Bucs And Sean Smith’s Reps Talk
March 9th, 2013
Joe has stated this before and will type it again: if Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik pulled a Bill Walsh and drafted four cornerbacks in next month’s draft, Joe wouldn’t sleep.
Needing cornerbacks in the worst way, Dominik already has made preliminary communications with the reps of Dolphins cornerback Sean Smith, so documents Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.
@RCummingsTBO: The Bucs have made contact with the agent for CB Sean Smith but there have been no substantive talks. Yet
“Yet” is the key word here. Joe has a hunch Dominik had already reached out to several agents for cornerbacks. If the Bucs sign two free agent corners and draft two corners before an OTA is held, then they will have improved dramatically over the schlap that was trotted out there last year masquerading as NFL cornerbacks.
UPDATE: Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports Twittered the Bucs are one of three teams who are likely to land Smith.
@JasonColeYahoo: Leading candidates for CB Sean Smith, as if this moment, appear to be Tampa Bay, Arizona and Pats. But things are fluid.
March 9th, 2013 at 5:53 pm
Not defending the “schlap” from last year, but those guys performed better than prior games with a bit of coaching from Schiano instead of Cooper in the final game against Atlanta. Hopefully Oden can bring a bit more out of the guys that are holdovers from the 2012 squad (if any).
March 9th, 2013 at 5:56 pm
Close like Seabiscut Mark!
March 9th, 2013 at 6:02 pm
We really have no choice but to overpay again for even an above averge CB. Every agent representing defensive backs knows what kind of trouble we’re in back there. I’ll feel good if we go into the draft having signed one of the “best” corners in this class and then probably another veteran to a reasonable one or two year deal, maybe a Quentin Jammer or Sheldon Brown type.
March 9th, 2013 at 6:05 pm
…..and i think we get Nnamdi Asomugha relatively cheap. just a feeling
March 9th, 2013 at 6:10 pm
I don’t think Schiano will have any interest in Asomugha. Not exactly the kind of CB to stick his neck in there in run support.
March 9th, 2013 at 6:37 pm
Nnamdi is not a free agent YET
March 9th, 2013 at 6:42 pm
Bucs defensive backfield 2013
CB – Sean Smith from fins
FS – Adrian Wilson from Cards
SS – Mark Baron
CB – Xavier Rhodes
Nickel – Ronde Barber
CB – Leonard Johnson
CB – Robert Alford (can also return kicks) or Darius Slay from MSU
S – Ahmad Black
March 9th, 2013 at 7:09 pm
Hmmm. wonder who’ll have to overpay? The Bucs or Cards?
New England leads by default.
March 9th, 2013 at 7:35 pm
@ Rrsrq
Instead of Wilson i rather have Woodson if you’re going for a cheap vet.
March 9th, 2013 at 7:55 pm
Leonard Johnson already has the same amount of Int’s as Smith’s career total. Almost in one game. Draft The Honey Badger.
March 9th, 2013 at 7:57 pm
Let’s get Smith, Cox and Gamble. Then they would not NEED to get one in the draft and address other positions.
March 9th, 2013 at 7:58 pm
@Rrsrq. ……I believe Adrian Wilson is a huge SS….need a FS that can play like a CB
March 9th, 2013 at 8:05 pm
He isn’t a need. He’s not going in the first two rounds. He is a playmaker. Of course get what you can in free agency but you need to draft and develop two corners
March 9th, 2013 at 8:10 pm
” 7. Sean Smith
2012 Grade: -3.6
2012 Snaps: 1,068
Summary: Another player with some major consistency problems (are we sensing a trend?), Smith is capable of both great games and awful ones, and his season performance graph looks like a rollercoaster ride. His performances ranged from not allowing a single catch against the Jets in Week 3 despite eight targets to being beaten every time he was targeted in Week 12 against the Seahawks for 72 yards and a score.
Smith brings size (6-foot-4) and the ability to be physical and aggressive, which the Seahawks have just shown the league really can work as a coverage scheme. It’s a copycat league, and there really aren’t many corners of that size and speed around. Smith is one, and might just garner some real interest for that reason as much as his play.”
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/02/22/ranking-the-2013-free-agents-cornerbacks-2/
Makes me think of Xavier Rhodes in the draft.
March 9th, 2013 at 8:22 pm
Thanks guys on A. Wilson, I just think he is hungrier having tasted the SB
March 9th, 2013 at 8:31 pm
I really like the depth at CB in free agency and think the Bucs can get three starters which would be instant upgrades to what they’ve had. I think it’s going to be a risk to just grab one FA CB and rely on a rookie (outside of Milliner) to come in and be a quality starter off the bat. Of course this depends on what they plan on doing with Eric “the wrong” Wright and what they really think of Johnson, Gaitor, Gorrer and Lewis’ capabilities under the right coaching.
I think a OT, DT, DE or TE would all be great 1st round picks for the Bucs (depending on what they do with Bennett, Miller and any available FA TEs).
Open up the draft to taking the best available player and we’re looking at quite foundation for years to come.
Go Bucs!
March 9th, 2013 at 8:55 pm
“Makes me think of Xavier Rhodes in the draft.” Apologies for quoting myself. Anther name, one that might be there after running not so great (though I doubt it) at 43–Johnathan Banks.
March 9th, 2013 at 9:05 pm
I like Trufaunt. He has the talent and the pedigree.
March 9th, 2013 at 9:07 pm
I’d like to get Anquan Boldin from the Ravens. He was only making $6 mil and he’s a Beast.
March 9th, 2013 at 9:23 pm
At this point, I think I’m going to pay more attention to who the Bucs supposedly aren’t talking to. So much agent planted information out there right now it’s impossible to pinpoint what’s real or not.
March 9th, 2013 at 10:35 pm
The Tampa Bay Times is “pretty certain” the Bucs have been in contact with free agent CB Derek Cox.
Analysis: No team has a bigger need at cornerback than the Bucs, and they figure to leave no stone unturned in free agency. They’ve reportedly reached out to free agent Sean Smith. Cox would be cheaper.
-Rotoworld
March 9th, 2013 at 10:38 pm
Some here are pickin apart Sean Smith. Look at the stats all you want, but football is not a stat game. This is not aseball.
In football, just look at the film.
The film shows Sean Smith is very good and MUCH better than any CB the Bucs.
I would be ecstatic with Smith being signed but I would really want them to sign another level B guy and draft one within the first 3 rounds.
March 9th, 2013 at 11:02 pm
as far as wr id like to have josh cribbs as a slot guy ,younger than welker ,sullivans system runs off 3 wrs, deadly returner, dont think he would cost near as much round out the offense and we can do after the missing pieces on defense
March 9th, 2013 at 11:08 pm
gotbbucs, you may have a valid point, but it makes things a tad hard to discuss if correct.
March 9th, 2013 at 11:14 pm
@Mike J
A wink’s as good as a nod to a blind man.
March 10th, 2013 at 4:10 am
As far a news and speculation goes… this 3 day negotion period where the NFL doesn’t allow media communication is nothing more than a bunch of maybes and hot air.
I am a bit annoyed by it all. Free Agency should have already started for the fans.
March 10th, 2013 at 11:54 am
I really don’t care about the speculation. I know it’s going to happen in a few more days. It’s like Christmas and we may not get exactly what we want, but we are going to get something. Raheem was bad so he usually got a lump of coal. Schiano is a good boy and a company man. He’ll get some nice presents.
March 10th, 2013 at 12:30 pm
Funny.
Well… in hindsight, Raheem knew that the Bucs were re-building and were not going to sign FAs. He was able to acquire 3 years of head coaching experience. A resume builder.
Now if Rah would learn how to coach a defense over the next 8 years and would practice his public speaking skills… then I think he would fare better next time around. Maybe.
March 10th, 2013 at 12:57 pm
FAs= CB Derek Cox, DT=Glenn Dorsey
Draft= 1st Lane Johnson/trade down Desmont Trufant, 2nd David Amerson, 3rd Vance Macdonald, 4th Leon McFadden/Robert Alford (if available, doubtful), rest of draft take BPA. What does Bucsnation think?