Mike Tolbert And The Bucs
February 8th, 2016
A different kind of weapon for Dirk Koetter
Scoring a wide receiver that can stay healthy and squeeze footballs is not the only way the Bucs can upgrade their offense when the free agency dinner bell rings next month.
It’s worth nothing that Dirk Koetter molded Pro Bowl fullback Patrick DiPompo in Atlanta, (hey, that’s what DiPompo told Joe), and the Bucs did use injured fullback Jorvorskie Lane quite a bit last year, until his gruesome foot injury.
So Joe sees a unique opportunity, with Panthers’ versatile stud fullback Mike Tolbert about to hit free agency. (Yes, Joe saw yesterday’s fumbles, but Tolbert hadn’t fumbled in the regular season since 2011.)
Tolbert is a two-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro (2013 and 2015), and the guy is a true do-it-all pounding force. He can catch the ball, block like a beast, and succeed in short yardage.
The Bucs haven’t had a guy like that since Earnest Graham was relegated to fullback duty.
Tolbert wouldn’t cost much. He earned a little over $3 million last year, and the Bucs certainly have a pile of available cash. He could be another savvy, influential upgrade for America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, and Joe is confident Koetter would know how to use him.
February 8th, 2016 at 2:06 pm
Tolbert > Lane, and I really like Lane.
February 8th, 2016 at 2:20 pm
would love to see tolbert as a buc. for buc fans like me whose pulse still picks up everytime i see a mike alstott highlight, this guy is the closest thing i see in the present day NFL
February 8th, 2016 at 2:26 pm
Hmmmmmmmmmm….. We’ll see.
February 8th, 2016 at 2:33 pm
Sure hope J. Lane is coming back strong, he was a stud FB last year until the injury.
Losing Lane hurt almost as bad as losing Vjax, you could see the run game suffer as soon as Lane went down.
February 8th, 2016 at 2:35 pm
Bring that BEEF to Tampa! Need all the help we can get!!
February 8th, 2016 at 2:41 pm
Get a guy in the draft.
February 8th, 2016 at 3:18 pm
BEEF CAKE!
BEEF CAKE!!!!!!!!!!!
February 8th, 2016 at 3:41 pm
Lol, Eric Cartman
February 8th, 2016 at 4:05 pm
@blind melon
We got a fullback in the last draft and we cut him. Now New England’s probably going to mold him into the GOAT fullback.
February 8th, 2016 at 4:12 pm
I have been posting for some time that we need more production out of our FB position…..Lane only carried once and caught 2 passes all year. Koetter didn’t use his FB for running or passing in Atlanta.
I suspect Lane was capable of doing both but wasn’t part of the gameplan for some reason….I remember him scampering for about 60 yards in a game in early 2014….so he can do it.
If it takes signing a player like Tolbert to get it done….I’m all for it.
February 8th, 2016 at 4:28 pm
Tbbucfan-Absolutely right. lane had alot more to offer but was under used.
February 8th, 2016 at 5:18 pm
I wonder if Jahri Evans being dropped was purely a money move. If so, I hope we pounce. Forget the last two Saints linemen we swung and missed on. 3rd times a charm.
February 8th, 2016 at 5:29 pm
Riley cooper should be a good # 3 or 4 wr
February 8th, 2016 at 5:47 pm
The traditional FB position is dead in the NFL. I see zero reason to carry a blocking “full back” in this day and age. Tolbert might be listed as a full back, but he isn’t used as a block g back, he’s a change of pace back, and he catches the ball very well for a Brunswick bowling ball.
I wanted him the last time he was on the market, I still wouldn’t mind having him now. Martin, Simms, and Brunswick Tolbert would be quite the three headed monster.
February 8th, 2016 at 6:48 pm
@ Joe
Who the F is Patrick DiPompo lol. It’s Patrick DiMarco
February 8th, 2016 at 7:53 pm
What Cover Duece said
February 8th, 2016 at 8:35 pm
The Bucs already have this guy. His last name is Lane. Signing Tolbert would be a waste of salary cap.
February 8th, 2016 at 10:18 pm
Tolbert is a little smaller Bettis a bowling ball. CCU standout along with Josh Norman… as a matter of fact Josh brother Mario better than Josh he’s playing arena football… be nice to snag up Tolbert and Norman….
February 8th, 2016 at 10:32 pm
Don’t see him leaving Carolina. If he did, I would jump all over that. He literally does it all in the backfield. He is a beast and then some.
Can’t wait for FA to start. Should be exciting what we do. Hope they get it right cause there is a ton of talent available in several different positions. A lot of them are positions that we need to fill.
Just don’t overpay the contract year wonder Martin. I would rather have Ivory for less.
February 8th, 2016 at 11:02 pm
I really like tolbert also. But that stack of cash will dwindle very rabidly on e the dinner bell rings. 3-4million for a FB is way too much. Not when people are trying to squeeze Martin to only 5 mil per year.
February 9th, 2016 at 10:06 am
Tolbert has to be getting up there in age by now…
This isn’t the same Tolbert that the Chargers let slip away a few years ago!