A Perfect Fit?
February 22nd, 2019
Smooth addition.
In less than three weeks, free agency hits the NFL.
Joe can almost hear the free agency dinner bell ringing.
That’s why Marc Sessler of NFL.com took a look at the free agency landscape and determined who would be the best fit for each NFC team.
With the Bucs, Sessler believes if you look at the just-OK play of Justin Evans and the fact fan favorite Chris Conte has likely been stiff-armed off the roster, the no-brainer free agent pickup would be safety Tyrann Mathieu, otherwise known as the “Honey Badger.”
Good luck finding a stauncher supporter of Mathieu than Bruce Arians. A champion of the “Honey Badger” in Arizona, the new Bucs coach has shown he can milk the most out of the versatile defensive back. With Tampa in need of safety help, Mathieu — still just 26 years old — would give this defense a dose of identity.
Well here is a find for you and it isn’t luck. Guess who may be a bigger defender of Honey Badger? That would be Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
Remember it was Licht, then working for the Cardinals as vice president of player personnel and the right-hand man to Cardinals general manager Steve Keim, who ran the background investigation of Honey Badger and cleared the Cardinals to keep Honey Badger on their 2013 draft board. It was much like when Licht ran the background investigation of America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, and determined Jameis was clean to draft.
So Honey Badger coming to the Bucs is both a good fit with Arians and with Licht.
Now the question is, can Licht find enough quarters and nickles between the couch pillows to pay Honey Badger to come here?
February 22nd, 2019 at 4:31 am
This is the best free agent available that will instantly improve the team…
February 22nd, 2019 at 4:59 am
Bucs secondary has talent.
They were poorly coached the last 2 years, especially in training camp.
Cap money should be used to improve trenches and linebackers.
February 22nd, 2019 at 5:40 am
We NEED TO SIGN HIM. Seriously this would fix our biggest weakness and I believe he would have a long term career here. Getting the honey badger would solve everything. He’s our #1 free agent target imo. If Collins is available then we should get him to by releasing or trading McCoy. That would fortify the back of our defense hands down. To add those guys with VH3 and CD3 allowing Evans, Whitehead, and Stewart moving to special teams along with Spence. I think the 3-4 scheme change will allow a lot of these guys to move to special teams for playing time.
February 22nd, 2019 at 5:42 am
Ronde Barber 2.0.
Best nickle in the game.
Can blitz, hit, and cover.
A hybrid safety/LB/CB.
Justin Evans, Jordan Whitehead, and Mathieu all have CB like skill sets. Remember Justin Evans getting snaps at nickle CB last year?
I want a 3 safety, 2 LB system installed.
I want a hybrid, fast defense!
Imagine LVD at MLB, Deonne Buchannon at OLB/safety lined up with Mayhieu and Justin Evans in the box with Jordan Whitehead pmaying center field?
Sounds dope right?
Go Bucs!
February 22nd, 2019 at 5:51 am
Licht can’t even find water if he was sitting in the middle of the Bay in a boat!
February 22nd, 2019 at 5:57 am
According to Bessler ,four other teams may be either be looking for a safety or have to resign their own free agent at higher rate. Haven’t seen enough of Justin Evans
to be totally sold on him. Another question I have on Evans , will he be worth resigning at the higher rate when his contract is up?
February 22nd, 2019 at 6:31 am
Tyrann Mathieu would be the right fit next to Evans, sign him please.
February 22nd, 2019 at 6:36 am
Teacherman,
If we have both Whitehead and Evans playing for us next year. I would reverse the roles you mentioned. I would put Evans at free safety due to his speed. the one caveat is that he needs to work on taking the proper angles in coverage and run support. Whitehead seems to be more at home in the box,IMO. What’s puzzling is PFF had M J Stewart as the fifth rated safety and Whitehead at 15.
if you take any stock in their ability to rate players. With Stewart’s build he might also fit in as strong safety. IMO, Stewart a little slow to play at any corner position. I thought he struggled to stay with receivers on crossing routes.
February 22nd, 2019 at 6:49 am
Yes – Please!
Sign the Honey Badger!
February 22nd, 2019 at 7:12 am
Finally, one of your FA posts actually makes sense. I’d bet money they make a run at him. He has much love for BA as well, so this isn’t a huge reach like some of your others.
February 22nd, 2019 at 7:13 am
I’m all-in on this one…….I think he will be affordable and I also think he would love to play for Arians again…….
February 22nd, 2019 at 7:50 am
With Collins likely landing as a Colt with all their cap space and need, maybe Marcus Gilchrist is a slightly cheaper option, that has run with the Bowles crew before. Mathieu does have a pretty extensive injury history, and the Amos kid in Chicago age 25 is one who is coming up lately, as they are scrambling to re-sign him before the deadline to the new year.
S’pose in this case we could all speculate for anyone who we would think is “best”, but because of the importance in Bowles’ system, Bowles is simply going to choose which one he wants, tell Licht, and that’s that. In practicality, somewhat of a pointless exercise because of that.
Go Bucs!
February 22nd, 2019 at 8:00 am
Honey badger is a football player. The kind of guy that bleeds football. I don’t doubt that guy could find a way to be successful anywhere on the field except the lines.
February 22nd, 2019 at 8:14 am
Literally a PERFECT fit.
Would LOVE to get that guy on this football team.
February 22nd, 2019 at 8:38 am
Do whatever necessary (within reason) to get the honey badger. The dude plays hard and has the fire in his belly. We need more guys that HATE LOSING!
February 22nd, 2019 at 8:46 am
Alanbucsfan I agree on what you said about poor coaching on defense, but on CB and safety’s there has been a serious lack of talent for the last 10 years!!!! I disagree when people say the BUCS are a talented team, they have some talent in some players like JPP Evans OJ sometimes Kwon and LD, you can add Marpet, also Hump Godwin and Brate, GMC sometimes…….take a look at the rest? Seriosuly do you see talent? Maybe I am blind I don’t know
February 22nd, 2019 at 8:53 am
Yup. Might even say they weren’t coached.
February 22nd, 2019 at 8:57 am
Again hate to keep bringing this up but if you want to change the culture you need players that have a passion for the game. Follow him on Twitter and he isn’t lacking of confidence and he has an edge about him that is needed in the secondary. Give him McCoys money and call it a day!
February 22nd, 2019 at 9:29 am
” It was much like when Licht ran the background investigation of America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, and determined Jameis was clean to draft.”
What exactly are you trying to point out here?
February 22nd, 2019 at 9:54 am
Sign
Tyrann Mathieu
Trade for:
D.J, Swearinger
Potential Depth Chart
Tyrann Mathieu | Justin Evans
D.J, Swearinger | Jordan Whitehead
February 22nd, 2019 at 9:58 am
^ One time is enough for me, regarding Swearinger and the Bucs.
He is just too “me first” for my taste.
February 22nd, 2019 at 9:59 am
That would 4 Missiles & 2 Dogs at safety. Make it happen Licht
February 22nd, 2019 at 10:03 am
I here u BF.
Not worries about that though because It comes from an insane desire to win (not to pad his stats).
We need more players like Swearinger on this defense.
He would be a welcomed addition.
February 22nd, 2019 at 10:04 am
It’s kind of a “no-brainer”! The kid’s a football player. There’s nothing more that needs to be seen.
Good player- CHECK
Familiarity with system- CHECK
“Dawg”- CHECK
Upgrade- CHECK and CHECK!
February 22nd, 2019 at 10:09 am
LUVMYBUCS Says:
(regarding DJ Swearinger)
Not worries about that though because It comes from an insane desire to win (not to pad his stats).
We need more players like Swearinger on this defense.
He would be a welcomed addition.”
——–
Haha, even as I sent you that last response, I got to thinking about it, like “Well damn, we certainly could use that FIRE, though.”
I hear ya, man, he just might be a very welcome addition, second time around.
February 22nd, 2019 at 10:10 am
Bucsfanman
Whatz good bredren?
Apologize, I caught you late on the thread yesterday.
February 22nd, 2019 at 10:11 am
BF
Haha I agree brotha
February 22nd, 2019 at 10:13 am
Joe Says:
February 22nd, 2019 at 8:53 am
They were poorly coached the last 2 years, especially in training camp.
Yup. Might even say they weren’t coached.
So what is the excuses for the other 14 years and 3 other coaching regimes since the last meaningful win????
and better yet what excuses will you be working on for next years disaster????
joe have you narrowed it down who your malcontent of the year will be for the upcoming season…. considering malcontents are the ones who realize there is no hope with glazers and winning is not a priority in tampa they might not be on roster yet but I am sure you will find one player to bag on non stop who refuses to lose quietly and accept there is no hope…
and if the bucs do get this fine young man at safety the first time he makes a bad play the choir boy patrol will be going off on pot jokes and attacking this young man’s character. bucfan has no use for personalities nor talent.
February 22nd, 2019 at 10:21 am
I would sign Honey Badger & let D. (lazy ass) Smith test FA.
February 22nd, 2019 at 10:23 am
alan
i agree….
our FA money should be used for the trenches and RB….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
February 22nd, 2019 at 10:26 am
LUV- All good brother! Just counting down the hours on a Friday.
Incidentally, this might be the 2nd time in two days that I disagree with you. I am not a fan of DJ. Is he a player? Yeah, I’ll give you that. I just don’t know if I like the “fit”. AND, I don’t think the Bucs could afford both anyway.
We’re in such a bad position cap-wise for a team that was 5-11 last year that it makes no damn sense. On top of it, the players we over-spent on, we now have to replace. Crazy!
It’s so bad that we’re considering tagging a lazy LT because we “have no choice”!
Strange times!
February 22nd, 2019 at 2:38 pm
Teachermann shut up lol
February 22nd, 2019 at 2:40 pm
Bob in valrico … your not a coach or a player evaluator … if you knew what you were talking about you would be on the sideline and not behind a computer