Bucs In Battle For Erik Lorig?
February 26th, 2014
Bucs scrambling to keep Erik Lorig?
There was a lot of chatter at the NFL Scouting Combine last week about how running backs have been devalued in this age of throw-first, ask-questions-later NFL. Fullbacks? They are nearly obsolete.
Almost, that is. The Bucs currently have Erik Lorig as their fullback, but for how much longer? He’s a free agent and reading the words of Jason LaCanfora of CBSSports.com, the Bucs would be in for a fight to retain Lorig’s services.
Lorig, a pending unrestricted free agent, would draw interest from several teams, seen as one of the best on the market at his position, and the Bucs are working to retain him.
At this point he may well hit the market, though a return to Tampa would still be possible even if so. He was a strong performer and elite blocker, helping back-up running backs thrive even after the Bucs lost top back Doug Martin for the season. Lorig has also displayed an ability to perform as a tight end, with his versatility a plus.
LaCanfora noted the Bucs are making a “push” to keep Lorig in Tampa Bay.
Maybe this is why Bucs coach Lovie Smith hinted to Joe that they may be looking to add running backs, perhaps mindful Lorig might get away? Lovie told Joe last week the Bucs wanted a stable of guys to surround Doug Martin.
Maybe Lovie sees the handwriting on the wall?
February 26th, 2014 at 8:03 am
I hope he stays, he’s a good blocker and I loved it when he got on a roll with Dougzilla – imagine what he’ll do in a REAL offense? xD
February 26th, 2014 at 8:20 am
This regime is not going to get in a bidding war with themselves. Lorig will be gone.
February 26th, 2014 at 8:46 am
I like Lorig. He brings a lot of versatility to the position. I hope we bring him back. But if not, Lonnie Pryor was pretty good at FSU and there’s JC Copeland/LSU in the 6th round.
I also read the Bucs are trying to bring back Casillas. No mention of Watson.
February 26th, 2014 at 8:53 am
Can you please stop posting garbage from LaCanfora?
He has a terrible track record of releasing bogus information.
February 26th, 2014 at 9:07 am
@snook, I’ll forward your concerns to him…
February 26th, 2014 at 9:08 am
Fullback has to be the 25th priority on a priority list of 25 things the Bucs need to address!
February 26th, 2014 at 9:16 am
Did the Cal offense feature a fb in most sets?
February 26th, 2014 at 9:20 am
@flmike:
Thanks. And after that, send me a story that LaCanfora acrtually broke himself and didn’t piggyback off someone else.
He’s a hack. Right up there with Pat Y at ESPN.
February 26th, 2014 at 9:22 am
@ Hawaiian Buc
Not to beat a dead horse about the Revis posts yesterday but I was offline by the time your blogs hit so I just wanted to say I agree 100% with you in regards to us not running strictly zone cover 2 as well as having the cap space for Revis as well as improving other areas. Nice blogs yesterday.
February 26th, 2014 at 9:29 am
Not sure how much it’ll have an effect but I did see that they’re bumping the cap up by a bit so that might take some of the sting off the 16 mil
February 26th, 2014 at 9:47 am
In a fight for an obsolete position in todays nfl, sounds about right
February 26th, 2014 at 10:01 am
Snook, didn’t LaCanfora break the news about the J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets shopping Revis last year?
February 26th, 2014 at 10:59 am
legalize POT man
February 26th, 2014 at 11:14 am
Time to start Lonnie Pryor anyways
February 26th, 2014 at 1:03 pm
Didn’t Lovie wear out Matt Forte when he was HC at Chicago? Hopefully Lovie as self scouted and has seen the value on having a few guys carry the rock and not just one “Bell Cow”
IMHO Lorig has had a big part in DM22 success during DM22 rookie year. and I hope Lorig stays.
February 26th, 2014 at 2:43 pm
Got to keep him if the offense requires a fullback. Not only is he one of my favorite Bucs because of his lunchpail attitude, but look at Martin’s big runs and the role he plays there. Not a lot of guys like him out there.
February 26th, 2014 at 6:50 pm
I hate how the nfl is pass first ask questions later. 3000 yard seasons used to mean something now it seems like almost any qb can come in and throw for at least 3000. I dont get it.
February 26th, 2014 at 8:48 pm
We sure seemed pretty inept at running, when Lorig wasn’t in the game!
February 26th, 2014 at 8:50 pm
He was greatly underused in the passing game. The guy has played TE. He has shown both good hands, and good es capability, on the rare occasions he was involved in the awful Rutgers offense.
March 1st, 2014 at 4:40 pm
Snook Says:
“legalize POT man”
Argh. We actually agree on something.