One More Fish To Reel In
March 28th, 2022
Free agent DL Ndamukong Suh.
Joe thinks free agency has been excellent for the Bucs. When you make the indirect move of the free agency season, Tom Brady unretiring, just about everything after that is gravy.
So long as you don’t get punched by Will Smith on national television for telling a joke.
Joe’s good friend Mike Tanier of Football Outsiders isn’t in love with the Bucs’ free agency moves.
The best thing Tanier believes the Bucs did? Turn Brady into a timeshare salesman to keep the band back together.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Improved Roster: C
Used Resources Well: A+++
Coherent Plan: A
Overall Grade: AThe “resource” in this case is Tom Brady’s value as a recruiter/recruitment tool. Brady also provides full justification for any “Die Broke” cap management tactics. Adding Russell Gage as a WR3 was a smart move. Trading for Shaq Mason to replace Ali Marpet was a grace note.
There are tons of aging Buccaneers veterans sitting on the free-agent aftermarket right now. A few will rejoin Brady’s Heroes (Gronk), but someone is going to toss leftover cap bucks at Ndamukong Suh. The Buccaneers roster won’t be as solid as it was in 2020 and 2021, but at the Super Bowl shortlist level, free agency is more about maintenance and adaptability than improvement.
There is a danger that Ndamukong Suh, an NFL mercenary, might just bolt if a team comes out of the blue with a blank check. The fact Suh reportedly has been communicating with Bucs defensive assistants to examine what he needs to work on during the offseason to improve is somewhat reassuring.
Suh is the last big fish on defense. Sure, Joe would be OK with Jason Pierre-Paul coming back, but if he does that may be months away because Joe doesn’t think any team is going to throw cash in his face being 33 and coming off both an awful year and shoulder surgery.
March 28th, 2022 at 9:08 am
Would rather have a healthy, cheap JPP…….can replace Suh with our #1 pick….
March 28th, 2022 at 9:11 am
Yes, we need to sign Suh, for what he brings to our run defense.
March 28th, 2022 at 9:26 am
You’d love to have him back for one final year. And hope like hell you get a stud DT in the draft.
March 28th, 2022 at 9:34 am
He is old
March 28th, 2022 at 9:34 am
love the guy. but not sure the risk reward warrants a signing depending on others available. need to get younger, but Suh’s consistency and dominance would be a big loss.
glad JL has to make the call and not me. tough one.
March 28th, 2022 at 9:35 am
We should have drafted their replacements last year!
Trask? Arians picked him to piss off Brady!
We needed a DT/DE last year!
March 28th, 2022 at 9:41 am
Is Gronk “reeled in” yet?
March 28th, 2022 at 9:52 am
The solidity, or lack thereof, of our roster comes down to one thing. Injuries. That was our secret sauce 2 years ago. It was the Bengals secret sauce last year. If we can manage injuries well we will be right there at the top. Unfortunately a lot of that comes down to luck, good or bad.
March 28th, 2022 at 9:54 am
I would like both Gronk and Suh to be signed before the draft.
IDL and TE are two gaping holes in this roster right now…
March 28th, 2022 at 10:02 am
Suh remains a force and to let him walk would be a mistake. He keeps his body in excellent physical condition. He’s still got a good motor.
March 28th, 2022 at 10:20 am
You know…I didn’t care for Suh before he came here…but after being exposed to the way he is? I really like him being on this team.
Please re-sign him.
March 28th, 2022 at 10:25 am
Truthfully, the Bucs bring back both Suh and Gronk and only multiple injuries (last year) could stop threaten this team. I’d also move Heaven/earth to bring back jpp.
Only outside help I’d push for is Gilmore
March 28th, 2022 at 10:31 am
Suh is a grown man who still plays at a high level.
Need his presence on the team if at all possible.
March 28th, 2022 at 10:34 am
SB~LV … ‘He is old’.
And yet, who was the only Buc to pressure Stafford on that last play? Yup, ‘old man’ Suh was within inches of getting to him while some others were still trying to catch their breath from the previous play.
Suh is a warrior & still a beast. But his snaps are going down, as should be expected. Bringing him back as a part-timer (say 50-60% of the defensive snaps, especially in critical situations) should be a no-brainer for the Bucs. As should drafting his replacement in Rnds 1 or 2 to let him learn from the master.
March 28th, 2022 at 10:52 am
One More Fish To Reel In…..Joe did you forget about Gronk?
March 28th, 2022 at 11:00 am
Bucs need to draft new blood on the D-Line even if Suh comes back. We need a pass rush that will help the DB’S. The O & D lines are what win’s ball games!
March 28th, 2022 at 11:09 am
Tanier says the roster won’t be as strong as 20-21… I disagree. It could be better and younger if we draft well. Our younger players are still improving. If Dean stays healthy for a change, he’s become a solid corner. If we draft Wyatt, our D-line is better. Our O-line should be about the same, maybe better if we draft Zion… There are definitely remaining paths to give us a stronger roster this year.
March 28th, 2022 at 11:24 am
Keep Suh only at the right price. He will want $8-10M. With reduced snaps and production, he’s worth $5-6M. Not sure he will sign for that. Don’t be surprised if he waits until after the draft to sign. I believe he’s done that each of the last 2 years because he feels it gives him more leverage (no other options for the team).
March 28th, 2022 at 11:55 am
Suh is probably good for one more year if we can get a good enough deal.
Gronk, I’m not so sure about. Too beat up.
March 28th, 2022 at 11:57 am
LICHT HAS A PLAN
Licht is obviously confident about the DT position or he would have signed Suh or some other DT (i.e. Campbell). He either is confident he’ll sign Suh (he always signs late), or he’s confident in the DTs available in the this draft, or he’s confident he can get both/either whenever he wants.
March 28th, 2022 at 11:58 am
I remember wanting Detroit to take somebody else but Suh so he would drop to us. Then there was all the “Dirty Player” stuff and McCoy seemed to doing all right. I thought it was ironic that McCoy flamed out and we ended up with Suh and he turned out to be a class act in Tampa while McCoy got cut. I wish he could of played here his whole career but I know that’s not realistic even if we drafted him. I think he’ll be back if the money doesn’t get in the way.
March 28th, 2022 at 12:55 pm
suh is a beast.. pay that man
March 28th, 2022 at 1:27 pm
Suh will be back. Like Gronk they are figuring out other needed signings first and will pull Suh and Gronk in once they have manipulated the Salary cap to fit them on. They have an understanding with both of them so there is no rush. Why do you think they show no urgency to sign a TE or DL in free agency right now. They will use the draft to bring in youth and depth at those two positions.
March 28th, 2022 at 1:38 pm
To keep Suh, Bucs must make him a decent offer. He will not stay here for chump change. The man is smart. Somebody else will give him considerably more than us.
March 28th, 2022 at 2:34 pm
Suh for one more year. Whether or not JPP makes it back, Suh is still playing at a high level. Let’s make one more run for the championship. Go Bucs. Go Canes.
March 28th, 2022 at 6:24 pm
Whether that was staged to draw viewers to a crumbling show where self important people pat themselves on the back or if was real, either way it was beyond pathetic for Will Smith.
March 28th, 2022 at 8:55 pm
WHAT ABOUT RICHARD SHERMAN as a Bucs CB /S Coach? His playing days are done. Fabulous career. But the technical abilities and game strategy he could teach the Bucs secondary defense. Awesome opportunity.
Reminds me of the Seahawks having Ken Norton Jr. Norton turned USC into Linebacker U. with Pete Carroll. Then, left with Carroll for the Seahawks coaching staff. Now, Norton is the team Def. Coordinator. Success story.
Richard Sherman should be kept with the Bucs as a CB / S teaching coach.
March 28th, 2022 at 9:08 pm
Again and again, the question at each position: is there a way to upgrade? Same won’t do, there needs to be upgrading.
Suh is still viable, but he’s injured and old. Sign him if he doesn’t ask for much. But they have to add talent, hopefully youth, and especially PASS RUSH. I’m tired of the Rams being the only team having the luxury of an Aaron Donald.
There aren’t many good free agents left at DT. Suh, Sheldon Richardson, Johnathan Hankins, Larry Ogunjobi (rehabbing an injured foot).
March 28th, 2022 at 9:17 pm
He shot that down last year. Way too much work, too little pay. Sherman has much higher goals.