“Slim Pickins” Means Keep Wright
March 2nd, 2013
Former Bucs defensive end Steve White (1996-2001) looks at the Bucs’ cupboard of cornerbacks and doesn’t see anything enticing.
In fact, White recently told Tom Krasniqi, of WDAE-AM 620, that it’s such a weak stable of corners that he wouldn’t feel comfortable releasing substance-abusing Eric Wright, a player White barely considers good.
“If [Wright’s] a guy that you can keep on your team, maybe reduce his salary or something like that, you keep him. Because like I said, you look on our roster, (laughs) it’s slim pickins, man,” White said. “The next best guy is Biggers. He’s a free agent, too. And then you got [Leonard] Johnson, I guess, who had some ups and downs this year. But you look on our roster, man, we need three good corners to be honest with you. We’ve got maybe one with Eric Wright right now. Even if you go out and get one off of free agency, that still only gives you two. It would be easy if we had other guys who I really felt comfortable on the roster already at corner to say, ‘Yeah, we let Eric Wright go.’ I just don’t feel like we’re in that position right now to have the luxury to let him go.”
White also said he would target Jaguars cornerback Derek Cox when the free-agency bell rings in 10 days, and he doesn’t believe Dee Milliner will be on the draft board when the Bucs’ number is called in April.
Joe would have a real hard time stomaching a Wright return. He’s not good enough, and his drug troubles gave the Bucs an opening to ditch his bloated contract without ramifications. They should take it.
The Bucs can buy a couple of starters in free agency, draft a cornerback, and re-sign Biggers and keep Johnson. There’s also a guy named Barber, who hopefully returns, that’s been known to play a little corner.
March 2nd, 2013 at 11:17 am
The longer that Wright is on the roster, the higher the probability that he’ll be on the roster this year. I would have assumed that if the Bucs were going to move on, he would have been released already.
March 2nd, 2013 at 11:18 am
I have been so excited about this offseason but as we get closer an closer I get the feeling I’m going to be let down in a huge way. I feel as if maybe the Glazers are about to pull back the reigns again??? We are not keeping our own free agents and it doesn’t seem like anyone really has us being aggressive again. Plus tags are being slapped on guys I wanted lol and it looks like Grimes is going to be kept with DR being released. 🙁
IF Bennett ends up in ATL I am going to be UBER dissapointed in out organization ESPECIALLY if we don’t replace him with a PROVEN FA DE not some draft pick that is unproven.
March 2nd, 2013 at 11:19 am
Im so on the fence with the Eric Wright situation. I agree that he is the best corner on our team right now and bcus we do need three good corners it does make it difficult to cut him. However, i agree with joe too. Its hard to keep him when u cant count on him to stay in the field. We could cut him and free up that money to bring in another guy. But then again if he takes a pay cut it may be worth keeping him. You just gotta b sure to keep that clause in there to out right release him at no cost to the club if he gets in trouble again. Like i said im pn the fence, whats good is that we do have options.
March 2nd, 2013 at 11:20 am
I agree with Steve. At a reduced salary it makes sense to keep him. He makes me nervous in an Aqib Talib kind of way but when we pick up corners in the draft and free agency it should work out much better having him than not having him.
SIDE QUESTION FOR JOE: Are the Bucs interested in Ahmad Bradshaw? I think he is worth a look even though he is injury prone. Doug Martin/Ahmad Bradshaw backfield sounds nice!
March 2nd, 2013 at 11:23 am
Whatever we do he absolutely has to restructure his contract if he stays on the team. It would be insane to keep him at that price.
I believe in second chances and they guy doesnt have a history of problems.
People make mistakes.
Your not going to find to many saints out there.
March 2nd, 2013 at 11:24 am
Too*
March 2nd, 2013 at 11:33 am
@PRBucFan
I believe Wright does have a history of past issues both in college and in pros. I believe they were minor incidents but when there is smoke there is fire.
I had a bad taste in my mouth when they signed Wright he then confirmed the with his near arrest in LA before the season even started. Anyhow, JUST SAY NO to Wright… I do agree we need 3 new quality corners. Didn’t Cox in Jacksonville have some injury issues. I want corners that can stay on the field
March 2nd, 2013 at 12:06 pm
What were they?
March 2nd, 2013 at 12:09 pm
That’s why I don’t consider it a reach to take the next best corner with the 13th pick.
March 2nd, 2013 at 12:14 pm
cut him and pick somone else he was horrible when he played
March 2nd, 2013 at 12:28 pm
There’s something to be said when a player as young as Wright is unceremoniously released from Detroit after the first year of a 3 year contract. It had nothing to do with the salary cap. Prior to Wright signing with Detroit, Dominik tried to woo him to Tampa, but he chose Detroit instead. One year later he is released and the press release said “they want to go in a different direction”. That in my opinion should have been a red flag to Dominik. But not to be denied, Dominik signed him anyway, only to be on the verge of being released again. I was against his signing then, and I’m against retaining him now.
March 2nd, 2013 at 12:35 pm
4everbucsfan Wright was not cut by lions, he signed 1 yr deal with them played well, and we signed him as a free agent. I believe lions wanted him just didnt have money to spend we did. I am not really a fan of wright, but if we can keep him at discounted rate i would be all for it.
March 2nd, 2013 at 12:37 pm
@Jarrett
I with you here, I was lost with the three year deal statement
March 2nd, 2013 at 12:46 pm
Dominik is holding onto Wright as insurance against whatever happens in free agency and the draft. Don’t look for him to be cut until after the draft and the Bucs know exactly what their DB situation looks like.
There’s no financial cost for doing so, so why cut him too early? You never know if Dominik will actually get his free agent targets at that spot or not. You also don’t know if he’ll get his targeted DB’s in the draft, either. He needs to wait and see how it plays out before making that final decision with Wright.
Here’s how I see it going down: if the Bucs sign one top free agent CB and one or two mid level free agent CB’s and they are the guys the Bucs really wanted, then I could maybe, maybe, see Wright being cut before the draft. But if that doesn’t happen he won’t be cut until after the draft.
Now if, and this is a big if, the Bucs don’t get the guys they really wanted in free agency and they don’t get the guys they really wanted in the draft at the CB spot, then you will definitely see Wright in a Bucs uniform this season. Most likely with a re-worked contract paying about $5 million per season instead of the current $7 million.
March 2nd, 2013 at 12:47 pm
I don’t think the bucs actually have the leverage to ask wright to redo his deal. If they ask n he says no then they have to cut him an we have no legit starters. So they play the waiting game an if we get three legit corners he’s gon or then asked the Altimatum of redoing the deal I say lenord Johnson is the dime resign biggers he’s the nickel if we can get two starting corners it’s a wrap for Mr. Adderwright lol im hoping a kennen Lewis and that truant kid n the draft to b honest with u an then maybe sprinkle n a David amerson or a mid to late round honey badger while u at it to see where they can make a stamp at on the depth chart because if it’s competition schiano wants it what he shall get
March 2nd, 2013 at 12:48 pm
@PRBucFan
He has been accused of selling ecstasy, rape not to mention his bad choice before the season started. you or I would have been in jail for the “Alleged Suspicion of DUI” at least for the night.
https://www.joebucsfan.com/?p=76854
http://www.bradenton.com/2012/10/31/4260048/commentary-tampa-bay-buccaneers.html
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/tampa-bay-buccaneers-eric-wright-arrested-on-suspicion-of-dui/1238346
I am no angel and don’t expect anyone else to be
March 2nd, 2013 at 12:52 pm
Hahaha we posted at the same timelkl same point though plus one to you sir flboydallas I like how u think haha
March 2nd, 2013 at 12:53 pm
It’s not even about money. Eric Wright is absolutely terrible. He was just as bad, if not worse than our other corners. Don’t cut him because of money, cut him because he’s simply bad.
March 2nd, 2013 at 12:54 pm
Here’s a list of FA corners the Bucs should pursue. If we can sign just two of these guys, we’ll be in better shape.
Brent Grimes Chris Gamble
Chris Houston Sam Shields
Keenan Lewis Adam Jones
Sean Smith Derek Cox
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Leodis McKelvin
Cary Williams Tony Carter
Bradley Fletcher Dunta Robison
Greg Toler Terence Newman
March 2nd, 2013 at 12:56 pm
Why would Wright take a pay cut from the Bucs, Wright will say pay me my contract. and if the Bucs don’t like it they have to cut him and he can take a pay cut and play for a playoff team.
March 2nd, 2013 at 12:56 pm
Sean Smith & Brent Grimes my picks from that list
March 2nd, 2013 at 12:58 pm
sorry guys, I meant one year contract. I was thinking three because that’s what Dominik had offered him before he signed with Detroit. typo thanks for catching it.
March 2nd, 2013 at 1:59 pm
The guy I’d love to see the Bucs go after is Chris Gamble. Carolina is in Cap hell, over 8 million over the Cap. Releasing Gamble is one of their tough decisions that is most likely to be done. Another cap cut that has been rumored is Jon Beason. I’d love to add both Vets to the Bucs roster. That would weaken the Panthers, strengthen the Bucs.
If we can add Gamble and a guy like Keenan Lewis or Derek Cox, our secondary is set and we can focus on the dline in the draft. Ansah would be amazing.
March 2nd, 2013 at 2:12 pm
Eric Wright is a WASTE.
March 2nd, 2013 at 2:20 pm
Wright’s contract had a drug clause. It is subject to termination or renegotiation if he is suspended for banned substances. He was, so it is. That’s why the Bucs could cut him, without paying the guaranteed money.
It probably isn’t a bad idea to keep wright around – at a lower rate. He isn’t horrible, though he isn’t good, either
Biggers is a “contain” corner. He gives up a cushion, then tries to prevent yards after catch. He seldom contest the completion.
Johnson and Gorrer might grow into decent corners.
We need a talented rookie(or two),
And a good Vet
I think we will finally address that this year
March 2nd, 2013 at 2:29 pm
How
Nice would it being if we had a gm who could hit on his picks. If I owned the team and my db situation looked like this after 5 f
Drafts you would be gone
March 2nd, 2013 at 2:38 pm
I agree with Whites take on Wright, only at a reduced price with a clause to dump him scott free if he screws up again.
Cox is also the guy I’d target, all things being equal, problem is living up here in Jax I know it ain’t equal with Torrie. You think Aquib had missed too much time with injuries ? Let me tell you, Torrie Cox cannot stay on the field due to so many injuries….
Give me Jammer.
March 2nd, 2013 at 3:08 pm
At 1 million p/y, but that is not going to happen. If you pick up a great strong safety in the draft then the existing corners will become better. Find a good middle lb and move mason to the outside.
March 2nd, 2013 at 3:09 pm
It’s always good to hear from Steve White, a Tampa Bay Treasure.
March 2nd, 2013 at 3:50 pm
An upgrade at corner is a sure thing this year.Talib and Wright looked like a good duo going into last year.It’s not the GM fault that they were pill poppin.The secondary was hung out to dry.In man coverage a lot after year’s and year’s of Zone.I mean even when we blitzed we NEVER could get to the QB.The D-line not getting to the QB,The LB’s and the Secondary were very poor in pass coverage.The defence sucked VS the pass period but every player was to blame.It’s easy to upgrade the CB’s when there is 20 free agent’s better than what we have.
March 2nd, 2013 at 4:35 pm
^^^^^ It’s easy to upgrade the CB’s when there is 20 free agent’s better than what we have.
Not when you have 20 other teams going after the same CB’s. That and trying to convince them to play in Tampa. The Bucs can be the highest offer and still be turned down. We’re not considered a sexy choice when there are other storied franchises that are appealing.
March 2nd, 2013 at 5:00 pm
^^^^ I disagree
I believe we are one of the most attractive choices not only being in Florida but with our up and coming young talented team. Just my opinion.
March 2nd, 2013 at 5:45 pm
^^^^ Let’s say you’re a free agent. Tampa offers you a lucrative contract and then, let’s say the Giants match it. Where will you sign? A team that has been a notoriously a losing franchise or The New York Giants, a team that is practically in the playoffs every year and has been in a lot of Super Bowls?
or Dallas?
or San Fran?
or NE?
or NO? …you get my point?
March 2nd, 2013 at 6:54 pm
keeping Wright period is tha wrong move, reduced cost or not. I honestly don’t kno if he’s worse on our off tha field. Save tha money and time, cut him loose and take a chance on another free agent or draft pick 2 fill his role
March 2nd, 2013 at 8:07 pm
Nah if that was the case both Vincent and Nicks would be elsewhere.
Abe we had just come of a
HORRID season.
March 2nd, 2013 at 8:08 pm
And*
March 2nd, 2013 at 9:08 pm
4ever…got it. good point.
March 2nd, 2013 at 10:50 pm
@PRBucFan
The reason why Jackson and Nicks signed with us because no-one tried to match Tampa offer.
March 3rd, 2013 at 2:55 am
I understand no action on Write right now but I say cut his but after the draft. He is no Buccaneer Man! “rap sheet” (just my expression) of things unbecoming of a man who wears pewter says it all for me, not to mention, he let the team down at the least opportune time last year. Did I say Cut His But? OK Dom, remember no offense is any good if you have no defense.
March 3rd, 2013 at 8:47 am
I’d rather go 0-16 than keep Wright
March 3rd, 2013 at 1:51 pm
Sign Sean Smith via FA…maybe look at DRC if he comes cheap enough. Then in the draft look at David Amerson and Jonathon Banks in the 2nd round. I would much rather have Smith versus DRC
March 4th, 2013 at 10:50 am
He sucks. He’s overpaid. He’s a selfish prick.
Of course most people could have told you this before we ever signed him.
Move on.