Chris Godwin, The Dolphins And Lottery Money
February 19th, 2021
“Hey Licht, you better read this!”
There is a chance — Joe sure as hell hopes it doesn’t happen — that one of the following two players won’t be on the Bucs roster this fall.
That would be Shaq Barrett and/or Chris Godwin. Both are young studs, and both will command major money from a team.
Of course Shaq, the Bucs’ sack king, is a pass rusher in a passing league. For those who still cling to the notion that a pass rusher is not the second-most important position, please look at recent Bucs history.
The Bucs were NFL sewage for the better part of the Lost Decade. During that time frame, the team had virtually no pass rush outside of fan favorite defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.
When the Bucs finally found a rush (Shaq and Jason Pierre-Paul) did the team finally turned things around and became Super Bowl champs. Coincidence? Hell no!
And in a passing league, an offense is neutered if a quarterback doesn’t have decent weapons or a target who can stretch the field.
This is why Shaq and Godwin will be so coveted if they hit the open market.
In sort of a preview of free agency (the free agency dinner bell rings on St. Patrick’s Day, less than a month away), Cameron Wolfe of BSPN believes Godwin will have a fortune flashed in his face to lure him out of Tampa Bay, specifically to the glitz of South Beach.
Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: If he’s available, he should be the Dolphins’ No.1 target, even at $20 million per year as a speedy, shifty, versatile playmaker who stresses a defense deep and can take a slant to the end zone from 80 yards out.
If Godwin signs a five-year contract at that price range, you are looking at $100 million. Who among us could pass up a pay raise from $2 million a year to $20 million?
Recently, Bucs’ Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians said he thinks Godwin “loves” playing for the Bucs. If the Dolphins do indeed float $20 million a year in Godwin’s face, then Arians and the Bucs better hope that it’s not just love but also lust in Godwin’s heart to stay put.
If the Dolphins are teasing Godwin, it certainly helps the Bucs that in one hand Godwin will have park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting, handshake-stiffing, jet-ski-losing, biscuit-baking, tequila-shooting, trophy-throwing Bucs Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady throwing to him.
On the other hand he might have either career loser Ryan Fitzpatrick or a lefty who can’t throw 15 yards downfield (Tua) trying to throw him the ball.
Just from a football perspective, that’s decision is a no-brainer.
Joe sure hopes Team Glazer hooks up Godwin with a kick-arse phone plan.
February 19th, 2021 at 11:05 am
Financially it makes no sense to franchise tag Shaq again. Bucs will prob franchise tag Godwin.
February 19th, 2021 at 11:07 am
Would make even less football sense not to (if the two sides can’t swing a deal). You really want to risk Shaq leaving?
Rosenhaus has the Bucs over a barrel.
It would suck if the Bucs lost Godwin, but not crippling.
It would cripple the Bucs defense if they lost Shaq. They won’t find a replacement unless they fork over future first round picks.
February 19th, 2021 at 11:08 am
I love godwin, but if you could tag and trade him to miami for a late 1 or 2 and sign a cheap vet wr, that may be the ticket to signing all the other free agents on the team. Just so hard to pay 2 #1 wrs and you can find great wrs in the draft and free agency. Not saying thats what I want, but may be a way to keep it all mostly together.
February 19th, 2021 at 11:11 am
I might be in the minority but I think Godwin is a better fit in Jax with Meyer and Lawrence. I sure hope he stays in Tampa.
February 19th, 2021 at 11:21 am
I am guessing that the Colts make a huge push for Godwin real soon and possibly too much for Godwin to pass up. Dewey…that is a great scenario too because Godwin would be a Meyer guy from Day 1
February 19th, 2021 at 11:24 am
I love Godwin, but of all the free agents we could lose, I would hate losing Godwin the least. We are packed with receiver talent. Keep Shaq, Suh, Lovante and AB. Let Godwin walk. Scotty and Tyler can pick up the slack.
February 19th, 2021 at 11:29 am
Dewey
Nah. You maybe right
I know both fins and jags have capacity to give that big contract above for their young qbs. Tua and lawrence
But tua looked not so special last year …and i know he is a rookie so he may need time cause fins are better team.
And it might take 2-3 years for jags to get back in fold so would godwin be cool with a loser team
Loser being thrown around a lot today
😂
February 19th, 2021 at 11:41 am
CG had jw throwing how many times a game? and then TB as QB…..and he fizzled in the playoffs.
love him, but he’s gotta get paid and the 1st to go. I suspect he fizzles out wherever he goes. He can be covered, especially when ME aint taking double teams.
February 19th, 2021 at 11:42 am
he’s not a #1 WR either imo
February 19th, 2021 at 11:42 am
We keep our Pass rushers.
At all cost.
February 19th, 2021 at 11:47 am
Our history with having good receivers isn’t great and I’d hate to lose Godwin, but Shaq is far more valuable to us. Let some other team make the mistake of giving him 20+ million per year. At worst, franchise him and make him prove that he can stay healthy and deserves superstar $.
February 19th, 2021 at 11:53 am
On the bright side we would get a comp pick if he leaves and we can shell out that money to someone else or multiple people. I’d love to get younger on the DL.
February 19th, 2021 at 12:04 pm
Will be hard to keep everyone…..
Chris seems like the odd man out
Sucks
February 19th, 2021 at 12:06 pm
Don’t sign shaq ! There’s plenty of option at pass rushers in FA and draft. We have jpp, Nelson, bell.
The FA is deep in PR.
Let me guess .. your willing to throw 15-20M a year for shaq for what … 3-4 yrs? At 30yrs old. Non sense.
At least Godwin, gronk , David , suh are willing to play for less. Shaq is looking to break the Bucs ! Look at frank clark ,dee Ford are they game changers every game ? NO.
Let’s get bud Dupree for 10M, pair him with suh , vea , jpp
February 19th, 2021 at 12:08 pm
Would I rather have 13-15 million and play with Tawm Foueckin’ Brady, or 20 million to play with not-TB12… Let’s see, for all practical purposes, one year on a 13-15 million dollar salary should set you up for life unless you’re an idiot. Everything else is gravy. If Godwin is smart, he’ll stay in Tampa.
February 19th, 2021 at 12:08 pm
@Joe
Bucs can get Shaq in a long term deal still. If the Bucs franchise tag Shaq again they will be penalized. Your looking at like 20m a year under the tag. With Godwin your looking at about 16m on the franchise which saves 4 million for Shaq Daddy’s contract.
February 19th, 2021 at 12:09 pm
Do tell. Joe would like to learn who these unknown Bruce Smiths are
February 19th, 2021 at 12:10 pm
Very true. But what is better if you are “Going for two,” overpaying Shaq or not having him at all?
February 19th, 2021 at 12:15 pm
For the mode (win now) we are in, i’d be okay with a tag/trade of Godwin assuming we can bring back AB. Only problem with that is of course AB has legal issues which can translate into league issues. If we let Godwin just walk and dont get compensation, that’s going to be disappointing. The more likely scenario i see is the TE position getting thinned out. This could be restructuring deals or letting a player go….I doubt that player will be Gronk either. I think Fournette is another one that can walk….the rookie from Vanderbilt showed ability, we know Rojo can run….possibly snag an old teammate of Brady’s and we wont miss much there.
The way i’m starting to look at it is who do we HAVE to have back……IMO we have to have David, Shaq and Suh and i believe we have to have depth at the o-line. That leaves Godwin, Fournette, AB and Gronk. Godwin and Fournette are likely going for the big pay day, which leaves Gronk and AB at likely good values. I think that means we are down to losing Godwin and/or Fournette.
February 19th, 2021 at 12:15 pm
Joe Says:
>> Do tell. Joe would like to learn who these unknown Bruce Smiths are
Right? Buying a pass rusher on the open market is hard to do. It’s super expensive and doesn’t always work out so well… Which makes Licht’s signing of Shaq and trade for JPP so beautiful. He secured 2 pass rushers in consecutive years without selling the farm. Who would they get in free agency at a reasonable price if we let Shaq walk? Maybe dig up another similar case — a backup who could come in and turn into the next Shaq? Unlikely.
February 19th, 2021 at 12:17 pm
Bruce smith was a beast like perhaps Reggie white , LT. shaq ain’t close to that for 15-20M.
I rather get a Ryan Kerrigan and keep Buc faithful lavonte David. !
You guys are such bandwagons … keep shaq over David ! You crazy.
Joe Says:
February 19th, 2021 at 12:09 pm
Don’t sign shaq ! There’s plenty of option at pass rushers in FA and draft. We have jpp, Nelson, bell.
The FA is deep in PR.
Do tell. Joe would like to learn who these unknown Bruce Smiths a
February 19th, 2021 at 12:18 pm
Even better, Shaq was a shock to the Bucs. They thought maybe he would be tops an eight-sack a year guy. They never dreamed he would have 19 sacks or dominate a Super Bowl. Don’t let a gift/accident like that go.
In the immortal words of Raheem Morris, “I will tolerate you until I can replace you. While Shaq is a great guy and fantastic teammate, don’t think anyone sober believes Anthony Nelson is Shaq’s replacement.
February 19th, 2021 at 12:19 pm
Shaq deserves a long term deal…Tag Godwin. Hopefully Tyler Johnson steps up next year, and if we lose Godwin (after next year) it won’t sting as badly. Just don’t see how we can compete with a 20+ million a year contract other teams will throw at him.
February 19th, 2021 at 12:20 pm
Joe would. In a heartbeat.
Lavonte is not a pass rusher. Plus, Lavonte is 31.
And Joe loves Lavonte David.
February 19th, 2021 at 12:23 pm
@ Joe
I agree we must keep Shaq. Just saying franchising him hurts our over all cap more than franchising Godwin.
February 19th, 2021 at 12:23 pm
Really you pick shaq over David ? Damn. You must be drinking those big storms…
Man I’ll keep David and CG over shaq ina heartbeat. I still have white to blitz and jpp. I’ll ask Tom to work his Brady magic and lure a PR.
February 19th, 2021 at 12:28 pm
And for those thinking replacing Godwin is easy just stop it lol. Godwin can play inside, outside, and block in the running game. He is 0% diva and plays through injury’s. There is nobody like Godwin out there at WR, period.
February 19th, 2021 at 12:28 pm
I think we’ll end up keeping Godwin and Shaq will chase the big money. Don’t forget the guy now has 2rings one as a backup and one as the starter. Now he’ll go get big money and become a trivia question (who broke Warren Sapp’s sack record) I like the guy but the FA pool is a bit deeper this year which could help us in the end if we lose him. I won’t say that we have Nelson to replace him. Nelson is a nice rotational piece nothing more.
February 19th, 2021 at 12:31 pm
If von Miller gets cut. There’s the Brady magic. Lure him for cheap.
We keep David. Suh. CG , gronk , and everyone.
February 19th, 2021 at 12:33 pm
keep the defense together…sign shaq to a long term deal…he’s proved it back to back years…the money will be too big for godwin to pass up…
GO BUCS!!!!
February 19th, 2021 at 12:38 pm
Don’t you get it … the money shaq wants there’s no money left to keep the defense or any other player. Remember. “I want to break the Bucs “ with jpp laughing. ..
813bucboi Says:
February 19th, 2021 at 12:33 pm
keep the defense together…sign shaq to a long term deal…he’s proved it back to back years…the money will be too big for godwin to pass up…
February 19th, 2021 at 12:39 pm
The Dolphins are going nowhere, they might make the playoffs but they set their franchise back years by drafting Tua when they could have had Herbert. For Godwin to go there it will be all about money and not winning championships. If he wants to be that kind of guy I understand but if we can come close to Dolphin money i know he will stay in Tampa. He loves it here and we love him. The Dolphins QB situation is a trainwreck.
February 19th, 2021 at 12:40 pm
Godwin is as good as gone…Miami or Jax is a good landing spot as he gets to stay in FL and not pay state taxes and still collect $5mil more per season than we can afford to pay.
If I already had a Superbowl ring and had to pick between Brady throwing me passes at $15mil vs Fitz at $20mil, it’s a no brainier for most of us. $5 mil is a lot to leave behind on the table on a 5yr deal.
Who is to say the Fins can turn it around or the Jags.
February 19th, 2021 at 12:42 pm
So Bucs dont make the run without Shaq, Joe? Lets not fool ourselves here. They’ll find someone to produce and shaq will have 5-8 sacks a yr if he leaves. Go back and watch every game with and without Vea. They found a bargain and if he wants to bank i dont blame him. Shaq coulda been all his life but without that qb we were all talking draft in November
February 19th, 2021 at 12:49 pm
Why worry about Miami when the franchise tag is available for Godwin?
The SB showed Shaq’s value; give him 3/50 guaranteed and Lavonte 3/40.
February 19th, 2021 at 12:53 pm
You right he might be as good as gone with shaq demanding 19-20m a yr. David , suh , gronk all are good as gone. Has far as CG , if he leaves he goes to the patriots .. 60m in cap. Need a #1 and pairing with Edelman.
Karma Says:
February 19th, 2021 at 12:40 pm
Godwin is as good as gone…Miami or Jax is a good landing spot
February 19th, 2021 at 12:56 pm
I pick Shaq over David and Godwin.
Bell and Nelson combined for 11 tackles and 1 sack last year. Plus, I really never noticed Nelson when he was on the field. That was a very quiet 11 tackles. It was Nelson’s 2nd season. If he was going to take a jump, I think we would have seen more of it last year.
Every year at this time, there is a possible list of pass rushers that are “free agents”. How many of the elite end up making it past getting tagged.
Someone mentioned Ryan Kerrigan. I did not watch Ryan Kerrigan last year. He is currently 33. If we sign him as a free agent because Washington does not tag him, are we getting him at 10 million a year or less. What production does he bring. Last year with 5.5 sacks and only 17 total tackles. Only 5.5 sacks year before that.
I know he has been a successful pass rusher but does he fit Todd Bowles scheme of 3/4 edge blitzing linebacker or is he more of a 4/3 DE lineman.
February 19th, 2021 at 12:59 pm
Geno711 who’s the heart of the defense ?
February 19th, 2021 at 1:04 pm
Love the defense.
I love the old warriors Suh and JPP who play more snaps than most guys in their position.
I love White. Vea shows ridiculous power. Winfield already gets it.
If you are wondering whether I would say that David is the heart of the defense, than I say no. I say he was every bit as important as those other guys I named this year for success.
But the NFL is a cruel business and personally, I am not sure that I want to pay for the Kerrigan or LVD when I think their best years are behind them.
February 19th, 2021 at 1:12 pm
That being said Adrnady, I do not see a close to as good off ball linebacker as LVD in free agency, our squad or the draft. It will hurt for him to be gone as well.
My hope is that his market because of his age and the fact that he really excelled in the 3-4 more this past year limits his market. (Rebuilding teams will not consider him and I think his market as a 4-3 linebacker will be less).
Hope we can sign him for $10 million per year three year contract.
February 19th, 2021 at 1:14 pm
The first choice you have to make is between Shaq & Godwin….you can’t keep both..
I’m offering Shaq a 3 or 4 year deal….that will be less than franchising him….
If you let Godwin go, try to keep AB on a team-friendly deal.
I’m keeping Lavonte on a 2 year deal instead of Suh if it comes to that.
February 19th, 2021 at 1:17 pm
Tbbf…then who gets tagged?
February 19th, 2021 at 1:18 pm
Geno 711. Lol. You want to sign everyone at 10m a yr. and shaq 19-20m a yr. good luck this year.
And yes David is the heart of the defense. We keep the LB and every other FA except shaq.
With Bowles , vea, suh , jpp ,David , white … we can bring in someone else.
February 19th, 2021 at 1:21 pm
lee – couple weeks ago you referenced on the podcast “if you dont like football, go live in the ukraine”.
Not sure why that needed to be said and pretty mean to ukrainians and myself included who is ukrainian. not born there but can speak it and my family is.
i got the point you were saying but feel free to reach out because that rubbed me the wrong way and i am sure other listeners as well of ukrainian descent.
February 19th, 2021 at 1:25 pm
Adrnagy. I accept your difference of opinion.
What is the price that you want to pay for Ryan Kerrigan and what is his production?
I clearly do not have the answers – just an opinion. I do not think my numbers are absurd. I would personally cut OJ Howard to get 6 million more of cap space to sign other guys. I would hope that the threat of a cut to Cam Brate would get his salary from over 6 million a year to something like 4 million a year and maybe have another 2 million there.
Sometimes my opinions are right. Bring in Tom Brady last year.
Sometimes my opinions are wrong. Like Joe I was a Johnny Manziel fan.
February 19th, 2021 at 1:28 pm
chris L…..you got your feelings hurt?
February 19th, 2021 at 1:34 pm
Geno signing shaq you lose depth and other key FA that I don’t think we can replace. Such as David , Godwin , suh and depth in special teams and dline. And you still have to go around and cut players to get around. All this for a player that is not consistent.
Shaq success is him or the supporting cast ( Bowles , LB blitzing , dline )?
Devin white said of all FA his opinion is shaq gone. Why ?? Money . My guess is shaq wants a lot. Will not negotiate.
Ryan Kerrigan is a thought. What I’m saying is in the next weeks a lot of Players will get cut. (Von Miller ) lol. We can draft PR and pick up a vet. For less. And keep 90% of the team to repeat.
February 19th, 2021 at 1:36 pm
Dayum
Joe gonna have to dust off 45 and get him to make another deal with the Ukrainians….
February 19th, 2021 at 1:44 pm
[That’s not very nice. — Joe]
February 19th, 2021 at 1:51 pm
Sorry Joe, people too sensitive these days.
February 19th, 2021 at 1:55 pm
why do people assume what other people want freaking funny with these people now days
February 19th, 2021 at 1:57 pm
Robert. It is a smart question to wonder if Godwin can handle a #1 role. Its happened before where a guy goes from #2 to #1 and he wasnt the same.
That said I think your dead wrong about Godwin and i think its been proven. Correct me if Im wrong but I remember Godwin moving up to #1 at times when Mike has been out…….and Chris was pretty phenominal in them games.
February 19th, 2021 at 2:01 pm
Chris L. Is the Ukrainian guy from the Seinfeld episode that smashed Kramer and Newmans risk board to smithereens.
February 19th, 2021 at 2:04 pm
im buc fans like all of you guys i wasnt uper pissed just making a comment. thought we were all in this together part of buc nation. holy chill out.
February 19th, 2021 at 2:30 pm
@Adrnagy Says:
February 19th, 2021 at 1:34 pm
Geno signing shaq you lose depth and other key FA that I don’t think we can replace. Such as David , Godwin , suh and depth in special teams and dline. And you still have to go around and cut players to get around. All this for a player that is not consistent.
Ultimately, I would be satisfied with an offseason where we signed all of our free agents except Shaq.
Ultimately, I would be satisfied with an offseason where we signed all of our free agents except Godwin.
Ultimately, I would be satisfied with an offseason where we signed all of our free agents except LVD.
That being said, I want to keep defense intact over signing Godwin.
That being said, if I could keep all the rest of the free agents but only one between Shaq and LVD – I would keep Shaq.
February 19th, 2021 at 2:47 pm
Y’all know what’s best about this all the free agents actually can ask for a lot they earned it. Not like last year when some dude wanted 30 million a year.
February 19th, 2021 at 3:05 pm
It’s all how the Deals are structured. Lower cap hit in 2021 guaranteed salaries for 2-3 years that escalates in 22 and Out years.
February 19th, 2021 at 3:58 pm
Importance to the Bucs (in 2021) in my opinion:
1) Shaq
2) Suh
3) Godwin
4) Gronk
5) Lenny
6) Succup
7) AB
February 19th, 2021 at 4:14 pm
Good list Colin but I would move Lenny to last. The rest of the list is good.
February 19th, 2021 at 4:18 pm
I forgot LD lol. I would have him before Gronk honestly. I would argue that Lenny is more important than AB because we have other players under contract that can basically do what AB does… but we don’t have a well rounded RB like Lenny if he leaves. Just my two cents on the ranking.
February 19th, 2021 at 6:10 pm
TB loves CG. And I bet he has some influence over this.
February 19th, 2021 at 6:22 pm
Have to keep lvd, JPP, Shaq, and Suh on the D. Then on Offense Succop, Gronk AB, and playoff Lenny. Goodwin would be nice to keep, but I’m pretty sure the Bucs can still be good without him. If we lose Succop we are going to be in a world of hurt, no way can Licht let him go.
February 19th, 2021 at 6:28 pm
I LOVE all this isn’t it great to want to keep players? This is something that hasn’t happened in years! I look at that list of players and don’t want to lose any of them. Hell I’m even off the mind that after this merry-go-round of kickers we better not lose Succup.
So this is what winning feels like! Enjoy the ride everyone!
February 19th, 2021 at 6:39 pm
Sign Shaq, he will work with the Bucs Godwin is going to probably want number one receiver money and deserves it. David will probably go too. Only one of the big three will stay. With only one of the big three signing then you can afford Gronk, Suh, Succup, and some of the lower priced free agents Wells, Stennie, Gabbert, Nacho and maybe Brown and James White to catch the ball out of the backfield. And who knows the Pats will probably release 35 year old Julian Eldelman and I am sure Brady will want to kick his tires one more time.
February 19th, 2021 at 8:49 pm
It’s fine to let CG walk. Too much money that can be used in several key free agents. We are in win now mode. If you would like to keep 14 for the next QB keep in mind that the next HC may have other plans and end up trading a hefty contract. Two #1s is not our game. What Bucs did well was playaction and defense. That’s what we need to keep at all cost. Chris is a luxury and good for him! He is a tremendous worker and a tough guy. He deserves the pay day.
February 20th, 2021 at 8:16 am
For what it would cost for Godwin we could keep AB, add James White, and keep Shaq. Tyler Johnson looks ready to step up and Scooter is just as bad arsed as they come. WR is one position we are deep in.
February 20th, 2021 at 10:26 am
I hate the Dolphins and want Godwin to stay, but it is way too early to write off Tua.
February 20th, 2021 at 12:01 pm
There are a lot of good comments here but the fact remains is nobody knows whats going on behind the scenes. I believe maybe Shaq & Godwin may test the market. As far as importance in signings, it may not seem that important to a lot but Succup should be #1 priority. We all know how hard it is to find a really good reliable kicker. #2 Gronk. #3 David #4 Shaq #5 Suh #6 Godwin or AB
February 20th, 2021 at 10:26 pm
Tom kickers are not more important than pass rushers.