Mark Dominik Still Eyeing An Inside Linebacker
March 21st, 2012
The Bucs may not have given up on acquiring Curtis Lofton.
Right now if the Bucs made no further changes to the roster, if the Bucs trot out Quincy Black, Adam Hayward and Mason Foster as their starting linebacker unit, Joe would be hard-pressed to find a trio worse off.
There were rumors that Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik had put out major feelers to both Dixie Chicks middle linebacker Curtis Lofton and Lions middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch.
Well, scratch off Tulloch as he re-signed with the Lions yesterday.
Lofton, also courted by the Saints, is still out on the open market.
But yesterday a fast one was pulled on Dominik as the Eagles coughed up a lowly fourth round pick for Houston stud inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans.
But with the pickings becoming very, very slim to update a woeful linebacker corps, eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune suggests the Bucs are not out of the running for Lofton.
@IKaufmanTrib: Don’t think for a second the Bucs have lost interest in Curtis Lofton. They want him at their price, but make no mistake — they want him.
This sort of reinforces what Joe suspected yesterday that Dominik is involved in a high stakes game of chicken with Lofton. Whether Dominik comes out of on top in this staredown, time will tell.
But it’s a nasty gamble by Dominik. With ssssooo many holes in the back-seven of the 2012 defense, those won’t be filled alone in the draft.
March 21st, 2012 at 10:03 am
I dont want him to overpay either, but damn, please make this happen Dom…this is just as big a signing as VJax, Nicks, or Wright.
March 21st, 2012 at 10:12 am
Signing 3 FA’s out the gate deserves love but the credit goes to ownership not Dominik. The moves he makes now including draft is where is worth is proven. He must get a linebacker and a quality one at that. The Eagles GM has already schooled Dominik so he needs to step up and make a big move for a top linebacker. IMO he’s waited too long and given the leverage back to Lofton. For this to be a truly successful FA period Mark needs to fill more holes than he has especially in the back 7.
March 21st, 2012 at 10:13 am
Dom stop playing chicken with the man. Give him that quincy black money and hell be good.
March 21st, 2012 at 10:15 am
Sean weatherspoon in photo
March 21st, 2012 at 10:17 am
Nasty game of chicken indeed, Joe. And think @Brad said it perfectly….when Dominik got too cute and waited too long in giving up Bucs leverage back to Lofton, with Tulloch now signed. When Tulloch’s numbers come out, will be interesting. Dom has done well thus far in FA, but alot of that is indeed the Glazers permission to open the checkbook.
Dom should have signed Lofton–depending on just how difficult his agent was being–before Tulloch was signed.
Worst case, there’s Hawthorne too, cheaper. Wonder what LB coach Bryan Cox and Schiano think of Hawthorne, maybe OLB Erin Henderson?
March 21st, 2012 at 10:19 am
If not Lofton get Hawethorne. I also don’t understand why the focus is just on MLB. We still need at least one OLB and a warm body to replace the warm body of Sean Jones.
March 21st, 2012 at 10:22 am
OMG….Rock Star GM…I think NOT!!!!!!! The fact that he didn’t act and quickly to acquire a young, dynamic, total team player, ALL PRO inside LB named Demarco is such a blunder that is inexcusable!!!!!!! He has a very liveable contract thru this yr. and next as well. The freaking Eaglets stole him with a 4th rd pick and an exchange of 3rd rounders. It is an outrage and he should be confronted about this inept action!!!!!!! Outrageous that he’s playing chicken w/Lofton when he could have landed Ryans for what I expect will be less money!!!!!
March 21st, 2012 at 10:30 am
@brady….shut up! My God, I thought this board was for adults. Quit being such a baby. “Dom didn’t sign DeMeco…waaaah! waaaah!” As far as I know the FA period is still open and you can bet that Dom and Schiano know what they are doing. You don’t pay 9 Mil for Lofton and as far as DeMeco goes…We don’t have a 4th round draft pick to offer and apparently 30 other GM’s got a fast one pulled on them too. Give it time tiny tears. We’ll have the LB corp straightened out before the season starts next year.
March 21st, 2012 at 10:31 am
We need to continue our trip through the dark side and get some more fools gold.
Go get em Danny rockstar.
March 21st, 2012 at 10:32 am
We need him, just not at $9m a year.
March 21st, 2012 at 10:32 am
Overpay Lofton already. Wouldnt we all agree with PFT’s take that we overpaid (and rightfully so) Wright, VJax and Nicks?
March 21st, 2012 at 10:33 am
I agree not getting Ryan’s stinks. If Dominik passed up Ryan for that value he is crazy. We need Lofton now more than ever. We still need about 10 quality players and we can’t get them all in the draft.
March 21st, 2012 at 10:33 am
Why would we want to give up a pick for Ryans when we can get Lofton for just cash and still have that pick? I’m glad we didn’t make that move, we shouldn’t be trading any of our picks other than to move down and get extra picks.
March 21st, 2012 at 10:38 am
Sign Lofton already he will do what Nickerson did years ago help mold and demand toughness from these young Bucs… Then trade or cut K2 getting of him will be like getting rid of shockey for Eli, allow Freeman to be his own MAN!!!!
March 21st, 2012 at 10:44 am
The contract numbers for Tulloch will be telling, though. Especially with Drew Rosenhaus as his agent, and Tulloch being the first big-name MLB FA signed. You’d think Schefter or Mortensen would have those numbers (given their sources) out by now…
March 21st, 2012 at 10:47 am
@knucknbuc
Dom maybe offering Quincy Black money, 5yr, $25-$30 mil, but Lofton, from what I hear, is looking for D’Qwell Jackson money, 5yr $45 mil. That’s too much for a guy who likely will be coming off the field in passing situations.
@Everyone upset at Dominick for not getting Ryans
Are you kidding me? Yes the Bucs need more help on the Defensive side of the ball, especially LB, but people need to stop whining about the players we’re not getting. Just about everyone, myself included, wanted the Bucs to go out and bring in Quality Free Agents, and not just guys that will contribute, but guys that will start and are clearly an upgrade over the players we have. The Bucs have done that, but now some people are still upset they the Bucs are not bringing in the players they want.
For all you gripers, why not sharpen your resume skills, get a job as assistant AD at a DIII college, and work your way towards NFL GM. Then once you have the position, you can bring whoever you want to the team, and prove to everyone you’re a brilliant personnel person that will never get “schooled” by another GM.
Until then, to quote the great John Tortorella, “Shut your yap!!”.
March 21st, 2012 at 10:48 am
I don’t see any other teams jumping on him @9 Mil. Atlanta does not want him back at that. Let’s see how if he wants to play in the NFL continue his 9Mil demand.
March 21st, 2012 at 10:50 am
I’m still curious to see how Ryans bounces back from his achilles honestly….
March 21st, 2012 at 10:51 am
Gotta agree T. People fail to realize that there are 31 other teams in this league that make moves as well….
March 21st, 2012 at 10:51 am
^or continue
March 21st, 2012 at 10:56 am
@NJBucsFan
The focus is on MLB because THAT is where a vet is needed. They can draft another OLB in round 2-3 and pick up depth better than what they have with training camp cuts. The experieinced vet, but not too old, needs to be the MLB guy, we saw that last year.
Many of us called for Ruud to go, and I stand by it, but they missed his presence in the middle.
March 21st, 2012 at 10:57 am
Anyone know the terms of Tulloch’s deal? Just curios because it helps set the bar for a Lofton deal
March 21st, 2012 at 10:58 am
We should move down in the draft and take Luke Kuechly. I think he’ll be a good fit and that’s what he is not like mason moving from outside to middle. I’m not say mason can’t do it, But it was a hard change without an offseason and a big leadership role for a rookie. I think we can get a good CB and RB in the 2nd round if we trade down and pick up some extra picks. We might be able to trade down twice and get even more 2nd round picks. Just a thought Mr. Dominik
March 21st, 2012 at 10:59 am
if the lofton deal doesn’t work out, bucs should consider hawthorn, a young, versatile stud who will help anchor the lb crew.then draft a lb in the early rounds.with this new coaching staff, and the year of experience that foster now has, he will be fine….. . if that doesn’t pan out, consider london fletcher. i know he’s older than ronde, but he still has tons in the tank, and is a real leader. these young lbs could learn alot from watching him at work.
March 21st, 2012 at 11:00 am
Ryans was a great ball player prior to his injury. I don’t think he played in double digit games in the past two seasons. He also was only a 1-2 down LB’er due to his inability to cover backs and tight ends. This may and probably will blow up for the Eagles.
March 21st, 2012 at 11:01 am
The Eagles stole Ryans from the Texans. Unbelievable. And they probably used the 4th rounder we traded to move up and take Stocker last year. What a joke. Stocker for DeMeco Ryans. Ugh. Another “rockstar” move.
March 21st, 2012 at 11:01 am
I much rather we overpaid a MLB than a corner. Eric Wright is awful.
March 21st, 2012 at 11:03 am
@ T
No one is going to top this post. Very well done sir.
“@Everyone upset at Dominick for not getting Ryans
Are you kidding me? Yes the Bucs need more help on the Defensive side of the ball, especially LB, but people need to stop whining about the players we’re not getting. Just about everyone, myself included, wanted the Bucs to go out and bring in Quality Free Agents, and not just guys that will contribute, but guys that will start and are clearly an upgrade over the players we have. The Bucs have done that, but now some people are still upset they the Bucs are not bringing in the players they want.
For all you gripers, why not sharpen your resume skills, get a job as assistant AD at a DIII college, and work your way towards NFL GM. Then once you have the position, you can bring whoever you want to the team, and prove to everyone you’re a brilliant personnel person that will never get “schooled” by another GM.
Until then, to quote the great John Tortorella, “Shut your yap!!”.”
Poetic I must say. I liked it and agreed so much I had to repost it.
March 21st, 2012 at 11:07 am
Lets sign this Guy already !!
March 21st, 2012 at 11:11 am
I’m hoping the Bucs land Lofton, he’s young, productive and is great against the run, although he needs to improve against the pass. In any event, I think the Bucs will look to fill MLB and one more secondary spot in free agency before the draft.
March 21st, 2012 at 11:14 am
@Dave…
Where you been bud, we’ve all been waitin for about 12 hours, on Tulloch’s numbers….see posts above.
Little bit of leverage ($$$) has been given back to Lofton, now though.
March 21st, 2012 at 11:15 am
Anyone else like Donta Hightower from Alabama?
March 21st, 2012 at 11:16 am
The picture is of Sean Witherspoon not Lofton, right?
March 21st, 2012 at 11:16 am
I really don’t want Lofton. He’s overpriced and not that good. If we could make a trade, that’d be the way to go. I’d give up a couple of 3rd round picks or even a 2nd depending on how good the linebacker is.
March 21st, 2012 at 11:17 am
So after the biggest spending week in free agency team history ALOT of you are whining and bitching and complaining because they (SO FAR) have not gotten every player you wanted them to get.
Pathetic to say the least.
You do not know what is going on behind the scenes.
You do not know what they are trying to do at MLB.
You do not know what oferes have been made.
You do not know if Tolbert at RB or another CB was offered something.
You do not know if a trade was discussed.
But some of you keep whining and complaining and bitching.
Again……… pathetic.
March 21st, 2012 at 11:23 am
@Nick not in the 1st or top of the second I don’t.
March 21st, 2012 at 11:28 am
It surprises me. We finally, I mean FINALLY go out and spend some money in FA. Even that is not enough. 142 million dollars was just spent a week ago and that doesn’t please our fans.
Basically it sounds like, If we don’t get Lofton our FA was a Bust? Come on man.. I want that Veteran LBer as much as the next one. But the Bucs have made moves this year to help them win. We can’t have EVERY SINGLE THING we want. I would hate to see us Overpay AGAIN on another player. Lofton is not the key to it all. He would be a welcome addition and upgrade, but if not him there will always be another who can fill that spot.
March 21st, 2012 at 11:29 am
We’re running up against the cap now so while I understand the cries for Lofton, it’s a numbers game at this point. If he can come in at 6.5 – 8 million tops then he’ll be here…
If I were Dom I’d pass. Lofton is a two down backer with bad knees. Let’s sign up Hawthorne (4-6 million per year) or take a one year flyer on London Fletcher.
March 21st, 2012 at 11:31 am
@ Nick
I do at the top of the second honestly. but if Zack Brown is there. I want him MORE. Perfect fit out side LBer for a 4-3 would replace Geno.
March 21st, 2012 at 11:32 am
“Many of us called for Ruud to go, and I stand by it, but they missed his presence in the middle.”
Ruud is a joke. His presence anywhere is overrated. He has ZERO interest this free agent period… Wonder why that is?????
March 21st, 2012 at 11:33 am
HUH ? since when were we after Ryans ? some people just make stuff up.
March 21st, 2012 at 11:34 am
Ps- I’m not worried about the safety opposite T Jax. MyLew (when they move him), Cody or Black will emerge this year as the guy.
March 21st, 2012 at 11:35 am
Sign Fletcher, draft a LB this year and we can groom him. Fletcher is still going strong (3 straight pro bowls) and will bring experience to the group. Hardy Nickerson 2.0
March 21st, 2012 at 11:36 am
If someone had told all of us 3 weeks ago that the Bucs really would grab top free agents…that they would land Vincent jackson, Nicks and a good solid CB, no one on here would have believed it. Elite WR????? Probowl LG????? no way. Yet, it happened, and all half of you can do now is bitch that we havent signed a LB…unbelievable.
As for the comment that Wright is horrible….uhh no. He’s no Revis, but he is certainly a solid tier 2 CB in line with Talib and certainly an upgrade from Mack/Lewis/Biggers.
March 21st, 2012 at 11:41 am
I agree Sensiblebuc – Don’t forget Larry Asante, I have a feeling his is the next in line to shine at that spot.
March 21st, 2012 at 11:44 am
@SensibleBuc,
The Bucs are no where near against the cap, $21million under by 3 different sites, as of 2 days ago, not to mention the cuts to come freeing cap space. And I think most Buc fans aren’t necessarily clamoring for ONLY Lofton, Hawthorne might suffice as well. What Bucs fans do understand, is that there are huge positions of need for Bucs–MLB–and some of those needs are not needs that can be met correctly, sufficiently in the Draft, as competent starters next year.
Most Buc fans are simply saying, they know that MLB (Hawthorne, then Tulloch, or Lofton) is a need that Bucs need to pay for, as reasonably as a VETERAN FA will sign. Draft eligible ideas are maybe 2nd round RB, Oline depth, Safety help, maybe an OLB. Not MLB leader. See Mason Foster last year, or the MLB projections in Draft this year, and next year’s class.
March 21st, 2012 at 11:46 am
Asante too! I think we’ve got plenty of potential at the position. No need to make any rash (expensive) moves until we determine that non of them can play.
March 21st, 2012 at 11:50 am
Lofton will more than likely re-sign with the Falcons at a drastically reduced number.
March 21st, 2012 at 11:52 am
@bucbeliever
Im not at a computer to check those #s but ESPN (Clayton/Mort) reported that we only had 14.7 million and to the best of my knowledge we need to carve out room for our draft picks (5th overall alone will make roughly 5 million per year guaranteed).
March 21st, 2012 at 11:54 am
@jb
Even with the Falcons signing Lofa Tatupu? Are they gonna run a 3-4 w/Nolan?
March 21st, 2012 at 12:00 pm
@Bucbeliever
Who would you like to cut? Just wondering…
March 21st, 2012 at 12:12 pm
What we need to do is get rid of this youngry BS and sign one of the best MLBs in the NFL last year, London Fletcher, to a 2yr 15mil, 1yr gauranteed as a player/coach and draft an heir-apparent MLB in the 1st or 2nd round, depending on whether we trade down or not. Then tie the heir-apparent to Fletcher’s hip for the next 2 years.
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. This probably won’t happen because it makes too much sense!
March 21st, 2012 at 12:14 pm
quincy black.
March 21st, 2012 at 12:20 pm
@SensibleBuc,
Given the affordable FA market and last year’s performance (lackluster coaching included), I would cut Quincy Black, Adam Heyward, Arrelious Benn, Myron Lewis, Sammie Stroughter, EJ Biggers, Jeremy Trueblood…and minus a trade value being reasonable, Winslow also, given his large cap number.
Those would clear a healthy portion of cap room, and RT’s are reasonable, more veteran and dependable than Trueblood, more speed at WR, and droves of TE’s still exist at cheaper than Winslow, and improve ease with Freeman relationship. LB is replaceable affordably, better performance, and Draft.
March 21st, 2012 at 12:23 pm
LB affordable, other than MLB…a needed veteran leader purchase, good decisionmaker.
March 21st, 2012 at 12:37 pm
You guys who think they aren’t looking for a MLB are so funny. I’ll bet Dom and Schiano are going “Let’s see…are we forgetting anything……?” I’ve heard of Monday morning QB’s and coaches but now we’ve added GM into the mix and you don’t even want to wait until Monday! Now it’s bitch before anything is done. Typical….
March 21st, 2012 at 12:46 pm
Great post Dave!
March 21st, 2012 at 12:55 pm
ESPN reporting Sean Peyton out for 1 year and second round picks lost this year and next
March 21st, 2012 at 2:52 pm
@bucbelevr
I asked because I saw someone post (elsewhere) that it was 7-7.5 mil per year. I was wondering if that was confirmed.
If it is that then I would think Lofton would be expecting the same or a touch more, and unfortunately, if that is the case, I do not see him signing.
I see the Bucs trying to get him for under 7 mil per year.
Someone mentioned the Bucs at 14-15 under the cap. Was that before or after Faine being cut?
PLUS keep in mind that ALL the rookies are only going to account for about 8 million TOTAL… AT MOST. This is going by the fact that the Rams cap numbers were 7.569 million for all their rookies in 2010 and it was the highest in the league.
Due to that, I would say they are still in good shape.
March 21st, 2012 at 3:25 pm
Tulloch is rated higher than Lofton so how can Lofton demand more money? I would think he would be happy to get close to what Tulloch got. I would much rather have had Tulloch than Lofton. Tulloch can actually defend a pass.
March 21st, 2012 at 4:19 pm
Trade Quincy Black to Raheem or to Marinelli in Chicago (could happen….he did trade for Gaines right?)