Earl Thomas “Dangled”
February 28th, 2018
Bucs in the mix?
Here may be a Bucs connection for you?
Apparently the Seahawks are in a salary cap money pinch and there is speculation Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas, two main cogs in the ferocious Seattle secondary, very well could be shipped out to make more cap room.
Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com suggested that potential trade talks for the two could heat up this week at the NFL winter festival combine in Indianapolis.
That motivated WalterFootball.com to speculate what teams could be in play for Thomas, one of the better safeties in the NFL. And WalterFootball is of the mind the Bucs will be players.
The Buccaneers’ current regime needs to make the playoffs this year to ensure that they’ll keep their jobs. Part of that would be upgrading the offensive line and running game, but a stud in the secondary would also be a huge boon. The Buccaneers have the fourth-most cap space in the NFL.
Now this doesn’t mean Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht will pull off a trade for Thomas, but WalterFootball believes Licht will talk turkey. And there is recent evidence that may happen.
Licht wasn’t all that thrilled with his safeties last September when he signed T.J. Ward days before the season opened and shipped out J.J. Wilcox, who Licht himself signed just months before.
Ward was a bad fit and he is “moving on.” So just looking at recent history and news of the last few days, it stands to reason that Licht might ask Seattle general manager John Schneider to sit down for a game of poker.
If Licht wasn’t satisfied with his safeties in September, then surely he can’t be satisfied with them now.
February 28th, 2018 at 5:16 am
Our 2nd for for Thomas and Bennett
February 28th, 2018 at 5:20 am
I think Thomas would be a great fit where ever he goes.
February 28th, 2018 at 5:28 am
Don’t make trades when you are building or to save jobs…unless you’re picking up more quality draft picks
Stick with the draft to build roster of talent, add a quality free agent or 2, priority is trenches !!
Trades have destroyed Bucs roster in recent past
February 28th, 2018 at 5:30 am
Thomas has had an impressive career Joe. In his 8 yrs he’s made All-Pro 3 times, Pro Bowl 6 times, etc. First 6 yrs he was a beast: never missed a game, 21 INTs, 50 passes defensed, tons of tackles, etc. Last 2 yrs? Missed 7 games. He’s still only 29 though (in May) so should have 3-4 yrs left in the tank. Definitely worth considering if the price is right, although it’ll take me awhile to get over TJ Ward.
February 28th, 2018 at 5:35 am
This all depends on price. Bucs have too many holes to fill to be trading away high draft picks.
February 28th, 2018 at 5:59 am
Now we need safeties?….Add that to CBs, D-linemen, RBs, O-lineman and possibly a kicker….WTF has Licht been doing for 4 yrs of premium draft picks and tons of cash for free agency? This group of coaches and GM are done….plain and simple. Licht doesn’t know WTH he’s doing, the roster has waaay too many holes to fill in one offseason and he lacks the courage to trade any of our assets to land impact players. We don’t need Jackson, McCoy is on the downside, David/Alexander/Beckwith could fetch value….Lichts most memorable move was the kicker trade….That says everything
February 28th, 2018 at 6:07 am
Trade Keith Tandy…..that will solve Seattle’s cap problem.
February 28th, 2018 at 6:07 am
Better yet…..trade Tmax…..that will solve JBF’s problem.
February 28th, 2018 at 6:28 am
This is stupid….Ward was a good safety and he made it pretty clear earlier in the season he was sick of this staff. Nobody worth a damn is going to come here and play under Mike Smith without being ridiculously overpaid.
28th ranked defense at best for 2018 IF they overspend and add the top talent in .ca at every position possible, if not an easy 32nd
February 28th, 2018 at 6:32 am
I would give up our 3rd..thats it
February 28th, 2018 at 7:06 am
Ain’t happening.
It would be a firs rounder
Plus he wouldn’t commit to team he is traded too unless it’s the cowboys
February 28th, 2018 at 7:16 am
What we need is what so many guys have said before —- Fix the trenches and then others become better. Draft like it’s your job on the line as it should be and by GOD stay away from damn kickers, especially in the second round, dumbest move I’ve seen in years. Quit trying to out cheap everyone else, we already have one team doing that, and one is more than enough.
February 28th, 2018 at 7:19 am
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it now. Until picks are not a premium for hte Bucs, they should not give any up in trade.
Period.
It would be different if we only had 1-2 spots to fill. But we’ve got an entire defensive line, 1-2 RBs and 1-2 CBs to fill the positions of. We cannot aford to trade away picks.
February 28th, 2018 at 7:22 am
So far as a need for safety (which isn’t really as important a need as other spots, since we’ve got Conte and Evans), we should re-sign Bradley McDougald.
February 28th, 2018 at 7:26 am
BucEmUp Says
“This is stupid….Ward was a good safety and he made it pretty clear earlier in the season he was sick of this staff.”
Ward was upset because they stopped using him…why? Because he sucked. THAT’s why he was mad.
That is obvious to everyone (mostly) and other players won’t let them deter them from being a Buc.
This myth that players do not want to come to Tampa is just that. A Myth. Perpetrated by the very fans who wanted to run the entire coaching staff out of town.
Dirk Koetter is not a lame duck coach. Those who claim so are hoping he fails this year, which means they are not real fans of the team. Any real fan would want the team to be successful.
February 28th, 2018 at 7:26 am
Trade ME 13
February 28th, 2018 at 7:27 am
It all starts up front.
We need trench players in the worst way.
We could have Ronnie Lott back there and he’d get toasted bc ofour anemic pass rush.
Getting Earl Thonaswould be like getting a sweet paint job on your ride and neglecting to buy formidable tires.
February 28th, 2018 at 7:32 am
true is starts up front….however the back end of the Buc D needs help too…the draft can only fill so many holes and they are ALL Rookies…..
February 28th, 2018 at 7:39 am
sign Shawn Oakman for a try out….crazy but worth a shot
February 28th, 2018 at 7:43 am
He hasn’t been healthy much the past 2 seasons and already turning 29. He may be worth a 5th or 6th round pick at best. Otherwise just wait for him to get cut because Seattle can’t afford to keep.
February 28th, 2018 at 7:54 am
There seems to be a running theme of suggesting players about 4 years past their best days.
February 28th, 2018 at 7:59 am
Yeah let’s trade for a guy that openly talked about retiring just LAST YEAR! Give me a flipping break.
February 28th, 2018 at 8:07 am
It seem like, when the Bucs make a trade, they get the short end of it.
February 28th, 2018 at 8:08 am
That’s an expensive set of FAs without fixing the real problem on the defense
February 28th, 2018 at 8:26 am
BucEmUp……Ward came here as a superstar, he didn´t play like one, and not only that…He went public via social media complaining about some INTERNAL stuff…..If you have anything to say, do it inside the locker room, not on twitter, exactly the same as Baker……To stupid, inmature and unprofessional. He is not the player he used to be, and very very stupid, so thx god he is out……..
February 28th, 2018 at 8:27 am
Real simple…..the toughest thing to find are quality DEs, they just dont get to the market often……CB/Safeties can be found every free agency or via trade….every year. They are icing on the cake but not a main ingredient. Licht should have been rolling the dice year after year on finding a gem DE…..Instead we’ve grabbed RBs, TEs, and kickers that dont even stick around….wasted quality picks on a CB that is awful, built depth at positions we already have talent in WR and LBs…..This will be his 5th offseason and there’s so many holes that its simply not realistic to think A) he can fix enough of them effectively and B)Injuries don’t undo what we duct tape together.
Again….I think the best case now is take Nelson, maybe bring in another free agent linemen as well as some RBs. At the very least, lets walk away from this offseason with a dominant line/offense that can put up points from the 1st qtr – 4th. Unless Chubb falls to us, the defense is screwed. We put up 25-28 pts per game, thats progress that folks will accept. With a solid line and running game, we can see exactly what we have in Winston as well. There will be no more blaming Doug Martin….or blind side hits for fumbles….or timing issues with Jackson. Winston will be expected to live up to his draft status or he’ll be another reach by Licht and proof we need a new GM.
February 28th, 2018 at 8:49 am
Bucs need to wait till March 6th to see if the Rams actually franchise tag LaMarcus Joyner at safety. They can have conversations perhaps for Thomas, but it might be a draft pick bidding war for Thomas’ services, plus a large contract. Joyner would give you 3-4 more youth years in his career/prime, plus no draft pick compensation.
Besides, the truth is that any draft pick trade capital should be used FIRST for the DLine, before the back end.
Go Bucs!
February 28th, 2018 at 9:44 am
Fun to talk about, but the Bucs don’t have the luxury of entertaining a trade for a safety.
TRENCHES all day!
He would look good in pewter though!
February 28th, 2018 at 9:48 am
Bonzai says:
“we should re-sign Bradley McDougald.”
didn’t see that one coming (eye roll)
IMO – Earl Thomas is not $8M per year better than Conte.
Any desperate attempts by the Bucs to sign aging, over priced free agents should be restricted to DL this year. Keep building through the draft!
February 28th, 2018 at 10:04 am
Didn’t the Seahawks “dangle” Sherman last year? What didn’ the Bucs do and why?
February 28th, 2018 at 10:05 am
**Didn’t
February 28th, 2018 at 10:08 am
Tampabaybucfan Says:
February 28th, 2018 at 6:07 am
Better yet…..trade Tmax…..that will solve JBF’s problem.
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lol. I laughed. Nice work
February 28th, 2018 at 10:10 am
No to earl Thomas. Price will be too high, and we should spend those assets on a DE. If we make any trades it better be for a DE.
This “Trade Mike Evans” talk is a new all time low for JBF posters.
Dumbest fans in the league.
February 28th, 2018 at 10:32 am
Life Rule:
If you cannot fix the problem (DE), then look to manipulate the factors that impact that issue for desired results.
Ways to manipulate the problem of DE:
1. Multiple Top tier DTs, that cause massive disruption, on the same play.
2. Top Tier Press Man CBs, that can disrupt and deny the passing routes for 4 seconds
3. Defensive System that enhances pass rushing from all positions
4. Coaching players to maximize their skills
5. Throw money at the problem to enhance recruitment of skilled players outside of DE
6. Expand scouting and research trying to exhaust all available resources for player acquisition
GO after top FA DT, top FA press corners, take flyers on raw unknown FA talent.
Draft DLine, multiple rounds despite view of slight reaches.
sign extra UDFA pass rushers and scour other teams PS players.
I am sure Licht and Front Office is scouting like crazy, so let’s go after some FA acquisitions.
February 28th, 2018 at 10:40 am
DO NOT TRADE AWAY PICKS!!!!!!!!!…..
this team is not a safety away from being a contender……plus Thomas has expressed interest in playing for his home town team who also need a safety….the dallas cowboys…..and I bet he’ll take less money too!!!!!…..
the only players we should be trading for is a dominate young DE like bosa, Melvin ingram, ziggy, clowney….a player like that…..
other wise continue to build thru the draft……
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!!
February 28th, 2018 at 11:31 am
@
Ndog. You are one of the few posters on here that has a clue. Some hear a name and want licht to be all over him but as soon as that player bust, that same poster will be the first to bash licht…….under a different name ofcourse.
February 28th, 2018 at 11:53 am
Never trade your draft picks and if you do make sure you are getting more draft picks in return. Trading back a few spots to get additional picks can benefit you if all the players you want are about the same on your board. If I’m the Bucs I stay at seven and pick the best player available. Licht has done a good job with the exception of a kicker in the second round. Let’s hope he learned his lesson. We need bodies in the trenches so let’s hope those are the best players available each and every round. Go Bucs!
February 28th, 2018 at 12:17 pm
Wait and offer money instead of draft picks when Seattle cuts him. Use the draft for a Center (unless you can get Jensen in Free Agency) and by drafting down get best LT available in first round and RB Cherry. Use second round pick for best DE available. Use Free Agency for an elite CB and try to resign our Free Agent CB but if he leaves move Tandy to play his position.
February 28th, 2018 at 1:33 pm
He’ll end up in Atlanta. Book it.
February 28th, 2018 at 1:46 pm
This is a nice idea. Thomas is 28 and multiple pro bowler. I don’t think he would pull a T.J. Ward, especially if we got some other nice secondary players and a pass rush. Safety is hard to determine and when to take them in the draft and difficult to build when they do get into the league. Unless they get Derwin James or put Minkah at S, I would go with him. He’s perfectly aged vet and one of the best if not the best safety for a while now. And I’m a die hard Longhorns fan and I’ve loved watching him play since college so I’d like to see him in a Bucs uni.
February 28th, 2018 at 3:02 pm
Thanks but no thanks, we already has a talented FS with major upside, youth, and health on his side with Justin Evans.
February 28th, 2018 at 4:51 pm
Altered ego,trade Mike evans???what the hell are you smoking??you don’t trade your number one wideout who is still very young and already a beast.some of you guys just aren’t real smart smh