The Return Of Conte
March 13th, 2016
Bucs free agent safety agreed to terms with the team today. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com)
A good number of Bucs fans hoped the Bucs would go after free agent, former Chargers Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle, despite the fact that was a pipe dream.
Instead, the Bucs signed a safety they are familiar with. That would be Chris Conte.
Per Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, the Bucs and Conte agree to terms this afternoon. Financials have yet to be disclosed.
Joe has to tip his cap to Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht. The man does not rest during free agent season.
Dirk Koetter went out of his way to praise Conte last month, so Joe’s glad to see the head coach get to keep a favored face.
March 13th, 2016 at 2:24 pm
Joe has to tip his cap to Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht. The man does not rest during free agent season.
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Neither have we! lol!!
March 13th, 2016 at 2:27 pm
Gil Arcia had it first.
March 13th, 2016 at 2:32 pm
I feel more comfortable resigning Conte knowing a new set of Buc coaches want him…..it also doesn’t hurt other teams were interested….he is a good player….not a great player, you’ve got to have players like this on your team to make up the 53.
It’s too early to tell if we will add a S through FA….if not it is certain we will add one in the draft.
March 13th, 2016 at 2:37 pm
Love it….I think we are definitely seeing the belief in players already on the roster. More proof that Lovie’s system wont work and we have talent in place.
Don’t be surprised if we go offense in round 1 or 2…..we’re building a scary offense.
March 13th, 2016 at 2:45 pm
Considering Conte has never played for any coach other than Lovie and Mark Tresman for one year, and has still played well could make for a top safety when coached properly for the first time in his career!!
March 13th, 2016 at 2:54 pm
Wait a minute so is Conte good for the Bucs or not when he first got to Tampa people were upset now he’s a must sign.
March 13th, 2016 at 3:00 pm
@CrustyCrab
Don’t be a crusty crab!!!
March 13th, 2016 at 3:07 pm
This is what successful franchises do: sign their own young FA’s while adding depth. Chasing the big name FA’s is what perennial losers do. I think (hope and pray!) we are finally on the right track.
March 13th, 2016 at 3:08 pm
Conte=good, Bowers=Bad. Still a bit perplexed about Sterling Moore.
March 13th, 2016 at 3:11 pm
Crusty-I liked the Conte signing from day one. His worst play to date was under Mark Tresman. Before that he played well in Chicago and played hard in Tampa. Nobody played well on defense under Tresman, and you know the story with Lovie. I like the signing.
March 13th, 2016 at 3:14 pm
Martini – I think it would be a huge mistake to not get Sterling Moore back. Him, Grimes, Verner and Banks….those are four corners that would get snatched up in a heartbeat and play well wherever they went. I LOVE the grit and attitude Grimes brings with him. Moore has some FIRE to him to and I think Verner has a lot of heart. Banks is still maturing and would only benefit from having that veteran talented surrounding cast.
March 13th, 2016 at 3:19 pm
Feeling somewhat better about our defense now … not as many holes still to fill now that Conte has signed back on. My guess is that we still need at least 3 new starters on defense though: 1 DE, 1 LB and 1 Safety. The DE will undoubtedly come through the draft; maybe all three will ultimately come from there. But it’s a lot to expect any draft to yield 3 new starters on a unit (we lucked out last year on offense obviously). I’d feel more comfortable at this point if Licht re-signed either Carter or Lansanah to 1-year contracts like Conte’s was.
March 13th, 2016 at 3:31 pm
Who is our Strong Side LB?
March 13th, 2016 at 3:31 pm
My guess is the safeties won’t be pigeon holed in to learning strong safety or free safety, become interchangeable and I am pretty positive a safety will come off the board for the Bucs by round four, I like Tandy and Conte, but long term its McDougal and and maybe one of those safeties from Ohio State or Devin Bush from Miami, one thing as you could see in free agency, UM players can play just not coached very well on the college level.
March 13th, 2016 at 3:32 pm
Sorry to they nay sayers and debbie downers but I’m glad Conte comes back. Imagine what he can be if he is not handcuffed by Lovie’s antiquated system.
On the flip side I caught no fish today but I did see a Grey Wolf, and Elk, and 8 White Tail Deer with my son. I love the Gulf but you just can’t beat this stuff.
March 13th, 2016 at 3:41 pm
All we need now is lauranitis to go with Kwon and David and the defense just got scary…c’mon licht make me “super excited” right now I’m just excited. But we did get better I been wanting grimes on the bucs since he picked freeman off and ate the hit by the sideline.
March 13th, 2016 at 3:44 pm
@Bucsalltheway………..I am Really starting to warm up to the idea of Kwons Teammate at LSU, Dieon Jones. Kid tore up the Combine and is projected to be a 4th rounder like Kwon. Kwon says that Jones LVD and himself would Wreck the League!!!
Sounds good to me
March 13th, 2016 at 3:45 pm
Martinii
I agree. I liked conte. I also like McDougald.
Sterling moore is perplexing. He was the most consistent CB
Maybe they still sign him and draft a rookie and go with 5.
March 13th, 2016 at 3:55 pm
I think Moore, Carter & Lansanah are still free agents….not over with them yet.
We need……LB, S, CB, DE, WR, FB……..probably only cap space for two higher priced FAs or three mid range….need the others from the draft.
March 13th, 2016 at 4:00 pm
To the steerling Moore fan club
If he is great and other teams would jump to pick hi_m up why is he still available after his contract expired. Also no buzz about him other than a select few here. You all do realize banks had more interceptions in one season 2 years ago than Moore has in his entire journeyman career.
I thought the goal was to get better players not just names people remember.
March 13th, 2016 at 4:33 pm
ugh Conte is average at best, and thats a stretch.
March 13th, 2016 at 4:36 pm
I hope he does better in this D. He was not good in the Tampa 2. He is better in the box. Cause he can’t cover deep. I do think he will be better now. Just not sure if that’ll be good enough.
Sign Reggie Nelson and draft another in the middle rounds. I do like McDougle though. He has a chance to shine in our new D. Still need a couple more free agents.
March 13th, 2016 at 4:38 pm
@martinii, according to several reporters, Moore wasn’t a good fit in the locker room. Nobody has said what the problem was, just said not a good fit.
March 13th, 2016 at 4:41 pm
I hope we can get Carl Nassib in the 3rd and Deion Jones in the 4th. I personally do not like the DEs at the top of the draft. Buckner has too many questions, also, I feel like he has too large of a chance to be a bust. Bosa only has the bull rush technique. I think NFL tackles and double teams will really hurt him. And don’t get me started on Clemson DEs. They suck in the Pros.
1st round BPA: Whether its VH3, Ronnie Stanley, or Myles Jack if he falls
2nd: Tyler Boyd WR Pitt
3rd: Carl Nassib DE Penn State
4th: Deion Jones LB LSU or top Safety if we draft Jack in the 1st
I would love to trade down this year. But, that will be almost impossible. We can still get a great player anywhere from 13-20. Plus add extra picks in the 2nd and other rounds. That’s more of a “pipe-dream” than my draft list above. 4 starters in the first 4 rounds again. That would be some of the best drafting in back to back drafts ever. One can dream…
March 13th, 2016 at 4:43 pm
It also would not surprise me if we drafted Treadwell at #9. He would give Jameis a great target to go along with butterfingers Evans. Imagine drafting Treadwell in the 1st and Boyd in the 2nd. A line up of Treadwell and Evans on the outside. And Boyd in the slot. Best WR trio in all of football. Thats how you help out your young franchise QB. LOL
March 13th, 2016 at 4:48 pm
Conte sucks, hope he doesn’t start a game and he represents quality depth.
C+ talent..
March 13th, 2016 at 4:51 pm
Yes, we re-signed conte,
opposing receivers he will haunte,
playing the bucs will be no party,
now if we can just sign Hardy.
March 13th, 2016 at 5:14 pm
Got nothin against Conte. But it seems as though I lot of you were watching different Bucs games than I was this past season. I hope Conte is being signed as a backup. HE is a very average player guys. I’ve said all along our Defense needs major revamping. I’m not seeing that however. But we did add Ayers and Grimes which will help. I just think our current secondary reacts slow to the ball. I do hope it was the system and not the players…for our sake!
March 13th, 2016 at 5:32 pm
What are we going to do about the strong side line backer Joe?
March 13th, 2016 at 5:43 pm
Conte is a rotational Safety. Good signing if that’s what they have in mind.
As far as Strong LB. If they’re planning on running nothing but a 4-3, then it doesn’t matter, it’s a plug and play position. If it’s going to be a hybrid scheme, then my guess is they’ll draft a tweener de/lb that can rush the qb.
March 13th, 2016 at 5:55 pm
Is it just me or does everyone else ignore Mike Johnson’s posts?
March 13th, 2016 at 6:00 pm
Me too Bucs SB with Jameis-
I just watched all of the Deion Jones ‘DeBo’ highlights last night. Hopefully he last til the our 3rd pick. Nike name from his father who loved Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson.
March 13th, 2016 at 6:41 pm
Who is Mike Johnson?
March 13th, 2016 at 6:41 pm
I though Conte was solid at safety, considering the CB’s couldn’t cover anyone.
He hits hard, loves contact and plays with juice & ‘tude.
No doubt there are better FS in the NFL, but he’s a solid guy to bring back for another year.
I suspect the new defense won’t look much like Lovie’s.
March 13th, 2016 at 6:54 pm
Conte was one of the best player’s in our secondary last year. He was decent, not great but far from sucks. I agree he has trouble covering fast receivers deep but so does Bradley McDougald. He was a liability in coverage last year and I don’t see that changing with a new scheme. Keith Tandy is our best Safety. Major Wright is hot garbage. That is why I am so disappointed we did not sign Reggie Nelson. That guy can cover. I like the signings so far by Licht but when you keep the same crew together with our Safety positions, we can expect more of the same. Use your head Jason,release George Johnson, Major Wright and Gosder Cherilus, we would have $7,250,000 to pay for Nelson. Sterling Moore is not going to be resigned. I thought they already made that clear.
March 13th, 2016 at 7:05 pm
Tampabaybucfan Says:
March 13th, 2016 at 6:41 pm
Who is Mike Johnson?
____________________________________________________________
Oh, I can help you with that. Google “tool”
March 13th, 2016 at 8:03 pm
Tmaxcon
Moore was the most consistent CB. He was also pretty damn good. Him with grimes, Vernon, banks, and a rookie… In a new system … They did get better. A lot.
Who else they going to sign? I’d prefer these young guys with grimes and a rookie. Get another rookie next year.
Same at DE. They got gholston, smith, Ayers and a rookie. I would love another rookie it youngster but it’s unrealistic. Who? Probably be another rookie next year.
March 13th, 2016 at 8:30 pm
Dave
Casey Hayward
Brandon Boykin
Nolan first name escapes me
March 13th, 2016 at 8:34 pm
Being consistent on one of the worst secondaries in history is hardly a reason to bring someone back. 70% completion percentage. Verner and Banks have proven themselves in the past where Moore has proven nothing. He was not liked and let go by Cowboys and my guess it’s for the same reason bucs have not brought him back. Its definitely not salary he doesn’t command much more than minimum.
March 13th, 2016 at 8:50 pm
Improvement by….oh wait…
March 14th, 2016 at 5:59 am
@mike Johnson
think the bucs fan is coming out,Mike.Glad to see it. I knew you were in there.
March 14th, 2016 at 6:05 am
@ Mike J
Conte was one the better performers last year.My biggest Question on him is that he battled trough injuries in Chicago,including concussions.
March 14th, 2016 at 6:22 am
@Godzilla
Agree with you Tandy needs a chance to show what he can do.Think the same
on Kevin Pamphile for Cherilus.If the Bucs are that high on him let him compete for starting position.
March 14th, 2016 at 6:40 am
@bonazai
Improvement by…by…oh wait
training camp should be about competition.Just cause we sign somebody doesn’t guarantee a spot on the roster.IMHO nobody should be awarded the starting position like McCown or Jenkins as in previous years.
March 14th, 2016 at 6:41 am
@bonsai
sorry, didn’t mean to slaughter your screen name.
March 14th, 2016 at 1:08 pm
@ crusty crab
This is exactly why you don’t listen to the idiots that respond on this blog. You have a very valid point! Just sit back and watch the show. “We’re gonna draft offense in the first round”. Now there is something to be proud of say… Or is it. Defense win championships! So many stupid comments on here, oh and please if you all can… Quit talking trash on Lovie. It was him that got us to this point. Since you may not know what “that point” might be. It is where we actually feel good about the direction our team is headed.
That’s all, keep posting. They keep me entertained!