Sep 14, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) is sacked by New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Get a Top-Flight Defensive End
This past offseason, the Buccaneers were able to lure defensive end Michael Johnson away from the Cincinnati Bengals with a five-year, $43.98 million dollar contract. So far, the lucrative deal hasn’t paid off for the Bucs as Johnson has three sacks on the season. While we fully don’t expect the Bucs to part ways with Johnson, the fans understandably want someone who can put pressure on the quarterback.
@ThePewterPlank
— Jan Petzold (@Jabba_Klaus) December 11, 2014
1.picking mariota #1 overall
2. Getting a dominant D-end in free agency
@rparker209 @ThePewterPlank although justin houston may be the better d linemen
— CPGM Drew 🏈 (@s1rdr3w) December 12, 2014
And speaking of Justin Houston, who is actually listed as an outside linebacker, there were some people who called for the Chiefs OLB or…
@ThePewterPlank Mariota and Brian Orakpo in free agency were tied for my 2nd wish.
— Ross Parker (@rparker209) December 11, 2014
With no one touching Lavonte David’s spot and Lovie Smith saying Danny Lansanah has carved a role for himself in the Buccaneers’ future plans, the primary focus with the linebacking corps will be on shoring up the middle. That brings us back to the defensive ends. Johnson will most likely not be moved, considering his hefty contract, but what about opening the wallets for someone like Jason Pierre-Paul? Or, how about Jerry Hughes who has come into his own since joining the Bills with 19.5 sacks in two seasons?