Report: Bucs Sniffing Saffold And Collins
March 9th, 2014
Demar Dotson’s or Donald Penn’s replacement?
It seems the Bucs are coveting versatility in their new offensive linemen.
National Football Post scribe and Ravens beat writer Aaron Wilson is Twittering tonight that the Bucs are talking to representatives of versatile tackle and Bengals free agent Anthony Collins, as well as stud Rams guard/tackle Rodger Saffold.
On Friday, Joe explained all about how Saffold was a very intriguing fit for the Bucs. No need to rehash that. (Just click the link and read.)
Collins, 28, plays left and right tackle but has only been a part-time starter during his six seasons with the Bengals. Interestingly, Joe’s read reports that Collins is a close pal of an alleged Bucs free agent target, defensive end Michael Johnson. Perhaps that’s somehow related to the Bucs’ interest?
Collins made seven starts last season and has 25 in all during his career. That’s very low mileage, but he’s never started a full season. That scares Joe. Would the Bucs really install this guy to replace a durable rock like Donald Penn, who hasn’t missed a start since taking the left tackle job in 2007?
That seems risky. Joe wonders whether Collins could be paid to replace Demar Dotson. Yes, Joe realizes many Bucs fans buy into the stats geek nonsense that Dotson was the Bucs’ best offensive lineman last year, but Joe is not a believer.
Regardless, both Collins and Saffold are versatile and have experience at multiple positions. That seems to an important characteristic for the new regime. And it makes sense. In addition to the Carl Nicks mess, the Bucs, potentially, could be in a smart position to draft a premier tackle in May. Jason Licht and Lovie Smith should want to have other quality O-linemen that aren’t pigeonholed into one spot on the line. Joe suspects that’s why Jeremy Zuttah remains a Buccaneer at this hour.
March 9th, 2014 at 9:19 pm
Why overpay for this guy to replace Dotson? I have a feeling Penn is gone.
March 9th, 2014 at 9:22 pm
LT- Penn
LG – zutahh
C- De La puenta
RG- saffold
RT- Collins.
Sign Johnson and allen. Draft mack. And a legitimate 2nd receiver who can pressure mike Williams to play better. .
March 9th, 2014 at 9:24 pm
Dumpster diving….
March 9th, 2014 at 9:26 pm
No way the dump all that money into the O line. ryan
March 9th, 2014 at 9:30 pm
If tedford wants to utilize Doug Martin to the best of his ability he will . Which will open up the passing game for whatever quarterback is under center. With a good offensive line we open up a lot of options on offense. As well as saving our first two draft picks for our poor defense. Who will need mack and a defensive tackle. With tht said we have a ‘good’ offense. And loves great all around great defense
March 9th, 2014 at 9:35 pm
Sometimes when your starving you gotta look in the dumpster.
March 9th, 2014 at 9:35 pm
I wonder if Donald Penn has read this?
3/9: “Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Anthony Collins is expected to sign with the Buccaneers for between $6.5 million to $7 million provided that he doesn’t re-sign with the Bengals.” – Aaron Wilson, Baltimore Sun
Penn is 6-5, 335 and will be 31 in April. Collins is 6-5, 315 and turned 29 in November. In Matt Miller’s Top 35 NFL LTs, Penn is ranked at 18, Collins is ranked at 16.
This is not a good omen! Doesn’t matter whether this deal goes thru or not, it says they are looking for Penn’s replacement. I got out of the prediction business earlier today. Lol. So I’m not saying what will happen, but the signs look ominous!
March 9th, 2014 at 9:40 pm
Solid Value Pick at Left Tackle
(LT Anthony Collins)
• Snap Count- (673)
• Number of Penalties-(2)
• Quarterback Sacks-(0)!!!!!!!!!!
• Quarterback Hits-(1)!!!!!!!
• Quarterback Hurries (13)!!!!!!!
Has only given up (6 sacks as a starter) in (1887 snap counts)
Sounds like a player on the ascend not on the decline.
March 9th, 2014 at 9:42 pm
So body put a look out on -Sunshine Skyway Bridge-Just incase Donald Penn gets cut-Who knows what Joe will do..lol
March 9th, 2014 at 9:44 pm
Forgot to add that NFL year 2013. Anthony Collins did not give up a single sack. Penn gave up the second most sacks in the league.
March 9th, 2014 at 9:51 pm
If Collins comes at a ‘value’ price, the Bucs may be looking to have competition for Penn. It wouldn’t hurt, after the year he just had, to give him a little push.
March 9th, 2014 at 9:53 pm
There is a lot of good s(p)it to be found in the dumpster. Penn came that way and provided years of great service, or “value” as “Lite” would call it. But, if they replace Penn with Collins without going into camp to see what they have (which they would have to do to save $$$ on Penn’s contract), that would be crazy
March 9th, 2014 at 9:53 pm
Before Joe nails me with the big black writing, Anthony Collins turned 28 in November.
March 9th, 2014 at 9:53 pm
LUVMYBUCS Says:
March 9th, 2014 at 9:40 pm
Solid Value Pick at Left Tackle
(LT Anthony Collins)
• Snap Count- (673)
• Number of Penalties-(2)
• Quarterback Sacks-(0)!!!!!!!!!!
• Quarterback Hits-(1)!!!!!!!
• Quarterback Hurries (13)!!!!!!!
Has only given up (6 sacks as a starter) in (1887 snap counts)
Sounds like a player on the ascend not on the decline.
This!!!!!!
March 9th, 2014 at 10:04 pm
Bucs will sign at least one, and possibly two, starters for the offensive line in free agency. Starters. As in, they will start. Not just for depth. And I have a feeling the only absolutely guaranteed starters currently on the team are Zuttah and Dotson. Everyone else is expendable.
March 9th, 2014 at 10:09 pm
Hoping that the (two) new O-linemen that we are perusing, are eager to leave their teams to play for Lovie.
March 9th, 2014 at 10:26 pm
Sure hope they have some money leftover to go after Hatcher, team him next to Mccoy…look out!!!!
March 9th, 2014 at 10:28 pm
I’m getting stoked just thinking about our QB getting time to work. Besides our offensive line emulating a horse race starting gate almost every snap last year they were never really blamed for the 32nd ranked offense. It was unfairly attributed to MG8. I still say put any QB back there last year and they would have suffered the same fate. Hopefully these new additions will help hold back the defense and keep it from looking like a jailbreak.
March 9th, 2014 at 10:32 pm
Joe,
I hear you on Michael Johnson and Donald Penn. I really do. But, gotta ask…
Why do you *assume* Demar Dotson is a goner? His stats were a fluke? Unless you’re one of those people who think “stats are for losers…” Demar Dotson has to stay on this team. It would be a big mistake on the Licht Era
March 9th, 2014 at 10:41 pm
Collins to replace Dotson? Are you serious?
Dotson is the only OL player who Lovie and Licht had something decent to say about. Dotson was excellent in pass protection last year and is an improving player so why you’d replace his $2m salary with a similar new guy at $6.5-7m is beyond me.
It’s Donald Penn who needs to be worrying right now.
March 9th, 2014 at 10:49 pm
Saffold is all but Oaklands already unfortunantly.
IMO I see Penn taking a pay cut and moving inside possibly.
Dotson is licht’s favorite lineman, don’t see him getting replaced.
March 9th, 2014 at 11:02 pm
Joe is pipe dreaming about replacing Dotson instead of Penn why would you pay a guy that money to replace a serviceable guy in Dotson only to leave the other guy who clearly on the decline in Penn 6 to 7 million dollars it don’t make sense if they sign collins Penn is gone!
March 10th, 2014 at 12:09 am
I don’t buy these mors at all. And I only halfway buy the Michael Johnson rumor. I think the only spot on the dline that needs upgrading this year is Bowers DE spot. Clayborn is not as bad as people think. Yes, he is 3 years in, but he was injured for most of his second year.
Just like you dummies gave up to soon on McCoy, you are doing it again with Clayborn..
And Spence had a good rookie year. As I recall, Booger Mcfarlane started a little rough as well. Spence showed more pass rushing ability than Miller did his entire career. And he plays against the run. Give him another year and you might just get a nice surprise.
Oh, but I forgot…only the great Mike Glennon should get a second year.
March 10th, 2014 at 2:57 am
Why are you all behaving like you’re surprised???
Hellooooooo – 4-12
Damn people we are and were bad, let a proven winner clean up this mess!!!
March 10th, 2014 at 3:00 am
8 million per for scaffold from Oakland. lotta coin, there.
March 10th, 2014 at 3:02 am
Michael to join martellus in Chicago, supposedly.
March 10th, 2014 at 11:34 am
Dotson is a freaking bargain. Replacing him with anybody other than a 2nd round or later rookie doesn’t make sense from a financial perspective. Besides that, he keeps getting better and better. I think he seems best suited for the left side, however, given his athleticism, frame, and lack of anchor strength.