Dotson Ponders His Contract
June 14th, 2016
Wonders about his contract.
Yes, Demar Dotson is human.
The Bucs’ right tackle is entering the final year of his contract. He hoped for an extension last year, but what could go wrong did go wrong.
First, Dotson’s agent tried to squeeze Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht for a new deal. When that blew up in his face, Dotson got hurt in the first preseason game.
Licht signed Gosder Cherilus who played OK and, for Dotson, bye-bye any negotiating leverage. Dotson’s contract ends after the season. Joe asked Dotson last week if that weighs on his mind. Yes, Dotson admitted, it does.
“If you were out here, of course your contract would be in the back of your mind,” Dotson said. “But I just come out here and do what I do and believe that at the end of the day, it will get taken care of somewhere down the line.”
Complicating matters is that the Bucs drafted a developmental right tackle, Caleb Benenoch. Dotson was asked if Benenoch had reached out to him for any pointers or advice, Dotson noted not only has Benenoch not, Dotson wouldn’t know him if he stood in front of Dotson.
“Nah, I don’t know what he looks like or his voice,” Dotson said. “So I have been waiting for him. I guess he will be here in training camp.”
Actually, Benenoch is in Tampa and was at One Buc Palace yesterday. He will be at the mandatory minicamp held today, tomorrow and Thursday. After that, the team breaks and will not return until training camp starts at the end of next month. (Joe is guessing July 27 for the first day of training camp, though official dates have yet to be announced.)
To be clear, Benenoch is not dodging Dotson, or anyone with the Bucs. Because his school, UCLA, is on a quarters system, the NFL forbids drafted players from schools who use a quarter system to attend offseason activities until classes are finished for the academic year.
June 14th, 2016 at 5:52 am
@Joe … “NFL forbids drafted players from schools who use a quarter system to attend offseason activities until classes are finished for the academic year.”
That’s one rule that I’ve never understood Joe. Seems to me like players who attend schools (like UCLA) are being unfairly punished. Once a player is drafted, he’s got a new career: FOOTBALL PLAYER. While others are learning their new trade … learning how to practice, learning how to get into the best physical condition for playing in the NFL, learning the plays, getting to know their new teammates, etc … guys like Caleb Benenoch get held back. In an age when so many players leave school a year or two early to get drafted, that rule just doesn’t seem to make sense.
June 14th, 2016 at 6:28 am
ASJ had to wait as well. Washington University goes by the quarter system. Not that it is the reason for one to behave like a preteen hormonal girl on social media with a serious lack of self-control…just saying.
June 14th, 2016 at 7:09 am
Didn’t Dotson say that about the last rookie linemen?? Wasn’t D.Smith that he said “I don’t even know that rookies name.” or something along the lines like that??…
It will be interesting to see how Dotson case unfolds, will he return to 2013 form and be the solid LT we all know he’s capable of?? I think so. The real question will be is Licht gonna resign him after the season. That’s where it gets interesting. I’m all for resigning him to a 2 yr deal if he plays well this season. That way Benenoch has time to develop like Pamphile was.
June 14th, 2016 at 7:49 am
Maybe we should use the franchise tag on Dotson……to make sure he performs before we resign him (sarcasm)
Actually, I like Dotson…..think we should resign him to a 2-year reasonable contract…..it’s supply & demand now….unfortunate for Dotson.
June 14th, 2016 at 9:19 am
Defense:
Joe actually likes rule. Allows college players to finish their degree.
Remember: school is not a prison. If players think that school is getting in the way of their football career, they can quit.
June 14th, 2016 at 9:35 am
Dotson will likely worry a bit more about his contract when he meets Benenoch.
June 14th, 2016 at 10:25 am
Frankly, I think this is his last year as a Buccaneer.
I suspect we’ll replace him in the next draft, unless someone young steps up this season.
June 14th, 2016 at 10:27 am
Defense Rules Says:
“Seems to me like players who attend schools (like UCLA) are being unfairly punished.”
It may seem that way, but when it comes time for them to retire from football, either from injury, lack of team interest or after a career in the league, that degree will come in mighty useful.
A ten year NFL career isn’t all that long.
June 14th, 2016 at 10:37 am
Winner of actual competition in camp between Dotson or Cherilous seem like the best option. Doubt Benenoch is a consideration to Dotson.
June 14th, 2016 at 10:35 pm
Not 100%, but I think the NFL’s rule only applies to those drafted players who choose to finish the semester or degree. In which nobody should blame a drafted player for finishing either, especially a degree. One injury away from needing a real job.