I’ve expressed my disappointment with the start of free agency multiple times this week. Losing Bucs legend Mike Evans due to his lack of confidence in the team’s commitment to being a contender is a tough blow. We’ve missed out on Trey Hendrickson and so far, Maxx Crosby as well. Sure, we’ve signed a few mid-level free agents, but none of these moves will help us to forget that we decided to retain our head coach for another year!
Hey Jason Licht… Can you give us something to be excited about? Can you throw us a bone for once? At least throw your players a bone. It’s been far too long since we’ve brought in any substantial superstar talent. Honestly, when was the last time we signed someone impactful—was it Antonio Brown?
Licht’s drafts alone aren’t building a superstar roster. We’re not asking for a roster of superstars; just give us one this offseason. Tristan Wirfs was drafted back in 2020—feels like an eternity ago.
When you haven’t drafted a superstar in six years, you better supplement your roster with a few free agent stars. Where else is your money going? Oh right, overpaying average players on your own roster. Throwing money at a player who doesn’t end up meeting expectations is bad money; whether they’re someone you’re trying to retain or a new acquisition. I don’t care if it’s our own player’s 2nd contract or a player from another team’s 2nd contract… Those are misses, plain and simple.
We won’t draft a player with the 15th pick this year who will outperform Maxx Crosby over the next three seasons. We’ve seen some of our own first-round picks miss the mark in the last five years (looking at you, JTS, Logan Hall, and the jury is still out on Graham Barton). Let’s trade this year’s picks and see what another team can do with them.
I’d take the risk of trading two picks (a first and a second or third) for Maxx Crosby over making those two selections any day. I’d even double down on that bet. The bigger gamble may truly be keeping and drafting those picks instead of securing a known talent like Crosby.
I think there are some guys that the Buccaneers would have a chance to draft at 15 (perhaps even trade back and get a little bit later) that could make a difference. The issue is the defensive scheme, position coaches, and the defensive coordinator have a historic problem of not being able to get the most out of their defensive line players.
- Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami
- Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
- Cashius Howell, DE/EDGE, Texas A&M (2nd round)
- Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF (2nd round)
- Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri (2nd or 3rd -- DWI arrest needs to be investigated)
Overall, I tend to agree with you. The edge rushers in this class are weak in comparison to previous years.
I’d take the risk of trading two picks (a first and a second or third) for Maxx Crosby over making those two selections any day. I’d even double down on that bet. The bigger gamble may truly be keeping and drafting those picks instead of securing a known talent like Crosby.
You'd probably be right to, but it doesn't seem like the Bucs think that way, especially with Bowles at the helm.
The issue is the defensive scheme, position coaches, and the defensive coordinator have a historic problem of not being able to get the most out of their defensive line players.
Bingo.
Crosby wouldn’t be “Crosby” in this scheme and with this coaching staff.
@donkey_hunter - I understand what you’re saying, but Shaq and JPP thrived in this system. I trust that Bowles would leverage his players' strengths, but it's hard to say for certain. I believe Crosby could also be a dominant force here, and his presence would elevate Yaya's performance significantly. Just having him in the lineup would make a substantial impact on the front seven.
I trust that Bowles would leverage his players' strengths, but it's hard to say for certain.
He had trouble doing it with CD3 and Dean.
To the point they had to call him out for the way he was misusing them.
All in all, I get (and agree) with your frustrations regarding EDGE.
But, with a clown show at HC (and should be a lame duck GM), I wouldn't be a fan of trading future premium assets for an aging vet with a history including multiple surgeries.
A trade for Crosby is something we do when we're a piece or two away. We're closer to a full rebuild.
@donkey_hunter - I understand what you’re saying, but Shaq and JPP thrived in this system. I trust that Bowles would leverage his players' strengths, but it's hard to say for certain. I believe Crosby could also be a dominant force here, and his presence would elevate Yaya's performance significantly. Just having him in the lineup would make a substantial impact on the front seven.
Two things for me.
- Established Edge rushers will not rely on position coaches to improve their technique and understanding of the game. That would be a positive with Crosby. It would mitigate the historic inability of Bowles and his position coaches to build players up and make them better.
- Bowles' scheme is still, according to many experts, complex and dependent on people being in position. When we see breakdowns, it has been players not being in the right place. When players start worrying about being in the right place, they stop playing fast.
- Bowles' doesn't appear to change his game plan for player strengths, opponent strengths, or opponent weaknesses.
Crosby would make plays here. He has experience. However, with the system Bowles had, I am not sure it would be impactful in a way that really helps the team win.
@donkey_hunter I agree we’re not a player or two away. I just feel that this trade would take care of two issues. Bowles developing an edge and Licht finding a talented edge. I’d prefer trading this year’s first pick over Licht forcing a bad pick on the 3rd or 4th best edge in this draft.
It would be nice if the Bucs had the cap space to trade for Cosby. But according to Spotrak, the Bucs have less that $1 million of cap space. And that doesn't even include the salaries for the FA's the Bucs signed not the cost of the draft class.
Whether we are a player or two away is less relevant than what the coaching situation is. Bowles has to win this year. If he doesn't he'll be fired. It would be malpractice for Licht to trade away future picks and then have to hire a new coach with less than the full complement of picks for that new guy to use. Especially if they have to get a QB. If the coach had a longer leash then you could play around a little more.I trust that Bowles would leverage his players' strengths, but it's hard to say for certain.
He had trouble doing it with CD3 and Dean.
To the point they had to call him out for the way he was misusing them.
All in all, I get (and agree) with your frustrations regarding EDGE.
But, with a clown show at HC (and should be a lame duck GM), I wouldn't be a fan of trading future premium assets for an aging vet with a history including multiple surgeries.
A trade for Crosby is something we do when we're a piece or two away. We're closer to a full rebuild.
Licht has to know the next HC hire could be his last just because he's been in that job for a long time. Whatever happens to Licht in the future- whether he gets fired, promoted, retires - in any case the next HC hire may be Licht's last and he certainly doesn't want to go into the interview process having to tell the next prospective coach he's a little short on the draft picks.
It would be malpractice for Licht to trade away future picks and then have to hire a new coach with less than the full complement of picks for that new guy to use.
yep
Trading for Crosby would work if Kancey can stay healthy but he can't. Edge pressure doesn't work well without inside pressure. Vea can't do it alone.
So in the scenario the Bucs trade for Crosby they will need a 3 tech to rotate with Kancey and Roberts. Roberts as a rookie was pretty good with pressures but a dedicated 3 tech to be behind Kancey is a must in a scenario the Bucs trade for Crosby.
Carolina and the Saints have beefy guards on purpose to negate any outside pressure as their tackles just ride that perimeters pressure whether from edge or blitzes that Bowles likes to use (NCB blitzes). Bucs tend to do better with pressure from A gap or double A gap or even when Kancey/Vea can hit their gaps. But given the state of the secondary with so much youth Bowles seems to be calling a lot less double A gap blitzes.
I'm with the camp to save the resources for the rebuild once Bowles fails yet again to produce a team of any consequence and is summarily fired after a 7-10 or 8-9 season. Crosby will not make a meaningful impact on this team so long as Bowles is HC and DC, plain and simple. Not a contender. Solid FAs not coming here. Lame duck coach who will be gone after the season.
Buffalo would be a better place for Crosby. Contender, not a pretender like the Bucs.
It’s amusing to see so many fans discussing the importance of saving draft picks and being frugal with spending. As someone who has followed football my entire life, I wholeheartedly believe in building a team the right way. However, after five years of this approach, the team’s talent seems to be on a downward trend.
As fans, we shouldn't fixate on how the budget is managed or where draft picks are allocated. None of us have the foresight of the front office in predicting which picks will pay off in the future. Sometimes, it’s necessary to invest in a game-changer to shake things up.
What do we truly have to look forward to next season? This team was really bad over the last 9 games of the season, and if the team stumbles out of the gate, I fear Bowles could lose the locker room faster than ever. We need something to be excited about—and our 15th overall pick isn’t high enough to draft that guy onto this team. Call it what it is as a fan then… either you want to challenge for a division title and go as far as you can in the playoffs, or you’re fine with a lame duck season.
Do we we have a potential top 5 offense or not? Everyone says our offensive line is great. Baker is here for another year. Bucky and the new Steelers RB will be a great duo. And I like our receiver room. When do you actually go for it? The rams do every year. This offense will be old before you know it.