Gambling On Kenny Vaccaro?

January 30th, 2018

The Bucs could use help and depth at safety, and it’s a very safe bet Tampa Bay won’t be drafting another safety like it did in the second round last year.

Keith Tandy? After a great close to the 2016 season, four interceptions in five games and a clear command of his responsibilities, Tandy was effectively benched by Mike Smith in 2017. Keep in mind Tandy got all the starter reps through spring practices.

Durable Tandy, known for his work ethic, turns 29 in a couple of weeks and his contract expires in March. Joe has to believe Tandy will explore the free agent market and find a taker for his services, which include being solid on special teams.

T.J. Ward? He was a total bust signing in September. He’ll be gone, mound of weed and all.

That leaves Evans and fan favorite Chris Conte at safety.

The free agency dinner bell rings in six weeks and Joe is intrigued by 2013 Saints first-round pick Kenny Vaccaro. Vaccaro battled a groin injury most of this season and finished on injured reserve. But the talent is there and he had three picks last season in 12 starts for New Orleans.

The following is from Kevin Patra at NFL.com back in December:

The Saints are deep at safety with Vonn Bell and rookie Marcus Williams. Chris Banjo and Rafael Bush are also options to rotate at the position. Corner P.J. Williams could be in line for more snaps against three-receiver sets, where Vaccaro often dropped to cover the slot.

Heading into free agency, Vaccaro had an up-and-down season while battling through injury. His versatility allowed the Saints flexibility, and for stretches he made plays — especially against the run — earning a career-high three interceptions. At other times, the safety played poorly against the pass this season and was benched in a Week 2 loss versus the Patriots. His play dropped off noticeably after the groin injury struck in early November.

Vaccaro seems like a classic case of a young guy (27) who will sign a one-year, prove-it contract, typical of players coming off injury who expect to score a bigger payday after that prove-it year.

Joe likes that Vaccaro is a willing hitter and a good blitzer, something the Bucs don’t seem to have any longer.

If he’s healthy and willing to compete, then Joe would welcome Vaccaro with open arms.

77 Responses to “Gambling On Kenny Vaccaro?”

  1. I'm a Tandyman Bucs Fan Says:

    Better pay and keep Tandy and put him in the starting lineup like he should have been all season last year. Smith was proven wrong in his decision to bench #37 as they went from 9 & 6 with promise for the 2017 Season to a dismal 5 and 11 season and in all honesty should have been fired. Say what you want but Coach Shiotmith messed that one up!!! Truth is Truth and Real is Real!!!!!!

  2. tmaxcon Says:

    tandy is a bum that had 5 good games. let him go. keeping the same group that has spent thier entire careers in basement accomplishes nothing but fueling the losing culture. tandy is a good dude wish him well but he is not a quality nfl player.

  3. Dusthty Rhothdes Says:

    Vacarro is a flat out player the bucs need and wish the bucs would have drafted him, now he might be injury prone now, but he is an erasser and plays down in the box and can support the run, I just do not see why any of these FAs will come to tampa knowing they could not be in the plans for the next regime

  4. tmaxcon Says:

    only low standard buc fans fall in love with mediocre players that have a couple of good games.

  5. tmaxcon Says:

    gambling on injury prone players is a sure way to stay in the basement

  6. DBS Says:

    Bonzi
    I told you he has a list. And he always will.

  7. Espo Says:

    Bring back the Tandy Man

  8. martinii Says:

    I agree with joe. Vaccarro if healthy would be a good addition to the Buc’s. Where I differ however is I would Keep Tandy too. Now you got Evans, Vaccarro, Conte, and Tandy which should be a solid Safety squad.

  9. AC Says:

    @tmaxcon usually not with you but i agree on this take.. wouldnt say Tandy is a bum but he is def mediocre nothing special about him wont even notice if/when he is gone

  10. doolnutts Says:

    I am pretty pumped about Evans. I didn’t love the pick but he has grown on me.

  11. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Vaccaro will attract more interest in FA than Tandy….so he will be more expensive but less than Ward…..he’s a better option.
    My sense is that we shouldn’t have let McDougald go.

  12. Garv Says:

    Not a bad option and sounds like one the Buccaneers would consider.

  13. I'm a Tandyman Bucs Fan Says:

    AC & Tmaxcon. Mediocre is not what happened in 2016. Tandy was always prepared and was actually a Coach out there on the field putting people in the right positions to succeed. That’s why they won games. I recognize he is not the greatest Safety in the NFL but what I do know is that he is a winner and gets the job done. May not recognize he is gone when and if he does leave but I sure recognized he wasn’t on the field when Weed Whacker and Conte and Evans were getting their ass handed to them during the 5 & 11 season!!! TMaxcon you really show your ass on here. Gerald McCoy bashing constantly. Guess all these guys are idiots that think he’s an All.Pro player!! You must be a bowler or Batmitton player cause you sure as hell cant eveluate football talent!!!

  14. Jarod Lauderdale Says:

    I’ll take free agent tre boston

  15. The Graham Tram Says:

    guys- tmaxcon is clearly not serious. Lighten up. tmax is probably the devious housewife of a diehard JBF commentor trying to give her husband a coronary.

  16. Bucn Enough Says:

    Those 5 interceptions that Tandy had coincided with the GREAT Defense that everyone thought was turning the corner…

    So Tandy’s 5 int’s = smoke and mirrors

    I agree with Tmax= average at best, let him walk

  17. JimmyJack Says:

    I’m with Tampabaybucfan fan on this. I liked McDougal when he was here and thought he was still improving. But I try not to look in the rearview mirror.

    Conte and Evans is a decent place to start from. Evans played very fast in a few games and I expect him to play that way most of 2018 now that he has a full grasp.

    Addressing the other S spot opposite Evans is where you need your GM to make quality, under the radar moves. Bring in quality depth-type players that you have high hopes for. Sometimes the best signings are not the most expensive ones…..they are the ones that turn out to be the “suprize” players coming out of camp.

    This is why our team blows……You can’t build a team with first round draft choices and high priced free agents. You have to make all the little moves that turn into gold too. Granted, we have done nicely in the UDFA market but we haven’t seen anything from the pro level. Even when you look at the UDFA moves you’ll notice most of those are on offense. Big part of the reason we have lots more holes on defense.

  18. Lord Cornelius Says:

    Hard to evaluate our secondary when we have a bottom 3 pass rush with our D-line.

    I agree with Martini. Those 4 should be a fine group to role with (Evans/Tandy/Vacarro/Conte).

    Prioritize the D-line though in terms of premium $$ spent – and then see how good or bad our S/CBs actually are when our front 4 can get to the pass rusher for once

  19. Maze Says:

    Interesting take Joe seeing how lots of fans seem to want Derwin James or Fitzpatrick that would obviously mean a first round pick

  20. Maze Says:

    But yeah Tandy is barely even average he’s got go

  21. JimmyJack Says:

    Tandy man Bucs fan…….I too had high hopes for Tandy. He was playing at an ultra high level in those games. Have no idea where that came from or why it took him so long to get there.

    But he didn’t earn a job coming out of camp……What does that tell ya? And when he did get on the field he looked like the Tandy of his other, What?, 50 games here…..not like the guy from those 5……….I was all for hoping the guy put it all together late in his career and could play at that elite level he showed but I watched him play in preseason and during the season and it simply wasn’t there. There’s a reason he wasn’t a starter this season.

  22. I'm a Tandyman Bucs Fan Says:

    BucN Enough….5 interceptions in the NFL is not Smoke and Mirrors and certainly not lucky!!!! You are playing against the Worlds best athletes in NFL Players. Being prepared and instinct is what gets you 5 interceptions. Like my initial post says “The Truth is Truth and Real is Real”. And honestly I do hope he does walk because he deserves better!!!!!

  23. tnew Says:

    Wouldn’t be shocked at all regarding a Saftey in the later rounds, if the right one fell. Say, Jessie Bates, WF.. what if he’s on the board in Round 5 or even at the end of the 4th. When I was watching Duke Eljifor tape, this kid kept making plays.

  24. JAB83 Says:

    TJ Ward is the main reason I wouldnt sign Talib. The Broncos are not gonna let players walk for no good reason. And money aint a good one, unless the same is true for the Bucs.

    That said, with Vaccro is a casualty of to many good players at a given position and his injury. Plus he fits the JL mold of gambling on injured players.

    I say sign him if he is available. Not reach so long as he is not the only one we get to help our D improve.

  25. RawBucFan Says:

    I prefer Eric Reid from 49ers. He’s unrestricted, young & talented. Keep Tandy as insurance & special teams ace along with Josh Robinson. Drafter another S late for depth & competition.

  26. 813bucboi Says:

    either 2016 9-7 and tandy’s 5ints were a fluke or smitty used the wrong personnel at safety and the wrong scheme for our CB’s in 2017…..simple as
    that!!!!!

    I agree with matini…..resign tandy…keep conte….sign Kenny….start j.evans….

    and I would still draft a safety in the lower rounds to develop just so people cant used the injury or depth excuse…..GO BUCS!!!!

  27. I'm a Tandyman Bucs Fan Says:

    Jimmy Jack…Keith had earned the starting spot for the 2017 season. Koetter even said he would be hard to get knocked out of the starting Role. I know for a fact Lovie had his favorites and never gave Keith a chance. So that had some impact on what took him so long to prove himself. When Keith got hurt the second game of the season Smith just totally forgot what he had done in 2016 and did not think he was athletic enough and replaced him with Weed Whacker, Conte and Evans and never looked at him again. Look what that did for their season……. 5 & 11 Smith evaluates Talent about like TMaxcon !!!! I do respect your opinion though. Everyone has their own. Mine and yours are just not the same. Might be because I know Tandy personally and Coached him. I have that advantage of knowing how he’s wired!!!! He is a WINNER and that can’t be Coached. You either have that quality or you don’t and he does!!!!!

  28. 813bucboi Says:

    RawBucFan Says:
    January 30th, 2018 at 11:50 am
    I prefer Eric Reid from 49ers. He’s unrestricted, young & talented. Keep Tandy as insurance & special teams ace along with Josh Robinson. Drafter another S late for depth & competition.

    great minds think alike!!!!!!…eric reid and Kenny are similar…..both hard hitters….both young…both former 1st rounders…..he’s a great option…..GO BUCS!!!!

  29. Fanalyzer34 Says:

    We should draft Derwin James (since Chubb is likely gone by 7) and pair him with Justin Evans. Let those two wreck havoc for the next ten years together.

  30. Tom Says:

    IMO Tandy was quite effective in 2016. In 2017 while riding the bench we know how bad the Bucs were. Coincidence? Someone tell me why Tandy was benched to begin with? I don’t want to hear it was because he wasn’t any good.

  31. webster Says:

    Kenny vacaro sucks. My vice president at my job is a saints fan and we talk all the time as i report to him. I remember how excited he was when the saints drafted him in the first round in 2013. This guy has been a major disappointment due to poor play and injuries and that is why the saints drafted new safties the past two years. Think chris conte. Nothing more nothing less.

  32. Pickgrin Says:

    Vaccaro seems like a feasible target in Free Agency.

    He may not be nearly as cheap as some might think though. I just read a breakdown of his estimated “value” and the belief from that author was that his true market value (based on comps) is between $6>$8.5M per year on a multi year deal with somewhere between $9>$14M guaranteed.

    Not sure that is accurate – sounds high. But considering his age, decent to good stats and tape (when healthy) and being a former #15 overall pick – I’m sure he would cost at least $5M per year if not more.

    A new contract for Tandy should be less than half that amount.

    Is Vaccarro really worth more than twice as much as Tandy? Maybe. Is he twice as good of a player? Highly doubtful. Tandy already knows the system intimately – so there is some built in value there already.

    Not sure what happened with Kieth Tandy in 2017 after such a stellar string of games to end the 2016 season. But it was more than obvious to me that the Bucs were trying to force Ward onto the field a good bit of last season (at Tandy’s expense) to see if that former pro bowl designation would show itself. And it never did. Ward was more liability than solution and Tandy didn’t get to show much in a contract year. Perhaps Tandy just wasn’t playing well enough to merit more reps. I honestly don’t know if that was the case or not. Only his coaches truly know why those decisions were made.

  33. mark2001 Says:

    Bucs SB odds 2019…. 40-1….. tied for 17th worst team odds at this point in time. Better take advantage of it before the draft and free agency, before they drop to 150-1.

  34. LakeLand Says:

    The Bucs roster is loaded with Atlanta Falcons rejects. Why not get the Saints rejects?

  35. Joeypoppems Says:

    I wouldnt rule out drafting another Safety. Maybe not as high of a pick like Evans was. Who knows how the board will fall tho.

  36. JimmyJack Says:

    Yeah Webster….I don’t know anything about Vaccaro but fans always overvalue players who were former first rounders that busted.

    Now maybe this dudes issues have mostly been injury related and he can play at a high level. Maybe then worth signing. Otherwise, he just sounds like a project that’s only worth it if you are ver strong at the position which we are defientaly not.

  37. I'm a Tandyman Bucs Fan Says:

    Pickgrin, Tom and 813. Thank you for recognizing what I have been preaching. Good to know other people saw what I did!!! I know Tandy couldn’t take credit for all the success in 2016 but I do know he couldn’t take any credit for what happened in 2017 because he was on the sideline. To me that is not just a coincidence that the Bucs season was as bad as it was!!! #37 to me was a big difference in why they won in 16 and lost in 17!!! Just sayin!!!

  38. JimmyJack Says:

    Pickgrin……..The fact is Tandy did see the field this year. He didn’t make an impact. He’s been here for a long time and never made an impact, except for those four games.

    If Tandy was as good as thos3 four games he would have showed up when he played this year. And it’s not all about Ward either. They looked to Conte before they looked to Tandy.

    If Tandy was that good he would have nailed down his spot out of camp. Don’t know what he looked like in practice but he didn’t do much in preseason games.

  39. 813bucboi Says:

    tandyman

    tandy is a great talent…..never knew why coaches put him on the back burner….athletic….smart….team first guy…good character guy…..all things you look for in a football player…..

    while I think 2016 was a fluke, I don’t think his performance was a fluke….those ints didn’t just fall in his lap….he made plays…..

    I honestly think had tandy started every game this year we would’ve finished with the same record…maybe 6-10 simply because of coaching…..lack of scheme….wrong personnel…the list goes on…..

    tandy is a player you need in the locker room from a performance stand point and character stand point…..he’ll be productive if called upon and can help develop/teach the young DB’s because this staff sure cant teach or develop young DB’s…..GO BUCS!!!!

  40. Pickgrin Says:

    I tend to agree with you Jimmy.

    I’ve seen every live game play that Tandy has made in his 6 year Buccaneer career. And outside of those few games at the end of 2016 – I’ve never seen “impact” capability. Never. Steadish play whenever called upon? Yes.

    Someway, somehow – Kieth Tandy caught lightning in a bottle for a few games in a row end of ’16 season when injury pressed him into a starting role and literally looked like a completely different player. An ALL PRO player. Making game winning impact plays.

    But guess what else was working better those 5 games than Ive seen from the Bucs in at least the last 7 or 8 years. The DLine. We were getting real pressure. We were getting the QBs off their spot regularly those games and the DBs were getting better opportunities to make plays on the ball as a result.

    Fix the DLine for reals and Conte/Tandy both probably become way better players than what we’ve come to expect from them.

    I think J. Evans will continue to develop and has a pretty high potential ceiling. Kudos to the coaching staff for getting him on the field once he was ready and letting him get some of those rookie lumps out of the way and have plenty of live game tape of himself to study coming into his 2nd year.

    If we can somehow sign or draft 1 upgrade for a starter and re-sign Tandy as an intended back-up – we’d go from having one of the weakest to one of the strongest Safety groups in the league in just 2 years.

  41. StPeteBucsFan Says:

    Our cap space is excellent…should get better after dumping Swaggy…Ward and maybe even Ayers.

    If we’re only tying up a year or two and not handcuffing ourselves going forward I say…re-sign Grimes…the safest FA out there for us…we know exactly what we’re getting.

    Then the gamble starts…ALL outside FA’s are gambles…

    I think Vaccarro is a worthwhile gamble because there are legitimate reasons for his availability…injury…NO has a surplus of talent at S.

    Then Talib and Bennett…larger gambles. But if all those guys worked out it really frees up our draft to concentrate on the trenches and perhaps pick up an RB.

  42. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Joe,

    I agree

    Repost

    LUVMYBUCS Says:
    December 19th, 2017 at 10:38 am←

    I respect what Grimes has done as a BUC.
    But “IF” the organization can close the deal on a few younger options. Cool

    Free Agent & Draft (Options)

    Cornerback(s)
    • Bashaud Breeland (25)
    • E.J. Gaines (25)
    • Kyle Fuller (25)
    • Ross Cockrell (26)
    • Malcolm Butler (27)
    • Rashaan Melvin (28)

    Safeties
    • FS – Tre Boston (25)
    • SS – Kenny Vaccaro (26)

    Draft Option(s)
    • CB -Joshua Jackson
    • FS – Armani Watts
    • NB – Arrion Springs

    Defensive Back Projections
    • Malcolm Butler | Ryan Smith
    • Bashaud Breeland | Joshua Jackson
    • Vernon Hargraves | *Arrion Springs
    • Tre Boston | *Armani Watts
    • Kenny Vaccaro | Justin Evans

    Note: At the time Joshua Jackson was considered a 2nd Round Pick.
    The Best Pure corner in the draft IMO.

  43. webster Says:

    @ st. Pete

    Vacaro is available because he is not good. He is very inconsistent. I know saints fans and they all want him gone. Thats why vonn bell was drafted 2 years ago and that is why marcus williams was drafted last year. Vacaro sucks.

  44. webster Says:

    You guys wanting vacaro will be dogging licht next year if he brought him in and he continues to suck. THINK CHRIS CONTE PLEASE!!!!!!!

  45. Owlykat Says:

    With as lousy as our coverage team was last year Licht better not let Tandy go. He also is a Coach on the field when he is in!

  46. Rod Munch Says:

    Sabby Piscitelli is still staying active and training over in Orlando, maybe the Bucs should give him a call.

  47. Rod Munch Says:

    Why couldn’t the Bucs draft another safety? You need two.

  48. JimmyJack Says:

    You might be right Tandyman Buc fan and it might be coaching. That said I saw Tandy play this year and he was underwhelming.

    You don’t earn a job when you have played four good games in five years. That’s just ridicilous. I mean where was Tandy the other twelve games? I remember watching preseason games and looking for Tandy to show the same promise he delivered in those four games. Where was it?

    He saw snaps this year and did nothing special with them. Where was he?

    I had hoped he would play at the level of those games but I never saw it. You have to prove worth in this league. He knew he was fighting for a job in camp so he had to deliver. He just flat out didn’t prove it IMO.

    Maybe he moves on and proves it elsewhere. Then we can blame coaching. But til then he hasent been an exceptional starting level player here in Tampa. He’s had many years to prove more, four games was nice but far from what he has been overall.

  49. Defense Rules Says:

    Can’t believe what I’m reading Joe. You were the one who fairly recently complained about how snake-bit the Bucs were when it comes to injuries. Might it possibly be because we draft & sign players who have a history of being injured?

    In 5 seasons (80 games), Kenny Vaccaro has played in 68 games … 85% (and started all but 1 of those). Last 2 seasons he’s fared worse though: 11 games in 2016 & 12 games in 2017. That’s a 72% availability rate, and more than likely some of the games he did play in he played at less than 100%. Overall good player IMO, but we don’t need more Secondary players who can’t stay on the field. Pass … I’d rather spend our #7 pick and sign Minkah Fitzpatrick.

  50. Not there yet Says:

    You have absolutely lost your mind. You guys are great until you start playing scout.

    But I won’t back the idea just say hell no. I’m of the mind that Mike Smith is on the verge of being fired I’m sure he’d rather bank on the guys he knows plus this dude isn’t very good, Tandy is better and they aren’t that desperate at safety in my opinion

  51. Hodad Says:

    No matter who Licht brings in it will be the wrong move, when has he hit on a F.A.? Licht is a total tool, wouldn’t know a good player if he saw one. The guy traded up for a kicker in the second round, he still thinks he can build around Geraldine McCoy. What’s worse then Licht is the Glazer idiots who thought a meathead scout could be a good G.M..

  52. rrsrq Says:

    What I think the Bucs missed from Tandy, was the communication that occurred in 2016, but they decided to sit Tandy most of the year, he was obviously a rhythm player and he and McDougall fared well together, something the regime did not consider even with drafting Evans.

  53. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Defense Rules

    Question – are you drafting Minkah Fitzpatrick to play.

    -Free
    -Strong
    -Boundary

    or

    -Slot?

  54. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    IMO without hesitation I would draft Joshua Jackson over Minkah Fitzpatrick – to play corner. And you defintely don’t spend a top 5 pick on a slot corner.

    So whats left.

    Free & Strong. And I’m sorry – but I don’t see an All-World safety in his play.
    Especially one that’s not worthy of a top 5 pick.

    To each his own though.

  55. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Minkah Fitzpatrick Vs Hunter Renfrow
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1XBFDvpqmg

  56. darin Says:

    Mark
    You know how odds work right? At 150 to 1 you’d win more than 3 times the money than if its at 40-1. Im not gona bet on the bucs to win the super bowl, with this coaching staff, but if i did i wouldnt unless it was 100/1 or higher. .

  57. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Especially one that’s worthy of a top 5 pick.

  58. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Iowa CB Joshua Jackson
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_vN8L5siGo

  59. JAB83 Says:

    Tmax is a ice cream eating bum that nobody likes except her dead mother. Who only likes TMax because she died young. And didnt have to live with being retard and raising a handicap daughter that wanted to be a boy.

    This relates to the Bucs because TMax and her comments are the Face of Bucs fans on this site.

    I would be a Fan of Depression too if I was her. Whats everyone elses excuse?

    #FansofInspiration

  60. aussieBucfan Says:

    Kenny Vaccaro, New Orleans Saints

    Coverage: 14/25
    Recovery: 11/20
    Slot Performance: 16/20
    Tackling: 20/25
    Position Value: 8/10
    Overall Grade: 69/100

    There may not have been a player more hot and cold than Vaccaro. The Saints moved him around, but before he landed on injured reserve, he primarily settled in the slot. He was good against the run—he played hard, beat blocks and made stops. When he had to cover receivers, it was an entirely different story—Vaccaro lacked the stop and start to stay with them. It’s tough to hide someone who can’t cover in the slot.

  61. aussieBucfan Says:

    Eric Reid, San Francisco 49ers

    Coverage: 20/25
    Recovery: 15/20
    Slot Performance: 15/20
    Tackling: 20/25
    Position Value: 8/10
    Overall Grade: 78/100

    The 49ers asked Reid to play a host of roles in 2017—everything from “moneybacker” to deep safety—and he took every challenge with aplomb. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh had Reid at the line of scrimmage a lot, where he could blitz, shoot the gaps to stop the run or drop into curl/flat coverage based on the defense. He has become one of the NFL’s more versatile safeties and would be a major asset for any team looking to expand its nickel and dime coverage looks.

  62. webster Says:

    Great stuff aussie. Buc fans hear a name they have heard before and want to jump all over the bucs to bring him in. Not thinking if he was so good, why would the saints look to replace him already after drafting him in the 1st round in 2013? Because he is too inconsistent and a 2nd round rookie took his position. That should tell buc fans all they need to know.

  63. LakeLand Says:

    The Bucs will never sign Eric Reid. He’s a trouble maker, according to the dumb,misinform masses.

  64. I'm a Tandyman Bucs Fan Says:

    Hey Joe need another topic and article that the pictures are nice to look at👍!!! Getting a little slow on here my brother!!!

  65. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    DBS Says:
    January 30th, 2018 at 10:36 am
    “Bonzi
    I told you he has a list. And he always will. ”

    Lol

  66. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Kenny Vaccaro has had one healthy season. We saw were injury prone players get us this year. Pass.

    And besides, we don’t just need shutdown corners, we need interception machines because we have a gunslinging QB.

  67. bigblock690 Says:

    If the Bucs cant land Bradley Chubb or trade down for extra picks Derwin James would be a steal he play both safety positions and also cover slot receivers plus tight ends

  68. NFLNut Says:

    ********************

    LaMarcus Joyner, Eric Reid or Tre Boston in free agency … OR … Derwin Jameis, Ronnie Harrison or Deshon Elliot in the draft … one of those 6 safeties should be starting next to Justin Evans next year!

    ********************

  69. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Kenny Vaccarro (26yrs)
    Free | Strong | Big Nicke ← 3 Safety Sets
    • 2017 – G:12 | GS:12
    • 2016 – G:11 | GS:11
    • 2015 – G:16 | GS:16
    • 2014 – G:15 | GS:14
    • 2013 – G:14 | GS:14
    Total: G: 68 | GS: 67
    ==> 68/80 = 85.00% Percent of games played over 5yr. career.

  70. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Eric Reid (26yrs)
    Free | Strong | OLB | Big Nickel ← 3 Safety Sets
    • 2017 – G:13 | GS:12
    • 2016 – G:10 | GS:10
    • 2015 – G:16 | GS:16
    • 2014 – G:15 | GS:15
    • 2013 – G:16 | GS:16
    Total: G: 70 | GS: 69
    ==> 70/80 = 87.5% Percent of games played over 5yr. career.

  71. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Aussie – Solid Research

    I have several issues with the list (Grading/Rankings).
    Especially since Tre’ Boston isn’t listed anywhere on it. lol

    Good read though

    NFL1000: Ranking the Top Strong Safeties of 2017 Season | Bleacher Reporthttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2754253-nfl1000-ranking-the-top-slot-defenders-of-2017-season

  72. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Hopefully the Bucs draft S/SS Armani Watts (3rd Round) “If” we pick-up another draft pick via trade.

    Armani Watts Senior Highlight Video ᴴᴰ
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to5YuV22uus

  73. webster Says:

    Nflnut

    I would love joyner

  74. godzilla13 Says:

    One of the reasons with the difference from the Bucs defense in 2016 and 2017 was that the players who played Safety were not the same throughout the year. In the last five games of 2016 Tandy played “lights out”. He was PFF’s highest graded Safety, of all Safeties. He only allowed a passer rating of 34.4 into his coverage over those last five games. Along with his 57 tackles, four interceptions, fumble recovered and nine pass break-ups, was an indicator of what he could produce when given the opportunity. The same could be said about 2013 when he was able to get some playing time andhe produced 40 tackles, three interceptions, three passes defended and a forced fumble. When Tandy plays, he produces. If Ward is not re-signed and the Bucs start Justin Evans and Chris Conte, they will need some solid depth at the position. I don’t think it would be to much to re-sign Tandy considering his contract was for $925,000 last year. I am still big on drafting possibly the best defensive player in the draft if Chubb is off the board in Safety Darwin James Florida State. Pairing him with Evans, then signing Grimes and either Talib, Claiborne, Johnson or Butler would make for a monster secondary.

  75. aussieBucfan Says:

    True that LUVMYBUCS seems like the ratings are somewhat arbitrary and could be skewed to create a desired results in rank.

    I think the more important commentary is around Kenny’s struggles when forced to drop back and cover.

    While Kenny may be good at dropping down in the box and playing as an extra backer does he possess a much different skill set than Mark Barron?

    While I am aware some might not want Reid on the team for certain political beliefs I believe as a player he would be a much better fit and interchangeable with Evan’s in certain packages (ps I also don’t mind his brother Justin coming out of Stanford). But yeah just think Kenny isn’t the right fit in the modern NFL.

    Anyways food for thought..

  76. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Bring back Bradley this year. He should never have left.

  77. FuNkYxMuNkEy Says:

    A 1 year prove it deal would be a good move.

    I agree with Bonz, we never should’ve let Bradley leave especially when we kept Conte over him. What a joke