“Interest”
May 29th, 2020
Update.
There may not be a contract sitting on a table waiting for him to sign, but it seems free agent running back Devonta Freeman hasn’t closed the door on the Bucs yet.
Eagles beat guy Jeff McLane yesterday twittered the Bucs made a contract offer to Freeman, who was weighing whether to potentially catch passes from six-time Super Bowl-winning, park-violating, home-invading Bucs quarterback Tom Brady.
Later in the day, McLane clarified that a contract offer was not made to Freeman, but there was still “interest.”
So the deal isn’t toast.
Now Freeman may not have much gas left in the tank — after all, the Dixie Chicks decided to go with a running back who basically has one knee over Freeman. Of course, economics was also a factor in Atlanta releasing him.
Joe wouldn’t expect Freeman to be a go-to guy. Not at all. But be part of a package. Ronald Jones, likely by default, would be your No. 1 back and Ke’Shawn Vaughn would be the No. 2 guy with the potential of taking over the top gig in the backfield if he produces.
Freeman would be sort of a guy who could come off the bench, maybe get eight or so carries and three targets or so in the passing game. And of course, if someone goes down, Freeman has the experience (and maybe enough fuel?) to step in.
The key with Freeman might be whether h can he play special teams. Joe learned years ago that if you are going to be a backup, you better be able to play special teams or you are automatically on the bubble.
Per Football-Reference.com, Freeman has played no special teams since his 2014 rookie season. Dare Ogunbowale was special teams captain last year.
Correction on this: I shouldn’t have said the Bucs had made an offer. I understand there is some interest, among other teams. The rest stands. I’ll do better. https://t.co/dhbt327xk7
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) May 28, 2020
May 29th, 2020 at 12:18 am
What? Joe has never seen a washed up RB he didn’t like. Clearly the guy hasn’t got it anymore.
I’d rather keep Ogunbowale
May 29th, 2020 at 1:19 am
Jean – fact. All this energy about signing a worn out third stringer. Yawn….
In BA I Trust!
May 29th, 2020 at 3:08 am
Toast and he would want more than the vet minimum which is the only price I would pay him. And even then –nah. Rojo showed some things and with another year I think he’ll surprise you. Last year he had several big runs called back due to stupid penalties immaterial to the play.
Nooooo to Devonta Fleaman
May 29th, 2020 at 5:03 am
RB’s aren’t like wine, they don’t get better with age. We used two picks in the draft on RB’s, one a 3rd rounder. I’m really looking forward to see what the Calais kid can do. He can catch, has speed, and can return kicks. There’s always a good chance any rookie back can come in and be a factor right away. I like the young stable of backs we have right now. I wouldn’t add any vets until, or unless there’s an injury.
May 29th, 2020 at 6:02 am
Options are always good especially with Brady coming into a new system as he will be the one through trial and trust who will determine our best line of attack. As long as Freeman is at a reasonable cost for the option this is definitely a area at Rb that we have not secured or set. I am still hoping that they consider using Vita as a lead fullback on short yardage to give us a good chance to extend drives and keep the defense off the field.
May 29th, 2020 at 6:05 am
I’d feel better about giving our young guys a chance before signing a guy like Freeman.
May 29th, 2020 at 6:55 am
I’d take Jay Ajayi over Freeman all day, personally.
May 29th, 2020 at 7:03 am
Don’t mind if we pick him up – just injury insurance and a vet presence for a very young RB room
May 29th, 2020 at 8:12 am
No, no, no! I liked Freeman a couple years ago, but he isn’t close to being same player he was.
May 29th, 2020 at 8:44 am
Meh…unless you are into collecting brittle former FSU RB’s I’d say pass on him. I’d rather see the Bucs see what they have on the roster already. If they need a 3rd down RB maybe kick the tires on Theo Riddick (assuming the shoulder is all good), or if they feel they need a vet 3 down depth signing kick Lamar Miller’s tires (if the knee is healed). I was originally higher on Miller but now think Riddick, if healthy, might be a better option at filling a true pass catching specialist role.
May 29th, 2020 at 8:54 am
We don’t need no stinkin’ ex Dixie Chicks!
May 29th, 2020 at 9:09 am
Don’t waste the money you don’t have on Freeman.
May 29th, 2020 at 9:48 am
I find it hard to believe that RBs like McCoy and Freeman aren’t chomping to play with Brady and this offense, especially with our question marks at RB, so I’m doubting there really is “interest” from the Bucs on Freeman. It’s not like old RB contract offers would be very different between teams.
May 29th, 2020 at 10:59 am
Vet minimum which he probably won’t accept at this point. Otherwise the Bucs need to pass….
May 29th, 2020 at 11:50 am
If he wants to play for 2-4 million a year I couldn’t sign him fast enough. He’s better than anyone else that we have until Rojo or Vaughn prove otherwise. Wishing and hoping that Rojo will become good or that Vaughn is a third round steal is too risky when making a Superbowl run.
May 29th, 2020 at 1:45 pm
pass
May 30th, 2020 at 9:13 am
Let’s pay a guy to sit on IR and use up cap space. ROJO had same numbers as this guy past 2 years.
We don’t need injured players get over this JOE.
May 30th, 2020 at 9:41 am
Pass. He’s injury prone and his skills have diminished.
If anything, I’d take a flyer on Adrian Peterson. He will get released before the season starts. He brings veteran leadership and has a shot at getting decent playing time here. Win-Win. Rojo would benefit with AP in the room.
LeSean McCoy is washed up too. The only productive older RBs have been Peterson and Gore.
May 30th, 2020 at 5:39 pm
Why?
Rojo was more productive last year than him