Guessing Interest Level In Trumaine Johnson
March 11th, 2018
Just what interest?
Joe was doing a bit of research last night and noticed a piece typed by Ben Fennell of NFL Network. In particular, the breakdown was about free agent corner Trumaine Johnson.
It’s an interesting look. You can read it here. Joe understands why Johnson is on teams’ radar across the league as the free agent dinner bell rings this week.
Now of course, Bucs fans want to know if AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht is interested.
How could he not be?
Two years ago, just before Johnson was slapped with the first of two franchise tags, the Bucs had their eyes peeled on him to see if he hit the free agent market; he didn’t.
Now what that means two years later, Joe can only guess. It’s unfair to assume the Bucs are interested now because they were two years ago. There is no evidence yay or nay.
Joe does know this: “Interest” does not translate into wins in any way (though it can translate to losses). What does equal wins is getting the guy you are interested in on the field of play, wearing your colors, and producing.
March 11th, 2018 at 7:55 am
He’s coming…
March 11th, 2018 at 7:57 am
It should be very clear by now that Licht doesn’t want to give up draft picks for players…..neither does he want to trade one good player for another.
So, hopefully the plan is to invest heavily in two or three FAs…..
I would much rather overpay a productive player than waste money on a bargain that doesn’t pay off.
I can recall how great everyone thought the bargain was for Alterraun Verner. We all know how well that turned out…….DJ Ward & “Swaggy” are other examples.
The difficulty is trying to figure out who will actually match or exceed their past production. So far Jason’s batting average hasn’t been good.
March 11th, 2018 at 7:59 am
He will get 15 mil a year since he is the top guy
Ain’t happening from bucs.
Seeing EJ Gaines like everyone else. Resign grimes for another year and draft a guy high this year to replace grimes.
Legal tampering for free agency starts tomorrow so we should know something soon.
March 11th, 2018 at 8:02 am
Well, pretty much the last db we could make a splash signing with. Hoping like he!l we bring back Grimes. If we dont, oh boy…trouble, trouble, trouble. Maybe target Donald from the Rams? that would be a splash.
March 11th, 2018 at 8:04 am
TJ could be the off season FA signing saving grace for us…..get him Licht!
March 11th, 2018 at 8:04 am
Go after norwell or Jensen for oline.
Get running back McKinnon or dion Lewis and draft running back
Unfortunately defensive end will be a crap shoot. Might have chance at okafor but he is coming off torn Achilles. Julius peppers maybe if we gave 5-7 mil which seems high for situational guy but it would be for a year only and we are desperate.
Mike Evans contract was structured so bucs have more cap room this year
March 11th, 2018 at 8:11 am
I honestly dom’t think the Bucs will make him an offer. Going after the big name, top tier FAs isnt Licht’s M.O.
March 11th, 2018 at 8:48 am
You guy’s haven’t been paying close attention to Grimes play last year. He was a huge liability in the run game last year. Teams ran to his side often, with success. He’s not a willing tackler anymore. We need C.B.’s who can tackle the likes of Kamara, Freeman, Grimes can’t bring those guys down anymore. Don’t waste money on a 35 yr old 120lb corner. Pay Johnson.
March 11th, 2018 at 9:28 am
Johnson has far to much talent for glazers to allow in the building. He does not fit the glazer business model of leftovers, has beens or injury prone gambles. Johnson could actually perform well and screw up the glazers basement streak they are so proud of.
March 11th, 2018 at 9:33 am
Hodad, I saw the same thing you saw with Grimes…He was a good stop gap for the time being but it’s time to move on… I have zero confidence in Hargreaves (didn’t like the pick at all) or any of the current CBs on this roster…
I wouldn’t mind signing Johnson and Butler truth be told…Quentin Nelson and Bradley Chubb are my 2 favorite targets at 7 but if they’re gone take Fitzpatrick if available or Derwin James…If Justin Evans proves he’s ready to ball this year teaming him up with Johnson, Butler, and Fitzpatrick/James should really give our secondary some juice…
March 11th, 2018 at 9:51 am
I would love him but would rather get Colvin an Breeland as a 2 for 1 kinda deal price wise or very close but I’d take him in a heartbratv
March 11th, 2018 at 9:52 am
Heartbeat
March 11th, 2018 at 10:01 am
You could have simply typed this Joes:
“The road to failure is paved with good intentions”.
March 11th, 2018 at 10:03 am
All improvements would be welcome. Grimes may not want to go head on on run plays anymore, don’t blame him, but he still is the best CB that was on our team. This is why we need to change our ways and draft good linemen who can actually get to the Qb more often. Changes everything once you play D well. Yes we need CB players along with everything else except LB.
FIX THE TRENCHES.
March 11th, 2018 at 10:22 am
Top corner available in FA. Costs more than 10 million per year…and as a result NOT coming to the Bucs due to Glazers unwillingness to put a winner on the field. When its more financially advantageous to put a mediocre team on the field and acquire all those CITS profits.
Get ready for your mediocre team again this year Bucs fans….while the rest of the NFC South fight for their playoff spots. Much like the way the Bucs have wasted the best years of GMC, they are following the pattern and wasting away the career of Winston.
March 11th, 2018 at 10:40 am
The Bucs are interested.
Interested in saving money.
March 11th, 2018 at 10:40 am
JUst wake me for the beginning of then year, all this speculation is making me tired and bored.
March 11th, 2018 at 10:53 am
Tmax showing his stupidity again. Trumaine johnson who has never been all pro or pro bowler, whos own team traded for two cornerbacks this offseason to upgrade the position is some how too much talent for the glazers? I guess signing in their prime pro bowlers and all pros nicks, goldson, vjax etc was not enough talent? You are so clueless its a shame.
March 11th, 2018 at 10:59 am
Some of yall are crazy. The rams rather pay a 32 year old corner who has been a pro bowler 12 mil a year over the next 2 years before they pay a 27 year old. You guys want to pay this guy 15 mil a year? The bucs would be idiots to do that. But then again this is what they will do. When he does not live up to 15 mil, all you arm chair gms like tmax will be bashing licht eventhough you were all for the signing. Typical
March 11th, 2018 at 11:08 am
Webster
Vjax, Goldson and all the rest of the failures you mentioned WON NOTHING in Tampa!!!! Basement residents all of them. Tampa has not won a single meaningful win in 16 years so you bringing up failed free agent acquisitions just proves my point…. your nonstop justification of losing and failure is very comical. Thank you.
March 11th, 2018 at 11:13 am
Webster
There is no point that you can make to justify the worst winning percentage in nfl history and the fact the glazer are the worst owners in all of pro sports. The only thing that matters is results and the win loss record is UNDISPUTED FAILURE… Nice try it’s entertaining yet so very sad a man or woman could have such low standards
March 11th, 2018 at 11:25 am
DRC released by the Giants. Give that man a call!!
March 11th, 2018 at 11:38 am
@Tmax
You do realize that from 1976 until 1995, The Bucs were owned by Hugh Culverhouse. During that time period their win/loss record was 95-213. A .308 winning percentage.
During the Glazers ownership tenure, the teams record is 160-191, a .455 winning percentage. With a Superbowl victory. Yet again your staunchly held opinions are not supported by actual facts.
Oh btw, not that I care, but the 2 sports teams that the Glazers own, the Buccaneers and Manchester United, have both won championships under their ownership. So your assertion that they are the worst owners in all of sports couldn’t be more incorrect.
March 11th, 2018 at 11:39 am
Too expensive Joe the Bucs don’t pay for high-end free agents they like the mid-tier Swaggy Baker bargains.
March 11th, 2018 at 11:42 am
Ya get on Sunday what you pay for…. Glazers are not paying much. How many years with 25 million plus of cap after FA is done? Too many!
March 11th, 2018 at 11:48 am
@ tmax
And there is no guarantee that trmaine johnson will win here either but you validate your stupidity by saying the glazers do not want his level of talent in the building when they have already signed players who were more talented than him genius
March 11th, 2018 at 11:57 am
@ waterboy and donuts
Do not be a tmax idiot. Was paying carl nicks as the highest paid olineman bargain? Paying goldson as the highest paid safety bargain? Signing vjax who was the #1 wr in his free agent class a bargain? Signin michael johnson who was the #1 pass rusher in his free agent class bargain? I didnt know signing desean jackson was bargain. You do know alterran verner was rated the #1 corner his free agency year? Whether they worked out and the team won is irrelevant because the bucs can sign johnson and still suck. And posters like you and the idiot tmax will be here next offseason spewing falsehoods that the bucs wont spend for talent neglecting the fact they signed all of your prized free agent in the never a pro bowl or all pro johnson.
March 11th, 2018 at 11:57 am
webster
That talent did not translate to wins therefore each and every free agent signing was a failure. None of them helped bucs win. Of course nothing will change until glazerrs sell a nd cancer93 is gone.
This team has zero hope
March 11th, 2018 at 12:02 pm
Webster
If a transaction does not translate to victories or improvement it is a failure last successful decsion a glazer made was firing the incompetent one dimensional fool dungy and his pathetic 2 playoff wins in 6 years… you can’t defend the indefensible. Anything other than winning is FAI LURE…. glazers and bucs have been nothing but failures for 16 years… spend your energy raising your standards not defending FAILURE
March 11th, 2018 at 12:13 pm
regardless of whether Trumaine Johnson works out or not you spend the money and find out. You don’t sit on available cap space because you’re afraid a guy might fail and waste 15 mil a year for a year or so. Sign him and pay the guaranteed money out the first year or 2 and cut him after that if necessary just like they did with Baker.
March 11th, 2018 at 12:16 pm
TampaBayBucFan, I disagree with your take on Lichts willingness to trade draft picks for veterans. He had interest or made offers for Bennett and Quinn. As much as we would say that he could have made a better offer, the other team still has control over who they trade with. He tried to get them and failed, but he WAS willing to trade the picks for them.
March 11th, 2018 at 12:42 pm
Bottom line whether it’s licht or glazers they SUCK at closing deals
March 11th, 2018 at 12:55 pm
Send the jet
March 11th, 2018 at 1:04 pm
If the Bucs are serious about winning he’s a must sign
March 11th, 2018 at 1:50 pm
Sign a top FA CB. Trade down with Buffalo for Marcus Davenport and Mike Hughes/ Carlton Davis at 21 and 22.
#SOEbucGM
March 11th, 2018 at 4:21 pm
Does anyone think this team will sign a top FA
Hahha
No way we sign the second rate FA
CHEAP CHEAP
GOT TO KEEP THE BANK ACOUNT FULL
A MOVE IS EXPENSIVE
March 11th, 2018 at 4:24 pm
Joe, why no article on Sherman signing elsewhere? I’m honestly moreupset not getting him then Quinn or Bennett. thatsbecause Sherman brings undeniable leadership that is rare to find. That one attribute is far more meaningful then mere talent IMO.
March 11th, 2018 at 11:59 pm
A good football player that would damn sure help ,get him jason!and fix the defensive line!I hope you have a plan,we need pass rushers Mr GM!!
March 12th, 2018 at 12:09 am
Tmaxcon,you would have better luck explaining the bucs and there awful owners to a pitbull rather than webster!the guy just don’t understand how pro football works!we all know it starts with the owner of the team!Webster just does not understand for some reason!He should Google Hugh culverhouse!then if he doesn’t understand,he should take up hairdressing as a hobby !He could hang his rainbow flag beside his mirror and be so proud!