“Hawk” Among The Surging Bucs
December 5th, 2014
Hawk’s 10 tackles got lost in the shuffle Sunday
Veteran safety Dashon “Hawk” Goldson got hurt in Week 4 and didn’t re-appear until after the Buccaneers’ bye week.
The Tampa Bay defense didn’t fare well without him, but they’ve been getting healthy along with Hawk.
Hawk consistently has been praised by coaches over the past month, including Lovie Smith, and Hawk was credited for 10 tackles against the Bengals on Sunday.
Speaking on the fantastic “Hawk Radio” show on the Buccaneers Radio Network last night, Hawk said count him among the defenders finally mastering Lovie’s defense.
“I’m getting better man, making strides, I’m starting, you know, to come into my own with what they want from me,” Hawk said.” I’m starting to feel a little better healthwise on top of that, so that helps big time, for sure. I’ve been playing ok these last couple of weeks, since I’ve been back off the bye week, I’ve been playing ok.
“People are starting to get comfortable and understanding more. I mean, you get better with repetition. We had a lot of that, and we’re still getting a lot of that. So we’re starting to understanding, we’re seeing what teams are doing to us week in and week out. I know the coaches are always say that, ‘You know, you’re going to get the same game week in and week out.’ I think players are really starting to see that.”
It’s a big final four games for Hawk. He’s set to make about $8 million next season. The Bucs aren’t going to keep all their veterans performing their massive pay grades, such as Michael Johnson, Vincent Jackson, Anthony Collins, Logan Mankins. But they sure could keep a couple of them.
Joe knows Hawk, 30, has the respect of his coaching staff and teammates. But he’d really have to stand out big and fast in order to be welcomed back without a major contract restructuring.
December 5th, 2014 at 4:08 pm
The defense is starting to look better. That’s good. He does need to start balling though.
Of the veterans you mentioned, VJax, Mankins, and, to a degree Goldson are the only veterans earning their pay. It would be a colossal mistake to get rid of VJax or Mankins. Consider what is behind them.
December 5th, 2014 at 4:31 pm
Too bad he’s gone in another month. No way are they keeping that massive salary on the books next year. No picks, no turnovers, no sacks. That’s not a $9 million a year guy.
Get rid of Hawk. He’s not worth it anymore than Johnson or Collins are.
December 5th, 2014 at 4:33 pm
PS, Joe has been more lenient on Hawk and his bloated salary and pitiful production than many other players with goose egg impact plays. The coaches praised Bowers too earlier this season. Don’t see him coming back either.
December 5th, 2014 at 5:14 pm
Have to agree with you LouisFreind. No game saving or even big plays from this guy.
In fact, in the Chicago game he took a bad shot at deflecting the ball and Bennett ended up going in for the score. Way to much money to spend on a player who hasn’t made a play since he got here.
If I had a choice between VJax and The Hawk on the team, The Hawk would be flying to another locale.
December 5th, 2014 at 5:22 pm
If he’s willing to restructure down to $4.5M per year or so – they would probably like to keep him. I’m pretty sure Goldson’s not going to earn more than that anywhere else next year if we release him based on what he’s put on tape the last 2 years.
December 5th, 2014 at 5:31 pm
Not that we are going to keep him without a massive pay cut but why would Goldson want to stay here anyway?
December 5th, 2014 at 5:57 pm
The “Squawk” has never played to his huge salary…..we can do better. I would be very surprised (absent a restructure) if he remains….we could pick up a couple of $4 mil safetys and have more depth.
Buuuuuuuuubye…..Squawk!!!
December 5th, 2014 at 7:29 pm
Yup, he’s probably gone unless he’s way cheaper.
December 5th, 2014 at 8:15 pm
He play better but I’m waiting for deep throwers like Rodgers before making a final judgment. Bucs don’t need to purge everyone. MJ has to go
December 5th, 2014 at 9:28 pm
Bulls**t!!!!!
How many of those tackles were well after the ball carrier gained a first down?
Any TFLs? Run stuffage? Pass break-ups? Big Hits? Nope.
Can anyone name three meaningful plays the “Crawk” has made since being a Buc?
I like this guy but he has done NOTHING for Tampa… NOTHING!!!!!! $8-9mil/year for that? Disaster of a deal.
McDougald is better and more hungry to make a name in the NFL.
“The Crawk” will be gone in 2015.
Go Sucs!
December 5th, 2014 at 9:32 pm
Any tackles before the first down was gained?
TFLs, Run-stuffage, big hits? Nope!
The “Crawk” has done nothing since coming to Tampa. Name three meaningful plays he’s made in the last two years!
McDougald is just as good, and he’s hungry!
I like Dashon but the Bucs’ got a very bad deal here.
Go Sucs!
December 5th, 2014 at 10:58 pm
I hope the Hawk sticks around, I think hes been playing solid football. He also brings a toughness to the defense.