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Buccaneers Round Table: Defensive Keep, Trade, Release

By David Harrison

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers stand for the national anthem during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers stand for the national anthem during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 15: Outside linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with teammates after scoring on a 21 yard fumble recovery against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 38-33. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 15: Outside linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with teammates after scoring on a 21 yard fumble recovery against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 38-33. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Sean Eck

Having to choose between three of your best defenders is always tough as they all bring different things to different positions on the field. I felt this was a much harder decision than the last week’s piece and hope the Buccaneers never have to make this decision.

Keep Lavonte David

David is the type of player that comes along once a generation.  This is a man who has only missed two games before this season over his career.  This is while playing one of the most physically demanding positions in all of the NFL.  The fact that David is one of the fastest most instinctual linebackers in today’s league is a testament to just how valuable he is.  Averaging 94.2 tackles per season over his first five seasons.  He finished 3rd, 6th, and 3rd in his first three years in the league in total tackles.  David is also the on-field leader for the Buccaneers when he is off the field his presence is missed the most of anyone.

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Trade Gerald McCoy

I still remember being bitter that the Buccaneers didn’t get to draft Ndamukong Suh and were stuck at the time with McCoy.  Gerald had brought relevance to the interior line of the Buccaneers perhaps not as much as Suh, but still enough to garner five pro-bowls and an all 1st team defensive selection.  The market for McCoy though would be astronomical right now, and the Buccaneers could get a king’s ransom for the 29-year-old defensive tackle.  The Buccaneers would lose one of the faces of the franchise, but if forced to choose between McCoy and David I feel the choice is obvious.

Release Brent Grimes

Grimes was a delightful surprise for the Buccaneers last season.  While having another great season in Tampa currently being the only Buccaneer player in the secondary playing with any type of consistency he would be the one I’d chose to lose.  Grimes is 34 years old and is in the waning years of his career as a cornerback.  His loss would be felt, but nowhere near the reverberations of a loss of David or McCoy.

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