Bryant’s Success Putting Pressure On Dominik
December 6th, 2009
Joe loves watching great players make great plays. It’s what makes football Sundays absolutely fabulous.
Antonio Bryant is one of those great players.
Two weeks in a row now, Bryant has shown why he’s a true No. 1 receiver in the NFL. The guy’s got sick body control, good hands and route running skills to make any head coach salivate.
Sure, he’s not perfect, and he’s dropped his share. But the Bucs don’t have another receiver like Bryant.
Michael Clayton stinks, and Maurice Stovall and Sammie Stroughter aren’t anywhere near same class. Plus Bryant seems to be clicking with Josh Freeman now that they’ve had more time together.
If Bryant continues to play well over the final four games, Mark Dominik will be painted into a corner by his “franchise” player, who becomes a free agent after the season. If Dominik doesn’t put a competitive offer out to Bryant, then what would that say to fans?
If Dominik passes on Bryant and targets another No. 1 receiver in free agency, then he leaves himself open to not getting said player or said player becoming a bust in Tampa.
As for the draft, if the Bucs don’t trade down, it’ll be hard for Dominik to justify drafting a stud wideout with a top-5 pick, given all the other needs on the team.
Bryant seems determined to give Dominik a tough call.
December 6th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Joe I think you are right on this one. I hear people in the media talk about Bryant being gone next year as a matter of fact. This always leaves me scratching my head. He is by far the best wide receiver on the team and has shown time and time again he can make the big plays. Bryant needs a new deal.
December 6th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
The Bryant decision is not pressure. What will be pressure is when Dominik Tells the Glazers that the have to guarantee 40 plus million in next year’s draft with the #1 or #2 pick. And No One will trade up with the Bucs. 1 we already have the Franchise Quarterback, and 2, no one wants to guarantee 40 plus million in a contract.
December 6th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
I hope they would not have a problem guaranteeing that money to a player like Ndamukong Suh.
December 6th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Franchise his ass again…
December 6th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Love Bryant. He MUST be here next year.
December 7th, 2009 at 12:23 am
What else doe this guy have to do?
I agree w/ you BucForce, Franchise him again and break the bank on SUH!
December 7th, 2009 at 12:56 am
I read Steve White’s assessment of Suh, which wasn’t very flattering of the guy, but Suh was freakin’ INCREDIBLE last night against a pretty damn good football team! The Bucs will be lucky to get him since he’ll be the #1 player in the draft though. As far as AB, we’ve got to keep him, warts and all! The catches he made today could only be made by a HANDFUL of receivers in the NFL, and God knows the Bucs need to keep the 3 or 4 legitimate starters they have on the roster right now!
December 7th, 2009 at 9:21 am
How many of the Interceptions thrown yesterday were throws being forced to Antonio Bryant?
December 7th, 2009 at 10:03 am
AB won’t want to stick around Tampa next year – why would he? Someone like AB will want to go to a CONTENDER who will pay for his talents.
Sure AB wants the Benjamins but if it comes down to a 5 year $40 million contract here or NE/Dallas/Saints/Vikings/Giants etc. where do you think he’ll go?
Sorry folks but say goodbye to AB next year. Enjoy him while you can. As for a franchise tag next year – forget about it. We’re still in a rebuilding stage and paying AB 10 million for a single year isn’t work it.