Glazers Won’t Pay “Regardless How Good He Is”
May 3rd, 2011
How dare popcorn-shoveling NFL scribe Peter King, of Sports Illustrated, write that Team Glazer has a limit on what it would pay a player even if said player is a superstar.
Didn’t King read Joel Glazer’s famous quote,”Money will never be an issue when building this team?” How dare King all but say he thinks Glazer’s comments are hogwash. Why would King attack the credibility of Team Glazer?
King shared his toughts in his recent mailbag at SI.com.
“Now that the Bucs went defensive line and linebacker in the draft, don’t they really have to go after a cornerback in free agency? Ronde Barber is old, and at the very least Aqib Talib is certainly going to be suspended by the league for his offseason gun incident, if not cut outright. Will the Glazers finally spend some money, maybe on Nnamdi Asomugha?”
— Mark, Tampa, Fla.Peter King: I can’t see the Glazers, one of the lowest-spending owner groups in the league, spending $18 million a year on a cornerback like Asomugha, regardless how good he is. But yes, they’ll need to address cornerback in free agency, maybe with someone like Cincinnati’s Johnathan Joseph, if he comes free.
Regarding the end of King’s quote, Joe assumes “free” means becomes a free agent, not free of charge, though you never know with King.
Forgetting about all this Glazer hate, Joe thinks the Bucs will scoff at the notion of grabbing a free agent cornerback, especially one with the cost and quality of Joseph.
E.J. Biggers is on the rise. Myron Lewis was a third-round pick — if you’re excited about Mason Foster, shouldn’t you be equally excited about Lewis? — and Ronde Barber is still there.
Plus there’s that talented Talib guy, who hasn’t been found guilty of anything at this point. As Joe has written over and over and over, there’s no reason now to think the Bucs will cast aside Talib like an old sock unless Talib admits to, or is found guilty of, a serious crime. That’s not how the Bucs handle things, even if the St. Pete Times beat writers insist otherwise.
May 3rd, 2011 at 3:12 pm
Another aspect, Joe, is with the hiring of Keith Millard and Grady Stretz for the Defensive Line, Raheem can focus on what he’s best at…developing the secondary.
In my book, Morris is a premiere secondaries coach, so since he is freed up from the Dline, he may be able to help Biggers and Lewis along a little better.
Personally…my suspicion is that…
Dominick may just surprise a lot of folks in Free Agency. I think maybe the Bucs have been low-balling the spending because they knew the lockout was coming all along.
It was wise planning on their part, and when the new CBA is in place, the Bucs will be in a prime position to take full advantage of any deals that are out there.
However, I also think that if the lockout is forced to end for hte season without a new CBA in place, they may not do anything until there is a CBA.
They’ve already proven they are willing to take some risks…having traded up in the draft multiple times over the last few years. I think, when the time is right, the Bucs will make some serious moves. I just don’t know when that right time will come.
May 3rd, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Note: I only thin they may spend because of how productive this draft was. They really do have only a couple weak areas to fill now. So either this year or next, they may start filling them.
May 3rd, 2011 at 3:19 pm
Lewis was starting to come on at the end of last season too. If I recall correctly, he had 2 nice pass defends (one of which got that bs PI penalty that Talib yelled at a ref for).
Talib may be a bit of a knucklehead, but I like how he stood up for Lewis in that incident. And if he didn’t fire a gun at a fleeing dirtbag, then I won’t fault the guy for defending his sister.
May 3rd, 2011 at 3:23 pm
With Roddy White & now Julio Jones in Atl and with NO’s receivers does anyone really think Talib is going anywhere?
May 3rd, 2011 at 3:37 pm
What king is saying isnt hate its fact? This is the lowest spending ownership group since Manu. If u think this team can win consistently with biggers and lewis at corner u are either intoxicated or expecting the offense to average about 35 points per game – which again suggests impairment.
Forget about talib. Also this team is no better up front next year bc of drafting 2 busted up d ends. If both stay healthy, they may be better in 2-3 years up front but not next year.
May 3rd, 2011 at 3:46 pm
Our new draft pick Black had to cover Jones when he was at Florida. But I hear Rashard Mendenhall will be for sale soon ? I BET Pittsburgh will cut him for his support of Osama Bin Laden!
May 3rd, 2011 at 3:51 pm
“Myron Lewis was a third-round pick — if you’re excited about Mason Foster, shouldn’t you be equally excited about Lewis?”
Dexter Jackson was drafted in the 2nd round, should I expect the same level of production by Brian Price? ; )
May 3rd, 2011 at 4:09 pm
“E.J. Biggers is on the rise. Myron Lewis was a third-round pick —”
You know how people say “well…it could be worse?” Well we may have the cheapest owners in football since 2004….but Joe isn’t our GM. And for that I kneel by my bed every night and thank God.
May 3rd, 2011 at 4:28 pm
This is a spreadsheet application. Do the numbers. If the Glazers can make ROI and increase the probability of winning a super bowl within the payback period, they will spend the money. Otherwise, they will not do it regardless of how many games we lose because of a gauranteed division of NFL revenue. Simple – They are a business first, football team second. It doesn’t matter, it could just as well be Frisbee.
May 3rd, 2011 at 4:30 pm
Biggers and Myron played great football last season.
EVERY time Myron Lewis was on the fields, opposing teams targeted him. I don’t know the exact numbers, but I remember being extremely impressed by his play. He has one bogus pass interference call in the Baltimore game, his only slight.
May 3rd, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Maccabee is right…but…if I can make a product of equal or greater quality at a lower price, I am a smart business man. This is true in all business. last year the Bucs fielded a competitive team, won 10, games, but barely missed the play offs. You can also point to youth for being an inexpensive team, but we all know where that argument will go. The problem is that people equate winning with spending, even though it has been pointed out by many (including Joe) that Jerry Jones and Dan Snyder spend the most with the same or worse results over the years. You can argue the Bucs were lucky to win, the schedule was easy, betc, but the truth is the only thing that matters is the record. Missing the play offs hurt, especially since it let the Pack in, but typically 10 wins gets you in. Many of the play-off teams had around the same or easier schedules. the Bucs need to focus on winning their division this year. You guys can take the money talk and cry all day, it does not matter how much the team spends. The games were exciting as hell last year, without a bunch of diva free agents. Our fans need to get a grip and support our Bucs! I think the fans are turning around. Once they have some money in their pockets, they will be back.
May 3rd, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Doubt that but it wasn’t very swift of Mendenhall to go off like that given who signs his paychecks.
May 3rd, 2011 at 4:53 pm
I can’t believe some of the things that players tweet. Money can’t buy this: “What kind of person celebrates death? It’s amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We’ve only heard one side,” tweeted Mendenhall.
Ummmm, WE all heard what USAma had to say Mendenhall. He had his say on 9/11/2001. It sounded like two tall buildings crashing to the ground and with Americans inside.
“Among the 2,752 victims who died in the attacks on the World Trade Center were 343 firefighters and 60 police officers from New York City and the Port Authority. Another 184 people were killed in the attack on the Pentagon. The overwhelming majority of casualties were civilians, including nationals of over 70 countries.”
Get a grip Mendenhall!
May 3rd, 2011 at 5:06 pm
Joe here,
@Tom – Hey Tom, Joe’s not playing GM in this post, just saying the Bucs aren’t going to view any need for Asomugha, given what’s on the roster. We’d all cheer for the guy if they sign him, and be excited about what he might do, but it ain’t going to happen.
May 3rd, 2011 at 5:13 pm
i would almost guarantee they dont sign asomugha. i also almost guarantee that dominik has an open checkbook if he deems a player worthy, so if you want to bitch about money, aim it at the rockstar gm that we all believe in right now.
May 3rd, 2011 at 5:29 pm
It wasnt that long ago that the Glazers were ready to back up the truck to get Albert Haynesworth. So they have shown a willingness to spend some money in the past.
The problem is, over the last few years the Bucs have been in a strict rebuilding mode. No one free agent was going to get them over the top – and they have had some successful drafts. So there was no real reason to go out and spend money on free agents.
Well now, with this team seemingly on the verge of contention, I would not be surprised to see the bucs go out and get a guy like a Joseph or Asomugha if they feel like that addition will push them over the top.
A talent like Asomugha becomes available on the free agent market once in a blue moon. Plus, he is a high character guy – which makes the investment a bit more secure. I think any NFL team would be crazy not to at least figure out a way to sign a talent like that. And it just so happens that the Bucs have a legend in Barber at the tail end of his career, and a player like Talib who cannot seem to stay out of trouble. It sure would make sense for the Bucs to at least consider it.
May 3rd, 2011 at 5:37 pm
We got to see so little of Myron Lewis last year that I didn’t even really get much of an impression of how he has developed so far. He didn’t really see the field at all until the last quarter of the season or so. One thing is for sure though. He has prototype size and physicality for an NFL cornerback and is with shouting distance of prototype speed. So he easily passes the eyeball test. Now its a matter of if he will develop the mental part of the game. Hopefully this lockout ends soon so Lewis can get back to being coached up by Raheem, Greg Lake and Ronde as soon as possible.
May 3rd, 2011 at 5:42 pm
I’d watch my ass if I were Mendenhall. Those were the kind of comments that are likely to have fans from some of the NFL’s more boisterous towns pelting him with things from the stands. He’d better hope people forget over the next four months.
May 3rd, 2011 at 5:56 pm
If the Glazers are not willing to spend 18 Million on a player like Asomugha, Id say it demonstrates the Glazers are sane. But the whole thing is crazy. why would you cut a player (Talib) that has demonstrated he is a team guy. If this were wall street and he were a trader, there would be a rash of major corporations trying to hire him and nothing would be mentioned. Get over it people.
May 3rd, 2011 at 5:58 pm
CaliBucFan Says:
May 3rd, 2011 at 3:19 pm
Lewis was starting to come on at the end of last season too. If I recall correctly, he had 2 nice pass defends (one of which got that bs PI penalty that Talib yelled at a ref for).
Talib may be a bit of a knucklehead, but I like how he stood up for Lewis in that incident. And if he didn’t fire a gun at a fleeing dirtbag, then I won’t fault the guy for defending his sister.
And to that I say Amen.
May 3rd, 2011 at 6:02 pm
I agree that both Biggers and Lewis have shown flooded of great play. Ronde is a hall of Famer, but bound to lose a step sooner than later. I also believe Anthony Gaitor can play, though his height makes some match ups impractical.
But considering how many 3 and 4 Wr sets the Saints and Falcons throw at us, think we will still need more CBs. Mark Dominick has signed FAs every year he has been in charge. Several were very expensive, and he has tried to sign some outrageously expensive FAs. He will do so again, in the deepest FA class ever. I expect A CB, A LB, and a Guard.
Just wish this lockout was over so the young guys can start working with their New OL and DL coaches . . . .
May 3rd, 2011 at 6:11 pm
Who gives? Dom will find a replacement, even if its for the low he will be a solid player. His track record speaks for itself.
May 3rd, 2011 at 8:18 pm
we are a far cry from being one player away from a sure super bowl, people. i love the potential of this team, but lets let the young guys prove something in a big game before we crown them. lets not put the buggy before the horse here guys..
May 3rd, 2011 at 8:25 pm
Thomas, could you repeat that last comment. I couldn’t quite understand you with the D!cK in your mouth.
May 3rd, 2011 at 8:28 pm
E.J. Biggers?! Please! Do you really want him going against Calvin Johnson, Miles Austin, Andre Johnson, and Reggie Wayne next year? Those are JUST SOME of the elite WR’s our defense faces. Sign Asomougha and we have a top flight, proven pro bowl CB shutting down our opponents offense. Start Biggers and we’ll likely get burned quite a few times downfield.
Once again, I don’t think Biggers is horrible. I think he’s average. Hell, for a 7th round pick I think he’s been great. But you don’t go from a top CB like Aqib Talib and downgrade to a mediocre CB like Biggers.
Can the Glazers finally reach for their damn wallets sign a big name free agent or two?!?! We’ve already built our team with great young talent from the past couple of drafts, now it’s time to put them over the top and sign some FA stars. The last 2 years they’ve built a contender as cheap as they possibly could, and miraculously we became a contender again. We’re finally competitive again and they can’t spend money on a couple of impact free agents after saving so much money for the past 2 years? Signing Asoumougha would only help us. Don’t worry, he won’t be a bust like Haynesworth. Now that guy was grossly overrated! Asoumougha is an elite NFL CB.
Do you think we would have won the Super Bowl without Simeon Rice or Brad Johnson? They came from free agency.
If Raheem and Dom were in charge of the Saints they would’ve never had Drew Brees LOL. He came from free agency
May 3rd, 2011 at 10:31 pm
Patrick…realize that we have better coaching than when we had Simeon and Johnson. Better yet, we didn’t NEED coaching for them. FA allows coaches to motivate more than coach. With Morris’ expertise, we can get a lower round guy and can coach ’em up. Gruden motivated a technically sound Bucs team that needed motivation. Morris is giving good coaching to a team and players that are motivated. Dominick is right. If we can coach ’em up, why do we need to have diarrhea of the wallet?
I say leave cap room to sign the drafted guys to better contracts. We don’t have to get the big name because we’re coaching up the next big names!
Can we get the lockout over with yet?
GO BUCS!
May 4th, 2011 at 7:17 am
There’s irony in there somewhere…
May 4th, 2011 at 7:31 am
I really think that might be a bad public relations move if they did that.
While you clearly have an “Asomougha” agenda (and I’m not saying you are wrong to want him), you do bring forth an interesting viewpoint.
We, as Buccaneers fans, have a tendency to think our players have a lot of potential, and some of them do…but if you look at most of the ones that we like after they go to other teams, they outright stink.
I think Stovall is the perfect example of this. He sucks. Period. And should not be anywhere near this team. Yet for how long have people justified his presence due to his ST play?
And all the while, there have been plenty of players pass through this team, with more upside potential, that could play just as good on special teams as Stovall. His position on this team has probably cost us.
E.J. Biggers may turn out to be good. But he also may turn out to be a dud that we are mistakenly getting excited over. Same goes for Lewis.
We do have one good thing going for us though…if anyone can help a CB become great, it’s Raheem Morris.
May 4th, 2011 at 9:52 am
Pete, could this not be said for any player, on any team, at any given time…at least said players first few years?
May 4th, 2011 at 1:59 pm
Adding Joseph or Cromartie would be an instant upgrade for several years to come. Asamaugh is going to be too expensive and old to get that kind of money from us. But either Joseph or Cromartie would be great. OMG he can’t pay his child support. We have been down this road already so no need for comments. Dude is off the charts talented and isn’t in trouble with the law all the time like certain players. His child support is his only issue. And FL has no state taxes so he can take that money he will save and take care of his 37 kids!!! haha