Good-Bye Kregg Lumpkin?
March 10th, 2012_t607.jpg)
Joe’s been waiting to see whether word of a restricted free agent tender offer to Kregg Lumpkin might trickle out this week.
And while BSPN reported the Bucs gave a tender offer to reserve tackle Demar Dotson and locked up LeGarrette Blount and Preston Parker to one-year, exclusive rights deals for 2012, there hasn’t been a peep about Lumpkin. With Micheal Bennett getting a fat tender offer, Lumpkin would be the Bucs’ only restricted free agent to be passed up.
Joe suspects Team Schiano took a look and Lumpkin’s 2011 film — he only had two carries entering last season — and figured they could do better, or should at least try. Rockstar general manager had high hopes for Lumpkin last season, but Lumpkin didn’t seem to be very good at much other than holding on to the football and staying healthy.
If Lumpkin’s out of the mix, then that leaves the Bucs with only two running backs on the roster: LeGarrette Blount and Moisses Madu. Free agent Earnest Graham still has months go in his recovery from a blown Achilles.
Obviously, the Bucs need to head into offseason training with at least a backup to Blount and a legitimate third down back. Joe’s not seeing how the Bucs don’t grab one rather quickly in free agency. It would be far too risky to hit the NFL Draft banking on drafting a running back without reaching for one.
There are plenty of names in the free agent market. Might the Bucs go old school and bring back Cadillac Williams or snatch LaDanian Tomlinson, who accepted the third-down back role with the Jets and was very effective as a receiver last year?
Might the Bucs shell out the for San Diego’s Mike Tolbert, who can pound it in short yardage and catch the ball? Benjarvus Green-Ellis has the versatility?
Joe can’t imagine the Bucs not having a new running back not named Lumpkin by this time next week.
March 10th, 2012 at 2:40 pm
My bet is Green-Ellis. He fits the bill and we have been doing business with the pats in recent years.
March 10th, 2012 at 2:43 pm
By business I mean Ted Larson, Tyrone McKenzie and Kyle Arrington.
March 10th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
My votes for L T, would be a great mentor for the young guys. Then draft LaMichael James in the third.
March 10th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
Mike Tolbert in FA, Isiah Pead or LaMicheal James in the 3rd round, and Darrell Scott (USF) in the 7th round. We have 2 comp picks for Ruud and Cadillac (I assume addl 7th rounders).
March 10th, 2012 at 2:50 pm
How about working a trade with the Bengals for Brian Leonard? He was with Coach Schiano @ Rutgers and is a excellent 3rd down reciever & short yardage back.
March 10th, 2012 at 2:58 pm
I say bring in the ole drop top Caddi…honestly it will do something for the fan base and draft LeMichael James
March 10th, 2012 at 3:00 pm
As long as Dominik signs and signs being the keyword some top FA at other positions then signing a 3rd down back to compliment Blount will be a piece of cake. I’m more interested in the likelyhood of Dominik signing and signing the keyword here the likes of Jackson, Finnegan, Nicks, and Tullock. If Dominik and the Glazers pull this off then it will excite the fanbase beyond belief and give confidence in the GM and ownership. Something this area needs big time.
March 10th, 2012 at 3:05 pm
We might get 1comp pic, I really hope w get tolbert he has #1 ability for short periods of time and fits our holes perfectly!
B.Grubbs or Nicks and Garcon,Clark.
March 10th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
nothing wrong with bringing Lumkin back to camp with the new staff….many moons ’till final 53
March 10th, 2012 at 3:07 pm
Addai and draft a RB in later rounds? (Assuming we don’t pick TR)
March 10th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
Addai, smart, can catch, will have no problem with pass protections, not sure about his speed, but can still be a compliment to Blount
March 10th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
Kregg Lumpkin did NOTHING to even earn a roster spot in the first place. Cut him. Is that even questionable as to whether we should keep him or not?
March 10th, 2012 at 4:23 pm
Bring caddy back! ( I bought his Jersey when he was drafted, lol)
March 10th, 2012 at 4:31 pm
Didn’t
March 10th, 2012 at 4:34 pm
Lets load up on thick road graders.Hillis or tolbert runnin behind our new upgraded line ,blount and a speed guy in draft like pead.sur would b old school
March 10th, 2012 at 4:43 pm
Didn’t even need to read the article to say I agree 100%.
March 10th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
No lumpkin?? How will the other team know when we’re going to pass??
March 10th, 2012 at 5:12 pm
It’s my understanding that Lumpkin told Schiano “If you cut me, I’m going to bust a cap in your ass.”
March 10th, 2012 at 5:18 pm
funny Bobby
March 10th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
but that left schaino distraught and in emotional distress…
March 10th, 2012 at 5:40 pm
For F/A we should go after Finnegan-Jackson-(if possible) Nicks and London Flecther from the Redskins. He may be old but he led the league in last year and would be a great veteran addition to our linebacking corp.
March 10th, 2012 at 5:41 pm
^ if the price is right of course
March 10th, 2012 at 5:51 pm
Schiano responded by saying: “Yo dude….did you just watch a rerun of SHAFT or something? Does anybody even use that term anymore? It seems so outdated…Oh by the way…I’m not going to sue you for 15k, that’s just what I’m going to offer to pay you next season if you want to be a Buc.”
March 10th, 2012 at 6:46 pm
The prospect of a Blount/Tolbert backfield has me salivating a little bit.
March 10th, 2012 at 6:54 pm
I’ve been a fan of Benjarvis since he was in college. I had hoped then the Bucs would take him in the 7’th. I’d like to see Cadi back as well.
March 10th, 2012 at 6:54 pm
Blount/Tolbert/James is a diverse yet complete backfield.
March 10th, 2012 at 7:19 pm
No! This is one of rockhead’s coveted free agent acquisitions.
March 10th, 2012 at 8:42 pm
I’d pass on Caddy. I’d much rather get a FA that is younger and has years ahead of him. I don’t want to start filling holes with vets that only have a few years left. I’d rather get a player like Doug Martin in the draft who can learn the blocking scheme and has the muscle to be a good 3rd down back than fill the gap with Caddy. Martin can do everything Caddy can do with a lot more speed.
March 10th, 2012 at 9:14 pm
They definstely sign a free agent RB for the depth. They have to draft one also as far as I’m concerned. There are too many good RBs with alot of speed available in rounds 2-4 this draft
March 11th, 2012 at 10:44 am
Green-Ellis would be badass! He’s a speedy bruiser! Him and Blount would put a Hurtin on defenses! People say this is a passing league blah blah blah, lets pound those passing defenses with some bruisers and see how they like it!
March 11th, 2012 at 10:47 am
Oh Plus Green-Ellis has NEVER fumbled the ball once in his career
March 11th, 2012 at 10:52 am
Plus he’s got like 4 names! Ben, Jarvis, Green, Ellis right??
March 11th, 2012 at 12:43 pm
I forgot what game it was, buy my favorite Lumpkin moment was when he spun in the open field without a single guy around him.
I heard a podcast where JBF-favorite Steve White said that Lumpkin accidentally hit the “Square” button.
March 12th, 2012 at 8:23 am
I think we should cut Lumpkin for sure. Then get either Tolbert, Addai, or Green-Ellis and draft someone like Doug Martin or the rb from V.Tech. Then get Garcon, not Jackson. Garcon has more upside than any FA wideout this year. On defense, we should get a NT, MLB to move Foster outside and Finnegan or Brandon Carr of the Chiefs. Oh, and getting safety help with Tyvon Branch wouldn’t hurt either. You have $67 million dollars Bucs, USE IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!