Not Buying LeGarrette Blount Trade Talk
October 29th, 2012
One reason the NFL pushed back the trade deadline for two weeks — the trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. — was to, indirectly, create buzz among fans.
Just take a look at the number of articles and traffic to specific-sports related sites like MLB and NHL when the trade deadline nears each year. That is just the opposite in the NFL largely because and early trade deadline few teams were willing to move players.
There are far more trades just before or during the draft each year than there are at the trade deadline.
Joe thinks that may change this year. What seems to have changed is the amount of trade chatter — at least on NFL-related sites and on sports radio — that has amped up recently.
Some of it has to do with Bucs running back LeGarrette Blount. While there are no specifics that teams have asked Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik for Blount’s services, CBSSports.com’s Jason LaCanfora says within the NFL’s inner circles Blount is expected to be traded by some.
Overall, there has been little trade chatter, even for role players, general managers said. “I haven’t heard a thing,” said one GM who has been a willing deal-maker in the past. “It’s crazy.” Said another aggressive GM: “I haven’t heard a thing, honestly.”
However, several of those same execs said they would not be surprised if little-used back-up running back LeGarrette Blount of the Bucs was dealt by 4 p.m. Tuesday.
As Joe stated recently, he doubts Blount is dealt unless someone really knocks the socks off of Dominik.
The way running back Doug Martin is used heavily, there is always the chance of him going down with an injury, God forbid. Without Blount on the roster, who does Bucs coach Greg Schiano turn to, D.J. Ware?
No, Joe’s not holding his breath that Blount will be dealt.
October 29th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
if he gets traded Dominick had better get one hell of a deal
October 29th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Its a 50/50 chance. what they really need to do is give him some more freakin carries during a game. its a shame that a player that talented and one of my favorite bucs has been so underutilized. I know you can agree with that Joe.
October 29th, 2012 at 1:31 pm
if i were a team looking for an in-season upgrade, i would be inquiring about far headier RBs with more versatility and vision such as stephen jackson, deangelo williams, or one of the saints’ RBs. they all have a stronger track record, better vision, and are proven pass protectors. blount is very good but a large part of his issue has been struggling to pick up playbooks – i don’t see him being able to give a team a big boost in-season.
October 29th, 2012 at 1:33 pm
*didn’t finish a sentence above, meant to type “blount is very good _at some things_”
October 29th, 2012 at 1:35 pm
I would trade Blount in a heartbeat. He is a free agent after this season and will probably walk anyway. Better to get something for him now.
October 29th, 2012 at 1:43 pm
In other news Jared Cook of the Titans (a good guy/former teammate of mine) is requesting a trade. Make this happen Dom!
October 29th, 2012 at 1:52 pm
@rhenry – exactly.
It’s clear Blount is not in our plans and probably very little chance he is re-signed. Even if we want him, there will be another foolish team willing to give him starter money. He cost us nothing so this is a classic case of buy low and sell high. Martin is our RB, Ware is our backup and Smith and Madu are developmental.
I’m expecting him to be traded. Whether that actually happens is anyone’s guess. He will not be with the Bucs next year – someone will overpay to give him a starters role.
October 29th, 2012 at 2:09 pm
Cook is a great TE I really thought this was going to be a breakout year for him. I can’t figure out if its our system or lack of confidence in our TEs but TE is not a big part of the offense so far. Trades never seem to happen in the NFL but if it does CB would appear to be the biggest priority with Wright’s suspension coming soon.
October 29th, 2012 at 2:23 pm
They would get thin without him, BUT if they are offered decent DE or a 3rd round pick or higher…. I’d take it.
October 29th, 2012 at 2:24 pm
I keep thinking they need to get him more carries in the econd half, but the last few weeks he had 8 or so and did absolutely nothing with it.
October 29th, 2012 at 2:26 pm
rhenry,
Blount is not an unrestricted free agent next year. He will be a restricted free agent meaning if the Bucs place a tender on him, any team interested in him will have to surrender a pick comensurate with the tender. I don’t think they would use a 1st round tender as they did with Bennett last year, but it could be a 2 or a 3. Point being, he is not free to walk without compensation.
October 29th, 2012 at 2:28 pm
The Bucs should consider trading Blount and possibly a later round draft pick for a really good young shutdown corner. Send Blount and a 6th round pick to the Cowboys for CB Mike Jenkins.
October 29th, 2012 at 2:34 pm
With Javon Ringer placed on IR the Titans have very weak RB depth now, so maybe they’d take Blount plus a draft pick for Jared Cook. The Bucs could release Noble and/or Byham and be left with a TE group of Clark, Stocker & Cook. Now that would be a nice group and we’d no longer have to worry about drafting a TE next year, freeing up a draft slot for another position. Plus, Blount already played briefly for the Titans so they know what they’re getting.
Not that this is going to happen, but the pieces seem to fit and the needs of the Bucs & Titans also match. Only problem is the Titans gave up a second round pick for the right to move up to draft Cook so they have a lot invested in him. It would probably take Blount plus at least a mid-round pick to get a trade done, assuming the Titans are even interested in acting on his trade request.
October 29th, 2012 at 2:36 pm
@Capt. Jean Lafitte
You mentioned “really good young shutdown corner” and “Mike Jenkins” in the same breath. Those two things are not related. Jenkins is nothing special, much less a shutdown corner.
October 29th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
@FLBoyInDallas
Not yet, but he has great potential, he is as talented as Talib who is not considered elite and has been in the NFL for awhile, anyone who watched him play for USF knows what I’m talking about. Plus when the Cowboys drafted Morris Claiborne they shelved Jenkins for spot duty which is has somewhat hampered his development. And let’s face it, Blounts on the radar for trade but he’s not elite enough to garner high compensation. We need a CB, not a TE. Clark, Stocker, and Noble are completely capable of filling the necessary role in Sullivan’s offense.
October 29th, 2012 at 4:08 pm
People expecting an 80 catch season out of a TE are not going to get it. This is a run first offense with V Jax and Mike Williams as the two main receivers. TE is not close to the need some people are making it out to be, if its a need at all. CB’s and RT are the biggest needs I see.
October 29th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
Joe what’s with the stab at ware? He has done everything asked of him and seems to always fight to get the first down. I’m not saying he’s great but he has played his role exceptionally well.
October 29th, 2012 at 4:40 pm
The Bucs will not place a very high tender on him because if no one picks him up they will have to pay him. With Martin, Smith and Ware on staff I think they might just seriously shop him out. I hope it’s won’t be someone we have to face next year during the regular season. There are teams out there that remember the highlight reels from 2010 and 2011 and will be will to give him a legitimate shot. Do the kid a favor and let him go play ball!
October 29th, 2012 at 5:03 pm
LGB is a momentum back that needs many carries to break a long run, problem is that in order to do that we would need to take those carries from Dougie. Thats minor addition by major subtraction, that doesnt work. All that Blounts doing now is essentially just producing an automatic loss of a down for no yardage every time he touches the ball. Also i would say that you cant really claim he has overcome his fumbling woes on the count that he hasnt touched the ball enough to actually conclude that. If we get offered the opportunity to trade for a CB we should do it.
October 29th, 2012 at 6:24 pm
We keep him unless its a 2nd round pick or higher ill take a 3rd round with a great punt returner!
October 29th, 2012 at 6:28 pm
Jason LaCanfora was also the one who thought and all fingers pointed to Sherman being ournext HC from what “his sources” were telling him…..I wouldnt listen to anything he reports cause it has no substance
October 29th, 2012 at 6:32 pm
I’d like to see him go to a team outside the division who will actually (gasp) give him the ball, so that I can watch him play, which is very enjoyable.
October 29th, 2012 at 10:33 pm
@Oahu: Amen.
October 30th, 2012 at 8:47 am
D.martin, M.smith, Dj.ware sounds good too me..