“We Never Feel Like We’re Done”
April 2nd, 2018
Pacman Jones is on a long list of still-out-there cornerbacks
Six former Buccaneers cornerbacks remain on the free agent market along with other accomplished corners looking for work.
And if you’re not paying attention, the Bucs should be aching to add a veteran at the position.
Youngsters Vernon Hargreaves and Ryan Smith have issues, and No. 1 cornerback Brent Grimes will celebrate his 35th birthday soon following an 80-percent-capacity season.
The Bucs have the salary cap room and the need for a free agent. But do they have the desire? Much of that hinges on the Tampa Bay’s draft targets this month.
Here are the ex-Bucs on the street:
Darrelle Revis – Hard to believe he’s not wearing Raiders colors already.
Alterraun Verner – Miami appears to have rejected him after a season as a part-timer.
Leonard Johnson – He was solid for Buffalo last season and was recruited there by their head coach, yet he needs a job.
Sterling Moore – Limited action with the Saints last season after 12 starts there in 2016.
Robert McClain – Three interceptions with Tampa Bay last season and he’s versatile with playoff experience. The Bucs appear disinterested but the Cardinals recently had him visit.
Jude Adjei-Barimah – Coming off injury again
Joe sure would sleep better at night if McClain was on the roster.
The fancy resumes like those of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Adam Pacman Jones are out there, too.
At the NFL Owners Meetings in Orlando last week, Joe asked Bucs general manager Jason Licht whether he was finished adding free agents on defense between now and the draft.
“We never feel like we’re done,” Licht said. “There could be a few more.”
Joe would settle for one — and it’s not at linebacker, defensive line or safety, though more competition there wouldn’t hurt.
April 2nd, 2018 at 2:53 pm
Is it a strategy to see what happens in the draft or is it common for teams to still be adding free agents up until the draft?
April 2nd, 2018 at 2:57 pm
Explain to me how you’d be more comfortable bringing in below average retreads and over the hill has-beens, than you would be drafting a corner with top 10 talent? I just don’t get it man. That’s not what’s written here. –Joe
April 2nd, 2018 at 2:58 pm
I think Licht just doesn’t like what’s available and isn’t going to settle. PLUS…
it is telling to other teams just what Licht might be up to in the draft…
yet he may go the whole draft without taking one single CB.
I think he knows some of the guys still on rosters might get cut after the draft, and Licht wants to pilfer one of those guys.
April 2nd, 2018 at 3:01 pm
There will be a whole other class of freshly released CB’s that started some place in recent years….after the draft and just before training camps begin as teams release before incentive/performance bonus’s kick into their caps
April 2nd, 2018 at 3:09 pm
Regardless of who we sign, we NEED another CB to challenge Smith to start opposite of Grimes. We cannot go into the season simply gifting the a starting spot to Ryan Smith.
April 2nd, 2018 at 3:10 pm
@AlteredEgo
Right because the solution to our problems will be other teams unwanted bubble players released because teams drafted their replacement.
Got it.
April 2nd, 2018 at 3:21 pm
2nd wave of free agency will occur after the draft and post June 1
April 2nd, 2018 at 3:27 pm
I’d take DRC in a heart beat
April 2nd, 2018 at 3:27 pm
Forgive me for thinking that this article could possibly be related to this one.
https://www.joebucsfan.com/2018/04/focusing-cb-true-mistake/comments
April 2nd, 2018 at 3:31 pm
We just can’t solve all our problems in one off season
April 2nd, 2018 at 3:31 pm
At least Tampa is ONE of those FA’s preferred destinations. We have some of the finest “scrip-clubs” in the nation!!!
April 2nd, 2018 at 3:33 pm
Blake….draft picks bust at a 50% rate…there is NO SURE THING…in the draft or in FA. Licht and Koetter will have to determine where their best chances lie.
I had one MAJOR worry during the off season….would we finally fix our pass rush.
I’m not sure yet whether we’ve truly repaired it but I do believe Licht made a good start in FA. I suspect we’ll see a little more help in the draft.
CB’s look better or worse depending on the play of their DL and pass rush.
April 2nd, 2018 at 3:35 pm
I would give sterling moore and DRC a call…..sterling played well when he was with us but heard rumors he wasn’t buying in or a good teammate…..DRC same thing…..beggars cant be choosers!!!!!…..we should sign DRC and eric reid…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
April 2nd, 2018 at 3:37 pm
Be careful what you wish for, Bucs picked up TJ Ward right before training camp last year. We all know how that turned out. If Nelson is not there at pick 7 (assuming Barkley and Chubb are gone) trade down and get a CB from another team and in the draft.
April 2nd, 2018 at 3:37 pm
Destinjohnny Says:
April 2nd, 2018 at 3:31 pm
We just can’t solve all our problems in one off season
dirk and smitty have no choice!!!!!…..no playoffs…no job….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
April 2nd, 2018 at 3:37 pm
Blake_Bucsfan Says:
April 2nd, 2018 at 3:10 pm
@AlteredEgo
Right because the solution to our problems will be other teams unwanted bubble players released because teams drafted their replacement.
Got it.
beggars can’t be choosers….it is a delicate cap dance…can’t address every position of need at once….calculated risk….off course leaning on signing retreads is not a first choice…but that is where we are
April 2nd, 2018 at 3:39 pm
@Stpete
This is a well understood fact. It doesn’t mean that you don’t address your biggest needs with premium picks.
Players that have proven themselves to be below average in the NFL will continue to be below average.
Pass rush and coverage go hand in hand, the quick passing game is King in today’s NFL, you have to give your pass rush time to get there with good coverage. This is especially true in the division in which we play.
We are one injury away from having the undisputed worst secondary in the NFL. We do not have the luxury to pass up on top 10 talent at the CB position.
April 2nd, 2018 at 3:45 pm
i’d be happy to see the bucs take the bottom half of that list to camp to compete for spots if all are willing, obviously in addition to drafted talent rather than instead of it
April 2nd, 2018 at 3:54 pm
i think our Corners will look remarkably better with the improved DL that we have thats not saying we shouldnt grab 1 or 2 more Corners in Draft or FA but what we do have should look better
April 2nd, 2018 at 3:55 pm
Even if we drafted a CB round 1 we should sign a guy like McClain or Moore for added competition.
Just do it already.
In the draft I think my favorite CB is Oliver – if we go that route I hope it’s him R2.
April 2nd, 2018 at 4:07 pm
@LC
I wouldn’t mind us signing a veteran Corner, as long as they don’t use that as an excuse for not using a premium pick on a premium player.
And this is just my opinion, but I’d much rather we use the money we would have to use on a guy like McClain or Moore, towards a guy like Eric Reid. That way we address our need at Strong Safety with a bonafide starter with probowl talent, and then still feel free to draft a Corner in round 1, in an effort to shore up our entire secondary.
From my perspective, we’d be a lot better off as a team with this a line up of…
Right Corner – Grimes/ Elliot/ Fleming
Free Safety – Evans/ Conte / Johnson
Strong Safety – Reid/ Tandy
Left Corner – Ward/ Smith
Nickel – Hargreaves
Than this one:
Right Corner – Grimes/ Elliot/ Fleming
Free Safety – Evans/ Conte / Johnson
Strong Safety – James/ Tandy
Left Corner – Smith/ McClain
Nickel – Hargreaves
April 2nd, 2018 at 4:12 pm
BRING BACK HEY JUDE
April 2nd, 2018 at 4:13 pm
I also always really liked #29 Leonard Johnson. He was solid all around wherever we put him and had a role on Buffalo’s defense (which we could take more than a few pointers from)
April 2nd, 2018 at 4:14 pm
@BigBucFan11
Why so he can keep us out of the playoffs with a bone headed penalty again?
No thanks.
April 2nd, 2018 at 4:39 pm
Good lord…Pacman is a nightmare in the locker room and off the field, no way in hell.
Maybe DRC or McClain might be worth a look on a one year deal, although there were some concerning deep plays over McClain’s head late in games last year, that I recall.
Could always trade for one in the draft…
Go Bucs!
April 2nd, 2018 at 4:39 pm
Hey Jude your man is wide open again. Lol. smh.
Here’s a thought and I’m just spitballing here but WHAT IF you actually COACHED UP your players! Ijs you spent a 1st round pick on VH3 and found a udfa in Elliot who can play. COACH’em UP. Isn’t that what they get paid to do?
April 2nd, 2018 at 4:42 pm
I don’t understand why they haven’t signed Mclain yet. He was solid last year and at worst would be good depth at cb. Obviously there is a reason why he is not yet on the roster, I wish we knew why. Whomever we draft I will be happy with, Im just hoping its not Ward with our 7th pick. Imo he is not the difference maker we are looking for, however I am no expert so if we pick him I will hope he becomes the best cb in the draft. GO BUCS !
April 2nd, 2018 at 4:43 pm
@DB55….. .IM WITH YOU ON THAT BRO
April 2nd, 2018 at 4:49 pm
@DB55
Without a doubt the coaching staff should absolutely be responsible for coaching up the players far better than they have.
I’ve made it abundantly clear that I have very little confidence in the current coaching staff. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t draft talented players at positions of severe need.
April 2nd, 2018 at 4:54 pm
DRC is the right choice. He is from Florida and likely would enjoy returning. He was All Pro in 2016 and has sub 4.3 speed and great hands. DRC has been to two Super Bowls. His drop off last year was because Giants moved him to Safety, but he is a straight up cover corner. He is only 31 and is likely got 3 strong ones left. C’mon Licht, see the light and get DRC in here.
April 2nd, 2018 at 4:55 pm
I am really feeling Denzel Ward or Minkah at 7 will be our choice.
April 2nd, 2018 at 4:58 pm
I have been thinking of picking up a corner as part of a trade down scenario…
April 2nd, 2018 at 5:03 pm
Imo Elliot and vh3 are better than any of the FAs we’ve brought in, McClain is hot garbage and Ryan Smith although not a FA well as they say in the south bless his heart.
Elliot, Grimes and vh3 at nickel but then again wtf do I know?!
April 2nd, 2018 at 5:04 pm
Ryan Smith will win his spot on the starting roster …you heard it here BIG HOG!! With no help from this weak coaching staff ie:JOE!!!
April 2nd, 2018 at 5:05 pm
Patience…..Patience…..there will be plenty of players to choose from…..if we have the worst CBs in the league….what do we have to lose?….just wait, select a couple of cheap ones and voila!!! We have CBs….
April 2nd, 2018 at 5:08 pm
@DB55
I haven’t seen anything from Javien Elliot to suggest he’s even remotely capable of being a competent NFL starter.
If you’re a small corner, you have to be an incredible athlete to make up for it. Being 5’10 180 LBS. with 4.63 speed is not going to cut it. He was undrafted for a reason.
April 2nd, 2018 at 5:10 pm
Maaaaaan off topic here but I was watching a show on nfln featuring Sapp and Brooks and let me tell you if you don’t already know but Mr. Derrick Brooks talked MAD CHIT on the field. He literally wanted to hurt you (like take you out on a stretcher hurt you) on every single play.
Yes mr. gawd fearing, soft spoken, ultimate professional and all around good guy was a fckn monster when he laced up them cleats. Boy ohh boy. He was a good one, reminds me of my favorite player, Mr.#54
April 2nd, 2018 at 5:11 pm
Keep in mind, that 4.63 was a hand time from his pro day. So in reality he’s probably closer to 4.67/4.7.
April 2nd, 2018 at 5:12 pm
Hargreaves is overmatched if you have ZERO QB pressure. Its not rocket science….Grimes did fine….Hargreaves struggled. Grimes is a better athlete then Hargreaves. Get some QB pressure, Hargreaves will bend but not break but he’s no shut down CB. At best he’s a solid #2 in the right system.
IMO…Hargreaves had his bubble burst in training camp last year. He covered D. Jackson all of training camp and got burned nearly every practice. I think Jackson flat out broke his confidence. From that camp on is when he started playing further and further off the line.
April 2nd, 2018 at 5:19 pm
We are done with this phase of free agency. Those quality CB still out there want to get PAID and will not likely settle for a team friendly deal just so we could have a complete roster. It doesn’t make sense for either side because neither side knows how much they need the other until after the draft.
Think about it from the free agents point of view. If you still think of yourself as a starter why take spot on a roster that could find your much cheaper replacement in a few weeks. Plus, if the free agents wait they will have the maximum leverage over teams that failed to fill a hole at their position in the draft. If the free agent signs now they could be taking real money out of their own pockets. Same goes for Licht. If he signs someone for big money now and he gets lucky with a steal at that position in the draft he will have overspent were he didn’t need to and likely will have to cut corners (pardon the pun) elsewhere.
April 2nd, 2018 at 5:53 pm
Lol @Joe about Revis and Oakland.
I would frankly rather have a veteran opposite grimes then a rookie, some of the better defensive snaps we had last year were with McClain on the outside w/ Grimes. We need some more veteran presence in the secondary, go get us an Evan smith on the defense, maybe not the best as a starter but is adequate enough. We will see how year 2 of the new phase in the Ryan Smith expirements works out but boy it was ugly at times last year
April 2nd, 2018 at 5:55 pm
And for all the veron haters out there tell me who you would prefer, Hargreaves first year outside or Ryan Smiths first year outside
April 2nd, 2018 at 6:09 pm
“until the 4th game of the season”
April 2nd, 2018 at 8:09 pm
The market for CBs is dry, and not just for former Bucs CBs, Joe.
April 2nd, 2018 at 8:16 pm
Unless we cut some salary, our free agency is over for the year. MAYBE we use what’s left to extend Kwon…maybe. But of the $15m the Bucs have left, $7m-$12m will be used to sign draft picks (depending on whether we trade up, down or stay at 7).
If we get Nelson, Sweezy is toast…and that will free up a few mil. A DE in the draft would mean we could cut Goulston.
April 2nd, 2018 at 8:34 pm
Problem is Bonzai IMO that we are going DB with the first pick. Unless we trade back and go with Davenport or Bryan I can’t see another option I think the Colts are taking Nelson. Personally I can’t claim to know which is better, Fitz or Ward, but I think that is where we are headed. Which means…….Where are we going to get a DE since we should go RB in the 2nd and don’t have a third?
April 2nd, 2018 at 8:54 pm
NEWS FLASH: none of those guys is going to get a sniff until after the draft and rookie mini-camp.
Why clutter your roster and uproot people’s lives for a month just so they can be released again right after the draft? Those players on that list all understand how this is going to play out, why after all these years can’t you?
April 2nd, 2018 at 9:38 pm
@gotbbucs exactly!! The only guys signing right now are nervous about there chances of staying in the league and are willing to take a team friendly deal for job security. Good players know either know how to play chicken with GMs or can afford good agents that know how the game is really played.
April 2nd, 2018 at 11:38 pm
They should have already signed a DESCENT one! This is why Licht s%cks he leaves too much chit too chance. Think last year pass rush and last year secondary.
April 2nd, 2018 at 11:41 pm
Look at VH3 drafting a CB in the first round doesn’t guarantee anything.