Mark Dominik Content… For Now
May 16th, 2012
- Partially due to the play of Michael Bennett, Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik is not in a rush to replace the fallen Da’Quan Bowers.
Last week when Bucs defensive end Da’Quan Bowers blew out his Achilles tendon in his right leg, which appears to be a season-ending injury it was a bad hit for the depth of a yet unproven Bucs defensive line.
New Bucs coach referred to Bowers’ injury as “a great loss.”
That, however, didn’t put Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik into panic mode. Dominik said yesterday at the Bucs OTA that he is willing to see how his current troops hold up before he does anything rash in trying to replace the void left by Bowers’ injury, so documents cool cat Scott Purks of CBSSports.com.
“Right now, I think we’re trying to evaluate these men that we have here for a little bit before we feel like we have to [look for a free agent replacement].”
This is the smart thing to do. As Pat Kirwan said yesterday on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Dominik can always workout free agent defensive ends at One Buc Palace and tell their agents to not sign a deal anywhere before they call Dominik.
Though word out of Gotham suggests stud, versatile Giants defensive lineman Osi Umenyiora can be had for a third round pick, and while Joe would love to have him on the Bucs roster, Umenyiora is in his contract year, is barking for big money, and has a gimpy knee.
So a trade for Umenyiora would likely mean little more than a rent-a-player. Let’s see how George Johnson pans out before Dominik has to push the panic button.
It’s still possible that the Bucs could survive a season without Bowers.
May 16th, 2012 at 10:06 am
No way to Umeniora … He doesnt tackle and will never be a BUC .. Players to look into are former 1st round picks Derrick Morgan and Brandon Graham .. Both LE prospects out of college that play the Run and have some pass rush but havent quite produced in most case to injury.
Atleast worth investigating if depth pushes them back come training camp.
May 16th, 2012 at 10:15 am
Both Morgan and Graham are under contract. Both tore ACL’s in the past two years…that doesn’t mean their respective teams are ready to give up on them. That would be like us giving up on Bowers next year before we could really see what he could do.
With that said the Eagles do have quite a few DE’s on the roster so we could see a decent guy get released.
I am going to join the band wagon for Andre Carter. This guy’s work ethic is what the bucs need in their locker room. Offer a one year deal and you can release him if he doesn’t pan out. Another option is Matt Roth; he could give some added versatility with 3-4 OLB experience as well. Eitherway I think the bucs should give George Johnson every opportunity but I’m all for competition.
May 16th, 2012 at 10:18 am
I also say no to Osi. This statement has all but assured we will be getting a healthy dose of George Johnson or a guy from the Iggles scrap heap. As long as it isn’t Philip Hunt, I think I am OK with that.
May 16th, 2012 at 10:26 am
Bennett is a starting caliber LDE in the NFL and should only get better from last year. He was one of the top DE against the run in the league and should improve on his pass rush with a full off season and second year getting starter reps. George Johnson led the team in sacks last pre season so why not give him a shot to be the first de off the bench. My only concern is if we lose another DE for any length of time, then we will be left with scraps on the free agent market. Why not go out and get Carter or Roth while they are still available, not like they would cost that much.
May 16th, 2012 at 10:49 am
Regardless if Mike BEnnett is a probowler .. It is becoming clear .. It is best to have 2 STarters at each position on DL … too many injuries and Mike Bennett has missed a few games each season so far.
May 16th, 2012 at 11:19 am
We need to bring in someone for depth, if anything.
We can not arrogantly ignore the lack of depth presented by Bower’s injury.
We are a few mere D-Line injuries away from having to resign: Fat Albert Hayneswurf.
Andre Carter would be a great fit, saavy, hard-working, and a class act.
Osi is an interesting prospect, but he Tweets more than GMC, and his Tweets SUCK.
May 16th, 2012 at 11:32 am
I agree, depth..depth..depth.. Michael Bennet can play the position, but one wrong twist on the turf and we are in panic mode. Haven’t even made it to the preseason, and our D-Line has been known for being gimpy. Osi would be a good addition on paper, but the guy sure does whine a lot. With all the youth on this defense, it would be hard to see the New Schiano World Order accepting a whiny over-priced veteran. They brought guys in with strong work ethic to teach the younger guys, I think Osi would contradict what they are trying to do. The only way that Osi would work is if they had a reasonable deal in place before the trade took place, where both parties were happy.
That said, I would rather get a couple of Rutgers castaways to provide more depth at the position!
May 16th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
I think it’s stupid to wait. Get someone in Here now to learn and grow with the line. I think it wreckless to wait. This injury happened early enough to bring someone in to gel with the team now. Their all learning new terminology and installing a new defense. Why not bring a guy in so their not behind.
May 16th, 2012 at 12:52 pm
The secret is to not to dwell on what you know, but to investigate what you do not know. There is a difference between unobserved and un-observable.
May 16th, 2012 at 10:08 pm
George Johnson has been impressive and in development to be in the DE rotation. Yes they need depth, but people seem to forget, Bennet was the starter, not Bowers.
Like many others, I believed Bowers would end up being the starter within the year sometime, but they do have their starters.
What they need is a little depth and at this point they are better off waiting for some cuts in training camp to pick someone up