The Buccaneers addressed their pass rush last offseason http://www.buccaneerslockerroom.com/authentic-carlton-davis-jersey , but ended up with mixed results. Jason Pierre-Paul was the team’s prized addition from last spring, and he lived up to the hype. He finished the season with 12.5 sacks, becoming the first Tampa Bay player to put up double-digit sacks since Simeon Rice did it in 2005. Carl Nassib was a late addition to the defensive line, putting up 6.5 sacks and serving as one of the team’s most pleasant surprises of the year. But on the downside, Vinny Curry only put up 2.5 sacks. With his lack of production and struggles from Noah Spence, Will Gholston and nearly every other defensive end on the roster, the Bucs still need help.That’s why the post-Super Bowl mock draft from Pro Football Focus senior analyst Mike Zenner looks promising for Tampa Bay. At No. 5, Zenner has the Bucs selecting Clemson EDGE Clelin Ferrell. Ferrell was a threat to enter the draft after the 2017 season, but he decided to stay for another season with the Tigers. The decision paid off, as he was a key part of a defense that led the way to a national title. In 2018, he racked up 11.5 sacks to bring his total to 27 in three years as a starter. That kind of production would be welcomed by a Tampa Bay defense that badly needs to create more pressure off the edge. Here’s what Zenner had to say in his blurb about the pick:That analysis is more than fair. The Bucs have a major need for defensive help heading into 2019. As James Yarcho outlined here, defense is still the key to success when it comes to winning in the NFL. That has certainly been the case for Tampa Bay, especially in the years since its last playoff appearance. Since 2008, the Bucs have been in the top half of the NFL in scoring defense just three times. Here’s where they’ve ranked since that 2007 playoff appearance, accompanied by their final records:2008: 10th (9-7)2009: 27th (3-13)2010: 9th (10-6)2011: 32nd (4-12)2012: 23rd (7-9)2013: 21st (4-12)2014: 25th (2-14)2015: 26th (6-10)2016: 15th (9-7)2017: T-22nd (5-11)2018: 31st (5-11)Is it a coincidence that they’ve had winning records all three times they’ve had a defense in the top half of the league since the start of 2008? Probably not. It’s obvious that Tampa Bay needs to improve its defense. The back end of the unit could use the most help http://www.buccaneerslockerroom.com/authentic-brent-grimes-jersey , but Ferrell being selected at No. 5 would definitely be a step in the right direction as well. It’s still very early in draft season, so a lot could change. We’ll see where things go from here. Hall of Fame linebacker and Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend Derrick Brooks had some interesting things to say about his career on Hear The Spear earlier this week. Brooks spoke on a variety of topics that touch on Tampa Bay including the 2003 Super Bowl win, Jon Gruden, Bruce Arians, and Jameis Winston. “It was very memorable,” Brooks said of his game clinching pick-six against Oakland in 2003. “It never gets old man. You’re reminded of it every year. “We send out an anniversary text. Happy birthday, happy anniversary, doing something to recognize our accomplishment.” Later in the podcast, Brooks was asked about his former Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden and his plans in Oakland. Gruden has obviously traded away fan favorites such as Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper, who both flourished elsewhere in 2018. Brooks offered some thoughts on Gruden’s process“I think he will be fine,” Brooks said. “Obviously there’s some turbulent waters now in terms of where they are and the season they didn’t want to have.“Coach Gruden now has some assets to really build this team. It’s gonna be some challenges but I think he’s up for it. Through the changes they’ve made in the last two years we’ll see where the chips falls.” Finally Brooks talked about new head coach Bruce Arians and Jameis Winston.“It’s more than solid,” He said on the hire of Arians. “I think it could be the gem that fell into their laps in terms of the new leadership there.“His history of working with past quarterbacks is legendary. I think Jameis will be next on that list in terms of him making an improvement in his all-around game. And it’ll be needed for the Bucs to succeed”“Again, I am a fan of the hire and I think they’re going to be successful and turn the team around.”The entire episode can be found below. The interview with Derrick Brooks starts at 16:15 and most of his thoughts on the NFL begin at 37:05.