London (Fletcher) Calling?
March 26th, 2012
So the Bucs struck out getting Curtis Lofton. Given his quotes and how long he was on the market, it was pretty clear he didn’t want to play for the Bucs, so people barking that Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik should be held accountable need to step back.
If a guy doesn’t want to play for a team, it doesn’t matter if Dominik or Bill Polian is the general manager.
So now the pickings for a linebacker — a position that just cries out for an upgrade of some sort — are getting slim.
One player who may be on Dominik’s radar is Washington free agent London Fletcher. While Fletcher is a damned good teammate and could possibly help guide the young Bucs into the right way to play football, the trick with Fletcher is that he is a robust 36 years old and turns 37 in May
How many decent middle linebackers out there are playing at a high level at 37?
Even as an old man by NFL standards, Fletcher had 96 solo tackles last year. That’s pretty strong.
Let’s just say Joe wouldn’t be upset if Dominik turned his focus now to Fletcher, so long as it is no longer than a two-year contract. A one-year pact might even be better.
March 26th, 2012 at 8:05 am
I say go for it. Look at his career. He’s never been an issue tw locker room (even on bad buffalo and dc teams). He’s always lead be example and spoke up when needed. He would prove to be a great asset on and off the field. Still would like to see a young lb signed with him though.
March 26th, 2012 at 8:10 am
He’ll be good for a 1 to 2 year deal plus give some leadership to our defense. I still think if M.Claiborne isn’t there at #5 we trade down to get Luke Kuechly. He’d be a solid MLB and can be slowly developed behind L.Fletcher.
March 26th, 2012 at 8:11 am
It seems obvious, After three big-splash veteran free agent signings, Fletcher is a financially smart direction for line backer. He brings experience, leadership and potential to play. If he can’t play, we likely will not have spent big money on him.
March 26th, 2012 at 8:23 am
Get off the Luke Kuechly, train he is another coming of Barret Ruud, yes he will line up the defense, and call the plays but he is not going to ever be a thumping line backer, he is a glorified safety. Yes, Kuechly led the nation in tackling but you have to think how far from the line of scrimmage did he make those tackles!
If your going to try to get a true MLB by trading down, go for the kid from Alabama. Dont’e Hightowe,rhe is the guy you want to go after. This kid will be able to switch between 3-4, and 4-3 defenses.
March 26th, 2012 at 8:27 am
Go get him dom, and make it happen, and im in agreement great locker room guy, and yes Dontae Hightower, would be a great fit from alabama
March 26th, 2012 at 8:29 am
I don’t know…..37 is VERY old for an NFL linebacker. An NFL linebacker?
I get the mentoring thing I guess but can Fletcher still cover and tackle at 37 to make it worth it?
I’m not knocking the guy but it just doesn’t seem like the way the Buccaneers are going these days.
March 26th, 2012 at 8:30 am
If we’re talking about ridiculous moves, then lets bring back 55 instead.
March 26th, 2012 at 8:31 am
What is the deal with Hawthorne? Heard he was similar to Lofton and Tulloch but havent heard anything on him. Probably not a good sign.
March 26th, 2012 at 8:35 am
Hawthorne would be my choice
March 26th, 2012 at 8:37 am
Don’t expect it.
I mentioned a month or two ago that the Bucs may use their FA resources towards the offense mostly (since it was more established – of sorts) and build up the defense over time with draft and low grade FA’s. Since the coaching expertise is on the defensive side of the ball, it appears that is exactly what is happening.
There was an article I read that said if Kuechly is good enough for, say, pick #9 or 10, why not #5? I’ve though T Rich for #5 and I’m still with that, but I’m second guessing that now.
We might just take Kuechly at 5 if we can’t trade back…why not? Dude makes plays. Food for thought.
March 26th, 2012 at 9:05 am
Joe, there is a big difference between actual age and ability age at any level. These are the intangables when talking about people. Some people are leaders and some are not, some have the ability to mentor, some don’t, some can tackle, some can’t. So the question is what age does London Fletcher play at, 37 or say 32? That is the question on this person.
March 26th, 2012 at 9:07 am
I’m glad we didn’t get Lofton, his first interest was not the Bucs and we would have signed an uninspired player who only wanted to get paid. It’s not that I don’t think that Foster could play the middle, I just think instinctively, he’s better suited for the outside. He is going to be good wherever we play him, but there is a steep learning curve to play the middle.
I wouldn’t be disappointed if we did turn our attention to London Fletcher, one of the best MLBs in the NFL last year. At 36, like Barber, he’s probably got one more year left in the tank. The Bucs could offer him a 2yr 8mil contract with 1yr guaranteed as a player/coach. The Redskins can’t re-sign him at his current 4.5mil salary due to cap penalty issues.
If we do bring him on, we could then draft his heir-apparent MLB (Luke Kuechly or Dontae Hightower) in the 1st round or (Bobby Wagner or LaVonte David) in the 2nd round, depending on whether we trade down or not. Then tie the heir-apparent to Fletcher’s hip for the next year or 2 until he knows the position hands down.
We could then move Foster to the outside. With Fletcher we would be getting a 3-down (not 2-down like Lofton) proven pro bowl MLB who can still play at a high level and a 2yr training program for his successor. With Barber coming back, we would have 2 leaders in the locker room that could mentor the younger players.
March 26th, 2012 at 9:08 am
bucfanjeff
I’ve been saying the same thing about Offense thru free agency and defense thru draft…since the end of the season…so I think we’re on the same page.
I had not really thought about taking a LB in round 1 though. It’s an interesting thought.
If Mo is available I say takehim in round 1.
Since we signed Wright, there’s no need for Dominick to double dip this year so I figured we could go LB with our second pick.
I’m for either moving Foster outside or giving him another year at MLB…either way. So in the second round we could take the best LB available…inside or outside.
I do believe Foster can be a dominating MLB once he knows the system. Last year was a really bad year to stick a rookies in that spot. He was basically thrown to the wolves. Guys like Quincy Black were calling defensively plays, but fans put the blame on Foster.
Some say Foster is slightly undersized for a MLB. I disagree, but even if that was true he was fresh out of college and will put on muscle over the next couple years.
I don’t think the Buffs have made the decision yet though. I think it all depends on how the draft plays out. If we trade down and pick up a spare second round pick, I could see us taking Dre in the first and then two LBs in the second.
March 26th, 2012 at 9:12 am
I’m surprised Gary brackett hasnt been signed by the Bucs yet. He is a Rutgers guy
March 26th, 2012 at 9:14 am
On Fletcher…
…I would not be opposed to a 1 year deal…2 at most. HOWEVER…
…even bringing up this as a possibility is wrong, Joe, because there is 100% no chance of it happening. And when it doesn’t, we are now going to have to listen to the whiners here.
March 26th, 2012 at 9:29 am
2 year deal would be ok, and it would give them time to groom Mason Foster for the position.
March 26th, 2012 at 9:30 am
If we were to sign a guy like Fletcher, I don’t think it would be anything more than a 2 year deal like everyone is saying. 37 year olds don’t get long term contracts, and Fletcher might be the best guy for the job. He is an older, respected player who has been around a long long time. He would demand respect from the younger crowd and they would be foolish not to pick his brain. The QUESTION is does a 37 year old want to move his family one last time at the end of his career. It seems he is pretty intent on staying in Washington D.C., don’t know why anyone would want to play for the skins but hey that is his decision.
March 26th, 2012 at 9:33 am
What Macabee said resonates. Only without Kuechly. In my brain finesse players play in domes and get disappointed in the playoffs. I want to see the Bucs hit again. No more slap and tickle.
March 26th, 2012 at 9:34 am
David Hawthorne? 26 yeards old and solid run stopper. Plus he’ll be around more than 2 years.
March 26th, 2012 at 9:35 am
Joe,
Do we even know if they are talking to Fletcher or if the Bucs are talking to any free agent LB’s at this point? Or is this all “pie in the sky” talk? Maybe MD was being forthright when he said all eyes on the draft after the press conference for the “Big 3”. Beyond Dan Orlovsky and the journeyman OL it looks like we are done. Which would suck!
March 26th, 2012 at 9:36 am
I love the possibility of this move. The man had outstanding production last year, and can bring exactly what we need to a young defense, especially if we go Claiborne at #5. We’ll have Ronde possibly playing safety, and Fletch w/ the front 7 providing some OJT. Draft an ILB and let him play the outside this season w/ Foster. Next year, we’ll have a fierce competition between the two to decide the QB of our defense for the next 10 years. Time to breed leaders and this is the guy that can do it.
March 26th, 2012 at 9:41 am
I would not be in favor of Fletcher. I would rather have Hawthorne. Flectcher is too unpredictable at his age. Derrick Brooks was playing at a high level at 33 and 34 then dropped off dramatically at 35. You never know when that Murtaugh “I’m getting too old for this sh*t” moment is going to happen. Not worth the risk to me.
March 26th, 2012 at 9:42 am
how about Mason Foster for MLB….give the guy a chance.
March 26th, 2012 at 9:49 am
Kuechly at #5 is a reach and a logical improbability. Think about it! The first two picks are in concrete. Any combination of picks at #3 or #4 will leave 2 of either Kalil, Claiborne, Blackmon, or Richardson on the board. If Richardson is there, so is 1 of the other 3 otherwise 2 of the other 3 will be there. If one is Claiborne, game over. If it is Blackmon or Kalil, especially Kalil, the Bucs are assured of a trade partner and they are likely to trade down. Head spinning yet?
March 26th, 2012 at 9:56 am
Fletcher isn’t likely even being discussed…but you can bet that because it was brought up here people will blame Dominick for “failing” to get him?
March 26th, 2012 at 10:07 am
I get the feeling the Bucs are the same train as last year … We just need to coach them better … Quincy Black has all the potential in the world .. 6th year is a Charm.
Almost Arrogant if the Bucs do not atleast address competition. The draft doesnt always fall the way you would hope. The Bucs are setting themselves up to reach.
For a team that invested big bucks in FAs that wont be here forever they need to field the best team that can win now.
March 26th, 2012 at 10:13 am
I suggest go with the status quo. It may not be popular but there is no value out there right now. Save the money for later.
Do not chase what is left. Have confidence in this coaching staff. Let’s see what they can do with what we have. We will draft at least one linebacker.
We must be patient. Players get cut after the draft. There might be some value then.
Lets not spend for the sake of spending. Lets build this team wisely.
Forget London.
March 26th, 2012 at 10:14 am
They should go after Amobi Akoye for depth. He’s been productive his entire career and our DT’s cant stay healthy.
March 26th, 2012 at 10:18 am
I say go get Fletcher.Ronde needs a running buddy for senior”s night at Mons Venus.
March 26th, 2012 at 10:33 am
Thats the kinda Chucky band aid remedy that I like.
Throw LT in too.
Glad to see folks are seeing the light.
March 26th, 2012 at 10:34 am
Fletcher for 2 years, David in the second, and Te’o in 2013…..
March 26th, 2012 at 10:38 am
Hawthorne to me could be a good pickup as he plays SAM as well .. Hawthorne really is as good in Lofton in some ways. Hell I would be happy with Jon Goff as he was getting better in NY before tearing his ACL.
March 26th, 2012 at 11:46 am
941:
No. But Joe does know that Dominik wanted Curtis Lofton. If the Bucs are talking to other linebackers, that’s kept on the down low.
But if the Bucs are in fact waving bye-bye to Geno Hayes, then Dominik pretty much has to be talking to some linebackers’ agents.
March 26th, 2012 at 11:56 am
Who better for Mason to learn from
March 26th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
sign him up!
March 26th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Mason was a rookie with no training camp and suspect coaching…I think he will be fine…
March 26th, 2012 at 1:22 pm
c Says:
March 26th, 2012 at 8:23 am
Get off the Luke Kuechly, train he is another coming of Barret Ruud, yes he will line up the defense, and call the plays but he is not going to ever be a thumping line backer, he is a glorified safety.
+++++++
Based on what? Mason Softer is more like Ruud than Kuechly ever was or ever will be. Kuechly was the nation’s leader in tackles the last two seasons and two years ago BC was the best in the nation against the run. Does that sound Barrett Ruud-like to you? Besides that, he is a phenomenal athlete (according to Combine numbers) that puts him on par with Urlacher and Pat Willis.
One thing further, Kuechly IS NOT a devestating tackler, but he is a sure tackler and runners fall where Kuechly initiates contact. No, he is not a bone crusher, but what he is is the best tackler in the draft. Derrick Brooks wasn’t a devestating tackler either, but he was effective just as Kuechly would be. BTW, glorified safety? Kuechly had 36 tackles for a loss in his 3 year career. Does that sound like a safety to you? Go watch some tape, son.
March 26th, 2012 at 1:24 pm
Macabee Says:
March 26th, 2012 at 9:49 am
Kuechly at #5 is a reach and a logical improbability. Think about it! The first two picks are in concrete. Any combination of picks at #3 or #4 will leave 2 of either Kalil, Claiborne, Blackmon, or Richardson on the board. If Richardson is there, so is 1 of the other 3 otherwise 2 of the other 3 will be there. If one is Claiborne, game over. If it is Blackmon or Kalil, especially Kalil, the Bucs are assured of a trade partner and they are likely to trade down. Head spinning yet?
++++++++++++++++
A RB is even more of a logical improbability, but otherwise I agree. Trade down a few spots, net a 2nd or 3rd, or both and get Kuechly. ILBs are not as valued as other positions, but if teams could redraft when Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher, and Patrick Willis came out, don’t you think they would have gone top 3? Kuechly is THAT good.
March 26th, 2012 at 2:59 pm
Gotta agree about Kuechly. He’s a stud and if we can trade down and get him that would be great but not at #5. If Claiborne is there we take him.
March 26th, 2012 at 7:29 pm
Fletcher would be an ideal pick up, then in later round, maybe 3 or 5, pick up Audie Cole(NC State) or Mychal Kendricks to learn for a year or two. If you look at Hawthorne(undrafted), Lofton(2nd round) and Tulloch(4th round) all developed into good MLB’s