Bucs May Not Land A Free Agent Today
March 13th, 2012
Free agency begins this afternoon and fantasy football types are so giddy they’ve nearly had to take off work.
(This may be the worst week for work production in the Tampa Bay area. First, there is free agency and workers will be refreshing constantly. Then there is the NCAA tournament. Also, the weather is perfect for spring training baseball. Forget about productivity this week.)
In recent years, the Bucs have been largely allergic to free agents, channeling Ted Thompson of the Packers who hasn’t signed a free agent in over three years. Sadly for Bucs rock star general manager, this method hasn’t matched Thompson’s results.
Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune is convinced the Bucs have changed their ways, or so they say. But if one is to read between the lines of Dominik’s words, it doesn’t mean Dominik is going to go all Danny Snyder with Team Glazer’s checkbook today.
With more than $42.7 million in available salary cap space, a roster full of holes and a fan base anxious to see the team’s owners renew their commitment to winning after hiring coach Greg Schiano, the Bucs have reason this free-agency season to be one of the market’s bigger players.
Whether they will depends largely on opportunity.
General manager Mark Dominik has vowed to be a more aggressive shopper this year than last year, when the Bucs’ biggest addition was punter Michael Koenen. He also said he won’t spend just to spend and will only take on players that address a need or fit into the Bucs’ scheme.
Joe is convinced Dominik will sign lesser players after the initial feeding frenzy is over, likely next week. Second-level guys that can start and produce. Even a guy with a white cane can see the Bucs need bodies.
Whether Dominik lands a home run signing today, time will tell.
March 13th, 2012 at 8:17 am
Mark absolutely has to have a HR today in his first at-bat. His second at-bat needs to at least be a deep shot in the gap and at the end of the FA period needs to be 4 for 5 (as he fills in the roster with some 2nd tier FA’s)
Honestly, anything less will be a failure in my book.
March 13th, 2012 at 8:17 am
Didn’t someone post they have never seen a picture of Dominick smiling? Way to produce Joe, but don’t throw cold water on us when we are the most hopeful we’ve been in years!
March 13th, 2012 at 8:29 am
Today will either be a new start for team Glazer or the beginning of the end for this organization. It’s time to move forward.
March 13th, 2012 at 8:29 am
I wouldn’t be shocked if we come out of today without any major signings by anybody. Besides, the MO of this team and GM has been to take their time.
My hunch is that by the end of this week Finnegan will be a Buc, maybe Nicks….I’m guessing V Jax is going to take his time and visit with a bunch of teams before making his decision.
We’ll see….either way I’m pretty excited.
March 13th, 2012 at 8:41 am
Talk is cheap, about as cheap as the Glazers have been since 2005.
I can hear the rhetoric from GM over and over. I can read Joe report said rhetoric. But, let’s see what they do in the next few days. If they go cheap, then it’s more of the same that the fans have witnessed for all these years.
Maybe if we had a competent enough front office, the Green Bay thing would work. But, c’mon, who are we kidding, right?
I hope they are gearing up to sell the team in the next year or so.
March 13th, 2012 at 8:48 am
With all the eurphoria from yesterday, last night I tried to trade my wife a viagra tab for a valium. Couldn’t close that deal – guess you could say it was a “hard” sell. And this plunge into free agency is not going to be a walk in the park for Dominik either. I wish him luck, but hope he’s a better salesman than me!
March 13th, 2012 at 8:50 am
The timing, of the cold-water column, is interesting, considering the buildup. Everything…was always possible, then, now.
Glazers and front office know, fans have shown frugal to fill seats, over several years, and front office knows–may still disregard–that Tier 2 free agents, won’t fill seats….that’s why they’re Tier 2.
March 13th, 2012 at 8:53 am
Uuummm…
March 13th, 2012 at 8:53 am
Yeah I doubt a signing today. I just hope he’s come a long way and learned from the Haynesworth, J Joseph, Doug Free misses. He needs to be aggressive and really sell the Bay. All he needs to do is mention Bern’s Steak House, and the plethora of nudie bars. Seriously, we’re stacked with nudie bars.
March 13th, 2012 at 8:54 am
It doesn’t have to be today, but the haul needs to be better than warm bodies.
March 13th, 2012 at 8:57 am
Ohhhh, now I’m sad
March 13th, 2012 at 9:02 am
What happened to “expect opening day push for Cortland Finnegan and Carl Nicks?”
March 13th, 2012 at 9:02 am
Dominik will do a huge injustice to the owners and fanbase today if he sits on his arse and waits. This town is buzzing and wants something exciting to happen. You may not like what Washington did (does) but people are lining up to buy tickets just from moving up in the draft. Dominik needs to land at least two of the top FA’s immediately to prove his worth and get the fanbase excited. If he can’t handle it tell him to get the F out of the way and let someone else take over. Yes the Bucs will have to overspend at first but it not only proves to the fans but to other NFL FA’s that the Bucs are serious about winning. I’ve said from the end of last year, this is Dominik’s only time to prove he knows his job and his worth. If he lets the fans down today he needs to be fired immediately!!! I hope if he doesn’t make at least 1 big signing at 4:01 that fans should scream to replace this moron..
March 13th, 2012 at 9:03 am
GUYS DONT WORRY ITS JUST ALL SPECULATION BY JOE. THIS PER RICK STROUD: ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Mike and Mike says Bucs will be very active today for offensive and defensive play-makers
8:25am – 13 Mar 12
March 13th, 2012 at 9:06 am
I believe we are going after Nicks hard and also will definitely sign a WR (try for Jackson, but if the price gets too high, get Garcon). We will also definitely bring in a couple of CBs. Hopefully at least one that can start right away. Then, with what is left over, fill the holes with the second tier guys. Go Bucs!
March 13th, 2012 at 9:08 am
@Joe. You seem to be listening to certain sports talk from 9-12.. Every other article is a Debbie Downer… The media in this town will blast the Bucs and Dominik if Mark waits for the 2nd level guys to do any signings. I don’t even think its so much the person they sign but the fact that they did. Someone in the front office has to realize what a negative impact it will be by not signing FA’s early and often. Wake up guys!!!
March 13th, 2012 at 9:10 am
I dont think its true, im sure certianly were not gonna miss out on free agency with big names, i mean if he really wants us to get pissed off then its all on him. But Schiao hopefully wont let that happen as we need t fill in wholes asap they already have the players inked to us so i believe this time there is no excuse
March 13th, 2012 at 9:10 am
GMs who usually land massive contracts on the first day are either desperate or getting their balls twisted by their owner. With Snyder and Jones out of play, this FA should be a little more tame.
If we get our guy at the right price today, then fu*kin a, thats awesome. But players/agents want bidding wars, and most times that goes on for a few days.
March 13th, 2012 at 9:28 am
@macabee uhm I think you have alot bigger problems then thinking about who were going to sign in fa tomorrow.
March 13th, 2012 at 9:39 am
If you look at the success (or lack of) teams have had with free agency; then it’s possible that the GM’s take more time than normal to go over these signing’s. Jared Allen was a trade and Woodson are the only two names I can think of that have really been star quality players. The rest; (including our own two Faine & Winslow) have not lived up to the hype or cost for that matter. I’m not sure what direction the team is going, but Defensive players may be the safest bet. So many of these guys are just a product of a good system or a pro bowl QB.
March 13th, 2012 at 9:43 am
Hey knucknbuc, Got 99 problems, but that ain’t one. lol. Just trying to say it’s going to be a tough sell to get #1 FAs to come to a new team with a history of not giving signing bonuses! Somethings gotta change!
March 13th, 2012 at 9:45 am
@ Brad,
The thing with the Redskins is they have a real fan base. No matter what their record they support their team. Sure the owner spends money like a demon, but what exactly has all the millions bought him. A wild card birth, a conference championship, a trip to the superbowl?
Now the powers that be in the front office have sold themselves down the river by trading their first round draft choices, just to move up to draft RGIII… And they lost most of their cap space this season. It is going to be a hard sell to get any FA to go there, much less the draft choices they will draft this season. What happens to them if RGIII pulls a Bo Jackson on them. The skins fans will still be in those stands. I would bet my last dime on it.
I only hope we help our cause in FA this season be that with every top tier player we can get, or 2nd tier players we get. Just as long as we do not set ourselves up for a money issue down the road, like the saints have this season.
March 13th, 2012 at 9:48 am
The picture of Dom above:
Confirmation that he had never gripped a football before. Look at that grip, I have seen more masculine grips in the lingerie league.
I know Dom’s mom said publicly in a Times article that Dom refused to play football because he was afraid of contact. After the Clayton, GMC and Black deals, I bet he is afraid of contract.
Has anyone else hopped on the “rockstar” bandwagon or is Joe the only person who showed up for that part?
March 13th, 2012 at 10:02 am
^ is that Ryan Seacrest?
March 13th, 2012 at 10:16 am
Thomas…there’s a good chance that you played in the lingerie league.
I don’t have any problems with Dom. I think he’s done a decent job of drafting talent and with the proper coaching I think we’ll begin to see the fruit of his labor. Sure he’s missed some but who hasn’t? Most of his draft picks haven’t been around enough to know much about but this year should be telling. We’ll see what he’s able to do in FA.
March 13th, 2012 at 10:17 am
Alex Marvez has us going hard for Lofton
March 13th, 2012 at 10:18 am
Give it a rest Thomas.
March 13th, 2012 at 10:23 am
I would be surprised if Finnegan is not signed by the Bucs today or by tomorrow. If he is not, then there is a chance he was playing them.
CB: Finnegan or Carr
WR: VJax or Garcon
MLB: Tulloch or Lofton
I only expect O-Line depth and DT depth… BUT if they sign OG Nicks, or even a guy like Grubbs, and move Zuttah to center, I would be ecstatic.
IF they sign TWO of the guys mentioned above and make a run at some others, I will be ecstatic.
March 13th, 2012 at 10:26 am
@Bobby
Most of us have realized that replying to THOMAS is not worth the trouble. He is either completely and totally inept on football knowledge OR he just likes to instigate. I think he just likes to instigate because, seriously, he can not be THAT ignorant.
I mean, complaining about the grip on a football in a photo op? Don’t bother addressing him, it is pointless.
March 13th, 2012 at 10:32 am
He always reminds me of the smug guy at the bank you have to deal with to get a loan – and asks for more and more financial document before sending the denial letter.
But, he does have very shiny teeth and all.
Speaking of griping the football for passing, anybody comfy with our back up QB? Not I. Needs to be addressed IMO.
March 13th, 2012 at 10:34 am
IMO we get Finnegan and Nicks right after 4:00 pm …
March 13th, 2012 at 10:45 am
Thomass
No worries, Dom isn’t the QB! Although, Bradshaw had a similar grip with the index finger on the the football’s point.
March 13th, 2012 at 10:45 am
As for FA, Im sure we’ll be taking a few this year!
March 13th, 2012 at 10:53 am
Leinart was released. I can’t say he’s great or anything but the crop of FAs QBs is quite thin.
If Freeman were to go down, this team would be in an even greater world of hurt.
March 13th, 2012 at 10:55 am
His hands are still bigger than Shaun King’s.
March 13th, 2012 at 11:15 am
tonytwocents Says: March 13th, 2012 at 8:53 am
Yeah I doubt a signing today. I just hope he’s come a long way and learned from the Haynesworth, J Joseph, Doug Free misses. He needs to be aggressive and really sell the Bay. All he needs to do is mention Bern’s Steak House, and the plethora of nudie bars. Seriously, we’re stacked with nudie bars.
——————————————-
Yeah, make bars a selling point. That has worked so well in Tampa. (rolls eyes)
@Eric
I was actually thinking about that yesterday and looked at the long list of QB rejects available, and the only one I saw that was good enough if Freeman went down, but would not create instant controversy.
, is Kyle Orton.
There are other guys, but most of them suck, and a couple will want to start. If not Orton, we should resign Johnson. Anderson, Quinn, Young…thhose are a few of the other names out there. I think Lienhart (sp?) was released. He might make a good backup.
March 13th, 2012 at 11:23 am
“Joe is convinced Dominik will sign lesser players after the initial feeding frenzy is over, likely next week. Second-level guys that can start and produce. Even a guy with a white cane can see the Bucs need bodies.”
So….what you’re saying is look for the S.O.S. coming from One Buc Place!
Perhaps once their season ticket base dwindles to less than 10,000 they may open up that cobwebbed ridden wallet of theirs and sign REAL player!
March 13th, 2012 at 11:35 am
A bunch of “bodies” of second level guys next week just wont do.
Not after making us suffer through the epic Morrisonian collapse while shoveling mounds of nonsense.
March 13th, 2012 at 11:47 am
Joe, TYVM for the picture of a Smiling Mark Dominick.
I think this is the very first time I have saw any expression from him.
I hope he will be smiling big after the draft and free agency.
March 13th, 2012 at 2:03 pm
jb:
So….what you’re saying is look for the S.O.S. coming from One Buc Place!
That is, except for a (good) punter. But look how far that got the Bucs.
Guys who don’t break the bank but are solid if not good starters (Stephen Tulloch springs to mind) are what Joe calls “second tier.”
March 13th, 2012 at 2:41 pm
There aren’t many MLBs I’d place above Tulloch. Maybe The Poz(Posluszny), London Fletcher and Daryl Washington. Maybe. Certainly no one in this free agency.