Seahawks might have gifted the Buccaneers a solution to their linebacker problem

Things have not gone well for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lately, something that everyone was reminded of on Sunday in yet another heartbreaking loss. The Bucs aren't losing games by large margins but they aren't winning games, which is where the buck stops.

Tampa Bay blew a chance to put the San Francisco 49ers away late, which goes down as the team's fourth straight loss. This time last year the Bucs were also in the midst of a losing slump but managed to snap out of it and turn the season into a successful one.

It's not looking like that will be an easy thing to run back. Not only are the Bucs on the wrong side of a streak, but some of the holes on the roster are making things worse than they should be. Specifically, Todd Bowles' defense is rotting at the second level, as linebacker play has been attrocious this season.

As the Bucs search for answers on how to improve things, the Seattle Seahawks might have given them a perfect bail out.

Tyrel Dodson could be a perfect solution to the Buccaneers linebacker issues

On Monday, the Seahawks released linebacker Tyrel Dodson, a move that was somewhat surprising given that he's the team's leading tackler. Any move a team makes now is risky, but Dodson comes from two pretty great defensive systems and might be exactly what the Bucs need to help clamp the bleeding occurring in the linebacking corps right now.

Dodson played the first five years of his career with the Buffalo Bills, excelling at run defense especially in the absence of Matt Millano last year. That's when Dodson assumed a starting role and it earned him a similar job in Seattle.

Already there are calls for him to return to Buffalo, which should send some signals to Tampa Bay about getting to him first.

All players who are released after the trade deadline are subject to waivers, which means the Bucs would need to place a claim on him. That works in their favor since they'd be able to jump in front of Buffalo and have dibs, of course assuming that's something Tampa Bay wants.

On paper it makes sense for them to take a flier on Dodson; he's on a $4.6 million contract the Bucs wouldn't be on the hook for next year and would only have to pay the remaining amount. He fills a need at a position where the team has struggled both to stay healthy and with talent. Lavonte David and Yaya Diaby are the only two reliable linebackers Tampa Bay has, with SirVocea Dennis on IR and nothing much sticking out in his place.

The struggles of K.J. Britt and J.J. Russell only accentuate how much help the Bucs need, but Dodson isn't perfect. He hits waivers having struggled in run defense and is being moved to make room for a fourth-round rookie, which isn't exactly a glowing endorsement.

Historically the Bucs don't make many in-season roster additions unless they're at the practice squad level. Look no further than the team adding wide reciever Marquez Callaway only to not use him despite the obvious need for help at that position.

Then again, Tampa Bay is in uncharted waters. The team is 4-6 and is staring down the possibility of turning in a losing season. That's something that would cost jobs and puts emphasis on emptying the tank to make sure everything was done to avoid total disaster.

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