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This offseason the Buccaneers went out and spent some money on a few key free agents, while looking to improve upon their 6-10 record and ultimately get over the hump that is mediocrity in the NFC South. One of the impact players they picked up was former Giants defensive end Robert Ayers who contributed 9.5 sacks last season in only 12 games. When asked about the state of his new team, Ayers surprisingly responded, “We’re a little less terrible…” At face value, this is a jarring response from any professional athlete, let alone a newly signed one who has yet to play a down for his team. Sure he elaborated by claiming that “…You're either first or you're last,” but the quote feels empty considering the career that he’s had so far.
Ayers has made the playoffs just three times in his eight year NFL career, and has served as a major contributor on exactly zero of those teams. He’s played in 16 games just once in his career, while he is coming off of back-to-back seasons of finishing no higher than second to last in his division. He speaks the attitude of a winner but shows no examples of it to his teammates.
Safe to say this is a rough way to initiate himself into the Tampa Bay locker room, but maybe that was his plan all along. With a new coach and a young and emerging core, maybe the hope for Ayers was to set a new tone while establishing himself as a vocal leader for the first time in his career.
Ultimately, while it may have been off color and slightly out of line for the status quo of the franchise, there is no doubt that Ayers was speaking the truth. Sure, the Buccaneers may have improved this offseason with some key free agent pickups and some impact draft selections, but as of now they aren’t any more expected to make noise in this division than they were last year, and the year before that, etc. Franchise building is mainly established through practice, hard work, and coaching. Without any exposure to live games or even full team practices, how could anyone with a good conscious claim that these young Buccaneers got exponentially better? So yeah, they are “a little less terrible,” but lest Ayers and Buccaneers fans fail to acknowledge that with experience throughout the season they could be on their way to being a lot less terrible and dare I say, good?
Key Free Agent Retentions
Doug Martin (RB) – 5 years, $35,750,000
Priority No. 1 for the Bucs this offseason was bringing back their homegrown talent in Doug Martin. He’s often criticized for his injury history and questionably inconsistent effort, but for a guy who has rushed for over 1,400 yards twice in his four NFL seasons, he is certainly worth the pay. Ultimately there is no questioning Martin’s talent and considering his fit in this offense as a pace setter for the emerging passing game is glove-like, it behooved the Bucs to bring him back. Tampa Bay and their fans should tune out the haters here. Martin was a must signing and a fair signing.
Below is the best example of Martin’s talent as a runner. Along with dynamic cuts and vision, Martin adds value in the passing game as both a receiver and blocker.
Key Free Agent Additions
J.R. Sweezy (G) – 5 years, $32,500,000
A true rags-to-riches story here, as the former seventh round pick, defensive lineman turned offensive guard, started as a questionable project player under the tutelage of Seahawks offensive line coach Tom Cable. He had no guaranteed roster spot in his rookie year of 2012, but with a noted never quit motor and NFL smarts, he turned into one of the most coveted offensive linemen on the open market in 2016. This is no hyperbole when I say “most coveted” as nearly half of the NFL teams were reportedly in the mix for his services this offseason. It makes sense really, as Sweezy ended up being the most consistent contributor on the Seattle offensive line over the past four seasons, and considering they frequently boasted one of the league’s top rushing attacks, Sweezy figures to fit into any scheme trying to establish a smash-mouth run game.
In the end, the Buccaneers ended up winning the Sweezy sweepstakes, as he will join an emerging offense and will block for one of the most talented running backs in the league in Doug Martin.
Robert Ayers (DE) – 3 years, $19,500,000
With a thin free agent market in terms of pass rushing talent, the Buccaneers had to make due with what was available. Ayers – while with a noted injury history – came at a relatively cheap price considering the premium put on pass rushers in today’s market. With the Giants last season – in only 12 games mind you – Ayers set a career high in sacks with 9.5 and that was on a defensive line void of almost any pass rushing talent at all. He should do a solid job here in Tampa, but shouldn’t be expected to be the next coming of DeMarcus Ware either, despite the high standards that he deserves to be held to considering his “… a little less terrible” remarks.
Brent Grimes (CB) – 2 years, $13,500,000
Speaking of outlandish remarks, it’s a miracle that Grimes even got a job this offseason considering the nonsense that his wife constantly would spew on the radio and Twitter during his time with the Dolphins. In any event, teams are still always looking for talented corners, and while Grimes showed signs of decline, he still isn’t too far from playing at his former Pro Bowl level. Considering the affordable price and the assumed chip on his shoulder after being cut by Miami, he appears poised for a bounce back 2016 with the Buccaneers.
Key Draft Selections
Vernon Hargreaves (CB) – 1st Round
With his feather-light and perfectly synchronized footwork, Vernon Hargreaves achieved the rare three-time first-team All-SEC selection as the top cornerback at Florida. He recorded 10 interceptions during his career and will aptly replace the void at corner the Bucs have had since the departure of Darrelle Revis. He’s physical in the run game and will bring the swagger needed for the position at the next level in one-on-one coverage. Expect Tampa Bay to build their entire secondary around this special corner going forward, while early on he may work out of the slot or opposite of newly signed Brent Grimes.
Noah Spence (DE) – 2nd Round
A first round talent, Spence mainly fell due to his noted off the field issues, as he was kicked out of the Big Ten Conference in the beginning of the 2014 season. Those uninformed would like to point that much of his tape is against inferior competition, but prior to his Big Ten banishment Spence was holding his own at Ohio State as an underclassman.
Physically, he’s a classic edge bender with excellent in-game speed and twitch. While he lacks ideal physical traits and arm length, his film from the Senior Bowl, Eastern Kentucky, and his Ohio State days show elite quarterback attacking skills. He can push the pocket with the best of them, and his excellent burst off the snap allows him to blow by offensive tackles when he pleases. I’m not here to tell you that he’s the next Von Miller, but if he keeps his nose clean, Spence has the potential to become a special edge weapon at the next level. Here’s an example of his natural talent at bending the corner after exploding off the line of scrimmage.
Initially expected to learn behind Robert Ayers and Gerald McCoy, Spence will at the very least serve as a rotational pass rushing sub-package player early on in his career. Excellent value pick by the Buccaneers here, getting arguably one of the most talented pass rushers in the draft all the way in the second round.
Roberto Aguayo (K) – 2nd Round
While FantasyAlarm’s resident NFL expert Jeff Mans has made himself adamantly clear about his abhorrence and loathsome feelings towards the former Florida State kicker, I think I shed a more realistic light upon him leading up to the draft…
http://www.fantasyalarm.com/articles/dmurtha/26193/nfs-draft-burning-questions/ - link_5
While Aguayo was maybe a reach in the second round, I will give teams – in this case the Buccaneers – some credit for trying to secure their special teams, especially in today’s NFL.
-- Nostra-Dom-Us
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