Be Aggressive
February 15th, 2026
Decisions.
The Bucs of the post-Tom Brady era seem to be of the “trust the process” mindset, as Nick Saban might say.
The Bucs are proud of their draft process. You may have heard of “I Am That Man.” And *that man* (Lavonte David) is on the brink of retirement.
The Bucs trust their ability to size up prospects and develop them. The first part has played out well since Brady retired. The development? Eh, not so much.
So the Bucs have become a tweener team, suggests ESPN NFL scribe Jeremy Fowler. He says they’re good enough to make a playoff run after a couple of additions, but also a team with enough holes to go south in a hurry if they’re not successfully addredssed.
Tampa Bay falls somewhere between contention and the need for a mini rebuild. The Bucs need to address their defense this offseason. The group needs talent improvements at all three levels, most notably pass rusher. This would be as good an offseason as any to take some chances to acquire quality defensive players.
Well, the Bucs have a lot of defensive holes, specifically in the front-seven. It is unlikely they can all be filled by just one draft class.
Joe doesn’t expect Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to go out like a drunken sailor next month and spend Team Glazer loot like Licht’s at the craps table at Aria.
So, might Licht be aggressive and bring in decent starting inside linebackers? And Joe’s not talking about the Anthony Walkers of the world. Might durable and productive veteran Germaine Pratt fit Todd Bowles’ defense?
February 15th, 2026 at 6:54 am
The Bucs have been in full rebuild since Brady/Gronk & company. They have invested draft capital on the front 7, but with little luck. Maybe Licht should stick to evaluating Offensive lineman and find someone who specializes in aggressive defensive players.
February 15th, 2026 at 7:03 am
I am sticking with what I have been saying!!!!
The Glazers fear the ‘Beard’ aka ‘Rooney Rule!!!!’
As long as they fear that….. there will be no such thing as being aggressive with the Buccaneers!!!
SMH
February 15th, 2026 at 7:15 am
Pratt would def be an upgrade….but we still have to draft them youngins…
A QB hungry team will trade up with us for 15….its what i see…if we only drop a few spots and get another 2nd, i say go for it….
1st (18 after trade down) Vega Ioane, if he’s not there DT Kayden McDonald
2nd (46) Edge R. Mason Thomas
2nd (49) LB Josiah Trotter (-or flip these two picks)
3rd (77) TE Michael Trigg / or TE Jack Endries if Trigg is gone
4th (116) LB Harold Perkins jr
5th (154) QB Sawyer Robertson
6th (194) RB Adam Randall
7th (216) Edge Caden Curry
February 15th, 2026 at 7:16 am
Btw, thats if Styles is gone, and he will be…..
February 15th, 2026 at 7:32 am
The draft record is blunderful.
February 15th, 2026 at 7:56 am
If Sonny Styles is gone then absolutely trade back if you can. Increase your chances of success by having more picks. There are quality DTs in 3rd round. Get best LB and Edge early. There are are also a few mid round DBs that fits Bowles mold. Hoping we sign a decent Edge and LB in free agency otherwise all this talk is just a waste. I just can’t see Jason going for FAs unless they are in the discount section 😐
February 15th, 2026 at 8:10 am
The 3 hardest positions to get for a team also happen to be the 3 most important. QB, EDGE, LT.
LB’s are more plug and play id fill this hole with actual FA’s no more cute approaches like Dennis just go out and get a couple actual starters.
At 15 we pick too late for a premier EDGE so trading for one shouldn’t be off the table. EDGE rush is the key if we don’t fix it we are doomed
February 15th, 2026 at 8:11 am
No matter who the Bucs bring in, the problem is not going to be solved in the short term. Apparently, Bowles’ defense is so complicated, it takes quite some time to master – months, years. Rookies and veterans alike seem to be confused about their responsibility on any given play. That’s why you see defenders standing like statues with receivers wide open in the holes in the zones. Nobody seems to know who is supposed to pick up whom so they just stand in their assigned spots and hopefully make a tackle after the easy catch is made.
Bowles’ answer about coverage breakdowns at press conferences is always the same – “we, the players and coaches, need to communicate better”. Communicating mid-play is already too late. They need to know what they are doing the second they line up and who they are going to pick up when they get anywhere near their spot in the zone. This defense is just too complicated – something Ronde Barber has acknowledged. Too bad Bowles can’t see that.
February 15th, 2026 at 8:23 am
Ain’t buying what has been coming out of One Luck Place
Those inside the building are getting G direct deposits obviously believe each other but they are drinking the Fool Aide
David, Evans, Godwin are past their prime
1-7
February 15th, 2026 at 8:32 am
I’m expecting more of the same, calculated risks and some swing at players of value in order to fix some of the fixable talent issues with this team on both sides of the ball. Of course, we can’t do much anything in FA without pinching some pennies in house, as we’re middle of the pack in regards to our cap space.
Depending on where we go in terms of bringing in players at the start of the new league year, we’ll get a clearer picture of how aggressive we can be in the draft where I think the pay off is bigger than any haul of players we can bring in FA.
There’s plenty of opportunity to re-fortify this roster in all 3 phases.
February 15th, 2026 at 8:34 am
I think JL’s seat is warm this year. Needs a really good draft and grab some FAs. And as many others I still dont know how Bowles is still here after dropping so many coaches on defense. Doesn’t make sense. Even at my age I still have a lot to learn so I guess I’m missing something.
February 15th, 2026 at 8:57 am
Its all about redzone defense now in today’s NFL. The kickers are almost automatic from 50 yards and in, so holding good offenses to 3 is about the best you can hope for.
This team needs more freaks in the box on defense. Inside LB’s with lots of range, and bigger safety/LB/slot hybrids. Pass rushers are great, but theyre useless if the middle of the field is wide open all game long and the opposing offense is in 3rd/4th and manageable on every series of downs.
February 15th, 2026 at 9:02 am
Bojim, you ain’t the only one missing something if we fail to draft Jacob Rodriguez, given the chance to do that.
February 15th, 2026 at 9:12 am
Jeremy Fowler’s revelation! Why didn’t we think of that!!!
February 15th, 2026 at 9:22 am
Joe Says:
“Well, the Bucs have a lot of defensive holes, specifically in the front-seven. It is unlikely they can all be filled by just one draft class.”
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The Bucs have just as many holes in the back 5. Hard to say otherwise watching the confusion in the back end of the defense when it comes to pass prorection. Invite all who post here to name a couple of Bucs defenders that could start for the Seahawks, NE, Detroit or the Rams. Will be waiting a long time after you get past Vita Vea.
February 15th, 2026 at 9:37 am
Gipper. We also have a hole at quarterback he’s to short and he can’t see over the line and the bucs will not win with him at quarterback. What’s going to be the excuse this year if he plays like he did last season. Oh let me guess he’s injured it’s the defense fault it’s the line fault 😂😂. Last but not least it’s Bowles fault why he throws picks late in the 4th quarter that cost us games.
February 15th, 2026 at 9:37 am
Trade Winfield and number 15 for Crosby. I hate to say it but I know what my eyes see every week. Hes not good. Forget the pro bowl and all the bs. Hes not good he aint been good in two plus years. That allows us to bring in a better lb in free agency and possibly stiĺ trade up for Jacob Rodriguez in the second if needed. If they add Devin loyd crispy and him jjst that alone adds fuel and attitude and production to this defense. We have no guys that are hungry to
Attack on this team. And a coach who doesnt seem to understand that simplified defense is needed
February 15th, 2026 at 9:41 am
Every year it’s the same old when it comes to the draft. There is always a player or 3 that folks think is “cant miss” and the story goes “if player X isnt there”..this year that guy seems to Styles. Ive watched him play and now have gone back and watched a couple more games with him being the focus. I’m just not as blown away as others. One game I saw a series of plays that looked very much like SVD 2.0
Add to the fact he doesn’t play an elite position (QB, LT, Pass rusher), im not in the Styles or bust camp.
I’d much rather add 2 vet LBers in FA and let the draft be about pass rush. Either an edge at 15 or a DL like McDonald or Banks.
Maybe if Bowles was fired and we had a new scheme on defense, I would be more on the Styles bandwagon, but I just dont see the value.
Trenches (edge, DL, OL) please
February 15th, 2026 at 9:48 am
Scotty’s frustration makes sense — but it’s not that simple.
1️⃣ Yes, Bowles’ system is complex.
It’s a pressure-heavy, disguise-based defense with pattern-match rules. That means defenders don’t just guard a spot — they react to route combinations. If one guy misreads it, the whole coverage can look busted.
2️⃣ Confusion usually isn’t about mid-play communication.
It’s about pre-snap checks and knowing who carries which route based on alignment. When two defenders expect the other to take a receiver, you get the “standing in grass” look.
3️⃣ The real issue:
Complex systems require veteran continuity. Young DBs + injuries + rotating personnel = breakdowns. When the Bucs had experienced players in 2020, this same system won a Super Bowl.
Bottom line:
The defense isn’t “bad because it’s complicated.” It’s only a problem if the complexity isn’t matching the talent on the field. If guys can’t execute it cleanly, it needs to be simplified so they can play faster.
February 15th, 2026 at 9:55 am
Oneilbuc Says:
February 15th, 2026 at 9:37 am
Gipper. We also have a hole at quarterback he’s to short and he can’t see over the line and the bucs will not win with him at quarterback. What’s going to be the excuse this year if he plays like he did last season. Oh let me guess he’s injured it’s the defense fault it’s the line fault 😂😂. Last but not least it’s Bowles fault why he throws picks late in the 4th quarter that cost us games’
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Mayfield stats for the full year 2025 including the hald of the season he was injured are identical to Sam Darnold,Josh Allen, Herbert who are QB’s 6’5″. There were only 4 QB’s with better stats in 2025 than Mayfield and a bunch of guys tied for 6th and they were Stafford, Prescott, Maye and Goff. Like so many things, Oneillbuc, you don’t know what you are taliking about. Hope that when Mayfield leaves for the Rams in 2027 you get the QB you want in Shedeur Sanders. Have a hunch that, at least from you, Sanders will never be criticized.
February 15th, 2026 at 10:02 am
Gipper, I believe Sanders threw 7 TD passes in his seven starts last season. Problem is he threw 12 picks in those 7 starts. The only world that he ever starts another game in the NFL is if it’s with the Browns, their stupidity is world renowned.
February 15th, 2026 at 10:05 am
Like Caden Curry. But he isn’t a 7th rounder.
Bucs have very little cap money, so don’t expect much.
February 15th, 2026 at 10:12 am
Bakers only thrown for 100 tds over the last 4 years,I agree we need a QB ! No offensive lineman ,just someone coming off the edge ! Just when you think Bowles is inept jeeeze!
February 15th, 2026 at 10:18 am
Jason Licht “Future Ring of Honor” member .
Draft guru.
2024 Draft pick – a Center (average at that position)
Passing on – Jared Verse E. Laiatu Latu E. Braden Fiske DT.
2025 Draft pick – receiver – (potential to be great – BUT loaded at re Jihaad Campbell LB. James Pearce E.
I thought that the very problematic and playoff hurting DEFENSE was the need – NOT Center and an Another Receiver.
Joe, am I wrong?
February 15th, 2026 at 10:20 am
Jason Licht “Future Ring of Honor” member .
Draft guru.
2024 Draft pick – a Center (average at that position)
Passing on – Jared Verse E. Laiatu Latu E. Braden Fiske DT.
2025 Draft pick – receiver – (potential to be great – BUT loaded at receiver).
Passing on Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger LB, Jihaad Campbell LB. James Pearce JR E.
I thought that the very problematic and playoff hurting DEFENSE was the need – NOT Center and an Another Receiver.
Joe, am I wrong?
February 15th, 2026 at 10:35 am
We have so many needs.
I want to trade back if possible.
Unless some freakish OLB is available.
3-4 DE like Gholston. A wrecking ball at DE.
A 3-4 OLB like Yaya. À freak of nature. A 6-5 animal.
2 Middle Linebackers.
À huge NT/DT to rotate with Vea.
A TE who can block and catch.
Otton is Brate 2.0. We need an old school TE. Big and nasty.
And of course some guards. As every year.
February 15th, 2026 at 10:35 am
As others have said, I’d love us to get Jacob Rodriguez. Stuff I’ve read says he’s moved from the 3rd round to the second since the Senior Bowl. Combine him with a good FA ILB and we’re ok. I’d also be happy if we could get Howell at 15 to pair up with Diaby. (they can’t ALL be busts)
February 15th, 2026 at 10:36 am
The Daily Coroner – things aren’t looking real good for James Pearce. Surely he’ll be suspended by the NFL and if he doesn’t serve time, there’s definitely something wrong with our judicial system when it comes to NFL players.
February 15th, 2026 at 10:46 am
The Daily Coroner …
Licht did not pass on Verse or Latu… the were taken like 11 and 7 slots ahead of the Bucs pick. Every year teams draft busts and good players go later. Studs that get drafted round 2 and 3 were passed on by all 32 teams at some point.
Barton will be just fine, kid was tossed at LT to start the year and had no consistent G play next to him.
Emeka is a stud… Campbell could be as well but he’s surrounded by high end players and a good DC in Fangio. Pearce is going to jail, nice rookie year and now a giant bust. Every team passed on Schwesinger.
The draft is not an exact science, can’t look at Lichts picks in a vacuum. Have to look at them vs other GMs picks. I will say this until I am blue in the face! Bucs won 10 games in 2024 with 75% of the team drafted by Licht. We were trending up! Unfortunately we lost our real good coach and were stuck with the loser who immediately got worse results.
February 15th, 2026 at 10:58 am
KentonSmith,
re: Sanders………….Everything you said about Sanders is true. Don’t disagree that he is not an NFL QB ;nor, will he ever be one. Just know Oneillbuc is anyone except the guy who has the second most TD passes in the NFL for the last 3 years(all played with Tampa).
February 15th, 2026 at 10:59 am
Teach how you getting all that? Few days ago you were on the Crosby train!