Can Trumaine Johnson Escape California?
March 6th, 2018
Wanted.
Lost in all the hubbub of the Bucs missing out on Robert Quinn is the fact the Bucs need a cornerback. Maybe two.
And no, that cornerback should not come from the draft.
Not until this current defensive coaching staff demonstrates it can develop Vernon Hargreaves and/or Ryan Smith. Otherwise, that’s burning a draft pick that may otherwise procure Michael Bennett.
Joe is fully on board with signing Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson. Problem is, it seems two other California teams are falling over themselves to bring Johnson to the other Bay area.
Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com has reported in two separate stories that Johnson is the No. 1 target of Chucky in free agency, and John Lynch and the 49ers want him, too.
The 49ers have nearly as much monopoly money to play with as the Bucs. The Raiders? Not as much.
The thing that scares Joe is the Raiders were a playoff team two years ago when, just prior to the playoffs, they lost their starting quarterback and starting left tackle (Donald Penn) due to injuries. Will the allure of Chucky taking over a team with a good amount of talent be too irresistible for Johnson, a northern California native who played college ball out west?
Will the charm of Lynch and Jimmy GQ lure Johnson to the 49ers?
Joe hopes Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht reminds Johnson’s agent that California state income tax, especially for high-end wage earners, is outrageous. Just going by Johnson’s 2017 salary, he coughed up $1,305,587 just in state income taxes alone.
That also fails to factor in the cost of living in Los Angeles or San Francisco, the latter being one of the most expensive places to live in America.
There is no such thing as a state income tax in Florida and one can get much, much, more bang for the buck in real estate in Hillsborough or Pasco counties than, say, Alameda or San Francisco counties.
March 6th, 2018 at 8:06 am
Bucs start off a distant 3rd to both of those Northern California options. With a hat tip to the previous salary cap article, the Bucs may need to offer up as much as 10 million more for the life of the contract. He’s a good player…would love for him to be a Buc. I’d say the odds are 10/1 or so currently…
March 6th, 2018 at 8:08 am
Trumaine Johnson is not coming to tampa when he is from Northern California and a team that is on the rise like the 49ers with a competent GM and HC, solid QB, plus licht will probably add a punter and TE in FA this year
March 6th, 2018 at 8:15 am
I would really like to sign this guy.
March 6th, 2018 at 8:20 am
Dusthty Punter and TE? I was thinking kicker this whole time. We have plenty of push up front and an all star cast with our backend D. RB? We can always get Douggie back at a lower rate.
Im not sure anything would shock me with this GM/ownership group.
March 6th, 2018 at 8:23 am
Dusthty is right, except he left off long snapper…
This is not an attractive destination for any CB that will have to cover the receiver longer due to ZERO pass rush…it will make him look bad. Now, if they signed RQ this past week, maybe we would have had a shot.
The Buc’s are going to have to prove they have a pass rush before they sign any top tier CB. If they had a pass rush, heck, Grimes might come back.
March 6th, 2018 at 8:30 am
The player is taxed in the State they play their games so a California player will pay the higher amount for at least 8 regular season games. I wonder how recent ‘tax bill’ changes on not being able to deduct State income taxes will effect players choosing their team and if there was any changes in so called ‘jock tax’.
This definitely is not my field of expertise if anyone knows more I’d like to hear their thoughts.
March 6th, 2018 at 8:31 am
donuts and buc enough….thanks for the laugh….it just sucks being a fan of this team and watching other places like philly, jville, and seemingly cleveland get it turned around and the bucs are still being the bucs
March 6th, 2018 at 8:41 am
Dusthy,
You’re right. We need to get better. We are nipping on Cleveland’s heels and they have a ton of early draft picks. This could be the year we are the worst team in the league, in the standings and with the national pundits.
Something has to give!
March 6th, 2018 at 8:59 am
The Bucs need 3 CBs…2 from free agency…one from the draft.
March 6th, 2018 at 9:02 am
Cleveland was 0-16 last season. lol
March 6th, 2018 at 9:07 am
I don’t think I’d care about that if I could play ball in the South where I grew up. Licht may have to cough up much more than a West coast team would just to get this guy but Kyle fuller is a different story
March 6th, 2018 at 9:18 am
@Not there yet
Kyle Fuller wasn’t the #1 press corner in football last season.
If I’m licht I’m offering Trumain Johnson 3 years 65 million with 55 guaranteed.
March 6th, 2018 at 9:22 am
We are a graveyard/a post-apocalyptic wasteland compared to those teams. Both have star power on the field, stability in the front office and the allure of that Bay Area or the Vegas glitz is tough to overcome.
March 6th, 2018 at 9:24 am
Feelthepewterpower,
Cleveland went to the playoffs in 2007 with their head coach Butch Davis and on the right arm of QB Kelly Holcomb. Our beloved Buccaneers last made the playoffs in 2008.
Which team is “closer” to the playoffs? I feel like Cleveland could get a whole helluva lot better this year while the Buccaneers are stuck not knowing what to expect?
Will Jason Licht address the D-Line in FA? Will Jameis be suspended for up to 6 games?
It’s early, and after settling down from the non-move last week I will wait and see what the Buccaneers do, but this smells like another sh!t show season this year.
Can the NFL and Goddell have the decency to rule one way or another on Jameis before the FA dinner bell rings? It would be nice to set the expectations of the fans and franchise we love so much. Waiting is a slow torturous process, and it has a direct effect on how we proceed.
March 6th, 2018 at 9:31 am
Have a great day Bucs Dudes and Dudettes!!!! Getting closer to Jason to reveal his hand. Hope he does all the right things this Draft and puts the Bucs back to some respectability!!!!
March 6th, 2018 at 9:45 am
Frank Pillow @ PillowTalk.com Says:
March 6th, 2018 at 9:22 am
We are a graveyard/a post-apocalyptic wasteland compared to those teams. Both have star power on the field, stability in the front office and the allure of that Bay Area or the Vegas glitz is tough to overcome.
-Well said, FP:
The best part? The Bucs ran off both Lynch & Gruden at one time. Many people smirked when Lynch was named GM of the 49ers “without experience”. I’d say the Stanford grad has done well so far and the arrow is pointing way up. He’s no Licht’s Out who enters season 5 ( experienced! ) with a mammoth .333 winning/losing percentage…but still.
March 6th, 2018 at 9:46 am
Why would he want to play with Cancer93
-Tmaxcon
March 6th, 2018 at 9:56 am
Lamarcus Joyner is the best player in the Rams secondary. If they do not franchise him today the Bucs should make him one of their top priorities.
The guy is from Florida and loves Jamies. I think the Bucs would have a great shot at courting him along with Patrick Robinson from Philly.
March 6th, 2018 at 10:08 am
If I’m a free agent and all the money is equal…..first question might be, what’s the word on Winston’s investigation because if he’s out for 4 games, the season might be over before its started….which means this staff maybe on their last leg. A free agent isnt coming here unless we overpay a significant amount in guaranteed money which just isnt likely to happen. Not a single one of Licht’s big free agent signings has paid off. Every single one has been a disappointment or total dud. Grimes was solid but we didn’t break the bank for Grimes. Sweezy was a total busts, Baker bust, Jackson grossly underperformed, TJ Ward dud, Doug Martin dud, Gholston dud, Michael Johnson bust, Anthony Collins bust.
Licht got the benefit of the doubt initially but 4 yrs later, he’s got nothing to hang his hat on. I’m betting he gets 91-92% of the salary cap as a budget which is thrifty. It isnt happening, he’ll be in the bargain bin pulling out generic damaged goods saying how its the best value while we start talking draft by the 6th week of the season.
March 6th, 2018 at 10:10 am
Yes – Johnson will leave
No – Johnson will not sign with the Bucs
No DB would dare commit to Tampa with the total lack of QB pressure from
a putrid Dline and the fact Licht has shown zero creativity in addressing that problem
Exhibit 1,788 on why the Bucs must…
FIX THE TRENCHES. FIX THE BUCS!!
March 6th, 2018 at 10:12 am
California
• Highest combined Federal and State Income tax rates in the nation
• Second Highest Capital Gains Rates in the World
Contingency Plan
A properly structured “Trust” accumulates ordinary income & capital gain will not be subject to California state income tax until “distributions” are actually made to the trust’s “beneficiaries”.
At that point only the “distributed amount” is subject to California state income tax and only if “the beneficiary” is a California resident when the distribution is made. Distributions to a beneficiary who has settled outside of California – are free of California’s state income tax (but may be taxable in the beneficiary’s resident state). Neighboring State & Tax Haven “Nevada” doesn’t have a state income tax.
So….
March 6th, 2018 at 10:37 am
I don’t think the bucs are in the picture for TJ…..would he rather go to a team that was just in the playoffs the next before last or a team that ended on a 5game winning streak or a team who has a HC…DC & GM on the HOT SEAT…..easy choice to eliminate the bucs….
a player we need to be targeting is Malcolm butler…..someone who will be motivated to prove doubters wrong and show he’s a good character and leader in the locker room…..I think he would bring a certain type of professionalism and focus to the secondary which would trickle down to the entire defense…..
I think butler’s under dog attitude would work perfectly with kwon and Winston….butler knows what it takes to win and has been apart of a successful organization…..coming to Tampa would allow him to be his own player…..he wouldn’t be playing under anyone’s shadow….not bill….not tom….not matt….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
March 6th, 2018 at 10:43 am
I think I figured out what we are striving for. #1 in the draft and the only way to get that is to get worse. So maybe he is going to reach his goal.
March 6th, 2018 at 10:58 am
Thank you feel the pewter! So dramatic some of these comparisons, the Lions are the only comparison to the Browns!
March 6th, 2018 at 11:40 am
Patrickbucs,
Don’t be so sure. The Lions have been to the playoffs more recently than the Bucs, thus playing a meaningful game.
The Browns last went to the playoffs in 2007, and the Bucs in 2008.
Who makes the playoffs first? The Bucs or the Browns? The sad part is that it is a legit question at this point.
The Browns went 0-16 last year, and 1-15 the year prior… They also have the 1st and 4th overall picks. We own the 7th. The Browns have three 2nd rounders if I am not mistaken.
The Buccaneers are a laughingstock, and by and large a failing franchise since Gruden last guided us to a playoff game.
March 6th, 2018 at 11:47 am
Now what evidence is there that the GM would aggressively attempt to sign this guy? Nine, right. So, next topic…(tapping fingers; rolling eyes)
March 6th, 2018 at 12:40 pm
@Dusthty Rhothdes
LOL, Browns? 1-31 in two years and kept -the- worst head coach in football to ruin another #1 overall pick. Mmkay.
March 6th, 2018 at 1:11 pm
The Browns might have kept him for the great tank job, he has done for the past two drafts. The Browns has these picks.
1st
2nd
33rd
35th
63rd
65th
103rd
125th
140th
161st
179th
220th
And last season they had the 1st overall pick
And they have $111 in salary cap space
Why fire a guy who have brought you so much?
They should be talking extension with him
March 6th, 2018 at 1:12 pm
***4th pick not 2nd***
March 6th, 2018 at 1:14 pm
****$111 million in cap space****
March 6th, 2018 at 1:45 pm
The Browns defense is much more talented and younger than the one smitty is coaching, their front 4 are studs, the bucs have 2 LBs arguably better than the ones the browns have and the browns back end is obviously much better than the scrubs the bucs throw out there, myles garret is a dominating force on defense and the bucs do not have one difference maker on defense, cleveleand will be 8-8 this year depending on the getting that QB, the bucs will struggle to reach 6-10
March 7th, 2018 at 8:30 am
Steve K:
The Bucs have won 13 games the last two years, the Browns 1, end of story. The Bucs also have a Super Bowl and the Browns team left in the middle of the night to head to Baltimore. Bucs have been mostly bad for a while, not historically bad. The Lions haven’t had a playoff win since 91, I grew up there and had season tix to watch Barry. C’mon Bro:)