Tender Answer Looming Large
April 29th, 2011
If there’s clearly an end to the lockout come next week, courtesy of the courts, it seems the NFL would have to rule immediately on what to do with all the restricted free agents who were tendered by their teams in February.
Plus, the league would have to craft operating rules for 2011 to avoid chaos, as the legal mess plays out in court and negotiation resumes between owners and players.
Popular speculation has both sides agreeing to play 2011 by 2010 rules.
If so, that means a pile of Bucs restricted free agents could have new guaranteed contracts by virtue of Mark Dominik tendering them offers before the lockout. The Tampa Tribune reported the list of Bucs in that boat back in February.
Defensive ends Stylez White and Tim Crowder were given tender thumb-ups by Dominik, and with Da’Quan Bowers, Adrian Clayborn and Michael Bennett all but locks for the roster, Joe’s sniffing the end of the Kyle Moore era. That would leave E.J. Biggers, Sammie Stroughter, Roy Miller and Josh Freeman left from the class of 2009.
Also on the tendered list, per the Tribune, were Jeremy Trueblood, Davin Joseph and James Lee. With Demar Dotson coming back from injury, Joe wouldn’t be shocked if the Bucs don’t touch an offensive lineman in Day 3 of the draft.
April 29th, 2011 at 11:33 pm
I keep forgetting about Demar Dotson. He could very well end up becoming the Bucs starting right tackle at some point next year.
April 30th, 2011 at 12:31 am
The Bucs haven’t even sniffed an O lineman…I think it’s safe to assume…we are keeping all that we have
April 30th, 2011 at 2:32 am
all you need to do is sniff a o-lineman’s ball-hugger after the game and you can understand why dommy stays away!
April 30th, 2011 at 8:24 am
Joe, do the players have the right to reject the tenders? It’s pretty clear now that White, for example, will not be a starter (at least not for the entire season). He may not want to stay at this point.
April 30th, 2011 at 8:27 am
@SoonerinTampa
He may be viewing that as a stability issue for Freeman. You konw, sort of a “Don’t slow his learning curve by putting in too man new guys” thing.
I’m just guessing.
April 30th, 2011 at 8:29 am
A thought did occur to me though…after this draft, the Bucs my be in a position to start stockpiling picks next year like the Pats do now. If things go right, the defense will be jiving. And the offense as well.
Today I expect another linebacker and a good kick returner/receiver. Still think we need a tight end too.
April 30th, 2011 at 9:51 am
bucs took pictures of Adrian with a jersey number 94, straight up sporting kyle Moores number. check the “adrian clayborn welcome home tour” video on buccaneers.com they even acknowledge whose it is on the video.
April 30th, 2011 at 9:52 am
kick returners arent worth as much now that the league agreed to move the kickoff distance FORWARD five yards this year, now there will be SO many more touchbacks, reducing the value of any return specialist.
April 30th, 2011 at 9:53 am
I like it Pete.
April 30th, 2011 at 12:36 pm
Pete- No Players can’t reject restricted free agent tenders. They can refuse to sign and sit out but they can’t sign with another team unless that team gives up draft picks as compensation. So yeah they can still sign elsewhere in the case of a Stylez White I would love for some team to give us a draft pick for his sorry ass.