Bucs, Sweezy Rework Contract
April 8th, 2017
“Jason, why are we allowing outside vendors in here? I already had a scoop of chocolate chip ice cream from the team kitchen. This guy’s getting pushy.”
[UPDATE: 3:52 p.m.] Intrigue on a spring weekend.
It seems the Bucs have re-done their deal with guard J.R. Sweezy. That’s the word from Field Yates of ESPN by way of his colleague, Jenna Laine.
It seems Sweezy potentially gets a raise from the Bucs — imagine! — but the new deal also covers Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht if Sweezy can’t play due to his troublesome back.
According to Yates, the new contract gives Sweezy [a] fully-guaranteed — but the guarantee is only if he is cut due to an injury different from the back injury he dealt with last year.
Yates also said that the team added injury waiver language for the deal, split salaries for the next three seasons.
This deal gives the Bucs protection against a future further issue with Sweezy’s back. … It’s actually the second time the team has tweaked Sweezy’s deal this offseason, as it previously pushed back the vesting date of his base salary guarantee to April 7.
Joe thought it was a little bit of walking out on a ledge for Licht (if not winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter) to bank on Sweezy for 2017, since he missed the entire 2016 season, from OTAs through underwear football and training camp to all of last season due to back surgery.
It seems now Licht has CYA’ed himself if Sweezy’s back turns up lame. Again.
[UPDATE: 3:52 p.m.] Joe has been in communication with someone familiar with the contract negotiations and Joe was told Yates’ numbers are inaccurate and in fact, Sweezy did not receive a raise.
April 8th, 2017 at 2:49 pm
Our GM is pretty good huh? *Waits for the haters*
April 8th, 2017 at 3:02 pm
This dude needs to teach a business seminar. How to get a 50% salary increase without doing a dam thing. Sing me up!
And you think Martin going to sign a vet minimum. Bahhhhh!
Like I said we like to sign garbage. 7mil for a guard who hasnt played one snap and has a bad back.
No wonder Conte has a starting job in TB. Maybe we should make Conte the highest paid safety in the league just to stay consistent with the rest of our signings.
April 8th, 2017 at 3:03 pm
Is he second coming of John Hannah?
April 8th, 2017 at 3:14 pm
why would they give him a raise?
hasn’t even practiced one time
April 8th, 2017 at 3:16 pm
I just really wonder if Sweezy is going ot be a fulltimer or will get hurt at practice or maybe cutting his grass?
April 8th, 2017 at 3:17 pm
It is called buying an escape clause.
April 8th, 2017 at 3:51 pm
Buying your way past the Cops once you Rob the bank!
April 8th, 2017 at 4:01 pm
Sounds to me like Sweezy really wants to be here. He could have been cut if he said no to a reworked contract, got his guaranteed money, and signed with someone else and double dipped. I wonder what his offset language was in his first deal? Good move by Licht!
April 8th, 2017 at 4:02 pm
This is looking to much like “double up to catch up”. Some fans talk about not being able to count on Doug Martin. Wow, how about counting on JR Sweezy? Do we really want to count on him for a starting OLine spot at this point? Thus far his Bucs average for games played is 0-for-16.
April 8th, 2017 at 4:05 pm
DB55, Conte got the most the Bucs were willing to spend on him. To me, he is just an insurance policy in case the draft doesn’t pan out the way Licht hopes. If we take a Saftey in the first 2 rounds Conte might not make it out of the preseason. Keeps options open.
April 8th, 2017 at 4:08 pm
Hah! A raise. That would be some Trump style negotiating right there!
Maybe we can get the rest of the teams in the NFC South to pay for it!!!
April 8th, 2017 at 4:09 pm
DB55 Says: I don’t know what I’m talking about!!!
The money was to protect are ASS if he cant play. Well worth it to be able to get out of the contract if he hurt his back again. And If you are not happy with the moves being made or really anything head on up to Jacksonville and join the fan base. We don’t need fair weather fans like that
April 8th, 2017 at 4:10 pm
Dallas, read the update at the end of the article again. Wrong numbers. No raise.
April 8th, 2017 at 4:12 pm
Walking out on a ledge moment came last year when he didn’t attempt to replace vjack. The media loves big names, however I like the idea that this team seems confessor with developing the talent along the offensive line allowing them to attack the draft and free agency at skill positions.
April 8th, 2017 at 4:13 pm
BuccaneerEric- I did and it’s still funny but thanks for the tip
April 8th, 2017 at 4:14 pm
WOW DO NOT understand THIS???
April 8th, 2017 at 4:16 pm
Cheap insurance an great motivation !!!
April 8th, 2017 at 4:23 pm
Sweezy can be a road grader, if he is healthy, and still has the desire.
Marshawn Lynch did not gain all that yardage, by himself.
April 8th, 2017 at 4:37 pm
Makes sense to me. Sweezy got $9M (including signing bonus) last year for doing nothing and Licht CYA’ed as Joe called it to make sure that doesn’t happen again (relating to the back injury). The fact that Sweezy agreed to this tells me he has confidence his back will be just fine.
April 8th, 2017 at 4:46 pm
Waiting for Sweezy sounds like a movie, I haven’t seen it yet but I hope it’s good.
April 8th, 2017 at 4:49 pm
Man, I sure hope that this guy lives up to the billing. We need you Sweezy!
April 8th, 2017 at 4:57 pm
No problem, Dallas.
April 8th, 2017 at 4:58 pm
Good idea- in case that back is a chronic thing
Hope hes healthy
He would add even more bad attitude to that line
April 8th, 2017 at 5:09 pm
Smart by Licht! Good job!
Poor Dave… You thought there was something to shoot at.
In Licht We Trust!!!
April 8th, 2017 at 5:39 pm
“The team also included up to $1.25 million in per game roster bonuses for each game he is on the 53-man roster or on injured reserve for an injury other than the previous back injury.” – Yates
I assume he means a TOTAL of $1.24m, because otherwise Sweezy would be getting paid $
19,840,000 in roster bonuses on the year.
April 8th, 2017 at 5:44 pm
Personally, I’m waiting for Sweezy to prove himself, but I’m not passing judgment until he has that chance. I DO think he should be playing the other spot though and we should keep Marpet in place. Sweezy is learning anyway, so he may as well learn the other side.
April 8th, 2017 at 5:45 pm
I’m curious as to whether the new contract frees up salary cap room?
April 8th, 2017 at 5:52 pm
This sounds kinda interesting that this happened right after the Mixon meeting. Mixon can dominate rushing up the middle and if Sweezy and Marpet are on opposite sides of each other with Mixon in the backfield, that could be deadly.
April 8th, 2017 at 6:08 pm
Again Buc fans..My main man..Easy Money Sweezy..gettin his money for nothin and his chicks for free!! I’ve heard of magicians but Sweezis the ultimate Spinmaster. The man has not played one single down, has already collected millions and is gonna get 7.5 mil this year?? And you guys complain about Martin. Spin’em Sweez..Spin’em!! I’m laughing so hard..I can’t stop.
April 8th, 2017 at 7:07 pm
Pick the only one sees this for what it truly is. MJ I’m still open for that wager you thru out a few weeks ago bro.
April 8th, 2017 at 7:10 pm
Its like y’all be mad these dude were born with gifts you weren’t. If you missed some work for any reason and can could receive compensation while out for whatever reason would you decline the check??? H3ll no you wouldn’t. Be do yo thang homie. I’ll remind myself to remind you of your quotes next season.
April 8th, 2017 at 7:13 pm
Just read Ms. Laines recent tweet and the new deal gives us protection in case of an injury. Great move. In Licht I trust!
April 8th, 2017 at 7:52 pm
Known as a good run blocker. Hopefully he is able and can open up some lanes for Cook.
April 8th, 2017 at 8:39 pm
I wonder if the Bucs are going to chock their fans and draft an OL at #19 … such as Robinson, Bolles or even Lamp … you never know.
April 8th, 2017 at 8:56 pm
* shock
April 8th, 2017 at 9:37 pm
You Mixon guys kill me. You want a part time runningback in college to be our runningback, plus he would come a ton of baggage.
April 8th, 2017 at 9:48 pm
Make Mixon a Buc
That is all.
April 8th, 2017 at 10:14 pm
Smart move again by Licht. And Mixon is the #1 back in this draft. He doesn’t have major wear and tear on him. He did a horrible thing but making the playoffs and having a shot at the title means more. Im not saying its ok what he did but this is a business its that simple. If we want him we will probably have to draft him in the 2nd.
April 8th, 2017 at 10:39 pm
Ndog, he was only part time cause Perine showed out when Mixon was suspended. Why not split carries? Different skill sets.
April 8th, 2017 at 11:03 pm
SPIN’EM SWEEZ..GD..,it SPIN’EM!!!!
April 9th, 2017 at 9:46 am
Ndog he split carries not because he couldn’t carry the team but because the tean wanted it that way. Sure he caused it because of his suspension but Perine did not earn the call before Mixon only in default but he did earn playing time. Mixon is still the better all around player. His #s were almost as good compared to Cooks AND he split carries. You take Perines #s and give them to Mixon and I bet he comes out bettet than cook.
Tmax calls Lovie a fraud and a robber of the Glazers money but Sweezy is the real robber baron. He knew he was injured before coming here so he perpetrated a fraud to get paid. A nice cortizone shot to the trouble spot allowed him to pass the physical and other tests. His back comes out lame immediately after he signs the contract, don’t see how people don’t see it its so obvious. There’s smoke there’s fire. People up here crucify Martin and call him a bad teammate but this this dude EasypeasySweezy is the worst because he signed that contract knowing he wasn’t gonna play. He perpetrated a fraud of epic proportions
April 9th, 2017 at 8:45 pm
He didn’t get a raise
Great job. Exactly what should have been done. Damn good OLineman signed with no risk.