Raheem The Seducer
May 19th, 2011
Yes, Joe knows there’s a mass of Bucs fans that craves monster money free agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha in a Tampa Bay uniform.
Joe doesn’t see that happening or that it’s necessarily in the Bucs’ best interest. However, without knowing all the details of a possible 2011 salary cap, it’s hard to make a fully sound judgement.
NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas is in love with Asomugha when it comes to the Bucs. And he seems to think that Asomugha could easily be mesmerized into signing here by the seductive general Raheem Morris.
The Bucs have one other card up the sleeve: coach Raheem Morris. Put him and Asomugha in a room, and Asomugha may sign a contract within an hour or two. Morris is charming, charismatic and a former defensive backs coach.
This would be a perfect fit for the player and team.
Now that Joe thinks about it, Raheem probably would be a very successful salesman on the free agency circuit. He’s seems to have all the skills, plus a fantastic repuation among players. No doubt he helped close the deal on Derrick Ward, Michael Clayton, and Sean Jones, so he does have a little experience.
May 19th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
If the Bucs have to coincide with the salary cap rules for 2011, what better way to do it than signing arguably the best cornerback in the league? Its a win/win in my opinion.
May 19th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
And yet again, who’s been predicting that for 3 months! If you watch is tape, then sit down and talk to him- everyone in the bay area would be screaming to sign him. He is the best corner in the league. He is also one of the smartest and most decent players in the league. The guy has a career in politics waiting for him. And he wants to come here.
Don’t quote me, but I heard a rumor he was playing Golf with a certain Elder statesman CB, who plays for the Bucs, this summer . .
May 19th, 2011 at 12:41 pm
^^Agreed, he is theeeeee best corner in the league, he may only have 11 picks in 8 seasons, but thats because nobody throws to him 🙂
He is such a high-character guy too, which has been a huge emphasis since the beginning of the Morris/Dominik era.
May 19th, 2011 at 12:41 pm
Joe, you and I have been going toe to toe over Asomugha all offseason…..that being said I think you’re right in that a lot will be determined by whether or not there’s a cap floor.
Ike Taylor is out there and would be an amazing fit for this defense as well
May 19th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
We don’t need a 20 million dollar corner. We need a Defensive line with major pass rush, if we can do that, We can develop secondary without high price free agents
May 19th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
we wont have the money because we will break the bank signing the best midlinesafteybacker in the league .Ruuuuuuuuud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 19th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
Since we are discussing Pats blog, did you notice that at the end of his story about carpenter and bradford he quotes carpenter saying Benn is running around and working out? Good news for his rehab.
May 19th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
Where’s Dumbass 2.2? Isn’t Rah a public speaking nightmare?
Rah is a players coach. A Man’s Man.
May 19th, 2011 at 1:25 pm
Now that is a guy that is flying under the radar. Tough, physical, knows how to bring it in the biggest of games, knows what it takes to play on a winning team, will lead by example. Solid, solid choice there.
Father Time is creeeping up on the guy.
May 19th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
Joe –
Would you mind clarifying your comment on regarding Nnamdi not being in the Buc’s best interest? I understand that we want to let our young cornerbacks develop, but I fail to understand how having a corner of Nnamdi’s caliber is a detriment. Ronde has a ~ 1 year in the tank and Talib’s future is unknown. In my opinion, the acquisition of getting an elite corner for the next few years, while a luxury, is certainly a worthwhile investment.
May 19th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
Joe here,
@Kevin – Given the possible restraints of the salary cap and how the Bucs will have to manage it in 2012 and beyond. There’s no way to know whether Nnamdi makes any possible sense long term for massive money. He’s not going to sign a 1-year deal with anyone. So yeah, his contract could be a detriment, if the Bucs signed him. … Bucs almost have to wait and see how Talib plays out, how good Lewis might be and if Ronde wants to quit, regardless.
May 19th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
Joe here,
@CharlieB — Yes. …Joe was actually saving a take on that for tomorrow.
May 19th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
Wow, great to hear good news about Benn! Thanks! That is another guy I expect to explode this season( yeah yeah, I know, ” if there . .”). I think Benn is going to be a great receiver. Hope he fully recovers from the knee injury, and along with Mike Williams, starts scaring secondaries around the league!
May 19th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
@Joe –
Good point… Although it’s a bit odd to think about the salary cap (not floor) being an issue, it certainly could depending on the new CBA. You’re right, it’s nearly impossible to come to the “right” decision without knowing how all the variables play out.
Good luck Dominic!
May 19th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
if Talib does play this year though, how does Nnamdi fit in? – we would have four good cornerbacks in talib barber, nnamdi and biggers – and none of the first three will wanna play nickel..
would it not be better to invest to get some depth at linebacker?
May 19th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
James, that’s a point Joe made months ago. If you bring in Nnamdi, you are certainly going to start him with that sort of major investment. Then Talib, loose cannon that he is, may freak out. And what of Ronde Barber? How do you diss a guy like that who means so much to the team and is clearly still a very productive player?
May 19th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
I think it’s reasonable to assume that Talib is out if Nnamdi is signed.
May 19th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
“No doubt he helped close the deal on Derrick Ward, Michael Clayton, and Sean Jones, so he does have a little experience.”
Michael Clayton? The terrible wide receiver Gruden drafted? What are you talking about? What does that have to do with Raheem and his “charisma” and “fantastic reputation”?
May 19th, 2011 at 3:11 pm
Or they cut Sean Jones and move Ronde to safety. It wouldn’t be the first time a CB has been moved to safety. Ronde could still play the slot in nickle sets like he always has. Biggers would have to wait a little longer, but with Ronde getting older and Talib closer and closer to full year suspensions, it won’t be unreasonable to believe he will be on the field sooner or later. With the way Calvin Johnson victimized our secondary without Talib, I just can’t trust leaving our secondary’s success to a hothead.
May 19th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
Kevin- exactly. But the real issue that drives the decission- it doesn’t matter if Talib is cut or not. He will be gone one way or the other. He has had two incidents every year since he’s been here. And he obviously hasn’t learned anything, since the incidents become more and more violent. If we bet on Talib, we will loser- because he is a loser. We will have to spend alot of money to make the salary cap floor. It is very rare that you can squire the very best player at his position for nothing but money. No draft picks, no players, nothing but money we have to spend!
If we screw around and wait for Talibs next incident, we might be in the middle of a playoff drive. Then you are gonna give up players and draft picks, for a guy who couldn’t carry Nnamdi’s jock
I said we needed to sign Nnamdi 3 months ago, BEFORE Talib went stupid again. I said at the time that we can’t trust Aqib enough to build the secondary with him a key part. THEN the arrest, etc, Etc.!
Signing Nnamdi was a good idea Then,and still is. He’s twice the CB that Talib is, even if he were smart and a good citizen, which he isn’t. I know some of you painted this pretty picture of Talib running to his Sister’s defense. The article I read said that the two of them had a long term relationship, and the boyfriend was a frequent resident at Talib’s mom’s home. It kinda runs in that family.
We need to wise up, and get players who will work together, and work hard to win. I know where we can find a guy like that!
May 19th, 2011 at 3:49 pm
I agree with Ike Taylor all the way. PFT had a good write up on him. He is looking for the money but not the Bank Breaking Money Nnamdi wants. I would take either or both given the chance. If the Bucs can get their Defense to hold opponents to under 15 points per game they can not be stopped, by anybody, including the Pats or Steelers. The Colts game will be a great measuring stick for this team. Beat Manning & Co. and your something.
May 19th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Its unreal how someone can make the argument signing him is bad thing. If Rah is such a seducer he might get him to sign without us breaking the bank.
Either Talib goes or stays and Ronde moves to nickel; having Nnamdi would be win-win.
May 19th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
I guarantee our corners will get roasted this year if we lose Talib and dont do anything to address that position.
Our D-line will take a few games to start rolling and until then the back end will have to hold up.
Ronde and EJ are too small to go up against physical recievers like megatron.
May 19th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
“No doubt he helped close the deal on Derrick Ward, Michael Clayton, and Sean Jones….”
PFFFF!!!! Those are hardly tough bidders JOE.
May 19th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
@ Gary
This is my biggest fear : “I guarantee our corners will get roasted this year if we lose Talib and dont do anything to address that position.”
…that and of course stoppin the RUN!
May 19th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
MVP…I think Joe was using sarcasm…By leaving out Penn I am sure of it…
May 19th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
Nnamdi Asomugha would do nothing but help our team. Don’t make the argument of having too many starters. Thats a problem anyone would love to have, except at QB. We play more than enough nickel to accomodate him, Talib, and Barber. Biggers will get his reps.
I wouldn’t mind an Ike Taylor signing either, as someone mentioned above. The guy is a proven winner.
May 19th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
He could have thrown in that WR from the Eagles…I have forgotten his name already!
May 19th, 2011 at 4:59 pm
brown. what could brown do for you(us)? get cut.
May 19th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
Joe said: Given the possible restraints of the salary cap and how the Bucs will have to manage it in 2012 and beyond. There’s no way to know whether Nnamdi makes any possible sense long term for massive money.
I think the possibility of a salary cap (and therefore a salary floor) make it much more likely the Bucs actually make a push for Asomugha.
Correct me if I’m wrong but the Bucs were about $50M under what would have been the “floor” last yr….had there been one. That’s a lot of dough that they’ll have to spend just to get there.
I’m also really starting to believe what team Glazer has been saying all along about not being scared to spend money. They wanted to build the team through the draft and then add through free agency. This team is “built” right now…..it’s time to go out and find a vet or two that will mesh well with the makeup of this team.
May 19th, 2011 at 5:18 pm
….and my last point on this:
NOTHING would generate buzz in this city for the Bucs like signing the highest profile free agent…..would be a major factor in ticket sales
May 19th, 2011 at 5:21 pm
Have to totally disagree on Asomugha selling tickets. How many fans have even seen him play, and he was rarely even tested in Oakland. The guy could walk through International Plaza tomorrow and not be recognized.
If the Bucs brought in Randy Moss, THAT would rock the house. …Not saying they should, but he’d come about 15 million cheaper
May 19th, 2011 at 5:50 pm
Exactly right creamsickle. These glazers need not care about a cap, its a real floor that would force them to sign a fa.
Wouldnt that be great, they lockout and then get Forced to spend $ they would otherwise not have to. Actually, a new cba kills the cheap a– Glazers. Serves those frauds right.
May 19th, 2011 at 6:21 pm
I doubt many fairweather fans in this city know who Asomugha is and I doubt it’ll effect ticket sales. Everyone on this site knows his superstardom but he hasn’t exactly been in the mainstream news. I believe I’ve seen him in one commercial. His name (which I’ve repeatedly had to copy and paste) isn’t very marketable. If we go after him, it’ll be to solidify our secondary and make our usually dependable up and comers Biggers and to a lesser extent Lewis strong depth and special teams players.
May 19th, 2011 at 7:41 pm
That’s a good point. I’m not sure any cornerback with the possible exception of Deion Sanders sold more than 500 tickets. And let’s be honest, Deion also returned kicks.
May 19th, 2011 at 8:48 pm
Even if Talib comes back next year, I still think we should consider signing Asoumougha because remember that Barber is likely playing in his final season. After he retires, CB will probably come up as a need again.
But if Talib doesn’t return to the Bucs, signing Asomougha is a must. And even if Lewis turns out to be a nice starting CB, there’ll be another vacant spot once Barber retires.
May 20th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
“That’s a good point. I’m not sure any cornerback with the possible exception of Deion Sanders sold more than 500 tickets. And let’s be honest, Deion also returned kicks.”
————
I agree with that statement, but I will bring up a reason why I feel signing him (I’m sick and tired of having to look up the spelling of his name, so he’s just “him”) will be different. Tampa hasn’t really signed any big name free agents is what seems like forever, and it has been one of the major criticisms by the fans of this team. Although most Bucs fans have never seen him play, they know he is a big-time CB and upcoming free agent. Signing him would bring excitement back to the organization, because it will be seen as we are doing everything we can to make this team great, quickly. Even for someone like me who is not huge on big free agent signings, I would be unbelievably excited if we signed him. I’m pretty sure many many others would feel the same way.
May 20th, 2011 at 4:26 pm
Do trades count, ’cause K2 is a pretty big name, and I am not sure he really sold seats either. I think the Bucs will surprise people this year, and sell out most if not all of their games. Winning is really what sells tickets, regardless of the coach or players.