Posted by  Patrick Dotson, Tampa,FL on 03/20  at  10:14 PM

first off, i would like to say.....GO BUCS.......secondly,its bout time gruden and allen came out of there hole and started showing us what they can do,by far this is the best off season this team has seen in a long time,shawn couldnt agree with you more,this is a new era of this team,this team is finally going to be balanced for once,its not only going to be about defense,our offense is going to start getting respect like our defense did.i remember alot of people on here during the year talking bout gruden and allen didnt know what there doing,well given they had money this off season for the first time(free agency isnt over yet either),i say so far they done one hell of a job if you ask me....GO BUCS

Posted by  Mitchell Rose, NYC on 03/19  at  07:47 PM

Then you have the audacity to call our our secondary.  Anyone who knows anythign about the cover 2 knows it’s only effective when there is a fierce pass rush, or else it’s very exploitable.  Last year, we had no pass rush to speak of, so yes, the secondary got burned more than we would have liked.  But come on, we were missing one of our starting CB’s for the majority of the year and a safety.  We had to pluck guys off of the waiver wire as a stop gap, so NO KIDDING.  KINZER, I wish you’d just stop your stupidity and go eat some road kill.

Posted by  Mitchell Rose, NYC on 03/19  at  07:44 PM

OH KINZER, I wish you’d quit while you’re ahead.  Those comments you made are just plain dumb.  June is a second tier LB?  The guy made the pro-bowl in ‘05 and is only 27.  And ‘even Romo embarrassed the Bucs’ Freaking Romo was a Pro Bowl QB his first year as a starter and took the Cowboys to the Playoffs and was a botched snap away from the NFC Championship game.  MORE TO FOLLOW....

Posted by  Sean Knight, Valrico, Fl on 03/19  at  06:28 PM

I don’t know Maurice. From where I was sitting, Phillips missed a BUNCH of tackles too. I really believe they just weren’t well coached last year under Greg Burns, but you’re also right in that a better pass rush would not leave the secondary out to dry. Injuries are a part of it. So too is the departure of Rod Marinelli, who was an incredible position coach and motivator. Did you see the Simeon Rice interview on NFL network last year after Marinelli left for the Lions? Rice said back then before last season that the defense would not be the same without Rod.If Kiffin’s the brains of the D, Marinelli was certainly the heartbeat.

Posted by  Maurice Smalls, Schenectady, New York on 03/19  at  12:06 PM

James. The secondary itself is good. Its just Will Allen that messed that game up, because he kept falling down like he didnt know what he was doing. If i played the whole season at his Safety spot I would of had at least one Interception.And Please dont forget that Brian Kelly was out for the season, and Phillip Buchanon didnt start that game either, because in my opinon he’s better than Juran Bolden. And everyone knows about Ronde Barber being the best CB in the NFC. The Buccaneers last year couldnt get sacks on quarterbacks so I say in the Second round we should draft defensive lineman,(Unless Micheal Griffin is their when we pick)

Posted by  Shawn Golan, Los Angeles, California on 03/19  at  11:22 AM

First off...Cato June will be a LB, not a safety.  Where he plays is still to be decided.  It depends a lot on what Brooks decides to do.  If DB moves to the strong side, which I hope he does, then Cato can move over to the weak side, where he playes best. 

Secondly, The Bucs are likely not done in Free Agency.  I think there is a good chance we address Guard and possibly Safety with veterans at some point before the draft.  Guard is a more-likely addition in FA, while we will probably bring in a safety in the draft.

Lastly, it WILL be a “strange” roster.  But only in so far as there will be new faces who will be ushering in a new era for this team.  Lets all celebrate...this team has needed a change for a long time.

Posted by  James R. Kinzer, Winfield, WV on 03/19  at  09:15 AM

It’s nice that the Bucs got a Second Tier LB/S under 30!  There’s not much left out there in free agency!  The Bucs don’t have much in the way of Trade Bait to procure more help!  It looks like the draft will be the next group of new Bucs!  The secondary seems to be the most Needy area now!  Even Romo embarrassed the Bucs on nat’l tv last Nov.,there never was a defender within 5 yds of a recv’r!  Next Sept’s roster will be strange to say the least!!

Posted by  Russ Mitchler, New Tampa on 03/19  at  07:26 AM

There may be another plan Micheal.  It is possible Derrick could move inside this year, and June could could take weakside. It would put Derrick as more the signal caller, and he would be responsible for tackle to tackle coverage, as opposed to covering an entire side of the field. Derrick’s not huge, but neither was Quarles if you remember. It’s just another possibility. Coach ‘em up Monte!

Posted by  Maurice Smalls, Schenectady New, York on 03/19  at  06:55 AM

Im happy we got Cato because Ryan Nece is average so Cato is taking over his spot, and I hope everyone is crossing their fingers that we get Calvin Johnson in the first because if we do we’ll be able to get young Defensive lineman and possibly someone who dropped farther than they were supposed to.

Posted by  Michael Harris, Oldsmar on 03/19  at  04:15 AM

So where will he play?  He’s too small for the middle and obviously he’s not taking Brook’s weakside.  So did they bring him in to compete with Neece or what?  Neece might be able to move to the middle.  I don’t think he had a great year on the strong side; but June doesn’t have the size for strong side.  Isn’t Ruud the heir apparant in the middle?  I’m a little confused.  No doubt this is a great signing; I’m just wondering where he’ll fit.  Maybe he’s trade bait.

Posted by  julian fullmer, new port richey fl. on 03/18  at  03:06 PM

good move were signing good talent we pay veterans to compete as well competion teaches younge players letting them learn under thirty somthings is not a bad idea we have talent real bucs fans know that. jarvis moss might be someone we can get too theres alot of talented players in the draft and with four picks in three rounds so all not lost on the 4-12 season go bucs.

Posted by  julian fullmer, new port richey fl. on 03/18  at  02:49 PM

man good move and they say we don’t keep up and comers and proven vets not to bad for the money there saving by the way calvin johnsons good so there gonna have to pay alot a money to get this guy so lets hope our younge talent shows up this season it will. go bucs

Posted by  julian fullmer, new port richey fl. on 03/18  at  02:44 PM

man grudens not that bad remember what the ravens did to us the first game they kicked our butts all the way through the game. defense was out there to longe offense not enough to give rest to our defense injuries hurt us last year it just happens we have talent be faithful man one good year can turn into a winning tradition for a while give it time things will go our way in the future your not a bucs fan if you think we don’t have younge talent look what the jets did after there bad season injuries just like us and the were able to turn it around. 10-6 season and will get into the playoffs go bucs

Posted by  Patrick Dotson, Tampa,FL on 03/18  at  02:37 PM

i think we should move june to safety,draft buster davis and let brooks teach him how to play outside linebacker,brooks has 1 or 2 years,davis to me is a clone of brooks so why not replace him with almost the same type of player,wilborn should start in front of neece,and ruud will be fine starting in the middle,our secondary to me was the worst part of this team last year,draft reggie nelson who will replace allen and june will replace phiilips.two thumbs up for allen and gruden this offseason...lets sail this pirate ship back into the playoffs again.....go bucs

Posted by  Dexter Fields, Neptune, N.J. on 03/18  at  01:42 PM

Let’s not forget how many tackles missed and how many times Brooks got beat-so this signing do make some sense.This will be Brooks last season and you really don’t know what you’re going to get out him.Neither June or Brooks can play the strongside linebacker so this will be interesting to see what happens.

Posted by  John Minichino, Maryland on 03/18  at  11:04 AM

About time we got someone decent, and young!  Does anyone remember the last time we had so many free agent signings?  Garner, Stichcomb and Tim Brown?  We looked like a senior citizens home! June is the only free agent signed under 30.  Scary…

Posted by  Tyler Ellrodt, Largo, FL on 03/18  at  10:34 AM

Great move, better than the Jeff Garcia signing.  Cato June is young and whenever Derrick Brooks retires, June will be the next leader of our defense, if he stays beyond the reported 3 year deal.  Good move Bucs!

Posted by  Kurt A Hartless, Charlotte, NC on 03/18  at  09:11 AM

Children please...no bickering. Let’s just be happy the Bucs are finally making some sensible moves, which they haven’t done in past years (see Garner, Lynch, Sapp, the list is long.) We still need some more help on both sides of the ball though, so keep your fingers crossed that we don’t pull too many more “Plummer” moves. June is a nice pickup (I think as a safety really,) but we desperately need to sign a bona fide D-tackle as we are weak up the gut. Bucs season ticket holder until the end - GO BUCS!!!

Posted by  ted anders, tampa on 03/18  at  09:04 AM

we have joey galloway our problem last year was there was no time to throw the ball and when we could nobody could throw far enough to reach him wide reciever lets watch the bucs go 0-16
or 4-12 and a ho hum season but i hope it proves me wrong

Posted by  Mitchell Rose, NYC on 03/18  at  08:52 AM

Yes Mitchler, I read your entire post, dont freak out.  I was just merely razzing ya based on that one comment.  We’re all friends here (at least I think we are), and I hold no ill will towards anyone. I, like everyone on here, just want the Bucs to be successful.  I hope you want the same thing.

Posted by  Graham Kern, Atlanta, GA on 03/18  at  12:22 AM

Go Gruden!  I am so tired of Gruden getting compared to Dungy.  Let it go people.  I like Dungy, but people forget he could never get the team very far in the playoffs.  Look how long it took him to get to the Super Bowl with a quarterback like Manning. Gruden hasn’t had a solid quarterback like that ever in Tampa and still doesn’t.  I like the Garcia move but there’s no future!  Also, they’ve had no money to work with in the past to build a team!  Give Gruden a break!  He is passionate about football and can take a team far if he has the tools to do so. Maybe now over the next year or two he will shut people up! Go Chuckie!

Posted by  Russ Mitchler, New Tampa on 03/17  at  10:52 PM

Rose, you need to read my entire post. Not just bits and pieces. “but they did the right thing getting a)defensive help b)someone who may be here a little while. My congrats Allen.” Did that part of my post not show up on you computer?

Posted by  Joy Heinrich, Sarasota, FL on 03/17  at  09:46 PM

June will be a good Buc!!! When is Gruden going to be fired b/c he is a horrible coach and can’t seem to prove himself.....at least Dungy can build up a team and lead the way!!!

Posted by  Joe "Animal" Fulford, Lutz fla on 03/17  at  08:46 PM

I think the Cato signing is a very good one. It gives the Bucs another dimension in their defense. Now if only they can go after some lineman, i would be a very happy caper…

Posted by  Mitchell Rose, NYC on 03/17  at  08:45 PM

Hey Mitchler, great job of getting behind the team.  Was that so hard to do.  What’s funny about your post is that you actually thought that the Bucs could have been smart by saving money on signing an older player in Draft.  Isn’t the signing of older players what everyone has a problem with?  Now all of a sudden we sign a guy in his prime and someone complains that we could have saved a few bucks by signing an older player.  It’s so funny.