Calais Campbell And The Bucs
February 14th, 2022
Giant defensive lineman Calais Campbell.
The free agency dinner bell rings in less than 28 days, at noon on Monday, March 14!
Bucs fans during the Dirk Koetter era know one almost-available manbeast quite well.
Koetter, the former Bucs head coach, delivered one of the most entertaining moments after his strong 2016 season during a news conference in September of 2017. Retired Bucs beat writer Roy Cummings was deep under Koetter’s skin and the Bucs’ boss came after him.
After a tension-laced exchange, Cummings was baited by Koetter to share his opinion when it came to Tampa Bay’s offseason personnel decisions.
Cummings: You could have got Calais Campbell [in free agency].
Koetter: Well, we could have, but we didn’t have $17 million laying around.
Campbell was then the big-fish free agent defensive linemen from Bucco Bruce Arians’ Cardinals team. He was seeking $15 million-plus per year and got paid by Jacksonville in March of 2017, and promptly led their great roster to the AFC Championship game.
Joe refers to Campbell as a defensive linemen because he may have no peer when it comes to versatility. At 6-8, 300 pounds, Campbell can play anywhere along the line and do it well.
Rather than chase the big fish with a fat contract, the Bucs opted to go whaling and bagged defensive tackle Chris “Swaggy” Baker for about 60 percent less than what Campbell cost (and got back about 3 percent of Campbell’s production.)
Campbell, 35, stayed in Jacksonville through 2019 and played the last two seasons in Baltimore. He’s very durable but his production has fallen. However, various stat nerds and Baltimore writers say he’s still playing at a very high level. Last night, Campbell told Sky Sports that he wants to play another season and chase a ring.
Campbell intrigues Joe for four reasons: his likely hunger to reach 100 career sacks (he has 93 1/2), his extreme versatility,, his renowned locker room presence and his history with Arians and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
The 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man Of The Year is not the kind of free agent who would land in Tampa and mail it in, and Joe is confident Bowles would know how to use him.
Last season, Campbell played for $10 million. Maybe he would play for half that plus incentives and be a solid replacement for whichever free agent(s) the Bucs can’t re-sign along the defensive line: Ndamukong Suh and/or Will Gholston.
February 14th, 2022 at 4:19 pm
Not bad. I think Suh is gone. Need to replace. Draft or FA. At less cost.
February 14th, 2022 at 4:44 pm
Old expensive and over 300 pounds. Declining production…. I really don’t think chasing the top free agents from 5 years ago is the best plan.
February 14th, 2022 at 4:46 pm
If I Can choose I stand by Suh, if he is out and comes cheap I would be very happy
February 14th, 2022 at 4:46 pm
Age is a concern but then again we’re all praying that a soon-to-be 45 year old comes back to play QB, so… it’s not the worse option in the world.
Obviously would prefer to draft a young stud but that’s no guarantee either.
February 14th, 2022 at 4:52 pm
In our last playoff game, the only DLineman who REALLY showed up was Ndamukong Suh: 6 tackles, half a sack, 4 QB Hits, and 1 forced fumble. Next closest was Vea with 3 tackles, 1 sack & 2 QB Hits. And on that last play, Suh was within inches of getting to Stafford before he launched that pass.
I want BOTH Suh AND Gholston back this year. During the regular season, Suh led the DLine with 6 sacks, 13 QB Hits plus 7 TFLs. Vea was next with 4 sacks, 12 QB Hits & 5 TFLs. But pretty even with him was Will Gholston: 4.5 sacks, 11 QB Hits & 7 TFLs. The surprise of the year was Nelson: 5 sacks, 10 QB Hits & 7 TFLs (excellent IMO for only getting 31% of the def snaps).
So ya, it’d be smart IMO to re-sign Suh AND Gholston, but the size & duration of the contracts will be important. Hopefully if they’re heavily incentive-laden both plays will opt to re-sign.
And BTW, if you look at the other DLinemen (RNR, O’Connor & McLendon) the 3 of them together totaled 1 sack, 8 QB Hits & 5 TFLs for the season. Two of them are FAs. Those would be good slots to stick in 1 draft pick & 1 FA acquisition to improve our DLine.
February 14th, 2022 at 4:54 pm
The Bucs should re-sign Suh and sign Calais Campbell.
February 14th, 2022 at 5:04 pm
Over the Hill Gang?
February 14th, 2022 at 5:11 pm
i’m a suh guy all the way…he and vita
February 14th, 2022 at 5:16 pm
If we can sign Campbell, it can only help us since we are certain to lose some of our players.
February 14th, 2022 at 5:34 pm
If he will sign for a depth/rotational player price I am onboard with letting Calais fill Steve Mclendon’s soon to be vacated roster spot. If he comes here to win at cheap price I don’t see how that is a bad move.
February 14th, 2022 at 5:35 pm
We could trade away a couple first for Rodgers, sign this guy and bring back our free agents to make another title run.
February 14th, 2022 at 5:43 pm
Well, it’s part of the solution. Is he playing better than Suh at this age? Is Suh coming back? We need to bring back Gholston since he’s a bit younger, a bit cheaper, and really wants to be back… And if we can afford it, bring back Suh or sign Campbell… but really, we’ve got to bring in some interior DL talent through the draft. It can’t all be just about next year. We’ve got to get some youth and energy in there to pair with Vea over the longer term.
February 14th, 2022 at 5:43 pm
We have a lot of our own free agents with a few set to earn big money. I hate to break it to everyone but the Bucs don’t have a lot of money to sign people with. We aren’t going to be able to field an entire team of high priced free agents. We are going to have to sign some dudes towards the of their careers or with issues to some prove it deals to possibly field a team that can contend for a title.
February 14th, 2022 at 5:47 pm
@ DR
It would be nice if we could get both Suh and Gholston signed. They are both on my free agent wish list. If P. O’Conner recovers from his injury I hope he comes back too. Solid on special teams and was starting to come play well on defense.
Then we could focus the draft on other positions of need like CB, WR, TE, etc…
February 14th, 2022 at 5:48 pm
It’s about 5 years too late for this one.
Plus do we really have $17 million laying around for Calais Campbell?
February 14th, 2022 at 6:20 pm
Campbell could work out if we don’t sign Suh…..I think we will sign Will Gholston & he will retire as a Buc…..one of our better 4th round picks along with Whitehead.
February 14th, 2022 at 6:20 pm
Next r. Sherman
February 14th, 2022 at 6:34 pm
U really wanted him back then but he may be too far past his prime.
February 14th, 2022 at 6:54 pm
I’m pretty sure Suh is gone. He’s been a traveling act, going from best market contract to best market contract; he’s not coming back for peanuts. He played for $9 million last season, for sake of reference.
The one discounted vet might be JPP. Someone might take a shot on him, in hopes that his body isn’t breaking down. He’ll be cheap, but money will be tight after Godwin, Carlton Davis, and either Cappa or Whitehead are re-signed. Honestly, it’ll take some creative accounting even then.
February 14th, 2022 at 6:54 pm
DB’s clean sweep except Winfield.
February 14th, 2022 at 6:56 pm
Gholston is a better investment and is really a necessary re-signing.
As for Suh vs. Campbell, I think it’s gonna have to be a real low salary in order to do either one. They need to get younger and cheaper there. Spend a 2nd round pick on a guy who can take over the job. Best case, we could choose the better of Suh and Campbell for a low salary plus draft a DL.
February 14th, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Time for new blood on either side of Vea.
February 14th, 2022 at 7:00 pm
The free agent market for CBs is really thin, so supply and demand rules will prevail. Carlton Davis is likely going to get some offers above his value to the team. But then he’s the only legit coverage CB in the Bucs defensive secondary. It’s not a good situation.
February 14th, 2022 at 7:02 pm
Good sign
February 14th, 2022 at 7:09 pm
Listnfrmafar Says:
February 14th, 2022 at 6:54 pm
DB’s clean sweep except Winfield.
………….
Does your idiocy know no bounds?! What is your backup plan to that mr. GM?
LOL keep those zingers coming. They are entertaining to say the least.
February 14th, 2022 at 7:30 pm
It’s so funny how mad the media would get at Koetter for his press conferences when that was literally the reason they wanted him to supplant Lovie
February 14th, 2022 at 7:54 pm
Marine Buc … Would dearly love to see both Suh & Gholston back. O’Connor played a LOT of S/Ts, but in his 4 yrs with us as a DE, he’s played in only 40 games, has gotten a grand total of 1.5 sacks, 4 QB Hits, 2 TFLs & 14 tackles. Not much progress there.
I still would like to see us use our first 3 Rnds picks for CB, DT, DE/OLB (not necessarily in that order) so that we could get younger in those key positions. I still can’t see us re-signing BOTH Godwin AND Davis, but I’m hopeful we can get one signed (Godwin would be my preference).
And Passing Thru, I think Suh would love to finish out his career here (I think he’s kinda adopted this as HIS team). He seems to like playing for Todd Bowles, so I don’t think it’s out of the question that he’d go one more year then hang it up.
February 14th, 2022 at 8:00 pm
@ Passing Thru
I appreciate your candor. Very few fans like to discuss reality… The Bucs are in a weak salary cap situation with 26 free agents to sig, the #27 draft position and Kyle Trask (currently) at QB.
We have many bridges to cross. If I were GM I would start from the bottom and work my way up. Sign as many inexpensive depth pieces we can first. Then add 6 valuable draft picks. Then spend the remainder of the cap signing cheap FA’s in order to fill the gaps…
That to me sounds more realistic than what most people are talking about.
February 14th, 2022 at 8:05 pm
@ DR
This offense requires 3 quality receivers in order to fire on all pistons…
We have Mike Evans. Godwin will hopefully be back. I have seen enough of Tyler Johnson and S. Miller.
We absolutely need a serious #3 WR. We can’t afford to buy one.
We have to draft one.
Not only would I spend my #27 pick on a WR. I would move up in the first round if necessary in order todraft the weapon we need…
I would draft a CB with pick #2 and role the dice. SMB, Davis and Dean were not first round picks.
February 14th, 2022 at 8:13 pm
Bring back Warren Sapp Simeon Rice Booger McFarland Derrick Brooks Shelton Quarles Ronde Barber Brian Kelly Dexter Jackson Donnie Abraham Damien Robinson & find a way to get John Lynch out of the SF front office.
February 14th, 2022 at 8:32 pm
Bring suh n golston back n sign Campbell. That’s a beast dline. Suhs old n so is Campbell but together they can share n be effective.
February 14th, 2022 at 8:51 pm
SB, go look up the definition of insanity it will say Todd Bowles and his DB’s. Am I to assume you’re happy with the DB’s the last two seasons? If so you deserve to go back to your losing ways because Bucs O will not be scoring 30 + a game any longer.
February 14th, 2022 at 8:55 pm
If you want a good DB, go sign JC Jackson. The dude has a nose for the ball, and would fit perfectly behind a constantly blitzing defense. (So long as all the players are blitzing when it’s called) the bucs secondary was trash. They’d be better off bringing in UFAs than the collection of garbage they had this year. Jackson is a number one corner, in the top ten in QB rating against. He is also fantastic in zone coverage, a lost art among traditional #1 corners. The Patriots will not franchise him, and they’ll low-ball him in talks. Spread the money out via a huge bonus, and instantly solve two problems.
February 14th, 2022 at 9:33 pm
If they want to go big, Chandler Jones. Calais, on a cheap contract only.
February 14th, 2022 at 9:46 pm
I’m still seeing some delusional expectations for free agency. We will be lucky to afford our own and get 1 or 2 mid-range outside free agents… and even that is going to require some serious work. I think sometimes people focus on big names, and forget about the team picture — little things like the TE position — Gronk’s not coming back, and we’re probably not going to spend big money on that position, but we probably need to add 1 or 2 quality players to the position in free agency. I mean, go look around the roster where we have needs — DL, ILB, WR3, CB. Once we sign Godwin, Davis, Gholston, Whitehead, maybe Jensen, where’s the money coming from?
February 14th, 2022 at 10:54 pm
Carlton Davis is a damm good CB. Look at his stats and look what he does to #1 WRs. Numbers speak for themself.
And our secondary is in good hands with Bowles. He has a very good track record with DBs.
February 15th, 2022 at 12:44 am
Campbell is an interesting option, but….why would he come to a Bucs team with so much unsettled, especially at quarterback? Neither Lame Goobert nor Kyle’s Trashk are going to engender any magnetism. If Brady renounces his retirement and gets a furlough from the Horsefaced Commandant before Free Agency, then game on. Otherwise, we’ve got Vita, LVD, Shaq, Diva and Toine on D.
On O we have nothing at QB, KV toting the rock behind 3/5 of the OL that blocked for Lenny and protected Tom, and Mike.
That’s a pretty barren looking base to try and attract free agents.
Licht has his work cut out, I don’t envy him.
The Bucs only hope, only tactical choice really, is to lure Brady bac to One Buc Place for one last go.
Frau Commandant will have to eat her oats for another year.
February 15th, 2022 at 12:47 am
The big question is can Campbell NOT jump offsides and avoid the trendy B.S. of trying to time snap counts, avoid dumb undisciplined personal foul penalties and just play smart football. I’m all about changing the chemistry of our defense.
For the record JimmyJack our defensive secondary was our Achilles heal this year. Arians fingerprints are all over our defense. We essentially have the 2016-2017 Arizona Cardinals defensive coaches and every defense Todd Bowles has coached is INCREDIBLY one dimensional. Absoluely amazing against the run and horrendous against the pass. I’m beginning to think we won a Super Bowl in spite of Todd Bowles, not because off. One AMAZING S.B. game plan against K.C.. Bowles had PLENTY of tape of KC weaknesses to study including the beat down they gave us a few weeks prior. He made a great game plan. Not the first time Andy Reid has been outcoached in a SB by the way. I thank him for that game plan. But Arians and his Cardinal coaching staff do not instill any discipline and let’s face it, it was Tom Brady and Leftwich.
February 15th, 2022 at 1:01 am
Suh showed me he has gas in the tank. JPP is done, injuries have caught up but You can plug and play tryon
February 15th, 2022 at 9:05 am
I think it depends on the front office goals this season…but personally I prefer to pass. I think Suh might stay if we need him. JPP is the one we’ll need to replace.
Even if JPP plays another year, his durability is now a question. He’s a fast healer…but he gets injured every year too.
February 15th, 2022 at 4:17 pm
Vea, Suh and Campbell sounds like a nice set of down linemen.