I’d love to refute this - but
In a quick, very unscientific (lol) look at a few of the playoff teams - Eagles, Bucs, Lions, Commanders - only the Commanders had a double-digit sacks player with Fowler at 10.5.
The other playoff teams were like the Bucs with a couple rushers around 8 sacks, its just that the Bucs rush came from inside (Kancey and Vea). So, obviously we need improved play on the edge BUT that can come from many different approaches. Its doesn't have to be selling the farm to get Garrett.
The Bucs did a pretty decent job forcing fumbles but were way down on the INT side, so sign that mayve the issue is LB/DB play and maybe the up front pressure actually improves with better DB and LB play stopping the constant short passing.
In fact, another sign may be the 2024 performance of Diaby. Diaby was one of the best edge rusher in the league at PRESSURES (9th out of 211 per PFF), but his sack numbers were not great. He was creating pressure but not getting home. Quick passing offenses, maybe?
We were unable as a defense to stop teams quick passing game. We played a ton a soft zone BUT . . . why? Trying to keep the ball in front of us and tackle because of shaky talent on the back end? Bowles DC history included Revis, Antonio Cromartie and with the Bucs Davis and Dean.
Yea, we are not trading for Garret or Hendrickson. Pipe dream.
Hendrickson trade might actually be likely. It’s exactly how we got JPP.
I'd like to know the number on Hendrickson's stats because logically teams were throwing against them a lot and trying to keep pace with Burrows.
I worry those numbers are thus inflated by situational football and game scripts.
Quick passing offenses, maybe?
The easy way to stop Bowles' defense.
Would you believe the SB winning defense game up more passing yds per game?
sounds like a JC "stat"
I am fairly sure the 2024 defense is better at getting off the field (3rd own percentage) than the SB defense too.
Just not when it mattered. That game with the fumble . . .
SR in the Fab 5 - "Everyone knows that the Bucs need to retool their defense and find as many as five new starters – with cornerback and strong safety possibly joining the big needs at inside linebacker (two) and outside linebacker."
The Grizzard hire indirectly indicates that Licht is not changing his stripes this year. He's not going after the big fish.SR in the Fab 5 - "Everyone knows that the Bucs need to retool their defense and find as many as five new starters – with cornerback and strong safety possibly joining the big needs at inside linebacker (two) and outside linebacker."
....just as he didn't go after the big fish OC. Maybe he'll try to find a diamond in the rough like Shaq Barrett or Baker Mayfield, but he's not going to mortgage a huge amount of cap space or early draft picks to sign or trade for a star player. I think he is once again going to look for players who fit a role in the system just like Grizzard fits a role in the system.
Sorry to disappoint people, but that's my intepretation of the way the winds are blowing.
SR in the Fab 5 - "Everyone knows that the Bucs need to retool their defense and find as many as five new starters – with cornerback and strong safety possibly joining the big needs at inside linebacker (two) and outside linebacker."
Not likely Bucs have five new starters in 2025. This is where PR has been wrong on this issue when covering Bowles defense constantly. Bowles doesn't do massive starter shake up once he has his players in place.
The Grizzard hire indirectly indicates that Licht is not changing his stripes this year. He's not going after the big fish.
....just as he didn't go after the big fish OC. Maybe he'll try to find a diamond in the rough like Shaq Barrett or Baker Mayfield, but he's not going to mortgage a huge amount of cap space or early draft picks to sign or trade for a star player. I think he is once again going to look for players who fit a role in the system just like Grizzard fits a role in the system.
Sorry to disappoint people, but that's my intepretation of the way the winds are blowing.
That is a possibility too given three is still a decent chunk of dead cap space.
Personally I do not see the checkbook being opened up either simply because of the existing dead cap space. And the Bucs have 62 players under contract so far without draft selections or any other free agent additions. So, re-signing the Bucs own free agents and maybe some cheap veteran free agents is the play again like the last two seasons. But this time I think the Bucs look to bring in a veteran edge rusher to the mix with the young group because there is too much youth and not enough experience and Edwards is a terrible position coach.
Ramirez and Watts along with Braswell and Diaby indicates the team needs a veteran edge rusher in the mix to go with this young group. Shaq, Nelson and JTS are just not going to cut it so a veteran edge rusher that is a step up from those three is priority #1. That is why I think also the Bucs probably do NOT draft an edge rusher in round 1 but we will see on that.
Also, with Grizzard at helm we can not lose sight that the Bucs offense can use upgrades at WR even if Godwin is re-signed and at the starting left guard spot next to Wirfs. I wouldn't be surprised if the Bucs swing for the fences and surprise people with a highly rated free agent guard or even draft a guard high from the draft to start next to Wirfs and really give push in inside next to Barton.
Not likely Bucs have five new starters in 2025. This is where PR has been wrong on this issue when covering Bowles defense constantly.
I think you've said the 2024 defense was more talented than 2023 "on paper"? So you must disagree with the FIRST part of SR's comment "[e]veryone know the Bucs need to retool their defense?"
As for the number of STARTERS to change, I agree with your point that Bowles is slow to go with rookies/ inexperienced people so I guess we will see. I think you suggested someone like Merriweather is sufficient? I think SR's point is that is not true, other than as depth. In SR's world they may even move on from Whitehead.
The Grizzard hire indirectly indicates that Licht is not changing his stripes this year. He's not going after the big fish.SR in the Fab 5 - "Everyone knows that the Bucs need to retool their defense and find as many as five new starters – with cornerback and strong safety possibly joining the big needs at inside linebacker (two) and outside linebacker."
....just as he didn't go after the big fish OC. Maybe he'll try to find a diamond in the rough like Shaq Barrett or Baker Mayfield, but he's not going to mortgage a huge amount of cap space or early draft picks to sign or trade for a star player. I think he is once again going to look for players who fit a role in the system just like Grizzard fits a role in the system.
Sorry to disappoint people, but that's my intepretation of the way the winds are blowing.
I think you're probably right although I am not sure the two are connected.
Grizzard makes total sense because the offense is top 5. With a mediocre defense all bets are off.
I think they get the best upgrades and depth they can at a number of positions. Pretty tough to do that though if you need two 1sts for ONE position.
That is why I think also the Bucs probably do NOT draft an edge rusher in round 1 but we will see on that.
Agreed, if they can find the player in FA
with better DB and LB play stopping the constant short passing.
Or, maybe our scheme can stop with the "play 10 yards off while blitzing".
Diaby was one of the best edge rusher in the league at PRESSURES (9th out of 211 per PFF), but his sack numbers were not great.
Diaby was also dropped into coverage at an insane rate and more than double what he did the year before.
Crazy idea for Todd this upcoming season, but maybe try utilizing your best pass rushers to rush the passer.
There's not going to be 5 new starters.
DE- Kancey
NT- Vea
DE- Hall
OLB- Diaby as an early down edge setter, I'd prefer he come out on pass downs
MLB- David
MLB- Dennis or new starter
OLB- New starter
FS- Winfield
SS- Smith
CB- Dean (he's not going anywhere)
CB- McCollum
CB- New addition (Asante Samuel Jr?)
Then you have Izien as your 6th man in the secondary. When it comes to edge rushers they dont need 1, I would add 2-3 more. I'd offer Reddick a low base salary but $1.5M per sack with the guarantee of no franchise tag in 2026. I like Chaisson as just a pure pass down edge rusher. I would also trade up for Mike Green. That would give us edges of Diaby, Reddick, Green, Chaisson, Braswell. Injury proof, fatigue proof.
Not sure David is back unfortunately though I certainly hope he is!
