Media, Not Bucs Or Jets, Driving Revis Trade

April 10th, 2013

In a very eye-opening (ear-opening?) interview of Bucs beat writer Woody Cummings of The Tampa Tribune with Joe’s good friend, “The Commish,” Justin Pawlowski of WHFS-FM 98.7, Cummings claimed high-level sources at One Buc Palace have told him there really are no significant talks currently between the Bucs and the Jets for cornerback Darrelle Revis.

His information reinforced what Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik told Pat Kirwan and Tim Ryan, co-hosts of “Movin’ the Chains” last month, heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio; the Bucs don’t even know if the Jets want to trade Revis and, apparently, the Jets have cold feet.

“There is so much speculation out there [on what the Jets are asking for]. Bottom line here, as I have been told by some people very high up in the Buccaneers organization, is that the Jets have still not decided if they even want to trade Darrelle Revis,” Cummings said. “They are struggling to find anybody other than the Bucs to ensure they can get a decent deal or a deal much to their liking. That may be a part of their indecision to even move this player.

“The Bucs have not decided if they want the player. So when you get two parties supposedly involved in the trade or a potential trade, and that is really the best way to look at it: supposedly involved in a potential trade because obviously nothing is happening, and either side has not decided what they want to do or which direction they want to go, you are not going to have a deal. Again, as I said before, I think the media is more interested in this deal than either team at this point. I think that is an absolute fact that the media is absolutely obsessed with this story. The two sides are like, ‘Eh, I don’t know if I want to move the guy.’ … ‘Eh, I don’t know if I want the guy.’ So nothing is happening.”

What Cummings said makes all the sense in the world. If you are Idzik and you are being boxed in by Dominik, you too would try desperately to find another suitor to try to get that third party and Dominik into a bidding war.

This is one reason why Joe is hardly convinced a Revis trade happens the week of the draft (just days away) as many have speculated. Virtually the only option Idzik has to prevent Dominik from fleecing him is to find another team interested in Revis. Thing is, some team would have to do some serious heavy lifting in a handful of days to clear cap space for Revis.

The Bucs already have the cap space.

To hear Pawlowski’s entire interview with Cummings, click here.

41 Responses to “Media, Not Bucs Or Jets, Driving Revis Trade”

  1. bucfanjeff Says:

    It’s why we have the leverage between the two clubs. Revis has the ultimate leverage, but we’re a close second and the Jets a distant 3rd.

  2. Glen Says:

    The media is nothing more than a selfserving propoganda machine. Pro sports owners have controlling interests in the media and they use the media as a conduit to obtain taxpayer money for new stadiums and “upkeep” of those stadiums. They provide hush money to people within the media so that they will not be exposed.

  3. 4everBucsFan Says:

    I think Revis and his agent should chime in. Maybe the Bucs and Jets can’t openly talk trade but I don’t know of any rule that says Revis has to stay quiet.

    I want to know if Revis wants to come here and not just for the money?

  4. big007hed Says:

    I think where there is smoke there is fire… Too many NFL insiders have spoken to discussions they have had saying that there have been discussions and compensation has been involved in that.

    I think this deal happens but a few days before the draft. The stories will get real quiet right before it goes down.

  5. Cannuckbuc Says:

    I would like to see the Bucs avoid Revis and trade up to Milner .(not sure of his name spelling)

  6. SilenceTheCritics Says:

    Im glad to hear this. Hopefully its true. We dont need an elite corner, specially not under the circumstances Revis is in. Draft a couple and sign one during the 2nd wave of free agency. Everybody wants a big name but most dont understand a collection of great players doesnt always make a great team, the right players do.

  7. Joe Says:

    I think Revis and his agent should chime in.

    They did Monday. They were quite busy Monday in fact.

  8. Capt. Tim Says:

    As I said weeks ago. They didn’t sign any Cbs- because if the big pending Revis deal!

    Then, don’t do Revis deal.

    We start with Wright( til he gets suspended) and Myron lewis( til he gets hurt)
    And a couple rookies. With Dom’s bad drafting history- dont count on the draft saving us

    Another year of Freeman’s career, and McCoys, wasted

    Sad

  9. Joe Says:

    Glen:

    They provide hush money to people within the media so that they will not be exposed.

    Can you cite a specific example where an NFL team paid off a reporter? If so, Joe wants on that gravy train.

  10. Dylan Says:

    @joe what did revis and his agent say on Monday?

  11. Hunter Says:

    First off Cummings is clueless. The jets wnt to move Revis and the bucs want Revis. Those are two undeniable facts. Of course the Jet want to have more leverage , but the fact is they will be hard pressed finding another team that is willing to make tht kind of financial comment along with draft pick compensation. The Jets truly have no other option , they need to fill their roster this year not next with starters. Therefore at the end of the day this trade happens, it make sense for both sides and the media is merely an outlet, and is not driving this deal .

  12. stevek Says:

    Joe,

    The media is hyping this deal because it must be done. The Jets are in cap hell, and the Bucs have 33 million in cap space to go along with a “Grand Canyon” size crater at the CB position.

    The media could have easily been fended off by the addition of one outside free agent cornerback. I honestly beleive the Bucs are as happy as can be about the media attention, after all they are making more news now by not spending than at any point in the past two regular seasons.

    Congratulaions Bucs, we are on the map now. Let’s all just hope it is for the things “we will do”, or the moves “we will make” leading up to the draft.

    I would hate to see the Bucs be painted out of the picture, and stuck filling in the 3rd CB off the board at #13.

  13. Joe Says:

    Dylan:

    @joe what did revis and his agent say on Monday?

    You didn’t read all the Revis news that popped Monday?

  14. Capt. Tim Says:

    Silencethecritics- yup we don’t need celebrity CBs. We need 3 or 4 good CBs. That would have been enough to get us in the playoffs.

    But now we have new issues at DT and DE. Those must also be addressed.

    Still have no TE, need slot Wr, need RT. need Sam LBer.

  15. Capt. Tim Says:

    SteveK- you are absolutely right! If they had signed JUST ONE decent FA CB, it would have put all the pressure on the jets. We would have been Ok by drafting 2, and signing one more later. You and I discussed this the first time anyone mentioned a Revis Trade!!

    This whole media Circus is the Result of Dom not seizing the moment.

    Now- we are as pathetically desperate as The Jets.

    As disgustingly bad as our CBs were last season- and they were an abomination!!!- with the loss of Biggers, they are possibly worse.

    We either have to find new CBs, or we will be worse than last year.
    And we were really bad last year

  16. Cannuckbuc Says:

    This article sounds like they haven’t talked for awhile, does anyone know when they last communicated ?

  17. Jacko101 Says:

    Ok cool so how about everyone quit speculating and drop all the Revis talks he isn’t a Buc period point blank. Lets focus on the draft

  18. Cannuckbuc Says:

    @Jacko101
    I agree we should move on but this article is about Revis this is where we say our sh#t

  19. Big Rob Says:

    We don’t need TE. Historically the Giants have had many TEs signed from many places. They have never treated that position as a NEED, and we run a similar offense.

    In our defense the SLB plays around 30% of all defensive plays. A scrub can handle that duty just fine. SLB is NOT a NEED.

    We have 3 terrific starters, one good starter, and an OK RT in Dotson. RT is NOT a NEED.

    Would it be NICE to have upgrades at these positions? Yes. Of course, but we can’t have pro-bowlers at every position. The salary cap won’t allow it. We don’t NEED any of this positions.

  20. FLBoyInDallas Says:

    It’s so funny to just sit back and watch how “sources” and conveniently planted statements, along with all the speculation, continues to rile up both fan bases as well as the media. It’s hilarious, actually. The media as well as the fans really have no clue what’s going on behind the scenes. It’s almost a comedy watching emotions swing back & forth with each bit of “news”. You are all getting played and don’t even realize it.

  21. Mr. Patrick Says:

    I think it’s interesting how so many Bucs fans after hearing everything that is involved now don’t want the Revis deal to happen. However, the Bucs just keep opening up more and more cap space for some reason.

  22. Capt. Tim Says:

    Big Rob- yup, you are right! We don’t need any of those! We are a lasting contender, lots of Playoff wins, and Superbowl victories galore in the last few years!! Why improve? We are a frogging dynasty!!

    Riiight

    Rob, you aren’t a “paid” football analyst-are you??
    You see, we keep finishing in last place EVERY YEAR, buddy.
    And the object in Football is, oddly, to win.

    When we don’t win- we are doing it wrong. And we have been doing it wrong for years.

    If we had signed Sean Smith,Marcus Trufant, Roy Miller, and Eric Winston- then drafted Tyler Efert, Desmond Trufant, and Ryan Logan
    We would be in the playoffs .

    We have done nothing. Signed 4th stringers from other teams. Other than Goldson

    We are on our way to NFC south Cellar again

    Not improving a last place team is an insanity

  23. Kalind Says:

    Gotta disagree Capt. Freeman has wasted his own career, not Dominik. He does less with more than any qb in the league. Every team in the playoffs had a worse offensive supporting cast around their qb with the exception of Atlanta. Sea, Washington, GB, SF, INDY, etc. show me where Dominik hasn’t put together a good team?

    And who says Myron is starting next year? I haven’t seen that. Two rookie CBs and Wright and Gaitor with Myron or Gorrer is ok. Rather have revis though.

    I really wish people would stop blaming Dominik. All I’ve ever been is impressed. No one hits on 100% of their draft picks. But for every Brian Price arrelious he’s had, there’s a Mike Wiliams and a Legarrette Blount. So stop all the hate. Dom is a top 5 GM. Do we really want to have a repeat of the Gruden to Raheem situation…this time w. GM?

  24. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    omg. I said this from the beginning and now that Woody says it, people believe it? Sigh.

  25. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    Kalind Says:
    April 10th, 2013 at 3:07 pm

    “Gotta disagree Capt. Freeman has wasted his own career, not Dominik.”

    While I agree that Dominick is doing a fine job, I really don’t see the difference between bashing Dominick or bashing Freeman. It’s the pot calling the kettle black.

    The truth is this. Dominick has drafted 12 starters in 4 years. That isn’t bad. Only eleven are with the team, still not bad. He’s worked out some amazing trades. He’s gotten us Winslow (who was worth it, even without the championship), Nicks, Bennett (gone now), Jackson and others. And he has managed to keep us out of cap hell.

    Now, I understand you may agree with these things. My issue is with your take on Freeman.

    He had bad years when? When the rest of the team also had bad years. When they were guided by the idiots Olson and Morris.

    To make my case for him, I harken back to the days of Dungy. Warren Sapp once said, in those days, that if the offense would just score 2 touchdowns per game, the Bucs would never lose because the defense would protect the lead or score themselves.

    Remember Freeman’s rookie year? What was he known for? A come from behind QB. From the start, he had to play superhero for this team.

    This past season, he would lead the offense into 2, 3 even 4 touchdowns. But the defense failed to protect the lead. Toward the end of the season, the defense got worse, and that was when Freeman had to take chances, had to be a “superhero” again. Before that, he was on his way to being considered elite.

    Now, I realize the first thing fans want when a team loses is a new QB, but that’s not always the right move. For the first time, Freeman is in a position to improve his game.

    If he were older, say around 28, he might be in a better position to single handedly win games. By that time he will have learned to play smart and when to take chances. By that time he will be well settled into a scheme.

    But for now, he needs a defense to protect the lead he builds. And this far, that isn’t happening.

  26. AmbushBuc Says:

    “Dom is a top 5 GM.”

    Maybe top 5 GM within the NFC South sure, but nothing beyond that.
    24-40, bro. Scoreboard.

  27. AmbushBuc Says:

    “The truth is this. Dominick has drafted 12 starters in 4 years.”

    There’s a difference between 12 good starters and 12 crappy starters. Many of the draft picks that have started for us in the past 4 years have been crap. Hence the 24-40 record.

  28. stevek Says:

    How does Scott Piollo assemble a roster of five 2012 probowlers, and gets fired.

    Dominick has drafted 2 probowl campaigns in his tenure.

    40% of Mark Dominick wins came in 2010 with Raheem the Dream.

    Anyone thinking that Dom is a “Top 5” GM is 100% off their rocker. 24-40, trading up to draft Freeman, and numerous other misses.

    LaVonte David is the only real feather in his cap.

    Bucs need to be in the 2013 playoffs, tired of watching week 17 not matter for the opponet and they let us win to worsten our draft stock.

    16 meanngful games, anyone?

  29. Joe Says:

    Steve:

    How does Scott Piollo assemble a roster of five 2012 probowlers, and gets fired.

    Guess you aren’t familar with the coaches he hired?

    Or how he turned one of the biggest NFL fanbases against the team?

  30. stevek Says:

    Capt. Tim,

    I agree whole heartedly. The Bucs created this drama, and love it.

    I just hope they “love” winning games in 2013 and some friggin playoffs.

    Mediocre Mark Dominick needs to step it up a notch.

  31. Bucamania Says:

    Now I’m not sure who’s the bigger fool. Either Idzik for not moving Revis or Dom for not wanting him.

  32. CC Says:

    Bengals just released Jason Allen. Bucs would be smart to take a shot. Injured last year but had 10 int’s total in previous 2 years. He big,athletic , fast and can hit. Last years injury was a thigh. Former first round pick.

  33. BirdDoggers Says:

    This article points out the one thing that is hampering the Jets from making a decision, a second trade partner. The trade talks may have cooled in the past few weeks, but the smoke is still billowing. No doubt, Idzik is trying to coax another bidder. I don’t see another team willing to pay Revis his contract demands on top of the draft pick compensation, which should tell the Bucs something. It should tell the Jets something too.

  34. Buc Wilder Says:

    Damn, I thought that was holding the deal up- Jet’s wanted to get rid of him, but we refused to take him.

  35. Kalind Says:

    Bonzai,
    Thanks for the support. But I’m not just a reg fan ragging I my qb. My issue w Freeman is his inability to win game whe they need to be won. For gods sake he skips passes on the turf like its a day at the lake. Who else does that? As for the D. Did Rodgers have a good D last year? Indy? Washington? Atlanta? I mean, these teams in some cases had horrid defenses worse than ours. But they still made the playoffs. 3 were rookies. Is it too much to ask of Freeman to get to the playoffs behind a dominant line, w two problem caliber Wrs and pro bowl RB and a bad defense? I mean RG3 did it with less, Luck did it with less. Wilson had no offense at all.

    I love your support for the guy. By he’s just not elite. If he couldn’t get it done last year w what he had…how good is he really?

    As for Dominik. There isn’t anyone out there to be had better. Pioli? Really???? Come on, look at the Chiefs. Oh. My. God. Talk about a crater.

    Dom gave Freeman everything he could ever ask for, and his play was still worse than rookie with a LOT less to work with.

    Dom needs to keep next years 1 for a qb, and dominate this draft again. (Has everyone alrdy forgotten Dom won the draft last year? Sheesh. Why the hate on Dom???? Move it to Sheridan if anyone.)

  36. Kalind Says:

    The top five in the division comment is just silly for a variety of reasons. Um, there are 4 teams. And your sarcasm…leaves something to be desired.

    And would you rather have the GM of the Panthers? Honestly?
    Or the GM of the Saints? The recently suspended resident A-hole and liar, Mickey Loomis?

    Not me. No thanks.

  37. Mr. Patrick Says:

    In Mr. Dominick’s defense, last year was the first year that the Glazers let him be a real GM. First, he was saddled with Raheem Morris and the Bate’s experiment, inherited a roster of older players past their primes and players that would never have a prime, then had no money to build a roster or bargain with. Last year with money to spend and a real coach I think he did very well. Brought in the “big 3” free agents and drafted future Pro Bowlers. So all you Dominick haters, he actually is starting his second year. Be patient and lay off.

  38. Curmudgeon Says:

    Joe has pimped this trade more than anyone else on the internet…

    Duh, who couldn’t tell from day 1 that this trade was mostly media driven? Pay attention! I haven’t trusted a word that any member of the media has said about this since the rumors first started. That’s not to say it couldn’t happen.

  39. Drew Says:

    @joe

    The whole Revis media hype is out of hand. It’s so bad… I woke up at 2am this morning thinking I was Revis. Please… Please… give it a break or I’ll wake up this morning at 2am thinking I’m Jesus trying to walk on water.

  40. JBsk Says:

    @Drew. Your last comment was nether funny or intelligent ! Your sacroligous remarks are repugnant and have no place on a sports forum. I feel sorry for you.

  41. Curmudgeon Says:

    @JBsk-
    Your hyper-sensitivity is what gives christians a bad name… YOU should be the one staying out of any online forum if you’re that easily offended. Suck it.