“It Consumes You”
July 25th, 2013
Mark Dominik talked about how players, coaches and front-office types obsess about money when they’re in contract years.
Is Josh Freeman thinking about the $100 million or so contract he could lock down with a strong season in 2013?
Rockstar general manager Mark Dominik says Freeman surely is. Players in contract years get very caught up in the business of football, Dominik explained during an interview this morning on the Ron and Ian show on WDAE-AM 620.
Yes, Freeman has said repeatedly he doesn’t think about money. So Joe enjoyed Dominik’s dose of reality.
Ian Beckles: You got Mike Williams signed and that’s awesome. … Now Josh’s contract’s up this year. How do you guys go about making a decision who’s contract gets settled? Because I’ve been in a situation before where I was starting and I was like, ‘I want to re-up.’ And they’re like, ‘Well, wait til the end of the year.’ You ever worry about what it does to that athlete?
Mark Dominik: Yeah, I think about it. I mean let’s be honest; I’m sure Mike thinks about his contract non-stop. When you get closer to that, I know from a National Football League perspective, whether it’s a coach, whether it’s myself, when you’re contract is going to end it’s hard not to think about it, right Ian? I mean, it consumes you. And I know that happens for every player on this football team. … That’s just how you think.
Interestingly, Dominik went on to reveal that part of the reasoning behind locking up Mike Williams early, with one year remaining on his contract, was the steadily escalating contracts for wide receivers.
Joe notes that QB contracts are skyrocketing, as well.
Dominik said he wants Mike Williams’ new contract to reverberate throughout the Bucs’ roster. “I’m hoping that the locker room sits there and thinks, ‘Look, Mike’s really produced for our football team and he’s earned that contract.’ And I’m hoping that’s the message that’s been sent,” Dominik said.
July 25th, 2013 at 3:39 pm
He better not get a $100 million deal if he has a good year this year. Not enough consistency to justify it.
July 25th, 2013 at 3:49 pm
Matt Ryan just signed a 103 million dollar deal. Romo surely is not worth the 100 million that he just received. Josh Freeman will get 100 million plus. if not in Tampa Bay, the Kansas City Chiefs will Gladly pay that next year to bring their favorite QB Son home. Anyone who thinks different is out of touch.
July 25th, 2013 at 3:57 pm
They can have him for 100 million
July 25th, 2013 at 4:02 pm
couch fan not saying its right but that is what the market is commanding.
July 25th, 2013 at 4:04 pm
We need to lock up Freeman…100 mill ..whatever
July 25th, 2013 at 4:05 pm
if 100m is the going rate for a QB then that is what everyone will have to pay…thats the way things work
unless the league have a meeting and just drop all their prices for qbs this year much like they did with cornerbacks last year
July 25th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
100m is elite QB money. Freeman is not elite, and no matter what he does this year, including winning the super bowl, he should not get paid that kind of money until he can at least have 2 good seasons back to back. Matt Ryan has consistently took his team to the playoffs. He is on another level than Freeman.
July 25th, 2013 at 4:39 pm
Every time Joe mentions Mark Dominik he always says Rock Star Mark Dominik. Always. The first time I read it, it was mildly amusing. The tenth time it was getting old. Now I am at the ten thousandth time and I say, “Let it go , Joe”.
This kind of writing is typical of local media (media?) who want a wider audience but don’t have the knowledge or intelligence to get there. Anyway Joe, I still read your blog every day.
July 25th, 2013 at 4:42 pm
How about $99,999,999.99?
Shaun King thinks we should have already wrapped him up!
“Shaun King, one of two Buc Quarterbacks that lost a NFC Championship Game when his defense gave up 11 or fewer points.”
If he plays well, we will wrap him up mid year and we will have to pay the going rate.
July 25th, 2013 at 4:49 pm
Romo received 100 million dollar deal and he is not elite. Stafford got 76 million and he rarely plays a full season. The market is what it is. like freeman or not he will command and receive a 100 million deal. especially if the bucs wait the entire season and he makes a playoff run and sets more franchise records. not personal couch fan but those are the realities of being a QB in today’s market… i actually agree with you but the market will dictate otherwise. that’s not even throwing in the fact that desperate teams tend to over pay.
My personal feeling is freeman lights it up this year and the bucs make playoffs. All the dom haters can bash me but if freeman has a good preseason he should lock freeman up to a value deal. If Freeman pulls a flacco and the bucs make a Superbowl run he will break the bank.
July 25th, 2013 at 4:57 pm
That last part really makes me happy. Production = Money.
Im not a fan of overpaying suspect players just because its hard to find a QB that isn’t complete crap. I would rather risk losing Free and finding a replacement then giving him a fat contract without seeing two good seasons in a row. I get the feeling that Dom is one of the GM’s that wouldn’t play that game either.
It all comes down to what Free and his agent thinks he’s worth but I just don’t see Dom giving out a fat contract outside of a phenomenal year and a SB appearance. This whole idea that a good 2013 = fat contract is ridiculous to me. Why shovel so much of our cap space into a guy that hasn’t played anywhere near consistently and then have to lose guys that have done their jobs for the organization to cap casualties? It’s crazy. If Free has a good year and you really want to keep him then Franchise him and take the 1 year hit but a long term deal for a guy that hasn’t put two good years together and has a total of 2 yes 2 winning seasons including college isn’t a smart move. See Sanchez.
July 25th, 2013 at 5:06 pm
Anyone ever hear of Sanchez. They paid him big money and look what happened. jfro is Sanchez unless he turns it around this year.
to hell with our record. if martin and the D carry the team who the hell is to say jfro is worth 100 mill
until he starts reading a defense, has better ball location, more leadership and performs in the clutch……….the he’s the sam jfro 6 pack sould glow Jackson we have always had. and 10 mill a year for that is being generous.
yall are all too caught up in his pretty boy image and POTENTIAL to see the forest through the trees.
July 25th, 2013 at 5:13 pm
If he is having a good year Dom can try to squeeze him for a decent contract that is incentive loaded. If he is having a great year, give him the money. If he is having a bad year…..save the money for other players & go with Glennon. Buy Glennon a top 3rd reciever and a Probowl tight end.
Or…..you could wait and either franchaise him or let him go.
Shaun King is wrong….I am glad we didn’t already resign him.
“Shaun King, one of two Buc Quarterbacks that lost a NFC Championship Game when his defense gave up 11 or fewer points.”
July 25th, 2013 at 5:21 pm
Lock him up after a good preseason? No thanks, look what happened last year… He gets worse as the year goes on. Elite QBs are guys like Brady and Brees who carry their teams and make everyone around them better. Freeman may have better tools around him (minus a TE) than any other QB in the league. 3 former pro bowlers in front of him, pro bowl running back and pro bowl WR. Remember Carson Palmer was wishing he could have played for the Bucs before he went to the Cardinals, and who could blame him. Freeman better play lights out if he thinks he’s an elite QB and deserving of that huge contract others get. Hell, even Hillis, Leonard, and Lorig can catch the ball well out of the backfield. Pressure is on for Josh, he’s set up for success and the “potential” talk is getting old with Bucs fans. Hopefully this is the year (as we’ve been saying before every year).
July 25th, 2013 at 5:26 pm
“league have a meeting and just drop all their prices for qbs”
‘Cept for them pesky anti trust laws & all that stoopid stuff.
July 25th, 2013 at 5:43 pm
I don’t think he’s worth 100 mil. I don’t like freeman because I think he’s a great qb. I like him because he’s good enough to win with this team. We give him 100 mil, we don’t have this team. Its simple economics. I don’t think he can win with a lesser team. To get that and still be a contender in the NFL, that qb has to be brees Brady Ryan manning esque. Sadly freeman is not THAT good. Roberts right: look at Sanchez for example. U give a qb that’s not elite that kind of money, the team suffers. I understand its market value, and the nature of the beast, but I’d rather watch him walk than pay him that dough.
July 25th, 2013 at 5:45 pm
WTH
July 25th, 2013 at 5:58 pm
I’m with Tampabaybucfan I think if he looks much more improved like he DID from 2011 to 2012. He looked a helluva lot better in 2012 from 2011 although some fools out there thought he regressed.
If he looks better in 2013 than he did in 2012. I’m sure rock star general manager Mark Dominik will take a stab at it midseason.
July 25th, 2013 at 6:00 pm
^^^^ which by the way will have robert fuming mad
July 25th, 2013 at 6:09 pm
@Buc1987
Where is Buc Realist?…..I’m sure he won’t like whatever Dom does…..the bottom line….you can’t gamble long-term on Freeman just because he has talent & he is young….he has to get it done. Cut him some slack early on with new coaches & systems & few weapons….but now….no excuses.
I actually like our offense. Concerned about our front 4 holding up over time.
I think our special teams will be much improved under Wannstedt.
July 25th, 2013 at 6:10 pm
Front Four….Defense that is….
July 25th, 2013 at 6:26 pm
@ Tampabaybucfan
lol keep your trademark phrase going, its to funny.
July 25th, 2013 at 6:29 pm
I dont think theres any way around it. if Freeman has a good year he going to get a contract thats at or close to 100 mil.
July 25th, 2013 at 6:46 pm
@ Andrew 1
Someone has to keep Joe in check when it comes to Shaun King….after all….I think if Josh Freeman had King’s defense he would have one that NFC game.
Here you go again Andrew 1
“Shaun King, one of two Buc Quarterbacks that lost a NFC Championship Game when his defense gave up 11 or fewer points.”
July 25th, 2013 at 6:49 pm
Freeman deserves an incentive laden contract if he shows consistency this year. I mean loaded with incentives like Tampabaybucfan stated earlier. Which btw I think he will meet those incentives.
July 25th, 2013 at 6:56 pm
@ Tampabaybucfan
lol I swear I laugh every time i see it. thank you
July 25th, 2013 at 6:57 pm
@Buc 1987
An incentive based contract is a great way to go forward with someone who has shown inconsistency. And…after all, if performance is there….then there is the money.
Look at Revis….no guarantees….that is truly incentive based…
July 25th, 2013 at 7:29 pm
J Fro would have the most balls batted at the line of scrimmage if weren’t for the Spleen Machine, Chris Simms. That’s what pisses me off about Josh more than anything else. Interceptions thrown right to defenders, no clock awareness, dirt balls. I can’t stand the batted balls at the line of scrimmage.
July 25th, 2013 at 8:02 pm
^^^^that I agree
July 26th, 2013 at 3:45 am
Loud and clear Dominick,
In other words if he thought Free deserved it, he would have received it by now. Time to literally prove your worth this year.