Chris Conte Gone?
January 3rd, 2017
Strange action may shed light.
For reasons unclear to Joe, safety Chris Conte gets under the skin of Bucs fans.
Maybe because he used to spar with the haters on social media? Who knows?
At any rate, even when Conte performed well, such as against Kansas City, when he basically won the game for the Bucs with a late pick in the end zone, Joe would get Twitters asking why Conte was on the field. Joe had a simple answer: because Bucs coaches thought he was better than his backup, Keith Tandy.
That may no longer be the case.
Since Conte got hurt in the win over Seattle, Tandy replaced him and has been on fire. Perhaps Conte, a free agent this winter, has read the handwriting on the wall?
Long-time Bucs beat guy Woody Cummings, speaking with dangerous Dan Lucas on the WFLA-TV Channel 8’s “Bucs Bonus” show that dominates the coveted demographics of drunkards, divorcees and security guards, as it is broadcast in the small hours of Monday mornings, noticed Conte pulling a LeGarrette Blount (that’s Joe’s term) Conte was high-tailing it out of the festive, back-slapping, high-fiving, fist-bumping, winning locker room of the Bucs on Sunday, as if he had a taxi to catch with the meter running.
“Keith Tandy has won himself a job,” Cummings said of Tandy’s two picks and 12 tackles in the beating of the Stinking Panthers. “We saw Chris Conte leave the stadium pretty early today after the game. I’m not sure he took a shower. I’m not sure he needed to. I’m not sure he’s coming back.
“That kid may not be coming back to this football team because they found some players and playmakers in this secondary.”
It just struck Joe as weird that Conte wanted little to do with his teammates as they savored a season-ending win, celebrating the team’s first winning record since 2010.
January 3rd, 2017 at 6:27 am
Tandy is the man
January 3rd, 2017 at 6:30 am
Both are replaceable talent.
January 3rd, 2017 at 6:31 am
Actions speak louder than words sometimes, he may be done.
January 3rd, 2017 at 6:35 am
Why does that surprise you when you’re a me first player???
January 3rd, 2017 at 6:42 am
Who Tandy has become, is not replaceable.
He finished the year during that last stretch performing as the beast safety in the league per pff.
January 3rd, 2017 at 6:44 am
You don’t replace a talent finally coming into his own. Some fans on this board should be replaced.
January 3rd, 2017 at 7:21 am
After making $3 million this year why should he care?
January 3rd, 2017 at 7:31 am
I’ll take Keith Tandy on the Bucs any day … Mr Versatility. He’s played nickel, dime, corner and safety, and is outstanding at special teams. Finally coming into his own, although not sure he’ll be a starter next year (IF Bucs sign Ed Reed). In any event, Tandy will get plenty of opportunities to make plays next year.
January 3rd, 2017 at 7:34 am
Good. Minus those two games with kc and chi Conte has been hot garbage back there since he arrived
January 3rd, 2017 at 7:34 am
Who Tandy has become is not replaceable?!?!
Are you guys serious with this. He’s going on 28 yrs old, has started only 12 games his entire career and was on the field due to injury…not because he was out playing Conte in practice or when he was healthy. While I agree what he did the past few games is great and he deserves the chance to win the starting job…he should still be challenged with talent that can replace him. There are at least 12-15 safeties I’d rather have starting over Tandy. By definition that would make him a replaceable talent
January 3rd, 2017 at 7:35 am
They still need to draft a safety. Tandy has had a good run but a little competition at the position won’t hurt.
January 3rd, 2017 at 7:38 am
Draft Hooker if he’s there. Hooker, and Tandy duo.
January 3rd, 2017 at 7:38 am
Maybe Conte did not want to join GMC in organizing the Bucs 9-7 parade because he wants the REAL one once a championship has been won.
January 3rd, 2017 at 7:40 am
I like them both but he who makes the most plays, plays.
January 3rd, 2017 at 7:41 am
Tandy to me is not replaceable after what he did the last 5 games of the season. He is the consummate pro! Did you ever hear him complain or take an early exit without showering the other 12 games he backed Conte up???? The guy is going to be a star in the NFL now that he has gotten his chance. I don’t care who they sign unless Prime Time comes out of retirement. Tandy is your starter…
January 3rd, 2017 at 7:42 am
Bucs will probably keep both Tandy and Conte and add one FS with move of Ryan Smith to CB.
January 3rd, 2017 at 7:55 am
I am personally of the minority that never had a problem with Chris Conte. I’ve always viewed him as a productive player that gives good effort. My only issue has been how injury prone he is.
January 3rd, 2017 at 7:55 am
Conte is ok…not great it wouldn’t bother me one way or the other if he leaves or stay…iam with other buc fans Tandy played a lot better. As for fans dislike of him maybe that’s because Lovie brought him in
Frankly I don’t give a da.. Lovie is gone this team seem to be headed in the right direction. .I am more concerned who will replace Smith..Jamis cut down on his mistakes and filling in hole at wr and dl
January 3rd, 2017 at 8:05 am
I’m not sure that he needs to be gone. I’d love to have him as a backup. I think he had some flashes and he would be a serviceable depth person on the roster. Unless, of course, we beef up the position in the off season. If that’s the case, I don’t know that he’d be missed.
January 3rd, 2017 at 8:30 am
Conte made some good plays for the team this year. I also seem to remember him racking up some defenseless hit penalties early in the year, too. Spiking the ball at the ref on Sunday was stupid, as well.
Looks like Tandy did make some very visible splash plays, so whatever the coaches decide, I can live with. Neither guy is going to Canton, unless they buy a ticket.
January 3rd, 2017 at 8:50 am
Conte had two good games this season when the bucs defense as a unit got hot. He was awful in just about every other game he played wearing a buccaneers uniform. Bring in some healthy competition for Tandy and hope Conte signs in Atlanta, Carolina, or New Orleans.
January 3rd, 2017 at 9:01 am
Hooker and Tandy…usually you gotta pay extra for that
January 3rd, 2017 at 9:09 am
I did see conte make a heck of a special teams tackle on punt coverage Sunday, dude was flying downfield. I’d like to see him back on a team friendly deal. Gotta have depth.
January 3rd, 2017 at 9:15 am
Licht seems to like to keep veteran bridge players in place while drafting young players to eventually take over. Based on that I think they’ll keep Tandy as the veteran starter next year and bring in a young guy to compete. So I doubt there will be room for both Conte and Tandy next season.
January 3rd, 2017 at 9:16 am
Conte made a couple key plays….finally. But he missed countless plays before that. He gave up big plays and he’s slow. A safety needs to be anything but slow in today’s game. Conte will not be missed but I wish him well coaching under Lovie.
January 3rd, 2017 at 9:19 am
90% of players are “Replaceable” talents. But nice try though…
January 3rd, 2017 at 9:21 am
I say get rid of McDougald and Conte.
January 3rd, 2017 at 9:44 am
R.O. Then why settle and crown Tandy the next coming of John Lynch? I don’t understand the willingness of fans to just accept a 3.5 good game run by a player that can be replaced. To say he is not replaceable is laughable.
January 3rd, 2017 at 9:44 am
Have you guys seen the kind of impact Collins has had with the Giants? THAT’S the kind of safety we need to find to make this defense top 10. Guys like Conte and Tandy are just average NFL safeties and both are replaceable. Licht is going to need at least two more drafts to finish puting this defense together.
January 3rd, 2017 at 10:05 am
He acts like a child (15 yard unsportsmanlike). Didn’t have a problem with him really before I saw that temper tantrum that my 4 year old has better sense than to attempt. Additionally he boasts like he king $hit on top of turd hill (not a problem if you are but…. you’re Chris Evert, I mean Conte). Doesn’t appear to be a team guy, throwing his gloves off on the sideline and his helmet. He was a desperation signing, we aren’t desperate right now. Time to move on, nothing to see here.
January 3rd, 2017 at 10:33 am
I love how fans are overly critical of ONE players performance while the entire unit was struggling. Conte was NEVER the next coming of Lynch or whoever, still isn’t. He’s a veteran player asked to play on a rebuilding defense. Tandy played really well down the stretch but lets be real folks, he never would’ve gotten the opportunity if Conte didn’t get injured. Which means the coaches, up until his injury, thought that Conte was the better player. His tantrum, however, really put me off.
The Bucs would be remiss not to entertain retaining his services. You never know when your number will be called. This is STILL an area of need, Tandy or not.
January 3rd, 2017 at 10:34 am
Conte…ex-Bear…now …ex-Buc.
Purge the team of Lovie.
Tandy…Schiano-man.
January 3rd, 2017 at 10:37 am
We could have Ronde Barber, John Lynch, Donnie Abraham, Mark Cotney and Mike Washington as our secondary (WOW!). The usual hot airs on here would be bit@ning up a storm. If Conte leaves fine. With Smith probably moving on, the defense will be facing changes. Let the best players win, and start them. Works for me. 🙂
January 3rd, 2017 at 11:26 am
Conte was rightfully upset about being robbed of the nice interception he made. But he acted childishly about it – especially if this report of him leaving quickly while his brothers shared a nice “family” aftergame celebratory mood is true.
Conte will want $3-$4M+ per year and I don’t think he’s worth it – especially now that Tandy appears to have taken a nice step forward and emerged as a legit playmaker in the final few games of 2016. Kieth is already under contract next year for much less.
We should re-sign McDougald, but I’d prefer to see him as a backup and a stud Safety brought in via draft or FA to start alongside Tandy.
Eric Berry would be amazing but of course that will never happen. We probably need to be looking at drafting one of the top safeties in the 2nd round this year to finally get some true stability back there.
January 3rd, 2017 at 11:33 am
if he really was not enjoying the win with the team for selfish reasons… don’t need him on the roster
January 3rd, 2017 at 11:37 am
Tandy may have hit his stride in this defense. What he has done in the past is irrelevent with how he has been playing consistently down the stretch. Not to mention that he is versatile in the positions he can play and special teams.
Does he need to be challenged next year for his spot? I think everyone on the team needs to compete to play. It can only raise the level of play.
The spot opposite Tandy in the secondary has pretty much been a barren wasteland in terms of production this season. Looking forward to that being addressed!
January 3rd, 2017 at 11:53 am
It appeared to me that about five or so games ago, Tandy made a significant leap in his recognition of plays as they unfolded. His anticipation of what was coming made it easier for him to jump routes and break up or intercept passes. it started to look like he had learned to watch film and prepare for a game much like Kwon has and Kwon is one of the best in the N.F.L at game preparation.
January 3rd, 2017 at 11:56 am
Conte comes off like Sabby P. sometimes (attitude wise)…
January 3rd, 2017 at 12:04 pm
Are we forgetting that Eric Berry will be a free agent. We need to let Conte go and throw big money at Berry. Get our Dline in order (C. Johnson, Alualu, Fairley, Spence) and then focus on offense for everything else.
January 3rd, 2017 at 12:27 pm
KC will not let Berry get to free agency Killian. That’s my dream scenario as well – but it ain’t gonna happen.
January 3rd, 2017 at 12:49 pm
It seems that he would be remiss not to test free agency. Although KC is a good team, the likelihood of them making it to a Super Bowl with Alex Smith at QB (when Big Ben and Brady are still in the league) is slim. Then again, maybe he likes living in Kansas City. We’ll see what happens.
January 3rd, 2017 at 1:00 pm
KC will franchise tag Eric Berry if he were to seem intent on testing the free agency waters…
January 3rd, 2017 at 1:08 pm
Why do you keep treating Conte like the second coming of Ed Reed, Joe?
I think the Bucs could do better than Conte AND Tandy. They’re the same player, with Tandy showing more consistency of late.
January 3rd, 2017 at 1:10 pm
@Killian. Eric Berry is a generational talent at safety. As said before, he will never reach the point of other teams having a shot at him. KC will sell their souls to the devil before letting him become an unrestricted FA.
January 3rd, 2017 at 1:23 pm
@mhall-
“I think the Bucs could do better than Conte AND Tandy. They’re the same player, with Tandy showing more consistency of late.”
Well said! The issue will become what position to address. There are still MANY holes in this roster. Don’t be surprised if players like Tandy or Conte are starting next year. Anyone who thinks Berry is going anywhere but KC needs to stop drinking this early in the day! Pipe dream!!!
January 3rd, 2017 at 2:08 pm
Don’t we need two safeties?
January 3rd, 2017 at 2:33 pm
Eric Berry and the honey badger are both fa this year. According to some, licht and the honey badger are buddies. I’d take either one.
As for Conte, I seriously feel sorry for some of you. I wonder what kind of football did you grow up watching if at any point you thought Conte was anything other than a lil itch who gets run-over on every single play. Not to mention gets burnt on every pass. Dude is complete and utter garbage.
January 3rd, 2017 at 3:05 pm
I like them both. Conte as a backup. you see him snag that interception (called incomplete) the last game? they both caught fire as the season went on and they got comfortable in the defense.
January 3rd, 2017 at 3:49 pm
Yes I di not studded
At the level he is playing now he is NOT replaceable.
Bring in who you want, if he continues his play, they won’t touch him.
January 3rd, 2017 at 3:50 pm
@DB55- I have one name for you: Sabby Piscatelli
It’s not high praise, and I don’t think that much more of Tandy but they’re waaaaaaaaaay better than that guy!
January 3rd, 2017 at 3:50 pm
what the hell lol
Yes I did not stutter*
January 3rd, 2017 at 4:01 pm
Honey Badger has already resign with Arizona. There is 0% chance that Kansas City let the best SS in the NFL walk.
January 3rd, 2017 at 4:56 pm
Conte was robbed with that interception and probably will sign with another team for 2017. He is obviously not valued by the Buc’s and he will be picked up by another team…possibly by a playoff team if he is being cut.
The sad part is he would probably be a good player with correct coaching. The total butt smooching contest with Jose & everyone else in the media in regard Famous Porky is overwhelming…..I listened to TCRAZ speak today about Porky’s “gunslinger” montra which may be correctly defined as throwing crazy forced passes that end up as interceptions.
It is time to take a pry bar, insert between Porky’s round bootie and the lips of the Tampa media and force them apart. The number of yards and the number of td’s does not matter….the number of wins is what matters.
Peyton Manning threw the least amount of td’s in his career last year, but yet he lead his team to the Superbowl 50 win. There are other seasons whereby Peyton threw twice as many touchdowns and did not make the superbowl or win it.
Comparing Famous Porky to Brett Farve almost caused my brain to explode and force me to crash! Stop with the comparison to Hall of Fame QB’s! If Famous Porky is still the Buc’s QB1 in 10 years and has won 2-4 SuperBowls…then you can start with the “Americas QB” statements and the comparison to Farve, Marino, etc. I don’t care what Jose is smoking…..you cannot ever use Famous Porky’s name in the same sentence with Tom Brady. Actually, not being abusive to your love for Porky….no one’s name should be used with Brady’s name and/or Mannings, Marino, and/or Farve!
Greg Schiano
January 3rd, 2017 at 5:24 pm
For all of the reasons you just explained above, is why fans loathed conte.
Tandy is clearly and obviously a better player (4 ints in what, 5 games started?, how many does conte have in his entire career?)
Clearly not a good teammate (first one out the door at the end of a winning season…)
It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to understand why fans dislike conte.
January 3rd, 2017 at 8:25 pm
But then I saw on yesterday’s news broadcast (can’t remember which one) he and Jameis laughing, and what would appear to be exchanging phone numbers, in the locker room at OBP.
Who knows, other than himself, what he’s thinking.
January 3rd, 2017 at 9:14 pm
What up Greg! How’d that Clemson game plan work for ya? Anyway, “Porky” is still only 22 and we can compare Peyton and “Porky”‘s td to int ratio, which is meaningless considering their respective teams were in completely different competitive realms after Peyton 1st season (13-3, 10-6, 6-10, 10-6).
Peyton’s ratio: 26/28 56.8% 3-13 record
26/15 62.1% 13-3
33/15 62.5% 10-6
26/23 62.7% 6-10
“Porky’s” ratio: 28/18 60.8% 6-10
22/15 58.3% 9-7
This Gator here is glad to eat my crow when it’s served. We can’t wait until he does lead us to that Super Bowl again while your ass enjoys the recruiting trips in Ohio. That is until Meyer fires you or goes running to another team. Just be glad the Glazers checks cleared and GTFO of anything Bucs related, forever.
January 4th, 2017 at 2:01 am
I feel bad for Conte. He intercepted that ball on Sunday and got screwed by the refs. It was a great play. Replay wasnt going to overturn the call on the field no matter what that call had been. You just knew he needed it for the sake of showing he can play and for his next contract.
January 4th, 2017 at 4:00 pm
NJ BucsFan have a question for you?? How many games did Brent Grimes start? 17 How many games did Keith Tandy start? 5 How many interceptions did Grimes have? 4 How many interceptions did Tandy have? 4. Is Grimes a Pro Bowler? Yep So you think there are 12 to 15 better safety’s in the league than Tandy? Can’t buy that one. You talk like Tandy is a Joe off the streets. He was an all Big East performer at West Virginia man. He is legite and proved himself. Don’t know why you give him no respect…Not Better than Conte…..Gonna have to quote another West Viginian (Randy Moss)……COME ON MAN!!!!!