“I’m Super Pumped To Be Back”
March 23rd, 2020
Joe never thought Cameron Brate would get cut this year, more likely traded, if the Bucs decided they didn’t want to pay big money for a part-time but talented tight end who had battled multiple injuries.
Maybe that would have happened before the draft, or before final cuts in late August.
Brate had $4 million of his $6 million salary due to be guaranteed yesterday. He’s still on the roster, but it appears he and the Bucs agreed to tweaks to his contract at the last minute.
Joe assumes Brate is no longer signed through the 2023 season, similar to what the Bucs did with former defensive tackle Beau Allen’s contract before last season. There is no official word from the team.
Brate was in contact with FOX-13 sports reporter Kevin O’Donnell to let him know “I’m super pumped to be back.”
You can watch that video below.
#Bucs tight end Cameron Brate sent me a response tonight about restructuring his contract with the Bucs. Archie just might be the best part of Cam’s message. Thanks, Cam for your time during our tough times. pic.twitter.com/b5DMUkexNl
— Kevin ODonnell Fox13🟦 (@ODonnellFox13) March 23, 2020
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:09 am
He’s a good guy, and talented. I believe he’ll work well in the new Arians-Brady Offense…
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:12 am
Love Cam. Thought for sure he’d be a casualty of the salary cap and our need to plug several big holes. Could foretell of greater utilization of our tight ends with Brady calling shots. Going to be exciting if the season actually happens.
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:17 am
There is no question Brady & Brate will hookup……..Don’t know how much we saved for 2020….but every little bit helps…
Need to work on some others….will probably save some if we can come to an agreement for a longer term for Shaq.
Don’t know what the holdup is with Suh….I guess we are letting him test the market. Every day that goes by our odds of keeping him get better.
Don’t know if restructures are possible for Smith, Marpet, Jensen…..but there is a lot of money there.
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:38 am
Brate’s a smart guy, Brady’s a smart guy, they’ll do fine together. I’m wondering what this means for O.J.? Could be trade bait, could still be in the Bucs plans. What would Tom rather have, another TE to throw to, or a RB, O lineman? Maybe we package O.J. with our first round pick, and move up in the first round. Maybe we package O.J. and our 2nd round pick, and move back into the bottom of the first round. I think O.J. is more valuable in a trade, then what we’d get out of him on the field.
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:39 am
TBBF … Over-the-Cap shows Cam now at $4.0 mil, so we ‘saved’ a couple mil. Restructuring contracts can be quite advantageous in the short term, but they almost always come with a long-term cost: dead Cap. Some teams have ‘sold their soul’ in pursuit of winning NOW, and it usually bites them in the arse in subsequent years.
For instance, Panthers only have $7.0 mil in Cap space right now with only 58 players under contract. The reason? They have $34.5 mil tied up in dead Cap. Falcons are even worse off. They currently have $2.5 mil in Cap space with only 53 players under contract. The reason? They have $13.1 mil in dead Cap. And just to round out the division, Saints have $9.5 mil in Cap space right now with 59 players under contract. Their dead Cap sits at $6.3 mil.
The Bucs in comparison have $24.9 mil in Cap space with 58 players under contract. Thankfully we have the LOWEST dead Cap in the NFL at $130,241. Needless to say, that gives us the most flexibility in the NFC South right now. And that’s a VERY GOOD THING.
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:39 am
Really good to hear about Cam. I also was worried he’d be a cap casualty. Wonder what becomes of Howard. Trade maybe (NE) Hope Suh comes back. 6.5 mil?
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:46 am
Unlikely that Smith gets restructured, he is not owed any guaranteed money after this year and I think the same with Jensen, why would they give up money when they could be told to walk the plank after the season.
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:51 am
Also O.J. isn’t going anywhere right now, he is on his rookie contract. I am sure Brady sees O.J. as a real weapon. If you get rid of O.J., then what does Licht look like with his last five #1 draft picks, you loose JW, Hargreaves and O.J., that is 3 out of 5 wiffs.
March 23rd, 2020 at 9:05 am
Brady will certainly make the most of our TE pass catchers.
March 23rd, 2020 at 9:07 am
Thanks Def for the info. Appreciate it
March 23rd, 2020 at 9:08 am
rrsrq Says:
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:46 am
Unlikely that Smith gets restructured, he is not owed any guaranteed money after this year and I think the same with Jensen, why would they give up money when they could be told to walk the plank after the season.
You guarantee money next year that is not guaranteed now….for some savings this year…..that’s how…
March 23rd, 2020 at 9:44 am
I think Brady and Cam will form a special bond together.
Brady loves his TE’s.
March 23rd, 2020 at 9:46 am
Good think Cam, good thing Bucs!
March 23rd, 2020 at 9:47 am
Just thinking, with savings, maybe they sign Winston on as third QB?
AHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 23rd, 2020 at 9:54 am
If Brady still has some arm left this should be a fun season.
March 23rd, 2020 at 10:08 am
class guy, greatteammate, and very good player!!!
March 23rd, 2020 at 10:11 am
Could’ve got decent trade deal with Brate which shows BA, Leftwich, and Brady are no doubt gonna be changing BA’s non TE scheme ( which I already knew). Now idiots keep saying trade OJ because he had a case of the sophomore blues. Is big, athletic, and has hands. Can someone say Gronk? Licht or BA or both would be on the idiot train if they don’t keep OJ in 2020.
March 23rd, 2020 at 10:30 am
Hethrew 30 Says:
March 23rd, 2020 at 9:47 am
Just thinking, with savings, maybe they sign Winston on as third QB?
AHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You just can’t help yourself, it’s an addiction, let Winston go, he is not on this team anymore. It’s a new day in Tampa Bay. “Lmao”
March 23rd, 2020 at 2:03 pm
If you play TE in the NFL you don’t have to be a Harvard grad to figure out that playing with the GOAT is an amazing opportunity. And besides look at Brates photos and how he rolls. He doesn’t need bling or a fancy car to show out. He’s probably invested his money very well and he’s certainly set for life.
rrsrq
I certainly take your point but perhaps it depends if the Bucs want to keep Donavan and Jensen going forward. If they do…both players are certainly just reaching the prime of their career they could just extend them and swap some cap relief for more security for the player.
At least I think that’s possible gotta run by D.R. my cap guru first.
March 23rd, 2020 at 2:23 pm
its about time….
GO BUCS!!!!!
March 23rd, 2020 at 5:14 pm
Most NFL teams check down to the RB where Brady checks down to everyone especially the TE’s