Mark Dominik Won’t Go Crazy
July 25th, 2011
For reasons unknown to Joe, many Bucs fans are beyond giddy that — if details learned about the new CBA are true — that Team Glazer and Mark Dominik are going to have to spend several millions more per year on salaries.
As Joe has detailed time and again, dollars do not equate wins. Otherwise, Danny Snyder’s garage would be full of Vince Lombardi Trophies.
As a result, Joe isn’t excited or moved to do shots over this news; he just shrugs his shoulders.
It seems eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune is ready to throw cold water on Bucs fans as well. He is of the belief that the new CBA guidelines — whatever they may be; no one really knows for sure — isn’t going to provoke Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik to spend money like a crazy man in Vegas after too many drinks of Patron.
Yet amid all the anticipation, recent history and core philosophy suggest the Bucs won’t be overly active in pursuing free agents.
“We’re going to stick to the plan,” Bucs co-chairman Joel Glazer said four months ago. “The road that leads to sustained success is drafting well, keeping those players and growing the team that way.”
With the league expected to institute a brief exclusivity period for clubs to re-sign their own pending free agents, ownership’s commitment to that stated approach will be tested.
Joe can easily see Davin Joseph getting re-signed and perhaps Barrett Ruud, if he’s not too tired of the constant din of debate whether he is worthy of the Bucs or not.
The bulk of the cash Joe strongly believes Dominik will spend will be on taking care of his own and maybe a few second-tier free agents.
Don’t expect splash names this week… provided there is a new CBA.
July 25th, 2011 at 8:52 am
Money HAS to be spent so some free agents will have to be pursued. I would like to see the Bucs strike in free agency in a manner that will cripple other teams in the division.
The Panthers have 3 FA’s that are very attractive. DE Charles Johnson, LB James Anderson, RB DeAngelo Williams. I would love to see us take the two defenders to weaken the Carolina D and strengthen our own.
The Saints have among other players, OG Carl Nicks, probably their best OL last season (even better than Jahri Evans). If were were to sign Nicks away from the Saints AND re-sign Joseph, our starting OGs would be among the best set in the league AND the Saints would be looking for help along the OL.
The Falcons really only have a couple of free agents that are attractive. Backup RB Jason Snelling, who can also play FB and CB Brett Grimes, whom I believe to be a restricted free agent. If Grimes is restricted, and tbe tender isn’t much (he wasn’t drafted so there’s a chance there would be little compensation required), I would like to see us take him away from the Falcons. He is the best Falcon DB. This last player isn’t on the Falcons but they are said to be wanting him, DE Ray Edwards. If we get Ray Edwards then we keep him from Atlanta, that’s a win for us.
We need more than 2 quality DEs, the Giants routinely put 3 excellent DEs on the field and have for the past 5 seasons. Evenn elite DEs only play 66-75% of his team’s snaps. if we had 3 great DEs we could split the snaps up in a way that each of the 3 gets 2/3 of the snaps… possibly more if one can play DT in the nickle.
I’d love to see us be aggressive in free agency IN the division. Crippling other teams is almost as important as strengthening our own.
July 25th, 2011 at 9:00 am
I dont think anyone expected them to “go crazy” but a salary floor forces them to actually spend to retain players that are good instead of shedding them whenever they want a raise and sending the money to Man-U….hypothetically of course.
July 25th, 2011 at 9:02 am
This will be very interesting to see how the Bucs spend about $50M and continue to not give out bonuses(many sources say they cannot afford said bonuses) that are needed to land most quality free agents. As we all know, it is about the guaranteed money. I guess they can guarantee the money and not pay it out as a bonus. We shall see….
July 25th, 2011 at 9:14 am
I cant wait any longer. Thank God everything starts this week.
Bucs will be throwing big money at their own guys and rightly so.
Question, if Ruud returns, will you haters bury the hatchet? Our defense to include Raheem as the DC will be another year older and experienced… things should get better. We will also be signing FA defenders as well to help reinforce the unit. Defense should be better… enjoy the improvement and accept Mr. Ruud back.
July 25th, 2011 at 9:30 am
Mark has pretty much said signing our own people will be his priority. I don’t see Tampa going nuts in free agency either.
July 25th, 2011 at 9:42 am
@Alex-
It’s going to end up being closer to $70M that they have to spend. Joe, I’d love to see a post where you break down where that money goes……here’s what I’m thinking:
Extend Freeman- $7M-$10M per
Franchise Ruud- 1 yr deal as Foster learns, $10M
Extend M Williams- $3M-$4M per
Re sign Trueblood – $1M-$2M per
Resign Joseph- $3M-$4M per
That’s resigning our FA’s (I’m thinking they let Caddy walk) and extending a couple of guys who deserve it (maybe even over paying)…..leaving us with $40M to spend. That we HAVE to spend.
So where do we go, Joe? How do we get there we a couple of second tier FA’s?
July 25th, 2011 at 10:04 am
A good GM will never show his cards. They have to spend the money this year and the only way to accomplish this is to pursue the bi name free agents.
July 25th, 2011 at 10:05 am
CBH:
I have linked it three times now… http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d820caaf6/article/owners-players-reach-agreement-on-economics-of-labor-deal?module=HP11_headline_stack
In paragraph 13, it states that players with less than three years in the league cannot be extended, so Freeman, nor Williams, nor Benn will be extended; it says “draft picks”, so not sure if it covers Blount, but I imagine it does.
July 25th, 2011 at 10:08 am
Hi Joe,
What are your thoughts about Ruud being resigned? Do you think he’ll get the deal he wants?
July 25th, 2011 at 10:10 am
@Wienaman-
I’m pretty sure that only applies to rookies contracts starting this yr and going forward.
July 25th, 2011 at 10:14 am
CBH-
Why? Unless you can show me somewhere it says that, I am going to assume that you only think that because it helps your case…
July 25th, 2011 at 10:30 am
Ruud Sucks. Move on.
July 25th, 2011 at 10:59 am
Brandon – I like the way you think…adding to the OL is always smart. and
Ray Edwards would also make sense but he seems to be like the guys we already have…Bowers and Clayborn are are big sturdy dudes (Clayborn may even be able to work inside on passing downs) they aren’t speed rushers so adding a DE with speed who can play standing up with with his hand on the ground makes more sense. Mathias Kiwanuka would add some much needed speed and can play outside LB which would help us play some 3-4 and mix up our blitzes and coverages on passing downs.
July 25th, 2011 at 11:03 am
D-Rome:
Joe believes Mark Dominik will try to keep him but word is Ruud has grown tired of being crucified on the radio locally and if he gets a comparable contract with someone else he’s gone.
Personally, Joe hopes Ruud stays. The defense needs him.
July 25th, 2011 at 11:17 am
Typical.
July 25th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
Eye-RAH’s suggestion of Lance Moore as a potential FA target is interesting. I like Moore a lot, and it makes the Saints weaker to lose a favorite target of Brees’.
July 25th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
@Weinemann-
Because Freeman (for example) already has a contract. All these new rules apply only to the new contracts signed.
For example, Sam Bradford isn’t going to have money taken away from him just bc there’s a new rookie salary cap there.
July 25th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
I just can’t believe the Glazer boys arent going to be big players in FA.
Total shocker.
July 26th, 2011 at 12:37 am
Ta Da:
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/25/new-cba-limits-early-renegotiated-contracts/