I forgot how easily the Lions went up and down the field on us in the playoff game. No pass rush from us and Goff throwing darts over the middle of the field. We had two defensive drive stops the whole game.
Sorry, 3 stops.
Either we couldn’t get to Goff, or Bowles focused on stopping their gash run plays & hoping to play sound defense in the secondary.
I have come to the conclusion that Bowles didn’t want to put pressure on Goff - maybe because he remembered what CJ Stroud did to his defense earlier in the year. I have to think we just didn’t have enough pieces available to stop the Lions, defensively. In both of those games the offense had us competitive.
It’s why there may not be as much focus on EDGE as many of us fans think.
I said yesterday that I wouldn’t be surprised if Bowles went DT in the first round, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if we went CB at that pick either.
Depends on how it breaks & who falls.
Trust Bowles, Trust Licht.
We’ll soon see!
Yes. After watching I just don’t see how we don’t go defense with our first round pick. Goff had all day in the pocket. And when we brought an extra guy to pressure he scorched us. I agree and have been saying all along edge or corner. Once you get out of the first round there aren’t any edge players that we’ll be able to depend on for playing time next year. It’s either first round or developmental. Corner and IOL could go into 2nd and 3rd for guys that can help this year.
Once you get out of the first round there aren’t any edge players that we’ll be able to depend on for playing time next year.
So, which EDGE players would those be (outside of Verse, Latu, and Turner)?
@donkey_hunter - I go Verse, Turner, Latu, then D. Robinson. Chop definitely has potential, but will have a tough time holding up against the run during his rookie year. D. Robinson won’t jump right in. Even turner and Latu will need good rotation.
Kneeland seems to be the "rising" prospect, but based on what I read he seems like he'll be a good all around player but not necessarily that pass rushing specialist everybody wants. Robinson has the physical speed to be that guy, but doesn't have the moves or size. That sounds similar to JTS who had physical characteristics but never developed those skills needed to get past a 300 pound physically gifted NFL tackle who is getting paid millions not to let you through and into the backfield and grab a slippery QB put him on the ground and do all that in two seconds. But the Bucs got creative to get JPP and Shaq. They didn't spend a high draft pick on them.Once you get out of the first round there aren’t any edge players that we’ll be able to depend on for playing time next year.
So, which EDGE players would those be (outside of Verse, Latu, and Turner)?
Maybe it's more important to have a good defensive front all across than to find that one mysterious and magical dude who can strike fear in the offenses but may not exist.
@catherder - yes. Kneeland reminds me of JTS.
Yes, outside of these, there are developmental types that are only going to add to a rotation.Once you get out of the first round there aren’t any edge players that we’ll be able to depend on for playing time next year.
So, which EDGE players would those be (outside of Verse, Latu, and Turner)?
Corner(s) may be added, but at the bottom of every round it’s going to be tough - there may be a difference-maker at 26 - but likely not.
Post draft free-agency will hold some interest, but it seems like we’ll be focusing on a longer-term development/build strategy.
Safe pick would be DT/CB - but the difference-maker’s at 26 may actually be WR…depends on when the run on receivers begins, and how much the Bucs value this.
@white-tiger - if one of those edges or corners aren’t there at 26 I’d say trade down. Take Braden Fiske early 2nd. Corner K Jackson late 2nd. Get your starting center out of West Virginia with 3rd pick and then Malik Washington or Pierce at WR. Of course it would be nice if it fell that way.
@donkey_hunter - haha. No way Verse and turner make it to 26.
Kneeland is not an OLB in our defense. He's Suh/Gholston.
Jonah Ellis could get us 5-7 sacks as a rookie than 10+ a year after that.
@donkey_hunter - haha. No way Verse and turner make it to 26.
I know.
Just like there's zero chance Frazier makes it to the 3rd round.
