Last year Licht went all in with trench players and it actually sort of paid off. By going overboard with the addition of trench players the Bucs limped their way to a losing season but at least it wasn't a train wreck.
Lots of hate toward Cappa and Vea but they have a year under their belts now of NFL training and the Bucs are not scrambling to add twice as many trench players this upcoming off season as a result. That is why having Cappa, Vea, JPP, Nassib, Marpet, etc all under contract helps a lot for a new coaching staff. Gholston, Curry, McCoy are all extras depending upon how cap flexible the Bucs want to be. But that flexibility comes from the fact the Bucs were serious about adding trench players last year.
This off season should be a repeat of last off season by having a focus on trench players.
Had Licht drafted an OT or two a season or two ago the decision to let Smith walk this off season would be elementary and simple.
So here is the game plan for Mr. Licht:
1. Figure out if the Bucs want to keep McCoy OR Curry. Can't keep both and if the Bucs do decide to keep both (which is a slim chance) that changes things. That means that letting Smith go in free agency is the only logical choice. Either way you have to part ways with one of these veteran trench players.
2. Free agency: Grab a veteran guard and a veteran DL with the cost savings of letting one of the big three go. This is a no brainer and ensures you have insurance if young guys don't develop, injury, bad draft luck, etc. Every off season I hear the lament that this is a weak group of free agents at X position. But when the season rolls around these players are serviceable and are NFL average while the Bucs are stuck for hopes and prayers. No, go with the less sexy average joes in free agency and then look for sexy picks via the draft if you must.
3. Draft: Go all in in finding an OT, OG, DE and DT. DT is deep and it would be a big, big shame if the Bucs don't nab one of those DT's between rounds 3-5. OT is a no brainer given Dotson's age and Smith being a player that has big question marks. OG and DE would be the icing on the cake.
