Bucs Aren’t In Salary Cap Hell… Yet
March 23rd, 2012
Bucs fans, not totally satisfied with Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik’s Danny Snyder-like shopping spree buying Vincent Jackson, Carl Nicks and Eric Wright, are clamoring for him to sign (at least) a linebacker.
Joe admits the Bucs almost have to go out and sign a linebacker to do something about what was arguably the worst set of linebackers in the NFL (though Joe gives Mason Foster a mulligan because he was a rookie and playing out of position calling the defense with no offseason to speak of; an impossible obstacle to overcome without help — and he had no help).
So if the Bucs do go out and drop cash on a linebacker, how much? The Bucs, so says Pat Yasinskas of ESPN, are the only team in the NFC South without a salary cap issue… but for how long?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the only team in the NFC South without major salary-cap issues. I can’t give you an exact number on how much cap space the Bucs have right now because we have yet to see how much Ronde Barber’s new contract will impact the cap. But the Bucs were roughly $16 million under the cap a few days ago and they cleared $1.5 million off the books by releasing defensive ends Tim Crowder and Nick Reed.
Yes, Joe can predict readers will soon pelt him with “But the Bucs have X-amount of space… ” Yeah, sure, now.
Soon the Bucs will have to sign draft picks. Then around the corner is Josh Freeman’s new contract, which will be anything but cheap.
And if you max out the salary cap and God forbid a decent player goes down in training camp, just what will Dominik use to try to acquire a decent replacement?
Though it seems easy on face value, the Bucs don’t have a bottomless pit of cash to spend.
March 23rd, 2012 at 6:02 pm
Glazers are cheap…
March 23rd, 2012 at 6:11 pm
Joe… does popping a Cap into a dollar bill equate to Salary Cap?
March 23rd, 2012 at 6:28 pm
Joe:
Winslow’s and Talib’s contracts are disposable the second the team feels cap pressure. After year 2, Dom can get out of his ugly Black contract, and after year 4 most of the damage from the GMC disaster deal is done.
In all likelihood you are going to need to plan for a solid deal for Freeman after 2012 but there is a ton of flexibility for that.
After2012, teams must be over 90% of the cap so every year will be challenging.
March 23rd, 2012 at 6:29 pm
Freeman’s contract? Are you kidding me? After last season he’s lucky to have a starting job. I still believe that the Bucs screwed up by not signing Tebow.
March 23rd, 2012 at 6:40 pm
EJ Biggers and Roy Miller are basically our biggest Free Agents next season. The Cap from what I understand will be going UP because of TV contracts and the Bucs will be forced to spend 90% of it.
In reality the Bucs gave a bunch of 2 year deals that are guaranteed with the option to cut the slack with no penalty after that which coincidentally is the year Freeman, Williams, Benn, Blount, GMC and Brian Prices deals will be due.
I also believed Draft picks count against a portion of next season’s cap. There is no way some teams would have cap space for draft picks this year.
March 23rd, 2012 at 6:51 pm
Thomas 2.2 said it best.
Winslow, Talib, (and Quincy Black) are “frothy” salaries that are easy to cut. NOT TO MENTION, like many said, all 32 teams have to spend to 90% of cap number in CASH by 2013. The Bucs are probably around mid-pack right now in the league, at this time of year, and like ALL teams that “restructure contracts” to free up cap space so can we! We aren’t anywhere NEAR the cap, have MORE cute to make, with incoming drafted players at LOWER dollar amounts (other than maybe one 1st round pick) than current contracts sitting on the books.
Add it all up, with 2013 cap mandate to come, and there shouldn’t be a Debbie Downer column here. Bucs are good, many teams in worse position, but manageable, and the roster turnover needs to continue. IMHO.
Bucs fans??…
March 23rd, 2012 at 6:54 pm
I agree in concept but new TV contract increases salary cap in tow years plus Quincy Black and Keelen Winslow will likely not be with team in two years time. There is still room to add in short term without putting ourselves in cap hell. I’d like to see a linebacker and running back (Caddy?) to fill gaping holes right now. Disappointed to see Erin Henderson sign with Vikings because he could have been cheap upgrade at Will
March 23rd, 2012 at 6:55 pm
Jvato: you got it. Very good. You are one of few who have a clue. Out ofWilliams, Benn, Blount, price and gmc – you may not have to commit premium $ to any of them.
As for GMC, his next contract will likely be less than his disastrous rookie megadeal. Williams and Blount will get raises; who knows about Benn and Price?
Unless free continues to regress, Dom has hitched his wagonnto free so they will not let him walk. The league still respects frees ability.
March 23rd, 2012 at 7:03 pm
Wait…the Bucs had $16 mil before cutting Faine, didn’t they???
March 23rd, 2012 at 7:05 pm
Mr Lucky Says:
March 23rd, 2012 at 6:29 pm
Freeman’s contract? Are you kidding me? After last season he’s lucky to have a starting job. I still believe that the Bucs screwed up by not signing Tebow.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
rofl!
Oh…you’re serious?
March 23rd, 2012 at 7:21 pm
@Pete Dutcher….
1 sites, as of 4 days ago, approx. had Bucs at 20.2 million of free cap space, 2 sites approx. 20 million, after cutting Faine, IMHO, but read it. Anyway…..we’re not near the cap, at all, in perspective to other teams, and even if the Bucs were….doesn’t change the fact that we NEED a FREE AGENT veterean LINEBACKER. Kindly move Foster outside where he’s good, and remember that he was…a 3rd round draft pick, for a reason, not a 1st round. Move him where he’s good, sign some people, before they’re all gone 🙂 Then we cut right, freeing more cap space……
March 23rd, 2012 at 7:42 pm
If freeman doesn’t get it right with this team, he will get an Alex smith type deal, please stop the Tebow to Tampa, please.
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:12 pm
correction. 90 percent of all sallary cap money must be spent. (league wide) this is not written as each team has to spend 90percent of its allotment.
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:12 pm
florio did a peice on it when it came around after the cba signing
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:15 pm
the team specific cap is over a four year period.
also the league as a whole has to spend 99 percent so my original comment was wrong
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:19 pm
You are correct – it will be cash spent, meaning you get no credit for unearned incentive $.
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:22 pm
Wow @mr lucky that is by far the DUMBEST comment ever posted on JBF I have ever seen. I thank god that you are not in charge of this team and mentally stable are. May god have mercy on your sole.
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:23 pm
Soul*
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:37 pm
1st Josh Freeman is not in line for a huge megadeal yet. truthfully we don’t know what he is yet. Hopefully after this year we will have a better picture of what kind of QB we have. A lot of people around here are acting like he is a top 5 QB in the league. All I see is the 4th best QB in the division. So all the little mark dominiks stop overvaluing this teams roster.
Also if we can get Gerald McSofty to sign a contract that will pay for games completed, we will be way under the cap.
March 23rd, 2012 at 9:14 pm
So let’s not worry about getting enough good players to resemble a decent team before the season starts, let’s go into training camp with 15 million dollars of space? Seriously? We need NFL quality linebackers, and might have just one on the roster right now.
And besides, who are these quality players that will be sitting out there as training camp starts? Is there another wave of free agents that the public isn’t aware of?
You guys are better than this.
March 23rd, 2012 at 9:23 pm
How bout you all….??…since Carolina is open to trading Stewart, what about trading Winslow and 7th round pick this year to Carolina, for RB Jonathan Stewart???…..meets 2 objectives, IMHO…opinion??…
March 23rd, 2012 at 9:42 pm
Bucbelevr, why would Carolina want Winslow? They have Greg Olsen.
March 23rd, 2012 at 9:44 pm
@Claybourne – If you believe that Freeman deserves a new contract after his play in 2011 then you MUST be BLIND. Freeman was TERRIBLE, poor decision making and totally a liability to the Bucs.
While the playcalling sucked having Freeman toss interceptions in the 1st quarter time and time again really hurt the team. How many games did YOU see Freeman rally the team during the entire franchise 10-game losing streak?
Tebow will likely take over 1/2 into the season in NY and if that’s the case expect them to make the playoffs.
March 23rd, 2012 at 9:46 pm
I will stand up and admit that Freeman has one thing going for him: POTENTIAL.
However until you turn potential into winning I’m not going to support that.
March 23rd, 2012 at 10:00 pm
I’m sure they run 2 TE sets often, or could 2 expand offense, and don’t really recall Newton going to Olsen that much last season…
March 23rd, 2012 at 10:03 pm
While Mr. Lucky is a lil extreme, in giving up on our Young QB, he isn’t alone in his concerns.
Jeff Carlson – an extremely knowledgeable QB analyst, write in his column that Freeman’s Mechanics last year regressed to train wreck status. He said it may take more than a season to rebuild his throwing mechanics!
That’s something to be concerned with
I love this team too, and believe we have a lot of young talent. And we just added some of the best in the league- in Nicks and Jackson
But- everyone here is so damn defensive of every player on this roster, and so quick to defend everyone on the team!
Remember- we went 4-12. We had the worst defense in team history. We were giving up 40 plus point frequently!
Obviously- we have a few bad player, that need to be replaced.
If everyone was a good as all the posters here keep saying- we’d be getting sized for our SuperBowl rings
It’s like that on every post this week. If anyone says a player played badly last year- you got a bunch off guys jumping his ass
Who the hell do you guys think was playing on that 4-12 disaster???
It was a horrible team! Ya really don’t remember?
March 23rd, 2012 at 10:10 pm
And to all the dumbasses that keep saying cut Winslow- exactly who the hell do you think is gobna play TE here? We have no one. There are no FAs. And Dominick already said several times- there aren’t any in this draft!
Please!!! There has to be limits !! No one here claims to be a ProFootball GM, but Damn! At least a lil logic would go a long way to preventing that kinda dumbness!
March 23rd, 2012 at 10:11 pm
@Mr Lucky I think you know nothing about football if you thought we should should start Tebow over Freeman. Im pretty sure your name describes Teblow, Mr Lucky.” Btw when was the last time Teblow threw 25 Td’s in a single season with a rookie wide out as a leading reciever? Thats right, never.
March 23rd, 2012 at 10:42 pm
The Bucs are closer to 20 million under the cap.
Take Ronde at around 4-5 and they are 15 million under.
The rookie class will count about 8 million TOTAL against the cap.
That leaves 7 million.
They can offer Lofton 5 million per year like Tulloch got and still sign a couple other guys at low end salaries to round out the roster.
They can do this and still be 1 million under. K2 is going to be leaving soon and will clear up 4 million + next year if he goes.
On top of that, figure the salary cap to go up at least 5% next year which probably adds at least 5 million more.
This would put them about 10 million under the cap next year without even considering some of the others that might be released and some lesser conracts signed.
Basically they are in good shape and good shape for next year to sign Freeman to a long term deal IF he proves worthy.
March 23rd, 2012 at 10:42 pm
Tebow only if he can play MLB
March 23rd, 2012 at 10:45 pm
Saw Erin Henderson resigned with the Vikes with a 1-yr $2mil deal. Would’ve liked to see him at WLB instead of Black.
March 23rd, 2012 at 11:05 pm
What year is free’s contract year?
Anyone ?
March 24th, 2012 at 12:21 am
Trade Black to the Redskins (Bruce Allen and Raheem are there)
Or trade him to Chicago. Marinelli did trade for Gaines Adams right?
Trade Talib to the Redskins. Rah is his bud.
March 24th, 2012 at 12:31 am
Spammed again…sometimes I hate commenting here.
March 24th, 2012 at 12:41 am
EJ Henderson just signed for 1 yr @ $2 million! That is soooo cheap, how do we not go after this guy? Another LB off the board 🙁
March 24th, 2012 at 12:53 am
Oops Erin not EJ…
March 24th, 2012 at 12:57 am
Patrick- great ideas!
Clayburn- really? What the Heck has Freeman ever won? Anywhere?
Timmy got a pretty long list of winning- including in the NFL
March 24th, 2012 at 1:46 am
Yah timmy is also a running back playing Quarter back and his completion % is below 50. TEBLOW SUCKS AND GETS LUCKYYYY.
March 24th, 2012 at 3:25 am
@clayburn, regarding your earlier comment, tebow has yet to play a complete season, so your question is null and void. But he did throw the game winning td in a playoff game. Which is more then our qb can say right now…
March 24th, 2012 at 3:37 am
So, Freeman sucks, and didn’t get lucky?
March 24th, 2012 at 3:39 am
Clayburn- since Freeman has never won anywhere
Anywhere
Do you believe in him, because of yet faith??
Lmao!!!
March 24th, 2012 at 3:47 am
Freeman has spent his January’s, sitting home- watching Timmy Win at every level
Just like you have.
Roflmao
March 24th, 2012 at 4:47 am
tebow is a joke…..
March 24th, 2012 at 4:49 am
that has gone on for too long…peyton hillis 2.0
March 24th, 2012 at 8:23 am
Bucnasty,
Tebow’s style of play is not “pretty” nor “typical”. But I ask you:
8-5, 1st round playoff win vs Steelers with 300 yds passing and 3 total TD’s isn’t good football?
Tired of everyone up in arms because Tebow doesn’t “look the part”.
All of you, shut up love on, and accept the fact that Tebow’s fugly style can win some games.
What about trading back ad drafting Melvin Ingram?
March 24th, 2012 at 8:30 am
Clay burn,
Did Freeman take the to the playoffs? Did he beat the Steelesrs at home ? No, we lost 35-10.
Tebow beat them at home in the playoffs. Did he do it without Brandon Lloyd? Yeah, ownership traded him to try and make Tebow suffer.
Your incompetent words on regular season shenanigans are merely just word diarrhea.
You <3 Freeman too much, just as Bonby <3's GMC too damn much.
March 24th, 2012 at 8:33 am
Freeman’s mechanics are fine. It was his decision making that sucked. He completed over 60% of his passes. You don’t do that with bad mechanics.
March 24th, 2012 at 9:15 am
Has freeman ever had a really good defense ever hold the other team to 17 points or less as consistent as the Broncos defense? Nope Amost all of freemans wins have been come backs orchestrated by him with rookies all around him and hes only 24. Im glad we don’t have Tebow ass sniffers running our FO and people who KNOW football or we would probably be in worse shap than ‘Phins!! Go FREEMAN AND GO BUCS!
March 24th, 2012 at 9:43 am
I don’t think Drew Breez has ever had a good defense, either. Or Peyton Manning.
What the hell has that got to do with throwing 10 interceptions in the endzone?? Did Talib run on the field, and smack the kids arm????
You are just a Raheem homie. You know Raheem hand picked Freeman. You want Freeman to success, so you can give Raheem all the credit.
After everything else that yer buddy Raheem touched fell apart, Meybe we ought to look at Tannehill!!
March 24th, 2012 at 9:52 am
Trent Richardson is the answer. Star power touching the ball 20 + times a game.
Helps take the load off of Josh. Give him: Nicks, V-Jax, and T-Rich in 1 offseason. Muchos Gracias!
March 24th, 2012 at 10:04 am
This has NOTHING to do with raheem!! I was calling for Raheems head after week 8!! I want Freeman to succeed because hes OUR QB. Not Teblow, and the way Freeman goes, the bucs go. Btw the bucs had litterally one of the WORST defenses in NFL history due to Raheem & company. Keep talkin Capt FREEMAN IS OUR QB AND NOT TEBLOW. Lay off the caybrew this early dude.
March 24th, 2012 at 10:10 am
If 2012 is like 2011 for josh would he warrant a new contract?
I don’t expect that to happen, but if it does it’s a fair question.
March 24th, 2012 at 10:16 am
My wish was that the Bucs trade Freeman to the Dolphins for their 1,2 and 3rd draft picks, pick up Tebow and drafting Kellen Moore in the 3rd round. This would fill Tampa Stadium to the brim and end blackouts forever.
Bucs could platoon them at QB and rewrite offensive strategy in the NFL. If you platoon linebackers and defensive lineman, why not quarterbacks? Kellen Moore is the winningest QB in NCAA history.
Too bad the Jets signed him first. I predict Tebow will make more money in endorsements in media rich NYC than Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods combined.
March 24th, 2012 at 11:49 am
Tim once again you are a flip flopping db. A few months back you posted about how bad tim was with skip passes and funny looking wobbling spirals. You even repeated the same sentiment again in another post. You finally were right once. The dude lost 5 out of his last six games, and cannot throw spirals 50% of the time, let alone complete them 50%. Once again you have proven if you just keep flipping your opinion around at least you can sometimes be right. Rex grossman won games, went to florida, no one is arguing that he is good. Still waiting for the day you go away timmy.
March 24th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
@Miguel……Que????? I think you had a blackout when you posted that….
March 25th, 2012 at 5:55 pm
Miguel, step away from the keyboard . . .