Bruce Arians: “Go Make Money!”
December 17th, 2020
Team Glazer knows what Bucco Bruce Arians is talking about
Bucco Bruce Arians knows the reality facing the Buccaneers organization.
Rather than offer NFL sacks king Shaq Barrett a long term contract last offseason, the Bucs looked at Shaq’s shocking 19 1/2 sacks and said, “Let’s see it again, dawg.”
They slapped the franchise tag on Shaq and now the just-turned-28-year-old edge rusher is peaking — and healthy — as a gargantuan payday awaits him this offseason, assuming Shaq finishes strong.
What team wouldn’t want Shaq if he, for example, finishes with 11 sacks and looks good in the playoffs after a monster 2019 and every offensive coordinator game-planning for him?
Shaq’s agent, oily Drew Rosenhaus, will be looking for $20 million per year, which is what a healthy handful of edge rushers are earning. Shaq’s better than Cowboys edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence, who earns that much cash.
Arians was asked about Shaq’s future on SiriusXM NFL Radio last night and made it clear that he’s rooting for Shaq to cash in — and loving his recent play.
“I mean, it’s ‘hey, ‘go make money,'” Arians said he tells Shaq. “The more [sacks] you get, the more cash your gettin’.’
“It’s a performance based business. We love Shaq; Shaq loves being a Buc. Don’t see it changing, hopefully. But man, I’m loving it when he goes out and rings them up.”
Shaq has eight sacks with three games remaining, two against Matt Ryan, who eats a lot of turf. If Shaq’s healthy, Joe would wager he ends the season with at least 11 sacks and Rosenhaus will be drooling through his surgical mask.
Of course, the Bucs could tag Shaq again, which would have them paying him close to $20 million regardless. But Joe would prefer Shaq get a real contract. The Bucs might have to use that tag on Chris Godwin or Ryan Succop.
December 17th, 2020 at 11:59 am
I know most don’t want to talk about comp picks……they are complicated….but we have several players who will be free agents and we likely won’t be able to sign all of them……we will have LVD, Shaq, Suh, Fournette, AB, Gronk, Godwin, Succop…..this may be the year we actually get a pick.
My priority order is Godwin, LVD,Shaq, Suh……
Licht wil earn his salary next year if he can figure out a way to keep these guys.
December 17th, 2020 at 12:08 pm
Bucs have chosen not to give players large signing or roster bonuses and it has kept the Bucs in a great cap position. The Bucs most likely can keep everyone they want on the roster if they abandon their previous model of how they write contracts.
December 17th, 2020 at 12:35 pm
They need to pay Godwin, LVD, Shaq and franchise Succop. Fournette and AB will walk in free agency ( I hope). I think Suh either retires or resigns for 5 million since he is becoming a father (twins) due next March. Gronk will only play for Brady so if he comes back it will be for 5-6 million. Depending on what they do with Donovan Smith they’ll need another tackle in FA or the draft, and the Bucs will need to trade, sign, or draft DL edge rusher as the heir apparent to Suh and JPP( although I feel like he could play productive football until he’s 38 or 39).
December 17th, 2020 at 1:41 pm
@TBBF … “My priority order is Godwin, LVD, Shaq, Suh”.
I don’t envy Jason right now because I’m not sure how to prioritize players signings this coming year, and especially if the Salary CAP goes down like many are anticipating.
Bucs already have quite a bit tied up in salaries for 2021 as it is. So depending upon how much the salary CAP decreases, we may have no choice but to release some very key players. Of course, every other NFL team will face exactly the same tough decisions, so we’re not alone by any means.
I really want Godwin back TBBF, but I have serious doubts that we can afford Chris AND ME13 simultaneously. And we’ve got so much dead CAP tied up in ME13 now with all of his contract restructurings that he’s not even tradable any longer. I love LVD & fully expect that he’ll be re-signed, but maybe not quite at the present $10 mil that he’s making. Shaq is awesome, but $20 mil just won’t be there I’m afraid if the salary CAP drops significantly. Suh is probably my favorite Bucs player now, but he won’t be playing for $5 mil, and actually may not be playing at all (it’s not like he’s desperate for money).
LOTS & LOTS of personnel decisions to make next spring to be sure. But for right now, I’m just hoping that this train that we’re riding now picks up speed & makes it all the way to the Super Bowl. This is when champions are made.
December 17th, 2020 at 1:59 pm
NFL teams always find more money. Right now, according to Over the Cap, the Saints have $275 million in salary cap liabilities for next season, but I am sure they will figure a way to make it work (unfortunately).
December 17th, 2020 at 2:00 pm
Pay the man.
December 17th, 2020 at 2:02 pm
Blasphemy… Goodwin is good, very good but he is not a key piece/ difference maker if it comes down to big slices of the cap pie
December 17th, 2020 at 3:10 pm
Hey Joe, spotrac says according to the current salary cap the Bucs have only 32.5 million available with only 29 players signed. That means they need 22 more players, including draft picks, with only 32.5 to spend, I find paying anyone 20 mil is not going is not going to happen unless the salary cap changes or they dump Smith.
December 17th, 2020 at 3:27 pm
I am with you DR in the fact that there is Nothing to envy about being in Licht’s position.
I also agree with TBBF that Godwin is the top priority. I love me some ME13!
Godwin HAS to stay imo.
December 17th, 2020 at 3:32 pm
“No team is going to give over $10 mill for Fat Shaq
This guy doesnt bring it every year and every GMs know this
This Sloppy average Joe is living off JPP and Suh
Huge mistake signing him toa long term contract and over $9 mill”
Kobe Faker
December 17th, 2020 at 4:25 pm
I say let’s finish this season first before we worry about next season.
Let’s hope Shaq gets tons of sacs all the way to the Super Bowl
December 17th, 2020 at 4:45 pm
@Kobe Shaq is disruptive and would have better output if they had him on the right side more at the beginning this season. For whatever reason they say JPP Shaq wanted to switch sides this season and it didn’t help him out at all. I’ll give you that his sacks and QB hits are down but his ability to disrupt and pressure the QB is excellent. Even with the switch and playing more coverage Shaq is second in the NFL in pressure to TJ Watt with 65. His individual tackles and assists are on par with last years production as well. I don’t think he’s a 20 million a year player, but he could easily fetch 14-16 and he would have earned it. I also think just because he’s not a chiseled athlete that he has a motivation problem. After hearing him in interviews and reading about his journey in the nfl don’t think his play would drop off after being paid either. I think he desires to be a great rusher in this league and show remain a buc at around 15 millions per year.
December 17th, 2020 at 8:12 pm
TBBF & D.R.
You guys play a fun game. Jason Licht for a day. I think a major factor among those guys you’re tossing around is how do you operate the franchise?
Are we looking long term or are we looking next year. I’m not really big on long term in the NFL given the injury rate. 33% turnover every year. I realize that recently I’m for win it freaking NOW. I can see to next year but not beyond.
Perhaps…seriously…this is a reflection of my age. Time’s a wastin’ as Johnny and June sang.
So next year I want to win it all! If we use short term deals…my favorite…perhaps more expensive but averaged out over an entire team I’m not sure. With short term deals guys tend to earn what they’re paid with less lost money on bad long term deals.
So SUH is one of my main targets for another contract. Pay him what he’s worth next year…forget his freakin’ age. If he’s slowed down enough to be only in the top ten % of DL then pay him that…pay his PRODUCTION!
Same for LVD…but if he wants long term money…I’m leery.
Shaq as well. I like them all but I want to avoid losing flexibility as D.R. points out has happened with ME.
I think it’s really hard to overpay on a one year deal when you calculate the production value.
December 17th, 2020 at 9:17 pm
JPP is making just over 12 million this year, so there is no way in hell that I would pay Shaq nearly twice as much unless we have Godwin and David locked down. I am torn though since our luck with getting good pass rushers had been almost non-existent before trading for JPP, but 20 per year seems like too much for Shaq. Good luck Licht and don’t screw it up. 😜
December 18th, 2020 at 9:01 am
I think many teams are putting too much emphasis on the amount of money they pay WR’s vs the production they get.
Mike Evans is a great player yet in the Bucs offense he is truly effective in the red zone and catching the ball downfield not because of speed but because of his flexibility and hands. My issue is the more productive receivers are all faster than Mike and get open quicker + run further when they get the ball.
Mike doesn’t fare very well vs other WR’s in some of the key ratings I tweeked.
Below are the top 10 NFL receivers by yardage, as thats what the NFL rates. Add in catches and TD’s and there is a number I came up with:
Y-Yards 1 pt C-Catches 1 pt T-TD’s 6 pts
Y+C+TD+ a rating that really shows how much a WR contributes. Then look at that player’s salary cap hit. Mike simply isn’t a top 10 receiver any more.
This is the how the top 10 in yardage do along with how much money they take up in a team’s cap-
Travis Kelse KC 1250Y+90C+9TD 1394 $11,218,000
DK Metcalf SEA 1180Y+69C+10TD 1309 $1,420,000
Stefon Diggs BUFF 1167Y+100C+5TD 1297 $13,540,000
Tyreek Hill KC 1158Y+77C+14TD 1319 $17,740,000
DeAndre Hopkins AZ 1155Y+94C+5TD 1279 $7,000,000
Davante Adams GB 1144Y+91C+14TD 1319 $16,740,000
Justin Jefferson MN 1078Y+92C+7TD 1213 $2,385,000
Calvin Ridley ATL 1029Y+67C+8TD 1144 $2,922,000
Allan Robinson CHI 1027Y+86C+6TD 1149 $15,000,000 Terry McLauren WSH 1001Y+73C+3TD 1095 $932,000
MIKE EVANS TAM 669Y+51C+11TD 786 $8,700,000
CHRIS GODWIN TAM 588Y+51C+3TD 659 $2,331,000
Other notable names that are no longer top 10 WR’s even though they have top 10 cap hits:
Julio Jones, AJ Green, Sammy Watkins, Alshon Jeffrey, AJ Hilton and Odell Beckhan all represent $14,000,000 and up vs the cap yet are not even in the to 20 in the league in yardage. Mike Evans is #34 and Chris Godwin is #53!
You certainly could argue that only JPP and Shaq Barrett are the only top 10 in their positions.
Tom Brady is #6 in salary cap but only #11 rated quarterback. I suppose in the next 3 games he could move up the ladder as far as ratings.
Point being, don’t overrate the WR position in terms of what these players expect to be paid.
There are many WR’s in the top 10-25 ratings using the system above that are less expensive and more productive than Evans:
Keenan Allen- Chargers
DJ Moore- Panthers
Will Fuller- Texans
AJ Brown- Titans
Robert Woods- Rams
Any of the above would be much less expensive than Evan’s will want and are all the quick type of WR’s that Evans isnt. Allen and Woods are at about the same cap money as Evans yet have more catches and yards. Fuller, Brown and Moore are way less than Evans and also more catches and yards.
All of these players can get you 10 touchdowns a year.