Cynthia Frelund Thinks Shaq Mason Is On Thin Ice
February 25th, 2023
Looking at salaries.
A lot of Bucs fans — in large part because they have been trying to run the guy out of town ever since he was drafted for some weird reason — are pointing to left tackle Donovan Smith’s salary and the Bucs’ salary cap pinch and all but begging for Smith to get a pink slip.
JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman already reported that Smith will be gone.
NFL Network stat queen Cynthia Frelund believes Bucs fans should be looking at another offensive lineman who might get the ax.
Frelund, as she is wont to do, crunched her numbers and believes if Shaq Mason doesn’t restructure his contract, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht may give him the pink slip.
Mason’s 2023 cap number: $9,576,000
Mason’s dead cap number: $4,304,000
Buccaneers’ estimated cap space: -$56,531,921
First, the good: Mason allowed just one sack on 834 pass-blocking snaps last season, including the playoffs. The not-so-good? [Mason had] a 3.3 pressure percentage allowed (postseason included), ranking 21st among all guards. Not horrible, but not great. And that’s when his cap figure sat at just $3.2 million. In 2023, that number triples.
Trading for Mason last offseason made perfect sense for Tampa Bay — especially considering it only cost a fifth-round pick — but the way this contract was structured always indicated that this offseason would be a hinge point. Turning 30 in August, Mason should still have productive years left, so a restructuring could be in order. Or maybe he’ll be a cap casualty in the Bucs’ post-Brady rebuild.
Joe saw way too much instability on the offensive line last year mostly due to injuries. Mason started every game. Generally, repairing an offensive line isn’t started by tossing aside a guy who was not the problem. That creates another hole to fill.
Rework Mason’s contract if you can.
February 25th, 2023 at 11:12 am
Mason is a keeper.
February 25th, 2023 at 11:26 am
He’s solid and durable…..he should be open to restructure….probably at this stage in his career doesn’t want to move around.
February 25th, 2023 at 11:39 am
I don’t think getting Trask killed behind less experienced linemen is helpful for his development or for a competent offense in 2023. Mason’s cap hit is reasonable for a player of his caliber.
February 25th, 2023 at 11:48 am
Cynthia is a smokeshow. I have dirty thoughts about her.
February 25th, 2023 at 11:51 am
“The not-so-good? [Mason had] a 3.3 pressure percentage allowed (postseason included), ranking 21st among all guards.”
That’s because Tom Brady was a sorcerer getting rid of the football – makes bad lineman have decent sack allowed metrics.
February 25th, 2023 at 11:56 am
I think she may be right. With Goedeke and Hainsey having short arms, they’re thought of as inside guys that might take Mason’s spot.
February 25th, 2023 at 11:56 am
He’s better than most at pass blocking, bit I didn’t get a sense he was helping much at opening holes
February 25th, 2023 at 12:12 pm
Shaq Mason has a few PROS and CONS…
CONS –
– past his prime
– gave up 27 QB hits/pressures in 2022 (worst on the Bucs O-line)
– Not overly expensive but still counts $9.5M against the cap
– 68 PFF grade – not very good for $9.5M
PROS
– Played all 18 games in 2022
– Only allowed 1 sack in 2022
– Only had 2 penalties in 2022
– Fills a hole on the O-line while the Bucs already have multiple holes to fill
Why would Bill Bellacheat let this guy go for a 5th round pick?
Who knows but maybe Bill saw the writing on the wall…
February 25th, 2023 at 12:14 pm
Give me Laura Rutledge anyday over Frelund.
“OWWWWW!”
And, as Mrs. D-Rok is wont to do, just smacked me upside my head.
(Frickin’ love the phrase, “wont to do.” Yes, it’s wont, not won’t – that’s not a typo. Wont is pronounced as “want,” by the way. Look at the wordsmiths go, the Joes!!! LOL)
February 25th, 2023 at 12:43 pm
100% agree with Joe on this one. Every good offense starts with good blocking by the very strong men on the offensive line. Keep Donovan Smith too
February 25th, 2023 at 12:48 pm
It “Mason” sense to let DSmith walk n bring in a clone of former Bucs Donald Penn, someone who’s mean n nasty, don’t get beast mode n knows when to hold and when doing so, knows how to get away with holding cause it’s common for elite OT to hold but not to the extreme of DSmith with reoccurring penalties on him throughout the season which was a result of tds n big plays being called back. DSmith is paid the big Bucs to perform n not deform. Unacceptable!!!
February 25th, 2023 at 12:57 pm
Don’t let none of the OL walk. Should’ve done more to keep Ali for another year but Mason was a great replacement for Cappa.
My issue is the GM’s lack of success outside of surefire homerun picks.
We drafted a practice squad QB in the 2nd round when we could’ve got another OL or depth at ANY position. RYAN GRIFFIN beat this man out on the depth chart.
We drafted 2 kickers (Aguayo & Gay)
We drafted a punter (remarkably our best draft pic from last year’s class)
We drafted OJ Howard instead of Dalvin Cook.
We drafted Vernon Hargeaves instead of trading the house to move up and snap Jalen Ramsey.
Jameis Winston > Kyle Trask imo
Can’t trust a Gator in Tampa. Not since Kenyatta Walker.
February 25th, 2023 at 12:58 pm
Masons’ contract was already reworked last offseason
February 25th, 2023 at 1:00 pm
I would be keeping mason you didn’t hear his name mentioned during the season. I heard smiths name mentioned to many times.
February 25th, 2023 at 1:08 pm
I can’t believe there’s people who want to keep Donovan Smith. Did any of those watch any Bucs games last season?
February 25th, 2023 at 1:15 pm
@ Big Red
“Jameis Winston > Kyle Trask imo”
Besides being an FSU fan what stats or intel are you using to make this determination?
Trask has not yet started a single NFL game… And Winston has proven himself to be an injury prone turnover machine.
You may be correct – but I would like to see more NFL game film on Trask playing with the starting offense before I can make a valid analysis.
February 25th, 2023 at 1:21 pm
A stat Queen?
February 25th, 2023 at 1:22 pm
We need a banking queen not a stat queen.
February 25th, 2023 at 1:27 pm
The ignorance just won’t stop. If we’re letting Smith go, do you really think we can afford to let another decent lineman go? Not letting go of too many guys that will end up making more holes on than roster. I can see his contract being reworked. And these are supposed to be the folks in the know. Yeah, okay. Common sense is free, use it. And guys, she’s not all that. Sheesh. Do any of you have women at home? I’m starting to think not.
February 25th, 2023 at 1:30 pm
LOL
The one O lineman tha started every game?
That is on a reasonable salary. If he si gone it means we are tanking.
February 25th, 2023 at 1:35 pm
Broderick Jones LT Georgia should be who bucs target in Round 1-Period.
February 25th, 2023 at 1:40 pm
His numbers as far as sacks go is good plus he is durable.
However he led the O-Line in QB pressures and didn’t exactly open up any running lanes or holes.
February 25th, 2023 at 2:07 pm
Grover – nice with the banking queen!
February 25th, 2023 at 2:12 pm
With a 17 game season, availability is premium. Donnie missed games, played poorly, and makes too much money. His stock is down, and is likely going to be out of a job because of it. Shaq gets another season because he didnt miss games, and is likely to play better with a healthier Jensen.
February 25th, 2023 at 2:51 pm
I expected more run production from Mason. End result was that Cappa was the better player. And younger. Don’t think it matters much from a performance standpoint whether we keep him or not.
February 25th, 2023 at 2:56 pm
I’m sure that the Bucs are looking long-term at all the salary CAP ‘manipulations’ that they’ll need to make in short order. In the case of our OLine …
o LT Donovan Smith: $17.9 mil CAP hit with $8.0 Dead CAP … contract ends this year.
o LG Robert Hainsey (assumed): $1.3 mil CAP hit with $0.4 mil Dead CAP … under contract through 2024.
o C Ryan Jensen: $15.0 mil CAP hit with $19.0 mil Dead CAP … under contract through 2024 but with a potential out after this year.
o RG Shaq Mason: $9.5 mil CAP Hit with $4.3 Dead CAP … contract ends this year.
o RT Tristan Wirfs: $5.2 mil CAP hit with $5.2 Dead CAP … contract ends this year, but with option to pick up his 5th year at $18.4 mil.
So if we kept our OLine intact, 3 of their contracts would be up at the end of this season (Smith, Mason, Wirfs). Seems like it’d be much smarter to sign Wirfs to a new contract after this year than to call his 5th year option at $18 mil.
SOMEHOW the Bucs need to spread our OLine contracts out better so that the CAP hits aren’t as devastating. The best way IMO to do that now is to draft an OLineman this draft who’ll be able to start next year for Smith or Mason. That means drafting one HIGH on Day 1 or 2 of the draft, not on Day 3. Expensive when we have so many other NEEDS, but it’ll pay big dividends starting next year (and also give us a quality backup OLineman for this year).
February 25th, 2023 at 3:14 pm
At this point I am guessing that we will have Wirfs at left tackle, Jensen at center and Mason at right guard. I understand that our inhouse candidates for left guard will likely be Stinnie, Hainsey and Leverette. The strongest candidates for right tackle could be Goedeke and Hainsey.
To reiterate, our offensive line from left to right could end up as Wirfs, Hainsey, Jensen, Mason and Goedeke. Our salary cap situation could have a lot to do with this kind of an outcome.
February 25th, 2023 at 3:14 pm
@ DR
Not a bad idea… Draft an OG or OT on day 2.
If the Bucs are smart they would re-sign Hicks, Nacho, Gholston and LVD… This would solidify the D-line and ILB group for 2023.
Re-Sign SMB, Nelson and Edwards – Let Dean walk – then draft a CB with pick #19.
EGITY-OGITY-OOOK…
Use our 3rd round pick for BPA – TE/RB/DL/S
February 25th, 2023 at 3:15 pm
Trenches trenches trenches.
February 25th, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Agreed, draft an OT in the first 3 rounds. Put Goedeke on the Alex Cappa weight gaining plan, get him up to 325 or 330.
February 25th, 2023 at 3:31 pm
Mason is a decent pass blocker but not a road grader. If we are to be somewhat successful running the ball several olineman have to better run blockers.
February 25th, 2023 at 4:02 pm
We couldn’t run to the right.
We had Wirfs at RT.And we still couldn’t run to the right?
Mason is decent. But he’s small for a RG.
February 25th, 2023 at 4:12 pm
Hate to say it but Smith was hurt all year, although I do see him not use his feet to get into better position, it could be a balance thing/anticipation as well, not sure, he was so out of position too many times last year and looked tentative, that may be in part die to his injury. Played a lot better 2 years ago. Definitely think we need a OL early, maybe DB if they grade better since we may lose 1-3 of them in FA. Best player on the board works too. Could go OL with 2 straight picks which won’t hurt unless a DL stud falls to us in 1st. Don’t know cause we have many returning OL from injury, Stinnie being a starter IMO.
February 25th, 2023 at 4:14 pm
Wirfs HAS to become left tackle. Any starting LT makes $15 mil, and Wirfs easily commands that at right. Can we pay TWO tackles that much? I believe Goedeke or that Walton kid could do passable jobs at right
February 25th, 2023 at 4:15 pm
Frelund is no Stacey Dales. MMMMM Dales….LOL
February 25th, 2023 at 4:40 pm
I agree and think that the Joe’s think Shaq is better than he is. It also sounds like the Bucs will be going to an outside zone based running scheme and Shaq is not a good fit. The Patriots switched to an outside zone scheme and that’s why they traded Shaq because he no longer fit what they wanted to do. Draft a couple guards and move Goedeke to RT and Wirfs to LT.
February 25th, 2023 at 5:04 pm
What I think might happen on the O-Line:
LT: Wirfs. He’s athletic enough for it, and would push the smaller pass rushers around on that side, being 80 pounds (or so) heavier. Like another poster said, he’s going to cost a fortune, he needs to do it at LT.
LG: Nick Leverett
C: Ryan Jensen
RG: Luke Goedeke. His short arms should keep him inside, a long armed pass rusher would have him for lunch. He needs to add weight and strength, like Alex Cappa did.
RT: Rookie, probably a 2nd Round pick.
February 25th, 2023 at 5:28 pm
Shaq played on a bad o-line. His strength was supposed to be run blocking. None of that materialized for many reasons.
I’d keep Shaq and draft Broderick Jones in the first or Darnell Wright in the second.
February 25th, 2023 at 5:38 pm
Marine Buc … Re-signing several of our key guys from last season makes a ton of sense given our salary CAP situation, even thought most are older. Guys like LVD, Hicks, Gholston, RNR didn’t really play bad last season, it was more that injuries took a toll (especially in the Secondary & to Shaq) and several of our younger players didn’t really set the world on fire (JTS, Hall, McCollum). HOPEFULLY we have fewer injuries this season, guys like JTS, Hall & McCollum step up, AND we have a good draft defensively.
Re-signing LVD, Hicks, Gholston & RNR … at team-friendly prices … would really help our salary CAP situation, since the first 3 will cost us $14.3 mil in CAP hit from years past anyways UNLESS they’re re-signed. If they get new contracts, we can at least mitigate that $14.3 mil for 2023 & spread the impact out more over the next couple of years (when the salary CAP is supposed to be a lot bigger?).
That’d allow us to focus on re-signing SMB, Edwards, Nelson and HOPEFULLY draft a DE/OLB to replace Nassib. Delaney & Gill are both RFAs are should be re-signed IMO for minimum $$$. I’d love to have Ryan & Neal back, but they may prefer to move on elsewhere for more $$$. It’ll be interesting to see how it all shakes out in any event.
February 25th, 2023 at 6:33 pm
Guys like JTS, Hall & McCollum step up, AND we have a good draft defensively.
Defense Rules: I hope (Bobby Knight’s least favorite word) so on the 3, but I can’t honestly say I expect it, especially with JTS.
February 25th, 2023 at 8:24 pm
Counting on Jensen to return to form after the injuries that he’s had is wishful thinking at best. Keep the healthy player.
February 25th, 2023 at 9:40 pm
Mason should traded for picks & ~$5.3M in cap..Or cut post June 1 to save $8.5M, per OTC.
With FO needing to shave $$$$$$ to get under cap, Hainsey & Goedeke on roster and cheaper options available in FA’s Leverett & Stinnie coming off injury. Bucs could fill 4 IOL roster spots for the less cap space than Mason’s deal would have required for him alone.
There’s Day 3 value to be had at IOL if only 1 lower coin G returns, but familiar faces within the facility should be considered 1st.
February 25th, 2023 at 10:44 pm
She has weird looking feet.
February 25th, 2023 at 11:15 pm
Mason isn’t worth anywhere near $9.5 million.
February 25th, 2023 at 11:51 pm
And how many of those pressures allowed were because he was having to pick up the slack from the left guard and center.
February 26th, 2023 at 11:15 am
Keep Smith, let Mason and Jensen go. Two good pros who are past their primes and easily replaced, IMO.