Investigated Incognito “Thoroughly”
August 25th, 2014
Bper CBSSports.com, Bucs have been “thoroughly” investigating troubled Richie Incognito.
It seems, per the fingers of CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora, who was roaming One Buc Palace today, the Bucs’ decision to bring in sleazy Richie Incognito for an interview hardly came on a whim.
La Canfora suggests the Bucs have been researching Incognito, who has a long dark personal history and a sordid stint in Miami, for some time.
In short, Bucs general manager Jason Licht and Bucs coach Lovie Smith didn’t just wake up this morning, text each other and decide to bring Incognito to One Buc Palace. La Canfora seems to imply this research has been going on for weeks and perhaps for months, and that Team Glazer signed off on this.
The team already had thoroughly investigated Incognito’s background (ex-teammates by and large continue to rave about Incognito), and have monitored him this offseason. They plan to have lengthy discussions with him. Even bringing him in for a visit would not occur without ownership’s backing, given the baggage that comes with him. But coaches and the front office would have to be totally comfortable with his presence as a player and teammate — on and off the field — and be convinced the behavior that has led to past discipline would not occur in Tampa.
“This isn’t about a lack of faith in our offensive line,” Licht said, “but it’s our responsibility to check out all options when players are available, and even if we did go this route it wouldn’t keep us from continuing to see what might be out there on the trade or free agent market.”
The Buccaneers haven’t determined if Incognito will end up going through a full workout here, wanting to take the visit incrementally and allow ample time to have deep discussions with players. He’s scheduled to take a physical and meet with team officials, and there have been no contract negotiations yet. It’s unlikely anything formal would come together until Tuesday at the earliest, sources said.
There you have it. Joe will have Lovie’s reaction to the firestorm momentarily. Lovie was emphatic Incognito’s visit is nothing more than a sitdown to gain more information.
La Canfora’s information hints the Bucs are a lot farther down the road to signing Incognito than what they are admitting publicly.
August 25th, 2014 at 5:15 pm
Read the link that Joe has provided. Do you want someone like that to represent the Bucs? Shameful.
August 25th, 2014 at 5:16 pm
Starting to look like a signing may be imminent, provided he can put on a good show. I’d be shocked if he can’t at least ACT civilized for a few hours. It’s kind of sad that we have to stoop so low to sign this guy, but at this point I understand it. I personally would have rather overpaid a good guy like Davin Joseph, but that’s easy for me to say, as it’s not my money.
August 25th, 2014 at 5:18 pm
Self – righteous people and none of you ever made mistakes???
Riiiiiight
August 25th, 2014 at 5:19 pm
Don’t win pretty. Don’t win nice. Don’t win Miss Congeneality. Don’t win the Walter Payton award. Just win, baby – just win! Sign him. Do it quickly.
August 25th, 2014 at 5:21 pm
Makes Jerramy Stevens look like Mother Theresa. But as long as he can block (and stays away from New Tampa), I vote ‘yes.’
August 25th, 2014 at 5:25 pm
Let the captains talk to the team, or at least get a feel. Have the captains speak to L&L. If it’s still a go, let the captains interview him. Fitting in and developing a good rapport will come through sweat and hard work but they need to grill him first. If he’s kept himself in football shape during his time off and GMC and co sign off on this, then and only then I think he can benefit this team.
The other night I zeroed in on Omamemwhateverhisnameis, and he is terrible. Even on our long runs and when McNown had time to throw, he was looking around looking clueless. I didn’t pay as much attention to Cousins because I already know he’s a joke.
Someone go give Aaron Sears a workout!
August 25th, 2014 at 5:26 pm
why is this so difficult, if the guy causes trouble he’s gone. That’s assuming he passes his physical and is in some kind of decent shape to play. He would most likely by a 1 yr stop gap till we draft or trade for a good guard next year. You would think from some of the posts we were inviting Satan in for a visit!
August 25th, 2014 at 5:26 pm
@Architek,
Read the article. Tell me that’s a guy you would trust. Tell me he deserves yet another chance. Tell me you would want to cheer for him. I know we all want to win (no one more than me), but do you really want this piece of trash in Tampa? I’m having a hard time saying yes.
August 25th, 2014 at 5:27 pm
I also beliebe in second chances. As someone said above,
” Have you never made a mistake or two or three? I sure have. “
August 25th, 2014 at 5:27 pm
I also beliebe in second chances. As someone said above,
” Have you never made a mistake or two or three? I sure have. “
August 25th, 2014 at 5:28 pm
And what of the aftermath?
That’s like saying, “Ah, hell, so what if the Christmas lights are defective. If they burn up, get rid of them,” nevermind the charred remnants of a house that once stood intact.
When is the last time Incognito played on a winning team, high school? Coincidence?
August 25th, 2014 at 5:29 pm
I’m against signing Incognito. With the amount of crap that went on around here last year, I don’t think it’s hard to see why. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they did actually sign him, we are a little bit desperate at that guard position.
August 25th, 2014 at 5:29 pm
By this time tomorrow he will be a Buccaneer.
August 25th, 2014 at 5:31 pm
I don’t encourage the racism, but I think the bullying was blown out of proportion by over sensitive media. He clearly has some sort of mental illness, which isn’t an insult, something like 1 out of 4 people do. I just think that maybe a muscle bound beast guard that actually has technique with some sort of psycho disorder might open some holes in our running game and keep our qb upright. Just sayin.
August 25th, 2014 at 5:31 pm
The article referenced is from the NY Post – which is one rung above the National Enquirer on the media ladder of credibility.
The NFL has had far worse than the likes of Incognito play on their fields.
August 25th, 2014 at 5:32 pm
I’m getting really tired of people saying “if he messes up, just cut him”. It’s not that simple. First of all, he’s taking up a roster spot. Let’s say he messes up after 2 games and we cut him. Then what? Who do we replace him with? What if we are 2-0, and then we start losing? That’s when you get a division on the team, and real problems start to arise. My goodness, did you not see what happened to Miami last year? How short are your memories? That team was torn apart. Are you really so naive to not believe that would happen here as well? You don’t think every sports reporter in the country would be flying to Tampa and drilling every player day in and day out? Well, if so, then you are bat-s%#t crazy!
Bottom line, he’s the furthest thing from a low risk move. He’s about as high risk as you could possibly go. He is a threat to the locker room, the coaches, and perhaps more importantly, the women and civilians of Tampa. 90% of you have never seen him play one snap, and are too lazy to even read the link. You are so depressed by our guard play that you are blinded by common sense and morality.
August 25th, 2014 at 5:34 pm
@lightningbuc: Read the second link. THAT’S the one that matters.
August 25th, 2014 at 5:34 pm
@lightning buc,
National Enquirer or not, is any of it false? Is anyone denying it? If the NFL has far worse, I’d love to see the list. Besides, what about the Bucs? Go ahead and tell me who on our team is worse (or even comparable) to Incognito. And this is only the stuff he’s been caught for. Imagine all the stuff he’s gotten away with.
August 25th, 2014 at 5:35 pm
The guy is useless! The other teams know how to get him riled when they need to or want to and he retaliates with stupid stuff and penalties. When the big games come around he will cost the team because of his inability to deal with the big picture.
August 25th, 2014 at 5:38 pm
The NFL has murders play and I agree that most of the stuff on Ingonito is media overblow. Good God if you don’t think the media can make something out of nothing see Manziel, Tebow…
August 25th, 2014 at 5:39 pm
@Hawaiian Buc: You & I seem to be the only ones around here (besides Joe) who detest this move. Shameful.
To those of you who disagree: You would definitely feel differently if this POS said those things about YOU, or YOUR SISTER.
This isn’t about football.
August 25th, 2014 at 5:40 pm
He has completed all required as he was told to by the NFL. Part of that was anger management. Other players were involved in the Miami crap and are now employed again. He has been cleared by the NFL and Lovie said he does not believe in a “Death Sentence”. If he is signed it will be the media that makes it a circus. The Bucs must stop it before it can start. If they let the pen and mic clubs get control they are sunk.
August 25th, 2014 at 5:41 pm
@Joe – C’mon, when was the last time your beloved Donald Penn played for a winning team? Not much one O-lineman can do when the whole team is trash. And Incognito is a good O-lineman that the Bucs NEED after the massacre of the unit at the hands of the new regime.
August 25th, 2014 at 5:42 pm
Tommy Boy…….had a good ending….Richie & Tommy…kindred spirits
August 25th, 2014 at 5:45 pm
Let’s be honest here, we’re the Buccaneers. Buccaneers are pirates, pirates plunder, loot, steal, murder and rape… Incognito’s a bit of a bully and a hothead, that pales in comparison to true buccaneers.
Considering there are rapists, murderers (Leonard Little), addicts, thieves, and cheaters that already played in the NFL… I’m pretty sure a bully that used a few racial slurs deserves a second chance. Especially considering he can play pretty well.
August 25th, 2014 at 5:45 pm
You guys sound like a bunch of unhappy school moms prejudging someone else’s kid. If you’re looking for model citizens, join the Boy Scouts. Otherwise, put on your Buc gear and STFU
August 25th, 2014 at 5:46 pm
Sign him, give the guy another chance. If it does not work out then cut him.
August 25th, 2014 at 5:55 pm
Gerald McCoy has spoken and so has McCown. They would accept him. But Gerald pulled no punches about him staying in line.
August 25th, 2014 at 5:58 pm
I wish Licht would just be honest and say this…
“He has a troubled past, but we are going to give him a shot. We feel that he can improve our team immediately while some of our younger offensive lineman improve their craft for the future. Lastly, we will always look to improve our football team through acquisitions.”
Just say that, sign him, and move on to tomorrow’s headlines.
August 25th, 2014 at 6:01 pm
If we do sign him, I don’t see any problem with keeping an extremely close eye on him. I usually wouldn’t give a crap about what the players think about a particular signing, but I also wouldn’t be opposed to asking the entire offensive line how they would feel about adding Incognito to the offensive line group. If they have a problem with it, then its a no go, but if they are ok with it then have one of the trusted leaders on the o line, say Evan Dietrich Smith, keep a close eye on him and report back to Lovie if need be. I don’t see anything wrong with doing that.
August 25th, 2014 at 6:03 pm
I believe by game two this will be our OL – LT Collins, LG – Incognito, C – EDS, RG – R Johnson, RT – Dotson
August 25th, 2014 at 6:08 pm
When did football get so wimpy… get the guy signed and let him let out his anger on the panthers
August 25th, 2014 at 6:08 pm
Go ahead and tell me who on our team is worse (or even comparable) to Incognito.
_________________-
Hawaiian Buc,
We have a man on our roster who tried to take a LOADED gun onto an airplane. I know, I know, it was just an innocent, young man’s mistake. Happens all the time, right? I mean, who amongst us hasn’t tried to sneak a loaded weapon past the TSA at some point in our lives?
August 25th, 2014 at 6:11 pm
No drugs, no rape, no murder, no arrest record. Just a pain in the ass. Can he block?
August 25th, 2014 at 6:12 pm
Wow what a stupid long winded post by Hawaiian buc. Everybody knows this guy can play he was a freaking all pro. All football players are bullies to a point. Yeah he’s over the top but I’d say about 90% of his teammates in Miami loved him. He’s fit one shot and unless he’s restarted he should get that. Plus unlike Miami he will be watched. Lol u really think this guy could ruin bucs?? That’s laughable. The only thing that ruins bucs is lack of depth and garbage o-line. Oh yeah u cut him if he’s a problem one year deal stooge.
August 25th, 2014 at 6:13 pm
And what of the aftermath?
What aftermath, if he caused trouble he wouldn’t be here long enough to create any and we’d be back with Cousins at guard, right where we are now unless the new guy Johnson shows something.
August 25th, 2014 at 6:15 pm
Is he in football shape?
August 25th, 2014 at 6:28 pm
“ex-teammates by and large continue to rave about Incognito”
^^^THAT is all you need to know…
I played college and pro with a couple of “bad boys” with reputations, and they were fantastic teammates…
Frankly, I wish ALL the OL on the Bucs had a rep as a somewhat of a “bully.” I’m more concerned about “hothead” than I am about “bully.” Who did he bully besides other 300+lb. linemen?
McCoy played against him in PS last year. What did he think of his play?
I fount this clip. I like his passion for OL play: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7O_MlgO2J4
August 25th, 2014 at 6:31 pm
“We have a man on our roster who tried to take a LOADED gun onto an airplane. ”
—-
If you are going to give an example, at least please try to get the facts straight. He tried to check the gun, and he got caught because he went to the front and told them he had a gun. He didn’t get caught by security as you have somehow twisted the facts to believe. Yes, it was stupid, but it’s not even comparable to the scum that is Incognito. I’m pretty sure there’s a lot of people in Florida that carry around guns – are they all worse than Incognito? Frankly, I’m disappointed in your example. I was expecting better.
August 25th, 2014 at 6:34 pm
“No drugs, no rape, no murder, no arrest record. Just a pain in the ass. Can he block?”
———
Are you freaking kidding me? He’s admitted to using drugs while he was with St. Louis!! Are you people really this stupid? No rape, but sexual assault. I’ve gone from turning the corner on this guy to regaining my sanity and wanting him nowhere near the team. Some of you fans have lost your freaking minds with your idiotic, uninformed comments. You should really be ashamed.
August 25th, 2014 at 6:36 pm
I really have mixed emotions about this. As a fan since the beginning, I’ve seen all sorts of Bucs….many of them high character but low performance players.
In most cases once one of our players behaves poorly as a Buc…they are gone!
I do believe in second chances….and I also want to win.
At this point, I think the good outweighs the bad….and the bad, at this point is all in the past.
I say a short leash….and I have a hunch that Incognito will behave.
August 25th, 2014 at 6:37 pm
I previously only knew of Incognito briefly when the Miami episode happened. I read the wiki entry after putting in his name. This guy has been a troublemaker his whole football career back to high school and college. I agree Bucs are mean and dirty pirates. He would fit that description.
August 25th, 2014 at 6:40 pm
Incognito has some real issues but he can B-L-O-C-K. I want a mean nasty player on the field. I’m sure there will be off the field repercussions to deal with but I would rather we deal with those than what the rams are dealing with. One person with rage issues is manageable but if Kafka sees the field this season because we didn’t have the talent at the guard position we will be the laughing stock once again. We were picked as the worst team in the NFL. Who wants to see that happen?
August 25th, 2014 at 6:41 pm
I think our locker room has enough good guys to stomp out any one persons antics if it should happen, I really think richie see’s the errors of his ways and has learned and should know it will not stand here for one second on lovies team. He could even turn into a role model on how to be a changed man = happens all the time = happened to me…
August 25th, 2014 at 6:50 pm
@HawaiianBuc,
The point here is that we are in a desperate state because the front office rolled the dice on the youngsters being better then what they are and failed.
At this rate you won’t be able to keep any QB upright with our guards. Is it their decision yes and it’s also on them why we are here today – by cutting Zuttah.
That said doss anyone want him here? No but of the available competent and skilled OGs he’s the best available. You know this is a what have you did for me lately business.
August 25th, 2014 at 6:54 pm
People overreact because the media blew this way out proportion. He is obviously not a model citizen but there are much worse out there. I don’t hear anyone complaining about VJax and his multiple DUIs.
August 25th, 2014 at 6:56 pm
If they sign this guy, Buc Fans can no longer say anything about “character guys” or spout off tirelessly about “Culture”. This guy is a headcase and could be a nuclear bomb in the locker room during this regime’s first year, may I remind everyone. Risky move.
August 25th, 2014 at 6:58 pm
we’re talking football people! He is an upgrade to what we have now. I don’t see the receiver up in Philly that was a Gator grad catching near the same BS and he was recorded spewing racial epitaths!!! I want a nasty mean OL on my team….. the talk will be from Lovie is just don’t let past regressions come out and cost “the team” 15 yards on dumb unsportsmanlike penalties. This is his last chance, you make your own future, here is your chance to make it right Ritchie…
August 25th, 2014 at 7:14 pm
@Architek,
I can live with that explanation. What irritates me is people downplaying all the crap he has done, and comparing him to others which really isn’t comparable. That’s the problem I have. From a purely football perspective, I’d be thrilled to have him. Out of shape he’s better than anyone we have. But I have a serious problem with people making ignorant statements about a guy they have never even seen play. And to top it all off, they are too lazy to click a damn link provided for them within the article!
August 25th, 2014 at 7:14 pm
And Zuttah was not a guard, he was a center. He was a disaster at guard. How quickly people forget.
August 25th, 2014 at 7:17 pm
““ex-teammates by and large continue to rave about Incognito”
^^^THAT is all you need to know…”
———-
No, that’s not all you need to know. Teammates raved about Ray Lewis too. They raved about Michael Vick. They raved about Ray Rice! There’s more to it, and it’s pretty shameful for you that you don’t know any better.
August 25th, 2014 at 7:28 pm
we brining a player in to play Football or sell Girl Scout Cookies ….welcome Richie!!
August 25th, 2014 at 7:35 pm
When was the last time we brought a guy in post training camp who helped the team?
I can’t think of any.
August 25th, 2014 at 8:21 pm
We don’t need all choir boys on a football team. You need some thugs. Look at all the good teams, they all have some.
August 25th, 2014 at 8:36 pm
It’s the Bucs’ own fault for having gone this long without addressing guard. Yes, Meredith and Cousins were signed, but they are (at best) career backups. I’d sign the guy. You can always cut him next week if a better guard comes available.
August 25th, 2014 at 8:44 pm
I don’t understand this website or the people on it. You complain about our guards not being able too block my grandma, then you complain when we try too bring in a player with talent. You cant win in this world lol damned if you do damned if you don’t.