Troubling Defensive End Rumblings
March 7th, 2016
Embattled Giants GM Jerry Reese seems hellbent of taking a free agent defensive end off the market before the Bucs get a shot.
It is NFL recruiting season and teams, coaches and staffs are wining and dining prospective new players.
Those targets include defensive end free agents, unemployed Mario Williams and Charles Johnson.
Williams was courted by Miami over the weekend, had meetings last night and another scheduled this morning with Giants officials, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
Joe has received no sense, from various sources, that the Bucs have a dinner date or reservations at a local eatery planned with Williams. Let’s hope that changes.
If Williams did have a meeting scheduled with the Bucs, you can bank on it that would have (will?) leaked out. The more teams Williams meets with, the better the chance Williams’ representatives can stoke a bidding war.
Then there is Johnson. He was wined and dined last night by the Giants. Josina Anderson of ESPN.com claims another meeting between the two parties is scheduled for this morning.
Man, the Giants aren’t wasting any time.
Johnson, per Anderson, is scheduled to fly to Tampa later today but, of course, if the Giants give him an offer he can’t refuse, well, you know how that goes.
Joe sees that fans are outraged on social media the Bucs want to sign Johnson, who had a grand total of one sack during the regular season last year, but that’s when the spredsheeters dig themselves a hole.
Johnson missed nine straight games last year when he blew out a hamstring and was placed on the injured reserve/designated list. That’s when the Stinking Panthers acquired Jared Allen.
When he was healthy, Johnson had three sacks in the postseason last year. In his previous five seasons, Johnson had 52.5 sacks. Not too shabby.
So pairing Johnson with Jay Hayes, the new defensive line coach, just might get the Bucs that decade-long elusive double-digit sack guy from the edge.
Let’s just say Joe has no qualms raiding the two-time NFC South division champions.
March 7th, 2016 at 5:44 am
Wakey wakey, eggs and bakey… Now let’s spend some cheese!!! Go BUCS;)
I’m hungry.
March 7th, 2016 at 5:56 am
I have a feeling that we are all going to be very disappointed! !!!
March 7th, 2016 at 6:36 am
HHMMM DISAPPOINTED? HMMM….NO. VERY, VERY, DISAPPOINTED!
IS ALL ABOUT THE FUTURE!
March 7th, 2016 at 6:56 am
As a fan, this is very frustrating, just on appearance alone. You see teams and GM’s moving quickly to try and get the guys that can help the team. We have a RB who might walk, and no word of any moves, including Mankins who told everyone he would let the Bucs know by today. I was hoping the bucs would use the Seattle blueprint, get quality free agents in here while Jamies is under his rookie contract. Still might happen, we shall see
March 7th, 2016 at 6:58 am
THE BACK-STABBER & THE CO-CONSPIRATOR better start breaking bread!
March 7th, 2016 at 7:03 am
Joe laugh at the thought of having a 3rd washed out Johnson and now is scare to lose him to the Giants? Hmmmmm…
Pretty sure they have a plan. We just need to wait
March 7th, 2016 at 7:40 am
Be patient guys! Let it play out.
March 7th, 2016 at 8:02 am
Word around the league,is no free agent player’s want to play for this G.M. They have reached out, but some of their calls have not been returned. The only way they sign any player, they must overpay. That is the reason they talked about not signing any big name player’s.
March 7th, 2016 at 8:15 am
Ed Says:
Word around the league,is no free agent player’s want to play for this G.M.
——————-
Source? Link? Or just reading fiction novels?
March 7th, 2016 at 8:25 am
Cheap asses! Need to sign Doug
March 7th, 2016 at 8:27 am
Ed- those are big accusations and something the big should come with a solid source to back it up.
I just don’t think this team wants to go the top ‘splash player’ FA route anymore, they’ve tried it a few times recently and it just didn’t show much results. I think they’ll supplement their roster with a few solid 2nd tier players resign their own FA who have the right attitude and fit their system best going forward and develop the core of the team through the draft.
March 7th, 2016 at 8:28 am
Opps- Thanks Biff I didn’t see your post re: Ed
March 7th, 2016 at 8:34 am
“Word around the league”sound like something out of a J.K. Rollins novel. This guy..
March 7th, 2016 at 8:41 am
I still like the idea of Jpp and the 3 finger discount.
March 7th, 2016 at 8:41 am
Ya’ever notice that SOMEONE always comes up with the “Nobody wants to come here” spit with NO evidence to back it up?
March 7th, 2016 at 8:54 am
This coaching staff, no state income tax, great weather, and great scenery, all make Tampa a very attractive place to work. Oh yeah, a young and promising franchise QB doesn’t hurt either. Some trolls are just ridiculous.
March 7th, 2016 at 9:03 am
You will always hear the trolls start the ” I heard crap” and never give a source or it will not be a creditable one.
March 7th, 2016 at 9:08 am
Sparky-
I agree with your point the Tampa is an attractive place to come play but the State income tax isn’t as big of a deal as some make it. The players are taxed where they work and ten of those game checks are from States who may have a State income tax. Only home games would they and the teams they play against not be taxed by the State.
March 7th, 2016 at 9:11 am
Even though respect his game-screw Jerry Reese. He’s always hated on the BUCS – it almost sound personal sometime.
We need 2 finally chest up – and body this dude.
So what he’s in Mecca – with all the endorsement deals. We’ve got Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David#tonsofcapspace
Licht Line Up and Knock’em Down Bruddah.
March 7th, 2016 at 9:16 am
Anyone heard of Gerald McCoy & Lavonte David – recruiting guys this season?
March 7th, 2016 at 9:25 am
I do think Charles Johnson, who came in for a visit would be a great signing. I think the guy def can still play, he’s only 29 and was just dealing with a bum hami last year. I’d love to see how hard he would want to stick it to the Panthers twice a season while our newly drafted DE(s) developed under his tutelage.
March 7th, 2016 at 9:29 am
Stanglassman
No doubt he would be a solid pick.
List your most under the rader prospect. I know you like Grant out Texas Tech (I do as well). But who U got?
March 7th, 2016 at 9:36 am
Johnson or Vernon would be my top two. One thing Dominick did that we have yet to see from Licht is an ability to land free agents. Sure he over paid a little bit but those last two years under Schiano he stocked us up with pieces to work with. Haven’t quite seen that from Licht yet. From letting Trent Cole get away to the George Johnson pick up going from rfa pick up to trade, free agency may just be Licht’s achilles. Of course Licht has drafted more players that have made an impact in two years than Dom did in Five. So thats nice. But while im cool if we lay low, I recognize that we need to bring in at least one of those free agents,
March 7th, 2016 at 10:33 am
I don’t care if the Bucs sign either of these two overpriced linemen. Both are very high risk and could easily blow up the party with injuries. I prefer to see Licht get the players needed through the Draft with trades and picks to get the players he believes will have longevity with the Team. Don’t get sucked in to the feeding frenzy because it has spelled disaster for the Bucs in recent years. Be smart, be patient and let it flow. I do like Roddy White and think he will be a fair priced addition to a depleted receiving corps.
March 7th, 2016 at 10:34 am
LUVMY- It’s kinda early for me but here some of the more obvious one so far.
FA Safety- resign Conty and Mcdougald and get Gipson (Clv) (ballhawk)
Draft- Kevin Byard (M. Ten St.) FB IQ Ballhawk. 4-5 rd
Resign CB- S. Moore
Maurice Canady, CB, Virginia -3rd round- Big size great, physical with great cover skills.
Resign DE- Fat and Smith Go get C. Johnson
Kamalei Correa, EDGE, Boise State 2/3 rd
I like Ogbah in 2nd if he drops
LB- Resign FA George-Depth & ST
Go get Whitehead Lb- Sam FA Lions
DT-Resign Tony McDaniel and maybe Melton
This position depends so much on the draft- I like Rankins now at the 9th pick. So much talent at DT this year in the draft it would seem a shame not to double up.
Resign Martin! Only Fa I like to replace him is Chris Ivory ND RB Prosise- 220 Lbs 6+ YPC loks like a steal.
WR Mike Thomas 6′ 1″ 200Lbs reminds me of Allen Hurns
March 7th, 2016 at 10:36 am
Joe, didn’t you write an entire article yesterday about how Johnson was washed up and compared him to the other 2 Johnson’s we recently had? Soooo, what changed your mind in such a short time?
Also, do you have a list of f.a. acquisitions you would like to see the team sign, other tan a d.e? We need more help than that, and the more holes you can fill in f.a. the less you have to draft for need. Would like to know who else is out there.
March 7th, 2016 at 10:57 am
another Free Agency Johnson at DE, huh? maybe 3rd time’s a charm
March 7th, 2016 at 11:45 am
Stanglassman
Kevin Byard (M. Ten St.)??
Now see – I let U get a pass hwhen U dropped Grant. Lol
But Kevin Byard, is a kid I’ve been pulling for – for awhile now.
Solid back story – the kid is on a mission.
I have whole new respect for your game now #respect
March 7th, 2016 at 12:18 pm
No Mario Williams. Glad the Bucs aren’t interested. People need to settle down already. Free agency hasn’t even started and already there’s gloom and doom coming from Bucs fans. Ridiculous.