One Positive With No Greg Hardy
March 19th, 2015
Joe was torn about the Greg Hardy sweepstakes.
Joe thoroughly understood why folks didn’t want Hardy and his legal problems infesting the Bucs locker room. But on the other hand, it’s rare to have a team without a proven double-digit sack artist, like the Bucs have been for a decade.
The team has more holes than an air conditioning filter, so the cliche “beggars can’t be choosers” applies. And folks didn’t want to burn down the Den of Depression when Michael Pittman, who had similar issues as Hardy, played for Tampa Bay.
Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com believes he may have unearthed a reason why the Bucs, in the end, walked away from Hardy. It is his pending suspension. But it’s not as simple as that, Yasinskas explains.
But Hardy would have come with a lot of downside. Although a charge of assaulting his girlfriend was dropped, Hardy still faces the possibility of suspension if the NFL finds he violated the league’s personal conduct policy. Any future transgressions could result in a lengthy suspension or maybe even a ban.
That’s the gamble. Everyone knows Hardy will miss games this year. It is unclear how many. That was strike one. But as Yasinskas points out, any mess up after his suspension, a DUI, whatever, he would be looking at maybe a year suspension or more.
It’s hard for any team to invest megamoney into a player who is one mistake away from doom. That’s like banking on Sir Smokealot, Tanard Jackson.
The beat goes on. There’s still no premier edge rusher to help Gerald McCoy. Joe is nervous for Jameis Winston, and for the fate of the Bucs franchise.
March 19th, 2015 at 12:05 pm
A one year, “prove it”, contract isn’t exactly megamoney…
March 19th, 2015 at 12:18 pm
There are conduct clauses that can be included in contracts…..like Eric Wright….I’m sure even our Bucs would have protected themselves….
March 19th, 2015 at 12:23 pm
It would be kind of funny if he gets suspended for 16 games. Then the Cowgirls pay him for not playing, and we could still get him later if we need him.
March 19th, 2015 at 12:24 pm
It’s a terrific contract structure for Dallas, he basically only gets paid if he plays. Even if he plays a few games and sucks, they can shut him down and not pay him. There is little to no risk for the Cowboys in this deal. Now the Bucs would have had to give him a long term deal to get him so that’s a risk, but Dallas did extremely well here.
March 19th, 2015 at 12:26 pm
Boy was I wrong! Oh well, its laying right there along with the rest of the trail of trash decisions this team has made! I only slept 3 hours before waking up to do 3rd shift (7pm) yesterday so I wasnt around to comment. Crashed hard first thing this morning after coming home.
I swear, the mess this team is in after this FA period is appalling! Carter and a backup in Melton….THATS IT?!?! Oh yeah, a gnat for opposing teams to swat at in Conte….smh!
Oh the suffering of a Buc fan….is what it is. I would say it could be worse, but we are picking 1st, so here we are and sh!t like this is why we are here!!!!!!!!!!!!!
W T F
March 19th, 2015 at 12:30 pm
@MadMax, while I agree that the FAs we have signed are most likely just depth (besides Carter), and there were a few FAs that prob could have been a good fit here… It doesn’t change the fact that we “won” free agency the last 2 (maybe even 3) years in a row, and it has led to nothing.
March 19th, 2015 at 12:36 pm
Okay, let’s say we let a few positions stand as they are.
Free Safety – Keep Dashon Goldson another year
Strong Safety – Develop Bradley McDougald another year
Offensive Tackle – Develop Kevin Pamphile & Matt Patchan another year
Punter – Chase Tenpenny might be ready to step in. I have no idea.
I’m trying to see the minimum we need to improve by say…5-6 games? The way I see it, that leaves Quarterback, Guard or Center, Middle Linebacker and Defensive End. If we get a Center, EDS can move to guard. If we get a guard, I guess EDS can stay at center for another year, although I think he sucks as center.
Am I missing anything?
I’m trying to find reason to hope here, people. Help.
March 19th, 2015 at 12:37 pm
Carter is also depth, unbelievable. And he’s not a MLB regardless.
March 19th, 2015 at 12:37 pm
I mean he should not be…because he gets injured by those hits the MLB takes.
March 19th, 2015 at 12:41 pm
we started out the franchise history by drafting lee roy selmon who would become the first hall of famer for the franchise…..any one else care to guess how many productive defensive ends we’ve drafted since then? truth be told we’ve drafted more productive quarterbacks than defensive ends as far as first round is concerned so no need to draft a defensive end first overall lovie, history says that pick will be a bust or injury prone
March 19th, 2015 at 12:44 pm
@Bonzai I agree with you, he is not a MLB, and he ‘should’ be depth.
But with Lovie, how do you really know? It would not surprise me at all if they try to make him play in the middle.
March 19th, 2015 at 12:44 pm
Free agency isn’t the way to build your team, ask the redskins how that has worked out for them. In thee case of Hardy it’s not a matter of money guaranteed or otherwise. It is a matter of bringing a person like that into your community. If this guy physically assaults another woman in our community, what would that say about the Bucs organization. Everybody needs to stop with the Pittman comparisons, that was fourteen years ago, these things are taken more seriously today than ever. I know it’s tough to pass on gifted players when we have the record we have the last 7 or 8 years. Build through the draft and develop our own players and use free agency for support and depth players.
March 19th, 2015 at 12:46 pm
I may be reading into it too much, but I wonder if the Bucs feared the potential public backlash if they were to add both Hardy and Winston in the same offseason. Their retreat from Hardy may be an indication of which way they’re leaning in the draft. (I am personally not a fan of either QB. I’m sure Winston could be great, but I think he may have always excelled so much at every level that he would have trouble with losing in the NFL. And he’s probably going to invest more into building his personal brand than building his football skills. Mariota is too much of a project and doesn’t bring the personality that the Bucs sorely need in that type of leadership position).
March 19th, 2015 at 12:47 pm
One Positive With No Greg Hardy….that much closer to having Lovie replaced.
March 19th, 2015 at 12:48 pm
There is another upside to Dallas signing him for one year. They can take all of the risk and then he is still free to renegotiate a new contract in 2016.
Look, a one year deal with us would NOT have been worth it. However, there are a whole lot of “what ifs” that made signing him to a long term deal risky. I wanted him here as bad as anything, but in a way the Cowboys kind of did us a solid. If he is suspended for 6 games, that is on them. If he screws up again, that is on them. If he ends up having a good or even great year and we feel more comfortable about it, we can go after him big time then. Hopefully, we will be a much more attractive team at that time to play for as well, and he can swoop in like this generation’s Simeon Rice and provide the missing piece.
Just my two cents…
March 19th, 2015 at 12:55 pm
The thing that came out yesterday from former teammate Ben Hartsock sacred me a little bit…he basically said that Hardy is a loose cannon and uncontrollable at times. We need an edge rusher…but we don’t need a poisoned locker room. The NFL is pursuing this thing hard…they just sued the state of North Carolina to get all the evidence from the judge trial…could be even more than 6 games.
March 19th, 2015 at 12:56 pm
Nervous for THUG Jameis winston? why?! He wont be the QB here! MM will be. better prepare JOE! HAHAHAHAHA!
March 19th, 2015 at 1:04 pm
Curtis Gatorboy Says:
March 19th, 2015 at 12:56 pm
Nervous for THUG Jameis winston? why?! He wont be the QB here! MM will be. better prepare JOE! HAHAHAHAHA!
———————————————————————————-
SHOULDNT YOU BE IN SCHOOL? your acting like a child using the word THUG in every post that’s up on this site, it doesn’t really bother anybody you know that right? no one here is family of Winston and have no emotional ties to Winston other than knowing he’s the best quarterback in the draft. your the one with the decision to make if we draft Winston lol we’ll be waiting to see how long it takes you to go find another team or get on board with Winston hahaha you’ll be the one that has to comeback to the team with your tail between your legs gatorboy….go read a book
March 19th, 2015 at 1:09 pm
So according to what I just read; 1) you cannot bring up Pittman because it was ok to whoop a woman’s a$$ 14 yrs ago, but now a days you cannot. 2) our cummunity doesn’t have ANYBODY that commits domestic violence in it. 3) nobody can change their ways (so all of you drug and alcohol addicts, these righteous people say you are STILL USING. Because according to them a tiger NEVER changes his stripes. 4) I heard Big Dog say early this week that he KNOWS of 3 Bucs that are doing “Molly”. So much for Lovie not being hypocritical. 5) we will NEVER be a team that wins multiple Super Bowls. Because this cummunity wants “CHOIR BOYS” on their “violent sports” team. Pats have murderors, drug users, ect.. On their team and they ALWAYS compete in the playoffs. So all of the “self-righteous” folks in the stands, in the media, and at home GOOD LUCK with our always mediocre team. As a Christian man Lovie should have jumped at the chance to take Hardy in and mentor him, that’s the calling of a man of FAITH. TO MAKE CHANGE IN PEOPLES LIVES! I know, I have a Masters in Theology. Do I condone what Hardy did, NO! But the Church is FULL of EX- something’s, ex drug atticks, ex alcoholics, ex womanizers, you get my point. I’m just appalled at the idea that this cummunity that I grew up in has so many judge mental people in it. My wife has been a lawyer for over 22yrs, so I have a great idea of how many in this cummunity do not judge themselves as harshly as they do others… SMH!
March 19th, 2015 at 1:14 pm
Interesting story on PFT…Jameis Winston has scheduled as personal visit with the Titans. This could just be Tennessee doing its due diligence, or it could be that they (and maybe even other teams) are not convinced that he will go #1 to Tampa. The story points out that other college QBs have declined visit requests in the past…RGIII Refused a request to go to Indy, because everyone knew that they were taking Luck in the draft. Not quite sure what this means, but it is an interesting development!
March 19th, 2015 at 1:14 pm
I will bet that hardy will face no suspension after signing with dallas. Jerry Jones will pull a few strings. But had he signed with us it would have been an easy 4 to six game suspension. This team needs to draft better and retain the talent they do find.
March 19th, 2015 at 1:17 pm
Preach Horice! Everyone wants a winner with no baggage…. Never going to happen.
March 19th, 2015 at 1:18 pm
Curtis gatorgirl is a popcorn fart!!!
March 19th, 2015 at 1:22 pm
HORRICE….RIGHT ON …lovie can’t preach one way then turn the cheek when a chance to help….nice post
March 19th, 2015 at 1:24 pm
Its over and done with. Who cares about Cowgirl Hardy anymore – time to move on. If we still have the desperate need next year – then it will be time to bring his name up again.
March 19th, 2015 at 1:29 pm
For those still using the phrase “thug” – get a life!
March 19th, 2015 at 1:34 pm
Bold predictions:
Bucs trade down with first overall pick and get Dante Fowler….then pick Bryce Petty in the 2nd round…not what I would want…but I’m calling it now.
March 19th, 2015 at 1:44 pm
Grow up MIxxxxx
March 19th, 2015 at 1:46 pm
I apologize about the “TEAM” term I used as a reference that I mistakenly made in haste ….I meant “organization” in my above quote. The Team is working with what they have as leaders and doing their best at it! And I feel we’ve pulled some weeds! But what are we planting for the future???? Come on L&L!!!!!
March 19th, 2015 at 1:47 pm
Typical Gaytors fan is all.
March 19th, 2015 at 2:15 pm
@Horice I never said it was ok for Pittman to whoop a womans ass. To me it was unacceptable then as well as it is today. My sister was physically abused by an a-hole like him. Ended up in the emergency with bruises, bite marks and scratches. I take it personally when a woman is abused, unfortunately I’ve seen it up close and it is not pretty. My preference is not to bring players like this into this organization. Evidently the Glazers, Licht and Lovie feel the same way. I know there plenty of abusers in the community that we don’t know about, but why bring in someone that we do know about.
March 19th, 2015 at 4:59 pm
Couldn’t stand Pittman being on this team either. Kept hoping they’d ditch him. Then they doubled down on Jerramy Stevens. That disregard for characters was the biggest reason I wanted Gruden/Allen outta here.
Lovie’s yet to hire a turd here. Let’s hope that continues.
March 19th, 2015 at 5:38 pm
Definitely not the NO SPIN ZONE
March 19th, 2015 at 11:21 pm
Listen John, my Dad abused my Mom, so I ONE UP YOU in that department. But I don’t look at every abuser & paint them with a wide (hypocritical) brush. Did you hear the 911 tape? Did anyone hear it that’s judging him? He called and asked for the help, because she went ape crap on him, apparently throwing things at him. Now he didn’t start throwing haymakers at her. We expect people who run their bodies at each other full speed, and get psyched up (on a level we are not use to) to do it for hours to be these great “tempered” individuals. Very few men can go all beast mode on the field and turn it off when in a heated argument. There is more abuse in the NFL that we don’t know about, and NASCAR, Golf, NBA, ect.. And I bet you are or have cheered for an abuser in your lifetime.
March 20th, 2015 at 2:06 am
Pat Yasinkass sucked when he was here in Tampa, and he still sucks.
Dallas PROTECTED themselves when they signed Hardy from any eventualities, and it will cost them chump change, if for some reason, Goodell acts up. Tampa could easily have done the same, and beaten that contract by a Country Mile, easily!
Horice hit the nail on the head, Tampa is more interested in fielding a team of talentless Choirboy losers, who kiss ass, then they are interested in winning football games. Hardy would have made our defense a true unit to be feared, instantly.
Carolina has no Gerald McCoy, and still Greg Hardy had 15 sacks there. Imagine what he would have done, here in Tampa ?
Singing him would have allowed us to concentrate on taking Offensive Linemen, to protect our new QB, vs searching the later round scrap pile, for pass rushing help.
The Tampa 2 just does not work, w/o a 4 man constant pass rush, and a super freakish Middle Linebacker, and we have neither.
Licht allowed Bennett to walk, for peanuts, and now has failed to sign the one free agent we really needed, who Dallas got for peanuts.
March 20th, 2015 at 2:50 pm
Just for the record, Bennett walking away was the fault of schiano/Dom.