I also like the Fall scenario too… why? Because you want to work him in with what we got…see how well he starts the season out… seriously… having Wright as a 3rd CB will not hurt the Bucs. In fact, I’ll be surprised if we can even pull off 2 CBs better than Wright.

I am not convinced that we will do so.

Consider this: the best free agent contracts are given out during the first few days of free agency. The more time goes by before a player becomes available as a free agent the less money he will make. And since the Bucs can wait to cut him all the way up to the day before the regular season starts, they can dwindle his value down to almost nothing compared to what he currently makes.

You think Dominik isn’t aware of this? You think he isn’t using this fact to maximum advantage? If you believe Dominik is a buddy to players behind the scenes, and would refuse to use the fantastic leverage he has in this case, you are naive. I guarantee you he’s smoothly but firmly making the most of this situation for the benefit of the Bucs organization.

Here’s what I believe is happening: Dominik has plans in place for the three possible outcomes he faces vis a vis Eric Wright:

1) The Bucs get ALL the CB’s they covet most both in free agency as well as the draft. Perfect storm for the Bucs and they get their complete wish list fulfilled. With the cupboard full they cut OR TRADE (yes, trade) Wright after the draft. No one has even mentioned the possibility of a trade here. Wright is still considered a young and fairly talented CB and he has trade value. Even a 4th or 5th round pick would help the Bucs.

2) The Bucs only get SOME of the CB’s they covet in free agency and the draft but the cupboard is still not full. They feel Wright still has value to them at this point. They politely imply to Wright’s agent that they are willing to wait all the way to just before the regular season starts before releasing him. The agent realizes this will severely reduce his client’s value and resulting contract. He agrees to restructure Wright’s contract to a much more cap-friendly number and with all the protections the Bucs want.

3) Wright’s agent stubbornly refuses to consider a contract restructure under any circumstances. No team is willing to trade for Wright. The team believes Wright is a continuing liability both on and off the field, with no acceptable remedy in sight. The Bucs wait until deep into free agency, and perhaps even into training camp or even worse until the Fall, to release Wright as a way of getting a little revenge for his attitude and for the way he hurt the organization last year.

I think everyone including Joe, the pundits, and the fans are all wrong.

I see Eric Wright going to training camp with the Bucs and if he competes well and wins a job, fine he’s on the team. If not, he gets cut with no money going to him, unless the guaranteed money has to be paid even if he’s cut, which I don’t believe would be the case. Enlighten me on that point if someone knows the particulars.

Obviously the Bucs felt Wright showed something, otherwise, they wouldn’t have signed him to begin with. If he winds up the fourth corner behind a free agent, a high draft pick, and Ronde Barber, the Bucs are still better off then having Myron Lewis on the roster who I’m not sure can cover himself with a blanket, much less an NFL caliber wide receiver.