Roger Goodell Helps Out Bucs
March 12th, 2012
With 24 hours to go until the gun sounds starting the NFL free agent dash, Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik, who has all but said he will go free agent shopping this year, which pleases the fantasy football crowd to no end, got some good news via NFL warden commissioner Roger Goodell.
The rumors are flying about all sorts of Bucs transactions, namely wide receiver Vincent Jackson. The word on the street was that the Redskins were going to spend whatever it took to land Jackson, which of course would drive up the price for the Bucs.
Also today, Woody Cummings of The Tampa Tribune spoke with Joe’s good friend Justin Pawlowski of WQYK-AM 1010 saying Dominik is interested in Dallass back up tight end Martellus Bennett, brother of Bucs defensive end Michael Bennett.
But, as Cummings notes, Dallass owner Jerry Jones, like Redskins owner Danny Snyder, never met a check he wouldn’t sign for a player, so acquiring Bennett could be costly.
Not any more. Joe’s not sure of the exact rule because salary cap caca bores the hell out of him; Goodell told Jones and Snyder not to spend a boat load of cash last year prior to the asinine lockout. But they did. So Goodell has slapped the Redskins and Cowboys $38 million and $10 million in salary cap space, respectively.
So don’t expect Jones to make a run at their backup tight end. And now Snyder and Bruce Almighty won’t have the cash to get into a bidding war with Jackson.
Somewhere, Joe can picture Dominik leaning back in his leather office chair, wingtip shoes propped up on his desk, cigar lit and sipping on a glass of cognac with a wide smile on his face.
March 12th, 2012 at 4:04 pm
I don’t care. I’m still trying to grasp why they want Lumpkin back.
The thought of signing V-Jack just seems so far beyond that…
March 12th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
and the play clock sits at 23 Hrs 51 Mins
March 12th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
Big news in our pursuit of top FA CBs. Thank you Haynesworth and Goodell!
March 12th, 2012 at 4:11 pm
Bobby … Relax about Lumpkin dude ..
Did the Bucs offer Lumpkin a contract ???
and who told the story
Lumpkin’s agent, Hadley Engelhard, said the Bucs have expressed a desire to retain Lumpkin but decided against tendering him. Engelhard said Lumpkin will test the market but hopes to remain in Tampa.
… Oh yeah … Lumpkins agent. OK
March 12th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
Report: Jeff Faine to be released on Tuesday according to Pat Yasinskas via. Stephen Holder
March 12th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
this could bring the price on v jax down quite a bit, without daniel snyder’s over negotiating being a hindrance. potential great news here. great news. plus we get an extra 1.6 in cap space. now lets see if they actually spend some of it. seeing is believing dominick and perception is reality. change my perception tomorrow
March 12th, 2012 at 4:20 pm
Brandon Carr was coveted by Jerry Jones. Maybe not so much any longer. 🙂
March 12th, 2012 at 4:21 pm
I’m hoping Dom waits until he lands at least one key free agent before lighting the cigar and sipping the cognac, but this is great news for the Bucs.
Let’s go Dom; V-Jax, Nicks, Finnegan and Lofton. Make it happen.
March 12th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
Dont forget Tolbert !!
March 12th, 2012 at 4:23 pm
“So you’re sayin there’s a chance?”…lol, Dumb and Dumber fans! Chance to acquire VJax, and Martellus Bennett like this Buc fan was screechin for the past couple days. Like that idea Dominik, then eventually we need to rid our selves of the motorbike riding cripple-to-be Winslow Jr. sometime. Hopefully, we nail Tulloch down too, he doesn’t seem as much of a talker as Lofton…
March 12th, 2012 at 4:23 pm
They can spread the hit out over the 2012 and 2013 seasons however they like, but I still can’t see the Redskins being able to aggressively court VJax, nor can I see the Cowboys being the recruiters they wanted to be with guys like Cortland Finnegan.
That just means we have to get past Chicago for VJax – provided of course Schiano and company want him, and the Glazers are willing to pay for him.
March 12th, 2012 at 4:24 pm
This goes to show how much of this hype is nothing but speculation. Redskins knew this was coming. Yet they were about to “Break the bank” on V-Jax.
All Agent hype and media speculation put out like insider info.
March 12th, 2012 at 4:28 pm
@bucbelevr
Don’t think I’ve seen Harry and Lloyd anywhere on here
March 12th, 2012 at 4:28 pm
I just love watching all the teams that I hate the most squirm. The Saints, Skins, Raiders, and Cowboys have been playing the league for fools for so long and it’s finally caught up tp them. The Raiders, Cowboys, and Skins singlehandedly set the league on it’s head by signing players to ridiculous contracts and forcing everybody else to try to keep up. Thank goodness we’ll have at least one year when they don’t set the market in a boneheaded way.
March 12th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
Lol @ the Redskins and Cowgirls. They FAIL
March 12th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
<———- " nice set of hooters you got there "
March 12th, 2012 at 4:34 pm
signed: harry
March 12th, 2012 at 4:38 pm
Remember. Dom is not Josh Freeman. When Dom gets ready to throw the pass at the Free Agents he wants ,He’s not going to telegraph it ahead of time.
March 12th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
Can we agree now that Bruce Allen is one of the biggest douche bags in the NFL?
March 12th, 2012 at 4:49 pm
@Patrick…there’s hope for me yet. What a movie that was.
@BucFan20….I agree. Even though frustrating, for us fans to have fodder to read about, think Dom does have that cold, calculating style not to telegraph what he and Bucs might target/spend…if.
Could you all imagine, if somehow and yes, expensive…if the Bucs had the OLine of Penn (LT), Nicks (LG), Zuttah (C), Joseph (RG), draft a 3rd round RT, maybe Max Starks (RT) on the cheap(er). That would be such a young, stud, tough line to either run behind, pass protect for so many years to come…
March 12th, 2012 at 4:51 pm
I was wondering how the Redskins were under the cap because I thought there were rumors they might get a penalty for being….. the word moronic comes to mind
March 12th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Good catch Jvato on Tolbert, would love to see him in Pewter paired up with Blount.
March 12th, 2012 at 5:08 pm
Well…this changes my predictions slightly…
March 12th, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Imagine Blount, Tolbert, and LaMichael James!!
I would love to get Marcellus Bennett! He looks really good!!
March 12th, 2012 at 5:28 pm
Joe, I have never ever seen Mark Dominick Smile.
If you have any pull with the Bucs Public Relations people, a picture of a smiling Mark Dominick would be great.
And, one of Mark throwing Darts at a pic of Bruce Almighty would be well ….. Priceless!
March 12th, 2012 at 5:29 pm
If the Jeff Faine release is happening, people are assuming it is because of Nicks. Now that the Skins and Cowboys are out of the running, it is possible.
But another scenario could be a Cortland Finnegan, Vincent Jackson & Stephen Tulloch package deal. Something like that WOULD make sense.
Now if Dominick manages the package deal AND gets Nicks…I would say Rockstar earned his nickname.
March 12th, 2012 at 5:32 pm
If Dom signs a few of the free agents we’ve talked about here- I’ll join him with that Cigar and Cognac- and I’ll toast his good planning, and good health!
And then, having seen the commitment from the team- that’s been missing for SOOO long!- I will be back on board as The optimistic fan again.
Signing V- Jackson will give us a dangerous collection of WRs. 3 or 4 deep, we can hurt teams
Great to get him!!
We need defensive guys badly. Can’t forget those!
March 12th, 2012 at 5:39 pm
separate subject….do you all have that ThaiLoveLinks Banner ad on the left?!?!? My gooodness, that one in the middle….
Joe has an all-star marketing team!!!!
March 12th, 2012 at 5:46 pm
Hey, Kevin Boss TE just released from Raiders. Wasn’t he a stud for Eli and the Giants just 2 years ago?? And being released, Bucs could sign him NOW, not tomorrow if so inclined.
March 12th, 2012 at 5:48 pm
Wingtips….is Joes pop…a writer here too…..wingtips….I have always pegged Dominck in weejuns…..thanks for the laugh…
March 12th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
Can some1 please explain 2 me, how r available cap space goes from $60+ mil, down 2 $42 mil? We lost 1/3 of our cap space 2 contact adjustments? $20 mil disappears with no mention of huge contact extensions?
March 12th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
Cards cut OT Levi Brown!
March 12th, 2012 at 6:09 pm
@TPCMatt
Extensions, draft budget and a lowered salary cap announced Sunday.
March 12th, 2012 at 6:32 pm
Also TPC, escalators. Freemans salary goes up for hitting certain requirements. His actually went up, and I know it might notbe completely accurate, but I want to say to about $7-8 million. Same for a lot of players on the team. Those $1-3 million raises add up. Except for Talib. He spent $2.6 on slapping a cabbie.
March 12th, 2012 at 6:46 pm
I think Dom is more likely to have his virginia slim while sipping on his wine c
March 12th, 2012 at 6:51 pm
I think Dom is more likely to have his virginia slim while sipping on his wine cooler listening to his nsync cd.
Just think, with Dallas and Washington neutralized with cap penalties Rockhead should have plenty more money to throw at the likes of Mike Clayton and Derrick Ward and Byron Leftwich, heck maybe he will just gratuitiously stuff more money in Quincy Black’s pockets.
I wonder how many wine coolers he had celebrating the Clayton and Black Contracts.
March 12th, 2012 at 6:51 pm
Cigar and Cognac is a little too fancy for Tampa, here it should be more like “as Mark Dominik kicks back with his bare feet and overalls while chugging a Natural Light Pounder and power smoking a Winston NoBull.” That Tampa style.
March 12th, 2012 at 7:00 pm
Eric Winston cut by the Texans. Gotta love the salary cap.
March 12th, 2012 at 7:01 pm
Appreciate the info guys. I would have never thought of escalators, or draft budget. Still seems ridiculous 2 lose 1/3 of ur projected cap space. With $60mil in cap space, it seemed like we would sign atleast 1 big name FA. Who knows now. I just want 2 b able 2 watch the games again. It was so bad last year, it became difficult 2 watch.
March 12th, 2012 at 7:07 pm
With all today’s happenings- I think it’s far to say Dom is “on the pot”
Time to sh^%, or get off it , Dom
No excuses, No ” second tier” FAs, no long snappers.
Go sign some talent, and get this team competitive!
March 12th, 2012 at 7:10 pm
I could keep going with some of these, “as Mark Dominik kicks back with his Nike Monarchs on his desk, his Member’s Only Jacket keeping him warm, and Riunite on ice making him feel so nice, while puffing on a Misty.”
March 12th, 2012 at 7:11 pm
“As Mark Dominik kicks back in his Ed Hardy jeans, flip flops, sporting a Tapout shirt, he crushes a Miller High Life can on his head while smoking blounts.”
March 12th, 2012 at 7:16 pm
“Dominik leaning back in his leather office chair, wingtip shoes propped up on his desk, cigar lit and sipping on a glass of cognac with a wide smile on his face. While Peter King slurps coffee, loves oatmeal, munches popcorn, and chugs beer.”
March 12th, 2012 at 7:32 pm
Kevin Boss might be a good addition especially since he knows Sullivan
March 12th, 2012 at 7:35 pm
When are players allowed to be contacted for FA????
March 12th, 2012 at 7:49 pm
anyone know specifically, what cap hit might be if we cut Winslow Jr loose, in place of Boss?? younger, healthier…ex-Giant.
March 12th, 2012 at 7:55 pm
Eric Winston, who may be the best RT in the NFL just got released from the Texans. This might be the time to fix our O-line for the next 5-7 years. We may need to rethink V-Jax and go for some of these high-value FAs that might not come around again for a while!
March 12th, 2012 at 7:57 pm
Why does everyone want to get rid of Winslow. In a year when our offense was inept at best he managed 75 rec and 763 yds. He might be a jerk, but you don’t cut him.
March 12th, 2012 at 8:03 pm
You definately don’t cut Winslow in lieu of Kevin “I run as fast as paint dries” Boss and Martellus “I seriously have nude photos on the internet” Bennett. Ok Bennetts nude photo thing wasn’t really his doing, but he isn’t anywhere near Winslow talanet wise.
March 12th, 2012 at 8:16 pm
Golden opportunity to catch up or at least close the gap with Atlanta and NO. They are handcuffed and we have plenty of $.
And some very good players available at positions we have dire need.
Please don’t blow it.
March 12th, 2012 at 8:17 pm
Winslow couldn’t block air, and Bennett is a versatile TE that also adds a much needed size element to the receiving corp. Would look to trade Winslow before cutting him though, as he still has a little left in the tank and some value to teams.
March 12th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
Between J 2.0’s Larry the Cable Guy routine, and J.20’s short memory on everyone panning the Bucs for overpaying in the trade for Winslow and susequent contract, his number of knee surgeries again and again, AND the projection of TE production for years to come, we’re all set.
March 12th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
Bennett would be nice for 2 TE formations. We need to keep Winslow as a receiving TE. Bennett has never had more than 33 catches in his best year. He had 17 last year. Plus Winslow is battle-tested because he’s “a f***ng soldier.”
March 12th, 2012 at 8:27 pm
Winslow could actually bring a 1st round pick in a trade…at least I think so.
But getting rid of him would be a huge mistake otherwise.
March 12th, 2012 at 8:30 pm
@Teacherman777,
Sounds good, taking LaMichael James as speedy complement scatback in say 3rd round, would be great addition…
March 12th, 2012 at 8:31 pm
BRUCE ALLEN:
“The Washington Redskins have received no written documentation from the NFL concerning adjustments to the team salary cap in 2012 as reported in various media outlets. Every contract entered into by the club during the applicable periods complied with the 2010 and 2011 collective bargaining agreements and, in fact, were approved by the NFL commissioner’s office. We look forward to free agency, the draft and the coming football season.”
March 12th, 2012 at 8:52 pm
OKay, I got spammed again, but I had a link in it. So here goes:
1) Skins board has fans saying John Mara (division rival) led the committee that handed down the penalty.
2) Skins board has a link to a chart that shows other teams also did this…and the Saints are listed as one of the teams.
3) Skins board has info that the Redskins are ignoring the penalty heading into free agency, because no written notice was sent.
4) One of the other teams that did it are the Kansas City Chiefs with Tyson Jackson. Over $17 mil in 2010, less than $2 mill last year. Obvious violation. If the NFL does not hand out more penalties, a judge may block them.
5) And then there is the NFLPA. Apparently they agreed to the Cowboys & Skins penalties…but it’s unlikely they would agree with the others.
March 12th, 2012 at 8:54 pm
@Pete, being that the Bucs only gave up a 2RD & 5RD pick for Winslow, doubt they’d be able to get a 1st for him 3 years later. With Bennett, Stocker, Coffman, etc., don’t think moving him while he still has value would be as big of a mistake as some think. All comes down to what kind of offense Sullivan intends to implement.
March 12th, 2012 at 8:58 pm
You never know, FlBoy84. Dominick got a 2nd for Gaines Adams, who never did anything at all.
March 12th, 2012 at 9:03 pm
Not that i care cause it helps the bucs, but isnt the commish imposing a de-facto cap in an uncapped year?
Sounds like a license for back door collusion.
Kinda strange IMO.
But if we get Jackson its a great thing. Schiano said he wanted to take chances with the deep pass. Dom wants to help five. Here is a man who can do it.
March 12th, 2012 at 9:12 pm
This is definitely the year where we have to land some of these free agents. Everything is set up so perfectly for us (great free agents available at positions of need, lots of cap space, new coaching staff, etc.) to nab several big time players. If we don’t, it either means we don’t care about winning, our GM is incapable, or both. By Dominik saying we would be players in free agency, he’s in a spot now where he has to deliver, and not by bringing in 2nd and 3rd tier guys. He has planted the seed, so he has to follow through. All I know is tomorrow I am going to be glued to this site and NFL Network for all the news. This is the most exciting free agency I can remember, so I’m really hoping I won’t be disappointed.
March 12th, 2012 at 9:15 pm
Pete
There’s not a world in this universe where Winslow is worth a 1st round pick. I see no reason to get rid of him at this point, but he’s not even a top 10 TE from what I saw this last year. He’s no better than the 3rd best TE in our own division.
March 12th, 2012 at 9:16 pm
@Hawaiian Buc
Technically, by Dom saying we would be players in FA, it could mean mid-tier free agents just as easily. That’s the truth of the matter.
In the past, even in the Allen years, fans were freaking out during the first week of free agency because the Bucs have rarely spent during that time. I think Faine was the last one.
March 12th, 2012 at 9:18 pm
Let me add…I really hope this year they spend.
@gotbbucs
Compare his yards to other tightends.
March 12th, 2012 at 10:08 pm
I still think we should get Mario Williams! The giants are stock piled with DE’s to we need players to get the quarterback..
March 12th, 2012 at 10:25 pm
Mario is going to the bears.
March 12th, 2012 at 11:20 pm
Perfect world is obviously Nicks, Jackson, Finnegan and Tulloch. That to me is unrealistic. I will be happy with 3 of 4, satisfied with 2 of 4, disappointed with 1 of 4 and angry with 0 of 4.
March 12th, 2012 at 11:46 pm
@ Pete
I don’t need to look at his yards, I watched him play. Like I said, I wouldn’t get rid of him this year, but he’s not worth a 1st round pick. I think he can rebound if they get someone who can get behind the defense consistently.
March 13th, 2012 at 1:32 am
@Pete,
Yeah, I know he could have meant mid-level free agents. However, I think he is smart enough to know that is not what the fans want (at least I hope he is smart enough), so if you are going to say it, you better sign a couple top-tier. But with this team, you never know. I have gone with the idea of drafting well and getting mid-level free agents, but it’s been getting ridiculous how we’ve avoided big name players. I just want the organization to instill some faith in me that they want to win.
March 13th, 2012 at 10:36 am
Amen to that Mr. Hawaiian.