One And Done?
April 8th, 2016
Forecasting the future.
Bucs fans were on different levels of giddy when AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht inked cornerback Brett Grimes and defensive end Robert Ayers before the first weekend of free agency was finished.
With Grimes, Joe thought it was a steal. With Ayers? Meh. Basically a high-paid Will Gholston — but better than sackless George Johnson.
Still in their early 30s, the two very well could be around a few years. But “The Professor,” John Clayton of BSPN, doesn’t think so. He believes Grimes and Ayers are more one-and-done candidates than multi-year solutions.
Robert Ayers, DE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers would do well in the draft if they can get a cornerback and a defensive end in the first two rounds. The Ayers signing covers them if they don’t find the right pass-rusher. If they do hit on a DE, Ayers could be in trouble next offseason — he signed a three-year deal worth $19.5 million, but all of the skill guarantees are in the first year. He has a $3 million injury guarantee in Year 2, which the Bucs could get out of if they find the right young player.
Brent Grimes, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This was another smart move by the Buccaneers. They get a quality cornerback on a two-year, $13.5 million deal, but if they use a first- or second-round pick on a cornerback, they can move on from Grimes after this season. Only $7 million is guaranteed in the first year.
Joe is not saying Clayton is wrong, but there are many moving parts.
First, Licht was clear when he referred to both Ayers and Grimes as “bridges” to help mold young players at their respective positions. If the Bucs do get a defensive end in the draft and he develops, yeah, Ayers is likely out after a year. But remember, rarely do defensive ends burst out as rookies. So, naturally, when a new DE takes wing, Ayers’ will be nearing the end of his contract.
At corner, it’s more complicated. After the season, Alterraun Verner and Johnthan Banks haven’t rebounded from their decline under Lovie Smith, then they would be in more danger of leaving than Grimes, especially factoring Verner is due $6.5 million in 2017, per Rotoworld.com. Banks is a free agent after this season.
April 8th, 2016 at 6:51 am
And after the 2016 season ends, half of our present DLine will be free agents: Gholston, Spence, Brown and J. Smith. Plus we’d have at least 1 maybe 2 rookie DE/DTs on our roster. Given our roster situation, I get the feeling that if Ayers production is even average, that he’ll be around for longer than 1 year.
April 8th, 2016 at 7:38 am
I highly doubt that both of these players will be gone next year. I think both of them will play two seasons here in Tampa. I would be suprised if Ayers played that third year tho. The only way I see them leaving after one year is if they have a terrible season or have a season ending injury.
April 8th, 2016 at 7:49 am
The is another scenario that could play out!! If NFL GM Licht hits on some draft picks or pulls in some undrafted free agents that hit, Then those 2 would be expendable… Much like Bruce Carter was once they found out KA58 could play!!!!
April 8th, 2016 at 8:05 am
Nice job by Licht getting agreement on these FA contracts that only guarantee the 1st year. I think both these players will play a significant role on this team (Grimes especially) and it will be a moot point. But just in case either sucks or has a horrible injury or someone’s wife becomes a PITA – the Bucs are covered.
April 8th, 2016 at 8:44 am
We will have plenty of cap space and will need the depth so if they perform well, they will stay…..especially Grimes…..
April 8th, 2016 at 8:48 am
@Pickgrin
If you like the way the contracts were setup,,,then you should be thanking Mike Greenberg. He has been writing the contracts for the Bucs since the 2010 season!! He is the real capologist ( though do not say this to Buccaneer Bonzai as he still thinks it was dominik!!) But Mike Greenberg was the real reason for the great contract written for the team and now the pop-star is not around to take the accolades of others work!!!!!
April 8th, 2016 at 9:01 am
I hated Grimes when he played for Atlanta. He seemed to have career days against Tampa. Glad he is playing for the good guys. Just hope he can still bring it.
April 8th, 2016 at 9:28 am
Yes Realist – I am aware of Greenberg. There are a # of important tasks and functions related to management that the GM usually delegates. Pro Scouting, College Scouting, Cap Management are chief among them.
I usually say “good job Jason Licht and Co” when praising mgmt related moves because it truly is a team effort and very hard for an outsider to know exactly who does what.
“writing” the contracts is one thing. The back and forth negotiating and then getting the agreement from the agent and player and “closing the deal” by getting a signature on a contract is the important role within that process. I’m guessing but not positive that the GM himself is in charge of that negotiating process but probably confers often with his people within the negotiations.
I think it would be fascinating if someone did a documentary and just followed an accomplished NFL GM around for a year with cameras so we could have a better understanding as fans of how all those processes typically evolve and happen.
April 8th, 2016 at 9:34 am
in the days of parity and caps, capologists are necessary.as long as they don’t also wear the Gm hat.AKA bruce Allen who set the team back years with his
over the hill type of players.
April 8th, 2016 at 10:00 am
PICK…. Good Idea for a show…. But they already did it…. Its called Money Ball… Granted its baseball and its a movie…. But thats the real deal when it comes to how the GMs make things happen
April 8th, 2016 at 11:53 am
Clayton is absolutely correct. Grimes and Ayers are temporary patches. If we get 2 good yrs out of them, it will be great. A small improvement though. Secondary still needs revision and we need a DE…Badly!
April 8th, 2016 at 1:34 pm
Get your facts straight Joe I was never giddy about either of those signings. Jon Clayton is more of an expert than anyone on this page including you Joe and I also happen to agree that both of them are 1 and done. 1 has been and 1 never was throw in Miko Grimes and that’s the perfect recipe for 1 and done!
April 9th, 2016 at 2:07 am
One and done. Not. Even at his age Brent Grimes is the best CB we have had since Darrelle Rivas. Not to mention he has gone to three consecutive Pro Bowls and I am sure he plans on making it four. Even if we drafted a CB in the first two rounds (which is not going to happen) you still keep him for another year if he performs. He will only cost $6.5M next year which is less than we are paying Alterraun Verner this year, $6.75M. Same goes for Robert Ayers, who is the best DE we have had since Michael Bennett. If he only gets six or seven sacks he will be back next year. This team was in desperate need for help with both DE and CB positions and not just one of each. Both will be huge mentors for the rookies we bring in. Even if we draft a DE and CB we still need Ayers and Grimes for one more year.