Will Freeman Push Bucs To Deal First-Round Pick?

April 5th, 2013

tcfreemansmileskinnyA very intriguing take was floated on Jets-Bucs-Revis negotiations during a NFC South live chat today on BSPN.com. A fan wrote that the Bucs should deal their 13th overall draft pick later this month to ensure the team is ready for a potential new general manager and franchise quarterback in 2013.

It seems this fan is in now-or-never mode when it comes to rockstar general manager Mark Dominik and No. 5.

Cassidy (Tampa) – I say give up THIS years number 1 pick for Revis and put Freeman and Dominik’s jobs on the line with results. We can’t have no first round pick and no QB next year IF Freeman is up and down and Dominik can’t assemble a playoff team.

Pat Yasinskas — Valid argument.

The crop of rookie quarterbacks is supposed to be significantly better in 2014, so the logic presented is rather sound. If Freeman is inconsistent this season and the Bucs, say, finish 7-9 again, then the Bucs would want a first-round pick next year to help bag a new franchise quarterback. It’s reasonable, as well, to think Dominik could be looking for work if the Bucs check in with a losing record come January.

However, the Bucs have no backup quarterback now and appear to be positioning themselves to draft a QB in the second, third or fourth rounds later this month. Perhaps that’s because the Bucs are, in fact, planning to move the 2014 first-round pick to the Jets and want to give Greg Schiano a chance to pick Freeman’s potential replacement immediately, rather than be handcuffed by a second-tier rookie QB in 2014.

If Joe were Schiano, he’d prefer to take a young QB now.

47 Responses to “Will Freeman Push Bucs To Deal First-Round Pick?”

  1. Bucfan Says:

    Honestly I prefer AJ mccaron next year. He has the elite intangibles decision making and accuracy. I’d rate his arm strength ad velocity an 8/10. Next Matt Ryan in my opinion.

  2. Greig Says:

    How has it taken some people like Cassidy this long to think about that.
    A whole bunch of posters at Pewter Report have been saying this exact thing ever since the talk of the trade began.

    If Dom & Josh are gone after this season it’s highly likely Schiano goes too and we just start over. It’s gonna be fun trying to hire a new GM & HC when we have no QB or 1st round pick to work with.

  3. peter king Says:

    no way! 2nd round this year 1st pick next year the last pick in 1st rd…draft star and honeybadger in 3rd.

  4. Bucfan Says:

    Not if we stay in house gm. That new guy Eric stokes has a eye for scouting talent. He’d be my first choice to replace Dom.

  5. build thru the draft Says:

    thats a great idea fan but i dont see schiano and dominick preparing for failure. Glazers arent going to get rid of schiano after 2 seasons when clearly he’s a better and more detailed coach that raheem and look how long he was here, i think schiano has more input in draft picks since his job in on the line which is why we hit on our first 3 picks last year, i just dont think dominick was the driving force in our draft last year

  6. zam Says:

    Dominik can’t give up a 2013 first-rounder only to find out Revis is 80% the player he was before the injury.

    They’ll re-sign Wright, and pick up the best available player in the draft when it gets to them, either a CB or a DT, and then use their second pick on whatever DT or CB position is still empty.

    Third round they’ll go for TE. There are enough journeyman QB’s left to sign a craptastic backup without needing to draft one this year when all you need is a backup.

  7. Bucfan Says:

    In my opinion we should void the Revis situation. Not worth it.

  8. build thru the draft Says:

    getting rid of dominick or schiano would set the franchise back just as much as a qb unless we groom one this year and still whoever we draft will be raw without game time experience, atleast freeman has that…i think freeman will play better in a contract year and get his money especially if we make it to the playoffs….no one is saying flacco got his team to the playoffs, he sucked during the year just got hot when he got in the playoffs

  9. Colorado Buc Says:

    Smart girl

  10. Colorado Buc Says:

    I still don’t like a 1st rounder for a pricey 1 year corner coming off an ACL.

  11. tampabaybucfan Says:

    My money is on Freeman to perform. With a stronger defense taking the pressure off and a year of the Sullivan system under his belt.
    I think if we were dealing this year’s 1st round pick the deal would have already been done. So, it’s this year’s 2nd and next year’s first. I also think that Wright stays at a much better price.
    Revis, Wright and a touch of Ronde with Leonard and a 3rd round pick backing them up. We go DT in the first.

  12. bucfanjeff Says:

    No 1st rounder this year.

    Freeman isn’t going anywhere.

  13. stevek Says:

    Buccaneers playoff bound in 2013, that is the expectation.

    Josh Freeman, Mark Dominick: welcome to the reality of the NFL. Either compete, win, and show measureable improvement or be gone.

    2013 is a “show me” year for the Bucs.

    Playoffs should be the expectation.

    Have we all become complacent with medicrity taking the snaps and shaping out a roster.

    Bottom line, I want Dom and Josh to succeed, but the time is now.

  14. Architek Says:

    Hell IDK I am not a GM so all this stuff is ridiculous. Lets be patient and play it out.

    I will not be patient with the Freeman I have been watching for years now if he don’t improve.

    patience w/ off season > patience with Freeman during season

  15. Andrew 1 Says:

    the only problem with taking a QB in the later rounds is that they rarely pan out. other than Tom Brady what other late round QB pick has made it? I cant think of any. if we do draft a QB in the later rounds he will not be a reliable replacement for Josh Freeman. hes a backup at best, especially with the QBs in this draft.

  16. T in Orlando Says:

    If I owned the team, I would ensure Dom and Schiano they are secure thru the end of the 2014 season (barring a 2011-like season this year), and if there’s a stumble in 2013 to the point that they don’t resign Freeman, starting a rookie QB in 2014 will not be an excuse for a poor showing in 2014. Also, I would be ok trading 2014 draft picks, but if we stumble in 2013, no 2015 picks can be traded.

    With those parameters in place, me the GM would make the Revis trade, using this year’s 2nd and next years first. Draft best player available at 13 (someone that will best help the team THIS year), then look for QB in rnd 3 or 4, that I think can be ready with a year on the bench.

    Then me the coach would make sure Freeman got as close as possible to 100% of the reps with the 1st teamers as possible during all off season and preseason practices, knowing that he’s my best chance in 2013 and going forward.

  17. Sneedy16 Says:

    @Bucfan

    He might have an eye for talent, but there is a salary cap that he might destroy. Jet found good talent for a few years the GM was in office, but now bad contracts put them in a position they are now.

  18. Vic66 Says:

    It’s been said before but it bears repeating, Freeman it’s time to S••• or get off the pot. Many have said its all about 5, now it’s time to get a backup that can take over if nessisary before we have another loosing season. Time to get serious !

  19. andres Says:

    Derrick Brooks to replace Dom. Just saying…

  20. MadMax Says:

    Holygit!!! Dom and Free arent going anywhere right now…ROFLMFAO at that idea!

  21. MadMax Says:

    @Andrew1 Kurt Warner was undrafted.

  22. Andrew 1 Says:

    @ MadMax

    nice. I missed that one. but Im sure you get my point.

  23. Kurius Boy Says:

    Can yall shut up about getting rid of Josh Freeman? It’s annoying, to see Bucs fans talking about future QB’s when Freeman is already the best QB in Bucs history. Being a QB is not that easy, and just because a QB is good in college doesn’t mean they’ll be good in the NFL. So get off AJ Macarron, Johnny Manziel, and other QB’s jocks, and support Freeman. They might come to the NFL, and end up bust. Atleast we know Freeman is not a bust. He just needs better play calling, and more help from the defense to close out games. Thank you!

  24. Andrew 1 Says:

    I would love nothing more than to E.J. Manuel is the 4th or 5th and him turn out to be a star. history suggests that one happen though.

  25. OAR Says:

    Andrew
    They certainly aren’t over flowing in the later rounds, but QBs like Joe Montana, Matt Hasselback, Matt Schaub, Fran Tarkenton, Dan Fouts can be found in the 3rd round. Our very own SB QB Brad Johnson was 9th round.
    It’s the 1st rounders that dont pan out usually.

  26. Machiavellii Says:

    DUMP THE REVIS DEAL AND USE THE TRADE PICKS TO TRADE INTO THE FIRST ROUND THIS YEAR. I WOULD TRADE NEXT YEARS 1ST AND THIS YEARS 3RD AND GET RHODES AT 10. THEN PICK A DT AT 13 AND THEN TRADE OUR 2ND AND 4TH THIS YEAR TO GET BACK IN AGAIN AT AROUND 28 AND PICK TRUFANT.

    THEN TRADE THE 2X 6TH PICKS TO GET ANOTHER 5TH. PICK A TE AND A OT AT 4TH AND 5 TH.

    1ST ROUND x 3 PICKS ( RHODES, DT, TRUFANT )
    4TH ROUND x 1 PICKS ( TE )
    5TH ROUBD x 1 PICKS ( OT )

    PROBLEMS SOLVED – LATE OUND PICKS BEYOND 5 ARE USUALLY A WASTE ANYWAY THEY RARELYBWIRK OUT SO WHY NOY TRADE THEM AWAY? THIS IS WHAT I WOULD DO PERSONALLYY..

  27. Andrew 1 Says:

    @ OAR

    I was talking more about rounds 4-7, but your list is pretty reassuring and persuasive. to know that at least there is a possibility we can get a good in a later round given that sizable group is comforting.

  28. DjoshFreeman Says:

    Talk of replacing dominik at this point is absurd…josh and our team will be fine

  29. Gus Says:

    DjoshFreeman: YES! Freeman is our guy and right now I would rather draft a guy like Eifert making our team as complete as possible right NOW. As oppose to getting a quarterback and wasting a pick. Freeman is at worse a game manager. So why not make the talent around him as best as we could, if he doesn’t pan out we can get someone else, a vet, to replace him.

  30. flmike Says:

    Dom is safe for at least the length of Schianos contact. You really have to discount the Morris years for what they were, the Bucs stashing cash and fixing the cap issues Gruden/Allen left behind.

  31. Jonny 3.3 Says:

    As much critical as I have been of Freeman, I don’t see one QB prospect next year that I would say be a possible upgrade talent wise and intellect wise over Freeman. Bridgewater right now is the favorite just like Barkley was last year, but once scouts dissect his play inside out, its not guaranteed he is a 1st rounder. And if he is that good, he is going in top 5 anyways and I don’t want Bucs to sell the farm to get into top 5.

    Anyways, if Revis becomes a Buc and Freeman and Jackson stay healthy for whole 2013, I can’t imagine a scenario where Bucs do not make the playoffs. Freeman is not good, but not that bad either. He just gives me concerns if he can ever win us a SB. But if he plays up and down like in 2012 and our defense overall plays well, we are making the playoffs.

  32. Sneedy16 Says:

    @flmike

    Plus Morris wasn’t Dom’s pick as a head coach. He just worked with what he had.

  33. Stranger Says:

    How about we keep our firsts?

  34. OAR Says:

    Actually Matt Hasselbeck was a 6th rounder. Mark Burnell and Marc Bulger were a 6th too. Matt Flynn, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Matt Cassel were 7th’s but obviously word still out on them.

  35. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    WE NEED MORE DRAFT PICS-We have way too many holes to be just giving away premium draft picks while the league is in a Flat Cap period.

    *We have more college coaches on our staff; then any organization in the league. We gotta utilize this as a position of strength. Most of this guys have scouted a lot of these kids coming out of Highschool. Shook hands and had dinner with the parents.

    I have faith with the moves that we’ve been making; that with or with throughout Revis WE WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS this year.

    Jos, will for once in his young 4yr career have the same offensive coordinator(Major Plus)

    Of course we acquired some nice pieces last year with Barron, Martin, and David. But we also found a gem in from our on backyard in Leonard Johnson. I know this season started a little rough for the kid. But go back and review the last 5wks of the season he adjusted well. The kid is a student of the game, and I truly believe he’s gonna keep his position as a starter.

    Look at most of the organizations that have been ranked in the top 10 in total defense consistently; the last 10yrs of years. A pattern that you will consistently see is that they always acquire more talent to improve there FRONT 7. THEY HARDLY “EVER” DRAFT A DEFENSIVE BACK BEFORE THE 3RD ROUND.

  36. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    *Correction with or without Revis-WE WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS this year.

  37. 4everBucsFan Says:

    Listen, it does not matter how much the fan base moans and groans and bitches about the Bucs, Dominiks job is NOT on the line. For all the naysayers that come out of the woodwork, there is one thing they can’t change and that’s the Glazers working friendship with Mark. If they go 7-9 or 8-8 they will not fire Mark. Now, if they regress and go 4-12, heads might roll. I guarantee The Glazer Boys are more involved in player choices than we think.

  38. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Please excuse my ignorance for not proof reading before I post. I’m working on it

  39. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    @4everBucsFan

    Amen Bro

  40. Buc Wilder Says:

    How about NOT giving up ANY 1st round pick and get what we can get. If Schiano has an eye on a good QB in this years draft- get him. If we wait till next year, Freeman’s play will most likely set the quality of the QB we can pick next year in terms of W-L’s and draft order. If he stinks it up, we will probably get a higher draft pick. I can live without Revis this year- A CB isn’t gonna get us to the Superbowl, A good QB can.

  41. Adam Says:

    Cassidy for Bucs GM

  42. SirustheVirus Says:

    @Machiavellii

    You would trade up and waste a 1st round pick on an unproven,2nd round grade,not even BPA over trading it to get Revis? We’re talking about a guy 75%-80% healthy is better than any other CB in the NFL or the draft. He’s proven already to be elite. People want to hate on Dom and Freeman why not give it up for a guy you know deserves it seeing as we haven’t drafted well in the 1st round in some peoples eyes. It’s not like we know if who ever we draft won’t be a bust anyways. We need a true #1 CB that can hang with the receiver in our division. Now You want to pick 3x in the 1st round when this is one of the worst draft classes. I would rather trade those picks to Revis(I’m not saying 3 first round picks). Not hating on the idea, but in a draft class like this I’m not reaching for players. Revis is probably better than any 13th pick from the past I don’t know tell me someone better in the last 5 years. If we want to draft in this years 1st rd we can just trade next years and get back into the first. Might have to throw in a 4th or a Blount, but anyone of the teams Rams(who could use a RB)Vikings, Bengals(who could use a RB) or 49er would love an extra 1st in next years draft(way better than this one) than 2 in this years. The 1st two have 2 1st round picks this year and the others pick high in the 2nd round not far really from there first round pick. Just my opinion.

  43. MadMax Says:

    Im telling you guys, QB Jordan Rogers will fit right in here as a backup!

  44. MadMax Says:

    Draft him Dom!!!

  45. Machiavellii Says:

    @sirusthevirus

    Sound argument, but I have come to the conclusion that this trade isn’t going to happen .. I agree with you on revis and yes I would rather have him on my team rather than a rookie but I just don’t think that we should give up that many high draft picks when no one else is going to take him and I don’t thin we should pay him more than 10m that’s just my opinion from a business perspective – a contract that big will hamper the cap too much for the future. I would rather draft some young kids and let our coaches do what we pay them to do and that is to get the best out of them and develop them to pro bowl calibre players.. It’s a tied and tested formula – draft and develop and sprinkle with a few free agents for experience.. Again that’s just my opinion..lol

  46. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    Said from the start that the Revisxtrade would not happen. It’s all media-driven.

    To the Freeman Bashers…why the hate? We have to strongest offense in Buccaneer history. If Freeman is not placed into desperate situations such as regaining a solid lead after the defense blows it, hexwon’t have to takexstupid chances and make mistakes.

    We won a superbowl with Brad Johnson. Brad Johnson. Freeman is 10x the player Johnson was. QBs improve with maturity. Look at Eli Manning. He had up and down years his whole career…he didn’t really show marked improvement until year 5 (Josh’s year now).

    Freeman isxbetter than nearly all of the franchize QBs the Bucsxhave had.

  47. SirustheVirus Says:

    Machiavellii

    Agreed, but to the Glazers(if they don’t try and overrun Dom decision) have already been in this situation giving up the farm for a player/coach and got a super bowl. To me that’s what every Owners wants and if they feel a certain player can help them get there they will do it. Revis’ contract wouldn’t cause cap problems. They will pay him that money and do what they did with Jackson and Nicks to make cap space. That’s the thing with Revis, you give up the pick to get him guaranteed. If he were to hit free agency next year teams will move and re-do contracts to make cap space to get him. You get more competition if we wait for him to hit the market next year. To me a 1st this year isn’t bad. Have you seen are last 10 years of drafting outside of Davin Joseph in the 1st round so far haven’t got a second contract. Giving up one pick this year or 2 picks next year isn’t giving up the farm. Glazers don’t spend money people complain, Then they want to spend money and fans still complaining.