C.J. Anderson Is A No-brainer
April 17th, 2018
Should glide into Tampa.
This should be about as easy for Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht as it was to sign Vinny Curry.
Yesterday, the Denver Broncos, in a clear salary cap move, cut 1,000-yard rusher C.J. Anderson, who was due a roster bonus of some $4.5 million. This was a move, per Jeff Legwold of BSPN, that Anderson expected since the end of the 2017 season.
The Bucs are in need of a running back. For the folks who howl that the Bucs offensive line was a sieve last year (it’s a nice, convenient rant), Anderson racked up 1,000-yards behind a line that was largely viewed in NFL circles as the worst in the NFL.
Signing Anderson might be the easiest decision Licht could make since he last walked into a watering hold on a steamy Friday afternoon after work and ordered a cold beer.
Even if Anderson is signed, that should not stop the Bucs from drafting a running back early next week. Seems the trend in the NFL is to have a two-headed monster at running back given the wear and tear these guys go through.
C.J. Anderson and, say, Sony Michel or Derrius Guice would look very nice in pewter and red this fall, no?
April 17th, 2018 at 8:05 am
I agree…..if the price is right. The loss of Sims means we need 2 RBs…….It would also take some pressure off Licht, perhaps allowing more patience with his picks.
April 17th, 2018 at 8:07 am
I’m all for this. Signing Anderson would free them up to address other needs. Although I’d imagine they’d take an RB in 4th or later if they did this. Too many other critical needs to address to take a early round RB if they sign Anderson.
April 17th, 2018 at 8:07 am
I don’t think they have the money left.
Even if they do, I’m always skeptical of one year wonders.
April 17th, 2018 at 8:08 am
DO IT NOW!!!
April 17th, 2018 at 8:09 am
I agree as well. Grabbing CJ would give us far more flexibility in the draft and give us a veteran RB. It makes clear sense, which means we probably won’t do it.
April 17th, 2018 at 8:10 am
I would rather draft one, and then sign some undrafted free agents for camp, and choose the best among them.
Also, it could be that the 4th spot this year will be a FB.
April 17th, 2018 at 8:12 am
“One year wonders”?? What the heck are you talking about Bonzai?
I don’t know of any reason Licht would not do this. He has money left, we are desperate for a vet RB, CJ can pass pro. Whats not to like?
April 17th, 2018 at 8:17 am
Don’t we have a CJ anderson in just a younger version with Payton Barber????? I would rather draft 2 RB’s in the deepest RB draft to come around!!!!!!! I don’t know why joe wants to build a team thru free-agency so bad, then wonders why during the following season why there are so many holes again????
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!
April 17th, 2018 at 8:17 am
Bonzai- Not exactly a “one year wonder”! Since 2013 he has never averaged less than 4 yards a carry. 2017 was the first season he was given the ball more than 200 times, a 1,000 yard season.
April 17th, 2018 at 8:27 am
I would be in touch with the Broncos to know if it’s a salary cap issue or something else, and then be in touch to see what would be the salary cost.
April 17th, 2018 at 8:27 am
Let’s see. Cut Sweezy. Sign CJ with the savings. Draft Nelson or Hernandez. OK, got it.
April 17th, 2018 at 8:30 am
Pass! Just draft a guy. Build the o-line up! RB doesn’t matter anymore. People that think RB is more important than line playbare just silly to me. Name the starting rbs in the Super Bowl? Both of them are on different now.
April 17th, 2018 at 8:32 am
Slow, injury prone 27 year old RB, sounds like the slow RB we just let go, but hey he can pass pro whatever
April 17th, 2018 at 8:40 am
Is he an upgrade over current starter? Check. Is the money in the bank? Check. Would it help with your draft plans? Check. Cant see the downside in this one. Watched him a few times last year. Looked great. Broncos must be hard up for cap space with only those other 2 on the roster.
April 17th, 2018 at 8:41 am
Meh.
April 17th, 2018 at 8:43 am
Pass…might be serviceable. The word is …middling.
Nearly 300 yards of his oversold 1,000 yard season came against the atrocious Indy (NON-worst in the NFL) run “defense”, and Dallas’ (NON) run defense. 2 games. Not nearly explosive enough, and Elway is a pretty sharp cat. In such an obvious way, to cut your starting RB one week before the draft, Elway clearly has compiled a ton of his own and coaching game tape of missed opportunities, and lack of projection for Anderson’s style. That’s good enough for me.
1,000 yards should be the floor, not the ceiling, to barely eclipse and do jumping jacks over. Two words. SAQUON BARKLEY. Not middling…not serviceable. 1,000 yard floor. Simply go get HIM.
Go Bucs!
April 17th, 2018 at 8:48 am
Okay this means Denver is 100% going after Barkley so that would mean Nelson or Chubb will fall to us as far a C.J. Anderson I really don’t think the Bucs should sign him right away we might over pay cause tbh his yards per carry went down every year and yes it is better than Martin his yards going down kinda scars me but if we sign him to a one year deal I’m cool with it but i wouldn’t be mad if he signs elsewhere either
April 17th, 2018 at 8:49 am
It wouldn’t be a bad move at all.
April 17th, 2018 at 8:50 am
Smh throw. This whole site away Cj anderson tho we better of with AP
April 17th, 2018 at 8:56 am
If they were to sign him then in no way should they draft a RB before day 3. Too many holes to double down on 1 position with a premium pick.
April 17th, 2018 at 8:57 am
I’ll pass on him. He’s a mediocre rb we would over pay for another backup
April 17th, 2018 at 8:57 am
I agree if CJ wants to come to Tampa then we should consider signing him. But lets not forget he may be waiting for other teams peaked interest before he comes here. This always seems to be the modus operandi, here at Cleveland South, when it comes to FA.
April 17th, 2018 at 8:59 am
If anything the positions they should still go after in free agency is safety and corner. Use the draft for for your running back in the second round or move up to the third and get one. Get some fast shifty long legs to go with that stout offensive line after they draft Quenton Nelson number 7 overall!!!!! Protect Jameis!!! Go Bucs!!!!
April 17th, 2018 at 9:04 am
Bucs have around 12 million left, can’t cut Sweeny salary 6.5 until he’s healthy or a settlement is agreed upon, need over 6 million for draft picks
April 17th, 2018 at 9:05 am
Agree, we should sign him. The Bucs dont have to break the bank to sign him and if Barkley it’s still there we can draft him too. We need to stabilize that position just like the pass rush.
April 17th, 2018 at 9:36 am
Current Cap Space: 12,279,403
Signing draft picks: roughly 7 mil
Remaining cash: 5,279,403
April 17th, 2018 at 9:38 am
Anderson and Michel would be perfect. If we signed Anderson though, I think it would be to give the Bucs more flexibility to do other things in round 2, like corner, guard, or Dline. Anderson helps buy time on drafting a stud RB to go after more of the cornerstone pieces. Gettin Anderson would be a good move. passing on him Im okay with too, as it hopefully means were eyeing one of the top 4 RBs – Barkley, Guice, Michel, Chubb
April 17th, 2018 at 9:40 am
Even if they do, I’m always skeptical of one year wonders.
obviously, this guy doesn’t watch football…..lol…..I wont even comment on that stupid post……
signing him will be beneficial to the present and future…..he could help barber and the late round rookie we draft as well as provide some production…..as much as I like barber, he’s still unproven…..signing him would be wise…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
April 17th, 2018 at 9:46 am
I would rather draft 2 RB’s in the deepest RB draft to come around!!!!!!! I don’t know why joe wants to build a team thru free-agency so bad, then wonders why during the following season why there are so many holes again????
drafting 2rb’s would keep us from filling holes!!!!!!…..spending 2 picks on 1 position when they cant be on the field at the same time is stupid…..rather draft 2 DE’s….or 2CB’s…..or 2DT’s…..they can be on the field at the same time….
#NOECUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
April 17th, 2018 at 10:09 am
CJ Anderson=Hell no to an early round RB Joe. We have Peyton Barber who the Bucs have confidence in for their two headed monster. Get Dline, Oline, and CB in rounds 1-4. Hopefully Vea and Hernandez in one and two.
April 17th, 2018 at 10:14 am
a much needed “bridge player” who gives us more latitude in the draft. bucs are not flush with cash but a proven starting RB would be a sensible use of our remaining funds. i’d still take saquon if he fell to us though
April 17th, 2018 at 10:59 am
If we sign C.J., my guess is Licht would wait until the 4th-6th rounds to draft an all-around back like Royce Freeman, a pounder like Scarborough or a scat-back like Nyheim Hines … a foursome of RBs like CJ/Freeman/Barber/Quizz is a quality backfield … there’s not a single “gam-changer” in the bunch but it’s a better RB corps than New England or Philly had last year.
April 17th, 2018 at 11:18 am
Here we go again with misinformation claiming the broncos o line was the worst in the NFL.
The Denver Broncos o line was rated #9 last year in run blocking by football outsiders (an outfit that Joe respects and trusts).
#9 means they are top-10 in run blocking. How can you call that the worst in the league. Now if you want to talk pass protection, yes they were quite bad at that. But not at run blocking. Not at all.
JOE NEVER has written that he trusts the data and rankings from Football Outsiders. Joe has written many, many times that Joe respects their efforts and approach, and their willingness to analyze their own data with an open mind versus the PFF Tribe. But keep making things up.
April 17th, 2018 at 11:45 am
CJ Anderson, Peyton Barber, and a homerun-hitter RB like Rashaad Penny or Ronald Jones from USC would be a pretty sweet stable.
Rashaad Penny can be our Tevin Coleman and Ronald Jones reminds me of a young Jamaal Charles…
April 17th, 2018 at 11:57 am
We have very little cap space remaining, but if we can fit him in, let’s do it. Unless… there were other reasons Denver released him. Is he a punk or a locker room destroyer or a poor work ethic guy or a guy without much tread left. I don’t know anything about this guy. If he passes all those screenings, and we have the money, sure, why not.
Quite honestly though, I doubt it happens.
April 17th, 2018 at 12:11 pm
Joe likes these additions as they are short term proven commodity additions to long term proven weaknesses !!! How many Rookie runners will prove to be better than C.J. Anderson next year ??? The draft everyone’s hope and dream but out of the top 10 backs drafted many will not be able to step in day one and be the complete player that C.J. Anderson is and they take a draftpick , which Anderson doesn’t!!! It also keeps you more flexible in the draft and wake up peeps you only have a first and second round pick that is going to bring real talent and check the past drafts ; maybe one does much as far as winning next year !!! The Goal is to win a Super Bowl it’s not fantasy roster building on what can or could be , its to win an fing Super Bowl !!! Joe keep up the intelligent rosternotions !!! Go Bucs !!!
April 17th, 2018 at 12:18 pm
I would say no due to the free cash situation you lock up money with him and you miss out on other players who may be cut plus you still have the draft
April 17th, 2018 at 12:21 pm
Bucsfanman Says
“Bonzai- Not exactly a “one year wonder”! Since 2013 he has never averaged less than 4 yards a carry.”
2017 being the first time he hit 1,000 yards is exactly the reason he is a one year wonder. I don’t care how many chances he got in the past. If he was good enough, he would have had more carries in the past. But even so…average yards per carry is of secondary concern. Yards from scrimage and TDs are the important things.
How many times have the Bucs pointed to yards per carry for a RB, only to have him not work out?
The mere fact that he has only broke 1,000 yards once is what makes him a one year wonder.
April 17th, 2018 at 12:22 pm
I think Gump should get CJ for Koetter
Koetter track record with rookies (especially runningbacks ala Devonte Freeman isnt good)
Koetter likes experienced players
filling a dire position of need is good…especially since we dont have a 3rd round pick
!st, 2nd and 4th round picks all go toward the secondary
we need first
April 17th, 2018 at 12:24 pm
C J Anderson should be at OneBuc right now!!
He would give the team an instant legitimate threat at RB.
Last year, licht signed Desean- then quit, leaving the team full of holes, and another stinking losing season.
His job isnt done this year. We need a RB,CB,Safety, and Oline. Plus depth everywhere.
He needs to get off his laurels, and sign A couple more FAs, before we are stuck with another losing season!!
And CJ would be a great place to start. This young man would love Sunny Florida
April 17th, 2018 at 12:27 pm
Is he that much better then Alfred Morris who has been available for awhile now?
April 17th, 2018 at 12:28 pm
He’s a good back despite what some self-appointed insider may say. Signing him takes the pressure off if a run on backs in the late first/early second rounds takes place. He has played through injuries…is a decent blocker and receiver with some break away ability. Do it…do it.
April 17th, 2018 at 12:29 pm
The Bucs could make a reasonable offer but don’t overpay. Just as soon take chances in the draft.
April 17th, 2018 at 12:39 pm
I get lusting for CJ Anderson…an excellent RB…but he’s not a threat to take it to the house…he’s basically Payton Barber with more opportunity and a better career thanks to that chance.
If you compare their numbers from last year…we can argue whether the Bronco’s OL was worse than the Bucs but I don’t think anybody believe the Buc OL was superior last year so the comparisons are apt.
They are both 225…big enough for sure…they both run 4.6 40’s…blahhhh
Anderson averaged 4.1 yards for 1007 yards
Barber averaged 3.9…his career average 4.0…for 423 yards. If Martin had been cut and Barber carried the same workload as Anderson last year 245 carries he would have totaled 955 yards.
There are more similarities to these backs than differences. Why has everybody totally given up on Barber?
Get me Barkley or Guice then I’ll get excited.
April 17th, 2018 at 1:02 pm
Mark Walton in the fourth! Bucs two headed monster!
April 17th, 2018 at 1:06 pm
^After we trade down in the first^
April 17th, 2018 at 1:31 pm
OTC’s figures are not correct – so those of you looking at that and believing we still have some $ under the cap to work with are mistaken.
Spotrac is more accurate but still not accounting for all expenses. Spotrac says we are currently $306k under the cap via totaling the “Top 51” contracts ($182.998M) + Dead Cap $ ($951k) + estimated rookie contracts based on current picks available ($7.939M).
(rounded for simplicity) $183M + $1M + $8M = $192M
Our Cap # is $192.4M
Keep in mind that “Top 51” contracts # is at least $1-2M lower than ultimate reality because you have to add roster spots 52 and 53 to that total + any Practice Squad players that get brought up during the season – their min salary $ will have to be added on a prorated basis as well. Remember also that NO incentive $ is being counted yet either in these early projections. Grimes has $1.5M in LTBE incentives for instance and Curry has incentives as well just to name 2 players.
The reality is that as of right now – we are about $3M OVER our cap # once everything (as it currently sits) gets tallied and accounted for at season’s end.
I’ve layed this out a few times already but nobody seems to accept it as reality because I keep seeing people say we still have $12M under the cap…
Cutting Sweezy gains us about $4.6M in space after adding $1.875M to our dead cap #.
April 17th, 2018 at 1:33 pm
Totally agree with you NFLNUT I think we are still going to be able to trade back. I think Allen or Rosen will be available at 7 and I think either Buffalo or NE will give us 3 for 1 or 4 for 1 to move up. I hope we get the best CB in the draft 1st Joshua Jackson then Guise RB with second 1st rounder
After that depending on who we trade with:
2nd Oniel OT Pitts
Late 2nd or third Bates SS vandy
4thFreeman RB Oregon or Scarborough RB Alabama
5th Wicker DT/DE ASU
Backfield
Guise, CJ Anderson, Barber, Freeman, Scarborough
April 17th, 2018 at 1:42 pm
^ PICKGRIN,
Great post!
However, are you saying the team will be forced to cut Sweezy (or maybe Gholston) before the start of the regular season just to be at the cap? If so, Quenton Nelson might be the pick at #7 even if Saquon is still available, no?
April 17th, 2018 at 2:01 pm
I’m almost positive we are drafting a Guard high for that reason NFLNut.
Its a moving target obviously and numerous “moves” will be made between now and the end of the season that effect the total #s – but as of now – we don’t have any # to “spend”. That’s the ultimate takeaway IMO.
April 17th, 2018 at 2:22 pm
We had our chance to cut Gholston and save $6.5M this year but that window closed on March 18th and his 2018 salary is now guaranteed. That was the most questionable “decision” made regarding FAs this off season IMO.
Hopefully Big Will can shut all us naysayers up by earning that $ with 1/2 dozen sacks this year.
April 17th, 2018 at 2:39 pm
Its Lichts damn job to balance the books.
More importantly- its his job to build a winning team.
Hes failed at that tor 4 years.
Every GM in this league manage to fill the teams roster, and manage the books.
GMs who keep their jobs, manage to build winning teams.
Unemployed GMs don’t quite master the “winning team” concept.
Licht needs to find a way to get the players we need- or The Glazers need to replace him. If he hadnt ignored DE as long as he did- we wouldnt be in this mess!!
Im sick of winning theb”Salary cap bowl”, and being the laughing stock of the league on the field.
They are calling The Bucs”Cleveland South”, and this lousy team deserves it!!
Change it, and spare no expense!!!
April 17th, 2018 at 2:52 pm
I seem to be in the minority here, but I think C.J. is a decent RB at best. He has always averaged roughly 4 yards per carry (overall). He would have a couple big games against terrible defenses that were overshadowed (to me) by his numerous terrible ones. And if it weren’t for those few good games, his average would be much worse. I think Peyton Barber looks as good as him if not better. Especially under a strengthened O-line. Plus this draft’s running back class (as Joe continues to point out) is so deep with lots of promising talent under the radar. Sure we need to address other issues with those picks as well, but I dont see C.J. as an improvement. I think it’s replacing an overpaid poor performing RB (Martin) with another one (depending on price). As much as I hate to say it, I feel that way somewhat about Curry. Comparing him to Ayers, they’re pretty damn close in stats with completely different teams around them. Although Ayers can’t stay healthy.
April 17th, 2018 at 3:17 pm
@St. Pete-
overall DEN o-line run blocking was ranked #9, TB ranked #16
But then if you dive a little deeper….
% of runs stuffed at or behind LOS:
DEN – #7, TB – #17
2nd level yards:
DEN – #18, TB – #31
So bottom line: they were better at run blocking than we were, while worse at pass protection. (These are all from Football Outsiders- which Joe trusts, NOT from PFF. In 2016 we graded out as the worst team at runs stuffed behind the LOS, so at least we improved on that…)
Again, ,JOE NEVER has written that he trusts the data and rankings from Football Outsiders. Joe has written several times that Joe respects their efforts and approach, and their willingness to analyze their own data with an open mind versus the PFF Tribe.–Joe
April 17th, 2018 at 5:51 pm
I’d love to know if there was ever a recognizable name that got released that Joebucsfan didn’t think the Bucs should sign?
Several. Mostly, people don’t read. Often, Joe says “bring the guy in for a workout” or “strongly consider a guy.” In the case of Anderson, yes, Joe says sign the guy.
CJ Anderson = Peyton Barber
Only difference is Anderson got more of an opportunity to play.
April 17th, 2018 at 6:36 pm
@Unbelievable
I’m fully in support of signing C.J. Anderson, but I also completely agree with the info you provided. But the thing about the Joe’s is, the will never ever, ever agree with statistical info that serves to support someone’s point. Unless, it’s a stat they found themselves that supports one of their arguments.
Like when Steve-Joe wrote the article a couple of weeks ago that tried to suggest that the Bucs O-line was a top 10 unit due to some completely weird stat about running backs getting to the line of scrimmage within 1 yard of a D-lineman.
Seemed like one the most irrelevant, nonsensical metrics I’ve ever heard of, but it was good enough for Steve-Joe because it supported his point. Your statistical argument serves to dispute Lee-Joe’s often repeated sentiment, therefore it will be ignored or discredited.
Just the way things go around here, but we should still sign Anderson if the price is right, he’s a solid starter in this League.
April 17th, 2018 at 6:43 pm
This “weird stat” actually comes from computer chips in players’ shoulder pads that measure such things. No guesswork. Hard data. Sort of like you buy a 10-foot long board from Home Depot, take it home, measure it, and by golly it is 10-foot along.
April 17th, 2018 at 6:48 pm
I’m not disputing the accuracy of the numbers, I’m questioning the relevance and applicability of the numbers.
There’s nothing about that stat that suggests to me it can accurately measure the effectiveness of an O-lines run blocking performance.
April 17th, 2018 at 7:18 pm
Pickgrin,
Thanks for answering; that is some prime info right there and something no one is talking about.
That said, maybe we all should be hoping Quenton Nelson falls into our laps at #7 as he’d be a monster upgrade and help us balance our books!
April 17th, 2018 at 7:50 pm
Oxy C ………… I THINK Morris May be a lil more slash and less of a blocker but I still really like Morris and think he is totally overlooked and would def help the Bucs………..He looked pretty dam good in Dallas , at least what I saw !!
April 17th, 2018 at 8:33 pm
overall DEN o-line run blocking was ranked #9, TB ranked #16
But then if you dive a little deeper….
% of runs stuffed at or behind LOS:
DEN – #7, TB – #17
2nd level yards:
DEN – #18, TB – #31
So bottom line: they were better at run blocking than we were, while worse at pass protection. (These are all from Football Outsiders- which Joe trusts, NOT from PFF. In 2016 we graded out as the worst team at runs stuffed behind the LOS, so at least we improved on that…)
And whoever posted this needs to rethink their life stats. How can you measure our oline and Denver oline and make a comparison?? They didn’t even play the same teams on their schedule