“That’s Gotta Be Factoring Into The Buccaneers’ Thinking”
March 10th, 2021
“Look, Glazer, I’m the Super Bowl freakin’ GM. If I tell you we can’t afford Shaq, then that’s it. Case closed. This isn’t Manchester United.”
Yes, there are smart people out there who think the Bucs could be very wise to let Shaq Barrett walk for huge money and then sign a quality pass rusher for anywhere from one-half to two-thirds of Shaq’s market price.
Former Bucs quarterback Chris Simms and ultimate NBC Sports NFL insider Mike Florio are both in that camp, as they discussed on Pro Football Talk this morning.
Simms suggested Rams pending free agent Leonard Floyd (10.5 sacks) could be that significantly-cheaper-than-Shaq guy but also an effective alternative for Tampa Bay.
Florio and Simms believe Shaq could be seeking $20 million+ per season and they understand why.
“That’s gotta be factoring into the Buccaneers’ thinking,” Florio said of Tampa Bay’s ultimate decision on their premier edge rusher.
Florio also speculated the Bucs may be monitoring whether Von Miller is released by the Broncos because he could be a candidate to replace Shaq at a lesser price. “We don’t know what kind of conversations [Miller] and Tom Brady have been having,” Florio added, noting Brady could be the front man on the Bucs’ recruiting effort for a replacement edge rusher.
Regular readers here know Joe would punch a wall if Shaq doesn’t return.
However, as Joe has noted, if Shaq were replaced quickly by Carlos Dunlap for less than half of Shaq’s price, Joe would at least stop cursing constantly.
March 10th, 2021 at 3:43 pm
Well, Van Halen replaced David Lee Roth with Sammy Hagar…it worked, but wasn’t the same
March 10th, 2021 at 3:47 pm
This draft is loaded
Dunlap, Lawson, Floyd etc.
Shaq might get shortchanged focused on big payday i don’t blame him but I can live with him leaving
March 10th, 2021 at 3:49 pm
I love Shaq but we have no idea what amount he is asking for. If it is in the $19-20m range, then by tagging Godwin and structuring Lavante’s contract the way they did, the Bucs in essence got those 2 for the price of Shaq.
March 10th, 2021 at 3:52 pm
Shaq made himself tens of millions of dollars in both the NFC Championship & Super Bowl. He was great vs his former team ( Broncos ) as well…and very good overall. It’s an interesting dilemma…Rosenhaus will get him to Miami is my best guess.
March 10th, 2021 at 3:53 pm
Joe…… always so quick to anger.
March 10th, 2021 at 3:53 pm
Yannick Ngakoue will be acquired if Barrett leaves
March 10th, 2021 at 3:54 pm
So many seasons of hoping wishing for good DEs has me worried sick about letting Shaq walk away. I’m a don’t believe it till I see it man. Do if they can replace him with a player who had 10.5 sacks last year at half the price. It’s time to turn off the lights the party’s over.
March 10th, 2021 at 4:03 pm
8 sacks in 16 games. Is enough for joe to pay $20m yr.
March 10th, 2021 at 4:04 pm
Don’t let a known quantity out the door for a cheaper replacement. Shaq knows the system, has good chemistry with the other players, and is a top-notch pass rusher, one of the most vital positions in today’s pass-oriented NFL. Pay the man. He’s worth it. Rework contracts or whatever else may be necessary to accommodate the reduced salary cap, but make it happen!
March 10th, 2021 at 4:05 pm
After Lavonte was signed he was on a podcast and said that Shaq was in earnest discussions to come back.
March 10th, 2021 at 4:06 pm
Joe = Jason follow this pay table.
pay shaq $20M yr
Pay vea $9m yr
Pay suh $5m yr
Pay d. White $7yr
March 10th, 2021 at 4:09 pm
If he signs it will be less than 20 per year. About 25% less.
March 10th, 2021 at 4:16 pm
If shaq wants 20-22 per year range and its about breaking the bank then he is probably done with bucs
If shaq will settle for 17-18 per year range which is still big $ and somewhat of home town discount , then bucs pull the trigger
4 years 72 mil with 50 guaranteed if i had to guess
March 10th, 2021 at 4:18 pm
SOMETHING ELSE TO CONSIDER…
Shaq had ZERO SACKS in 50 PERCENT of games during the 2020 regular season.
He only had a total of 43 solo tackles… for SIXTEEN GAMES. That’s only like 2.5 tackles per game.
During the 5 games we lost during the regular season, he only had 2 sacks.
I don’t see how he’s worth $20M/year.
March 10th, 2021 at 4:24 pm
“Well, Van Halen replaced David Lee Roth with Sammy Hagar…it worked, but wasn’t the same”
Well played, Alan… well played.
March 10th, 2021 at 4:26 pm
Letting him walk may turn out to be the best strategy. As Joe points out, probably can get a guy nearly as good for half the price. Letting the Bucs keep the other FAs. At least that is how it looks like things may shake out. I trust Licht.
March 10th, 2021 at 4:26 pm
If Shaq cares more about his bank account than another Lombardi with this team, don’t let the door hit you in the ass. With or without Shaq the Bucs will be a better team in 2021. They’ve got a foundation to build on. They’re not starting from square one. Brady is the key on offense. Shaq is just one piece of the defense. This Defense won’t collapse without him. They will still be a top ten unit.
March 10th, 2021 at 4:27 pm
Miller has rings I don’t believe Flyod does. Flyod was a wild man during 2018 SB. Dunlap would be a bad pickup either. Flyod played on a better D so that may of contributed to his success. Dunlap not so much, he maybe the better choice. Hendrickson is still put there.
March 10th, 2021 at 4:39 pm
Tough… We are pretty close to call already I think and still haven’t resigned Gronk and others… Arguably Gronk could be considered almost as important on the other side and could be a fraction of the cost. Scored two TD in superbowl and blocked defensive ends one on one. Don’t know what kind of value you’d out on that… I’d say that’s pretty damn valuable to have. We still could sign Godwin long term and baxkload…but if we sign Shaw for 20 per then can we even afford Gronk? Still need at least a few mil for rookies and same for operating budget during year
March 10th, 2021 at 4:42 pm
Don’t dis Shaq like this. He’s a very good player and has been an important part of the defense. Why not wait until we actually hear what happens before telling him to hit the road.
March 10th, 2021 at 4:59 pm
If he wants too much, we have to let him walk….we made that decision when we franchised Godwin.
He’s certainly worth $15-16 mil…..but not $20
March 10th, 2021 at 5:00 pm
We signed Shaq Barrett off of the FA scrap heap. Cheap , effective pass rushers can be had . Especially if they will be playing alongside Suh, Vea , Gholston and JPP
March 10th, 2021 at 5:00 pm
Tough call. In baseball a hitter can hit and a pitcher can pitch, regardless of the team they are on, who the coaches are, and who their teammates are. Same in basketball, a player’s shooting skill doesn’t change from one team to the next.
However in football, when a player moves from one team to another, they must learn new schemes, new playbooks, new alignments, new coaches and new teammates, all of which can have a direct and dramatic effect on an individual player’s performance.
Yes, Shaq was successful in Denver too, but having DC Bowles and Vea and Suh on the line have benefited him greatly. At least one of the three will draw a double team every snap, improving the odds for the other two to get pressure on opposing QBs quickly.
Unless Shaq is all-about-the-money, then must consider the system of any team offering him contracts to determine if their defensive scheme and supporting cast would lead to the same type of statistical success he’s had in Tampa. And even if he’s confident he can duplicate his individual numbers, he’s probably going to consider their odds of the new team having a winning, playoff-bound season.
If he is in it for the money, then he’s not a good fit in TB anymore. The GOAT has already played his hand by renegotiating his contract, helping out GM Licht the cap and set the bar for his teammates to follow. Godwin matched by verbally announcing in advance he was fine being tagged because he’s not all about the money.
It will soon be up to Shaq to decide, once dealer GM Licht comes around the table to deal Shaq’s hand. Take less for a system and teammates that with you are SB champions and can be again, or move on to another team for more money and start from scratch again in a whole new system with all new teammates.
Seems like an easy call to me…but I’m 100% biased. Go Bucs!
March 10th, 2021 at 5:04 pm
Overpaying for him would be a mistake. How many times have we seen big contracts happen then the player never live up to it.
March 10th, 2021 at 5:07 pm
You have to have the pass rusher. Pay the man. Get it done extend contracts out, restructure others . where there’s a will there is a way
March 10th, 2021 at 5:08 pm
I’ve read a lot of opinions on Shaq Vrs. Godwin ect. and I’m certainly no expert but it feels like the more of last years team we can retain, the better off we’ll be. Shaq is good but he is not a stand alone player like Brady, or Sapp, or Brooks for that matter. He had a lot of help out there last season and was mediocre at best until Vea came back. $20Mil will go a long way to keeping the band together. With few exceptions one man does not a team make. While I would love to have him back, I would also like Suh, AB, Gronk, Fournett, Succob and several others who contributed to our SB last year.
March 10th, 2021 at 5:14 pm
IMO there is no way Shaq takes 17 or 18 million because if he had been franchised it would have paid him 19 million. This guy could care less if it is Tampa Bay or the Jets he plays for as long as he gets the most money possible.
I want the Bucs to draft a rookie to take the spot and yes I have read that the draft this year is weak but I believe the stellar coaching staff that we have along with the superior linemen we are able to keep will make a rookie shine like a diamond.
March 10th, 2021 at 5:26 pm
^^^^^
His first franchise tender was 15,828,000
So 17 or 18 is well above that so no reason that is insult offer
Mack set the market of what is considered top tier and rightfully so. That guy has been best in nfl the last few years. He was making that 20 to 22 range depending on year of contract
So 17-18 would be fair compensation and still a deal for bucs
Now desperate teams like the jets / jags who normally finish last can make those crazy offers. And continue to be irrelevant. Overpaying guys just like the bucs in years past.
March 10th, 2021 at 5:42 pm
Bird you did not read. If he had been franchised again this next season it would have paid him 19 million. 17 or 18 won’t cut it sorry mate. I say let him leave outta here and play for a sorry team.
March 10th, 2021 at 5:47 pm
It would be great to get Shaq back but not for breaking the bank money. Too many other that need a little bit of money to stay. To sign a new DE, Gronk, Suh, Our kicker and maybe AB would be better. Gronk has been so over looked…. his blocking this year took the running game to a new level level with Wirfs. Plus his pass blocking against good D front lines was amazing. It’ll be bad to see Shaq leave, but him VS everyone else….. it’s hard not to take everyone else.
March 10th, 2021 at 6:35 pm
Carlos Dunlap? Really? Joe found a name he recognized and jumped all over it. That’s the guy you’re going to pine for this offseason?
Barrett is not going to find $20 million annually out there. $15-$16 million, maybe. There should be quite a few good pass rushers hitting the market this year, and the money is going to dry up fast.
March 10th, 2021 at 8:39 pm
If Bowles found a new job then I would say you have to keep him but with having Bowles back you can let him walk. This system is not focused on any 1 player.
March 10th, 2021 at 11:47 pm
Tough call but I wouldn’t break the bank. He’s been good, certainly, but interior pressure is more important with today’s 2 second throws.
March 11th, 2021 at 8:28 am
Obviously Licht is talking to agents about who’s available at what price and dickering with Rosenhaus; I don’t think Bud Dupree will come cheaper and I’m guessing Bowles and Lavonte and Shaq want to be together and they’ll work it out.
March 11th, 2021 at 9:48 am
Sad, the lack of football knowledge displayed here sometimes.
Those of you throwing around this years sack total, are ignoring his QB pressures- which are often better!
He lead the league in Sacks, a year ago.
Was 2nd in the league in Pressure, this year.
Which, combined- make him the best pass rusher in the league, over a two year period.
Yup, better than Arron Donald- who so many of you pine for.
You pay the man.
Because noone listed in this article, or post, are as good as Shaq.
This guy is in his prime. You dont let him leave.
March 11th, 2021 at 12:03 pm
As a Bucs fan living near Cleveland, my take is Shaq is going to the Browns. The Brownies have made no secret that they want a top edge rusher to pair with Miles Garrett for a Super Bowl run. They have a TON of cap space to make it happen, they can offer him a crazy deal the Bucs can’t match.