Team who addressed their biggest weakness from last year is... (1 Viewer)

[Bracie Smathers]

The TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS.

Last year the Bucs defense overall ranked 23rd in the NFL. Not good but not a significantly terrible overall ranking. The odd thing is the Tampa Bay defense ranked number one in the NFL against the run. When the 23rd overall defense ranks first against the run it means its pass defene must have been bad. It was...

The Bucs pass defense was the worst in the league.

Some will see that and claim that since the run defense was better than their pass defense that teams simply didn't try to run against them which skewed the numbers to artificially inflate the run defense. They will claim teams attack a weakness like the pourous Tampa Bay secondary and simply avoid a marginal strength like the Bucs run defense. True but Tampa Bay's run defense is stout and the reason is they have solid players in the front seven while the Tampa Bay pass defense was bad and got worse by getting rid of a talented but troubled player like CB Aquib Taylor last year.

In Tampa Bay's most recent drafts they have invested high picks on the defensive line.

In 2009 they used 3rd and 4th round picks on defensive linemen. In 2010 they used their 1st and 2nd round picks on the D-line and in 2011 they once again used their 1st and 2nd round picks on the defensive line. The D-Line has talent.

The Bucs didn't only invest high draft picks on their defensive line they also used high picks to address the linebacker position with a 3rd round pick in 2011 on LB Mason Foster and a 2nd round pick last year on LB Lavonte David both David and Mason ranked 1st and 2nd on the team in tackles and the guys up front are starting to flash talent so the Bucs defense ranking first against the run in 2012 isn't a shock and that strength makes their bad pass defense the weakness that had to be addressed.

A few low-lights of the Tampa Bay pass defense in 2012:

- 4,758 passing yards, nearly 300 (over 297) per game

- 65.4% completion rate

- 30 passing TDs

With little argument the Bucs biggest weakness was their pass defense. They had to do something to address that weakness and I think they did in a big way.

1. First it didn't start this year, it began a year ago when they drafted S Mark Barron in the first round. Barron also contributes heavily in defending the run but he had little help defending the pass last year but in looking at how the Bucs addressed the weak pass defense it has to start with the addition of safety Mark Barron with their top pick in last year's draft.

2. Second the free agency signing of FS Dashon Goldston. Goldston paired with Barron give the Bucs a soid duo at the safety position. It still left a gaping hole at the CB position but it solidified their safety position with two young talented safties.

3. Third the trade for cornerback Darrelle Revis. The Bucs got the best cornerback in the NFL and at a bargain. The 13th pick in the 2013 draft plus their 3rd round pick in 2014 is a small price to pay for the best CB in the league. Revis replaces 7th round draft pick from the 2009 draft, E.J. Biggers so its not just a lil-upgrade its an ENORMOUS STUPENDIOUS upgrade in talent at the biggest weakness on the Tampa Bay defense.

4. Fourth, drafting CB Jonathan Banks in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft. Banks may not win the starting job over incumbent CB Eric Wright but Wright isn't the top CB anymore, Revis is so adding Banks to compete and back-up Wright means that Jonathan Banks comes in as the fourth DB whereas a few months ago he would be viewed as a projected starter. That shows how far the Bucs have come in addressing their biggest weakness.

I can't think of any other team who had sugh a big overall team weakness that made bigger moves to not only address a weakness like the worst pass defense in the league but may have turned their biggest team weakness into a strength.

I'm sure that their are others I'm missing.

Are their any teams who had a big team weakness that you feel have turned it into a strength over the course of the last year?

 

[Tackling Dummies]

Completely agree.

 

[tdmills]

GB - Added Lacy/Franklin to give a legit threat to run the football. This helps the passing game become more effective, but also keeps Rodgers more upright. They also drafted 2 OL.

Chicago- Added 3 UFA OL- Bushrod, Britton, Slauson. Drafted 2 OL- 1st round Kyle Long, 5th round Jordan Mills.

Titans- Added Chance Warmack/Schwenke in the draft and signed Levitre. The interior OL went from bad to potentially amazing in one offseason.

 

[jurb26]

KC adding A. Smith, while not sexy, is a massive upgrade over their clear weakness last year IMO.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

GB - Added Lacy/Franklin to give a legit threat to run the football. This helps the passing game become more effective, but also keeps Rodgers more upright. They also drafted 2 OL.

Chicago- Added 3 UFA OL- Bushrod, Britton, Slauson. Drafted 2 OL- 1st round Kyle Long, 5th round Jordan Mills.

Titans- Added Chance Warmack/Schwenke in the draft and signed Levitre. The interior OL went from bad to potentially amazing in one offseason.

I love what Green Bay did to address their RB issue but I don't think the talent added is on-par with what TB did in adding, Barron, Goldston, Revis, and Banks.

Last year the Browns had a glaring weakness in their running game and added RB Trent Richardson with the third pick in the draft and also added a RT in Mitchell Schwartz with their high second round selection to add to an O-Line with a Pro Bowl OLT in Joe Thomas and a Pro Bowl C in Alex Mack. They added a player considered more talented than Lacey or Franklin and then also addressed a major weakness on their O-Line. It did vastly improve the rushing game but even those moves don't seem as impressive as what Tampa Bay did and even though I love what GB did, I don't view the moves of adding Lacey and Franklin equal to what Cleveland did last year to improve their rushing game.

Great moves by GB but I'm not adding two young-talented RBs alone will turn around that weakness but I did immediately think of Green Bay as another team who added talent so good call.

I'm really happy that the Bears made big moves to address their O-Line. I'm just unsure of what to expect. They did add a lot and that line was a weakness so hopefully it will work out for them.

The Titons adding those two guards definitely turns around what was a weakness and turns it into a strength so very good call but it will be difficult to quantify the improvement at the end of the year but I think we will see a big statistical improvement in the Bucs pass defense so it will be easy to determine whether or not the players added had an impact.

 

[tdmills]

GB - Added Lacy/Franklin to give a legit threat to run the football. This helps the passing game become more effective, but also keeps Rodgers more upright. They also drafted 2 OL.

Chicago- Added 3 UFA OL- Bushrod, Britton, Slauson. Drafted 2 OL- 1st round Kyle Long, 5th round Jordan Mills.

Titans- Added Chance Warmack/Schwenke in the draft and signed Levitre. The interior OL went from bad to potentially amazing in one offseason.

I love what Green Bay did to address their RB issue but I don't think the talent added is on-par with what TB did in adding, Barron, Goldston, Revis, and Banks.

Last year the Browns had a glaring weakness in their running game and added RB Trent Richardson with the third pick in the draft and also added a RT in Mitchell Schwartz with their high second round selection to add to an O-Line with a Pro Bowl OLT in Joe Thomas and a Pro Bowl C in Alex Mack. They added a player considered more talented than Lacey or Franklin and then also addressed a major weakness on their O-Line. It did vastly improve the rushing game but even those moves don't seem as impressive as what Tampa Bay did and even though I love what GB did, I don't view the moves of adding Lacey and Franklin equal to what Cleveland did last year to improve their rushing game.

Great moves by GB but I'm not adding two young-talented RBs alone will turn around that weakness but I did immediately think of Green Bay as another team who added talent so good call.

I'm really happy that the Bears made big moves to address their O-Line. I'm just unsure of what to expect. They did add a lot and that line was a weakness so hopefully it will work out for them.

The Titons adding those two guards definitely turns around what was a weakness and turns it into a strength so very good call but it will be difficult to quantify the improvement at the end of the year but I think we will see a big statistical improvement in the Bucs pass defense so it will be easy to determine whether or not the players added had an impact.

Didn't know the topic was which team improved their weakness the most, thought it was just a list of teams that improved their weaknesses greatly.

 

[bucsbaby]

I agree with the op; however, I am concerned that opponents will now be able to pound the rock down the heart of the Bucs' D, as they lost 2 DTs over the past couple years and McCoy, while talented, has shown a tendency to get dinged up. With the RBs currently on Carolina, NO, and Atl, it is entirely possible that the Bucs' run defense will get exposed this year.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

KC adding A. Smith, while not sexy, is a massive upgrade over their clear weakness last year IMO.

I think the biggest weakness that KC had last year was coaching and they definitely improved that by adding Andy Ried.

Smith was in a perfect situation in SF and he performed as good as expected. He may not do as well but he should improve the Kansas City quarterback situation even if his numbers aren't as impressive as they were in SF.

Kansas City will make an improvement and Alex Smith will get a lot of credit, it would be harder to quantify how much of an impact Reid will make.

 

[gandalas]

Cleveland did the Defensive overhaul this offseason as well. How well it works remains to be seen.

Jettisoned **** Jauron and his 4-3 defense, replacing him with defensive coach Ray Horton, who brings his attacking 3-4 from Arizona to Cleveland.

signed DE/OLB Paul Kruger, OLB Quentin Groves, and DE/DT Desmond Bryant.

drafted DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo with the #6 overall pick.

Should all hopefully help to strengthen our front 7.

 

[Run It Up]

We'll see how it works out, but the Pats drafted basically the Rutgers defense.Some new blood to compete with Mccourty and Arrington, who despite having flashes of brilliance are very clearly our weakest links.

 

[Wingnut]

49ers addressed their 5 needs this offseason very well:

Safety - drafted Eric Reid

CB - Signed Nnamdi

D-line - drafted Tank Carradine, Quinton Dial and Corey Lemonier, signed Glenn Dorsey

Kicker - signed Phil Dawson

WR - traded tor Anquan Boldin, drafted Quinton Patton

On top of that they drafted Lattimore, who *could* end up being Gores successor. And there's talk they still might sign Charles Woodson.

D-line was extremely important, as everyone saw what happened to the SF secondary when Justin Smith got hurt and the pass rush all but disappeared. Bolstering both the d-line and secondary was the #1 priority going into the offseason, and now the Niners have very few if any glaring weaknesses.

 

[William Munny]

I like the Bucs D but can they pressure the qb? Top sacker is gone. Maybe Bowers steps up?

 

[Azhais]

KC adding A. Smith, while not sexy, is a massive upgrade over their clear weakness last year IMO.

Let's be honest, KC doing badly and getting rid of Pioli is the best move they did. He was the biggest weakness in that organization.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

49ers addressed their 5 needs this offseason very well:

Safety - drafted Eric Reid

CB - Signed Nnamdi

D-line - drafted Tank Carradine, Quinton Dial and Corey Lemonier, signed Glenn Dorsey

Kicker - signed Phil Dawson

WR - traded tor Anquan Boldin, drafted Quinton Patton

On top of that they drafted Lattimore, who *could* end up being Gores successor. And there's talk they still might sign Charles Woodson.

D-line was extremely important, as everyone saw what happened to the SF secondary when Justin Smith got hurt and the pass rush all but disappeared. Bolstering both the d-line and secondary was the #1 priority going into the offseason, and now the Niners have very few if any glaring weaknesses.

That was a move the absolutely CRUSHED a major weakness on the Niners,

Excellent and under-rated move that will win close games for SF where it is all on the kicker because Phil Dawson is one of, if not the best in the league for making high pressure kicks.

That move alone can push San Francisco over the top this year.

 

[EBF]

Arizona did well by adding Palmer, Mendenhall, Taylor, Ellington, and some OL help. They should be much, much better on offense next year.

 

[jurb26]

KC adding A. Smith, while not sexy, is a massive upgrade over their clear weakness last year IMO.

Let's be honest, KC doing badly and getting rid of Pioli is the best move they did. He was the biggest weakness in that organization.

Yeah, but I thought we were referring to player additions, not coaches or front office types.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Cleveland did the Defensive overhaul this offseason as well. How well it works remains to be seen.

Jettisoned **** Jauron and his 4-3 defense, replacing him with defensive coach Ray Horton, who brings his attacking 3-4 from Arizona to Cleveland.

signed DE/OLB Paul Kruger, OLB Quentin Groves, and DE/DT Desmond Bryant.

drafted DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo with the #6 overall pick.

Should all hopefully help to strengthen our front 7.

The Browns revamping of the defense wasn't quite on-par for what the Bucs did but I am impressed for what Joe Banner accomplished.

When Banner was hired he stated a simple football philosophy of wanting to protect the passer on offense and apply pressure to the passer on defense. He said if a team can do both consistently that they will win more games than they will lose. When asked about why the defensive scheme was changed he was direct in stating he didn't think the defense was very good and it had to be addressed.

The Browns defense had around 37 sacks which is right in the middle of the pack in terms of the league average but the defensive philosophy wan't to attack and pressure the opposing team's QB.

In terms of revamping the defense to fit the organizational football philosophy by Banner where he said he wanted the defense to apply pressure on the opposing QB, then you can say that the Browns hit the nail on the head with the moves that they made. Every big move made so far has been directed to getting more pressure on the QB.

Banner hired Chud who stated he wanted an attacking-aggressive defense.

Chud hired Ray Horton who stated he wanted to create an attacking-aggressive defense.

Then Banner and Lombardi's first and biggest free agency signing was OLB/DE Paul Kruger who is a pass rusher. One of their other FA moves was to sign OLB/DE Quentin Groves who is a pass rusher.

Then the first pick in the draft was OLB/DE Barkevious Mingo, a pass rusher.

The biggest moves Banner has made fit in with incorporating his football philosophy.

In terms of addressing a major weakness I would not say the Browns had a major weakness in sacking or getting pressure on the QB last year but in terms of revamping the defense to fit in with an organizational philosophy to attack the QB, I think they did a great job.

We'll see if it works but I actually agree wholeheartedly with Banner on this one. That is precisely my philosophy on defense, attack and pressure with pass-rush, attack and pressure with pass-rush, and attack and pressure with pass-rush.

So I love what the Browns have done but in terms of addressing a major weakness I still have to hand it to the Bucs.

 

[bucsbaby]

I like the Bucs D but can they pressure the qb? Top sacker is gone. Maybe Bowers steps up?

They have some guys coming back from injury, but the short answer is: no.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

That #1 rush defense is going to tested for sure. One of the reasons they stunk against the pass was teams found the corners to be soft. Aquib Talib makes big plays but also gives them out on a regular basis. Plus I think he was suspended 4 games so the Bucs go soft against the pass.

I expect the teams to try and pound the ball and test the front 7 of Tampa.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

That #1 rush defense is going to tested for sure. One of the reasons they stunk against the pass was teams found the corners to be soft. Aquib Talib makes big plays but also gives them out on a regular basis. Plus I think he was suspended 4 games so the Bucs go soft against the pass.

I expect the teams to try and pound the ball and test the front 7 of Tampa.

Aquib got a suspension for Adderal in October and was traded to New England in November.

So he's no longer a Buccaneer, he's a Patriot.

Also the #1 run defense might get tested but I wouldn't consider it a weakness.

Its clear the number one weakness on the Bucs last year was their pass defense and I think they not only addressed that weakness but may have done a 180 and turned that weak pass defense into a strength.

If anything the lack of a pass rush will improve if the secondary has tighter coverage to create coverage sacks.

 

[Warrior]

3. Third the trade for cornerback Darrelle Revis. The Bucs got the best cornerback in the NFL and at a bargain. The 13th pick in the 2013 draft plus their 3rd round pick in 2014 is a small price to pay for the best CB in the league. Revis replaces 7th round draft pick from the 2009 draft, E.J. Biggers so its not just a lil-upgrade its an ENORMOUS STUPENDIOUS upgrade in talent at the biggest weakness on the Tampa Bay defense.

Diva CB who demands a HUGE contract despite the fact that he may never be the same after major surgery?

'best cornerback' is a huge stretch.

'at a bargain' is

 

[menobrown]

I'd list them in this orders.

1. Tampa's secondary overhaul

2. Miami's adding weapons to the passing game

3. Chicago adding a legit pass catching TE and addressing the OL.

4. Titans OL additions.

5. Packers RB additions.

In terms of just the draft and ignoring FA I thought no team did better than Pittsburgh. Jarvis for Harrison, Bell for Mendy and Wheaton for Wallace and at no point did it ever feel like they were reaching.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

3. Third the trade for cornerback Darrelle Revis. The Bucs got the best cornerback in the NFL and at a bargain. The 13th pick in the 2013 draft plus their 3rd round pick in 2014 is a small price to pay for the best CB in the league. Revis replaces 7th round draft pick from the 2009 draft, E.J. Biggers so its not just a lil-upgrade its an ENORMOUS STUPENDIOUS upgrade in talent at the biggest weakness on the Tampa Bay defense.

Diva CB who demands a HUGE contract despite the fact that he may never be the same after major surgery?

'best cornerback' is a huge stretch.

'at a bargain' is

If anyone demands a price and the market pays the asking price then the market has met the demand. The Bucs not only met his asking price they also paid a first and third round picks so they obviously felt the value of his asking price and the draft picks were less than the value they were getting in return.

Revis had to pass a physical by the Bucs before any deal could go down so they obviously think he's healthy enough.

Best cornerback yeah and you laugh? Who do you think is better and I'll prematurely at your answer becaue their isn't anyone better than Revis.

The Jets have rookie DT Sheldon Richardson with the actual pick they got from the Bucs and had to use the 9th pick in the draft on CB Dee Milliner to try and replace Revis.

Revis>Milliner or Richardson and ?whoever? the Jets get with the 3rd next year.

 

[Mr. Irrelevant]

Arizona did well by adding Palmer, Mendenhall, Taylor, Ellington, and some OL help. They should be much, much better on offense next year.

Though let's be honest: it would be extremely difficult for them to be worse.

Agree with everyone who has called out the Bucs' D as the biggest upgrade. Bold prediction: the NFC South is the most competitive division in the NFL next year. Since the NFL went to 32 teams, has any division ever had every team finish with a winning record? It could happen in the NFC-S in 2013.

 

[Nucker101]

Seahawks IMO added the one piece they really needed to become a complete team with the addition of Percy Harvin. The one thing holding that team back last year was a game breaker in the passing game and Harvin can do it multiple ways. Plus they signed Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett, pass rushing depth is huge in today's NFL.

 

[menobrown]

Revis>Milliner or Richardson and ?whoever? the Jets get with the 3rd next year.

The trade made sense for Tampa due their cap space and massive need. But unlike most experts on TV I thought the trade was a win for the Jets as well.

Due to the salary cap structure draft picks have never been more valuable. Revis only had a year left on his deal and the Jets were not a contender. And with the proliferation of multi WR/ dual TE/spread offensive attacks the ability to take out a teams #1 receiving threat, while still huge, is not nearly as big a deal it used to be and unless you got cap space to burn I don't think it's worth more than 10% of your cap.Again, makes sense for Tampa but not the Jets.

So instead of one year of Revis the Jets get Milliner on a multi year deal at what should average just a tad over $3 million a season. So they save about $13 million a year they can use to improve their team in other areas. Personally, and the past Super Bowl winners are somewhat indicative of this, I think it's more important to be able to pressure the QB than have an elite shut down corner. I mean both are great but you usually can't pay for both. The best a shutdown corner can do is take out one guy. A pass rush can disrupt an entire passing attack. So if you can get a potentially nice or at least solid CB in Milliner locked up cheap for multi years and used some or all of those cap savings to improve the pass rush I personally think you are better off.

 

[bengalbuck]

I'd list them in this orders. 1. Tampa's secondary overhaul2. Miami's adding weapons to the passing game3. Chicago adding a legit pass catching TE and addressing the OL.4. Titans OL additions.5. Packers RB additions. In terms of just the draft and ignoring FA I thought no team did better than Pittsburgh. Jarvis for Harrison, Bell for Mendy and Wheaton for Wallace and at no point did it ever feel like they were reaching.

Agree with your list, though I think Miami's passing game additions were vastly overrated.I also felt like the Steelers had a pretty bad offseason. Panicked and brought back some former players early. If they would have waited until the market cratered, they could have signed better players for the same price. Misplayed the RFA tenders. And then giving up a future 3rd for a mid 4 in a bad draft...just lots of moves that you normally see out of poorly run franchises that you don't expect from the Steelers. And now with the draft, everyone is quick to assume they got great value because the Steelers always draft well and they get the benefit of the doubt on some risky/questionable picks. When for the most part they have been shooting blanks the last few years and don't deserve the fawning praise.

 

[bengalbuck]

Revis>Milliner or Richardson and ?whoever? the Jets get with the 3rd next year.

The trade made sense for Tampa due their cap space and massive need. But unlike most experts on TV I thought the trade was a win for the Jets as well. Due to the salary cap structure draft picks have never been more valuable. Revis only had a year left on his deal and the Jets were not a contender. And with the proliferation of multi WR/ dual TE/spread offensive attacks the ability to take out a teams #1 receiving threat, while still huge, is not nearly as big a deal it used to be and unless you got cap space to burn I don't think it's worth more than 10% of your cap.Again, makes sense for Tampa but not the Jets. So instead of one year of Revis the Jets get Milliner on a multi year deal at what should average just a tad over $3 million a season. So they save about $13 million a year they can use to improve their team in other areas. Personally, and the past Super Bowl winners are somewhat indicative of this, I think it's more important to be able to pressure the QB than have an elite shut down corner. I mean both are great but you usually can't pay for both. The best a shutdown corner can do is take out one guy. A pass rush can disrupt an entire passing attack. So if you can get a potentially nice or at least solid CB in Milliner locked up cheap for multi years and used some or all of those cap savings to improve the pass rush I personally think you are better off.

Great point and I totally agree. Same with the Harvin trade.With the relatively flat cap, there are real bargains to be round in free agency. Just ignoring the financial impact of trades is crazy. Like you said, it is not just Revis vs. Milliner. It is Revis vs. Milliner and $13M per year worth of free agents. Over 4 years, that is over $50M the Jets can spend to improve other areas of their team.(To really be accurate, they took Richardson with the TB pick and Millinr with their own pick.)

 

[Nucker101]

I'd list them in this orders. 1. Tampa's secondary overhaul2. Miami's adding weapons to the passing game3. Chicago adding a legit pass catching TE and addressing the OL.4. Titans OL additions.5. Packers RB additions. In terms of just the draft and ignoring FA I thought no team did better than Pittsburgh. Jarvis for Harrison, Bell for Mendy and Wheaton for Wallace and at no point did it ever feel like they were reaching.

Agree with your list, though I think Miami's passing game additions were vastly overrated.I also felt like the Steelers had a pretty bad offseason. Panicked and brought back some former players early. If they would have waited until the market cratered, they could have signed better players for the same price. Misplayed the RFA tenders. And then giving up a future 3rd for a mid 4 in a bad draft...just lots of moves that you normally see out of poorly run franchises that you don't expect from the Steelers.And now with the draft, everyone is quick to assume they got great value because the Steelers always draft well and they get the benefit of the doubt on some risky/questionable picks. When for the most part they have been shooting blanks the last few years and don't deserve the fawning praise.

IMO the Steelers more than made up for it with their draft(surprise, surprise) but we'll see how things play out.

 

[Eminence]

Arizona did well by adding Palmer, Mendenhall, Taylor, Ellington, and some OL help. They should be much, much better on offense next year.

This, Carson Palmer gives that team an actual chance to win games. He looked good in Oakland and I think we can expect Larry Fitzgerald to look a little bit more like the Larry Fitzgerald of old. Palmer knows how to sling it and went over 4,000 in Oakland with not a whole lot of offensive talent, because of this I think he may be able to get two Arizona Receivers over 1,000 yards.

It all depends, I am certain Fitzgerald will get the majority of the targets. Easily the best receiver Carson Palmer will have had the opportunity to work with. But I also think Andre Roberts and Carson Palmer will have a decent connection, he's a deceptively speedy guy.

Mendenhall is a decent risk but we drafted two Runnings Backs who fit our system well, our backs are going to keep Carson Palmer upright and give him extra time to make a play. Also, Ryan Swopes is pretty legitimate prospect for us.

Ryan Swope ran a 4.34 @ 6 ft 0, 205 lbs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCosoGT0beM

 

[SWC]

the pack got some tough guy defenders and a bunch of good rbs i like that and i think those were there biggest needs they also got a wr in the late rounds who could end up being a steal of a lets make a deal so they should have to be in the running one team that will not be in the running is san fran because holy crap they are like trying to buy a present for the guy who has everything they are way too loaded and i expect them to crush their opponent see them driven before them and hear the lamentashons of there women brohans take that to the bank

 

[Grahamburn]

Revis>Milliner or Richardson and ?whoever? the Jets get with the 3rd next year.

The trade made sense for Tampa due their cap space and massive need. But unlike most experts on TV I thought the trade was a win for the Jets as well.

Due to the salary cap structure draft picks have never been more valuable. Revis only had a year left on his deal and the Jets were not a contender. And with the proliferation of multi WR/ dual TE/spread offensive attacks the ability to take out a teams #1 receiving threat, while still huge, is not nearly as big a deal it used to be and unless you got cap space to burn I don't think it's worth more than 10% of your cap.Again, makes sense for Tampa but not the Jets.

So instead of one year of Revis the Jets get Milliner on a multi year deal at what should average just a tad over $3 million a season. So they save about $13 million a year they can use to improve their team in other areas. Personally, and the past Super Bowl winners are somewhat indicative of this, I think it's more important to be able to pressure the QB than have an elite shut down corner. I mean both are great but you usually can't pay for both. The best a shutdown corner can do is take out one guy. A pass rush can disrupt an entire passing attack. So if you can get a potentially nice or at least solid CB in Milliner locked up cheap for multi years and used some or all of those cap savings to improve the pass rush I personally think you are better off.

I completely agree with this, but I also believe you can interpret your statement and the addition of Revis in a few different ways. Revis being the shut down corner and taking away that one guy allows an additional defender to rush the passer instead of helping in coverage. Obvious, I know, but it's basically the same as having an elite pass rusher. They're hoping to have an extra second or two to get to the quarterback with an additional rusher.

The defense Schiano wants to run is a high pressure scheme. They want to commit extra defenders to the line of scrimmage. It's part of the reason their run defense was so good, and their pass defense was so bad. They didn't have the talent in the secondary to cover long enough. Now they do. It's not just Revis either. Goldson, Banks, Barron's second year... If Revis is healthy they might have turned the worst secondary in the NFL into the best.

Freeman takes a lot of heat (he really only had two bad games, but they were late in the season and really bad so they're remembered), but Tampa's offense broke records last year. The pass defense breaking down late cost this team at least 3 wins.

We won't know who "won" this trade for two or three years, but I usually judge a trade (in real football and in fantasy football) by who got the best player. We don't know what Richardson will be yet, but it's going to be tough for he and Milliner to match Revis' impact.

 

[flranger]

Your kidding yourself if you truly believe TB has a great run defense.

In 2011 they had the worst run defense in the league, allowing 156.1 yards per game. Lavonte David is a nice LB addition, but otherwise there has been no significant infusion of talent in the front seven since having the leagues worst run DEF.

They had a statistically great run DEF last year because everyone could pass on them, so they took the path of least resistence. The secondary and pass defense was terrible, and the front line did not put much pressure on opposing QBs.

I'd agree they did a lot of good things in the secondary in the offseason but there is still no pass rush to speak of. I'd be stunned if they end up in the top 10 statistically in run or pass DEF next year because I just don't believe they have much talent in the front 7.

 

[DiStefano]

the pack got some tough guy defenders and a bunch of good rbs i like that and i think those were there biggest needs they also got a wr in the late rounds who could end up being a steal of a lets make a deal so they should have to be in the running one team that will not be in the running is san fran because holy crap they are like trying to buy a present for the guy who has everything they are way too loaded and i expect them to crush their opponent see them driven before them and hear the lamentashons of there women brohans take that to the bank

"Yes because he never did a thing like that before as ask to get his breakfast in bed with a couple of eggs since the City Arms hotel when he used to be pretending to be laid up with a sick voice doing his highness to make himself interesting for that old ###### Mrs Riordan that he thought he had a great leg of and she never left us a farthing all for masses for herself and her soul greatest miser ever was actually afraid to lay out 4d for her methylated spirit telling me all her ailments she had too much old chat in her about politics and earthquakes and the end of the world let us have a bit of fun first God help the world if all the women were her sort down on bathingsuits and lownecks of course nobody wanted her to wear them I suppose she was pious because no man would look at her twice I hope Ill never be like her a wonder she didnt want us to cover our faces but she was a welleducated woman certainly and her gabby talk about Mr Riordan here and Mr Riordan there I suppose he was glad to get shut of her and her dog smelling my fur and always edging to get up under my petticoats especially then still I like that in him polite to old women like that and waiters and beggars too hes not proud out of nothing but not always if ever he got anything really serious the matter with him its much better for them to go into a hospital where everything is clean but I suppose Id have to dring it into him for a month yes and then wed have a hospital nurse next thing on the carpet have him staying there till they throw him out or a nun maybe like the smutty photo he has shes as much a nun as Im not yes because theyre so weak and puling when theyre sick they want a woman to get well if his nose bleeds youd think it was O tragic and that dyinglooking one off the south circular when he sprained his foot at the choir party at the sugarloaf Mountain the day I wore that dress Miss Stack bringing him flowers the worst old ones she could find at the bottom of the basket anything at all to get into a mans bedroom with her old maids voice trying to imagine he was dying on account of her to never see thy face again though he looked more like a man with his beard a bit grown in the bed father was the same besides I hate bandaging and dosing when he cut his toe with the razor paring his corns afraid hed get bloodpoisoning but if it was a thing I was sick then wed see what attention only of course the woman hides it not to give all the trouble they do yes he came somewhere Im sure by his appetite anyway love its not or hed be off his feed thinking of her so either it was one of those night women if it was down there he was really and the hotel story he made up a pack of lies to hide it planning it Hynes kept me who did I meet ah yes I met do you remember Menton and who else who let me see that big babbyface I saw him and he not long married flirting with a young girl at Pooles Myriorama and turned my back on him when he slinked out looking quite conscious what harm but he had the impudence to make up to me one time well done to him mouth almighty and his boiled eyes of all the big stupoes I ever met and thats called a solicitor only for I hate having a long wrangle in bed or else if its not that its some little ##### or other he got in with somewhere or picked up on the sly if they only knew him as well as I do yes because the day before yesterday he was scribbling something a letter when I came into the front room to show him Dignams death in the paper as if something told me and he covered it up with the blottingpaper pretending to be thinking about business so very probably that was it to somebody who thinks she has a softy in him because all men get a bit like that at his age especially getting on to forty he is now so as to wheedle any money she can out of him no fool like an old fool and then the usual kissing my bottom was to hide it not that I care two straws now who he does it with or knew before that way though Id like to find out so long as I dont have the two of them under my nose all the time like that slut that Mary we had in Ontario terrace padding out her false bottom to excite him bad enough to get the smell of those painted women off him once or twice I had a suspicion by getting him to come near me when I found the long hair on his coat without that one when I went into the kitchen pretending he was drinking water 1 woman is not enough for them it was all his fault of course ruining servants then proposing that she could eat at our table on Christmas day if you please O no thank you not in my house stealing my potatoes and the oysters 2/6 per doz going out to see her aunt if you please common robbery so it was but I was sure he had something on with that one it takes me to find out a thing like that he said you have no proof it was her proof O yes her aunt was very fond of oysters but I told her what I thought of her suggesting me to go out to be alone with her I wouldnt lower myself to spy on them the garters I found in her room the Friday she was out that was enough for me a little bit too much her face swelled up on her with temper when I gave her her weeks notice I saw to that better do without them altogether do out the rooms myself quicker only for the damn cooking and throwing out the dirt I gave it to him anyhow either she or me leaves the house I couldnt even touch him if I thought he was with a dirty barefaced liar..."

You're not doing it right.

 

[Grahamburn]

Your kidding yourself if you truly believe TB has a great run defense.

In 2011 they had the worst run defense in the league, allowing 156.1 yards per game. Lavonte David is a nice LB addition, but otherwise there has been no significant infusion of talent in the front seven since having the leagues worst run DEF.

They had a statistically great run DEF last year because everyone could pass on them, so they took the path of least resistence. The secondary and pass defense was terrible, and the front line did not put much pressure on opposing QBs.

I'd agree they did a lot of good things in the secondary in the offseason but there is still no pass rush to speak of. I'd be stunned if they end up in the top 10 statistically in run or pass DEF next year because I just don't believe they have much talent in the front 7.

Gerald McCoy 2011 - 6 games

Gerald McCoy 2012 - 16 games

HTH.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Revis>Milliner or Richardson and ?whoever? the Jets get with the 3rd next year.

The trade made sense for Tampa due their cap space and massive need. But unlike most experts on TV I thought the trade was a win for the Jets as well.

Due to the salary cap structure draft picks have never been more valuable. Revis only had a year left on his deal and the Jets were not a contender. And with the proliferation of multi WR/ dual TE/spread offensive attacks the ability to take out a teams #1 receiving threat, while still huge, is not nearly as big a deal it used to be and unless you got cap space to burn I don't think it's worth more than 10% of your cap.Again, makes sense for Tampa but not the Jets.

So instead of one year of Revis the Jets get Milliner on a multi year deal at what should average just a tad over $3 million a season. So they save about $13 million a year they can use to improve their team in other areas. Personally, and the past Super Bowl winners are somewhat indicative of this, I think it's more important to be able to pressure the QB than have an elite shut down corner. I mean both are great but you usually can't pay for both. The best a shutdown corner can do is take out one guy. A pass rush can disrupt an entire passing attack. So if you can get a potentially nice or at least solid CB in Milliner locked up cheap for multi years and used some or all of those cap savings to improve the pass rush I personally think you are better off.

Draft picks are being label as being more value due to the rookie salary cap that limits salaries but the draft picks are not more valuable due to having more talent, they are considered to have more value due to cap savings.

The reason cap savings is of importance is two-fold.

1. To resign your own team's top talented free agents

2. To go out and sign other team's top talented free agents

Darrelle Revis is the best cornerback in the NFL, he was well-worth resigning by the Jets due to his talent.

The point of the league is to win not to have the most cap space.

If you have more talent the chances of winning increase, if you let talent leave and get cap space and rookies your chances of winning decrease.

The Jets not only lost Revis but they also had to pay out over $1.5 million when they traded him away.

The Jets failure to manage their cap space is connected to other player moves moreso than how much they would pay Darrelle Revis, see Tebow, Tim as evidence of the Jets mismanagement of their salary cap and how they could have saved over $3 million this off-season if they kept Revis and never signed a guy who they had no intention of playing for only two glaring examples of poor cap managing by the Jets.

Failure of the Jets cap management can't be pinned on Darrelle Revis, that one is on the Jets front office and the owner who is probably the one who wanted a guy like Tebow to boost ticket sales and he is also rumored to be behind the push to trade Revis instead of paying him because cornerbacks don't sell more tickets whereas the minute they signed Tebow, ticket sales increased.

The bottom line is the talent on the Jets decreased on the Jets and increased on the Bucs when the trade went through for Darrelle Revis. Revis is the biggest part of the reason why the Bucs pass defense went from a weakness to likely becoming a strength.

 

[JAA]

Eagles: Got rid of Andy Reid

Game, set, match

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Your kidding yourself if you truly believe TB has a great run defense.

In 2011 they had the worst run defense in the league, allowing 156.1 yards per game. Lavonte David is a nice LB addition, but otherwise there has been no significant infusion of talent in the front seven since having the leagues worst run DEF.

They had a statistically great run DEF last year because everyone could pass on them, so they took the path of least resistence. The secondary and pass defense was terrible, and the front line did not put much pressure on opposing QBs.

I'd agree they did a lot of good things in the secondary in the offseason but there is still no pass rush to speak of. I'd be stunned if they end up in the top 10 statistically in run or pass DEF next year because I just don't believe they have much talent in the front 7.

Gerald McCoy 2011 - 6 games

Gerald McCoy 2012 - 16 games

HTH.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had the top rated run defense in the NFL last year and the reason is they've invested heavily into the front seven of their D over the last couple of drafts. Gerald McCoy was the highest pick the Bucs have had since 1987 when they had the first pick and took QB Vinnie Testaverde.

Gerald McCoy had injury concerns early in his career but was healthy last year and is considered a top defensive tackle around the league. The Bucs used their highest pick since the 80s on him so he was considered a top talent when he was selected. He plays DT which is directly tied to how well or poorly a team fares against the run.

The Bucs finished 7-9, they have talent. The top ranked run defense and last ranked pass defense where they had a 7th round draft pick starting at one of the CB positions clearly shows they lacked talent and it was reflected in the stats over the course of the 2012 season.

The Bucs made big moves to improve their biggest weakness of pass defense and others have taken notice.

Evan Silva ‏ @ evansilva 39m

Five most improved defenses this offseason: 1. # Buccaneers 2. # Ravens 3. # Browns 4. # Colts 5. # Chiefs.

 

[bulger2holt]

Rams

FA's

Jake Long

Jared Cook

Draft

Tavon Austin

Steadmon Bailey

Barrett Jones

Addressed OL and added major weapons