Ross Tucker Unloads On Mark Dominik

July 2nd, 2009

Joe is guessing Bucs general manager Mark Domink wasn't exactly laughing when he read Ross Tucker's column today on SI.com.

For the most part, Joe has been pleased with the work Mark Dominik has done as the new Bucs general manager, though Joe does have some pointed irritants.

So when Joe appeared with his good friend Justin Pawlowski on WDAE-AM 620 during a segment of “The Blitz,” broadcast live from Fan Fest, Joe was not totally surprised when Dominik, upon learning who Joe was, glared at Joe so bad that Joe has scars from the holes burned into his head.

So Joe can only imagine the stares former NFL player Ross Tucker will receive when he next meets Dominik. Writing for SI.com, Tucker absolutely barbecued Dominik for his moves since becoming the Bucs general manager. In discussing the best and worst moves of the NFL offseason, Tucker led off the list of “worst” with the Bucs and pulled no punches on Dominik.

Worst offseasons
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
The Bad … Where do I start? The Bucs started the offseason by firing a proven winner and Super Bowl champion in head coach Jon Gruden, as well as a general manager in Bruce Allen who single-handedly got the team from salary-cap purgatory to an enviable financial situation — while generally fielding competitive teams in the process. Those two were replaced by a guy who has never called signals in the NFL, Raheem Morris, and an executive, Mark Dominik, whose initial financial decisions have been dubious at best. Among the duo’s first transactions was the release of all-time favorites and role models for younger players like Derrick Brooks and Warrick Dunn.

Dominik’s financial acumen must be called into question considering the moves he has made thus far. He gave $10.5 million in guaranteed money to wide receiver Michael Clayton, who hasn’t been a legitimate receiving threat since his rookie season. I thought this was a production-oriented business. Then he gave a contract extension totaling $20 million in guarantees to Kellen Winslow shortly after acquiring him from the Cleveland Browns. The money given to a player with known knee issues is not nearly as concerning as the fact the pact was signed even though Winslow still had two years remaining on his rookie contract. What message does that send to guys like Barrett Ruud and Donald Penn? All they’ve done for the past three seasons is everything asked of them by the organization, yet no new contract is in the offing for either one — despite Ruud having only one year remaining on his rookie deal and Penn being a restricted free agent.

Tucker did give Domink praise for signing Derrick Ward. But after the aforementioned barbs, it was almost a backhanded compliment.

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