“Betting On His Potential”
March 9th, 2014
Every year there is outright madness in free agency at certain positions. Unfortunately for the sack-starved Bucs, this year’s lunacy is at defensive end.
The Vikings inking of Everson Griffen to a five-year, $42 million contract today, with $20 million guaranteed, is evidence of what happens in a pass-happy league that has fewer sackmasters than star quarterbacks.
Griffen, 26, has just 17.5 sacks over the past three seasons, 5 1/2 last year.
As Vikings beat writer Ben Goessling outlines in the BSPN video below, Minnesota is “betting on his potential.”
So is that what you earn for pass rushing “potential,” $20 million guaranteed? Jeez. Perhaps the Vikings would trade a second-round pick for DaQuan Bowers? That Vikings deal is worse than former Bucs rockstar general manager Mark Dominik giving Michael Clayton $10 million guaranteed in 2009, five years removed from his only strong season.
Lovie Smith was barking loudly a few weeks ago about how he needs a double-digit pass rusher in a hurry because he doesn’t have one on the roster. If Griffen is commanding that kind of cash, then want will a proven sackmaster demand?
BSPN reported that seven teams (one of them the Bucs) are chasing Bengals free agent pass rusher Michael Johnson, who’s leaps and bounds better than Griffen. And to think Dominik and Greg Schiano likely could have locked up Michael Bennett last year for less than the price of Griffen! That’s enough to drive Joe to flavored vodka.
Joe sparred a bit on Twitter with his friend Shaun King today about the Griffen deal. The former Bucs QB was appalled that Joe said William Gholston very well could be in Griffen’s league because Griffen hasn’t proven much. Joe stands behinds his take.
Joe’s assuming that either Minnesota is nuts (doubtful), or teams are diving into the Seahawks model of collecting talented defensive ends.
Hopefully, when the dust settles on free agency this week, the Bucs have a legitimate pass rusher on the roster, not a guy with a $20 million price tag and “potential.”
March 9th, 2014 at 8:31 pm
Joe I would say that we have two of them, if we are going to dream, might as well dream big and as you have said we may already have one, but let’s just say we want two performing regardless of where they come from.
March 9th, 2014 at 8:36 pm
I agree with you Joe about your comparison with gholston and griffen. However the main thing to look at is the 20 mil guaranteed and how it is divided in the 5 years.
March 9th, 2014 at 8:38 pm
Come on down Mr. Johnson. Also being reported on Rotoworld that the Bucs are in hot pursuit of Anthony Collins. Land these two big dogs and were off to a terrific start. Penn might be finding a new home.
March 9th, 2014 at 8:41 pm
Well Griffin is getting the same amount as Goldson difference being Goldson is the highest paid fs and the top teir de’s still make 50% more than Griffin. Id rather pay Griffin that with potential to break out than pay Goldson that with the potential of being suspended or ineffective
March 9th, 2014 at 8:45 pm
Sloppy 2nds…losers fightings over last call…it is all about drafting over time…we have mortaged this franchses future going back to Scott Dill……
March 9th, 2014 at 8:46 pm
Wally Chambers…
March 9th, 2014 at 8:50 pm
If we don’t get Manziel, who’s your second preference in the first round Joe?
March 9th, 2014 at 8:51 pm
Give clayborn 22 mil guaranteed lol
March 9th, 2014 at 9:38 pm
Greg Hardy just signed a FT for 13mil. With the salary cap expected to go to 160mil by 2016, the Bucs will pay Michael Johnson 9 or 10mil a year and not blink an eye.
March 9th, 2014 at 9:43 pm
This is the “glass is half full” opportunity! Lets trade Bowers for 2 first rd picks and trade Claybourn to Minn for Adrian Peterson and their #8 pick this year.
How crazy this is from last year. Obviously, this is bad news for what we are going to have to pay this year. Plus we will likely spend a high pick on a DE.
March 9th, 2014 at 9:47 pm
Imagine the money Sapp would’ve gotten in today’s free agency.
March 9th, 2014 at 11:15 pm
Harry seems high
March 10th, 2014 at 9:15 am
Joe, don’t do the flavored vodka. It’s not worth it.
Save that for if JFF is available at #7 and we pass on him.