The past few days, Joe has been trying to fully immerse himself into March Madness and wallow in non-stop college basketball conference tournament games as he is wont to do each spring.
(Joe wants to thank the Florida Gators and the St. Johns Red Storm for making Joe some nice beer money this past week.)
Yes, Joe is into the college hoops this time of the year, no question. But Joe’s attention was, admittingly, distracted.
Joe has been pounding beers this week still celebrating Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht shocking the world, breaking down and signing an established edge rusher in free agency.
If Reddick is anything close to what he was from 2020-2023, Joe truly believes Reddick will spark the entire defensive line when it comes to throwing quarterbacks on the ground.
It isn’t just Joe who thinks this was a dynamic move by Licht. So too does NFL Network analyst Bucky Brooks. In a [column Brooks typed](https://www.nfl.com/news/how-justin-fields-can-become-a-superstar-with-the-n-y-jets-plus-five-perfect-free-agency-marriages) for NFL.com, Brooks included the Reddick signing as one of his “five perfect free agent marriages” last week.
> **Haason Reddick**
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> **OLB** **Age:** 30
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> **CONTRACT:** One year, $14 million, with $12 million guaranteed.
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> After posting four consecutive 11-plus-sack seasons from 2020 to 2023, the speed-rushing demon should re-emerge as a premier playmaker in Tampa. Todd Bowles’ aggressive scheme should create more one-on-one opportunities for the ninth-year pro to win utilizing his superior speed, quickness and athleticism to overwhelm blockers on the edge. With an entire offseason to knock off any rust remaining from an extended holdout in 2024 (he recorded just one sack and three QB hits in 10 games with the Jets after returning to the field), the former Pro Bowler could be the X-factor that helps the Buccaneers make a deep playoff run this season.
This is exactly what Joe has been beating up his keyboard about for the past few months. Joe really, really believed the Bucs were an established quality edge rusher away from being a team that can make a Super Bowl run.
Reddick really is that guy. So long as he can recapture what made him an elite edge rusher in four of the previous five seasons.