Antonio Bryant Decision Shocks Bryant’s Agent
February 25th, 2010
Seems as though the Bucs and former Bucs wide receiver Antonio Bryant’s agent weren’t discussing a future contract too heavily.
Per St. Petersburg Times Bucs beat writer Stephen Holder’s Twitterings this afternoon, the Bucs never tipped off Bryant’s agent they would not re-sign him.
How surprising is Bucs’ decision not to re-sign Antonio Bryant? His agent says he was informed by a reporter. That should never happen. Far as I know, the sides never talked about contract demands. There were no real talks to speak of, so doesn’t appear to be about $$.
Just from Holder’s musings, it seems the Bucs long ago made up their minds they would cut Bryant loose. Otherwise, wouldn’t they have at least probed Bryant’s agent for a reasonable asking price, or at least see what other teams were going to offer him before bailing?
Since Bryant was battling a bum knee, Joe suspects Bryant’s price would have been at or near a discount rate.
February 25th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
Of course Bryant’s agent is going to say there were never any talks about contract. If there were never any talks about contract then the agent is a potted plant. Talks don’t have to mean a formal meeting on the calendar. No doubt the Bucs knew exactly what Bryant was asking for. No doubt the agent made it very clear what Bryant wanted, lest he be sued for malpractice. The Bucs just did not want to pay it. This is just an agent saving face.
February 25th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Vince-the fly on the wall, Are you sure?
February 25th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Just another classy move from the Bucs front office. NOT
February 25th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
Louie, c’mon man seriously. I think we’ve seen in the last two days there is no right way to cut players and loyalty is not an issue. ie LT, Westbrook and the Patriots last year.
February 25th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – all WR’s complain about not getting the ball. This is a bad move BECAUSE Bryant could have been signed (or attempt to sign) an incentive contract that pays handsomely for production yet protects the team. Now he may not have wanted that kind of contract, but it never got to the point. The Bucs basically said thanks but no thanks – no attempt at all.
Something else is going on. We are either going to draft Dez Bryant or make a play for Marshall.
What else could it be? Losing your best WR isn’t progression for JF or the offense.
Clayton gets a 5 yr $23 million contract and AB walks.
And all this garbage about how the Bucs didn’t like it when AB complained obviously forgot the all the sh!t Clayton did to Gruden when he was fired. He plastered him.
True friends stab you in the front.
February 25th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
We aren’t there everyday in the locker room and at practice or on the sideline. I think Antonio Bryant must have been a negative influence on the team for them to make this move. Only they know for sure.
February 25th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
For those of you that think this was a good move, please be the 1st in line to purchase season tickets. These clowns can’t do anything right. They will probably bring in the Leftwich of receivers to replace AB. Yeah, AB was negative. Guess everyone forgets those circus catches he made last year, on a bad leg, to make Freeman look good. With Morris & Dominik, it can only be entertaining, not good.
February 25th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
maybe his knee is worse than we know or maybe they are hoping that is what we will all believe!
February 25th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
BucfanJeff — curious how you know that AB would have accepted an incentive-laden contract. He said the opposite last year.
OAR — yes, I am sure. Agents always say the team never offered a contract. When you are negotiating with someone, do you ever actually offer the contract? Not usually unitl you agree, particularly if you are very far apart. Have to do a little reading between the lines. Good place to start is to look at who is speaking. What is an agent that still wants to get his player signed somewhere going to say “Uh, the Bucs would only offer him a minimum contract becasue he has a bad knee” ? How about that? Of course he is going to say “they never offered a contract.”
February 25th, 2010 at 6:41 pm
I wouldn’t be surprised if the bucs drafted dez bryant and then used one of there 2nd round picks to make a trade for marshall but who knows but the dream and dominik!
February 25th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Is his agent really surprised??
This is usually what happens when your client acts like a dick-wad all season…you fall out of grace with the front office.
February 25th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
I think the Bucs will take Dez Bryant if McCoy and Suh are gone. If not, they’ll take one of those two at #3, then either Golden Tate or Jordan Shipley with one of their 2nd round picks. Or, maybe one of those 2nd round picks will go to Denver for Brandon Marshall, who I would definitely take over AB. Bucs gotta do something early though, and letting AB go now shows there’s something up involving WRs.
February 25th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
I am more concerned about the “young”rhetoric being pitched by Raheem just as it was last year. The Bucs need to seriously upgrade the talent level on this roster and we will come to find out real soon whether the Glazers suck as owners and are just screwing us fans due to their financial situation or whether they are committed to winning and putting a competitive product on the field. “Young” hopefully doesnt mean a roster chock full of unproven and unseasoned players just because they are cheaper.
February 25th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
@ Greg – Golden Tate couldn’t create separation in College, so I’d say he won’t be able to do it in the Pros. If Brandon Lafell is still on the board it would be hard to pass on him. If not, there is a ton of depth at WR, and some value guys will still be available in the 3rd round.
February 25th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
his agent must be dumber than he is………………
February 25th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
Fire them cannons whoah what happened
February 25th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
It is funny that Rah mentions going young with deciding to get rid of AB. Huh? AB will only be 29 at the start of next season. That is not exactly old. And WR is not like the RB position where 29 is getting up there. I am surprised no one has mentioned trading Ward for Vincent Jackson or someone’s 2nd round pick. Haha. Hey. Wait a minute. Why don’t we trade Ward and Clayton for Marshall?? Hehe. This board is fun.
February 25th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
As far as the youth movement goes you could look at it this way the younger the team the longer it takes to win and the longer Raheem gets to to keep his job
February 25th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
The Dream has no idea what he is doing.
February 25th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
He may be 29, but his “simple” knee surgery that he was suppose to be completely healed from by week one, effected him all year and caused him to miss half the damn season. So that kind of 29 ain’t so young.
February 25th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
I believe the negative influence was more of the reason for getting rid of him then his age or his knee. Several teams need WRs, so he is going to be paid. For how much is the key question. I don’t think he will get 9-10 mil that he got this year. I could see a 2-3 year deal with a lot of incentives. Heck he may not even have to move out of state. Both Jax and Mia need receivers. Parcells may even welcome him back after he got rid of Dallas. Look what happened with Jason Taylor.
February 26th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
From what you’re all saying, Bryant was hurt, had a bad attitude, and was very expensive, not a good combination. Unfortunately, Clayton is the worst value in the NFL (5 million for 18 catches). There will be many better, less expensive free agents available, guys like Kevin Walter, Chris Chambers, Mushin Muhammad, either aging, but still very productive, or potential to break out if given the opportunity.
As far as the draft. If Dez Bryant is still there near the back of the 1st round, then trade both 2nd round picks to take him…he is going to be sick.
Our 1st pick has to be Erik Berry, with him we would have arguably the best secondary in the league.
Obviously we need a Defensive tackle & end. Get a proven tackle through free agency. Draft homey George Selvie in the second or third round. He will be the next Dwight Freeney.
Go Bucs.