“I Talked To Those Guys In The [Bucs] Front Office”
March 8th, 2021
Sacks king Shaq Barrett
A friend of general manager Jason Licht was talking Bucs free agency on national TV this morning.
Joe’s talking about Peter Schrager, one of the “Good Morning Football” hosts on NFL Network and also a friend of Joe. Schrager is a guy who used to annually interview Licht while working his previous media gigs.
So it’s especially noteworthy that Schrager hopped on NFL-operated media this morning to share his thoughts on Bucs free agency and declare to the world that “I talked to those guys in the [Bucs] front office.”
You can watch below, but in short, Schrager makes it clear that the Bucs — and he — are agonizing a bit over their decisions with pending free agents Chris Godwin, Shaq Barrett and Lavonte David.
Via Twitter, Schrager thinks the Bucs will franchise-tag Godwin before tomorrow’s 4 p.m. deadline, roll the dice on Shaq, and try to play the be-a-Buccaneer-for-life card with Lavonte David.
Joe isn’t sure what to think. But if the Bucs lose Shaq, well, then Joe folks at One Buc Palace certainly would be playing with fire — for no good reason.
As Schrager notes, receivers can be found much easily than elite pass rushers.
Bucs… my prediction:
—franchise tag Godwin, work like hell to bring back the gang. Barrett and David will have a competitive market. https://t.co/3KuyYVEpL5— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) March 8, 2021
March 8th, 2021 at 9:08 am
I agree, Tag Shaq, and try like hell to re sign everyone else.
The guys in the Sports Bar feel that we are gonna lose David and Chris Godwin, because other teams will offer them more than we are able to pay.
Cleveland has their eyes on David, and Jacksonville will need a number one receiver, for their new QB.
March 8th, 2021 at 9:13 am
Don’t tag shaq. Don’t sign shaq.
March 8th, 2021 at 9:16 am
Sorry to say but let Godwin go we have depth at WR. Focus on the defense and get David and Shaq signed. Franchise Shaq if he is looking to go elsewhere! Pay David he deserves it. Restructure contracts and resign Succop as well!!!
March 8th, 2021 at 9:21 am
Adrnagy Says:
March 8th, 2021 at 9:13 am
Don’t tag shaq. Don’t sign shaq.
That’s not a crazy idea. IMO, you break the bank for one player if that is all you need to win it all. We have the hardware. Let him go and make a TON of cash somewhere else. Instantly would help the cap situation and we would be able to sign most of our FA’s. I like it.
March 8th, 2021 at 9:35 am
Godwin is replaceable with current players including AB who is not going anywhere.
Shaq is not.
Defense won the Playoffs and Super Bowl. Not Chris Godwin.
March 8th, 2021 at 9:41 am
I said this before. Get the lower priced FA’s signed (Gronk, Suh & Succup) then concentrate on the big money players. If it were me I would either tag Shaq or LVD. Like someone said WR’s are easier to find than LB/DE. And then there’s always BA.
March 8th, 2021 at 9:43 am
Agree with Daiily C – Godwin may be expendable due to excessive cost in a depth position. D should take priority imo.
March 8th, 2021 at 9:45 am
You almost cant tag shaq. A back-to-back tag is an insane amount of money. the only reason why people are speculating a tag for Godwin is it would be his first time getting the tag and its estimated to be around 16 mill which is a bargain for what he would get in the open market. Not sure exactly what the double tag would cost for Shaq but it would def be very ugly to near impossible due to our cap situation.
March 8th, 2021 at 9:53 am
I don’t believe Godwin is worth 16 million. Tagging Shaq is a bandaid. Both are replaceable. The question is if Shaq is gone will Suh & David want to stay? Godwin is the obvious sacrificial lamb. In Brady’s career, he has never needed just one receiver to win.
March 8th, 2021 at 9:58 am
TAG Your “IT” Shaq. GO BUCS!!!
March 8th, 2021 at 10:00 am
Shaq is FAR more important than Godwin and David combined.
March 8th, 2021 at 10:31 am
pass rushers dont fall off trees like WRs shaq and david should be the priorities above all else id even say LVD is the number one priority hes the best LB weve had since brooks his career if HOF level hes consistent, rarely injured, and is one of the leaders of our D his value is immeasurable if we lost shaq sure it would be a huge blow but replacing lavonte david???? look how long it took to get a LB corps that even comes close to the corps we has during the dungy era and it all starts with lavonte hes a cornerstone buc hes stuck with us thru some of the worst years the guy deserves to retire a buc
March 8th, 2021 at 10:39 am
Anyone who says Shaq is easily replaceable should be banned until after the first 6 regular season games.
March 8th, 2021 at 10:44 am
1. Shaq
2. LVD
3. Suh
4. Godwin
March 8th, 2021 at 11:04 am
Depressing news. Hopefully the Glazers learned their lesson after letting Bennett go and mandate that Shaq be signed unless he is looking to reset the market. Remember, Rosenhaus was the guy seeking Emmitt Smith money for Ericht Rhett back in the day. Shaq was a huge part of our playoff run last year’s but we can’t screw ourselves over either in order to sign him. Free agency sucks. 😋
March 8th, 2021 at 11:10 am
Here’s the thing … how many sacks did your guy shaq had during season ? 8 Tackles ? 46
Fumbles forced? 1
And you want Bucs to pay him $20M yr …
A small but great example to replace your guy shaq for 10m cheaper is here.
L. Floyd.
Tackles 36. FF 1 sacks 10.5.
So yes shaq can easily be replace.
Buc50 Says:
March 8th, 2021 at 10:39 am
Anyone who says Shaq is easily replaceable should be banned until after the first 6 regular season games.
March 8th, 2021 at 11:15 am
I love Godwin. Bought his jersey this year. But if you take an impartial look at relative importance of different positions, you’ve got to give the edge to Shaq. Either tag him or get him under contract and let the other plethora of receivers already on the team step up to fill the void created by Godwin’s departure.
March 8th, 2021 at 11:20 am
If you are going to push stats, don’t forget hurries.
Most QB hurries in 2020:
Aaron Donald: 69
Shaq Barrett: 60
Hurries cause interceptions.
March 8th, 2021 at 11:31 am
Hurries , pressures don’t mean nothing imo unless you separate the ones that for sure affected the play outcome.
Mahomes gets hurried or pressure a lot. But 95% he completes pass , TD or first down. So why give credit for the hurried or pressure.
March 8th, 2021 at 11:55 am
This is Dumb. They need to Tag Shaq again. It is so hard to find edge rushers and we have seen what it is like when you don’t have them for to many damn years as Bucs fans. We have enough WR depth to lose Chris. Hell go get Adam Humphries back on a cheap deal and just deal with what we have at WR.
March 8th, 2021 at 11:58 am
Shaq needs to go back to playing special teams and be a backup. No $20M
March 8th, 2021 at 12:04 pm
Glad you don’t run the team. Shaq won that SB trophy you are all jacked up about. Probably should have been MVP along with JPP.
March 8th, 2021 at 12:21 pm
Dumb.
It’s more like white. David. Suh. Vea. Secondary oh and gronk catching TD won the SB.
You like many are sprung over shaq. To blind to see.
March 8th, 2021 at 12:24 pm
Of course let’s not forget Lenny.
March 8th, 2021 at 1:14 pm
Godwin says he’ll play with the Tag. Done, and cheap, LVD make him a lifer, He earned and deserves that money. Suh can be had for a fair price, Lenny wants money and Rojo can be that guy, James White is a free agent and can be had cheap and used for a third down back. Brady/Gronk will vouch for that. Maybe Shady can step up. The rb room is full. Gronk will sign cheap too. As for Shaq like LVD, pay him too.
March 8th, 2021 at 1:32 pm
Timing is everything, and 2021 is not the year for teams to be plopping down huge dollars for any FAs. Most teams don’t have the extra shekels and the risk right now is too big anyways.
Adrnagy’s right; Shaq’s not gonna get $20 mil from the Bucs (nor from anyone else IMO). He’s not a lead dog IMO like JJ Watt or some of the other big dogs (and even JJ only got a 2-yr deal worth $31 mil … $15.5 mil a yr average).
Shaq has a Market Value (per Spotrac) of $19.7 mil, but that’s not very reasonable IMO given what all teams are facing right now. Yannick Ngakoue had comparable 2020 stats, and his Market Value is $15.5 mil. Matt Judon had roughly similar stats, and his Market Value is $15.6 mil. Bud Dupree had similar stats, and his Market Value is $18.2 mil (also too inflated). Leonard Floyd had slightly better stats, and his Market Value is $13.1 mil.
That’s a pretty big range for OLBs who all got roughly 8 sacks with 16 QB Hits like Shaq had. It also though shows that Shaq has competition out there. If the Bucs make him a fair offer (say $15.5 mil a year for 4 yrs with 2 yrs guaranteed) I think he’ll take it. But let’s not overpay by $4-$5 mil in a year when money’s tight and we’ve got a LOT of other mouths to feed.
March 8th, 2021 at 2:08 pm
NO State tax in Florida, Players will flock to play with Tampa Bay and Brady! Fans everywhere have become bucs fans.
March 8th, 2021 at 2:20 pm
I totally agree we have huge depth at WR and I cant stand the thought of Godwin in another jersey but Shaq has to stay and now we are keeping a player with depth behind him and letting go a player where we have zero depth. Makes no sense I pray this is not true.
March 8th, 2021 at 3:34 pm
Defense rule , I like that.
Shaq ain’t no generational edge rusher. Not even close to the likes of Jason Taylor. Terrell Suggs. Von Miller. Michael strahan. Julius peppers. Etc. he ain’t gonna get $20m.
Ppl are sprung over a 19 sack season a yr ago. Shaq couldn’t get 10 sacks this year. Huge drop not to reach 10. And we should let go of David , Godwin. Suh over shaq ? No way.
March 8th, 2021 at 3:36 pm
I’ve grown weary of all this speculation about Free Agency . Let the “chips” fall where the be , but one thing’s certain . JL MUST keep our “D” intact !
March 8th, 2021 at 5:20 pm
I believe that Shaq is a product of playing along side Suh , Veah and JPP . Not to mention that he has only had his success with the two best MLB in football behind him . I’ve said it countless times on here . There are other Players who can do what Shaq does , there is nobody who can do what Lavonte David does .
And For those who think that you can’t find pass rushers on the street or in Free agency , I ask you guys this ….. Didnt we pretty much find Shaq Barrett off of the scrap heap for $5M a year ? And how many sacks did he produce that year ? There are a lot of players out there who could be effective pass rushers in the right system .Hell , you could probably line Kwon Alexander up at edge/olb and he might be damn effective . You can’t plug anybody in lavonte’s spot that will be anywhere close to as good as him .
March 8th, 2021 at 5:45 pm
Adrnagy . We are on the same page . Seems like you know what the hell you are talking about .
March 8th, 2021 at 7:50 pm
This isn’t Madden. I take that back. Even Madden has a salary cap to follow which means you can’t bring everybody back for 15 to 20 million a year. It’s not reality. I do think we may use the tag on Godwin but even if you consider 16 million for the tag for Godwin reasonable, it still will be better to sign the man to a long term contract. I don’t discount Shaq’s services but what happened when Vea was out and some of those double teams came his way. That really sticks in my mind. Vea returned and Shaq exploded. I would let Vea write his own check. Shaq, on the other hand, may be a cap casualty. I got it Godwin then LVD, Shaq, Suh.
March 8th, 2021 at 7:50 pm
Agree with Ardnagy. 100%
March 8th, 2021 at 8:41 pm
If you tag Shaq another year, you have to pay a 20% salary increase. That’s by far the highest paid edge or OLB, and is even greater than the cap space the Bucs have available. Tagging Shaq is an idiotic idea. Bucs just need to sign him to a long term deal that’s Cap-friendly the first couple years.
Tagging Godwin makes more sense, although he’s the most replaceable of the ‘big-3’.
LVD should be resigned to a 3 or 4 year deal so he can retire a Buc. ILBs, even top ones, aren’t budget busters.
There will be a lot of high priced backups that will have to let walk in order to keep the starters.
March 8th, 2021 at 8:51 pm
You know what’s more of an idiotic idea? Letting your best pass rusher (which is the most important defensive player on a team) walk out the door for no good reason when you allegedly are trying to repeat.
March 8th, 2021 at 9:41 pm
If Tampa wants to get better we need to let Godwin go.. We all love him but its business and honestly it’s better for him..you can’t spend that much on recievers and Tom Brady knows that too. Try bring Brown back at discount and Gronk…Keep the D together…A MUST maybe even get Patrick Peterson on 1 yr SB or bust discount. Maybe 6M with incentiv
March 9th, 2021 at 1:06 am
I’m afraid Godwin is the odd man out here. Besides Tyler Johnson made the most important catch in the playoffs against Green Bay… not Godwin. Re-sign the defense and let Brady throw to Evans, Brown, Scotty Miller, Johnson, Gronk, Brate and lest we not forget O.J. Howard and Fournette.
March 9th, 2021 at 2:40 am
The Big Shaq attack will be coming back. Mgt knows very well the importance of a pass rush. Just look at the Lombardi on display at one Buc Palace. This will not be Mike Bennet pt2. All those years of a Bucs defense playing like a crash test dummy, being sitting ducks, helpless against even average QBs let alone the top tier ones. Game after game of simply watching other QBs go up and down the field while having a picnic with a nice clean pocket. No not going to happen. Mgt will do everything they can to keep the defensive front 7 intact. Next is Succop, and Godwin comes after Succop. It is about Winning Championships, so based on priority, Godwin slides in at #5 after Defensive front 7 and Succop on the priority list. GO BUCS!!!
March 9th, 2021 at 10:04 am
Shaq has to be the priority.
Then David.
Godwin struggled Thru out the playoffs. Had some damaging drops.
Lots of WRs wanting to come here, and play with Brady.
Godwin is a great player. Love him. But replacable.
We won the playoff games and Superbowl, because of Brady, the D and O lines.
No Shaq, we dont beat NO or GB.
No JPP, we dont beat NO or GB.
We dont get to the playoffs.
If we have to lose everyone else, you keep Shaq. He is a monster, and cannot be replaced. – no matter what we spend.
There are top shelf WRs saying they want to come here in the media, right now.
No Top shelf pass rushers are talking about playing here.
Because there arent any available