Judgment Days For Davin Joseph
December 14th, 2013
Joseph has no guarantee for 2014
Several cold hard facts put Davin Joseph’s Bucs future in jeopardy.
With 15 days, and three games, remaining in the 2013 regular season, Joseph is playing for his Tampa Bay career. It’s a tough reality of the NFL, and a big decision for rockstar general manager Mark Dominik.
Consider the following:
1) Joseph has had a subpar 2013 season.
2) Joseph’s non-guaranteed contract is set to pay him $6 million next season.
3) Joseph is 30 years old.
4) Joseph has a long history of injuries, missing significant time in 2008, 2010 and all of 2012. And the Bucs have never really suffered during his extended absences. Jeremy Zuttah filled in admirably for Joseph in 2008. Rookie Derek Hardman got the job done in 2010, as LeGarrette Blount exploded late in the season. And the Bucs racked up huge yardage and were the 9th ranked offense in the NFL without him last year.
5) If the Bucs are going to carry two huge-money guards, they may opt to gamble on Carl Nicks for 2014 (due $7 million non-guaranteed). Nicks has less mileage on him and is more talented.
6) The Bucs have plenty of other veterans and leadership types along their offensive line.
Joe’s not knocking Joseph, who is returning from ACL and patellar surgery in August 2012. But facts are facts, and the NFL is a business.
Joseph likely needs to flash quite a bit in the final three games to feel like his job and contract is secure next season.
Joe wouldn’t be shocked if the Bucs attempt to re-negotiate Joseph’s deal, regardless of how he closes the season.
December 14th, 2013 at 4:12 pm
A restructuring is in order of both Joseph & Penn….there is too much money sunk into Penn, Nicks & Joseph….
December 14th, 2013 at 4:23 pm
I don’t see the logic of sinking big-time money on OGs anyway. OG is usually the least paid starting position in the NFL… and our OGs take up a ridiculously high percentage of our total payroll.
The Patriots, Giants, and even the Bucs (during Nicks and Joseph’s far too oftenly frequent trips to IR), have shown that you don’t need to spend big money on an OL to get good play.
December 14th, 2013 at 4:25 pm
If the NFL is a business, how come they don’t have to pay taxes? WTF !!
December 14th, 2013 at 4:26 pm
BUH-BYE!
December 14th, 2013 at 4:40 pm
Joseph is the only Pro Bowler that Gruden drafted in his seven seasons here. I hope they retain him.
December 14th, 2013 at 4:46 pm
No cjance he comes back at 6 large…if at all. Had a nice Buc career though…even if Mercedes Lewis was the better pick at the time.
December 14th, 2013 at 4:51 pm
Hey Joe,
Are you going to put up the Fox Map of televised games?
Just curious how much of the country will get to see the Bucs
December 14th, 2013 at 5:12 pm
Renegotiate
December 14th, 2013 at 5:27 pm
We need Penn, Nicks and Joseph. Offensive lineman can play good ball in thier mid 30’s
Its time to draft or pickup a real Center. Guard is not the problem when healthy.
Is there any good centers coming out in the draft.
December 14th, 2013 at 5:34 pm
Unless we hire a cheap veteran then we need Joseph for depth. We gamble a lot on FA signings, Crabtree/that Dallas WR. And haven’t produced anything spectacular, Joseph will be a great player for depth.
December 14th, 2013 at 5:59 pm
Redo his deal along with Nicks! They both make way to much and never seam to be 100%
December 14th, 2013 at 7:01 pm
Gambling on Nicks heath is pure madness. He himself admit that he will NEVER completly heal from its toe.. Dump him. As for Joseph, I don’t know.. Would like him to restructure and be a bucs4life but its a business.. I think GM has the upper hand in this deal
December 14th, 2013 at 7:29 pm
Davin Joseph is a leader among men in that locker room. I recall several years he would round up most of his counterparts for off season training (ahem while Donald Penn, trained in Cali). Strange how in 2012 Joseph hurt his knee when teammate Donald Penn blocked defensive end Chandler Jones into his knee..smh
Take a moment to remember just a few of his accomplishements…….
Press Conference: Introducing Davin Joseph , 5/1/06
http://www.buccaneers.com/multimedia/videos/Press-Conference-Introducing-Davin-Joseph-5106/28C7B9AE-9D4B-46FC-8D3D-3E83DF15786F
*He’s been a leader in the Community
http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/Joseph-Buccaneers-Honored-for-Community-Impact/1bbd48be-7d95-4af6-b0eb-497c7ebf01d4
*Joseph Named Bucs’ Man of the Year
http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/Joseph-Named-Bucs-Man-of-the-Year/3c9cb849-fc78-49d8-b961-ae45d5b81f53
*Joseph’s Help Brings New Hope to Blake High
http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/Josephs-Help-Brings-New-Hope-to-Blake-High/c331e217-4466-4665-9cff-82251537c163
*Joseph Delivers Surprise to Blake High
http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/Joseph-Delivers-Surprise-to-Blake-High/4c6cb40d-1dfe-421b-aa99-1d523856d5dc
…..And the list goes on on on. The 2x Pro Bowler, has been everything Jon Gruden, Bill Muir and Aaron Kromer DRAFTED him to be.
Hopefully we can sign him to a similar contract, the Pale Hose gave their veteran Paul Konerko. Allowing us to retain him reasonable contract for the next 4 to 5yrs. And hopefully Joseph realizes that, his skills are diminishing. If not unfortunately It will be time to let him go.
December 14th, 2013 at 7:41 pm
@Joe
I’ve noticed that even when the media, other blogs BLAST Donald Penn on his horrendous play this last 2yrs. I’ve never heard or seen you type a bad word about him. You right articles about him not missing a game, and him making the 2011 Pro Bowl as an alternate. Because Packers tackle Chad Clifton, advanced to Super Bowl XLV. But never a bad word his terrible play…I know we all got our own favorite players.
But come on Joe, your going throw Davin Joseph under the Bus and not Donald Penn when his contract is not GUARANTEED, and salary is around what?… 5 or 6 million next year? HE’S losing ONE on ONE match ups to Rookies & Vets alike
December 14th, 2013 at 7:41 pm
Could turn very messy next year. Carimi hasnt dwveloped quite like i thoight he was going to. Always something with these bucs, dammit
December 14th, 2013 at 8:19 pm
Good reason for us to NOT draft a QB 1-2 round lets get a T and G/C then look again at QB DE WR TE
December 14th, 2013 at 8:59 pm
I just have this horrible feeling………like…….like……Johnny Boy is gonna win the Heisman tonight and we won’t hear the end of it here on JBF until………until he’s drafted by a team NOT named the Bucs! dun dun DUUUUN! Just kidding, of course Joe ;). The announcement will be interesting nonetheless.
December 14th, 2013 at 9:14 pm
LUVMYBUCS:
Just because other sites may blast him doesn’t mean Joe has to. Has he played great? No, Penn will even admit it. Said as much to Joe in person. He’s still the Bucs best offensive lineman. What, you’d rather have Ted Larsen play left tackle?
If you call what Joe wrote throwing Joseph “under the bus” — Joseph has flat out told Joe to his face one-on-one he needs to play better — than you may want to just stick with Buccaneers.com where every Bucs player is a Pro Bowler.
If Penn is the problem with the Bucs, that tells Joe the team is in good shape. Hint: The team is not in good shape, as the record suggests.
December 14th, 2013 at 9:25 pm
Dude has played all season after major surgery..give me break Joe you trying to make controversy. than we will here complaining about lack of leadership on o-line.. He is team leader, though all 3 (nicks and penn) should redo contract for team.
December 14th, 2013 at 9:31 pm
@Joe
Of Course there’s Holes all over the place. With the Oline being one of the MAJOR areas of concern. And I’ve suggested many times on YOUR blog that its time to dump
Donald Penn, and Davin Joseph because of their salary and play unfortunately.
I’ve suggested many times on YOUR blog to Draft a replacement for both of them in the up coming draft. I’ve said many times over the last 2yrs on YOUR BLOG that Ted Larsen is terrible, and should not make the final roster. I’m just going off what I see RIGHT NOW, not yesterday-last week-or last year.
……So if Donald Penn is our best Online-RIGHT NOW. We are indeed in a bad place.. As our record would suggest.
December 14th, 2013 at 9:39 pm
I’m just going off my own observation. Not trying to make it personal.Penn & Joseph play have diminished to point where these type conversations are warranted. No Bias, both players have non GUARANTEED contracts, so it is what-it is.
December 14th, 2013 at 9:51 pm
Get a real center and everything on the OL will be okay.
December 14th, 2013 at 10:02 pm
Nicks is the problem here and we spent way to much on this bum his weight is out of control and he has lost his edge hate to say this but he will not play here again he has the albert h syndrome
December 14th, 2013 at 10:45 pm
That pic looks like the chinese guy from Mr Magoo.
December 15th, 2013 at 12:36 am
I’ll take Joseph over Grant-Hill-Nicks.
December 15th, 2013 at 1:33 am
LUVMYBUCS:
.
So Joe guesses you have never read on MY blog Joe never banging the drum for Jake Matthews or Taylor Lewan?
So what are the Bucs do to then about Penn RIGHT NOW? You do know you cannot trade for a left tackle RIGHT NOW? You do know you cannot draft a player RIGHT NOW? You do there is nobody on the sidewalk better than Penn RIGHT NOW?
Hold up! Joe has to run to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge so he can jump off it RIGHT NOW! AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 15th, 2013 at 2:17 am
Lol, U burnt out for that one. And you know damn well I’ve been begging for the Front office to be Draft Taylor Lewan since the 2012 draft…smh
December 15th, 2013 at 2:25 am
Yikes!
December 15th, 2013 at 6:27 am
I hate to say it, because I love Davin Joseph.
But from a business standpoint, we must look at the contracts of Joseph, Nicks, and Penn this offseason.
Nicks has made around 20 million over the past two seasons, but he hasnt even played very much. He also may never be the same player because of his big toe. SERIOUS HEALTH CONCERNS. Plus, he already earned his guaranteed money. Maybe we should cut him.
Donald Penn is a FIGHTER. He gives the Bucs full-effort every snap. I hope we can keep Donald for the next 2-3 seasons. HOPE is a big word though.
Davin Joseph has greatly improved since week 1. He is starting to return to form. To cut him after the season would be a BIG MISTAKE. He is just getting healthy, he will have the whole offseason to rehab some more. I say we restructure his contract and extend him for 3 more seasons. Then, he retires at 33 as a Buc. Sounds good to me. But it all depends on his rehab and return to form.
If we can somehow keep Joseph AND Penn, for cheap, for the next 2 seasons, it will give Glennon the stability he needs to get his NFL career going. And with a healthy Penn and Joseph, we still have a chance to be a playoff team the next two seasons.
If we cut them both, and Nicks, then we would have 3 GAPING HOLES on the line to fill in one offseason.
Doesnt anybody want to start next season with 3 new offensive lineman?
I didnt think so.
I say we try to keep and restructure the deals for all 3.
But only, if Davin, Donald, and Carl are still healthy.
If they are all weak or hurt, we may have to cut all 3, and go shopping.
WITH A LOT OF CAP ROOM.
December 15th, 2013 at 12:06 pm
As long as Larsen is NOT his replacement, I’d be happy. Larsen should not be on this team next year.