Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defense: It Should Be a Piece of Cake

This past season was weird.

One second the Bucs were beating NFC South foes left and right. The next second they were snowballing and falling into a ten-losses-in-a-row death trap.

Look at what the Buccaneers have become.

Their defense is simply a bottom feeder. Statistically, the Tampa Bay defense ranks below 29th in every major category. Roster-wise, I feel like I am trying to stomach through the third quarter of a preseason matchup.

Tampa Bay's young players are trying to make a name for themselves. For any coach's sake, these "players" need to tighten some bolts and figure out what's going wrong. Whether it be tackling or staying true to coverages, the Bucs have looked meek, lowly and outmatched in these final ten bouts.

Whoever takes over as captain of this shipwreck needs to understand that certain pieces are in place that could bring value, that might actually be worth salvaging.

However, the Glazers need to loosen their pockets and let Mark Dominik buy the rest of the missing parts.

It's simple. Stockpile some fresh ingredients and gather the sweets that everyone loves. Then, add a pinch of experience and a dash of commitment. Throw it all together with some quality product and voilà!

If the One Buc Place front office can play cook and push forth a decent effort in creating a great team, the Bucs should be on their merry way.

Cake, anyone?

The Fresh Ingredients

Geno Hayes & Quincy Black are not decent linebackers. They lack fierce energy and any sort of toughness. If you take the time to watch the two try to play, you might want to put a bucket next to your feet. It's not pretty.

The Bucs need to go out in the NFL Draft and look for a solid linebacker to compliment MLB Mason Foster. Whether it be in the first round or a surprise pick in later rounds, Dominik needs to find someone.

Courtney Upshaw: A Nick Saban, Alabama product. His overall size is impressive and he brings an animalistic style to his sport. ESPN ranks him as a 92 on overall skill and output.

Kevin Reddick: A speed-type backer out of UNC, Reddick brings a mix of athleticism and plays with an instinctive ferocity.

Nigel Bradham: A pure freak of an athlete, Bradham has been a top-tackler at FSU. He brings an angry side to the defense and understands the fundamentals of wrapping up. Could be a steal in later rounds.

Aqib Talib & E.J. Biggers have proven that they can't be trusted. For Talib, off-the-field issues have bogged his success while Biggers hasn't performed when given the opportunity on the field.

If the Bucs can trade their No. 5 pick to obtain more options in the first round...they should!

If Derrick Brooks and Warren Sapp proved anything, it's that, well, the Bucs can draft two first-rounders and make them both Hall of Famers.

Morris Claiborne: With six interceptions on the year, the LSU shutdown corner has proven why he is the top corner in this year's draft. Actually, it is probably the low number of balls thrown in his direction that truly make a statement.

Dre Kirkpatrick: At 6-3, Kirkpatrick is not the average corner. He matches up well against bigger receivers and presents a tough fight in press or man-to-man coverages. His few interceptions point to his knack for erasing a team's top-flight option.

The Seasoned Sweets

This time around, Dominik will go out and sign a player other than a punter. With plenty of solid options out there, linebacker and corner need to be addressed.

Please, let Sean Jones walk.

Stephen Tulloch, Curtis Lofton, & D'Qwell Jackson: All three linebackers are tough. They are veterans of the game who also fit the mold of what Tampa Bay wants to play like.

Jackson racked up 158 tackles, Lofton managed 147 and Tulloch made 111. Even though these guys are middle linebackers along with Mason Foster, bringing in a successful vet should provide the needed impact (Foster is a natural OLB to begin with).

It won't be easy to convince Lofton or Tulloch to switch such righted ships, but Jackson, of the Cleveland Browns, might be enticed with some heavy dough.

Brent Grimes, Carlos Rodgers, & Brandon Carr: These defensive backs have played numerous seasons in the National Football League and are highly touted as shutdown corners.

Grimes and Rodgers are both older (28 and 30, respectively), but bring an ability to take receivers out of a close game. If Dominik was to continue with Morris' young motive, Carr is a juicy choice. He plays similar to Ronde Barber and has quick instincts.

I believe Carr would be a nice compliment to a Talib or a possible Claiborne/Kirkpatrick. 

The Tampa Bay Bucs' D has a lot of holes. But most of those holes and cracks could be filled with the right pieces and parts. Free agency has plenty of healthy options and the NFL draft is always a haven for new talent.

Will it take time? It always does.

But if Dominik can select well, if the Glazers can cough it up, and if a new coach can assemble it...I believe it can be done.

I'm hoping they can bake it right and put all the proper dressings on.

That'd be nice because I really, really like cake.