Report: Trent Cole Heads To Tampa
March 5th, 2015
One of Jason Licht’s great finds is now on the free market. And he’s headed to Tampa to visit, says BSPN.
Joe wrote earlier about yet another potential angle the Bucs could pursue to cut the snaps of ghostly and ghastly defensive end Michael Johnson.
But what about Trent Cole, who fell victim to the Philly wackiness since Chip Kelly got control of the Eagles’ personnel?
A new report by Adam Caplan of ESPN says Cole is coming to Tampa to visit.
Cole was released this week because the Eagles didn’t want to pay him $10 million. And for those unfamiliar with Cole, there’s a reason he was earning $10 million. Through 10 seasons in Philly he had 85.5 sacks, and found a way two years ago to successfully transition from right defensive end in a 4-3 defense to 3-4 linebacker.
At 32 years old, he’s only missed three games in those 10 seasons.
Bucs general manager Jason Licht knows Cole well from when he was an Eagles chief of player personnel. He was in the mix when the Eagles drafted Cole in 2005 — in the fifth round. And FOX Sports reported last year that Licht was credited for scouting Cole and pounding on the table for him.
Remember Joe told you Licht talked about pouncing on specific cap casualties? Well, it looks like Cole was on that secret list.
Per Chip Kelly, via ESPN, the Eagles want Cole back but the two sides couldn’t agree on a renegotiated contract.
Joe has no clue what kind of cash Cole might want. But the big-picture question is whether the Bucs want to pay Michael Johnson another $7 million of real Team Glazer cash and simply cross their fingers that he shows up. That’s not a strategy Joe would employ, not in a defense that must have a nasty edge rush to succeed.
March 5th, 2015 at 9:48 am
Would be a nice pickup for the right price.
March 5th, 2015 at 9:48 am
We can definitely use you Mr.Cole
March 5th, 2015 at 9:53 am
With cole, Johnson, smith, and a draft pick I hope we could generate some sort of pass rush!!
March 5th, 2015 at 9:56 am
The Bucs will pay Johnson $7 million in cash whether they cut him or not….so, that argument doesn’t fly….he gets $9 million if they keep him.
March 5th, 2015 at 10:00 am
For the right price, we’re better off signing Cole, keeping Clayborn and letting Johnson walk with his $7 mil of guaranteed money. An injured Clayborn was more effective than a healthy Johnson, thats just a sad statement on Lovie’s talent evaluation abilities…
March 5th, 2015 at 10:10 am
Heck yeah…..bring Trent to town! Still waiting for more info about Adrian Peterson listing the Bucs as one of his 5 potential destinations. AD, for let’s say, Bobby Rainey and a 7th round draft pick….seems like a fair deal. 🙂
March 5th, 2015 at 10:11 am
Nice…someone posted yesterday that the eagles are willing to trade 1,2,3 rounds for the next three years to move to #1…any credibility to that? Thats the most insane offer I’ve ever heard…If they cut Johnson it shouldnt hurt the cap tho
March 5th, 2015 at 10:11 am
@flmike
Johnson was never healthy. That was a big knock on him so I dunno what basis you used to compare Clayborn to him. That’s pretty senseless.
March 5th, 2015 at 10:14 am
Joe – have you 100% verified that Johnson gets an extra $5M of 2016 salary guaranteed if we keep him this year? That’s what OTC says – but spotrac says he is only guaranteed $2M on top of the $7M he’s already getting and that the 2016 guarantee doesn’t kick in until 3rd day of league year NEXT year.
So which is it? Please get to the bottom this and provide some type of definitiveness to this Johnson contract question. It makes all the difference in the world as to whether he should be on the team this year or not.
Joe’s already done this several times. Let’s talk real money. Glazers must cut Johnson a check for $7 million if he’s on the roster March 12. Forget about cap hits and dead money and all that accounting baloney. There’s always been little chance the Glazers would throw good money after bad for no good reason. –Joe
March 5th, 2015 at 10:26 am
@whatthebuciswrongwithyou
I’m pretty sure the people saying that are the idiots who wrote the script to the movie Draft Day.
March 5th, 2015 at 10:49 am
if you’re going to bring in stopgaps in free agency, best to bring in stopgaps who have produced consistently in their career. a thirty something freeney or abraham would have served this team vastly better than the criminally overpaid michael johnson who had one very good year in 5 attempts before we gifted him a Pro-Bowl-level contract.
March 5th, 2015 at 10:50 am
Best thing that could happen What an escape from the cold.
March 5th, 2015 at 10:51 am
LOLOLOLOL! 🙂
March 5th, 2015 at 10:58 am
“Joe’s already done this several times”.
All I’ve ever seen you do is link to the Florio article where he gives his interpretation.
“Glazers must cut Johnson a check for $7 million if he’s on the roster March 12. Forget about cap hits and dead money and all that accounting baloney.”
And if they cut him tomorrow – they will still be writing him a $7 Million check because that’s what we owe him no matter what. So what’s your point?
Bottom line is – one source for contract info (spotrac) says only $2M extra is guaranteed for 2015 (on top of the $7M already guaranteed) if he is on the roster day 3 of league year – and no other guarantees kick in until March of 2016.
The other source (OTC) says an extra $5M towards 2016 salary also becomes guaranteed if he is not cut within the next week.
So which is the truth and how do we know for sure???
It makes all the difference in the world as to whether he should be here in 2015 or not.
If what spotrac says is true – then we should definitely keep him for the extra $2M and see if he can step up his game and then make a decision next spring on whether he is worth $8.5M per year or not.
If what OTC says is true (extra $5M towards 2016 becomes guaranteed if still on the roster by day 3 of this league year) – then he should obviously be released in the next 6 days.
March 5th, 2015 at 11:06 am
YESYESYES give him the money not michael
March 5th, 2015 at 11:15 am
I think Cole is a wise choice, not splashy but wise. Sign him.
March 5th, 2015 at 11:18 am
Cole at 32 years of age seems a little too old to throw millions at. I would think his tank is below half full. Yeah the experience is important, but the Bucs need to get younger players whose tanks are fuller.
March 5th, 2015 at 11:21 am
Repost:
(February 25th, 2015)
Potential Cap Casualties (Defense)
(Defensive End)
• #58 (DE) Trent Cole 6-3/270 (Age:32)
• #91 (DE) Tamba Hali 6-3/275 (Age:31)
• #91 (DE) Chris Clemons 6-3/254 (Age:31)
( (Defensive Tackle)
• #92 (NT)Haloti Ngata 6-4/340 (Age:31)
• #92 (DT) Desmond Bryant 6-6/310 (Age:32)
(Linebacker)
• #51 (SLB) Paul Posluszny 6-2/242 (Age:30)
• #56 (SLB) Derrick Johnson 6-3/242 (Age:32)
Note: You still can’t single block Trent Cole’s
March 5th, 2015 at 11:23 am
If Philadelphia Released Trent Cole
Productivity down because Philadelphia switched from a 4-3(RDE) to 3-4(OLB).
But Cole has been relatively healthy the most of his career. He could get a look-If the price is right.
Trent Cole (Age 32.149)
Position: DE-LB
• 2012 (30) 16 out of 16 (3 sacks)
• 2013 (31) 16 out of 16 (8 sacks)
• 2014 (32) 15 out of 16 (6.5 sacks)
March 5th, 2015 at 11:30 am
bucs don’t really have a choice, i’d much rather him be our starter than people talking about trading down to get marginal talent to come in and start at a position so important……most of these kids being drafted don’t have the size and strength to compete with grown men on the offensive line except for the elite few which there aren’t many of
March 5th, 2015 at 11:34 am
looks great on paper, but guys like that usually want a chance to get a ring and will play for less money for that chance, which translates to us overpaying for him as a stop gap until we groom his replacement.
I still say go with the 25-27 year old with upside
March 5th, 2015 at 11:45 am
MJ’s guarantee is 18mil. He was paid 9mil in 2014 which equates to 9mil remaining to reach guarantee. But, if he’s cut now, then he doesn’t get anything? Excuse me for being ignorant, but the NFL has a funny definition for “guarantee”.
March 5th, 2015 at 11:48 am
upside is a dangerous word lol glennon has upside but does he have skills to be THE GUY hell no…..go with the proven veteran for a team trying to get wins right now AND get the guy with upside to develop theres someone in place to take his spot when he’s not worth the check. we are in that situation right now, vjack is getting that 10 mil this season because there is no one behind him that developed into a starting caliber receiver yet meaning we’re still looking for his replacement
March 5th, 2015 at 11:57 am
BFFL – Michael Johnson gets another $7M from the Bucs no matter what – even if he is cut today he still gets $7M from the Bucs for this year and can then also double dip this year with another team if the Bucs release him.
March 5th, 2015 at 12:04 pm
What would be really funny is if the bucs traded the first pick to the Eagles. Then they go and take Jamie’s with the number one pick. Talk about a bitch slap
March 5th, 2015 at 12:05 pm
“At 32 years old, he’s only missed three games in those 10 seasons.” – Joe
That will change his first season here.
Seriously, people. 32. Years. Old.
I don’t care how good he was, the odds are against him now. Especially in the heat of Tampa. As a backup? He might last. But he will not accept that role. We would OVERPAY.
Get real people.
March 5th, 2015 at 12:06 pm
@ bucs.
we’re not going to be a contender this year. all that talk of winning right now last year, and where did that get us. the winners in FA are typically the losers in the season. I am not against getting him, just more for getting someone that maybe 80% his caliber, who is cheaper, would be more enthusiastic about tackling our scheme and happier to be here vs. overpaying for another high priced free agent with a couple years left and little motivation to be his best, cause we damn sure aint getting a lombardi while he is here.
March 5th, 2015 at 12:06 pm
And Michael Johnson is going nowhere. Not this year.
March 5th, 2015 at 12:25 pm
Lovie needs to win now so it’s better for Lovie to have a veteran pass rusher that can produce right away. They should still draft a DE no matter what they do in free agency. Cole could be one of those key signings that makes a big difference. It depends on the money he’s asking for but he could be a good value.
March 5th, 2015 at 12:27 pm
I would like Cole for the right price, but we have got to stop signing these 32-year old superstars!! I do like his track record but it always seems like the same thing for us. Pay the older star a boatload of cash. They come to tampa and start playing in the ridiculous heat and humidity. They are out for the year before week 4
March 5th, 2015 at 12:30 pm
I’m afraid of the classic overpay the Bucs typically have to do to lure free agents, but this is exactly a person the Bucs need to look at. Hopefully Licht can keep the money reasonable, sell him on a return to the 4-3 and make it happen. Come to Tampa Trent Cole!!
March 5th, 2015 at 12:43 pm
we really have some scarred fans……Michael Johnson is going to start next year more than likely but surely if he’s on the team. this defense ranked in the top 10 after the bye week and many people are overexaggerating
no the bucs didn’t get to the quarterback good enough last year they were tied for 21 with san francisco and it kills me how no one even notices how the seahawks were right above them ranked 20 in sacks but people dont care because of how stiffling the overall defense is and thats what i care about….the bucs even ended the season with more interceptions than the seahawks and yes i know some of you may wanna cry about that but we now have an offensive coordinator and will have a decent quarterback very soon so saying we cant compete this year in this division then you cant see the big picture I mean seriously cincy was dead last in the league in sacks
March 5th, 2015 at 1:23 pm
@Luvmybucs
We can now add Wilfork to the list. I have to believe that the Bucs could be slightly interested in Wilfork. His age and wear and tear are certainly a factor but a DT like Wilfork makes a lot of sense to balance out the DT positions since McCoy is the guy to rush the QB.
March 5th, 2015 at 1:50 pm
Our defense was improving but it was by no means good at the end of the year. Not even close. 3rd and long was an automatic 1st down on us, no matter the team, no matter the offense. It was pathetic. This defense will have to dramatically improve if we are going to compete this year. Along with the offense.
March 5th, 2015 at 2:19 pm
Not at no 10 million dollars for a 32 year old. No way no how
March 5th, 2015 at 2:20 pm
I say sign Cole and bring back Clayborn for a prove it contract. That would create some competition between the top 5 DEs.
No chance Johnson gets cut. Joe is kind of sidestepping the guaranteed money. I get what youre saying Joe but when the 7 mil is guaranteed it just doesnt make much sense to cut him to save 2 mil of a 9 mil deal. They obviously liked him last year and if he is healthy they probably still like him. Its similar to Goldsons contract situation last year.
March 5th, 2015 at 2:34 pm
For the right price I would love to see Cole come in and compete and add depth…but bestowing upon him the savior to the pass rush moniker is quite a bit premature. He’ll be 33 in October and it’s been a while since he’s been a real difference-maker for the Eagles… he’s still capable… I just don’t think he is capable for 60 snaps a game.
March 5th, 2015 at 3:59 pm
Unless they trade Michael Johnson, they’re going to be paying him “$7 million of real Team Glazer cash.” It’s a $9 million contract and if you cut him, pre June 1st or post June 1st, you save $2 million and still pay $7 million.
March 5th, 2015 at 10:07 pm
Buc4life that was gospel spoken.