We need a stud. We need a free agent edge.
The problem with this, is that we most likely wouldn't get the same production due to Bowles' scheme.
@donkey_hunter - I don’t disagree, that’s if he is hard headed and continues to just blitz. Then you don’t need studs. Just bring enough guys that someone gets thru eventually. But again, that’ll forever get us .500 records. Bowles has to expand his scheme, disrupt receivers on routes, and use a better combination of zone/man.
Again, just a different way to look at things
The one view (majority) expressed on here is Bowles SCHEME is to blame. The other (distinct minority lol) is "what about TALENT?" In the MAJORITY view Bowles is the problem, arguably holding back players (eg edge rusher dropping). The other view is the talent is way different - and actual FACT, right? Indisputable?
Both things could be true ie Bowles is holding back an untalented defense, but is that really that likely IF YOU LOOK AT ACTUAL BUCS HISTORY?
Bowles took over nearly the worst defense in the league and took it to winning a Super Bowl IN A DOMINANT DEFENSIVE FASHION THAT FEATURE LIMITED BLITZING.
During those years, both JPP and Barrett saw declining sacks themselves BUT as the defense improved dramatically.
Their numbers didnt drop because Bowles likes to send edge rushers into coverage lol. They dropped because he (appropriately) prefers a defense with MULTIPLE pressure threats that can change game to game.
Barrett dropped from 19 (in 2019) to 8. JPP was at 9.5 even when he was 12.5 in 2018. Team sacks went up slight though because . . .Devin White had 9 sacks
Or, reverse it around . .. LVD had 5.5 sacks this year. He only had 2 in 2020. Still take 2020 LVD over this year, right?
The goal is not a double digit sacking end, it is having a defense where a double digit sacking end skews the way the offense has to respond.
In the Super Bowl we had TWO edge rushers that teams had to contend with . .. AND nearly a double digit sacks a MLB ... . and BLITZING and BEHIND THAT two MAN CORNERS and a great safety.
This year . . . we had ZERO game changing edge rushers? (maybe 1/2 for Diaby). . . so that left this defense with BLITZING . . and basically no man corners (Dean always injured, McCollum okay) and no safety (AWJ injured. Whitehead garbage)
Far cry from the MULTIPLE weapons Super Bowl defense only a few years ago
Bowles would not waste a talented DE. The defense would improve substantially.
(Why didnt we go get one in 2024 or 2023? A question for another day)
@bucsbits - all good points. I was about the only one on here that said over the last two offseasons that edge was our biggest need. And that it would eventually be our demise. I feel Bowles ego tellls him “I can coach this up without dominant edges and corners.” He did it in New York too. “Look at me, I make the best of my talent.”
I feel Bowles ego tellls him “I can coach this up without dominant edges and corners.”
Or, alternatively, the team is in transition and likes Bowles precisely because he’s been able to get the Bucs to the playoffs twice with limited defensive talent
Licht actually said that, right?
I might just be missing it but blaming anything on Bowles ego seems a strange take? He’s sort of the opposite the quiet guy behind a huge ego, Arians.
maybe not
@bucsbits - not a bad ego. It’s a coaches ego. Come on guys. You have to have some asshole in you. You best have an ego as a coach. 20 years of it, and I went through some of the same thoughts.
oh I get that for sure.
but I guess use a real example. Do the Bucs trade Carlton Davis because Bowles says “I don’t need CBs?” or because they needed draft capital with no real ability to compete in FA?
who did they get with the pick they got for Davis?
@bucsbits they don’t trade Davis solely because Bowles doesn’t need him. But the team decides they need to get some draft capital; move some cap money; and he says I can do it with less talent at corner, rather than moving a DT or safety.
Under his scheme, he feels corners are more of an afterthought than in M2M systems. We’re playing 3 and 4 deep. He just needs his corners to not get beat deep. He’d rather spend on safeties (I.e.- Winfield) when other teams prefer to get spend at corner and play with average safeties.
He prefers DTs like Vita and Kancey, over stud Edges, because he believes he can manufacture pass rush with his blitzes. Which it works at times. But as the years pass, it gets home (sacks and causing turnovers) less and less.
But the team decides they need to get some draft capital; move some cap money; and he says I can do it with less talent at corner, rather than moving a DT or safety.
They probably shopped both Davis and Dean as the guys they could get the best return from trading and save $ because they are loaded with dead cap and rebuilding.
they used the pick to draft a WR. Turned out to be a good move but WR probably their most talented position
they were focused on offense first
again, Licht basically says that after the playoff loss
@bucsbits - oh boy. I’m telling you what it is. In spite of salary cap issues, personnel, or whatever excuse fans want to make, Bowles will continue to play the same scheme and we will only go as far as our offense takes us.
They probably shopped both Davis and Dean as the guys they could get the best return from trading and save $ because they are loaded with dead cap and rebuilding.
Both of these players excelled in M2M.
Why continue to pay these guys when you aren't going to play to their strengths?
Another reason why it would be foolish to spend premium draft capital on CB in Todd's scheme.
Don’t forget shaq Barrett will be back next year too
Don’t forget shaq Barrett will be back next year too
He's a shell of his former self.
Rotational player at best.
But, then again, maybe Todd plays him at CB.
