“60 Percent Chance Of No Lockout” Next Week
February 26th, 2011
If oatmeal expert Peter King was the voice of doom and gloom about the 2011 season, suggesting it would only be 13 games yesterday, then John Clayton, of BSPN, has to be the voice of optimism.
Speaking on ESPN Radio tonight from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Clayton was asked to give the odds of a lockout on March 4, when the current labor agreement expires.
Clayton replied he believed there was a “60 percent chance of no lockout” next week. He said his take on what he’s been following is that the owners and players will agree to continue the current labor agreement two more weeks in order to keep negotatiating with urgency during that time.
Clayton didn’t offer an opinion on whether that meant free agency would kick off as scheduled after the 4th.
Rock star Bucs general manager Mark Dominik continues to imply that free agency is a destructive path based on his recent comments in Indianapolis, (Joe will have more on that Sunday), but if Clayton is right than the Barrett Ruud question could have a quick answer.
Frankly, Joe wouldn’t be stunned by this development. Joe has to think that the owners would prefer to have a free agency period before the draft, especially given the massive free agent crop and the fact that some teams don’t believe free agency is part of the axis of evil — warm beer and ugly cheerleaders completing the trifecta.
February 26th, 2011 at 9:43 pm
I hope he is right, but I can’t take John Clayton seriously anymore… (Gerald McCoy not Gerard McCoy….SMDH)
February 26th, 2011 at 10:42 pm
I hope the Crypt Keeper is correct…
February 26th, 2011 at 11:01 pm
I’m confused. I thought Peter King was a popcorn expert.
February 26th, 2011 at 11:07 pm
John Claytons lack of chin makes his head look like a giant thumb sticking out of a shirt…just sayin’
February 26th, 2011 at 11:13 pm
Clayton is clueless, and BSPN’ version of Mr.MacKey
” mmmmkay, lockouts are bad, mmmmkay. I hope there’s no lockout, couse I may get layed off. And layoffs are, mmmkay!”
Nobody important talks to him. He’s just reading tea leaves are something ta have a guess- mmmkay!
February 26th, 2011 at 11:15 pm
Clayton is clueless, and BSPN’ version of Mr.MacKey
” mmmmkay, lockouts are bad, mmmmkay. I hope there’s no lockout, couse I may get layed off. And layoffs are bad, mmmkay!”
Nobody important talks to him. He’s just reading tea leaves are something ta have a guess- mmmkay!
February 26th, 2011 at 11:18 pm
I’ve never been a fan of the comb-over king but I sure hope he’s right about this. He seems to be the only optimistic soul left regarding the CBA talks.
February 26th, 2011 at 11:43 pm
Well there begins a dilemma if they just extend the current cap-free CBA.
That means that if Dominik and the cheapest owners in football (over the past 8 years, fact) are allowed to not spend money on free agents then what happens when there invariably is a new CBA later in the year with a cap and floor?
Does Dominik just sign a few leftovers in late August to cap inflated contracts and extend guys who have years already on their deals just to stay in compliance?
If you are in favor of this possibility and don’t have a baseball team to root for I suggest you become a fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates or KC Royals.
February 27th, 2011 at 1:10 am
Good point by Tom. Will be very interesting to see how the Bucs approach this. There is certainly a difference between signing outside free agents and re-signing our own like Ruud and Joseph. If the Bucs eventually let these guys walk and replace them with cheaper and less talented players, then all of Dom’s talk about building through the draft for the long haul is just b.s. If you let your own home grown players walk when they are due a pay day, then you are really football’s version of the Royals or Pirates.
February 27th, 2011 at 3:46 am
I think Dominick made his choices already. He signed Barber. Ruud, Joseph, and caddy he offered tender- that he said himself probably won’t be binding. I think he is willing to let all three try free agency. Rudd is probably worth more to another team than he’s worth to us. In the Tampa 2 and 2.1 – he’s mostly a cover guy- a big safety. Plus he was a Lil off last year, and dislikes contact a bit too much. Joseph wants to get payed like a first round pick, but doesn’t play like one. Decent run blocker, poor pass protection. Plus is stRyinh to break down physically.. He was out played by Derek Hardman last year.
Caddy isn’t a feature back anymore. He wants a final big payday. Bucs will let him find his value in free agency, but expect to resign him
I don’t think Jeremy Trueblood or Quincy Black were even offered tender. Trueblood is now a backup. Black was a 2 down only Sam backer who doest hit hard- Veeeeery disappointing, and big part of problem stopping the run. Bucs will probably replace
I think Bucs are following same plan as SyperBowl team- and will be very active in free agency, now that team core is in place
” does Dom sign a few leftovers to cap inflated contracts . .”
Really ? You did notice they have built a winning team here in just two years- right ?? did you watch the team last year at all? Runner up for both coach of the year andGM of the year- every expert calling the Bucs legitimate Superbowl contenders- right? That was a reaaaaly dumb comment. Worst is a while.
February 27th, 2011 at 8:38 am
I pray it gets done but I doubt it will….these things have a way of stretching out until the 11th hour….this March 4th deadline seems a little made up to me. The real deadline is August (training camp) and I pretty much expect this to carry on throughout the summer…..but my fingers are crossed
February 27th, 2011 at 10:40 am
Stephen Holder at SPT is reporting that all eligible FAs got the RFA tag, including Stovall, White, and Crowder. This is a smooth move by Dominik/Glazers not to pay any more than the market will bear since they will only have to match any other offer if they choose to. This will hold all FAs in place until after the draft and new CBA, which will allow them to pick and choose which players they want to keep or discard. This is a smart move by management, but it is going to tick-off the players. They should be careful not to upset team chemistry with things going so well.
February 27th, 2011 at 10:43 am
Perhaps I am mistaken, but I thought one of the excuss last year for not signing a wothwhile free agent was because so many would become available this year.
Guess not.
Looks like the aligator arms regarding the Glazer boys wallets continues.
February 27th, 2011 at 11:17 am
Out of all the free agents signed last year; who was really worth a crap any way?
February 27th, 2011 at 11:30 am
You didn’t listen to me last time, Eric, and you ended up looking rediculious. I’m gonna try to spare you futher humiliation this time, but ya gotta listen!! The Bucs are gonna be Busy during Free agency. Including some high profile guys. Procede at your own risk, but you know I’m gonna be writing down what ya say, so I can bring the pain later . . But I did give ya a friendly warning- which is pretty sporting of me- lol
February 27th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Capt. Tim, either you or Mark Dominik is throwing up a smokescreen. You Decide! Click on Buccaneers Insider, 2/26 @ http://www.buccaneers.com/index.html