Will Young Receivers Show Improvement?

The bucs seem to have competition across the board this year but one position that doesn't seem as deep is the wide receiver position. Jason Licht skipped addressing the position in the draft and free agency as well. Is that because he is confident in the young receivers on the current roster?

The bucs have 3 second year players that still have room to grow and could potentially be a difference maker in Donteea Dye 22, Adam Humphries 23, and Kenny Bell 24. Dye was more of a deep threat last year and didn't manage much else as he totaled only 11 catches for 132 yards and one score. Humphries on the other hand seemed to be a sure handed slot guy that could make strides this year as he totaled 27 catches for 260 yards and one score as well. Kenny Bell had a redshirt season due to injury last year but was the only one of the 3 to actually be drafted last year and has the most all around game.

The bucs truly need a slot receiver and difference maker at the wide receiver position and they are hoping that guy is currently on the roster. 2nd year receivers can make big strides in development so I'm not going to say theres no chance these guys aren't it. Training camp and preseason will tell all and push the best guy to the top. This should be an interesting competition to keep and eye on.

Bucs Are Building a Diverse Offense

When you think of great offenses in the NFL, you think of the Patriots, Saints, Packers, Cardinals and Broncos to just name a few. These offenses have a few things in common as they all have franchise quaterbacks, but most importantly they can attack in different ways which makes them hard to stop. Especially the Patriots when healthy they can attack you on the outside with Eldeman or the inside with their tight end core led by Gronkowski, or pound inside with their committee of running backs. Bucs Gm Jason Licht thinks the Bucs are building that type of offense where they can be diverse in how they attack opposing defenses whether it be from the outside or inside per pewterreport.com.

“But look at the Seahawks and the Patriots,” Licht said. “They don’t have any first-round receivers and they win Super Bowls. Obviously, we do. We drafted Mike Evans at No. 7. But you have to diversify your offense. If you have several mismatch-type weapons – maybe not the elite speed guys – you’re still diversified. Your mismatches don’t always have to be on the outside. They can be inside, too.”

This Bucs offense has many options to create mismatches whether that be on the outside with their two stud receivers or inside with their tights ends and backs out of the backfield. Having a diverse offense can make it tough for opposing defenses to anticipate what tendencies are being shown. In other words, it allows the offense to run multiple plays out of the same formation due to having that versatility with their personnel. Versatility has been the theme of this offseason, and the Bucs have plenty of it on offense. Look for more diverse personnel groupings this year with Jameis having plenty of options to spread the football to in the passing game.

He is Very Similar to Chris Cooley

In the NFL today it's all about match ups and finding the mismatches for the offense to take advantage of. The Buccaneers think they have added a mismatch player in Dan Vitale who is a hybrid type and can play all over the field. Bucs Gm Jason Licht is very high on him and thinks he can create mismatches and become a reliable target for Jameis Winston per pewterreport.com.

“I do like him,” Licht said. “He has great hands. He’s super smart. He’s very tough. He’s a great athlete. He’s not a typical fullback athlete. A guy like that can be your quarterback’s best friend. He has a real knack for running routes and getting open and making big plays.”

Vitale can play fullback, tight end, or h-back and is seen as a flex option which should make the offense difficult to defend. Vitale is pretty much a receiver with a full back body at 6'1 239lbs and with 4.60 speed he is fast enough to create separation allowing him to make big plays down field. Vitale had 135 receptions and 11 tds in his college career so it is safe to say he is dangerous when used correctly.

Vitale compares himself to former Redskins tight end Chris Cooley who was used as a h-back and was quite successful. Bucs Gm Jason Licht agrees with that comparison and thinks he could have the same impact for the team.

“Vitale is an added weapon,” Licht said. “He’s not a long player that is going to survive for a ton of plays on the line of scrimmage. He’s going to be more of an H for us. Chris Cooley is a perfect example. I love his versatility. The other unique thing about him is that he’s a four-phase special teams guy. When is the last fullback you’ve seen that could play on special teams?”

If Vitale can be that reliable target like Chris Cooley was and more importantly like Nick O'leary was for Jameis at FSU, then the Bucs have found a gem in the 6th round.

What Will Happen With Jude?

Last year the secondary was down right embarrassing and Lovie would throw anyone and everyone out there to see who could play the best. That when number 38 was thrown into the fire. A guy with a name no one could pronounce and could barely fit on his jersey. The guy was practice squad rookie Jude Adjei-Barimah out of Bowling Green State.

Jude's background is in soccer and he didn't even start playing football until his freshman year of high school. When he was thrown into live action he looked just as bad as everyone else in the bucs secondary but he did show flashes of athleticism and hustle. He ended up playing in 13 games and starting in 7 of them as well as totaling 41 tackles. He was targeted often due to being a no name rookie but it seemed as if he never shied away from it and took it as a learning curve.

Looking at the roster now, the bucs have loaded up on corners in hope to fix the mess that was our secondary last year. That means Jude will have stiff competition to make the final roster in 2016. With Grimes and Verner getting the early first team reps and top pick VH3 likely to win the nickel position where does that leave Jude? He will have to compete with veteran Jonathan Banks and free agent pick up Josh Robinson to make the roster. Luckily for Jude it seems like the bucs defense values smaller quick corners and that fits Jude to a T.

He no doubt caught the eye of Jason Licht and I will never doubt Licht's talent evaluation based on his recent draft decisions. It's all up to Jude now to prove he's worthy of a roster spot and most likely will have to shine in special teams to make the team.

Deep Passing Game Will be Focal Point in 2016

It's early but so far during practices the Bucs offense are making big plays in the passing game. This is what Dirk Koetter wants as it is all about making explosive plays on offense because it's really hard to drive the length of the field every time. Last season, Jameis was inconsistent with his downfield passing, and it is something he has been working on so far during this off-season. Just take a look at this pass in which he hits Kenny Bell in stride for a touchdown.

Video: Nice touchdown pass from Bucs QB Jameis Winston to former @Huskers receiver Kenny Bell. pic.twitter.com/TEkQZMizfH

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) May 24, 2016

It is plays like this that can change the outcomes of games, and if the Bucs want to be a playoff contender they are going to need to make more plays like this. Now a lot goes into the deep passing game as there has to be protection from the oline, the receivers have to be precise, and lastly the Qb must throw it on time. With the Bucs going into the 2nd year of the offense, we should expect better execution from the deep passing game, and most importantly the team has the pieces to attack downfield.

With Evans, Vjacks, Murphy, Dye, Bell, and Sims the Bucs have the weapons to go deep often to create big plays. This team should be able to create mismatches consistently allowing them to convert on big plays often. Expect Jameis to be better with his ball placement and accuracy because of improved chemistry with his teammates and better understanding of the offense. So look for Dirk Koetter to attack the seams and the deep middle of the field in 2016, big plays are on the way.

Big Play Guy

There can never be enough weapons for this buccaneer offense and Winston spoke about how he's excited to get last years 6th round pick back on the field.

I spent more time with Kenny Bell last year than I spent with the rest of the guys, because we live so close to each other. So I'm very excited for him, looking forward to him doing big things. He's a big play guy, he can stretch that field for us.

Kenny Bell although a late round pick possesses that deep threat speed and is a hidden freak athlete noted by his 4.37 forty yard dash and 41.5 vertical leap. The man known as "Afro Thunder" for his hair that can barely fit in a helmet, can really stretch the field and is most likely the only legitimate speed threat on the bucs roster right now. He may not possess the quick twitch ability to make people miss, but football is all about north and south and he sure can do that. Consider last year a redshirt season for Bell and for him to compete heavily for the slot and kick return duties.

Joint Practices Are on The Way

Head coach Dirk Koetter is adjusting well to his new duties and responsibilities as he is making changes that he feels will benefit the team. One of them is having practices in the morning in attempt to beat the hot temperatures that August brings which is good logical thinking.

#Bucs coach Dirk Koetter says his team will practice in the morning from now until the 4th preseason game in an effort to beat the heat.

— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) May 24, 2016

Then today Koetter announce that he will have joint practices with other teams to see different looks and go against another jersey than your own which can always be beneficial. This will be good for the team and is just another shrewd move by coach Koetter.

Bucs coach Dirk Koetter said team will have joint practices in August with Jaguars and Browns. Will go to Jax for two days of practices.

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) May 26, 2016

So far I like what this coaching staff is bringing to the table, hopefully they can be here for a while. I think going against the Jaguars in practice will be great for this team just due to the fact that the Jaguars are a rising team as well. They have a quick defense and an explosive offense so it should help our coaches see what we truly have this year.

Legitimate Excitement For This Team

The past decade has been tough for us Buccaneer fans as this team hasn't made the playoffs since 2007 and hasn't produced a winning record since 2010. The team could never get going in the right direction due to poor drafts, overpaid free agents, and suspect coaching hires. Now in 2016 there is legitimate excitement about this franchise as it feels like it is finally heading in the right direction. The team has the right Gm in Jason Licht and I believe they finally have the right coach in Dirk Koetter who has put together a great staff. The Bucs have had two great drafts and this most recent one looks promising.

Most importantly the Bucs have a franchise Qb in Jameis Winston who has quickly risen as the face of the franchise and team leader. The Bucs have key veterans in place on both sides of the ball to go along with their plethora of young talented players. This team is ready to build that winning mindset and become a perennial playoff contender. The core players are in place and now just need to put it all together as a team. There is high expectations and no one has higher expectations than Dirk Koetter himself.

High expectations in Tampa Bay!
HC Dirk Koetter wraps up Day 1 of OTAs

WATCH his interview: https://t.co/YqzW7Q0uuF pic.twitter.com/Dz2MXVCa13

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) May 24, 2016

This might be the most talent the Bucs have had in over a decade and should be primed to win multiple superbowls in the upcoming seasons. This fanbase should be excited about where this team is heading as it is finally going the right way. 2016 has the chance to be the start of something special, so jump on board Bucs fans, it's going to just get better from here on out.

Mr. Automatic

The Franchise QB himself Jameis Winston took to the podium earlier this week to talk nothing but good things about his former Nole teammate and now buccaneer teammate Roberto Aguayo.

What makes Aguayo special?

 Other than he's automatic, just he's competitive as well. He's always having fun out there, he's a different swagger for a kicker, he's always focused but he likes to have fun doing it.

If you are that good I guess the stress levels are dropped a little bit, but its safe to say Jameis isn't worried about that side of the ball anymore. Aguayo gives confidence to the offense knowing that they can be guaranteed 3 points from 40 yards and in. Many so called draft experts were strong in saying that taking Aguayo in the 2nd was a reach and Winston had time to discuss that as well.

Opinions are always going to be out there. Im just happy to have Roberto on this team. Just like a lot of people had opinions about me when I first came out and first started the season. Roberto's going to shut them up.

 Confidence is an understatement when it comes to Winston's view of Aguayo and you need that to be a united team. Swagger to the kicker position is a funny thing to talk about but if you are automatic I guess you can walk around with you head held a little higher than normal.

Donovan Smith and Noah Spence Will Make Each Other Better

Donovan Smith was solid last year as a rookie left tackle but he knows he can be much better and has been working on everything to raise his game to a new level. Smith believes he is way ahead from where he was at this point last year which he thinks should only make him better.

Donovan Smith says he's far ahead of where he was last year in terms of his conditioning & knowing how to take care of his body.

— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) May 24, 2016

This is great to hear from Smith because he is going to need to be in great shape if he is going to improve against speed rushers which has been his weakness. The good news is he will be going against good edge rushers in Robert Ayers and Noah Spence every day in practice which should help. Donovan Smith knows what Spence can do as they played against each other in college and lets just say Smith wasn't very successful that game.

"I don't remember," Smith said. "He had a good game against us though, I will tell you that. We didn't play our best as a team. I didn't play my best myself. yeah, he did have a good game."

                   

It just shows the talent of Noah Spence in that he is just a natural pass rusher and how far Donovan Smith has come in his overall game. It will be also good for Spence to go against a power tackle like Smith which will make Spence better as well so its win win situation for both players. Smith vs Spence in practice is going to be the battle to watch once training camp starts. Smith wants to become a technician and he will have to be that if he wants to hold his own against the dominant speed rushers that are in this league. He will get a head start by going against guys like Jacquies Smith, Howard Jones, and now Noah Spence.

Brent Grimes Already Making Plays

The Bucs brought in Brent Grimes to make plays in the secondary for them which didn't happen last year as they only had 2 ints from their corners last season. Grimes, 32 has 26 ints in his career along with 99 pass breakups which is pretty impressive. Now being back with Mike Smith and his defense, Grimes is in his comfort zone where he can play to his strengths. Grimes showed what he can do on the first day of OTA's which is making plays on the football.

Brent Grimes with a pick and a hustling PBU on back-to-back plays. Good to see.

— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) May 24, 2016

Grimes is going to be such a big addition for this team because of his leadership and his knowledge of this defense. More importantly Grimes can produce turnovers and that is what is needed to have a good defense.  Another important note by having Grimes on the team is it is going to make Jameis better during practice with Grimes challenging him to make accurate throws. This secondary should be much improved from last year.

Time to Bring in a WR?

Right now on paper the Bucs offense looks really strong and should be one of the better offenses in the league come this fall. The unit has their own triplet combo in QB Jameis Winston, RB Doug Martin, and WR Mike Evans plus a rising O-Line. However, the receiver position could use some more established depth as Vincent Jackson and Evans are a good 1-2 combo but after them are players that are full of question marks. It might be time to bring in a veteran to push these young receivers.

Realbucstalk has mention former Falcon Roddy White as a possible signing since he has history with Dirk Koetter and can still play if he is at full health. White would be cheap, provide leadership, outstanding work ethic, and would bring out the best in these young unknowns at the receiver position. There is a new name to consider that being former Brown, Dolphins receiver Brian Hartline who could come in and play in the slot or even do some returning on special teams. Hartline, 29 had really good numbers in Miami as a solid number two receiver and could put up good numbers with a Qb like Jameis.

Not saying the Bucs will sign either one of these guys, but to think the Bucs will be leaning on Adam Humphries, Donteea Dye, Kenny Bell, and Louis Murphy all of whom haven't done much recently is hard to believe. Pretty sure Bucs Gm Jason Licht will be looking at receivers if none of the mention above step up and take the reigns. Bringing in a veteran could be the way to go even if it is just to push these guys to a new level.

Jacquies Smith Role Undefined?

Jacquies Smith has been recovering from an injury that has kept him off the practice field and not on the eye of coaches and maybe that has swayed the minds of coaches. Everyone is quick to mention new addition Robert Ayers or highly touted 2nd round pick Noah Spence but the forgotten man seems to be Jacquies Smith.

Assistant D-line coach Paul Spicer made quite a statement during his interviews last week when asked if he envisions Smith as a starter or more of a rotational type guy.

Well we'll let that play out in the preseason and training camp.

Maybe Spice was just going with the normal politically correct response but is he not giving Smith the respect he deserves? Smith has been the only outside pass rush the bucs have had the past 2 years. He's managed 13.5 sacks in 2 years and 7 last year as the primary starter in 12 games. Smith needs to stay healthy to prove his worth but saying he will have to play it out in the preseason is a bit of a stretch in my opinion. As we have stated before, it truly looks as if the competition at all positions is the highest its been in some time and players will need to earn their jobs this year.

Striving To Be Consistent

This year all the coaches seem to be in-tune with each other and preaching the same things and thats consistency. Wide Receivers coach Todd Monken spoke to the media last week and mentioned how the young bucs will start to learn to be more consistent.

There was a lot of points that were left off the board and when you do that then you add some consistency to you offense. So, sure you can average 24-28 points a game, but getting 10 in one game and 38 in another, thats not very good. Consistency comes from doing those little things. Plus as our young offense, our core nucleus of players gets better, you know the O-linemen, running backs, the receivers, the quarterback, then we should continue to be more consistent.

Yet again harping on the little things comes up. The bucs are a talented team on paper but you only produce wins when you perform those little things right on game day. All those close game losses the bucs have been in these past couple years can easily turn into wins just by fixing the little things. No more wide open dropped passes, no more missed blocking assignments, no more arrant passes leading to easy field position to the opposition.

This coaching staff seems set on fixing the little things so that the big things will be easier to come by. I see the coaching staff making sure the young bucs don't shoot themselves in the foot anymore and finally letting the other team beat themselves. Consistency is a habit of winning teams, lets bring that to Tampa.

Details!

No Tampa, Greg Schiano is not back in town but QB coach Mike Bajakian and Jameis are focusing on the details of the position. Winston came in as a rookie and showed he is more than capable to take over a team and win games, now he is mastering the little things of the position. Mike Bajakian gave a little insight to what he a Jameis have been up to over the offseason.

Now were at a point where he's proficient enough in the offense that we can focus even more on the details of his technique. So everything form his footwork, release, to again accuracy, little things like that are things we emphasized, moving in the pocket. All those little details that go into the playing the position are now a matter of attention for us and he's done a good job of focusing on.

Mastering the little things are what make good players great. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are perfect examples of this. They weren't superior athletes or geniuses they just mastered all the little things that they could control. The footwork, the release, the timing on routes, being a leader. All these little traits make a player great. Ever since Winston has become a Buc he has done nothing but keep his nose clean and in the books. Coaches and players alike all rave about how much of a competitor and student of the game Winston is and those are the qualities you want in your franchise quarterback.

Charles Sims Improving

Doug Martin got all the recognition last year due to his monster year running the ball but the numbers Charles Sims put up as a primary back up rushing and receiving were respectable as well and it looks as if he will improve on those numbers this year. Running backs coach Tim Spencer spoke earlier this week and hinted at seeing Sims being used more out wide to utilize his receiver traits.

He can catch the ball but in terms of receiver wise, didn't quite have those adjustments together but you saw that later in the year and hopefully we've been working on that a lot this year, so I think you should see some improvement this year from him.

Later when asked what Sims has improved on

Route running, reading on the run, Chuck can run routes thats one thing he can do, he can run all the receiver routes really. 

 Sims may be behind Martin on the depth chart but that doesn't mean he can't be used wisely as he is the lone player on the team with that make you miss ability that needs to be used in space and it seems like Koetter and Spencer noticed that and are primed on using him in that capacity. The game of football is all about match-ups and using Sims out wide against any LB in the league is a win for the Bucs.

Offense Will Go As The O-line Does

A pleasant surprise from last year was how much the oline had improved. The line had 4 new starters as rookie 2nd round picks Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet were plug and play players to go along with additions Joe Hawley and Gosder Cherilus. The line was pretty much was patched together and still played well enough to clear paths for a 1400 yard season by Doug Martin and a 4000 yard season for rookie QB Jameis Winston.

This year the bucs will have returning starters in Smith, Marpet, Hawley and Dotson to go along with new prized free agent pick up J.R. Sweezy whom seems to be a classic mauler. The O-line is where it all starts for this Buccaneer offense as Winston needs time to throw and Martin needs holes to run through and it seems as if they will have that with this group. Smith and Marpet with a year under their belt will only continue to grow as players and build on their great rookie campaigns.

The O-line may be the strongest group on this team as not only do they have a strong starting 5, they have depth to go with it in Evan Smith, Kevin Pamphile, Gosder Cherlius and now 5th round pick Caleb Benenoch. O-line coach George Warhop had the line gelling last year and they were just slapped together. Lets see what the line can do with a year of continuity and added talent. Before you think about how Winston, Evans and Martin are doing, remember that it all starts up front and they benefit from the big uglies in the trenches.

Better Playing Shape Should Help Jameis

Jameis Winston had a pretty good start to his career in which he was pretty much rookie of the year and the main reason the Bucs won 4 more games in 2015. Winston got the opportunity to go to the pro bowl in which he got to see how some of the elite quarterbacks go about being the best. One thing he picked up on is he needs to be in better playing shape if he wants to be one of the elite guys. So he wasted no time and has been working out non-stop including having workout sessions with Tim Grover who has trained guys like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. With Winston now being in the best shape of his playing career, Qb coach Mike Bajakian thinks this will allow Jameis to focus more on his technique and be able to be more consistent throughout the season per Tampabay.com.

"A couple things, number one, everything in this league is about durability and being able to play as many snaps as possible,'' Bajakian said. "Last year, we were fortunate that he was able to take every snap. But by being in better physical shape, there's a better chance of lasting the season and avoiding injury.

 "Number two, when you're more physically fit, fatigue doesn't become as much of an issue. In the quarterback position in particular, that's not always the case as much as it is with receivers and defensive backs or offensive linemen. But still, being in better physical shape can allow him to maintain a better base, play with lower hips and better feet and just allow him to focus on the details of his technique.''

This should allow Jameis to improve on his foot work and become more in-tune with throwing mechanics. In other words, this will mean better consistency with his accuracy which is the most critical attribute for a quarterback. Jameis is committed to being the best and now with his body right, he should just keep improving which is scary since he was pretty dam good last year.

How Important Is The Running Game?

Looking back at last years season we can take away a couple things, the defense was terrible and the bucs would win games when they would run the ball. Tampa was almost forced to run the ball because they had a rookie at QB but if you look at the game stats a lot can be seen.

Doug Martin rushed the ball 20 times in 6 games last year and the bucs won 5 of those games. Many will say we fell behind so fast so we had to pass the ball and abandon the run but I disagree. The best way to control a game is by controlling the clock. If you can chew time off the clock by running the ball that means less possessions for high powered offenses like the Saints, Falcons and Panthers. By abandoning the run so early and having 3 straight incompletions and punting the ball back to the opposition leads to more chances to get pummeled.

Koetter is a smart offensive mind and I'm sure he noticed the same thing. Martin was paid handsomely this offseason and deserves the 20+ carries a game. The offense will only run more efficiently with a strong running game as defenders will play in and give away the big gainer over the top. Let's take the old ball coaches advice (Gruden) and pound that rock!

Bucs Have Their Own Set Of Triplets

Its extremely earlier to compare what the bucs have to other triplet combinations but the bucs do have a respectable group. The Combination of Winston 22, Evans 22 and Martin 27 are eye opening. Winston although extremely young and with only one year under his belt has shown great leadership ability and looks as if he is nothing but on the rise to be a potentially top 10 QB in the league.

Evan already has shown he can light up any defense as he has put up 2 consecutive 1000 yard seasons and now has the continuity of Winston at the helm. Finally with Martin although he is a tad older than Winston and Evans, he still has at least 3 or 4 more great seasons in the tank and has shown he can be a bell cow when used correctly.

Those 3 make a formidable combination that can take on any other triplet combination in the league. This year should be another step forward as they have the offense already has its identity in place and is ready to expand. Lets see how explosive this offense can be.

How Good Can Mike Evans Be?

Coming off of last season many thought Mike Evans had an off year due to the drop fest he showed during the Giants game and multiple other games throughout the season, but did he really have a bad season? Evans totaled 74 catches, 1,206 yards and 3 tds. His touchdown production greatly fell from 12 to 3 but beyond that he improved in every category.

Evans is still only 22 years old and won't be 23 until the start of the season and from my point of view is only scratching the surface of what he can possibly become. Evans has the elite size at 6'5 and can easily overpower any corner in the NFL, which makes him an easy call for jump balls in the red zone. The biggest factor in deciding how good Evans will be is directly related to the Bucs franchise QB, Jameis Winston.

The more in-tune they are the more production will come. Evans and Winston have already been working on their chemistry together, not only on the playing field but in off the field social gatherings. Both players seem like they know what they want and thats to be great at the game their playing. I'm looking for another big year out of Evans and for his touchdown total to spike up again after his drop off last year.

Off-Season is Easy, Winning is Hard

It seems like the past few years the Bucs have been winning the off-season, but have struggled to transfer that into wins during the season. Coach Todd Monken brought up a great point yesterday in how the off-season is the simple part, and winning games is the difficult part.

"This is easy, winning is hard, It's not easy when you have to take the microphone every week and explained why this or that didnt work, or why we didnt do this or that in the game."

Monken went on to say this is a talented team and it's up to the coaches to make them the best they can be. He is right on about the off-season being easy which it is because the pressure is off where it is on all the time during the season. One thing is for certain the pressure is on the Bucs to win this year and its time they take that next step and compete for a playoff spot. The players and coaches need to be on the same page and get this ship on the winning track which it is more than capable of doing in 2016.

It Starts With Energy

The Bucs coaching staff has been upgraded this off-season especially on the defensive side of the ball. However, one addition was made on offense adding OC/WR coach Todd Monken who has a great relationship with Dirk Koetter. Yesterday, Monken spoke with the media and talked about how it starts with energy when he is coaching his players.

"If we don't bring energy, then what do you expect from the players?"

"We have the best job in the world where they pay us an unbelievable amount of money to make these players the best version of themselves, and that starts with energy.

Monken is very passionate and that shows when he speaks, he truly cares about what he does for his players. He wants to be the best coach for these guys to make them the very best they can be, and that starts by bringing energy and passion every day. Monken is a player's coach and it looks like he will do whatever it takes to get the very best out of them. This is great news for Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson.

Will Sims Role Increase This Season?

One of the Bucs best players on offense last year was running back Charles Sims as he put up solid numbers in his first full season. Sims had over 1000 yards combined, rushing for over 500 yds while receiving for over 500 yds with 4 tds as well. Sims was the ultimate change of pace RB for Koetter's offense while also being the perfect compliment to starting running back Doug Martin. Sims has that ability to make defenders miss and is very dangerous once in the open field. Sims has good speed, excellent hands, and really showed improvement as a inside runner last year. He display toughness and a good motor as his legs were always moving when running the ball. This led to more broken tackles in which most of the time Sims would rarely get taken down by the first defender.

However, he is most dangerous when he is used as a receiver out of the backfield or split out wide allowing him to operate in space. This is why I think his role could increase this season with him being used on special teams as a returner, and in the slot position as a receiver on offense. He could be electric as a returner with his ability to set up blocks and able to make defenders miss which is what the Bucs need on their special teams. Then on offense I could see him being used as a slot or outside receiver to create mismatches on the outside which would lead to more explosive plays which coach Koetter likes.

Hopefully Sims can be even better heading into his third season and should have an increase in playing time this season. Sims and Martin might be the best running back tandem in the NFL and both will have the opportunity this year to show their versatility which makes them so dangerous. Look for Sims to continue making big plays on offense and hopefully he can duplicate or surpass last years production.

ASJ's Job To Lose

The Bucs 2014 2nd round selection Austin Seferian-Jenkins is no doubt a talented player with prototypical tight end traits but with the emergence of Cameron Brate, it seems Koetter sees ASJ being pushed for his job. Per Rotoworld

A former UDFA out of Harvard, Brate posted a 23-288-3 receiving line in 14 games last season. Seferian-Jenkins has struggled to stay healthy, missing seven games as a 2014 rookie and nine more last year. "Jameis (Winston) and Cam(eron Brate), they really connected last year," Koetter said. "They had a real good feel for each other in the red zone and on seam routes and just all over the field really. And Cam, well, he really made the most of his opportunities." The job will belong to Seferian-Jenkins if he stays healthy. The Bucs cut Brate four days after Week 1 last season, only to re-sign him after ASJ went down. Still, this could be a make-or-break year for Seferian-Jenkins in Tampa.

Cameron Brate did make big strides last year and showed he can become a respectable NFL tight end but the most important statement in that quote is "the job will belong to Seferian-Jenkins if he stays healthy". ASJ is without a doubt the better overall tight end and best tight end the Bucs have on the roster but can he stay on the field. This branches off Koetter's statement of the best ability is availability. You can't make a difference if your on the injured list. Not long ago Gerald McCoy was getting the label of injury bug due to his first 2 injury riddled season but he has shrugged that label off with 4 productive seasons in a row.

Give ASJ his time as he is coming into his 3rd year now and will look to be a breakout candidate this year. He seemed to be a Winston target early and often when he was on the field and no question will be a mismatch to utilize.

Prospect Watch: JuJu Smith-Schuster

The Bucs scouting staff just completed the 2016 NFL Draft process and helped the Bucs have another strong potential class. Now they will have a few months off before they start looking at prospects for the 2017 Draft class. One player that they will definitely have an eye on is USC WR JuJu Smith Schuster who is one of the top receiving talents that will be eligible for the draft next year. I thought Jason Licht was smart by passing on a receiver during this last draft as the overall depth was average at best and the current receiving core is good enough if healthy. However, Jason Licht is always looking ahead and the 2017 receivers class is way more impressive.

The Bucs will likely be targeting a receiver next off-season due to the fact that Vincent Jackson is in a contract year and is not getting any younger. The Bucs do like Adam Humphries and Kenny Bell, both two young receivers whom the Bucs are trying to see what exactly they have. Kenny Bell has number two potential but needs to stay healthy and show he can be reliable catching the ball. One thing is for certain, Jason Licht and his staff will have a eye on USC WR JuJu Smith Schuster.

Schuster has size at 6'2 215lbs plus has downfield speed and can make things happen in the open field. Schuster had over 85 receptions for 1450 yds receiving along with 10 tds during his sophmore season, and is expected to put up similar numbers for his junior year in 2016. Schuster brings speed and physical play as he shows here below.

Schuster could very well be a top ten pick but good players have fell in the draft before and if he is available when the Bucs pick, it would be an easy decision. Long way to go before the next draft is here, but Schuster is someone to keep an eye on for this upcoming college football season.

Starting Jobs Must be Earned

In the past, Bucs coaching staffs have had tendency to start lesser talents instead of the best players regardless of status. For example, Mike Jenkins with Lovie Smith, or Daniel Te'o nesheim with Greg Schiano whom both were not worthy of starting at any point. Listening to the current coaching staff I get the sense that won't be the case, and best player will play. Bucs Gm Jason Licht and coach Dirk Koetter has done a good job of putting together a competitive roster so there will be plenty of battles for starting positions.

There also seems to be consistent communication between the coaching staff and players to make sure everyone is on the same page which wasn't always the case with previous staffs. So look for this season to have the best 11 on offense, defense, and special teams which is how it should be. Guys like Johnthan Banks and Demar Dotson wont be stuck on the bench like they were for no reason last year. Finally starting jobs just won't be given as they must be earned and that the right player starts is most important for the team. So far Koetter has shown this is how it's going to be and that should just make the players work harder which is what you want. Training camp and pre-season can't get here soon enough, its going to be filled with great position battles.

How Will Vitale Be Used?

The Bucs 6th round pick Dan Vitale was known as a super back in college as he was used in so many different ways and thrown all around the offense, but how will Koetter use him here in Tampa? Will Koetter make him a traditional fullback that occasionally gets carries up the gut or will he utilize all his talents?

Vitale had over 100 catches in his college career and more than showed his athletic ability at the scouting combine where he ran a 4.6 forty yard dash and 38.5 inch vertical at 6'1 240. The man is built like a brick and has the potential to be a weapon if used right and hopefully that's what Koetter is thinking. Versatility is a word you will hear all Bucs coaches saying and Vitale fits the bill with that.

The NFL is all about mismatches and Vitale can be that, as not many linebackers have his speed and not one safety or corner has his size. Will the bucs create their own super back in the NFL, we all can hope so.

Plenty Of LB Competition

The Bucs have themselves a nice set of starting linebackers with David, Alexander and Smith but who will play behind them? Licht drafted Devante Bond in the 6th round so maybe he sticks but who else is there competing for spots?

Licht went out after the draft and found himself 3 fine candidates in Micah Awe, Cassanova McKinzy and Luke Rhodes that will make training camp and pre-season really fun to watch. All of which have different traits that could help them stick to the roster. They will all be competing with guys already on the roster in Jeremiah George, Josh Keyes and Adarius Glanton. Licht has brought in plenty of competition for the defensive line, linebackers and corners that will truly bring the best out of everyone and make simple practices that more intense. The defense needed a boost in talent and thats what happened this year.

Bucs Hire Game Management Coach?

When it was first reported that the Bucs were going to assign a position as a game manager, many thought it was a bad decision as that responsibility should be assigned to the head coach. Looking more into it and all the responsibilities Dirk Koetter already has, it makes sense. Koetter will have his hands full with overviewing the whole team as well as play calling the games, having a game manager will help Koetter out with his transition to head coach.

The man getting the position is Andrew Weidinger, who is in his 9th season in the NFL and is very familiar with both Koetter and Mike Smith as he was a part of the Falcons from 2007 to 2014. Weidinger must have built a strong trust with Koetter when he was an offensive assistant to Koetter. Delegating some responsibility is a smart move by Koetter as having too much on your plate can overwhelm you at times. Koetter explained the position in his interview with Jason Cole of Bleacher Report here.

“Because I’m going to stay as the play-caller, and there are plenty of guys in the NFL who stay as play-callers as head coaches. There are just so many situations that come up in NFL game, whether it’s clock management or just game-ending situations, to have someone that they’re fully dedicated to that preparation in leading up to the game and on game day made sense,” Koetter said. “When I was the offensive coordinator, if I was up in the box, we always had a designated coach on the field that if I said, “This situation is up” and the head coach was on the other side of the phones talking to the defensive staff, that coach on the field would go remind the head coach about this or that. There is so much pressure when that clock is ticking, you have to have somebody who is on top of that and looking ahead.”

This could be a smart move or a bad move. If communication breaks down this could result in delay of games and wrong decisions, but thats why its important that Koetter chose a man he is familiar with and has a trust in. To me this is a good move as this could be a security blanket for Koetter in knowing that he has a man that can handle those critical situations when the game is on the line. Time will tell as we won't see much from Weidinger until the season starts.

It's Like Having a Coach on the Field

Bucs Lb coach Mark Duffner had a chance to talk with the media and talk mostly about the impact that Daryl Smith will bring to this team. Duffner was Smith's coach for seven years in Jacksonville so both know each other very well. Duffner said Smith is a true professional and will only help guys like Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander get better. Smith has been highly productive especially the past three seasons in Baltimore averaging at least 120 tackles per season. Smith is very familiar with this defense and Duffner thinks having Smith on the team is like having an extra coach out there on the field.

The linebackers group is in good hands with David, Alexander, and Smith who all can run and hit as well as cover if needed making the group pretty formidable. Daryl Smith might end up being the best free agent signing from this off-season just due to the fact he knows this defense and that he will be a leader on and off the field. I see this being very good for Kwon Alexander as he can learn from Smith and really learn how to anticipate what the opposing offense is going to do next. Meaning Alexander will be able to play even faster which will only help this defense become more formidable. Hopefully Smith can have a big impact this season, and make the defense click on the field.

Under the Radar: Kourtnei Brown

One player that could have a role on this defense and finally find a home is DE/LB Kourtnei Brown. Brown has all the measurables with good size and speed plus brings versatility by being able to play defensive end or linebacker. Unfortunately for Brown it hasn't worked out so far as he has bounced around the league due to inconsistencies on the field. Brown came to the Bucs last season and didn't get much playing time but that could change under Mike Smith. With the Bucs wanting to be flexible in their scheme, Brown could really be a fit for this defense.

He has the speed off the edge as well drop back into coverage if necessary so just maybe he can finally stick on the roster this year and be a solid contributor. If he can be that rotational pass rusher along with playing good special teams, Brown could provide that depth that winning teams need. Especially with the Bucs wanting to bring a aggressive/attacking style defense which should help guys like Brown play more to their strengths which is to attack non-stop. Tons of competition along the defensive front so it wont be easy for Brown, but he is definitely someone to keep an eye on.

Spence Will Play Both Sides of the D-Line

The Bucs have big plans this season for rookie defensive end Noah Spence but at the same time are going to be patient with him. Bucs DC Mike Smith said he expects Spence to play both end positions right or left this season to put him in the best position to succeed. Smith thinks Spence is your prototypical right end as he has all the traits you look for in an edge rusher. Spence has the elite first step, hand quickness and speed to bend the corner. Spence rushed from both sides in college and had pretty good success at it, so by the Bucs allowing him to do the same in the NFL isn't a bad idea.

This is the right move because you want Spence to be as comfortable as possible but at the same time you want to challenge him so he can grow as a player. This allows the Bucs defense be more flexible but also allows Spence to take advantage of mismatches that he will see by playing both sides. Hopefully by doing this Spence will be able to master his technique on both sides where he can be dominant and it wont matter what side he lines up on.

Here he is rushing from the right side:

Here he is rushing from the left side:

I would say Spence has a chance to be special, hopefully he can do this on Sundays for the Bucs.

Player Profile: Cassanova McKinzy

Mike Smith spoke with the media yesterday, and mention undrafted rookie Cassanova McKinzy as one of the players who stood out during the rookie mini-camp. Smith said he is a run and hit type player and could have immediate impact on the special teams unit. McKinzy is 6'3 235lbs plays with power and has decent speed as well. He was an impact player for the Auburn Tigers as he really came into his own the past two seasons. McKinzy collected 263 career tackles plus 28.5 tackles for loss and 8 sacks in his three years at Auburn.

McKinzy is excellent against the run as he can shed blocks with ease and is a down hill type player that loves to be physical. Unfortunately he struggles against the pass and is consider to be only a two down player which is one of the reasons he went undrafted. The good news is the Bucs just need him to excel on special teams and provide depth at the linebacker position which he is more than capable of. Now if McKinzy wants to be a starter one day, he needs to work on his coverage ability but right now he has versatility with his run defense and ability to rush the passer which will help him make the team. He is certainly a guy to keep an eye on come training camp time.

Bucs Defense Will Have Multiple Packages

It has been one of the themes for the Bucs defense this off-season in that it will display multiple looks and coverages for the upcoming season. DC Mike Smith wants the scheme to be simple for his players but complex enough to confuse the opposing offenses. It's all about playing fast on defense and one thing is for sure the Bucs have plenty of speed on defense. Now what will be different for this defense will be the use of multiple sub packages. Mike Smith will have about 15 to 16 guys that he will consider starters that will all be used differently according to what defensive package they want to run given the situation.

This explains why the Bucs added so much to the secondary given that the NFL is a passing game now and defenses play in sub packages 65% of the time. Meaning that the defense is playing five defensive backs or even sometimes 6 most of the game now which could mean more 3-3-5, 4-2-5, or even 5-2-4 looks on defense which opens up more room to be creative. Now lets not get confused here as the Bucs are 4-3 defense and they will show that as their base defense but will be more flexible than in previous years.

Look for the Bucs to mix personnel a lot this season to take advantage of their speed and versatility that they have on this roster. Don't expect to see the same look often on defense this year, its going to be different in 2016.

Player Profile: Travis Britz

One of the more surprising moves by the Bucs during the draft was their decision to pass on a defensive tackle which was one of the deeper positions in the draft. The Bucs did sign some undrafted defensive tackles after the draft, and one has caught my eye that has potential to make this team. That would be former Kansas State defensive tackle Travis Britz who brings physicality and toughness you look for in a DT. Britz is coming off his best season as he had 41 tackles to go with 4 sacks. Britz at 6'4 293 has the size and really brings that power game and can be a force against the run game.

Britz is not a great athlete but brings a non-stop motor and plays with tons of passion. Britz is that no nonsense type as he is all business in his approach and has opportunity to make this team as the 4th defensive tackle. Britz is not a great pass rusher but can push the pocket and can make plays with his non stop motor getting sacks with hustle. I think Britz can be guy that can be developed under Jay Hayes and be molded into a very good nose tackle down the road.

Britz will become a fan favorite quickly by the way he works and how hard he plays on the field. He will be someone I will be cheering for and hopefully he can make the transition to the NFL a successful one. Hopefully he can make plays like this in the NFL, watch below as he does a great job splitting the double team to get the tackle for loss.

Player Profile: Elijah Shumate

Every year there are undrafted players that make the final 53 man roster and some go on to become really good players. I think the Bucs could have a sleeper in undrafted safety Elijah Shumate out of Notre Dame. Bucs signed Shumate shortly after the draft had concluded and they hope he can bring competition to the position. Shumate has the measurables you look for in a player with great size and good speed. Shumate is 6'0 216lbs and ran a 4.58 40 which is impressive for his size. Shumate is known for being a big hitter and is good against the run.

However, he needs work on his technique and footwork in pass coverage if he wants to become a more complete player. Inconsistency with his tackling has been an issue as well but with proper NFL coaching all of this can be corrected. Good news for Shumate is he is excellent on special teams and can make plays on kick coverage. The bad news is the competition at his position where the Bucs have returning starters in Chris Conte, Bradley Mcdougald along with reserves in Keith Tandy, and Major Wright. Plus the Bucs added Ryan Smith in the 4th round who will play the safety position so that gives the Bucs five solid safetys.

So it wont be easy for Shumate to make the squad as he will likely have to play really good to beat out one of the other five safetys. At the very least I expect Shumate to make the practice squad and could be a contributor for the 2017 season.

Bucs Sign 3 Tryout Players

Fresh off of a 3 day rookie mini-camp the bucs announced that they have signed 3 lucky prospects to stay on a little while longer. Texas Tech linebacker Micah Awe, Louisville offensive lineman Kelby Johnson and Kansas State defensive tackle Travis Britz. All 3 will be long shots to make the roster but all did enough to grab Lichts attention.

Micah Awe is a smaller linebacker at 6 foot 221 pounds but fits the mold of the bucs smaller and fast linebacker that flies to the ball. Awe recorded 126 tackles in his senior year which shows he knows how to be around the ball. Travis Britz seems to be another nice find as his final 3 years he recorded at least 3 sacks and 4 in his final year to go along with 11 tackles for loss. Britz seems like he can make an impact on special teams as well as he managed a whopping 5 blocked kicks at Kansas State.

If any of these try out players are going to make the roster they better have some sort of niche because the Bucs seem to have finally gotten talent across the board on their roster and there are not many holes still to be filled.

More Moves Still on the Horizon

Yes the Bucs could use another receiver, defensive tackle, or a safety but there is still time to add to the roster. Gm Jason Licht never sleeps on the roster as he and his staff are always looking for ways to improve the team. Licht did this last year when he added guys like Godser Cherlius, Joe Hawley, and Howard Jones whom all played a big part on last years team. He will look to do the same this season, as good veterans will be let go along with some promising young players whom are just bad fits with their current team.

It will be interesting how the rest of the off-season plays out, but one thing is for certain the Bucs are much better than they were at this time last year. Tons of competition at most positions, and lots of young talent that are just going to get better as they mature into their own. I expect Bucs Gm Jason Licht to add a few more Howard Jones types before the season starts which if he can then this team will be that much more dangerous.

Bucs Finally Have 8-man Rotation at D-Line

The Bucs need more production from the defensive line if they want to improve on defense in 2016. Well so far this off-season the Bucs have added one of the best d-line coaches in Jay Hayes along with adding veteran Robert Ayers and elite prospect in Noah Spence. With these additions, the Bucs will look to have a true 8 man rotation which has been a staple for the d-lines that Jay Hayes has coached in his career.

Projected starters are Robert Ayers, Clinton Mcdonald, Gerald McCoy, and Jacquies Smith which is a solid front four for the Bucs. Then the next four would be Noah Spence, Akem Spence, William Gholston, and Howard Jones which is an impressive reserve group that will bring athleticism to the table. That is pretty good depth for a defensive line that a few years back didn't have anyone worthy coming off the bench or starting outside of McCoy.

All I know is I'm excited to see what these guys can do under Jay Hayes and Mike Smith, both will allow the lineman to play to their strengths which will be fun to see. Also good to know that if someone gets hurt the team has capable depth to step in and pick up the slack. The Bucs have been missing that depth up front for some time now, and to have it on both sides of the trenches is a really good sign. Look out for the defensive line this year, it could be the most improved unit this season.

Bucs Offense Needs to Start Fast in 2016

If the Bucs want to compete for a playoff spot their offense is going to have to start fast at the start and throughout the season. Easily the Bucs strength is the offense which had its best season in franchise history. With Jameis going into year 2 with the same scheme offensively, the offense should be that much better especially if it can stay healthy throughout the season. Usually this team doesn't have fast starts on offense to begin the season which has cost the teams in past seasons due to an inept defense.

Well this year could be different as the Bucs offense could carry the team this year as I feel the defense will get better as the season goes on. This offense has all the necessary pieces in place to be the most explosive unit ever in Bucs history. I expect this team to be more balanced as a whole, but the offense will have to be the leading unit this time around if it wants playoff games soon. Not saying the defense wont be good this year, they will be but that first month will be a struggle due to a new scheme that will take time to get used to. 2016 could be the start of the Bucs being known as a offensive juggernaut.