No, it’s nothing new that the franchise lacks the ability to rush the passer, nor did it become problematic in the last few years. It’s been an epidemic of sorts dating back, to the franchises inception, in 1976, their inaugural year in the NFL.
Since the Buccaneers began drafting players in the common draft. They’ve selected a total of 39 players classified as either a defensive end or an outside linebacker, when the team played a 34 defensive front. Out of those 39 edge rushers, only four produced double digit sack seasons while with the Bucs; Lee Roy Selmon , Broderick Thomas, Chidi Ahanotu and Marcus Jones.
Only one, Lee Roy Selmon produced multiple, double digit sack seasons while in a Bucs uniform. Selmon produced a total of four double digit sacks seasons ( 1977 (13), 1978 (11), 1979 (11) & 1983 (11)). With the exception of Selmon the franchise has been unable to draft and develop a generational sacker, since Selmon retired following the 1985 season, due to a back problem that saw him miss all of 1985.
Outside of the free agent import, Simeon Rice who holds the franchise record for most double digit sacks seasons, with five, coincidently in consecutive seasons from 2001-2005.
It’s not in this franchises DNA to draft and develop a consistent edge rusher. For whatever reason, no matter who the general manager, head coach, defensive coordinator, defensive scheme, has been this team just doesn’t scout, draft and develop edge players.
