Bucs Shopping Jeremy Zuttah?
March 16th, 2014
This really isn’t nor shouldn’t be a surprise. It seems Bucs general manager Jason Licht is not resting whatsoever after a fruitful week of wheeling and dealing. As nice as it was today, Joe can picture Licht poolside on his cell phone.
Per NFL insider Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, Licht is dangling Bucs offensive lineman Jeremy Zuttah as trade bait. Of course, we all know that in recent days, shopping a guy during the free agent recruiting season is usually a precursor to an outright release.
@JasonLaCanfora: After signing OL Evan Dietrich-Smith from Packers, Bucs open to listening to offers on OL Jeremy Zuttah. If value not there will keep him. … Bucs, as I’ve noted, prioritized reshaping their OL this offseason and parting w/vets near the end of their deals factors into that. … But ultimately Bucs can still carry Zuttah’s salary if need be and prize his versatility. BAL, IND, NYG among teams w/need at interior OL.
How many times did Bucs coach Lovie Smith if not Licht himself talk about how disappointed they were in the offensive line? If the Bucs find a taker for Zuttah, the only returning starting lineman will be right tackle Demar Dotson, and Joe suspects the main reason why is his team-friendly salary.
Zuttah is the last link to Chucky still on the Bucs’ roster, sadly, was one of the very few decent draft picks Chucky (and Bruce Almighty) ever had.
This rumored trade, if it is consummated, just reinforces Joe’s hunch the Bucs will be drafting an offensive tackle in the first round (still, Joe is holding out hope cooler heads prevail and Johnny Football comes to town to rescue the offense).
And yes, Joe knows the Bucs just signed a guy to play left tackle; a guy Joe might add who has never started a full season on the NFL level. Currently, the front line of the Bucs looks paper-thin.
March 16th, 2014 at 8:55 pm
Zuttah is very valuable, unless it’s a 3rd pick or higher, then I say keep him!
March 16th, 2014 at 8:55 pm
this is odd….
March 16th, 2014 at 8:58 pm
Going after Robinson . Great fit for run blocking in zone with ability to get to the second level and abuse
March 16th, 2014 at 9:01 pm
Watkins . Mack. Or Robinson are the picks . Hopefully one of them are left at 7
March 16th, 2014 at 9:03 pm
Zuttah is not going to fetch a third round in this deep draft class
March 16th, 2014 at 9:10 pm
Theyll take that missing 4th rounder for him. No way we get a 3rd or better for zuttah
March 16th, 2014 at 9:16 pm
I understand that the need for a better O-line is what they are after but lets be honest, depth was the biggest issue that has ravaged these parts for quite some time. i really can’t believe that we don’t try and keep some of these guys to have some type of depth. Gabe carimi is gone and who else do we have?
March 16th, 2014 at 9:21 pm
With Carl Nicks likely not playing and Joseph gone why would they trade their best guard? Seems like nonsense to me.
March 16th, 2014 at 9:21 pm
No problem with Bucs shopping Zuttah…its just good business….they have nothing to lose.
March 16th, 2014 at 9:24 pm
Keep him. He can play all over the line. Players like that are invaluable.
March 16th, 2014 at 9:25 pm
WalkdaPlank Says:
March 16th, 2014 at 9:21 pm
It could mean that they’re optimistic about Nicks’ return. Word is that he’s doing well, but it’s hard to ascertain exactly what that means. Their willingness to let Zuttah go to another team, means either (a) they feel good about Nicks, or (b) they know they’re going to draft an OG and plug him in this year, or (c) both.
March 16th, 2014 at 9:30 pm
IF THERE DRAFTING FOR THE O LINE OR WR(SAMMY IF HE FALLS) THAN THEYMUST BE LOOKING AT THE QB’S NEXT YR
March 16th, 2014 at 9:31 pm
If they trade him they have a replacement for him and is all about trying to make ppl think we are not going to draft a QB.
First round is going to be a QB Johny or Teddy.
Every move they are doing is taking us to a QB.
Sorry Glennon i actually liked u.
March 16th, 2014 at 9:33 pm
Good lord is anyone safe?
March 16th, 2014 at 9:37 pm
He’s an average lineman. We can improve. There’s probably 15 guys in this draft better than he is. Don’t be satisfied with mediocrity.
March 16th, 2014 at 9:38 pm
Gabe Jackson/Miss State, 2nd round, problem solved!
Lol. I have no idea, but I like road graders and this guy can do it. I have no doubt that we’ll get/draft a very capable OG if not my choice!
March 16th, 2014 at 9:40 pm
uh oh…..
March 16th, 2014 at 9:43 pm
I really don’t see how releasing Zuttah, a serviceable starter who can play three positions on the offensive line, and who earns an average salary, makes this team any better. Change just for the sake of change is rarely a good idea.
March 16th, 2014 at 9:44 pm
They will never get anything higher than a 4th for him…if 4th, take it, if lower, keep him.
March 16th, 2014 at 9:46 pm
Johnny Angel ..
Johnny Angel ..
Johnny Angel ..
Johnny Angel ..
You’re an angel to me
Johnny Angel
How I love him
He’s got something that I can’t resist
But he doesn’t even know that I exist
Johnny Angel
How I want him
How I tingle when the draft passes by
Everytime he says Omaha
My heart begins to fly
I’m in heaven
I get carried away
I dream of him and Tampa Bay
And how it’s gonna be
Other QB’ will
Test their fate
But I just sit and wait, I’d rather concentrate
On Johnny Angel
‘Cause I love him
And I pray that someday he’ll love me
And together we will see how lovely heaven will be
I’m in heaven
I get carried away
I dream of him and TB
And how it’s gonna be
Other QB’ will
Test their fate
But I just sit and wait, I’d rather concentrate
On Johnny Angel
‘Cause I love him
And I pray that someday he’ll love me
And together we will see how lovely heaven will be
*Johnny Angel ..
Johnny Angel ..
Johnny Angel ..
Johnny Angel ..
You’re an angel to me
March 16th, 2014 at 9:47 pm
sorry it posted on wrong que
March 16th, 2014 at 9:49 pm
1987,
This is why you hear people say in losing seasons – you still have to put good film out there because you never know when you will be ousted.
Look at it now, both Penn and Joseph have bad film on a bad team = unemployed still.
No doubt they will be signed but their values are bottomed out now after playing bad on bad team!
March 16th, 2014 at 10:17 pm
WalkdaPlank Says:
“With Carl Nicks likely not playing and Joseph gone why would they trade their best guard? Seems like nonsense to me.”
Nonsense? Nonsense happened last season on Sunday’s and sometimes on any given day of the week, but mostly on Sundays.
Right now, what choice do we have? We fans have to trust that they will do right by us.(Glazers included).
It looks like they are going to try to spend like hell out of this mess. I really don’t know if anyone named Glazer really cares anything about American football. They could be in it for the money (hint: they probably are) and really don’t know how to fix this mess they are in. So we the fans suffer. Who cares they gave us our 1st SB right? Thank you VERY VERY MUCH, but I’m still alive. I want more please.
Whatever.
Inept owners.
Then again if no VIABLE head coaching acquisitions were available at the time of hiring Schiano, (Chip Kelly said no thanks) then they hire someone like Schiano and hope for the best. The best was not the best at all. In fact it was a nightmare. So now it’s Lovie and Licht, spend ,spend, spend until they fix this mess for Team Glazer.
Cross your fingers everyone!
Stay tuned. The Glazers might fix it this time or they might not. Keep crossing your fingers!
So now it’s hire Lovie and Licht and try to spend the Glazers out of the mess they put themseilves and their fan base in. Yikes!
TRUST NO ONE!
March 16th, 2014 at 10:17 pm
passthebuc…LMAO
March 16th, 2014 at 10:23 pm
@Buc1987-Good lord is anyone safe?
Lol, winter is coming!
March 16th, 2014 at 10:29 pm
LUV, who is this Bucs team that is going to take the field in 2014?
McCoy, LVD, Dougie, VJax and who else will be left from 2013?
Ya never know anymore.
March 16th, 2014 at 10:44 pm
They are pros who have looked at the film and evaluated each player vs. what they could get in free agency at an affordable price.
Lovie blasted our oline from the beginning. Should be no surprise.
They have no attachments to any of these guys, like fans do. (And some media members)
Not spending their way out, they are clearing and replacing dead wood. They have released a lot of salary to allow for this bloodletting.
March 16th, 2014 at 10:48 pm
Eric…let’s hope that works for them.
March 16th, 2014 at 10:52 pm
@buc1987
Yep, let’s hope!
March 16th, 2014 at 10:55 pm
@Buc1987
Yeah, only a hand full are safe.
March 16th, 2014 at 11:11 pm
The Bucs WILL NOT draft a tackle in the first round. Regardless of what you think about Collins, the contract suggests he is our left tackle of the future.
March 16th, 2014 at 11:18 pm
Draft Greg Robinson 1st round (If not, trade back in select Taylor Lewan or Aaron Dobson)-If we’re fortunate enough to draft Robinson-Kick him inside to guard for a year or two.
March 16th, 2014 at 11:18 pm
* DT Aaron Donald
March 16th, 2014 at 11:44 pm
Damn, they’re not messin around. If you can get a 3rd pick for him then make the deal, if not then they probably will keep him. Its not wise to release everybody without a good enough reason. Its already been reported that they expect Nicks to return, so they probably feel that they can gamble a little bit with a guy like Zuttah after they signed a guy like Dietrich-Smith. At the end of the day though, I dont think he will be going anywhere. He is good enough, and has that all important flexibility to play multiple positions. This talk is just about leaving no stone unturned.
March 16th, 2014 at 11:47 pm
Will be interesting to see if Houston releases -CB-Johnathan Joseph ( $11,250,000) cap number. Would be a good addition to the roster if he was.
March 16th, 2014 at 11:49 pm
just when you pause to catch your breath after the free agency bell rung, now more news.
March 17th, 2014 at 12:05 am
Funny. On the first page of this blog for this story, there is a pic of Zuttah in the old Bucs uni next to an ad for the new uniform. I never formed an opinion until now… how frigging ugly the new uniforms are!!
March 17th, 2014 at 12:32 am
“never started a full season” Joe didn’t say that for a guy he didn’t want to take one of our players job did he?
March 17th, 2014 at 12:32 am
“And yes, Joe knows the Bucs just signed a guy to play left tackle; a guy Joe might add who has never started a full season on the NFL level. Currently, the front line of the Bucs looks paper-thin.” Neither has Johnny football or any rookie for that matter, but every year there are players that come in and contribute…so let’s see how it shakes out please.
March 17th, 2014 at 12:57 am
Licht and Lovie freed up 16 million in cap space. My heart and stomach have been hurting since that happened. It definitely stings not havig Revis. I was strongly against it. I remain so but I do get it. I mean 16 million is much more than many teams have period. Licht and Lovie freed that up with one guy and still had plenty of space aside from that. So, before saying they are spending their way out, realize that all the new Buccaneers and transactions thus far in free agency still dont match the release of Revis by himself. It’s responsible spending if you will. I do like he MJ and Alt. V signings. If you are going to replace Revis with a lesser corner, might as well be a young Pro Bowler. Now if Zuttah does get traded or released then that frees up another 4+ mill. I think Zuttah is decent but decent doesnt earn you over 4 mill. Clearly the preference is trade Zuttah as opposed to releasing him. I dont know if I would cut hi but Id definitely take a decent pick for him. Even a 5th rounder.
March 17th, 2014 at 1:10 am
We share the same hunch Joe….just not about Johnny. Our O-line was in definite need of retooling, especially if we want to start building something than can last a while. The last 2 drafts I wanted us to go O-line (well, QB last draft but we traded our 1st for Revis). everytime I mentioned O-line, I was reminded “rock star” doesnt draft O-line…..and now he’s finally gone. Lovie WILL draft O-line…just have to hope it isnt another Carimi.
We have a golden opportunity to have a solid O-line with solid RB’s, maybe one of the best if Nicks comes back 90% or better. And hopefully Martin is 100% healthy.
March 17th, 2014 at 4:26 am
One of you guys that likes to pull up people’s life stories and post it on here should pull up Jason Licht’s history of drafts that he’s been a party of with different teams so we can see what rooms he’s been in when draft decisions have been made. If you want to get real fancy you could even pull up the biggest needs for those teams that year. Since he’s in charge of our draft then that might do well to show us what we can expect.
March 17th, 2014 at 6:09 am
I would like Anthony to go to rt if he can and draft a better lt, one of the beast in the draft. If u watch Anthonys tape its rough at times. Gruden B made a lot of plays to help him. He got ran over by a LB 1 on 1 and push around like the wimpy kid in High School by Peepers
March 17th, 2014 at 6:31 am
Gut feel is that the Bucs will be drafting OL, WR and QB in the top 3 rounds. What order will depend upon best available at those positions when their pick comes up. At least one of the remaining two draft picks will be OL (maybe both). Bucs aren’t through yet in free agency I’d bet. Expect them to add a WR, OL, DT/DT and CB as a minimum before the season starts.
March 17th, 2014 at 7:57 am
Never understood where the zutah release talk was coming from. Is he being over paid as well? Thought he did pretty good under center.
March 17th, 2014 at 8:02 am
Bucs can get a third rounder….in 2015. Manziel would be a wasted pick. If Sammy Watkins is still on the board, grab him!
March 17th, 2014 at 9:26 am
Trading or releasing Zuttah would leave another hole to fill on the O-line. I thought Collins was pegged as the left tackle. If that’s the case, I would suspect another position other than tackle would be addressed with the 7th pick. A right tackle could drafted in a later round or acquired later on in free agency. I say keep Zuttah for at least another year and use the 7th pick another position besides tackle, unless a tackle is the best player available.
March 17th, 2014 at 9:47 am
I think the wr group is to deep to take Watkins with our 1st pick. I still would like us to trade down no matter what.
March 17th, 2014 at 6:25 pm
Watkins head and shoulders above the rest . The “deep”
Theory is laughable.