If True, Bucs Should Pounce

March 6th, 2019

Trade bait?

It is virtually unbelievable to Joe that such an intelligent organization could be so dumb.

But listening to the words of Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Chiefs just may be that dumb.

It seems pass-rushing specialist Dee Ford, who Rapoport described as “premier,” is on the trading block. Ford was slapped with the franchise tag this week but Rapoport’s information is that the Chiefs don’t believe Ford can fit into their new 43-front defense and would be inclined to move him for a second-round pick.

And guess what new NFC South defensive coordinator incorporates a 34-front into his various defensive schemes? Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, that’s who.

Joe’s jaw just hit the ground.

If Rapoport’s information is accurate, this cannot be working out any better for the Bucs. Now Joe is on record saying Gerald McCoy is a stud defensive tackle. Two things are working against him here. GMC is on the wrong side of 30 and his price tag is $13 million a year.

At this stage of both’s men’s careers, if you put a gun to Joe’s head he would take Ford over GMC. Ford will turn 28 later this month.

If the Bucs went this route and waved goodbye to GMC — a possibility Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht did not deny last week at the NFL combine in Indianapolis — then the Bucs could draft GMC’s replacement with the No. 5 pick.

If Kyler Murray goes to the Cardinals or Raiders in next month’s draft, Joe’s willing to bet that either Quinnen Williams, freak Ed Oliver or Dexter Lawrence are on the board at No. 5.

A front line of Jason Pierre Paul, Vita Vea, Ford and Oliver would be almost too delicious to dream about. Yet here we are, it’s possible. Very possible.

Just think, for the price of an Austin Seferian-Jenkins, a Roberto Aguayo, a Ronald Jones or an M.J. Stewart, the Bucs can have Ford. Allegedly.

When Licht appears this morning during the press conference at One Buc Palace to discuss the re-signing of Donovan Smith, Licht should be bruised, stiff and sore from running over office furniture to get to his cell phone to call the Chiefs before some other NFL general manager sobers up and finds out Ford can be had for such a small ransom.

Hell, Joe would even throw Will Gholston into the mix to sweeten the pot.

64 Responses to “If True, Bucs Should Pounce”

  1. Todd Says:

    55 + 50 + 95 = 195

    Daaammmmmmmn!

    I like that math!

    Corey Nelson, sorry…but you’re going to have to give up your jersey number!

  2. Bird Says:

    He did have his best year last year in a contract year. Smart man !

    55 tackles 13 sacks and 7 forced fumbles is filthy
    Appears he was injured the year before last year so not judging that year
    Year before that he had 10 sacks which is solid
    Year before that he was a rookie and you can’t judge rookie Dline stats cause they rarely produce in year one.

    Hey – we gotta due something right? Was his tag 15 or 17 mil ? That would mean a bunch of guys are bye bye …obviously McCoy

    Arians wants to win now. No question.

  3. Bruce Blahak Says:

    Yeah, keep trading picks away….this is why this team has sucked for umpteen years…Gruden barrage, Revis and many more I can’t remember…draft and develop has been forgotten…nobody has success strictly through trades and free agency

  4. Bucsfanman Says:

    Bruce- Problem is, this GM can’t seem to draft 2nd rounders for some reason. I agree with you but, a deal like this might be too good to pass on.
    Then again, we are the Bucs!

  5. Easy Says:

    Draft Sweat anyway

  6. Bird Says:

    Licht does have crappy 2nd round history

  7. Defense Rules Says:

    OK Joe, you’ve officially gone over the edge. So you would have us give up one of the two decent DTs that we have (GMC) for another starting DE/OLB (Ford). And ALL we have to give up is a 2nd Rnd pick. Plus of course Ford’s $15.4 mil salary (which amounts to $2.4 mil MORE than what GMC is being paid, and $7.4 mil MORE than the $8 mil that GMC SHOULD be paid).

    But oh ya, we could draft a DT using our #5 pick to replace GMC. But oh rats, then we couldn’t use that pick for a MLB or a DE (IF 1 of the Top-3 fell to us) so we’d have to most likely pay even more $$$ to buy a MLB in FA. $10 mil should do it. Hmmm, but then we couldn’t afford to fix our Secondary problems (by adding veteran CB & S).

    Definitely we need to accumulate high-priced DEs like we accumulated high-priced WRs. That’s surely the ticket to getting out of the NFC South cellar. Yup, let’s put all our money into a handful of players then go dumpster-diving to flesh out the remaining two-thirds of our roster. It’s worked so well in the past; let’s give it another shot.

  8. BucEmUp 7 Says:

    I believe Licht has a relationship with Andy Reid as well. First he gets Arians, now hes gonna go get this guy!!!

    Once people see that Lichts drafts have been influenced by the last two head coaches(One who hired him and the other was already here) and their staff will star to give him credit after this season.

  9. Easy Says:

    BucEmUp 7

    You are officially a retard

  10. isrBuc Says:

    Would have been nice if you added the odds for that to happen

  11. zzbuc Says:

    Joe, there are to many holes on this roster to keep adding expensive guys!!!! What about a RB OL CB and Safety? Remeber this, we need a good second QB in case JW plays bad or gets injured, and that´s not exactly cheap………..

  12. Buc believer Says:

    Kay Adams is DEFINITELY one of the reasons I love to watch GMF! She knows her football she is funny and DAMN is she hot!

  13. Joeypoppems Says:

    If its true that Jachai Polite tanked his value during the combine and might fall to round 2, then I am fully on board with drafting Devin White and Polite with our 2 picks.

    But if this were to happen, then its all about Quinnen or Oliver because GMC will be gone most likely

  14. Phil Says:

    If we could trade McCoy for Ford I would be OK with that.

  15. sandwichman Says:

    @joe

    So how do we pay him???? He will command about 15 to 17 million and even if we cut Cancer93 and MeJax that wont even leave us room to sign our draft picks. #Shame There is no need to go after him when we can basically draft a cheaper version of him next month. Unreal just unreal. #LesserOfEvils

  16. sandwichman Says:

    @Buc believer

    If you watch that garbage TV show just to look at Kay Adams bruh u better off watching p0rn. Waay hotter girls and u get to see them naked. #Shame

  17. Conte Piscatelli Says:

    Seems to me, if they are looking for pieces that fit a 4-3 maybe we should offer the prototypical 3 technique DT in the trade. Let’s say GMC and a 4th round pick.

  18. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Joe left out the $15.5 million we would have to pay Dee Ford and we would only have him locked down for 1 year……
    A 2nd round pick and $15.5 for a 1-year player?…….NO THANKS!!!

    Besides…..we may have to dump GMC anyway…..we have no space and need $9 mil for the draft picks….and we have 23 FAs that are unsigned….including a Kicker, Backup QB, Peyton Barber, 4 LBs (inclding Kwon), Hump, our Long Snapper a couple of backup QBs, S & Olinemen…….

    Yes….23 players that were on the roster at the end of 2018 are still unsigned.

  19. Easy Says:

    SIIGN GOTSKOWSKI!!

  20. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Joe, I hate to break it to you, but Dee Ford is not a good choice.

    In 5 years, he’s only had more than 4 sacks twice and he’s had ongoing health issues. This is the kind of trap fans buy into every year, only to get bit later.

    The man has zero continuity.

  21. Canabuc Says:

    Would not go for Dee Ford.
    Yes had a great season but what did he do the previous 2.
    We should learn our lesson after so e other bad free agent signings that you don’t grab a guy off his best season that he is not likely to reproduce.
    That’s why I loved JPP. You knew he works hard every play and had a history of producing every year.

    Rather use that money and get Moseley and shore up the LB Corps and then use Raley draft capital

  22. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    We do have cap space, people. We had $15m before releasing Curry. His $8m? brought us to $23m. Subtract $13m for Smith, that leaves us at around $10m.

    Not that it matters. It would be easy to clear up $50m without losing GMC.

    But Dee Ford is a bad investment.

  23. DooshLaRue Says:

    Sounds too good to be true Joe.
    Can we get the Seahawks medical staff to evaluate Ford before we do that deal?
    Might be getting hoodwinked as usual.

  24. BucsFanSince1976 Says:

    Just the fact that about 80% here say no means it is a great idea(hence my 80% DOLT rate). I have been extolling Dee Fords virtues for weeks. Take a look at his TFL numbers and his FF numbers and that is when you start to see that this guy is not only premier , but top 3 in the league. Ford could be the cornerstone that this defense turns it around on.

  25. Not there yet Says:

    In a passing league it’s so stupid of the general manager to fear going young at Geraldine spot but having your entire secondary littered with young players. It’s pretty ignorant actually move on from McCoy draft his replacement and use that money to get a veteran safety

  26. Joe Says:

    Joe, there are to many holes on this roster to keep adding expensive guys!!!! What about a RB OL CB and Safety?

    There is no more important position on a defense than an edge rusher. The Chiefs had a garbage defense and came within a Belicheat whisker of the Super Bowl. Why? Because they pressured the quarterback (enter Dee Ford). And, as always, a pass rush can help hide a bad secondary. Without a pass rush, there is no way to hide a bad secondary in the NFL.

    So how do we pay him????

    GMC’s salary goes to Ford. Now you are only trying to find $2 million (maybe). As Joe wrote yesterday, that’s nothing.

    If you watch that garbage TV show just to look at Kay Adams bruh u better off watching p0rn. Waay hotter girls and u get to see them naked.

    The porn chicks don’t offer up football news and views. So Joe is told.

    In 5 years, he’s only had more than 4 sacks twice and he’s had ongoing health issues.

    Well, Joe guesses if one thinks Carl Nassib is the answer, guess then Joe can see your point.

    Just the fact that about 80% here say no means it is a great idea(hence my 80% DOLT rate).

    Hahahaha. Now, now, be nice.

  27. Joe Says:

    Can we get the Seahawks medical staff to evaluate Ford before we do that deal?

    🙂

  28. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Bonzai….

    Sure we have $10…..but 9 need to go to the new draft class…..and we have 23 unsigned FAs……

    Sure we can cut a bunch more players to free up more cash…..every team can…..but to what end…..

    Not to bring in a 1-year player for $15.5…..

  29. Polkfan Says:

    With Mark Barron now available. There are 4 mlb’s that should be given offers and that’s Mark , Kwon, Deone Buchanon and C.j Mosley. If one of those isn’t on this team Come April 25th , They’ve already told you who they’re going to draft.

  30. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    TBBF, I don’t want Ford here for pretty obvious reasons.

    As to the 23 free agents we need to re-sign, that’s hogwash. We need maybe six of them to comeback. The rest we need to replace.

    And the cuts we can make to free up tons of space are guys who have not been productive. On my tablet right not, so don’t have the list bookmarked, but it really is not a big deal so far as cap space.

    But again, Dee Ford is not the answer.

  31. Joe Says:

    If one of those isn’t on this team Come April 25th , They’ve already told you who they’re going to draft.

    What happens (or doesn’t happen) in free agency very much dictates what a team will do in the draft.

  32. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Joe I would rather have Nassib than Ford, yes. Nassib is younger, cheaper and has great potential.

    Bring in Ford and you’ll becalling him ‘Ghost Ford’ by the end of the season.

  33. Joe Says:

    Joe I would rather have Nassib than Ford, yes. Nassib is younger, cheaper and has great potential.

    You may be careful throwing around the word “great” that loosely. Off the top of Joe’s head, he can’t think of any “great” player the Browns threw to the curb.

  34. Not there yet Says:

    Yea mark Barron would want to come back to the place that cut him but he was happy to leave lol you must be a new Bucs fan or something

  35. Lordcornelius Says:

    You keep listing the front 4 as if we’re still running a 4-3

    Still not sure how JPP is rushing as a 3/4 OLB

    If we did this move I’d move JPP as well and use those funds on some other pieces needed to truly get to a 3-4

  36. Joe Says:

    Still not sure how JPP is rushing as a 3/4 OLB

    Bowles runs a hybrid. Looks like a three-man front but in reality is a four-man front.

  37. StoutGospel Says:

    Since @Bonzai has SO much trouble with anything to do with numbers or math in total…

    (per OTC this morning)

    Bucs:

    Total Cap Liabilities: $181,716,391
    Top 51: $178,651,876
    Team Cap Space: $15,633,489

    The above figures are reflective of all offseason activity to date, with the exception of re-signing Devante Bond and Donovan Smith.

    ***Remember JBF faithful, whenever conducting business as a @Bonzai, do not operate heavy machinery, do not deal with any sharp instruments, just basically sit in a padded circular room with lots of pretty crayons for the walls. This has been your daily JBF P.S.A.***

    Go Bucs! Get Quinnen!

  38. Polkfan Says:

    I highly doubt if the bucs offer this man the money he’s looking for or more he will say “ oh wait didn’t you guys cut me back in the day, no thanks “. That’s just not how this stuff works partner.

    @not there

  39. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Bonzai

    I’m as positive as any of them…….but if you think we only need to fill 6 positions….you are wrong…..granted we will have 6 draft picks…
    So….let’s work with the 17 left.. These are some of the positions needed to be filled.

    Backup QB, 3 LBs, 2 Backup Oline, K, LS, S, 2 CBs, WR, 2RBs, TE

    There is 14 right there…..so replacing 6 doesn’t add up.

  40. Tackleblockwin Says:

    Ford is obviously a very nice player. But don’t see this happening. If we throw big money at a position in FA my guess is DB. BA has already mentioned DB is a concern. We have a lot of youth at DB and we need to get a solid, proven veteran to help us.

  41. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Hard Pass

    We need the draft capital.

    Don’t forget this brotha has been on the trading block for the last two or three years. Yet NO ONE was dumb enough to shell out any picks…WHY?

    There will be plenty of veteran RUSH outside linebackers to choose from; be patient.

  42. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Sign: Free Agents
    • NT Steve McLendon

    Trade: DeSean Jackson to L.A.
    • (FOR) DT Michael Brockers

    Draft
    • 1st Rd. -Trade Down & Draft- DT Christian Wilkins
    • 2nd Rd. DE Isaiah Buggs

    Possible New Depth Chart
    DT Michael Brockers | Christian Wilkins
    NT Vita Vea | Steve McLendon
    DE Carl Nassib | Isaiah Buggs

    ____________

    Part. II

    Sign Free Agents
    • RUSH – Preston Smith
    • MLB – Denzel Perryman
    • WLB – Deone Buccanon
    • SAM – Jeremiah Attaochu

    Trade: Cameron Brate to HOU
    • (FOR) RUSH- Mercilus Whitney<-Rumored to be on the move

    Draft
    • SAM – D’Andre Walker
    • MLB – David Long Jr.

    Potential New Depth Chart
    RUSH Preston Smith | Mercilus Whitney
    MLB Denzel Perryman | David Long Jr.
    WLB Lavonte David | Deone Buccanon
    SAM D’Andre Walker | Jeremiah Attaochu

  43. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    3-4

    DT Michael Brockers | Christian Wilkins
    NT Vita Vea | Steve McLendon
    DE Carl Nassib | Isaiah Buggs

    RUSH Preston Smith | Mercilus Whitney
    MLB Denzel Perryman | David Long Jr.
    WLB Lavonte David | Deone Buccanon
    SAM D’Andre Walker | Jeremiah Attaochu

    _______________

    4-3

    RUSH Preston Smith | Mercilus Whitney
    DT Michael Brockers | Christian Wilkins
    NT Vita Vea | Steve McLendon
    DE Carl Nassib | Isaiah Buggs

    WLB Lavonte David | Deone Buccanon
    MLB Denzel Perryman | David Long Jr.
    SAM D’Andre Walker | Jeremiah Attaochu

    Now you’ve got the personnel for a real multi-look hybrid front 7.
    Plus enough cap space to make additional moves in the defensive backfield.

  44. StoutGospel Says:

    All good @LUV…

    But Whitney Mercilus. Juss sayin. Can’t have all these player names going sideways as they are their “likenesses” and all. 🙂 Besides @Joe does enough of that with the “Mattheiu” and Mosely” issues of articles past where @Joe constantly misspells “likenesses” in title of articles. Lol.

    Fwiw…I like Z Smith from Baltimore as un UFA as a good LB addition, if we go that route.

    Go Bucs! Get Quinnen!

  45. diggler Says:

    Can we all just take a moment and appreciate this subtle yet absolute fire jab at the bucs with the below statement? Joe’s lighting bon fires are roasting Licht’s chestnuts. Classic stuff right here.

    “Just think, for the price of an Austin Seferian-Jenkins, a Roberto Aguayo, a Ronald Jones or an M.J. Stewart, the Bucs can have Ford. Allegedly.”

    BAHAHAHAHA

  46. Tampa Bay Demon Says:

    Love the post, LUV, but if I were the Rams…
    there is no way in HELL I would trade Michael Brockers for DeSean.

  47. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Gospel

    Thx for spell check – Whitney Mercilus

    Z’s another options as well.

    Pittsburgh’s also rumored – to be taking calls for OLB Alvin Dupree.

    Soo

  48. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Demon

    True- But their looking to upgrade the receiver position (with speed), and re-sign SUH.

    So that makes Michael Brockers expendable

  49. TOM Says:

    If the Bucs could get Ford for a 2nd rd pick they should go for it. The way Licht screws up 2nd rd draft picks, it would definitely be a win.

  50. 813bucboi Says:

    keep your draft picks…..the reason why teams like the chiefs can throw away or tread players like ford is because they draft well and develop their replacements while they are on the roster…..

    draft
    ed oliver-1st round
    jachi polite-2nd round
    tytus howard-3rd round
    vosean joseph-4th round
    devin singletary-5th round
    BPA

    FA
    ramon foster
    cj mosley

    restructure
    GMC
    gholston

    cut
    djax, urein, e.smith, benenoch, dotson

    #REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!

  51. SOEbuc Says:

    Probably cost the same if not less to try to move up to #3 if Allen is still on the board. Trade JPP and GMC to open up some serious cap space and some good picks.

  52. Joe Says:

    restructure
    GMC
    gholston

    Why keep Gholston? Couldn’t the Bucs find an AAF reject to get no sacks for less money?

  53. Greg Says:

    CJ Mosley is a better fit than Kwon for our new system. He was a leader on a great defense and only 26.

  54. Joe Says:

    Probably cost the same if not less to try to move up to #3 if Allen is still on the board. Trade JPP and GMC to open up some serious cap space and some good picks.

    While on paper that makes sense, though not sure Arians wants to or Licht has the luxury of building a defense for the next coach. Rookie defensive ends rarely have much of an impact. Yeah, yeah, yeah Joey Bosa. But he is the major exception, not the rule.

  55. Greg Says:

    Gholston has never been remotely productive, Urine should be cut, Spence is a bust. I’m tired of hearing how he is re-inventing himself every year. Get Collins to play SS and a mid-grade CB to lead our youth. Either Josh Allen or Sweat would be great athletic players to add. Plenty of running backs in the 3rd or 4th round. Hell Jordan Scarlett ran a 4.4 and runs hard.

  56. SOEbuc Says:

    Am I not the only one that notices we have a gaping hole at outside CB??? With the small amount of time VH3 has had at that position, he is not worthy. He did look good at nickel. All we do is talk about drafting trenches. Finding a good/great CB in FA is hard to do and can be very expensive. I understand it’s important to stack the trenches and I would be down for White, Allen, Oliver, or Williams. But if I’m trading back out of the top ten and all those players are gone, I’m getting Greedy Williams. The exact gigantic CB that Bowels loves and looks like he could be the real deal in the NFL.

  57. Lord Cornelius Says:

    “Joe Says:
    March 6th, 2019 at 9:22 am
    Still not sure how JPP is rushing as a 3/4 OLB

    Bowles runs a hybrid. Looks like a three-man front but in reality is a four-man front.”

    So basically could be a 3-4 where JPP still takes a typicaly 4-3 DE stance next to maybe Vea/McCoy in similar stances, while Ford would take a stand up rush role, with 3 other LBs also dropping in coverage or bringing that 5th rusher as the other OLB

    I should probably just stop worrying about the 3-4 / 4-3 fronts it gets too confusing in projecting players. It sounds like we are basically being as flexibile as possible on how we can line up pre-snap and giving way more 3-4 OLB standing rush or play coverage looks

  58. Jean Lafitte Says:

    do it Jason

  59. Ehinote Says:

    Stay away from Sweat! He is a workout warrior. Won’t be a bad player, but not a top 10 player.

  60. Thomas Bowery Says:

    Everybody needs to wake up. Let’s be realistic. I hate negativity but this is the Bucs. When have they ever taken any risks to acquire a player that could actually help the franchise? Besides that with the cap situation several years have to roll for this to happen. You know that he is going to want top dollar which at this time the Bucs just do not have.

  61. Defense Rules Says:

    @Bonzai … “As to the 23 free agents we need to re-sign, that’s hogwash. We need maybe six of them to comeback. The rest we need to replace.” Bonzai, the point seemed to be that we need 23 FAs to flesh out our roster. Whether they come from guys who were ours last year or not is immaterial … they’re still FAs who need to be signed.

    SOEbuc … No, you’re NOT the only one who’s noticed that we have a gaping hole at outside CB. But we don’t need another rookie to fill it; we need to sign a quality veteran CB to fill that role. We have very little experience in our Secondary as it is. There are lots of CB FAs on the market, but none really jump out at me. Morris Claiborne may be our best bet there (for around $7 mil). But I think we also need a quality veteran starting Safety. Several very good ones available there … Tyrann Mathieu looks like he’d fit nicely into our defense for around $7 mil also, but I sure wouldn’t mind signing Landon Collins either.

  62. pick6 Says:

    yep, it’ll be just like the michael johnson signing only more costly. and we have to cut a proven starter and give up a premier draft pick to do it. sign me up.

    if joe is going to rightly observe that doug martin was a 50/50 proposition at the time the bucs committed to him, joe should also note that this player had his best season in a contract year and has as many good seasons as bad ones

  63. pick6 Says:

    i stand corrected. dee ford has had 2 good seasons out of 5, so he has less than a 50/50 track record for good seasons

  64. vinny Says:

    how are we going to afford him?