Antoine Winfield = Bucs Out Of Balance
February 23rd, 2024
Joe is pacing and throwing empty cans of Big Storm beer while hearing barking about how Antoine Winfield Jr. is the Bucs’ most important free agent to re-sign.
Sure, re-sign him. He’s an All-Pro, a gamechanger and he turns 26 in August. Sounds great. But Joe’s DNA cannot accept a safety being more important than a Pro Bowl starting quarterback or a Hall of Fame receiver.
Sorry, the NFL is not wired that way. It’s a safety-driven league.
Joe hopes the Bucs have the will to re-sign Winfield, Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans, the greatest receiver in Bucs history. Joe says “will” because there’s always a way, even if it’s not the wisest fiscal move.
But what if the Bucs do drop a load of Team Glazer loot on Winfield?
That means the Bucs would have two cornerbacks paid among the top-12 in the NFL at their position — and a break-the-bank safety. That’s a lopsided positional ledger for any team, especially one that had a poor pass defense by any reasonable calculation in 2023.
The Dolphins spend that kind of money in the secondary with fortunes doled out to Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard, but Joe can’t think of any team that would compare to the Bucs’ defensive backfield payroll once Winfield is signed for 2024.
It’s not general manager Jason Licht’s fault that he drafted cornerbacks — Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis — and a safety worthy of fat paychecks. But something feels very wrong about investing that kind of cash in the secondary.
Ira Kaufman Talks Team Glazer Effect On Mike Evans And Firm Bucs Offseason Philosophy, Addresses Rumors & More
February 23rd, 2024 at 2:44 pm
I said last year that re-signing Dean was gonna be too much. Could have kept SeMuBu for a much lower price and been okay. They need to unload CD3 or Dean. Get players who can actually log some interceptions for a lower price.
February 23rd, 2024 at 2:48 pm
Well winfield would be the one to stay. Cant justify keeping Dean and Davis and not winfield. Plain and simple. Cut Davis and Dean before not resigning winfield.
February 23rd, 2024 at 2:48 pm
If you don’t, just imagine how bad this defense will be.
February 23rd, 2024 at 2:55 pm
Simple. Trade Davis or Dean. Start McCollum. Draft a CB.
February 23rd, 2024 at 2:59 pm
I’ve always felt like it is most important to emphasize paying the elite positions that you have on your team first and foremost. Having as many elite players on offense and defense as possible, eating up cap, allows you to find other positions at a reasonable rate. I understand that the quarterback is the most important position on the field but how many times have we seen a team allocate a massive portion of their cap to a non elite quarterback, which turns out to bite them in the back end. I definitely think Winfield is priority number one given his age and impact. Think of how huge it was for the Seahawks to have Earl Thomas in his prime. I’m hoping we don’t overpay on a deal at quarterback that set us back several years by causing us to lose out on players, that we could otherwise resign. Mike Evans is obviously a huge priority as well with how elite he is consistently.
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:04 pm
Wrong again. As usual.
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:06 pm
AW is my favorite player. I talk about him so much my friends are getting tired of hearing about his greatness. With that said, I’m afraid you right, Joe and that really really sucks.
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:12 pm
Joe says
“But Joe’s DNA cannot accept a safety being more important than a Pro Bowl starting quarterback or a Hall of Fame receiver.”
Well I think Winfield is the second FA to sign after ME13….
BM is important I agree, but depends on how much, he had a good season with the Bucs and one with the Browns, does that mean we should pay the guy as a Pro bowl QB? Mi opinion is no….I know that some would pay whatever it takes, I disagree ….
Welcome disagreements and none confrontational debates
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:13 pm
Silly Joe.
Winfield is on the upswing of his career.
Evans is soon to be in full decline, when, who knows? Could be a year or could be 3-4 but that’s a huge financial gamble when you’re trying to build a winning TEAM and not just trying to reward a feel good career story.
Bye Mike.
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:14 pm
you have been wrong about qb’s in the past and loyal to players to a fault…..lol
bake is good but not exceptional.
same for mike
AW is exceptional.
This site just posted about this drafted being the dppest at WR in history…..so, we can get another good WR in the draft cheaper and with more upside.
I like bakes moxy, but his job is not waiting to look off mike and then fight linebackers…his job is to read the D, execute quickly and deliver the ball. He does non of these exceptionally.
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:15 pm
Safeties arent a high paid position, for that very reason.
Listen, the greatest long snapper in the league- IN LEAGUE HISTORY- isnt going to make as much as Blaine Gabbert.
Winfield Jr. shouldnt break the bank. Players will accept alot less, for long term.
Thats a strategy GMs are often seen employing.
Should work here
Should work with Mayfield.
Wont work with Evans, because of his age. Cant sign him long term
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:16 pm
I agree! Winfield is a game wrecker. You don’t let all pro’s in their prime walk out the door.
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:16 pm
@ D-Rome
Agree 100%
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:20 pm
Unfortunately we are stuck with C. Davis because of all the guaranteed money left on his deal.
However – he and dean have base salaries totaling $26M that can be restructured and pushed into VOID years if needed.
The Bucs have plenty of space to re-sign Winfield if they really want to get it done.
Winfield is the one free agent I really don’t want to lose.
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:21 pm
Sorry Joe you are wrong. Winfield is just not another Safety he is the best Safety in football and the Bucs lose at least 2 to 3 more games without him. Evans is 31 and Baker has only had 1 really good year which was last year under Canales. I still think Winfield is number 1 priority. Followed by Evans and then Baker.
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:22 pm
Kinda think that Winfield saved 2 games last year with his Safety play. Add in his overall 2023 performance and I’d say that he’s a game-changer.
Sorry but I don’t feel the same about Davis or Dean. They’re both good, but they’re not game-changers. Together the 2 of them make almost $28 mil a year. Winfield will probably make about $18 mil a year. All the rest of our Secondary are youngsters on their 1st contract, probably averaging about $1 mil apiece. So that’s about $53 mil for a 10-man Secondary … roughly 20% of the 2024 salary CAP of $255 mil for 19% of our 53-man roster. It aligns fairly well. Not inexpensive to be sure, but I’d bet there are a number of other teams paying at least that for their Secondary.
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:25 pm
@ Lt. Dan
I like your idea but trading Davis will accelerate his signing bonus money and his $12M of bonus money will become due this season.
So we would save $14M of base salary but end up still paying his $12M of guaranteed money he is owed.
Davis is mediocre at best but getting rid of him to save $2M just doesn’t seem worth it.
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:32 pm
BucsFan81 Says:
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:21 pm
Sorry Joe you are wrong. Winfield is just not another Safety he is the best Safety in football and the Bucs lose at least 2 to 3 more games without him. Evans is 31 and Baker has only had 1 really good year which was last year under Canales. I still think Winfield is number 1 priority. Followed by Evans and then Baker.
__________
Good point.
How many games did Ol Softie 93 win for us?
Yet so many homers valued him so highly, some hilariously still do.
He was good not great and rarely (once) did he get us a game changing play.
Winfield is the real deal and must be retained.
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:47 pm
Money for nothin’ and the checks are free. Up theirs. Phoohey.
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:48 pm
AW is absolutely priority number one. Joe you lost me on this one. AW, ME, BM in that order.
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:49 pm
This is a top 10 defense though they did not show it sometimes in many games. Because the offense was sporadic in keeping the other teams’ offense off the field by sustaining drives. I watched a lot of game playbacks. The offense did miraculous on many 3rd and longs. Even when executing at a high level will result in a lot of punts and field goals when a majority of your 3rd downs are behind the chain. Canales did not appear to understand, sometimes you throw to run. Force the defense to think and shift by throwing more often on first. Then you will see bigger wholes to run through in future first downs.
The linebacker play was also a little shotty when it counted – see Texans game and Lions playoff game. Keep as many of the DBs as we can but it may be more important to invest in LB play. Someone that can make a difference in shutting down TE or effectively blitzing when it counts.
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:50 pm
You have to sign Winfield Evans and Levante David the rest can be figured out
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:56 pm
Good point Marine ref 2m. If I recall the Joe’s said that Davis would fetch a 3rd round pick. I’d roll the dice on the trade, save 2m, maybe draft a rookie CB that doesn’t stay hurt. No risk it…blah, blah’ blah. I’d pull the trigger.
February 23rd, 2024 at 3:57 pm
Winfield forced and recovered a fumble in a Week 1 that directly led to 3 points in a 20-17 win.
Winfield was a big reason the Bucs were in position to win the Atl game in Week 6 causing the Ridder fumble at the goal line.
In the Week 12 game against the Panthers, he iced the game against the Panthers with a 4th quarter interception.
In the Week 13 game agains the Falcons, he had a sack for a safety and an interception in a 4 pt win.
In the Week 18 game against the Panthers, he caused a fumble at the goal line again and later sacked the Panthers out of field goal range in a 9-0 game.
I’d contend that his level of play above the average safety is higher than Mayfield’s level of play above the average QB and that it is more consistent on a year to year basis.
February 23rd, 2024 at 4:06 pm
Hmmm, now we are going to trade our top Cornerback, to keep a Safety.
Same bunch that think a WR is more valuable than a QB.
These General Manager/ Krystal Fry chef Combos have a revolutionary way of constructing an NFL Roster. Unique system of team priorities.
Sleep well, Jason Licht. You have excellent job security. Nobody posting on JoeBuc is taking your Job!
February 23rd, 2024 at 4:13 pm
Priority is Winfield long term and David for a year. Trade either CD3 or Dean, and hopefully get a cost effective safety to pair with Winfield, or a good draft pick.
February 23rd, 2024 at 4:14 pm
Dude without winfields game changing plays we don’t get into the playoffs at all
February 23rd, 2024 at 4:36 pm
The more i read your takes on thingd; the more i start to feel ypur not very smart. Mike Evans definitely a priority to resign but him and Winfield are equally important. If we dont have Winfield this oast season we moght have missed the playoffs. Two huge TD savimg forced fumbles. Not only did they stol a TD but kept the momentum in the Bucs favor. Mayfield ya but im not sold on him being the guy. But ya Joe you have some idiotic views my man. How can you say that our best defensive player isnt #1 priority or atleasy share that title with Mike Evans. Winfield is insanely good and will onlu get better as he enters his prime come on Joe your an idiot
February 23rd, 2024 at 4:37 pm
tough to blame the personnel on our bad pass defense, it often times feels like scheme issues where we drop into a zone and one guy (usually Devin White) either gets too little or too much depth. It does feel like if we just played man defense every time like the Saints that our two corners are more than adequate to shut down most WR’s
February 23rd, 2024 at 4:41 pm
Screw it…..let ’em all walk, the greedy sonsofbitches!!!
February 23rd, 2024 at 4:48 pm
Mike Evans rocks, no doubt.
But Winfied is a generational player entering his prime. He is most certainly the most important free agent to re-sign.
That doesn’t mean we don’t need to re-sign Evans too.
February 23rd, 2024 at 4:53 pm
If given the choice, I doubt there’s a team in the league who wouldn’t sign Winfield, a generational DB, over Mayfield, an average to above average QB.
It’d be nice if Evan’s could finish his career in Tampa, but I wouldn’t give him emotional money to stay.Make a fair offer based on his talent level and age commensurate with others who possess his ability.
If he doesn’t take it he the can break the aging WR bank someplace else.
February 23rd, 2024 at 5:02 pm
ReSign ME resign Baker for some mediocre football for the next 3 years Use Winfield and picks to trade up and draft the future QB
February 23rd, 2024 at 5:04 pm
Winfield is likely the preferred target of the franchise tag. Much lower price point than QB or WR. Winfield is an undeniable talent, but it takes the Bowles system to unlock. If there’s a new coaxing staff in 2025, do want a lot of money tied up at safety? Unlikely.
February 23rd, 2024 at 5:05 pm
Cut Dean, restructure Davis, especially with incentives based on staying on the field. Draft a safety. Extend Winfield immediately, so you free the franchise tag in case you need it for Mayfield.
Mayfield is a top 12-18 QB, statistically. The QBs in that range make between $20M and $35M, and franchise tag is $36M. Plus, the cap just went way up… and players expect to benefit from that. IF you can get a 3-4 year deal for BM at $32M-$36M, take it – if not, tag him and keep negotiating. Replacing him would be a bigger problem than replacing Evans.
As for Evans, I think you want him back if you can get him, but there are a LOT of talented receivers in this draft. Restructure Chris Godwin, cut Gage, and make a run at Mike. IF he’s wanting too much, let him go and draft a good one high.
February 23rd, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Seriously Joe
A streaky qb and a 30 yr old receiver are more important to you than Winfield?
You should stop kicking the big storm beer cans and start drinking them. Then maybe you’ll understand that by FAR Winfield is are most important player. How can you seriously type that baker would be more valuable 😂. Mike Evans makes all QBs shine a little. Hence all the 1000 yrs receiving with qbs not named your golden boy baker. Seriously Joe. Let’s put up one of your polls and ask us who is most important. Very disappointed
February 23rd, 2024 at 5:43 pm
Just think if we would have been able to resign Jordan Whitehead. He was playing lights out for the Bucs before he jumped to the Jets. We would have had the best safety tandem in football.
February 23rd, 2024 at 5:45 pm
DID JOE WATCH THE GAMES?
Winfield won multiple games for the Bucs. He went above and beyond and won the game. You don’t spend money on a player because he plays a particular position. You pay a player because he produces. Winfield produces wins.
February 23rd, 2024 at 6:09 pm
Joe-
Where are you missing that Carlton Davis won’t be back with his current contract? Periodtz
February 23rd, 2024 at 6:13 pm
Joe he is the most important free agent, because they made a mistake with Davis and Dean doesnt mean they shouldnt keep AW. I rather lose Evans so he can join a winning team.
February 23rd, 2024 at 6:42 pm
So, it seems no one agrees with this Joe on this topic.
February 23rd, 2024 at 6:44 pm
Nostalgia is killing you Joe ( and company).
We have ZERO issue with signing our free agents that want to be here and not the highest bidder and doing so will put us in great cap space.
Antoine is not looking for his last contract.
Baker has said he would make sacrifices for the team ( and the hiring of Coen indicates Licht has seen nothing from baker or his agent that they are wide apart)
The odd man out of that category is Mike Evans
Like a bird in a cage Time to let that you love go if it wants to fly ( maybe he doesn’t and its all negotiation stance) and the Blazers and team Buc basically said they were willing to consider it when they declined Evan’s deadline.
Pick up a receiver or two in the draft, a rusher and some oline. Get a RB in free agency with a little of the cash. Four very good receivers on the field beats two ( and a lot of last season just one) . Bakes best baking in 2022 was with bench players. He cooks best with more options.
Bucs will be fine. Maybe even better
February 23rd, 2024 at 6:59 pm
Just to correct the info being delivered by Joe, PME is not in the HOF. He may be a potential candidate in the future, if he is selected. A very good receiver for the Bucs, but operating on a 16 or 17 game schedule, maybe.
February 23rd, 2024 at 6:59 pm
Just to correct the info being delivered by Joe, ME is not in the HOF. He may be a potential candidate in the future, if he is selected. A very good receiver for the Bucs, but operating on a 16 or 17 game schedule, maybe.
February 23rd, 2024 at 7:08 pm
You mean 58.8 ypg average isn’t a tremendous achievement?
Who knew?
February 23rd, 2024 at 7:15 pm
A lot of money wrapped up in one of the worst secondaries in the league, great job Licht.
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:01 pm
Stop already with the Mayfield hype. Yes, Winfield is an important resign, more important is Mike Evans. Mayfields QBR is 18th in the weakest division, he’s inconsistent and at the same time consistently average. He’s the top free agent that should be replaced if it comes down to numbers. Licht and the Bucs could be making a huge mistake signing the average Mayfield to a long term deal.
The Giants made that mistake with Daniel Jones.
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:02 pm
“Joe’s DNA cannot accept a safety being more important than a Pro Bowl starting quarterback”
Pro bowl starting quarterback? You mean Baker Mayfield who only made it to the pro bowl because the real pro bowl quarterback didn’t want to waste his time playing in it? And the same baker mayfield who only won pro bowl MVP because it turned into flag football?! 😂 Ridiculous, but I guess proper context doesn’t matter to some folks
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:14 pm
They will sign Winfield and I think Dean or Davis will be gone. Can’t afford all that in the backfield and definitely cannot afford to CBs that are often injured. One should be traded.
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:42 pm
Cut or trade Dean if need to. Zyan should be fine at his position. Keep Davis and try to get him to accept a pay cut. He’s not playing up to the contract. This may be because they play so much zone. AWJ is a game changer at safety and shld be resigned. Best safety since Troy Polamalu or Ed Reed!
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:58 pm
He’s literally the Ronde Barber of this generation – and this Joe dares to mention Baker Mayfield in the same sentence? Wow. Talk about a deranged take.
No, a middlingly, easily replaced QB, is not as important as a future HOFer.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:00 pm
QB>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>wr
Any GM will agree.
SMDH
Embarrassing
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:00 pm
If I remember, next season you could release or restructure Dean with no penalty. This season Davis could be restructured? I am not a cap guy. I don’t think MvCollum is ready to start. Maybe. We are going to have young talent on the line once Shaq is done or restructured. We are ok at the moment I think.
I was really hoping for more from Dean and Davis.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:03 pm
Jack Clark Says:
February 23rd, 2024 at 8:02 pm
“Joe’s DNA cannot accept a safety being more important than a Pro Bowl starting quarterback”
Pro bowl starting quarterback? You mean Baker Mayfield who only made it to the pro bowl because the real pro bowl quarterback didn’t want to waste his time playing in it? And the same baker mayfield who only won pro bowl MVP because it turned into flag football?! 😂 Ridiculous, but I guess proper context doesn’t matter to some folks
___________
Remember now, Silly Joe referred to JayMiss as a Pro Bowl QB as well.
Same story.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:35 pm
Rod Munch Says:
and this Joe dares to mention Baker Mayfield in the same sentence? Wow. Talk about a deranged take.
——
Poor Munchski, still trying to live in his alternate universe where it’s not Baker’s Bucs.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:49 pm
Optimistic…….QB is important and if the bucs can find a good Free agent they should sign one. A “CONSISTENT” one. Or a rookie. The team is solid don’t lose players to keep a career below average QB.
February 23rd, 2024 at 9:49 pm
Mayfield backed in to the pro bowl- it’s all hype- Winfield is solid
Not hard to see
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:22 pm
New salary cap numbers reported today by NFL mean teams have way more flexibility than expected. Wouldn’t surprise me to see Winfield, Evans and David all return now.
Baker, who knows.
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:29 pm
Bucs are rolling with Davis and Dean this year because of the finances involved and will obviously sign Winfield Jr – either to a long term deal or the Franchise tag if necessary.
But like Joe pointed out – paying $50M to 3 of your 4 starting DBs is an un-sustainable misallowcation of resources…(unless you happen to have a cheap QB and a # of DL studs playing on rookie contracts)
The Bucs 2025 defensive backfield could look very different…
Davis is in the final year of his contract (well aside from the 3 dummy years tacked on the end totaling an $8M cap hit in 2025).
There’s an out next year for Dean as well. He counts $15.28M against the cap in 2025 OR could be cut/traded for a Dead cap hit of $6.85M (savings of about $8M)
But you can’t get rid of decent to good expensive starting CBs until you have replacements lined up.
Zion is capable of starting and is cheap for 2 more years – but we still need to draft 2 more CBs with fairly high picks over the next 2 drafts if we want to get cheaper on the backend by walking away from both Davis and Dean next year.
Winfield will be here as long as he plays the game I bet. But we definitely need to find a good and versatile Safety to pair with him for the next few years. So there’s another draft need unless you can find the $ to bring Whitehead back (which I would 100% support).
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:44 pm
Winfield is going to end up in the Hall of Fame one day, he’s coming off a year where he was1st team ALL-PRO.
Also, yes, the Bucs do have the cap space to keep everyone that matters, meaning Winfield and Evans and David.
February 23rd, 2024 at 10:49 pm
The problem with this secondary is MOSTLY pass rush. Bowles doesn’t LIKE zone coverage but playing man leads to big TDs with no pass rush. Winfield is ABSOLUTELY the biggest FA. Not even a discussion. The draft is loaded with QBs and WRs so that devaluation of our current QB and WR is really much bigger than normal. There are awesome WRs in the 2nd and 3rd and as many as 15 QBs could be drafted.
Franchise Tag Winfield but then get a deal done by the deadline, because next year we will be playing him more. Also they should sign Wirfs a year early and nobody is talking about that.
Enough of the Mayfield and Evans talk. They will hit FA and then we will know.
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:25 pm
Doush seems to think the pro bowl program somehow reflects on what a QB did to get there. IE he doesn’t know a thing. Pickgrin is right, you can’t pay cbs the bank. Since76 want to roll out a rookie QB with no run game or oline. I.E., he wants to lose every game next year. Tony’s right, it’s Baker’s bucks unless they don’t pay him and then I think Atlanta wins the division next year. Relax Rod, Baker is no middling QB and, yes Winfield is a stud, the BUCS will not let Winfield go.David again, right with the CBs. Jack Clark is another who believes being an alternative in the pro bowl is somehow a knock. I.E.knows nothing on that Issue, dead right though that Winfield’s important, relax, the BUCS are franchising him. RGA is using the screwed NFL QBR system and is dead wrong about Baker, right about Winfield being important, right that a big time wide receiver is needed and although whether it’s Evan or another don’t matter, relax the BUCS will keep him if they can. First name I guarantee they address safety and cbs over the next 2 drafts.Tony Marks is echoing what BUCs management is thinking. Ricki’s tight: losing Evans will potentially happen before losing AW.Slypirate has it right, Winfield stays. Mayfield and Winfield are staying and there’s no will to lose Evans either. Relax and let them negotiate. 🏈
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:32 pm
Look I love Mike Evans and Baker is a lionhearted gamer. BUT Winfield is by far the most talented player who never quits on any play we have period! He is single handedly responsible for multiple wins a season and was clinical in the playoffs and Superbowl. Period end of story.
Now this might be controversial but Evans is looking mighty old and fragile.
Is it just me or does he come up gimpy on nearly every play that he leaves his feet? He can’t go vertical without taking the next play off and almost always seems winded.
I love the guy but he had far too many drops last season and I’m only counting the catchable balls, because we all know that Baker is the king of overthrowing receivers and that’s one of the main reasons why he doesn’t throw less interceptions. Mike probably won’t be putting together too many more full seasons because he’s starting to get the injury but on a consistent basis.
Hate me, but where’s the lie?
February 23rd, 2024 at 11:54 pm
#TEAMPOSITIVE will persevere!
February 24th, 2024 at 12:18 am
Since 76, put down that pipe brother as it’s clouding up your reasoning bigtime.
Joes got this one dead on accurate. It’s a qb league and that means the QB is priority number 1.
February 24th, 2024 at 5:01 am
Pickgrin –
Where are you getting the Bucs are rolling with Davis?
He’s about to be cut.
February 24th, 2024 at 5:38 am
Let’s start by trading for Justin Fields, another reclamation QB for $6M this year and $22 the following. That’ll give us cap space to do what’s needed. Won’t hurt our run game either.
February 24th, 2024 at 5:49 am
Agree with many here. Winfield saved us several times. He came from out of nowhere. The Bucs seemed to clicking during the season too. Keep Winfield. And we need to keep Baker and Evans too. We could end up turning around and getting players that will have to start anew and not make it. And Mike isn’t the only one that had drops this past season. Mike had around 13 touchdowns. Ten years, around 95 touchdowns. That is why other teams are looking at him.
February 24th, 2024 at 5:55 am
There are so many reasons why keeping Winfield instead of ME13 is the more sound decision.
Winfield is an 1st Team All Pro football player and is young and in his prime.
You don’t let young 1st Team All Pro leave your football team.
Without Winfield we lose the second Carolina game and don’t make the playoffs.
We have no pass rush and our corners are two of the highest paid starting cornerbacks in the league who don’t intercept passes and are ranked as two of the worst starting corners in the league per sports analytics PFF.
Losing Winfield means that our defense now has no young and in his prime All Pro FS to go along with our non existent pass rush and our two high paid and low performing corners.
I love ME13, he is one of my favorite Bucs of all time, future Hall of Famer who I have defended many times on this site against his haters, but this is business.
ME13 is a depreciating asset because of his age. Father Time is undefeated.
Winfield has more years of elite play in his future than ME13.
This website has reported that ME13 is a highly sought after free agent by multiple teams in a bidding war which means he is going to command an extremely high salary.
Good business doesn’t let emotions get in the way of decisions.
February 24th, 2024 at 5:55 am
Still, nowhere close to the amount Seattle spent on the Legion of Boom
February 24th, 2024 at 6:18 am
Cash Allocation %: Secondary
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2023
• Full Roster Cash Value: %
• 14 Players in 2023 = 17.25%
This is Just a quick search (The list of competitive teams with higher percentages is much longer)
New England Patriots 2017
• Full Roster Cash Value: %
• 12 Players in 2017 = 25.32%
Seattle Seahawks 2016
• Full Roster Cash Value: %
• 12 Players in 2017 = 26.39%
New England Patriots 2016
• Full Roster Cash Value: %
• 17 Players in 2016 = 18.28%
February 24th, 2024 at 6:21 am
The New England Patriots alone kept theirs in the low to mid-20 percentile for most of the past 15 years.
February 24th, 2024 at 6:50 am
For a moment, consider our wide receivers—there’s been a significant misallocation of funds there.
Our recent spending on them has been a bit hit-or-miss. Lol, to say the least!
However, this does highlight the importance of focusing on drafting younger players for that position. Not only does this strategy ensure more cap flexibility, but it also secures the team’s success in the long run
February 24th, 2024 at 7:43 am
Keep Davis trade Dean & start McCollum
February 24th, 2024 at 7:56 am
It’s simple trade one of the starting cb’s preferably cd24 and there you have it doesn’t matter compensation just get contract off books
February 24th, 2024 at 10:54 am
Hey Clark, here is some “proper context” for you, you are right Baker wasn’t their first choice to be in the pro bowl but once he was there he handed all of the first choices their a** didn’t he? Yes he did, by winning the precision passing contest. Oh I forgot, Baker really doesn’t have an NFL arm does he? So him BEATING all the first choice pro bowlers has to be a miss print doesn’t it? 🫣
February 24th, 2024 at 11:45 pm
Go get Bunting and Whitehead. I believe they’re both free agents again
February 25th, 2024 at 9:31 am
It’s not just about single players. The entire team worked great last season. They really had a bunch of guys who said let’s have some fun and play the game. With any teams in the NFL. The bucs have a lot weapons on both sides. With new faces. There seemed to be a sence of understanding and the long term goal. To get back to the super bowl. They did it twice. They can do it again. But, it’s got to be a group effort. Everyone has an important part on the field. The bucs need to be fair with the talent on there roster. No one player can do it. It’s about the team. And also there was a lot of positive talking in the locker room. On ward to another good season.
February 25th, 2024 at 3:57 pm
I just have to tell you that AW would be a perfect fit for the Packers. A young guy… a Pro Bowl Player… a position of need for the Packers… a new DC and new defensive scheme, where he could be the “QB” of the Defensive backfield… a guy with love for the game and leadership characteristics. They would pay top dollar for him. So the Bucs better franchise him.