We’ve got seen this offseason that head coach Todd Bowles has been extra direct in his total viewpoint of the Bucs. A few of his responses, whether or not it was final month on the NFL Scouting Mix or final week on the NFL Annual Assembly, have been harking back to how his mentor, Bruce Arians, can be blunt about no matter subject got here up – most often about his gamers.
Whereas Bowles could not at all times be as visceral because the coach succeeded, the best way Bowles has been simple in his interviews with the press has led to a transparent path of how the Bucs really feel heading into subsequent season at sure positions.
Todd Bowles Doesn’t Love Bucs’ CB Depth
After re-signing the likes of huge receiver Chris Godwin, inside linebacker Lavonte David and left guard Ben Bredeson, the Bucs spent this offseason making an attempt enhance their depth in a number of areas, together with cornerback. They did this by signing veteran Kindle Vildor from the Lions and re-signing Bryce Corridor after a season-ending leg harm.
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles – Picture by: Bailey Adams/PR
Regardless of having these two gamers to again up beginning corners Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum, it seems that Todd Bowles feels they don’t seem to be even near being completed filling out the cornerback room. Anticipate the Bucs to pick out a cornerback or two on this years draft, and by the tone of Bowles’ feedback, it might be comparatively early.
“We don’t have a whole lot of depth,” Bowles mentioned on the NFL Annual Assembly in West Palm Seaside, Florida. “That’s crystal clear. We don’t have a whole lot of depth. We hopefully will tackle that in some unspecified time in the future within the draft as properly, clearly. We didn’t many in free company. We signed Vildor, we signed again Bryce, he’s coming off of harm. We’ve obtained to see what Vildor can do, clearly, however we’ve obtained to handle that within the draft.”
Bucs’ Roles In The Secondary Are Up For Grabs
The Bucs had been marred badly by harm final 12 months, particularly at cornerback. Bryce Corridor was completed for the 12 months earlier than the primary sport was over. Jamel Dean was out and in of the lineup and missed 5 begins and components of two different video games, which made for Josh Hayes and undrafted free agent Tyrek Funderburk ultimately enjoying extra on protection than anyone wished.
A part of the issue is that Dean has been harm inclined and it doesn’t appear to be it’ll cease anytime quickly at age 29. Jason Licht had already spoken about whether or not Dean will proceed to be on this staff developing this season. Whether or not he’s or not, the Bucs must be ready to play another person. The Bucs are anticipated to draft a startint-caliber cornerback and that participant higher be able to have an vital position immediately.
Bucs cornerback Jamel Dean – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Bowles doesn’t even essentially contemplate Dean to be the highest nook on this staff anymore attributable to availability.
“Everyone’s place is up for grabs,” Bowles mentioned. “I believe Zyon [McCollum] might be 1A, 1B (beginning nook) as a result of Zyon stayed wholesome in the course of the 12 months. Dean’s obtained to get wholesome. He is available in and he performs, however he can’t play half a 12 months each couple years. He understands he’s obtained to get wholesome and do all the things he can to be wholesome. We obtained to have some depth there simply in case, if anyone is available in to compete with him, he’s going to must compete.”
As a lot as they need assistance on protection, Bowles clarified that it doesn’t essentially imply taking a cornerback within the first spherical. He received’t neglect the offense simply so as to add to his protection this season. A cornerback is coming, however when nonetheless is determined by how the draft goes.
“I can determine issues out sufficient on protection to maintain us aggressive,” Bowles mentioned. “I wish to have some defensive gamers if that introduced itself, however certainly not will I bypass an excellent offensive participant simply to fulfill my wants on protection. We are able to determine a strategy to maintain the rating down, however you may’t determine a strategy to maintain scoring factors particularly for those who’re horses go down, so you may by no means have sufficient horses on offense. Sure, I wish to add some items however whether or not they come first or whether or not they come within the center stays to be seen.”
