Bucs Sign Tackle Anthony Collins
March 13th, 2014
Updated 10:59 a.m. – It sure looks like the Donald Penn era is over. The Bucs have signed free agent left tackle/right tackle Anthony Collins this morning to a five-year, big-money contract.
Joe finds this one a bit curious. Collins has never started a full season. He’s been a strong backup who has stepped in and performed well when asked at both tackle positions. He made nine starts last year, has 25 in his career.
Collins turns 29 in November.Collins will be rolled out to local media this afternoon along with new Bucs starting quarterback Josh McCown. Various reports have him earning $15 million guaranteed and $30 million over the life of the five-year deal.
Joe gets that Lovie Smith and Jason Licht likely evaluated Donald Penn, who turns 31 in April, and didn’t see him as their left tackle of the future, a guy who would be here in a few years when, hopefully, the Bucs are favorites to win the Super Bowl. But Joe sure sees this as a bit of a gamble, and left tackle is not a position you gamble on, Penn was extraordinary durable, and Joe does not believe Penn was the problem with the Bucs’ offensive line last season. He’s at least average.
He’s making starting left tackle money
Collins may very well be better. Joe can’t say he’s studied the guy, but it’s a leap of faith that he can be a strong, durable starter. Collins’ versatility does offer intriguing options if the Bucs draft a blue chip offensive lineman in May.
As of now, Penn remains a Buccaneer. In fact, they could hold on to him a while. Joe was told Penn’s contract has no significant guarantees. So the Bucs could potentially see how their line flushes out during the offseason. More likely, however, Penn’s ironman Bucs career will be over in a matter of hours.
One thing to note, Joe’s research reveals that Collins is a close friend of new Bucs defensive end Michael Johnson. Joe does like, really like, that these guys have lots of playoff experience.
March 13th, 2014 at 10:43 am
Who broke this story?
March 13th, 2014 at 10:44 am
This will be the biggest upgrade for the Bucs of all the signings.
March 13th, 2014 at 10:45 am
Lovelite is on fire!! Who will they sign next? Lots of cap space still. He’s buddies with MJ!! The sword is mightier than the Penn!!
March 13th, 2014 at 10:46 am
Thank you! Over payed Penn is finally gone. A great step for the Bucs.
March 13th, 2014 at 10:48 am
Don’t be surprised if we keep penn and Collins plays right tackle.
March 13th, 2014 at 10:48 am
@Drew H
Stroud broke the news that Collins was signed.. Everyone else is speculating Penn is gone.. 5 year 30 million… probably 12 mil guaranteed knowing the Bucs contracts
March 13th, 2014 at 10:50 am
If they do end up releasing Penn, I wonder if they are planning on giving Collins the starting job or are they expecting that the best available player at #7 to be an OL
March 13th, 2014 at 10:50 am
Penn or Nicks have to be cut from this. More than likely Penn. Collins is very solid and Penn was not last year. That said first round pick needs to be another tackle. We need another franchise anchor for the next 10 years or more.
March 13th, 2014 at 10:50 am
@thibs5599
I would be surprised, and shocked. and then angry. Then sad as i watch the old QB get sacked during the season
March 13th, 2014 at 10:51 am
Who cares if a player is durable if their level of play has slipped?
March 13th, 2014 at 10:51 am
I think if we get a receiver, that would pretty much give us enough depth to go BPA in the draft.
March 13th, 2014 at 10:51 am
Let’s see if we can ship Penn to Oakland for a 6th rounder. Get back the 6th rounder we gave up for Gabe Carimi.
March 13th, 2014 at 10:53 am
it is a good sign, because collins said he was deciding between 3 teams , and he chose the bucs. this can only be good.
March 13th, 2014 at 10:53 am
Signed him after Saffold chose the Raiders over the Bucs
only later to have typical Raider Drama nix the deal
Leading Saffold to re-sign with the Rams
“OT Rodger Saffold and Rams reached agreement on 5-yr, $31.7M deal that includes $19.5M gtd. Saffold has option to void deal after 3 years.” Adam Schefter
March 13th, 2014 at 10:55 am
Nicks’ Contract will not let him get cut this year
TOO High a Cap Hit
$6.5 to $9.5 Million depending on who tells you
Nicks is here whether he plays or not
March 13th, 2014 at 10:56 am
Looking more and more like OT will be the pick at #7…IMO
March 13th, 2014 at 10:56 am
They better hope this part time LT will be able to stay healthy and play as well as a full time LT..Granted he got 15 mil guaranteed so that’s probably 2 or 3 seasons for sure he will be here… I don’t like he turns 29 this November.. Maybe this means they go after a project LT in the later rounds and hopefully we can trade Penn or reduce him to play right and make dotson the swing tackle
March 13th, 2014 at 10:57 am
@Buc Nekid, reports last night indicated that he failed his physical. I find it strange that the Rams took him back so quickly… there has to be something more to this story
March 13th, 2014 at 10:57 am
Steve Smith gave Panthers list of 5 teams as trade partners–Dallas, NE, Baltimore, San Diego, Tampa Bay, per source
March 13th, 2014 at 10:57 am
Dumb move replacing Penn with this bum. Overpaying a left tackle that will be hurt most of the year. Luke Pettigout ring a bell?
March 13th, 2014 at 10:57 am
Amazing stuff. Absoulty crazy what Lovie’s influence has turned out to be. Will certainly be an upgrade at left tackle. Was a fan of Penn’s untill this past season. Cannot get that St.Louis game out of my mind when I think if Donald. Come on Raiders, send us a 4th round pick.
March 13th, 2014 at 10:58 am
Saffold –
No failed Physical.
Owner Marc Davis Nixed the Deal.
Failed Physical was just an excuse.
Like Father Like Son
March 13th, 2014 at 10:59 am
Saffold’s story is a case of buyers remorse. The Raiders saw what other tackles got and knew they overpaid for Saffold, so they found a way out. Strangely though the Raiders can and almost need to overpay guys. They are still way, way, way under the cap.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:02 am
you can never have too much depth. it has been a buc problem for some seasons now. remember these lineman dry up as practice and pre-season get going due to injuries and other things. it is not that easy to just plug in a good lineman off the street. let’s see where this goes before we wave bye bye to penn.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:02 am
Penn will balloon to 350+++
in Oakland
March 13th, 2014 at 11:03 am
Great news.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:04 am
Re Nicks… Buc Nekid is correct. The Bucs only save about $1M in cap space by cutting him.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:05 am
Hey Joe, just noticed the Bucs are carrying 4 Tight Ends – Do you think we cut Stocker, Crabtree, or Wright? Convert Wright back to WR?
March 13th, 2014 at 11:05 am
GREAT signing! Man these guys have done their damn homework…Carolina and Cincy both wanted him to start at LT for them…sometimes you either take a chance or you miss the boat…Collins will be a franchise left tackle, and cheaper and better than Penn.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:05 am
12 hurries allowed in 317 pass blocking opportunities last year. Best efficiency of any tackle in nfl per profootballfocus.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:06 am
Saying Penn will balllon is like saying Vick won’t play 16 games. its a given, it happens every year. Goodbye Penn and take your 11 sacks given up last year with you.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:06 am
Let’s not get down on Penn. He gave us some good years through some truly crappy seasons.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:06 am
Bob Digital – What kind of ridiculous assumption is it that he will be hurt all year? He doesn’t have an injury history. Do some homework.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:07 am
“New Bucs OT Anthony Collins last year allowed 12 hurries on 317 pass blocks. Best pass blocking efficiency of any tackle.” — Profootballfocus
March 13th, 2014 at 11:08 am
Penn = Past
Good Guy
but
Good bye
March 13th, 2014 at 11:09 am
. But Joe sure sees this as a bit of a gamble, and left tackle is not a position you gamble on
—————-
But gambling on a 34 yr old career back up at QB is ok?
March 13th, 2014 at 11:10 am
I’m not sure if we really CAN hold onto Penn at this point. It seemed we didn’t have the necessary money to sign Collins unless we cut Penn.
That being said, if Penn sticks around, probably after redoing his contract, he has the body type to fit better at RT, more so than Dotson who is built like the protype LT. Come to think of it, if Penn were a little stronger, he looks more like an offensive guard most of the time.
Anyway, if we cut him we cut exactly $7.4 mil off the cap. Koenen can’t be safe as he is slated to make $3 mil (he’s in the top 11 earners currently on the team according to overthecap.com). It’ll be interesting to see where this money is coming from.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:11 am
Anthony Collins = Zero sacks given up last season. Could it be any more obvious??
March 13th, 2014 at 11:11 am
Collins was good enough at LT to force a pro-bowl LT in Andrew Whitworth inside to LG last year. That says about all you need to say.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:11 am
Brian Says:
March 13th, 2014 at 11:06 am
Bob Digital – What kind of ridiculous assumption is it that he will be hurt all year? He doesn’t have an injury history. Do some homework.
___________________
There’s a big difference between not having an injury history and hardly ever -playing and not having an injury history and not missing a start in almost 6 consecutive seasons.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:13 am
Imagine, the Bucs have cap issues?
March 13th, 2014 at 11:13 am
Penn had a great Buc career….loved watching him catch a couple of tds along the way as well. It just feels like time to move on…for both parties. He’ll play well at his next stop….at a far smaller salary.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:13 am
bucrightoff Says:
March 13th, 2014 at 10:59 am
Saffold’s story is a case of buyers remorse. The Raiders saw what other tackles got and knew they overpaid for Saffold, so they found a way out. Strangely though the Raiders can and almost need to overpay guys. They are still way, way, way under the cap.
==========
And now they have a HUGE hole at LT. Penn maybe? A few other guys COULD play there, Oher, but he is really not particularly good as a RT, they drafted Menelik Watson last season but if they believed in him they wouldn’t have tried to sign Saffold for all of that money.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:14 am
Penn the Panther?
March 13th, 2014 at 11:14 am
Great job..we still are REALLY in need of an OG more than an OT..The cap space from #24 is dwindling quickly and also no 3rd WR
March 13th, 2014 at 11:14 am
Wow, just read, we gave him only $30 mil over 5 years… great deal.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:14 am
off topic but I am normally the type that hates picking up our divisional rivals cast offs. But after watching steve smith tear us up for so long now. The idea of him in the slot would be amazing. The guy can still play and i would bet you anything he would want to destroy the panthers twice a year. It also sounds like he wants to come to Tampa…. just sayin
March 13th, 2014 at 11:15 am
I know the Raiders put a lot of money in front of him, that says something about Lovie to get him here. Glad about the signing, welcome frat, but I am a DP fan too, great personality and good game too
March 13th, 2014 at 11:15 am
loved Donald Penn. True Buc through the years. He went through a lot of crappy coaches and crappy quarterbacks. He is a buc legend in my mind. Farewell Penn
March 13th, 2014 at 11:16 am
Another big contract for a career back up.
Oh BTW the Patroits thanked the BUCS for releasing a future HOF player.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:17 am
It’s funny how Joe leader of the Donald Penn and Mic Club / Josh McCown Clown Posse thinks it’s a reach to sign Collins to replce Donald Penn but it’s not a reach to gift a career backup a NFL starting QB job who was the 6th best QB in his division last year.
I knew this would be his reaction.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:18 am
Our newest Cap projection showed around 18 million prior to adding Mccown and Collins. We should be down to around 7 million before cutting Penn. Probably 14.4 if we cut Penn, and around 17.6 million if we cut Penn and Koennen. This is certainly enough to add CB depth, WR depth, and a Center.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:18 am
Hopefully this move is an upgrade. Penn wasn’t really overpaid. He’s durable and for the most part dependable, although he had a down year. His salary was middle of the pack for a LT with his experience. He’s getting older and the Bucs had an opportunity to get younger and go cheaper at the position.
This signing might be an indication that tackle isn’t a position to be addressed with the 7th pick in the draft.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:19 am
Couch, Smith can still contribute… but I hate him almost as much as his own teammates did. Pass.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:20 am
Yeah Biff, Penn was solid for a good while.To say he was solely responsible for the awful play of the OL is just ridiculous.
He definitely struggled last year but damn, people are so quick to usher someone out aren’t they?! I view this move the same way I see the QB situation. We improved as a football team.
Whether or not Penn is released, the OL just got better.
Stop hatin’ people. Good god!
March 13th, 2014 at 11:20 am
The good news is… if the LT fails to protect the QB, then only the 34 year old QB will get hurt… not the franchise QB, Mike Glennon.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:21 am
We’ve still got issues at guard. Maybe the Bucs actually grade out Meredith higher than we do? Pick up a center and move Zuttah? Just don’t know.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:25 am
I am starting to see the plan. Collins has played some guard, trade Penn for a very low draft pick. I think the Bucs are hoping in the draft that there is a run on the QBs and the Offensive tackles fall to #7. The last question is do they get a new center?
March 13th, 2014 at 11:26 am
Adios Penn. Overpaid and overrated for the last three years. Now that Revis and likely Penn are gone who will Joe have a love affair with???
March 13th, 2014 at 11:26 am
Ok, according to overthecap.com (http://overthecap.com/teamcap.php?Team=Buccaneers&Year=2014), BEFORE we signed McCown and Collins, we still had a little over $18 million away from the cap. Considering we would need to use probably at least $5 million or so to sign our rookies (the #7 pick should be making the biggest part of that), I would think we have only $2-3 million of cap space WITHOUT cutting anybody. Again, Penn is worth $7.4, maybe we actually get something for him in a trade (Raiders… Penn’s from Cali anyway, he might like it, plus he’s used to playing on terrible teams), Koenen $3, I seriously doubt Zuttah goes anywhere.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:27 am
uh future hall of famer was asked to restructure his deal to stay, future hall of famer said no thanks and took LESS from the Patriots. figure it out.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:28 am
“Joe gets that Lovie Smith and Jason Licht likely evaluated Donald Penn, who turns 31 in April, and didn’t see him as their left tackle of the future”
But they see a 34 year old career backup QB on his eighth team as “the starting person” for the foreseeable future.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:29 am
Better player who is younger for less money. Solid.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:32 am
I’d rather have Collins and a draft pick though, Joe. This years draft is suppose to be deep. So, if they can get younger & cheaper AND pick up another draft pick then it makes sense to me.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:35 am
Lets remember Donald Penn was not really a big deal when he came here off the Vikings practice squad and took over because of an injury to Bucs LT Free Agent back in 2007. He’s been starting ever since.
Collins reminds me of Penn circa 2007. He’s an upgrade now thats fro sure.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:39 am
The Bucs may actually compete for the NFC South this year. These are all solid signings. We’ve had some talented rosters, but NEVER seem to have had any real depth. It’s hard not to like the signing of McCown, adds experience and competition, BUT the fact that Smith called him the starter already seems unnecessary, at the least. Why not let the competition decide who’s the starter, and what if we draft a QB in the first? You don’t draft QB’s in the first without starting them anymore, or at least, having open competition. McCown is a long-time back-up for a reason, don’t see the rush to name him starter. So now, even if Glennon or rookie outperforms McCown, Smith has painted himself, unnecessarily in corner, IMO.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:41 am
“New Bucs OT Anthony Collins last year allowed 12 hurries on 317 pass blocks. Best pass blocking efficiency of any tackle.” — Profootballfocus
Now I’m excited.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:42 am
Penn is certainly trade material….or if we keep him for depth we could restructure his contract.
We could bring in Shaun King for a tryout!!!
“Shaun King, one of two Buc Quarterbacks that lost a NFC Championship Game when his defense gave up 11 or fewer points.”
March 13th, 2014 at 11:48 am
Joe as someone who perform analysis for a career Donald Penn was not average he if counting only starters out of 32 LT in the league he would have been rated as the 31’st in giving up sacks which is the equivalent to QB throwing TD, Yards for RB, Catches for WR, Sack for DE, INT for DB’s.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:52 am
@buccanAy
slow down buddy. In training camp, all these players will be shaking hands and meeting each other for the first time, Let alone get down a new offensive and defensive scheme.
March 13th, 2014 at 11:52 am
The majority of people who comment negatively about player signings and their role fail to realize football schemes are based on situations and rotations. The key to being an excellent football team as McDonald stated in his PC is having no drop off in play due to rotation.
Every signing has been positive and has done nothing less than making this a better team. Can’t wait for the Draft and season to start. Pumped!
March 13th, 2014 at 11:56 am
These signings have been tremendous. Obviously we were bad last year but the amount of free agent signings have solidified in my mind that the Bucs were so bad they could have easily gone 0-16. I thought Glennon did good things but for McCown to be named the #1 QB before training camp just goes to show how bad Glennon must have been with a proper coach doing the evaluations.
Mark Dominick was far worse than JBC and many other loyal readers gave him credit for. Schiano was 100x worse than I gave him credit for.
March 13th, 2014 at 12:02 pm
Hey Joe big fan and longtime reader, I mostly always agree with you on your posts but for once I’m against you on Penn, I do how ever agree I also love his durability, which is something extremely hard to find anymore, but I’m gonna throw out a quick stat for you on Penn, he gave up 11 sacks last year, Collins gave up 0, Penn is on the downside of his career, I’m all for this move, in fact I’m really excited, go bucs!
March 13th, 2014 at 12:05 pm
Getting an OT is great..but who do we start at OG? That 16 Mil from #24 will go away quickly!
March 13th, 2014 at 12:11 pm
Actually on my last post I’m not exactly sure how many sacks Collins gave up read somewhere he didn’t give up any,but im sure it’s a lot less then Penn
March 13th, 2014 at 12:16 pm
interesting now we can draft K mack and drop him in as a left end…… all of a sudden qb’s are going to wake up sore as a mf on Monday morning
March 13th, 2014 at 12:17 pm
I realize that Penn did not play his best game last year, but he has been reliable and never misses games. I think, if its possible, that they should bring him at a lower salary and keep him around for depth. Anthony Collins is really an unknown commodity, people say he’s good but he’s never played a full season.
March 13th, 2014 at 12:19 pm
I don’t see why we would get rid of Penn. How many times have we seen a Bucs offensive lineman injured?
March 13th, 2014 at 12:22 pm
@phil
thats why you are going to see such turn over on the O-line.
March 13th, 2014 at 12:30 pm
FINALLY!!! O-Line is getting some Love!! But need a little more….
Mack, Watkins or trade down and pick Lewan!
March 13th, 2014 at 1:01 pm
Penn should start thinking about real estate and his next place because after what was publicized he was a target for upgrade based on his performance vs salary.
He had a good tenure here but now it’s time to change of we expect different results.
March 13th, 2014 at 1:12 pm
Career back up?
The guy was promoted and unseated the Bengals 6 starting LT moving him to guard.
The Bengals and Panthers wanted him as their starter.
We won as already been said: New Bucs OT Anthony Collins last year allowed 12 hurries on 317 pass blocks. Best pass blocking efficiency of any tackle.
March 13th, 2014 at 1:17 pm
@Realist
Collins and Jake Matthews bookends?
March 13th, 2014 at 1:22 pm
Joe can’t say he’s studied the guy, but … Joe still has an opinion based on superficial stats. lol
People who did watch Collins’ career all say he was a great backup who shined at left tackle (especially in pass protection) when given starts last season. In fact, he did so well that the Bengals moved their Pro Bowl LT to LG when he came back from injury. http://espn.go.com/blog/cincinnati-bengals/post/_/id/3487/bengals-andrew-whitworth-clint-boling-offensive-guard-move
Bottom line – Collins is better than Penn and makes less money. Case closed.
March 13th, 2014 at 1:29 pm
Keep penn IMO. Idk know much about Collins but he is still at the very least the second best tackle on our team. Ideally we need 3 good OTs.
March 13th, 2014 at 1:34 pm
Haha, another great opinion … “Idk know much about Collins” but here’s my opinion on him.
Let me clear this up. You don’t keep Penn at $8M to be a backup or to play guard. No way. You cut him and fill other needs. And if you’re saying that Demar Dotson is our best tackle, well, who really knows? The Bucs are obviously high on Collins and they’ve said they like Dotson so much that he might get a look at LT. But there’s no reason at all to keep Penn at that number. Someone else will give him a job at LT for less money.
March 13th, 2014 at 1:39 pm
Does this mean we get to see Penn power lifting a bus on instagram?
March 13th, 2014 at 1:45 pm
Just Curious what would have happened if Greg “Toes on the line” Schiano was still HC? Players would have avoided Tampa like a locker room full of mrsa. Just the name “Lovie Smith” is influencing players decision. And I give credit to Licht also. Lovie and Licht have addressed most all of our needs in Free agency without overpaying. Wish we could pick up the Packers or Saints FA Center.
March 13th, 2014 at 1:47 pm
@Oil Derrick Brooks
LOL, thats funny, I just hope he doesn’t pull a Freeman melt down and is eating Pizza and Subs all night long, Then doing interviews the next day with his mouth full.
March 13th, 2014 at 1:49 pm
Joe you REALLY must be pals with Donald Penn, this move is a no brainer, the Bucs could not have done better while going after a relatively young tackle who’s better days are a head, AND graded out as the best tackle in FA. COUCH, I’m with you brother on Steve Smith, I would LOVE the Bucs to sign this guy, I’ve watched for years how this baller has continually torched us over and over again, also displaying a toughness usually seen on defensive guys, after that hit he absorbed from Mark Barron, he hopped right back up into the huddle, he is a little bad a$$ stud that has 2-3 years of 1st down catches up the middle, would make a GREAT slot receiver-do it, PLEASE!!
March 13th, 2014 at 2:00 pm
@Realist – HA. His eyes were (doughnut) glazed over.
March 13th, 2014 at 2:14 pm
Penn was released… Would have thought we could have gotten something for him, but If it means we get a C & another CB I will be happy with that instead.
March 13th, 2014 at 2:19 pm
Rotoworld reporting Penn is gone.
http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/4097/donald-penn
March 13th, 2014 at 2:27 pm
NFL.com confirming Penn has been given his release. I wish him well.
March 13th, 2014 at 2:45 pm
so he’s never been a long term starter and we are locked in paying him starting LT money until he’s 32? i sure hope these guys know what they’re doing. at least when dominik made a lousy signing we could dump the guy within 2 seasons without any dead money.
March 13th, 2014 at 2:46 pm
*not saying collins is a lousy signing, but if he is no better than a backup we will be resenting that contract when it’s time to pony up for your doug martins and lavonte davids
March 13th, 2014 at 2:49 pm
@pick6
the “rockstar’s” contracts were structured that from what happened after his 1st season, probaly the Glazer said that he better start putting out clause in his contracts.
March 13th, 2014 at 4:09 pm
Maybe a few of these “Futures”offensive linemen on our roster are better then we thought???
March 15th, 2014 at 4:37 pm
I liked Penn. I hope he falls into a good gig. I think Collins will be a great replacement.