The Pressure Of Landing Darrelle Revis
March 27th, 2013
Since before the 2012 season was completed, Bucs fans already were hollering about what free agent cornerback the Bucs should sign when the free agency bell rang.
Now two weeks after the doors were thrown open to start free agency, the Bucs have not collected a cornerback for one of the NFL’s most historically rotten pass defenses (though Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik did reel in safety Dashon Goldson).
This has been met by Bucs fans about the same way citizens in Cypress reacted upon learning banks were closed by their government and funds seized. Of course, the situation has ratcheted up the expectations Bucs fans have that Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis will be wearing pewter and red, so Twittered eye-RAH Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune.
@IKaufmanTBO: Buc fans will be very upset if the club doesn’t consummate a deal for Revis. Lots of pressure on Dominik and Schiano to close this deal
Joe sees where Kaufman is going but Joe isn’t quite there yet. It’s pretty obvious Dominik doesn’t believe the corners currently on the free agent market are worth working up a sweat over.
Joe firmly believes Dominik thinks if he drafts two corners in the first three rounds, those guys will be just as talented and, perhaps, more cost effective than the guys knocking on doors looking for work as the close of March nears.
Also keep in mind Dominik could still keep Eric Wright in the fold. The fact he is still on the roster demonstrates how little Dominik thinks of the current cornerback free agent crop.
Remember folks, the regular season is five months away. Lot of clock left for Dominik to repair holes at corner.
March 27th, 2013 at 5:07 pm
Most Bucs fans I’ve talked to don’t really care if we get Revis or not at this point. The pressure is on to improve the CB position whether that be through trades, drafts or FA. Im certain the Bucs braintrust has a backup plan should the Revis deal die.
March 27th, 2013 at 5:16 pm
It sounds so easy to draft a couple corners in the first 3 rounds. Unfortunately, there’s plenty of other glaring needs for the Bucs. Right tackle, defensive tackle, defensive end depth, quarterback, tight end. If the Bucs really think they can just fill all these holes in the draft it’s gonna be another rough year.
Also, if the Bucs hang on to Eric Wright we’ll all know that the “Buccaneer Men” slogan is bullsh*t regardless of price. Popping pills, smashing into a car after drinking before the season, and tweeting about being at a spa. Not the kind of players Schiano told us when he got the job.
March 27th, 2013 at 5:34 pm
No, I’ll be very upset if we give up a first for Revis. I honestly don’t care if we land Revis since it was a longshot to begin with.
March 27th, 2013 at 6:00 pm
We have so many needs and to not have fixed any besides Safety and LB is u call that pick up a fix. However DE DT TE RT and CB are all needs
March 27th, 2013 at 6:03 pm
Sign vince young
March 27th, 2013 at 6:18 pm
I agree with Justin on this. The pressure isn’t so much to get Revis as it is to get some upgrade at corner.
@Jacko101
Needs, needs, needs. I would like someone that talks about the Bucs “needs” to define the word “need”.
Right Tackle is NOT a need. Demar Dotson (the starter from last year) returns and is healthy. Would an upgrade be nice? Absolutely, but we do not NEED a RT. Same goes for DE. We could use a (big) warm body for the tilted nose tackle position. Not a playmaker. Just a big guy that occupies blockers consistently.
We also have six or seven tight ends on the roster as we speak. We need blocking tight ends, not pass catchers. We are attempting to be a running team and a finesse, pass catching tight end does not fit that mold.
The real need (as in, we cannot go into the season without an upgrade) is corner and maybe DT. We could use depth at other positions. We can’t have pro bowlers at every position guys. It just doesn’t work that way.
March 27th, 2013 at 6:25 pm
Agree with the majority here. We don’t have to sign Revis. We have to get some good Cbs.
We “need” players at these spots, or we “need” to plan on spending yet another season in the NFC South Cellar.
If the players we had were good enough- we wouldn’t keep sucking every season.
March 27th, 2013 at 6:28 pm
We need CB’s, yes, but there’s Revis and then there’s average. Average can be relied on in the draft. The next best CB is 49 year old Winfield. It all goes back to Kaufman being correct and there’s no way to slant this. The only way the Bucs seriously upgrade CB is getting Revis or trading for another stud CB. If that doesn’t happen, me, along with many other fans, will be giving Dom Pewter Hell!
March 27th, 2013 at 6:29 pm
Yeah, that’s our problem! We have so many Probowlers, at so many positions, we can’t squeeze any more on the team. We are just sooo damn talented. . . .
“Sigh”
March 27th, 2013 at 6:42 pm
@westcoastbucsfan I’m am not driving so now I can post a in depth comment starting with DE and DT I recall us losing Roy Miller (starter) and Bennett (starter by default) this off season correct? Bowers hasn’t had a full season yet McCoy Has had 1 and Clayborn 1 so why wouldn’t those positions need Immediate attention. We are running a 4:3 defense therefore we need 4 Defensive lineman. (We currently have 3 starting caliber lineman) (3 injury prone one facing possible unlikely jail sentence).
March 27th, 2013 at 6:48 pm
How is Adrian Clayborn injury prone?
March 27th, 2013 at 6:51 pm
@westcoastbucsfan Demar Dotson is decent however Freeman threw many bad passes because of his inconsistent pass blocking. Could he get better? Yes… But would I be shocked if we drafted a RT or LT and switch Penn to Right? No. I’m no expert but I know my team and I see what were we are strong and where we are weak. And we are very weak at CB TE DL and Slot WR….. We can live without a catching TE for awhile but not with a weak Slot WR. Shiano loves to pound the ball NO Doubt, however with just VJ Mike Will and Doug defenses can adjust to 3 players.
March 27th, 2013 at 6:51 pm
I didn’t say Clayborne was my friend I said McCoy And Bowers
March 27th, 2013 at 6:55 pm
The third would be a non starter speaking about DT Gary Gibson
March 27th, 2013 at 6:59 pm
Oh my Joe!! Would you quit rambling on at the beginning of your stories about Rachel Watson and your ad-libs intro’s of every nickname you got for everyone and just give us the news….that’s what we’re here to read about, not you trying to stretch out your word count…..oh and BTW…it’s spelt Cyprus!!
March 27th, 2013 at 7:05 pm
@Jacko101
Do explain how a defense can “adjust” to 3 different playmakers becasue that would defy every law of football. You have to WR’s over 6 foot that can dunk on their worst day and a palymaking RB who is a dual threat also as a receiver out the back field. Tiquan though not the greatest slot option is more than serviceable and adds a speed factor to the WR core that the previous 2 dont really have to offer. Jackson is long but he isn’t gonna blow by you a la Desean Jackson.
Explain what type of defensive alignment could negate 3 different positions simultanesously? <—(probably butchered it, not gonna lie)
March 27th, 2013 at 7:08 pm
I think everything will turn out alright. They started 2 rookies that were coached up by a horrible coach. The positives are the coach has been replaced with a decent coach who’ll coach them up and they’re no longer rookies. I think Joe published somewhere Revis and others were not great in their rookie year.
March 27th, 2013 at 7:18 pm
@bucit How can you stop Williams and VJ that can dunk on a bad day? Ask Dallas, SD, Philly and Carolina they held us to 110 to 210 passing yards. Forgive me I’m looking ahead because we play harder teams this year man defensive teams Seatle and SF so I think we need to come a bit more talented especially since we don’t have Dallas Clark
March 27th, 2013 at 7:19 pm
Seattle*
March 27th, 2013 at 7:30 pm
@Jacko. Who are your 3 injury prone linemen? Lets see GMC is one. DB is another. You sure you were not talking Clayborn too?
March 27th, 2013 at 7:35 pm
I, for one, would be very upset if they give up the farm for Revision. We are not ONE player away from a super bowl run. Do not mortgage our future, in lost draft picks, for anybody. Go Bucs!
March 27th, 2013 at 7:35 pm
@jacko101
210yds is a bad day? Since when? Dallas and CAR were both early games and the offense was not totally in sync nor was Dougie rolling. So in your arguement you proven my point. When Martin came into his own the offense was practically unstoppabe due to 2 dynamic receivers and a pro bowl RB UNLESS Freeman became Freeman again on gamedays (STL, PHI, NO)
March 27th, 2013 at 7:36 pm
Revis ! Damn predictive spelling.
March 27th, 2013 at 7:39 pm
@jacko
not to mention the 210yd game was his best stats wise: 210 yds 2TDs 0INT 70%comp
March 27th, 2013 at 7:45 pm
@Jacko101
“…DE and DT I recall us losing Roy Miller (starter) and Bennett (starter by default) this off season correct?”
You called Bennett a starter by default and Miller did not play an important role or, more specifically, a role that required a talented play maker. We need a big strong DT to occupy blockers. That is not that hard to find. As far as DE is concerned, YES, you do have to count on guys who have been injured before. Why? Because they were drafted and hold a roster spot for a reason. We MUST count on them. Of course you bring in depth in case they do go down but you DON’T sign starting caliber players as depth.
These positions don’t need “immediate attention” because the starters are already established. Also, as Buc’It mentioned, Underwood is a serviceable slot receiver and Ogletree will provide competition.
I will say it again. CB is the ONLY “NEED” on this team as far as a starter is concerned.
Now onto Capt. Tim’s comment:
“Yeah, that’s our problem! We have so many Probowlers, at so many positions, we can’t squeeze any more on the team. We are just sooo damn talented. . . .
“Sigh”
In no particular order:
Pro Bowlers:
Vincent Jackson
Carl Nicks
Davin Joseph
Donald Penn
Doug Martin
Gerald McCoy
Dashon Goldson
Josh Freeman
Ronde Barber
Talented non-probowlers:
Lavonte David
Mike Williams
Mark Barron
Mason Foster
Da’quan Bowers (came on strong at the end of the year)
Adrian Clayborn
Like it or not timmy, this team is swimming with talent. A lot is involved with winning games, not just the players. Look at the Niners a few years ago. Obviously a VERY talented team that struggled to even make a winning record (or 8-8). Add the right coach and BOOM they are just one rookie’s second fumble away from two straight Super Bowl appearances.
But please, tell me how I am wrong and that the Bucs just suck all without offering any real logic and only looking at the past. (Last place 3 out of last four . . . blah, blah, blah).
March 27th, 2013 at 7:55 pm
Pierat I answers that saying Gary Gibson but you Prob don’t know him he was injury prone. @bucit I’m glad you did some research lets go
deeper. Doug Martin is a special talent, however his name came off 3 games without those his average would be below league average. I will let you google those 3 games. 8 games he had less than 76 yards 8 which means he was held in check rushing wise. (Luckily he is a dual threat). My point is valid we will need more weapons in 2014.
March 27th, 2013 at 8:01 pm
@weatcoastbucs Who is that serviceable DT? If that’s the case we are set across the board. We have Wright,LJ, Gaitor and possibly barber we are set right? Because those guys did well in the Last game of the season right? Come on man…… Don’t be shocked if we go DT in the draft why? Because it needs addressed and bad
March 27th, 2013 at 8:10 pm
@ jacko I was wondering if you might have meant Gibson, but I never really seen him as starter material here in Tampa. Also I replied before your response showed up above my reply. It got stuck in the queue I guess.
March 27th, 2013 at 8:25 pm
No worries pierat and you’re right he isn’t stater material that’s what I’m explaining to westcoastbucsfan lol
March 27th, 2013 at 8:31 pm
@Jacko101
So did you not even bother to read my original comment? I said, “The real need (as in, we cannot go into the season without an upgrade) is corner and maybe DT.”
Also, my entire second comment was about the need at corner but your reply is, “…we are set across the board. We have Wright,LJ, Gaitor and possibly barber we are set right?” <<<<That is the exact OPPOSITE of what I said. And who said anything about the last game of the season?
I would not be surprised at all if we took a DT with our first pick. In fact, if Milliner is NOT there then I would probably bet money on it. We don't NEED a play maker at NT but I am not saying that it would hurt to have one either. As a replacement, as depth and as an added dimension to the defense. But we won't draft one because we "need" one. We will draft one because there is no value on a corner at our current spot in the first round and a DT is a way better value there. It's even more likely when you throw in the fact that Dominik absolutely loves defensive lineman and believes you can NEVER have too many talented ones.
(Oh and Gibson was actually pretty effective in spot duty last year if you watched him play.)
March 27th, 2013 at 8:46 pm
Westcoastbucsfan Correction you did say DT sorry so many convos going on here. Gibson was decent but is he a solid full in? Yes if we are talking rest between a few plays. I still stand firm on out TE/RT and LB stance because Watson and Heyward can’t hold that spot down.
March 27th, 2013 at 8:51 pm
I think they should try to work there way up n the draft and get millner.
March 27th, 2013 at 8:58 pm
My only argument is on your definition of “need”. We have a plethora of TE’s that got the job done last year (minus Dallas Clark who was just a receiver anyway). RT, again, Demar Dotson returns. He is not such a liability that we couldn’t go into the season with him as the starter. He was serviceable at least last season and is still fairly young and developing. He doesn’t “need” to be replaced. That is not to say an upgrade would not be welcome, just that we don’t need one. Our SLB (Quincy’s position) was only taking about 30% of the snaps by the end of the year. We don’t “need” to replace a position that won’t even realistically see that much playing time.
CB and maybe DT are the only positions that we actually need to get a starter for. CB is the only “talented” starter that needs to be upgraded.
March 27th, 2013 at 8:59 pm
According to some of you, it’s a wonder the Bucs didn’t win the Super Bowl last year with all of the talent on the roster.
35 million under the cap once Wright gets waived.
With the Bucs being in such a desperate need of corners it’s going to be hard to watch as teams make moves to jump in front Tampa in draft.
Just evaluate what IS, not what you want it to be. And through that prism, the Bucs are cheap.
March 27th, 2013 at 9:09 pm
@Kaput
Winning teams cap space:
Ravens: $7.2 million
49ers: $4.5 million
Patriots: $13.4 million
Broncos: $8.8 million
Packers: $18.3 million
Losing teams cap space:
Rams: $1.0 million
Panthers: $936,000
Saints: $3.3 million
Vikings: $5.1 million
Giants: $4.5 million
Cowboys: $51,000
Raiders: $2.8 million
Chiefs: $3.1 million
Steelers: $2.5 million
Your argument that we are losing because of our cap space holds NO water. There is literally ZERO correlation between the teams that spend the most and the teams that win the most. Please stop posting that pathetic excuse on every single article. Its getting old.
March 27th, 2013 at 9:34 pm
We don’t need revis , just and upgrade at corner, second round draft pick will be fine! But depth would be nice too.
March 27th, 2013 at 9:47 pm
When we release Wright? That’s a big if, not a when. I’m lobbying and I know Im in the minority, for us to work out a reduced deal for him hopefully with the intention of him playing nickel corner. That said, I was as frustrated as anybody else with his play last year.
March 27th, 2013 at 10:09 pm
Is Myron Lewis still a Buc?
Was Myron Lewis drafted before Jimmy Graham?
Why didn’t we sign atleast 1 friggin FA CB to replace Biggers.
Our CB unit is in absolute f*cking shambles.
I was really hoping we would fix the CB unit in FA, alas “suck thru the draft” again.
“Patience” is needed to be a Buc fan.
Not playoffs, no playoffs, not talking post season, no super bowls…. We are talking about patience.
Two sad words to describe the state of the Bucs:
Fans need to be “patient” with choosing not to spend to improve on MISTAKES, both drafted and signed thru FA.
Our QB doesn’t make mistakes, he just has “miscommunications”, sighs….
When can we flush the “patience” and the “miscommunications” out of the window Excuses, excuses, they all smell like a$$ holes.
March 27th, 2013 at 10:09 pm
Is Myron Lewis still a Buc?
Was Myron Lewis drafted before Jimmy Graham?
Why didn’t we sign atleast 1 friggin FA CB to replace Biggers.
Our CB unit is in absolute f*cking shambles.
I was really hoping we would fix the CB unit in FA, alas “suck thru the draft” again.
“Patience” is needed to be a Buc fan.
Not playoffs, no playoffs, not talking post season, no super bowls…. We are talking about patience.
Two sad words to describe the state of the Bucs:
Fans need to be “patient” with choosing not to spend to improve on MISTAKES, both drafted and signed thru FA.
Our QB doesn’t make mistakes, he just has “miscommunications”, sighs….
When can we flush the “patience” and the “miscommunications” out of the window Excuses, excuses, they all smell like a$$ holes.
March 27th, 2013 at 10:36 pm
@SteveK,
I feel your pain, I really do. Even for me, it’s hard to figure out what the hell we are doing. I would have never believed that by this time we still wouldn’t have a CB, but it is what it is.
I do know, however, that we are eventually going to do something in the CB department. Just by numbers alone, we have to. Assuming we get Revis, we need another starting CB. I would assume this will be achieved through the draft. I’m starting to think Wright will be back, obviously at a lower price. Perhaps Ronde comes back and goes back to CB. That gives us a helluva lot better secondary than we had last year, albeit probably not the best in the NFL. Add to that better coaching and we may be okay next year. There’s a whole lot of “ifs” in there, but its the best I got.
March 27th, 2013 at 10:52 pm
No he needs to get Revis. When the best player at CB is available and you have no one atnthe position, you get him.
March 27th, 2013 at 10:57 pm
Joe this still does not explain why they let Avril slip away, made no attempt to bring in Dumervil, have not blinked at any quality TE or slot receiver such as Danny Amendola, or I don’t know go after Washington as a back up RB and fix our kickoff/punt return game or lack there of. The fact that we haven’t brought in one freaking player for a visit in the deepest free agent pool I can ever remember just blows my damn mind!
March 27th, 2013 at 11:44 pm
@westcoastbucfan, I agree with you to some degree about identifying a need, however it becomes a need when you have absolutely zero quality depth. That was proven last year on both of our lines. And yes Claiborne is injury prone if you consider he played 1 out of 2 seasons. The Giants have proved that you can’t have too many stud pass rushers. We Gould have either kept Bennett or signed Avril or Dumervil. I think we go with DT Star Or Richardson with our first overall pick, sign Jonathan Banks with our second, Sam montgomery DE 3rd, Terry Hawthorne cb Illinois 4th, Jordan Mills RT Louisianna Tech 5th, Jasper Collins WR Mount State and I’m ping to stop there. If we can pull this off and land Revis we would be a force to be reckoned with and provide quality depth in a lot of areas!
March 27th, 2013 at 11:47 pm
Sorry dr the typo’s, hard to type on this phone.
March 28th, 2013 at 12:36 am
Paul:
As for Avril, Joe doesn’t know why Dominik didn’t (of may have and passed) go after him other than it appears Dominik wants to put all his eggs in Da’Quan Bowers’ basket. Yes, that’s a roll of the dice.
Not sure if Dumervil is a good fit in Bill Sheridan’s offense.
To be fair, Dominik did sign a tight end and a slot receiver.
March 28th, 2013 at 12:42 am
Phenom:
No.
March 28th, 2013 at 1:05 am
Calling this the deepest free agent class is utterly ridiculous. Damn people have some seriously short term memories.
March 28th, 2013 at 8:43 am
It’s amazing that Bucs fans far and wide are putting so much faith in a guy that has done NOTHING positive in his short time on the field in his first two seasons…DaQuan Bowers…seriously…where is this fantasy land that you’re all envisioning where Bowers is perfectly capable of coming and being an impact starter on Day 1? We are in dire straights at the Defensive End position if its Clayborn/Bowers with crappy Daniel Teo Nesheim waiting in the wings until one of them goes down. We will not be in the playoffs if that is the case, guaranteed.
March 28th, 2013 at 10:38 am
I’m completely fine with Dominik taking two corners early in the draft. The draft is deep at the position and there will be adequate talent available to fix the secondary. The only problem with rolling out two rookie corners is the learning curve. The pass defense should be better with the addition of Goldson, but might not be solid until the rookies get experience. In the long run I like the idea better than throwing draft picks at the Jets and signing Revis to a huge contract.