Slim Pickings For Free Agent Quarterbacks
April 5th, 2013
Surely the Bucs are not considering pulling Vince Young out of mothballs after turning loose Dan Orlovsky yesterday, are they?
Joe is just about convinced either the Bucs will draft a quarterback no earlier than the second day of the draft (in three weeks) or are about to pull a trigger on a trade for a quarterback.
Yes, Josh Freeman is the starting quarterback, let’s get that out of the way right now, at least for the time being. How many times have we heard about the Bucs wanting competition at quarterback, even though Bucs coach Greg Schiano knighted Freeman as the starter at the NFL Combine?
So if competition is important to the Bucs, then take a look at these Canton QB candidates still available on the streets, courtesy of Rotoworld.com.
Byron Leftwich
Brady Quinn
Vince Young
Matt Leinart
Charlie Batch
Kellen Clemens
Tyler Thigpen
Caleb Hanie
Sage Rosenfels
Seneca Wallace
A.J. Feeley
Troy Smith
Chris Redman
John Beck
J.P. Losman
Excited?
Now why is Joe ceratain the Bucs will trade for or draft a quarterback? Consider there were some OK quarterbacks out there that Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik could have signed to give Freeman a push to be excellent. Matt Moore was available. So too was David Carr, and Ryan Fitzpatrick, as well as Matt Hasselbeck. No more. Each has a new team.
Surely the Bucs wouldn’t think of dragging Vince Young, who enjoys running around nightclubs topless, out of unemployment? So if the Bucs were truly serious about competition at quarterback, does anyone believe there’s a QB in that list above believe that could push Freeman anywhere but to the chow line at One Buc Palace?
Joe was of the mind, and has told people in social settings, that if Freeman struggled this year, the Bucs likely would draft Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron in the second round of 2014.
Maybe the Bucs have moved up such plans, albeit sans McCarron?
April 5th, 2013 at 8:07 am
I believe they’re looking at 3 qbs: bray Manuel and Tyler Wilson. They interviewed all 3 at the combine and Wilson and Manuel at the senior bowl as well.
I think qb would be a hot topic for Tampa starting in round 2 if Tyler Wilson is there.
April 5th, 2013 at 8:15 am
How about the “Purple Drank Kid”? The guy had skills but he played for the most dysfunctional franchise for the last 15 years. The Raiders. Though not a popular suggestion, we can get him for a sandwich and a Pepsi, for actual playing experience depth. He’s lost a lot of weight and has been working out very well according to several sources. Hell…. Hit him up for a tryout. we have nothing to lose but a possible gain at backup.
Competition anyone???????
April 5th, 2013 at 8:16 am
Wow Joe, that list represents 16 failed GMs who have all been fired since these picks were made.
April 5th, 2013 at 8:23 am
@BROCKTACULAR
If you’re talking about JaMarcus Russell, someone will have to teach him how to read and make his mark, he’s barely literate, and he’s an idiot of monumental proportions. Know what finally got him cut from the Raiders? He was sent home with a DVD of the game plan for that week’s game, when he came in the next day he was asked what he thought of the game plan, he said he thought it was great, he was then taken to Mr. Davis’ office where in front of Mr. Davis the DVD was put in a player and the play button pushed, the DVD was blank. Davis cut him on the spot.
April 5th, 2013 at 8:26 am
is clearly that we are gonna pick a QB, the problem is when…. im starting to think about a 4th round pick and choose between Bray and Wilson…. and believe me, both would be available on the 4th round…..
April 5th, 2013 at 8:28 am
Even if they were able to swing a trade for another QB that they liked, they’ll still need at least one more QB if they decide Freeman’s not the guy after this season. So trading for one this year AND drafting one next year would seem to work as well.
April 5th, 2013 at 8:32 am
Vince Young or a trade is coming.
April 5th, 2013 at 8:35 am
Nothing would put more pressure on Freeman than drafting a guy in the first 3 rounds. We all know Freeman is the starter for this year, no exceptions. But if you have a rookie sitting on the bench and learning for a year that you know is being groomed, THAT is pressure…and it’s a smart backup plan.
April 5th, 2013 at 8:36 am
Russell? You’d have to be a bigger fool than Fatass himself to think he could ever be a Buccaneer.
Freeman is in on the bubble here because his perceived poor decision making and at least he has done something in this league.
April 5th, 2013 at 8:38 am
Bucsfan
This is just my opinion, but if we give this years first(a big maybe) or next years 1st and 2nd I refuse to believe we’ll be taking a QB 4th round or earlier in 2013 draft. Too give up those high picks for Revis tells you one thing. Bucs are fine with Josh Freeman as QB. We need DT/CB/TE/RT more than we need a QB. If you guys think your finding the next Russell Wilson or Collin Kapernick your crazy because this doesn’t happen ever. I wouldn’t mind signing Chris Redman. He’d be a good pick up to back up Freeman without wasting draft picks. We don’t need a rookie who hasn’t even started a NFL game. We need a guy with experience in the league and Redman has been backing up Matt Ryan for years and came in and played well when he(Ryan) was injured.
April 5th, 2013 at 8:41 am
Never heard the Jamarcus Russell “film school scholar” story. Funny as hell and actually believable too.
Where did it come from?
April 5th, 2013 at 8:43 am
We did supposedly reach out to the Patriots about Ryan Mallett a few weeks back…that’s the only realistic trade possibility I could think of…or maybe Kirk Cousins.
As far as the draft…I would be surprised to see us take a quarterback any earlier than the 3rd round. Tyler Wilson seems like a bad fit. He has crappy arm strength which just doesn’t fit with what we want to do on offense. Tyler Bray seems like the best fit because he has a cannon. However he has similar accuracy issues as Freeman so you would have to hope that is correctable. Mike Glennon is another guy with a big arm. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see us take Landry Jones around Round 5. He played in an NFL-ready system and was a starter and leader for years. E.J. Manuel also fits the bill in terms of arm strength, but he will be a 2nd round pick and I can’t see us taking one that high.
April 5th, 2013 at 8:44 am
Now that he has been humbled. I would bring back Josh Johnson. He is still young and could fit the backup role nicely. I mean he was beaten out by Kampernick even though statistically he had a better preseason last year.
He needs a Schiano as opposed to Raheem.
April 5th, 2013 at 8:50 am
Sirus,
If you’ve seen josh the past two seasons like everyone else has, they’re not confident. There is no rush to extend freeman which means its make or break. I would not feel comfortable not having a quality back up option.
I’d look into tyler Wilson in roud 2. Very good qb who had a terrible situation last year. He’s going to be a steal in round 2.
April 5th, 2013 at 8:51 am
Why waste a draft pick on a qb when we have many other needs to fill AND it’s a weak qb draft class. Wouldn’t mind give Russell a look. Fits the scheme and would be cheap and is looking to win a starting role. He will be motivated
April 5th, 2013 at 8:58 am
@Biff Barker
That story has been floating around since Russell was cut, I first heard it from a sports caster here in Miami, and have heard similar versions since from others, but all center on the fact the DVD Cable gave him was blank and Davis blew a gasket. Remember, this is a kid who scored a 4 on the Wonderlic, you truly have to be quasi-illiterate to score that poorly.
April 5th, 2013 at 8:59 am
I’m not suggesting they will draft a QB, just laying out a possibility.
I firmly believe Freeman is and will be the QB of this team for years.
You don’t cast aside a 6’6″ 235lb QB with excellent work ethic unless he completely sucks – and Freeman is far from that. Inconsistent, sure. Sucks? Uh, no.
Alas, none of us know what the Bucs are thinking but the big picture will become clear by the end of the draft.
April 5th, 2013 at 9:01 am
I’m crossing my fingers Zac Dysert is on the Bucs’ short list. He’s going to be a steal for the team that pulls the trigger on him.
April 5th, 2013 at 9:03 am
I don’t get where many say Wilson has a crappy arm. He can sling it.
Bray too me seems like a idiot who would not pick up and understand the playbook quickly. Wilson would for sure. Same with Manuel.
April 5th, 2013 at 9:05 am
I hate to say it but, my gut tells me Revis and Tebow are close to becoming Bucs. Why would they advertise drafting QB? It’s not their style. Tebow would sell tickets. Revis would sell tickets. If Josh can’t hold off Tebow then the brass have their answer. Schiano is a man of character and a teacher (TEBOW), and worse case they draft/lure another QB next year. The Bucs would be media magnets.
April 5th, 2013 at 9:07 am
Jamarcus Russell anyone?? ??!
And if that doesn’t work out we could always use depth at de.
Ya’ll know we need some…
April 5th, 2013 at 9:09 am
I have full faith in the immaculate Vince Young taking our franchise straight to the Super Bowl
April 5th, 2013 at 9:11 am
When this subject of getting competition for Freeman and Blount was put on the trade block, I immediately thought of Chip Kelly and the Eagles.
It is common knowledge that Blount is on the trade block and that Kelly would take a 3rd round pick for Nick Foles.
Blount and a late 4th round pick is not beyond the reason of possibilities! If Foles could win a game against the Bucs, surely he qualifies for a back-up role.
April 5th, 2013 at 9:17 am
Revis and Tebow FTW!
April 5th, 2013 at 9:28 am
They are just clearing room for the Revis trade when they are forced to take Tebow off the Jets hands.
April 5th, 2013 at 9:34 am
It’s so hard to believe that even a small population of the buc nation are that desperate and pathetic they actually are mentioning jamarcus russell as an option as pushing josh freeman or even being a back up.
jamarcus russell probably couldnt beat out orlovsky for back up, he cant even hold even hold freeman’s pads and thats saying something because josh is average.
To think schiano would deal with a lazy bum like that, you guys are insane and showing just how desperate YOU, bucs arent that desperage
April 5th, 2013 at 9:40 am
Josh give it up with this Tebow thing.Tebow will start next year but it will be in the CFL
April 5th, 2013 at 9:43 am
Ok here it goes…Scubog that was some funny stuff…..The Skins just resigned whats his name (the QB from Chicago) and they signed Pat White (QB from WVU). How many QBs do they need when they have one of the best in RGIII. What if theres a trade already in place for that kid (Kurt Cousins) they drafted right behind RGIII from Michigan State. He stepped in for RGIII last season and had a hell of a game. I believe between here and the Jets with Revis that Blount is a part of a package deal. We trade down in the first round with the Redskins to pick up there first rounder, Kurt Cousins, and an additional pick later by trading them our first rounder and Blount (or Blount goes to the Jets). We than trade our first rounder this year (which is now a later first rounder) with an additional pick to get Revis. This way we retain the rest of our picks (2-6) and get a QB and top CB out of the deal. I dont know about you, but it sounds good to me.
April 5th, 2013 at 9:43 am
@bucfan
Wilson in rnd two? That’s the funniest post I’ve seen. Josh is our guy plain and simple and its his job to lose not aome rookies to try and win. Wilson will be there two rounds later too…lets not pull an Oakland here, janikowski probly would’ve been available in the 3rd or 4th
April 5th, 2013 at 9:44 am
It makes me laugh to hear people say Freeman is the starter this year and we all know that. No. What we know at this point is he is the starter to start the season. If he does not get it done I have no doubt he will be replaced fast. They will not wait as long as they did when finally put Freeman on the field. Now the fun part is the guessing game. Like everything else none of us know for sure. Who would or will it be??
April 5th, 2013 at 9:47 am
If josh doesn’t perform this year it’ll be Murray we take from UGA. Tampa native with good leadership and the town would embrace him…however again Josh has to get fired
April 5th, 2013 at 9:50 am
I didn’t say I want Tebow. I said the Jets are going to force him on us.
April 5th, 2013 at 9:58 am
Tebow is not a bad idea for Tampa, and for Joe Bucs Fan. There needs to be SOME kind of excitement around here.
How about Vince Young AND Tim Tebow? Then all the fans can have a QB debate about the backups. Also, you can hear the stories of how Young loves Mons Venus and 2001 et al… while Tim preaches on. It can become an age-old debate about the expected morality of NFL footbal players in 2013… and why is it so bad to go to strip clubs afterall?
Sure beats listening to stevekay whine about the Bucs cutting yet another player with no replacement in place.
April 5th, 2013 at 10:01 am
Vince Young or Jamarcus Russell? Some of you mooks are crazy.
Russell a 4 on the Wunderlic and Vince got a 7.
Freeman is criticized for decision making because the Bucs want a QB that can read coverages.
Yet either of these guys would be sweating trying to read a Dr. Suess book.
April 5th, 2013 at 10:03 am
I only have two names. And I know I’ve said this before-If we dont persuade Houston with some type of compensation for T.J. YATES
Then there is only #1 QB I would luv for us to draft and that’s Arizona’s QB Matt Stone(4th Round). The young man is a beast. Highly Competitive, Resiliency & Tough as all get out; accurate (Can thread the needle). The young man is a warrior.
Matt Scott Stats(2012)
CMP301 ATT 499 PCT 60.3 RAT 133.5
YDS 3620 AVG 7.3 TD 27 INT 14
RUSHING STATS
ATT 113 YDS 506 AVG 4.5 TD 6
Matt Scott Vs #9USC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81vkGTV0xxo
Matt Scott Vs Stanford
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUa4xUGoeM0
April 5th, 2013 at 10:05 am
Washington just signed Pat White and Rex Grossman, so they are carrying four QBs with Cousins, White, RG3, and Grossman. Could they be shopping Cousins for picks? They don’t have a 1st this year, so it would seem they’d like to acquire some more picks. Maybe even a trade featuring picks and Blount who would fit Shanahan’s scheme pretty nicely.
April 5th, 2013 at 10:05 am
Laughing just thinking about Russell in a Schiano training camp and trying to pass the conditioning test.
April 5th, 2013 at 10:05 am
So if I’m forced to pick from that group, I think my first choice (and we are talking backup) would be: Vince Young
Stop throwing things already.
I think the Bucs could use a mobile QB for certain situations and I think Vince could give them a few plays here and there. He says he is trying to come back and he played well at Texas. Brady Quinn would be my 2’nd choice and I think he hasn’t had a good pro coach. The Bucs have that so when I think backup QB, youth and mobility comes to mind now. No more statues please.
Still, they all suck. I’m pushing for the Bucs to draft Teddy Bridgewater next season if he does well again.
April 5th, 2013 at 10:05 am
I only have two names. And I know I’ve said this before-If we dont persuade Houston with some type of compensation for T.J. YATES
Then there is only #1 QB I would luv for us to draft and that’s Arizona’s QB Matt Stone(4th Round). The young man is a beast. Highly Competitive, Resiliency & Tough as all get out; accurate (Can thread the needle). The young man is a warrior.
Matt Scott Stats(2012)
CMP301 ATT 499 PCT 60.3 RAT 133.5
YDS 3620 AVG 7.3 TD 27 INT 14
RUSHING STATS
ATT 113 YDS 506 AVG 4.5 TD 6
(Youtube the following and tell me what you think)
Matt Scott Vs USC (2012)
Matt Scott Vs Stanford (2012)
April 5th, 2013 at 10:07 am
Wasn’t Tebow’s old QB coach McDaniel’s younger brother at Denver who is now with the Bucs?
April 5th, 2013 at 10:09 am
Mar 14, 2013 – NFL Films’ Greg Cosell believes Arizona QB Matt Scott has an “overall similar skill set” to Colin Kaepernick.
April 5th, 2013 at 10:13 am
The Highly Respected Greg Cosell answers questions concerning his views on Matt Scott-
Q: What do you think of Matt Scott?
COSELL: This kid has been in a number of different offenses. He ran the one-back, four-wide offense, which is essentially an option offense. He is schooled in the option offense.
I know he’s working with George Whitfield. I know from speaking with George that Scott is up to 215 pounds. This year I think he played at about 195.
He’s got very quick feet. He can move and reset. There’s obviously that playmaker element to his game because of his athleticism. He’s got a very quick arm. I wouldn’t say he has a gun, but he has a quick arm at the short and intermediate levels. He snaps throws, and I saw him make some NFL throws. He throws the deep ball well. I saw him throw the back-shoulder fade numerous times, and he threw it very effectively. That’s not an easy throw to make. He was willing to look down the gun barrel. He was a tough kid. Sometimes I thought he was too tough, given his size, but he’s a naturally tough kid and you can’t teach that.
To me, he’s an extremely interesting prospect given that multidimensional skill set. I’m not going to sit here and tell you he’s going to be Russell Wilson, because Wilson I think in many ways is just different and special. I don’t know Matt Scott, but I think this kid is the most intriguing prospect of the quarterbacks.
My guess is he’s gone before the fifth round, but what do I know?
April 5th, 2013 at 10:22 am
I only have two names. And I know I’ve said this before-If we dont persuade Houston with some type of compensation for T.J. YATES
Then there is only #1 QB I would luv for us to draft and that’s Arizona’s QB Matt Stone(4th Round). The young man is a beast. Highly Competitive, Resiliency & Tough as all get out; accurate (Can thread the needle). The young man is a warrior.
Matt Scott Stats(2012)
CMP301 ATT 499 PCT 60.3 RAT 133.5
YDS 3620 AVG 7.3 TD 27 INT 14
RUSHING STATS
ATT 113 YDS 506 AVG 4.5 TD 6
(Youtube the following and tell me what you think)
Matt Scott Vs USC (2012)
Matt Scott Vs Stanford (2012)
The Highly Respected Greg Cosell answers questions concerning his views on Matt Scott-
Q: What do you think of Matt Scott?
COSELL: This kid has been in a number of different offenses. He ran the one-back, four-wide offense, which is essentially an option offense. He is schooled in the option offense.
I know he’s working with George Whitfield. I know from speaking with George that Scott is up to 215 pounds. This year I think he played at about 195.
He’s got very quick feet. He can move and reset. There’s obviously that playmaker element to his game because of his athleticism. He’s got a very quick arm. I wouldn’t say he has a gun, but he has a quick arm at the short and intermediate levels. He snaps throws, and I saw him make some NFL throws. He throws the deep ball well. I saw him throw the back-shoulder fade numerous times, and he threw it very effectively. That’s not an easy throw to make. He was willing to look down the gun barrel. He was a tough kid. Sometimes I thought he was too tough, given his size, but he’s a naturally tough kid and you can’t teach that.
To me, he’s an extremely interesting prospect given that multidimensional skill set. I’m not going to sit here and tell you he’s going to be Russell Wilson, because Wilson I think in many ways is just different and special. I don’t know Matt Scott, but I think this kid is the most intriguing prospect of the quarterbacks.
My guess is he’s gone before the fifth round, but what do I know?
April 5th, 2013 at 10:24 am
Apologize having rough time posting on the site Joe
April 5th, 2013 at 10:27 am
Look for brian hoyer from the cards and a QB in the draft.
April 5th, 2013 at 10:32 am
Josh Johnson signed with Bengals. Kirk Cousins would be great. Should be a starter in NFL. Draft picks I like Dysart & Scott. Could end up being steals.
April 5th, 2013 at 10:46 am
Tyler Thigpen…. go back and see what he did in KC (to us even) and played well in Miami…. Backed up Ryan Fitzpatrick in Buffalo strong arm and natural talent never got full shot because of who he was backing up but this guy can play QB.
April 5th, 2013 at 10:51 am
If still available in Round 2, CJ Manuel would be a solid pick given he is smart, has good reaction time, strong, mobile and a decision making leader. Ideal for grooming and pressuring the guy who can’t handle pressure.
April 5th, 2013 at 10:52 am
Lol! The depths the posters here will accept is disgusting.
Vince young? Jamarcus Russel??
Are you joking?
No wonder the team isn’t worried about putting a winner on the field!!
If you would be willing to tolerate those two turds , then you obviously don’t expect this team to ever win anything!! You just watch to see the shiny uniforms!!
April 5th, 2013 at 10:59 am
There will be plenty of other free agent QBs on the streets between now and the time training camp opens.
April 5th, 2013 at 11:31 am
I am not here to defend Freeman. But he realizes his job is on the line and that if he does not get a run of solid games or a deep playoff push he will not be resigned. With that said all he has to do is be more careful with the ball, and remember punting is not always a bad thing. If you guys remember correctly BRAD JOHNSON won a Super Bowl TRENT DILFER won a Super Bowl. Starting to catch my drift? These were not elite QB’s, but they were game managers. Freeman has shown he can manage, but his problem is he forces the ball. But the real point here is building a Defense is your best Offense. Defense wins championships, so fix that we are on our way. I do believe we are on our way to fixing that. So I would not waste any picks or a lot of money on a QB. I like what SirustheVirus said, bring in Chris Redman, he has some game experience and has sat behind a top 10 QB for the last few years. I like the competition theory but feel Josh needs someone to mentor him and push him at the same time. Bucs fans should support him because bashing him this one year will get us know were. GO BUCS…
April 5th, 2013 at 12:10 pm
Tampa 2, I agree. Not a sexy trade, but Hoyer would be the guy I’d expect to be coming our way. I’d like Cousins if Dom could pull it off without giving up too much. As far as the draft, the only guy I’d really like would be Scott, as LUVMYBUCS mentioned. I wouldn’t kill Dom if Nassib was there in the 2nd and he took him, but that’s high for a QB this year I think. Not too high on the rest, as they all have major shortcomings in different areas.
April 5th, 2013 at 12:50 pm
Jets should give us a pick to take Tebow – LOL
April 5th, 2013 at 1:04 pm
BROCKTACULAR Says:
April 5th, 2013 at 8:15 am
How about the “Purple Drank Kid”? The guy had skills but he played for the most dysfunctional franchise for the last 15 years. The Raiders. Though not a popular suggestion, we can get him for a sandwich and a Pepsi, for actual playing experience depth. He’s lost a lot of weight and has been working out very well according to several sources. Hell…. Hit him up for a tryout. we have nothing to lose but a possible gain at backup.
+++++++++++++++++
Actually, he has not lost a lot of weight. He barely weighs south of 300. I think what you are thinking is that based on the video you saw, that they mentioned he still needs to lose a lot of weight. I think I saw that he weighed 288 or something like that…. which is fine if you want him to play DE.
I honestly wouldn’t care if we signed him. It would be to a minimum deal, no risk, everything to gain. Lazy players like Russell play best out of necessity. Like I said 7-8 years ago, giving a huge paycheck to a fat lazy athlete is only going to make him lazier… now that the money is gone, now he has motivation to play. He’s still a huge QB with a great arm, and good athletic ability. Gruden would give him a shot.
April 5th, 2013 at 2:31 pm
jamarcus,vince young or tebow,anyone who said any of these names is a moron. that is all
April 5th, 2013 at 2:34 pm
NC State QB Glennon…
April 5th, 2013 at 2:50 pm
the thought of tebow as our qb is about as exciting as herpes,all u idiots can drive and watch him in orlando as a predator.
April 5th, 2013 at 3:22 pm
Id sign Batch in a heartbeat. Reliable backup. Been in the league forever. Has rings. I think he can really help Free out and step in if necessary.
April 5th, 2013 at 3:23 pm
Sign Batch and draft a mid to late round QB to groom.
April 5th, 2013 at 5:52 pm
Not sure why so many people think that we would be interested in “mobile” quarterbacks…
We already have a mobile quarterback and Schiano won’t let him use his mobility!
Schiano wants a statue.
April 7th, 2013 at 2:50 am
Vince Young has a higher winning % than Josh, and the year Josh had a 96 QB rating, Vince Young had a 98.
I’d like to see Young brought in to compete for the starting spot.