Did Akeem Spence Just Say Goodbye On Twitter?
March 8th, 2017
Getting played?
Yes, the Bucs will have new talent in the stable very soon, but they’ll also be kicking other players out the door.
Fans won’t miss the likes of Gosder Cherilus or Antone Smith, but productive players are another story.
Akeem Spence was productive. No, he wasn’t a superstar, but Spence was reliable, versatile depth at defensive tackle, a solid fourth-round pick in 2013.
But now it seems the Bucs have no interest in keeping Spence as he prepares to become an unrestricted free agent tomorrow.
This morning, Spence sent the following cryptic Tweet.
Focus on the future 👀
— Akeem Spence (@AkeemSpence) March 8, 2017
Joe’s taking that to mean Spence was told a polite “No Thanks” from the Bucs, or at least, “test the market and call us back.”
At the Pro Bowl, Joe spent private time with Gerald McCoy, who made this passionate plea for the Bucs to keep Spence. It seems the Bucs brass has a different mindset.
If Spence leaves, he should hold his head high. He’ll be remembered in Tampa for his giant smile, hard work and that very expensive bag of weed/speeding ticket.
March 8th, 2017 at 11:12 am
I’m not trying to be mean but he’s not a good NFL player. I wish him luck, but the Bucs can do better.
March 8th, 2017 at 11:13 am
Wausa is spot on here. Wish him luck though
March 8th, 2017 at 11:14 am
Great dude…thank you. However, the BUCS need the best rotation of D-linemen on the field when we have to play Brees, Ryan, and Newton 2xs a year. Taking the division is the best and clearest path to the playoffs. Go build our D-line Mr. “we have to get to the QB” Licht.
March 8th, 2017 at 11:14 am
Buhbye.
March 8th, 2017 at 11:18 am
Spence often flashed here and there. But he was never the consistent player we all hoped he would become. We can do much better. If this was his goodbye, then I say Good luck to you Mr. Spence.
March 8th, 2017 at 11:18 am
No offense to Spence but this is an area we can upgrade imo
March 8th, 2017 at 11:19 am
Thanks big fella!!!! Good luck. NOW bring on Poe or Campbell and not necessarily in that order!
March 8th, 2017 at 11:22 am
Antone Smith may have been the 2nd best rb on the Bucs last year…just sayin’…Akeem Spence is a lot like Roy Miller was…strong…decent depth but down the road.
March 8th, 2017 at 11:34 am
Ugh, guys Spence was not going to compete with Campbell or Poe if we get either. Spence was good depth for our DLine.
March 8th, 2017 at 11:53 am
Next… See ya
March 8th, 2017 at 11:55 am
Spence is a solid rotational player that they’ll hopefully be able to keep at the right price. There’s no comparing him to Campbell but Campbell will command about 15 mil a year salary whereas Spence will cost about 4 mil. a year.
March 8th, 2017 at 12:14 pm
Wit two fingers Tmax.
March 8th, 2017 at 12:15 pm
Waterboy
So you are saying as long as it’s cheap you are in with below average to mediocre players. Worry about salary cap on a talent deprived team which is notorious for not spending money and one of the primary teams the nfl had to institute a minimum salary cap rule. You realize how ludicris you sound crying about nonexistent potential cap problems. Bucs need talent the cap is rising and can easily be dealt with including Jameis and Evans… Worry about talent not money
March 8th, 2017 at 12:19 pm
So is that tipping hand that they are looking at Campbell or baker which are clearly upgrades
March 8th, 2017 at 12:20 pm
I don’t care about the money it’s not mines!!! Just bring in the right players and have TB compete for the playoff!!!!
March 8th, 2017 at 12:25 pm
Joe,
“Akeem Spence was productive. No, he wasn’t a superstar, but Spence was reliable, versatile……….. ”
He also seemed to have fun when he played.
I thought we coveted DTs and rewarded them handsomely for all these attributes.
Maybe he never bought anyone on the team ice cream?
March 8th, 2017 at 12:25 pm
@tmax- You and I agree on this issue (Did I just say that?!). I have made this argument year after year regarding people’s obsession with the salary cap. It is NOT your money!
This is an area that we desperately need to upgrade regardless of opinion about GMC.
We backed up a truck for Keyshawn and Simeon’s cash and nobody blinked an eye. Let the number-crunchers at One Buc worry about their money. Just get us some talent.
March 8th, 2017 at 12:27 pm
McCoy should be nervous that they’re going to ship the ho-hum guys out the door and bring in real talent. Guys like Baker, Campbell, and Williams will show him up and change the “fun” culture that he’s installed in these guys.
Spence is a guy that you can literally pick up in the 4th round of any draft.
March 8th, 2017 at 12:28 pm
Bucsfanman
Well said… This isn’t double coupon Wednesday at the Walmart. the way some of these people cry about cap especially when the team has a talent deprived roster makes no sense
March 8th, 2017 at 12:33 pm
I bet ain’t willing to take a pay cut to keep spence around.
March 8th, 2017 at 12:35 pm
You take care of your own! This will bite us in the ass!
March 8th, 2017 at 12:39 pm
Not if your own is mediocre you don’t. You upgrade every position you can. Rewarding mediocre players will keep bucs in the basement
March 8th, 2017 at 12:42 pm
Very true. He is just ehhhh
March 8th, 2017 at 12:51 pm
@tmax that 60 mil cap space will go real fast if they’re commiting 16 mil to Campbell and probably 12 mil to DJax. Gholston’s new deal had to also eat into that 60 along with any other players they plan to resign. My fear is spending big on a few big named free agents and not having the money to also bring in solid quality depth to replace that guy if he goes down with an injury during the season.
March 8th, 2017 at 12:53 pm
I wish him well, and perhaps he will go to the west coast, where the weed is better, and the cops are much less likely to bust you for it.
March 8th, 2017 at 12:55 pm
Following numbers are rankings for the entire league in (run) stuffs and stuff yardage. Ayers 231st, McDonald 248th, McCoy 277, A. Spence 321st
– Gil Garcia
March 8th, 2017 at 12:59 pm
Mccoy on run downs is like a Craigslist personal advertisement “Smiling Overrated DT on all fours. Just pound away”
March 8th, 2017 at 1:05 pm
Especially on goal line. Absolute garbage on goal line d.
March 8th, 2017 at 1:10 pm
I have no worries about cap. We have been top 10 in spending the last few years but have some of the most cap because of how we structure our contracts.
We could go hog wild in FA this year and be fine. That said I expect like 1-2 marquee signings and the rest depth / value signings.
March 8th, 2017 at 1:12 pm
Was expecting Akeem Spence to be re-signed since we have so many positions of even greater need to focus on, but … can see why the Bucs might pass on him. Looked back at the 1st Bucs-Panthers game last yr (Bucs won 17-14) and noticed that neither GMC or McDonald played. Most of the DT snaps were taken by A. Spence (67%) and Davonte Lambert (96%) … that’s the most either played last yr. Akeem kept receiving fewer snaps (2013-2016) under 3 different HCs. Gut feel at this point is that Bucs will sign a DT here shortly in Free Agency plus either draft a DT to replace A. Spence or keep Lambert as the 4th DT (GMC, McDonald, FA + 1). Just a numbers game … Looks like Spence is odd man out.
March 8th, 2017 at 1:22 pm
@DB55- You’re about to exceed your limit regurgitating those stats 2 days in a row!!! Putrid, no doubt, but putrid together. That’s even worse IMO.
LOL tmax! You’ve got issues!
March 8th, 2017 at 1:30 pm
He was a ghost last year. He showed some promise his second year, but that fell off really quick the past 2 years.
March 8th, 2017 at 1:34 pm
and change the “fun” culture that he’s installed in these guys.
Does this mean we want #3 to change is game? Because if a dude ever had fun playing football it’s #3!!!
Oh noes! Our best player, team leader, and franchise QB believes in having fun on a football field. He must be soft! (snark font off now)
March 8th, 2017 at 1:36 pm
I could also mean he’s heard nothing at all, so is heading into free agency.
Personally, I think he made good depth. Contrary to what nearly all Tampa fans may think, not all players on the team are starters.
March 8th, 2017 at 1:36 pm
Agreed. I believe the Bucs can do better and apparently the Bucs believe they can do better. I wish him well.
March 8th, 2017 at 1:38 pm
Stpetebucsfan
The difference is one is a driven winner and the other is a me first camera hound with no drive.
March 8th, 2017 at 2:44 pm
Those run stuff rankings yo😔..
March 8th, 2017 at 2:48 pm
It would appear to me that with run stuff rankings like that everyone would be on board with garnering the services of Djax. At a minimum he’ll open the entire football field. This defense is smallish and would be better suited playing more often with a lead. Getting behind spells doom for our grouping. So for the millionth time 30 point offense is the new defense. Grab every weapon possible Mr. Licht.
March 8th, 2017 at 3:14 pm
Thank Spence for the effort. You gave it 100% and Buc fans wish you the best in future!
March 8th, 2017 at 3:27 pm
Bonzai
Agree, depth, experience, loyalty, knowledge of our system, and hard workers are hard to find. I feel like letting guys like Spence, Shephard,, Mc Dougald and even Hawley go could come back to bite us in the ass. 16 of 17 players (hopefully excluding Rodgers) walked out the door. Thats almost 1/3 of our ending roster. Granted some needed to go, but 15 is a lot to replace.
March 8th, 2017 at 3:34 pm
This could be a sign the Bucs are going hard after Campbell. Talk about an upgrade….
GMC, Campbell and McDonald as your designated insiders with Ayers and Gholston able to take reps at DT as well… That’s one hell of a rotation for centers and guards to deal with.
March 8th, 2017 at 4:39 pm
we’re gonna have to atleast add 2 more DT if he doesn’t re sign malik mcdowell from michigan st might be a good day 2 pick for us
March 8th, 2017 at 6:34 pm
Weell….Bye!
March 8th, 2017 at 6:38 pm
@Tmax
Mccoy on run downs is like a Craigslist personal advertisement “Smiling Overrated DT on all fours. Just pound away”
I always wondered what dt4mm meant on CL.
March 8th, 2017 at 7:38 pm
Whatever Hayes says I will go withm good luck Spence!
March 8th, 2017 at 9:09 pm
Best of luck to you and your family Akeem
March 8th, 2017 at 9:12 pm
A!So, I sure hope Pick is right!
March 9th, 2017 at 12:28 am
Akeem is such good guy..I wish him so much success wherever he goes..even though I think he will be back with the Bucs..
Much luck to you Akeem..you played at 100 percent..always..