Bucs Discussed Dwight Freeney
July 27th, 2016
Sign Dwight Freeney? Bucs GM Jason Licht dishes.
Just the thought that it has been over a decade since the Bucs had a guy (Simeon Rice) with double-digit sacks makes Joe want to toss his bowl of Cheerios across the kitchen.
It is outrageous, embarrassing and downright unacceptable that a friggin’ NFL team cannot find — or keep! — a strong pass rusher in over 10 years. How can this be? My God!
And it isn’t like Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht doesn’t recognize this stain upon the franchise. On paper, he did a decent job this offseason bulking up the defensive line by signing Robert Ayers and drafting Noah Spence.
Still, Joe is aware this isn’t enough to pacify some Bucs fans. When they see an unemployed veteran on the street like Dwight Freeney who showed he still had gas in the tank last year for the Cardinals, they wonder aloud why Licht hasn’t thrown cash in his lap to get him into One Buc Palace.
Yesterday, while sitting in-studio with Joe’s good friend, “The Big Dog,” Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620, Licht admitted the braintrust of the Bucs has discussed signing Freeney. Licht wouldn’t elaborate further on Freeney when asked by Duemig, but he explained why or why not a veteran seeking work hasn’t been secured.
“You know, all of those players who are household names, and all veterans, all players on the waiver wire, we talk about every single one of them every day,” Licht said. “We go through every scenario. And, sometimes we reach out and sometimes we wait.
“Sometimes there is a reason we don’t want to bring them in whether it is an injury or whatever – I’m not talking about Dwight in this case – we just have to make smart football decisions for the Bucs. If the guy is a good fit for us schematically – all of those things go into play.
“We have talked about every [free agent] player you can think of and we continue to.”
There are all sorts of things between the lines of what Licht said — he spoke throughout the show in a painfully guarded tone, except when the subject of chicken wings came up and Licht’s normal gregarious self escaped for a moment.
Regarding Freeney, first, Licht mentioned how Cardinals general manager Steve Keim may be his best friend in NFL circles. Licht was Keim’s right hand in Arizona before scoring the Bucs job. Notice the Cardinals did not re-sign Freeney? Surely Licht has intel from Keim as to why.
Second, Licht subtly hinted what should be obvious: Perhaps Freeney doesn’t want to play for the Bucs? It takes two to tango. For example, earlier this summer, former Dixie Chicks wide receiver Roddy White claimed he would retire unless he could work for a Super Bowl contender.
Frankly, it doesn’t make sense for Freeney to sign with a team in July. At some point, a defensive end is going to get hurt, then his asking price then goes up. Supply and demand. Additionally, Freeney gets to skip some if not all of a dreaded training camp.
Licht would not speak specifically about Freeney and did not offer what level of interest he or the team has in signing Freeney, if there is any interest at all.
July 27th, 2016 at 7:03 am
Good write-up Joe!
July 27th, 2016 at 7:14 am
It sounded to me like he said they discussed Him as much as they discussed all FAs available or likely to become available.
Jason wasn’t giving up much in that conversation maybe next time they’ll have some beer and wings waiting for him to loosen him up a bit.
Vets reported to camp hopefully we get some real news now.
July 27th, 2016 at 7:26 am
I have to admit, I wonder more about signing a good WR3 as a “bridge”. Like why no interest in Anquan Boldin??? At least with the DL, you can see Licht made some moves. But NOTHING with the WR3. I don’t understand…
July 27th, 2016 at 7:33 am
Boldin signed with the Lions. He would have been my choice too. After wk 1 they’ll sign White if the young guys aren’t looking good. Our bridge player is VJax at this point.
July 27th, 2016 at 7:33 am
Bolden is signing with the Lions so we can forget about him.
July 27th, 2016 at 7:40 am
Also there are guarantees in play when a veteran player is on the roster for the first game of the season. Besides that a better option might become available in the next few weeks. It’s not a desperate situation at this point. There’s no need to rush.
July 27th, 2016 at 7:43 am
The answer is not in old beat-up war dogs, for teams to improve, like the Bucs, young guys have to step up and PLAY…get better, learn, respond to the challenge…..that’s where depth comes from and that is where eventual starters have to come from in successful organizations….otherwise, you’re simply picking through used cars with really, really high mileage.
July 27th, 2016 at 7:46 am
Patience…….Good article, though!!!
July 27th, 2016 at 7:59 am
made a big mistake not getting Bolden. Roddy white is done and doesnt have the slot skillset Jameis needs on 3rd and blitzing situations
*I see alot of 3 and outs and Jameis getting killed with Koetters low probabilty routes
*our recieving crew might be 1 of the worst 5 teams
*We give up on Noah Spence already?
Kobe Faker 2016 draft
——————————–
Sheldon Rankins= Aaron Donald lite
Sterling Shepard=OBJ
Vonn Bell= starter 2017 season
“I wanted to be drafted by the Tampa Bay bucs and play in front of poster Kobe Faker” Sterling Shepard
July 27th, 2016 at 8:05 am
He is one of the greatest in the history of the NFL.
Like Logan Mankins.
Noah Spence needs a mentor.
Sign him!!!
July 27th, 2016 at 8:09 am
Dwight Freeney?
One healthy year in the last 5 Dwight Freeney?
36 year old Dwight Freeney?
Guy who averaged 3 sacks per year 3 of the last 4 years Dwight Freeney?
Come on, people. I think it is pretty clear why Dwight Freeney is not a Buccaneer.
July 27th, 2016 at 8:26 am
Another informative interview from our GM.
It’s always interesting to get his take on all things BUCS.
Only thing I disagreed with him on a little – was his conversation on Safeties.
I really don’t think its hard to evaluate the position – Its just not that many good safeties in the league – that’s the problem.
A good safety has the uncanny ability to set the tone for the entire defense.
*If not the entire game (ref: Kam Chancellor)
The GOOD ones stand out more often then not.
Pipe dream scenario would be if he could call up his good buddy Steve Keim. An workout some type of trade compensation for (S) Tony Jefferson.
Tony Jefferson on the backend of this defense would be sick.
July 27th, 2016 at 8:44 am
Nice take luvmybucs
Teacherman777 stop with the mentor BS spence has all the mentors he needs on current roster starting with Dline coach hayes and linemates Ayers and McDonald. Bucs need quality football players not more injury prone has beens..
WR3 is biggest concern followed by DT. considering the 3 primary dt on roster are all coming off injuries and all 3 are known more for their fragility than actual on field accomplishments.
July 27th, 2016 at 8:48 am
Guys, it says right there that you need two to tango. Boldin didn’t want to come here, get over it!
Just because we have Jameis now does not mean that every FA is going to be beating down the doors to come here. Put your emotions aside for a minute. This team hasn’t been relevant for a loooooooong time. Outside of money, why would you come here? Yea, we’re making progress (hopefully!) but you still have to dispel the aura of being a perennial loser. We still have the same ownership, right?
July 27th, 2016 at 8:51 am
Tmaxcon
#respect
July 27th, 2016 at 9:49 am
Mentorship? LOL
How is our 12 million dollar man VJack mentorship going with our entitiled one, Mike Evans
Led the leauge with drops and got tossed out the last game wining/cursing out the ref.
Licht is the Casey Philips of NFL GMs .
July 27th, 2016 at 11:08 am
Very good article indeed..glad to see how they talk about these FA’s everyday…I trust Licht and his intel about each player…
July 27th, 2016 at 11:23 am
@Tom Edrington I’m with you Tom, I quit buying used cars years ago and haven’t regretted it. Neither should the Bucs!
July 27th, 2016 at 11:29 am
Actually Amari cooper led the league in drops
July 27th, 2016 at 2:49 pm
Of course, some will see the title and say “Oh boy, the Bucs are going after Dwight Freeney”… and we’ll have to listen to people asking questions like “when are they going to make it official?” Nothing to see here people.