Free Agency Countdown: 22 Days
February 15th, 2017
Will Jason Licht turn back to the Wiz?
The free agency dinner bell officially rings Thursday, March 9 at 4 p.m. The Bucs will arrive at the buffet table with a pile of cash. But how will they spend it? How much will they spend? Joe is counting down the days with a different look at a potential free agent signing.
Sorry, Joe Hawley fans, he’s a decent player, but with his growing history of knee issues and a propensity for getting blown up in the running game, Joe would bless an upgrade at center while Hawley walks in free agency.
If the Bucs are going to make a significant move on their offensive line this offseason, it will be at center.
That brings Joe to free agent Eagles center/guard Stefan Wisniewski, who played guard while backing up Pro Bowl center Jason Kelce in Philly last year and making six starts at guard.
Wisniewski was courted by the Bucs and visited One Buc Palace in 2015, but he signed a one-year deal with Jacksonville. He had been a strong starter at center for the Raiders but needed offseason shoulder surgery after the 2014 campaign and it seems teams were scared off.
But didn’t miss a start for the Jags and moved on to the Eagles.
Wisniewski, 27, was on a one-year contract with Philadelphia and he’s made it clear in the past he wants to be a starting center, like he was prior to last season with the Raiders (four years) and Jaguars (one). His performance as a guard in Philly got solid reviews.
Would Licht turn back to the durable and experienced “Wiz,” as he’s known by some?
When the Bucs courted “Wiz” in 2015, Joe got a hearty endorsement from his then-Raiders teammate, Mr. Donald Penn. The former Bucs left tackle, Penn had good things to say about his former comrade and emphasized “Wiz is a good player, very smart, but he is a center not a guard.”
Keep an eye on the Wiz — if the Bucs don’t try to trade for Pro Bowler Kelce.
February 15th, 2017 at 9:35 am
Any talk of improving this highly overrated oline is welcomed. Basically every position on this line can use improvement whether that be from the players that are there like Marpet or replacing guys like everyone else that just aren’t getting it done. The offense didn’t work last year because the oline was trashed and abused most of the year and especially down the stretch in the last quarter of the season.
Fix it Licht or will your fevered ego prevent you from seeing how poorly the oline you have constructed is failing to get the job done?
February 15th, 2017 at 9:42 am
Jason Licht listens to Taylor Swift.
February 15th, 2017 at 9:46 am
DallasBuc
Lmao!
Hey Dallas, have you ever actually seen a football game?
Or are you just spewing dogma youve read elsewhere
February 15th, 2017 at 10:00 am
What are the chances that Dirk gets one of his prized pupils, Patrick DiMarco?
February 15th, 2017 at 10:03 am
I’m a fan of us getting TJ Lang from Green Bay.
He didn’t give up a sack or hit on QB last year.
February 15th, 2017 at 10:04 am
Capt Tim- I haven’t missed a Bucs game in a dozen years at least and I go to several Bucs games every season, home or away.
What credentials do you have that supersede anything I have to say on the subject?
If you disagree then explain or are you still getting tutored by a fourth grader making it difficult to articulate any of your own actual thoughts on the matter? Take all the time you need to have little Timmy proofread your response. I’ll wait.
February 15th, 2017 at 10:06 am
If it was up to me I would want to find a Center and keep Marpet at RG. Pamphile and if Sweezy is healthy can compete for the LG spot. Im find with Smith at LT. Center is the clear need on the OL to me. If they like Benenoch as a potential RT then they could stick with Dot until they can get out of his contract. Would like to see a OT drafted at some point in this draft tho. Round 1 is too early in this draft class imo
February 15th, 2017 at 10:14 am
DB and Tim.. Both need to understand the difference between Opinion and Fact. No one who comments on here provide Facts just Opinions. No one really cares about baseless opinions. A wise man once said.. It’s hard winning an argument with a smart person. It’s near impossible to win one with a stupid person.
February 15th, 2017 at 10:21 am
Improve the OL free agency, get proven experienced players and it won’t break the bank, if we get a good center, Hawley was awful last year, regressed significantly, he weighs like 260 on bad knees, draft OSU Pat Eiflen at center after we get a RB in the draft, and a solid WR in FA and the draft, Weapons for Winston in includes building a Wall for Winston
February 15th, 2017 at 10:22 am
Wall for Winston…think I just made a hashtag lol
February 15th, 2017 at 10:26 am
@Wausa
Didnt Lang just tear his ACL in the playoffs?
February 15th, 2017 at 10:32 am
I mean the Glazers should just fire Taylor Swift superfan Jason Licht and hire one of you chuckleheads from the comments section then.
February 15th, 2017 at 10:42 am
Imo o-line’s take time to gel.
By time I mean at least 3 years.
Lot’s of youngin’s still on that o-line.
All I’m worried about is C and RT.
February 15th, 2017 at 11:33 am
If we can get Stefan Wisniewski to play like his Uncle….Steve Wisniewski….he would be ok. His Uncle was one of the best Guards to ever play the game of football.
February 15th, 2017 at 11:38 am
A few interesting Offensive Line (FA) prospects & their perceived value on the open market.
Right Tackle
• Ricky Wagner (OT, 27, projected AAV: $7M)
• Matt Kalil (OT, 27, projected AAV: $7M)
Swing Tackles
• Austin Pasztor (OG, 26, projected AAV: $5.2M) ←
• Luke Joeckel (OG, 25) ←
Guard
• Kevin Zeitler (OG, 26, projected AAV: $11.6M)
• Ron Leary (OG, 27, projected AAV: $9.1M)
• T.J. Lang (OG, 29, projected AAV: $8.4M)
• Larry Warford (OG, 25, projected AAV: $6.2M)
• Chance Warmack (OG, 25)
Potential Cap Casualties
• D.J. Fluker (SD) OG $8,821,000 // ($8.821M savings)
If the organization felt that they need to upgrade a few positions.
Possible Upgrades
(RT) Ricky Wagner (Projected AAV: $7M)
(T/G) Austin Pasztor (Projected AAV: $5.2M)
Followed up by trading/releasing
Releasing
(RT) Demar Dotson ($4,300,000 savings)
(C/G) Evan Smith ($4,500,000 savings)
Overview
LT Donovan Smith | Leonard Wester
LG Kevin Pamphile | J.R Sweezy
C Joe Hawley | Ben Gottschalk
RG Ali Marpet | Caleb Benenoch
RT Ricky Wagner | Austin Pasztor
Or
LT Donovan Smith | Leonard Wester
LG Kevin Pamphile | J.R Sweezy
C Ali Marpet | Ben Gottschalk
RG Austin Pasztor | Caleb Benenoch
RT Ricky Wagner | Caleb Benenoch
Worst case scenario sign a young ascending player or reclamation project.
Maybe even a combination.
(Swing Tackles)
• T/G Austin Pasztor (ascending player)
• T/G Luke Joeckel (reclamation project)
(Overview)
LT Donovan Smith | Leonard Wester
LG Kevin Pamphile | *Luke Joeckel
C Ali Marpet | Ben Gottschalk
RG *Austin Pasztor | J.R Sweezy
RT Demar Dotson | Caleb Benenoch
February 15th, 2017 at 11:57 am
Savage Scenario
Releasing
(RT) Demar Dotson ($4,300,000 savings)
(C/G) Evan Smith ($4,500,000 savings)
Sign
• (RT) Ricky Wagner (Projected AAV: $7M)
• (T/G) Austin Pasztor (Projected AAV: $5.2M)
• (T/G) Luke Joeckel ($3M reclamation project)
LT Donovan Smith | Leonard Wester
LG Kevin Pamphile | *Luke Joeckel
C Ali Marpet | Ben Gottschalk
RG *Austin Pasztor | J.R Sweezy
RT *Ricky Wagner | Caleb Benenoch
February 15th, 2017 at 12:09 pm
Surprise! It’s DallasBuc back again spewing insults at Jason Licht once again fueling rumors he is a spurned ex-lover. Why the hate dude (if in fact you are a dude)? What did he do that makes you question his ego? By the way, anyone in a leadership position has an ego. But you seem to think his is especially over the top. Please explain…
February 15th, 2017 at 12:12 pm
There is talk up here in Philly that Kelcie is on the chopping block. He’s been overrated for years now. I don’t want him in Tampa, but this could lead to the Wiz being resigned by the Eagles. Since he was born in Pittsburg and played at Penn State…he may want to stay close to home.
February 15th, 2017 at 12:18 pm
Interesting scenarios LUV. One thing’s for sure, it can’t hurt to upgrade the OL!
February 15th, 2017 at 12:35 pm
Bucsfanman
No doubt brotha – I’m not trying to say go out and spend a boat of cash on the online or widereciever for that matter. But a few strategic acquistions to improve the overall depth at the units – can be extremely beneficial. Especially when take account the AGE & Versatility of that proposed offensive line.
Age & Versatility
• G/T – Caleb Benenoch (22)
• C/G – Ali Marpet (23)
• T – Donovan Smith (23)
• T – Leonard Wester (24)
• C/G – Ben Gottschalk (25)
• G/T – Luke Joeckel (25)
• G/T -Kevin Pamphile (26)
• G/T – Austin Pasztor (26)
• G/T – Rick Wagner (27)
• G J.R. Sweezy (27) ???
February 15th, 2017 at 1:29 pm
The O-line is one of those areas where I believe that you can never have enough depth. I think we can all agree that it’s also a position in need of improvement.
I wonder what Pamphile would look like at RT. He was a tackle in college wasn’t he?
February 15th, 2017 at 1:40 pm
Kenny Britt for the win….the guy was top 20 in receiving production last year for one of the worst offenses in football with the likes of keenum and rookie starting. He’s been in fisher’s run first offense for forever and would be an excellent-excellent value pick-up (free agency is all about finding bargains) with his height, speed, and added red-zone threat to go along with Evans, Brate, etc.! An excellent number two compliment to Evans and then we could add a slot guy with speed in FA as well or the draft…
February 15th, 2017 at 1:46 pm
LUVMYBUCS … Excellent in-depth analysis of our OLine possibilities. Matt Kalil has great potential for the Bucs I think, IF he’s completely healed up (did spend last season on IR). Only played in 2 games in 2016, but in his 4 seasons prior to that he never missed a game as the Vikings’ LT. Several other players on your list who I’m sure the Bucs will take a look-see at. Have no issue with not re-signing Hawley IF we can find a better center in FA (no rookies there please). Expect us to release Evan Smith, but I’d keep Dotson on the roster and let him compete for a starting spot or use him as a backup.
February 15th, 2017 at 1:47 pm
I was under the impression that Kenny Britt was a “head-case”. Am I misinformed?
February 15th, 2017 at 1:48 pm
@joeypoppems
No he hurt his foot, but apparently it was nothing serious.
Outside of the Bengals guard he is probably the best interior lineman available in free agency.
He played at a pro bowl level in 2016
February 15th, 2017 at 2:04 pm
Luv
I’d sign Ron Leary if only to see him chuck the ice cream man all over the practice field like he did on week 15. Lol. Now Marpet and Leary can both beat him up in practice. You gotta toughen that guy up.
February 15th, 2017 at 2:47 pm
@DB55- I like Leary too! He played well when he started. It probably couldn’t hurt to give GMC some competition to practice against!
February 15th, 2017 at 2:53 pm
Bucsfanman Says:
February 15th, 2017 at 1:47 pm
I was under the impression that Kenny Britt was a “head-case”. Am I misinformed?
————–
He wouldn’t have lasted as long as he has if he were a “head case”. Besides, tell me you wouldn’t be a head case being stuck in those offenses. Winston is a leader and would not tolerate the nonsense; not that it would be an issue.
February 15th, 2017 at 3:01 pm
I think I have him mixed up with somebody else that once played for the Titans.
You’re right though. I think the chemistry won’t allow for guys with “issues” to become a distraction. We saw that with ASJ.
February 15th, 2017 at 3:15 pm
Kenny Britt has only 9 incidents with the police.
February 15th, 2017 at 3:17 pm
9 incidents, but only 7 arrests.
February 15th, 2017 at 3:27 pm
@Defense Rules – Thanks brotha
@DB55 – lol yeah – but giving he’s age, and rumored asking price:-/
February 15th, 2017 at 3:29 pm
OK, so I’m not completely crazy! Thanks LakeLand!!!
I should’ve said “trouble-maker” instead of “head-case”!
February 15th, 2017 at 3:31 pm
I wonder if Dallas, has called Licht about trading their 28th & 92nd picks for GMC.
February 15th, 2017 at 3:51 pm
Bucsfanman Says:
“I wonder what Pamphile would look like at RT.”
You could look at any of the College tape of Pamphile starting at LT for 2 years up in Purdue. And/or watch the week 16 Bucs/Saints game where Pamphile started and played the whole game at RT. Coach Koetters comments after Pamphile got thrust into the starting RT role with 1 day notice and no practice?
“based on the situation that we were in – being down two right tackles – I think Kevin did a good job representing himself.”
February 15th, 2017 at 7:44 pm
Kenny Britt