Jameis Was A Draw For Cherilus
August 19th, 2015
Recruiting magnet.
New Bucs right tackle Gosder Cherilus could have gone to a variety of teams. It isn’t just the Bucs that need help on the offensive line. And truth be told, perhaps the Bucs overpaid for his services.
After all, there’s a reason the eight-year veteran was unemployed in August and not signed by Capt. Lou Albano in Buffalo after a tryout last month.
Yesterday, Cherilus cited some of the reasons he chose the Bucs. One, was the warm weather. Another is playing and practicing on grass to ease his knees. Another was his close relationship with Davin Joseph and former Boston College teammate and ex-Bucs right tackle Jeremy Trueblood. Lovie Smith was a factor, as well.
Anther reason Cherilus chose the Bucs? It was that rookie quarterback. You may have heard of him. You know, “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston?
Joe asked Cherilus about coming to the Bucs and whether Jameis was a factor. Cherilus noted right away, yes.
“Oh yeah, definitely,” Cherilus said. “When I came here I spoke to Coach [Lovie] Smith and the O-Line Coach [George Warhop] and it starts with the quarterback. Especially when you’re an O-Lineman it’s good to know who you’re blocking for and everything, knowing there’s a young guy and can come here and help out. I don’t know how yet, but if it’s just by me doing what I’m supposed to do, then why not?”
Joe also asked Cherilus if he had a chance to bond at all with young Jameis. Cherilus said, no, it was his first day as a Buccaneer and he was mostly spending time with his fellow offensive linemen. But from everything Cherilus said he was told, he has heard nothing but rave reviews of Jameis from his new teammates.
“From what I saw he’s extremely talented,” Cherilus said. “The kid’s young, great arm and everyone that I talked to had nothing but great things to say about the kid. First one in the building, last one to leave. They always talked about his work ethic and everything he’s doing to help us win ballgames. I can only repeat what I’m hearing, but from what I’m seeing I think he has a chance to be pretty special.”
So the word spreading through the NFL: You want to play with Jameis. Joe wonders if this will be a recruiting tool for Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht in the coming weeks, when vested veterans are cut loose from teams to narrow rosters down to the mandatory-53?
August 19th, 2015 at 7:44 am
Picture is sideways
August 19th, 2015 at 8:07 am
The picture is perfect!
Jameis brings a different perspective for those future players talking to AC/DC Mr. Licht.
August 19th, 2015 at 8:10 am
Mr. Licht’s last question in his interviews with future players is:
Are you ready to ROCK-n-ROLL with THE Saviour?
August 19th, 2015 at 8:11 am
The future is looking UP
August 19th, 2015 at 8:12 am
Hmm well paint it as a feel good Jameis piece, but I have a feeling there are 7 million other reasons that brought him here that he had rated higher than who the signal caller was. Let’s be real 30+ year old vets don’t come to a 2-14 team that’s still (from the looks of things) a ways away from SB victories because of the coach or QB…show me da’ money
August 19th, 2015 at 8:49 am
Probably right Toes. Don’t think he is overpaid though. If he can play and sray healthy like 2013, he will be an upgrade over Dot and a bargain.
August 19th, 2015 at 9:34 am
it’s only overpayment if there’s other people left to pay. with the Lavonte deal completed, spend to the cap for some veteran fill-ins if you need to, especially to protect your QB
August 19th, 2015 at 10:03 am
I’m hoping for an improved line (or two). Had I not moved to the other side of the U.S. I would be cheering this team on in person. I hope all of the younger fans learn some patience. Maybe Joe can show them the Tampa game in Indy in Peyton’ rookie year. “Fresh meat” was what Sapp called it. Give this (YOUR) team a chance
August 19th, 2015 at 10:28 am
Winston will be an excellent “recruiting tool” from here on out.
Cherilus’ 2 year deal is backloaded. He earns $2.5M this year with no guarantees – and $4.5M in 2016 with no guarantees if he is still with the team next year. That is a far cry from the $7M he was due to earn in Indy this year (in case anyone was wondering why he was cut – it was more about his salary than his injury last year).
If he can regain his 2013 form or close to it – then he was a great signing and was acquired at a bargain price. If he winds up being over the hill and can no longer really cut it – then it was a reasonable calculated risk by the Bucs in attempting to try and protect Jameis while waiting for Dotson to come back and they can walk away unscathed. Sounds like a pretty good signing to me considering the Bucs were in emergency mode and a bit desperate to find someone to fill in for the injured Dotson.
And if Cherilus is getting the job done at RT and Smith/Pamphile are still struggling at LT by the time Dotson comes back, then Cherilus can stay at RT and Dotson can play LT while the younger players continue to develop their game.
It all sounds reasonable. Good move L&L.
August 19th, 2015 at 10:42 am
I’ll wait to see how this guy pans out before I consider it more than a desperation move.
August 19th, 2015 at 11:11 am
This should be titled: “Tampa Bay’s Quarterback was a Draw for Cherilus.”
August 19th, 2015 at 2:06 pm
Let’s be honest, if Cherilous signed with the Giants and Joe asked him “Was Eli Manning a factor in signing?” he would’ve been just as positive. What player goes to a new team and when asked if the starting QB is a factor in their decision says “Nope. I came here for the check. Cha ching!”? Other than Michael Clayton…no one.
August 19th, 2015 at 2:26 pm
This is becoming an attractive place to play. McCoy with that inside rush and LVD with this young core of LBs on defense, then Jameis and Evans on offense, its hard to overlook this team with core pieces finally in place and signed. Free Agents are starting to CHOOSE Tampa Bay over other teams to come play. All we need now is a winning season to add to our recruiting pitch and we will be landing elite talent for fair market price. I am so excited of what the future holds for this team!!
August 19th, 2015 at 3:24 pm
I don’t think he is overpaid, especially for a team that paid a Cornerback $16 million a season. We need his experience to blend with our youth on the O-Line. This group is a whole lot better than last year group, when Demar Dotson come back, this group will be ready for some big things. GO BUCS