Which is why I wouldn't be upset if the Bucs choose to keep T. Smith at NCB and put Merriweather/Izien next to Winfield Jr. Ideally you want T. smith playing next to Winfield Jr to cause more disruption on the backend and let Izien who is more physical play at NCB.
Everyone thinks the Bucs need some splash impact players to improve the defense and I am sitting here thinking the Bucs have star players on all three levels already with Vea, LVD and Winfield Jr. We will see about Kancey, Diaby and McCollum if they can take the next step. But that is why people are putting the cart before the horse.
Bucs have under contract most of their defensive starters from last season heading into the off season. So far the only new starter so far is Reddick but that was not a surprise as we knew that was going to be a vacancy filled.
@alldaway - sorry, you sound like a really nice person and a great Bucs fan. You say all the right things. But let’s be real for a second. First, Izien and Meriweather are depth players. I like them, but I like them coming in for depthZ
Sorry. I didn’t mean to post yet. Second, I love David, but he is no longer elite. And Winfield, although injured for much of the year, was bad when he played. We went 4 and 1 during the big stretch while he was out. Also, Yaya is a good, tough player and Zion is maximizing his talents. Kancey may be our best hope to be really good.
We have our whole defensive core back from last years bottom 10 defense. Great! I’m sorry that I’m being a downer here, but you’re hoping for better. I don’t see it yet. I hope we have a good draft and bring in some defensive players that can help immediately.
Britt was an average starter in 2023 season
you keep posting stuff like this "in 2023 season" . . .like he didnt start the 2024 season as 1/2 an LB because of something we all knew . . SLOW
and like he hasnt now been ejected by the Bucs to a one year deal with Miami.
In other words, JC5100 wants his cherry-picking title back, please.
why he and JJ Russell were able to put White
and this ^^ lol.
Britt and JJ Russell were "not able to put White" on the bench. White put himself on the bench and the two guys you named we what was available.
If you are the 3rd LB on the team and LB1 and LB2 get hurt that does not make you an "average starter."
Everyone thinks the Bucs need some splash impact players to improve the defense
The Bucs might think that because their very first move was Hassan Reddick, right?
But I dont know that you see that posted here as much as you see some saying "Josh Hayes is not a reliable plan at CB" and you countering with stuff like "I want Merriweather at safety." You seem to be posting what the Bucs could do to get by on defense. That was the 2024 plan. May be the 2025 plan. I guess we will see.
Really we were right in the middle of the pack in 2024. Like Buffalo. Good offense --- middle of the pack defense.
@alldaway - sorry, you sound like a really nice person and a great Bucs fan. You say all the right things. But let’s be real for a second. First, Izien and Meriweather are depth players. I like them, but I like them coming in for depthZ
Izien was the starter in 2023 at NCB and Izien/Merriweather outplayed Whitehead/Winfield Jr in 2024. Competent players tend to outpeform talented overhyped players which is why JTS was sent packing while Nelson re-signed.
When you have a competent player that is ALSO talented they are a beast like Vea. Winfield Jr needs to return to form as a competent player.
Sorry. I didn’t mean to post yet. Second, I love David, but he is no longer elite. And Winfield, although injured for much of the year, was bad when he played. We went 4 and 1 during the big stretch while he was out. Also, Yaya is a good, tough player and Zion is maximizing his talents. Kancey may be our best hope to be really good.
We have our whole defensive core back from last years bottom 10 defense. Great! I’m sorry that I’m being a downer here, but you’re hoping for better. I don’t see it yet. I hope we have a good draft and bring in some defensive players that can help immediately.
Bucs starters are set for the most part. Some of you just can't accept that reality that Bowles has his guys under the fold. Other than NCB or S I am not seeing a new starter from this rookie class on defense.
Hall, Vea and Kancey are set.
LVD and Dennis are set
McCollum and Dean set.
T. Smith and Winfield Jr set
So that really leaves NCB or S depending on what they want to do with T. Smith.
Everyone thinks the Bucs need some splash impact players to improve the defense
The Bucs might think that because their very first move was Hassan Reddick, right?
But I dont know that you see that posted here as much as you see some saying "Josh Hayes is not a reliable plan at CB" and you countering with stuff like "I want Merriweather at safety." You seem to be posting what the Bucs could do to get by on defense. That was the 2024 plan. May be the 2025 plan. I guess we will see.
So much of a splash the Eagles still won a SB without him and the Jets didn't have much use for him. Reddick is a huge upgrade for a team lacking a competent edge opposite of Diaby but if Reddick goes double digit sacks that would be a splash. More likely he puts up 8 sacks which is still very good and helps this team a lot if Kancey can put up another 8-10 sacks and Diaby does the same with 8 sacks.
There is no home run or savior going to come in and help this defense via the draft. This defense has to play better fundamental football with tackling, assignments and also Bowles play calling better to not be so predictable.
@alldaway - if an EZ or Green are added we will have a player that will play almost as much as Hassan/Yaya. If we get a Barron/revel we will have a new starter at nickel.
If not, we move forward with a defense that will still be middle to the back of the pack.
@alldaway - if you’re happy with a 28th ranked pass defense and a defense that can’t get off the field on 3rd/4th down enough. Bowles hasn’t had a good pass defense in years. And can’t cause turnovers. Sorry to say it again, but this team doesn’t win more than 4 to 6 games last year without the efficiencies of the offense.
So much of a splash the Eagles still won a SB without him and the Jets didn't have much use for him. Reddick is a huge upgrade for a team lacking a competent edge opposite of Diaby but if Reddick goes double digit sacks that would be a splash
You're now talking about the future result, right? I am not sure who you would have seen as the alternative to Reddick, but the point is you're now saying THE RESULT has to be double digit sacks to be a splash, right?
Thats fine, but MOVING THE BALL. Moving the ball becaue this was your first comment:
Everyone thinks the Bucs need some splash impact players to improve the defense
I said clearly the Bucs seem to think -- NOW --- he is a splash impact player or else they just go with Anthony/Braswell, right? Anthony/Braswell would be the 2024 approach that YOU are advocating. You are advocating for Izien and Merriweather and "players already under contract." The parallel would be Anthony/Braswell. The Bucs FIRST move was inconsistent with that, right? They went right tolTRYING to upgrade the key position from the outside.
So your comment is at least inconsistent with the Bucs actions, BUT my point was that most posters here are NOT saying what you claim
Everyone thinks the Bucs need some splash impact players to improve the defense
Most are just saying that guys like Izien and Merriwhether are depth and we need way more and BETTER depth so, for example, when Dean goes down in a playoff game we dont lose because Hayes is the ONLY replacement.
Bucs starters are set for the most part. Some of you just can't accept that reality that Bowles has his guys under the fold. Other than NCB or S I am not seeing a new starter from this rookie class on defense
I think maybe this is the disconnect, starters is the limitation you keep placing and the defensive story of last year was THE DEFENSE ON THE FIELD, right? not the roster at preseason or even game 1. Starters were INJURED that left the defense depleted.
So, just going off your list
Hall, Vea and Kancey are set.
They already added Reddick to go with Diaby and they may even draft someone.
LVD and Dennis are set
Dennis didnt really play last year and they've already swapped out Britt for someone and again . . may draft someone
McCollum and Dean set.
Dean is always injured, no one wants Hayes et al as the back up. They already resigned our injured FA from last season and Vildor. And even then Bowles was pretty frank that both CB positions are up for grabs . I DOUBT either of those guys (McCollum/Dean) gets bumped though. Dean probably bumps himself when he strains his vulva before the first preseason game
T. Smith and Winfield Jr set
This is a change. Purposefully letting go of guys and maybe (subject to the draft) moving a guy. Last season it was T Thomas and Izien and others you say you wouldnt be upset with starting in 2025. Not sure the Bucs agree, but we will see.
So that really leaves NCB or S depending on what they want to do with T. Smith.
Who knows how the draft goes, but each year 3 or 4 draft picks become starters or serious contributors, right?
Maybe one is a G or a WR, so if we just say 2 on defense that would mean Reddick, safety/NCB, LB (we already brought in an outsider and Dennis is on the roster but not the starter really for most of last year) and hopefully more depth at CB, like a draft pick who is an actual NFL STARTER (rookie) for when Dean injures vulva arises! So the Bucs could have a new edge and different LBs and a different safety and at least better depth at CB. That is a change at every level
Hoping we can upgrade secondary. Not sure we can do both edge & secondary with talent that can make an immediate impact.
I’ve seen comments that edge would be the preference of many, and adding some depth behind Reddick as a pass rush specialist would be their preference - many are are resigned to thinking we either won’t have access to 1st round talent, or that talent would come with off-field risks the Bucs try to avoid.
Some of those commenters (like me) have resigned themselves to taking legit 1st round secondary talent instead of reaching for pass rush talent in the 1st round.
It’s tough to say who will be there at this point. Like many, I’m not married to a position so much as making sure the 1st rounder will start/have an impact.
Im also of the opinion the Buc FO may have made recent restructures because they may be clearing some space for a trade/post draft roster moves that can bolster the secondary.
