Bucs Were Hunting Matt Forte
March 14th, 2016
Competing with the Jets
Interesting commentary out of New York today.
Matt Forte had his introductory conference call with Jets media and named the Cowboys and Bucs as teams with major interest before signing Doug Martin just before the free agency dinner bell rang. Forte added the Packers and Patriots had “minor” interest.
Forte would have made sense if Martin was about to jump ship, but Forte represents interesting insight into the new Dirk Koetter-Jason Licht regime, one that’s unafraid of veteran players.
How Belicheat of them!
Joe also can’t help but imagine if Lovie Smith still roamed the sidelines for Team Glazer and your Buccaneers.
Would Doug Martin had a shot to return, if Lovie could have brought in Forte, one of his favorite sons? Forte signed in New York for $4 million annually, about half of what Martin will earn.
March 14th, 2016 at 11:13 am
If Lovie would have still roamed the sideline in Tampa the good DE’s would have never left the building. Lovie may have had his faults but he is a good recruiter.
March 14th, 2016 at 11:19 am
^ huh?!
March 14th, 2016 at 11:30 am
If an ELITE RB comes on the FA market and Matt Forte is an Elite RB, you at least have to kick the tires, otherwise you’re just not doing your job.
March 14th, 2016 at 11:31 am
We have the better RB. Watch him light it up again this year.
March 14th, 2016 at 11:39 am
I’m glad we re-signed Doug. He and Sims together are a great combo. Statistically – the NFL’s best last year actually.
That said – I’m really glad to hear that Licht had a solid plan B in place. Forte would have been an excellent option if Doug had decided to jump to another team for a bit more $.
March 14th, 2016 at 11:40 am
Sure wish we had hunted Mario Williams. We let him slip right pass us to Miami. Mario will play with a chip on his shoulder this upcoming season.
March 14th, 2016 at 11:47 am
Big deal, it’s called covering your a$$.
March 14th, 2016 at 12:01 pm
Plan B.
Gotta have a Plan B.
Always.
March 14th, 2016 at 12:08 pm
“If Lovie would have still roamed the sideline in Tampa the good DE’s would have never left the building. Lovie may have had his faults but he is a good recruiter.”
——
I second the “huh” on this comment.
March 14th, 2016 at 12:26 pm
Crusty Crab
The only thing lovie recruited was 32 million plus in dead money and injury prone, system specific has beens that never were. You can’t rewrite history because of your Mancrush on a FAILED coach
March 14th, 2016 at 12:38 pm
I look at the Lovie era as a blessing now. If it werent for him, we wouldnt have had the #1 pick for Jameis….landed some awesome O line guys too.
Is what it is….now its onward. Lets stop being the fkn basement dwellers of our division for a change!
March 14th, 2016 at 1:11 pm
Mired in the cellar, Lovie got out, so will the Bucs soon.
March 14th, 2016 at 1:59 pm
[…] JoeBucsFan.com, the other was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and aside from those more serious bidders, Forte said the Patriots and Packers both expressed […]
March 14th, 2016 at 2:10 pm
What’s it matter if LOVIE would do something?
This is what I mean my giving Licht a pass on everything. Would Doug Martin had a shot to return, if JASON LICHT could have brought in Forte?
That’s what matters.
I’d guess no, because Forte would have gotten them to next year, and next year’s draft is RB heavy.
March 14th, 2016 at 5:54 pm
Just wondering, which DE in this years free agent class had more sacks than Any other FA DE?
March 14th, 2016 at 9:37 pm
lovie the great recruiter! Brought to town talents like the Amazing Michael Johnson! Anthony Collins! Bruce Carter! George Johnson! Major Wright! Tim Jennings! And Mike Jenkins!
Boy i don’t know where our defense would be without the load of all pro players that lovie recruited!