Free Agency Countdown: 25 Days
February 12th, 2017
Cheaper, more durable and more effective than Vincent Jackson
The free agency dinner bell officially rings Thursday, March 9 at 4 p.m. The Bucs will be coming to the buffet table with a pile of cash. But how will they spend it? How much will they spend? Joe is counting down the days with a different look at a potential free agent signing.
The Bucs need receivers, aka #WeaponsForWinston. Even the most novice or drunk Bucs observer knows this.
Joe will not tolerate another nonsense mob this year fueled, in part, by silly media concoctions about receivers. Last season, it was the Russell Shepard Groupies, before them it was the Kenny Bell Mob. Joe predicts a groundswell of support coming for Josh Huff after a few good underwear football practices in May.
Enough already.
Let’s bring in talented young receivers and legitimate veterans and let them compete for jobs behind Mike Evans.
So who’s the veteran addition? Well, Joe’s already suggested several on these here pages. But today’s offering is Anquan Boldin, who keeps laughing at Father Time.
Boldin turns 37 in October and played in every game last season for the Lions, racking up 67 catches.
Courtesy of ESPN Radio in Minnesote and Pro-Football-Reference.com, here are Boldin’s career starts below.
Joe is most impressed by those eight touchdown catches in 2016. Vincent Jackson has just five TDs combined in his last three Bucs seasons.
Boldin, whose one-year Lions contract is ending, seems like he would be a fantastic fit for the Bucs, especially if they draft a receiver, say, in the second or third round.
It’s unclear, per Boldin, whether he will continue playing. However, most guys his age make their decisions one year at a time. And that’s what Boldin did last year with Detriot, signing before training camp.
General manager Jason Licht talked last spring about signing “bridge” free agents, guys who could anchor the team while young players are groomed.
Boldin, the former Florida State state star, would fit that mold.
February 12th, 2017 at 11:08 am
I’m down. Wanted him here before he went to Baltimore.
February 12th, 2017 at 11:31 am
yea he was used in the red zone a lot in Detroit which explains the 8 TDs. I would take Boldin over Pryor personally.
February 12th, 2017 at 11:32 am
Naw, JOE I’d rather sign a WR who’s gonna be here at least 2 yrs
Not that kind of bridge player…ijs no one-hitter quitters
February 12th, 2017 at 11:37 am
@Joey… No one year rentals homie. Pryor is on my wish list. it won’t happen… There’s gotta be a better option. 8 TDs, nice… What would he cost us? Too much this year IMO.
February 12th, 2017 at 11:56 am
And we can scratch off Poe..KC giving him one hell of a deal..
February 12th, 2017 at 12:07 pm
@WhatdaBUCisthis
Nothing wrong with a 1 year rental if we draft his replacement this year. Sign him for 2-3 million (he made 2.75 mil last season). He wouldn’t be my first choice, right now Garcon is, but if it was between Boldin and V-Jax I would take Boldin.
I don’t understand the want for Pryor. Sure, he is tall and fast. He is also still learning the position. Call me crazy, but I want a savvy vet opposite Evans that understands leverage and proper route running and all the other little nuances of playing WR. Honestly I would rather draft and start some of the rookies with 4th round grades over Pryor just because they most likely understand the position better.
February 12th, 2017 at 12:20 pm
@Joeypoppems … Fair enough
February 12th, 2017 at 12:45 pm
Whenever a player is contemplating retirement I think it is prudent to steer clear regardless 0f what he did the previous season and despite the fact he is 37 yrs old. If he is not clear on if he wants to play (and you know it’s not for the dough) how can you be sure he can learn a new system and master the nuances of America’s QB. Love the guy, great career, but don’t want to watch his swan song.
February 12th, 2017 at 1:25 pm
I would love to see us sign Boldin to a one year deal. That is assuming we also sign another wr besides him or draft one. I think Evans Boldin Humpries Sheppard and than someone like Garcon/Stills or a wr drafted in the first three rounds would be pretty solid.
February 12th, 2017 at 1:39 pm
Guys…………look carefully. He played in all 16 games last yr but averaged only 36 YPG. That is less than his age.
February 12th, 2017 at 1:46 pm
Just read that John Ross is to have surgery on his torn labrum after the combine. Red Flag?
February 12th, 2017 at 1:46 pm
I would of been glad to grab boldin last year. Licht missed that opportunity. He’s already declined, At this point, who knows when Boldin will be washed.
We gotta stop looking for bargains at WR, If we want production from the offense, we gotta spend at Wide Receiver.
February 12th, 2017 at 1:53 pm
@SB
Big red flag imo for Ross. That surgery added onto his ACL tear and tearing his meniscus in both knees, there should be and probably will be some concern. If he falls to us in the 2nd round tho it might still be worth the risk. Definitely not the 1st round.
February 12th, 2017 at 2:39 pm
Tbbucs3 Says:
February 12th, 2017 at 1:46 pm
I would of been glad to grab boldin last year. Licht missed that opportunity. He’s already declined, At this point, who knows when Boldin will be washed.
We gotta stop looking for bargains at WR, If we want production from the offense, we gotta spend at Wide Receiver.
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Wrong there..Boldin said specifically which teams he wanted to go with..Licht didn’t miss the opportunity at all..Boldin was very clear what he wanted..
February 12th, 2017 at 2:48 pm
I was gonna say the same thing Life. Boldin Picked the Lions last yr.
I agree pops. Huge red flag. I wasn’t sold on him in the first place. He has never been on my wish list. Too have that many injuries before the age of 22 is Disturbing to say the least.
February 12th, 2017 at 5:22 pm
I would take John Ross… in the 4th round!
February 12th, 2017 at 6:06 pm
Lifeofabucsfan
Point being Licht had no urgency to get a wide receiver in free agency.
Boldin visited with multiple NFL teams last offseason and there were no reports of the Bucs being one of them.
Nor were there any efforts to grab Sanu, Benjamin or anyone in the draft. There’s a reason the offensive production declined.
February 12th, 2017 at 6:10 pm
Boldin also visited with the Redskins and the Saints had interest. If he was so sold on the lions then why did it take so long for him to sign there?
February 12th, 2017 at 6:35 pm
I don’t think we know whether VJAX will actually play next year. IF he takes an incentive loaded contract I’m for bringing him to camp and seeing if he can cut it.
If his agent is searching for another payday let him walk.
Most importantly…giving VJAX another chance is NOT the same as counting on him. Give him a chance and if it works out it’s a BONUS….not something we should plan on.
So far FA is nothing but rumors…if we could get Pryor that would be outstanding another tall WR who also happens to run! IF the Brown’s franchise him that’s obviously out the window…same kind of thing with Desean Jackson and Pierre Garcon…we don’t even know if one of these guys will be available for sure. It’s absolutely guesswork at this point
February 12th, 2017 at 8:12 pm
I wanted him here before he went to san fran. Excellent reciever and was once a really.good return man. He would be an upgrade over vjax but MAN IM STILL looking at last years wr fas wishing we had not missed out. I guess they were holding out hope to long with guys lime kenny bell. I really think oline, dline, corner are all bug needs. I feel like if Jameis had more.comfort in the pocket he would be finding out other recievers more. I still want an upgrade but I think other positions are a higher priority right now
February 12th, 2017 at 8:12 pm
@Stpete
It might be guesswork at this point, but it sure is fun coming up with a bunch of different dream scenarios lol
February 12th, 2017 at 8:17 pm
Joey
Yeah agree 100% It’s fun spending imaginary money on imaginary choices.
In baseball it’s called the hot stove league…not sure what to call what we’re doing here at JBF…but fer sure we’re having fun!