Bucs Down To About $22 Million In Cap Room
March 12th, 2016
More spending is imminent
Tampa Bay entered free agency with roughly $60 million in salary cap room for the 2016 season.
Now, about two-thirds of that total has been eaten up.
Exact contract figures are unavailable on every last player the Bucs added to their 2016 payroll this week, but rounded off, the contracts of the following Bucs gobble up about $40 million.
That breaks down loosely as $32 million for the big money signings of Robert Ayers, J.R. Sweezy, Brent Grimes and Doug Martin. And throw in about $6 million combined for Bradley McDougald, Russell Shepard, Andrew DePaola, Jeremiah George and Jacquies Smith.
The Bucs have to allocate about $6 million to sign this year’s draft picks, and there’s no reason to think Tampa Bay is done in free agency. There’s still a glaring hole at linebacker and Roddy White adding a veteran receiver is critical.
March 12th, 2016 at 9:37 am
Personally I think they have done a great job. I would have liked a big-time defensive end, but it just looked like that was not going to happen through no fault of their own. I see them signing a linebacker and a safety, not a wide receiver at this point.
They got VJax, Evans, Bell, a rookie, Sheppard, and then dye, Murphy, and Humphries fighting for a 6th spot, UNLESS they sign Roddy
They definitely need some LB depth. I think they get another LB in the draft within top 4-5 picks
March 12th, 2016 at 9:49 am
I had my doubts at first, but now very excited about the Sweezy signing and the Dougernaut being brought back. Both Grimes and Ayers are a bit old to get too excited about, but if they can help us get to the playoffs while we find their eventual long term replacements, I’m all in.
March 12th, 2016 at 9:52 am
Look out for LB George, kid is a baller!!! Known him since the 8th grade maybe, great young man, excellent family, multi year star at Iowa State…oh yeah he’s from CLeArWAtER! Hope he gets a shot, think he’d be a great SAM in a pressure D
March 12th, 2016 at 9:52 am
Joe what do you think of Curtis Loften? Just released by the Raiders.
Has ties to Mike Smith and Dirk K. Still any good?
March 12th, 2016 at 10:09 am
LB still got Bruce Carter right??? Almost like signing an established vet… And when healthy the dude is solid… Idk I think the biggest needs are just upgrading talent via coaching… Thus the biggest areas of need for us have been addressed in a tremendous way already…. Now its all about building a sustainable and desirable franchise…. We are in good shape for the foreseeable future…
March 12th, 2016 at 10:14 am
Zach Brown at LB and Rueben Randel at WR
March 12th, 2016 at 10:31 am
I’m really liking this year’s free agency. They resigned their top offensive weapon, and filled a bunch of holes with quality, yet not too expensive talent. Add a couple more middle tier pieces via FA, and have a solid draft, and they should be competing for a wild card birth this year.
March 12th, 2016 at 10:31 am
STERLING.
MOORE.
March 12th, 2016 at 10:44 am
So minus the $ for rookies – we have about $15M left to work with. I know they are trying to re-sign Conte – so that will be about $2M – and if they bring in Roddy – that will be about $3M – so if those moves happen and that’s it for FA signings – we are heading into the draft with about $10M in wiggle room.
Now we need to draft a couple DL players, a LBer, a Safety, a CB and a return specialist – then all our needs will have been addressed in some form or fashion.
Lookin good so far Jason Licht. Keep it up. Hope we kill it in the draft again this year but on the defensive side of the ball – which would set this team up for years of success.
March 12th, 2016 at 10:46 am
Oh yeah… Moore should be a huge factor… Maybe move Banks to safety??? Draft another LB and CB….
March 12th, 2016 at 10:47 am
think Licht might go after S Reggie Nelson (Bengals) or Rashad Johnson (Cardinals). And there is another top tier edge rusher in Junior Gallette just doubt we go for him…
March 12th, 2016 at 10:49 am
WalkdaPlank
Steerling Moore is inconsistent journeyman nothing more. pun intended.. he is not the answer. Both Banks and Verner have had better more consistent seasons prior to Lovie destroying the defense. Moore was let walk from NO and DAL… I don’t get your infatuation with him. The team is trying to improve not stay the same. Verner was a pro bowler before lovies BS coaching / system and Banks was making progress under Schiano… If moore was so great he would have been picked up immediately after his contract expired… Just because moore had a couple of good games in Lovie’s pathetic system does not mean he is a good fit for what Smith wants to do. I trust mike smith and licht if they thought he was the answer he would have been signed he is not a high priced player…
March 12th, 2016 at 10:50 am
Bucs are in much better shape today defensively than they were just a week ago. Ayers (12 games last year) and Grimes (15 games last year) both had quality seasons and should help our defense as starters. But we still need to go heavy defense in the upcoming draft, although drafting a WR and OLineman someplace in there may well be a smart move depending on who’s available.
IMHO we still need at least 3 more starters on defense (LB, SS and FS) plus LOTS better depth (not all of which has to come through the draft). Plus still need either 2 DEs or 1 DE + 1 DT in the draft. Jason Licht has his work cut out for him.
March 12th, 2016 at 10:56 am
I won’t be surprised if the draft is tilted towards to offence one more year… Of course this is assuming they go with the strategy the JL has been working with the last year or two… If you can line up guys like they did last year… It could be a seemingly disappointing draft… Don’t be shocked if we go after the D in the late rounds… Much easier to develops D Skills then O skills…
Not sure why but my gut says they will fine tune the O in the years draft… And steal some top notch talent late… IE Kwon….
I would like to see WR OL and RB/Return Man taken early… Simms won’t be getting a second contract…. He will be a huge asset for trade bait next year when we figure out what the needs really are on D…. Cause really none of know what we really have on D!!!!
March 12th, 2016 at 11:03 am
How quickly the money goes…..We probably have enough for a WR & LB or S…..
It’s possible we will trade Glennon not for a draft pick but for a cap casualty type player….there is plenty of time left for that to happen.
March 12th, 2016 at 11:09 am
The glaring hole is at safety, not SLB. give Keyes a shot.
March 12th, 2016 at 11:17 am
Stats for the Steerling Moore Fan club…
Banks: Games: 45, Pass Defended: 19, Interceptions: 7
Moore: Games: 56, Pass Defended: 25, Interceptions: 4
Banks had same amount of interceptions in one season than moore has in his career. Cowboys cut moore and he was brought in just because he is familiar with Lovie’s bs system. Let’s not confuse him with a good or great player please.
March 12th, 2016 at 11:18 am
Not to worry! Cuts are coming and possible trades. Old western movie: There will be blood!
March 12th, 2016 at 11:19 am
tmaxcon
My infatuation is that he was by far the best corner on the team last season, regardless of consistency or past performance. When we played a team with a top 10 receiver, Moore was lined up against him. Not many people can say they shut Julio Jones down. Without Moore we don’t sweep Atlanta.
Why not bring him back? He’s 7 years younger than Grimes and has upside.
March 12th, 2016 at 11:25 am
Verner has been nothing but a sorry excuse for a Revis replacement, and I like Banks but came he make a comeback from the doghouse? If they don’t bring back Moore, fine. I just think he is better than Hey Jude or Mike Jenkins.
March 12th, 2016 at 11:30 am
WalkdaPlank
You can’t judge Verner or Banks based on the last two years. Hell Lovie made LVD, Verner and Banks all worse than they were under schiano or their previous coach in the case of Verner. I refuse to judge the secondary for the last two years or place any blame on the players who received bad coaching and were asked to stick to a failed scheme which made the entire defense look bad. LVD was a bonifide star until Lovie got a hold of him. Verner was fresh off a pro bowl season until Lovie screwed him up… Bottom line is we do not know what we have at Saftey or CB. I trust Smith and Licth.
March 12th, 2016 at 11:43 am
Fair enough. Although LVD is still a bona fide star, even last season under Loser Lovie.
March 12th, 2016 at 11:50 am
JAB83 Says
“LB still got Bruce Carter right??”
I thought I read that they cut Bruce Carter…
March 12th, 2016 at 11:53 am
Old coaches never change. They seem to prefer their old players. Yesterday, the Raiders cut Curtis Lofton who played well for DC Smith before going to the Saints. Reason stated for cut was failed physical, but was 1 year into 3 year contract at 6mil/yr. Something to keep an eye on.
If not, Kwon Alexander is campaigning for his buddy at LSU, LB Deion Jones, likely a 4th rounder, to play the strong side. Jones is 6-1, 222, 4.59. The Bucs are supposedly (WalterFootball) taking a hard look at LBs Cassanova Mckinzy/Auburn and Antoine Williams/Georgia Southern for the late rounds or possibly UDFA.
March 12th, 2016 at 11:55 am
@Joe
Just seen Eric Weddle at the aiport . He might just b here some contaminated beaching in the area . Who knows
March 12th, 2016 at 12:14 pm
When preseason arrives, I will “Buc” up and get behind the team. That’s usually how it works for me. Throughout the season, I am usually the more positive one while others are whining.
I can do that because I get all my whining out of the way before the draft. Like now.
That said…
…I am truly unimpressed with all but one of these moves. Another I find acceptable, but not preferred. Leaving two to be absolute wasted signings and lost cap money.
I do NOT believe Ayers is a value signing. Far from it. I don’t believe he is capable of repeating anything near his last year sack numbers, nor of remaining healthy.
I DO expect J.R. to be replaced next off season, because he is that bad. He will probably be benched this year at some point.
Grimes, I think, will impress if covering the slot…but given his age, I think he should avoid the outside.
Martin should have a great year…IF J.R. is as good at run blocking as is being claimed and IF he doesn’t get lazy after getting his contract.
Winston is going to hurt for proper blocking…unless Licht can find him real protection in the draft.
And out defensive line will be the same level of play, unless we get a stud in the draft.
Sure…going to be a blast…
March 12th, 2016 at 12:16 pm
I forgot to add. I doubt Ayers will be with the team after next off season. By that time, most will think of him as a “Johnson”.
March 12th, 2016 at 12:29 pm
BuccaneerBonzai
I personally like the signings and think that Licht is executing his plan to bring in veteran stop gap players until he can replace them via the draft over the next 2 years. Bucs are going to have to overpay for everything until they start winning and none of these deals put them at risk with the salary cap in the future
The point you are missing is very obvious the bucs defense is instantly much better just by the simple fact Lovie and his pathetic excuse for a coaching staff cleaned out their offices. The best off-season hiring the bucs made was the moving company that took lovie and his pathetic staff back to Illinois.
March 12th, 2016 at 12:36 pm
:::shrugs::: haven’t really watched him but for a team like the Raiders which is up and coming to cut a guy in March doesn’t speak highly of the player.
March 12th, 2016 at 12:57 pm
Bingo.
March 12th, 2016 at 12:58 pm
Bonzai, why would J.R. Sweezy’s position coach heap such large helpings of praise on him in public, offering proof to back his opinions?
Makes no sense.
March 12th, 2016 at 1:21 pm
tmax nailed in that last post.
These signings represent a 2 year stop gap plan to make us competitive, adding some pro-bowl vets to the locker room while we develop our rookies, and resign recent draft picks, improving along the way. Neither Ayers or Grimes is particularly exciting, but are probably upgrades at their respective positions to what we have now.
It’s obvious Licht is focused on building this team through the draft. If they can continue to improve, then him and Koetter should be around long enough to build a lasting championship contender. Let’s not kid ourselves, we’re not going to the Super Bowl in 2016. But 2017 or 18? Go Bucs!
March 12th, 2016 at 1:25 pm
Joe- say it ain’t so. Two people on this site(the Joes) have been telling us the that free agents would be fighting to become Bucs because they want to play with JW. Now they won’t come until we win???
What happened?
March 12th, 2016 at 1:26 pm
Exactly.
The #1 best move to im prove the Buc defense was getting rid of those awful D coaches, led by Lovie Smith.
March 12th, 2016 at 1:29 pm
Stop the roddy white crap already please……Id rather see humphries and bell out there than roddy white. Kenny bell is going to show up ready to do some damage. There is a reason him and winston were roommates they have plans for those two. White would be a waste and I dont like the idea of bringing in another old declining player at his position when we already have one in vjax at the same position. I would have gladly taken rishard matthews but please not white
March 12th, 2016 at 1:31 pm
The above pist is dead on. Lovie being gone alon is a huge upgrade. Imagine had we.moved mark barron to linebacker huh??? The new coaching staff alone will be a drastic improvment the new players are icing on the cake
March 12th, 2016 at 1:37 pm
Kevin:
Interesting you didn’t mention CFL Donteea Dye.
March 12th, 2016 at 1:38 pm
Real good question. Maybe Jameis isn’t the recruiter we all thought he would be?
March 12th, 2016 at 1:39 pm
I am not too happy with what Licht has done. But I can understand him hedging his bets on his drafting ability. 80% of free agents don’t live up to expectations. Still sucks but it is what it is.
That said. We still need a WR. I would look at James Jones or Josh Bellamy. There is also Rueben Randle and Mike Wallace.
At LB Jerrell Freeman is still available. He is a beast. We need to resign Bruce Carter. And, maybe someone like Sam Acho or Shea McClellin.
I also think we should add another Safety. Reggie Nelson or Rashad Johnson would be good pick ups. I’m not too big on Weddle. The only reason he hasn’t signed yet. Is because he is asking for too much money for his age. At a reasonable deal. I would pick him up.
Lets pray Licht nails another draft. We are going to dependent on it for sure.
March 12th, 2016 at 1:59 pm
It was hardly one on one for moore playing against dez and julio. If you watched or noticed in the games our lbs kwon and carter would drift outside to help cover these guys. The inner zones were our lbs priorities the outsides were bluffs but our lbs were the biggest playmakers. Lovie had it out for banks and verner for some reason. In my opinion we need to sign zack brown or draft a fast lb somewhere in the top 4 rounds. Conte is said to be on his way back to tb. Either they let him be a bandaid or we draft a safety in the top 3 rounds.i wouldnt mind de/cb round 1 rt round 2 safety round 3 lb round 4 cb round 5 kr round 6 trench depth for our last pick.
March 12th, 2016 at 2:03 pm
Barron moved to linebacker.. why not move major wright to lb..
March 12th, 2016 at 2:24 pm
The $22 million figure doesn’t seem to take into account the players that were released or retired. Sportrac shows close to $37 million available.
March 12th, 2016 at 2:41 pm
Still not a playoff team but better then we were a week ago
March 12th, 2016 at 2:51 pm
At 6’4″, 238 with 4.6 40 speed, why not experiment with Howard Jones at Sam?
Wasn’t he a 3-4 LB for the Stillers?
March 12th, 2016 at 3:20 pm
Joes- is JW involved in recruiting FA?
March 12th, 2016 at 3:28 pm
For all who are excited about Barron at LB……would you be happy to pay $9 million a year for him?
I’d take Carter back at $3 mil before that. And, as for moving players around….why do that when we can still afford to bring in players that naturally excel at those positions?
March 12th, 2016 at 3:28 pm
Hi. I’m using my mom’s account I’m her son alex.
what about legarette blount? I still have his jersey. like my fav player when I was very young.
March 12th, 2016 at 3:35 pm
Tampabaybucfan
take a look at Bruce Carters long and very distinguished injury history. In my opinion, there are other options equal to or better whether it’s via draft or pending cuts from other teams rosters. bucs roster has enough injury prone players they can’t gamble with more if they want to win consistently. “When healthy” is the scariest phrase used to describe players to me.. yes carter is a decent OUTSIDE lb when healthy. he failed miserably when Dallas moved him to MLB and obviously a rookie beat him out last year at MLB. I just think they can do better.
March 12th, 2016 at 3:38 pm
LifeOfABucFan
Welcome sir… I’d be all for a Blount reunion… He has played well with New England.
March 12th, 2016 at 3:51 pm
Butnut2 you have to be kidding me. You think ANYONE can make someone turn down a salary that is double what we are offering. Other than that being the issue the other guys all wanted to stay where they already were due to relationships, winning, family, etc… Plus if you want to look at it we only have had two offensive players come in that we have spoken to and they both signed.
March 12th, 2016 at 4:00 pm
Nope dont care for dye….I lime guys with heart and hands. I realize the jury is still out in bell….I guess the reason I believe he will pan out is I trust koetter and licht completely and have heard nothing but good things about him grom college. I think at this point we have bugger fish to fry than old fa wrs. I think winston makes sure evans vomes ready yo get serious this season.
March 12th, 2016 at 4:13 pm
@TMaxcon: LOVIE this LOVIE that, look around LOVIE gone, I know your happy, Licht been two years but after the BACK-STABBING he put on LOVIE, he’s now the man, I haven’t seen a whole lot done in free-agency to make this team better, we got a new coach, I’ll believe in better when I see better on the field, until then you should forget trying to blame LOVIE, why don’t you ever blame THE BACK-STABBER!!!
March 12th, 2016 at 4:46 pm
BigHogHaynes
the only backstabber was lovie himself. he back-stabbed each and every fan who paid their hard earned money to go to a game or wasted their time watching the product he put on the field each Sunday.
I know this is impossible for you to comprehend but I’ll use little words and go slow… Lovie had FINAL say over the entire Roster (roster, trades, free agents etc…). Lovie hired licht and tied his hands. Lovie made the final decision on the failed free agents and injury prone system specific losers he brought in.
Lovie hired the the incompetent coaching staff that was made up of unqualified friends, family and charity cases.. Lovie was the one who did not allow Koetter to hire his own offensive staff. Lovie was the one who looked like a fool each and every Sunday trying to manage the game.
This is Jason Licht first season as a real GM without being handcuffed by an incompetent buffoon. I am very confident they will provide a much better product immediately… Meanwhile Lovie the loser can spend the rest of his pathetic coaching career looking up at Raheem Morris and Greg Schiano on the bucs all time win list.
you are clearly a lovie fan and not a bucs fan so I’ll say it again; you belong at
http:///www.fightingillini.com
March 12th, 2016 at 4:53 pm
For the record, you nerds that pay attention. To such trend setters and true leaders like myself and The Pride of Tamapa Rookie Pro Bowl Face of The Franchise Famious Jamie’s Joboo Wins a ton Americas Own Americas QB Johnny not so good Glad we got Winsten….
The next 1 out of the next Four articles from JBF will feature Miko Grimes…..
So everyone be sure to take JBF extra serious from now on…. He will be featuring real inside info with known sources…..
LMAO….
#getting”f”edupdrunkandpickingonmikogrimesongjbf.combecauseimboard
March 12th, 2016 at 4:54 pm
@ Tmaxcon
I am not a Lovie supporter of apologist but I have to take some issue with your assessment of Lovie…..and I repeat…..I think he was a terrible coach and deserved what he got.
If Lovie was in total control as you say then he was also responsible for the following.
Both drafts and all of the players including Jameis……Hiring Koetter and Koetter’s offensive staff…most of which he has kept.
You simply cannot give Lovie all the blame for the bad and eliminate any good.
Now again……2-14….6-10….defense sucked….he should have been fired.
March 12th, 2016 at 5:07 pm
Tampabaybucfan
I have given Lovie credit for jameis in the past but neglected to do so in above posts.
First year draft was nothing special. Mike Evans has potential to be a number 1 but he also has potential to be the next mike clayton. ASJ has done nothing and has proven he is a mental midget. Sims and Pamphile have played their rolls well but let’s not confuse them with stars.
Last yeas draft was great no doubt but let’s not put the cart before the horse Kwon was great when he played but he was also suspended which is a red flag regardless of excuses. I am a huge fan of Marpet and Winston yet I am on the fence with Smith. Time will tell. Bell is unproven.
It looks likes Koetter kept 3 coaches I’d hardly use the term “many”. Koetter did not pick a single coach when he arrived.
When your contract says you have full control that means you have to accept full responsibility and blame.
March 12th, 2016 at 5:12 pm
Tampabaybucfan
let’s not also forget the interview when Licht joking said lovie falls asleep when they are scouting potential draft prospects. Yes, he said that half joking but my guess and seems to be the consensus of most that lovie did leave licht alone for the draft so if he deserves credit for that so be it…
March 12th, 2016 at 5:14 pm
^^^^ most not many
March 12th, 2016 at 5:30 pm
Lmao JAB
March 12th, 2016 at 5:51 pm
How about shaq Lawson and Robert ayers at starting de? Jack and gholston as backups.. I’d like to draft a lb s and wr or ol too. After that it’s all garbage Tds 5-7.
March 12th, 2016 at 6:05 pm
@Tmax………..LifeOfABucsfan is actually a woman. Oh and hello.
March 12th, 2016 at 6:11 pm
What happened to my post to TBBF?
March 12th, 2016 at 6:15 pm
OK Tbbf………..for some reason the Joes won’t let me talk to you. Second time I sent the post and it wont go. Has zero cuss words in it so…………………
March 12th, 2016 at 6:32 pm
Bucs SB with Jameis
hello there.. yeah, i know she is a woman. when i read the post it said using mom’s account so I assumed it was a boy but am probably wrong. I am not very politically correct and should have probably used a “Gender Neutral” greeting my bad.
March 12th, 2016 at 6:34 pm
Lol Tmax………I’m sure your standing here is unscathed.
March 12th, 2016 at 6:37 pm
Nvm TBBF……..apparently you can’t mention a certain fish that is abundant in Florida. It is an apex predator that has a black line down its side and is the hardest to catch.
March 12th, 2016 at 6:41 pm
Cut Bruce Carter. That’s another $4.5-million.
March 12th, 2016 at 6:55 pm
Well, I’ve eaten crow plenty of times, and I’m not afraid to now.
Again…didn’t they already release BRUCE CARTER? I thought he was informed of his release a day or two back?
March 12th, 2016 at 6:55 pm
^^ CUtting Carter already factored in.
March 12th, 2016 at 6:59 pm
So far as the whole Licht vs Lovie and who had the power thing…I have to ask…how are these signings different than the last 2 years?
AND FYI, Jason Licht told Steve D on wdae that he was responsible for Mike Johnson…and said he could name him as the source.
Does ANYONE not get that?
March 12th, 2016 at 7:00 pm
dog- I totally agree with you and thought the media including the joes were smoking something when they suggested free agents would be falling all over themselves to come to the Bucs and play with America’s QB. I thought it was a bogus thought all along and was asking the Joes why it was not happening. Players act in their best interest and no other player really changes that, BUT that is not what the joes told us.
March 12th, 2016 at 7:03 pm
Evening guys!
I did what the Giants did …shopping..lol….love Mariuchi’s quote..
My son did ask about Blount..I saw he was cut..and he posted another video of his cute boy playing..
And I just read somebody spotted Weddles in town?…Well I got a tweet today that they thought they Weddles at International Mall..I don’t think the bucs is where he wants to be..
March 12th, 2016 at 7:04 pm
sorry I added an S to weddle..ugh..
March 12th, 2016 at 7:06 pm
@ Tmaxcon
Warhop, Spencer, Barry, Bajakian, Embree…..
Koetter has kept all his Offensive coaches he had under Lovie & only added Monken to replace him.
I have no idea who made the ultimate decision on the draft picks….but knowing Lovie being somewhat of a control freak, I think he had a strong part in it.
Lets give him the benefit of the doubt on some of the good things.
As far as the 2014 draft…..I think it will ultimately be looked at as very successful.
March 12th, 2016 at 7:16 pm
A little off topic but the more I read about Deion Jones the more i love…
LB Deion Jones LSU
COMBINE RESULTS
40 YD 20 YD 10 YD BENCH VERTICAL JUMP BROAD
4.59 2.67 1.60 225 33 10’0″
Senior Year Stats:
100 tackles
13.5 TFL
5 sacks
3 Pass break ups
2 INTS
From what I’ve read, this kid is super athletic and instinctive, can cover well, is versatile (has lined up at CB), and is a special team Ace. CBS Sports had this to say about him:
” Jones, who also plays on special teams coverages, doesn’t have any obvious flaws and is considered one of the smartest players on the team ? his NFL arrow is pointing north.”
Right now from what I’ve read he’s considered a 3/4th rounder. Lets pair him back up with Kwon and let them wreck havoc!
March 12th, 2016 at 7:21 pm
Thanks for that info Manziel, Awesome stat line. I wonder if we could pull it off and make it work.
March 12th, 2016 at 7:25 pm
As for your proposition Life, I am all for passing the Blount to Tampa as long as he is willing to play FB role mostly
March 12th, 2016 at 7:32 pm
FA Sean Spence and Deion Jones in the draft, LB complete
March 12th, 2016 at 7:34 pm
@Bucs SB with Jameis
It’s possible. LSU has a good tracker record of putting out quality NFL defenders and I know Kwon was calling for him to be drafted by the bucs… you never know… maybe if he’s still sitting there in the 4th we’ll pull the trigger.
March 12th, 2016 at 7:45 pm
If so then……..Bang!
March 12th, 2016 at 7:50 pm
Considering we didn’t land a premier free agent DE and I believe Licht tried, I think we ended up doing pretty well. We put in a couple needed 1 to 2 year stopgaps while we try to develop our eventual draft picks. I’m content.
March 12th, 2016 at 8:07 pm
maybe I’m nuts but i would like to see them sighn Donald Penn or Russel Okung to play alongside sweezy. No one has mentioned Kenny Bell, is he still on the team?
March 12th, 2016 at 8:17 pm
Tampabaybucfan
I thought Spencer left last week
March 12th, 2016 at 8:32 pm
@ Tmaxcon
Yes….but your point was that Lovie stuck Koetter with all the coaches……Koetter kept them all and would have kept Spencer too.
March 12th, 2016 at 8:36 pm
Conte-Moore-S-WR/PR-DE-RT-SLB
March 12th, 2016 at 10:20 pm
@ bonsai I have heard Jason licht take credit for Anthony Collins but not
Michael Johnson.
March 12th, 2016 at 10:24 pm
@ManzielMadness
Great post. Deion looks like a stud. How awesome would that be; get LSU LBs back to back years. And both dominate. That would be a great story. But for real…can you imagine both guys athletic ability and football IQ. Paired with LVD. That could be amazing for many years to come.
On the topic of LB. I think Licht totally dropped the ball with Jerrell Freeman. The Bears signed him to a 3 year deal for only 12 million total. 4 million a season with only 6 million guaranteed. He was the #1 run stopping LB in the entire league. And ranked only behind Keuchly for overall ILB. Still young and ultra talent. Hate we missed that one. Deion would certainly make that loss easier. At least for myself personally.
March 12th, 2016 at 10:24 pm
@ Bob in valrico……take CREDIT or BLAME?
March 12th, 2016 at 10:34 pm
ManzielMadness Says:
March 12th, 2016 at 7:16 pm
A little off topic but the more I read about Deion Jones the more i love…
LB Deion Jones LSU
COMBINE RESULTS
40 YD 20 YD 10 YD BENCH VERTICAL JUMP BROAD
4.59 2.67 1.60 225 33 10’0″
Senior Year Stats:
100 tackles
13.5 TFL
5 sacks
3 Pass break ups
2 INTS
I like the sound of that. I hope mike smith will bring multiple blitzes. If our lbs rack up those sacks the media will have no choice but to talk about tampa bay and the dominance of our 4-3 lbs. Schiano was on the brink too bad he was a control freak. Kenny bell is still on the team he was “put on the shelf” aka injured reserved. Blount at fb idk can he block? We need a lead blocker for martin and sims. I hope we bring in a wr. Roddy white makes alot of sense. Watched some shaq lawson game tapes today on draftbreakdown dot com but yeah he looks promising. He looks slow off the line but i think its purposeful. He’s controlling the edge first then reads run or pass then commits his next step. Really hungry to get a sack or tackle i mean i wish mccoy had that much hunger. One other thing i’ve noticed is that he lines up offside almost EVERY OTHER play. That is no exaggeration. Watched a bit of bosa but im going back to watch more soon. He looks pretty dominating after rewatching the michigan game. Michigan avoids his side most of the game. Darron lee lb for ohio looks good as a slb quick decisive sheds his block and gets to the ball frequently on run plays. Going to watch more too
March 12th, 2016 at 10:56 pm
@ghost of Schiano
there would be no credit ,what I meant is he owned up to it.(his pick)
March 13th, 2016 at 12:16 am
@ Tmaxcon: let me take this in real slow, LOVIE hand picked the (CO-CONSPIRATOR’S) staff and after LOVIE is lone gone, he keeps them all, that tells me LOVIE may not have had all that control you say he had!
March 13th, 2016 at 3:37 am
Prepare yourselves for the possibility that the Bucs target WR early. I know DE is the big issue among many of you (me too), but a need doesn’t dictate talent. There is a very real concern that even the best pass rushers in this draft aren’t up to snuff.
Additionally, have you seen the numbers on our passing attack when V-Jax missed time (6 games)? Winstons rating drops 20 points and Evans doesn’t catch a single TD. WR is a need, and the numbers paint that picture in case your eyes did not.
March 13th, 2016 at 7:43 am
Hey Bill,
Its funny you say that because I told a friend of mine yesterday that If Bosa or Buckner does not fall to the Bucs, I would not be surprised at all if we picked Laquon Treadwell. It is my opinion that he would be BPA at that time and if we do not address WR in FA it would be a need.
Don’t get me wrong, I like the other pass rushers (Lawson, Dodd, Spence) and even CB Hargreaves III, but to me none of them are slam dunks so I don’t think they should be top 10 pick.
Treadwell on the other hand looks like a WR1.
March 13th, 2016 at 7:56 am
I mean think about it Bucs Fans.
We haven’t discussed the possibility of adding a WR. We bring back Doug. Check. Replace Mankins (Sweezy). Check. Address DE with Ayers. Check. Upgrade at CB with Grimes. Check
Safety and LB are the teams biggest need right now IMO. However, I can see us addressing safety in FA by either resigning Conte or bringing in someone else, there are a few good safeties available.
This brings me back to WR. Even if we sign Roddy (which I am in favor of) WR would still be a need going into the draft just as DLine is still a need. At 9, why not just pick BPA at a position of need which Treadwell would be with Bosa and Buckner off the board???
What do you guys think??? Treadwell over Hargreaves III, Lawson, Dodd, Spence???