Raheem Was Hot For Peppers In November
December 7th, 2010
Last month former Bucs guard Ian Beckles (1990-1996) spoke on his WDAE-AM 620 show about running into Raheem Morris and Rays skipper Joe Maddon bellied up to a South Tampa bar on Nov. 12.
The Bucs were 5-3 and preparing to trounce Carolina at home.
Beckles said he got a chance to have some one-on-one time with Raheem at the establishment. Back then, Beckles didn’t relay on the air any of his conversation with the head coach, other than that he walked away very impressed by Raheem and was rooting for him.
But yesterday, during The Ron and Ian Show, Beckles revealed a piece of their chat that offers Bucs fans a rare glimpse into the mindset of the head coach. Per Beckles, on Nov. 12 Raheem said to him, ‘If I knew we were going to be here [at 5-3], I would have fought for Julius Peppers.’
Beckles said yesterday that he was uplifted by the comment and taken back by it because Team Glazer has been low spenders among NFL teams for many years.
“The fact that he brought that up was good. It made me think it was a possibility [the Glazers would have signed Peppers],” Beckles said.
Peppers, 30, reportedly inked a guaranteed $42 million contract with the Bears in March. In November, he was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month.
Now Joe has written recently that the resurgent Bucs should try to go for the Lombardi Trophy next year and dive into free agency to fill some holes, in addition to their masterful work bringing in rookie talent.
To Joe, it only makes sense. You get close. You go for it. Plus, the Bucs are sitting on a pile of money they’ll have to spend if the salary cap returns, since Tampa Bay is likely miles under what would be the new salary cap floor.
It’s good to know that Raheem is thinking the same way.
The Bucs should finish this season 10-6 or 9-7 with a stack of emerging players that should be better in 2011. If that’s not the time to get a few established names to push a team over the top, Joe’s not sure what is.
December 7th, 2010 at 11:54 am
I believe it was the Glazers that said of Mark and Raheem, “If they think long term, we think long term, if they think short term, we think short term.”
Hind sight is 20\20, 2 DE’s in next years draft is a must.
December 7th, 2010 at 11:54 am
Exactly right, and exactly what they will do this spring. If there is a season, expect the Bucs to be major players for a DE, OL, Safety, and a change of pace feature Back. And they have a ton of money to spend. It makes sense to spend it now, because this team is well on it’s way to being a major contender. Always the plan, just a year or two ahead of schedule!
December 7th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
does anyone’s “roidar” go off when you look at that picture of peppers? just sayin’.
December 7th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Oh man, Peppers would have made our D-line dominant once again and who knows, maybe GMC would be putting up stats like Suh.
I am just nervous about so many rookies next year. What happens when a few of them go through a sophmore slump?
December 7th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
‘If I knew we were going to be here [at 5-3], I would have fought for Julius Peppers.’
This makes me think that no matter what he says about “the race to ten” they were not expecting to be competetive this season. Now that they are most certainly ahead of everyones schedule you’d have to expect some adjustments to the plan.
I agree that they should go after some guys to fill the holes. But not necessarily as long term answers. I think that should still be done through the draft but a veteran DE and maybe a safety to hold things down until the new draft picks are ready.
They have had great success this year playing rookies but it would be foolish to expect that out of every rookie class.
December 7th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
d-money:
Joe believes you already saw “adjustments to the plan” when Dominik tried to sign Shawn Merriman.
December 7th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Joe,
Looks like we lucked out in not signing Shawne Merriman, seeing as to how the Bills put him on IR after injuring his Achilles during his first practice with them!
December 7th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
‘If I knew we were going to be here [at 5-3], I would have fought for Julius Peppers.’
That’s Raheem “20/20 IS hindsight” Morris speak! So glad he didn’t fight hard for him?
December 7th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
oar:
Since he was a free agent, no real loss if the Bucs signed him and he got hurt. Wasn’t like the Bills traded any players/draft picks for him.
December 7th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Joe,
True, but I think the Bills are still shaking thier heads and pounding thier fists. I mean he didn’t even play a down for them, cheap or not.
My point, we actually already went through almost the same thing with Crowell and look how well that worked out.
Anyways, I’m glad we didnt sign the asian-skank-roid-chaser!
December 7th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
I think if Merriman was claimed by some team in the playoff hunt he would be playing. Nobody gets excited to play for the Bills. Im sure he and his agent talked things out and sat out the rest of the season to make sure he is in top form when he hits the FA pool this spring. Not sure that i’d rather have Kyle Moor or Tim Crowder as a starter over Merriman
December 7th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
Teflon,
Faking an injury? Sounds like Merriman!
December 7th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
i wouldnt say faking an injury im sure he is injured but im sure hes not injured to the extent that he has to miss the rest of the season.. If he was playing for a big market team or a play off team i think he would be trying to “tough it out” and play the remainder of the games
December 7th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Still disappointed that they didn’t try to get Peppers. He would have made a huge difference and their payroll still would have been low. So it really had no downside in my mind. Another key thing is that pass rushing DEs age well in the NFL. Relying on the draft is nice, but adding a key free agent here and there is crucial to winning. I am actually glad they didn’t get Merriman. I was never in favor of it and it looks the Bucs lucked out not getting him. Even though they wouldn’t have gotten him anyway since the Phins put in a claim below them.
December 7th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
One free agent to consider:
Darren Sproles, SD –
Not sure what the future holds for Caddy or Huggins, but Sproles fits the change of Pace back category that they need to compliment Blount
My guess would be O-Line depth and Safety in free agency and DE and LB in the draft as a main focus.
December 7th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
LB D’Qwell Jackson might be one to consider. He is ion IR because of a torn pec since last year (required 2 surgeries). They might choose not to resign him because of this. Also because of this, his price tag might be low.
Could be another low risk signing. He is a local kid, only 27, and good against the run.
December 7th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
LAMAR WOODLEY!!!!!!!
December 7th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Hire,
I’d buy that for a dollar!