What Does The Vincent Signing Really Mean?
July 11th, 2010
Is Jeremy Zuttah being pushed on being pushed out?
The Bucs’ hierarchy have sold the message to one and all in the past year and a half that the Bucs are now about building through the draft, about a youth movement.
So when Stephen Holder of the St. Petersburg Times learned the Bucs signed guard Keydrick Vincent, 32, late of the Carolina Panthers, Holder sensed there’s more than meets the eye.
Now comes word the Bucs have signed former Panthers guard Keydrick Vincent, who at 32, becomes the second-oldest player on the roster. Cornerback Ronde Barber, 35, is the oldest. What’s more, they are the only two Bucs over the age of 30, though defensive end Stylez White will turn 31 on July 25.
So, why are the Bucs deviating so wildly from their stated plan of building with young players? It’s not a stretch to say this is an indication that the Tampa Bay brass isn’t thrilled with its situation on the offensive line and is looking to push left guard Jeremy Zuttah. He is widely thought to be under a microscope from his coaches after an uneven season last year, his first as a starter.
Really, the Bucs are still trying to recover from the loss of Arron Sears, who was released earlier this summer after missing all of 2009 because of off-the-field matters and then suffering a setback in his recovery. Sears was a player the Bucs were counting on being a key cog on their line for years to come, leaving Zuttah as a utility man who could fill in and provide competition when and where the team needed.
Granted, Holder wrote the signing of Vincent was to “push” Zuttah. But let’s be honest; if Donald Penn was signed and sealed, would Dominik have signed Vincent?
Zuttah performed admirably when he filled in for right guard Davin Joseph his rookie year but didn’t exactly light things up filling in for Sears last year, which could mean Zuttah is better suited to the right side. Problem is, there’s no opening there.
It almost appears that Bucs general manager Mark Dominik is hitting the panic button.
For some odd reason, Joe has no idea why the link to Holder’s story is not working above, so please click on this link to read the rest of Holder’s story.
July 11th, 2010 at 8:14 am
Oh boy . . .
July 11th, 2010 at 8:36 am
What Does The Vincent Signing Really Mean?
It means that they want to add solid depth to an offensive line that had none, regardless of age. Yes, I’m sure they want somebody in there that can push Zuttah and backup Joseph since he’s starting to have knee problems. I just love how everything has to have a conspiracy theory behind it.
July 11th, 2010 at 8:38 am
Nope. No panic button. I’ve been saying for weeks( look it up,Sherlock!!), that the Bucs are deeply concerned over depth at OL. Mainly because . THERE ISN’T ANY! So, they signed a really good Vet, as I also said they would(again, Sherlock!). They are also looking for either a good swing(preferred) or Left tackle for depth. They really are starting ta believe Dotson is the long term answer- irreguardless of what Penn does! Kinda of a surprise there! So, no , there are doing just what I said they would, adding OL depth. They had to, no surprise at all, if you know a football from a hole in the ground! 🙂
July 11th, 2010 at 8:47 am
Here’s a big surprise! They are looking at another rookie DT in the supplemental draft!! But , I tell you, as bad as Ryan Sims played last year, he shouldn’t be allowed at One Buc Place, no even for depth! Apparently the Bucs feel that way too. Dre Moore isn’t working out(thanks,Jon!), so Roy Miller is the only Vet DT on the team they think is worth keeping! I agree! But 3 rookie DTs! Wow! That spot was even worse than I thought. And I thought it was horrible! Lol, rookies last name is Price, by the way. Might have two by the end of the draft!
July 11th, 2010 at 8:48 am
I think it comes down to how you define “panic button.” They probably don’t do this deal if Penn is in the fold. That’s a fair point by Joe, plus Steve White’s take. …I’m just scared both sides there are digging their heels in.
July 11th, 2010 at 9:00 am
These folks arent adept enough to push a panic button.
If they were, it would have been pushed prior to the draft, where significant talent upgrades were available at key positions.
This is just a half ass ploy relating to Mr. Penn.
Throwing out one pail of water will not prevent the good ship Domrah from going down.
July 11th, 2010 at 9:15 am
Just registered a new Domain name. http://WWW.BringbackChucky.com.
Plan to make significant use of it after game 8, and the 1-7 record.
July 11th, 2010 at 9:51 am
“It almost appears that Bucs general manager Mark Dominik is hitting the panic button.”
LOL! Quintessential Joe. We improve our weakest area of depth and it’s translated into a negative “panic” move. Rebuilding a young team doesn’t by any means say we can’t mix in a few old vets. Rah and Dom have said this exact thing publicly. I didn’t realize Joe was one of the fans who didn’t get the “plan” Just so you know, Reggie Brown is 29 and Sean Jones is 28. It’s not like everyone has to be 22. There is a huge difference between filling a few holes and solidying depth with some older vets….and building your entire team out of old cast off vets like Gruden/Allen liked to do.
July 11th, 2010 at 10:06 am
“Reggie Brown”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHA……………what a joke.
Only guy in the league with worse stats than Clayton!
July 11th, 2010 at 11:08 am
They are just figuring out NOW that they have no depth on the OLine???!!! That obvious to EVERYBODY before the draft? “House of Cards” is what I think one journalist called it. Sears was let go the Monday after the draft. They knew they needed help at guard at the very least. So, what do the Bucs do? NOTHING! They didn’t draft a single OLineman.
Now, they pick up a guy who has been written off by the 31 other teams and have to pay him a king’s randsom. I love the 2-year deal! I didn’t think they could do anything but a 1-year deal due the the CBA — effing hypocrites!
July 11th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
“Zuttah performed admirably when he filled in for left guard Davin Joseph his rookie year… Since when was Joseph ever a left guard for the Bucs?
July 11th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Joe here,
Typo, CyberD …appreciate it.
July 11th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
They need a defensive end in the supplemental draft. Running back is the least of my worries!!
Bobby McCray is out there and I think he would make sense at defensive end. The guy is only 28 and has had a solid career. He’s better than what we have now!! Kyle Moore and Tim Crowder! Woohoo!
July 11th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
@eric
“This is just a half ass ploy relating to Mr. Penn.
Throwing out one pail of water will not prevent the good ship Domrah from going down.”
Well stated eric! Penn will win this Battle because Dominik will panic even more when Freeman begins the season with Zuttah covering his blind side!
July 12th, 2010 at 12:25 am
eric,
Reggie Brown has worse stats than Clayton? What the hell are you looking at. Even including Clayton’s rookie year (his only good year), Brown’s stats are better.
Reggie has 17 TD’s in 5 years, Clayton has 10 in 6 years (7 of those his rookie season before Reggie even got into the NFL)
Clayton averages 13.3 yards per reception (of course that’s not per attempt, because he’d be much lower based on DROPS), Reggie is averaging 14.5 yards per catch.
Clayton has fumbled 6 times in 6 years, Reggie only 2. Clayton can’t even hold the ball AFTER he makes the catch.
July 12th, 2010 at 12:46 am
Louie, there’s a group of UFAs out there that have been “past over” by 32 teams. Doesn’t mean they aren’t worth signing for depth, even at this late stage. Not saying the Bucs should sign any of these, but here’s a few….
Flozell Adams OT
Bertrand Berry DE
Ladell Betts RB
Marty Booker WR
Mike Gandy OT
Levi Jones OT
Jevon Kearse DE
Adewale Ogunleye DE
Kelley Washington WR
Brian Westbrook RB
To name a few. Any of these guys could be signed to camps by the end of the month or during preseason, but they’ve been “passed by” so far, so they must not be able to contribute to any team at all this season. Or maybe teams are just wanting to look at the young guys during the offseason programs and sign the remaining UFAs when they determine which young guys won’t work out.
July 12th, 2010 at 9:52 am
Ok, ill modify my reggie brown remarks to , he has worse stats than Clayton over the last two years…………………………
Great pick up!