The Pewter Plank
FanSided

3 free agents who could improve Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster

By Rob Leeds

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 4: Eric Berry #29 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on December 4, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 4: Eric Berry #29 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on December 4, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 20: Eric Berry #29 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 20: Eric Berry #29 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

S Eric Berry

While the stats may dispute it in some cases, the Buccaneer secondary has been far from great this season. They have succeeded in creating takeaways which is huge, but the players are undisciplined and give up massive breaks to the opposing wide receivers which kill the momentum of the defense during key drives.

Over the last three weeks the Buccaneers have given up 336 yards and two touchdowns to Daniel Jones (a rookie), 517 yards and two touchdowns to Jared Goff (a grossly overpaid player, and 314 yards and four touchdowns to Teddy Bridgewater a starting caliber player but still a backup.

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The Bucs need help in their defense against the pass. The safeties, Jordan Whitehead and Mike Edwards have performed much better than the corners, but a veteran safety with playoff experience like Eric Berry could provide a very needed voice on the defensive side of the ball. With the signing of Berry rookie Mike Edwards would then have a player to learn under that could bring a high level of play and leadership to a defense that needs it.

As the secondary stands now, the only starter that has more than two full years of experience is Vernon Hargreaves, who has had a rollercoaster start to the season. Just so that it’s clear, the stat for tackles is not a great indicator of how a corner is playing.

Hargreaves gets roasted in coverage and the Bucs need a player in the secondary who can provide leadership both on and off the field and that player as of now is not Hargreaves. Berry is the best free agent for the secondary available and the Bucs can certainly use the many talents that the 5-time Pro Bowler and 3-time First-team All-Pro could provide.

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