Carl Nassib Has Earned A Spot

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Opinion Editorial: If there is one thing that we as Bucs fans can all agree on, it’s that Carl Nassib has earned a spot on this team due to his performance on the field last year. With a new coaching regime, there is going to be plenty of roster attrition.

In Bruce Arians introductory press conference, he is quoted as saying, “If you can’t play hard, you can’t play here.” I hope he takes that seriously. There are certain players who stick out like sore thumbs in both practices and games due to lack of effort. I Hope he takes that seriously. However, he is not going to have to worry about that when it comes to Carl Nassib. He Works his butt off, and that is extremely evident.

In limited playing time, over the course of playing 15 games and only starting in 9 of them with the Bucs this past season, Nassib amassed 2 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, 6.5 sacks, 29 total tackles (22 solo and 7 assisted), 12 tackles for loss, and 14 QB hits.

This man deserves a spot on this roster, he deserves to start, and he deserves to get paid. From Bucs fans everywhere and all of us here at Bucs Life News, Carl Nassib, you are a beast, keep on bringing it every single play! Go Bucs!

If AB is Out in Pittsburgh, Should D-Jax Replace Him?

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Opinion Editorial:

After seven Pro Bowl selections in nine years for Antonio Brown during his tenure with Steelers, and now it seems he wants out of Pittsburgh. It would seem to be a no-brainer for teams lacking a talented number one wide receiver, but that leaves the Steelers thin at the wideout position. Luckily for them, the Bucs have a diva of their own who also wanted a trade.

We still do not know if Bruce Arians can persuade DeSean Jackson to stay and play out his contract in Tampa. Jackson had already put his home in Tampa up for sale and made it known that he can’t play nice with Tampa QB Jameis Winston. I think he would fit in well in Pittsburgh with Big Ben.

If Adam Humphries hits free agency, then it would be wise to hang on to D-Jax, at least for the upcoming season.

The big question I have is; What is Jackson’s trade value at this stage in his career?

Also, can Jackson replace Antonio Brown’s production?

If Pittsburgh throws a day two draft pick at us, then I’d say yes trade Jackson. Can DeSean catch 90 balls or even 80? If Mike Tomlin thinks he can, then we should pull the trigger at any solid offer made! Jason Licht should seriously consider any solid trade offer that comes across his desk.

*Disclaimer: No one is saying trade AB for D-Jax.

Everybody Hates Chris

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Chris Conte, you know him, and you don’t love him. In fact, you probably hate him. You know it, we know it, and he knows it. He’s without a doubt one of the least favored players on the Buccaneers roster. It wasn’t just the Bucs fans who weren’t fond of him.

His original rise to infamy began immediately with the Chicago Bears after he was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Fans there never cared for him and eventually, after Lovie Smith was hired in Tampa, he found his way south, and he and Bradley McDougald found themselves on the “Least Athletic Safety Duo” list.*

It’s been downhill ever since.

*Per Pewterplank/Fansided:

The Bucs’ duo at safety of Chris Conte and Bradley McDougald is one of the league’s least athletic. That certainly is not the case with Peppers, who wowed with his athleticism and instincts regardless of where the Wolverines lined up him.”

 

There was even a meme floating around with his face on a wanted poster for being the worst safety in the league.

Last year, Conte spoke about the last eight years of consistent onslaughts. People saying that he’s gotten zero respect from the time he entered the league. Despite the fact that on paper Conte’s numbers actually rivaled fellow safeties like Tyrann Mathieu. But that would never matter.

The draft situation in 2018 did not help him at any point. After Derwin James wasn’t drafted and the selection was used DT Vita Vea, Conte love was at an all-time low. Nothing he did was ever going to be right. He was the “anti-James” for all intents and purposes. Nothing could be worse for him.

Then it happened. In week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chris Conte went head-on with TE Vance McDonald and received “the stiff arm for the ages.” Conte, after taking a terrible angle on the tackle and McDonald getting the best of him, came out of the game with a knee injury. The Knee injury placed him on IR for the remainder of the season. Rumors had it that he already had the injury and played with it anyway.

Fans rejoiced over the injury, even though it put the Bucs in a very tough position. With the roster cuts and transition into Todd Bowles new scheme, Conte could find himself in the Buccaneers uniform for another year, but this will be much dismay of many fans. Justified or not, everybody hates Chris.

Kwon Out in Tampa?

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We recently dropped an article that pointed to the fact that Tampa isn’t likely to give Alexander what he wants, but is willing to go as high as $10 million. Whether that $10 million would be per year and long term, or short term like three years at $10 million is still anyone’s guess; unless you are a fly on the wall.

What I do figure, as many others do, is that someone out there will give Kwon Alexander the contract he wants. Actually, I believe there will be at least 10 teams rushing to get on the horn just to give Showtime a shout.

Kwon recently posted on his Twitter, “Ima get better without ya!”

Now, I could be reading too much into that Tweet, but with official Buccaneers beat writers, and even Pewter Report having mocked another LSU beast, LB Devin White, to us at #5, we could be faced with the reality that  Alexander may not be in a Bucs Uni next season.

Sadly, fans and some media personalities have called into question his knee injury, and that may also be the reason for Tweet.

Aside from my personal belief that Kwon Alexander is an absolute beast on the football field, many call into question his abilities, citing that he misses too many tackles, gets run over quite often, and is not very good in coverage. To me, that’s a rare occurrence, but that’s just me I guess.

Now, at the expense of sounding like a complete Homer, I will say that he is one of the best linebackers on this football team and I believe grabbing an LB at #5 is a mistake; unless he is the next Brian Urlacher. I will not be happy with Kwon Alexander and the Buccaneers parting ways, but this is a business, so it what it is.

Free Agency: Set Sights on Kenny Vaccaro?

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The Safety spot gets no love in Tampa and hasn’t for a long time. Say what you want about who could have been there, they aren’t.

The 2018 season became a revolving door, of sorts, at the position. Additionally, a lack of an aggressive style player really hurts the team.

So who’s a good fit?

With the fandom never liking Chris Conte and there hasn’t been any real feedback in either direction for his future, there is a real need for depth to be signed at the position.

The Bucs should heavily consider another veteran at safety.

I think an excellent fit would be Kenny Vaccaro because the man has grit.
Vaccaro amassed 58 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 4 QB hits, 2 sacks, 4 pass deflections, and 1 INT, during 13 games in 2018.

The stats say he’s aggressive, and Bruce Arians wants aggressive. Those kinds of numbers scream versatility. Vaccaro’s name says “change,” and his experience reads ‘plug and play.’

For me? That’s all upside.