…knowing that we can’t fix all our problems in one draft, but one side of the ball could end up looking pretty darn good by drafts’ end.
Yeah, I know we don’t know who will be available, but would a big influx of talent on offense or defense win the Bucs more games next season?
I am going to say offense. Offense is long overdo for some talent infusion: interior OL, RB, WR, and TE.
Adding a left guard and center to compete for starting spots and improve the depth. Same with WR to compete for the chance to be a #3 WR with Palmer and with a TE to pair with Otton/Durham. A RB with power and elusivness to compliment White's multi purpose capability.
Bucs did more in free agency on the defensive side of the ball adding Whitehead, Thomas, Hall and Gregory. Whitehead is a clear starter while Thomas, Hall and Gregory have extensive starting experience.
Opeta and Bredenson are not bad as stop gap starters but they are not on the same level as starters compared to Whitehead, Thomas or Hall. Gregory is a stop gap starter but there is more potential depth at edge than interior OL.
The other factor is the young players on defense that were backups stepped up big down the stretch. Players like J.J. Russell, McCollum, Britt, Merriweather, and Hayes.
I liked what I saw from Palmer, Durham and Jarrett but that is pretty much it.
100% go all offense.
I'd work a trade back scenario where we could try and nab McConkey or Pearsall with our first pick (which would most likely be in R2), then nab someone like Sanders in the 2nd as well. Depending on what we had left, package a move back up into the late 2nd or early 3rd for Corley.
Still should have enough left over for two of the following Beebe, McCormick, Van Pran, Bortolini, or Mahogany.
Devils advocate. Defense. Our offense is a G and C away from potentially being very good, especially if it helps White get his run game going. Defense is too soft at CB and Edge making the passing game effective against us. That's why we lose in today's pass first NFL, we gotta do better vs short and intermediate passing attacks. I think we need a CB or Edge in the first round, MLB competition next pending confidence in Britt, safeties and iDL are set- but injuries happen, after the starters there's a giant drop off. Not to mention Dean is oft-injured. Offense just needs competency in the interior line.
I’m saying defense
first of all, think of the main reason we lost Detroit game. The defense folded in 4th quarter and we had trouble stopping them all game.
secondly, the offense in the last half of season improved and gives me hope they figured it out heading into this year. (Of course new OC throws a wrinkle in that)
now that’s think about our defense. We have 7 sure fire starters - Vea, cancy, David (how many years left?) Diaby, Dean, Winfield and whitehead.
that’s leaves 4 starters that could be rotational or improved and we have 5 picks in the first 4 rounds
on offense, does any skill position or QB pick start? Maybe TE would but it’s hard to argue. On the offensive line, agree our interior needs help but with the hypothetical of all offense or defense, I’m going defense in terms of keeping us competing this season
that said, this all hypothetical as the hope is they’d have a good balance
Just shore up the center position bakers a short qb its tough when a guy is in your face
All defense.
Yeah our iOL sucks but they got better as the year went on. We were able to find success in our 2 playoff games on the ground, so they aren't that trash. We need an upgrade badly but our defense can't get stops against the elite offenses. Our pass rush and secondary just aren't ever on the same page.
Why does Mauch get a free pass but everyone is putting Hainsey out to pasture?
Mauch is significantly worse at a more important position and they're the same age.
Why does Mauch get a free pass but everyone is putting Hainsey out to pasture?
Mauch is significantly worse at a more important position and they're the same age.
Mauch gets more grace than Hainsey because 2023 was Hainsey's third season in the NFL and Mauch's first.
If Mauch doesn't improve next season, like Goedeke did, I'm guessing he'll start hearing more chirping from the fans.
Absolutely defense, no question about it. There are some big time offenses on the Bucs 2024 schedule. If the Bucs want to win games, they need to slow down some of those high-powered offenses. That said, I'm hoping for a good mix of offense AND defense from the Bucs draft this year. There are clear needs on both sides of the ball.
Mauch gets more grace than Hainsey because 2023 was Hainsey's third season in the NFL and Mauch's first.
If Mauch doesn't improve next season, like Goedeke did, I'm guessing he'll start hearing more chirping from the fans.
This right here.
In his 3rd season, Hainsey was the worst graded starting center in the league.
IOur offense last year was ranked in the bottom 3rd of the league in points scored. Ranked #20th overall in scoring.
The defense was ranked in the Top-10 (7th overall) in points given up.
If I have to pick one, I’m going offense.
IOur offense last year was ranked in the bottom 3rd of the league in points scored. Ranked #20th overall in scoring.
The defense was ranked in the Top-10 (7th overall) in points given up.
If I have to pick one, I’m going offense.
At the end of the day, saying offense or defense is unfair. Both need work, but generally speaking we have some great pieces on both sides of the ball and we are a fairly well rounded solid team aside from some clear deficiencies that we are all well aware of. We got the draft and some time left in FA to address and fill these holes as best we can. I think the offense will be much improved with more crafty “coordinating” I think the addition of Cohen alone will reap dividends. We are very good vs the run, but our pass D can be Nickle and Dimed, it's been like that for a long time. I hate the bend but don't break philosophy…make them earn every blade of grass. Que Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday.
At the end of the day I'm picking defense. The offense can make do with what we have. If the defense struggles it's going to get ugly. They have the thinnest of situations at DB and LB and question marks in the D-line. One or two small problems on defense and we're in big trouble.
I was thinking that too. Then I remembered the qbs we faced this year...
IOur offense last year was ranked in the bottom 3rd of the league in points scored. Ranked #20th overall in scoring.
The defense was ranked in the Top-10 (7th overall) in points given up.
If I have to pick one, I’m going offense.
Allen, Purdy, Stroud, Love, Goff x2, Cousins shredded our defense. I think its fools-gold level defense that thrived on beating up bad QB led teams. Either way there's no wrong answer.
