“If You’re All-In, You’re All-In”
March 18th, 2021
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
In reading grades that NFL sophists have handed out to teams in free agency thus far, one on a Bucs move included a phrase that jumped out at Joe.
Kevin Seifert’s breakdown of the Bucs re-signing foot-rubbing, car-littering tight end Rob Gronkowski (Seifert gave the move an “A”) got Joe’s attention.
The deal: One year, $10 million
Grade: A
This one was pretty easy. Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is better with Gronkowski on the field. Brady wants Gronkowski on the field, and Gronkowski wants to be on the field with Brady. Voila! Deal done.
Would the Buccaneers have won the Super Bowl without Gronkowski? Possibly. But if you’re all-in, you’re all-in. There was no reason not to pay Gronkowski what he needed to come back for another season.
The phrase “if you’re all-in, you’re all-in” pretty much sums up the Bucs this offseason. That’s why it wouldn’t shock Joe if Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht somehow found spare Team Glazer loot to keep Playoff Lenny, Ndamukong Suh and furniture-tossing, bicycle-throwing Antonio Brown.
This may also point to the direction of the draft as free agency almost always does.
At what position do rookies rarely make an impact? Pass rusher. So that is why Joe would be surprised if the Bucs drafted a pass rusher at No. 32.
What position do rookies often impact? Running back. This is why Joe believes that if somehow Travis Etiene falls (crazier things have happened), the Bucs draft Etienne. Even if Playoff Lenny returns.
And Etienne can catch, much like this James White some Bucs fans seem so enamored with.
(Joe is very uncomfortable with how Bill Belicheat is trying to get Playoff Lenny to New England yet he is fully willing to let this White walk. Kinda tells Joe something.)
If you are all in — and the Bucs are — it sort of changes one’s outlook.
March 18th, 2021 at 9:04 am
I need an RB who has soft hands like a shortstop & can immediately burst upfield. Lenny drops too many balls
March 18th, 2021 at 9:06 am
Do the Bucs really need another running back? What about Vaughan?
March 18th, 2021 at 9:07 am
Agreed. If Ettiene is still on the board, they need to grab him. Perfectly suited RB for Brady.
March 18th, 2021 at 9:08 am
Belichek also let Brady walk and brought in Beau Allen last year.
March 18th, 2021 at 9:09 am
Not giving up on Vaughn. At all. Showed Joe enough to work with. However, 2021 is not about developing players. At all. It’s about winning games. So whoever hits the field better have an impact. Therefore, Etienne > Vaughn.
March 18th, 2021 at 9:13 am
The Bucs seem to be claiming Vaughn is a bust, or minimally, Arians and Leftwich have no confidence in him. Or is it Brady?.
March 18th, 2021 at 9:17 am
Not a bad move but I would like to see a 1 put along the DL. Suh & Gholston aren’t getting any younger. If we can upgrade next to Vita Vea I think we should do it.
March 18th, 2021 at 9:20 am
Yup. We are all in.
And we should be. We have the greatest player in NFL history.
We try to win now, for the next couple years.
To hell with the years after Brady. He can win us SuperBowls NOW.
We arent playing “Cap management”. We are playing Football.
If we win two more Superbowls- who cares if we are over the cap in 2024?
I hope we can sign Suh, Lenny, and AB.
They all 3 played major roles in the playoffs, and the Superbowl.
Licht has worked miracles!! I hope he has 3 left.
March 18th, 2021 at 9:23 am
I would prefer a front seven defensive player to be taken at 32. Ideally Azeez Olujari or Zaven Collins. RB’s have lost their value, and unless you know you are drafting a Derrick Henry, CMC, or Adrian Peterson it is best to wait until day two to pick that position.
March 18th, 2021 at 9:24 am
Erick
You have the post of the week my friend. So true.
March 18th, 2021 at 9:30 am
As said on the Ira Kaufman Podcast recently, the Bucs are in a position for the 1st time in history where they don’t have a glaring need. They can truly draft the best player available.
March 18th, 2021 at 9:35 am
Ben Mason from Michigan would be a nice (thunder) compliment to RoJo (lightening). He can catch, block, run, and he can be easily had in a later round.
March 18th, 2021 at 9:37 am
Erick:
Curious: Is Belicheat making dumb moves the norm or is that an outlier?
If it is an outlier, why are you banking/expecting Belicheat to be dumb (again).
If Belicheat making dumb moves is the norm, how on earth does the guy have so many rings (including when he coached with the Giants)?
Just looking at Belicheat’s history with ex-Bucs players should give you the shivers that he wants Playoff Lenny.
March 18th, 2021 at 9:37 am
Ettiene and Vaughn are totally different backs. I would even trade up to get him if you can. Him along with Jones would make a nice combo and fairly cheap.
March 18th, 2021 at 9:38 am
Belicheat let a 6 time Super Bowl winning, Team First QB walk and replaced him with a injury prone punk bit¢h that wouldn’t jump on a fumble in the Super Bowl. So let him go ahead and sign Moping Lenny.
March 18th, 2021 at 9:41 am
Etiene Won’t make it past Pittsburgh. And Joe I am shocked that you miss quoting get invite in your nachos article last night. Not cool man
March 18th, 2021 at 9:42 am
Devin White
March 18th, 2021 at 9:42 am
White > Fournette – For the Bucs
Fournette > White – For the Pats
Its not that hard to understand Joe
The one thing our 2020 offense lacked was a reliable pass catching RB. Tom Brady needs one of those…..
Rojo showed he has more heart – more want to- and is a stronger runner than Leonard Fournette.
White will likely sign for less $ than Fournette
It makes too much sense to let Fournette walk and sign White.
Or re-sign Fournette if he really wants to be here and comes cheap enough – but either way – SIGN JAMES WHITE!
March 18th, 2021 at 9:43 am
Vaughn needs more time to develop, time we don’t have. I say either get Lenny/white and draft and impact rookie at whatever position is best available. It’s been working since we started doing it so why stop now
March 18th, 2021 at 9:44 am
In my opinion, you don’t draft a rb high. These are players that are not highly coveted in free agency. In my opinion, if the bucs trade back and get replacements for JPP, Suh and another solid corner with their first 3 picks, they are going to be tough. I’d love to see them resign Suh and Brown (I think they will), but this team is going to be tough to beat if we acquire quality depth through the draft. This is how dynasty’s are built. Go Bucs!!!
March 18th, 2021 at 9:44 am
Belicheat is still butt-hurt over last year. So he’s taking the old kill two birds with one stone approach to free agency. Any players that he can steal from the Bucs accomplishes two things.
1. He can improve the talent on his team.
2. And more importantly to him, is that he can weaken the Bucs.
March 18th, 2021 at 9:46 am
Yeah, BB is dumb as a rock. Didn’t he revive careers of a couple of players Bucs dumped in the ditch, LeGarrette Blount and Darrelle Revis? What a stupid SOB!
March 18th, 2021 at 9:46 am
Normally agree with this. However, Bucs are not in a normal position at all. They are going all out for another ring this season.
March 18th, 2021 at 9:47 am
Good thing Bill let Chandler Jones walk out the door. And gronk. Who he tried to trade. And Brady. Who he had no hope for. Seems to me his so-called reputation on deciding when a player can no longer play has taken a beating through the years.
March 18th, 2021 at 9:50 am
There are a number of considerations for the draft besides what happens with Suh, Brown and Fournette.
1. Next year: Are the Bucs planning to resign JPP or Donovan Smith? If not I could see the Bucs drafting their replacements in rd 1 or 2.
2. How much longer will Suh play? If more than 1 year, the Bucs may hold off on drafting a DT early.
3. How do the Bucs see Rojo? With only 1 year left on his initial contract, is he a primary or complimentary back? If the latter, the Bucs may not resign him next year or only at the right price. I like bigger backs and wouldn’t mind if the Bucs took Harris if he slipped to them, but I doubt he’ll be there at #32. If not, other options are either UNC RB, the guy out of Memphis or UCLA. Also, do we sign a RB in FA?
4. One thing to remember is with pick #32, you will probably be getting the 8th best OT or Edge. At DT or RB, you are getting one of the top 3 at that position. Also, they get paid less at those positions.
March 18th, 2021 at 9:50 am
Agree. You know what else is not hard to understand? The Bucs have more passing weapons (assuming Antonio Brown re-signs) than any team in the NFL. And that same team just won a Super Bowl.
Would it be nice if the Bucs upgraded and got an everydown back (and Joe isn’t sure White is an everydown back)? Sure. Prefer a guy you can bank on when he’s handed the ball more than a pass-catcher on a team that is filthy-deep with receivers.
March 18th, 2021 at 9:54 am
If the bucs sign either leonard, or James White there is zero reason to draft a RB in the first round. OLB/Edge should be the focus. Not just because of the future, but the bucs don’t have great depth on the OLB positions, and I know JPP is a warrior, but what are the chances he plays the season injury free? Nelson and Gil had a combined 2.5 sacks on the season (including playoffs).
Bucs should draft OLB, and DT before addressing offense.
March 18th, 2021 at 9:55 am
James White would only be a good pickup as a complement to Lenny, not as a replacement.
Meanwhile, I’m looking for SSSSSSUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
March 18th, 2021 at 9:57 am
I think of contract restructures like a credit card that is not paid in full every month. When you first get the card, depending on your card dollar limit, you can buy most anything you want.
Then, on a day that always seems to come sooner than later, you realize you can only buy things of little value until you pay for past purchases.
The Bucs have drafted well in recent years and have embraced the “pay as you go” credo. It will be interesting to see what remains of this team when the piper comes a calling.
I realize nothing in the NFL overshadows the predilection of winning. Unfortunately, spending wisely runs concurrent with that desire.
March 18th, 2021 at 10:01 am
Not giving up on Vaughn. At all. Showed Joe enough to work with. However, 2021 is not about developing players. At all. It’s about winning games. So whoever hits the field better have an impact. Therefore, Etienne > Vaughn. – Joe
Seriously!
Every year is about winning and developing players. Is not like we are in doubt of making the playoffs.Smh
March 18th, 2021 at 10:07 am
Belichek likes the big back. Always has. Has nothing to do with JW. There is no correlation. Complete opposite ends of the spectrum. LF a runner who sometimes catches passes. JW a receiving back who sometimes runs. Brady great user of the receiving back. Cam has the yips on short throws.
March 18th, 2021 at 10:08 am
White would be more a Shady replacement. I like Lenny but would love an every down back. Rojo is also entering the final year of his contract. Even though he’s stepped-up over the last couple of seasons I doubt they re-sign. The window is now. IF Etiene is on the board, grab him.
March 18th, 2021 at 10:16 am
Vaughn might just be that everydown back Joe.
But we can’t count on that for 2021 until we see more evidence.
In the meantime – we’ve got a really solid runner in Rojo for 1 more year under rookie contract.
We NEED a 3rd down/pass catching back for this year.
James White is the perfect solution to pair with Rojo.
The 2021 Bucs offense will be more efficient and will be able to maintain drives better than last year with White coming in on 3rd down and/or obvious passing situations…..
March 18th, 2021 at 10:19 am
I am all in trading TE OJ Howard. He just hasn’t materialized. Even if he is a better skilled player, he is not durable. Unfortunately he can’t finish as season without a serious injury. Time to cut the cord. If we can get a 5th round draft for him, we made out. I doubt letting him go next year when his contract is up will produce a 3rd round comp pick.
March 18th, 2021 at 10:30 am
With Brady James White averaged 80 catches and six TD’s per season. He’s a WR that lines up at RB.
March 18th, 2021 at 10:32 am
Not giving up on Vaughn. Just stating 2021 is not a season to develop guys. “Develop” means you want to get a guy snaps and touches, not so much about production but experience. The Bucs are (or should be) looking at production at every snap.
And sorry, Joe doesn’t buy the Bucs need a pass-catching running back (this year). Once again, look at the roster of receivers and tight ends. Also please note that without a dedicated pass-catching back, the Bucs won the Super Bowl.
March 18th, 2021 at 10:50 am
“Joe doesn’t buy the Bucs need a pass-catching running back…look at the roster of receivers and tight ends. Also please note that without a pass-catching back, the Bucs won the Super Bowl”
And yet if the Bucs HAD a true pass catching RB like White last year – they would have been even better on offense.
There were numerous drives that ended in 2020 because Brady got pressure on 3rd down and either had to throw it away, try to squeeze a tight pass unsuccessfully to a covered receiver – or had his dump off pass to the RB dropped….
James White solves that problem. Brady trusts White to always be where he’s supposed to be – and make the catch – and probably a first down to boot. Stats prove that the Brady>James White connection is exactly what the Bucs need to take this offense to the next level.
March 18th, 2021 at 10:53 am
I saw the broncos rescinded their RFA tender on RB Phillip Lindsay and now he is a free agent. I know he was injured last year, but could he be a fit?
March 18th, 2021 at 11:58 am
we all know James White is not an every-down back but would still love to have them great fit but in my opinion rb are also interchangeable unless you have a Travis Henry on Ezekiel Elliott if you have a great offensive line which we do pick one up on the cheap in free agency or find one in the draft someone posted before a arm tackle brings Leonard fournette down which I’ve seen and noticed ,the money we save can bring back either Suh ,ab ,or succup
March 18th, 2021 at 12:16 pm
Belicheat only wants Lenny to improve his chances of beating Brady this season
March 18th, 2021 at 12:34 pm
@Joe. 2 things
sophists? Google it, the Greek teachers would love it.
Strange how Belicheat let this RB go….Kinda like his starting multi-winning QB.
#ComeOnMan
March 18th, 2021 at 1:25 pm
I’ve never felt so calm about a draft. Usually I would have read 3,354 mock drafts by now, and done a bunch of my own mocks for the Bucs, while reading tons of scouting reports.
I also have been moving / dealing with selling our Denver house / buying a house in St Pete which is pretty distracting but STILL – I feel no desperation towards this draft lol.
Wish list is definitely DT/DE/RB in the top 3 rounds based on BPA. CB/OL/Edge depth after that
March 18th, 2021 at 2:09 pm
The attempt to sign Lenny smells of inside information about the Superbowl champs, nacho same. I agree with Joe’s assumption about the draft. We’ll possibly have two holes next year JPP and Suh. Draft DL and Edge if a player is available don’t reach. If a top flight outside rushing/catching RB is available I wouldn’t be mad if we drafted one in the first through third rounds.
March 18th, 2021 at 2:39 pm
Phillip Lindsay is now an FA and not RFA. Grab him! Catches the ball out of the backfield and plays harder than guys twice his size!
March 18th, 2021 at 3:47 pm
Never said Belichek wasn’t a great coach, Joe. In fact, he’s probably the best coach ever. However, he’s also the GM and his talent evaluation has not been so great over the past few years. The proof is in his drafts, and why he is currently trying to fill all the holes in the roster.
March 18th, 2021 at 7:03 pm
I’m even for adding one of our 5th or 6th round picks for a small move up to lock up Etienne. 🤞
March 19th, 2021 at 8:33 am
Najee Harris, Etienne, Jovonte Williams of UNC are all prime candidates to go at #32. This is where we SHOULD go in round 1. Rojo is a free agent at the end of 2021, bring in a young stud to play 2nd or 3rd fiddle and catch some passes and then come back in 2021 and battle it out with Vaughn for lead RB.
March 19th, 2021 at 8:25 pm
Hoody let brady walk away too so he aint alway right