Bidding War Brewing For Morris Claiborne
March 11th, 2018
With Brent Grimes and Robert McClain still unsigned, something has to give at corner in a hurry.
The Buccaneers passed on cornerback Morris Claiborne with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Instead, the Bucs traded down and selected the Rams’ leading tackler through the past three seasons.
That would be Mark Barron. And so it goes in everybody’s favorite tragic soap opera: post-Chucky Buccaneers football.
Fast-forward, and here the Bucs are again six years later entering the 2018 season in need of a quality cornerback, just as they were in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Sensing a pattern here?
When free agency kicks off Wednesday, and negotiating/tampering starting tomorrow, one cornerback set to be courted is Claiborne who started for the Jets last year.
Jets beat writer Connor Hughes recently was clamoring for the Jets to bring him back this season
The same goes for cornerback Morris Claiborne, who will reportedly have 8-10 teams interested in his services if he hits the open market. The 28-year-old showed he can not only stay healthy in 2017 (played in 15 of 16 games), but also be a shutdown cornerback.
Claiborne shadowed an opponent’s top receiver most weeks last year. Aside from a poor outing against Broncos wideout Demaryius Thomas in Week 15 (Claiborne was slowed by an ankle injury), he was up to the challenge.
Opposing quarterbacks targeted Claiborne 71 times. He allowed just 43 catches, 520 yards and three touchdowns. He picked off one pass, and batted down five.
March 11th, 2018 at 6:07 pm
I’m sure we will check in on him. After all we have to spend some cash somewhere.
March 11th, 2018 at 6:11 pm
Don’t you miss guys like Sabby Piscitelli? Not really. Well we don’t miss Claiborne either.
March 11th, 2018 at 6:12 pm
Why should he accept good#2 money. I think his agent is aware of the leverage he has when negotiating with us, it’s called VH3 and Ryan Smith, or two starting corners. Why would he take#2 pay when he would obviously be the number one on our roster.
March 11th, 2018 at 6:21 pm
I remember wanting to draft this guy above anyone else. Seemed soft his first couple years in the league and kept getting hurt so I was relieved we didn’t get him.
Haven’t really followed him or the jets much so I can’t speak to his talent but if he is starting to live up to his draft billing then I say lets get him. He has the athleticism and he is a LSU kid which we seem to have success with.
March 11th, 2018 at 6:36 pm
If they seriously sign this guy they are stupid
March 11th, 2018 at 6:36 pm
Is this what it has come to? Our cupboard is so bare that a marginal to poor never-will-be represent a significant upgrade? I’m sorry friends, but Licht’s every bit as terrible a roster builder and Dominick. I’m both cases they amassed a small cadre or above average players- with neither being able to make em part of a respectable whole. Pining for Morris Claiborne is what happens when you absolutely stink for a decade. We’re an complete dumpster fire of an organization.
March 11th, 2018 at 6:48 pm
pass
March 11th, 2018 at 6:57 pm
Shut down corner and Mike smith scheme???
March 11th, 2018 at 6:58 pm
Tremendously gifted athlete but dumb as dirt. Proof that success is mostly between the ears.
March 11th, 2018 at 7:05 pm
Not sure what all the griping is about. According to the article the guy sounds pretty good. It said he matched up against number ones all year……I don’t know whAt the numbers are like across the league but only being thrown at 71 times sounds pretty good to me. As does 520 yards given and 3 TDs.
March 11th, 2018 at 7:10 pm
Must be a slow news day….
Some of the party, starts tomorrow though.
Go Bucs!
March 11th, 2018 at 7:21 pm
RB McKinnon or dion Lewis
Center Jensen or guard norwell
Alex okafor
Ej Gaines
That’s my guesses based on staff / rumors / needs etc
March 11th, 2018 at 7:32 pm
He’s a solid corner … no idea why people are hating on him in this thread
March 11th, 2018 at 7:33 pm
As I said before we r waiting to bring in 3rd n 4th tier rejects. Bring in Jim Harbaugh n we r set with proven playmakers.
March 11th, 2018 at 7:35 pm
We already learned this lesson didn’t we? 2 first rounder’s for Revis to play one year, top 5 pick for Barron who didn’t make it through his rookie deal, highest paid free agent safety Desaun Gholsten. Still sucked because the only good defender was McCoy and that’s when he was younger.
Sapp, 1st round pic. McFarland, first round pick, Jones, first round pic. Rice, first round pick. Spires, either 1st or second rounder. Result? Best defense for a decade and a ring.
Its not rocket science Light better get the priorities straight or youll be unemployed soon.
March 11th, 2018 at 7:44 pm
I thought McClain was let go already..hopefully someone can confirm this..
March 11th, 2018 at 8:01 pm
What the hell is the point of having a shut down corner with zone coverage and a 12-yard cushion??? They’re going to run the same scheme and every team that we are going to play now officially knows to run an easy 10-yard hook or 7-yard post for constant first downs and TDs. Smitty’s scheme that he says you have to have a pass rush for it to work (Never changed it last year with our 22 sacks). They better get at least two bad ass D-lineman to help out or we will once again be the cesspool of the NFC South in 2018.
March 11th, 2018 at 8:06 pm
NFLNut – because he sucked his 1st few years in the league – and as BFFL alluded to – he scored a 4 on his wonderlic test – so obviously not the brightest crayon in the box…
March 11th, 2018 at 8:13 pm
We are set at linebacker. Now, time to invest some premium picks in the defensive line.
The Bucs need free agent corners because they don’t know how to develop one.
March 11th, 2018 at 8:20 pm
My contacts tell me Bucs will pursue Gaines but for 9 mill a year. A little high IMO and my source is very well connected.
March 11th, 2018 at 8:24 pm
I just we don’t reach at #7 for Shelton 2.0… Vea. Id rather pick D. James at #7 which is also a reach but at least he will be a can’t miss defensive dawg. Best SS in 2-3 years in Nfl he will become.
March 11th, 2018 at 8:24 pm
Life – McClain is an unrestricted FA. He can talk to any team starting tomorrow.
March 11th, 2018 at 8:24 pm
SOE…..When Lovie Smith was here his scheme didn’t work either because we had no passrush. This is why Mike Smith should have never been hired in the first place. Dirk did a disservice to the fan base of his team by not hiring the best candidate for our players and choosing a friend. And shame on Licht for allowing it.
Both our HC and D.C. were hired for all the wrong reasons. We don’t even have a legitimate OF for crying out loud. What we do have is a HC who doesn’t meddle with half his team, the worst defense in the league and a team captain who doesn’t know what our identity.
What an embarassment…..What else is new?
March 11th, 2018 at 8:26 pm
OC**
March 11th, 2018 at 8:29 pm
I simply cannot blame the coaching staff….yet…they are caught in the middle….need a major upgrade on defense DL & DB….upgrade @ RB…and some OL help….then we can start talking about coaching…
March 11th, 2018 at 8:29 pm
I wouldn’t be against signing this guy…almost drafted him instead of Barron. Maybe he can finally fill his potential…should be motivated.
March 11th, 2018 at 8:32 pm
Did you just say Morris Claiborne was a shutdown because of one season last year at age 28? It’s a must to come here for bucs news but your opinions sometimes are the worst I’ve ever heard. Stick to the news because you have horrible free agent opinions and send to get worse every off-season
March 11th, 2018 at 8:32 pm
I wouldn’t mind Claiborne but don’t think he is worth more tha 5 mil a year. I would feel comfortable with him and Grimes as our starters and VH3 as nickel.
March 11th, 2018 at 8:35 pm
Need to go after EJ Gaines
March 11th, 2018 at 8:37 pm
That kid Ward….CB in the draft is a football player !
March 11th, 2018 at 8:37 pm
Altered how could you not blame the coaching staff for our RB situation? One of the first things Dirk did when he was hired was openly lobby for Doug. Safe to say he was part of the decision to keep him…..He was defentially the guy who put him in.
And dontbyou think Dirk was part of the reason we went into the season with Phampile starting? How about Djax? that moves screams Dirk, and that money should have been used elsewhere.
All GMs operate differently but bit looks pretty clear that Licht values the evaluations of his coaching staff. An idea he should throw in the garbage can this year.
March 11th, 2018 at 8:38 pm
Bird
Sadly think Norwell is a giant, I think we’ll end up with the bears OG.
March 11th, 2018 at 8:44 pm
Pickgrin …. the Wonderlic doesn’t matter … I scored in the mid 40s … CBs don’t need to be geniuses.
Also … he was way better last year than the previous years … your point? So, you’re saying if Hargreaves plays good nest year you’re going to want him cut the following year because he sucked his first 2 years? NO!
March 11th, 2018 at 8:44 pm
Growing up in Texas and catching plenty of Cowboys games I saw Claiborne get burned early and often. He’s slightly better than VHIII
March 11th, 2018 at 8:45 pm
I wouldn’t Sign any guards. #7 for Nelson would be a great fit. if he gets taken the draft is deep at that position. Though I’ll admit Im in the 1% that still likes J.R.
And why does everybody wanna can Evan smith? Is he due to sign a big payday? Otherwise, quality depth IMO
March 11th, 2018 at 8:49 pm
the wonderlic test hahahaha. the guy failed a test six years ago..?.WTF. Who cares?
March 11th, 2018 at 9:14 pm
Claiborne sucks.
Total BUST for a 1st rounder.
Jets have the most cap space in the NFL and they’re letting him walk.
I’ll take my chances with Ryan Smith.
Pass…
March 11th, 2018 at 9:51 pm
PASS…Only consider IF..he can truly rush the passer!!!
March 11th, 2018 at 10:25 pm
Bring back RB. Can probably out perform these fa’s.
March 11th, 2018 at 10:45 pm
Licht will easily be outbid for his services. If 10 teams bid, the Bucs will come in eleventh.
March 12th, 2018 at 1:16 am
Claiborne’ s wonderlic score as a reason for not signing him is bizarre. The reason is, not one post suggested that the Bucs sign Sherman because of his high score on the wonderlic.
No, this guy too dumb. No, this guy is too smart. Reminds me of a bed time story for children. Sign him…He’s not too smart or dumb…not to slow or fast. Sign avg.
Expect avg.
March 12th, 2018 at 1:37 am
Hot damn! We, as a team, have come down to this dude as our best #2? We’re in a world of hurt 😞
March 12th, 2018 at 1:54 am
If you think the Bucs or the Rays owner are going to win a bidding war????
You are smoking the drapes..
March 12th, 2018 at 4:03 am
So Sherman actually got like $3-mil guaranteed- not $13-mil, it’s like John Lunch might have a clue what he’s doing after all.
March 12th, 2018 at 4:06 am
The Glazers are cheap dolts are the biggest votes in the world – they literally just made Mike Evans the highest paid WR in the NFL – that just happened, and you dopes are complaining about money? You morons never lived through the Culverhouse years – that’s when you could complain about money – not now.
March 12th, 2018 at 5:26 am
“Opposing quarterbacks targeted Claiborne 71 times. He allowed just 43 catches, 520 yards and three touchdowns. He picked off one pass, and batted down five.”
That comes out to be a 91.3 QB Rating. 😒