Your New Bucs (Co-) Sack Leader
December 15th, 2019
Ties a Hall of Famer.
[UPDATE: 5:09 P.M.] Make room Warren Sapp. You have to make some room in your Hall of Fame mancave.
Here comes Shaq Barrett.
With a sack today, Barrett tied the great Sapp as the single-season record-holder for sacks. Barrett, in his first year with the Bucs, matched Sapp’s record in 14 games.
So Barrett only needs to get a half-sack in the next two games to be the franchise record-holder. The record currently Barrett tied Sapp with is 16.5.
For a while there, Joe never thought he would see another double-digit sack guy the way this team refused to invest a high draft pick on a pass rusher. The Bucs, since inept Lovie Smith arrived, have drafted as many kickers as they have pass rushers.
Then last year Jason Pierre-Paul had 12.5 last year. This year, Barrett has erupted for 16.5. For now.
“It means a lot to me to be in the record books,” Barrett told the Buccaneers Radio Network. “I have time to set the record and it is fun to do this and help the team win.”
On the record-tying sack, Barrett said of sacking Lions quarterback David Blough, “He wasn’t trying to go down but he made me work a little harder for it than I expected.”
Joe would have to do some more studying on this, but Joe is starting to think the Bucs may save cash by franchising Barrett and signing Mr. Entertainment, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston.
[UPDATE: 5:09 p.m.] What does Barrett know the rest of us don’t? It is almost as if Barrett and the Bucs have a deal on the table.
Barrett is an unrestricted free agent after the season and he has made it clear he would like to stay in Tampa Bay because he hates moving. When asked in the Bucs’ locker room after the win over Detroit, Barrett was asked again if he wants to return. Greg Auman of The Athletic had Barrett’s interesting response.
Bucs’ Shaq Barrett on free agency and his desire to stay in Tampa: “I think I will be here for sure. … I like it here. They like me here.”
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) December 15, 2019
So do Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht and Barrett’s agent, oily Drew Rosenhaus, already have a handshake agreement? That might be rather pricy to keep Rosenhaus from pushing Barrett to free agency.
December 15th, 2019 at 5:07 pm
We’ve literally heard no talk about Barrett as defensive MVP. The team is now a .500 club and if they can finish 9-7, why wouldn’t he get legit consideration?
December 15th, 2019 at 5:15 pm
#45 was right pick at fifth draft pick. Why? We have nfl leading sacker!!! What a free agency blessing!!! Go Sack B.!!!
December 15th, 2019 at 5:18 pm
Joe, you do understand that the player makes the call, not the agent, right? I’m not saying Rosenhaus won’t try to push him there, but it’s Shaq’s decision.
December 15th, 2019 at 5:19 pm
Of course, but most players also listen the counsel of their agent. It’s why players hire an agent.
December 15th, 2019 at 5:22 pm
I think the Bucs will franchise Barrett and then sign Winston to “big” deal, that lets the Bucs get out from under it after 2 years.
So for Winston, I think the number I figured out, is 5-years, $160-million – with $50m or so guaranteed. So year one, $30m, fully guaranteed. Year 2, $30m, with $20m guaranteed. Then years 3-4, $35m, no guarantee, and year 5, $30m, no guarantee. Two weeks ago I think this is a no brainer for both sides, but now I’m not so sure Winston won’t get a bigger offer. If he finishes out the season on this hot run, his price goes up as more teams will be sniffing around. If he’s too expensive then it gets a lot harder as you franchise Winston and now have to figure out how much to pay Shaq, if you think what he is doing is repeatable at this high of a level.
December 15th, 2019 at 5:25 pm
With Matt Ryan coming to town in two weeks cements a new record for Barrett to own. Or may be Jackson falls next Sunday?
The nightmare is ending in Tampa Bay.
Go Bucs!!!
December 15th, 2019 at 5:26 pm
No way he signs a franchise tag….not with 16.5sacks and drew as his agent….
Gotta pay him…CG…JPP…JW..suh….Nassib….
GO BUCS
December 15th, 2019 at 5:45 pm
813bucboi Says:
“No way he signs a franchise tag….not with 16.5sacks and drew as his agent”
So you’re saying Barrett will just sit out the year if he’s franchised? Cause that’s how it works ya know…
December 15th, 2019 at 5:49 pm
Sure looked like a half sack with half going to Suh.
December 15th, 2019 at 5:58 pm
Joe, I like Shaq’s quote to Auman. Sometimes there is a bit of loyalty in life. Bucs took a chance on this kid and he’s paid off handsomely. He may just realize that and tell Rosenhaus to do some bluffing, but to get him a deal in Tampa. Rosenhaus is undoubtedly telling Shaq to cut out those quotes out so he can drive up the price.
December 15th, 2019 at 7:34 pm
813bucboi – Shaq would literally be sitting out a year in his prime. He’s never had a big payday and with only one year of production, he’d be taking a huge risk. I’m not sure anyone is going to give him a multi-year $20m/yr deal with such a limited track record.
December 15th, 2019 at 9:08 pm
Who’s his agent again?
GO BUCS
December 16th, 2019 at 10:38 am
Barrett has been in the league long enough to know that when there is a chance to get paid you take it. But he also knows that where you fit as a player on a team is almost as important.
Teams were scared to sign him last yr based off his injury (allegedly) & his limited role. Not only did the Bucs take a chance w/ him but they also told him he would have a chance to start.
That goes a long way in this business!