Free Agency Frenzy: Defensive Line

Its safe to say that the Bucs biggest need is pass rush, as its been the hot topic all off-season. Bucs need to find some help for Gerald McCoy, and that could still be Jacquies Smith who struggled with injuries last year, but showed promise. The Bucs will be smart in free agency as they are looking for good value, but with plenty of cap space I see the Bucs targeting some high profile names. Lets take a look at potential free agents that the Bucs should target to help the defensive line.

1. Mario Williams, 31 6'6 292  96 career sacks.

Williams is coming off a disappointing 2015 season in which he only had 5 sacks. He was not happy last year as he was in a scheme that didn't suit his strengths. When he was in a 4-3 scheme, he produce double digits sacks and was quite the force as a pass rusher. Williams would instantly be the best pass rusher on the Bucs and would provide a veteran presence. Him and McCoy could create havoc in the backfield. The Bucs should have him as their number one free agent target.

2. Jason Pierre-Paul, 27  6'5 278  43 career sacks.

Pierre-Paul used to play in Raymond James for the USF Bulls, so why not return there as a Buc. He does have the question mark with his hand, but he is still a very talented edge rusher, and can still have an impact for his team. The Bucs should take a look because he will be motivated and still has loads of talent.

3. Bruce Irvin, 28 6'3 260 22 career sacks.

Irvin is just an athletic freak, and has played well for Seattle during his time there. He was used as a hybrid playing both end and linebacker in whats called the leo position. I think he could flourish as a full time end, allowing him to go after the qb more by using his great speed and quickness off the edge. I believe he would be a solid fit in Mike Smith's defense.

4. Chris Long, 30 6'3 268 54 career sacks

Long is another guy who will have a chip on his shoulder as he has struggled to produce the last few years and has dealt with nagging injuries that have slowed him down. Long still knows how to rush the passer, and should at least be given a look. The Bucs could offer him a incentive base deal, and could end up with a steal.

5. Nick Fairley, 28 6'4 208 14 career sacks

Fairley doesn't have much production, but he is still a solid player and should be a really good value signing for some team. He can play nose or 3-tech and would be a boost for the Bucs depth at the defensive tackle position.

Free agency only a few days away, lets hope the Bucs make the right moves.

Bucs Not To Be Big Spenders?

Jason Licht took to the media Thursday night and stressed some key points about the path he will take this offseason, per tampbaytimes.com

"We'll be selective and strategic, we don't want to put ourselves into a position where if you take the wrong guy and give him too much money, it can disrupt your team. I've said since Day 1, we are going to build through the draft. And from Day 1, the most success we've had is with draft picks.

Most people when reading that quickly ran to the thought of the Bucs not being big spenders or going after any big name players in free agency. Yes, Licht has made it a point to say he will build through the draft and its obvious he has, but this year he has total control of free agency as well. There will be no Lovie Smith chiming in on certain free agents he wants to fit his defense. If there is one thing Licht is damn good at, its analyzing and spotting talent. Looking more into his statement of "selective and strategic", we can take away a couple things. Licht ever since coming to Tampa has given off the feeling that he's the smartest man in the room. Licht will be selective and strategic but, he will spend money on what he values the money is worth spending on. Its no secret that the Bucs biggest weakness is pass rush and Licht knows that and will find whatever avenue to fix it. If he values Bruce Irvin or Olivier Vernon as worthy of an amount that won't disrupt the team you better believe he will pull the trigger on them. He has total control of the roster and all personnel moves now and if he sees an option that will improve the team within his strategy he will take it.

Jason Licht Must Get It Right!

Free agency for some reason has been a struggle for the Bucs as they have failed to find solid impact players to help supplement their roster. The only consistent impact player has been 2012 signee Vincent Jackson which is one of the reasons the team hasn't been winning since 2010. Its been a mix of bad decisions, bad luck, and losing free agent targets to other teams, but overall the Bucs just need to be better in their signings. No more Michael Johnson, Anthony Collins, Eric Wright, Dashon Goldson just to name a few who just didn't live up to their expectations.

Last years free agent class was better in which it added better depth players and even got good returns out of Bruce Carter, Henry Melton, Sterling Moore, and Chris Conte. So that was good by Jason Licht in that he got rid of his past mistakes and was much smarter in his contracts as he did more 1 year to 2 year contracts.

Now heading into this years free agency, I think Licht is going to take a similar approach in which he will look for good players that provide good value but are a good fit as well. Finding more impact players like Vincent Jackson would be nice, but I think finding solid complementary players will do just fine as the team continues to build through the draft. Now this doesn't mean the Bucs wont go after the best players as they should because this team needs all the talent it can get. That is probably the only down fall of the four I mention above as they were brought in because of familiarity with the defensive scheme being run here instead they should go after the best available talent.

So this March, with over 50 million in cap space I would like to see Licht be smart but aggressive at the same time and bring in some guys that can have an impact whether its on offense or defense. There should be some decent players available that can help this team right away like Bruce Irvin who I really like as player and feel he could bring that rush off the edge that this team desperately needs. I think its time for Jason Licht to be aggressive and get some good players to make this team more complete. Free agency is less than 4 weeks away, lets hope Licht and co approach it the right way this year.

Irvin Likely To Hit The Open Market

As it sits right now the Bucs have no pure edge rusher that can put fear in the eyes of any quarterback in the NFL. Is it time to open up the Glazers wallet and spend on an athletic edge rusher like Bruce Irvin? Per Profootballtalk.com

Barring a new contract or the use of the franchise tag (both of which are believed to be highly unlikely at this point), Irvin will sign elsewhere — on a deal that easily will surpass $10 million annually.

Looking at the numbers in his first 4 years theres nothing to jump at. Having only 22 sacks in 4 years seems kind of low, but Irvin has yet to start on the edge for a whole season. In Seattle Irvin was labeled an outside linebacker yet played a hybrid, usually being a pass rush specialist.

Irvin at 6'3 260 with an extremely quick first step would be a perfect start to fixing such a pitiful defensive line. Licht continues to hammer the fact that he wants to build through the draft but with so much money under the cap, one big splash signing wouldn't hurt. The perfect scenario would be the bucs signing an edge rusher like Irvin along with drafting the highest rated rusher on their draft board. Jason Licht has the keys to himself, whats he going to do?

What Did We Learn?

Ok now that the Super bowl has been played what can we take from the game? Yes, Defense wins Championships!

Anyone who watched the game will remember one thing and that's how much Cam Newton was rushed, hurried and sacked. Denver's defensive ends completely abused Carolina's Offensive line. Von Miller and Demarcus Ware dictated the game based purely on their ability to rush the passer.

So given that, what was the weakest area of the Bucs defense this year? Was it the secondary or was it really the defensive line?

It all starts up front and obviously if the quarterback has all day to throw any secondary would look bad. Other than Gerald McCoy who had 8.5 sacks, which is phenomenal from the defensive tackle position, the Bucs have no true pass rushers. Jacquies Smith with 7 sacks and Howard Jones with 5 sacks were serviceable yet not good enough to provide a consistent pressure. Considering the amount of times Gerald McCoy is double and even sometimes triple teamed someone else should be able to break free and capitalize.

The #1 priority this offseason for the Bucs should be to find a pure pass rusher from any place they can look. That starts with free agency where there could be a couple that may hit the market in Bruce Irvin (Seahawks) and Olivier Vernon (Miami). Another route may be the draft where Noah Spence looks like a pure natural pass rusher that is shooting up draft boards.

Jason Licht has already done half the battle by bringing in possibly the best Defensive line coach in the NFL with Jay Hayes, the rest is bringing in the talent to be used. Jason Licht has proved he knows how to draft with home runs in his first two draft with the Bucs, lets see if he can finally hit a home run with free agency as well.

Bucs Could Use A Freak at DE

His name is Bruce Irvin, who plays for the Seahawks and is just a freak of nature. A guy like Irvin could come in right away and play hybrid end/linebacker being that speed rusher we need.