Glazers: I can't blame how the franchise has been handled the last five years by ownership as it has been on par by NFL standards. There was a lull during the franchise during Raheem's tenure but beyond that the franchise has seen upgrades in terms of public relations, community outreach programs and a new indoor practice field.
Koetter: This time last year people were certain he would be fired and replaced by Gru, or his message was not getting across to players. It seems we are at a repeat juncture which could go differently this year. However, as a HC I have been satisfied thus far but he is taking his lumps with his loyalty with some of his coaches. Overall, this team is competing week in and week out but the problem is the defense has too many free lancers.
Licht: Unlike others I think Licht and Dominik are average GM's with some obvious hits(GMAC, M. Evans). and misses. People see the losses mount up and assume that the Bucs have had bad GMs but actually the coaching carousel is why the franchise has seen massive talent drain so far more compared to missed draft selections. A lot of Dominiks draft picks are still on other NFL teams.
With all that said a football czar is needed to oversee this because Licht lacks experience like Dominik. Throwing away the learning period that Licht has undergoing as a GM doesn't make sense to me. If there is a rookie GM that is better than Licht you pull that trigger.
But the Bucs FO has also suffered talent drain of office personnel going to other franchises the last 15 years which has crippled the Bucs FO.
In terms of talent, the Bucs have talent on offense and defense to be a .500 team on paper. The problem is that the offense seems more organized while the defense is unorganized.
Bottom line is that the defense needs more assignment sound players. Most top NFL defenses field units with no name guys. Look at the Bucs and you see star names across the board but they are free lancing and it is showing.
To fix this requires and off season of signing new players and cutting/trading existing players.
For the season Koetter may have to start benching some of these free lancing players.
As for the 2018 rookie class I am happy with their progress overall. They are going to lay down a solid foundation for this team for the years to come and the current experience they are gaining is great.
The secondary I am happy with overall and the Bucs should stop sinking money into it to be brutally honest. McDougald was fine as piece for this defense but Licth outsmarted himself trying to find more flashier players. But guys like McDougald that do their jobs is how you build a defense. Carroll understands this while also understanding the athleticism is needed more so in the front seven. Not to say that the Seahawks don't value athleticism on the back end. But they really emphasized it in their front seven and discipline on the back end.
The pass rush needs to be continued to be addressed in the off season. Can't give up on it because it is that important.
As for contract extensions it seems to me the Bucs can comfortably resign all the players they want back given how the season has unfolded. But should they?
This is where Licht will have a make or break chance as a GM.
Overall I want to see this team compete in Nov and Dec.
I am patiently waiting to see which Bucs team shows up this Sunday.
