The Pewter Plank
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4 steps to fixing the abysmal Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense

By Jacob Holley

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 23: Head coaches Bruce Arians of the Arizona Cardinals and Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks greet each other after the NFL game at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 23, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals tie 6-6. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 23: Head coaches Bruce Arians of the Arizona Cardinals and Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks greet each other after the NFL game at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 23, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals tie 6-6. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 18: Tight end O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball as he is defended by linebacker Tae Davis #58 of the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 18, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The New York Giants won 38-35. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 18: Tight end O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball as he is defended by linebacker Tae Davis #58 of the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 18, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The New York Giants won 38-35. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

3. Be more aggressive at the trade deadline

It’s no secret that the 2019 NFL trade deadline was a dud.
It’s also no secret that players like Chris Harris, Darius Slay and Trumaine Johnson were on the market as the trade deadline clock ticked away. While the Bucs have a huge hole in their secondary, they decided to stand pat at the deadline and not make any moves to their roster.

Yes, the Buccaneers have been burned by trades in the past. Yes, each of those teams would only accept offers that were above market value. However, it’s now clear that the Buccaneers were also listening to offers for O.J. Howard at the deadline. How many picks could the Buccaneers have racked up for a talented tight end that has been banished to the shadow realm as an offensive weapon.

If they aren’t going to use him, why keep him? He is finally healthy again, so it will be interesting to see if the Bucs decide to involve him more in the passing game.

The fact of the matter is that Tampa Bay has had PLENTY of opportunities to acquire more picks in the upcoming draft to reload a depleted roster. The Bucs have to be more aggressive early in the draft and in free agency.

Speaking of free agency…

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