Defense Needs Help
November 28th, 2018
Could use a bookend.
The Bucs have spent a whole lot of draft capital in recent years on the defensive line and at cornerback.
And the way Greg Auman of The Athletic see it, the Bucs are likely to spend more draft capital (if not Team Glazer loot) on corners and defensive line next offseason.
Again.
In a question-and-answer feature on The Athletic this week, Auman was asked what are the biggest holes to address.
Adam Hirshfield
There are seemingly lots of holes in this team … many due to injury, of course. But among those major holes, which do you think they’ll try to address first in the draft this coming spring?Greg Auman
Definitely holes to address in the offseason, and potentially more to come if they jettison some veterans with high-priced salaries without production to match. It also starts with what they’ll do with LT Donovan Smith, LB Kwon Alexander and WR Adam Humphries, their three biggest remaining free agents. I don’t expect CB Brent Grimes back, so finding a corner to replace him must be a priority, and even though Carl Nassib has been a great find off waivers, I’d think they’ll still make a pass-rushing defensive end a draft priority as well.
Joe pretty much agrees with Auman.
Joe would actually target a defensive end over a cornerback. Joe has watched enough football recently, both pro and college, to see where the NFL is headed. A defensive end who can sack and or cause a fumble is worth a whole lot more than a cornerback who is chasing a receiver with the ball.
With the NFL going the flag football route, a defensive end who can regularly pressure the quarterback is more important than ever.
November 28th, 2018 at 12:02 am
as plain as the nose on Hugh Culverhouse’s face
November 28th, 2018 at 12:03 am
Sure hoping they can bring Ramsey here!! Then focus on QB and DE..
Here comes the Jameis mob..lol..in 3…2…1…
November 28th, 2018 at 12:07 am
jenna vs. dirk
#ThatsWhatsUp
November 28th, 2018 at 12:08 am
I would also target a QB. just for craps and giggles
November 28th, 2018 at 12:10 am
Naw we don’t a Qb. If he is not auditioning for his next team already.
We need secondary help
Mj stewart is too slow for slants and need a big time safety. A linebacker maybe 2. A another DE. 2 corners. Another DT. Alotta other needs
November 28th, 2018 at 12:12 am
everything Lamarcus said and a QB
November 28th, 2018 at 12:16 am
Lamarcus Joyner is a name to watch in FA. Draft Dline early and often. Gonna be tough to squeeze rb and right side of the offensive line in too.
November 28th, 2018 at 12:26 am
Trade our 1st ,#10 today, to Oakland for their latter 2 first round picks……
November 28th, 2018 at 1:05 am
Adam- Jenna and Dirks dynamic is hilarious, I kind of feel bad for her sometimes.
Like I said in the poll, we need a good pass rush and it won’t matter as much who is on the back end. Also, if we lose Humpplus the imminent loss of DJax, we will need help at WR at least for depth.
I’m not sure about D Smith, i don’t know the market for tackles next year with FA and the draft but if he is asking top 5 money and there is another option, I might go with that other option.
BTW Gruden is amazing, he has helped two teams get much better this season. Too bad neither of them are his team.
November 28th, 2018 at 2:10 am
I got money they choose the long snapper from McNeese State University. Hasn’t had a bad snap since he played 7-U for the Louisiana Dynamites.
November 28th, 2018 at 2:57 am
Right tackle/guard, pass rush, secondary. Honestly I’d be fine if each draft we spent our top two picks on the lines or the secondary
November 28th, 2018 at 3:47 am
Most of these draft players turn out busts anyways, don’t worry about the draft. Just get a good defensive coordinator FIRST
November 28th, 2018 at 4:19 am
I’m an FSU fan, but #99 from Florida is a screamer off the edge. Could be a late 1st or 2nd round guy
November 28th, 2018 at 6:24 am
I think we are good with our safety Whitehead and Evans are going to be good. We need a CB and a true DE, and a RB. Offense is good we are just missing a bad ass RB, PB is a good backup not a starter.
November 28th, 2018 at 6:47 am
Soooooo licht did not set the table??????????
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 28th, 2018 at 7:19 am
TRENCHES, always the trenches!
November 28th, 2018 at 7:49 am
DL or OL in the first then another OL in the second. But I would always draft be available not need look how we reeeeeeaaacchhed on Aguayo and Spence because of need.
November 28th, 2018 at 7:49 am
Best available *
November 28th, 2018 at 8:30 am
I would argue that any team not looking at defensive line early in this draft class is crazy.
November 28th, 2018 at 8:34 am
HC: either McCarthy or Arians
DE: I like Nassib and JPP, if there’s another one at top of draft get him
Corner: Patrick Peterson
I’d pay Kwon, Hump and Smith, but I’m grooming him to play RT once Demar hangs it up.
I like JPP a lot and feel he is going to be a Julius Peppers-type where he will play well into his 30s. Build the D around him.
November 28th, 2018 at 8:45 am
Gerald Willis from the U to play next to Vea, can rush the QB and gets great penetration, has 20+ TFLs
November 28th, 2018 at 8:46 am
Jason Licht needs to be shown the door first with his horrible job at GM and drafting and signing FA, the best thing he did was trade for JPP, end of story the rest made the bucs the worst defense in NFL history…if licht was secure or safe and wanted to build the defense, sign foster and see what happens there with that case, bucs need new LBs, jury out of vea, thought Davis would be an nfl starter not sure, DBs could be on coaching……whitehead is an in the box safety that with a new hybrid defense would be awesome in my opinion…..
November 28th, 2018 at 8:53 am
MIKE EVANS
I AGREE….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
November 28th, 2018 at 9:40 am
We need to get bigger more physical playmakers in the defensive backfield.
Eric Reid and Honey Badger are due to be free agents.
After the salary dump, trade GMC and Desean Jackson for as much draft capital as possible. McCoy is talented, but he has a soft mentality. Desean crumbles whenever he doesn’t get the ball.
Draft Greedy Williams or Deonte Thompson.
November 28th, 2018 at 11:07 am
Our top need is a first round LT. D. Smith’s weakness is he can’t stop speed rushers and he will not be any better at RT either because teams will just move their speed rushers to that side to target him. However, he has the durability and strength to become an outstanding LG and he needs to be given a one year contract to play there. Second round take a large DE with potential to learn from PFF. Trade Jackson for a third round pick and use that pick for another CB with enough speed to cover slants. Fourth round take a quick 235 pound RB to back up Barber if he goes down. Fifth round take a LB who can also play special teams. 6th and 7th round should be Best Player Available. Sign a free agent Safety and a free agent DT. The key Coach who has to be replaced is worthless Warhop and sign a proven OL Coach who can develop OLinemen and put players in the proper positions and Coach the OL to play with discipline and avoid sacks and blitzes and twists and can push back the DL and open holes and block at the second level. Retain our DLC who has trained Vea and Nassib and built a cohesive front four (which includes McCoy who needs to be retained). Take his advice on who to retain or replace as his backup DL. Should we reach 8-8 this year and Koetter gets another year he must be forced to agree to let our OC call all the plays. If not retained get Arians! If our Defense continues to improve give our DC another year. He has proven he can develop backup DBs and Safeties to play well enough to step up in case of injuries. Get a better GM if we can line up a good one to replace Licht.
November 28th, 2018 at 1:26 pm
Completely agree with Joe–like to see us draft a talented yungry defensive end over a corner, would like to get corner depth in free agency and trade.
November 28th, 2018 at 1:32 pm
agree with Owlycat that Donovan Smith should be left guard and we should get left tackle in 1st or 2nd round Liedtke and others to be our right tackle jettison Benenoch develop Cappa–he should play rest of this year
Marpet back to left guard
November 28th, 2018 at 1:45 pm
First off underachiever D Smith is an average LT at best. Definitely sign Hump. If anyone deserves it he does. Kwon? I think with JPP, Nassib & Curry DE might be the strongest of defensive positions with CB the weakest.
November 28th, 2018 at 4:41 pm
What is the deal with VH3? Very big part of the decision of secondary. He was looking very good when we finally put him in the slot but he’s injury prone.
We need to get one of the many top-tier DT in the first round. It’s too hard to find one in FA and it’s too expensive. Pay prime time CB and S in FA. All the young secondary we’ve gotten is good depth. LT Round 2. Get good RT in FA. DE/LB Round 3.
But then again, this entire organization could be wiped out with a new GM and HC that want to change a defense that hasn’t worked in 15 years. This ain’t the Tampa-2 era anymore. I would love to see a change to 3-technique and draft Devin White.