Trade Idea
October 30th, 2020
Preparing for disaster.
The NFL trade deadline is just around the corner, Tuesday afternoon to be exact.
Now is the time a lot of teams make one last push to add talent while aiming for the playoffs and more.
The Bucs have been busy already. Would Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht have one last trick up his sleeve?
The Bucs, per Spotrac.com, a reliable site that monitors salaries, have just a little south of $5 million left in cap space.
Ideally, a team wants to keep a couple of million in spare change lying around to sign dudes off the street if someone gets hurt.
Personally, Joe would love to see if Licht could somehow find a pass rusher. Despite the Bucs being second in the NFL (25) in sacks, NFL sack king Shaq Barrett has been rather quiet. He has three sacks through seven games. At that pace, he may finish with 60 percent less sacks than he had last year (19.5).
So basically, the sacks workhorse has been Jason Pierre-Paul. Old man JPP (31) has 5.5 sacks. Joe would love someone to give JPP a break. But Patrik Walker of CBS Sports is of a different mind and he’s really thinking outside the box.
Walker believes the Bucs should trade for depth, specifically at offensive tackle. And Walker thinks the Bucs should sort of look to the future, as in 2021, and trade for Minnesota tackle Riley Reiff.
The Iowa grad, Walker thinks, is just as good as Bucs left tackle Donovan Smith. Walker figures if Smith — who Walker is not fond of — and/or Tristan Wirfs goes down, the Bucs and park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting Bucs quarterback Tom Brady are in a world of hurt.
The logic is not only would Reiff be an expensive backup this year — Smith basically is in a contract year at $14 million with no more guaranteed money — he would be a cheaper option next year provided the Bucs wanted to move on with Smith.
Given how the salary cap is expected to plummet in the offseason, the Bucs will face difficult decisions come March.
Reiff apparently is looking to get out of Minnesota and landing on a (gasp!) Super Bowl contender may be what the doctor ordered.
… While rookie first-round pick Tristan Wirfs continues to be worth the price of admission at right tackle, there’s something to be said for potentially upgrading Tom Brady’s blindside protection. Donovan Smith, as well-paid as he might be, has also victimized the Bucs with a rash of penalties this season. Tampa Bay has suffered at least five stalled drives in 2020 because of Smith’s penalties, and that’s more than a third of the teams in the entire league, and the most of any player in the league. That simply won’t do for a perfectionist like Brady, and one like Arians, the latter also knowing how important it is to keep his Hall of Fame quarterback upright.
This is where Reiff can be of serious use in Central Florida, and the former first-round pick is not exactly thrilled about his future with the Vikings, although he’s saying all the right things as it relates to being “happy to be here.” In the same breath, he’s taking his future “hour by hour” with the Vikings, after reworking his deal to avoid being released to make room for the addition of the now-traded Yannick Ngakoue and the extension on Dalvin Cook.
With that, Reiff went from someone expected to land a nice re-up in Minny to one who reportedly said goodbye to teammates ahead of the reworked deal. Through the first five games of the season, Reiff … allowed the third-fewest pressures in the league. Additionally, he allowed zero sacks and didn’t commit a single penalty. The Bucs would have to work out the cost issue between carrying both Reiff and Smith, but when there’s a will, there’s a way — as Tampa Bay has proved time and again at the outset of the Brady era.
Now Joe likes this idea only because it is out-of-the-box. You get excellent protection/insurance in case Smith and/or Wirfs go down and perhaps you may get a cheaper left tackle next season (and beyond) with no dropoff in talent.
Reiff has missed a total of six games since the start of the 2015 season. Smith has missed one in that same span.
Yes, Joe would prefer an outside linebacker who can get to the quarterback. But this plan hatched by Walker is very interesting.
October 30th, 2020 at 9:07 am
Shaq Barrett has NOT been quiet, cmon joe you sound like a BSPN talking head w that take. He had no less than 4 impactful pressures on Carr last week, that changed throws. He is getting double teamed, and still winning!
Maybe the sacks category is low this year for him, but offenses rolling their protection to neutralize Shaq has opened it up for the “2 freaks,” JPP and the rest of the gang to shine.
October 30th, 2020 at 9:09 am
Any scenario that gets serial loafer DS out of Tampa sounds like a winning idea to me.
October 30th, 2020 at 9:23 am
Stupid idea
October 30th, 2020 at 9:37 am
SHAQ has been disruptive….
i agree with joe….
i lean towards getting a pass rusher…..nelson has flashed but carlos dunlap wouldve been perfect…
GO BUCS!!!!
October 30th, 2020 at 9:37 am
If Brady is playing next year I doubt Smith will be back. Gota figure something out before then.
October 30th, 2020 at 9:37 am
Todd Bowles said yesterday that QB’s are getting the ball out much faster compared to last year and that is what has impacted Shaq’s sack numbers. He still is in the top three in the league for pressures and is disruptive every game.
October 30th, 2020 at 9:41 am
One of Dirk Koetter’s axioms that I DID agree with…”you can never have too many good players.” So I’m open to this idea as I am with the addition of AB.
October 30th, 2020 at 9:45 am
Stay put….we will need our draft picks
October 30th, 2020 at 9:46 am
5 drive-stalling penalties for D Smith already this season.
Bottom line, D Smith has to eliminate those immediately or he will be gone ASAP.
Brady will not tolerate a Lack of Success that is attributed to one specific guy guy for repeatedly failing to execute the functions of his job title proficiently.
Tbh, Proficiency should be the Hallmark of any Professional, and Brady knows this more than anyone.
D Smith will be gone with a quickness unless he continues to play at a higher level like he has the past couple games…
October 30th, 2020 at 9:48 am
The Bucs have given up the least amount of pressure of any OLine in the league this year , and there are people (Joe) talking about trading the starting LT ? Are you freaking kidding me ? The hate for smith is only derived from Jameis fans .
October 30th, 2020 at 9:48 am
“Donovan Smith, as well-paid as he might be, has also victimized the Bucs with a rash of penalties this season. Tampa Bay has suffered at least five stalled drives in 2020 because of Smith’s penalties, and that’s more than a third of the teams in the entire league, and the most of any player in the league. That simply won’t do for a perfectionist like Brady, and one like Arians, the latter also knowing how important it is to keep his Hall of Fame quarterback upright”
I would be KICKING the TIRES on this deal. I do not care how good the defense is. If Tom is gone, and Gabbert is in there, Season over!! Then nothing else matters. Again D Smith as stated in the paragraph above can be a nasty liability as anyone here has observed over the years of sometimes matador blocking. This is a very tempting deal. Tom upright = Super Bowl aspirations. Gabbert = season over!! GO BUCS!!!!! KEEP TOM ALIVE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVE!!!! OF COURSE ARRIVE ALIVE!!!!!
October 30th, 2020 at 9:48 am
OK, so are we really going to say that we are in better position at LT than we are at pass-rusher?
If we have a “glaring” weakness on this team, it is the consistency of LT. I don’t know how you can argue otherwise.
And Leighroy is 100% correct. Shaq doesn’t have the numbers but he is getting pressure consistently.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:00 am
bring the guy in if a deal can be made…
drop a josh wells or someone else too…
this will make brady feel good about year 2 here…
and could lead to a year 3…
that arm seems to have a lot left in the tank…
#ProtectBradyAtAllCosts
October 30th, 2020 at 10:01 am
must look into a pass rusher and potentially another corner as well
October 30th, 2020 at 10:03 am
clay matthews might play for free i hear…
haha…
#FabiosBrotherWantsAnotherRing
October 30th, 2020 at 10:06 am
Football outsiders has us as the number Pass protecting unit in the league , and you guys are talking about trading our iron man starting LT who when compared to other top LT in the league , really doesn’t give up a lot of sacks . When it comes to consistency , you guys need to look at the bigger picture. The guy doesn’t miss games and doesn’t give up a lot of sacks . What more could you ask for ?
October 30th, 2020 at 10:06 am
Joe Haeg is the back-up, and from what I remember, he did a good job of it when he had to go in for Smith earlier in the season. That being said, and considering how well Reiff has played this year, I would TRADE Smith (maybe with a draft pick to sweeten the deal) for Reiff. Then Draft another 1st round tackle this spring as his future (or immediate if he’s good enough) replacement.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:07 am
If the starting LT sucked , we wouldn’t have the best pass pro in the league .
October 30th, 2020 at 10:08 am
Right on Adam #ProtectBradyAtAllCosts nuff said, Gabbert = No Super Bowl, pretty simple to me.
KEEP TOM ALIVE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVE!!!! GO BUCS!!!!
October 30th, 2020 at 10:27 am
I am not a big fan of Donovan Smith, but I think this is a stupid idea…..OL is playing VERY well, Smith started very badly and now he is playing way much better……
just stupid
October 30th, 2020 at 10:41 am
Stupid is stupid trade talks are from stupid people. Getting a backup tackle does not involve giving up major capital. I.e. . a 1st rounder for a former 1st rounder in Reiff. . Besides logic would suggest B.A. already has a backup to Smith on the squad. So if one gets another lt… he is the backup to the backup. That being the case, you part with no more than a 4th rounder. The back up to the backup will be paid the league minimum. With whats left of the cap space BA can also pick up a pass rusher also. Stop wasting capital on unnecessary #1 picks. Didn’t Winston learn you anything? Apparently old fat dogs not only lose their chops but their ability to process the obvious.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:45 am
His sacks may be down but Shaq is 5th on the team with 30 tackles behind White 61, David 55, Winfield Jr. 37, Dean 32. He really controls his edge by not letting runners break contain. That is HUGE in Defending the run. If you notice, not many runners turn the corner on us.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:48 am
I like the idea. It sets us up next year and keeps Wirfs in his comfort zone on the right side.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:54 am
National pundits had a field day when Brady blasted the OLine during the Chicago game. But that has been the turning point of the season. In the two games since that reaming the OLine has given up zero sacks and has had maybe one penalty. It’s amazing what some accountability can do.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:55 am
Saying that the hate smith receives is from jameis supporters has to be the dumbest comment ever. There are maybe 5 jameis supporters on this site and 10 times as many smith haters on this site. I mean on this thread alone it is about 12 comments from people saying they would be cool with trading smith. But as usual, winston lives rent free in many peoples head so we must find a way to bash him whenever possible. Americas qb indeed. Great job in giving the nickname joe.
October 30th, 2020 at 11:12 am
Dang, I am shocked no one mentioned the trade of Yannick Ngakoue to the Ravens for a 3rd round pick in 2021 and a conditional 5th in 2022. Ngakoue would be a great backup to JPP and Shaq.
When we get to playoffs, its going to be all about putting pressure on the other teams QB. Does anyone remember how the Giants took away the Pats (almost) perfect season?
October 30th, 2020 at 11:14 am
Not gonna happen.
October 30th, 2020 at 11:15 am
this is a poo poo article
October 30th, 2020 at 11:15 am
Dontari Poe? maybe he has been brought up already….def not a DS fan but need to ride the ugly mule that brings you to the dance
October 30th, 2020 at 11:22 am
I can’t believe that anyone would take lazy ass over Reiff’s.
October 30th, 2020 at 11:27 am
For the life of me, I do not know why Barrett and JPP chose to switch sides this year. They both had great season’s last year, why mess with that. I know it was Shaq’s idea, but the coaching staff should have made an executive decision on that one.
I don’t know how much bringing in another pass rusher would really change our effectiveness, other than depth and insurance.
October 30th, 2020 at 11:46 am
This is the plan of someone with zero daily contact with the team. Reiff is not a depth piece and Donovan is better.
October 30th, 2020 at 11:53 am
SmoothBayRider Says:
October 30th, 2020 at 9:48 am
The Bucs have given up the least amount of pressure of any OLine in the league this year , and there are people (Joe) talking about trading the starting LT ? Are you freaking kidding me ? The hate for smith is only derived from Jameis fans
Actually the article wasn’t about trading a LT, it was about getting a back up LT for this year that gives us flexibility if we get hurt or want to move from DS next year. Quality LT are rare and expensive, to me second most important position on offense, if you can’t protect your QB then doesn’t matter how good he is on his back, or hurt from being blasted.
October 30th, 2020 at 11:54 am
Everyone wants depth. Isn’t the question, what would we trade for him?
A current player? 3rd Round Pick?
We all want an extra Jag in the garage, but how much does it cost??
October 30th, 2020 at 12:19 pm
Bucsfan 77 You bring sanity to this conversation…… Quality LT are rare and expensive, to me second most important position on offense, if you can’t protect your QB then doesn’t matter how good he is on his back, or hurt from being blasted.
Well said!
GO BUCS!!!!
October 30th, 2020 at 12:39 pm
Im in the passrusher crowd.
Thats the missing peace in mine opinion. And not just for depth a legitimate guy who can provide some pop playing in rotation. Furthermore if you can get somebody who can give quality snaps it makes our other passrushers better as it keeps them fresher.
GOOO BUCS!!!!
October 30th, 2020 at 1:13 pm
What’s Licht got up his sleeve more like what Brady’s got up his sleeve.
October 30th, 2020 at 1:49 pm
The the man who said Dunlap would’ve been perfect: he’s past his prime and doesn’t fit the defense.
October 30th, 2020 at 2:22 pm
“Joe would prefer an outside linebacker who can get to the quarterback…”
I think sacks can be highly over-rated sometimes. The truth is the defense is doing a great job as is, even without the marquee numbers.
The Bucs had the sack leader last year, but so what? They had only the 15th best defense and went 7-9.
October 30th, 2020 at 2:38 pm
@Joe … “Personally, Joe would love to see if Licht could somehow find a pass rusher.” YES YES YES YES YES.
Trading Donovan however is a dumb idea. It’s taken us YEARS to develop an OLine with some chemistry, and now folks want to throw that way to save a few shekels? This line is now performing at a high level & it’d be dumb to mess with that. Donovan’s play is improving, and his availability is second to none. We’ve got Joe Haeg for backup across the OLine, plus several others for specific positions. Don’t mess with what’s working. Next year is tomorrow’s problem, not today’s.
October 30th, 2020 at 3:01 pm
If anything the Bucs need a veteran CB. Smith is playing well enough with help on that side.
October 30th, 2020 at 3:34 pm
I don’t think the salary cap is going to be as big a deal as JoeBucsFan thinks it will be for the Bucs. If the Bucs want to ride this train for another three years, then they will do something that they do not normally do….Give large signing bonuses.
Large signing bonus will spread the cap hit out over a longer period of time:
If you sign Godwin for 5 years for $75MM at $15MM per year that is a cap hit of $15MM each year.
or you can sign him for 5 years at $75MM with a $50MM signing Bonus
with a year one contract of $1MM (cap hit $11MM)
year two at $1MM (cap hit $11MM)
year three at $1MM(Cap hit $11MM)
year four at $10MM(Cap hit $20MM)
year five five at at $13MM(Cap hit $23MM)
October 30th, 2020 at 4:39 pm
Less chance to sign Godwin or LaVonte David next year if you trade for Reiff.
Donovan Smith has 0 dead cap money in 2021. Riley Reiff has 13.2 million dead cap money.
I think he is a reasonable thought for this year being a good back up.
He will be horrible for next year and the Bucs cap managment.
October 30th, 2020 at 4:40 pm
The guy says he’s “not fond of Smith”, yet if Smith gets injured, the Bucs are in a world of hurt? Seems to be a contradiction. Either Smith is okay, or the drop off to Josh Wells wouldn’t be that far.
October 30th, 2020 at 5:15 pm
You guys crying for a pass rusher should be more worried about CB depth. We don’t have anyone that can play anywhere near the level of Dean and Davis where the entire front 7 has contributed to the pass rush this year at a high level.
October 30th, 2020 at 5:51 pm
Remember when one of the Joe’s was begging for Devonta Freeman? He’s averaging 3.2 yards a carry, about the same as what Peyton Barber was averaging and getting ripped to shreds for it. Let’s be clear and accurate. Joe was begging for the Bucs to pursue a running back or two in free agency/ aka upgrade the position in a hurry. Freeman was out there and Joe wanted the Bucs to take a serious look, you know, work him out, see what he’s got. Thankfully, the Bucs added McCoy and Fournette.–Joe
October 30th, 2020 at 7:48 pm
Yes, that correct, Joe. I can’t talk much, I wanted the Bucs to trade for Derek Carr. Not only did the Bucs get to keep the draft pick(s) that it would’ve taken to get Carr, they signed somebody better.
October 30th, 2020 at 7:49 pm
*That’s
October 30th, 2020 at 8:11 pm
No trades. Stay pat.
October 30th, 2020 at 9:37 pm
We’re drafting a LT in the 1st or 2nd rd and releasing Donovan Smith. This is a smart financial move with an expected reduced salary cap. Also, pay Gronk less next year ($6M instead of $10M). Shaq Barrett’s lesser season and OJ’s injury are also helping financially given a reduced salary cap is coming. Bucs will re-sign Suh for the last time unless we win the SB and he retires. Bucs will also sign Lavonte and Godwin to new contracts. Godwin’s injury is also helping the Bucs financially. One of our 2 backup QBs will be gone. That’s why they have Allen. Bucs front office needs to maintain depth in the offseason.
The biggest issue is going to be at RB once again. Won’t resign McCoy. Rojo has 1 year left, but I’m not sold on him. Will you have money to pay Fournette? I would love to keep him, trade Rojo for a draft pick (3rd rd) and draft another RB to go with Vaughn. Doubt that will happen. More likely Rojo, Vaughn and draft/FA an RB. I wouldn’t mind signing Fournette to a 1 year deal and have a winner takes all in the 2022 contract with Rojo.
May start thinking about a P in FA; though his kick offs are keeping him on the team — not his punts. Could this be the first time we don’t talk about a K in the off season? Fingers crossed.
Too Early Draft in 2021 (force of habit normally at this point of the season)
Focus on both lines as they are getting older or too expensive
1st: LT
2nd: DE – JPP replacement eventually
3rd: DT – Eventual Suh replacement
4th: C/G (trade up to 3rd rd) – not sure if Jensen will be around, Cappa could be upgraded
5th: WR – Injuries show you always need more.
6th: RB – Could get one earlier or go FA
7th: S – To replace Evans and challenge Whitehead, could draft earlier
October 30th, 2020 at 9:45 pm
All in on drafting TB12 replacement in the 1st rd of 2022 using both 2022 and 2023 1st rd picks if need be. You will have a very sound team in place for the future and won’t have a young QB with no support as you usually have with early QB picks. Backup plan is Aaron Rodgers for the end of his career.
Start working the plan with longer contracts for the next 3-4 years on proven players. Guaraneed money early in year 1 or 2 only.
October 30th, 2020 at 9:54 pm
Bad joe
October 31st, 2020 at 2:09 am
I remember way back at the draft saying spend the 3rd rounder on a OT, don’t waste it on a RB like the morons on this message board were clamoring for. The reason why, I stated, is that Smith is there for 2020, but considering the Bucs cap, they will likely have to move on from him and you should be a year ahead of these things, not always thinking you’re going to start a rookie from day 1. Additionally, as I stated, someone in the 3rd round should provide you some decent depth by mid-season in case someone goes down. So basically it is this article, just back in May.
October 31st, 2020 at 4:13 pm
Would rather see some depth in our secondary. If Carlton Davis goes down, so do our hopes of a deep playoff run
October 31st, 2020 at 4:31 pm
Player 1 – If Brady goes down, the year is over.