Cornerback Depth A Major Issue — Again
July 19th, 2013
Rockstar Bucs general manager Mark Dominik watched as numerous good cornerbacks signed with new teams after the free-agency bell rang in March.
But Dominik and the Bucs didn’t bite, despite their flimsy cornerback depth in 2012.
Letdown cornerback Eric Wright was retained at a reduced rate, so Joe wrote numerous times that apparently Dominik didn’t think anyone on the 2013 market was better than Wright. That seemed like decent logic, but now Wright was booted today from the New Schiano Order in a trade to the 49ers for a conditional draft pick.
“Thin” is the best word to describe the Bucs secondary — in a passing league. The Bucs now are counting on a superstar coming off a major knee surgery and a rookie. And the likes of Anthony Gaitor, Danny Gorrer, Leonard Johnson, Myron Lewis are unproven and/or lousy.
Yes, the Bucs signed former longtime Cardinals veteran, small corner Michael Adams, a few weeks ago. But Joe’s concerned.
Last year, the Bucs’ opening-day nickel cornerback, Brandon McDonald, was on the street shortly before opening day. And McDonald didn’t last the season.
The Bucs might be combing the streets again for talent following training camp. It’s a puzzling position for a team loaded with talent and available salary cap room.
July 19th, 2013 at 4:31 pm
Clearly means Banks has shown enough to be a lock as the #2 CB. Good riddance Easy E.
July 19th, 2013 at 4:36 pm
Between this and Barth playing russian roulette with his career…not the type of “quiet” week you hope for in July in the NFL.
July 19th, 2013 at 4:36 pm
I thought Banks was better than Wright to begin with, but to Wright play nickel, or for added depth was a big plus. I guess we’ve gotta cross our figures that Reeves can last a full season after his injury.
July 19th, 2013 at 4:37 pm
Wow! I swear Myron Lewis has 9 lives
July 19th, 2013 at 4:37 pm
This is NOT a good GM. I will argue that with all the people on defense coming back from injuries, Mark Dominik has done nothing to help the Bucs depth. He could have re-signed Bennett and Miller for PEANUTS (despite injury concerns) but didn’t. He gets Eric Wright’s contract down to something manageable, then trades him with no replacement.
I don’t see the PLAN here. I don’t see what this is going to accomplish. Big deal… late round draft pick. Dominik has yet to re-sign one of his own draftees to an extension so it’s not like he’s doing anything with the draft anyhow.
I’m firmly seated in first-class on the FIre Mark Dominik Bandwagon. Shaun King is bringing me pretzels.
July 19th, 2013 at 4:39 pm
Do not be surprised if a suspension is looming for Eric Wright, teams catch wind of these things from the league well before they’re announced.
Also, don’t be surprised if Dominik trades for another cornerback, or sniffs the waiver wire for a solid vet cut during training camp.
July 19th, 2013 at 4:41 pm
Dominik, is the worst GM in the division. Bucs depth is pathetic on defense.
July 19th, 2013 at 4:52 pm
I’m with you BoJacksonSucks. I agree 100%.
July 19th, 2013 at 4:57 pm
Performance-wise, a bad attitude eric wright playing nickel for 1 year @ $1.5 million > anybody else on our roster (outside of Banks and Revis).
This move screams Aqib Talib. I understand why Dominik traded Talib last year, but is it even arguable that the defense suffered dramatically for the remainder of the season as a result of that trade? I’m not saying Talib even had a good season, but his performance for the Bucs last year was practically hall of fame worthy compared to that of Gorrer, Johnson, etc.
Not every player with a subpar attitude needs to be traded. That being said, I will postpone further judgment because as Bucs fans, WE CAN”T HAVE ANYONE FREAK OUT THERE, OK!? WE’VE GOTTA KEEP OUR COMPOSURE!
July 19th, 2013 at 5:04 pm
The only decent CB on the street right now is Sheldon Brown. Had a good year last year stepping in for Joe Haden in Cleveland. He’s 34 years old but for a one-year stop-gap he’d definitely be worth signing. No one else currently available is as talented as Brown. If the Bucs don’t sign him they probably wait until rosters are down to 53 to grab a released player. No way they go into the season without adding another CB in my opinion.
July 19th, 2013 at 5:06 pm
I was calling for Brent Grimes all damn summer, if we were just going to do this anyways we should have signed our former stud of a rival.
Just watch as he flourishes in Miami.
I’ve been saying it here.
July 19th, 2013 at 5:09 pm
settle down everyone, with all the other moves the pop-star gm has made this offseason, the Bucs still have a shot at getting 3rd place in the division. DON’T GIVE UP HOPE NOW!
July 19th, 2013 at 5:11 pm
Somebody get a whambulance for the entire Bucs community right now. Wright would not be the difference between the bucs getting rings this year and not. Dom made a mistake by signing him and now he salvaged a pick. Instead now we have a clear cut #2 CB who is more motivated and talented than this clown. Boo frickin hoo.
With the same breath you bitch about Dom you also say you hope we dont get bit by the injury bug AGAIN. I will venture to say that with the picks Dom has made if they were to play an injury free season with the veteran presence he has brought to the team you all will be singing a different tune next year. For the time being, watch your 2nd and 3rd year players develop and grow rather than bitch about Wright who has a pathetically low ceiling.
July 19th, 2013 at 5:45 pm
Wow! The cry babies are out in full force. Typical response from the juvenile crowd. Thanks for not letting me down guys. Always entertaining to read the panic posts from the kiddies.
July 19th, 2013 at 6:40 pm
Pathetic, the experts were right dead last in the division. this gm need to be traded along with this coach,thank goodness they will be gone next and we can bring in a real gm and coach.
July 19th, 2013 at 7:23 pm
Whose crying???
Lol I am so damn tired of you trolls attacking every single post that doesn’t agree with every damn move the Bucs make. Mind your own damn business
It was a risky move and unless they don’t have a plan not involving a replacement we are indeed thin in the depth department. That is the truth.
Apparently we live in a world where only cotton candy, care bears, and rainbows exist lol smh, God forbid anyone has any differing views.
July 19th, 2013 at 7:26 pm
P.S. I know now the Bucs had to get rid of him but they STILL need to find depth to replace Wright. That is all I’m saying.
July 19th, 2013 at 9:15 pm
Michael Adams is a good enough replacement for Eric Wright. I’m more worried about depth at three other positions…dline, oline & rb.
July 20th, 2013 at 1:28 am
A few thoughts from a Buc fan in Alabama…
1- wright’s loss hurts a little. But Wright did this to himself. The Bucs are building a team for the future. He drank and adder allied himself off the team. By trading him you raise the bar for every other player on the Bucs… That builds character and draws a line in the sand. The Bucs want men, it immature boys.
2- depth- definitely weaker, but we brought in 2 new starters. Revis & Banks. Backups are likely Johnson (who played well all year) and Gorrer (sp?). We improved by 2 players at corner. Not perfect, but we are better. Adams & Gaiter, not sure what they bring.
3- wright let us down. The bucs gave him a chance to stay and play. He chose to drink. We routinely have seen that type of player torpedo the Bucs (Talib, Winslow, Tanard Jackson), guys with great talent who aren’t team guys. The reality is you can’t trust and build with them, but it isn’t always clear when/if they will grow up. The Bucs have been patient with players, giving opportunities to shape up. Those that do eventually go.
4- team depth. We definitely have weak areas. RB is unproven after Martin. I watched a game of Leonard’s and was very unimpressed. Smith and the other rookie have no nfl carries. However, if they play like Martin did this coming year, we will have depth. But we can not count on that. QB after Freeman is scary. TE is just mediocre across the board. OL is fine. WR- a lot of guys trying to fill a few backup spots, prob. Alright there. Defense- DL is young and u tested. bowers looked great as I researched the season. Clayborn was the real deal before injury. McCoy is a pro bowler. The rest are kinda a weird mix. We need rookies to contribute a lot here. teoNeesham (sp?) looked really good filling in also. LB- we have 2, foster who is good and David who is great. After that, not impressed. All about the same. But we will play a lot of nickel and dime, so that may. To be as crucial. CB- like I said, 2 new starters. Johnson may be the perfect nickel corner anyways. Db- pretty deep.
July 20th, 2013 at 1:30 am
Some people really over-think these things and worry about what-ifs.
I guess we should back-up all the back-ups too…………. just in case.
Lol…….Lol
July 20th, 2013 at 1:31 am
Sorry… Lots of typos and auto-correct errors 🙁 I better proof read in future!
July 20th, 2013 at 6:07 am
You’re right about that Bobby.
July 20th, 2013 at 3:09 pm
Yea so right!