Good-Bye Kregg Lumpkin?

March 10th, 2012

Joe’s been waiting to see whether word of a restricted free agent tender offer to Kregg Lumpkin might trickle out this week.

And while BSPN reported the Bucs gave a tender offer to reserve tackle Demar Dotson and locked up LeGarrette Blount and Preston Parker to one-year, exclusive rights deals for 2012, there hasn’t been a peep about Lumpkin. With Micheal Bennett getting a fat tender offer, Lumpkin would be the Bucs’ only restricted free agent to be passed up.

Joe suspects Team Schiano took a look and Lumpkin’s 2011 film — he only had two carries entering last season — and figured they could do better, or should at least try. Rockstar general manager had high hopes for Lumpkin last season, but Lumpkin didn’t seem to be very good at much other than holding on to the football and staying healthy.

If Lumpkin’s out of the mix, then that leaves the Bucs with only two running backs on the roster: LeGarrette Blount and Moisses Madu. Free agent Earnest Graham still has months go in his recovery from a blown Achilles.

Obviously, the Bucs need to head into offseason training with at least a backup to Blount and a legitimate third down back. Joe’s not seeing how the Bucs don’t grab one rather quickly in free agency. It would be far too risky to hit the NFL Draft banking on drafting a running back without reaching for one.

There are plenty of names in the free agent market. Might the Bucs go old school and bring back Cadillac Williams or snatch LaDanian Tomlinson, who accepted the third-down back role with the Jets and was very effective as a receiver last year?

Might the Bucs shell out the for San Diego’s Mike Tolbert, who can pound it in short yardage and catch the ball? Benjarvus Green-Ellis has the versatility?  

Joe can’t imagine the Bucs not having a new running back not named Lumpkin by this time next week.

34 Responses to “Good-Bye Kregg Lumpkin?”

  1. Have A Nice Day Says:

    My bet is Green-Ellis. He fits the bill and we have been doing business with the pats in recent years.

  2. Have A Nice Day Says:

    By business I mean Ted Larson, Tyrone McKenzie and Kyle Arrington.

  3. marks Says:

    My votes for L T, would be a great mentor for the young guys. Then draft LaMichael James in the third.

  4. Macabee Says:

    Mike Tolbert in FA, Isiah Pead or LaMicheal James in the 3rd round, and Darrell Scott (USF) in the 7th round. We have 2 comp picks for Ruud and Cadillac (I assume addl 7th rounders).

  5. Mark Says:

    How about working a trade with the Bengals for Brian Leonard? He was with Coach Schiano @ Rutgers and is a excellent 3rd down reciever & short yardage back.

  6. Eastflatbush buc Says:

    I say bring in the ole drop top Caddi…honestly it will do something for the fan base and draft LeMichael James

  7. Brad Says:

    As long as Dominik signs and signs being the keyword some top FA at other positions then signing a 3rd down back to compliment Blount will be a piece of cake. I’m more interested in the likelyhood of Dominik signing and signing the keyword here the likes of Jackson, Finnegan, Nicks, and Tullock. If Dominik and the Glazers pull this off then it will excite the fanbase beyond belief and give confidence in the GM and ownership. Something this area needs big time.

  8. buCncRaZy Says:

    We might get 1comp pic, I really hope w get tolbert he has #1 ability for short periods of time and fits our holes perfectly!
    B.Grubbs or Nicks and Garcon,Clark.

  9. RastaMon Says:

    nothing wrong with bringing Lumkin back to camp with the new staff….many moons ’till final 53

  10. bucfanjeff Says:

    Addai and draft a RB in later rounds? (Assuming we don’t pick TR)

  11. Rrsrq Says:

    Addai, smart, can catch, will have no problem with pass protections, not sure about his speed, but can still be a compliment to Blount

  12. Patrick Says:

    Kregg Lumpkin did NOTHING to even earn a roster spot in the first place. Cut him. Is that even questionable as to whether we should keep him or not?

  13. Cannon Says:

    Bring caddy back! ( I bought his Jersey when he was drafted, lol)

  14. FIRETHECANNONS Says:

    Didn’t

  15. Northend Says:

    Lets load up on thick road graders.Hillis or tolbert runnin behind our new upgraded line ,blount and a speed guy in draft like pead.sur would b old school

  16. FIRETHECANNONS Says:

    Didn’t even need to read the article to say I agree 100%.

  17. Bobby Says:

    No lumpkin?? How will the other team know when we’re going to pass??

  18. Bobby Says:

    It’s my understanding that Lumpkin told Schiano “If you cut me, I’m going to bust a cap in your ass.”

  19. CycleTim Says:

    funny Bobby

  20. DAN Says:

    but that left schaino distraught and in emotional distress…

  21. Sergio C Says:

    For F/A we should go after Finnegan-Jackson-(if possible) Nicks and London Flecther from the Redskins. He may be old but he led the league in last year and would be a great veteran addition to our linebacking corp.

  22. Sergio C Says:

    ^ if the price is right of course

  23. Bobby Says:

    Schiano responded by saying: “Yo dude….did you just watch a rerun of SHAFT or something? Does anybody even use that term anymore? It seems so outdated…Oh by the way…I’m not going to sue you for 15k, that’s just what I’m going to offer to pay you next season if you want to be a Buc.”

  24. So. Ill. Bucs Says:

    The prospect of a Blount/Tolbert backfield has me salivating a little bit.

  25. BigMacAttack Says:

    I’ve been a fan of Benjarvis since he was in college. I had hoped then the Bucs would take him in the 7’th. I’d like to see Cadi back as well.

  26. Captain Stagger Says:

    Blount/Tolbert/James is a diverse yet complete backfield.

  27. Thomas 2.2. Says:

    No! This is one of rockhead’s coveted free agent acquisitions.

  28. Bobby Says:

    I’d pass on Caddy. I’d much rather get a FA that is younger and has years ahead of him. I don’t want to start filling holes with vets that only have a few years left. I’d rather get a player like Doug Martin in the draft who can learn the blocking scheme and has the muscle to be a good 3rd down back than fill the gap with Caddy. Martin can do everything Caddy can do with a lot more speed.

  29. David Says:

    They definstely sign a free agent RB for the depth. They have to draft one also as far as I’m concerned. There are too many good RBs with alot of speed available in rounds 2-4 this draft

  30. LWP Says:

    Green-Ellis would be badass! He’s a speedy bruiser! Him and Blount would put a Hurtin on defenses! People say this is a passing league blah blah blah, lets pound those passing defenses with some bruisers and see how they like it!

  31. LWP Says:

    Oh Plus Green-Ellis has NEVER fumbled the ball once in his career

  32. LWP Says:

    Plus he’s got like 4 names! Ben, Jarvis, Green, Ellis right??

  33. Adam Says:

    I forgot what game it was, buy my favorite Lumpkin moment was when he spun in the open field without a single guy around him.

    I heard a podcast where JBF-favorite Steve White said that Lumpkin accidentally hit the “Square” button.

  34. johnboy2455 Says:

    I think we should cut Lumpkin for sure. Then get either Tolbert, Addai, or Green-Ellis and draft someone like Doug Martin or the rb from V.Tech. Then get Garcon, not Jackson. Garcon has more upside than any FA wideout this year. On defense, we should get a NT, MLB to move Foster outside and Finnegan or Brandon Carr of the Chiefs. Oh, and getting safety help with Tyvon Branch wouldn’t hurt either. You have $67 million dollars Bucs, USE IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!