Aqib Talib’s Coming Back; But Who Is Leaving?
September 14th, 2010
With Aqib Talib coming off suspension this week that means someone has to go. Who that may be is anyone’s guess.
Monday, good guy Stephen Holder surmised that it appears wide receiver and special teams ace Mo Stovall is being iced out. Writing for the St. Petersburg Times, Holder deduced that despite what the Bucs say publicly, Stovall seems to be a man without a position.
The Bucs appear to have their top three receivers in place: Mike Williams, Sammie Stroughter and Micheal Spurlock. Of course, Stovall is an accomplished special teams player, but notice that Arrelious Benn is also a receiver who is playing an integral role in the kicking game, thereby making it harder to justify activating Stovall.
It doesn’t appear automatic that Stovall is going to have a role. I don’t know that he’s in danger of being cut because, as a veteran, his salary is essentially guaranteed after Week 1. So such a move wouldn’t make financial sense.
But how and when to use Stovall is going to be something the Bucs continue to assess. Apparently they’re having these issues elsewhere, too, which isn’t a bad thing.
Well, it didn’t make financial sense to cut Derrick Ward or Michael Clayton either, but the Bucs did just that.
Now here’s something to chew on: Joe has no idea if the following player will be cut, but Joe is hearing whispers that Bucs coaches are getting frustrated with defensive end Michael Bennett. Apparently, Bennett, with raw skills, is not a fundamentally sound player. His two preseason sacks came about despite Bennett not being in proper position, Joe heard, which has irritated Bucs coaches.
Whether Bennett is cut is shear speculation, but it’s something to think about, along with Stovall’s status, when Talib is activated.
September 14th, 2010 at 7:35 am
If Stovall get’s cut, it would be a dream come true for me. He’s been dead weight for years, only slightly better than Clayton…and no where near as good a leader.
Both of then needed to go sooner though. Clayton is gone, cut Stovall and we really are moving on.
September 14th, 2010 at 7:39 am
I spoke with Rah yesterday on his radio call-in show and asked about Bennett. I said to him fans think he was one of the best edge rushers we had during preseason and he agreed. I think Stovall is likely to be released. Des Briscoe is also on our practice squad and the kid has talent.
September 14th, 2010 at 7:53 am
G.O.A.T.
I dont see a need for his sorry @ss anymore. Please Rah and MD, please lets kill and roast “the GOAT”.
September 14th, 2010 at 8:11 am
Lumkin, Blount, Sabby, Lynch, or Grimm.
September 14th, 2010 at 8:18 am
I hope its not Bennett because he was a force in pre-season.I think sabby is odd man out because of all his bone head penalties.
September 14th, 2010 at 8:34 am
I’m crossing my fingers Sabatino gets cut.
September 14th, 2010 at 9:19 am
J Dub,
I highly doubt it will be Grimm. He was awesome on special teams Sunday and Lynch was solid as well. They have one too many safeties in my book, so by process of elimination – Sabilly Goatelli!
September 14th, 2010 at 9:31 am
cutting stoval makes sense
September 14th, 2010 at 9:45 am
Got to be Sabby, they don’t need that many DBs and his play most of the time, adds another player to the other team. Let him make a new beggining somewhere else.
September 14th, 2010 at 10:15 am
Sabby or Stovall, both have become obsolete. If we had any young talent on the OLine, a couple of those under performers would be getting nervous!!
September 14th, 2010 at 11:37 am
Stovall will not be cut…mark my word. They still have him as competing for the #2 WR. I say Lumpkin or Blount
September 14th, 2010 at 11:42 am
Sabby and Ruud.
trade the both for a 10th round draft choice
September 14th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Ronnie, Blount is going nowhere. Too soon for a move like that after Morris took him because of a coachess recommendation. It’s possible he could be a steal.
I doubt Lynch will go either.
It’s possible they could try to move someone to the Practice Squad…but it better not be someone with too much potential…he’ll be claimed off waivers.
September 14th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Ae you guys out of your mind about Stovall possibly getting cut? He is the best option on our team at the split-end position. Stroughter is a slot receiver that sucked last game as a split-end. Split-ends need either height or physicality or speed to achieve separation and we clearly saw Sammie struggling to take advantage of the 1 on 1 matchups because he has none of those features.
Cutting Stovall means using Sammie at Split-end and we will have a receiver with huge YAC potential at slot being reduced to a guy that barely makes catches and gets tackled right away. At least until Benn steps up to challenge Stovall at that position, we have to retain Stovall. Right now you guys suggesting to cut Stovall don’t have a clue how it works.
September 14th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Jonny, I agree, Stoval stays until Benn can take his job. Sammy is better in the slot. I do not see them dropping Blount either, he has a great deal of up side. If he can produce you will not need to address RB in the draft.
September 14th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
I think Spurlock would fill that split end position just fine.Look at Santonio Moss-a little guy with a lot of speed who does nothing but make big plays.
September 14th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
passthebuc,
you have just been awarded the biggest dumb@$$ buc fan award.
September 14th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
@Lakeland, Spurlock could work out at Split-end because of his blazing speed. But again, do you really want a guy with absolutely no experience at WR as our starting WR? Stovall is not bad, he is just injured most of the time and has more experience with the system, routes and understands Freeman’s tendencies.
IMO Benn is built for that position. He has decent speed and and his imposing physicality and can excel at that position. All he needs to do is learn the playbook FAST.
September 14th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Jonny-I agree Benn is the man for that position.Especially with his Yac abilities,but I hope Olson doesn’t forget about Spurlock even as back up because he makes big plays at crucial times.
September 14th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Its Lorig
September 14th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
They shouldn’t cut Stovall. I still have confidence in him and think he could be an effective receiver. Him and Freeman connected pretty well last season for some big plays.
If it came to a decision between Stovall and Sabby, I would cut Sabby. But yet again, is there any one else that we can cut instead?
September 14th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
@Dew Says: I heard you talking to Rheem. He said Bennette was on the bench because they expected Cleveland to pound the ball .He said they would activate Bennette on less powerfull run teams because he likes his pass rushing abilaties. Sounded sane to me.