In 2013, the Bucs finished 32nd in total offense in the NFL. In some ways, it may seem to rank the Bucs that high is unfair.
The Bucs have six (6) playoff wins in forty-two (42) years.
Though the Bucs prospects looked good in 2015, the Bucs had a lot of new moving parts to include a rookie QB, Jameis Winston and two All-Rookie offensive lineman, Ali Marpet and Donovan Smith. However, with a thin defense that had not been properly addressed via the draft and free agency, the Bucs went 0 – 4 to end the season without their most needed rookie, Kwon Alexander, after a suspension. After a 6 – 6 start, the Bucs stumbled down the stretch in Lovie Smith’s final year.
Smith came in like gangbusters, reviewing tape, consulting with his staff, making moves trying to do anything he could with the free agency, draft and undrafted free agency periods. He brought in six defensive backs, i.e., Brent Grimes, Isaiah Johnson, Javien Elliot, Josh Robinson, Vernon Hargreaves III, and Ryan Smith. This indicates he’d seen plenty of film on Jonathan Banks, Alterraun Verner, etc. Though Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David were superb linebackers, the second level was a thin and in came veteran Daryl Smith and developmental draft pick Devante Bond, the Oklahoma Sooner. Licht and Mike Smith also brought in defensive ends, free agent Robert Ayers, Jr., two developmental additions in Ryan Russell and Devonte Lambert and 2nd round draft choice, Noah Spence.
Obviously, the revamping worked to an extent as the Bucs finished 9th in sacks, 2nd in forced turnovers and 1st in 3rd down efficiency.
Having a turnover prone offense and small defensive tackles are a bad mix.
Baker, Siligia, and Tu’ikolovatu looked like the body-types that could get Mark Ingram, Jonathan Stewart, and Devonta Freeman horizontal to the line of scrimmage, however, Baker was 30 and a veteran of many NFL wars. He had shoulder problems that probably surpassed Siligia in severity that led to his release by the Patriots. Plus, Baker had bad knees as well and spent as much time during the season with the trainers as with his teammates. He could put in some superb performances as in both games against the Panthers and also against the Dolphins.
Releasing 33 year-old Daryl Tapp, 32 year old Robert Ayers, Jr., 31 year old Chris “Swaggy” Baker, 31 year old Clinton McDonald, along with Ryan Russell and Sealver Siligia, who are proven non-impactful journeyman. And—the firing of defensive line coach, Jay Hayes. The subtractions are important, but the additions are striking.
Defensive lineman and cornerbacks are your tanks. Licht has been at the helm for the 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 drafts. He has never drafted a defensive tackle that has played an NFL snap. He’s only drafted one defensive end, Noah Spence, who has largely been available for comment. He’s talented, but the Bucs need him and his often surgically repaired limbs on the field.
Additionally, Vernon Hargreaves III and Brent Grimes missed a lot of snaps due to injury in 2017. Justin Evans had a late-season ankle injury as well.
Drafting M.J. Stewart, Carlton Davis, and Jordan Whitehead are superb depth and development moves—and all three add a toughness that has been lacking in Tampa Bay. They are reliable edge-setters and arrive at ball carriers with pad-level. Bucs secondary coaches, Jon Hoke and Brett Maxie knew exactly what they were looking at and they are starting with good players.
The recipe is there and our defensive coaches have been starved for years of premium talent. That’s clearly no longer the case in Tampa Bay. Even if the offense continues to roam between the 20s without scoring touchdowns and leading the league in fumbles as they have in 2016 and ’17, the talent is there on the defense to ameliorate the Bucs recent losing tradition. And NFC South opponents are aware and should beware.