Favorite Move
May 31st, 2026
Golf clap.
Mostly, long-time NFL columnist Mike Sando of The Athletic types up pieces where he breaks down each team using intel he gets from his many NFL sources, both suits and coaches.
For example, Sando will type a story about each team’s defensive line that includes a breakdown on the Bucs defensive line as seen through the eyes of an NFC offensive coach.
This time, Sando stayed away from his sources and wrote what he liked from each team’s offseason moves.
Sando likes how the Bucs did nothing — that Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht stayed true to form and never succumbed to pressure to trade up in the draft.
The Buccaneers have traded up just once in the first round of the past 14 drafts, climbing a single slot to No. 13 in 2020 to select tackle Tristan Wirfs. That was the year the team signed Tom Brady, so there was surely added urgency. In that context, it’s difficult to applaud the Buccaneers too enthusiastically for letting the draft come to them this year; it’s been standard operating procedure for Tampa Bay.
But if someone had said in March that the Bucs would draft Rueben Bain Jr. without trading up from No. 15, few seemingly would have believed it. And so we applaud politely. Selecting Bain and fourth-round defensive back Keionte Scott added welcome toughness in younger players.
Joe assumes second-round pick linebacaker Josiah Trotter could be added to the mix of tough guys that Licht wanted.
And Joe agrees with Sando, adding Bain, Trotter and Scott with their physicality and their attitudes was sorely needed.
Last year the Bucs defense was a sorry combination of softness and quitting. In close games when the Bucs needed a win down the stretch, the defense folded like they were scared to get hit.
The Bucs badly needed players to lay the wood to a ballcarrier and give the defense a jolt. Instead, the defense was all too flaccid.
Joe doesn’t believe one will be able to use that adjective on the Bucs defense this fall.
May 31st, 2026 at 11:20 am
Only a girl should use that adjective.
May 31st, 2026 at 11:20 am
I hope they have gotten rid of all the quitters. If not, who would yall say is left that needs to be jettisoned from the team?
May 31st, 2026 at 11:22 am
Scotty….
Kit Kat and Bud Licht
May 31st, 2026 at 11:36 am
No one who was on that defense last year should wear a C on their uniform this season. Even if they tried, they were unable to provide the leadership needed to keep the D from quitting on the fans last season.
May 31st, 2026 at 11:36 am
“ Last year the Bucs defense was a sorry combination of softness and quitting“
Painfully obvious and true.
Say… Antoine Winfield Jr has not lived up to his potential especially in a leadership role
May 31st, 2026 at 11:39 am
Actually, no one in that locker room should wear a C! They should give them out at the end of this season for next season.
May 31st, 2026 at 11:41 am
And, the ONLY reason he traded up for Wirfs was because HE was literally the ‘last one’ remaining, of those 4-STUD O-Linemen in that year’s draft. They HAD TO have one of them for Brady. I think a lot of people were worried though, that he’d end up standing pat and just taking that Boise State kid LoL. I don’t believe that Brady would’ve allowed for it. So, he really had no other choice than to trade UP as soon as the 3rd OT came off the board. But, only ONCE throughout his ENTIRE career… Absolutely, SO ABSURD.
May 31st, 2026 at 11:48 am
BillyBucco I always thought it to be a noun.
May 31st, 2026 at 11:48 am
They got rid of everyone they needed to except McCollum. But McCollum is capable of coming back and playing at a high level again. I want to see his head IN THE GAME and to see him wrap up and form tackle as a default. No more throwing shoulders and hoping to knock somebody down. It’s far too risky and will hurt this team eventually. Consistent focus and effort! Everyone else that desperately needed replacing is gone and Dennis will be on the bench other than maybe an occasional goal line or short yardage play.
May 31st, 2026 at 12:04 pm
The team should turn Devin culp to an x wide receiver may not have the hands yet for it but get him into the groove he should be fine
May 31st, 2026 at 1:52 pm
Some of you need to go back to school.
Laying the wood is a verb tardos
May 31st, 2026 at 2:13 pm
Better sign a CB from somewhere…..even if its the most hated Lattimore! Probably wont work but its a thought lol
May 31st, 2026 at 2:42 pm
People love to come up with nicknames and in Miami he was called Hurricane Baine so in Tampa Bay he becomes Pewter Pain Baine or maybe Reuben the Baine of QB Existence. I hope he becomes great because after watching another highlight reel he seems to be a smart player with some good instincts. We need Licht to finally hit a home run with a d line draft pick since he’s hitting on a failing grade right about now. We need someone to play great in spite of Bowles prevent defense
May 31st, 2026 at 2:44 pm
Like your mom always says, look it up.
May 31st, 2026 at 3:07 pm
Billybob, you’re soft as powder
May 31st, 2026 at 3:19 pm
Hey Joe just heard the Ira podcast. It was nice to hear you acknowledge the issues at LB ,a 31 yr Old and a rookie starting with no depth,Thank You.
Hopefully you guys will talk about the issues at cb. I heard Lee says without a doubt Dean was by far the best cb last year. The Bucs in my opinion need another cb , veteran who can play. I definitely don’t see McColumn doing anything. Morrison may develop, big maybe ,then he has to stay healthy. To make matters worse there is no depth, behind those two. The cb position is scary to me. I don’t get it. I really don’t
May 31st, 2026 at 3:27 pm
I thought I was in school ,With professors 328 azzmunch and wynchmob
May 31st, 2026 at 3:31 pm
No Steve you’re not in school anymore, that was a century ago. It’s time for bingo and jello, the nurses are looking for you
May 31st, 2026 at 4:28 pm
Yes i am old skool,not a millennial with purple hair that wears their mental illness like a badge ! That wining and sniveling will fix everything, however im sure thats how you grew up! Go Bucs!
May 31st, 2026 at 4:43 pm
Steve
Millennials are like 40+ years old.
You’ve moved on to Senile(ial)
May 31st, 2026 at 5:36 pm
I agree on being but the new qb coach may prove bigger in time
May 31st, 2026 at 5:37 pm
Baine not being. Spellchecker changed in twice and should know by now
May 31st, 2026 at 5:51 pm
I think these Miami kids, not sure about Trotter, are the types who will not fall into a soft culture, they will force those around them to step it up. Much needed.
May 31st, 2026 at 7:05 pm
Absolutely pointless article. Geez, it’s like we don’t have an inept HC\DC to write about.
I guess the sports media in Tampa are just scared little church mice waiting for their handout of cheese.
May 31st, 2026 at 7:12 pm
Lynch your pointless Your not paying Bowles or Licht. Get off the negative train and look forward,its not gonna kill you .Im sure when Cleveland jets or giants Arizona etc when they make the playoffs they’ll win the SB Youve worn everyone out
May 31st, 2026 at 7:46 pm
@Steve Vagina
Some people prefer soothing lies over uncomfortable truths.
May 31st, 2026 at 8:18 pm
Baker and Bowles! Sleep well tonight!
May 31st, 2026 at 8:24 pm
LynchMob50 Says:
May 31st, 2026 at 7:46 pm
@Steve Vagina
Some people prefer soothing lies over uncomfortable truths.
——————————————
Go away.
June 1st, 2026 at 6:38 am
“Better sign a CB from somewhere…..even if its the most hated Lattimore! Probably wont work but its a thought lol”
Saw Jason asked this very question a few weeks ago, and he seemed insulted that what he’d alREADY done wasn’t sufficient. We ain’t getting another corner