Eric Wright Scored $15.5 Million Guaranteed
March 14th, 2012Did the Bucs overpay?
SiriusXM NFL Radio just spit out contract terms for new Bucs cornerback Eric Wright signed this morning. He locked up a five-year deal worth $37.5 million, with $15.5 million guaranteed.
Not too shabby for a guy that never made a Pro Bowl. That’s some damn good incentive for Aqib Talib to stay out of trouble — if he can stay out of jail. Is Wright even better than Talib, or Ronde Barber?
Remember, the Lions tried to retain Wright but couldn’t afford it. So Joe’s not saying the Bucs didn’t grab a strong cornerback here.
Damn the Bucs are throwing around cash.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:00 am
I like the pick up but it seems too high. Hopefully he’ll prove to be worth it.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:03 am
Just got up, working late nights these days, to CHRISTMAS!!!!
The Bucs are all in in FA and the three signed so far makes our Buccaneers
immediately contenders in the South and beyond………HUGE signings!!!!
YES!!!
March 14th, 2012 at 11:05 am
Guaranteed is the key part of this.
THis is essentially a 3 yr 15.5 Million dollar deal. With the option to extend
Just like V-Jax is essentially a 2 year 26 Million deal with the option to extend and no cap hit if released.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:08 am
Wright is pretty good and definately an upgrade talent wise over all their CBs except Talib, when Talib is playing with his head on straight.
Looks like finnegan played them to get the Rams to up the ante but Mark D had a backup plan and grabbed Wright.
WR – VJAX CHECK
CB – Wright CHECK
O-LINE – Nicks (about to be checked?)
MLB – Lofton – Tulloch????? Man if they get one of them along with these others…………..
That is one great Free Agent haul
March 14th, 2012 at 11:08 am
I’m going to repeat my thoughts that I just posted two mins ago on an older post. I really hope Rockstar is saving enough room to resign Freeman now as opposed to when he becomes a pro-bowler or a playoff game winning QB. If it’s all about 5 let’s wrap him up long term before he becomes too expensive.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:09 am
Loving this FA now let’s get a stud LB and Mike Tolbert or Bush, then sit back and watch the draft, feeling good about the upcoming year, but again don’t we all say that. Go Bucs
March 14th, 2012 at 11:10 am
One of if not both Biggers and Lewis are gone.
Take that to the bank.
They were given more then enough chances. Time to say good bye.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:10 am
I also like the Dan O signing as a backup QB. He has played some, has been around a little and has some knowledge. He is not great, but he is a backup and better than the backups they have.
JOE – – – Any word on LOFTON? Seems like that was close then fell through? Was it money or did someone else come calling? Mayve they up the ante a little and get it done.
HIM AND NICKS along with what they already did!?!?!?
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!
March 14th, 2012 at 11:11 am
Wright is a moderate upgrade. Lets leave it at that.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:12 am
This guy improves our secondary, but we still way overpaid for him…
March 14th, 2012 at 11:13 am
Glazers are making it rain, like a player outing to the local strip club!
March 14th, 2012 at 11:14 am
I had heard lofton was wanting $10M + and Bucs backed off. Pretty steep for a two-down backer.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:16 am
From BSPN…VJ already making a point of showing that 5 is the man.
On Tuesday, Tampa Bay landed Jackson with a five-year, $55.55 million deal.
Jackson’s contract will pay him $13 million in each of his first two years, then $10 million for the third year. The “5s” in the total value of the deal ($55,555,555) is a tribute to Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman, who wears No. 5.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:18 am
The contract numbers on Wright are not too damaging when you think about it. We actually still have some room, especially if Faine is released.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:19 am
NJBucsFan Says:
March 14th, 2012 at 11:08 am
I’m going to repeat my thoughts that I just posted two mins ago on an older post. I really hope Rockstar is saving enough room to resign Freeman now as opposed to when he becomes a pro-bowler or a playoff game winning QB. If it’s all about 5 let’s wrap him up long term before he becomes too expensive.
Thats why these deals are front loaded. We have a couple of years left until we have to worry about re-signing our draft picks. And it isn’t as if the Bucs signed these guys for two years just so they could cut them with no cap hit. They’re obviously not going to win the Super Bowl within the next 2 years. I think they’re finally acting like owners who care about their team and the city that supports it. And for that I will be at the games this year. Hopefully watching us go 8-8 or better!
March 14th, 2012 at 11:25 am
This isn’t SEXY signing but it damn sure is a SMART one. Wright is solid, almost never hurt and reliable. All qualities the Bucs have lacked at that position, save for Ronde’, in years.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:27 am
Hope we get a backer soon. Megatron’s new contract was just announced and the lions website has identified it frees up cap space this year for them to resign Tulloch.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:28 am
Of all the corners out there, why this guy? Did anyone watch the Lions last season? With the offensive pyrotechnics on that team, why did they have such a hard time closing out games with a more than adequate pass rush? Eric Wright allowed a league high 75 passes last season. Sounds deserving of a big money deal??? The first two signing are slam dunks, excellent work. This one is a head scratcher.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:28 am
@ NJBucsFan dont worry, Dom is always looking way ahead to the future, Im sure he had all of this planned, I swear the guy is always looking 2-3 years ahead
March 14th, 2012 at 11:30 am
Vjax – 13 million per year against the cap
Wright – 3-4 million against the cap
Nicks – About 6-7 million against the cap
Orvlosky – not sure, assume 1-2 million TOPS
That is 23-26 million against the cap for a starting LG, WR, CB, and backup QB. 2 of them are all-pros. Damn good job in my book. They release Faine and get something like 7 million back agains the cap. They started at approximately 47 million under….
47-26 = 21 + 7 = 28
They are STILL 28 million under the cap!!!!
Granted they will sign a few other guys for depth and maybe still shed out 7 + million for a MLB.
They do that and they will still end the frenzy at 15-18 million UNDER the cap.
Plenty to move forward with next year when they have to sign Freeman to a new deal.
This is a great day in the Bucs turn around.
All I ask is for Penn and Nicks to not eat themselves out of the league. They have the chance to be the most dominant left side in all of football.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:32 am
We still have the cash to outbid the Lions, but if Tulloch wants to stay in Detroit he will.
I think we should sign Lofton and Bush, cut Faine and watch for team cuts. Maybe save some for the second part of free agency.
Watch Ruud be resigned, lol.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:32 am
Lofton about to be signed
http://thepewterplank.com/2012/03/13/buccaneers-sign-curtis-lofton/
March 14th, 2012 at 11:34 am
@ Marques
That’s from yesterday bro lol
March 14th, 2012 at 11:36 am
I don’t know if I would cut Faine. Depth at OL is extremely valuable.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:38 am
@Geraldini93
10m Yessir got my boys @bigbrickhouse77 and Eric Wright. @CurtisLofton50 and @superreg30 come on down to Tampa and finish this off.
– GMC
March 14th, 2012 at 11:40 am
Just read an article from Pat Y on ESPN…
Apparently we attracted these FAs without signing bonuses.
Well played Dom. Well played.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:42 am
The structuring of these contracts; no signing bonus, guaranteeing only 2 or 3 years; is a stroke of genius on Dominick’s part (and I know he’s been doing it the past few years), given the new rules of spending minimums which go into effect next year.
First of all, it minimizes the opportunity for “dead money” when players like this are signed, they typically stay on for at least 2 years, and 3 being even more common, but if you release them after year 3, you have to absorb 2 or 3 years worth of proration, which counts against the cap, but not the spending minimum.
Secondly with that spending minimum, even if a player is cut from the Bucs before their guaranteed money is all paid out, I’m sure that the contract is worded to pay out on specific dates, regardless of roster status, meaning the “dead money” in this case would count against the spending minimum.
Finally, strictly from a business standpoint, it’s good for the Galzers in that it keeps their annual budget for player salaries VERY predictable over several years, without have one year where they shell out $80 mil in signing bonuses, and the next may only be $30 mil, leaving expenditures in a constant state of flux. Not that too many fans would care about that, but having been in a position of working for companies where I had input on the big picture budget, having expenses being predicable is much better than the alternative, and I find that very shrewd.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:44 am
My bad bro
March 14th, 2012 at 11:45 am
With a press conference today at 1pm, we’re probably done with the big names?
March 14th, 2012 at 11:45 am
@ Marques
No worries. I actually did the same thing on another post about Terrell Thomas lol
March 14th, 2012 at 11:48 am
FYI: V Jax/Nicks/E. Wright Presser today at 1pm
March 14th, 2012 at 11:50 am
Now we know why Detroit couldn’t sign Eric Wright – all the money was gone! Megatron just got extension for 7 years, 132mil, with 60mil gauranteed. Manning will probably get the Gross National Product of a small country!
March 14th, 2012 at 11:52 am
Dominik is a genius after all, no matter what happens the way he is structuring contracts is great. Yea we may have over payed but we want to be contenders then we needed to get guys like this on our team. The only one I think we truly over payed for was Wright, but Finnegan is gone and looks like Carr is heading to Dallas. The guy is decent and if our D line steps it up could make it easier on the D backs. We still have more money to spend and free agency.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:54 am
Yes they’re throwing money around, if that contract is true, wish they had saved that for Mario Williams instead…
March 14th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
@ thibs5599
When you think about it, Wright is only gauranteed $15 million on a 5 year contract…that averages to only $3 million per year. Not a bad deal, even if it is paid over the first few years.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
I know it’s from Twitter and all, but I’ve seen a couple of tweets about Ben Tate trade talks. I would love to see him in a Bucs uniform.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
Mario Williams??? We have Clayburn, Bowers, and Bennett and you want us to spend that kind of money on Williams?? I would rather spend the money on a MLB.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:12 pm
BEN TATE WOULD BE SWEET!!!! But unrealistic. Love the AUBURN TIGERS!!!
March 14th, 2012 at 12:16 pm
Bucs did not grab a strong CB here.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:18 pm
josephperson: Former North Carolina DE Quinton Coples, who visited the #Panthers on Mon, has upcoming visits with Jacksonville and Tampa Bay, per source.
Not sure who this clown is but he a media type. Stated today that Claiborne will drop to kitties at #7. I am thinking Carolina media?
March 14th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
@ Scotty
Yeah he works up here for the Charlotte Observer so it’s legit. Claiborne getting past Jacksonville or St. Louis is not very likely.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:24 pm
This is a quote from Pat Yasinskas w/ ESPN:
“With Nicks and Jahri Evans, the Saints had what many said was the best guard tandem in the league. They made tackles Jermon Bushrod and Zach Strief and center Brian De La Puente look better than they really are. The Saints have Baltimore’s Ben Grubbs in for a visit and he’s decent.
Evans remains and he’s very good. But the Saints no longer have the best guard in the league.
The Bucs do.”
Very exciting stuff about how having 2 top notch guards can make your entire line better. From right to left Joseph, Zuttah, Nicks, Penn. Huge year running the ball, opening up Jackson deep, pulling covergae off Winslow and Williams underneath.
Dare I say that our offense might be dynamic in 2012?
March 14th, 2012 at 12:24 pm
Us taking Coples is not likely at all. Or smart.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:25 pm
LOL…or gets by us for that matter. I am worried that Minny or Browns will get him before we get a chance.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
@ Scotty
McShay just projected on Twitter that Claiborne goes to the Browns. Guess we’ll see. Two 1st round corners in 3 years doesn’t make any sense to me. I’m of the mind that Cleveland will take T-Rich…unless they want to rely on Montario Hardesty again.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:30 pm
McShay is another clown. When has he ever been right on anything. I would be more worried if Mayock said Minny or Borwns get Claiborne.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
I have been asking around and have heard Eric Wright is a solid corner. Even a Pretty Good corner. We will see, I am not gonna bash because I dont know his name.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
One thing is for sure – they are giving Schiano every opportunity to be successful.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:42 pm
I saw sign Joe Addai cheaply, get Lofton, and lets; get MARIO WILLIAMS! then sit back and draft!
March 14th, 2012 at 12:43 pm
The FA corners were flying off the shelves and this was the last quality guy available, with experience in our base defense.
It is a good sign to me as I have been somewhat concerned about the type of defense we would be running…not that I care as long it’s good…but after making so many defensive picks for players that fit the 4-3, it would have been devastating to think our defense was going to be revamped/rebuilt on 3-4 concepts.
More and more I like this Yachobovsky….
March 14th, 2012 at 12:46 pm
@Ed Kerber
There is ZERO chance Mario Williams comes here. Maybe Mario Manningham though.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
@jvato
From ESPN Insider:
Grade: 79
70-79: Good Starter
Solid starter who is close to being an outstanding player. … Has few weaknesses and usually will win his individual matchup but does not dominate in every game, especially when matched up against the top players in the league.
Analysis:
“Wright has adequate size with excellent athleticism and deceptive strength for the position. He has great speed, quickness and burst to be an effective perimeter defender in both man and zone coverage schemes. He leverages the ball well as a run defender and can be physical in block protection. He understands route progressions and anticipates well to make plays on the ball. Wright was an excellent addition to the Lions’ secondary in 2011 and should continue to be a consistent performer in future years.”
March 14th, 2012 at 12:49 pm
Claiborne will be gone, most likely, at #4 – expect T Rich at #5 with he and Blount running behind Penn, Nick, Zuttah, Joseph, and Trueblood.
That’s some serious beef!
Forget 4th quarter, opposing defenses will be tired by the 3rd quarter.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Everyone sans a few fantasy/Madden hopeful believe the Bucs are/were ever considering signing the soon to be highest paid DE in the league to a position that includes Bennett, Clayborn and Bowers. Signing Williams would set this team back financially for a while. The owners know this. The manager knows this. Madden players can’t figure it out though.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:51 pm
For reference:
Cortland Finnegan was graded as an 80.
Carl Nicks graded as an 86.
V Jax was graded as an 85.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:56 pm
I’m just excited we are talking positive about Bucs again.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:56 pm
Did some research … Eric Wright was a 2nd round pick and NFL Draft scout had him as the 7th ranked corner in the country. Ran a 4.36 forty at the combine.
Also read that he excels in the SLot and spends most of his time there.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:56 pm
Sounds like “the Dom” might have a potential steal with Eric Wright.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
Good Job Sensible … I didnt see that till I posted.
March 14th, 2012 at 1:00 pm
If they signed Laron Landry then i”ll be impressed
March 14th, 2012 at 1:06 pm
Group Pic from the presser.
http://lockerz.com/s/192444143
March 14th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
Cortland Finnegan (28 years old) – 5 year 50 million (26.5 mil guaranteed) – 10 mil/year
Eric Wright (27 years old) – 5 year 37.5 million (15.5 mil guaranteed) 7.5 mil/year
Sounds like it’s about right for where the market was set.
March 14th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
PFF had Wright with an overall rating of -14.7.
-2.7 came from penalties which is alarming but possibly fixable with better coaching. -8.3 in coverage and -2.0 against the run.
I have a hard time with the 14 missed tackles, allowing more receptions than any other CB, allowing more YAC than all but 7 CBs, 5 TDs allowed, and 8 penalties.
March 14th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
lmao Wright looks like a baby sandwiched between Nicks and Jackson.
March 14th, 2012 at 1:14 pm
Holder is twittering highlights from presser…Carl Nicks can’t wait to “be physical” in the running game. Got “fired up” by first chat w/ Schiano
March 14th, 2012 at 1:16 pm
I hope Joe gives us his usual detailed outline of this conference, which I wish I would’ve DVR’d before I left for work this morning.
March 14th, 2012 at 1:16 pm
It’s been like 3 hours since we’ve signed an All-Pro. I’m getting antsy
March 14th, 2012 at 1:24 pm
LOL @ Cream
March 14th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
found this on da’quan bowers tiwitter of mark dominik. http://i.imgur.com/ox4SO.gif
March 14th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
Carl Nicks says the Saints were “a pass 1st team — and 2nd and 3rd”. Feels he’ll be able to excel in Tampa Bay’s power running game
March 14th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
I notice Thomas is absent. He must be going crazy looking for some negativity in all this. Poor guy, good luck with that.
March 14th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
I got to wonder if rah and dom thought they can win with the 2010 team and didnt need FAs. Or that the outcry of fans caused the spending spree. Makes me wonder!
March 14th, 2012 at 1:29 pm
lol ^^^^^^^
March 14th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
@ Hawaiian
YEAH. Where IS Thomas?
March 14th, 2012 at 1:31 pm
Yeah, we overpaid. So what? He’s a guaranteed upgrade at one of our worst positions. By the way, who thinks our CB play improves anyway with our DB’s having to go against someone in practice (VJax) who will dominate them every snap as opposed to the chumps they’ve been going against lately?
March 14th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
For those down on signing CB Eric Wright- here is why ot was good. They went after Finnegan. He used them to get the Rams (where his old coach, Fisher, is) to up the ante and he got it.
Carr was already done searching and has been in negotiations with Dallas. That left very few good CBs left.
Plan B was probably Wright. They went after him and got him. The signing is 3 years 15.5 million gaurenteed. The rest of it and the rest of the years does not amtter much.
He is a good CB who can run and tackle. Yes he missed some tackles, that is because Detroit’s defense was much like the Bucs, ALOT of guys running around in the secondary after getting past their “vaunted D-Line”.
Wright is not great, but he is an upgrade and has the potential to be real good. He is better than any CB on the team except Talib, who may or may not play here again.
Personally, I see Barber coming back for one more year now.
I see talib cutting axed along with Lewis.
Biggers, I am not sure on. He shows flashes and maybe with more discipline he will be good as a backup.
The one I have high hopes for is Anthony Gaitor. He has all the tools and is now going to be playing with a great secondary coach from LSU who can teach. he is a year or 2 away though.
I still see them drafting Claiborne with pick 5 and thengetting a RB and a LB in rounds 2-3
March 14th, 2012 at 1:39 pm
From today’s press conference, it sounds like the Bucs might be done for now in free agency. “Looking towards the draft”.
March 14th, 2012 at 1:43 pm
@Dave I agree he is better than Barber, Lewis and Biggers. Though, one did not have to play very well to play better than any of those three were last season.
This is not the type of pick that makes me think we are set at CB. I’m glad we got someone because we were hurting badly. Could he get better? There is always that possibility. But considering he is entering his 6th year it most likely won’t be much better. Which makes me want Claiborne.
March 14th, 2012 at 1:45 pm
@Hawaiian Buc
Good point.
Thomas must be miserable today because things look positive.
My impression of his comments to come:
-VJax has a drinking problem and has been injured, bad signing.
-Nicks is big and now with a big contract will eat himself out of the league with Penn
Wright is horrible and Biggers is better…..
Seriously, it must be hard to be that miserable and negative ALL THE TIME
Should we send him a get well card?
March 14th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
@Dave “My impression of his comments to come:
-VJax has a drinking problem and has been injured, bad signing.
-Nicks is big and now with a big contract will eat himself out of the league with Penn
Wright is horrible and Biggers is better…..”
I don’t know him very well, but that sounds about right so far lol
March 14th, 2012 at 2:46 pm
@Dave
“I see talib cutting axed along with Lewis.”
In my best Bart Scott, CAN’T WAIT!