Jonathan Casillas Will Fight For Black’s Job
March 14th, 2013
Greg Schiano added not only linebacker depth yesterday but a kid from his old Rutgers neighborhood.
The Bucs signed free agent linebacker Jonathan Casillas, who had hoped to return for his fifth season with the Saints. Casillas is from New Brunswick, New Jersey, which just happens to be home to the main campus of Rutgers.
Joe suspects it will come out soon that Schiano knew Casillas as a teenager and lost out recruiting him when Casillas left Jersey to play college ball at the University of Wisconsin.
Casillas was an undrafted rookie snagged by the Saints in 2009. Last season, he had 31 total tackles in 14 games while making $1.26 million, per the NOLA.com.
Joe hopes Dakoda Watson can build on his breakthrough season at special teams and win the strong side linebacker job, which surely will be vacated soon by injured Quincy Black. But Casillas seems like a good fit to fight for that gig, along with Adam Hayward.
Joe has to think right now that the odds of the Bucs drafting an outside linebacker have been cut.
March 14th, 2013 at 10:25 am
I was hoping this signing was true!!! Welcome to BucNation
March 14th, 2013 at 10:26 am
That’s not a lot of production for 14 games. He should make a good backup or rotational player, my money’s on Watson to win the starting gig though
March 14th, 2013 at 10:31 am
I like him for depth…..Im not high on drafting a LB in this class. So I didnt want us wasting a pick on these guys.
March 14th, 2013 at 10:49 am
How is he in coverage? I know our strong side backer doesn’t do much in our obvious passing downs, but is he a liability there?
March 14th, 2013 at 11:00 am
Good in coverage, great speed, good at rushing the passer but lacks consistency and misses tackles. Even still he is better than Watson
March 14th, 2013 at 11:04 am
He’s not better than Watson. I remember seeing the backside of Casillas jersey last season as Doug either ran around, or through him. He’ll win a roster spot as a rotational guy, not the starter.
March 14th, 2013 at 11:09 am
I’m not excited from snagging a player who’s bad against the run. Jamaal Charles ran circles and juke the heck out of Casillas. Bad move to snag a member of one of the worst run defenses last year. When I seen him as a free agent I knew the bucs would take him sadly
March 14th, 2013 at 11:13 am
But then again, Doug ran around or through everybody!
March 14th, 2013 at 11:23 am
Here’s where I think Jon Gruden made a lot of sense. If you want to get to the playoffs, you’re going to need some experience. Gruden just took the concept a little too far at times.
Karlos Dansby played as good as any MLB in the league last year. He is 30, but won’t be 31 until November and can still play at a high level. Check out his stats for last year. Impressive! I would bring in Dansby on a 1 year contract and move Foster to SLB.
Kerry Rhodes is another 30 year old that is a big FS that is a fierce tackler that has played in a SB before. We need talented experienced guys who know how to win and can bring your young players along with them!
March 14th, 2013 at 11:36 am
This is such an under the radar signing – @joe you haven’t even referenced a link to the story – I have to think that he is more of a rotational fit. He’s one of the set pieces that Dom has the luxury of signing because he’s played his hand like a BOSS over the past couple of years.
I am just blown away – because this kind of success only comes from correct diagnosis of what talent will be available, when teams are going to reach their window, and when to pounce…all while managing your own cap space to be ready to pounce when the time presents itself.
I’m very impressed so far…and that is with only ONE verified signing….so far…if he lands Bennet for anything below or up $7 mil, he scored…landing Grimes makes this defense NFL elite…there’s even money left to sign a couple more rotational guys (offense or defense) and STILL sniff out a trade for Ryan Mallet…
LOOKING GOOD DOM!
March 14th, 2013 at 1:38 pm
I’m with you on Dakota Watson Joe. I’d love to see Watson in a starting role. Whenever he is on the field he makes plays. I’d like to increase his chances of making big plays by having him as a starter.
March 14th, 2013 at 3:12 pm
I think these might be a signing just to trow teams off of thinking that we won’t take khaseen Greene wit our second or maybe 3rd round that kid is special he use to play safety so he can cover plus he led his confrebce in tackles last year plus he’s a Rutgers player that its known by our coach he will be a steal in this draft class
March 14th, 2013 at 5:19 pm
Greene’s 3 cone time was a little alarming.I hope he fell down or something.C’mon Dakota Watson has had enough time to win the job.But I’d agree they need to give him a chance.He should be our best cover LBer with his speed.They used to just blitz him off the edge but he is just to small.How about this story “Cassel chooses the Viking’s over the Buc’s”.Is Freeman on his way out!!!Also the problem with waiting it out for Revis is the FA CB class is dwindling away.I wouldn’t be suprised if the Bengal’s jump into this deal and make a last pitch for Revis.They need to spend a ton of cash to get to the cap floor.