The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are defending NFC Champs with a high-scoring offensive attack. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles wants to add to that already talented group.
“We’ve got needs on both sides of the ball, and even though we were very good on offense, it doesn’t mean we don’t have needs,” Bowles said at the NFL Annual Meeting.”We can get better in a lot of areas. If there’s a guy that can help us get better, we’re definitely gonna take him.”
READ: Bucs Plan Heavy On Defense In The Draft But Best Player Available Says Licht
The Bucs have had back-to-back winning seasons led by QB Baker Mayfield and a strong running attack with Bucky Irving and a much-improved offensive line. The defense is what needs improvement. Veteran linebacker Lavonte David is returning on a 1-year deal, and the Bucs picked up edge rusher Hassan Reddick this offseason.
Bowles doubles as the defensive coordinator, but that doesn’t mean Tampa Bay will draft primarily defensive players in this upcoming draft.
“I learned you win by scoring points,” Bowles said at the NFL Annual Meeting. “I don’t want to ever bypass a very good offensive player. I can figure things out enough on defense to keep us competitive. I would like to have some defensive players if that presented itself, but by no means will I bypass a very good offensive player just to satisfy my needs on defense. You can never have enough offense.”
The Bucs seem pretty set on starters both on offense and defense, but Bowles doesn’t think that way or tell his players that.
READ: The Rock Stops Here: Tampa Bay Lightning TV Analyst Brian Engblom & Rock’s Stories
“We’re not giving away any spots; they’ve got to earn them,” Bowles said. “You’ve got to do what you did the year before and probably even better in some cases.”
Tampa Bay, for the third year in a row, had to bring in a new offensive coordinator. Josh Grizzard is coming from in-house, and Bowles plans to have him calling plays in game-like situations in minicamp and in training camp. Bowles also says he doesn’t have any bad feelings about how former offensive coordinator Liam Coen left to take the head coaching job at Carolina.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
