There's not going to be 5 new starters.
I think SR's article says the Bucs might have "as many as 5 new starters" 0n defense but the terms "starters" is sort of the Biggs way of judging contribution ("White is RB1") and the Bucs defensive problem in 2024 was starters AND depth. . . . the guys who are actually on the field
Easiest way to see that . . . ..We didnt defend the Commanders with these 6 guys - LVD, Britt McCollum and Dean AWJ and Whitehead. We defended them by rotating ten guys in with LVD - Russell, Britt and Jones, Dean MCcollum Hayes, Funderbirk, Merriwether and rotated a safety between Smit/Edwards and Merriwether.
And thats with a 35 year old LVD and AWJ basically making it back for that game, but injured all season
Look at that game by snaps BY POSITION and SR's "everyone knows that the Bucs need to retool their defense" becomes obvious:
DE- Kancey
NT- Vea
DE- Hall
OLB- Diaby
MLB- David
MLB- Russell, Britt and Jones
OLB- New starter
FS- Winfield
SS- Smith/ Edwards
CB- Dean -- Hayes
CB- McCollum Funderbirk/Merriweather
CB- Funderbirk/Merriweather
So, off of that list or yours above, there are FIVE or even SIX positions that need upgrades. At a MINIMUM they need an OLB, on ILB a CB and a Safety . . but you could expand that by replacing David if he retires. You might say some of those guys are on the 53 now, but if you mean someone like SVD . . he didnt play most of 2024 so yes new guy on the field from existing roster.
SR -- "Everyone knows that the Bucs need to retool their defense"
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
who wouldn't agree with your point framed like that (in bold)?
Reality is a little different though because the 2024 defense only had 2 less sacks than the SB winning 2020 defense even thought it was missing JPP (9.5 sacks) and Barrett (8.5 sacks ) and Devin White (9 sacks ).
And on those sacks from White, the Bucs say this:
"That total leads all inside linebackers in the league and ranks in the top five of any player not on the defensive line. It was a concerted effort from the entire defense that allowed White the success he had, though. The guys up front often took on multiple blockers to free up a path for White to the quarterback. You had outside linebackers like JPP (9.5 sacks) at times covering underneath routes and the flat in order to free up White (9 sacks) and create confusion."
Pretty hilarious to use use those same words (in bold) for the 2024 defense because it would read like this:
"you had outside linebackers like DIABY (4.5 sacks) at times covering underneath routes and the flat in order to free up . . . KJ Britt (1 sacks), JJ Russell (0 sacks ) and Deion Jones (0 sacks) and create confusion."
LMAO . . . slightly different group.
The Bucs get almost the same output in sacks with FAR less talent because of deception. Sometimes it does not work. Diaby and Nelson combined had less sacks than either 2020 JPP or Barrett, individually. Both of those guys dropped into coverage a lot in 2020
Devin White was "terrible" and "grossly overrated" (he's basically out of the league now) and yet Bowles scheme and play calling used him to get 9 sacks and a Super Bowl in a playoff run that saw White mostly on fire.
In that season Barrett was way down in individual sacks from 2019 . . . but the team won a Super Bowl with both of Barrett and JPP dropping into coverage a lot.
So, White was JUST a product of Bowles scheme/play calling, but its that same scheme & play calling that is to blame in 2024?
. . even though there is no JPP, Barrett or White. Its Diaby, Nelson/JJRussel/KJ Britt/Deon Jones.
Maybe players matter? Maybe thats why Licht said "what [Todd Bowles] has done with what we have, I think, has been remarkable."
May be why SR just said "EVERYONE knows the Bucs need to RETOOL the defense."
And today there is this article by Josh Q
Can The Bucs Find The Next Shaq Barrett?
Hope so!
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?"
I think so because Winfield came off a MVP season in 2023 and the Bucs added Whitehead who had a stellar 2023 season himself as Jet. Diaby was heading into year 2 as well with Kancey.
So yeah the 2024 defense should have been better than 2023 defense. Diaby was a league leader in pressures but was asked to drop too much in coverage to really rack up those sacks. Kancey showed his stuff when healthy but I would like to see what he can do with a full 17 game season as he can reach double digit sacks. Whitehead, Winfield and Edwards didn't forget to play safety as it is a similar defense and same defensive coach in Rapone. The problem is they look lost playing so much zone when they look better in man 2 man. Of those three players Edwards is the only one that looks comfortable playing zone along with Merriweather.
Smith is a clear upgrade over Izien at NCB so it is not like the Bucs 2024 defense lacked talent on the backend which is why the failure in pass defense was so monumentally bad.
The Bucs did generate sacks and pressures which were similar to 2022 and 2023 seasons respecitvely. But teams figured out how to attack Bowles use of shallow zone and mid field easily so he has to make adjustments on that front.
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.
Another OLB and DB is a guarantee because if Smith moves to safety you still need another DB to play nickel or they slide Izien back into the slot. Also Bucs need a starter opposite of Diaby with explosion and range to play in coverage. Dennis has the qualities of range in coverage but also to play aggressively on the line as a stand up rusher so you can definitely plug him in as a starter.
Dean I was thinking would be traded IF the Bucs need the cap space but if they are okay with him then he will stick around another year.
Between the offense and defense the defense actually needs more depth to be filled out as most defensive depth players are free agents for the Bucs and are starting to be long in the tooth.
Gholston, Gaines, JTS, Nelson and Shaq at this point are not integral and they have no more room for growth. Bucs may be looking to draft DL earlier than we think to backup Kancey and Vea to create a better rotation and protection from injury.
Diaby was a league leader in pressures but was asked to drop too much in coverage to really rack up those sacks.
Who dropped in coverage more?
2024 Diaby
2020 JPP
2020 Barrett?
Diaby was a league leader in pressures but was asked to drop too much in coverage to really rack up those sacks.
Who dropped in coverage more?
2024 Diaby
2020 JPP
2020 Barrett?
I believe SR covered this as it was Diaby and that is the problem.
Truthfully you could have HoF Julius Peppers out there but when you ask an edge player to drop 30% of snaps into coverage that is a bit much.
I believe SR covered this
Thank for pointing this out. I found the article and yes its pretty dramatic. I didnt realize that.
What's the deal with Shemar James? His draft projection is all over the place. I've seen anywhere from Round 2 to Day 3. Just seen a little of him but he looks pretty good.
Some teams will have him high on their board while others will not push him down a bit. Early in the off season defensive players tend to be ranked lower than usually where they are drafted by actual teams.
What's the deal with Shemar James? His draft projection is all over the place. I've seen anywhere from Round 2 to Day 3. Just seen a little of him but he looks pretty good.
Solid, smart player. Good in both phases. Like a coach on the field too. I don't think he'll be superstar, but should be a solid NFL 'backer. I think he should be a Day 2 pick, but the combine will be pretty big for him.
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.
So you have 2 new starters there with Tykee at safety and edge rusher.
What i am suggesting is it shouldnt be a forgone conclusion that Hall and Dennis are handed starting jobs. At the very least, there should be players brought in for competition.
As for Diaby, yeah the dude ranked in the top 10 on pressures but his getting home to the QB were abysmal. Not understanding the love affair pieces with him this week. If anything we could use 2 new edge rushers to the roster. Diaby remains starter but we need a rotation.
And why are you confident about Dean? i would be surprised if he stays to be honest
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.
So you have 2 new starters there with Tykee at safety and edge rusher.
What i am suggesting is it shouldnt be a forgone conclusion that Hall and Dennis are handed starting jobs. At the very least, there should be players brought in for competition.
As for Diaby, yeah the dude ranked in the top 10 on pressures but his getting home to the QB were abysmal. Not understanding the love affair pieces with him this week. If anything we could use 2 new edge rushers to the roster. Diaby remains starter but we need a rotation.
And why are you confident about Dean? i would be surprised if he stays to be honest
Hall had a break out year and Bowles hadn't given up on him before his 2024 season so he isn't going to give up on him now. Dean is Bowles boy until he can find a suitable replacement. The only reason we presume Dean is traded/cut is for cap reasons and if the team sees the value or they create cap space in other ways then Dean maybe safe.
So yeah OLB and safety are the most likely areas to be addressed with new starters. Whitehead's spinal injury is too worrisome to count on for him to return to form as a starter. Bucs need a starter quality player opposite of Diaby for sure.
As for LVD and Dennis people are sold on the Bucs moving on from both but they both fit the scheme to a T and they are cap friendly for a team that is cap strapped. Plus, the cap space is better spent upgrading OLB anyways.
And why are you confident about Dean? i would be surprised if he stays to be honest
If you were to weave together posts on the Red Board you’d believe that “the Bucs shouldn’t draft a man corner because Bowles loves zone” and Dean - a man corner who only plays about 50% of the time - is staying because .. well… Bowles loves him.
lol
Or “they traded Davis because Bowles loves zone” (not because of the contract) but they will keep Deans big contract because .. well… Bowles loves zone?
