Awaiting Jon Beason?
March 1st, 2015
If Tampa Bay wants a talented, experienced 4-3 middle linebacker, a guy who is a huge personality and an even bigger leadership presence, then the Bucs will be quick to sniff Jon Beason, if/when he becomes a salary cap cut of the Giants next week.
Keep in mind Joe wrote “sniff.”
Beason, 30, battled a toe injury all last year and had offseason surgery to fix it. In 2013, though, he was traded from the Panthers to the Giants in midseason and was credited with turning around New York’s defense.
When Beason arrived, the Giants were winless and porous. In his 11 starts, they allowed just 18 points a game and the team won seven of those 11.
The Giants named him team captain last year, an honor he was granted five times with the Panthers.
Per reports out of New York, the Giants don’t want to pay Beason the nearly $6 million he’s due in 2015. And negotiating with Beason can be tricky; he serves as his own agent.
Beason, a three-time Pro Bowler, has a carried a reputation of making those around him better. But the former 2007 first-round pick of Carolina has struggled to stay healthy in many seasons.
Joe’s confident Mason Foster won’t be a Buccaneer next year, and the Bucs will need a replacement.
Beason is a wild card who is worth a look — and a thorough physical — if he’s on the market. Joe has to think Beason would love to play for Lovie Smith, and return to his Florida roots.
If the Bucs draft a middle linebacker prospect with, say, their No. 1 overall pick of the third round, then Beason could be a great mentor and a bridge to the future. Or if Beason’s deemed healthy, maybe he’s just a guy the Bucs turn to in hopes he recaptures his glory, with Danny Lansanah remaining ready behind him.
The 2015 free agency dinner bell rings in nine days.
March 1st, 2015 at 9:17 am
A thorough physical obviously is in order in this situation. I get “cold feet” when I hear the mere mention of a “toe injury” (see Nicks).
March 1st, 2015 at 9:23 am
30 and injuries….I’d be very cautious.
March 1st, 2015 at 9:28 am
Beason is definately good when healthy….A real stud…..no guarantee contract laden with incentives….check out that toe thoroughly though!!!
March 1st, 2015 at 9:31 am
Beason hasn’t played 16 games, in 4 straight seasons.
• (2011)- 1 out of 16
• (2012)- 4 out of 16
• (2013)- 15 out of 16
• (2014)- 4 out of 16
Still a warrior, but his body’s failing him now. He was a beast in time though-Plenty of scouts say that Denzel Perryman is his clone.
March 1st, 2015 at 9:37 am
Beason is HORRIBLE in coverage………..like horrible as in worse than Foster horrible. Maybe even worse than Dane Fletcher.
Not an option but Joe only said “sniff” so I’m ok with that. Sniff him but don’t sign him!
March 1st, 2015 at 9:50 am
These Toes and thumbs always seem to get us. But he does seem like the Lovie Smith kinda guy.
If the LB’s coming out on rated that low, I would wait and see whats in there next year or maybe look for a gem UFA this year and sign a veteran at the position going into this season. Yes, please check all toes and fingers before signing them…
March 1st, 2015 at 9:53 am
The guy hasn’t played 16 games in 4 straight seasons, is 30, coming off a toe injury and is awful in coverage….classic JoeBucs insight….throw enough mud on the wall and something will eventually stick.
Might want to work on your reading comprehension. –Joe
March 1st, 2015 at 9:59 am
Jon Beason can ball when healthy.
March 1st, 2015 at 10:09 am
Beason could be a good value signing. I wouldnt expect him to command a big contract, considering his injury history and age. Just as the article suggests, he could be a good bridge player and give the defense a spark.
March 1st, 2015 at 10:26 am
Beason used to be a tough guy to face twice a year but he is 30 and gimpy. Still don’t think that Foster is the problem with our defense. Guy has been in different defensive schemes 3 out of four years on his rookie contract and all anyone says is that he isn’t great in pass coverage. It isn’t that simple and doesn’t he have a couple INT house calls? Foster is a guy you re-sign and keep for mike and will purposes while you draft his ideal replacement, if that even exists in this draft.
Sick of Lovie and lapdog throwing out good football players and replacing them with non-football players. Beason used to be a good football player. Who knows now?
March 1st, 2015 at 10:51 am
Why not move Foster to strongside? That was what he was projected to be…
March 1st, 2015 at 11:04 am
What Mike can we bring in that would be an upgrade over Foster? Can Beason drop back in coverage multiple times a game? I dont know. I know Foster isnt perfect but like I stated yesterday I think expecting a rookie to go in there and be better than Foster, who has good chemistry with LVD mind you, is a little out there.
March 1st, 2015 at 11:09 am
“…and keep for mike and will purposes….”
I meant mike and sam purposes…
March 1st, 2015 at 11:34 am
We better draft a back up plan… Beason was great but time turns us all into worse football players… When was the last time this guy played an entire season? He has only started like 22 games in the past four seasons… Not good…
March 1st, 2015 at 11:40 am
Joe insults people in his articles for wanting name recognition instead of good players, this sure feels a name recognition signing to me
March 1st, 2015 at 12:15 pm
Beason’s “talent” has been seriously impacted by age and injuries… mostly injuries, I suspect… but he is not even close to being the same player he was with Carolina. Eric Kendricks of UCLA should be there at #34 and should be the pick… QB of the offense in round 1, QB of the defense in round 2.
March 1st, 2015 at 1:03 pm
Uh, no thanks! Another Carl Nicks in waiting. Toe injuries for football players = bad news. AND the key number is 30! Again, thanks, but no thanks.
March 1st, 2015 at 1:04 pm
We all know how good the thorough physicals are for our YUCS!
March 1st, 2015 at 1:39 pm
Don’t worry about the middle linebacker spot. It’s lovie specialty since I think he played linebacker. If your the coach you say you are then it comes down to bring able to develop talent
March 1st, 2015 at 2:02 pm
I wouldn’t sniff this guy with joes nose. over 30 , hurt , and, when healthy , couldn’t cover my grandmother.the reason foster is expendable is because he can’t cover , which is high priority in tampa’s system.put down the beer and thanks for the insight joes.
March 1st, 2015 at 2:19 pm
If his physical is ok then he would be worth an incentives based contract. The guy is a beast when healthy. But he usually isn’t healthy so I wouldn’t give him too much in guaranteed money. His presence would be worth it even if he doesn’t play that much. And he is only 30 so he still has good years ahead of him if healthy.
March 1st, 2015 at 3:11 pm
Despite the whole rivalry thing, always loved the way this guy plays the game
March 1st, 2015 at 3:46 pm
Anyone remember Cato June? Tired of risky free agents that don’t work out
March 1st, 2015 at 4:14 pm
Another turf toe player and mentor.
Gee Joe, does the name Carl Nicks ring a bell?
And another mentor?
Are we going to have any players or just some old guys sitting on the bench for millions of dollars telling everybody else how to play.
I like what Brett Farve who had this to say about mentoring, “I’m not paid to mentor anyone, I’m paid to win football games.”
Give me 45 players like that and I would dominate the NFL.
Enough with this childish Pop Warner rah rah mentoring.
These men are paid to be professionals. Let the coaches mentor them.
March 1st, 2015 at 4:35 pm
I’m with Dallas. This guy used to be a beast. I don’t want any Fa with injuries. Plus I still hope we get #52 from the U.
March 1st, 2015 at 5:53 pm
What is it with all the suggestions of 30+ players, joe????
How about this…Beason hasn’t played a complete season in 5 years.
INJURY PRONE!!!!!!
March 1st, 2015 at 5:59 pm
Move David to middle for a year and sign an OLB on a one year deal. Draft a MLB next year if David doesn’t like it.
March 1st, 2015 at 9:00 pm
Sign Foster. U’ll have a pretty good strongside backer who can play inside and even mentor a rookie like Benardrick McKinney. It’s a win win!
March 1st, 2015 at 9:01 pm
@Bonzai. Ive thought about that move all year. LVD is as big and fast Kuechly and can tackle as good as he does.
March 2nd, 2015 at 7:46 am
We have to keep foster, he can be depth if anything.
March 2nd, 2015 at 8:24 am
Kendricks or Anthony…
March 2nd, 2015 at 2:40 pm
I’m sure glad most of you aren’t the coaches of this team. Most of the things I read about what we sould do as a team from everyone is just ridiculous. Just leave it to Lovie and his crew to figure out. That’s what they get paid to do.
As far as what I think about this whole Jon Beason thing: Great player early in his career, great leader, but injury prone and getting too old(things this team doesn’t need). We have a leader on D “McCoy” remember.
Positions of need for this team I think are: #1 OL, #2 DE, #3 Saftey.
March 3rd, 2015 at 10:09 am
Imagine Beason right next 2 Lavonte? Take a 1 good DE, a solid CB, and Beason in free agency and our D will b UNSTOPPABLE!!!!
March 3rd, 2015 at 12:20 pm
The Buc’s will suck next year. Mariota has the patient’s to learn while losing. He’s elusive enough to stay alive behind that horrible O-line. Sad part is L&L don’t have time to wait a season for Mariota. So they will draft the more “now” QB. A new regime would take Mariota in a heartbeat. Hiring Lovie was a huge mistake. Not firing him and the GM after last season was an even bigger mistake. These guys signed horrible FA’s. I want someone calling the shot’s. That has the gift of sight. When you bomb in your first draft (Sims,ASJ) then bomb the FA market. Go 2-14. You simply have to cut your losses. You could have taken ASJ and Sims names. Placed them and the next 10 consensus players available in a hat and make a better pick. They’ll get what they deserve when Winston throws his 30th pick of the season. Starts yelling at his teammates,coach’s,trainers. We make the playoff’s in 2017-18 and are a contender for 10 years with Mariota. With Winston we are back to square one in 2017-18. Only way I’m renewing the Sunday ticket. Is if Mariota is QB
March 3rd, 2015 at 2:01 pm
The more I read your columns, the more of an idiot I think you are. Beason is OLD and BROKE DOWN.