“Cheaper Alternatives”
February 24th, 2019
Bargain?
Joe knows there are Bucs fans who lie awake at night staring at the season envisioning quitting Le’Veon Bell playing in a Bucs uniform.
And while Bell may be the best running back available in free agency, he comes with baggage. And KC Joyner of BSPN is of the belief that Bell may be overrated and suggests there are “cheaper alternatives.“
One such running back is Tevin Coleman of the Dixie Chicks.
Coleman got overlooked in an Atlanta Falcons offense that included Julio Jones, Matt Ryan and Devonta Freeman, but during the span of the 2016 and 2017 seasons, he ranked 23rd among running backs in touches (332), 20th in scrimmage yards (1,868), 14th in receiving yards (720) and tied for 11th in touchdowns (19).
Joyner throws in statistical gibberish to back up his points. If you are into that, you can click the link above.
Just on face value, Joe likes this because it is stealing from a division opponent, weakening it while bolstering your own squad.
Is Coleman the answer? Unlikely. He’s better than what the Bucs currently have and that’s an upgrade. And anytime a team that has lost 22 games in the past two years can upgrade, that’s a plus.
February 24th, 2019 at 12:39 pm
He is also a running back that has not been overworked while gaining valuable experience under multiple NFL offensive coordinators. So he seems like a guy that can pick up Arians Offense quickly and still have plenty of mileage left in his body.
February 24th, 2019 at 12:57 pm
Is he a bell cow no but with him and peyton barber I think it would be a one two punch. Very formidable combo if you ask me. I would be happy with this signing.
February 24th, 2019 at 12:58 pm
He will likely be replaced by Jaquizz Rogers….
February 24th, 2019 at 1:16 pm
Wouldnt be upset with that.
It’s arians call though. I have feeling Licht is Bruce Allen’s chucky at this point.
February 24th, 2019 at 1:26 pm
The second have of the year when Freeman was out he was the man in Atlanta and DID NOTHING! Pass
February 24th, 2019 at 1:41 pm
I like this guy Coleman he’s an all around back
February 24th, 2019 at 1:46 pm
First things first. Resign P.Barber. He’s the perfect #2 RB or 1a,1b RB for this league and is a great foundation.
I also wouldn’t mind us not signing any RBs and spend our money elsewhere. There are always RBs on the market during TC……a lot of them get signed and put up very surprising numbers too
February 24th, 2019 at 1:54 pm
LJ SCOTT
February 24th, 2019 at 2:08 pm
We already put out money for a free agent RB. I’m opposed to taking Coleman and spending more cap that can be spent on more needed Free Agents and third round pick can get us Snell, Jr., for a lot less money who AP called the top RB in the tough SEC. He is a powerfully built RB who can run inside or out, can read blitzes and block and protect Jameis a lot better than Rogers, has great hands to catch passes; he will be much much cheaper than Coleman and can be a starter for the next ten years. He reminds me of Daivin Cook when he played at FSU. NFL TV doesn’t list Snell in their top ten RBs so he may well drop to the third round where he would be a steal.
February 24th, 2019 at 2:08 pm
I would rather us resign Charles Simms instead for 3rd down duties.
February 24th, 2019 at 2:29 pm
This guy is a good football player. I like him and Barber together. RoJo is a big question mark. He definitely was victim of poor run blocking but messed up other times too like dropped passes… we will see come training camp and preseason.
February 24th, 2019 at 2:37 pm
@Ndog’s right. Plus injuries, the softest of injuries too. Plus his agent said they’re gonna look for offers to make him the primary back, or full-time option.
We’ll see where BA truly has a “win now” approach with the RB position, because theoretically, if BA put the hammer down to Licht, just speaking hypothetically, Bell may be more enticed to have say $28 million guaranteed over first 2 years, with $45 total over 3 years in a no state income tax location like here, with BA using him as David Johnson 2.0. And being able to hit FA again in 3 years. Agent would like all that.
That might be more enticing than a 5 year deal with the Jets, taxes factored in, sh**ty coach, offense, no BA, no loaded Bucs offense.
Again, it’s NOT about (for all the short-sighted loudmouths out there) about what is prudent, or should do, it’s only about where BA places HIS importance. And getting absolute results right NOW at our biggest area of need, might be a BA thing. Gotta ONLY look at it through THAT prism. Think it over.
Go Bucs!
February 24th, 2019 at 3:18 pm
Barber is better. I don’t see this happening.
February 24th, 2019 at 3:24 pm
What about kicking the tires on trent richardson in the aaf league? Dude was expected to be a stud and sounds like he just wasnt ready mentally and is starting tonget it together. Wouldnt hurt to at least explore the option its a very low rish with a potential high reward
February 24th, 2019 at 3:46 pm
Bucemup,
Instead of Trent Richardson, Corey Grant , 27 yrs old, of Jacksonville is a cheap pick up.5.9 215 Last year 30 attempts avg 8.3 yds a carry. 4.3 speed, 22 reps at 225 , 10.7 broad jump , high jump 37, dude is a physical freak. Auburn alum. Problem is he is behind a stacked RB lineup so He doesn’t get many touches. Blocks well , catches the ball out of the backfield and runs good routes.
This is a much better low risk, low cost, high reward type player than trent.
February 24th, 2019 at 4:07 pm
Coleman has had 4 seasons, predominantly spent as a change of pace back, to put up a resume of text book ‘meh’. If you look at his stats he has good speed (probably why he gets his YPC stat up with one or maybe two long gains a game before disappearing), solid receiving skills, but a durable guy he really isn’t. Four years serving in a complimentary role yet last year was his first full season played (probably not coincidence since he was playing for a contract!). I know RB’s take a beating, but a part time RB who has only played one full season might be a little too brittle to throw cash at in hopes he is an upgrade? I get Joe’s logic about poaching from a division opponent, but honestly I think the Falcons have already replaced Coleman with Ito Smith…no loss for them.
February 24th, 2019 at 4:34 pm
dude richardson looks fresh for tge birmingham iron
February 24th, 2019 at 5:56 pm
@Toes….
Well said all around. Very complete. Nice job!
Go Bucs!
February 24th, 2019 at 7:02 pm
No thanks on Bell. I want receivers who are less of a diva and I want running backs who want the ball more.
This is a guy who bailed on his team because he was getting the ball too much.
WTF is that?
Focus on both lines and DBs
February 24th, 2019 at 7:03 pm
D1 – Dude I really like your idea of Corey Grant. He probably doesn’t have a lot of mileage on his tires, and he does look like a good change of pace back. Maybe not big enough to be our David Johnson but he looks the part. Wouldn’t mind if they signed him.
February 24th, 2019 at 7:06 pm
Sure, I would love Le’Veon Bell. More importantly, I would not say Bell quit on his team. That was reserved for Antonio BVrown and Brown alone. These players realize that the NFL is a business and Bell made a business decision. He did it from the start of the season and always said from the offseason that he would not play under the tag. He didn’t pull and surprises. I respect his decision and would love for Bell to be our bellcow RB. I don’;t see it happening in the end but I wouldn’t rule it out. McCoy staying here makes me think this won’t happen.
February 24th, 2019 at 7:07 pm
pull any surprises*
February 24th, 2019 at 7:09 pm
Bucemup,
He does. He’s low risk and would be cheap.
I would go with the better athlete and the guy who hasn’t been booted from the league. But I understand your point and think yeah why not try it I’d still make a spot for Grant. Dude is just faster, stronger and more explosive.
February 24th, 2019 at 7:19 pm
Malcolm,
Thank you Sir. Your right about low miles and change of pace. Just get the ball to him in space and it’s a home run. Dude is blazing fast.
February 24th, 2019 at 7:45 pm
Dave,
He didn’t bail on his team because He wasn’t under contract. Got to be on the team before you can bail.
Besides if think for two seconds about the Steelers, two of their very best players want out. Ex players openly question the coach and the QB. And there’s a long history of the organization being thrifty in contract negotiations. Bell wants to be paid for his production. You think the Rams would stiff him like the Steelers are doing…
Again when the team’s two best players have had it , it’s time to consider the team May be partially responsible.
If both Winston and Evans said last season they’d rather sit than play, the fans would have Dirks face on a billboard that very same day, yet somehow it’s different if it’s other guys on a different team.
February 24th, 2019 at 8:49 pm
My early preseason prognostication in hindsight:
Liedtke was always our best solution at RG.
February 24th, 2019 at 9:52 pm
Why would we want that loser? 15 mill?
Hell naw.
February 24th, 2019 at 10:04 pm
Why would we want that loser…………
You’re right T Rex , this franchise is all about winners… don’t need a player like that to ruin the team’s winning tradition and all…
February 24th, 2019 at 10:54 pm
He would be an upgrade at a relatively low cost. He can catch the ball too.
February 25th, 2019 at 6:48 am
lets go dig up Alstott,if we can’t get him,we’re screwed either way
February 25th, 2019 at 7:21 am
JimmyJack Says:
I also wouldn’t mind us not signing any RBs and spend our money elsewhere. There are always RBs on the market during TC……a lot of them get signed and put up very surprising numbers too
^^^^^THIS^^^^^
So tired of hearing about running backs and defensive backs.
Fixing the trenches fixes the team.
February 25th, 2019 at 8:59 am
How about Zac Stacy from the Memphis Express, he was a beast with the Rams, broke his ankle and missed 2 years.
He’s back and tearing up the AAF.
He’ll be cheap.
February 25th, 2019 at 9:15 am
We already have bargain RBs, we don’t need more of them. We need a game changer and Bell IS that game changer.
February 25th, 2019 at 11:03 am
Bell, no way. And Charles Simms, now thats funny.
February 25th, 2019 at 3:21 pm
Don’t care who it is. I don’t want to see any players in a Bucs uniform lol
#BANG THE BONGOS FOR NEW UNI’S FOR US JOE!!!!!