Slapping Fear-Riddled Fans
January 21st, 2017
Loyal readers here know JoeBucsFan.com columnist and Tampa Bay’s only Hall of Fame voter, Ira Kaufman, clobbered Joe in his Friday column.
Joe is grateful for the chance to slap Ira back — and to drop some reality on the fear-riddled Bucs fans who agreed with him.
You can read Ira’s take here, but in a nutshell, Ira claimed the Bucs won’t go wild in free agency this year because they have a strong young nucleus, including the grand slam 2015 draft class that needs to be paid in the upcoming seasons.
The Bucs will need to preserve money to get those contracts done and follow Team Glazer’s plan, Ira said, as he scoffed at Joe for yearning to sign Adrian Peterson, DeSean Jackson and Calais Campbell.
To that, Joe screams, Baloney!
The reality is the Bucs have the money to re-sign all their stars when their contracts are up and still deliver Peterson, Jackson and Campbell fat guaranteed contracts for the next two seasons.
The Bucs are $61.2 million under the salary cap for 2017, per ESPN, plus they have dead weight in place that can add at least another $15 million (See Doug Martin, J.R. Sweezy and Alterraun Verner).
Kwon Alexander, Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet and Mike Evans are all under team control – and inexpensive – for the next two seasons. For Jameis Winston, it’s three more seasons. What exactly is the hurry to re-sign those guys?
The sad reality is one of them is likely to have a serious injury in the next two seasons and/or have a major drop in effectiveness.
Come 2019, the Bucs also won’t owe a guaranteed nickel to Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David. They could dump either one of their giant salaries without penalty if their play falls off. By 2019, expensive Robert Ayers and Brent Grimes are likely to be out of football. And the salary cap goes up every year.
The point is the Bucs have the money and flexibility now — in 2017 and 2018 — to greatly enhance a 9-7 team that has its prized defensive coordinator on lockdown for those two years.
The time is now.
A few bold free agency moves (not necessarily Peterson, Jackson and Campbell) is the reward fate and strong salary cap management have provided. What a shame it would be to waste it.
Joe looks to the Broncos opening the vault for Aqib Talib, DeMarcus Ware and T.J. Ward in 2014. That worked out pretty damn well for them.
The Bucs should be targeting a similar type of haul in free agency.
January 21st, 2017 at 1:38 pm
In Joe we trust!!!!
Joe, Joe, Joe!!!
January 21st, 2017 at 1:43 pm
All of that is fine and dandy if you’re not paying out the nose for past production (Adrian Peterson). If he’s the drum you’re going to be beating on all offseason then lord help us all. Yes they have the money to go hog wild if they want, but they shouldn’t just for the sake of spending it and completely destroying the team chemistry they built this year.
January 21st, 2017 at 1:44 pm
“Opening the vault” isn’t going to get us a Superbowl next year. Highly unlikely. We’re just not there yet. Hiring rental players isn’t where this team is at. I’m not saying a Campbell wouldn’t be a good addition. I think they’ll remain sober about it, getting a few guys that are good players and great teammates, without blowing the bank on the biggest name, highest dollar players. Let’s be honest – we know Jason Licht doesn’t love free agency. He’s going to be careful with that money, as he should be.
January 21st, 2017 at 1:53 pm
Keep in mind that there is a salary floor as well as a salary cap. Any funds between the floor & cap can be carried over to the next season. Additionally, contract extensions like Anger got at the end of the season and before the start of the next season in March can be applied to the previous year cap. Current players deserving a 2018 offseason extension could be re-signed after the finish of 2017 and use 2017 salary cap space to get above the salary floor.
January 21st, 2017 at 1:59 pm
I’d like to see us sign JPP, Poe, and Pryor
January 21st, 2017 at 2:13 pm
We need to strike a happy medium between preserving the nucleus of the FRANCHISE and taking the necessary steps to put the TEAM over the next level. Open the vault, but in moderation
January 21st, 2017 at 2:14 pm
Joe……Ira was C-Completely correct to slam you for wanting to sign Peterson. You just get all worked up over Names. Names that Used to be good. Peterson is Washed up dude! Face it! Revis was on the verge of being washed up if he wasn’t already when we got him.
Callais Campbell, and Pryor are the best FA acquisitions for us. I am on board with Jackson if we could land him but word is he wants to go back to Philly if Wash can re-sign him.
January 21st, 2017 at 2:19 pm
Just know the way them last 3 home games had Tampa Bay Area rocking it diff had to shake the lock off the safe!! There is no way that didn’t bring back old memories that team Glazer been waiting for!!! An Smitty didn’t say stay for a avg D!! So you know he got some bada$$ new toys coming !!! An when you hear the like of (AP) wanting to come to Tampa!! Do ya really think they not going to open the Ck book up when we finally got studs wanting to come!!! Joe bows
January 21st, 2017 at 2:20 pm
Agreed. I think they will spend some money cause the window is opening now. Pieces in play for a playoff run!
January 21st, 2017 at 2:20 pm
I don’t see Doug Martin or J.R. Sweezy as “dead weight.”
January 21st, 2017 at 2:21 pm
Sorry!! Type o!!! Joe knows
January 21st, 2017 at 2:29 pm
Mr IRA!!! You do know that’s not just an avg Joe your talking bout!!! That’s JoeBuc!!
January 21st, 2017 at 2:30 pm
OverTheCap (OTC) has cap space at 65.1mil. If you take away Doug Martin at 7mil, Alteraun Verner at 6.5mil, and George Johnson at 2.25mil, cap space sits at 80.85mil.
http://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space/
January 21st, 2017 at 2:38 pm
Spotrac has Bucs cap space at 84.1mil, but does not include suspended player Doug Martin at 7mil, nor does it include 13 Futures contract players at roughly 465k per player.
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cap/2017/
January 21st, 2017 at 2:51 pm
I agree with both Joe and Ira. I hope they go wild in free agency, just not Adrian Peterson wild lol
January 21st, 2017 at 2:54 pm
We are not signing Poe.. nor Pryor. Plus you have to sign roughly 45-50 players to get to the offseason roster of 90. Top 53 salaries counts towards the cap. If you cut someone like Sweezy who are you going to replace him with? We are not going to sign a FA WR and pay him more than Evans. Get over it… what starters are you looking to replace? Need RB S, WR, RT maybe, NT maybe, or DE. They will NOT be throwing away $$ on old players looking for coin. Will resign A. Spence, W. Gholston, R. Shepard, J. Robinson. Etc etc…
January 21st, 2017 at 3:02 pm
Joe!!!! You nailed it on every point!!! Wow!!!!!! that’s what needs to get done!!
Not only bring in high caliber FA’s to play their last years here, but they will also get ticket sales up!! My own son said if Peterson is here, he’ll pull out the wallet!!
Trust Joe, Bring on Poe..
Joe for Prez!
January 21st, 2017 at 3:12 pm
I agree with Joe that it would make sense to be in total “win now” mode since we have all this cap space for the next 2 years to play with.
But I also agree with Ira that chances are the Bucs will be more conservative with signing big $ free agents than Joe would like them to be.
Just like he did last year, I trust Licht to find us some good players in free agency that will help the team who are not demanding outrageous salaries. And then find us at least a couple starters and a couple good prospects to develop in the draft as well.
January 21st, 2017 at 3:21 pm
They’re not gonna go wild in FA, and I have no clue why anyone would want that. They could get Campbell, which would be a solid addition. I firmly believe Licht is going to stick with his stated preference, which is to use free agency moderately. He doesn’t like it. Last year’s FA class was pretty good, except for the unfortunate Sweezy injury. Why not take the same approach again this year? Anybody we add needs to be a good team player. No me-firsters.
January 21st, 2017 at 3:30 pm
Free agents arguably put Bucs over the top in 2002, with Gruden/McKay signing a large group of FA in Pittman, McCardell, Jurevicius, Oben, Jenkins, Dilger, & Dudley. NONE of those guys was a top-tier FA/expensive signing. Bucs won the Super Bowl on the strength of the defense & the only FA of note they brought in on D was Greg Spires.
Signing a whole bunch of expensive top tier guys to buy a trip to the Super Bowl rarely works out. Ask Dan Snyder about that. He keeps trying it (and failing with it).
January 21st, 2017 at 3:34 pm
Sorry Joe. I’m with Ira on this one. Develop young talent, build through the draft, hire a couple “young” key free agents and let the has bens sail off into the sunset somewhere else.
January 21st, 2017 at 3:48 pm
I say offer Peterson 3 years for 10mil a or with 18mil guaranteed and bring VJax back for 2years at 6.5mil and resign douggernaut at 3.75mil at 3yrs.it would return because it would bring out the beat in doggie and AP to challenge each other for the starting job and VJax could add depth.and that only a little over 20mil of the cap space.use the rest for oline and add another reliable CB and resign Glennon for 9mil a or to 5yrs with 28 guaranteed.
January 21st, 2017 at 3:48 pm
You people are insane, including Joe, lol.
Peterson, Jackson and Campbell????
Campbell is the only one among those that would not be a waste of money.
Campbell and JPP. Two big moves that will actually help the team for 2+ years. Peterson? When has he EVER had a healthy season??
January 21st, 2017 at 3:51 pm
Id like to see us try to target Kenny Stills and Tony Jefferson and re sign some of our own guys. Draft best Dline available in the first round. One of the King cornerbacks or maybe ethan pocic in the second. Perine in the third.
January 21st, 2017 at 3:52 pm
Peterson, in his entire career, has had only 4 healthy seasons. That 4 of 10 seasons!!!!!
January 21st, 2017 at 4:08 pm
It looks to me like by the time we have to sign Jw3 Evans Kwon etc!!! The salary cap should be about 40mil more then it is now!! It has gone up every yr! We have a great core in place go get the pieces we need now to contend an let Jason do what he does an draft an keep the ball rolling guys!!! We got to go an get the players we need to get there!!! Y because of a decade of bad drafts them days are over!! Jason pretty savvy drafting !!! We got to have some season vets( Not old players) JPP 27 Nick Fairley 27 Eric Berry Prime time!! Terrelle Pryor 27 !! The only ones that will be expensive is JPP & Berry !! But those are game changers
January 21st, 2017 at 4:22 pm
We are just good enough to be out of reach in the draft to get the (Blue chip) players in the draft so we have to pay for the sins of the past to get to a place we all want to be !! Contenders yr after yr!! Jason is great at the draft but we playing catch up guys!!! He can draft to keep us rocking once we are there!! We are close!!! What are you nosayers scared of losing????? Been doing that long enough!!! The time is now
January 21st, 2017 at 4:31 pm
Lots of great ideas here, but reality is that there are 31 other teams out there thinking largely the same things. Every team seems to think that ‘The time is now’ as Joe says, but reality says the majority aren’t even close. Bucs are at least 2 and more likely 3 yrs away from being a Top-10 team offensively & defensively IF we make lots of very good decisions. Our ‘young nucleus’ isn’t as deep as some like to pretend it is (take a good look at who’ll be gone in 2-3 yrs). It takes TIME to build a Top-10 team through the draft, and then to develop them into starting-caliber players and/or key rotational players. We’ve finally got a quality coaching staff here but they (and Jason Licht) need TIME to mold this thing.
By the way Joe, I’m onboard with Desean Jackson & Calais Campbell, but Adrian Peterson? No way. Bucs need to draft a top quality RB in the draft like Joe Mixon (yup, I like the kid) or someone with similar RB traits.
January 21st, 2017 at 4:47 pm
Did you catch ME’s conversation with a teammate on the sideline after the final game against the cats. His words “we just gotta be patient”. Same should said for the fanbase when its “that” we’ll all know. Please no defenders in the first three rounds Mr. Licht. Defense should be addressed in free agency. I’m sure Mike Smith much rather a few seasoned vets in contrast to a few new green rookies.
January 21st, 2017 at 4:49 pm
Sorry Defense soon as I turn Mixon’s video on I see him being ran down from behind. Cook all day homie.
January 21st, 2017 at 4:55 pm
I don’t know what the names will be but we will fill at least two starters in free agency. People are saying we were not active in free agency last year but we signed 4 starters and if you throw in Quiz, and Sweezy, you could say 6! That does not scream inactive to me.
January 21st, 2017 at 5:04 pm
I’m with you Nosbos Mixon does not have enough explosion. We already have a few of him on this team plus it seems if a defender gets around his feet he goes down very easy. His tape reminds a lot of Michael Pittman.
January 21st, 2017 at 5:10 pm
Yea seems like he’s the new RB flavor of the week. Duke just wasn’t born with an attribute that Dalvin was. Pure unadulterated speed. Just watched DJ’s mock has the Pats taking McCaffery. That’s a match made in heaven if you ask me.
January 21st, 2017 at 5:11 pm
macabee
January 21st, 2017 at 5:12 pm
Funny thing is for all you “no to RB in round one types”, the first mocks have Fournette,Cook,Kamara and McCaffery all going in the first. I wonder why???
January 21st, 2017 at 5:20 pm
I mean I see people saying you can just go get a RB in the later rounds but after the ones I just listed I don’t hear much talk about the position. H3ll no one even talking about Foreman from Texas. I’m watching these kids playing in the east west shrine game. No one jumping off the screen the way David Johnson did when he played the in the senior bowl.
January 21st, 2017 at 5:31 pm
You can beat the Cook drum all you want
It will NEVER happen for the Bucs.
Bet on it. For a FACT.
ESPECIALLY after the Doug Martin fiasco.
January 21st, 2017 at 5:34 pm
I dunno. I think Bucs fans should go over to the local rag using the “Tampa Bay” name, and click on “Bucs” and enjoy the articles on the East-West Shrine Game, Aaron Rodgers, and Rich McKay. Hey, one guy even pumps up his 13 year old kid publicly and lets readers gush over his offspring. I mean, who wants to read about all the exciting and opposing opinions about our local NFL team?
WE DO! Thanks Joe!
January 21st, 2017 at 5:34 pm
P.S. Joe thats a wonderful view you got there. I rebuke that thought. None of them will have a major injury in the next two years. Speaking life, not death.
January 21st, 2017 at 5:43 pm
Appreciate the kind words Fred. Thank you.
January 21st, 2017 at 5:48 pm
Koetter isn’t.
January 21st, 2017 at 5:58 pm
Can I borrow that scrying glass PR. And what exactly dose his issue have to do with Dalvin Cook???
January 21st, 2017 at 5:59 pm
@Nosbos
Not gonna waste my time arguing about who is better: Cook or Mixon. However one thing you said I would like to comment on.
“Please no defenders in the first three rounds Mr. Licht. Defense should be addressed in free agency.”
It was addressed in free agency last year. They signed Robert Ayers, Brent Grimes, and Darryl Smith as “bridge players”, meaning signed to fill a gap on the team but not long term solutions. They are going to have to get replaced. Brent Grimes is a free agent after next season and Robert Ayers in 2019.
You mention how mocks have more RBs than Cook and Fournette going in round 1. They also have the Bucs taking an edge rusher in round 1 and honestly Im really starting to like that idea. This draft is loaded with talented edge rushers, and unlike RBs, every team needs pass rushers so the Bucs would have to get 1 early before the top tier is off the board. He can come in on a rotation just like Noah Spence did and develop then once Ayers is a free agent we can have 2 young stud pass rushers for the next decade potentially…. That’s exciting.
This year I say we sign a “bridge player” on offense. Specifically as a #2 WR. Bring in a vet and draft a WR in the draft, day 2 maybe, and he can challenge for the #3 receiver and after that vet is no longer with the team he can step up and fill the #2 WR hole. That is building through the draft which is the goal of the Bucs.
January 21st, 2017 at 6:00 pm
and on a side note… Man, that East-West Shrine Game was hard to watch lol
January 21st, 2017 at 6:01 pm
How so Admin. He has a 9 and 7 record on his rookie resume. If he’s not patient then we’ll go crazy in free agency(doubt that)if he is patient they’ll continue to build. And the process will be a lasting project.
January 21st, 2017 at 6:05 pm
I disagree with signing AP …having said that if what joe says is true about signing our guys back getting evans his deal done getting jackson here and a couple other pieces and still rack up AP …then i would be all for it…but if we are planning on building more in the draft and say just bringing in a jackson or lafell and signing AP then its not worth it…atleast jameis will have the needed weapons in the pass game and still have rodgers as the bell cow
January 21st, 2017 at 6:05 pm
No argument with what you just said Pop. My thing is this tho,we desprately need to get the tools Fameis will need to compete against Ryan and Brees in our division. We can build up this D all we want in hopes of reliving the glory days of the past. Me I’m like to h3ll wit those days bro. I want done high powered offense man. A D end can be drafted first overall in 2018.
January 21st, 2017 at 6:08 pm
If I’m Mr. Licht I’m doing all I can to wine and dine JPP’s agent. Landing that guy a real defensive gamechanger would open up everything for the Bucs.
January 21st, 2017 at 6:10 pm
I’ll pass on any rookie DE entering this draft for JPP. No learning curve with JPP. Hus eventual replacement can could drafted early next season. How are we ever going to compete with the Falcons and Saints if we don’t begin to emphasize our O???
January 21st, 2017 at 6:13 pm
The Texans had the number D in the league but couldn’t beat the pats even with Brady playing like boo boo because of the suspect QB play which ultimately makes for a suspect offense. Look at the Broncos now.
January 21st, 2017 at 6:14 pm
I left out number 1. Broncos and they’re great D missed the playoffs. We need weaponry man.
January 21st, 2017 at 6:16 pm
Are any of the four teams left considerd great defenses. No! They’re 30 point scoring offenses are they’re defenses.
January 21st, 2017 at 6:20 pm
Ima tell y’all something Brees getting younger not older. Mofo had to have found the magic elixir. Falcons put up 30 every week.
January 21st, 2017 at 6:26 pm
Everybody go home.
NOS owns the site right now. 🙂
January 21st, 2017 at 6:32 pm
Y’all need to open your eyes man. The new defense is a 30 point scoring offensive unit. The NFL is about scoring not stiffling defense people. Get Fameis some weapons.
January 21st, 2017 at 6:32 pm
NoSBoS … You do know that Cook won’t be there at #19 don’t you? There are a number of RBs in this draft class who could work for the Bucs, but would much rather have a stud DE or #2 WR with our #19 pick. Maybe a RB in the 2nd rnd (and the draft gurus seem to think that Mixon will still be available in that rnd when the Bucs pick). ‘Course he’d have to compete this yr for our rnd 2 dire need for a long-snapper.
Far as 30 pt scoring offenses go, look at the Panthers last yr in the SB. #1 offense vs #4 defense. Remind me again who won? Better approach is BALANCE. Look at the SB history and ‘balanced teams’ have won most of the time.
January 21st, 2017 at 6:32 pm
@Nosbos
Im with you. Believe me im all for #WeaponsforWinston. Just remember that disrupting QBs like Brees, Ryan, and Cam is just as important as being able to keep up with them. And im not saying just sign a vet receiver and problem solved. Lets say hypothetically we sign Pierre Garcon as the vet #2 as the bridge player. Now we draft his successor to develop as the next #2. Look up Taywan Taylor out of Western Kentucky. He wold be an ideal pick. Has good size, listed at 6′ 1″ and is a home run threat everytime the ball is near him. He has that ability to take a 10 yard slant 50 yards that Koetter wants. Admittedly only problem getting Taywan Taylor is we might have to trade up to get him, which I am much more comfortable with in round 2 than round 1 because its just cheaper.
Now we have Mike Evans as the stud receiver that just does everything, Garcon knows how to get open with quick route running and has YAC ability, Taywan Taylor as a home run hitter, Cam Brate, maybe another TE later in the draft that is more of a weapon than Stocker, and I know that you are all in on Dalvin Cook, and that is fine, but there will be RBs in round 3 that are capable of being 3-down backs. To me that will be a pretty high-powered offense capable of keeping up with Brees, Ryan, and Cam. Then add another stud pass rusher in round 1 to get to them. We will be in a great position with a great foundation on Offense AND Defense…..IMO of course lol
January 21st, 2017 at 6:33 pm
☺Leave me lone 87.
January 21st, 2017 at 6:36 pm
Defense I asked PR to borrow his crystal ball, didn’t get a reply. I’ll ask you can borrow yours??? Pop I’m lowkey feeling the Garcon idea. I love his toughness, never been afraid to go over the middle..
January 21st, 2017 at 6:41 pm
Defense Chris Johnson played his school ball at east carolina. Went to the combine and set a 40 time record that still stands to this day. How did he just so happen to make it to the Titans at 24 in the first round??? A neighbouring state.
January 21st, 2017 at 6:46 pm
I would understand the logic, “Dont break the bank” if we were close to the cap. But we arent close. We have a ton to spend. We need weapons. One of the best ever might be available and is willing to play for us if he is. We would be completely foolish to not look into it. If he’s asking for anything even remotely reasonable, you hand him the ball for the next year, maybe 2. Nobody knows if he’s washed up. Nobody. Its Adrian Freakin All Day Peterson. The reward far out weighs the risk. The money saved could just as easily be given to a nobody that does nothing. I trust Licht’s judgement but I dont see how you say no so quickly.
January 21st, 2017 at 7:03 pm
Howdy Fellas.
January 21st, 2017 at 7:09 pm
NoSBoS … You asked how the Titans were able to draft Chris Johnson at #24 in the 1st rnd of the 2008 draft? Do a little research and you’ll see that he was projected to be a SECOND rnd pick. A few RBs ranked higher than he did in 2008: Darren McFadden, Rashard Mendenhall, Jonathan Stewart, Jamaal Charles & Felix Jones. I say again: Cook won’t be there at #19 (but IF he is I’d say grab him). Too many teams ahead of us need a stud RB and Cook is rated as the #1 or #2 RB on the board from everything I read … doesn’t take much of a crystal ball for that.
January 21st, 2017 at 7:13 pm
@Defense……I have been telling him that over and over. Cook won’t be there, here and by text. I am ALL for Cook if we don’t have to trade up to get him. We don’t have the luxury of trading up.
January 21st, 2017 at 7:22 pm
Defense y’all need get out of the media box yo. Projections don’t mean spit when a particular team wants a particular player. See last years draft and the Cowboys bro.
January 21st, 2017 at 7:24 pm
So its to you that he be drafted by the browns. That’s where I’m seeing him land according to these pointless first mocks. Are we to believe RB is the biggest concern of hue jackson considering what he had to work with this season???
January 21st, 2017 at 7:28 pm
Yall continue to confuse me. One minute it is not wise to take an RB in the first. The next he won’t be there, he’ll be long gone when we’re up. So its not a bad idea for teams thst may be in need of a starting RB ahead of us but dont quite make since for us to look the RB in the first round becuase we have so called greater needs.
January 21st, 2017 at 7:32 pm
NoSBoS I agree with SB … no trading up. We’ve got far too many needs as it is. If Cook is there at #19, great, pick him. And as far as Dallas goes, they already had the #4 pick because of their 4-12 record. They didn’t move up to pick Elliott. He fit their needs perfectly, and although Dallas needed DLinemen at the time, none apparently tickled their fancy.
January 21st, 2017 at 7:35 pm
I support building through the draft more, but it is important to supplement the roster with solid veteran players who know the system or at least can adapt quickly to a new system. That’s why the Bucs should target particular positions in free agency, such as OL or WR, that have steeper learning curves. With the collective bargaining agreement in place, there are limitations to the contact that coaches and players have during the “off season”. A savvy veteran, like Logan Mankins (or JR Sweezy, who might be savvy in other ways!), may be plugged into a lineup much easier than a rookie who needs more time than just the limited OTAs to develop. On defense, the Bucs should stick more to a plan that develops players through the draft.
January 21st, 2017 at 7:36 pm
I agree with Nole. If they feel Cook is a game changer, you move up to get him. I personally wouldn’t. I never believed this garbae that “You dont draft RBs in the 1st round or Kickers in the 2nd”… if thats the guy you believe can change any game for you, wherever, however you can.
January 21st, 2017 at 7:39 pm
And Couch that is exactly why I’m debating everyday. He Wil Be A GameChanger.
January 21st, 2017 at 7:42 pm
There are probably only 3 or 4 special football players in any particular draft. I stand behind Dalvin is going to one of those in this one. Your team doesn’t have to be perfect when you have a few special players on the roster. H3ll Green bay has one and look how they look.
January 21st, 2017 at 7:48 pm
You know I luv ya Mike but there isn’t a first round RB in the Playoffs. If Cook is there at 19 then JUMP! However with as many needs as we have smart business is to not trade any of them away.
January 21st, 2017 at 7:50 pm
And I concur with you Dr. Stroud. A Great sandwich has many layers. You can’t win any awards with all meat and cheese.
January 21st, 2017 at 7:54 pm
Big bro if cleve is willing to take our 2017 3rd to swap our 19 with they’re 12 Licht is going to pull the trigger bro.
January 21st, 2017 at 7:55 pm
Keeping those offenses off the field next season is a must. Keeping ours on the field and theirs on the sideline is a must. Championships are won with D but keeping those guys off the scoreboard would be a monumental task. Unless our D suddenly becomes the 2002 D.
January 21st, 2017 at 7:56 pm
I say that because as it stands the mocks have him going 12 to cleve.
January 21st, 2017 at 8:01 pm
Cleve is the trade partner. They need every extra pick they can aquire.
January 21st, 2017 at 8:03 pm
So how unwatchable was the east west shrine game? I still want to watch it, but forgot to DVR it!!! Anyone know where I can catch the replay??? Thanks;)
January 21st, 2017 at 8:06 pm
This is what happens when you totally wiff in a draft like last year. it sets back a team 3 years
The saints drafted every round few picks after us last year
they picked DT rankins, WR thomas and S vonn bell
the saints locked those exact spots for the next 7-10 years
that is superior drafting and being a great GM
**checkout 2016 great atlanta draft
**alot of mocks are predicting a pass rusher. lol! what happened to Nowhere spence our tweener? Anybody that knows anything about talent evaluation and drafting knows that the last 15 years the small light tweener pass rusher has been the number 1 bust position player
*NOS-BOS stop doing this to yourselve. Fat Drugie is going to be our runningback. Didnt you hear what our informicaial marketer is spreading to the Tampa sheep. ..he is going to be healthy…going to rehab (lol)
you guys still dont know who our kicker picker gm forrest gump really is and how he thinks
2017 roster =2016 same faces plus a few canadians
January 21st, 2017 at 8:11 pm
NosBos post the mock that has Kamara Going in the first.
Im done debating Dalvin with you.
But I wanna see the proof of someone mocking Kamara going in round 1. I have not seen it.
January 21st, 2017 at 8:13 pm
Also, What makes you think that cleveland would drop 7 spots for a 3rd rounder a year from now?
January 21st, 2017 at 8:14 pm
@Blake
Daniel Jeremiah mocked Kamara going 29 to Green Bay
January 21st, 2017 at 8:14 pm
Nahh bro his technique is too sound to not be good with experience. Just remember bro be played with one arm half the season. I personally think SPAWN gone scary.
January 21st, 2017 at 8:15 pm
Thanks Pop.
January 21st, 2017 at 8:16 pm
Third this year bro. This year.
January 21st, 2017 at 8:17 pm
@Argh_M8E
Dude idk if u really want to watch it. It was painful lol
January 21st, 2017 at 8:18 pm
Because they’re roster looks like swiss cheese that’s why bro.
January 21st, 2017 at 8:21 pm
Ok thanks for the update Poppems.
And I don’t see why Clevand would determine that having 2 picks in the top 12 would be less advantageous than moving down to 19 and for only 1 3rd rounder.
We would have to give up more than just our 3rd rounder next year.
January 21st, 2017 at 8:21 pm
Cleveland*
January 21st, 2017 at 8:21 pm
@Nosbos
It would cost our 2nd pick, not our 3rd
January 21st, 2017 at 8:23 pm
Blake this year bro. Not next. You may be right Pop.
January 21st, 2017 at 8:23 pm
Just because their arent any 1st round RBs in the playoffs isnt a good enough reason to not draft a RB in the 1st round. That is just straight nonsense.
January 21st, 2017 at 8:24 pm
@Joe
Thank you!!!
We’ve waited long enough. Tell Mr. Grinch, he’s on the couch for a week!
January 21st, 2017 at 8:24 pm
According to Walter Footballs draft value chart:
Browns #12 overall is worth 1,200 points
Bucs #19 overall is worth 875 points
Bucs #51 overall is worth 390 points
That adds up to 1265 so maybe the trade would look like Browns 1st and 5th round picks for Bucs 1st and 2nd
January 21st, 2017 at 8:25 pm
But what if threw in DM???
January 21st, 2017 at 8:26 pm
I also find it hilarious that someone is trying to calling the Saints GM great because of 1 draft class 1 year ago. So there’s no chance that any of the 3 players you just named could fall off the map next year? And subsequently none of the players we drafted will never amount to nothing? Thats some more incredible nonsense from your crystall ball.
January 21st, 2017 at 8:26 pm
@Couch fan
The more logical reason, for this year anyway, is that there are a lot of good quality RBs that will be available in round 3 or 4. The whole playoff scenario argument is to say that you dont necessarily need a 1st round RB to succeed
January 21st, 2017 at 8:28 pm
@Nosbos
I dont know if Doug Martin has any trade value at this point. I think teams know that if they want him there is a very good chance he will be a free agent
January 21st, 2017 at 8:28 pm
Ok I misunderstood Nosbos. But yeah it would take at least our second.
And while our roster certainly isn’t swiss cheese, we have holes as well.
Yeah, we’re building a solid nucleus of young talent, but we gotta keep building it. And trading away top level picks would be too detrimental. It’s a deep draft dude.
There are special talents in the first on both sides of the ball in the first round.
January 21st, 2017 at 8:32 pm
I agree Joey. However, you can say you dont need a 1st round anything to succeed and it would be just as true. There are plenty of examples or QBs, WRs, DEs taken in the later rounds. Its all very simple to me. If you believe that guy is a game changer, you go all out to get him, wherever it might be.
January 21st, 2017 at 8:37 pm
Personally I’m hoping that there is a big run on top level defenders, so that we have a shot at Corey Davis. Ya’ll know how I feel about O.J. Howard, but free agency has to go pretty much perfectly for TE to be a viable pick in the First.
Did you guys see that Mike Miller had us taking Garrett Bolles in the 1st?
Not gonna lie, After checking him out, I wouldn’t be mad. Kid is strikingly good. Without a shadow of a doubt, he is gonna explode at the combine. Dude’s feet are lightning quick, and he’s the best pass protector I’ve seen in the draft. The cherry on top? He is nasty, and shows pop and power in the running game, in the open field on screens as well.
Check him out guys, could protect America’s Quarterback’s blind side for years to come.
January 21st, 2017 at 8:40 pm
@Couch Fan
That is true and I agree. The other side of it, for RBs specifically, is that the position has generally a short shelf life. There is that “urban legend” that RBs are only good until they hit 30 then they wear down. Which there is some weight to that. So that also might play a part in the “dont draft a RB in round 1” “rule”. To me, for this year, its just because of how talented the entire class is
January 21st, 2017 at 8:42 pm
damn my b i meant Matt miller not mike.
forgive me guys i’m a little toasty xD
January 21st, 2017 at 8:44 pm
All fair points.
January 21st, 2017 at 8:44 pm
@Blake
Thats an interesting pick. the O-Line does need some upgrading. For me right now I am starting to really get intrigued by the idea of an edge rusher in the 1st, namely Taco Charlton. He has all the tools to be an immediate impact starter, but with the Bucs he doesnt need to be since Ayers is still under contract and obviously Noah Spence will (hopefully) be healthy. That gives him time to develop in a rotation, like Spence, and work on his negatives (Strength and Timing off the ball)
January 21st, 2017 at 8:57 pm
Hmm, I think Taco Charleton does a good job getting to the Qb, idk if it’s just me but he looks a little slow of foot to me.
January 21st, 2017 at 8:59 pm
When I look at DJ’s mock the only teams that I feel really at him is 14,15 and 16. Hue Jackson ain’t building no team drafting a tailback at 12. Not worried about them. He has the Colts taking Barnett at 14. Mathis is getting older. He the Eagles taking Mike Williams at 15 Wentz dose need s number 1. The Ravens at 16 worry me because they parted ways with Forsett. They maybe the only team we truly need to jump to aquire Dalvin.
January 21st, 2017 at 9:04 pm
In less the browns quietly had one of the best O line in the league Hue ain’t drafting no RB at 12. Hue knows he’ll have to protect Trubisky if he indeed dose take him first overall.
January 21st, 2017 at 9:06 pm
Now google his mock and see felt yourselves. Dalvin gone be there. Blake he has Fournette going to the Panthers. Makes since considering they are a power base offense.
January 21st, 2017 at 9:06 pm
@Blake
Its not just you. He is slow off the ball, but that is something that can be improved. None of his negatives imo fall in that “you either have it or you dont” category so he can still elevate his game to another level and working in a rotation to start off his career will be a good way to start that development. IMO anyway. Plus imagine him and Noah Spence together. We could be set at DE for the next decade
January 21st, 2017 at 9:11 pm
Idk where TJ watt is projected to go, but I like him as a developmental DE pick. He has a lot of traits in common with his big bro. Maybe I’m just dazzled by his lineage. But I really liked what I’ve seen on film from TJ watt. If he is there in the 3rd, that pick would melt my heart lol.
January 21st, 2017 at 9:11 pm
@Nosbos
I agree that 14 thru 16 range is a very realistic spot for Cook to go. Cant really trust Mock drafts at this point tho. Ive seen Cook go from #4 overall to #20 overall. Free agency will clear a lot of team needs up obviously but that 14-16 range seems right
January 21st, 2017 at 9:13 pm
And NosBos, I’ve decided to limit my discussions on Dalvin Cook to simply, We’ll see.
I don’t wanna be only be known as that one guy that’s anti Dalvin so yeah, we’ll see dude.
January 21st, 2017 at 9:14 pm
Darn it, wish I would chill with the typos tonight lol. Gas too fuego xD
January 21st, 2017 at 9:23 pm
☺We can agree on that Blake. We’ll see man.
January 21st, 2017 at 9:24 pm
Signin off holla at y’all boys tomorrow. Games should be interesting.
January 21st, 2017 at 9:32 pm
AMEN JOE
I worked in sports journalism for 15 years. IRA turned in a lazy and freaking obvious piece.
AGAIN…I get Ira’s rep…great..I respect it…but that was a lazy worthless piece, I won’t even call it reporting because he reported NOTHING.
He told us nothing! No facts or figures like Joe’s piece. To recap.
The Bucs plan on primarily building through the draft. Seriously IRA? You use an old quote from Bryan Glazer as if none of us knew this amazing discovery.
What a HUGE Duh.
The Bucs have to budget for their young stars. Is there anyone who did not already know that. Again DUH
We don’t have the money to sign all the FA’s being tosses about. Again IRA
DUH…
So what the hell did IRA tell us…that like #3 can toss ints and DK call the wrong plays IRA can phone it in. That was a totally lame piece if you wish to judge it by honest journalistic standards. If you’re madly in love with IRA I get that the worship can blind you!
January 21st, 2017 at 9:39 pm
My bad people its not cleve. Its Arizona.. And we have ties..
January 21st, 2017 at 9:41 pm
And ima say this and I’m done. If it came down to Watson or Cook who do you think Hue Jackson taking???
January 21st, 2017 at 9:52 pm
The QB, always the QB.
January 21st, 2017 at 9:54 pm
Bonzai
Peterson, in his entire career, has had only 4 healthy seasons. That 4 of 10 seasons!!!!!
Are you serious? That’s nowhere near your normal quality! Five exclamation marks included.
So you’re low renting a freaking HOF RB?
4 healthy seasons? Man then bring the man to town because he does pretty well when he’s hurt eh?
Let’s review his seasons for everybody!!!!!
2007 – 1341
2008 – 1760
2009 – 1383
2010 – 1298
2011 – 970 This was his first real injury the torn ACL AND MCL…so how did AP come back from the most devastating injury an RB can have….check 2012
2012 – 2097
2013 – 1266
2014 – 75 Suspended NOT injured
2015 – 1485
2016 – 72
Listen I get that many here think AP is finished and over the hill. I accept that point of view but it’s NOT the only point of view!
You don’t need to make up silly stuff like AP has had only 4 healthy seasons out of his career…he’s had FIVE 1000+ seasons! He had a 970 season..30 yards shy of a sixth 1000+ AND oh btw how did he rebound after that serious injury
over 2,000 freaking yards! Cmon Man….FOUR healthy seasons?
Now it’s just possible that AP is incredibly motivated coming off this injury. That last time he got so motivated he rushed for over 2,000.
Ricky Williams dropped out to enjoy some excellent herb and took six years between his last two 1,000 yards seasons the last coming when he was AP’s age.
Again…we all get the risk!!! IF Licht does a bunch of due diligence…maybe works out AP and can cut the proper deal…it’s simply NOT out of the the realm of possibility. Even if you think it is you shouldn’t embarrass yourself trying to denigrate the achievements of the greatest RB of the past two decades.
January 21st, 2017 at 10:01 pm
I know couch. I’m trying to walk’em thru This. They don’t wanna hear me tho. They’ll see my vision draft night. Won’t take a second rounder to close the deal wit Arizona not Licht’s stompin old ground.
January 21st, 2017 at 10:04 pm
Its business but they best friends.
January 21st, 2017 at 10:05 pm
Now I’m done for the night.
January 21st, 2017 at 10:17 pm
@Nosbos
http://walterfootball.com/draftchart.php
This is a chart of the values of each draft pick. If you want to create a trade you have to make your points match the value of the pick u want. Is this official? probably not, but it gives an idea of what a realistic trade could look like.
I believe the Bucs picks are 19, 51, 84, 115, 147, 179, 211 (could be wrong on the later rounds)
It would still cost a 2nd round pick to move up to #13. I highly doubt Licht will get a discount because he is buddies with Arizona’s GM lol
January 22nd, 2017 at 1:55 am
Say no to AP and take Mixon in the 3rd or 4th round
January 22nd, 2017 at 5:05 am
@StPetebucsfan … “I worked in sports journalism for 15 years. IRA turned in a lazy and freaking obvious piece.” StPete I love ya BUT … you know as well as anyone that when Ira came over to JBF he stopped being a journalist and became a blogger. Journalistic standards? Please, those don’t even exist in the national media anymore for the most part, much less on local websites. Almost every media outlet … and journalist … seems to have their own agenda nowadays.
Dude, this is way out of line and inaccurate. Ira is a columnist on JoeBucsFan.com. That’s clear as a bell and he does an excellent job. Since when is opinion writing not journalism? Get a clue. If you’re going to accuse Ira of something, then have the decency to point it out. His archives here are easy to find. Second, do you really know what the word “agenda” means? You’re very close to getting the boot for this kind of BS. –Joe
January 22nd, 2017 at 8:59 am
Sorry, But I’m far more inclined to view Ira’s take as Buccaneer Reality. Joe simply craves a big free agent splash to give him something to blather on about in these columns when we’ve ALL seen how Big Money free agent rarely improve a team’s win-loss record.
Stay the course Dirk & Jason. If it was up to Joe we’d still be trying to figure out if our Ex-Quarterback Johnny Manzeil will ever play in the NFL again.
Yeah, I’ll take what Ira tells over Joe EVERY TIME!
What the hell are you talking about? The Bucs made a huge free agent splash last year with Ayers, four-time Pro Bowler Grimes and Daryl Smith, three 30-plus-year-old starters. And they all hit and helped transform the defense in a huge way. Throw in Sweezy, the most expensive free agent the Bucs signed at $9 million for 2017, and it’s easier to see the Bucs’ “huge splash” — and it worked. –Joe
January 22nd, 2017 at 9:46 am
@DefenseRules
you know as well as anyone that when Ira came over to JBF he stopped being a journalist and became a blogger. Journalistic standards? Please, those don’t even exist in the national media anymore for the most part, much less on local websites. Almost every media outlet … and journalist … seems to have their own agenda nowadays.
You are preaching to the choir with that one DR. I hear ya and agree. But then we should stop holding IRA up on the pedestal. If he’s decided to simply be a “blogger” then OK…but then I’m free to respect him at the same level of JBF posters.
There are a half dozen or more posters here including you DR that I respect just as much as IRA. I concede he does have “sources” and “connections” that we lack which gives him an edge. But he didn’t use any of that edge in that piece…it was just…I’m IRA….the great journalist and Joe is not.
Let’s review the facts here. You didn’t like Ira’s column. OK, fine. But taking it beyond that is way out of line. He’s a columnist here entitled to the very reasoned and seasoned opinion he laid out. To agree with a guy posting that Ira’s “journalism” is gone since he’s now a “blogger” is beyond ludicrous. All his work is easy to find on JoeBucsFan.com. Good luck finding anything that’s of poor quality in its presentation. It may not have what you want in it, but that’s a different animal.–Joe
And while I certainly concede and agree my education in journalism is now totally wasted…I actually respect the Joe’s journalistically as much as IRA any day of the week.
The Joe’s are transparent and up front. They run an “edgy” website and they can post what they want. But if we are honest they still observe journalistic conventions as well anybody in sports media. It’s one of the things I really like about them. If they’re simply throwing spit up against the wall for effect they let us know….it’s just for fun or speculation…almost every piece I read from Joe their is ATTRIBUTION…they credit and identify where they are getting their info.
In addition they are not just “aggregaters” living totally on other websites and media. Like any organization they report what others say but they ALWAYS give proper attribution…and they do a tremendous amount of actual reporting IMHO and again they ID where it’s coming from…cell phone taped interviews with the players and coaches…stories from the players…and they even take the time to tell us where they get them, in the locker room, at a charity event wherever. I do not believe these guys need to take a back seat to IRA whatsoever simply because he worked a long time for a newspaper and was in the right spot to be selected as an HOF voter.
I’m not writing this to slam IRA…I like him…just trying to bring some perspective into “pedestals”.
Bottom line for me…and as always ymmv… I enjoy reading the Joe’s far more than I do IRA.
January 22nd, 2017 at 10:14 am
@Joe
DR and I are properly chastised! 🙂 Again my points were not to denigrate IRA as create some balance between the perception of him and you guys.
Notice in ALL of my posts I paid proper respect to IRA’s past success and credentials.
And so leaving IRA out of it…do you not think DR had a point about journalism today? And as you see in my last post I actually think you two still honor the conventions…and yes “opinion” writing is different than straight journalism so I certainly accept your point there.
We can romance the past, but journalism has always been infected by agenda, bias, racism, etc., dating back to the 18th century. Plus, in newspapers, space constraints have always forced decisions on what to leave out, which, by default, thrusts all kinds of value decisions into writing. Joe really doesn’t care much about dissecting all of that. The state of journalism now isn’t as bad as many think, and it wasn’t anywhere near as good years ago as many want to believe.–Joe
January 22nd, 2017 at 11:39 am
Told.
January 22nd, 2017 at 12:21 pm
Told Joe’s opinion 87 for what that’s worth. A lot more than your’s on this subject since I suspect you’re a Fox geezer.
BTW…3 separate University (yeah I know who learns anything at college) did surveys to find which news outlet had the best and least informed viewers on subject like politics, geography and world events.
IN ALLL THREE Fox viewers came in dead last as the most ignorant ill informed of all the cable news and radio nets. NPR came in first.
And here is the kicker…in one of those surveys they included folks who didn’t watch or read anything and even they scored higher than Fox viewers.
January 22nd, 2017 at 1:18 pm
I agree with this article. The bucs have the cap space for the next few years. We might as well use it. Being mindful of the contracts that need to renewed of course. But if we have another nice haul of 2 year contract veterans who can help us now. We should do it. We should not invest long heavy contracts in these free agents, but a solid 2 or 3 year deal works perfect. It gives us the talent we need now without disrupting the negotiations of our own guys. For all the reasons you said joe, it makes no sense to just sit on 70 mil this year just because we have to resign guys in 2 years. Expiring contracts and players cut and all sorts of things will happen between then and now. No need to worry about 2 years from now, but certainly be mindful of it.
January 22nd, 2017 at 3:24 pm
You can borrow it once I tell you “Told you so” after we don’t draft your boi Cook.
And you can borrow my seeing glass
And you can talk to my buddy Nostradamus and his buddy Ms. Cleo who also have seen the obvious.
Oh and u can use my Tarot cards too.
January 22nd, 2017 at 10:25 pm
“IN ALLL THREE Fox viewers came in dead last as the most ignorant ill informed of all the cable news and radio nets.”
Ha ha ha ha go figure, but STILL the #1 most watched cable news channel in America for like the past 12 years. Now you know how Trump won. They’re all a bunch of idiots…they…meaning MOST of the country.
NPR….is that a TV channel?
January 22nd, 2017 at 10:28 pm
And no…I’m not a “Fox geezer”. I rarely watch the news anymore. It’s too depressing. During the Inaug though, I watched all 3 cable news nets. MSNBC just for fun.
It’s going to be a loooong 4 possibly 8 years buddy. Buckle up. I did for the past 8 myself.
Oh and Go Bucs.
January 23rd, 2017 at 2:16 am
‘Build through the draft’-Jason Licht. We are gonna have to spend a very large amount of money in the next four years. We have a very good amount of cash which we should bring in 2 or 3 big name FA. Licht and our scouting squad are good and we need to continue with young guys learning from the bridge vets.
January 25th, 2017 at 8:29 am
87
I see your math challenged as well. MOST of the country did NOT choose Trump…3 MILLION MORE people chose HRC. Our antiquated EC system is a joke.