“Tampa Gonna Be Mad They Let Me Go”
March 18th, 2024
Still drinking Cam Newton’s Gatorade?
Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett is now a proud member of the Miami Dolphins after five seasons with Tampa Bay.
It’s hard for Joe to even type that.
Shaq is an iconic Buccaneer — and he’s also probably better than every Bucs edge rusher/outside linebacker not named YaYa Diaby. Still, the Bucs parted ways with Shaq to save salary cap room and because Shaq’s play had slipped.
Ask Shaq and he’ll tell you felt spectacular last season but the stats didn’t come. With Shaq at 31 years 17 months removed from a torn Achilles, the Bucs are betting on younger legs.
Shaq told the Palm Beach Post he’s betting on himself.
“A lot to prove,” said Barrett, who was let go by Tampa Bay. “Especially getting cut from another team like that, adds another whole fuel to the fire right there. And I’m like, Dolphins gonna’ be happy they signed me. Tampa gonna’ be mad they let me go.”
Joe is rooting for Shaq. Heck, Joe watched Jason Pierre-Paul on the Ravens and wanted him to succeed. Same for Warren Sapp on the Raiders and Simeon Rice on the Broncos at the end of his career.
Will Tampa Bay “be mad” they let Shaq go? Joe sure hopes not, especially if Shaq only has 4 1/2 sacks again this season.
March 18th, 2024 at 4:49 pm
Seems like we could have kept him given the other wizardry Jason did. Bowels must like JTS the headless chicken better. Bloweszo does it again.
March 18th, 2024 at 4:50 pm
It’s a tough business and production wasn’t there but the linebacker room is probably going to suffer just not having a veteran player off the edge. Prove to pay for going young but I like it
March 18th, 2024 at 4:54 pm
We were never going to keep him for his salary this year. Even at a reduced salary, if you want to improve the edge rush you have to improve the players which means replacing a starter, and you are certainly not replacing YaYa.
March 18th, 2024 at 4:54 pm
Just from reading tons of mocks and stuff these would be my top targets
EDGE –
Dallas Turner
Jared Verse
Laiatu Latu
INTERIOR O-line –
Jackson Powers Johnson
Graham Barton
I’d trade up for one of those top 3 pass rushers if needed and that’s the ideal scenario of need + value. Should be able to find OG/C in R2 or R3.
If we go with Powers Johnson or Graham Barton in R1 then give me Marshawn Kneeland at edge in R2 then RB and CB or LB in R3.
March 18th, 2024 at 4:57 pm
Shaq has made, in cash, $94-million in his career according to OTC – and almost all of that was with the Bucs. He shouldn’t be too mad at the Bucs I wouldn’t think.
Anywho, since he’s not in the NFC and doesn’t play the Bucs this year, I wish him all the best.
March 18th, 2024 at 4:59 pm
I was sad to see him go, but the production didn’t match the salary. I hope he does well in Miami.
I’m all in on Jared Verse as a replacement and I’d trade up to get him if I was Jason Licht.
March 18th, 2024 at 4:59 pm
Don’t think Shaq was getting a lot help in the middle. Understand why he was cut and wish him well. As far as I am concerned it’s not just the edge, but the middle of the Dline that needs to be bolstered. Vita gets wore down without any help. Hall isn’t the answer and JTS is a pure liability at the edge.
March 18th, 2024 at 5:04 pm
Bowles is a Plan 9 kine guy. He loves Plan 9.
March 18th, 2024 at 5:05 pm
Too much money for too little production….but I’ll always like Shaq……make us mad, go ahead!!!
March 18th, 2024 at 5:05 pm
Belonzo Chagranting is a sleeper also.
March 18th, 2024 at 5:08 pm
Fare well, Shaq. It was only business.
March 18th, 2024 at 5:10 pm
Powers-Johnson, Verse, Latu or Fiske.
March 18th, 2024 at 5:21 pm
No we won’t Shaq. I have nothin but respect and admiration for you, but it was time to part ways. Best of luck in Miami, and thanks for everything. No shots need at Tampa. Just move on !
March 18th, 2024 at 5:26 pm
Rooting for Shaq. But this year is about improving over our C Hainsey, Edge Tryon/Shaq for reasons
March 18th, 2024 at 5:26 pm
Bucs signed Tavierre Thomas! Good depth and excellent special teams signing
March 18th, 2024 at 5:26 pm
I, also will miss Shag and his melodious voice, but I have a lot of faith in our GM and staff. I think they do what is right. I wish Shaq much more success. I say make us mad, too!
March 18th, 2024 at 5:28 pm
Thomas is a great depth signings. Secondary set Pre-Draft
March 18th, 2024 at 5:30 pm
I honestly thought for the $4.9M difference between keeping and cutting him, the Bucs would keep Shaq for this last year of his contract….
I guess we’ll go with the “fresh legs” theory and hope a Watts or Ramirez or high draft pick this year busts out of the pack like YaYa did last year… Coach Bowles did say just before cuts last year that OLB was the “deepest position on the team”. Obviously we didn’t see that so much on the stat sheet last year – but maybe he was talking more about raw talent and potential with the younger guys.
Lord Corn – I think you are mostly correct with those names as ones the Bucs are targeting. But I doubt the Bucs will move up.
Licht will likely stick at 26 and pick from whats available then.
Turner – no way he lasts till 26. Verse will almost certainly be long gone too. Latu might be available but its doubtful. Powers Johnson might be available but its doubtful.
Any one of those 4 make it 26 and that player is our likely selection.
I give Barton a 50/50 shot at being there at #26.
If Verse, Latu and Powers-Johnson are all off the board and Barton is there – Barton is the pick most likely.
If all of those guys are gone – then I think we wind up going with either Chop Robinson or the Kool Aid kid at CB as the pick – or just maybe they go high end WR in that case because its the best player available….
March 18th, 2024 at 5:35 pm
@Pickgrin
That’s what I’m feeling as well – Chop or Kool Aid or WR in the worst case scenario.
I have seen Verse fall to us a few times which kind of shocks me. I feel like him and Turner won’t fall out of the early teens
March 18th, 2024 at 5:38 pm
It wasn’t necessarily the cap they saved, it was the cash they would’ve owed him if they didn’t cut him.
Would’ve been nice to see what he had left, but probably would not have equaled his pay.
Great Buc tho, good memories
^^mtn^^
Since ’76
March 18th, 2024 at 5:44 pm
There’s some talk that Latu might drop some because of “medical concerns” which is really the only way he gets to 26. His tape is that of a top 15 pick.
Powers-Johnson is who I really want- dude is plug and play at Center. I’m pretty sure other teams picking ahead of us see how quickly he will improve their Interior Oline as well – so thats also a bit of a pipe dream…
I would be very happy with Barton from a talent perspective – but unlike Powers Johnson he will likely need at least some adjustment time transitioning from Tackle to Guard or Center….
March 18th, 2024 at 5:51 pm
gotta love our guy shaq…for real…
but this season outside of the bears game, early on, with uber fresh legs……..he did not look good out there at all…
i’m guessing he will never have another double digit sack season moving forward…
will he maybe get 7 to 9 in a season…maybe just maybe…
wish him well…great buccaneer !
March 18th, 2024 at 5:52 pm
Saints signing Chase Young .. Joe’s bout to snap lol
March 18th, 2024 at 5:52 pm
Blah blah blah blah – talk is cheap.
Especially talk coming from an edge rusher who has 7 sacks the past two seasons.
I respect what Shaq accomplished in Tampa the first few seasons and he helped us win the big one in 2021.
But if I had a dime for every time I heard this BS from a cut NFL player I would have a whole Crown Royal bag full of dimes… lol.
March 18th, 2024 at 5:54 pm
@Rob M
“ Shaq has made, in cash, $94-million in his career according to OTC”
But your heart has to go out to him…consider he has an agent to pay and federal taxes. Not sure how he’ll make ends meet.
March 18th, 2024 at 5:56 pm
JPJ and all 3 top Edge rushers will probably be off the board by pick 26. Eagles, Steelers, Fins and Cowboys all need a C.
March 18th, 2024 at 6:11 pm
I think it was a mistake.
You guys may not have heard this before, but it TAKES TWO YEARS TO RECOVER FROM AN ACHILLES INJURY.
That used to be common knowledge in Football. Guess its been forgotten.
Good luck Shaq, hate that you left, but we had to give the kid a chance!
Wait! What kid? Holy Crap, we dont have a Kid!!!
Yaya became invisible as a starter. Watts didnt impress enough to get on the field.
We better find a damn kid! Or adult! Or an old Man!
Somebody that can chase QBs!!
And a curse of chronic jock itch on anyone that says JTS!
March 18th, 2024 at 6:11 pm
If it’s not about money… it’s about money.
March 18th, 2024 at 6:15 pm
He was looking very average beFORE the injury
March 18th, 2024 at 6:16 pm
They won’t be mad when they remember he was owed a 16 million guaranteed bonus at the beginning of the league year, and that’s in addition to what his salary would have been. He’ll have to hit at least 10 sacks to make it a bad move.
March 18th, 2024 at 6:17 pm
@ Capt
If Shaq was 25 years old I would agree…
March 18th, 2024 at 6:19 pm
Look, I like Shaq and Lavonte a lot. I really don’t think Shaq is an iconic Buc, he had one great season and another good season. That’s it. It just so coincided to happen when we had Tom Brady. So, it smells like roses.
But, what good is veterans on this team if they can’t get a malcontent like Devin White to get in line? It shouldn’t have to be Todd Bowles job to do it if we had vocal leadership. Tom Brady wouldn’t have tolerated it, that’s for sure (on any season other than the divorce season).
March 18th, 2024 at 6:29 pm
Josh Allen was the pick, you don’t select a LB that unless they are 3-4 defense
like LT or Derek Thomas. You don’t spend that on a fast LB that doesn’t come off the edge & cant cover anyone. The Jags were so happy we messed that up. Good Bye White
March 18th, 2024 at 6:40 pm
I suggest changing to a 4-3 defense. Less wear and tear on Vea and Kansey. Already have 2 excellent linebackers. Only one hole to fill.
March 18th, 2024 at 6:41 pm
Slimy Saints sign Chase Young. Bucs got Plan 9 JTS to the rescue get ready Joe!!!
March 18th, 2024 at 6:58 pm
Who would play SAM?
Maybe they could re-sign Gill & convert him?
Guess you could slot JJ in at MIKE and slide KJ over to SAM.
I see Dennis as more of a WILL, backing Lavonte up.
Otherwise, the Bucs have a plethora of OLBs who don’t have enough lead in their britches to play DE, other than Yaya.
If the Bucs draft Darius Robinson, that would be a step in the right direction
^^mtn^^
Since ’76
March 18th, 2024 at 7:05 pm
I prefer Nicole defense in today’s defense…
4F line men
2 lbs and bunch of safeties and dbs..
But Bowles likes blitzing out 3 4…belive it’s hard to determine where the blitzing is coming from
March 18th, 2024 at 7:13 pm
We’ll miss all 3.5 of his garbage time sacks next year
March 18th, 2024 at 7:18 pm
He’s roasted
March 18th, 2024 at 7:19 pm
Sometimes a change of scenery gets a guy going. Wish the best for Shaq but honestly it was brutal to see him be a shadow of his former self last year. I would lean towards Tampa not being mad they let him go.
March 18th, 2024 at 8:13 pm
Buc4evr … ‘As far as I am concerned it’s not just the edge, but the middle of the Dline that needs to be bolstered.’
Agree totally on that one. Best way to make your edge guys more productive is to make sure you can bring lots of pressure with the interior DLine. Vea’s an excellent DT, but he disappears for quite awhile at times. Also like Gaines, but he doesn’t exactly fit the Suh mold when it comes to bringing pressure. Kancey can, but it seems to be kinda situational (and based on who’s lining up beside him?). I’m hopeful regarding Logan Hall, but thus far I’ve been disappointed. Would like to see us add a beastly DT to bring more pressure via the middle and get opposing QBs moving & out of their comfort zone.
Still concerned about Devin White’s replacement. Britt’s a solid backup IMO, but he lacks the speed to provide good pass coverage & blitz periodically. I’m hoping that we grab someone in the draft this year, because MLB is a critical position, and right now it’s not a strength.
March 18th, 2024 at 8:24 pm
Don’t understand the Chop Robinson love. He had 6 sacks in 3 years! I hope we don’t draft that.
March 18th, 2024 at 8:25 pm
Would think a Pass Rusher takes longer to come back to form is because they have to go up against an enormous amount of resistance while trying to round a corner. It’s mostly a confidence thing. Second year for Shaq should be better even with him being a year older.
QB’s don’t have that obstacle and should be able to play a lot more free the first year. We’ll see in the two high profile cases this season barring a run for the White House.
Bucs will be seeing a couple Ex’s this season that may have a chip but it won’t be Shaq. With the Dolphins at 12:1 and the Bucs 30:1 to win their Conferences it’s quite a long shot that they will cross paths.
Wish Shag the best of luck getting back to form.
March 18th, 2024 at 9:02 pm
Dude let himself go after he signed that fat contract. Excess weight gain led to a very significant injury. Possibly this change will motivate him to find his top physical form again, but without a doubt, his best days are behind him. He was an animal for the Bucs for several years and I loved his contribution. Wish him nothing but the best for his future.
March 18th, 2024 at 9:18 pm
Really…
March 18th, 2024 at 9:28 pm
It’s a business bro. How many times have you heard a GM say “We wish we could keep everyone but the numbers won’t allow it”. I hope Shaq has a great year, but I like how Licht is managing this cap. It’s unfortunate that certain positions have to be paid such a high percentage of the cap pie, but this is the beast that the players themselves created. Suck it up, spend your millions wisely and shut your fat mouth. Feel lucky champ.
March 18th, 2024 at 10:09 pm
I agree. They should have cut him and promised to resign him to a lower value.
March 18th, 2024 at 10:23 pm
What’s he supposed to say? “I’m washed up, but was offer millions.” Of course not. He’s going to tell Miami press, coaches and fans he’s going to be defensive MVP.
March 19th, 2024 at 6:32 am
Definitely rooting for Shaq but I get where the front office is coming from. Good luck to him. Still praying for him and his fam
March 19th, 2024 at 6:40 am
Because we cut him, and he signed with the Dolphins.
How much did we actually save?
March 19th, 2024 at 8:36 am
All this talk about Shaw and Tryon but Anthony Nelson has performed Everytime he has been given a chance and made some huge plays at critical moments last year. We will still add some pieces
March 19th, 2024 at 8:36 am
Shaq*
March 19th, 2024 at 9:03 am
How about “thank you”? We could have tried to trade him for a 7th. We did the kind thing to give him the chance to go where he wanted. He also dedicated his playing to his daughter you would think that would sort of max out motivation and effort the rest of your career. He knows he wasn’t worth 15 million, its why Miami played him 4 million with a chance to at best hit 9.
March 19th, 2024 at 12:56 pm
Shaq has been more mouth than action the past few years. Just sayin.
March 19th, 2024 at 1:52 pm
Yeah, maybe should have made us want to keep you rather than making us mad we didn’t.