Balancing Act
April 23rd, 2020
It’s been quite an imbalanced offseason for the Bucs.
They added Tom Brady to replace unemployed America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, and Rob Gronkowski is now in the house alongside beastly first-round pick Tristan Wirfs at right tackle. They also exchanged old man Demar Dotson for versatile, 27-year-old Joe Haeg, while losing productive Brashad Perriman.
That’s quite an overall upgrade to the offense.
But on defense, the Bucs are down Beau Allen and Carl Nassib, and nobody was added as Bucs fans turn their attention to Round 2 of the NFL Draft.
Joe is confident the Bucs are a better team than they were four months ago, but will the defense get some love tomorrow night?
The Bucs are up against the salary cap in a big way, so they won’t be able to maneuver much for a post-draft free agent without a roster move or a contract renegotiation.
Joe’s still rooting for a running back in Rounds 2 or 3. Hey, why not try to set the NFL scoring record in 2020?
Still, Joe’s wondering what the Bucs move will be — and when — to bolster the defense.
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:03 pm
I agree joe… but we are in need of a rb and our 2 4’s are gone. I thought we’d sign a few vets on the D side but we are out of cash! What do we do? I still say rb in rd 2 unless you think akers will be there in the 3rd.
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:04 pm
Running back (clyde) and offense has a chance to be best ever
Then add defense with 3rd round
Add defense in 4th round cause some team will give a pick for OJ Howard
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:06 pm
not one rb gone in first round so far
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:07 pm
I think bucs will go rb in the second. Weapons for Brady! Let’s all pray the run on rbs starts in the second 🙏🏽
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:07 pm
Trade our 3rd rounder to move up to 31 with Lynch and 49ers again and take Clyde before Chiefs have opportunity
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:08 pm
Anybody notice how all the media outlets are covering every move of the Bucs bc we got Tom Brady.
It’s almost as if TB12 is “America’s Quarterback”
Sorry Joe it’s gonna take years to live that one down
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:12 pm
RB in round 2 and best Defensive Player Available at position of need in round 3!
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:15 pm
I’m fine with trading a fourth round pick. We all know that the Bucs start drafting for special teams right after the 2nd round anyway.
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:17 pm
Lol Of course TB12 is “America’s Quarterback” I never understood Joe trying to make that stick for Jameis…. On the subject of defense, I think that we are betting big on young guys making a big leap this year. Dean, SMB, White hell even Vea should continue to show growth. I think that growth outweighs the loss of Nassib and allen. I do hope we invest heavily on defense the rest of this draft though. Betting on growth alone is a risky gamble!
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:17 pm
Say it louder Joe……..
AMERICAS QUARTERBACK JAMEIS WINSTON!
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:21 pm
They keep bringing in the college teammates year after year to help them out and tell them what it’s like to be young in the NFL. Lots of great oline Iowa coaching going up against Anthony Nelson in practice. This pleases me on both sides.
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:24 pm
Just keep this in mind, Brady has never won anything without and elite top 10 defense.
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:28 pm
Joe, Fournette ran over 1100 yards last year and Jax wants to trade him, And it’s been said that he will only be in the 4mil range. He also had over 700 yards catching out of the backfield. He is a big back and would be a beast blocking for Brady. Wish Licht would trade OJ and a 7th for him. That offense would be damn scary.
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:31 pm
Ndog how you keep this in mind nobody cares. Especially not tonight beat it
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:31 pm
Beau Allen? Joes talking about missing Beau Allen? LOL Oh my God! You can replace him in the 5th round. Or an undrafter free agent. We did re sign JPP Suh and tag Barrett. I dont think we have ignored the defense. More picks to come.
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:36 pm
Ravens will take CEH
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:39 pm
There are a couple damn good safeties left but I can’t imagine they don’t take one of these top five running backs in rd 2.
They need d line and safety and running back. We must figure OJ Howard is going to be traded, hopefully they can get a fourth.
That would leave them around three and four for defense, and possibly a quarterback to sit and learn (Fromme?)
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:40 pm
Facts bother the weak minded.
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:43 pm
@ndog… Brady has always had a top 10 D because he moves the sticks and no turnovers…. thats how pro football works. Like the Pats spend big money on D o high picks on D … sure few , but youre a idiot. Keep in mind, he’s never had much on offense . Reche caldwell and shane Vareen don’t get most teams to the playoffs.
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:43 pm
Good article Joe and I hope we do go defense. Our defense has been bad for years and played half a season of decent football. Hardly seems like the time to ignore that side of the ball.
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:44 pm
He sucks facts
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:44 pm
weak minded would be dog
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:44 pm
He unemployed facts
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:44 pm
You’re gonna make excuses wherever he goes facts
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:46 pm
NDog our newest hater coming here to pee all over draft night.
You’re not bringing anybody down dude. The bandwagon will leave you in the dust.
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:47 pm
Robert James
If you think that Winston turnovers is the only reason the Bucs pass defense has been dreadful then your not watching the film.
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:48 pm
“Brady has always had a top 10 D because”……..
He’s had Bill Belichick
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:49 pm
So anyway who we draft next guys
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:52 pm
I feel almost sure it will be a RB in 2nd.
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:53 pm
Just like the first round was painfully obvious that they were going to tackle,
the second round is painfully obvious they will take running back
There are five-
Swift
Taylor
Helaire
Akers
Dobbins
They will get one of them.
Rd 3- defense
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:54 pm
“Still, Joe’s wondering what the Bucs move will be — and when — to bolster the defense.”
Indeed, Joe.
I really, really hope this secondary gets better somehow. If they have to rely on the current corps of safeties, it’s going to be a loooooong season.
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:55 pm
I see the Saints added to their All-Pro Oline. How bout we counter that with a D Lineman?
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:57 pm
For those that forgot, the defense got better and better as the year went on. The secondary was young and lost them a couple games early on most likely.
From the middle to the end of the season the defense was top 10 and the secondary improved drastically. That’s when they lost a lot of games because of JW turning the ball over.
They need another D lineman and a safety. OJ Howard can possibly pick one of those up in a trade or get them a fourth rounder
April 24th, 2020 at 12:02 am
I’m not seeing any DL or RBs or Safety’s getting picked. This is looking good for the Bucs.
April 24th, 2020 at 12:07 am
WARNING BUCS FANS!!…..the 5 game stretch of awesome defense in 2016 was 10X more impressive than the 6 game stretch of solid play in 2019.
In 2016 the Bucs shut down Russel Wilson and Drew Brees
In 2019 the Bucs shut down Garmder Minshew and David Blough. (Yes along with an average Falcons and Texans offense)
Don’t be fooled like we were in 2016 and let’s not automatically assume the “secondary is fixed”
April 24th, 2020 at 12:13 am
Dammit.
Helaire gone.
Swift
Taylor
Akers
Dobbins.
One of those four need to last 13 picks for the Bucs.
I don’t prefer Taylor because of the wear and tear on him in college and the fumbles, but I would definitely take him
April 24th, 2020 at 12:14 am
Nicely done Jason. These vets are now continuously down to sign with Tampa Bay and likely will take a little bit off the top for the opportunity.
Percy Harvin is feeling/looking good and wants to come out of retirement and hints he would love to play with Brady. Be my guest Percy.
April 24th, 2020 at 12:15 am
My bad, Bucs pick is 13th in rd 2…
One of those 4 running backs need to get through 12 picks.
April 24th, 2020 at 12:16 am
SOE – I saw that about Percy Harvin. Not a bad option in the slot for a cheap price if he’s healthy
April 24th, 2020 at 12:19 am
Tbbucs……..a five game stretch followed by falling apart when you have a shot at the playoffs is not impressive. E. Elliot ran at will against us and we looked like we didn’t even care against Bress the following week.
Allow this defense to be judged based on if their play down the stretch last year was a true turning point or not……..Because if it was a true turning point it is far more impressive then a piddly 5 games four years ago.
Agreed with your final point though to add reinforcements. This is certainly not the time to ignore the defense………like we did in 2017 with the “Weapons for Winston campaign” that was a gross mistake that should not be repeated.
April 24th, 2020 at 12:36 am
The defenses on the Pats last three Super Bowl teams were not “elite”.
April 24th, 2020 at 12:39 am
Robert James Says:
April 23rd, 2020 at 11:43 pm
@ndog… Brady has always had a top 10 D because he moves the sticks and no turnovers…. thats how pro football works. Like the Pats spend big money on D o high picks on D … sure few , but youre a idiot. Keep in mind, he’s never had much on offense . Reche caldwell and shane Vareen don’t get most teams to the playoffs
NDOG has zero football credibility and proven again right there, thank you! He still thinks Bucs or Pats would sign him to a huge deal. Only his delusional facts matter to himself.
April 24th, 2020 at 1:11 am
NPUPPY calls himself a Bucs fan but comes on here and starts dogging on our starting qb. Dude, you’re such a tool! You seriously are not a Bucs fan! You’re a jameis lover and to be completely honest, it’s scary! Of all nights to act like a d bag, you choose tonight.
I had some type of respect for you before but after tonight, it’s gone! You seriously are something else. I actually feel sorry for you.
April 24th, 2020 at 1:16 am
NPUPPY calls himself a Bucs fan but comes on here and starts dogging on our starting qb. Dude, you’re such a joke! You seriously are not a Bucs fan! You’re a jameis lover and to be completely honest, it’s scary! Of all nights to act like Ish head, you choose tonight.
I had some type of respect for you before but after tonight, it’s gone! You seriously are something else. I actually feel sorry for you.
April 24th, 2020 at 7:17 am
Bucs aren’t up against the cap, they’re over by $4.5M per Spotrac. Trade Howard and it comes down to only $600K and change. What happens if you can’t trade OJ? Cut him as a cap casualty?
The Bucs now have lost all flexibility. Can’t sign veteran FAs for depth. Can’t trade for Trent Williams. Cant re-sign Lavonte or Godwin to long term deals, so both become FAs next year. Licht better re-negotiate Gronk’s highly overoaid deal to try and get out of this mess.
April 24th, 2020 at 7:30 am
Bucs guy you sound foolish. If a team really wants to make a move the make happen just stop.
April 24th, 2020 at 11:36 am
JimmyJack
This take makes no sense. In 2016 the Bucs at least had a shot to make the playoffs but instead your gonna over value a solid defensive stretch in meaningless games in 2019 when it was already WAY too late to make the post season??
In 2016 the Bucs had a real chance to make the playoffs
In 2019 The Bucs were already eliminated before WK 16.
5 points against the Seahawks and Russell Wilson is not “piddly”