Update:Vernon on Bucs Radar

Update: Looks like the Dolphins have removed the transition tag on Olivier Vernon, making him a free agent. He will have competition for his services. Bucs better move fast if they want him.

Dolphins have pulled the transition tag on LB/DE on Olivier Vernon, per source. Now a free agent. Will command big dollars.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2016

Reports are coming out that Jason Licht and the Bucs will be a big player in the race to get prized edge rusher Olivier Vernon, Per Gil Arcia

Source: #Bucs will aggressively go after Vernon https://t.co/kCJhx2hAId

— Gil Arcia (@GilArciaTBC) March 9, 2016

Olivier Vernon is without question the best edge rusher available when the free agency bell rings and it looks as if the Bucs have set there eyes on him. Hopefully the Glazers have their private jet fueled and ready to pick up Vernon and not let him leave. Vernon would be a home run addition as he is still only 25 and has his best years in front of him. Signing him and adding another edge rusher in the draft (maybe Shaq Lawson) would be a major overhaul of a weak D-line. First things first, lets get Vernon here for a visit.

Charles Johnson Choses To Stay Home

The Bucs tried to brought in Panthers veteran Charles Johnson today and looks like he's giving the Bucs some bad news, Per Josina Anderson.

Charles Johnson to me: "It’s not about the money. Carolina is home and I wouldn’t have been happy if I went somewhere else.” #Panthers

— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 9, 2016

 Johnson seems to be a true Panther and would rather stay with his original franchise that drafted him. Cant argue that as players staying with their original team these days are becoming less frequent due to following the big money. The Bucs did give there run at him evident by reports of Ian Rapport.

DE Charles Johnson agreed to a 1-year deal with the #Panthers for 3M, source said. He turned down $6M from other teams

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2016

Jason Licht notices the lack of pass rush and is trying to find ways to bring them here to Tampa. Free agency officially begins tomorrow at 4 p.m. and the top pass rusher Olivier Vernon is still siting waiting for his highest offer. Will Jason Licht be the man to give it to him or will he sit back again and wait for the draft. Big things to report tomorrow, stay tuned!

Franchise Tag Deadline Tomorrow

With the Tag deadline coming up in less than 24 hrs, what's ahead? Many teams are debating putting the pricey franchise tag on certain players looking to strike it big in free agency. One of those players in Olivier Vernon of the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins are being slow to make a decision says Profootballtalk.com

Per a league source, the Dolphins plan to sleep on it one more night, taking full advantage of the tag deadline. Which makes sense, since it’s a deadline-driven business.

Vernon wil be on Bucs GM Jason Lichts radar no doubt about it if he makes it to free agency and he will be awaiting tomorrows decision. Vernon may be the best edge rusher on the market if he does make it to free agency, which would most likely push Licht away due to such a high price tag. Licht also has a big decision himself with the Bucs own Doug Martin. Sources close to the Bucs have stated that it is highly unlikely Doug gets the tag, via Pewterreport.com

However, the likelihood of that happening is almost zero, as the price to keep Martin in Tampa Bay would be in the one-year, $12 million range. That’s a steep price for a running back with two excellent seasons sandwiched around two years of less than 500 yards rushing and multiple injuries.

Although we all love Doug and what he has done here in Tampa, Jason Licht is looking out for the best interest of the team and paying a running back upwards to 12 million a year is not that. Especially when Licht has his own hand pick guy (Charles Sims) waiting behind Doug. I still believe Doug will end up signing back later but anything can happen once large dollar signs begin to be thrown around.

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.

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.

Potential Free Agent Target?

We all know the Bucs need an upgrade at defensive end, how about potential Miami free agent Olivier Vernon.  He is 25 and brings a nastiness to the field.  Here he is mic'up for the Cowboys game.