The OFFICIAL 2024 Bucs off-season thread

[Cheb]

Neal is addition by subtraction.

Seconded

[mdb1958]

Seems like the whole league is flip flopping players.

[Snake]

Seems like the whole league is flip flopping players.

You’re just paying more attention

[Pirate Life]

The best teams typically re-sign their own guys and do well in the draft. It’s a tale as old as time.

We used to “win” free agency every single year with nothing to show for it. Mostly because our draft picks didn’t ever pan out.

We don’t need to go shopping because our young guys are good and our good guys stay.

Nothing wrong with filling out depth in the second wave of free agency with guys on short cheap deals after a couple more extensions/restructures get completed.

Licht has had back to back home run drafts. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt that he can find 3-4 more starters in this one.

There's a healthy balance that you're choosing to ignore that the good teams adhere to. Let's not pretend as if the Chiefs haven't made use of Joe Tuney or Jerrick McKinnon. Let's not pretend as if the Patriots didn't routinely make trades for key players and have key signings in FA...

Here's one: Let's not pretend as if the guy you've been puffing your chest out about all day wasn't a FREE AGENT signing by the Bucs.

To this point the Bucs have done absolutely nothing. We've lost a net of 5 starters right now and that number could grow. Now I did say that it's early. And it's not about winning free agency. But counting on rookies to be saviors is exactly what put this team in the position it was in during the Raheem Morris, Greg Schiano, Lovie Smith days. Numerous guys came to this team without having to earn a starting job because it was handed to them as soon as their name was read.

That's how this offseason is shaping up to be unfortunately. We have major holes at LG, C, RG, ILB, Edge rusher, safety, and CB. All of those spots can't be filled in the draft and they shouldn't be.

Signed 3 of the top 15 free agents available (two in the top ten) and a total of 4 in the top 50. Still have cap room left for other signings and a few different ways to free up more. Sure, they were guys who were on our team last season but still count as free agent signings. Letting any of them walk would have opened up larger holes in our needs column. We didn't do crazy shit like give Cousins $100 million guaranteed or pay $150 million for a couple of guards.

Are there holes still? Of course, but few teams don't have them in this era.

[Bootz]

At the moment, the only offensive starter we have lost from last year is left guard, which was our weakest offensive position anyways and needed an upgrade.

Defensively, we are down Devin White and Ryan Neal, who were roleplayers anyways when they left, and Carlton Davis.

I'd put that at being down 2 starting positions, LG and CB1. We need depth up and down the roster, most assuredly, but we aren't anywhere near disaster mode.

We pretending that Shaq Barrett didn't play by far the most snaps of our edge rushers and is now in Miami? Interesting from you, Cheb.

Also who's replacing DW & Neal? They might have been role players by the time they left but their spots still were left unfilled. Same with CD3 honestly but it seems people are willing to convince themselves Zyon McCollum has somehow "earned" a starting spot despite finishing with a worse grade than Davis or Dean.

[Doctor]

Okay. At this point you're pissing in your own cheerios.

The season literally hasn't even started yet.

[Cheb]

At the moment, the only offensive starter we have lost from last year is left guard, which was our weakest offensive position anyways and needed an upgrade.

Defensively, we are down Devin White and Ryan Neal, who were roleplayers anyways when they left, and Carlton Davis.

I'd put that at being down 2 starting positions, LG and CB1. We need depth up and down the roster, most assuredly, but we aren't anywhere near disaster mode.

We pretending that Shaq Barrett didn't play by far the most snaps of our edge rushers and is now in Miami? Interesting from you, Cheb.

Also who's replacing DW & Neal? They might have been role players by the time they left but their spots still were left unfilled. Same with CD3 honestly but it seems people are willing to convince themselves Zyon McCollum has somehow "earned" a starting spot despite finishing with a worse grade than Davis or Dean.

I honestly forgot about Shaq, that's my bad.

To your second point, at the moment I'd wager that Britt and Dennis are fighting for Devin's old job while it's a gaggle of dudes competing for strong safety, presumably led by Merriweather but it's waaaaay too early to say. I imagine more young talent will be added in the draft.

[Miller4Prez64]

I kind of agree with Bootz. It’s great we kept key guys but we also lost key guys and haven’t and likely won’t be able to address all of the new holes. Not to mention our running game is still historically pathetic and isn’t being addressed for the second offseason in a row.

Not to say Licht is doing a bad job. I like the value on all the players we kept. But at the same time I’m nervous about certain areas of the team. Obviously the run game but our secondary is almost nonexistent outside of AWJ/Dean and our pass rush is really bad without a blitz.

Btw random nugget, but if we simply just didn’t waste our money re-signing Dean last year we would be getting a compensation pick comparable to the pick we got from Detroit without giving up two 6ths and eating dead cap to move Carlton. I’m a fan of Licht but I stand by that re-signing Dean was a boneheaded move.

[Doctor]

We have Dean for 3 years at $15M a year. That's fantastic by any standard, more so when you consider how often we would put Dean on opponents #1 WR.

The Davis contract was nice for what and when it was. But that time passed. If you're asking me am I really itching to give Davis another fat bag when I have 2 cheap years of Zyon locked up and an incoming stacked draft class.... the answer is not really.

[mdb1958]

We pretending that Shaq Barrett didn't play by far the most snaps of our edge rushers and is now in Miami? Interesting from you, Cheb.

Also who's replacing DW & Neal? They might have been role players by the time they left but their spots still were left unfilled. Same with CD3 honestly but it seems people are willing to convince themselves Zyon McCollum has somehow "earned" a starting spot despite finishing with a worse grade than Davis or Dean.

I honestly forgot about Shaq, that's my bad.

To your second point, at the moment I'd wager that Britt and Dennis are fighting for Devin's old job while it's a gaggle of dudes competing for strong safety, presumably led by Merriweather but it's waaaaay too early to say. I imagine more young talent will be added in the draft.

Ourlads already has Zyon as SS.

[IchabodCrane84]

This is what they call FOMO right? Watching everyone else sign these high prices free agents wishing we had our own flashy new guy to brag about.

We definitely have holes to fill and cap space if we can get long term deals done for Winfield and Wirfs.

Gotta trust the men in charge to get it done. We we're freaking out about edge rusher in 2018 too and late in the game Licht goes and knocks it out of the park with a JPP trade.

We're definitely weaker at CB and Edge compared to last year and need to improve the OL and LB spot but we got a whole off-season.

[Bootz]

We pretending that Shaq Barrett didn't play by far the most snaps of our edge rushers and is now in Miami? Interesting from you, Cheb.

Also who's replacing DW & Neal? They might have been role players by the time they left but their spots still were left unfilled. Same with CD3 honestly but it seems people are willing to convince themselves Zyon McCollum has somehow "earned" a starting spot despite finishing with a worse grade than Davis or Dean.

I honestly forgot about Shaq, that's my bad.

To your second point, at the moment I'd wager that Britt and Dennis are fighting for Devin's old job while it's a gaggle of dudes competing for strong safety, presumably led by Merriweather but it's waaaaay too early to say. I imagine more young talent will be added in the draft.

And that's why I say this reminds me of 2011 so much. It seems if you're drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, you're gonna get a starting spot no matter what round you were picked or if you're even good enough to make it in this league. Britt or Dennis? Meh. Merriweather wasn't much better than Neal and that was an extremely low bar. @Grahamburn mentioned the other day that Licht will likely again trade up for OT John Doe from D3 Hogwarts University, move him to OG and he'll suck in 2024 before being moved to OT again in 2025. CB, people have Zyon penciled in but he graded out worse than CD3. I guess that leaves EDGE as the biggest need then, which we'll almost certainly fill in round 1.

I said it's early but this is almost identical to that offseason in 2011. It's almost similar in the aspect that we thought we had our franchise QB and he could lead the way. We saw how that went.

[Jonny]

The best teams typically re-sign their own guys and do well in the draft. It’s a tale as old as time.

We used to “win” free agency every single year with nothing to show for it. Mostly because our draft picks didn’t ever pan out.

We don’t need to go shopping because our young guys are good and our good guys stay.

Nothing wrong with filling out depth in the second wave of free agency with guys on short cheap deals after a couple more extensions/restructures get completed.

Licht has had back to back home run drafts. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt that he can find 3-4 more starters in this one.

There's a healthy balance that you're choosing to ignore that the good teams adhere to. Let's not pretend as if the Chiefs haven't made use of Joe Tuney or Jerrick McKinnon. Let's not pretend as if the Patriots didn't routinely make trades for key players and have key signings in FA...

Here's one: Let's not pretend as if the guy you've been puffing your chest out about all day wasn't a FREE AGENT signing by the Bucs.

To this point the Bucs have done absolutely nothing. We've lost a net of 5 starters right now and that number could grow. Now I did say that it's early. And it's not about winning free agency. But counting on rookies to be saviors is exactly what put this team in the position it was in during the Raheem Morris, Greg Schiano, Lovie Smith days. Numerous guys came to this team without having to earn a starting job because it was handed to them as soon as their name was read.

That's how this offseason is shaping up to be unfortunately. We have major holes at LG, C, RG, ILB, Edge rusher, safety, and CB. All of those spots can't be filled in the draft and they shouldn't be.

I think this is as sound a take as any on this thread. Even if the Bucs showed up well in the playoffs, they were a team pretty much on par with the Falcons and Saints and anyone who says otherwise is a transsexual cheerleader.

The Falcons have improved significantly with just the upgrade at QB position. Looks like the Saints have not made any big moves, but that isn't much different from our situation and they have a better draft pick.

We are counting on our scouting to be better than our division rivals and as evidenced by Licht's track record, it can be hit or miss.

At the same time I understand why we have not made major moves. There seems to be a general inflation for all positions. The guys that maybe near guarantees to work out like Danelle Hunter are getting top dollar at their positions and the average-decent starters like Dalton Schultz are also being paid really well. There is a risk in going that route as well that could haunt us the way Saints have been in cap hell.

Im holding out hope that we upgrade at least the safety position with so many quality players still available and their market doesn't seem hot. Hopefully a veteran CB as well so that for the first time in a while this draft can be focused on upgrading offense.

[Kona]

Going to drop a Mock once the FA dust settles. But hoping to see us bring in a starting caliber Safety (whitehead reunion?), and some veteran OL depth. I think that’s all we’ll get this year, which I’m not mad at.

[Bootz]

Going to drop a Mock once the FA dust settles. But hoping to see us bring in a starting caliber Safety (whitehead reunion?), and some veteran OL depth. I think that’s all we’ll get this year, which I’m not mad at.

I'd be okay with that.

We had the worst pass defense in football. Had the worst rated run game in football. We should be turning over every stone to get better and yet all we've done is trade away a starting corner.

I'm not saying ball out. But we should absolutely be using FA in the same manor Licht has always done. As a tool to fill holes in the roster to set us up for a focused draft plan. I'm hoping we do that and don't just sit on our hands until draft day.

[CannonFire]

Still early, but this offseason is eerily similar to the 2011 offseason we had. 10 wins. A lot of overachieving. So much so we felt we had all of the answers on the roster already and could find starters in the draft. We got accolades for re-signing players already on the roster. But we discovered that the reality was the team wasn't as talented as we thought and in 2012 it forced us to splurge on FA.

The two are quite similar. One good thing though, if we do win 4 games this year like we did in 2012, at least we know we'll be looking at a new QB (hopefully a franchise QB for the first time), and not be foolish to think the guy we have is the answer.

[Bootz]

And if you're gonna fill spots exclusively through the draft it has to be a draft like 2020 where we found All-Pro types and not like 2022 where we have several default starters who are fringe players.

[Grahamburn]

Haasan Reddick and Josh Sweat are rumored to be on the block from the Eagles. You could trade for and extend either of them. They're leaving Philly soon. Both 26. Sweat a little cheaper in 2024.

We added Feiler, Gaines, and Neal late last year to fill in spots. Granted, didn't really work out, but that doesn't mean you don't try again. Not every position is going to have an All-Pro. Shaq on a one year deal comes to mind. Also, he was replacement level last year at best. Losing him is not some huge detriment.

Just because they didn't do anything the first two days doesn't mean they aren't going to. Be patient.

[Babeinbucland]

Still early, but this offseason is eerily similar to the 2011 offseason we had. 10 wins. A lot of overachieving. So much so we felt we had all of the answers on the roster already and could find starters in the draft. We got accolades for re-signing players already on the roster. But we discovered that the reality was the team wasn't as talented as we thought and in 2012 it forced us to splurge on FA.

The two are quite similar. One good thing though, if we do win 4 games this year like we did in 2012, at least we know we'll be looking at a new QB (hopefully a franchise QB for the first time), and not be foolish to think the guy we have is the answer.

Just curious- what would be our record the year that would have you saying that Mayfield should be our QB for the foreseeable future?

[Grahamburn]

The two are quite similar. One good thing though, if we do win 4 games this year like we did in 2012, at least we know we'll be looking at a new QB (hopefully a franchise QB for the first time), and not be foolish to think the guy we have is the answer.

Just curious- what would be our record the year that would have you saying that Mayfield should be our QB for the foreseeable future?

The grass isn't always greener, but human beings just seem to long for what's behind door #2. Probably why the divorce rate is up around 50%. Not surprisingly though the divorce rate for second marriages is even higher. So, be careful what you wish for.

[Doctor]

It doesn't help you have a whole generation now raised on constant espn "you need elite qb" propaganda.

[Bootz]

It doesn't help you have a whole generation now raised on constant espn "you need elite qb" propaganda.

I know right. It's almost as if they believe the ultimate goal of this game is to win Superbowl championships. It's not like there's a guy out there that's won 2 straight Superbowl MVPs and has 3 overall in 6 years....

[Backside]

Gotta be honest. The pessimistic and naysaying camp, I have absolutely no idea what they actually want to happen. But I can certainly count on them to come out to crap on literally every single move the Bucs make and why it means that decades of mediocrity await us.

It almost feels like manufactured arguments/outrage/etc. I have seen absolutely no one take a bold stance on what we should actually be doing different to what we are doing. Where are the people saying to sell high on anyone of value and just completely start over? Plenty of comments saying our roster is no good but no one actually saying what we should do about it.

Has anyone planted their flag heavily on QB at #26 and which one? And they should start over Baker? Anyone all in on the trade up?? What do you people want?

The vagueness of "This move sucks because the Bucs were bad over a decade ago" "This wasn't a good move, but I will offer no substitute of what I would have deemed an acceptable move." It's so lame, and doesn't allow for good discussion either.

Like, either grow a pair and actually plant a flag on the opposite side with an actual plan that we can come back to look on with hindsight later. Or just shut up and we'll see what happens in September. There is no post quota you have to hit, especially if you are just purposely being as pessimistic as possible.

[Buc2]

Gotta be honest. The pessimistic and naysaying camp, I have absolutely no idea what they actually want to happen. But I can certainly count on them to come out to crap on literally every single move the Bucs make and why it means that decades of mediocrity await us.

It almost feels like manufactured arguments/outrage/etc. I have seen absolutely no one take a bold stance on what we should actually be doing different to what we are doing. Where are the people saying to sell high on anyone of value and just completely start over? Plenty of comments saying our roster is no good but no one actually saying what we should do about it.

Has anyone planted their flag heavily on QB at #26 and which one? And they should start over Baker? Anyone all in on the trade up?? What do you people want?

The vagueness of "This move sucks because the Bucs were bad over a decade ago" "This wasn't a good move, but I will offer no substitute of what I would have deemed an acceptable move." It's so lame, and doesn't allow for good discussion either.

Like, either grow a pair and actually plant a flag on the opposite side with an actual plan that we can come back to look on with hindsight later. Or just shut up and we'll see what happens in September. There is no post quota you have to hit, especially if you are just purposely being as pessimistic as possible.

It's like this every offseason, Backside. Every. Off. Season. Seriously. Go back and look. Signing JPP sucked. Signing Brady sucked. Signing AB sucked. Drafting Wurfs sucked. Drafting AWJ sucked. Every move made sucked. There are tons more examples, but you get the idea.

[Snake]

I celebrated drafting AWJ big time. But point taken.

[Backside]

Gotta be honest. The pessimistic and naysaying camp, I have absolutely no idea what they actually want to happen. But I can certainly count on them to come out to crap on literally every single move the Bucs make and why it means that decades of mediocrity await us.

It almost feels like manufactured arguments/outrage/etc. I have seen absolutely no one take a bold stance on what we should actually be doing different to what we are doing. Where are the people saying to sell high on anyone of value and just completely start over? Plenty of comments saying our roster is no good but no one actually saying what we should do about it.

Has anyone planted their flag heavily on QB at #26 and which one? And they should start over Baker? Anyone all in on the trade up?? What do you people want?

The vagueness of "This move sucks because the Bucs were bad over a decade ago" "This wasn't a good move, but I will offer no substitute of what I would have deemed an acceptable move." It's so lame, and doesn't allow for good discussion either.

Like, either grow a pair and actually plant a flag on the opposite side with an actual plan that we can come back to look on with hindsight later. Or just shut up and we'll see what happens in September. There is no post quota you have to hit, especially if you are just purposely being as pessimistic as possible.

It's like this every offseason, Backside. Every. Off. Season. Seriously. Go back and look. Signing JPP sucked. Signing Brady sucked. Signing AB sucked. Drafting Wurfs sucked. Drafting AWJ sucked. Every move made sucked. There are tons more examples, but you get the idea.

Trading for Gronk is an all-timer as well

[Doctor]

It doesn't help you have a whole generation now raised on constant espn "you need elite qb" propaganda.

I know right. It's almost as if they believe the ultimate goal of this game is to win Superbowl championships. It's not like there's a guy out there that's won 2 straight Superbowl MVPs and has 3 overall in 6 years....

Yes, Mahomes is really good. Yes, we would all love to have one. And yes, he's won the recent ones, great for him.

But lets not pretend that it didn't come to the wire. Like he was so insanely ahead the gap was unmatchable. Greenlaw doesn't tear his achilles going out onto the field maybe it's looking more like the first half for Mahomes, or the first 57 minutes of their first match up, or the full 60 minutes of his match up with us.

And, again, yes we all want our own Mahomes. But this idea that you cannot win a super bowl one of a hundred different ways is nuts. Of course you can. And you bet your bottom dollar everyone who matters, from Licht to Bowles and the staff to Baker, Evans, LVD, and the rest of our leadership, they 100% believe we can go toe to toe with anyone and win the next Super Bowl. And they are right to. Spitting on that is not "being a realist".

[Doctor]

It's like this every offseason, Backside. Every. Off. Season. Seriously. Go back and look. Signing JPP sucked. Signing Brady sucked. Signing AB sucked. Drafting Wurfs sucked. Drafting AWJ sucked. Every move made sucked. There are tons more examples, but you get the idea.

Trading for Gronk is an all-timer as well

And if you happen to say "I don't know what y'all talking about, all these moves make a lot of sense and I think are really great".... oh boy....

[Bootz]

I know right. It's almost as if they believe the ultimate goal of this game is to win Superbowl championships. It's not like there's a guy out there that's won 2 straight Superbowl MVPs and has 3 overall in 6 years....

Yes, Mahomes is really good. Yes, we would all love to have one. And yes, he's won the recent ones, great for him.

But lets not pretend that it didn't come to the wire. Like he was so insanely ahead the gap was unmatchable. Greenlaw doesn't tear his achilles going out onto the field maybe it's looking more like the first half for Mahomes, or the first 57 minutes of their first match up, or the full 60 minutes of his match up with us.

And, again, yes we all want our own Mahomes. But this idea that you cannot win a super bowl one of a hundred different ways is nuts. Of course you can. And you bet your bottom dollar everyone who matters, from Licht to Bowles and the staff to Baker, Evans, LVD, and the rest of our leadership, they 100% believe we can go toe to toe with anyone and win the next Super Bowl. And they are right to. Spitting on that is not "being a realist".

Then show me an example of not needing a top QB to win a Superbowl. I'll wait and I guarantee you they'll all come from 5+ years ago if not longer. GO!

[Snake]

Having an elite QB is the fastest way to raise the floor and ceiling of your team every season.

[Bootz]

Gotta be honest. The pessimistic and naysaying camp, I have absolutely no idea what they actually want to happen. But I can certainly count on them to come out to crap on literally every single move the Bucs make and why it means that decades of mediocrity await us.

It almost feels like manufactured arguments/outrage/etc. I have seen absolutely no one take a bold stance on what we should actually be doing different to what we are doing. Where are the people saying to sell high on anyone of value and just completely start over? Plenty of comments saying our roster is no good but no one actually saying what we should do about it.

Has anyone planted their flag heavily on QB at #26 and which one? And they should start over Baker? Anyone all in on the trade up?? What do you people want?

The vagueness of "This move sucks because the Bucs were bad over a decade ago" "This wasn't a good move, but I will offer no substitute of what I would have deemed an acceptable move." It's so lame, and doesn't allow for good discussion either.

Like, either grow a pair and actually plant a flag on the opposite side with an actual plan that we can come back to look on with hindsight later. Or just shut up and we'll see what happens in September. There is no post quota you have to hit, especially if you are just purposely being as pessimistic as possible.

It's like this every offseason, Backside. Every. Off. Season. Seriously. Go back and look. Signing JPP sucked. Signing Brady sucked. Signing AB sucked. Drafting Wurfs sucked. Drafting AWJ sucked. Every move made sucked. There are tons more examples, but you get the idea.

That's a bit overly dramatic on your part. Especially Wirfs, JPP and AWJ. Those moves were all met with great praise. Brady I was excited but I could understand concern as we had never seen a 43 year old QB play at a high level. AB I could understand as well with all of the recent issues he had, which came to a head just 1 season later.

[Buc2]

Yes, Mahomes is really good. Yes, we would all love to have one. And yes, he's won the recent ones, great for him.

But lets not pretend that it didn't come to the wire. Like he was so insanely ahead the gap was unmatchable. Greenlaw doesn't tear his achilles going out onto the field maybe it's looking more like the first half for Mahomes, or the first 57 minutes of their first match up, or the full 60 minutes of his match up with us.

And, again, yes we all want our own Mahomes. But this idea that you cannot win a super bowl one of a hundred different ways is nuts. Of course you can. And you bet your bottom dollar everyone who matters, from Licht to Bowles and the staff to Baker, Evans, LVD, and the rest of our leadership, they 100% believe we can go toe to toe with anyone and win the next Super Bowl. And they are right to. Spitting on that is not "being a realist".

Then show me an example of not needing a top QB to win a Superbowl. I'll wait and I guarantee you they'll all come from 5+ years ago if not longer. GO!

What difference does it make when they came from? Now you're gonna condense the history of the NFL to the last 5 years? Jfc...I can't even...

[Bootz]

Having an elite QB is the fastest way to raise the floor and ceiling of your team every season.

If you're being honest with yourself it's the only way to secure a championship. Otherwise you'd better have some all time great elite level talent elsewhere on your roster and even then you still need a competent QB.

[Miller4Prez64]

Are people even hating on what we did? It’s more so concern that we’ve had to invest so much to keep talent that we are incapable of improving the team.

[Bootz]

Then show me an example of not needing a top QB to win a Superbowl. I'll wait and I guarantee you they'll all come from 5+ years ago if not longer. GO!

What difference does it make when they came from? Now you're gonna condense the history of the NFL to the last 5 years? Jfc...I can't even...

Same reason you don't see RBs as valued as they were 15 or so years ago. The league evolves.