The 2022 season has just ended, and as of March 13, the 2023 campaign will open its doors. DNA of Sports therefore takes the opportunity to offer you an overview of the different franchises during the off-season. Which players to keep and cut? Which free agent to extend? Which rookies to watch? Here are some ideas, franchise by franchise. In the spotlight today are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With the announcement of Tom Brady’s retirement last January, Tampa finds itself faced with an inevitably inevitable situation: how to prepare for the aftermath, the day after an enchanted break of three years, and many players who have come to strengthen the Florida workforce in the wake of the future Hall of Famer.
To make matters worse for this spring management, the Bucs have to deal with a seemingly inflexible salary cap. But given the recent drafts and some fairly well-developed positions, there is much more talk of adjustments and total overhaul internally. What are the keys to getting off to a good start and remaining a candidate for the playoffs? Response elements …
The owners
1. Mike Evans (WR)
2. Vita Vea (NT)
3. Tristan Wirfs (OT)
If Tampa seemed to take a hit in some areas in 2022, the air offense hasn’t really been affected by this regression. Do you know the last season of Mike Evans at less than 1,000 yards since his arrival in the league? Spoiler alert: there is none. The quadruple Pro Bowler remained the true compass of the Bucs at the reception and will be a fundamental element for the new quarterback in place.
On the trenches, Tampa also has serious arguments. Vita Vea has clearly become one of the best nose tackles in the league, and finished his team’s top sack in 2022. As for Tristan Wirfs, he continues to establish himself as the dominant tackle that many hoped for and could even be Eventually slide left side and follow a course similar to that of Orlando Brown.
Tristan Wirfs (78) soon to replace Donovan Smith (76) on the left?
The unwanted
Leonard Fournette (RB)
It won’t surprise anyone, but Leonard Fournette is clearly the main candidate likely to pack his bags in the offseason. Rarely to his advantage in 2022, despite 668 yards on the clock, the former LSU player sinned in his ability to carry out actions until the in-goal and although the saving made on his cut was not that of 3 million dollars (for 5 million dead money), the Bucs could be tempted to turn the page.
Other players would allow the franchise to recover some financial ballast, but the performances are less questionable than that of the running back: let us quote in particular the guard Shaq Mason or the kicker Ryan Succop (9 million possible savings in cumulative) or even left tackle Donovan Smith, still effective, but with a generous salary of 17 million, and a possible rebate of 10 million. For the last three names, a salary restructuring (via an extension?) also remains a solution to keep these players at a lower cost.
The summer man
Todd BowlesHead Coach
Former defensive coordinator, and propelled head coach, after the (surprise?) retirement of Bruce Arians, Todd Bowles found himself in the eye of the storm in view of the decline of the franchise between 2021 and 2022. Beyond the balance sheet less flattering, it is the qualification in the playoffs with a negative record, the overall inability of the ground game and the drop in defensive regime, especially on the pass rush, which question his ability to be the leader of men suitable.
Many remember his good debut with the Jets in the mid-2010s and a much less glorious end to the cycle, and without Tom Brady, the 59-year-old technician is playing big to keep some bone and not take the lead again. wears after a two-year interim.
The main free agents
1. Lavonte David (LB)
2. Jamel Dean (CB)
3. William Gholston (DL)
4. Akiem Hicks (DL)
5. Sean Murphy-Bunting (DB)
Others : Julio Jones (WR), Nick Leverett (OL), Rakeem Nunez-Roches (DL), Anthony Nelson (EDGE), Keanu Neal (LB), Logan Ryan (DB), Mike Edwards (S).
If the departure of Tom Brady is a blow to manage on the part of the front office, it is in defense that the site could take on a particular magnitude. One of the main missions will undoubtedly be to extend Lavonte David to make him an eternal Floridian. For other elements, the price will be determined but it was difficult to envisage the departure of all the defensive linemen at the end of the contract.
Top 5 Needs
1. Quarterback
2. Running back
3. Defensive line
4. Defensive back
5. Receiver
In attack, the data is clear: find a replacement for Brady behind the center, find an impact runner especially to complete the drives and possibly prepare the position of receiver, via the draft, in view of the imposing contracts of Godwin and Gage in 2024.
In defense, given the number of free agent players on the first curtain, this position is a need in its own right, as well as the defensive backfield, given the contractual situations of Dean, Murphy-Bunting or Edwards. In the same logic, if Carlton Davis has often responded, his inability to stay in shape over the whole of a season and his more flexible contract in 2024 could push the franchise to prepare the ground for the cornerback position.
Target
Jimmy Garoppolo (QB, 49ers)
This is probably not the most glamorous target for the quarterback position, but this option will undoubtedly have the advantage of not weighing too heavily on finances. Now 31, and coming out of a new exercise cut short by injuries, Jimmy Garoppolo can be an interesting bet for a team eager to prepare for the transition to the quarterback position (to hatch Kyle Trask or a rookie).
Negotiations already seem to be taking place between the two parties, and the trail leading to Derek Carr still seems somewhat cold at the moment.
Bijan Robinson, a wisp soon in Florida?
The new blood
Bijan Robinson (RB)
Let it be said: a formation will try the Bijan Robinson bet in the first round, and with a new offensive coordinator in the walls, Tampa could be tempted to change its system in attack. A former Seattle quarterbacks coach, Dave Canales was often steeped in a culture focused on the ground game (and early running back drafts…) alongside Pete Carroll.
In addition, betting on the main running back of scale, capable of doing everything, would put less pressure on the announced successor of Tom Brady. A not so funny deal, on a position of need, which would bring a lot of complementarity with the Swiss army knife Rachaad White in the offensive backfield.
Alternative : Rashee Rice (WR), Cam Smith (CB), Ji’Ayir Brown (S).
