There has been a lot of news surrounding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the last couple seasons. They have landed several high-profile free agents. All of it has been for not due to the lack of consistency in our quarterback, secondary, and coaching staff. That could all change with the hiring of new defensive line coach Brenston Buckner.
Buckner is a former NFL defensive lineman (‘94-‘05) that brings an intensity to the coaching staff that’s infectious. When he was introduced to the media Buckner spoke of the good old days in Tampa with Warren Sapp, Simeon Rice, Anthony McFarland, Derrick Brooks, John Lynch, and the list go on and on. The Buccaneers were the league’s most feared defenses and that carried them to a Superbowl in 2003. Buckner can use his time as a player to connect with the Buccaneers defensive line. This is an invaluable characteristic that most people overlook when hiring a coach of any kind. He certainly doesn’t play favorites when it comes to the defensive line. Already in minicamp, he called out Pro Bowl defensive lineman Gerald McCoy for being drawn offsides during a scrimmage.
Now let’s look at the new additions to the Buccaneers roster. They have brought in players from the Superbowl Champion, Philadelphia Eagles. Defensive lineman Vinnie Curry and Beau Allen will be great assets not only for the Buccaneers, but also for Gerald McCoy. They should take the pressure off of McCoy and allow him to work single coverage. The Buccaneers traded for Pro Bowler Jason Pierre-Paul. The Former New York Giant was on the Buccaneers radar before and now is here. Pierre-Paul is a beast coming off the edge and can dominate the game’s best offensive lineman. The NFL Draft was not a bust for the Buccaneers this year either. They brought in numerous players that will help the secondary, but they also made a splash in the first round by selecting Washington defensive lineman: Vita Vea.
This is not the defensive line, we are used to seeing in Tampa Bay. Week 1 we could be looking at Jason Pierre-Paul, Gerald McCoy, Beau Allen/ Vita Vea, and Vinnie Curry. Let’s not forget the Buccaneers also have William Gholston, Noah Spence, and Stevie Tu’ikolovatu. When you pair the defensive line with our Pro Bowl linebackers the Buccaneers have in Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander it could be a scary defense in 2018. The new and improved defensive line should help hide some of the weaknesses the secondary posses, as well.
This could be another year where the offense needs to just not turn the ball over. The defense is going to be able to throw a zero up on any given Sunday and that is exciting all in its own. Stay strong Buccaneers fans because with all the doom and gloom surrounding Jameis we’ve actually done quite a bit to improve this team from last year. Tampa was only a few missed kicks from looking at a playoff spot last season. Let’s hope for a season with low injuries because with the schedule the Buccaneers play this year we will need all hands on deck to get the job done.
