Why Not Richie Incognito?
May 22nd, 2018
Un-retired.
Joe has done an about-face on this guy because he has done an about-face on himself.
Back during inept Lovie Smith’s reign of terror, Lovie Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht brought in free agent guard Richie Incognito for a tryout. Incognito had been let go by the Dolphins, basically because he was scumbag.
Incognito reportedly harassed teammate Jonathan Martin to the point where Martin didn’t want to play football. As it turned out, Martin wasn’t exactly playing with a full deck.
Incognito was also reportedly a scumbag to Dolphins employees, threw around racially-charged words to others including in texts and in voice mails, and was an overall rotten human being. The Dolphins later suspended Incognito for being a dirtbag of a teammate.
Then, folks came out of the wordwork, largely accusing Incognito of being a dirty player. After sitting out 2014, the Bills signed Incognito and by many accounts he turned around both his career and life and was a quality teammate. And a three-time Pro Bowl player, too.
Why is Joe digging all this up?
Well, recently Incognito decided to retire. Yesterday, he decided to un-retire and the Bills released him.
In case you skipped over such things in recent weeks, it sure looks like the Bucs might need a right guard. The walking medical drama known as J.R. Sweezy, who reportedly broke his leg in Week 15 last season, has yet to be fully cleared to resume football activities. This after missing the entire 2016 season with a back injury.
Licht seemed anything but giddy when asked about Sweezy’s status recently on local sports radio.
Joe will point out yet again that in the past three seasons, Bucs right tackle Demar Dotson and Sweezy combined to miss 37 games.
Unless the Bucs are that high on Caleb Benenoch at guard or think violent Alex Cappa can magically transform into a starting NFL guard immediately, the Bucs should seriously consider signing Incognito.
And no, Evan Smith is no longer a starting-caliber offensive lineman in this league. He’s OK as a reserve, nothing more.
Just judging the words of Bucs assistant coaches last week, it seems they know their backs are against the wall. There clearly is a sense of urgency from the coaches. Joe thinks this is both good and bad. Good that they are now holding folks to a higher standard but bad that their immediate futures are on the brink for this to happen.
Since the Bucs are obviously in a win-now mode, how exactly is getting Incognito a mistake now that he has cleaned up his act? Incognito is obviously better for 2018 than Smith or Cappa and likely better than Benenoch.
Is Incognito a long-term answer? Probably not. But guess what? If this team doesn’t start winning games this year, there are a whole lot of folks at One Buc Palace that won’t have a long-term future with the Bucs either.
May 22nd, 2018 at 12:11 am
Memo to Jason
U can get all the weapons you want
3 or any qb can’t complete a pass with a defensive linemen’s helmet planted in his chin
May 22nd, 2018 at 12:12 am
Complete the oline get richie.
At least see what he got left.
May 22nd, 2018 at 12:16 am
I’m not sold either benenoch or Cappa. Now I’m with you Joe. If you want to get nasty go get this guy and plugged him in. But his kidney are failing?? So Incognito said. this could be a pipe dream???
I love benenoch he is from my second home town and known there. But he is underdeveloped in the pass protection Dept. Cappa?
May 22nd, 2018 at 12:20 am
Sign him!!!!!!! That line would be so nasty. Don’t outthink the room on this one Jason,
May 22nd, 2018 at 12:21 am
Hmmmm….make moral concessions for short term gains by hiring a racist…what does that remind me of?
May 22nd, 2018 at 12:32 am
Everything Joe typed about Richie and Jonathan Martin I said 3 years ago. I said Martin was a head case and it turned out he got Baker Acted. I said the Bucs should sign Incognito because, frankly, the Bucs could use some attitude up front. He was a model citizen in Buffalo because he knew he ha eyes on him so here we are again… faced with the prospect of signing a player 4 years after the point when we should have signed him.
This is why the Bucs are the Bucs. This and the uniforms.
May 22nd, 2018 at 12:35 am
No, no no! Don’t even think about signing a player released on IR from another team! This guy is Sweezy with even more question marks hanging over him.
May 22nd, 2018 at 1:05 am
Yes–let us please take this guy, our locker room can handle it–it was a long time ago and there has been much water under the bridge since then, the dude has been awesome for the Bills.
May 22nd, 2018 at 1:07 am
@ german buc
Incognito played and started all 16 games last year. He is coming off his third pro bowl in a row. Yes he is 34 but i could understand the bucs kicking the tires. My only concern is where is his head at. Why the waffling on retirement. Was it he just wanted to get out of buffalo? Would he come to tampa? The bucs should kick the tires.
May 22nd, 2018 at 1:13 am
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
There’s a lot of question marks…………SCREW IT, SIGN HIM!
May 22nd, 2018 at 1:54 am
Real recognize real. Nuff said …
May 22nd, 2018 at 2:14 am
That whole recap of the “ Martin incident” was B.S!!!
The Dolphins Drafted Martin, the quickly realized who was a totally Pu**y, and also a *^#+*€. He should never have been in a Pro locker room. Or any place men gather.
The coaching staff DIRECTED INCOGNITO TO TRY AND TOUGHEN UP THAT Pu**y and *^^%#+, and SEE IF THEY COULD MAKE A TACKLE OUT OF HIM.
Incognito tried. He actually thought that he and Martin were becoming friends
But of course, you cant be friends with a pu**y and **^*+^ like Martin.
Martin cried to the press, cried about Text Incognito sent in Jest, in general just cried.
Incognito got suspended for a year- for trying to Help a pu**y and a *++^*+.
Martin went to The 49ers- where he was still a pu**y and a **+^^+.
He quit football, and went on to a life as a Pu**y, and ^*+^+*^ +*^+
Nothing wrong with Incognito. Thats why the league players keep voting him to probowl.
If Ritchie wants to come gere- bring it on! Hes a freat guard
May 22nd, 2018 at 2:38 am
Have Jameis talk to him. If anyone can understand a “Yeah I’ve done some stupid faeces, but I’ll play hard and I’m the kinda guy that’ll run through a wall for my teammates,” it’s Jaboowins. And if Jameis tells the other guys he’s okay, then that’ll be that as far as the character stuff goes.
May 22nd, 2018 at 2:43 am
If this guy had just been a standard free agent, I’d be all for it. But the fact that he retired, unretired, and got released by the team raises questions about his dedication and remaining perceived value.
May 22nd, 2018 at 3:49 am
funny… how the moral police have changed their tune with this guy but didn’t want the “thugs” with baggage that is nowhere near as egregious as his… 🤔
May 22nd, 2018 at 4:39 am
No…Martin was a wussy but that doesn’t excuse Incognito from being a racists dirtbag.
May 22nd, 2018 at 4:51 am
This team needs aggressive talented players not choirboys. Sign him. Nice guys and choirboys ALWAYS finish last in every aspect. Talent wins games not soft pansy arse nice guys.
This team needs bullies not thoughtful compassionate clowns.
Remember winners win and losers cry about character
May 22nd, 2018 at 6:02 am
I’m all for this I think he would come in with something to prove An be a leader on our OLine An boy would our line be stacked
May 22nd, 2018 at 6:17 am
git him nowzers !!!
said boss hog
May 22nd, 2018 at 6:18 am
incognito would be a cool ass jersey too!
May 22nd, 2018 at 6:42 am
The retirement thing that he said was due to his kidneys and liver, then changes his mind, then ask for his release, as much as I want nast on the line, this just reeks of Sweezy, Carl Nicks and Logan Mankin to a certain extent, injured or could retire before playing the first game
May 22nd, 2018 at 6:54 am
I highly doubt he’s a racist, he would never survive a predominantly black league. Sounds to me like he’s just an A Hole who is very good at getting under people’s skin. Nasty is the way of the new Bucs trenches so I say add him.
May 22nd, 2018 at 6:58 am
So much of a racist that his teammates in Buffalo embraced him!
Capt. Tim’s correct. There’s a little revisionist history going on. “Bully”?! Man, please! How can a 300 lb. football player be bullied?!
Can Incognito play? That’s the only question needs answering.
May 22nd, 2018 at 7:19 am
Do JBFers really want to potentially compromise what we’re building to bring in someone like Incognito with his baggage? Can anyone guarantee which Incognito we’ll get as the season rolls on … the Miami Incognito or the Buffalo Incognito? And BTW, Martin is irrelevant; forget the target, a racist is a racist. Not no, but hell no to signing Incognito.
May 22nd, 2018 at 7:27 am
Patience….we can do better.
May 22nd, 2018 at 7:33 am
More bad free agent advice from the Joe’s, it’s become a yearly tradition.
May 22nd, 2018 at 7:49 am
Like th change on a guy that fits the new Licht theme of tough guys, should have signed him instead of sweezy a few years ago, but the bucs need a guear and RT stat
May 22nd, 2018 at 7:52 am
Sign him today!!!
May 22nd, 2018 at 7:53 am
Apparently folks are either not familiar with or have chosen to forget Incognito’s extensive history of behavioral problems…
– 2002 – Nebraska – brutally hits teammate from behind in practice early in season. Spit on Troy State player in 2nd game. Ejected from 4th game vs Penn State for fighting and suspended by NCAA for next game. 2nd to last game of season flagged for 15 yard personal foul vs Colorado that lost Nebraska the game.
– 2003 – involved in a fight during practice and was suspended indefinitely by head coach – sent away for mandatory anger management training. Came back and played the season but then spit on 2 different Michigan State players in the Alamo Bowl.
– 2004 – involved in a fight at a party and was charged with three counts of assault- later found guilty of assault. In Sept – Incognito was involved in another Cornhuskers locker room fight and was suspended indefinitely for “repeated violations of team rules”. Left Nebraska – Transferred to U of Oregon but was dismissed from team just 1 week later by the head coach for reasons not disclosed.
– Drafted into NFL by St Louis Rams in 2005 – placed on injured reserve for a non-football injury that year.
– 2007- Suffered a season ending knee injury in Nov. It was later revealed that he was “partying hard nightly” during his rehab.
– 2008 – fined by NFL for 3 different offenses during the Redskins game in Oct – the last of which (personal foul penalty) cost his team the game by putting the Skins in position for a winning field goal.
– 2009 – pulled by head coach from the season opener against Seattle for two personal fouls. Benched again in Dec for 2 different “headbutting” penalties vs Titans and was later seen on sidelines in a very heated argument with HC – he was released by the Rams 2 days later. Rams GM at the time said Incognito was given “numerous chances to clean up his act” and couldn’t/wouldn’t.
– In four years with the Rams from 2006 to 2009, Incognito drew 38 penalties, including seven unnecessary roughness calls, more than any other player during that span.
– Signed with Bills for last 3 games of 2009 but then was not offered a 2010 contract by Buffalo for undisclosed reasons.
– In a Sporting News poll following 2009 season, NFL players voted Incognito as the dirtiest player in the league – alleged to have gouged players’ eyes, punched players, and made illegal tackles on a regular basis.
– Signed with Dolphins in 2010 and kept out of trouble for next 3 years – until it was revealed in 2013 that he had been systematically harassing and bullying teammate Jonathan Martin and also another undisclosed teammate. Incognito was suspended indefinitely from both the Dolphins and the NFL and didn’t play again until 2015 when his suspension was lifted and he signed as a FA with the Bills. The offenses from his time in Miami were severe when evidence (later released) revealed that Incognito used ongoing racial slurs against Martin and at one point threatened to kill Martin as well as “a reference to tracking down members of Martin’s family and harming them”.
– Incognito played 2015, ’16 and ’17 seasons as a starting Guard for Buffalo without incident – earning 2 Pro Bowls for a total of 4 in his career.
– However after the January 2018 playoff loss to the Jaguars – Incognito was accused by Jacksonville defensive end Yannick Ngakoue of using racial slurs against him during the game.
Sounds like exactly the type of personality the Buccaneers should want to bring into the locker room right???
SMFH
May 22nd, 2018 at 8:01 am
For a team friendly deal, a lot of incentives and strings attached and a chance to play…ok in ok with it. But I’d put it to a vote on whether to sign him. Let the team have a say
May 22nd, 2018 at 8:14 am
Destinjohnny … Serious question here… what exactly is the memo? Did you not watch FA and the draft? We just made Ryan Jensen the top paid Center and drafted a potential starting prospect. We have maxed out our cap and we definitely maximized draft capital in the draft not sure what else you would like Licht to do.. This isn’t Madden.
As for Richie I wanted him when he was released by the Dolphins. Our cap is tight according to spotrac so I think a big piece will be what he would be willing to get paid. He would be a great addition considering we don’t know Sweezy’s status.
May 22nd, 2018 at 8:17 am
He’s been a scumbag, will return to being a scumbag again. We don’t need him.
May 22nd, 2018 at 8:39 am
I’m against this. As everyone knows, I’m a huge supporter of second chances, but Richie already got plenty of chances. Most of this team is black. Bringing in a known racist would cause instant locker room friction.
But even putting that aside, he’s washed up as a player. This team’s biggest issue is injuries. He would just add to that issue.
May 22nd, 2018 at 8:55 am
Since Joe likes old worn-out players, maybe he should go buy a $500 clunker, spend $30,000 to restore it, only to realize a market value of $20,000…….
This guy is a worn-out clunker who will be asking for too much money, and after a season in Buffalo, why not bring him into the 100 degree heat of a Buccaneer training camp…..oh, yeah, that’s right, he can practice inside the indoor facility..
May 22nd, 2018 at 9:06 am
We already have this exact player on the roster, JR Sweezy.
May 22nd, 2018 at 9:11 am
Say we sign him, does that mean we move Ali back to RG or do we play Incognito there?
May 22nd, 2018 at 9:21 am
Sure go right ahead and sign this social misfit. He and Sweezy can hang out and smoke a few bowls, talk about their injuries and collect their money for nothin..Maybe even get a few chicks..for free!!
May 22nd, 2018 at 9:22 am
Perhaps Richie has mellowed out some and can reveal an unknown identity with the Bucs.
May 22nd, 2018 at 9:33 am
For the anti Incognito crowd stop making yourself look stupid with comments like he is washed up or the bucs can do better. That is total nonsense . Guy is a probowl player as of a few months ago he didnt become a bad football player over night. If your take is you want bucs players to be morally superior then their opponents then thats a fair take but to say he cant play is just dumb.
May 22nd, 2018 at 9:52 am
We have people begging to sign flag burners. Shtting on the Anthem is free speech so we should just STFU, so is the use of the N word from an honorary brother that was praised for his leadership in Buffalo
May 22nd, 2018 at 10:06 am
The guy might just be napalm- we had a chance to sign him when we were desperate for OL help, but passed. Maybe that was timing? Maybe that was Lovie? On the field he is better than Sweezy or Smith…is he worth all that he brings, stigma-wise, that’s something Licht will need to at least consider.
May 22nd, 2018 at 10:06 am
@ clodhopper
Who burned the flag? Name one player who burned the flag. Im tired of alternative facts. The irony is we have posters who did not want bennett because he was a “thug,” “scumbag” and kneeler because he stood up race inequality in the legal system but are all for a known scumbag and racist to be signed. Ironic indeed.
May 22nd, 2018 at 10:10 am
Webster.
Since you took the opposite stance on both those issues, it’s ironic you think it’s ironic. And Bennett is a bigger racist than any white man in the entire league but just go ahead tell only half the story with so called alternative facts.
May 22nd, 2018 at 10:18 am
Pickgrin said it best. Richie Incognito man is a cancer. The Bucs would be better served bringing back MRSA and Jeremy Stevens as a life coach and motivational speaker.
May 22nd, 2018 at 10:21 am
if folks didn’t want Bennett, pacman, Sheldon Richardson, eric reid because they are “thugs” “kneelers” “bad locker room players” then why all of a sudden do they want this “THUG”…..
NO THANKS!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
May 22nd, 2018 at 10:28 am
Black teammates have repeatedly rushed to the defense of Incognito stating that he didn’t do or say anything racists and basically stating, “That’s not Ritchie.” If that’s true and he wants to play, there should be no reason to add another nasty element to our offensive line if only for a season.
May 22nd, 2018 at 10:29 am
Definitely appreciate #Pickgrin put into this. — I am kind of torn right down the middle. There is a part of me that thinks Incognito brings exactly that “nasty offensive lineman” mentality that we need. On the other hand, I fear he is exactly NOT the kind of guy that we want to add to that mix in the locker room. (see Pickgrin’s account above of all items).
May 22nd, 2018 at 10:30 am
People keep saying Ritchie is this and that and comparing them to different guys. There’s a big difference. Incognito bullies NFL players, not women, children, or common folk. Incognito can only be compared to Suh… No, he’s not as good as a guard as Suh is a DT… but as far as personalities and wrong doings, he’s Suh.
May 22nd, 2018 at 10:45 am
IDK, the good, the bad and the ugly. Locker room was fine before Martin and the guys are expected to push the newbies to find out if he’s got it or not! I think Martin push the racist issue to get favor from people and turn him into a bad guy (it worked). Once it starts people go on and on and on and just don’t stop until that person is out of their life’s (worst than high school bulling)! Once somebody says something bad about you people will believe it more than the truth! Go off his last evaluation and I would have to say GIVE HIM A CHANCE!
May 22nd, 2018 at 10:46 am
2 thumbs up for clodhopper
May 22nd, 2018 at 11:37 am
Yeah let’s get him now that he’s on the verge of retirement. This ship has sailed and we should have gotten him 4 years ago but the crybaby media couldn’t handle Incognito. Funny how they want every swinging duck criminal in the NFL but when it came to Incognito it was too toxic, so he went to Buffalo and played lights out for them just like a bunch of us here thought he would. …smh
May 22nd, 2018 at 11:43 am
One year deal seems foolish not to. RELEASE SWEEZY then sign him for 1 year, giving Cappa a year to muscle up and learn the position.
May 22nd, 2018 at 12:26 pm
Totally agree, Joe!
Been saying it since the draft. Bucs need another interior guard and a depth swing tackle to complete the trenches rebuild.
FIX THE TRENCHES, FIX THE BUCS!!
May 22nd, 2018 at 12:36 pm
Once again, pickgrin dropping some knowledge on you fools.
No surprise who is showing up as Incognito’s biggest fanboy either…
May 22nd, 2018 at 12:37 pm
clodhopper talking about alternative facts
😂😂😂😂😂😂
Oh, the irony!
May 22nd, 2018 at 12:46 pm
sign him, should have signed him years ago.
May 22nd, 2018 at 12:49 pm
Unbelievable’s obsession with me continues. IDK weather to be flattered or annoyed. On one hand, everyone likes attention, but on the other hand, you’re a dopey lightweight that cant just cant quit me. At least you’re probably still in a good mood thanks that Herman Miller D in your ass all day every day.
May 22nd, 2018 at 12:53 pm
pichgrin
good sh!t!!!
pamphile is looking real good right now!!!!!…..don’t know why we didn’t resign him…..he was always decent depth…..
no more patch work to protect Winston….either licht makes a trade for a good starting G or we let benenoch sink or swim…..let cappa focus on RT because Dotson will miss games…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
May 22nd, 2018 at 1:14 pm
Aside from perhaps bringing in/swapping out a player or 2 at the lowest end of the pay scale – the Bucs are not signing anyone else.
Licht blew through his massive wad (and then some) this year between FA signings, JPP trade and re-signing Evans and Brate.
In FA and the 2018 draft – Our GM did a masterful job of filling the multiple “needs” this team had at the conclusion of 2017.
The only move I seriously question this off-season was keeping Gholston and his $6.5M salary when he could have been released outright with no penalty prior to March 18th (and perhaps re-signed for less even?)
May 22nd, 2018 at 1:54 pm
clod- it’s okay that you don’t know what Herman Miller is, but there’s no need to resort to homophobic slurs.
(Aren’t you in your mid 30s? I thought gay jokes got old by time we all finished college…)
FTR, I agreed with your comments on the ‘Tempering Expectations’ article. I just call out your hypocrisy when it’s warranted.
May 22nd, 2018 at 1:58 pm
clod- it’s okay that you don’t know what Herman Miller is, but there’s no need to resort to h0mophobic slurs.
(Aren’t you in your mid 30s? I thought geigh jokes got old by time we all finished college…)
FTR, I agreed with your comments on the ‘Tempering Expectations’ article. I just call out your hypocrisy when it’s warranted.
May 22nd, 2018 at 2:39 pm
Jeeze youre so effing stupid. One of these days I’ll quit being shocked at your total inability to follow a conversation. I mean it was only 2 comments. What is your limit on the amount of words you can understand at once? I bet I reached that threshold with just this comment.
I sure hope the people at the San Diego zoo feed their chimps properly. I’d hate for you to suffer from malnourishment.
May 22nd, 2018 at 2:52 pm
Let me guess. He called a white guy a cracka right? Bring him in in to play RG and let Cappa continue to play OT position that he dominated in college till he can learn other positions. Do we even have a RG at the moment?? Even though I can almost guarantee Cappa would be a better OT than Benenoch, let em battle it out and put the best man in on opening day.
May 22nd, 2018 at 3:30 pm
It can’t hurt to bring him in for a workout see what’s good
May 22nd, 2018 at 4:08 pm
Another Joe promoted has-been …
Bucs drafted Cappa in the 3rd round and they have Benenoch
Has been? Dude has been to three consecutive Pro Bowls. Key piece of the Bills mighty rush attack.–Joe
May 22nd, 2018 at 4:45 pm
Cut Sweezy, sign Richie. Let him give us one year, also can’t hurt for Cappa to learn behind him for a year while Cappa hits the weight room hard.
May 22nd, 2018 at 7:35 pm
Wanted him when he left Miami. Hell yeah go get him you know there will be injuries. dude is a bad man
May 22nd, 2018 at 8:22 pm
Aw, you seem mad.
And confused. Poor little guy :/
May 23rd, 2018 at 12:48 am
Ive always loved Incognito. He reminds me of Conrad Doubler(remember him, Joe?). I’ve always wanted the Bucs to sign him, everytime hes been available. Hope we sign him now.
And dont let those fighting /assault charges worry you.
I have more than he does- And Im a spectacularly wonderful person! Lol
May 23rd, 2018 at 10:01 am
Didn’t the Bucs just go through a draft in which this could have been addressed. Now Licht has the built in excuse is in place for this years failure on offense. WTF!
May 23rd, 2018 at 1:49 pm
Ill timed article. Haha, did you see what Richie did today. Looks like he hasn’t exactly cleaned up his act.
May 23rd, 2018 at 3:01 pm
Then again…. Maybe not.