2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offseason Thread

[mdb1958]

America’s Game - The 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers is on NFL Network at 6:00 pm.

What happened to that Devin White? It’s a shame he lost it.

Starting WLB for the Raiders.

[Grahamburn]

What happened to that Devin White? It’s a shame he lost it.

Starting WLB for the Raiders.

Sorry. Not the same guy.

[Bootz]

Everyone knows that Carroll is coaching through the rebuild until they can get a hot new coach who will get the hot new quarterback because Geno ain't outgunning that division.

This is true for every team in that division not playing in Kansas City.

[Bootz]

This is true for every team in that division not playing in Kansas City.

That ain't no shit neither. But the broncos let Payton draft a kid anyway to keep it interesting.

You gotta try. You never know, KC could have their own 2008 New England Patriots season where Mahomes gets knocked out week 1 and they don't make the playoffs. Ultimately as long as Mahomes is playing, KC is winning the division. No matter how hard the football world prays they don't.

[mdb1958]

Starting WLB for the Raiders.

Sorry. Not the same guy.

Do you mean not the same guy anymore?

[Bootz]

This board would have a fit if this happened this season.

[__Chef__]

This board would have a fit if this happened this season.

Whoever that DB is, sign that man to an extension ... looked like John Lynch out there!

[Buc2]

What’s the point of making something voluntary if someone is going to judge you for not being there?

That’s a whole lot of big names not showing up. But, not a big deal. You’d love to have 100% attendance, but it’s not really realistic.

I wonder how many of the ones judging would show up to work tomorrow if it were voluntary?

“You coming in? You’ll get paid the same regardless.”

“Lol. Nah.”

Imo, OTAs are only voluntary because the NFLPA demanded they be voluntary. If teams had their way, they wouldn't be voluntary. Or, at the least, it would only be voluntary for vets they agreed didn't need to show up, such as Evans, LVD, Vea, etc.

[Buc2]

Bleacher Report article about a recent interview on Cold As Balls with Mike Evans.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/251 ... urned-bucs

Or just watch the video...

[Buc2]

This board would have a fit if this happened this season.

Right? Vea dropping into coverage? Get outta here.

[Bootz]

Bleacher Report article about a recent interview on Cold As Balls with Mike Evans.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/251 ... urned-bucs

Or just watch the video...

For some reason I thought this was an old interview when I past by it yesterday. Gonna watch later when I get a chance.

[mdb1958]

This board would have a fit if this happened this season.

Nunes-Roches would be incorrect. Fine that announcer ten grand.

[mdb1958]

McCollum got time at NB yesterday, seems they are all getting looked at.


https://www.pewterreport.com/bucs-nicke ... -expected/

[mdb1958]

From the post above, I'm thinking partial truth cuz we do not need to tell the whole world what were doing.
All they/we need to know is Bowles will be studying his chess pieces. Cross train them all Bowles.

[Central_Buc]

From the post above, I'm thinking partial truth cuz we do not need to tell the whole world what were doing.
All they/we need to know is Bowles will be studying his chess pieces. Cross train them all Bowles.

Renyolds was saying that Bowles is getting frustrated with the CBs. Specifically Dean because he keeps dropping potential picks.

[Bootz]

Is there an example of us successfully cross training ANY of our DBs? "Jack of all trades" shouldn't be a goal, especially when they aren't really a Jack of any.

[mdb1958]

Is there an example of us successfully cross training ANY of our DBs? "Jack of all trades" shouldn't be a goal, especially when they aren't really a Jack of any.

Where did you read that? Cross training atleast the way I see it is players knowing the other players jobs (lets call it experience).
Experience is something we did not have and I think it's a good thing to have to disguise the coverage we are running.

Confuse them, buy time, encourage PD's and hopefully turnovers.

I went through the entire leagues rosters, noting names and whatever, many players that I could care less if they were ever on our team. I took it in as the most important thing is their experience of playing together as a unit.

[__Chef__]

Is there an example of us successfully cross training ANY of our DBs? "Jack of all trades" shouldn't be a goal, especially when they aren't really a Jack of any.

We desperately need a young Mike Tomlin, Herm Edwards, or Raheem Morris back there to get our DB's right. If Bowles wants to keep his old friends around in advisory roles, fine, but we desperately need better coaching for the DBs.

[IchabodCrane84]

Is there an example of us successfully cross training ANY of our DBs? "Jack of all trades" shouldn't be a goal, especially when they aren't really a Jack of any.

Izien is that guy. Perfect fit for a utility DB as he's not good enough to start but good enough to make do. What he does just as well as any other DB on the roster is get injured.

[Sdbucs]

What’s the point of making something voluntary if someone is going to judge you for not being there?

That’s a whole lot of big names not showing up. But, not a big deal. You’d love to have 100% attendance, but it’s not really realistic.

I wonder how many of the ones judging would show up to work tomorrow if it were voluntary?

“You coming in? You’ll get paid the same regardless.”

“Lol. Nah.”

At surface level it reflects a lack of commitment to it all. But then again we have no idea what these players have going on that results in their lack of attendance, so it's really just speculative gossip

[CannonFire]

Is there an example of us successfully cross training ANY of our DBs? "Jack of all trades" shouldn't be a goal, especially when they aren't really a Jack of any.

To me, this a smaller problem/issue than the one that's being missed. Central_Buc pointed out that in the article, Reynolds is stating the reason this happening is because Dean keeps dropping potential picks. Dropping them isn't as big of an issue as the fact that there appears to be so many turnover worthy throws that are being dropped. Why are there that many bad passes? Who's throwing them? Who's running the routes? Who's in the wrong? Committing turnovers isn't just a big problem for any team... it's the biggest.

[Grahamburn]

What’s the point of making something voluntary if someone is going to judge you for not being there?

That’s a whole lot of big names not showing up. But, not a big deal. You’d love to have 100% attendance, but it’s not really realistic.

I wonder how many of the ones judging would show up to work tomorrow if it were voluntary?

“You coming in? You’ll get paid the same regardless.”

“Lol. Nah.”

At surface level it reflects a lack of commitment to it all. But then again we have no idea what these players have going on that results in their lack of attendance, so it's really just speculative gossip

Reddick knows his role and knows what he has to do to get the payday he wants. If he has 12+ sacks this season no GM is going to look at him as an option and then second guess by saying *checks notes* "but he didn't attend OTAs in May."

If he doesn't think voluntary OTAs help him achieve his goals I understand why he's not there.

[CannonFire]

What’s the point of making something voluntary if someone is going to judge you for not being there?

That’s a whole lot of big names not showing up. But, not a big deal. You’d love to have 100% attendance, but it’s not really realistic.

I wonder how many of the ones judging would show up to work tomorrow if it were voluntary?

“You coming in? You’ll get paid the same regardless.”

“Lol. Nah.”

Imo, OTAs are only voluntary because the NFLPA demanded they be voluntary. If teams had their way, they wouldn't be voluntary. Or, at the least, it would only be voluntary for vets they agreed didn't need to show up, such as Evans, LVD, Vea, etc.

This was such a scam, lol. There has never been a study pre-2011 OR post, to prove whether players got hurt more or less because of the "voluntary" aspect of OTA's... which was the claim of the player at the time. The ONLY study you'll actually see is one based on the 3-game and 4-game pre-season era, tracking from 2015 to 2024.

[__Chef__]

At surface level it reflects a lack of commitment to it all. But then again we have no idea what these players have going on that results in their lack of attendance, so it's really just speculative gossip

Reddick knows his role and knows what he has to do to get the payday he wants. If he has 12+ sacks this season no GM is going to look at him as an option and then second guess by saying *checks notes* "but he didn't attend OTAs in May."

If he doesn't think voluntary OTAs help him achieve his goals I understand why he's not there.

That's part of the problem. Good defenses have good players. Great defenses add great communication to the mix. Twists, stunts, sometimes games just between two guys that collaborate on something. Add in the fact that Bowles will be asking him to drop back into coverage on occasion, and he needs to be on the same page with everyone.

New team, new town, new teammates, new coach, new scheme and looking for a new payday ... Reddick should be there.

[Sooner06]

Is there an example of us successfully cross training ANY of our DBs? "Jack of all trades" shouldn't be a goal, especially when they aren't really a Jack of any.

Cross-training players is a foundational characteristic of Spags' defense in KC. And was in NY as well. It's part of the reason KC's defense tends to start a little slow each season, while players become adjusted to learning other roles, etc. It's also part of the reason Spags' defenses have been able to deal with injuries mid-season and continue to play at a high level. Imho, flexibility is a huge strength if you have it in the NFL.

[Central_Buc]

Reddick knows his role and knows what he has to do to get the payday he wants. If he has 12+ sacks this season no GM is going to look at him as an option and then second guess by saying *checks notes* "but he didn't attend OTAs in May."

If he doesn't think voluntary OTAs help him achieve his goals I understand why he's not there.

New team, new town, new teammates, new coach, new scheme and looking for a new payday ... Reddick should be there.

Agree. Even though he doesn't have to be it would in the best interest given that he is new and it would give him a head start.

If he feels he doesn't need it by all means, who are we to say then. Just come in and help day 1.

[Central_Buc]

Is there an example of us successfully cross training ANY of our DBs? "Jack of all trades" shouldn't be a goal, especially when they aren't really a Jack of any.

To me, this a smaller problem/issue than the one that's being missed. Central_Buc pointed out that in the article, Reynolds is stating the reason this happening is because Dean keeps dropping potential picks. Dropping them isn't as big of an issue as the fact that there appears to be so many turnover worthy throws that are being dropped. Why are there that many bad passes? Who's throwing them? Who's running the routes? Who's in the wrong? Committing turnovers isn't just a big problem for any team... it's the biggest.

I'm not refuting your point but they were saying at that particular day Sir Vocea Dennis came up with the lone pick, every one else kept dropping or during these practices.

Bowles is fed up, tired of defending them, tired of not creating turn overs. Hes holding them accountable is what they were trying to point out. That he will be looking at different corners to replace them. Dean mostly.

[Bootz]

Is there an example of us successfully cross training ANY of our DBs? "Jack of all trades" shouldn't be a goal, especially when they aren't really a Jack of any.

Cross-training players is a foundational characteristic of Spags' defense in KC. And was in NY as well. It's part of the reason KC's defense tends to start a little slow each season, while players become adjusted to learning other roles, etc. It's also part of the reason Spags' defenses have been able to deal with injuries mid-season and continue to play at a high level. Imho, flexibility is a huge strength if you have it in the NFL.

I know it happens league wide. We could talk about that all day. I'm talking exclusively about THIS defense. Seems we try to cross train any and everyone who comes through the door, whether they've someone mastered their original craft or not. That seems to be the difference in Spags and whatever it is we do.

[Sooner06]

Cross-training players is a foundational characteristic of Spags' defense in KC. And was in NY as well. It's part of the reason KC's defense tends to start a little slow each season, while players become adjusted to learning other roles, etc. It's also part of the reason Spags' defenses have been able to deal with injuries mid-season and continue to play at a high level. Imho, flexibility is a huge strength if you have it in the NFL.

I know it happens league wide. We could talk about that all day. I'm talking exclusively about THIS defense. Seems we try to cross train any and everyone who comes through the door, whether they've someone mastered their original craft or not. That seems to be the difference in Spags and whatever it is we do.

Eh, Spags rotates everyone around, regardless of whether they've mastered their position or not. That's how Chris jones ended up playing DE as much as he has in the last 6 years. A much more recent example would be how he moved McDuffie from CB to nickel and in a couple games he was playing S.

It's much more noticeable when there's a lot of younger players out there, as it was during the '22 season when KC had 7-8 rookie starters on defense, but if you watch closely for the first 5 weeks, Spags rotates players in and out of different spots almost like he's a hockey coach playing with lines. I think he's looking for players that have that versatility, so he can use that later in the year, either because of injury or potential matchups vs. a particular opponent.

[Bootz]

I know it happens league wide. We could talk about that all day. I'm talking exclusively about THIS defense. Seems we try to cross train any and everyone who comes through the door, whether they've someone mastered their original craft or not. That seems to be the difference in Spags and whatever it is we do.

Eh, Spags rotates everyone around, regardless of whether they've mastered their position or not. That's how Chris jones ended up playing DE as much as he has in the last 6 years. A much more recent example would be how he moved McDuffie from CB to nickel and in a couple games he was playing S.

It's much more noticeable when there's a lot of younger players out there, as it was during the '22 season when KC had 7-8 rookie starters on defense, but if you watch closely for the first 5 weeks, Spags rotates players in and out of different spots almost like he's a hockey coach playing with lines. I think he's looking for players that have that versatility, so he can use that later in the year, either because of injury or potential matchups vs. a particular opponent.

That could be the difference. Bowles historically and notoriously does not rotate his defenders all that much. DBs & inside backers play all snaps provided they're healthy. He rotates Edge rushers some, but not at a high rate. DL gets rotated a bit more.

He seems to be a trial by fire type. Players might be mucking it up some, but he keeps them out there until they get it.

[Sooner06]

Eh, Spags rotates everyone around, regardless of whether they've mastered their position or not. That's how Chris jones ended up playing DE as much as he has in the last 6 years. A much more recent example would be how he moved McDuffie from CB to nickel and in a couple games he was playing S.

It's much more noticeable when there's a lot of younger players out there, as it was during the '22 season when KC had 7-8 rookie starters on defense, but if you watch closely for the first 5 weeks, Spags rotates players in and out of different spots almost like he's a hockey coach playing with lines. I think he's looking for players that have that versatility, so he can use that later in the year, either because of injury or potential matchups vs. a particular opponent.

That could be the difference. Bowles historically and notoriously does not rotate his defenders all that much. DBs & inside backers play all snaps provided they're healthy. He rotates Edge rushers some, but not at a high rate. DL gets rotated a bit more.

He seems to be a trial by fire type. Players might be mucking it up some, but he keeps them out there until they get it.

Different strokes, i guess. Personally, I've always liked the idea of rotating players through various positions, though at times it leads to terrible muffs defensively. But those seem to be relegated to the first 5 or so weeks of the season, so I don't worry about it too much anymore. And it seems at least every other season we find a no-name guy that really excels at a position or in a situation we didn't actually expect.

Spags mentioned in an interview a couple years ago that he thinks it helps with players understanding what's expected of each position in each situation, especially with communication. That's probably pretty important in a defense that's as complicated as Spags' defense is. I mean, the guy has 20-something different plays just for Cover-0, for jiminy cricket's sake, lol.

[Bootz]

That could be the difference. Bowles historically and notoriously does not rotate his defenders all that much. DBs & inside backers play all snaps provided they're healthy. He rotates Edge rushers some, but not at a high rate. DL gets rotated a bit more.

He seems to be a trial by fire type. Players might be mucking it up some, but he keeps them out there until they get it.

Different strokes, i guess. Personally, I've always liked the idea of rotating players through various positions, though at times it leads to terrible muffs defensively. But those seem to be relegated to the first 5 or so weeks of the season, so I don't worry about it too much anymore. And it seems at least every other season we find a no-name guy that really excels at a position or in a situation we didn't actually expect.

Spags mentioned in an interview a couple years ago that he thinks it helps with players understanding what's expected of each position in each situation, especially with communication. That's probably pretty important in a defense that's as complicated as Spags' defense is. I mean, the guy has 20-something different plays just for Cover-0, for jiminy cricket's sake, lol.

It’s the muffs that he’s trying to avoid, which is why he doesn’t rotate much. McCollum in his media interview this week stated they are now doing all inclusive meetings with all DBs as opposed to separate meetings for CBs, NBs, and safeties. That tells me Bowles wants the communication to be as top notch as crystal clear as possible, but he has no plans to start rotating them more.

[Sooner06]

Different strokes, i guess. Personally, I've always liked the idea of rotating players through various positions, though at times it leads to terrible muffs defensively. But those seem to be relegated to the first 5 or so weeks of the season, so I don't worry about it too much anymore. And it seems at least every other season we find a no-name guy that really excels at a position or in a situation we didn't actually expect.

Spags mentioned in an interview a couple years ago that he thinks it helps with players understanding what's expected of each position in each situation, especially with communication. That's probably pretty important in a defense that's as complicated as Spags' defense is. I mean, the guy has 20-something different plays just for Cover-0, for jiminy cricket's sake, lol.

It’s the muffs that he’s trying to avoid, which is why he doesn’t rotate much. McCollum in his media interview this week stated they are now doing all inclusive meetings with all DBs as opposed to separate meetings for CBs, NBs, and safeties. That tells me Bowles wants the communication to be as top notch as crystal clear as possible, but he has no plans to start rotating them more.

Yeah, and tbf, that seems to be how most DCs do it. It takes some sack to put guys out there in positions they aren't familiar with or haven't played in some years, in a real live NFL game no less, just to see what they can do.

But it can be pretty interesting. i still laugh out loud remembering NT Khalen Saunders going in as MLB for Spags (I think vs. LVR?) a few years back. What was crazy was he actually played pretty well. Showed a lot more athleticism than anyone credited him with, generated 5 tackles, two TFLs, and nearly got two sacks.

[mdb1958]

“I’m focused on playing corner but I’m focused on playing defensive back also,” McCollum said on Tuesday. “I can play any position back there. Corner, safety, linebacker, it doesn’t really matter. I’m preparing to play anything and we don’t know what going to go on during the season. Anybody can go down at any point and we just want the best 11 on the field.”

[Grahamburn]

We thinking we’re getting any pre-camp contract extensions? Goedeke, McCollum, Otton?