Bruce Arians Didn’t Lie
March 23rd, 2019
Heed his words.
It seems some folks are appalled at how the Bucs handled free agency. What was the team supposed to do with little to no Team Glazer loot to play with?
Well, Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report torched the Bucs for not who they didn’t sign, but who they did sign. Specifically, who they did re-sign, that being left tackle Donovan Smith.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers seem committed to Jameis Winston, so they needed to give him as much support as possible in a do-or-die season. The Bucs should have been looking for a new left tackle since Donovan Smith has proved to be a bust. The secondary and the linebacker corps also needed work, which might have been easier had they parted ways with veteran defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.
Joe knows for a fact that labeling Smith “a bust” would be news to a lot of folks in the NFL not affiliated with the Bucs. But this isn’t about Smith and the gargantuan divide in the way he’s analyzed between NFL folks, some fans and self-appointed keyboard Bill Walshes.
Joe understands a number of Bucs fans wanted a total housecleaning of the offensive line. Still do, and some of those are hollering for the Bucs to draft an offensive lineman with the No. 5 pick.
Bucco Bruce Arians said when he was hired he was not interested in a rebuild. Gutting the offensive line is what teams do when rebuilding.
Also, last summer, months before the Bucs were remotely in Arians’ mind to coach, he told Barstool Sports that in today’s NFL offensive line crisis, if a coach plans to draft and develop an offensive lineman, that coach is developing the lineman for the next coach.
Arians didn’t just telegraph he wanted to keep the Bucs offensive line largely intact, he bought one of those biplanes to pull a banner to fly over beach communities all but broadcasting this would happen.
For folks paying attention (apparently Gagnon was not), Joe isn’t sure how keeping Smith was any sort of surprise.
March 23rd, 2019 at 4:11 pm
It shouldnt have been a surprise. Plus compared to Trent Brown and Ja’waun James contracts, Bucs kept him cheap.
March 23rd, 2019 at 4:23 pm
You are completely on point re: this article and Brad Gagnon completely lost credibility and made him irrelevant (at the same time, relevant) re: Donovan being bust. I’ve gotten on Donovan as much as the next guy, especially so for the importance of the position he plays, but he has been nowhere close to a “bust”. We are hard on him because of his POTENTIAL and size/athletic traits, but a bust, no way. Sorry, but that’s just completely wrong!
March 23rd, 2019 at 4:37 pm
Any news on us possibly signing morris claiborne?
March 23rd, 2019 at 4:46 pm
No one is appalled or suprised…I think everyone understands Licht’s failures…many millions of FA signings that should have played and still be playing…off the roster….holes that should not need to be filled because Licht thought he filled them….road is full of potholes that Licht can’t afford fill properly…
March 23rd, 2019 at 4:46 pm
@ John
Yes, there is some fresh news re: that…we are DEAD LAST in salary cap space.
In all seriousness, if the price is right, he does make sense and would be a good pick up, but will not come w/o a trade off. Who do you sacrifice w/ the $ he will command? Not against it whatsoever, but how do you do it and who do you rid yourself (Bucs) of…
March 23rd, 2019 at 4:59 pm
If I’m not mistaking Smith is now being paid like a top 5 tackle now it’s time to play like one.
March 23rd, 2019 at 5:06 pm
Smith isn’t a bust….he’s just not good enough for an avg QB with turnover issues that holds the ball too long. Put Smith with Tom Brady or Pat Mahomes…Drew Brees….he probably looks much better.
March 23rd, 2019 at 5:19 pm
Im fine with Donavan. But CUT GERALD! He’s not worth the money. Especially in a 3-4. We drafted Vita for a reason.
March 23rd, 2019 at 5:28 pm
Seige … I have a gut feeling that Gerald will play all of 2019 as a Buccaneer. Vea, GMC & Allen gives us a respectable group of DTs for a hybrid defense. JPP, Nassib & Gholston gives us some decent DEs. We’ve got a very young Secondary but they SHOULD do quite a bit better this year (especially if we add a veteran starting-caliber CB like Claiborne).
Biggest concern on defense should be our LB corps, especially if we end up using a LOT of 3-4 defensive alignments. Get the right group of LBs and IF they ball out, we’ll be fine … for now. I could see us drafting a MLB and a OLB in the Top 3-4 rounds (with a Guard & a RB thrown in for good measure).
March 23rd, 2019 at 5:43 pm
Defense who is Allen. Josh Allen is a defensive end/LB so and almost certainly will be off the board when the Bucs pick. Did we pick up a FA with the same last name?
March 23rd, 2019 at 5:44 pm
Beau Allen. DT/NT
March 23rd, 2019 at 5:46 pm
I don’t think you guys are being realistic. We’re not going 3-4 this year. We simply do not have the personnel and as much as every says ‘this player will work’…it’s not likely. It’s wishful thinking.
That’s why every coach who tried to bring 3-4 here has failed. It takes a period of years to install.
Now, we can go 4-3 for another year or so, and gradually bring in the people we need…and that’s probably the way it will be done.
Which is why the Bucs are holding on to the 4-3 guys atm.
March 23rd, 2019 at 5:46 pm
Because they have to find a way to win in the meanwhile.
March 23rd, 2019 at 5:52 pm
I would like to see McCoy take less money or be traded or just released. He is over paid and nowhere near worth the $13 million he is being paid. He is soft and over hyped. I hope we draft a DT in the first round and send him packing…
March 23rd, 2019 at 6:02 pm
Bonzai that’s why many are thinking we will run a 3-4 hybrid.
You don’t bring in a 3-4 coach and ask him to run a defense that’s foriegn to him. That’s just assinine. Bowles is going to run the same defense that he’s been successful for him. Otherwise he probably does not take the Bucs job.
March 23rd, 2019 at 6:07 pm
My best case scenario is drafting Q. Then you can trade Gerald and use the money saved to bring in a good CB. Either trade for one or jump on somebody that gets cut post-draft.
That’s my plan. And if you can’t replace Gerald in the draft you retain him this year and replace next year.
In no circumstance am I renegotiating his contract. As somebody above mentioned once you do that you guarantee him money next year once you do that. If you need more money you renogiate with somebody who you plan on keeping long-term.
March 23rd, 2019 at 6:11 pm
LOLZ. The Bucs Defense is going to get CRUSHED next season.
At least last season we could somewhat stop the run. Next season we won’t be able to stop the run OR the pass.
You watch… the 2019 Bucs season is going to be UGLY. Bucs will probably go 3-13.
And anyone (including Arians) that thinks this Below Average NFL O-Line is going to suddenly “be coached up” and perform better is living in FANTASY LAND. We can’t run block to save our lives.
Winston will be benched before the end of 2019, due to his yet-again poor play, but also it will be magnified due to the weak O-Line.
March 23rd, 2019 at 6:17 pm
Some of us wanted to let Donovan Smith test free agency. We may not have had to overpay for his lackadaisical effort. I hope he plays up to his pay grade.
March 23rd, 2019 at 6:21 pm
Idk about you but that pic up top look like a pirate captain to me.
March 23rd, 2019 at 6:21 pm
Even 3-4 base schemes use 4 man fronts in nickel packages. Do any teams run 3-3-5 as their main nickel formation? Serious question btw.
And teams are in nickel at least 60% of the time these days so…
On a draft related side note, I like Zach Allen as a Day 2 option. He has versatility to play all along the DL, and Bowles wants versatility.
Plus guys are going to have to get cut at some point.
March 23rd, 2019 at 6:23 pm
Plus guys are gonna have to get cut at some point. Zach Allen can come in and fill Will Gholston’s role day 1 and offers more upside
March 23rd, 2019 at 6:24 pm
@BucsBandit
Your new troll.
March 23rd, 2019 at 6:27 pm
BucsBandit thanks for chiming in. Unfortunately you know nothing since you say we could stop the run last season.
It really aren’t that hard to troll and not sound dumb but somehow you did it. You are a embarrassment to troll-kind.
March 23rd, 2019 at 6:34 pm
So Bruce if what you say about drafting O linemen is true, how do explain Q. Nelson? He became an all pro, and Pro bowler as a rookie. D.Smith, Marpet, and Jensen our highest paid O linemen can’t sniff a pro bowl. Maybe this B.A. doesn’t know what he’s talking about which would be about right for a Buc coaching hire.
March 23rd, 2019 at 6:35 pm
Joey it will not take much to replace Gholston. The only value he has is that he’s large.
I have no clue what his contract status is but I have to assume the only reason he’s still here is cause they can cut him in August…….In other words whenever I hear the CAP number I add 2.5M since there’s no way Gholston legitimately beats out completion.
I actually add more to that number because there is no way all the same players make this team. Tons of players on this team are guaranteed nothing more then a Training Camp tryout.
March 23rd, 2019 at 6:41 pm
It will be a lot of fun to see which players get 1st and 2nd team reps in August.
A couple guys to focus on is Gholston, Benechot, Hargreaves, Spence RoJo and Auclair.
None of them should be gifted jobs here. Need to earn em. If you examine to roster there’s probably a dozen more guys that could easily be replaced. All these guys add up to a good chunk of change too.
March 23rd, 2019 at 6:46 pm
Joe spread some word the other day in his podcast that Dirk was playing favorites on his roster. That made me wanna puke when I heard that.
Us fans deserve to see the best players on the field. That news really really pissed me off!!!
A better coach would have had Grimes on the bench last year. Whitehead was better then Conte too………I bet if you look there was tons of examples.
T.J. Ward didn’t play at a NFL level. Neither did Kwon in his first couple games back from injury. This is another example of pispoor coaching.
IMO Dirk was worst coach in franchise history.
March 23rd, 2019 at 6:47 pm
@JimmyJack
Gholston can be cut at any time and the Bucs would save $3.75M.
And the only thing he brings is run defense. Zach Allen is a stout run defender and has more upside as a pass rusher than Gholston. Could be a 3rd round target.
March 23rd, 2019 at 6:54 pm
@Jimmy Jack
That was me…….I don’t think you restructure a player then trade them…..I’m sure it’s been done….but I don’t think Arians or Licht operate that way.
So….if there is a restructure of GMC it will be after the draft….if we end up drafting his replacement he could then be traded….or restructured.
There would be more leverage if the Bucs were able to draft a DT…..Williams or Oliver for example.
You could offer GMC a 2 year guaranteed contract for less total dollars.
March 23rd, 2019 at 6:58 pm
I can come up with 13 million right away.just tell the biggest P…Y the entire sport of football has ever known take a hike, adios, skiddadle, go help QB off the turf for a different team. That would INSTANTLY make the team better and tougher no more limp wristed players on our F… ing team!
March 23rd, 2019 at 7:01 pm
He isn’t a bust
He is tad under average
Our division opponents liked the move
March 23rd, 2019 at 7:04 pm
BucsBandit Says:
March 23rd, 2019 at 6:11 pm
LOLZ. The Bucs Defense is going to get CRUSHED next season.
At least last season we could somewhat stop the run. Next season we won’t be able to stop the run OR the pass.
You watch… the 2019 Bucs season is going to be UGLY. Bucs will probably go 3-13.
And anyone (including Arians) that thinks this Below Average NFL O-Line is going to suddenly “be coached up” and perform better is living in FANTASY LAND. We can’t run block to save our lives.
Winston will be benched before the end of 2019, due to his yet-again poor play, but also it will be magnified due to the weak O-Line.
Bucs Bandit — I see the future posts from you now. Any bad game from the defense, from the offensive line or from Winston and you well tell everyone how correct you always were. Buddy the best of the best could not be that much of a prognosticator. However, if you are giving odds on the Buc’s being 3-13 or worse, I will be betting you all day and all night.
March 23rd, 2019 at 7:05 pm
Bonzai,
You would have great point about converting to a 3 4 if ..if it was a traditional 3 4. Way too many personnel changes to make before it could have been installed. But it’s 3 4 in name only, it doesn’t work like the old style.
Now you may be correct about changing if no additional linebackers are added. Seems thin at that position but who knows how TB slots positions.
March 23rd, 2019 at 7:06 pm
Devin White just talked about himself in the 3rd person and said “you better draft Devin cause in 5 years I’ll be a free agent and will be asking for $100 million.”
Ok well that you turned me off on him BIG-TIME!!!
March 23rd, 2019 at 7:11 pm
No surprise.
March 23rd, 2019 at 7:19 pm
I’m with you Ndog. I want players talking about Super Bowls. He most likely is concerned with money and being a social media star. As for Smith if he was a bust he would of been out of the league 2 years ago.
March 23rd, 2019 at 7:20 pm
Last years offensive line was decent at pass blocking but they totally sucked at run blocking. Seemed like Smith more times than not on run plays to the left was avoiding contact and one of the main reasons why our running back was caught in the backfield. You couldn’t sweep right or left and because of our ineffectiveness to run sweeps, Koetter began solely running up the middle. Hopefully this new staff will recognize this weakness and try to address it this camp. I sure hope so because 3 of our 5 lineman are being paid a lot. So from center to LT (the highest paid), just by monetary standards, shouldn’t be playing equally as bad as the right side .
March 23rd, 2019 at 7:23 pm
TBBF, Joeypoppems & JimmyJack … So many JBFers seem to talk as if we have unlimited 1st & 2nd Round picks. You know, I’ll take 1 MLB, 1 DE, 1 DT & 1 Guard and raise you 2 RBs & 1 CB. The bigger issue IMO is one of PRIORITIES … what positional picks in Rnds 1 & 2 will help us win more games. Anyone we pick will help us ‘build through the draft’ for the future, IF we select intelligently.
RoJo was NOT a smart 2nd Rnd pick IMO. Neither were Stewart, Spence and certainly not Aguayo. None of those 3 helped us win diddly in their rookie year. But Mike Evans did when he first came into the league, and so did OJ. So did Vea, Davis, Justin Evans, Jameis, Donovan & Marpet to varying degrees.
This year we simply can’t afford to miss on any of our top picks. We NEED draft picks to help us at certain positions IF we expect to win anything. And we NEED them to contribute immediately. MLB, RG, RB seem to be our 3 biggest NEEDS right now in terms of winning THIS YEAR. In terms of building for the future, DE, DT & OT also jump out.
IF the Bucs intend to win THIS YEAR, GMC will stay IMO. IF we expect him to take less, our only recourse is to release him THEN re-sign him for less. That’d also though give him the option to walk & sign with any other team, an option that he may very well exercise IF someone with BIG BUCKS is willing to ‘rent him’ for a year so they can make a SB run (similar to what the Rams did with Suh last year?).
March 23rd, 2019 at 7:28 pm
I also recently watched some really good film on White and he seems like a raw athlete and doesn’t really have any instincts for the LB position. When you combine that with these comments there is no way he is a top 5 pick. Problem is if Q Williams, J Allen and Bosa are gone, which they probably will be, we are screwed cause Sweat, White, Bush, Burns and Oliver will all be overdrafted at 5. Trading back would be ideal if that happens but then again why would anyone want to trade up? Im intrigued by Oliver but I’m not sure about at 5.
March 23rd, 2019 at 7:28 pm
More appalled w/ Gomer Pyle Licht for blowing his wad on garbage players
But I guess if he didnt ….the “I can fix this” line from scarface when he was half dead wouldn’t work lol smh
March 23rd, 2019 at 7:31 pm
Ndog … Devin White’s just saying what every draft pick thinks. Once he gets on the field, it’s ‘Put up or shut up’ time. IF he plays great … fantastic, he’ll deserve a big-money contract and the Bucs will have gotten 4 (possibly 5) great years out of him. We’d also be the front-runners to re-sign him for a longer-term contract. I pay almost zero attention to what players (and coaches) say. Their performance speaks volumes; words are cheap.
March 23rd, 2019 at 8:07 pm
Defense Rules Says:
“what positional picks in Rnds 1 & 2 will help us win more games”
MLB Devin White Rd 1 (or Devin Bush if we trade down to the middle of rd 1)
Best Guard available Rd 2
RG and MLB are currently the Bucs 2 biggest starting positional weaknesses
March 23rd, 2019 at 8:46 pm
Pickgrin,
Good idea but trading down, which many people seem to favor, is not guaranteed. There’s so much talk about it that it has become a real option. Not saying it can’t, but it’s not a plan you go with as the plan A. There’s no reason why a team would select 5 over 4 or 6 unless the deal is better at 5. Which means less return. When Haskins comes off the board there’s no QB that’s going to drive trades in the top of the draft. Only one team in the top 5 is going to draft a QB and the next is after the Bucs selection. Could it happen, sure. But this isn’t a robust QB class and Rosen may take another team out of the hunt for a QB. There’s few trading partners in the 5 spot.
I’m all for using a 2020 pick to get back in the 1st round and draft 2 defensive players. This drafted is loaded with defensive talent and this team needs some help. Instead of trading away a 5 pick, keep it and add another 1st rounder via a future pick. The Raiders are loading up on future picks and probably would be willing to add future picks for one of their 3.
There’s more options available than stick with 5 or trade down for picks. However, no one seems to be anything but conventional.
March 23rd, 2019 at 8:47 pm
I agree Pickgrin. Now what are the odds that BA & Licht agree? After some of our most recent drafts, I get shivers every time I think about Jason ‘getting cute’ with our 1st & 2nd Round draft picks.
March 23rd, 2019 at 9:03 pm
Defense Rules……Don’t get too hung up on specific positions.
It doesn’t matter which positions we select in the draft. It just matters that we can get players that can be difference makers and change games………Just look at our defense. We don’t have one impact player.
Give me a game-changing player at any position on defense are I guarantee you we improve as a team.
The rest of the roster just needs to play solid football. Something else we don’t have.
First let the Bucs get good then we can be great!!!
March 23rd, 2019 at 9:52 pm
Bucsbandit you buddy are a moron & there is no reason to put your crappy imput into any conversation about the bucs ! Go root for Carolina and cry baby cam Newton or something and GTFOH
March 23rd, 2019 at 10:00 pm
Now jimmyjack , that’s more like a person who knows what he’s talking about..you are right sir..at this point , it does not matter position , go out and get the best possible player available weather IT be MLB , DE , DT , CB OG , OT and you let thoes best players do what they do best & work your system around thoes guys because that’s what good coaches do..say the bucs trade down and pick up 2 extra 2nd round picks , then say Ed Oliver is the top prospect available , you don’t not draft him because we have McCoy’s biottthhhh ass , you take Oliver & then get Devin Bush and RB Henderson…if you stay at 5 and best player is white , you take him and let him chase McCafferty and kamara for 10 years ! If best player is sweat , then buddy you better hope he wants to prove his heart is fine and destroys an offence for 10 years..point is jimmyjack is spot on
March 24th, 2019 at 1:11 am
2 of the first 3 picks in the draft will be OL
March 24th, 2019 at 1:25 am
get CJ Anderson-thereby eliminating a draft need
in the draft-needs: edge,guard,mlb then bpa
March 24th, 2019 at 9:31 am
So many DL guys in this draft and enough LBs that trading back is the best case, IMO. Unless of course, Allen or Bosa is available. Biggest mistake of the off season?? Not signing Kareem Hunt. 8 games is nothing for the next 5-6 years of Hof talent. Licht was asleep at the wheel on that one.
On a side note, I’m okay with Beau Allen coming back, but Gholston has proved that he cannot play at the NFL, IMO. Cut him and save the 3+ mill. Go sign Claiborne to a 1 year prove it deal because that is all we are capable of.
GMC needs to be restructured and give him 2 more years and let him retire as a Buc. Not his fault he was saddled with the worst back to back to back coaching staffs ever assembled.
All of you calling him soft are nothing more than keyboard p***ies, he has played with injuries that most guys would have sat out weeks at a time. Name any other lineman he was with that was worth a damn besides JPP and Nassib last year while playing in that sh*tty Smitty defensive scheme. I’ll wait.
March 24th, 2019 at 10:46 am
If BA truly believes picking an OL in the draft is getting somebody for the next coach I’m not sure why folks think we’ll be picking a bunch of them early? Especially in a draft loaded with quality defensive picks.
I think this boils down to either Allen or White…or perhaps Quinnen if he falls.
I think FAR too much is being made of 3-4 versus 4-3. We are talking about having players who can either standup and cover when required or put their hand in the dirt and play DE. We already have players who can do that and Bowles and BA have talked about today’s standard NFL defense which is neither a strict 4-3 or 3-4 but a hybrid where both come into play.
March 24th, 2019 at 11:36 am
The Glazer family has been asking their scouts to devalue early round OL picks for the sexy picks for years. Even the Raiders have put speed on backburner now and started drafting OL and DL. You don’t sign these two positions on good football teams… you draft, develop, send one to the pasture, and have another one ready to go.
March 24th, 2019 at 3:49 pm
@JJbucsfan…. you tell them brother! NO Buc has played with more broken nails than GMC!!! Dude is one tough MOFO!!