Let's be realistic here A lot of Bucs fans are in uproar. Disappointed. Hurt. Many Bucs fans are judging the off-season so far on ONE announcement last Thursday. The release of John Lynch. Don’t get me wrong, I thought number 47 was fantastic, one of my favourites, but this move actually makes a lot of sense. Firstly, he is 33. He is at an age where level of play tends to drop off and with SS being such a key position in the Bucs Cover 2 scheme that would be a drop off the Bucs just could not afford. Secondly, Lynch is coming off a serious neck injury, and no one could say whether Lynch would be able to deliver his patented hits which are feared league wide anymore. I understand that Bucs fans hate to see his release, but could they stand to watch a John Lynch with potentially diminished skills, making him a weaker part of the defense? Thirdly, not many SS’s are being paid upwards of $4 million, the amount the Bucs will save by jettisoning Lynch. This money can be used to sign players who will help the Bucs stay competitive rather than keeping expensive, older players for fear of releasing them, which would hurt the Bucs even more in the long run. This also makes the Bucs get younger by using Jermaine Phillips (or if they sign him Rogers Beckett) at SS. Some fans have been criticising the Bucs for getting older by signing Deese, Garner etc, but this is clearly helping the defence to get some fresher legs on the field. On thing I do hope, however, is that Bucs fans give John’s replacement time, and don’t get on his back too early. I may be in the minority, but I cannot understand the fans that I have heard criticising Gruden and Allen over this one move. I am pleased with many of the moves that the Bucs have made in free agency. I’m talking about moves such as the signings of Deese, Steussie and to a lesser extent, Stinchcomb, who may actually give us an offensive line this year and stop Brad being a human tackling bag. At RB, I’m glad the Bucs haven’t overpaid Thomas Jones for three good games last year, and instead went for a proven commodity like Charlie Garner, even though I was at one time hoping the Bucs would grab Staley. Just so you don’t go away thinking I’m being to overly optimistic, I think the Bucs front office still has work to do. For instance, a back-up QB that is at the very least proven (no, I don’t think that Jason Garrett is the answer!) and another WR that may push Joe Jurevicius back into his role as third wideout, a role that I for one prefer him in. On defense, I’m not an over zealous follower of the ‘Keep Warren’ movement. I think that if he asks for a reasonable salary then the Bucs should look into keeping him, but I would be confident that Wyms or Darby could assist McFarland on the line next season as cheaper alternatives to Warren if he moves on. I also think that a LB to push Ryan Nece would be a good idea, as I think that he is solid, but someone to compete with him might make him an even better player, as the addition of Rudd did last year. So finally, relax, the Bucs are doing fine, lets not judge the off-season on one move, but rather as a whole, and lets hope these moves help the Bucs get better and make a playoff return next season.