Could The Bucs Use Tommie Harris?
March 2nd, 2011
Always with an eye for the Bucs to sign a free agent, Joe was a bit surprised he didn’t have his inbox filled by loyal readers — and Joe has his February numbers in. Let’s just say Bucs fans have literally blown Joe away with support. Joe actually did a double-take with the traffic figures. A humble and sincere thank you to all — wondering if defensive tackle Tommie Harris could help the Bucs.
The Bears recently parted ways with Harris. It seems some at the NFL Network right away thought Harris was Tampa Bay bound, including someone named Elliot Harrison who wrote about this very subject on NFL.com.
[Harris] is one release that surprised some folks in the NFL Network newsroom Tuesday. But Harris just hasn’t been an impact player the last couple of years. While there’s been some speculation that he could end up in Carolina with his former defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, a great spot for Harris to touch down would be Tampa Bay.
The Buccaneers have two second-year defensive tackles in Gerald McCoy and Brian Price, and adding a guy like Harris isn’t the worst idea ever. Besides being a mentor, fewer snaps might translate into more effectiveness for a player entering his eighth season. Harris and McCoy both played for Oklahoma, and we all know how those allegiances go.
Nice thought but Joe doesn’t buy this for a number of reasons. It’s clear that Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik doesn’t believe in “mentors.” Dominik believes in production. This was a huge concern last offseason and it proved to be trivial. So Dominik isn’t going to sign a guy to be a part-time coach when he already has coaches in place.
Second, what makes anyone think Dominik will sign a free agent?
Joe’s not arguing Harris may not have some value with the Bucs or that signing him wouldn’t have some merit. But it’s already a crowded field at defensive tackle with GMC, Brian Price and Roy Miller. Not sure Bucs fans should be preparing any housewarming parties for Harris in the near future.
March 2nd, 2011 at 9:17 am
If they dont consider this strongly money will be the only reason. A 50% harris is a lot better than any interior lineman on this roster.
I agree joe this has very little chance of happening b/c harris will command a lot more than the vet minimum. Also joe the “rock star” gm spent over 20 million on the contracts of mccown before trade, leftwich, crowell and clayton. Not sure if any of those players have played a meaningful snap since cashing buc $.
March 2nd, 2011 at 9:20 am
Huh?!? Harris is Ryan sims part 2? We have McCoy,Price,Miller,Okam, and Woods- and peole want to bring in an underachiever like Harris??!? Are these the same people that want to draft an OT or Lb ( both weak this year) in the first round? Even though this is the deepest class of DEs in 14 years, and DE is our biggest need?? Or is the the guys who wantto draft a player because he runs a fast 40 at the combine, even though the guy didn’t play with a crap in 4 years of college.
Do you really think the Bears cut a good player! At a posistion where they are Weak? Come on man!
March 2nd, 2011 at 9:43 am
Heres an interesting quote from the Atlanta GM Dimitroff:
“I personally don’t like to be categorized as a draft guy or a free agent guy. I truly believe that you need to compare both sides going into every year and decide where the strengths are and where the weaknesses are and then decide if you can fix them in the draft or in free agency. I know that was something that I was very particular about coming into Atlanta, to make sure that I didn’t get pigeon-holed as one type of team builder”.
Not a rock star or anything, just playoffs and Division Title and 4-0 vs. Rah/Dom.
March 2nd, 2011 at 9:47 am
We already have a defensive line coach with more understanding of the position from experience than just about anybody in football. This is a no-sign.
March 2nd, 2011 at 10:07 am
Eric,
You are such an ignorant fool. Keep crying about division titles when the Falcons got blown out in the first game.
How did that division title work out for them? Atleast they can cuddle up to that division title when they are crying about how the seahawks whipped their asses.
Face it little man… Gru and his one and done playoff appearances were pathetic anyway you look at them. He had a championship D and veteran team was still garbage. I guarantee you Rah will do more in his first playoff appearance than Gru did in his entire tenure here after year two.
I love that you are so angry about this team… absolutely love it! Keep hating, and I can’t wait till you put your tail between your legs and start giving Rah/Dom credit when they FORCE you to recognize.
March 2nd, 2011 at 10:19 am
Gary, Eric started to give them credit last year, I am not sure what changed but he is just a bitter little man anyway.
Capt…The only one that I hear wanting him is Thomas, and he hates all things about the Bucs defense.
Joe, you are spot on, this will not happen.
March 2nd, 2011 at 10:30 am
GMC, Price, Miller, and the emergence of Okam in the end…. I don’t see it happening either.
As for ERIC
Tell me why buiding a core through the draft and then getting some decent, but not overpaid so-called superstars, free agents to fill some gaps is wrong?
Show me why the Steelers, PAtriots, and Colts have been wrong ni this approach.
Besides, as far as I can see, ATL did the exact same thing other than snagging Turner. The Bucs found Blount so that is not something they need.
The only other big FA the Falcons have signed is Tony G at TE and one could argue he was not a big FA signing because of his age and no one really knowing how much he had left.
BAsically, it seems to me they got a franchise QB and have been building the team through draft around him. Sound familiar?
March 2nd, 2011 at 10:43 am
McBuc- although a difficult decipher, it appeared Joe said he had a lot of Email traffic about Tommie Harris. That was what I was addressing.
March 2nd, 2011 at 10:46 am
Capt. Tim:
Nope. Joe wrote he was surprised he didn’t have his in-box loaded with questions about Harris.
March 2nd, 2011 at 10:50 am
Just noting the philisophical differences between the bucs and the team that has repeatedly defeated the new regime on the field. He looks to all avenues to build his team, and Dom does not.
Understandably painful facts.
If Dom is a rock star, what does that make Atlanta’s guy? Super Duper Rock star?
Naturally, Division Ttiles are irrelevant and meaningless, unless Rah wins one – then it will be deemed extremely relevant and meaningful.
But dream on sheepies, it aint happening.
March 2nd, 2011 at 11:13 am
Of course playoff appearences and division titles are important…..however going 0-2 in the playoffs is equally important. While I think Smith and Dimi have a good thing going in Atlanta they will be under fire very soon if they keep going 0 fer in the playoffs.
March 2nd, 2011 at 11:20 am
And what should happen to the Rah/Dom show if they go 0 dash 3 as far as even making the playoffs?
March 2nd, 2011 at 11:41 am
ATL is MUCH farther along in their timeline to build a winner than we are. Which is obvious since they had a franchise QB and other pieces while we were still spiraling out of control.
ATL’s GM has to be active in FA because they think they are 1 or 2 pieces away from a trophy; which is what Dom will do when we are at that stage.
Nobody will be happy when we win the division with killer record and lose in the first round. The point is not to get to the playoffs and wither away, the point is to do some damage once you get there.
Our first 1 or 2 playoff apearances/division titles will be hailed as a great accomplishment and rightfully so. But not progressing farther than that eventually is unacceptable.
Its all about the potential ceiling. The previous regimes ceiling was 1 and done. We will see what this regimes ceiling is in the next 2 years.
March 2nd, 2011 at 11:50 am
ERIC:
Again you have not answered the question. HOW has ATL built a team any different than what the Bucs are doing other than bringing in a big time FA RB, which the Bucs do not need to do?
Other than that, it is all lip service. The Falcons have done exactly what the Bucs are doing: Franchise QB and build around him in the draft and use FA’s sparingly.
THAT is the FACT of the matter.
Also, how many years have the management team in ATL been in place?
The bucs are entering the 3rd year and the first year was used to clean house. Way to give them a little time.
March 2nd, 2011 at 11:53 am
[gitarlvr: Wishing a fellow poster to die just because you don’t agree with him is way out of line. This is the second time you’ve gone nuts like this on someone you don’t agree with. Don’t make it a third. Joe likes you and respects that you are a loyal reader but that doesn’t mean you get a free pass. You can disagree with Eric and Thomas all you want and you can blast them all you want… within reason. Hoping for a death is over the top. There’s no need to get personal. — Joe]
March 2nd, 2011 at 11:59 am
Good- I was hoping that was the message. My faith in Buc Fans is restored
The Glazers don’t tolerate mediocrity. They have no patience for it. Lil Chucky tried sliding by with mediocre team’s, that weren’t improving or advancing. It got him thrown outta the building by the seat of his pants.
Dungy actually had a good team, but played so conservatively in the playoffs That we couldn’t win- choked basically. He also didn’t have a prayer of appeasing the Glazers drive for excellence!
Dominick and Raheem are on the right track now. But they need to use all the tools at their disposal to help Josh get his ring(s). He is young, so we probably have a ten to twelve year window. That means we need to get him so playoff experience in the next couple years- then he will be competing for the title 6-8 years. I’ve watched the Glazers since they bought this team. They run the team like their other businesses. Suceed or leave! Tommie Harris would be a mistake. Other FAs out there would not be. I expect some hot pursuit of some quality guys this year. We have just opened our window. Those windows close in the blink of an eye. Time to title drive to begin!
March 2nd, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Gitarlvr- wow! That’s pretty harsh. I felt bad for wishing a case of “the runs” on them! Compared to fiery car crash death, I feel like a slacker! Lol
March 2nd, 2011 at 12:21 pm
gitrlvr
Wow, wishing death now are we? You stay classy, hear?!
BTW thanks for that vaseline tip you gave me. I always appreciate someone’s advice, who has experience!
March 2nd, 2011 at 1:11 pm
I’m sure Dominick will sign a couple a free agents, he did the last two seasons. I think his comments just pertain to that the draft is going to be their major method of adding players, with a sprinkling of other factors as well.
March 2nd, 2011 at 1:41 pm
Tim said:
“We have McCoy,Price,Miller,Okam, and Woods…”
You nailed it.
With that young group, a 1st and a 2nd rounder used in last years draft as well as Okam coming on strong with his big body (a 350 lb DT that can move), no way this would happen.
Now if the Bucs signed a DE or a LB, then that wouldn’t surprise at all.
If AJ Hawk gets released, they need to throw money at him and get him down here, no ifs, ands or buts about that one.
March 2nd, 2011 at 9:10 pm
Yeah, let’s go ahead and follow the ideas of the Atlanta Falcons, especially with their incredibly long history of winning. They are the definite model of consistency in the NFL. I find it amusing that you continue to beat the same drum over and over again, can’t you get any new material? Besides, why don’t you wait to see what actually happens before you draw conclusions. I mean, Free Agency hasn’t even started yet. I know you love to complain about anything and everything Buccaneers, but the clock hasn’t even started ticking yet.
March 2nd, 2011 at 9:11 pm
“And what should happen to the Rah/Dom show if they go 0 dash 3 as far as even making the playoffs?”
——–
And what are you going to say if they go 3 dash 0? I’m sure you’ve already got your excuses ready.
March 2nd, 2011 at 11:02 pm
since they are already 0 dash 2, will be hard to go 3 dash 0. But, math aint the forte of the local sheep community.
Now blind adherence your good at.
March 3rd, 2011 at 12:56 am
My bad, I thought you were talking about losing the first 3 games of the season, since I’ve never heard of anyone giving a win-loss record for a whole season. But I guess anything you can do to shed more negativity on the Bucs, right?
March 3rd, 2011 at 2:44 am
Eric, Tampa gave you both games this year. And after the stomping by the Pack you guys got you don’t have room to talk!!!!!!!