Recruiter-In-Chief Eric Wright
March 26th, 2013
When asked whether any Buccaneers swayed his decision to play in Tampa, new Bucs All-Pro safety Dashon Goldson fingered Mason Foster as a fellow Washington Huskies alumnus he turned to for feedback on the Bucs.
But hold on! Eric Wright wants Bucs fans to know he, too, had a hand in recruiting his “close” friend Goldson. Wright was busy on his website yesterday sucking up to Bucs management sharing his hopes and dreams and feelings on his favorite team.
Things are still very much in the air in regard to my situation with the Bucs. I would like to be back, especially with Dashon Goldson coming in and signing. I want to play with somebody that I consider a brother. I’ve known him for a very long time, and we’re close.
I told him about Tampa. It’s not to say that Tampa didn’t do their job as far as going out and getting him and paying him, and all that stuff. But of course, when he’s going over his options, he’s going to ask me about Tampa. I told him it would be a great place for him to continue his career and continue his success as a football player. And obviously, it would help the team.
Wright went on to say he’s training with Goldson in California, and Wright explains to Bucs fans that he’s been an injured superstar and fans just haven’t seen all he can do yet.
The difference in this game is millimeters and milliseconds. So when you have those little things, nagging injuries, things change and you have to make different decisions. This year I expect to play with a lot more bounce, a lot more energy, look a lot more youthful.
That’s what they brought me in for, and frankly, that’s what I know I can do. They brought me in because they know I can do it, and I hope they still have that confidence in me. I would like to be back, and will continue to express that until something happens where I’m not a Buccaneer.
Click through above for the rest of the comedy show.
Joe’s no fan of Wright. He let down his team in multiple ways. If Wright returns, Joe will be dumbfounded. There’s just no way the Bucs’ intense evaluation and scrutiny of the cornerbacks market could lead them back to Wright.
March 26th, 2013 at 11:18 am
If Mr. Wright is so contrite he should be more than willing to take a pay cut. In his own words he admits the Bucs did not get what they paid for. Maybe he is scared straight but I still think they should just walk away…
March 26th, 2013 at 11:31 am
Exactly, if they bright him back for 3-4 million, let him stay. He’s better than Gorrer, Gator, and Leonard Johnson
March 26th, 2013 at 11:34 am
I GUESS lol. At least we know he can have a career in politics after his career is over with all this pandering he’s doing.
March 26th, 2013 at 11:36 am
Make no mistake, I’ve been on the cut Wright bandwagon.
However, I actually think we’ve (stupidly) trapped ourselves into keeping Wright. If we don’t get Revis, we’re desperate for corners. If we do get Revis we’re going to be short picks and we’ll still need a CB2.
If he does stay, I sure hope they can get him to renegotiate because his contract greatly exceeds his caliber of play. If he truly wants to be here he will take a pay cut (perhaps less base pay and more incentives so both the Bucs and Wright can be satisfied?). I am not remotely happy with Wright at the moment, but if he sucks it up and becomes a team player I could be swayed. These comments are a good start, but that’s all they are. A start. And if Dom and Schiano think its too late for that, I have no problems cutting Wright even if it leaves even worse off at corner.
March 26th, 2013 at 11:39 am
He’s a cancer, get rid of him.
March 26th, 2013 at 11:53 am
So pissed this guy is a millionaire.
March 26th, 2013 at 11:53 am
Does it matter if he is on or off the team? Buc fans have not got what they paid for since the boy-genius gm took over.
March 26th, 2013 at 11:58 am
Lol so dramatic
Yea, he messed up he’s not the first nor the last in the NFL to do so.
Simply put, get over it.
Until we find not just one but a few “better” options than Wright he will remain a Buc. If he restructures get the tissues out everyone cause he may just be in a Bucs uniform this coming season.
March 26th, 2013 at 12:06 pm
He is better then anything we have now.
March 26th, 2013 at 12:08 pm
He’s a good buy at $3 mil a season, when healthy he’s a better option than most if not all the current crop of FA CBs, he’s younger and not coming off a major injury. $3 million is a small price to pay for insurance in he NFL, besides how many chances did we give Talib?
March 26th, 2013 at 12:09 pm
Eric Wright appears to be contrite, but is he sincere? Can a leopard change his spots? He’s somewhat lucky that the Bucs have struggled to find his replacement to this point. In retrospect maybe this was the Bucs fall back plan in the first place. Anyhow if they decide to keep him, I would have him agree to a one year contract at a reduced yearly price.
March 26th, 2013 at 12:12 pm
Why is it that Goldson never mentioned this in his interviews? He mentioned Foster but his “good friend” Eric Wright wasnt talked about. This sounds like a pathetic attempt by Wright to try to save his job.
If hes back on the Bucs it should only be at what his market value would have been, about 2 mil a year. He would have been in the 6-10 ranked corner this offseason so that’s a fair price. I dont think he will agree to anyhting lower than 4-5 mil a year and im sure our general manager will agree to overpay him just like he overpaid every other free agent the Bucs have picked up (except V-Jax).
March 26th, 2013 at 12:15 pm
Even if we get revis I could see the Bucs keeping wright till next year and drafting a cb in the first 3 rounds this year. Cap isn’t going to be an issue this year so cutting him next year would make sense but keep or restructure him this year
March 26th, 2013 at 12:15 pm
Meh said it exactly right. I couldn’t agree more. The way it’s looking, if Wright plays for us as a shutdown corner should, then it’s time to move on. Then we don’t have to keep playing
games.
March 26th, 2013 at 12:19 pm
Look at the other free-agent CBs out there. Wright would be at the top of the list.
He’ll be back and will be the 2013 starter, at a reduced salary of course.
March 26th, 2013 at 12:21 pm
“Can a leopard change his spots”?
No, but people can change for the better and for the worst for that matter.
March 26th, 2013 at 12:21 pm
Anybody want to bet that he gets “nicked up” in training camp again? That is if he makes it to training camp. I say bring him in to training camp and make him one of our last cuts.
March 26th, 2013 at 12:23 pm
I love it when people say things like he is a cancer. Did he make a mistake and let his team down? Yes. Is his salary too much for his play on the field? Yes. Is he a cancer? Not by Bucs standards. He has o e suspension in his career. As far as I know he doesn’t go around slapping cab drivers or shooting a handgun in the air of fail multiple drug test. Were their any reports last year about his behavior in the locker room or not getting along with other players or the coaching staff? Not that I know of. All that being said, if he does remain on the team I hope he restructures. He is not elite but he’s not garbage either. Is he an over paid NFL player(like most of them)? Yes. Is he a cancer? I don’t think so.
March 26th, 2013 at 12:25 pm
For all of you saying he should take a pay cut… would you? Seriously, so what if he admits he’s over paid. Let’s see you go to your job and tell them you love it so much that your willing to take less pay. I understand he makes millions and the situation is a bit different but the concept is still the same. You wouldnt do it and he wont either… practice what you preach.
March 26th, 2013 at 12:30 pm
Agreed vern 100%.
I never understand the hatred for your fav team’s players.
Weird. Sick. And kind of liberal.
March 26th, 2013 at 12:31 pm
Keeping wright at a discounted rate is better than going out paying someone else to learn the system he already knows. he had a great start at the season and either it was injuries or he couldnt stay on his adderall for the reason he started to suck very quickly. were not looking for free agents and he wants to stay i say keep him let him prove what he’s saying. maybe with two stud safeties our corners wouldnt look like they are the one’s who belong in college
March 26th, 2013 at 12:34 pm
He doesn’t really have a choice on taking a pay cut. It is the Buc’s decision not his. His guaranteed salary has been voided. If we cut him he gets nothing but what he can get another team to pay – and just look at the prices this season. Better corners than Wright are settling for under $5m/year.
The only way Wright keeps his salary is if he refuses to renegotiate and we are so desperate we agree to pay it. I just don’t see that happening when he’s making double what he should and had the guaranteed portion of his salary voided.
March 26th, 2013 at 12:41 pm
Joe and People,
Why didn’t we cut Wright and sign Sean Smith to that kind of money?
Wright had a chance, let us all down, and should take a pay cut.
I want Wright gone, and I don’t care if we replace him with the same or just shy in talent level. Wright is not an 8M per year player, no sir.
March 26th, 2013 at 12:42 pm
@ SilenceTheCritics
Most companies would fire you for doing drugs. No and’s if’s or but’s. They don’t offer you a chance to stay if you take a reduction in salary.
So come down from your Bully Pulpit and see it for what it really is.
March 26th, 2013 at 12:43 pm
Vern,
Term Wright and his situation howver you please, bottom line he was suspended for 4 games and left us hanging.
We were missing our 8m per year CB for 25% of the season.
March 26th, 2013 at 12:52 pm
4everBucsFan Says:
March 26th, 2013 at 12:42 pm
@ SilenceTheCritics
Most companies would fire you for doing drugs. No and’s if’s or but’s. They don’t offer you a chance to stay if you take a reduction in salary.
So come down from your Bully Pulpit and see it for what it really is.
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first of all you are right… but the Bucs havent fired him yet so that point is moot.
2nd of all nobody is on a “Bully pulpit.” Im just speaking my mind and I do see it for what it really is… I notice you didnt answer the question… would you take a pay cut? No you wouldn’t and if you say you would you are just talking out your ass.
March 26th, 2013 at 12:53 pm
SteveK,
He did let us down. Not arguing that. I can see why the Bucs would cut him. But to say he is a cancer is ridiculous when people were mad about trading Talib. Believe it or not football players are human and do make mistakes. I’m not happy with the choice Wright made but let’s not act like he is lucifer.
March 26th, 2013 at 1:02 pm
He may be back on an incentive based contract.
March 26th, 2013 at 1:03 pm
I love the smell of desperation in the morning, haha.
As far as Wright is concerned, he can be cut/restructured at any time. If we have the cap space and it doesn’t prevent us from getting other players then let him keep his money. I sincerely doubt he takes a restructured contract this season from the Bucs. Is he worth what he is being paid? Not up to this point but we have the space and the need so I don’t think it is that far fetched that he stays and plays under his current contract. (Not that I agree, just that it is plausible).
Everybody keeps complaining that we haven’t signed any corners while simultaneously wanting us to cut the best one we have.
Barring MAJOR upgrades he will be a Buccaneer. Revis alone is not enough to send him packing and neither is any rookie.
March 26th, 2013 at 1:04 pm
I wish people would stop acting like the Free agent CBs were top tier. They were not were they a upgrade over L J? Sure … None of them are head and shoulders above Wright. The bucs aren’t going to sign and for guys for one mistake the took wright because they liked him. They want to keep him unless something better comes not something lateral.
They have Wright right where they want him at their mercy to reconstruct and come back for a second year. Revis Barber and wright is not a bad Defensive backfield when you add The Hawk and Barron to the mix
March 26th, 2013 at 1:05 pm
@ Silence the Critics,
No, I would not voluntarily take a pay cut. However if my employer came to me, and asked me to take reduction in pay or be let go, and I see the market for someone with my resume and age, and determine I’ll have trouble finding a position to pay even the reduced amount, I would take it. I speak from experience, when I had to take 10% pay cut during recession. I wasn’t happy about it, but took it knowing it was very unlikely I would find similar compensation somewhere else.
Obviously the numbers are different, but the situation is similar, there are probably not too many teams that would pay Wright $4 million this year, and if the Bucs came and offered that, Guaranteed money, Wright should take it, as he’s unlikely to find a better payout.
March 26th, 2013 at 1:06 pm
Tampa Trib is saying that No! the Bucs have not contacted Quinton Jammer, the worst CB in the league last year. Eric Wright may end up being the last port in the storm.
March 26th, 2013 at 1:15 pm
T in Orlando Says:
March 26th, 2013 at 1:05 pm
@ Silence the Critics,
No, I would not voluntarily take a pay cut. However if my employer came to me, and asked me to take reduction in pay or be let go, and I see the market for someone with my resume and age, and determine I’ll have trouble finding a position to pay even the reduced amount, I would take it. I speak from experience, when I had to take 10% pay cut during recession. I wasn’t happy about it, but took it knowing it was very unlikely I would find similar compensation somewhere else.
Obviously the numbers are different, but the situation is similar, there are probably not too many teams that would pay Wright $4 million this year, and if the Bucs came and offered that, Guaranteed money, Wright should take it, as he’s unlikely to find a better payout.
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I agree with this but the only thing that makes this point not valid at the moment is the fact that the Bucs have nothing else to replace him with. It is obvious they are using him as an insurance policy. If the Bucs came to him right now and asked him to take a pay cut. There is no reason for him to do that because the Bucs as you can see are not willing to cut him until they get somebody to take his spot. Now when and if they do sign somebody else, THEN and only then would he really have no choice but to reduce his pay. From a business stand point not accepting a reduced salary is the smartest thing to do at this moment. But in the future that could change.
March 26th, 2013 at 1:25 pm
I guess Im mostly playing devil’s advocate here but he is the best corner on this team right now. He clearly will have to take a dramatic pay cut but I’m all for keeping him for half of what his contract was last year. The risk is small and the contract could be team-friendly. He would be useful in the slot and depending on Ronde’s decision, but I wouldn’t mind keeping a guy with a chip on his shoulder.
March 26th, 2013 at 1:49 pm
While I am not fan of Wright either and not sure why he is sill on the team. We should give him some credit for atleast saying the right thing.
March 26th, 2013 at 2:12 pm
nice try Wright but that aint ganna save you. lol
March 26th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
He was suspended for adderall same as Talib who both screwed up taking it to learn the system in mini camp. He had good moments and moments that weren’t so good but put him with 2 good safety’s and revis and he could have a huge year. If not, cut him next year.
March 26th, 2013 at 3:03 pm
Like most people, I’m totally fine if we get rid of Wright – so long as we bring in some capable replacements. But that is the problem- we have to bring in multiple corners because we have pretty much nothing as of right now. Like him or not, he’s the best we have on the team. When he was healthy early in the year, he played very well. People tend to forget that. He did have an Achilles injury, which is a horrible injury for a CB. I’m pretty sure we all saw him limping around most of the season, and realize that he was not anywhere near 100%. I am in no way making an excuse for the Aderall, but he’s not a bad player at all (as much as many of us want him to be). I have no idea what kind of a person he is in the locker room (and neither do any of you), so I’m not going to talk out of my arse and call him a cancer. However, I see that there are some that don’t mind a little arse talk.
The salary issue is a no brainer. No way in hell he gets 7.5 Million. He’d be lucky to get half that. Whether or not he would take it is a different story. We also don’t know if he REALLY wants to be a Buc next year. His words on paper can be far different from his actual feelings. Although not justified, I can totally understand why he would be upset with the Bucs and want to go elsewhere.
March 26th, 2013 at 6:11 pm
Early on last year he had some good games and I think he is better than any other CBs on the roster. Having said that, I was more than a little pissed seeing him in a 49rs hat while on suspension last year so I am not a big fan and i doubt he has the fortitude to become a true Buc. If he is serious about wanting to be here and his actions bear that out, I am ok with giving him another shot.
March 26th, 2013 at 7:01 pm
Whatever Dom decides with Wright, I’ll support him. It would be nice to see him healthy and what he can really do. But I think he should take a Market Rate pay cut because of the Adderall. I understand the temptation to take the drug when injured like was but it doesn’t justify the risk and damage to the team.
March 26th, 2013 at 9:39 pm
bucfanjeff Says:
March 26th, 2013 at 11:39 am
“He’s a cancer, get rid of him.”
How do you come up with that, Jeff?
He popped a pill and got suspended for 4 games, first offense. That’s it.
He was never a problem in the locker room at all. In fact, he handled his appeal to the suspension exactly the way the Bucs asked him to handle it. He appealed the contract thing, but players ALWAYS file appeals.
And if you don’t think he’s better than any CB on the roster, you were not watching the games.
I think we should see if he’ll reduce his salary and if he does, keep him. But keep the conditions in his contract as well.