“Tampering” Kicks Off At Noon
March 7th, 2016
Will teams make it rain on Doug Martin?
The free agency dinner bell rings Wednesday at 4 p.m., but the real action starts at noon today.
That’s when the NFL sanctions what they call a “legal tampering” period, when players about to be free agents (on Wednesday) can have their representatives start talking money with any team.
During the two-day period, all teams have the right to negotiate “all aspects of an NFL player contract” with the certified agent of an impending free agent. Figures can be exchanged on a deal, but nothing can be agreed to or announced before the start of free agency on Wednesday.
There are restrictions to this process. A free agent is not permitted to visit with a team other than their current team. Furthermore, a player cannot be in contact with a team that is not their own. Only the agent can communicate on the player’s behalf during this period. If a player acts as his own agent, he’s out of luck — the NFL does not allow communication with another team before Wednesday.
So there you have it. Doug Martin’s agent will be going bonkers all afternoon.
March 7th, 2016 at 10:13 am
If the Jets make Sheldon Richardson available as rumored he’d be worth investigating.
March 7th, 2016 at 10:20 am
Bucs need to go after Rishie Ingonito to replace Mankins! It is official!
He is retiring!
March 7th, 2016 at 10:20 am
That adds 7 million to our cap room. We are now at 60 million
March 7th, 2016 at 10:21 am
Sheldon Richardson, Dee Milliner and Rich Incognito for Doug Martin?
March 7th, 2016 at 10:24 am
Excuse my typos above.
FREE AGENCY WISHLIST
Sign WR Jermaine Kearse $4-5m/Yr
Sign WR Marvin Jones $6-7m/yr
Sign DE Jason Pierre-Paul $9-10m/Yr
Sign RT Mitchell Schwartz $7-8m/Yr
Sign LG Richie Incognito $6-8m/Yr
Sign RB Doug Martin to for $5-7m/Yr (or don’t), OR
Sign RB Matt Forte for $6m/1 Yr (then draft RB next year)
* might need updating after the next 2 days
March 7th, 2016 at 10:27 am
Go get Kelechi Osemele to fill the Mankins hole
March 7th, 2016 at 10:28 am
12:01 PM. Niner’s on line one Doug, Cowboys on line two. Adios!
March 7th, 2016 at 10:29 am
Mankins just retired
March 7th, 2016 at 10:29 am
Joe(s) – I have a legitimate question – how is it that Mario Williams and Charles Johnson can be having visits with teams before the tampering period ?
March 7th, 2016 at 10:32 am
Johnson and Williams were released outright. They are free to speak with anyone, any time.
March 7th, 2016 at 10:33 am
Largo:
They both have been released.
March 7th, 2016 at 10:35 am
Sam:
When a player is released (like those 2), they can negotiate, visit and sign with any team, at any time.
March 7th, 2016 at 10:36 am
Thanks guys ! NFL.com has them both listed as FA’s… guess that’s old news… thanks again !
March 7th, 2016 at 10:37 am
The Glazers and Licht have really built some momentum with the fans over the past 10 months with the fantastic draft and the firing of a coach that obviously wouldn’t be able to take the Bucs to elite status.
They will have lost a ton of that goodwill if they let a 27 year old RB that just finished 2nd in the league in rushing get away.
March 7th, 2016 at 10:43 am
Well I’m for one think Doug should be a no brainier but if he gets more money and that a very big if I’m okay cause that team over paid also I really think Martin benefit from good QB play but also lets not forget Martin wants to stay a buc so if he do get what he wants if he’s a man of his word I a firm believer that he will let Tampa match that offer
March 7th, 2016 at 10:49 am
Bonzai- what do you think of Travis Benjamin? Think he could be a great 3rd/slot/returner on this team.
March 7th, 2016 at 11:03 am
What about Malik Jackson? Our defense may be running various schemes and he could play 3-4 and 4-3
March 7th, 2016 at 12:07 pm
i think doug’s situation is similar to Ronde’s from many years ago. People will have some of the same concerns that have the bucs putting a cap on his value, and in the end there probably aren’t many offers they are not willing to match given their cap situation. yes, “it only takes one”, but teams like the raiders and jags have just as much hope for the future and exciting young talent as we do, and they have similar motivation to not overcommit to doug when they have their own David Carrs, Khalil Macks, Blake Bortles’, and Allen Robinsons to pay in the next 2 years
March 7th, 2016 at 12:36 pm
Take a step in the REAL right direction Tampa Bay…sign Martin ASAP! Not signing him would be like taking a step backwards. Get it out of the way. So we can address our sorry A.. Defense. We have not drafted Defensively in 2 straight years. Wanna win? Better get this Defense right.
March 7th, 2016 at 3:45 pm
I should have gone over to One Buc Place and held up a huge sign…SIGN THE MAN!!
Come on Bucs…I want to see it on the NFL twitter, Ian’s twitter, on my TV and of course..my favourite place Joe’s Bucs!!!