So as it stands right now, our starting OLBs will be Yaya Diaby and Anthony Nelson or Chris Braswell. Muhammad isn’t an every down OLB. He will mainly play in passing down situations. We’re going backwards from last year. And Faulk or anyone else we get in the draft won’t be starting this year.
I get your overall point, but the Bucs defensive front 7 issues in 2025 related mostly to a lack of passing down pressure (ie they did okay against the run). In terms of passing down pressure their 2026 team should have multiple new players from the 2025 front. Walker and Kancey, a draft pick, Muhammad, and Anzalone (blitzing).
Again, point taken. Not the same as a big name like Crosby, but still a different pressure group than 2025. Hopefully better, if they can all stay healthy.
The real question will be can they stop RBs in the flat, TEs underneath etc?
So as it stands right now, our starting OLBs will be Yaya Diaby and Anthony Nelson or Chris Braswell. Muhammad isn’t an every down OLB. He will mainly play in passing down situations. We’re going backwards from last year. And Faulk or anyone else we get in the draft won’t be starting this year.
Ourlads has Muhammad and Diaby as the starters.
Bucs need a 3rd rusher off the bench and Walker can be your 4th with Nelson as the 5/special teams ace.
[Anzalone] said four NFL teams were very serious about signing him and a big reason he chose the Bucs is because of how Todd Bowles will use him.
“This defense fits me like a glove. It’s really one of the biggest factors that played into this,” Anzalone said, adding he looks forward to blitzing more than he used to.
I’ll see all of you in November or December and I’ll be the one saying “I told you so.” The chances of a rookie OLB (15th pick) making much of a difference his rookie year are slim. I’ll be doing my position breakdown of egde in April, but I don’t see it. This isn’t madden or fantasy football. Every year I hear the same thing from this group. Yes, certain positions can step in right away, but not as often at edge. And Mohammad is not an every down OLB. He’s been weak against the run. Bring him in on passing situations.
[Anzalone] said four NFL teams were very serious about signing him and a big reason he chose the Bucs is because of how Todd Bowles will use him.
“This defense fits me like a glove. It’s really one of the biggest factors that played into this,” Anzalone said, adding he looks forward to blitzing more than he used to.
seems like an even trade off
lose our face of the franchise hall of fame WR
gain some “just a guy” starting linebacker
[Anzalone] said four NFL teams were very serious about signing him and a big reason he chose the Bucs is because of how Todd Bowles will use him.
“This defense fits me like a glove. It’s really one of the biggest factors that played into this,” Anzalone said, adding he looks forward to blitzing more than he used to.
seems like an even trade off
lose our face of the franchise hall of fame WR
gain some “just a guy” starting linebacker
Well if it was last season Anzalone might have been more help than Evans. lol. Evans only played in 8 games and he was probably almost statistically irrelevant in 2? We got destroyed at LB every game lol
That said, when does the official mourning period end for Evans because every new player will fail the comparison to a former HOFer?
[Anzalone] said four NFL teams were very serious about signing him and a big reason he chose the Bucs is because of how Todd Bowles will use him.
“This defense fits me like a glove. It’s really one of the biggest factors that played into this,” Anzalone said, adding he looks forward to blitzing more than he used to.
seems like an even trade off
lose our face of the franchise hall of fame WR
gain some “just a guy” starting linebacker
Well if it was last season Anzalone might have been more help than Evans. lol. Evans only played in 8 games and he was probably almost statistically irrelevant in 2? We got destroyed at LB every game lol
That said, when does the official mourning period end for Evans because every new player will fail the comparison to a former HOFer?
once the team is upgraded talent wise overall
cant say we are a better team from 3 months ago at this stage, can you?
[Anzalone] said four NFL teams were very serious about signing him and a big reason he chose the Bucs is because of how Todd Bowles will use him.
“This defense fits me like a glove. It’s really one of the biggest factors that played into this,” Anzalone said, adding he looks forward to blitzing more than he used to.
seems like an even trade off
lose our face of the franchise hall of fame WR
gain some “just a guy” starting linebacker
Well if it was last season Anzalone might have been more help than Evans. lol. Evans only played in 8 games and he was probably almost statistically irrelevant in 2? We got destroyed at LB every game lol
That said, when does the official mourning period end for Evans because every new player will fail the comparison to a former HOFer?
once the team is upgraded talent wise overall
cant say we are a better team from 3 months ago at this stage, can you?
I think you can because we've actually addressed some of the core issues. Not all or completely, but some. For example
1. Special teams - should be better with new coach, former All pro (if healthy) and even Kieft back. Hard to understate how big a NEGATIVE role ST played in 2025
2. Offense - just getting healthy and Oline playing together the 2026 team is better, but Gainwell is also an upgrade and new OC
3. Defense - Kancey healthy, Anzalone over LV, maybe SVD as a back up depending on the draft
injuries and coaching/scheme can unravel those gains
cant say we are a better team from 3 months ago at this stage, can you?
I'd say slightly better but it still puts us in the pretender category because it needed to be a home run off-season and it wasn't.
cant say we are a better team from 3 months ago at this stage, can you?
I'd say slightly better but it still puts us in the pretender category because it needed to be a home run off-season and it wasn't.
Curious, what home run moves would have made the difference for you? Signing Hendrickson, trading for Crosby, something else? Just curious, I would have liked a move for Crosby but all the other edge rushers were very underwhelming for the price tag.
cant say we are a better team from 3 months ago at this stage, can you?
I'd say slightly better but it still puts us in the pretender category because it needed to be a home run off-season and it wasn't.
Curious, what home run moves would have made the difference for you? Signing Hendrickson, trading for Crosby, something else? Just curious, I would have liked a move for Crosby but all the other edge rushers were very underwhelming for the price tag.
home run would have been retaining Mike Evans and signing Hendrickson or trading for Crosby. A nice ground ruled double would have been Bradley Chubb
the Bucs struck out in terms of that
maybe the WR core is fine without Evans, but idk alot of question marks despite the talent. Edge rush is a train wreck
The problem is the Bucs need more than a Crosby or Henderson for this off season to be any kind of homerun.
Priority #1 for the Bucs was to upgrade their talent level. KG is just replacing White and Otton was re upped. Licht punted on upgrades at guard by re upping Feeney? No WR has been signed to off set somewhat the loss of Evans so far. You could argue EE is Evans replacement one year in advance but that still leaves a hole in the WR group due to lacking size. Defensive players are upgrades but not massive enough to move the needle.
Anzalone is just replacing LVD and Robinson is replacing Hall. Killebrew is just off setting the loss of Izien. The only true upgrade is Muhammad but he is just replacing Reddick.
So the Bucs haven't really added talent as they are just signing talent to off set their losses so far.
Not sure to whom you are directing this or if it is at the group in general, but I love your breakdowns and look forward to them. I find them to be very informative and usually spot on. I just think that if you draft a higher tier edge guy in the first (like a Bain or a Faulk) the intention is that they are starting day 1. You stated they wouldn't start. Yes, they would.I’ll see all of you in November or December and I’ll be the one saying “I told you so.” The chances of a rookie OLB (15th pick) making much of a difference his rookie year are slim. I’ll be doing my position breakdown of egde in April, but I don’t see it. This isn’t madden or fantasy football. Every year I hear the same thing from this group. Yes, certain positions can step in right away, but not as often at edge. And Mohammad is not an every down OLB. He’s been weak against the run. Bring him in on passing situations.
I am not guaranteeing (nor would I) that a rookie would right the ship on the side of pass rushing and really helping the defense out with pressure, but guaranteed they are starting. It has nothing to do with Madden or Fantasy Football. Much of their impact (or anyone else's) has everything to do with scheme and ability. Scheming is something that I have felt for a long time that Bowles is overrated at. All the talking heads talk about how good he is at defensive scheme. I have seen it only a handful of times where it really was elite level. Most of the time it seems he just blitzes for the hell of it without thinking about down and distance and impact on the overall game. That, to me, is not a great defensive play caller.
The problem is the Bucs need more than a Crosby or Henderson for this off season to be any kind of homerun.
Priority #1 for the Bucs was to upgrade their talent level
I am not sure that is priority #1 and they certainly seem like base hits are okay
[Anzalone] said four NFL teams were very serious about signing him and a big reason he chose the Bucs is because of how Todd Bowles will use him.
“This defense fits me like a glove. It’s really one of the biggest factors that played into this,” Anzalone said, adding he looks forward to blitzing more than he used to.
seems like an even trade off
lose our face of the franchise hall of fame WR
gain some “just a guy” starting linebacker
Well if it was last season Anzalone might have been more help than Evans. lol. Evans only played in 8 games and he was probably almost statistically irrelevant in 2? We got destroyed at LB every game lol
That said, when does the official mourning period end for Evans because every new player will fail the comparison to a former HOFer?
once the team is upgraded talent wise overall
cant say we are a better team from 3 months ago at this stage, can you?
I think you can because we've actually addressed some of the core issues. Not all or completely, but some. For example
1. Special teams - should be better with new coach, former All pro (if healthy) and even Kieft back. Hard to understate how big a NEGATIVE role ST played in 2025
2. Offense - just getting healthy and Oline playing together the 2026 team is better, but Gainwell is also an upgrade and new OC
3. Defense - Kancey healthy, Anzalone over LV, maybe SVD as a back up depending on the draft
injuries and coaching/scheme can unravel those gains
It’s a mistake to assume the OL is back to what they were. Wirfs had surgery. Mauch had surgery. Goedeke had a “pop” in his foot.
There’s a good chance one of these monster OL are going to be there at 15 and Licht needs to pull the trigger.