VJax Just Fine In Tampa
February 11th, 2016
Stop with the Vincent Jackson as a salary cap casualty nonsense!
Weird things crop up on the Internet this time of the year between the Super Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine, basically because the NFL beast needs to cough up information to hungry fans dissatisfied with no games until September.
And when it comes to weird, let there be no mistake: BSPN is a worldwide leader.
In a piece on the four-letter website, they pick a player on each NFL team that needs a change of scenery. Strangely, Mike DiRocco chooses Bucs wide receiveu Vincent Jackson for a new home.
After four 1,000-yard seasons in a row, wide receiver Vincent Jackson caught just 33 passes for 543 yards and 3 TDs this past season. He has just five TD catches in the past two seasons combined. That’s not enough production for a player who is scheduled to count more than $12 million against the salary cap in 2016. The Bucs can save $9.8 million by cutting him.
First off, anyone who suggests or even infers Jackson is getting cut simply is not paying attention to the Bucs. Not at all. Once again, if the Bucs were near salary cap hell, then Joe could understand how someone could connect dots and believe Jackson could be a cap casualty.
This just in: The Bucs are not in salary cap hell.
The Bucs’ brass likes Jackson. And Jackson likes Tampa. He is as ingrained and active in the local community as any pro athlete living in Tampa, probably the most.
Also, Bucs coach Dirk Koetter openly pined for Jackson to return this coming season when he was still the offensive coordinator. Now the same guy is the head coach and wields power over the roster. Do the math.
Lastly, Jackson is tight with America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. The affection is mutual. And what Jameis wants, Jameis gets.
Anyone who watched just a modicum of Bucs games could see how dearly Jackson was missed when he was hurt.
Those who suggest Jackson will be a cap causalty should add a disclaimer to their work that they neither follow the Bucs, nor monitor the everyday workings of the organization.
February 11th, 2016 at 5:25 am
VJax is the most unselfish WR in the NFL and serves as the ultimate model of what being a ‘team player’ means. The Bucs are still a very young team for the most part, and need his leadership and performance on offense desperately to move to the next level.
February 11th, 2016 at 6:20 am
It is truly sad that no one outside of Tampa (and even some within Tampa) have no clue what is going on with this team. Shock at Lovie’s firing, cut VJAX, they are going to draft Mariotta (looking at you Jaws), and on and on just again shows we are basically nonexistent around the country. Yesterday on profoot ball talk they had a poll up of best super bowl defenses ever. First I was shocked to see we were an option then I looked at the results a saw us in dead last way in the distance. That accompanied by comments like”why is tampa on here, typo” and “having tampa on this list is laughable.”
February 11th, 2016 at 8:04 am
Ignore the national media. We know more about the team than they do. Think about how many times they report things that we all read and think to ourselves” they are idiots”
February 11th, 2016 at 8:19 am
We have been a miserable professional football team for the better part of a decade, consistently picking in the top 10 nearly every year. It is unreasonable to expect equal national coverage and honestly I wouldn’t want it because the news coming out of this football team has been so embarrassing. I am going to enjoy watching these media bozos eat crow if we start winning meaningful football games. And if we don’t then its status quo, I’m used to it.
February 11th, 2016 at 8:25 am
As much as we’d all like to see VJax return next season, we also need to see Jason Licht be prudent with the salary cap. We dont need to spend money on VJax for the sake of spending it. We need to determine an appropriate value for him and renegotiate his contract accordingly.
February 11th, 2016 at 8:47 am
VJax is the poster child for how effective FA can be. Where the hell would this team have been with out him the last 4 years?
No one is going to argue that you build a team thru the draft… but you can upgrade a roster significantly with a select few additions.
Dumeg’s argument should have been that it’s very difficult to find a quality FA that can both fit in the locker room and contribute immediately. It wasn’t though.
Draft well, year in and year out and build your core. Look outside to upgrade when the opportunity arises.
February 11th, 2016 at 8:50 am
100% AGREED with ur closing statement Joe, that disclaimer should be offered up on about 95%-96% of the talking heads that report ANYTHING on the Bucs…from Brian Baldinger as the color analyst in years past on down.
February 11th, 2016 at 9:22 am
Joe –
You might have missed it but weren’t reports already out two weeks ago that the Bucs decided VJax will be brought back at his full salary?
February 11th, 2016 at 10:14 am
New coaching staff usually means a good amount of turnover. Players getting the axe and other players coming in. The cap number isnt as big as some would have you believe. It can dwindle fast once the free agency bell rings. Especially if the bucs look to be active, i expect a big haul of defenders coming in to fight for starting positions. When you start talking about 4 mil per player for decent players. That 50 mil in cap room goes pretty quick. If we make a move for super mario, that is at least 10 mil right there. Doug needs a contract.
I just don’t like how joe over estimates the cap room we have. We need to fill a ton of holes. That money isnt just collecting dust, it will all be used, and then some.
February 11th, 2016 at 11:44 am
I agree with ndog and Buc4life
We should put this disclaimer on virtually all of the national writers.
a disclaimer to their work that they neither follow the Bucs, nor monitor the everyday workings of the organization.
I also agree with Dallas Buc…we’ve earned our lack of coverage with our poor play.
There are two ways to get national coverage…
1.) Play in a top ten market…has nothing to do with talent, skill or anything other than the sheer numbers of human beings crammed into your metro.
We don’t have that, and as for me it’s not something I really want. I like our present size. Manageable growth is OK but I no longer drive to Pasco Co or anywhere in “New Tampa”!
2.) What Dallas referred to…be a great team. Charlotte is hardly the media capital of the world but if you win you get coverage. See Tampa Bay circa 2004.
February 11th, 2016 at 12:26 pm
Yup, just another national writer / media member showing how absolutely f@cking clueless they are when it comes to Tampa. These guys just get handed a spreadsheet of numbers and start typing up garbage.
February 11th, 2016 at 4:00 pm
What if they convince Megatron to come? I mean, if he decides to not retire, the Lions will have no choice but to cut him with what he makes.
I don’t believe Licht could land him, but imagine if we had Megatron, Jackson and Evans…
February 11th, 2016 at 4:01 pm
btw, according to that guy, only Atlanta and Dallas are potential landing spots for players.
February 12th, 2016 at 5:45 am
What a stupid article. Lets cut Jackson because his production was down due to six games he missed? Yea, we will go into this season with one receiver, Mike Evans?? Oh, I forgot we have the vaunted Dontea drop Dyeball and Adam Hamsteries. Now if Evans can just figure out that it is impossible for the other team to commit defensive pass interference on every pass play and that showing he has passion for the game does not include temper tantrums in your diapers, we just may be able to move on from Jackson. Until then Vincent, you are a true professional.
February 12th, 2016 at 11:38 am
I can’t help but chuckle every time I see someone try and break down the salary cap. A player’s worth transcends $$$, there’s chemistry, ethics, and also loyalty. Look at the reverse in New England. Why do players WANT to play for Belichek for less $$$? It’s because its about more than money with winning franchises.
To continue to have this conversation about a guy who put up 5,000 yards in 5 seasons is utterly ludicrous. Is he old? Yes. Is he slower? Yes. But, does he show up?!
I don’t know if you guys who speculate on the salary cap are accountants or what, but you need to stop. This ain’t the federal budget and it damn sure ain’t your money!