Bucs Bail On Impact Running Backs
March 14th, 2018
Carlos Hyde and others won’t be in Tampa.
UPDATED 8:59 a.m. – Joe’s morning is ruined — for now.
It sure feels like your Tampa Bay Buccaneers were not interested in chasing the best available running backs on the free agent market.
What the heck is going on around here.
Reports say mighty Carlos Hyde is heading for a $5 million per year payday in Cleveland when the free agency dinner bell rings at 4 p.m. Dion Lewis will wear a Titans uniform. Joe liked those guys, Hyde especially. Damn. Ex-Browns running back Isaiah Crowell will wear green in New York. Ok, Joe didn’t want him, and Jonathan Stewart is now a Giants RB.
Jarick McKinnon, the Vikings free agent, chatter has him debating between replacing Hyde in San Francisco or also joining the Jets. **UPDATE** McKinnon will be a 49er.
Three months ago, Bucs head coach Dirk Koetter, with his head coaching career on the line, evaluated his running backs stable and determined Doug Martin was worthy of getting the rock.
Please don’t ask Joe how the Bucs evaluate running backs. There was/is no reason not to fill this need in free agency.
Yes, Joe likes and appreciates Peyton Barber a lot, but the sample size on him is too small to be very confident, and banking on getting the rookie running back you desire is very risky business.
Jiminy Christmas! The team’s “plan” was for Martin to succeed last year and come back this year at a top salary again. So please don’t tell Joe paying a running back is not something the Bucs would consider.
March 14th, 2018 at 8:32 am
Really wanted D Lewis but would have liked Jarick. No quality RB left. Looks like our 2nd round pick will be a RB and may have to trade back into the top of the 1st.
March 14th, 2018 at 8:33 am
This is sickening.
Hyde is getting $6mm a year, and we paid Martin $7mm last year to suck.
What in the hell is going on?
March 14th, 2018 at 8:35 am
Nobody has mentioned this possibility, but is it feasible that the owners didn’t want to yank the plug on Licht & Koetter because of the “two year coaching churn”……..
If that is the case, it would make sense that the plan would be for no big money free agents….keep all draft picks…..pay & extend the good players…..save cap space……and totally clean house again next year…..not tanking but not really trying to greatly improve.
So, if that is what they are doing, I don’t like it but it would make sense from an owners standpoint……Looks like the Coach & GM for 2019 will have a high draft pick, signed younger players….an option on Winston & big a big cap.
March 14th, 2018 at 8:37 am
I think the Bucs have their eyes on a running back in the draft.
March 14th, 2018 at 8:38 am
@Tampabaybucfan
Wow, our owners are taking tanking to a whole new level. The fact that they (initially) resigned all the coaches and now aren’t doing jack in FA makes me totally agree with you.
March 14th, 2018 at 8:40 am
With Browns having and using so many draft picks, they are targetting a guy from Browns practice squad. You heard it here first.
March 14th, 2018 at 8:40 am
Good players cost too much tree Bucs leadership is fine sitting at the bottom of the league collecting checks.
March 14th, 2018 at 8:40 am
Easy
Sadly your mistaken the bucs hsve thier eye on maintaining the basement streak
March 14th, 2018 at 8:40 am
I think the Bucs and Jason Licht think it is the 1980’s when the NFL only had Plan B free agency.
March 14th, 2018 at 8:40 am
What I feared was that Sims was to be the big FA running back signing appears to be true.
Also, all of this inaction tells me that the brass truly believes this is a Super Bowl team now. This feels like going all in with a 4,7 off suit pre flop to me. Yeh, there is a chance, sort of.
March 14th, 2018 at 8:41 am
*the Bucs leadership*
March 14th, 2018 at 8:42 am
I’m guessing there is some stud talent coming out in the 2019 draft and we are tanking for the first overall pick?
I know you don’t win in the off season but we didn’t exactly win during the regular season either. There is some good talent on the roster but we don’t have depth in key positions!
March 14th, 2018 at 8:42 am
I really believe in the “advance analytics” that say you should never give a RB a second contract!!!! Even the great AP was not the same on his second contract!!!!!!!
RB is a young man’s game and the draft is supposed to be deep with them!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!
March 14th, 2018 at 8:44 am
We have so many holes Joe running back safety both defensive ends and the list goes on. The fact that this team resides to address these needs leaves any informed fan speechless. This has to be the most depressing era in recent Tampa memory. And the sad part is the entire regime will be gone and with Winston having a loosing record it’s unlikely a new coach and GM will pick up his option when we have one of the first picks.
March 14th, 2018 at 8:46 am
What are you crying about? All season you acted Barber was the greates thing since white bread. Ok Martin is gone great. Barber is here. Not good enough now?
March 14th, 2018 at 8:49 am
Go get DUKE JOHNSON !!!!!!!
March 14th, 2018 at 8:49 am
Just read an article on Bleacher Report about each teams smartest move going forward, part of the Bucs plan was and I quote “With Doug Martin released, Jeremy McNichols, a 2016 4th round pick (who was a 2017 5th rounder), will more than likely receive more opportunities to carry the ball”, freaking hilarious and sad all at the same time, no one even cares anymore about this sorry team why do we
March 14th, 2018 at 8:51 am
What makes us think these players want to come to a lame duck regime .
We are not attractive team to be on and browns are showing they want to make changes we aren’t
March 14th, 2018 at 8:51 am
Glazer’s are cheap if you’re not Man U then you get tables scraps. Glazer’s are making money wether we are 5-11 or 11-5 the Glazer’s kids aren’t interested in championships they just want to keep making money. They I guess are satisfied with mediocrity I know that sounds crazy but what else can it be? This idea of not signing big name guys and building through the draft is basically saying we are in rebuild mode and it is gonna take a couple of years to see what we have. The failure in this organization starts at the top.
March 14th, 2018 at 8:52 am
They are keeping assets so they can trade up for Barkley (please)
March 14th, 2018 at 8:53 am
@the truth… Duke is staying with the Browns, Crowell signed elsewhere
March 14th, 2018 at 8:56 am
what the heck is licht doing the jags sign dj hayden to be a backup, hayden would start down here
March 14th, 2018 at 8:59 am
My biggest issue is that by not making ANY moves in free agency yet the Bucs are limiting their options to 2nd tier free agents, draft pics & training camp additions to upgrade the talent which is a very narrow minded philosophy. I’m hoping they at least make a few defensive signings today & the next few days. Can’t get better if you don’t take chances. Signing one offensive lineman, 2 defensive linemen & 1 secondary player will be acceptable for now. For now, seems like everyone is trying to get better but us!!
March 14th, 2018 at 8:59 am
Is the plan to trade Jackson, McCoy, David and a few others for multiple draft pics?
And then have 20 picks in the draft?
And then coach’em up?
March 14th, 2018 at 9:00 am
Man Jameis just blew again, why couldn’t he convince all of these guys to come play for the worst run franchise in the NFL for less money. Dude we got to get rid of this Winston guy right now if we ever want to get better.
March 14th, 2018 at 9:01 am
I would have been interested in Mackinnon, but not Hyde or Lewis. If Lewis was all that and bag of chips, why did Bill let him walk? Always hurt. Hyde is a decent back but he has a lot of miles on him from SF. No thanks. Draft a guy. There are always plenty in the draft even in round 3. This is a sorry FA class. I’d rather give Suh the money we would have had to pony up for Trumaine Johnson, Butler, or Sherman. Overpaying for mediocre players is a recipe for disaster as our recent history indicates. The Bucs have been “players” the last couple of years in FA. I don’t see a title, do you? To me FA is for teams that need like one spot covered. We need like 4. FA is for depth guys or it should be. The top teams are rarely “players”. there’s a reason for that. Take a breath everyone.
March 14th, 2018 at 9:01 am
It’s always smarter to draft a running back then sign one with tread on the tires. Relax Joe, DILLY DILLY again I see. If we sign Poe or Suh and hopefully a defensive end somewhere, things will fall into to place during the draft if Licht has a 2017 or 2015 performance.
March 14th, 2018 at 9:02 am
The Glazers want another football team in the UK. They just might get it with this approach.
March 14th, 2018 at 9:03 am
Nah Adrian Peterson is available! One of the best all time! That must be it. There’s a splash. I mean should be sunny side acres signing Ap to a contract with the bonus being an extra nap during the day. But at this point that’s the kind of move it seems Licht will make.
March 14th, 2018 at 9:05 am
LOOK , IT’S THE SAME OLD CRAP YEAR AFTER YEAR , IT’S LIKE WAKING UP ON CHRITMAS MORING ALL READY KNOWING WHAT YOU GOT , A SACK OF SH@T… THE PEOPLE THAT OWN’S THE BUC’S WILL NOT CHANGE , THAT’S A PROVEN FACT , SO DON’T EXPECT ANYTHING DIFFERENT THIS GO ROUND , IT’S THE SAME OLD SAME OLD , YEAR AFTER YEAR …….BACK IN THE CELLAR 2018 !!!
March 14th, 2018 at 9:06 am
Booohoooo the bucs didnt sign jerick mckinnon for 7.5 mil a year. Do you cry babies believe mckinnon who avg 3.8 yards a carry and 520 yards last year is worth 7.5 mil a year?
March 14th, 2018 at 9:06 am
On the bright side that stupid “Browns will take Barkley #1 overall” narrative can be put to bed lol.
Gotta think the Bucs look at a RB early in the draft. Hopefully not 1st round early tho.
March 14th, 2018 at 9:07 am
You idiots really want to pay mckinnon as a top 5 running back?
March 14th, 2018 at 9:07 am
F Jason Licht man.
March 14th, 2018 at 9:07 am
No one want to come here, the Gm sucks the owners don’t care the coach should’ve been fired it’s just a joke being a fan for so long it’s very disappointing to go through the same stuff year in and out.
March 14th, 2018 at 9:08 am
Doug Martin is still available for Licht to sign. He should be fairly inexpensive.
March 14th, 2018 at 9:08 am
webster
Are you low standard losers ready for 2018 4-12 and keeping the basement streak alive
March 14th, 2018 at 9:09 am
Carlos Hyde is not a #1. He’s another stop gap player. This tells me the Bucs are drafting RB in the 2nd or very least the 3rd. There are always quality RBs in rounds 1-3.
March 14th, 2018 at 9:10 am
WebsterSays in dead on. Same guys crying we didn’t sign over priced players will cry next season about how we keep signing over priced players DILLY DILLY
March 14th, 2018 at 9:13 am
Webster I think you miss the point sir. We have NO running back, we have NO left guard, we have NO nose tackle, we have NO strong safety, we have NO kicker, we have NO right guard that isn’t injured. And with slightly below average starters at those spots last year we went 5-11 so when you don’t have anything currently at those positions how do you even expect to win the games we won last year? Its not about McKinnon it is about having gaping holes everywhere and don’t nothing about it.
March 14th, 2018 at 9:14 am
Sequon here we come…….
March 14th, 2018 at 9:25 am
Buccs are drafting a running back. Barkley being there at seven is about a 0.00000001 percent chance. Barkley likely doesnt make it past the Giants if the Browns dont take him first. Quenton Nelson might not be there at seven either; likely a top fiver. Jets look like they wont be drafting a wb either…
March 14th, 2018 at 9:34 am
Wow. Give it a chance. Sure the big name running backs and wideouts, quarterbacks are flying off the shelves. The Bucs have a several contracts to pay next year. Why go broke in free agency this year when there are question marks about most of these guys as free agents. Because of this flurry of activity several of these players (Mckinnnon) are overpriced. There are some very good d lineman, o lineman, d ends still out there that we can and should get for a decent price. I am not saying they won’t still screw this up but give them a chance to sign some players before the draft. If they hit on a good o lineman and d lineman or corner, then you will see them go after a running back by probably the second round. If that is the case there will still be some good running backs left to draft. I get the panic when all these other teams are making these splash moves and we look like we are sitting on our thumbs. Let’s take a couple steps back off the end of the plank and see how things shake out. I will bet by the time the draft rolls around a lot of you make back away from the nuclear button.
March 14th, 2018 at 9:39 am
TAMPABAYBUCFAN
I agree!!!!!!….I mentioned this yesterday!!!!!!
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813bucboi Says:
March 13th, 2018 at 1:08 pm
@REALIST & @RICKINFTMYERS
that’s BS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!…..lol……
if the glazers guaranteed their jobs for an “x” amount of years they would’ve came out and said it…..one reason why we cant get FA’s is because players know this staff is on the hot seat and will be unlikely to return if we don’t make the playoffs!!!!!!!!!!
glazers have given out all their passes!!!!!!!!!
word on the street is that they are looking to get a younger and more innovative coach in here next year!!!!!!!(MARQUAND MANUEL)…..that’s why they aren’t letting licht spend crazy and that’s why they have put a cap on everything!!!!!!…..word on the street is that the glazers only allowed licht to resign our own players so the next regime can have depth to work with!!!!!!!!!
makes sense to me!!!!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
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I think that’s exactly what the glazers are doing…..resigning our own players and not spending big this year in FA so the new regime can have depth, cap space and high draft picks……
no urgency!!!!!…….no excuses!!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
March 14th, 2018 at 9:44 am
I’m really hoping this is a “Last Jedi” situation where Licht is just not telling us what’s going on in some lame attempt to be a leader.
March 14th, 2018 at 9:48 am
If they want to tank it, and i’m all in favor of it, they MUST trade GMC, LVD and all the other old career losers we can get something for. otherwise this will be yet another missfire
March 14th, 2018 at 9:51 am
Regarding team glazer: They are not in it for the sport. They care but not as much as they care about it buisness-wise.
How do I know?
They bought man u (and made it worse). Do they love soccer? do they care about soccer?
March 14th, 2018 at 9:53 am
tnew says:
“This feels like going all in with a 4,7 off suit pre flop to me. Yeh, there is a chance, sort of.”
4,7 off has at least a 40% chance of winning vs any other random holding. Going all in with it has a very good chance of taking the pot right then and there if your read is good and you have fostered the proper table image.
If someone calls your pre-flop all in bet with those hold cards though – Ruh Roh. Then you are likely WAY behind…
March 14th, 2018 at 10:01 am
Totally tanking this year. Glazers don’t have any faith in the FA that Licht and Koetter would pick up and they don’t have faith in those two guys in general. Just waiting for next year for more cap space and what the new GM and HC want. Nice thing is that hopefully Licht can knock one more draft outta the park for us this year.
March 14th, 2018 at 10:04 am
We are drafting a RB in the 2nd or 3rd rd. A # of good ones to choose from this year. With fresh legs and a much lower salary for 4 years than any decent free agent – that’s the way to go IMO.
I would much rather have Sony, Guice, Nick Chubb or Penny than any available FA.
Barber and Quizz are already signed. Sims will likely be re-signed as well if he doesn’t ask for too much $.
Those 3 plus a good rookie prospect is your 2018 RB stable folks.
March 14th, 2018 at 10:31 am
@ ndog
You miss the point. Just because you need a running back, it does not mean you overspend. When i need a car, i would not pay a benz s500 price if im only getting a honda civic. Thats what you guys are wanting. Smart teams dont do that.
March 14th, 2018 at 10:32 am
@ pick
Say it again.
March 14th, 2018 at 10:33 am
I agree with Tampabaybucfan – doesn’t make sense to spend big $$$ on FA when your coaches have a 1yr contract. Because the next staff may not like those players.
I don’t believe the Bucs are tanking but they are not trying to improve either, but the owners have a big decision to make next year with JW and it looks like they want to let the next regime make that decision. Do they want to pick up JW 5th yr option / extend him…or move on and find another QB.
I can’t completely blame the Glaciers – they’ve thrown big money at FA in the past and have been burned.
My thinking is that the Glaciers got played by Gruden and didn’t have a plan B. I look for the Bucs to clean house with the coaching staff next year, but retain Licht. They will get him help in the player personnel department – we have some blind spots that Licht needs help with from a evaluation standpoint.
Go Bucs!
March 14th, 2018 at 10:55 am
@Pit…
Now you’re getting it! So few are indeed seeing the forest through the trees.
🙂
Go Bucs! Go Barkley! Go Bold! Go Primetime!
March 14th, 2018 at 10:56 am
@DoSomething also…
Missed it, my bad.
Go Bucs! Go Barkley! Go Bold! Go Primetime!
March 14th, 2018 at 12:19 pm
Guess we are in tank mode for Ed Oliver, top Dt from next draf. I guess JW is getting suspended or something and theyve all checked out…lol, bucs life, love to hate it.
March 14th, 2018 at 3:08 pm
laugh at the Cleveland Brown all you like Buc Fans. It is very possibel WE..might take their place! Give’em credit. They are making some nice power moves and trying to improve their team. They at leasr are..Swinging the Bat. Our Bucs are just watching the strikes go by…Go down swingin CleveLand!!
March 14th, 2018 at 4:13 pm
I’m surprised Hyde signed with the Browns and that the Browns even wanted him … maybe they really won’t draft Saquon … wild.
As for the Bucs … I don’t mind not signing a RB as it probably just means we’ll draft one … I wanted Hyde but it is what it is.