Bucs Bag Special Teams Ace Dane Fletcher
March 16th, 2014
Now here’s a switch, the Bucs signed a standout free agent from the Patriots.
NFL Network is reporting the Bucs have inked linebacker Dane Fletcher to a guaranteed, one-year contract of $1.2 million plus incentives.
He’s your Dekoda Watson replacement, a special teams guru who can also bring a little something to the defense.
BSPN had this to say about him recently:
Fletcher, who led the Patriots in special-teams tackles last season (15) and played 18 percent of the defensive snaps (primarily as a sub/coverage player), previously visited with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Fletcher overcame long odds to emerge with the Patriots, signing as an undrafted free agent in 2010 and making the transition from college defensive end at Montana State to NFL linebacker.
Fletcher might have his best days ahead of him. He’ll turn 28 this season and returned strong last year following blowing out his knee (ACL) in the 2012 preseason opener.
March 16th, 2014 at 3:27 pm
Great Signing! Special Team Demon-Yeah baby!
March 16th, 2014 at 3:30 pm
Hoping we grab WR/ST Kassim Osgood (Gunner) as well
March 16th, 2014 at 3:36 pm
would he play will mike or sam usually? Does this affect whether Bucs would go Khalil Mack if he was available?
March 16th, 2014 at 3:37 pm
Lost some good special teamers in Hayward and Koda. This will help. Great Dane may even rotate with Casillas.
March 16th, 2014 at 3:38 pm
Adam Hayward Career (Special Teams Total Tackles)
• 2013 (*11)
• 2012 (*8)
• 2011 (*9)
• 2010 (*10)
• 2009 (*10)
• 2008 (*8)
• 2007 (*8)
March 16th, 2014 at 3:41 pm
Rare to say “Good signing” and “I hope you don’t play a single snap of defense this year” in the same sentence, but here we are nevertheless.
March 16th, 2014 at 3:43 pm
Dekoda Watson Career (Special Teams Total Tackles)
• 2013 (*5)
• 2012 (*7)
• 2011 (*3)
• 2010 (*13)
Career Special Teams Fumble Recoveries (*3)
March 16th, 2014 at 3:50 pm
Expecting #58 LB- Ka’Lial Glaud to step up this year-kid showed promise last year.
March 16th, 2014 at 4:22 pm
More NFL ready depth… Lovie wants to win now.
The draft should be fun too.
March 16th, 2014 at 4:26 pm
Again….one of the 32 players we got from the Revis cut….
March 16th, 2014 at 4:27 pm
Have we got $175.00 left in cap space to resign Myron?
March 16th, 2014 at 4:30 pm
LUVMYBUCS,
What happened to Joe Adams, speedy slot WR drafted by Carolina in the 4th. Had a couple of costly fumbles and was cut. Just disappeared off the map. Looked good coming out of Arkansas. You know anything?
Has Dezmon Briscoe had time to grow up? Very immature at one point but could catch. Worth a look now that we have senior-level NFL coaches?
Your opinion!
March 16th, 2014 at 4:47 pm
Please don’t bring back Brisco.
March 16th, 2014 at 5:01 pm
@Macabee
Joe Adams, is a mystery-I thought for sure the kid was make some sort impact on special teams/possibly a valuable slot receiver.
As for Briscoe same-Both have talent-It seem more mental than anything…smh
I still think their solid prospects-along with Jacoby Ford.
I seriously wanna know what the hell happen to LB/DE Ronnell Lewis. I know he made a few dumb decisions (Bar fights/DWI)-But this kid, has speed (4.6) and immense hitting capabilities-I’ve always thought he would be a good strong side backer/special teams ace in the 4’3. Last I heard he was in the Simi-Props somewhere.
Would be a good reclamation/redemption project-Folks I’ve talked to say even though he’s -strong willed-he a great kid (We’ve all got out demons I guess)
Your thoughts?
March 16th, 2014 at 5:05 pm
Ronnell Lewis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hfk3UrGYoVo
March 16th, 2014 at 5:09 pm
Picture looks like Tom Brady on steroids.
March 16th, 2014 at 5:11 pm
(We’ve all got our demons I guess)
March 16th, 2014 at 5:15 pm
Still one of the best Punt Returns I’ve ever seen
Joe Adams punt return against Tennessee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxW2mL8BbOA
March 16th, 2014 at 5:18 pm
I wouldn’t mind Briscoe at all. He can catch and was a pretty good route runner if I remember.
Lol @ TBBF
March 16th, 2014 at 5:26 pm
Jacoby Ford-(Definition of Speed In Space)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz6VWCBLHeo
March 16th, 2014 at 5:29 pm
It took the Broncos brass n former QB John Elway 8 yrs before they discovered what it takes to win a Super Bowl. Fourteen years later, n overly confidence that they would beat the Seahawks, after a disappointing lost, they have aggressively attacked free agency the way Manning attacked defenses in 2013. They r hungry n wants to win now. What’s my point? Y aren’t we aggressively grabbing players who r starters from winning teams? Michael Johnson is the only true starter coming from a winning team. Y have we allowed top notch n proven receivers who have consistently made a difference n the NFL go to other teams before we signed them. Will someone please update me on what’s the plan for the BUCS.
March 16th, 2014 at 5:57 pm
dmatt – The Bucs tried this approach the last 2 years. It didn’t work that well.
March 16th, 2014 at 5:59 pm
you get people who fit your system! not evey player is a starer or a star! tell me what the Eagles dream team did? NOTHING
March 16th, 2014 at 6:33 pm
Why you call them Dream Team-Because Vince Young said So-LMAO
(Offensive)
• Signed QB Vince Young to a one-year contract.
• Agreed to terms with WR Steve Smith (Coming off Torn ACL)
(Defense)
• **Fired Sean McDermott defensive coordinator (Replaced Him with Offensive Line Coach Juan Castillo???)
• Agreed to terms with DE Jason Babin on a five-year contract.
• Signed DL Cullen Jenkins (Aging)
• Traded QB Kevin Kolb to Arizona for CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a 2012 second-round draft pick. (Terrible system fit)
• Signed CB Nnamdi Asomugha to a five-year contract. (Terrible system fit)
Terrible Trade:
• Traded DT Brodrick Bunkley to Cleveland for a 2012 fifth-round pick.
March 16th, 2014 at 6:50 pm
Yep. Dom all he did was collect players who were pro bowlers yet didn’t look if they fit the system. Only Jackson worked out for him. Saying something.
March 16th, 2014 at 7:02 pm
@Chris that’s all i was saying
March 16th, 2014 at 7:52 pm
The Saints hosted free agent FB Erik Lorig this week. If the Bucs lose him, not knowing Tedford’s scheme, I don’t know what they may do. The good news is the Saints can only get Schiano G2, so good luck with that!
There is only one FB that I would consider in the late rounds, JC Copeland/LSU. Former D-line player with a nasty attitude. Can catch out of the backfield and has a little shake and bake. At 272lbs is agile and a fierce blocker. Plays like Vonta Leach.
March 16th, 2014 at 8:04 pm
The eagles dream team also was put together during an offseason with no training camp and limited offseason training. It does take time to gel but that year was a little different given they were not even aloud to enter the facility…much less practice. You gotta take that into account.
March 16th, 2014 at 8:04 pm
@Zam It doesn’t really matter much which of the LB positions he plays. He’s workable, but wont be starting any time soon. If Mack is there they may take him, but he will probably be off the board before we get to pick. Look for Qb, Receiver or O-line for our 1st pick.
March 16th, 2014 at 8:05 pm
Picture looks like a cross between tom brady and J.J Watts
March 16th, 2014 at 8:09 pm
Are there complaints about the Bucs off season?
Tampa has some weird fans.
March 16th, 2014 at 8:20 pm
So, I am glad Lovie is here over Raheem and Schiano… but I keep hearing Bear fans say things like this about Lovie:
“19 – 38 against teams over .500 in his career at Chicago, a .333 winning %, how can Lovie be such a great Head Coach. Granted he is a great defensive coach but not a head coach. He rarely makes any in-game adjustments, horrible at deciding whether to challenge or not and very, very conservative on offense no matter who the OC is. Not to mention too loyal to players he likes even if they are bad. Tampa will have a tough time competing in their division because their division has winning teams, there are no Lions and Vikings (when Lovie was in Chicago these 2 were pretty bad).” Bears Fan
March 16th, 2014 at 8:36 pm
Zam-the correct answer is all of them. In the T-2, when they bring a LB in, they initially train him at the Sam LB position because the belief is that if a guy can play the Sam, he can play all 3 spots.
March 16th, 2014 at 8:41 pm
If they wanted Lorig, he would have been signed by now.
March 16th, 2014 at 8:43 pm
If Tampa did that is.
March 16th, 2014 at 8:43 pm
LUV,
Couldn’t disagree more about Lewis. He was originally invited to the Combine as a DE. Due in large part to being 250+ but also because his decent speed (4.65 official) is all straight line speed. He is very very stiff, tightly wound, and really struggles to change direction.
Jacoby Ford, I think would be a very wise bargain WR due to his return ability and speed in space. If he can get over his injury issues, he could still pan out. Another bargain guy, Heyward-Bey…it would be nice having him on the roster when/if the light ever comes on for him.
March 16th, 2014 at 8:49 pm
237- You ask if there ate any complaints, state Buc fans are weird, then complain about Lovie. Yes, if you are a Bucs fan, then at least for you, what you said is true.
#1 He won 33%, better than 0%
#2 The Lions were the only consistent loser in that division
#3 The NFL landscape changes drastically almost any season, teams change season to season
#4 Only 6 of 16, 37.5%, of our games come against our division.
March 16th, 2014 at 9:17 pm
PRBucFan,
The Bucs made Lorig an offer, maybe it’s Lorig that wants to test the market! If you have information that says they don’t want him, post it!
Rick Stroud
@NFLSTROUD #Bucs are attempting to re-sign potential free agent FB Erik Lorig and LB Jonathan Casillas, but talks are preliminary.
Reply Retweet
March 16th, 2014 at 9:30 pm
@Brandon
NOT SAYING HE DOESN’T NEED WORK-Sure his diagnostic skills are questionable-And yes he is a little tight in the hips. Initially so was Al Singleton & Shelton Quarles-
HE”S A PROSPECT WITH A FEW DESIRABLE QUALITIES FOR THE POSTION-Nice temperament- Can seal the edge. Can put his hand in the dirt and give you some pass rush. He’s a workout warrior, and has a tendency to bulk up to. Much like Dakota Watson.
High School Tape (Shows he was fluid enough)-Above Average LB/RB
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk7p41CQf8E
Draft Profile
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smd3VzJ_GdY
March 16th, 2014 at 10:06 pm
I didn’t complain about Lovie read-ee.
I quoted a Bear fan about his comments about Lovie.
March 17th, 2014 at 6:29 am
Fletcher played some fullback in new england also