Sony Michel & The Bucs
March 20th, 2022
Running back Sony Michel, a guy who owns two Super Bowl rings after being drafted No. 31 overall in 2018, is an interesting guy as it relates to the current state of Buccaneers football.
Michel, 27, had a strong 845 yards and four touchdowns rushing for the Super Bowl champion Rams last season, averaging 4.1 yards per carry, and he broke through a bit as a pass catcher pulling in 21 balls.
He’s a proven player and a free agent as the Bucs are negotiating (hopefully) with Leonard “Show Me The Money” Fournette.
Drafted by the Belicheats four years ago, Michel jumped right into the mix and not only became an emerging beast during New England’s regular season. He went all Playoff Sony in the postseason with six touchdowns in three games, including the game winner in the Super Bowl. And a winning TD in that defensive slugfest of a Super Bowl was an extra big deal.
Joe is thinking more about Michel today as there may be a line in the sand to signing Fournette that the Bucs won’t cross.
Tom Brady spent two seasons with Michel, who might be half the price of Fournette. But Joe’s mind is going to how Brady already knows how a rookie running back can transform an offense.
Maybe, just maybe, the Bucs are thinking (with Brady’s blessing), of rolling with a rookie RB year in Round 1 or 2 of the draft, and letting him compete with Ke’Shawn Vaughn and other veterans.
Brady’s been down that road before successfully with Michel.
Enjoy Saturday’s Ira Kaufman Podcast!
March 20th, 2022 at 9:55 am
Probably a good strategy. Hate to see Lenny walk but completely understandable with the CAP issue.
March 20th, 2022 at 9:57 am
I wouldn’t be surprised at a 2nd round RB…..at this point, I think we need a starter on the Dline……pick one in the 1st.
March 20th, 2022 at 10:09 am
I wouldn’t hate michel, and Vaughn looked like he passed jones toward the end of the season. If be content with michel, Vaughn, jones and let a rookie compete to move up the charts.Always other late fa rbs to sign as well
March 20th, 2022 at 10:10 am
No way we pick a running back on the first round. I doubt anyone will. Second round? Perhaps though I’m thinking third or beyond. Also Michel makes sense if Lenny moves on.
March 20th, 2022 at 10:21 am
There are enough good RBs in this draft to find one in the second or third round.
As long as Licht doesn’t try to get cute, like with RoJo.
March 20th, 2022 at 10:27 am
i do like breece hall…but i don’t think we can get him…could he be there at #27 ??????
March 20th, 2022 at 10:43 am
Wouldn’t like to see the Bucs pay Lenny any more than 6.5 mil/yr
March 20th, 2022 at 10:44 am
I was really high on Michel coming out of Georgia. I would love to see him in a Bucs uniform, although I think Fournette’s the better back at this point. Fournette knows the system and has been a great receiver out of the backfield. It’s all about the $$$$. Can we afford him? He’s got to give a little for this to work out. As far as I rookie, I would be very anxious without an established RB on the roster. If we’re all in, we need a Fournette or Michelle in the backfield.
March 20th, 2022 at 10:49 am
Not sure I am a Sony Michel fan. He was typically taken off the field in passing situations in New England and I do not think he was a good pass protect guy there. But last year, the Rams seemed to rave about his pass protect.
I will go with our 2nd GM, Tom Brady. If he thinks Michel works then so do I.
March 20th, 2022 at 10:50 am
There are NO RBs worth a 1st rd pick. Any team that reaches for that should fire their GM.
March 20th, 2022 at 10:52 am
I’ve been kinda wondering why people haven’t been talking about him as an option. He always seemed like a pretty solid guy to me. Cheaper and a little younger than Lenny.
March 20th, 2022 at 11:07 am
Brian Robinson Jr. from Alabama in 3rd round is very well suited for Brady. Chris Olave in 1st round at 27 if he is available , this kid is the best route runner in the draft , cannot get caught short at WR again in playoffs.
March 20th, 2022 at 11:12 am
Not much of a receiver.
March 20th, 2022 at 11:17 am
Every penny they have to spare needs to go toward pressuring the opposing quarterback
March 20th, 2022 at 11:18 am
If the Bucs can’t sign Lenny, Michel would be a good signing. Draft RB in 2nd or 3rd rd. depending all things fall.
March 20th, 2022 at 11:22 am
I seems to me that Playoff/Super Bowl Lenny has been an excellent player and teammate since he arrived and he really seems to make some amazing plays when needed the most! Without some of those plays I’m not sure the Bucs would have made it to the big game last year.
I’m curious why so many people on this site seem to have such strong opinions on his “salary demands” even though we likely have no idea what his agent is asking for. Is it possible that the team has simply told him & Gronk & Suh that they will deal with them a bit later?
He appears to have been a class act since joining the Bucs. Is there some other issues I’m not aware of?
March 20th, 2022 at 11:23 am
In 4 playoff games 26 rushes 80 yards and 4 targets.
Rams were unable to run the ball.
Really liked the guy on NE and happy he got a 2nd SB, but I’d rather even a old leaveon bell. Or a pure pass catcher and draft and RB.
March 20th, 2022 at 11:24 am
I personally would sign Lenny unless he demands a huge pay cheque
March 20th, 2022 at 11:27 am
I’m wondering if Tom signs a restructure deal. As I think he will have to get Gronk on the team which I assume Gronk will sign later in the season once keys FA signed and cap is settled. Gronk I assume has a verbal or written deal now just waiting on cap and other players to sign and once Marpet cap is dropped in June Gronk will get real contract
March 20th, 2022 at 11:33 am
This dude was damn good in college and I can remember him ripping off huge runs while at Georgia, but he’s been a bit disappointing in the NFL. He’s decent and I’d take him over bringing back Rojo.
March 20th, 2022 at 11:35 am
^^^^Yes but what do Chargers and Browns fans think about my team?
March 20th, 2022 at 11:36 am
Michel came into the league with bad knees and missed some games in New England his first couple years because of them. That was why Bill let him go.
March 20th, 2022 at 11:38 am
A rookie RB always seems like the sexy move for a win now team, and truth is if it’s a hit (generational talent) then it would be. But history has shown that it’s not a sure thing, look at Sony in NE, or the dude SEA drafted in the first and couldn’t take over with Rawls, or even KC with Clyde.. it would HAVE to be a massive hit to our weight a defensive stud or iron cog at guard that would be somehow much better then Stinnie or whoever we have planned to fill in for the opposite side as Shaq. If we some how talk Ali outa retirement and can squeeze him into the books, I think a RB becomes much more likely
March 20th, 2022 at 11:50 am
Never been a huge fan of Michel. There are better options, IMO, but at what price?
BA says:
Remember the Hamster…
March 20th, 2022 at 11:51 am
If I were going with a Georgia RB, it’d be one of the two coming out of the draft. Zeus White or Dalvin Cook’s brother James.
March 20th, 2022 at 11:53 am
if Spiller from Texas A&M is there in 2nd round, I could see him being a nice add (maybe I have some bias being an Aggie fan for 35 years!)….. Also, haven’t heard much about Penny who is a FA… he came on huge in last few weeks, BUT does have extensive injury history… would be a home run type runner IF healthy…..
March 20th, 2022 at 11:54 am
This is how FA works. Want Lenny badly. Sony Michel is a good fallback.
Not worried. I have complete faith I JL. He’s a big reason why FA’s want to play here. Ask TB.
March 20th, 2022 at 12:00 pm
This team does not feature the run, therefore, if a RB does not block, or catch, he does not play (See Ronald Jones). You play less if you havent demonstrated the ability to do it in the pros (See Sneak). Nothing sexy about a rookie running back these days. How many of them get drafted every year? Teams that need and feature RBs typically overuse and overpay them for their services. Love me some Lenny, but hoping there is a wise voice in his ear advising him of what a good position he is in. He can mitigate his wear and tear, and when it comes time for the Trask show, he can get all the carries his body can take.
March 20th, 2022 at 12:07 pm
No offense, but I’d rather have a Sony PlayStation
March 20th, 2022 at 12:15 pm
There will be a few good running backs in the later rounds of the draft. Cincinnati has a good running back that may go undrafted
March 20th, 2022 at 12:18 pm
Absolutely doesn’t fit this offense so not sure why this is even a topic on a credible site that should know their heads from a hole in the wall.
March 20th, 2022 at 12:25 pm
I’m not worried about the Bucs offense. The defense needs to be addressed. If they keep neglecting the pass rush and the secondary, it’ll come back to haunt them. Defense wins championships!
March 20th, 2022 at 12:43 pm
The Nola kid will come back.
March 20th, 2022 at 12:49 pm
@Ben Harvey
Rams defense was not special.
Bucs defense in 2020 played better than Rams defense in 2021.
KC defense in 2019 was way worse than their offense.
Many ways to win the NFL championship.
Fans used to say run the ball and play defense.
No longer true. If you have one of the best passing offenses as we do, we will clearly be in the hunt. Who is the defense that you think will win it because I am putting my money on teams that can score a lot next year.
March 20th, 2022 at 1:32 pm
Just give Lenny that damn 20 mil ski and be done with it. Next😎
March 20th, 2022 at 1:47 pm
Bucs had him in twice before the draft and he was picked a few spots before the Bucs and then they took RoJo
March 20th, 2022 at 2:26 pm
Are you still butthurt that the patriots won all those superbowls writer. You suck
March 20th, 2022 at 2:45 pm
The Bucs could easily done both. Draft a early round RB and sign a proven veteran. Fournette, Michelle, Penny or M. Gordon.
March 20th, 2022 at 2:55 pm
Fournette is a serviceable back but anything over what a mid range RB makes is paying way too much. RB in rounds 1-3 should be a priority, that and pass rushers.
March 20th, 2022 at 2:57 pm
@bucsfansince1976 I’m a huge Robinson guy and not only because I love Bama, but he’s come a long way and had to wait his turn with Najee Harris and others or we would have seen him a lot more of what he can do. He won’t go past the second round and wouldn’t be surprised if he was taken in the first and all I can say to the other Buc fans is watch the tape!! He’s a stud !! Total team guy and would fit right in and could see him get a lot of playing time in his first season. Go Bucs
March 20th, 2022 at 3:00 pm
NOT GONNA HAPPEN 4Net …
To get the bag someone has to offer you the bag. 4Net was an good-not-great RB on a loaded team. He’s 27yo with 1-2 years left as a starter. I’m guessing he gets $6-8M, 2 year contract ($3-4M per year).
March 20th, 2022 at 5:11 pm
Sony Michel would be a fine pickup. But he can be fragile and needs a limited work load. That means a RB committee would be important in his case.
I’d be more fired up about Melvin Gordon, a true feature back. Rashaad Penny, greatly improved after working with Adrian Peterson. Seahawks may want him back. I like Marlon Mack, but he needs to be checked out heathwise.
Draft: Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker, Zamir White, Brian Robinson, Dameon Pierce, Isiah Spiller, James Cooke.
March 20th, 2022 at 5:54 pm
I think give Sony a shot ole lenny can’t stay healthy.
March 20th, 2022 at 6:16 pm
NO, NO, NO, I watched him for years in NE, he is very inconsistent. Vaughn has a bigger upside.
March 20th, 2022 at 6:34 pm
How about Corrdelle Patterson is he still a FA? A Swiss army knife who can run,catch,and pass protect but not sure what he might cost
March 20th, 2022 at 6:44 pm
Saw he signed with the Falcons nevermind
March 20th, 2022 at 6:48 pm
no way Joe! we need to draft dline rounds 1,2,3
March 20th, 2022 at 9:01 pm
Sony is a more dynamic runner than Lenny but I’m not sure how he is out of the backfield and blocking. It seems if he was good and pass protection and receiving he wouldn’t have lost playing time in New England and would’ve stuck around more with Brady.
I really wanted the Buccaneers to draft him but there seems to be a plethora of running backs that can be had in the first three rounds with a lot of experience in college at receiving and pass protection.
March 20th, 2022 at 9:03 pm
All that said, I would welcome Sony. I am also really waiting to hear some news about the D line.
I definitely think the first and second round are going towards defense unless there’s a tight end that jumps up at them but I don’t think this draft has one
March 21st, 2022 at 4:48 am
Defense wins Super Bowls. Look at the 2002 Buc team. Plus the 2021 SB Bucs shutting down the high powered offense of KC (holding them to 3 fgs) Address the defensive side of the ball especially the d-line and the d-back field. With the loss of Marpet to retirement and another O-Line man to the FA route the Bucs are not deep at those positions. Pierre Paul and Suh need to be resigned. Retain Fournett and Gronk too. I know all this is a tuff task because of the Salary Cap but it must be done to return to the Super Bowl ??!!
March 21st, 2022 at 8:38 am
Sony is a hard running North-South back.
March 21st, 2022 at 8:45 am
Sony Michel? No. Draft a RB.
Michel had a great rookie season, followed by a rather unremarkable second season. Then the injuries mounted. He has serious trouble staying healthy. I wouldn’t count on him except for a handful of snaps per game, not if you want him around for the postseason.
March 21st, 2022 at 9:30 am
Running Backs can be had in the draft if Lenny leaves. As I have been saying for awhile…D-LINE, D-LINE,-D-LINE…Gotta have that Pass Rush!!!! Look at the 2022 schedule….playing a lot of great QB’s with high power offensives…..Need that RUSH THE PASSER MENTALITY IN PLACE!!!!
March 21st, 2022 at 10:39 am
I just like how homie wrote “Belicheats” 😂 get outta here
March 21st, 2022 at 12:58 pm
Thank you for your patronage. Obviously, you are a first-time visitor.–Joe