Hunting For A Right Tackle
March 26th, 2020
Strong free agent candidate.
Yes, the Bucs recently signed a right tackle, Joe Haeg, late of the Indianapolis Colts. That’s not enough for one veteran NFL reporter.
Prickly Pete Prisco of CBS Sports believes as we are looking at the second (third?) wave of free agency and the cusp of peak draft season, right tackle for the Bucs is still the team’s biggest need.
They could play with Joe Haeg, who they signed as a free agent, but that would be risky. They should use a pick or two on the offensive line. Picking 14th in the first round, they have a chance to land that tackle early in a good tackle draft.
Absolutely agree with Prisco about still needing a right tackle. Joe will ask again, if nine-time Pro Bowler Jason Peters is willing to play right tackle (and he claims he is), why not Peters? Don’t tell Joe he’s too old at 38, if you are going to run with a 43-year old quarterback.
It was very telling to Joe that yesterday in his conference call with the local pen and mic club, Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians singled out every starting offensive lineman including a couple of backups but never mentioned free agent right tackle Demar Dotson.
As for Haeg, Joe guesses he’s OK as a reserve. Joe is just scared as hell to have a guy start at right tackle who was part of an offensive line that got Andrew Luck maimed and chased out of the league.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:04 pm
Just need to draft one. Offensive Tackle, WR and RB are loaded in this year’s draft.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:06 pm
Sorry Joe—Disagree on this one…..He is to old, and I do think is a concern….
March 26th, 2020 at 1:08 pm
Yeah…brilliant a 38 year old tackle protecting a 42 year old QB…
In Licht we have misplaced our trust
March 26th, 2020 at 1:08 pm
OT is a lot different than a QB, Joe. You know that. Does Peters have a couple years of good play left in him? Probably. But don’t act like QB and OT are in the same ballpark as far as drop off goes.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:09 pm
Hang was also part of an OL considered by many to be among the best in the NFL. And his coach from that era is now on the Bucs.
Brady is 43, he’s gonna be brittle. A stiff breeze could put him on the sideline. That’s the risk the Bucs take by going with Methuselah.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:10 pm
What Licht/BA/Tom or whomever is in charge does here is important.
Don’t know that Peters is the answer. As far as T Williams, like SPBF, I wonder about his physical health as well as his mindset toward football.
Hopefully they make a smart move.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:11 pm
We do need to draft one….but Licht doesn’t seem to want to invest in a 1st rounder…..neither does BA……and we know Bowles would prefer a S or DE/DT……
I agree that Dotson is likely gone….or could be brought in at the last minute as depth at the Vet minimum.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:15 pm
The top 4 OT’s in the draft are VERY good. IMO, if one of them, Kinlaw or Derek Brown are there, take one of them. If they are all off the board at 14, hope that someone falls in love with Jordan Love and will overpay us to trade down.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:17 pm
Joe – we currently only have about $2.3 million dollars left under the cap.
We had $24.6m until we signed Roaches-Nunez, Haeg, Adams, Mitchell and Suh.
Now we have $10.3m – $8m (draft picks) = $2.3 million.
We are done signing free agents until we restructure some contracts (Smith, Marpet, Gholston or Jensen) or we cut someone.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:18 pm
Joe – So with $2.3 million dollars left, do you really see this happening?
March 26th, 2020 at 1:18 pm
Marine Buc
Thanks. Good to know.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:20 pm
At least kick the tires on peters
March 26th, 2020 at 1:20 pm
IF the season starts on schedule (and not even Roger Badell knows that) what happens if our highly questionable OL breaks down on a play and our hallowed QB1 ends up with a broken femur? It’s a Bucs life! 😉
March 26th, 2020 at 1:24 pm
From NBC News
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/03/26/obj-trade-to-49ers-wont-be-happening-this-year/
OBJ seems to be very interested in playing for the Patriots or with Tom Brady.
If you guys go back several weeks, you will see that I called Brady to OBJ way back then! 🙂
March 26th, 2020 at 1:29 pm
Marine:
Guessing you misplaced a digit?
Bucs salary cap.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:29 pm
@Swampbuc – Haeg has been a backup for the past two seasons, which is when the Colts offensive line has come into their dominance. Before that, his first two years he was a starter and part of their problem with being weak.
I agree 1 million percent with your last paragraph, Joe.
We need to draft a tackle in the first round. Trade up if we have to, giving away a pick from a future year. I have no problem with Peters coming in, too, but only for cheap. Otherwise no.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:30 pm
I was all for drafting Kinlaw until the 49er’s traded into the pick before us. Lynch loves the trenches unless he goes WR.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:35 pm
Marine Buc says”Now we have $10.3m – $8m (draft picks) = $2.3 million.”
I think we have a little more than 2.3. Let’s not forget we got $2.5M with Cameron Brate’s restructuring.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:37 pm
Joe, not sure that site factors in Suh, Nunez or Adams.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:37 pm
Depends on the price.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:39 pm
A 38 year old tackle is a lot different than an all pro 43 year old QB. Who we all know is still in excellent condition physically and mentally. I’m not saying. He’s not worth looking at. Just think there’s better options.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:39 pm
Joe – please check your math. That link does not take into account any of the recent free agent signings of Suh, Adams, Haeg, Nunez-Roaches.
My number is accurate.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:41 pm
@ Alabama
This figure of $2.3 million does take into account the Brate restructuring which was only $1.5 million not $2.5 million. You are wrong by $1.0 million.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:44 pm
Not Joe’s math Marine, but Spotrac. They are pretty reliable.
If Bucs only had $2.3 million, they’d be shedding salary. That’s not even enough to pay for the No. 14 pick.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:44 pm
22 million left but that’s not taking into consideration suh, adams, and nunez. once those numbers are plugged in plus about 7.5 million for drafted players, bucs are getting pretty slim on cap space. of course they can get more $$$ if needed but that isn’t the buccaneer way. they like to keep the signing bonuses down which means no dead money if they need to release a player down the road.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:44 pm
“what happens if our highly questionable OL breaks down on a play and our hallowed QB1 ends up with a broken femur?”
The same thing that happens on any other team with any other player.
It’s the NFL! EVERY player is one snap away from the end of their career.
First it was AB…now OBJ…and of course somebody even pimped for Edelman!
Why are folks even looking at WR. We do not need another WR. I could see drafting one in a loaded draft for depth and some competition for Scotty.
Is there a position where the Bucs are even more set than WR?
March 26th, 2020 at 1:46 pm
If you notice on Sportrac it includes all the activity except the past week. It has not been updated yet to include all the recent free agency activity.
C. Brate’s contract amount is listed as $4.5 m which does reflect the restructured contract amount.
Also notice the bottom names. All with zero amounts next to their names. This means that these players are not accounted for with that $24.6m figure.
Do the math.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:47 pm
When do they have to be under the cap by? After final cuts? Because if that’s the case we have some money left to play with, there’s a lot of players on that list that won’t be apart of the final 53
March 26th, 2020 at 1:49 pm
Joe – that’s not what I said. Read my original comment.
$10.3m – $8m (draft picks) = $2.3 million.
I’m not trying be a jerk. But you are wrong.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:50 pm
Marine:
Here is another cap tracker. They have Bucs at $22 million.
Bucs salary cap space.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:52 pm
JP-09
True. But most of the players who can be cut only have $650,000 salaries. You need to cut ten of them to have enough money to sign Peters for $12m…
Do you really want to cut all those guys for Peters?
March 26th, 2020 at 1:53 pm
@ admin
Which one. I don’t see a link.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:55 pm
To me, we should definitely sign Jason Peters, he’s old but still durable and solid, we need that, we’re in win now, sign Peters draft a RT and then I would trade bait Donovan Smith last year if guaranteed so that’s what I would do
March 26th, 2020 at 1:57 pm
@ bucsfan951
Exactly! We do NOT currently have $22 or $24 million left under the cap. Those numbers do not take into account the recent free agent signings of at least 4 players…
Just do the math.
March 26th, 2020 at 1:57 pm
Bucs need to grab a tackle in Rnd 1, hopefully one of the Top-4 (Wirfs, Thomas, Becton or Wills). If those 4 are gone, odds are either Brown or Kinlaw will still be on the board (or maybe even a QB that BA can fall in love with). And if we miss out on a Tackle in Rnd 1, no biggie, grab one in Rnd 2 (Jackson, Wilson, Wanogho, Jones or Adams). Point being, this is a deep draft for Tackles.
Geno711 floated a good idea yesterday about putting a bid in on the Steelers’ Matt Feiler. Steelers did a 2nd Rnd tender on him & it’d take about $20 mil for a 3-year contract to pry him away. Bucs can afford that & that’s a very viable way to go for a 27-year-old, 6’6″ & 330 lb experienced Tackle who can also play Guard.
And Marine Buc, I think we’re significantly better off than only having $2.3 left in salary Cap. Spotrac’s numbers haven’t been updated yet for the most recent signings, but Over-the-Cap shows the Bucs with $22.1 mil salary Cap space with Haeg, Nunez-Roches & Minter signed. Adams apparently got a $1.0 mil contract, while Suh got $8.0 mil. That SHOULD leave us with $14.3 mil of Cap space (after Suh & Adams replace the bottom 2 in the Top-51 computation). The draft pool (7 picks) SHOULD cost as much as $7.8 mil which would leave us with $6.5 mil PLUS whatever the bottom 7 players displaced by the draft pool are making (roughly $4.7 mil). Looks like to me that the Bucs have $11.2 mil to play with AFTER they sign the draft pool and include all the players currently signed.
Of course, with that $11.2 mil we still need a backup QB, a veteran Safety, and maybe 1 other vet (RT? RB?) plus we need to keep a little reserve for injuries. Those 3 vets though would replace 3 others, saving us money once again (probably $2 mil), so it’ll be tight, BUT … might just as well take it down to the last nickel and go for the gusto.
March 26th, 2020 at 2:02 pm
@ defense
Like I’ve stated several times already.
We have @ $10.3 million after the N. Suh signing.
It will take @$8 million to sign our draft picks.
$10.3 m – $2.3 m = $2.3 m left after we sign out draft picks.
Do the math.
March 26th, 2020 at 2:03 pm
Lol.
$10.3 m – $8 m = $2.3 million
Sorry for the typo.
March 26th, 2020 at 2:12 pm
Follow me here: Sportrac number of $22.9m does not include the following.
1. Nunez-Roaches $2.25 m
2. Adams $1.0 m
3. Suh $8 m
$22.9m – $2.25 – $1.0. – $8 = $11.65 million
$11.65m – $8m (needed for draft picks) = $3.65 million dollars.
March 26th, 2020 at 2:12 pm
Jason Peters was the 6th best offensive tackle graded in 2019 from PFF. IDK why we wouldn’t sign him for cheap and still draft OT to groom for next year. The rookie could replace Peters or even replace Donavon Smith next year and we look for another one next year. We should take a look at Peters to say the least
March 26th, 2020 at 2:13 pm
Not worth the money …just what we need ..a 38 y.o with bad knees protecting our 43 y.o QB …brilliant <<<< sarcasm
March 26th, 2020 at 2:13 pm
Sorry I was off by a million and change. But regardless we do not have any cap room left unless we cut, trade release someone or restructure other contracts.
March 26th, 2020 at 2:14 pm
Don’t tell Joe he’s too old at 38, if you are going to run with a 43-year old quarterback.
—————
You trying to say this guy is serviceable while saying demar Dotson is too old. The more you talk the less sense you make. 38 is ancient for a players who’s in the trenches. Quarterback doesn’t deal with any strain in ota’s, training camp. Can’t believe your saying getting this old arse lineman is ok because the qb is 43 lol that’s just dumb
March 26th, 2020 at 2:15 pm
Joe…Disappointed. I would think national analysts would maybe say this but you??? We have $22 million in cap left this year and will no doubt need to make big multi-year contracts next year to very deserving playing that we are going to need after this small stay for TB and BA.
Bucs need to trade down twice in the first for a RB, get a RT in the second, and a OG/C in the third. Demar Dotson was a good RT in his younger days and would make a solid back up RT. We’ve only seen Cappa at OG for one season and it was about average. OG/C can compete and hopefully be able to learn C position quickly to send expensive Jensen packing.
March 26th, 2020 at 2:20 pm
Looking at all of New England’s starting linemen 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th round draft picks and assuming Brady will be making all the picks I guess that means we’re going DT 😂
Not much to say you guys pretty much covered it all. Although I do expect 2 linemen selected in this draft and one will be massive!!💪💪
March 26th, 2020 at 2:22 pm
I thought Nuñez Roches was a force last year especially in the run game.$2.5m/?? That’s a steal for him. I expect him to have a big season and demand $7m+/ next year.
March 26th, 2020 at 2:30 pm
Marine Buc
Wow. I was going on the $22 million number. If $3.65 million is true the only trade or drops would be between third string.
Jason Licht philosophy is “build through the draft.” I would almost guarantee some serious drops in the Bucs spots and am all for it.
March 26th, 2020 at 2:34 pm
Haeg allowed one sack last year
March 26th, 2020 at 2:35 pm
Bucs cap space 22 mil minus Suh 8 mil equals 14 mil. As far as the draft picks which I believe is 7 we are going to lose 7 players off the current 51 which translates to 4 to 7 mil depending on who gets cut. So there sould not be a concern with saving money for draft picks its basically built into the system.
March 26th, 2020 at 2:39 pm
You could offer Peters 4 or 5 mil for one year and draft a tackle in the 4 th round. Don’t forget Peters was a late round pick and turned out to be one of the best in the game and still is. If he gets winded Haeg could relieve him for a series of two.
March 26th, 2020 at 2:39 pm
Matt
Nunez Roches is a steal at $2.5 mil and is going to get more snaps this year and a very good back up for Suh.
March 26th, 2020 at 3:53 pm
@Marine Buc … “$10.3 m – $2.3 m = $2.3 m left after we sign out draft picks. Do the math.”
We’ll have roughly $13.2 mil altogether AFTER we sign our rookies AND pay for Suh & Adams to sign ADDITIONAL FAs plus keep a little for injury replacements. Remember, it’s the Top-51 salaries that count (when one guy is added, another drops off so his salary must be subtracted).
I did the math. You didn’t believe me. To each their own.
March 26th, 2020 at 4:25 pm
I agree we don’t need to sign him we need to use our 14th pick for a OT and our 2nd pick for a RB
March 26th, 2020 at 4:27 pm
@ defense
Lol.
$22.9 m – $11.3 million (Nunez, Suh, Adams) = $11.65 million
$11.65 million – $8 million (draft picks) = $3.65 million
Check, check again then re-check your numbers.
March 26th, 2020 at 4:48 pm
Tampa better pick a QB with the 14th Pick if Love Eason or Hebert are there. If now Bucs are screwed in 2 years.
March 26th, 2020 at 6:11 pm
Someone already said this but I’ll say it again and hope Marine sees it. If you add 3 players to the top 51, you must also take 3 out or there will be 54. The cap is based on the top 51. You must add the salar8of the 3 players that were bumped out to the cap. Even if they are minimum salary players, that will amount to almost 2 million more.
March 26th, 2020 at 7:54 pm
Enough already with the stupid cap space talk. Whatever it is the Bucs will find a way if they want a particular FA.
March 26th, 2020 at 8:23 pm
Marine Buc … “Check, check again then re-check your numbers.”
You still don’t seem to get it so I’ll type slower.
The salary Cap is figured on the Top-51.
We already have over 51 accounted for, and that’s what our current salary Cap number of $22.1 mil is based on.
When you ADD a new player, you have to SUBTRACT one already in the Top-51 if the new player is making MORE than the player making the LEAST in the Top-51.
Thus when you ADD in Suh ($8.0 mil) and Adams ($1.0 mil), you have to SUBTRACT Dixon ($610K) and Ledbetter ($675K) from the Top-51.
Therefore you end up SUBTRACTING $9.0 mil from the $22.1 Mil salary Cap to account for Suh & Adams, but end up ADDING back in $1.3 mil because Dixon & Ledbetter fell off.
End result? $14.4 mil salary Cap remaining (NOT $13.1)
Same thing when you account for the 7 rooks in the draft class (assuming they all make the team of course). You’d have to SUBTRACT $7.8 mil for those 7 players, BUT … they’d displace the Bottom 7 players in the Top-51 at that time, SAVING $4.7 mil (if no other changes occurred of course).
End result? $11.3 mil salary Cap remaining (NOT the $3.65 mil you came up with).
Same thing will happen if we sign 3 more FAs (they’d bump the bottom 3 in the Top-51 at the time).
I guess it’s your turn Marine. Oh and “Check, check again then re-check your numbers” like you said.
P.S. Sleep well tonight, your Air Force is awake. (Sorry, couldn’t resist). I flew a lot with the Marines in my 26 years in the Air Force and it was always, shall we say, ‘enlightening’. Fun too.
March 26th, 2020 at 8:50 pm
Why does everyone keep bring up Bradys age when trying to compare it against someone else’s age. That is not even close to a fair comparison since Brady is a freak when it comes to his body, I have never known or heard of any athletesize to go to the extreme that BRady does .
March 26th, 2020 at 9:43 pm
Marine Buc … Joe’s got me in the cooler for my response to your last comment. It’s a little dark down here but he usually let’s me out in the morning so I can go for a walk.
March 27th, 2020 at 10:06 am
@ defense
Don’t know if you will see this but I see what your saying regarding the salary cap and it makes sense. I forgot about the top 51 player rule and it’s affect on the salary cap figure.
We still don’t have enough to sign Peters – who will want @ $10-$12 mil for one season. But I concede my cap number was off by a few million due to the “top 51 player” salary cap rule.
Thanks for clarifying.