Will The Bucs Pay Money-Focused Crowder?
June 27th, 2011
Hardly the defensive end getting Bucs fans all hot in the pants for the 2011 season, Stylez White remains firmly on the Bucs radar, so reports the “Whispers” column on ProFootballWeekly.com.
The unsourced rumor mill says the Bucs would want Stylez to return four a fifth season if they can’t re-sign Tim Crowder, who was dubbed “The King of Hustle” by Raheem Morris last year.
There’s a chance that the Buccaneers will consider re-signing DE Stylez G. White, but a source said it’s something they only would do if they were unable to re-sign the defensive end they would rather keep, Tim Crowder. It’s expected that both players will be unrestricted when free agency begins. The Bucs added two rookie defensive ends with their first two picks in the draft, but they would like to have some veteran leadership at the position, and White, who has been criticized by head coach Raheem Morris for his practice habits, might not set the example the Bucs want for rookie DEs Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers.
Joe would like to see the Bucs bring back Crowder, who likely will be an unrestricted free agent. The guy has an unreal motor and is a big contributor on special teams. Plus he’s young (turns 26 this week) and relatively productive (6.5 sacks over past two seasons).
Now Joe also respects Stylez’s game. The guy is a far more proven backup defensive end than Crowder, and he’s durable. Say what you want about Style’s interest (or disinterest) in practice, the guy’s only missed one game in four years with 24 sacks in that time.
But Joe can’t help but remember an offbeat story in the St. Pete Times about how frugal Crowder is.
And Crowder’s frugal ways, from cutting his own hair to driving a 2003 Honda Malibu (an upgrade over his college car, a 1979 Cadillac DeVille), have earned him another label.
“Some people call me downright cheap,” Crowder said, laughing. “I just like to save my money. You never know when hard times come. It’s just how I am. It’s how I was raised.”
Considering how money-focused Crowder is, or “cheap” as he called it, maybe Crowder is simply going to jump ship to the highest bidder.
Surely the guy is going to command serious attention on the free agent market, and there’s no reason to think the Bucs will break the bank for Crowder when they’ve got alleged weed enthusiast Alex Magee, Michael Bennett, Da’Quan Bowers, Adrian Clayborn, sackless Kyle Moore and possibly Stylez to choose from.
June 27th, 2011 at 10:46 am
We’ll soon learn if the rest of the NFL thinks the Bucs are as talented as they claim. You’d think the best young team in the league would be raided in free agency. I’d bet against Crowder staying. Someone will guarantee him $5 million and it won’t be here.
June 27th, 2011 at 10:52 am
joe… I never heard of a Honda Malibu. its made by chevy last I checked
June 27th, 2011 at 10:54 am
Times got a little creative there. Funny. Maybe Crowder snatched a Honda emblem to stick on his car. Have seeen that before.
June 27th, 2011 at 10:56 am
I disagree, I think their is a difference between not spending your money on things you don’t need (a brand new car, seriously whats the point?) and only caring about money. I’m pretty sure Tampa has the draw as one of the better quality of life football towns you could sign at. There are lots of reasons for him to stay.
June 27th, 2011 at 11:04 am
Crowder has openly expressed his interest in returning to the Bucs. He seems to have a man-crush on new D-line coach Millard and would like to play for him. He also speaks of the personal relationship and his desire to continue playing with Roy Miller and Frank Okam – both Texas comrades. According to Morris – Clayborn, Bowers, Bennett and MaGee are locks. If the NFL allows expanded rosters and some believe they will, the Bucs may keep 6 DEs because of the impact of the lockout on the 2 rookie DEs. I think Crowder will be back, not as sure about White.
June 27th, 2011 at 12:39 pm
You take a guy who is actually living responsibly and twist it around to where he “only cares about money” or some such?
Slow news day I guess?
June 27th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Joe here
@BucsnBeer — What the hell are you talking about? Based on the published comments by Crowder, he might be more money-focused than most free agents. Nobody wrote here, or implied, that it’s a negative. Nothing wrong with wanting to get the best/most for yourself.
June 27th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
I’m also very frugal but I don’t live my life to make the most money at the expense of everything else. Equating frugality with a mindset of “getting paid” above all else shows a lack of understanding of Crowder’s mindset. Crowder will remain a Buc.
June 27th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
Joe you did start the fire by posting that story from the Times. You got a great thing going!!!
June 27th, 2011 at 3:50 pm
I once knew a guy, who knew a guy, whose sisters boyfreind’s cousin drove a Honda Malibu…………. off a cliff.
June 27th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
We are now discussing a Honda Malibu.Damn you Goodell and Smith!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 27th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
Well maybe “Money-Focused” isn’t meant to be negative, but it comes off that way. The connotation is that he cares about money more than other things, like maybe being on a team where he feels comfortable and liked. I haven’t seen any quotes from him that show that to be the case.
June 27th, 2011 at 5:22 pm
Joe here,
@BucsnBeer — He may be liked and comfortable, but the Bucs just drafted two defensive ends and are playing more 3-man fronts, so how comfortable can he be? If Crowder aspires to start in the NFL, he’s probably going to leave.
June 27th, 2011 at 7:47 pm
I agree with FLBoy and think Crowder will stay in Tampa. I feel the Bucs are destined to win another Championship this year or next and most of the players believe it too. I’ve heard many NFL players say they wouldn’t trade anything for that once in a lifetime feeling, including Sapp.
June 27th, 2011 at 8:12 pm
joe, if they play as much 3-man front bs this year as they did last it will be a travisty. not using a 4-man front in nickel situations after how much they’ve invested in that group now would be a major disapointment to me and the guys on that d-line.
June 27th, 2011 at 11:29 pm
Joe, you’re a downright IDIOT on this one. Maybe you should try being FRUGAL some time… then you might understand the difference between greed and frugality. **SMH** …I’m not say he is or isn’t greedy. But his habit of being frugal-or some might call it “wise with his money”- IS NOT evidence that he’s looking for a big payday splurge.
June 28th, 2011 at 2:10 am
Joe here, ‘
@Grotesktruth — Call Joe an “idiiot” all you want, but In Crowder’s own words he admits to being focused on money. It’s very reasonable to wonder whether Crowder is the kind of guy who will weigh strongly the net value of his new contract. Why anyone would consider this being negative, Joe has no clue. …As Joe wrote earlier, if Crowder aspires to start and one day earn starters money in the NFL, the Tampa is a terrible fit for him personally.