“What’s Wrong With You?”
January 25th, 2018
The words of Moe Greene sprang to Joe’s mind yesterday.
When stud defensive tackle Gerald McCoy told Joe at Pro Bowl practice that he wants the Bucs to sign defensive end Michael Bennett and/or cornerback Aqib Talib, and GMC all but demanded Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht start throwing wads of Team Glazer loot in their faces to bring them back to Tampa Bay (assuming they become salary cap casualties), many fans freaked.
So many reacted as if GMC demanded Licht sign Rae Carruth and Greg Hardy.
And Moe Greene’s famous line came to Joe.
“What’s wrong with you?”
For the few poor souls who never watched the masterpiece known as “The Godfather,” there is a scene where Michael Corleone flew to Las Vegas and tried to strong arm Greene, a well-connected, mafia-financed entrepreneur, to sell his casino to the Corleone Family. That sparked a heated exchange between the two until Greene stomped out of the meeting but not before he asked Corleone, “What’s wrong with you?”
The confrontation later proved fatal for Greene.
Joe believes a chance (or chances) to pass on Bennett or Talib, given the current sad state of the Bucs defense, could be fatal as well.
Joe doesn’t get these Bucs fans. One wonders if they actually want their beloved team to climb out of the NFC South cellar, the way so many went mental hearing GMC’s words.
One reason this franchise is mired in its current position is idiotic moves like letting Bennett walk away for no good reason (the Bucs later made up for it by replacing Darrelle Revis with Mike Jenkins).
Joe can understand why the Bucs let go of Talib. But isn’t it funny how young, talented players are out of control and don’t play to their capabilities with the Bucs but go on to grow up, max out their talents and win rings with other teams?
Joe isn’t sure why the suggestion of Bennett coming back home triggered so many fans. He’s a liar; he’s a kneeler; he’s a cancer, these fans say.
Please!
Have you seen how insulting this Bucs pass rush is and has been for a decade? Joe doesn’t give a damn if Bennett leads Vegas cops on a sprint from the Aria tunnel through the Monte Carlo past the T-Mobile Arena all the way out to Fremont Street so long as he’s also chasing down Drew Brees for the Bucs.
So Bucs fans would rather have quiet, humble Will Gholston and his zero sack production? That’s part of the problem, folks.
Then there is Talib, who told Joe a few years ago at the Super Bowl that he still has strong ties to Team Glazer and feels awful how he let them down with his childish stunts. Talib also confessed to Joe he couldn’t blame the Bucs for unloading him. One fan Twittered Joe he didn’t want Talib back because he speed-bagged a cabbie.
Well, since that incident, Talib won a ring with John Elway and got to a Super Bowl with the Belicheats. Meanwhile, the Bucs had pledge class president Alterraun Verner at corner.
It’s about time folks give up this Norman Rockwell/Joe Paterno notion that the Bucs can win a Super Bowl, much less get a wild card berth, with a Boy Scouts troop.
Joe’s not talking about emptying penitentiaries and going full-blown “The Longest Yard” here, just get football players who aren’t felons. So what if they are a few cards short of a full deck? So what if they are outspoken politically? You don’t have to sleep with these guys!
The Bucs, coming off a 5-11 season with jobs on the line, shouldn’t be looking for seminary students.
For folks who would rather watch Julio Jones run rings around poor Ryan Smith, or see Cam Newton have enough time in the pocket to get a tat with Ryan Russell at defensive end, than bring back Bennett and/or Talib, Joe again goes back to Moe Greene’s famous words.
“What’s wrong with you?”
Make the Bucs great again!
January 25th, 2018 at 4:40 am
Good stuff Joe!
January 25th, 2018 at 4:56 am
I didn’t comment on this yesterday. But my problem with this is that both of those guys have spent their primes surrounded by a ton of talent that made them look better than they are. Now that they’re both 32 years old they’ve got to be declining in terms of speed and would be joining a significantly less talented defense. So unless Licht is getting these guys for a really good price then I’d say we need to move on. I’d much rather pay more for Ziggy Ansah or Trumaine Johnson and have a solid veteran for the next four years. Both of them are only going to be 28 and they’ve produced on less talented defenses. Then just keep building through the draft.
January 25th, 2018 at 5:53 am
Seattle’s most likely not going to release Michael Bennett Joe. He was in the Top-10 in the NFL last year in terms of defensive snaps played (85% of the plays the Seattle defense was on the field). He had 8.5 sacks & 40 total tackles & was in all 16 games. That’d be a HUGE hole for Seattle to fill.
Talib on the other hand seems to be on the decline. He played in 15 games but was only on the field for 75% of Denver’s defensive snaps (low for him). Had 1 INT, 1 FF, 7 passes defensed & 31 total tackles. All those areas were quite a bit less than what he’s had in the past with Denver, so he may very well become a FA.
Agree with ya Joe – “Make the Bucs great again!” But I doubt Seattle will release Bennett (his contract actually runs until 2021 but he has an out in 2019). Aquib is under contract until 2020, but Broncos may let him go. I’d also much rather have Brent Grimes back plus sign at least 1 FA CB (like Butler or Amukamara) AND draft another (we’ve got to improve our secondary).
January 25th, 2018 at 6:01 am
I wouldn’t mind a wife beater on this team either. If for no other reason than to shut TMAX up.
January 25th, 2018 at 6:01 am
Will always remember what Derrick Brooks said about teams and good players:
If they want to keep you, they find a way to keep you….
More teams are probably going with the New England belief that it’s better to let a guy go a year early than a game too late….
January 25th, 2018 at 6:13 am
Sign LeGarrette Blount, too.
January 25th, 2018 at 6:13 am
Frado what’s with the girls?…. That’s for you to find out!!! 😛😛😛 “as he puts his hand on Mikes face’ Thanks Joe!! LOVE me some Godfather II references!
January 25th, 2018 at 6:16 am
James Wilder Jr. is looking for another chance in the NFL. Bucs need backs. Sign him!
January 25th, 2018 at 6:46 am
Seattle has huge cap issues and they are looking to blow team up
So Bennett could be let go.
They would be bridge guys for sure 3 -4 year deals that have 1 year fully gauranteed if it happens.
I would be fine with it. 2 of biggest holes are defensive end and corner for this team (running back as well -Michel in 2nd)
January 25th, 2018 at 7:08 am
Signing Bennett or Talib would be a panic move, and those things never work out. Personally, I don’t want Talib anywhere near this team. Getting rid of him was a smart move…for him and this team at the time.
As to Bennett, letting him go was a huge mistake, but its over with. You cannot turn back the clock. I would not mind it if he came here, but he would be no more than a bridge player, and we’ve had our share of those.
With our luck, Licht would decide not to draft a DE if he got Bennett.
Besides, Talib is not the good anymore, and Bennett if on a downward slide himself because of his age.
We tried bringing back former members of the team in the past and it never worked out. Lovie comes to mind for one, or even some players come to mind. Some people seem to think that those players can still be great even after they have aged 4-6 years.
Not gonna happen.
January 25th, 2018 at 7:10 am
Our Cornerbacks will look ten times better if we get a good defensive line. I’m not saying we should not acquire a cornerback…we should…just not a Talib.
January 25th, 2018 at 7:12 am
Yeah Tom…But the Pats got somethin we ain’t even close to…Sound Mngt from top to bottom, from the Owner to the scouting depts..all the way down to the coaches!!They know how to pick late round linemen and Defensive players. The Patriots could care less about a 1st round pick. They usually trade them away for discarded players from other teams. Thats how good their know how is!!
January 25th, 2018 at 7:33 am
We seem to stay away from some of the older DEs but they have performed for other teams…Peppers, Freeny, Allen, Abraham etc.
Bennett isn’t near that category yet….If we can sign him to a “no kneel” contract, I’m all in for him.
I am hopeful that we will sign Grimes to a two-year guaranteed contract (other teams will only offer one)….
Offer Peppers $8 million and force Carolina to pay him.
We should be able to pick up another FA CB….so I’m not so interested in Talib.
January 25th, 2018 at 7:49 am
Bennett is not the only option the Bucs have to generate a pass rush!!!!
And I love that Joe still does not get the ‘revis” trade!!! It was not an idiotic move dumping revis, it was trading the 1st and 3rd pick to get the injured revis who was never the same!!!!!!! There should have been a very good DT that GMC been playing next to for the past 5 seasons!!!!!!
But joe loves sizzle!!!!
It was a desperate move from a bad gm that was backed into a corner!!!!!!!!! Now the media and fans are trying to back the current regime into the same corner and then wonder why this franchise cannot find consistent success!!!!!!!!!!! fickle fans and owners equals bad results!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!
January 25th, 2018 at 8:01 am
I’m for it. We need depth with proven talent even if they’re not on the field all the time.
I wonder if Talib would’ve been such a problem if he was drafted by a winning team that had strong leadership in the locker room. I think when the team sucks and a player gets in their head that all they’re doing is playing for a paycheck that can have an affect.
You can thank the Glazers for our losing ways.
January 25th, 2018 at 8:08 am
There will be several defensive choices in FA. Bucs made poor choices last year. Let’s hope history doesn’t repeat itself.
January 25th, 2018 at 8:13 am
Seems Bennet is JBF’s latest Johnny Football, Dalvin Cook and Doug Martin: non-stop 7-days-a-week pimping or bashing.
January 25th, 2018 at 8:20 am
“why Bennett triggered so many fans”?? I don’t care if he knells or that he lies or whatever…. I care that he’s is old now and won’t have the luxary of playing next to good players. He will want serious money and I don’t think he has much left. Theres a reason the seahawks are moving on
January 25th, 2018 at 8:50 am
What happens if we resign Mr. Bennett to a three year contract, and he performs up to but not beyond his first three seasons in Tampa. Just how long do we think he will remain a savior deciple here with 6 sacks and 50 tackles? Or if we bring back Mr. Talib and he has another OTFI (off the field incident) punching folks, gun play, etc. Who will be held accountable? These players look good on their teams now, how will they look on our team, if they are transitional players maybe good, but depending on them to be starters and star players is a bit of a gamble. They are both past 30 so just how long would they be able to play at the level they played at last season? Would the ink on their first paychecks even be dry before the downside of their careers show up? I understand we need to upgrade our Defensive line and Defensive backs. But to think by getting 31+ year old players we are setting our team up for success is very short sited. Getting the DT from Carolina Star, and his friend across the line from him their massive Guard. (can’t think of his name) these two additions would be fantastic players to progress forward with. Both are under 30 by several years (seasons) and have plenty of upside. Now those two would be here in 4 seasons. How well do we see either Mr. Bennett or Mr. Taliban in 4 seasons? Going into FA with the goal of getting better Long term how does getting two 30+year old players help out long term? We need help on the Dline Oline first. And not older vet players looking for one more payday. I am not saying g either of these guys will be doing that but it is what happens to Vet players who’s teams are letting them go for a reason.
Go Bucs!!!
January 25th, 2018 at 8:53 am
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
January 25th, 2018 at 8:56 am
The Bucs, coming off a 5-11 season with jobs on the line
jobs on the line…..its about damn time!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
January 25th, 2018 at 8:59 am
I don’t care if we sign them, we just better come out of this offseason with 2 DE’s and 2 CB’s….GO BUCS!!!!
January 25th, 2018 at 9:06 am
I agreed with him but it was still stupid basically saying you hope these guys get cut so you can come play with me, I believe they are both still under contract and getting cut due to salary at this point is still only a rumor
January 25th, 2018 at 9:30 am
The bridge is in disrepair,in part because attempted patches like Ayers,Baker
and TJ Ward. If its not a three or four year fix then walk away. Its time to improve this team with depth and develope younger players. the team has
primarily had success signing WR’s in free agency, Joe Jurevicious, Keenan McCardle.Vjax all come to mind. Vjax 5 year contract worked against us
due to injuries. Grimes is the one of the few defensive players we have success in free agency, but its unclear if we will get another year .
January 25th, 2018 at 9:34 am
I could not agree with this more. The Buc Realist is spot on.
Joe, I have never understood why you keep complaining about the Bucs letting Darelle MEvis go. He should not have been signed in the first place. Let’s say the Bucs keep Revis. Also, let’s throw out last season and assume for a moment the Bucs rebuild is on schedule and 2017 *WAS* the year the Bucs finally made it into the playoffs. If Revis was still on this team he would have been a below average corner in 2017. He would *not* have been “Revis Island”.
When the Bucs fired Schiano and Rock Star the team was obviously rebuilding for the future. Darelle Revis and his bloated salary was not going to help the Bucs win games or build towards that future. You have blamed Lovie Smith for letting Revis go but in actuality it was Jason Licht’s decision, and it was the right decision even though his FA acquisitions didn’t work out.
Heck, for all my criticism of Jason Licht he had a heck of a 2014 season. Cutting Revis and trading Mark Barron for picks that were used to land Kwon Alexander and Ali Marpet were brilliant moves.
January 25th, 2018 at 9:49 am
D ROME SAYS: Heck, for all my criticism of Jason Licht he had a heck of a 2014 season. Cutting Revis and trading Mark Barron for picks that were used to land Kwon Alexander and Ali Marpet were brilliant moves.
though that was lovie…..thought he had full control over the roster…..GO BUCS!!!!
January 25th, 2018 at 9:50 am
Because some fans like myself would prefer a meal of players from the fine dining menu with a candle light like most fans of others teams
But we being sold the dollar menu at top dollars prices. We are Bucs fans and we have no choice but eat leftovers from successful teams. We have no choice We have to take anyone anyway to get a win here and there
This is an embarrassment and most disappointing part of being of this team. We are left with no choice to settle for less cuz we suck is what I don’t like about the signing.
So yes “what’s wrong with you?”” Why do we have to SETTLE and ACCEPT this from the Bucs
January 25th, 2018 at 10:24 am
Preach brothe Joe Preach !! I’ve come to realize that 20% of people on here deep dwn don’t want a successful Bucs team. They love to complain about everything top to bottom from owner to players to practice field lol. They have all the answers n are never in a good mood, even if things go well they find reason to pick apart something. “What is wrong with you ” shoot im gonna get a t shirt made lol
January 25th, 2018 at 10:32 am
Spending your money on a bunch of old veterans is stupid. There are a bunch under the age of 30 that are mid-level guys that will solidify the Bucs next season. Let Grimes go. This team has no plan. They just swing from one extreme to the other. You should be trying to get rid of your older players instead of bringing more older players in to eat up the cap room.
January 25th, 2018 at 10:59 am
Here is the facts from my perspective. Sign Talib, Sign Bennett, Sign Bell.
All of these are grandiose moves that you would do if you felt your team was one player away. (I think the current regime believes this) I would rather start building a team so that the Bucs can enjoy sustained success for not only next season but for the next 10.
Bennett, the only reason that he is thought of as a cap casualty is because he brought it up. When you consider his dead money, Seattle would have to be in full blown rebuild mode to throw out his contract. He would account for $5.2 million of dead cap space if he was cut. They would have to find a comparable player for $3.1 million a season, just to break even. In 2019 that number is $3.4 million. Right now they are @15 mil under cap. Given his production it is near impossible to imagine that he would be cut unless there is something else brewing in the locker room with him.
Talib only represents a $1 million dead cap this season but paired with his total $12 million cap hit, he is a much more viable candidate to be cut. My point regarding him was that he would be more likely be a traded commodity.
So I guess, logic is what is wrong with me.
January 25th, 2018 at 11:11 am
Two 32-year old defensive players that would want more than they should coming back to our busted ass defense.
January 25th, 2018 at 11:29 am
The only thing Talib is good at now is snatching gold chains away from receivers, getting into fights, and being suspended. Bennett might have some fumes left in the tank, but not wanting to practice is not the example, or standard you should be wanting to set for your team. We need to keep trying to find the next great players, not guys with no future, bad habits, and declining skills. The reason Talib looked good in Denver is because he had Von Miller terrorizing Q.B.’s. Bennett was surrounded by great players, and contributed, he wasn’t the sole reason that defense was great. Both players are in organizations that know how to build a team, coach, and win. They’d be complete failures bringing them back here.
January 25th, 2018 at 11:32 am
@Joe
Not to nitpick but I don’t believe Mikey “TRIED” to strong arm MO. A bullet through the eyeball pretty much closed the deal.
@OAR
My favorite line from the move!!!
January 25th, 2018 at 11:38 am
Bennett is not getting cut. Makes no monetary sense. Fake News.
Talib is not worth $12M. Maybe $8M max with no guarantees beyond 2018 – and I’d rather have Grimes for that price if its an either/or situation.
So basically – neither acquisition is happening because Bennett won’t be available and Talib will not be willing to sign what reality says is a reasonable contract for a 32 year old player whose play last year says he is already on the decline.
January 25th, 2018 at 12:27 pm
Just because this coaching staff isn’t good enough to create new players doesn’t mean they should live in the past with old free agents looking for retirement money.
January 25th, 2018 at 1:03 pm
stpete
Yep! This is a good one too……”In Sicily, women are more dangerous than shotguns.”
January 25th, 2018 at 3:33 pm
Aqib’s mother is tougher than Moe Green.
January 25th, 2018 at 5:31 pm
i’m with OrlandoJoe on this, it’s hard to look at those post-tampa accomplishments of these “winners” without also giving major credit to the supporting cast. Seattle has been stocked with defensive superstars in the secondary and some solid linemates for most of bennett’s tenure, and Talib was playing behind a DL that included a defensive MVP, a sure-fire HOFer in Ware, and a guy who got Gerald McCoy money from Jacksonville.
January 25th, 2018 at 5:44 pm
as far as those who are jumping all over GMC for trying to sell people on being a buc or showing optimism\desire for next year, go pound sand.
While I believe that McCoy was never “face of the franchise” material, he got the gig because there was no other realistic candidate from the 2009 purges until Winston’s arrival, and did the best he could because that’s what the team needed from him. Although I’m glad he no longer needs to be “the guy”, i still feel he is an exceptional talent, a dedicated teammate\employee, and still very much a team leader. Certainly a player who deserves better than the knee jerk hate and ridicule so many bucs fans have expressed
January 25th, 2018 at 7:18 pm
@Pick6
Well stated. Agree 100%
January 25th, 2018 at 8:28 pm
Bargain Bin Alternatives
Defensive Linemen
• DE Muhammad Wilkerson | Pre-3/14 Trade/Release: $9M ($11M savings)
Defensive Backs
• CB David Amerson | Pre-3/16 Trade/Release: $($6M savings)
• CB Dominique Cromartie | Pre-3/16 Trade/Release: ($6.5M savings)
• SS Da’Norris Searcy | Trade/Release: $1.125M ($3.8M savings)
Defensive Line
LDE Noah Spence | Duke Ejiofor | Mike Love
LDT William Ghoiston | R.J. McIntosh
RDT Bennie Logan | Kendrick Norton
RDE Muhammad Wilkerson | Will Clarke
Defensive Backs
LCB David Amerson | David Rivers
RCB Dominique Cromartie | Ryan Smith
SCB Vernon Hargreaves | Javien Elliott
S Chris Conte | Armani Watts
S Justin Evans | Da’Norris Searcy
January 26th, 2018 at 8:10 am
I don’t believe Bennett and Talib are banging cocktail waitresses two at a time so customers couldn’t get their drinks like Fredo was, so I wouldn’t certainly dismiss them from returning.