The unit has struggled
Justin Evans Jersey , but there’s plenty of room for improvement."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections 2016 NFL DraftInjuriesFree AgencyGame FilmToday's NFL
NewsOpinion PiecesCommentaryHave Patience With Tampa Bay’s
SecondaryNew,17commentsThe unit has struggled, but there’s plenty of room for
improvement. EDTShareTweetShareShareHave Patience With Tampa Bay’s
SecondaryVernon Hargreaves III is still an important piece in the secondary.
Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY SportsI already know what you’re thinking. “Evan,
this secondary was on pace to be the worst pass defense in NFL history last
season and was ranked dead last in the 2017, we have had enough patience with
this group.” Trust me, I get it. I am in the same boat when it comes to
evaluating this unit’s performance over the past couple of seasons. It’s a
pretty simple conclusion: they sucked. But there are a lot more factors that
come into play when it comes to the product displayed on the field and the Tampa
Bay Buccaneers’ secondary hasn’t had much luck lately. Whether it be injuries,
bad scheme, or bad coaching - everything that is supposed to help a player in
the NFL become an effective player was absent in Tampa Bay over the past two
years. Mike Smith’s dogshit off-man coverage scheme was not only abhorrent, but
it didn’t play to most of the secondary’s strengths. Players like Carlton Davis
III and Vernon Hargreaves III are best when playing press coverage, not sitting
seven yards off the line. M.J. Stewart should’ve been playing safety
Chris Godwin Jersey , not in the slot. Brent Grimes should’ve been launched into the sun midway during the 2018 season. And to add injury to insult - literally -
Hargreaves has missed the past year and a half due to injury, while Stewart
missed half of his rookie season dealing with injuries. Justin Evans missed six
games in 2018 as well. Everywhere you looked, there was some type of issue
always clouding the defensive backfield.Heading into the 2019 season, a lot of
the players from last year’s roster still remain on the team. While that could
easily scare most fans, there is a very good chance this unit could turn into a
solid group by year’s end. It’s not like this a collection of JAGs. Hargreaves
was graded as a potential Pro Bowl player at the combine, Davis was graded as an
instant starter, and the combo of Stewart and Justin Evans both graded out as
having a “chance” to become an NFL starter - one rung below the instant starter
grading bracket. Those four players are enough to make up a solid core, leaving
the Bucs with an opportunity to add another player through free agency
(unlikely) or the draft. This coaching staff already knows what these guys are
good at and are going to play to their strengths, unlike the previous staff.
Another example of this would be the move of Stewart to safety, a position that
seems to suit his skill set much better than what the staff had him doing last
year
Mike Edwards Jersey , which was playing the role of a walking piece of toast. That will leave the team with a need at nickel, which Arians admitted recently
as well. Apparently the Bucs offered former New York Jet Mo Claiborne the
veteran minimum on Wednesday. While that deal is laughable considering his
recent play and the fact that he won’t take a $6.2 million pay cut after making
$7 million last season, it’d be nice to see the Bucs land a proven corner to
take some pressure off of the youngsters.But outside of adding an inside corner
and maybe some depth players, it’s OK if the Bucs take a flier on this position
heading into 2019. If the new staff can tap into the potential that is currently
available, then the sky is the limit for the young group. Have trust. Have
faith. And if it doesn’t work this year, then it’s time to move on, but
hopefully we don’t reach that point.The Crow’s Nest: Reactions to roster cuts
Bucs Keep Six from Deep Wideout Group - Buccaneers.comTampa Bay's offensive
depth chart has 26 players on it after Saturday's cuts, including six from a
receiving corps that may have been the team's most talented position in training
campD-Line Gets Added Depth Over Linebackers - Buccaneers.comThe Bucs kept 10
defensive linemen on their initial 53-man roster while retaining only five
linebackers, though injuries likely played a part in both of those
decisionsPeyton Barber A Popular Guy - JoeBucsFan.comBucs running back Peyton
Barber may not be a household name, but apparently
Mike Edwards Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jersey , those who enjoy wagering are big fans.Buccaneers keep their entire draft class on the 53-player roster –
ProFootballTalkThe Buccaneers chose to keep safety Isiah Johnson over Keith
Tandy, with Tandy (pictured) among the team's cuts Saturday. Tampa Bay also
released safety Josh Robinson, receiver Bobo Wilson, receiver Bernard Reedy,
cornerback Javien Elliott, defensive end DaVonte Lambert, offensive tackle Brad
Sea...Keith Tandy: Released by Bucs - CBSSports.comTandy has been a regular in
the Buccaneers secondary since he was selected in the sixth round of the 2012
draft, but a recent hamstring injury may have forced the hands of the front
office.Bucs Likely To Put Beckwith On PUP, Unrein Could Go On IR To Start Season
| Pewter ReportThe Bucs will likely put LB Kendell Beckwith on PUP list and may
put DT Mitch Unrein on injured reserve with a designation to return.
