Oct 16, 2011; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tanard Jackson (36) before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Regardless of the philosophical reasons behind the move though, the fact remains that from a personnel standpoint it was the equivalent of picking at a sore. The Bucs just made a pretty pressing need worse. Jackson was the team’s best safety, that was evident immediately upon his return last year.

Losing him makes the Bucs worse, even if it may help make the organizational culture better.

Here’s the rub with that, if the Buccaneers are going to spend their fifth pick on Morris Claiborne or even spend a high pick on a corner that will likely be pressed into a lot of playing time this season, they absolutely cannot have questions at safety. That is not conducive to helping a young corner develop.

Unfortunately, this class isn’t the best when it comes to safeties either. There are good safeties, but then you’re looking at potentially half or even three quarters of the secondary being rookies.

Unfortunately, the Bucs don’t have the luxury of letting their secondary take its knocks in a pass-happy division. They’re going to need to shore up their last line of defense if they want to address the corner position in the draft this year.

The Bucs would frankly be better off pursuing a veteran option, patching the hole up temporarily and addressing it down the road after they’ve had a chance to iron out some of the personnel issues currently facing the team.

The Bucs first two picks are fifth and 36th overall. Those are incredibly valuable and will be used to pick players who should be able to contribute immediately. Unfortunately only one safety grades out high enough to be worth those picks, he’d be a major reach at five and won’t last until 36.

After that the Bucs are in uncharted territory.

That’s why the team needs to find a stop-gap for now and try to develop someone you pick later in this draft or even down the line next year.

Jan.4, 2009; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins strong safety Yeremiah Bell (37) takes the field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Wild Card game at Dolphin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

Frankly, if I’m Mark Dominik I’d be calling Drew Rosenhaus and gauging how much Yeremiah Bell wants. Bell is a Pro Bowl caliber safety who has a good injury track record and still has a little bit left in the tank, but more importantly he’s mentored young corners and been the leader of the secondary the past few years in Miami. The problem in Miami lately has not been the defense either, which under Mike Nolan (who will now irritate Bucs fans in Atlanta) was actually quite good.

Bell would be a good player to add to the locker room from a veteran leadership standpoint and he would be an upgrade over anything the Bucs have on their roster right now, or even had last season. That is if the price is right.

The Bucs could also look at Chris Hope, another guy who brings good leadership and comes from a winning program having played on good teams in Tennessee and Pittsburgh. Jim Leonhard and OJ Atogwe also represent intriguing options, Leonhard is the definition of a blue collar safety, an undersized guy whose high effort masks the fact he’s not the most athletic player on the field. He fits the mold of a Schiano style player.

I’d stay away from Atogwe and Brian Dawkins though, Atogwe struggled in Washington but will likely still command a high price and that’s a gamble, while Dawkins is finally on the decline and the leadership may no longer be worth the liability at some point next season.

Regardless of what the Bucs decide to do, it’s imperative they get at least one veteran safety to hold down the secondary or quarterbacks are going to love playing Tampa next year.

The Bucs will likely re-sign Joseph and Trueblood.

We mentioned earlier tonight that Davin Joseph and Jeremy Trueblood were going to dinner with members of the Buccaneers. Mark Dominik had said all along that the team planned to wine and dine its own free agents, and though they didn’t take that tact with Quincy Black, they started tonight with Joseph and Trueblood.

Clearly the meeting went well, because just a little while ago Davin Joseph tweeted about the dinner, mentioning he loved Pat Morris, the new offensive line coach, and that though he was yet to get a deal, he would likely be staying a Buccaneer.

“Positive vibes!! I love the new Bucs oline coach!”

“I’m going to bed but no deal yet. I’m ready for a long term deal.”

“My guy @jeremyTRUEblood is ready to stay. That means I’m ready to stay.” -@DavinJoseph75

Though that’s far from official, it does seem to indicate that Bucs fans can expect both Joseph, and Jeremy Trueblood to be back in pewter this coming football season. We’ll update in the morning with any more details from the meeting and of course on if/when the deals get done. But if tonight was any indication there should be two more notable Bucs signings in the next day or two.

Jason Taylor would be great fit in Tampa.

As the Bucs move towards the 2011 season (whenever that finally starts), their front four will be amongst the youngest units in the league. That’s part of why the Bucs hired two defensive line coaches (Grady Stretz and Keith Millard), it’s also why I expect the Bucs to be in the market for a veteran defensive end to mentor their young line. I’ve already opined that the Bucs need to bring back Stylez G. White, but I think they may also want to look at another veteran to come in and help the rookies as well.

Back in February the Jets released Jason Taylor along with three other veterans, at the time many expected Taylor to retire, he has instead publicly stated a desire to play one more season. Despite the fact Jason Taylor is on the decline (he is, no doubt about it), he would still be a tremendous asset to a team like the Bucs. Aside from being the active sack leader and 8th all time, Taylor can still contribute as a role player and has a well-deserved reputation amongst NFL circles as a high-character leader. Jason Taylor is the type of player who immediately commands the respect of younger players based just on his impressive Hall of Fame-worthy exploits on the field. But he’s also the type of player who likes to take the time to mentor young guys too. Case in point, he worked with Cameron Wake in his last year with Miami, teaching Wake to become a more complete player and to utilize a more diverse repertoire of moves when rushing the passer. Last season, after Taylor’s departure Cam Wake was named an All-Pro and went to his first Pro Bowl with 14 sacks as Taylor’s replacement.

Now, what was one of the biggest knocks on both Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers coming out of college? One of them was the lack of a pass rushing repertoire that consisted of more than a bull-rush and a lot of natural ability. Scouting reports on both of the Bucs two top picks said that they would need to develop actual technique in the NFL to reach their potential. Who better to help them with that than a once-undersized 6’6 former basketball player who had to develop that kind of repertoire just to see the field?

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