Not Easy Being Mark Dominik
March 24th, 2013
When the Bucs inked stud safety Dashon Goldson to a major contract, Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik was lauded from Tallahassee to Naples.
Just a few days later when defensive end and Bucs sack leader Michael Bennett and defensive tackle Roy Miller — who the Bucs raved about at every turn last year as if he was Joe Greene — walked away for about the price of a luxury box at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, fans turned on Dominik rather quickly.
But as former Bucs defensive end Booger McFarland notes, it is not easy being Dominik these days, writes McFarland, who co-hosts “Booger and Rich” heard on locally WHFS-FM 98.7.
If the season started today theoretically we can play with the defensive linemen we have. Bowers, McCoy, and Clayborn sound pretty good when all are healthy and humming. But when you talk corners, it’s a completely different deal. The sound of Johnson, Gorrer, and any other slappy in the secondary just doesn’t do it for me.
So Mark Dominik is in charge of changing that, but he must be careful. We need the signings/trades to impact our team like Vincent Jackson, not like Mario Williams. We need Simeon Rice not Albert Haynesworth. Which spins the arrow right back to where it should be pointing, at Mark Domink.
It’s up to Dominik to fix the areas in which we are weak or down right awful. So as we all sit and wonder what’s going to happen and start to panic because there haven’t been any corners signed or traded for, remember not only does Dominik’s reputation depend on it, so does his job.
Look, even Dominik admitted when he was interviewed on SiriusXM NFL Radio last week that the Bucs need upgrades at cornerback. He was blunt about this, as are many fans. So it is not like Dominik has blinders on.
It is still March. Lets wait a while to see how things shake out? Training camp is a good four months away. The draft is a month away.
That’s a lot of time to make moves to bolster the Bucs at cornerback.
March 24th, 2013 at 8:19 am
I won’t be worried if the New York Jets would get their heads out their asses. They’re playing a tiring game with dominik.
March 24th, 2013 at 8:38 am
As fans we want now, but he is smart sticking to his guns and not trading any of this years picks! I think what we don’t know is what is killing us. I would put money on the fact that we are slow playing on Osi, Elvis, Grimms, Huff and Nnamdi! We need to relax, and hope for the best!
March 24th, 2013 at 8:45 am
I wonder, are GM salaries are as commonly known as the players and coaches they hire. Makes me wonder what value the Bucs organization is getting from the GM position. I suspect the Rock star is compensated quite well for his efforts.
March 24th, 2013 at 9:01 am
It’s one thing to watch your team get weaker and weaker but the fact we aren’t even bringing in FA’s to look at just seems strangely odd to me. I just can’t believe that every CB and DE that has been available couldn’t improve this team. I think everyone wants some idea of this so called plan. Personally by letting FA after FA go elsewhere no matter how this ends up I declare now he has failed. His excuse for inexperience is no longer in play. I predicted this would be his last year and it may end sooner if the Revis deal is not done soon.
March 24th, 2013 at 9:26 am
We look awful at CB.
Why hasn’t Eric Wright been cut and we could’ve signed another CB earlier: Rodgers-Cromartie?
WTF, nobody can “blame” the Jets. The Jets are trying to win, as are we. Dominick NEEDS to get this deal done, or it will be off with his head.
Rock Stars make sh!t happen every now and then. Hell, even a blind squirrel finds a nut. Playoffs or goodbye GM and QB. Time to win, now.
March 24th, 2013 at 9:33 am
@stevak why would we make a lateral move? what sense does cutting wright for cromartie make? They are the SAME caliber player believe it or not. Too many of us are playing the role of GM we can’t fit those shoes so let’s not try and wear them. I have ideas of course but its more to it than cut him get him draft him.
March 24th, 2013 at 9:38 am
@brad you have made good points, and with no CB or DE free agent Buc signings this far I’m upset also. Keep in mind Mile Williams, Gerald McCoy and Free all have contracts expiring and there are many more I think like 17 players. It’s still early and Revis trade prob won’t happen until June or draft time. It’s still early guys, as long as we don’t start the season with this roster we will be ok
March 24th, 2013 at 9:42 am
Dom has far more information and support for decisions than any of us. Its not odd to see him pass on all CBs in free agency even if….and I agree….any of them would have improved our team….if he has a plan….and he certainly does.
I don’t believe we want to spend anything on mediocre players.
We would rather draft a starter. I think he knows he has Ronde, Wright & probably Revis along with at least a 2nd round pick.
BE PATIENT, FOR CHRIST”S SAKE!!! Bash away and look like a fool later……
March 24th, 2013 at 9:43 am
He dosent want his draft picks to be bust. Sorta like the rays not taking buster posey cause they just traded for Navarro. See myron Lewis see Mason foster etc. You cant make up for 4 bad drAfts. You have to draft your way out of it and u are asking him to do what he cannot do.
March 24th, 2013 at 10:11 am
I think we were somewhat fascinated with what we did in FA last year and believed it to be a change in strategy regarding how the team is going to be rebuilt.
I think the core philosophy remains and it is to build through the draft. I think it is by design that we haven’t gone after older 1 year fixes to obvious needs in our defense. It appears that FA will be reserved for our own players deemed to have tremendous upside and will have long-term value and 1 or 2 players a year that are true game changers like Vincent Jackson.
I believe Schiano believes in his own people and has his own perception as to what those people are, the ones that he wants to keep, and the ones he would like to have. I think as uncomfortable as some moves or non-moves seem to be, this year he is dead set on building his team, not the one he inherited .We may voice our displeasure at Dominik, but I think Schiano is driving this bus. We saw that in the coaching staff and right or wrong, we’re seeing it in the roster.
The least attribute described biblically as fruitages of the spirit that I have been able to master is patience and I suspect a lot of us could use a little more. But we’re going to have to wait to see the new Bucs unfold and I do believe they have a plan, it just can’t all be in place by the 12th day of the 2013 season.
If by the time we officially start camp and we still look deficient in key positions, you won’t be alone in voicing your anger toward Dominik and everything Bucs, I’ll be right there with you!
March 24th, 2013 at 10:13 am
So if Bowers starts, that makes Bowers, McCoy and Clayborne all his draft picks starting. If he drafts a DT in this years draft and starts him, then that makes all 4 guys on the line staters.
People are mad about Bennett (a guy he found) and Miller (a guy he drafted), but those were his guys too. So you are mad that he is letting his talented guys walk.
For LBs, he drafted David and Foster.
For CB, he drafted Myron Lewis, Gaitor and found the others… Wright will be let go… but I wouldnt be too surprised if Dom somehow found someone to trade for him… although I also would considering the market this year… Wright may just get released.
He drafted Barron and Grim and just signed Goldson.
He might draft a few CBs in this years draft and force them to start too.
He is taking away your excuses to say he is doing a bad job.
March 24th, 2013 at 10:18 am
@Brad,
We all want to know what the plan is but if a good poker player shows the table his hand, he is gonna lose. Before you start looking to can Dom, let’s get through the draft. There are still good corners out there. Be patient.
March 24th, 2013 at 10:20 am
It’s very hard deciding which NFL record for futility to make a run at…..or identifying the perfect time to go into a long losing streak.
On the other hand, he always can plan a vacation for right after the regular season. Good perk.
March 24th, 2013 at 10:23 am
@Joc….4 bad drafts??? Geez…why do people like you just open your pie holes and spew stupidity? There should be shock collars put on stupid posters so when they hit enter they pay a price for not thinking…. Just the fact that you mentioned Mason Foster as a bust shows how clueless you are.
March 24th, 2013 at 10:31 am
In order to sign free agent, they must want to come here. This coach has left a negative image on the Bucs. Even the Buc’s own free agent’s did not want to resign. Read the remarks they make after signing with other teams. Coach, players talk to each other. The player have no issues with the G.M only the coach. That is the reason coach, talked about turning it down this year. This team is weaker at this time then it was last year.
March 24th, 2013 at 10:33 am
I understand what they are doing.
We do NOT want to end up like the Ravens.
Josh just may have a great season, and he will be the most sought after free agent QB on the market.
And we will need to sign him for 15 million a year.
So, its smart we are dabing cap room,mand investing in young talent. Draft picks are cheap these days, after the new bargaining agreement.
I wish Michael and Roy the best. They were warriors for us.
But, we need to be fiscally responsible. (unlike that George Bush moron who wasted trillions on useless wars)
March 24th, 2013 at 10:42 am
our front office let us down we wnt get anyone in free agency because we are chasing a unhealthy revis our season gonna be pitiful well guys wait till 2014 when we get a new gm an head coach because these guys suck
March 24th, 2013 at 10:56 am
teacherman777 stick to football. no need for a political war here. might want to check out the amount of debt the current president is racking up at record pace. people in glass houses should never throw rocks.
dominik has a thankless job no matter the situation. i think jacko101 replies above hit the nail on the head.
revis and rhoades hopefully will be our starting CB’s and with Goldson and Barraon back there with Ronde back in the slot for one last year. We will be fine. On the Defensive line depth I am not so confident.
March 24th, 2013 at 10:58 am
Funny how some rush to ridicule those of us who just aren’t big Dominik fans. Has he had some good drafts and good free agent acquisitions – yes, he has. But his entire body of work has led to a 24-40 record under him as GM – a 40% winning percentage. Why should we believe that the future will be any different with him than the past four years? I’m tired of being told to be patient. I’ve been waiting for a playoff win now for 10 years. The Bucs can’t even make the playoffs, let alone win in the playoffs.
March 24th, 2013 at 11:31 am
@lightningbuc
You nailed it. If your critical of Dominick some how your not a fan. You are what your record says you are in words of Bill Parcells.
March 24th, 2013 at 12:05 pm
The biggest concern that I have is the depth issues on this team.
We need: CBs, DE, DT, OT, TE, and OLB help and I don’t think the draft will supply all those needs.
We’ve lost more players than we’ve gained so far this offseason and it worries me.
It would be nice if they could find a starting RT in FA.
March 24th, 2013 at 12:20 pm
Teacherman777
No worries! There is no way we will ever”end up like the Ravens”
No SuperBowls in our future. I don’t think Dom will get us in the playoffs.
I finally understand your comments and post now!
You are worried about the salary cap!
Some of us are worried about winning football games
March 24th, 2013 at 12:31 pm
Useless wars indeed! After all, it was just the trade centers, and a couple thousand Americans.
Because they were Christians.
The list of priority targets they recovered included schools and amusement parks. Aiming at children. Real tough guys
If they blew up your school, would still be a useless war?
March 24th, 2013 at 12:48 pm
Uhh, Capt. Tim… Useless war is targeting countries that had nothing to do with those actions against the US. In case you haven’t kept up with the news in the last 10 years, all suggestions that Iraq had anything to do with 9/11 were long ago debunked, as were all the other invented justifications. SO yeah, totally useless… Worse than that, illegal, immoral, and destabilizing… In fact, just strategically bad since it played into the hands of Iran, which reaped the greatest benefit of anyone from that disgraceful war. So facts and evidence support the idea that Iraq was in fact a useless, groundless, and pointless war, and probably one of the US’s greatest foreign policy mistakes of all time.
March 24th, 2013 at 12:55 pm
I dont understand why we don’t want to end up like the Ravens. They just won the Super Bowl….
I rather enjoyed when the Bucs did that.
March 24th, 2013 at 1:13 pm
@Bobby. I second the shock collar idea.
McCoy, Mike Williams, Lorig, Clayborn, Bowers, Foster, Barron, Muscle Hamster, and Lavonte David. All busts right? Quite the opposite. Hang in there couch Rock Stars. We’re all frustrated but the whole situation if, and hopefully when, Revis is landed changes.
March 24th, 2013 at 1:33 pm
The war wasn’t useless…..I’m just filling my tank up with cheap Iraqui oil….
I don’t hang all of the record on Dom….I think the Glazers had something to do with it. Now, I believe they are coming around.
Everyone has a few draft picks they wish they could change. If you get 3 starters and a couple of special teams players, you are doing well.
March 24th, 2013 at 3:48 pm
I agree with Joe on this one.
That aside, about the Ravens. How often had a team won the superbowl and returned with the same players (mostly). I think the Pats did it (by cheating)?
So, in a way, the Ravens are just recognizing the need to rebuild to get back. Face it…they were getting as old as the last era of the Bucs were. A rebuild was coming whether they won or not.
So, rather than delay, they are embracing it. I wish the Bucs had done so even 2 years after the Superbowl.
March 24th, 2013 at 3:50 pm
Yeah but the season doesn’t start today and we still got the draft and a potential trade for the best CB in the NFL. Maybe just maybe Dom didn’t sign anyone because he knows Revis is going to cost him a fortune and knows he has a lot of players to sign next season like Josh Freeman (yes I am confident he will have a great season and deserve to get resigned), Gerald McCoy, Mike Williams and others. Do you guys want to be like the Jets or any other team that can’t sign or re-sign anyone by just going crazy this off season? This article is stupid the season isn’t starting today and there is still some steps to get their. I am very glad Dom doesn’t have a panic attack like some of you guys.
March 24th, 2013 at 6:23 pm
Mason foster is below average which in my eyes for a 3 is not good.if you are happy with a 1 2 or a 3 pic being below average u have ur guy. Google his drafts and his trades then hit me back. They are piss poor
March 24th, 2013 at 6:40 pm
I’m going To go on record right now: Dominik won’t sign a CB in free agency. He won’t. I’m starting to get a good bead on his idiocy. He will draft two corners and hope one will become a starter.
He is not a good GM. Face it. He isn’t.
March 24th, 2013 at 7:16 pm
Macabee Says:
“I think as uncomfortable as some moves or non-moves seem to be, this year he is dead set on building his team, not the one he inherited. We may voice our displeasure at Dominik, but I think Schiano is driving this bus. We saw that in the coaching staff and right or wrong, we’re seeing it in the roster.”
Well stated. So many Bucs fans continue to forget that Coach Schiano is still in the process of changing the culture inside One Buc Place. He’ll likely STILL be in the process of changing it at this time next year! We have a long way to go, considering how bad we were under Coach Morris.
The first wave of players to be flushed out were the fairly obvious ones, and now we’re at the point where players who played lots of snaps last season are now gone as well. While I personally HATE to see Bennett leave, but I’m not delusional in believing that I know more than the HC & GM do!
For financial reasons or otherwise, these players are gone. I wish them well, but ultimately, I root for the flag, not for individual players or coaches or general managers or owners. That being said, I DO like the approach of Coach Schiano, and I firmly believe that he is indeed “driving this bus”, and that after a second training camp in the (as Joe puts it) “New Schiano Order”, this roster will show obvious improvement in 2013.
This new regime quite obviously isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, (cup of Joe?) for players and fans alike, but I’m good with that.
March 24th, 2013 at 7:23 pm
Hey Macabe. Your “comment” shouldn’t be longer than the article itself.
March 24th, 2013 at 7:53 pm
Look the spot we are in is because Mark has not drafted well. He also waited too long to begin adding vets after the 09 purge. This building through the draft fixation Mark had early on made it very difficult for Raheem to succeed. A new coach needs weapons not all rookies and a few average players. MARK ALONE SET RAHEEM UP TO FAIL. And even with all that he had a 10 win season. Boo Mark boo
March 24th, 2013 at 9:37 pm
U honestly think Raheem would have performed better with different players? Please!! This was the dumbest coach in football. This is a man who thought that Glazer started with the letter R. This is a guy that took a new job and was demoted to position coach. He was without a doubt the worst coach in Buccaneer history – bar none.