Todd Monken Wants Payback
May 9th, 2018
Bucs offensive coordinator Todd Monken
Buccaneers offensive coordinator Todd Monken seems to be a bit fixated on money.
Who could forget last year, when Monken went on a rant to local reporters about how DeSean Jackson came here for the cash, not the weather or Jameis Winston, and Jackson better live up to all that Team Glazer loot.
It was quite a May blast, perhaps designed to light a fire under Jackson who blew off his share of spring practices.
Recently, Monken was talking money again.
This time it was via text to one of his prized college recruits, Ito Smith. The new Falcons running back blossomed during Monken’s days as head coach of Southern Miss, where Monken spearheaded their fast rise from the Conference USA basement and bolted to Tampa after the 2015 season.
Smith was snatched by Atlanta in Round 4 in last month’s NFL Draft.
He told the Hattiesburg American that Monken got him tickets to the Bucs’ big Sunday Night Football game at Dallas in December 2016. And Monken was angling for payback after the Falcons made Smith their pick.
“It’s a funny story,” Smith said. “I was a (Dallas) Cowboys fan growing up, and after the New Orleans Bowl (in 2016), he gave me tickets to the Tampa Bay-Cowboys game. He got mad at me because I wore a Dez Bryant jersey.
“So he texted me (today) and said, ‘Now you can pay me back for those tickets.’”
At 5-9, 201 pounds, Smith was a true workhorse at Southern Miss, with 820 carries for 4,538 yards through four seasons, plus 42 touchdowns and the ground and 140 catches. Joe has to wonder how much no-nonsense Monken liked Smith and lobbied for him to be a late-round pick of the Bucs.
Joe certainly would have preferred if Smith had landed outside the NFC South.
Atlanta had an intriguing draft, snagging Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley in Round 1 and then cornerback Isaiah Oliver in Round 2 out of Colorado, the son of an NFL player and a guy a lot of Bucs fans wanted.
May 9th, 2018 at 5:24 pm
Well I’m only concerned with my bucs and how they perform. I’m sure all teams will regret something’s, you can not get everyone you want. Go bucs
May 9th, 2018 at 6:01 pm
I’d like to hear what Monken has planned to make our offense less predictable and more effective than it was last year.
Does he know how to draw up plays in the red zone that actually work?
Can he design a passing play that doesn’t involve a 5 or 7 step drop?
Maybe he should be worried about that stuff instead of worrying about being paid back for tickets to a fkn football game from 2 years… but hey wtfdik?
May 9th, 2018 at 6:27 pm
Is it me, or did Atlanta have a heck of a draft. That 4th round RB would have looked good in Pewter.
May 9th, 2018 at 6:43 pm
If the d line is as good as we hope it could be the cornerbacks better be really good because they’ll be getting lots of work. The corners are the only question mark about the defense to me
May 9th, 2018 at 6:51 pm
Monken don’t be playing when it comes to money. Love the story Joe
May 9th, 2018 at 7:02 pm
With consistent pressure up front it should allow our secondary to play a little closer to the line of scrimmage. When the QB has less time to set up he’ll be looking for check downs which should give us more opportunities for our LB, Safeties, and corners to jump routes. No more 10 yard cushions
May 9th, 2018 at 8:30 pm
As stupid a rule as it is, I believe that’s a NCAA violation. The players are basically not allowed to take anything from anybody. The NCAA doesn’t want the help to get any extra benefits for all the billions they make them.
May 9th, 2018 at 9:37 pm
Joe is this true??????
“The Buccaneers have agreed to terms with Pennsylvania receiver Justin Watson on a four-year contract, Jeanna Laine of ESPN reports.”
May 9th, 2018 at 9:44 pm
Here are the specifics from overthecap.com on Justin Watson’s 4 year contract…
2018 Salary Cap Charge: $480,000
% of 2018 Team Cap: 0.25%
2018 Cash Payout: $0
% of 2018 Team Cash Spending: 0.00%
2018 Cash to Cap Ratio: 0.00
Total Contract Value: $2,761,736
Annual Contract Value: $690,434
Position Ranking: 62/208 at WR
Fully Guaranteed Money: $0
Height: 6′ 3″
Weight: 210
College: Penn
Accrued Seasons: 0
Entry: 2018 Draft, Round 5, #144 overall (Buccaneers)
Year Signed: 2018
Contract Type: Drafted
Free Agency: 2022 (UFA)
May 9th, 2018 at 10:02 pm
Jjones
Yes. Joe wrote about it on May 5
May 9th, 2018 at 10:13 pm
DB55, that article only talks about him getting drafted, not his contract.
I’m just surprised he was the 1st to sign his contract tbh.
May 9th, 2018 at 10:14 pm
Guess it was the easiest to get done.
May 10th, 2018 at 11:03 am
My old hometown ball coach. Monken was great at S. Mississippi and so was Ito Smith. I truly wish we valued Smith more than RoJo..Smith reminds me of Sproles. Thanks for the Hattiesburg Ms shout out to Joe home area to the great #4 Brett Favre. From Hattiesburg, MS to Tampa let’s go Bucs