Short term:
1. Is stopping the run that important? The NFL is a passing league so I would rather see Gholston as a reserve. But given the injuries they should keep him full time at DE so he can improve at one spot.
2. Where are the double A gap blitzes or overloads? This team knows it lacks pass rushers so what are they waiting for?
3. Asking these safties to play m2m is pointless. Start going to more nickel and dime packages. Having Daryl Smith out there is not important and I don't think run defense is again that important.
4. Bucs need to shift away from cover 2 and try more cover 3 or disguise the zone coverages better. Right now they are saying to offenses we are playing vanilla cover 2 and we will not even bother disguising coverages or blitzes.
Long term:
1. Need to add two more pass rushing DE's. One as a potential starter opposite of Noah and one in reserve. Depth at this position is way more important than lets say LB's. A street free agent at LB can step in and be competent (especially a veteran). You can not say the same with pass rushing DE's.
2. A pass rushing DT to pair with McCoy. Sure Gholston and Ayers can kick inside, but having a DT even on first and 2nd downs that can knife through while McCoy is doubled team is important.
3. Coverage safety in the NFL is vital. Two would be preferable but most teams have at least one. Closest Bucs have to one is Conte and he reached his ceiling long ago.
4. Get Hargreves on the field and into more packages. In fact, they should make him a starter full time. Adje full time starter opposite of him would be worth a shot too.
