Better Bang For The Buc(s)?
September 5th, 2020
Cost-friendly option.
So Bucs stud receiver Mike Evans restructured his contract today. That gives the Bucs a little more Team Glazer loot to play with.
Now if there is an important area where the Bucs lack just about any depth, it is outside linebacker/pass rusher. The Bucs are totally set with NFL sack king Shaq Barrett and wily veteran Jason Pierre-Paul.
If one of those two guys goes down, you are looking at unproven second-year man Anthony Nelson. Yikes.
Nothing against Nelson, but it fully appears this season is not meant for the Bucs to develop anything but heartburn if JPP or Shaq go down. Can the Bucs afford to hope — there is that filthy word again — Nelson develops? Quickly?
By the actions of the team this offseason, it seems someone at One Buc Palace, at least in the last couple of weeks, has learned how empty of a word “hope” truly is and that “production” holds far more weight and substance.
So with the Saints sniffing around Jadeveon Clowney, a guy’s name crossed Joe’s mind that could be that missing piece as a backup. And surely this is a guy you want on the field on passing situations.
That would be free agent Clay Matthews. While Clowney may make the most of the rumor mill noise, Matthews may bring a better punch.
Consider: Last year in 605 snaps for the Seahawks, Clowney had three sacks, 13 quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss and 21 solo tackles. His salary was $8 million.
Last year with the Rams in 614 snaps, Matthews had eight sacks, 11 quarterback hits, nine tackles for loss and 27 solo tackles. His salary was $4,625,000 in 2019.
Granted Matthews, 34, is seven years older than Clowney, but if you just go by numbers, he was a helluva lot better of a buy than. Joe has to confess to not factoring in any injuries Clowney may have been dealing with (or Matthews for that matter).
Earlier this year, Matt Bowen and Field Yates of BSPN discussed Matthews as depth for the Bucs.
Matt Bowen: They don’t have a desperate need here with starters Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul rushing off the edge. But Matthews could find a role as a rotational player, where Todd Bowles schemes him up to get some one-on-one rushes.
Field Yates: Their top two edge rushers are locked in, with Pierre-Paul and 2019 sack-king Barrett, but Matthews would provide some much-needed depth.
In general, Joe fully believes it would be smart to carry over this newfound cap space for next year when the Bucs really have to make some painful cuts. But the Leonard Fournette reported one-year pact suggests the Bucs really are all-in for this year.
And if that is the case, then don’t fart around. Pedal to the metal. Don’t leave a nickel laying on the sidewalk.
Let the slimy Saints have Clowney. Joe would rather the Bucs grab Matthews.
September 5th, 2020 at 1:05 pm
I think you make a good point. Another OLB for depth – if not too costly.
September 5th, 2020 at 1:10 pm
Great point Joe’s! I was hoping for Clowney’s possible impact. But Matthew’s has better numbers.. and is cheaper.. i just never heard of Matthew’s being unstoppable. If Clowney is focused and healthy. He can wreck 2-3 games by himself.
September 5th, 2020 at 1:11 pm
Rosen in, Griffin out.
September 5th, 2020 at 1:19 pm
Why haven’t they cut the other Evans to save money? You know the safety who’s made a nice living on IR the last two years. The one who still can’t suit up. The one who was nothing special before he got injured. What am I missing?
September 5th, 2020 at 1:24 pm
Can’t cut an injured player from IR…have to reach settlement.
September 5th, 2020 at 1:25 pm
Gonna have to save some cap money to replace injured , Covid players right?
September 5th, 2020 at 1:29 pm
Not sure of the intricacies of the CBA, but thinking there is a monetary penalty if he is cut before 53 is announced.
Per Spotrac, he’d be a $1,654,323 cap hit if cut. That may be enough to put him on IR tomorrow. If he is put on IR today, he’s done for the year. Cannot imagine Bucs would entertain bringing him back. This is the final year of his contract.
Do know if he is cut now while on PUP, it would have to be an injury settlement otherwise he cannot be cut.
September 5th, 2020 at 1:31 pm
No one doubts that but that is why the valuable (in some people’s eyes) practice squad was extended to 16.
September 5th, 2020 at 1:35 pm
I see they are not asking Brady to restructure his 25 mil a year.
September 5th, 2020 at 1:35 pm
Offer it all to Clowney for a one year deal.
September 5th, 2020 at 1:40 pm
Only a boneheaded idiot would want clay Matthews over Clowney. Hell I’d sign Reggie white over Mathews and for younger fans Reggie is dead. Clay is so over the hill and his career is over. Clowney wreaks havoc although he doesn’t rack up sacks on the stats sheet. While he has been injury prone paying him 10 million and getting 12 games out of him would be awesome
September 5th, 2020 at 1:43 pm
Did Clay’s results seem anything like “over the hill” in 2019? Before JPP came here, the folks who run the Bucs would have given their left testicle for a guy who had eight sacks, no matter how old he was.
Now all of a sudden eight sacks isn’t good enough for a part-time player? My how standards have changed around here.
September 5th, 2020 at 1:49 pm
Thank you Joe. Good teams have great players in their prime and good vet depth. And Im not for resigning Shaq without 13+sacks. Not saying he’s not good by far, but with a lot of double teams on JPP, Suh, Vea it gives a better opportunity to get to the QB. Resign LVD. Hes as professional as Mike Evans by taking a pay cut to make a winner. OLB/LG in first round 2021.
September 5th, 2020 at 1:51 pm
*OLB/LT first round 2021.
September 5th, 2020 at 1:59 pm
I’m not against the Bucs signing Clay Matthews, but I saw on the Pat McAfee/AJ Hawk show where the Rams were withholding $2 million from Matthews. One of the guys on the show said that it could’ve been because the Rams weren’t happy with Matthews tape at the end of the year (mailed it in?).
Do we know for sure what the Bucs have in Cam Gill, Quinton Bell, and Kahzin Daniels? Their measurables are all better than Shaq Barrett, and they’d be learning from the maestros, Shaq and JPP. Also taking into consideration that Special Teams is the Bucs possible weakest link, and whoever makes the team among them has the athletic ability to be good on ST. That said, since the Bucs are “all in” this year, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Matthews sign with Tampa Bay.
September 5th, 2020 at 2:05 pm
Clay Matthews III Highlights 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKa3P8kfYpE
Doesn’t look washed up to me
September 5th, 2020 at 2:14 pm
Any news on who all has been cut yet?
September 5th, 2020 at 2:15 pm
There are 31 other teams having to make cuts today I am sure the bucs could find a good backup olb/edge rusher if they do their homework.
September 5th, 2020 at 2:17 pm
Josh Rosen is Azz please stop asking for a below average player who is along the ranksranks of Nathan Peterman and Brady Quinn. We are looking to WIN a superbowl. So of you posters are…. nevermind
Go Bucs!!!
September 5th, 2020 at 2:18 pm
Need more depth. Like the article joe
September 5th, 2020 at 2:19 pm
Similar to Brady.
Tell me an offensive set Clay hasn’t seen?
It’s like having another Coach on-the Field/in-the Locker Room.
September 5th, 2020 at 2:20 pm
The bucs need to save all the cap space money they can otherwise they will have to say goodbye to Godwin or Shaq or maybe both. If this is all in year they need to win it all. I get excited about all the new signees then I remember this is the BUCS.
September 5th, 2020 at 2:22 pm
FactTeller
Mike Glennon is available 😂
September 5th, 2020 at 2:27 pm
Grant Wells QB Marshall today, WOW!!!!!
Against a garbage team absolutely but still basically every pass has been perfect in his first career start.
4 TDs halfway through the second quarter.
September 5th, 2020 at 2:35 pm
Cut Ryan Griffin sign Rosen to minimum.
Get Mathews on the cheap.
Grab another LT for backup.
September 5th, 2020 at 2:41 pm
I Think Allbuccedup us right. One of the (as yet unmentioned) cut edge rushers would likely be the best (and cheaper) option.
September 5th, 2020 at 2:42 pm
Don’t we have Divinity on the team? I’m not against having Clay here at all. If they don’t get him, then LVD can play outside with Divinity in the middle with his old teammate Devin White. Having quality depth don’t hurt.
September 5th, 2020 at 2:43 pm
Rosen? Lol. Not good enough for the Dolphins but you want him here? What are Saints fans doing in here commenting now??!!??!!
September 5th, 2020 at 3:24 pm
I don’t like this super team stuff because it hasn’t worked in the NFL . I think it don’t work in the NFL but Basketball it works because you have to play both sides . But for Football super teams doesn’t work . And all this is doing is setting up back more years . What’s the plan for the future that’s my question 🤔 ?????
September 5th, 2020 at 3:35 pm
Rosen is garbage, I think Matthews would be a good signing.
September 5th, 2020 at 4:05 pm
Oneilbucs: How many years has it been since the Bucs have been to the playoffs? Will you be happy if the Bucs make the playoffs THIS YEAR? If not, you’re probably not a Bucs fan. If so, then why are you complaining? I’m playing the song “Three Liitle Birds” by Bob Marley in honor of you, because you shouldn’t worry about a thing, because every little thing gonna be alright!
September 5th, 2020 at 4:17 pm
Slapping a bunch of once good players together and calling it a team never works. People are always complaining that the Bucs can’t develop their young talent. How can they if you always cut them to sign over the hill veterans. Im with Joe in Michigan on this one. Let’s see what they got in Cam Gill, Quinton Bell, and Kahzin Daniels.
September 5th, 2020 at 4:23 pm
I’m with Joe in Michigan, and Stanglassman.
Matthews is older than Brady in LB years
September 5th, 2020 at 4:27 pm
When Matthews is healthy and not overworked, he still has plenty to offer. As a situational player…would be a great pickup.
September 5th, 2020 at 5:03 pm
Stangglass that sounds like the wrong attitude to me. If they pickup a extra pass rusher it’s just a complimentary piece. The core of the team is still JPP and Shaq for our Edge Rush…….Same with Gronk. We already got a core of TEs. He can play a complimentary role. Doesn’t have to be 3 down player.
September 5th, 2020 at 5:11 pm
I think weak spot on our roster at OLB is a bigger problem then just depth and if somebody gets hurt……..Our #3 passrusher is going to play a lot of of snaps rotating with JPP/Shaq……..I would guess around 20% of the snaps(maybe more then 20% if he can make plays).
Right now I dont feel comfortable seeing Nelson out there 20%……If the Bucs can get Clay Matthew’s to take the 20% you know your gonna get solid play and probably some big plays. Then you can let Nelson get a handful of snaps and see how he’s developed.
Signing a quality Edge player would be a very solid move. The only question is if Clay would be interested in joining the Bucs.
September 5th, 2020 at 5:15 pm
This is just like the Fournette deal……If your talking for 1 year and you got enough cap space and the player is willing to sign as a Buc it’s a basic nobrainer to sign them to help ya win.
It’s not even a question of should you sign them……The question is can you get them?
September 5th, 2020 at 5:30 pm
This is THE year. And this is the final piece we really need. Clowney would be very good, but we’re all aware of his motivational issues and salary demands. Matthews would be a very smart and affordable choice to play a rotational role. Nelson is still unproven, we really need quality depth, go sign one of them!
Greeting from Rio, bucs fans worldwide (exception: the idiot known as “Realisto”).
September 5th, 2020 at 5:39 pm
Hearing a lot of talk about us going all in this yr. if you have been a buc fan like me 20yrs plus then i like going all in. It’s a way better feel then having no hope after week 3 every yr.
September 5th, 2020 at 8:21 pm
I agree! It’s all or nothing folks. Clowney is a freaking headache, wants way too much $ for what he brings to the table, and is always hurt. Clowney is a nice player, but Mathews is cheaper and is a better pass rusher.
September 5th, 2020 at 8:56 pm
Ndog there was college football on today. Damn it I thought everything was cancelled. I have been working crazy hours. Work at a skilled rehab nursing facility and we have been plagued this week. 57 out of 100 residents and 52 out of 160 employees are covid positive. So been working 16-20 hour days. Wish I would have known. Where the games good or was it typical lower level teams college football?
September 5th, 2020 at 10:15 pm
They can get by with what they have. It’s all about the d-line anyway. That’s where it all starts and ends. More troubling are injuries up there.
September 6th, 2020 at 4:20 am
RioDeJaneiro Bucs Fan Says:
“Greeting from Rio, bucs fans worldwide (exception: the idiot known as “Realisto”).”
.
.
Even the new guy is tired of El Realisto already!
Viva o Bolsonaro!
September 6th, 2020 at 6:23 pm
Why are so many people against Matthews? Did you read the article and stats? If would come in as depth for cheap, why wouldn’t upgrade depth? I’m all for mortgaging the future for another Championship. We’ve been through rebuilds. We’re used to those. Haha