I was just reviewing the current payroll figures for the Bucs, and here is an alarming fact.
The Defensive Line, which at best is non productive and a sieve, last in the NFL with sacks. etc. represents 26.41% of the total payroll.
The next highst position is wide receiver at 12.5%. I would suggest that the WR's are a lot more productive than the D'line. Room for improvement (Read DJAX/Winston connection) but acceptable.
All other positions don't exceed 5%. So my point, without naming names, is the bang for the dollars paid is non existent. The off season draft picks and FA acquisitions point to me that Smith is trying to retool the defense from the back to the front rather than from the front to the back. It looks like to me, based on the upcoming contract obligations to keep the young stars, Smith/Koetter/Licht have a plan to blow up the D'line ASAP. I really don't see any other options, so some big names and non productive players will be gone in order to shed the payroll, either from picks or releases. I think it will be a fire sale, with the hopes of getting something in terms of picks from the scrap heap D'line. In a pass happy NFL, no pass rush equals more of the same....mediocrity!!!
