Free Agency Countdown: 29 Days
February 8th, 2017
Sellers’ market awaits Jason Licht?
The free agency dinner bell officially rings Thursday, March 9 at 4 p.m. The Bucs will be coming to 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.
Joe’s not exactly buying into today’s wonderfully pitched assertion from CBS NFL insider Jason La Canfora. However, it was well done and worth reading.
La Canfora claims this year’s class of free agents is the worst of the modern era.
Don’t get me wrong here — this crop of players stinks even if it weren’t getting cherry picked by the teams that currently hold these players’ rights. But after the fact, it will be the least exciting free-agent class since the mid-1990s. It’s downright perilous once you factor in the top talent that clearly will not be leaving its existing team. This is like trolling for guppies, by and large, which is why stalwarts like Packers offensive lineman T.J. Lang and linebacker Nick Perry — while not exactly household names — are in line for some of the biggest paydays of 2017. And the Cardinals — who will keep Jones, undoubtedly, but could lose defensive lineman Calais Campbell and defensive back Tony Jefferson — stand to lose the most of any team in the NFL as others chase their players in earnest.
There’s much more in the story linked above, and La Canfora makes a strong case, but Joe’s not sure it really means anything.
Free agency always has been — and always will be — about picking the right guy for your team. It’s not about philosophy or all these other factors that sound pretty in the media. Just pick the right freakin’ guy. Period. If the shoe fits, buy it.
In this era of the constantly rising salary cap and limited life on guaranteed contracts, there’s little worry about spending too much money on one guy.
Of course, La Canfora mentioned gargantuan manbeast defensive end/tackle Calais Campbell of the Cardinals. That guy has Bucs written all over him. What a game-changing piece he could be.
Joe really doesn’t care what the Bucs have to shell out. When you’re 9-7 and on the rise — but still with significant holes — you take some risks.
February 8th, 2017 at 12:05 pm
Im sensing that this is prime time for licht to over pay on some 4th tier DE or OL
February 8th, 2017 at 12:21 pm
Me wants Poe, JOE… Young MONSTER
Campbell would be nice though
February 8th, 2017 at 12:26 pm
Let’s go all in!!!
#lichtmyba**s!!
Go Bucs!
February 8th, 2017 at 12:43 pm
As predicted:
Bucs promote Ben Steele to tight ends coach
February 8th, 2017 at 12:59 pm
Poe, Campbell, Freeney, take em all.
No more green bay O line cast offs, please.
I’d take gamble on Blount, Jackson too if he doesn’t go to Philly.
Spend wisely, and pay the guys we want to keep in house.
February 8th, 2017 at 1:20 pm
Spend most of it on JPP and Poe. The rest you can throw at Jeffrey
February 8th, 2017 at 1:28 pm
@Joe … “Joe really doesn’t care what the Bucs have to shell out. When you’re 9-7 and on the rise — but still with significant holes — you take some risks.” Absolutely love that philosophy Joe … dead on-target. Bucs have a great young nucleus in guys like Jameis, ME13, Lavonte & Kwon plus a number of others, and at the same time we’ve got some great experienced players in GMC, Ayers & Grimes BUT … we still have ‘some significant holes’ like you said. Between re-signing some of our own key UFA players, filling certain other critical needs in FA & drafting well to fill certain others, Bucs can field a roster this year that can do some real damage. We’d all love to think that Bucs have their pick of the cream of the FA crop when the dinner bell rings, but 31 other teams are thinking exactly the same thing. These next couple of months will be ‘make it or break it time’ for Jason Licht. Shine Jason shine!
February 8th, 2017 at 2:24 pm
By definition you have to overpay for FA’s. They have been in the league and are ready to cash in on their seniority. They potentially have all 32 teams to bid for their service and drive up their price and even if in reality only a half dozen teams are interested it still ensures the maximum value…for the player.
But again it’s not the overpaying that kills…it’s overpaying or even underpaying the wrong players that kill a franchise. The bottom line is if the player produces.
If the player does what is expected of them…can you say Robert Ayers and Brent Grimes…then overpaying a bit doesn’t cost because it’s balanced out by the bargain young players like VHG and Noah.
Not so much worried about the price as I am making sure we get the RIGHT player…and that means a player who does what is expected on the field and off the field in the locker room.
February 8th, 2017 at 2:52 pm
$5 says he does the same thing he did last year, let all the tier 1 FAs sign with our division rivals and then tell us he wants to build from the draft. Don’t be surprised if in 29 days we’re watching all the best FAs (not many this year btw) sign with other teams while we hold our ice cream cones in our hands.
I just need to know wth is the urgency? JW up at 5am to go get it, everyone else waking up in the late afternoon to head to brunch. This environment may be too much for even the Messiah to overcome.
February 8th, 2017 at 3:13 pm
We need to smart in Free Agency. We have the 2nd most in cap space in the NFL. I think we go after Kenny Stills and offer him number 2 money maybe 3 years 25 million. If we go for a splash in FA go for Eric Berry since we have the money to sign him and we are in need of a Saftey. I say no to JPP I say we draft another DE or DT and build the defense in the draft. I think at the right price we bring back William Ghoston. I dont think he will have a big market in FA. I think we are a couple of pieces away from a deep playoff run this season if we get a solid perfomance from the OL and Winston throws the ball accurate thats two wins added on to a 9-7 record. I think this off season players should be hungry and have the mindset of finishing every game.
February 8th, 2017 at 3:28 pm
we didn’t bring in a bunch of pro bowlers in free agency last year, but we improved greatly. If you’re looking for a franchise-changing player in Free Agency, you’re already screwed
February 8th, 2017 at 3:35 pm
Pick
We need a few pieces. We won’t find them all in the draft. But a RT here, a TE there, a few DTs and were in a better place. There aren’t a lot of franchise-changers out there. Personally I’m wanting a huge trade for an all-pro type.
February 8th, 2017 at 4:09 pm
Free Agency is and always has been a crap shoot. There are no guarantees but there are a few axioms a team should follow. First stay as young as you can. Sweezy may seem like a disaster, but a year later if he fully recovers he may really help our O-Line. If you pick a 33 yr old pay a bundle and he goes down with a season ending injury you are screwed. Try to incorporate incentive laden contracts that require players to continue to perform. Don’t try to mold a player into a system he is not familiar with. Finally don’t think you can reform a problem child. He will wreck your locker room the first chance he gets. Grown men don’t change like immature college kids. Anticipate at least half your selections will fail within 2 years and maybe you will realize a return on your investment.
February 8th, 2017 at 4:20 pm
DB55, I’ll be disappointed if GM Licht doesn’t sign at least 2 big name FAs … 1 WR (like Desean Jackson) and 1 DT/DE (like Dontari Poe and/or Calais Campbell). Would also love to see us pick up another quality OLineman (preferably a tackle although a center isn’t that bad) plus a safety (we’re pretty thin there right now). We can add other pieces in the draft, but it’s hard I think to find more than 1 or 2 picks who can come in and start like Donovan & Ali & Kwon & Lavonte & VHIII did.
February 8th, 2017 at 4:30 pm
Def
I’d be disappointed if he sits back and waits for week 2 or 3 of FAs to sign an avg guy. I need to see some urgency from these guys. I think if the Bucs don’t go all out to build Jameis a team he’ll be gone in 2 years and we’ll be stuck watching crap football for another decade or two. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
February 8th, 2017 at 4:45 pm
DB55
Normally I would share your fear but I think #3 is just a different kind of cat.
Dude wants to be successful everywhere he’s been. I just don’t see him leaving the Bucs before winning a title. I think he’s truly got his heart in Tampa Bay.
He and his father loved Doug Williams…I think he appreciated the Bucs ignoring all the pre draft B S and taking him number one. I just believe he’ll see this thing through…although I agree with the sentiment of your post.
This is why NOSBOS and I want Dalvin and Samuel and Jackson/Garcon/Stills and Poe/Campbell…those four players could make a HUGE difference.
February 8th, 2017 at 4:58 pm
Sounds good but let’s see what happens when the rubber meets the road. Above all Jameis is about winning.
February 8th, 2017 at 5:18 pm
If Licht could sign Poe, Campbell and 2 of the best 3 available WR’s they should just crown him and here after refer to him as KING LICHT.
February 8th, 2017 at 5:26 pm
Ghost
Just for clarification…I wasn’t referring to signing two of the WR’s or DL’s…just listing three available…we only need one WR from FA..and two available but one need one of the DL’s. Should have written that post better. What did the man say? Oops? But hey that dude is now a member of the Cabinet…LOL
February 8th, 2017 at 6:21 pm
If you’re going to sign these guys, you better get them during the First 48.
February 8th, 2017 at 7:17 pm
Agents know the Bucs have $$$ AND needs. Got a hunch the conversations have been going on for awhile now. And Lakeland, I agree … the first couple of days of free agency will be critical. We diddled around last year and missed out on a couple of FA guys who could’ve been big difference-makers (guys like Alex Mack for instance).
February 8th, 2017 at 7:30 pm
Who is our capologist? I think if I understood the math one of our regular posters put out before we have about 30m to throw at FA.
Some very well thought out posts St Pete.
February 8th, 2017 at 7:31 pm
With 30m that seems like it gives us the space to sign three decent FAs
February 8th, 2017 at 8:37 pm
Id love to see them go after Kenny Stills and Tony Jefferson. Resign Gholston Spence Smith Robinson. Cut Verner and Johnson. Go after best available at Dline/RB and get some combo of both in first and second round. In 3rd and 4th round get a combination of WR and secondary.
February 8th, 2017 at 8:41 pm
My wish list is:
Dontari Poe
Calais Campbell
TJ McDonald
That’s it…that’s my entire list. I don’t get the people pining for Kenny Stills or Cordarelle Patterson. These guys are like 20 catch/yr guys. Honestly don’t see them adding much to this team at all
Go the FA route on defense and add your Weapons for Winston through the draft.
February 8th, 2017 at 9:33 pm
I’ve read and heard Campbell’s name many times this young off season. However, though it’d be great to see him in a Bucs uni, the most rational destination for him would be Dallas. They need Edge rushers just as much we do. Unfortunately, they are probably more attractive to a FA due to how close they seem to be…and it’s the Cowboys. Just sayin’.
February 9th, 2017 at 12:16 am
McCown just got released by the Browns. That’s a no-brainer pick-up for us. How in the world can you not love the thought of JW sitting and playing behind McCown? Ooh baby.
February 9th, 2017 at 1:28 am
Hands I think we just as close as they are, and in my humble opinion our defense is more attractive. We can sale the presence of a few probowlers I’ve the Kat few years and some young talent the cboys cannot match. Yes they made the playoffs but one done ain’t saying if you asking me. Please get Calasis in the building Mr. Licht.
February 9th, 2017 at 3:46 pm
And on that note what is the state of Texas income tax? I always wondered if our ZERO income tax ever swayed players to sign with Miami, us or Jax?
February 9th, 2017 at 3:47 pm
Well, there goes that theory –
http://www.tax-rates.org/texas/income-tax
February 9th, 2017 at 6:24 pm
The state income tax situation is of very little importance to the players’ decision. For 8 games there is no state income tax for Bucs players but they have to pay state income tax for any games played in a state that does have income tax. The weather? Maybe. The team itself with a young stud QB and WR? Maybe. The no state income tax? Nope, that’s not selling anybody.
February 9th, 2017 at 9:48 pm
This would be big news to their agents.