Bucs Playing Cap Games For 2013

December 28th, 2012

Team Glazer appears to be positioning for a shopping spree

Per a fancy, fresh accounting report on ESPN.com, Team Glazer has shelled out eight-figure checks to Carl Nicks and Vincent Jackson now, in order to free up a load of salary cap space for the 2013 season.

The details are a bit boring, but the bottom line is exciting for those who love when the NFL free agency bell rings in March.

That leaves the Bucs in good cap shape for next season. They now have $98 million committed toward a cap that’s expected to be slightly more than $120 million. But the Bucs can still increase their space. They can carry over remaining 2012 cap space to 2013. Even with the accelerations on Jackson and Nicks, the Bucs still are about $8.5 million under the 2012 cap.

Keep in mind, the ESPN figures include Eric Wright’s massive contract, which the Bucs reportedly can void after this season because Wright violated the NFL substance abuse policy.

And the cap figure includes Quincy Black’s big contract. Black could be cut or reach an injury settlement if he can’t get healthy.

It would not surprise Joe if the Bucs are the back-to-back big spenders in NFL free agency. The New Glazer Order means business.

40 Responses to “Bucs Playing Cap Games For 2013”

  1. SteveK Says:

    This is needed.

    We are needing to spend today and tomorrow in order to catch back up from the Bruce Allen era.

  2. NJBucsFan Says:

    With cutting Black and Wright, the restructuring of these contracts, and taking advantage of Freeman’s past two weeks during his resigning negotiations the Bucs will have a heap of $$$ to shop with. Can’t wait!

  3. SteveK Says:

    Cut:

    Wright, Trueblood, Quincy, Myron, and Reejus.

    We can better allocate the funds.

  4. Joe Says:

    SteveK:

    Won’t have to cut Trueblood. His contract is up in a few days.

    Joe suspects the Bucs will bring Quincy Black back (he actually played OK this year; imagine what coaching can do?) and Joe would not be shocked if the Bucs kept Wright, only at a team-friendly contract.

    Say what you will about Wright, but the Bucs haven’t won since he was suspended. Hhhmmm?

  5. SteveK Says:

    Sign your NEEDS in FA, with proven commodities, and overpay if you must.

    Draft the BPA each time up, and trade back if you can.

    If we can get another FA haul, and trade back in the draft, we will be stockpiled with draft picks just like the Pats always seem to be.

    Our Football team has the chance to be a helluva lot better next year, THANK YOU GLAZERS!

  6. SilenceTheCritics Says:

    This is GREAT news heading into the off season. Another good FA class along with a good draft and quite possibly next year could be heading upwards. Why couldn’t they start this a few years ago? Lol, anyways all thats left is fixing the QB position….

  7. SteveK Says:

    Right on Joe,

    Eric Wright is an interesting decision. We should cut him, and then offer him a team friendly contract with incentives. His paycheck should 40% lighter.

    We can be a lot better next year if we go out and grab som FA talent of D.

    I just hope we don’t resign Freeman until after next year (if he warrants a contract).

  8. Get the Bang for your Buc Says:

    I have visited the Glazer Families Children’s Museum there in Tampa….. comparing it to a few other Foundations for Museums in other cities I have had the opportunity to visit The Glaziers have really made some great investments over the years in many of other community venues as well ….Its a class act you would NOT be disappointed if you took your children there, it really comes to the forefront of things in my mind when you think of our recent tragedy in Newton, …. if you have not already you will be amazed at the fun things to do there for the kids and adults alike….

    it seems that the message is getting across that to be successful on the grid iron the same type a of commitment has be made… a great step in a good direction if what is being said is the correct prediction

  9. Macabee Says:

    They say money can’t buy friends. You give me the money, I’ll do my own shopping!

  10. SteveK Says:

    @ Silence,

    You are right about the QB postion. Next year will be the make or break time for Freeman.

    You listening Raphael, if we spend big money on additional FA’s to shore up the D and OL, and Freeman flops next year, than what say you?

    If we infuse this team with some outside FA talent, and draft well again, then all eyes will be on Josh. He will also have 72 starts by the end of next season, now that is a great sample piece.

  11. CanadianBucsFan Says:

    @SteveK

    Agreed, except the one player you listed that we should possibily consider not cutting is Black. Wright let his team down bigtime and was not worth the contract we gave him. Trueblood fell off the radar this year, hes also a penalty waiting to happen anytime. Black was playing a lot better this year till he got hurt, good guy also. Myron.. Dont even have to say anything about that haha. Benn = Bust

  12. Have A Nice Day Says:

    Yeah, I wouldn’t cut Black. We defense is already struggling with depth. Lets not cut a guy is able to play.

  13. SilenceTheCritics Says:

    If Black has already received all his guaranteed money then there is no reason to cut him. If he is still owed big money then, like Wright, they should only bring him back at a reasonable price. He isn’t as good as the contract he got. Even playing better this year doesn’t equate to that contract.

  14. Ramdog Says:

    Great news loose the fat contracts of Wright and Black and we can free up another $12 or 13 million plus there is like an $8 cap carryover we can use and that will free up a total of around $44 million. I think we can then get a corner or 2 a skilled pash rushing specialist, and offensive tackle (right would be the cheaper way to go), also a big tight end would help. I liked Joe’s idea of signing the Bennett brothers !!!

    Just no stupid contracts like Eric Wright again – PLEASE !!! You don’t pay an average corner as much as we paid Wright. A good thing is a lot of teams are really cap strapped (New Orleans, Atlanta) that could drive prices down !!!

  15. Joe Says:

    SteveK:

    I just hope we don’t resign Freeman until after next year (if he warrants a contract).

    Joe suspects Team Glazer shelled out all the cash for Nicks and VJax was in anticipation of Freeman’s new contract. Well, things have changed quite a bit in less than a year, huh?

  16. Joe Says:

    Not getting the Quincy Black hate. He had his best year in the NFL this year and was a big part of why the Bucs had the best rush defense.

    Was he horrible in years past? Of course. But look what some decent coaching did for him.

    Quincy Black is not the reason the Bucs pass defense was like a broken dam on the Mississippi.

    Anyone notice that Mason Foster — who was having an OUTSTANDING season — began to slip after Quincy Black got hurt?

  17. bucfanjeff Says:

    Sign TE Bennett, DE Bennett, top FA DB, draft 2 DB’s, restructure Wright to a team friendly deal.

  18. ben Says:

    Rodgers-cromartie seems to be the best ufa db coming up

  19. SilenceTheCritics Says:

    @Joe

    I agree there is no need to hate on Black. He has been serviceable but even you have to admit that he has not performed up to the contract he signed. I dont keep up to date on players contracts, like you that is annoying to me but if he is still making the guaranteed money, like Wright, they should only bring him back with a more sensible contract. Otherwise there’s no need to get rid of him.

  20. st. louis Bucs fan Says:

    @bucfanjeff

    i agree totally with your idea of singing!!!! Dallas Clark is nice but old, keeping Micheal Bennett would be the smart thing to do, and as far as a FA DB or 2 i dont know whos out there but it would be the right move, i would have thrown that 5yr $50 mil at Finnegan and then sum!!! we also need to work on bringing back Ronde for anther season. like the space we have but what good is cap room if you dont use it? i hope they do and use it wisely. BUC IT IM OUT!!!!!!!!!!!

  21. Big Marlon B Says:

    please please please, get a new RT. i don’t care if it’s thru free agency or the draft. i CAN’T stand seeing Demar Dotson aka Kenyatta Walker Jr. getting multiple holding or hands to the face penalties every single week. he has to go.

  22. PRBucFan Says:

    I just remembered Brent Grimes
    If he is available we should definitely snag him up!!!

  23. Andrew Says:

    “Not getting the Quincy Black hate. He had his best year in the NFL this year and was a big part of why the Bucs had the best rush defense.

    Was he horrible in years past? Of course. But look what some decent coaching did for him.

    Quincy Black is not the reason the Bucs pass defense was like a broken dam on the Mississippi.

    Anyone notice that Mason Foster — who was having an OUTSTANDING season — began to slip after Quincy Black got hurt?”

    @joe you say this about quincy, yet ignore that Freeman is having the best year of his career and franchise history in terms of pure numbers and qb play…top 10 in yards and tds yet you can not only understand that hate but fuel the fire????

  24. Miguel El Magnifico Says:

    They can save $4 million by trading Gosh and drafting Geno. That would help sell out CITS Stadium and sell a ton of gear. Do you know how many Smith’s are in the Florida?

    Acquiring Ryan Mallett would be cheap, easy and very smart.

  25. PRBucFan Says:

    You are that infatuated with Free Free Andrew???
    What does that have to do with anything???
    THIS YEAR Quincy has never been INCONSISTENT he has a stellar season up till he got hurt. He never went Jekyll and Hyde on us. What the hell does Quincy’s consistent play this year have to do with Freeman’s inconsistent season??? If you honestly think that because Freeman broke some meaningless franchise records he is having one of the “best” years ever your out of your mind. If we had some major impressive quarterback play in our franchise history than maybe your point would carry some weight but we haven’t so who cares lol. It really is a sad sad thing that a QB playing as bad as Free is playing did break any record. It doesn’t say much about our “franchise history” now does it? The best season for a qb in franchise history does not belong to a QB that lead a team to a 6-10/7-9 record sorry bro, it just isn’t.

  26. Ramdog Says:

    @Joe no hate for Quincy they can keep him if he restructures. He seems like a nice enough guy and stays out of trouble, works hard etc.

    I have read in a lot of places him and Wright are both targets because of the large amount of money owed to them. He is owed like 5.5 million. Is he worth that ??

  27. Andrew Says:

    @ Andrew

    Your an imposter. Dammit Andrew one of us has to change our names. Ive been posting here for a while and have never seen another Andrew commenter.

  28. PRBucFan Says:

    Lol that makes more sense. I was confused for a sec Andrew lol

  29. KT Says:

    Every dollar should go to the defensive side of the ball, split it between a def line player that can get
    Pressure and 2-3 DBs that can actually cover without falling on their ass or grabbing the guy in shame because they were blown away. Having a losing record means YOU MUST OVERPAY to bring quality into the building. Leave the young guy with potential expirement alone because it has failed miserably.

  30. Andrew 1 Says:

    @ PRBucFan

    LOL. Ill be know as Andrew 1 from now on. the real Andrew, or me, is not that infatuated with Freeman.

  31. Patrick Says:

    Cornerbacks and offensive lineman.

    Should be our focus in free agency. Also, a very good backup quarterback (Kyle Orton would be good). With the way Freeman has miserably collapsed during the last 5 weeks, how is he reliable at all?

  32. Hawaiian Buc Says:

    Miguel still doesn’t understand that we have no way of getting Geno Smith. He’s most likely going #1 overall. There’s not a chance in hell KC trades that pick to us for Freeman. I mean this with all due respect, but are you slow? You are the only one on this board, or on any board in the entire world that believes this is even remotely possible. There’s a reason for that. And how exactly does that save $4 Million?

    Please get off Mallet’s nuts too. You swing from them almost like you do for Chip “Cheatin'” Kelly. I guarantee you that you’ve never seen him play a down of football in your entire life, yet you believe he’s the answer. Amazing.

  33. Hawaiian Buc Says:

    As of right now, I would go after Sean Smith right away, which won’t be easy because Miami is going to want to re-sign him, as will most other NFL teams. Rodgers-Cromartie wouldn’t be a bad alternative. I would love to see Dee Milner be our first pick, if he’s still available. I would probably keep Biggers and Leonard Johnson for depth. Really tough call on Wright, but I would lean towards keeping him (but on a very short leash). We need to re-sign Roy Miller and especially Michael Bennett, which I think we will. If healthy, I see no reason to get rid of Black. On offense, we have to find another receiver or two. Aside from Williams and Jackson, we have nothing. We need a true slot receiver, which Underwood is not. Martellus Bennett would be a great addition as a TE. And most importantly, we need to bring in another QB that is capable of playing if Freeman goes, well Freeman.

  34. PRBucFan Says:

    Amen Hawaiian. Milliner is a must. I would love to get Brent Grimes too. If we can manage trading back into the first for Jonathan banks that would incredible.

  35. teacherman777 Says:

    Who likes Denard Robinson in the fourth round??-Punt returner, slot reciever, third down back, emergency QB!!

    Just watch. He has Chris Johnson type speed. He would be a solid risk pick in the 4th, if he lasts that long.

    Quincy is NOT coming back at 5 million. We COULD take Manti Teo at 10-15. Wherever we draft. Then slide Mason to SLB. Also Khasseem Greene looks AWESOME!! Sooooop fast. I know hes small, but who cares, he can play. He is a lot like LaVonte David.

    Wright is a cancer. Get rid of him. See ya Trueblood. Will miss ya fire. By the way, Dotson will be servicable. Calm down with the OT talk ppl.

    1st BPA- CB, LB
    2nd BPA- CB, LB, FS, DL
    3rd- BPA- CB, LB, OT, FS

    4th- Trade up, or sign a RISK pick like Tyrone Matthieu, Denard Robinson or someone else is who is seen as super talented but risky. The 4th and 5th round SHOULD be used for top talent but with question marks.

    The Pats always do it!! And Cincy too.

    I say we dont go crazy in FA. I say we build up even more cap for 2014. I dont see the need to go crazy in FA this year. Resign Bennett! He deserves his next contract. God bless his soul.

    Brent Grimes is a GREAAT idea!!

    But NOT one of the Eagles CB’s. They dont tackle!!

    Who else wants a return of a dominant Tampa defense?? Me!

    So draft defense again!

    And its true! Freeman has lostsome games for us, but hes having a good year statistically! Stop hatin ppl! We dont want another Sanchez on our hands!he is lost! Support Josh! Be a real brother in the Bucs F.A.M.I.L.Y.

    I believe!

  36. Miguel El Magnifico Says:

    How about Dwight Freeney? If GMC is so freaking disruptive, why not add Freeney to the mix? He might add a dozen sacks.

    He just didn’t fit into the Colt’s 3-4 and his ankle was screwed up. I was always impressed by Freeney’s motor and technique. He could be the Buc’s Simeon Rice without the craziness.

    They should be able to pick up Freeney for decent money.

    It will take a lot of the heat off their QB, when people demand they get rid of Free, Dwight will take 1/2 the heat.

  37. Miguel El Magnifico Says:

    @Hawaiian

    They save $4 million by trading Freeman and his $8.3 million contract for Geno Smith and his estimated $4 million rookie contract. I’m no expert on these things but I believe that I make a valid point. Smith’s contract will be in the vicinity of Newton and Luck.

    According to Stampedeblue.com

    What will Andrew Luck cost against the Cap?

    Looking at the deal Cam Newton got (4yrs, $22M all guaranteed) so his cap numbers are $4M, $5M, $6M & $7M for the contact. Inflating a bit for a new year, here are my guess at the cap numbers for Luck (assuming a 4yr, $24M all guaranteed contract).

  38. PRBucFan Says:

    Pretty sure the point is KC would rather keep Geno than trade
    for Free. That’s a no brainier.

  39. Hawaiian Buc Says:

    Miguel still doesn’t get that point PRBucFan. It’s a simple concept, but not simple enough for him to grasp. Count the number of times he continually suggests that we should trade for Geno. I predict at least 50 times throughout the offseason. Its embarrassing. He’s in love with Geno Smith, even though he led his team to a 7-6 season, and basically did nothing for the second half of the season (except throw screen passes to two great receivers who had huge YAC). Of course, Miguel has never seen him play, so all those facts are irrelevant.

  40. PRBucFan Says:

    i see lol