. take a safety in free agency or later In the draft maybe 4th or 5th round.. McDougald and Tandy are hard hitting very aware football machines that need to just gain more experience.. did you see the way they were watching the ball later in the season before they jumped up and snatched the ball out of the sky… the opposing team never saw it coming.. they would also play better if the d line and linebackers did as well.. draft a wr first like mike Williams from Clemson he’s a beast and would go great with mike Evans.. and get us a running back that doesn’t wanna be on broadway and doesn’t do drugs.. and last but not least … grab yet another receiver… Evans, Williams, hump, Shepard, and whoever they draft.. Travis Rudolph and Kermit Whitfield will both probably fall to late rounds and have tons of talent

  5. James Walker Says:

    Tandy has started 12 games in 5 years. He was a CB on the worst backfield in NFL history. He had a good 1/2 season. Sorry, not proven yet.

  6. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Throw sum cash at Berry then.

  7. Arealbucfan Says:

    Yet he was voted clutch player and finished rated s top safety???? Check your facts

  8. gotbbucs Says:

    Well, it’s a simple question of do you want to win football games or not? If you’re fine with giving up big plays and losing, then by all means, trot out the same guys again next year.

    There are two safeties in this draft that if either one makes it to around pick 10 I’m going up and getting. Jamal Adams or Malik Hooker. Leave Eric Berry in KC and go get either one of these two.

    My feeling is that if they truly want to make a difference for this team next year they need to come out of the 1st round with one of those two safeties or Mike Williams or Corey Davis. Period.

  9. Joeypoppems Says:

    @James Walker

    It could just be that he fits better in this system. I’m not saying he will go out there next season and be an all pro, but he earned the right to be penciled in as a starter next year

  10. Eric Says:

    Need to remember the Dallas game. We had no pass rush and our O-Line was a swinging door. Yes we need more safety help, but we need so much more. D-line in free agency, WR and O-line in the draft. Then a safety in the early rounds of the draft. No O-Linemen should be safe except Ali . Wouldn’t a good O-Line give us more splash plays?

  11. Birdman Says:

    Conte is on the way out.. one injury to Mcdougald or Tandyman and we’re dead as fried chicken

  12. Gencoimports Says:

    Yes … but please not in the first round

  13. Defense Rules Says:

    Doubt that Conte (UFA) will be back, and McDougald is also a UFA (most likely will be re-signed but not a given). Tandy did REALLY well for several games, but I doubt that Mike Smith is ready to hand him the starters job. Isaiah Johnson’s on the practice squad but have no idea how far along he is.

    Somehow, some way, our safeties need better ‘range’ (got beat too often) and hopefully get bigger (at least more stout against the run). So ya, I agree with Stroud that we need at least 1 Safety, except that I don’t see it as a #1 need (wouldn’t spend our #19 pick on a Safety in other words). Personally I’d like to see us grab 1 Safety in FA (preferably some guy named Reed), and then draft another (probably in rnds 3-5 depending on who’s there).

  14. Dusthty Rhothdes Says:

    Tandy I believe is another solid schiano man, played really well in the scheme down playing the robber in the cover 3 scheme and he should get a chance to come back but once again, ol licht should have known that both conte and macdougal are god awful see raiders, falcons, cowboys, but licht good have gone and picked up 2 quality nfl safeties last FA, with one in reggie nelson wanting back in his hometown, …thought tandy really picked up scheme well, but lose the other 2 and it should be a better improvement….very nice to see of course a guy who couldn’t play for lovie or licht, in goldson going to the super bowl, weird how these guys the past 3 years couldnt play for licht or lovie are flourishing

  15. keith Says:

    Tandy’s turnovers produced per snap has to be the highest on the team by far, I’m not sure why you would desperately want to replace that.

    This defensive scheme really allows his IQ to shine through. He’s not the best athlete but he understands the game well.

    And he always seems be in the right position to clean up the inevitable missed tackles of our rangy yet undersized linebackers.

  16. LakeLandBuc Says:

    In 2010 Raheem Morris and the Bucs went 10-6 with Sean Jones starting at SS, and Cody Grimm starting at FS. But according to a lot of these genius posters on here, Rah was over his head and a bad hire. And some even said that we was one of the worst Bucs HC ever. SMDH

  17. Supersam Says:

    Disagree with stroud, I’d be surprised if we draft a safety before the third round. I’ve heard there very high on Mcdougald and Tandy as starters.

  18. Etzel Says:

    Lots of good top Safety talent in the draft. Adams, Hooker, and Peppers could all go Top 20.

  19. BWestJr Says:

    Eric Berry !!!!!!!

  20. BWestJr Says:

    add some real talent

  21. Gencoimports Says:

    LakelandBuc,

    I am a Rah fan, but I agree with those that he was in over his head during his HC days here. He was too much of a players coach, treating his players like buddies. This probably contributed to the Talib incident in London and why he lost the locker room after Rich Biscaccia left the team. My conclusion is he wasn’t ready to be a HC at that time.

    That said, the Glazers did not give him much to work with. They would not spend anything on free agents and if I recall correctly, he could not even hire his own assistants. I would almost go so far to say that he was set up to fail.

    I believe that he has grown in the six years since leaving the Bucs and he would be a strong candidate to be a successful HC at this time.

  22. Gencoimports Says:

    No way will KC let Eric Berry go. That’s a pipe dream.

  23. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Jr you right bro. Time to stop skirtin around and add some real talent.

  24. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    No more asj’s,kenny bell,charle sims or that kid from wyoming who couldn’t catch a brick types. I wanna see some dawgs man. I wanna see some dreads and gold teeth man.

  25. Joeypoppems Says:

    Yea I wouldnt hold my breath for Eric Berry either. However if he doesnt get franchise tagged and tests the market then all in Glazers, Go get him

  26. Eric Says:

    Hmmm the Charles Sims hate is irrational….

  27. Buc1987 Says:

    “No more asj’s,kenny bell,charle sims or that kid from wyoming who couldn’t catch a brick types. I wanna see some dawgs man. I wanna see some dreads and gold teeth man.”

    NOS I second that. We need nasty animals.

  28. LifeOfABucFan Says:

    Our safeties have won games for us..and we want to replace them?..SMDFH like ten times..

    You keep Conte, Tandy and McDougald..end of story..EACH one has made HUGE plays for us..

    More pressing needs…

  29. Bob in valrico Says:

    sometimes you need to try people already on the roster at different positions
    like:
    Bucs want to switch Ryan Smith to corner.
    I would like to see Sims get a shot at WR.
    They could also try Barimah at safety.

  30. LakeLandBuc Says:

    According to the JBF posters, we need everything from a new Waterboy to Equipment Manager. We need new Safeties, new RBs, O-Line makeover, D-line makeover. We need new WRs, a new TE, new OLB, new backup QB. So in other words, we need a entire new team. We only get 7 draft picks, and there’s 31 other teams competing against us in Free-Agency. I hate to bust someone bubble, but all of this wishful thinking will not happen. It will take 3-4 seasons of good drafting and free agency signing to fulfill these posters wishes.

  31. Eric Says:

    @Lakelandbuc

    Exactly and by that point, we will have all new needs.

    Every team has needs every season. There will never be a completely well-rounded team in the NFL. EVER.

    If we break down DIRE needs, that only leaves WR. I feel like we could get by with everyone else and even make a run. But if we want to go with needs to make a superbowl run, I’d say WR(2x), S, C, T, and DE.

  32. Turbo Says:

    I’d take a safety in the first if one of the good free safeties prospects fall.

    I think drafting Peppers would be a mistake as he’s similar to what we have and doesn’t have the best ball skills in pass coverage. Someone will overdraft him.

    We could literally draft any position in the first that isn’t QB or linebacker. Should be an exciting draft.

  33. LifeOfABucFan Says:

    Lakeland..you’re so right..from the waterboy to the QB..yeah they wants ALL positions replaced..some ppl here don’t know a good player when they see them! If they are actually watching the game..

    Leave Safety alone..leave them alone! I tell you, leave them alone!!

  34. ME13 Says:

    Joe I made a statement in one of your post about Jimmy just a ( Gram) of OJ Howard!! Don’t want JG from the Hawks!!! OJ is a game changer!! Not sure he will be there at 19 !!! But he is what Dirk is taking bout !!

  35. ME13 Says:

    I know this post is about S !! Have no prob with B Mc an the Tandyman playing S if we improve our front 4!! Add to what we have need that JPP off the edge that can strike fear at anytime!!! I just wanted to take back a statement I made about wanting JG!!

  36. Broy34 Says:

    It would be a colossal mistake drafting a safety high. Gotta build front to back. Need a run stopping dt or an all around d end. And absolutely need another corner. Brent slip and fall grimes won’t cut it for long. If not hooker or whoever from Ohio state or Eric berry if let go then just draft a running back. The leagues seeing a resurgence at the position

  37. Dave Says:

    I’m with you Joe. Those safeties are young and kept getting better and better. At the beginning of the season, after 4 games, I was all for getting a new safety, but as the season went on they really improved. As far as defense, I would much rather have them focus on more defensive line help and another CB. In today’s NFL you need three corner backs out there almost 70% of the time. Besides, nothing makes DBs better than more pressure.

  38. James Walker Says:

    Tandy should have TO COMPETE for his position. 8 good games DOES NOT suddenly take you from a disaster to a starter. We need another safety in case Tandy goes back to what he was for the last 4 1/2 years.

  39. James Walker Says:

    You “Tandy-man can” guys need to go back and watch his film from 2013, 2014, 2015, and most of last year.

  40. Broy34 Says:

    Who refers to previous years instead of the current. It’s called development

  41. Lord Cornelius Says:

    “You “Tandy-man can” guys need to go back and watch his film from 2013, 2014, 2015”

    Why?

    There’s plenty of NFL players who have bad film early in their career.. That really doesn’t mean anything; unless you’re talking about bad film from 2016 in the system he will be in next year.

    Tandy’s weakness is in run support imo. Dude is just small for a safety and can get run over by big backs. His range in coverage seems pretty decent but isn’t elite.

    McDougald hits well but has bad recovery speed / range and seemed to get beat a lot.

  42. Joeypoppems Says:

    Corner is a bigger need than safety right now. Especially with Grimes in his contract year. Idk if counting on Ryan Smith to be his replacement is a good idea or not. Thats another position that can be in play for an early pick in the draft

  43. Pickgrin Says:

    “Lots of good top Safety talent in the draft. Adams, Hooker, and Peppers could all go Top 20.”

    Many early mocks have all 3 going top 15. If the right one falls to us at 19 – a major talent upgrade at Safety HAS to be a consideration.

    The emergence of Tandy at the end of last year may lessen the “need” slightly – but make no mistake that WE NEED more talent at Safety. A stud rookie to go along with Tandy would do wonders for our defense moving forward. Conte and McDougald are both good back ups with experience – but I don’t want either starting next year – and Tandy’s good play was an awfully small sample size…..

  44. Buccaneer scotty Says:

    Great pass rush makes all your safety and corners better!

  45. SB Says:

    A great Pass Rush kills the need for playmaking safety ability. I played safety all through jr high and HS. If your safety is the one that you are hanging your hat on defensively then you have real problems. Safeties are the last line of defense. They are ready to make the play but one would hope they don’t have to.
    As Joe said we have bigger fish to fry. IF a great safety is there in FA then fine. We DO NOT need do draft one.

  46. SB Says:

    LOL Buccaneer Scotty………….You and I were typing at the same time and said basically the same thing

  47. Buccaneer scotty Says:

    Good stuff!

  48. Kevin Says:

    This team still needs a lot, safety included….but in my opinion its in the order of Wr, OL, Dline, Safety, Rb

  49. USFBUC Says:

    We will know what the team needs once FA hits and we see who gets signed. Collins resigned with the Browns so that probably takes Pryor off the table because they can use their tag on him if need be now.

    Personally I’m hoping we address WR, S, and DLine in FA so we can go after CB, TE, Oline, and RB in the draft.

  50. Owlykat Says:

    Even if you go back to 2014 when Tandy had to replace our Pro Bowl Safety who got suspended for his helmet hitting high, Tandy played Great and was recognized for his good play then. He should have been startiing from then to now. He also studies a lot more film than any Safety and is a playmaker and sets top stats for his tackling too. We have to get either a top WR or FSU’s RB in the first round!!!

  51. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    What SB and Scotty said. I still Can’t recall the corners from the superbowl the Giants won spoiling the perfect 18 and 0 season. But ask who was on thst NASCAR D line pass rush I’ll tell you them all.

  52. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Or the safeties

  53. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Gee surprise someone else has the cajones to say Owlykat. The reason I place Dalvin over a #2 WR first is because I believe the offense would operate easier with a homerun threat in the backfield. No he is not the only option in the draft but he is the most explosive dual option in this draft. I told Pop on the other thread this is an playaction offense we won’t be pitching the ball around the way they do in Atlanta or GB. The homerun threat makes it easier to sale the playaction people.

  54. SB Says:

    If Cook is available at 19 and we skip on him I will Personally fly down there and set fire to One Buc Place. This being said I will never be charged with Arson in my life. I would LOOOOVVVEE Cook, but he won’t be there, and we are not a team that can afford to trade up. This is why we get paid to do what we do and NFL types get paid to do what they do.

  55. Andy Norton Says:

    We need to spend some lute in FA this year and if we can fill 3 to 4 spots like we did in 16 and have a 3 starter draft, I believe we can make a nice playoff run. Time will tell if we hit in FA and the draft this upcoming year.

  56. Danny E Says:

    I’ve never posted on here, but you cannot bring Chris Conte back. He is absolutely atrocious in coverage.

  57. ME13 Says:

    Does anyone remember the Pro bowl Ballhawk 38 S we signed ?? He was a stud in SF because of the pass rush from the Smith boys up front!! Until we add to our D-line DT ( Fairley & Poe) come to mind an DE ( JPP) it don’t matter who you get at S !! When QB ( NFL) QBs got 3min to find a WR !! Just Know they will!! It starts up front!! Smitty needs Chess pieces to play chess an Dirk needs weapons for JW3 !! Let light yrs fill some wholes on D an let Dirk get his juice (OJ) an a WR in the draft !!

  58. Stpetebucsfan Says:

    NOSBOS…I’m with you bro and if Dalvin is at 19 we better pick him!!! And I’m so with you that if we give a 3rd to move up and get him I’m OK. No more than that though.

    And so basically when it comes to safeties I echo pickgrin.

    Many early mocks have all 3 going top 15. If the right one falls to us at 19 – a major talent upgrade at Safety HAS to be a consideration.

    And so if Dalvin is unobtainable I agree totally with pickgrin.

    I do not want to spend either of the top two choice on a DT. That will NOT help our rush. DT’s are not the ones putting on the pressure and besides we HAVE a DT who averaged 8 sacks per year for the past four years. That’s good enough to be second or third best.

    Where we suck has been on edge rushers. I think Noah is the real deal but if they draft another DE with #19…presuming Dalvin just gets drafted to high…I’m fine with it.

    Depending what we do in FA in March we may actually be in the very enviable position of just going BPA throughout the draft. But safeties and RB are the only two spots that look loaded to me this year.

  59. JayBucBoi Says:

    Eric Berry, and we good.

  60. I'm a Tandyman Fan Says:

    James Walker you must be Jimmy Walker the Comedian. Tandy got his chance last season and was instrumental in the Bucs late season success. He is smart man, study’s the game, is always prepared and is a flipping winner. We may need to secure another safety for depth but only to learn how to be a pro like Tandy from Tandy by his leadership and guidance.

  61. Stpetebucsfan Says:

    JayBucBoi

    Agree with you but then we get the realisitic folks here pointing out that KC will never let him go.

    I mean really…we’re talking wish lists.

    Eric Berry….of course but the won’t hit the market.

    Terrelle Pryor…maybe if his head checks out with ME and #3 but he’s probably stying where he grew up in Northern OH.

    Desean Jackson…probably headed to Philly

    AP…too expensive or doesn’t check out with the medical people

    Campbell…perhaps the most likely to actually be signed.

    IF we could get those five…yeah I know we can’t…but a guy can dream…they might be out there and we have the bucks. Imagine this team if we scored those FA’s and then had a wide open draft.

  62. JabooBuc Says:

    OJ Howard at 19 and you upgrade your OLine play and provide Jameis another red zone weapon. You don’t use your 1st round pick to draft a #2 receiver. Good news is that this draft is deep at WR and RB so you could draft a quality Safety in round 2 and still get quality WR and RB options in 3 & 4.

  63. Pickgrin Says:

    SPBF says:
    “if we give a 3rd to move up and get him I’m OK. No more than that though.”

    Our 1st and 3rd round picks only gets us up to pick #15 in the 1st round.

    Carolina at 8, Bengals at 9, Cleveland at 12, Indianapolis at 14 and Philly at 15 all have a need at RB.

    Now if Dalvin Cook is as good a pro prospect as NOS BOS claims (and as an FSU fan, I won’t deny the young man has special and gamebreaking skills) – then we would likely need to trade our 1st, 2nd,3rd and 4th round picks to move up to #7 to get him. Our 1st, 2nd and 5th round picks only gets us up to #10 and either Carolina at #8 or Bengals at #9 are likely to nab Cook I believe if we don’t get in front of them.

    Is anyone besides NOS BOS on board with giving up that much for 1 running back? I can pretty much guarantee that Jason Licht is NOT on board with that type of ridiculous thinking. That math that comes straight from the draft trade chart BTW and is pretty accurate.

  64. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Pick in 2014 the Bills gave cleve they’re 2018 1st round pick to swap with them 9 to the 5 spot grab Sammy Watkins. Why do feel it would take all those picks for us to move to say 9???

  65. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    St.Pete would you be okay with that deal??? Us giving our 2018 1st which would ultimately end up being a late first rounder because Dalvin immediately put us in the playoffs. To swap our 2017 19 with lets say whom ever is currently 9.

  66. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    You’re embellishing Pick I just bust yo @$$ on it tho. Go and check the Bills trade up during 2014 details. No where near was that much required bro. Y’all need to stop talking out y’all @$$.

  67. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    My bad gave them they re 2015 you get this gist.

  68. JabooBuc Says:

    As an FSU grad I obviously love Dalvin and would love to see him as a Buccaneer. However, you DO NOT move up to draft a RB. It’s just dumb. If he falls to us and they take him I would be fine with it but otherwise, there are bigger needs.

  69. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Now if Dalvin is a priority like I think he is to Jason Licht and Dirk Koetter you all might as well kiss that 2018 first round pick good bye now.

  70. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    We’ll see who thinks its dumb come draft night jabo.

  71. SB Says:

    JabooBuc Says:
    January 24th, 2017 at 9:02 pm
    OJ Howard at 19 and you upgrade your OLine play and provide Jameis another red zone weapon. You don’t use your 1st round pick to draft a #2 receiver. Good news is that this draft is deep at WR and RB so you could draft a quality Safety in round 2 and still get quality WR and RB options in 3 & 4.
    ……………….
    I just boycotted Bleacher Report for having us picking a TE in the First. ANY………and I mean ANYONE……..writer especially…….should have his football knowledge card revoked if he thinks that we take a TE in the first. As a fan of 41 years I would resign if we did.

  72. Stpetebucsfan Says:

    NOSBOS

    I’m pretty high on Dalvin. I’d really have to check out any specific deal.

    I shall say this though…I’m high enough on Dalvin that I trust whatever Licht does IF he gets him.

  73. JabooBuc Says:

    its not a contest and certainly hope they make the right choice. However, all you have to do is look at the final 4 playoff teams to see highly drafted running backs are not a need to win in this league. To give up draft picks to move up for that position would not be a high risk move. I would agree that having Cook would provide a home run threat for this team but if they do their homework, there are other options that may do the same while also allowing the, to fill other needs.

  74. SB Says:

    How does that Spawn Jersey fit you Bro?

  75. JabooBuc Says:

    SB: Why?

  76. SB Says:

    Well Jaboo………If we take a look at All of our needs I would say that TE is at least 10th on the list seeing as our TE led the league in TDs. This isn’t a contest of who can grab a shiny object. Needs, man, Needs.

  77. SB Says:

    Well……..Correction…Brate was leading or tied up until week 13

  78. DrHoagy Says:

    It’s amazing how a strong pass rush makes your DB’s, Safety’s included, look better than they are. I wouldn’t draft a Safety high but I would draft one as well as look at Free Agency.
    This team is on the up swing but still have a lot of needs. RB,WR, Dline, Oline, etc, yes, lots of needs.

  79. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    @ SB so Vernon Davis going to 2 superbowls and winning one was a bust of a pick?

    I really can’t stress to you enough how potent a line up of Mike Evans, O.J. Howard, Cam Brate, and Adam Humpries ( or whatever #2 receiver we get in FA) would be.

    Talk about draft needs being player/ team specific. Jameis does damage out of a 2 TE set. Not only that, but Dirk Koetters 4 verts scheme functions extremely effeciently in 12 formation.

    Keep an open mind SB. O.J. Howard is a heck of a prospect. And its likely he’ll be available when we pick.

  80. JabooBuc Says:

    Their needs are weapons for Jameis and also protection for Jameis. Howard is not only a great receiving threat but is also the top blocking TE in the draft. As I am sure you know, this causes all types of match-up problems for the opposition. Brate, while a good receiving TE, is not a huge help in the run game. Go ahead and ask the Patriots how important the TE position is.

  81. SB Says:

    Blake I am not sure who picked VD or How bad their need was at the time.
    There is Zero need for the Bucs to reach for a TE in the first round. I will give you a Cnote if you can change my mind though.

  82. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Fits perfect BIG bro thanks again. You the best.

  83. SB Says:

    You da man bro. Let’s hope that you are buying me a Dalvin Cook Jersey next yr. I have to let my son use the computer to take a test for school. Catch you in about thirty minutes. And the rest of you cats too. Peace.

  84. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    And I’m good wit that St.Pete. Thanks good sir.

  85. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Good deal bro.

  86. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    It was the 49ers when they were trying to acquire weapons for alex smith.

    Also, Cam Brate incurred a fairly serious lower back injury at the end of last year, and I wish him a swift recovery, but backs are funny. *cough sweezy.*cough cough*

    And outside of Brate, we got do nothing great/ do everything below average Brandon Myers, and declining blocking Icon Luke stocker who is also injury prone.

    A weapon is a weapon. And O.j. Howard is a mismatch waiting to happen. Look at the offense Bellicheck tried to construct this very season. The pats already had the best TE in the league and still went out and got Bennet. Modern Tight ends have a become Dynamic Playmakers dude.

  87. yrbndr Says:

    nosbos I thought you were going stop honking on Cook? Whats up? Its not a good look. Look at the big picture bro. Its not worth it if we have to trade up. Too many needs. Nothing personal at all but give it a rest. He is good and had a great college career but…. he won’t be available and worth the trade up. Not complicated.

  88. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Ima sign off with this. The Bucs have signed two Full backs since the season ended. That tells me Koetter serious about protecting something and not giving up on finding a quality FB. Next Quizz is still unsigned, not saying he won’t be signed but everyday gose by makes me wonder why.

  89. Nole on Sat- Bucc on Sun Says:

    Did you have issue when I was honking Fameis??? If not shut the h3ll up dude. Good night All.

  90. cmurda Says:

    This is the least of our problems. Sure, I wouldn’t mind taking a safety as a flier late in draft but not in the top rounds.

  91. Pickgrin Says:

    NOS BOS says:
    “You’re embellishing Pick I just bust yo @$$ on it tho. Go and check the Bills trade up during 2014 details. No where near was that much required bro.”

    I’m just going by the trade chart. Its not gospel of course, but all GMs use it as a guideline and most all draft trades you see happen fall pretty close to the #s established for each pick “value”.

    As far as the Sammy Watkins trade – the Bills were idiots for doing that. They started from 9 and gave up future (following year’s) 1st round and 4th round picks to move up 5 spots for Watkins at the #4 pick. If they were that desperate for a great WR prospect, they could have moved up just 3 spots to get Evans and saved the equivalent value of a 3rd round pick – or just stood pat at 9 and picked Beckham Jr which is obviously what they should have done in retrospect.

    You are making my point for me with that example – LOL

    I’ll say it again. Your hopes for the Bucs drafting Cook are far fetched at best and your constant insisting that its not only very doable but likely just makes you sound like you don’t really know how this stuff works.

    The last coach who did what you are suggesting the Bucs do (Mike Ditka when he gave away a bunch of picks for Ricky Williams) never got another HC job again despite his SB winning history with da Bears…

  92. SB Says:

    On a Sidenote, we had the choice between Watkins and Evans.
    Nuff said on that pick. 🙂

  93. SB Says:

    We need WR2, OL/DL, DB,RB, along with depth at said positions before we need anything else in my humble opinion. We are all just spinning our wheels until FA is over. Buy Hey, that is what being a fan is all about right?!

  94. Pickgrin Says:

    SB says:
    “we had the choice between Watkins and Evans”

    ??? Bills gave away the farm to draft Watkins #4 and the Bucs didn’t pick until #7 where we picked Evans. How did the Bucs have a choice?

  95. SB Says:

    Sorry Pickgrin. I didn’t realize we didn’t have the same option they had. My bad

  96. SB Says:

    We simply stayed pat and picked the best WR we have ever had without believing the Watkins hype. Coulda been an accident I guess though

  97. Pickgrin Says:

    And sure Atlanta paying so much for Julio Jones seems like an acceptable move now that he’s a total stud and has actually exceeded pre-draft expectations and the pain of giving up two 1st, a 2nd and two 4ths is a ways back in the rearview mirror.

    But ask Mike Smith if it was worth it? The Falcons suffered badly for 2 years and Smith lost his job largely as a result of that trade up.

    Even in best case scenarios – the team giving multiple picks to move up 10+ spots in the 1st round rarely winds up with the better end of the deal even if that player they wanted so bad does live up to expectations…

  98. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    @SB examples like the 2 Pickgrin has eloquently presented are exactly why I hope that We stick to that strategy of not buying into overly hyped College superstars.

    Trading up in the first is just far too risky.

    Really wish people would stop trying to use Julio Jones as an example. When that dude is a once in a generation type freak of nature in addition to being a phenomenal player. Joe really disappointed me today by busting out that weak argument.

  99. SB Says:

    Then sir you should attempt to sell your Riverboat Gambling skills to an NFL Office. The reach loses more often than it gains. Numbers don’t lie. I will only offer the RG3 trade in opposition to your JJ trade. WE as a team can’t afford to trade up right now if WE as a fanbase want to stop complaining about losing. Been a While since we were a winning team

  100. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    @SB both sides lost hard on the Rg3 trade in the long run.

    More recently the Titans fleeced the Rams this year, when the rams bought into the hype of Jared Goff.

  101. SB Says:

    Blake…….He presented Watkins…….Bust
    and JJ…….once in a generation talent.
    ………….I love Nos like a Bro and drove down there for Vacation this past spring and had beers with him while I was there. He believes Cook is precisely that. I am not completely on board with that but that is the ONLY way JL should pull the trigger on a Trade Up

  102. SB Says:

    Blake_Bucsfan Says:
    January 24th, 2017 at 11:24 pm
    @SB both sides lost hard on the Rg3 trade in the long run.

    More recently the Titans fleeced the Rams this year, when the rams bought into the hype of Jared Goff.
    ……………….
    🙂 Yes they did. But none harder than the Skins who sold the farm for a guy who Still can’t start a game in the NFL

  103. SB Says:

    And Super LOL on the Goff/ Titans deal Blake !!!!

  104. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    He also presented the ricky williams deal.

    And, you can Argue that Dalvin has the potential to be a phenomenal player sure, I dont agree, but the argument is definitely there.

    However, by no means is Dalvin Cook the same kind of Athletic Freak as Julio. JJ was 6’3 225ish and ran a 4.39. In addition to displaying elite agility, eilte route running, and Elite hands.

    Dalvin is 5’11 213. Which is a very average build for Rb. I could be dead wrong about my opinion of how he’ll do in the pros. But simply put, he’s not the same kind of freak athletic Prospect that JJ was dude. And thats why I think its silly to try and compare them.

  105. Pickgrin Says:

    Its been awhile since we were a winning team primarily because Bruce Allen and Mark Dominik who controlled player acquisition for 10 years prior to Licht’s arrival were NOT good talent evaluators. Simple as that – as a former underperforming Buccaneers coach was fond of saying…

    Licht has proven he can spot and acquire good young talent and with a franchise QB and strong young nucleus in place – I dare say we have seen the last of perennial losing and are more likely than not to have Super Bowls in our near future.

  106. SB Says:

    I know my Bro Nos will hate me for this but I agree. Cook MAY be the next Marshal Faulk. However History says not so fast. College success doesn’t necessarily transfer to the NFL or else there wouldn’t have been 21 WRs selected before Antonio Brown. And Le’veon Bell wouldn’t have gone in the 4 th round.
    Not saying Cook isn’t the next AP. Just saying it isn’t likely.

  107. SB Says:

    Also I never compared JJ to Cook. Maybe I read your post wrong but JJ is the exception to almost Every rule in the Galaxy. There are a bunch or Ryan Leaf’s, Jamarcus Russell’s, etc. to go against the JJ move.

  108. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    @SB exactly bro.

    Btw Lev bell weng in the second but thats not really important.

    And I know you weren’t one them, mainly it was your homie. And then Joe pulled the same weak sauce argument out earlier today.

  109. cmurda Says:

    Ricky Williams isn’t on the same level of fleecing as RG3. While RG3 can still be productive, I just don’t see it. Ricky at least was productive. Just because he liked to smoke trees, his career didn’t end up like it should have. The dude was productive though and I always liked Ricky. It’s too early to put Goff in the fleecing category. He could still end up being a stud.

  110. SB Says:

    $hit Blake………my bad about Bell in the second. Shows not to post after too many Buds. 🙂

  111. Pickgrin Says:

    Cook will be a great pro IMO and whatever team he goes to is getting a dynamic playmaker.

    BUT….

    The nature of the game has changed and “bellcow”, “3 down” RBs are not as important as they once were in the NFL.

    The best teams by and large have a franchise QB, throw more than they run and use a “running back by committee” approach to one degree or another.

    Not many teams use high 1st round picks on RBs anymore and its even rarer for teams to give up extra picks to move up high into the 1st round for a running back.

    The Cowboys drafting Elliot high seemed to work out OK (so far) and the Rams taking Gurley at #10 seemed at first to have been a good pick but now its not looking as good. But these are more outliers than anything. You think the Browns are glad they paid extra to move up a spot for Richardson? I already mentioned the Ricky Williams fiasco. The Bengals moving up 4 spots for Ki-Jana Carter was a total bust. There aren’t even that many examples in recent NFL history of teams moving up or giving up multiple picks for RBs because its just not a good idea. How did the 5 players and 8 draft picks trade for Herschel Walker work out for the Vikings? LOL

  112. SB Says:

    I agree cmurda on the Goff deal. He still may be something. However RG3 is as likely to be an elite QB as I have at dating Ariana Grande or whoever the people find hot now. I will defer to your accounting prowess however if you have found a system .

  113. SB Says:

    Nice post Pick. That was a good breakdown.

  114. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    @ Cmurda

    My dude, I agree with you about Ricky Williams the player. He was one of my favorite running backs growing up. But Ricky Williams the draft pick was mot worth the price of admission.

    Ditka traded away so many picks that no matter how well Ricky performed, he was still set up to be a disappointment.

    But holy crap dude, I dont even care that he’s only played half a season. If you cant beat out Case Keenum then you dont belong. Based on what I’ve seen from Goff, he simply does not have the composure to be a successful quarterback. Gets flustered at any sign of pressure, in my eyes he’s Blaine Gabbert 2.0

  115. Pickgrin Says:

    Not to mention that RBs take a beating and get injured more often and statistically have shorter careers than other positions. That’s another important reason NFL teams don’t like to tie up too many resources in a single running back.

  116. Blake_Bucsfan Says:

    @SB no worries my dude. I know how it goes, when I get too toasty my post are littered with typos lol.

  117. ME13 Says:

    I know you guys don’t want to here it!!! I promis you at 19 light yrs is going to get an impact player!!! TE (OJ) kinda guy !! I’m sure if 1 of the two (RB) fall to us at 19 Just Know Jason will pull the trigger!!! But don’t expect us to pick a #2 WR because we need a fast WR !! Guys remember we have to pay for our sins of the past ( reaching for a need with a 1st rd pick) your 1st should always plug an play(impact) day 1 !!!

  118. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    I’m sorry, but Rick Stroud was the reporter I least respected out of all the locals. I mean, he was the biggest fraud. He made stuff up constantly.

    You know, there is a reason their paper went out of business, and it wasn’t just financials.