Report: Free Agents Calling Bucs In Droves
March 19th, 2020
“Joel, I need a new phone.”
Jason Licht’s phone is ringing, and it’s not because free agents around the NFL want to practice and thrive with Donovan Smith and Cameron Brate, or to wear the newly available No. 3 jersey.
It’s all about The GOAT, Tom Brady.
The ESPN chief NFL know-it-all is Adam Schefter, and he’s Twittering there’s been an unexpected overload of free agents contacting the Bucs to say they want to play with Brady in Tampa.
Maybe this means something; maybe it doesn’t. It’s still on the Bucs brass to pick the right players and Licht hates free agency. But a team definitely has an edge when their a desirable destination.
Brady means five, six, or maybe seven nationally televised games. That’s a lot of potential (and valuable) exposure for players at all skill levels.
March 19th, 2020 at 9:22 am
The best Safety
The best RT
sign’em Bucco !
March 19th, 2020 at 9:24 am
Maybe players will take just enough of a discount that we can get an extra FA we wouldn’t have been able to
March 19th, 2020 at 9:24 am
The best part of signing Brady is the Winston is gone!!! He just wasn’t a good QB.
March 19th, 2020 at 9:25 am
The only problem, is that there is hardly any cash left due to overpaying all the free-agents in previous years due to the horrible drafting!!!!!!!!!!! Teams built thru free-agency have a flash in the pan window of opportunity!!!!!!!!! They better make the most of the closing window!!!!!!!!!!!!
go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 19th, 2020 at 9:27 am
Glazers and Licht deserve a lot of credit for bringing in BA, his staff, and now landing Brady. We often criticize ownership and Licht, deservedly, but have to credit when due and this coup synched with the release of new unis in a year that Tampa hosts the SB is perhaps the greatest show of strategy we’ve ever seen with from our beloved franchise. Bravo Bucs.
March 19th, 2020 at 9:27 am
Trent Williams please stand up.
March 19th, 2020 at 9:31 am
Trent williams for a draft pick i wouldnt be mad
March 19th, 2020 at 9:32 am
“AMERICAS TRUE QB”
March 19th, 2020 at 9:32 am
Can we sign Brady first?….lol
March 19th, 2020 at 9:35 am
FWIW a few minutes ago on twitter
Tom Brady undergoing his physical this morning in NYC, per
@JeffDarlington
Jeff Darlington
@JeffDarlington
No concern over finding a doctor to perform Tom Brady’s physical. He’s able to make that happen today in New York. It would be ideal if it was the Bucs’ team doctors — but these are unprecedented times and everyone is on the same page. Everything is moving along just fine.
March 19th, 2020 at 9:36 am
Suh for $8MM
Perriman for $4.5MM
Devonte Freeman for $4MM
Draft OT Andrew Thomas from Georgia in the first
Draft RB Jonathan Taylor from Wisconsin in the second
Then fill out the roster with some guys at or near the league minimum.
March 19th, 2020 at 9:36 am
It’d be nice if any/all of Cam Brate, Ryan Jensen, D. Smith, and Marpet would restructure… Re-sign Suh, get a nice Safety, RT, and a good 3rd WR. We’d be able to go “Best Player Available” in every round of the draft.
March 19th, 2020 at 9:37 am
“He just wasn’t a good QB.”
33 TDs and 5,000. I don’t care how many INTs you throw you are not a bad QB if your capable of elite level production.
Jameis was an automatic 20+ points for the Bucs offense his entire career down here which is extremely rare in the NFL. JW never got to play in a true defensive game cause the defense was trash his entire time down here. Last defensive game Jameis got to have was vs Dallas Cowboys and Matt Cassel on 2015.
Licht better sign DBs cause his defensive has been a diaster. Expect for the love affair fans had with the defense last season after they decided to play like a normal NFL defense after it was already too late. Pathetic.
All accountability for last season was directed soley at Jameis while the defense somehow got a free pass.
March 19th, 2020 at 9:43 am
We dont have much cap space left
March 19th, 2020 at 9:44 am
Sign a kicker while your at it too Licht cause if Matt Gay had a season like he did last year for another NFL franchise, he wouldn’t have a job right now.
But I guess for Bucs culture when your kicker only cost you two games you’ve had a good season.
March 19th, 2020 at 9:44 am
Tbbucs3
Everyone got a free pass but the 30 ints.
March 19th, 2020 at 9:44 am
We don’t have the cap to bring in too many FAs….it’s nice to be attractive to them and we will have our choice…
It may be helpful for a couple of depth players….
We need to use the draft’s first 3 rounds to find 3 starters…..OT, RB, S……not necessarily in that order.
March 19th, 2020 at 9:48 am
El Buco Realisto Says:
March 19th, 2020 at 9:25 am
“The only problem, is that there is hardly any cash… ”
We had the third most cap room coming into free agency. That pretty much proves you wrong.
March 19th, 2020 at 9:49 am
To all the Jameis defenders:
If Matt Gay made 5- 70 yard field goals , does that excuse his missed fg’s that “lost” Bucs games.
March 19th, 2020 at 9:51 am
Plenty of cap space and picks if we trade ME and slide Perriman in there. might not be necessary if all these FA are calling and willing to take discounts.
I just don’t see the value paying 18 mill for JW’s safety net that will catch anything within 10 yards, when Brady will get it within 3 yards and they won’t be doubling anyway as they’ll have TE’s to worry about. Perriman can get deep, which is all that is needed.
Then draft a WR with one of those picks!!!
March 19th, 2020 at 9:52 am
I’m thinking we better draft Brady’s replacement within the 1st 2 rounds. I am thinking Fromm in the second. Otherwise we will be drafting….hopefully….32 in next year’s draft.
March 19th, 2020 at 9:52 am
We still have $36 million left after signing Brady, JPP, Tagging Shaq and accounting for the draft. That is plenty. We could re-sign Suh and still have $26 million left for free agents.
The challenge is filling needs that we can’t fill in the draft for less.
March 19th, 2020 at 9:56 am
I am a Florida state fan but we don’t need Freeman he has not been the same after his injury. I would like Gordon or get a runningback in the second round
March 19th, 2020 at 9:57 am
Yep, im all about it!!!
COME CHEAP OR DONT COME AT ALL…
We only have scraps left, lol
March 19th, 2020 at 9:57 am
19-20 million left after Brady signs not 36
March 19th, 2020 at 9:58 am
I don’t know how much Clowney is demanding but I would at least explore it.
I’d also explore S Vonn Bell and WR Robby Anderson, and ex Shaq teammate DL Shelby Harris
March 19th, 2020 at 9:59 am
I read the article and droves isn’t used and he doesn’t even mention or allude to even one player by name. Such a drama queen Joe.
March 19th, 2020 at 10:02 am
Brady Shaq and JPP is 59 mil alone if Brady is getting 30mil as being reported
March 19th, 2020 at 10:09 am
Until Brady is actually signed its all for not.
March 19th, 2020 at 10:10 am
@ tbb3
We lost 6 games by a few points or less. In those 6 losses Winston threw 18 picks. Plus the 7 pick sixes plus all the fumbles.
Plus there were @ 30 interceptions that were dropped by defenders last season…
I wanted Winston to work out but he didn’t. Now he is gone and it’s time to move on.
March 19th, 2020 at 10:12 am
We don’t need big FA signings as much as key role players and depth… And like someone said we have $36 mill (I thought it was $30) – but either way that’s more than enough for a handful of key signings that can help.
i.e.
Suh – DT – $8M
+
SOme roleplayers/depth at
DT/DE (replacement for Beau Allen/Nassib)
CB (just depth at this point)
S (depth / potential starter – need maybe a vet leader there)
O-line (re-sign Dot now for cheap, find a vet for cheap that wants to be with Brady)
I’d sign a RB cheap but I’d look to draft 2 in like rounds 4.
then draft
R1 – top 4 OT, Javon Kinlaw DT, or trade back at all costs likely taking a pass rusher or Jones the OT from Houston or something
R2 – go OT if we went Kinlaw. If we went OT then I am pretty good with however we go from there as long as we hit RB & front 7 defensive depth & o-line. Maybe sprinkle in a QB like Jacob Eason or a S
March 19th, 2020 at 10:15 am
Ocala is spot on, imo. Hope all that happens.
March 19th, 2020 at 10:17 am
To heck with rumors, let’s see some pen to paper. Bring back Suh & Perriman, they know the system. Maybe bring in Phillip Dorsett and Dion Lewis, both played with Brady. I have no problem at this point moving up to get the RT you want, but yo gotta keep your second round pick for depth on the defensive line. You also need a vet at safety, Tony Jefferson, he knows the Bowles system. If you can get those guys for under 18 million, I feel great going into the draft, I also think the QB pool will be just a deep next year.
March 19th, 2020 at 10:22 am
we could get a 2 or 3 1st rounders (that’s counting the one we have and maybe having to move up as ME might fetch a 1st and 2nd) if ME was traded. OL,DL,WR, or QB depending upon the need should we sign a stud FA at one of those slots.
March 19th, 2020 at 10:22 am
The sheep will nuts for drafting OT in the first, or trading for an OT!!!!!! But when a draft is deep in a postion. Usually there will be a robust secondary market for OT from teams cutting older , overpayed OT that can be had on the cheap!!!!!!!!! Also, that second round OT market free agent has experience and can play well THIS year, as a drafted rookie will have growing pains!!!!!!! If you are going to mortgage the future, might as well to try to maximize draft picks that can contribute right away!!!!!!!!!!!
go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. in other news, somehow Buc Bonzai has calculated that he should receive a 2 million tax return this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 19th, 2020 at 10:24 am
Check out Voch Lombardi’s film break down on Jedrick Wills of Alabama.Very interesting his foot work and lateral movement is impressive excellent pass & run blocking skills. https://youtu.be/pSZRUOq1y0M
March 19th, 2020 at 10:27 am
I hope Suh was one of the phone calls…
March 19th, 2020 at 10:28 am
@LordCorn….btw, i still jam to your song “Josephus” by “Too many humans”
Anyways thats why im a huge fan of trading down. Yes we need some D line talent since we lost Nassib and Allen.
If we miss on Wirfs or Becton in the draft, trade down, grab Ezra and then Marlon Davidson.
Still need a great pass catching RB so we have to fit Clyde Edwards in there somewhere…..im still working on things….its crazy how all of this is playing out…but in a good way lol.
March 19th, 2020 at 10:30 am
I’m sure Brady would be delighted if we traded Mike Evans.
Remember that year Brady had with Moss?
Very likely ME is one of the big reasons he signed here.
March 19th, 2020 at 10:31 am
Any of those free agents include Jameis? Still waiting For him to sign
March 19th, 2020 at 10:31 am
“We lost 6 games by a few points or less. In those 6 losses Winston threw 18 picks”
Ive seen this stat thrown out a few times and its designed to make Winston look bad but it doesnt explain the whole story.
You wanna blame Winston for the NY Giants loss?
You wanna blame Winston for the Seattle 40 point game?
Wanna blame Winston for the Saints scoring 30+ points twice on us?
This defense sucked and im tired of this narrative that they were good all because they played well in the meaningless week 16+17 games.
The reality is that with the defense the Bucs had it couldve been a whole lot worse than 7-9.
For ex.
– Not easy to beat the Rams 55-40
– Not easy to beat the Colts 38-35
March 19th, 2020 at 10:32 am
Per the best source ever on this site, Tmax (sarcasm) no FA’s would ever want to come to a basement dwelling franchise like the Bucs! Speaking of the troll, where’s he been? Oh yeah, that’s right… He never was a Bucs fan just a troll we allowed to stay in here and spew his nonsense..
This is the affect of having America’s Quarterback, Mr. Tom Brady!
March 19th, 2020 at 10:34 am
Tbbucs3
you’re argument is moot …Winston who?
March 19th, 2020 at 10:36 am
Lol at trading mike Evan’s. What’s wrong with you….seriously
March 19th, 2020 at 10:37 am
Todd Gurley will be available when the Rams cut him. If he will be reasonable with his salary demands he would be a good fit. I know we need a RT And OG but we really need a decent kicker that can make extra points. Matt Gay won’t last one game with Brady. Brady won’t put up with BS from a lousy kicker.
March 19th, 2020 at 10:38 am
The affect of Tampa having America’s QB for all to witness.
March 19th, 2020 at 10:38 am
Stick to your plan. Re-sign Suh first and the other known quantities. The only FAs I would consider are for S and OL. Other than that, maybe low cost quality depth. I would be OK with the Bucs trading D Smith and a low rd pick for all pro Trent Williams. That’s the only way Williams fits under the cap as D Smith is $14.5M this year.
We can get DT, RB, OT and WR in the draft as these are all deep positions in this year’s draft. Bring in the XFL Dallas kicker as competition for Gay in camp. He didn’t miss a kick all year including a couple of 50+.
March 19th, 2020 at 10:40 am
Todd Gurley’s knees are arthritic
March 19th, 2020 at 10:40 am
Tbbucs3 – Reality check if Winston is so good how is it that he will likely be a backup this year? You are delusional it almost does not make since to even say anything back to you. Nothing Winston did was elite. Period. Bruce Arians has a great offensive system with great weapons did you stop for a minute and think that it could be that very system & weapons that allowed Winston to at least be productive? Bruce Arians & Licht whose jobs are on the line decided not to bank their futures on Winston and that should tell you something. If you cant accept facts why bother commenting further.
March 19th, 2020 at 10:42 am
ME is no Randy Moss! He’s a safety net that either gets run down or runs out of bounds. He’s a stud, not arguing that, just saying he’s a luxury and not worth the $$ with the ball being spread around more.
A deep threat is all that is needed. another Joey Galloway would be more than sufficient at a lesser price. and money spent elsewhere.
It would be a bold move though.
March 19th, 2020 at 10:45 am
@tbbucs
Defense definitely lost a few games early – notably the Giants/Seattle, and were liabilities in the Rams game.
But in that Colts game, Winston spotted the other team 10 points in the first 2 possessions lol… pick 6. Fumble field goal. Then he threw another pick 6 later. That’s 17 points he spotted the other team. The D only gave up 18. He had another interception in that game that lead to a missed FG.
Saints game 1 the Defense was bad agree. That was in the early part of the season.
But Saints game 2 Jameis had 4 interceptions lol. 2nd possession his INT gives them possession at our 1 yard line and the game was 13-0 instead of 6-0 early. The D wasn’t great but he didn’t have a good game.
March 19th, 2020 at 10:47 am
People still debating a failed experiment.,….
32 profootball teams have spoken with their action: NO ONE wants him so his stats must not mean anything of importance in this league.. He is history.. Good Riddance!
We have a New Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB that is the most important thing the last guy wasn’t, a WINNER!.. so can we get out of the past and celebrate the present?
‘Can’t we all just get along?’
March 19th, 2020 at 10:48 am
@ tbbucs3
I have a challenge for you…
Name one NFL team who has shown ANY interest in signing Jamies Winston.
March 19th, 2020 at 10:55 am
With a cap of $198M, the Bucs have spent roughly $160-165M including 30 for Brady and you set aside $8M for the draft, you have $25M left. You need to sign another 7 role players or their replacements for $10M.
I think you are going to run short, so you have to make some choices because that leaves just $15M for
– Suh
– Periman
– Godwin’s new contract
– Lavonte’s new contract
– FA shopping
March 19th, 2020 at 11:07 am
Running back
Right tackle
Safety
DL – depth
***A recipe for a legitimate run……..
March 19th, 2020 at 11:07 am
Marinebuc, I can tell you right now that Winston is better than these starting QBs right here.
– Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield, Kyle Allen, Gardner Mindshew, Philip Rivers, Daniel Jones, Dwayne Haskins, Jacoby Brisset, Drew Lock, Andy Dalton and Mitchell Trubisky.
I would say that 90% of the Head coaches with these QBs are going to wind up getting fired either this year or next year. I would exactly trust their judgement.
The good coaches in the NFL who already have good QBs in place are going to be the smart ones to let Jameis sit for a year or 2 behind a top 15 QB because they understand his potential and rare ability.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:08 am
PS..also to to land Q.B. Anthony Gordon in (say) 3rd round ???
March 19th, 2020 at 11:09 am
Wouldn’t*
March 19th, 2020 at 11:21 am
Winston will flourish with another team and a lot of people who are currently bashing him on this site will regret it. Remember, Brady has only one or two years at the most before his age will catch up to him.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:23 am
Most of the current mocks have Taylor and Dobbins and only the fourth or fifth best OL available at 14. Tempting to take the RB and sign a FA and draft OL for depth in second round. Imagine our play action game with Jones and a quality, ready to start now back like either Taylor or Dobbins. Yeah, wish defenses good luck with that.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:38 am
Whoever said we had 36 million in Space is mistaken. We had 80 million before free agency started. 16 million for shack Barrett 13 million roughly for JPP and 30 million roughly for Tom Brady.
If you subtract all of that you have 59 million spent out of 80. At most we have 21 million to spend. You must also factor in at least $6 million to sign our rookie draft picks. Leaving us about 15 million left.
If we resign Suh, then that will use up likely 8 million of that. Leaving us anywhere from 6 to 7,000,000 left for free agents.
Additionally, the general manager usually reserves a couple of million dollars to use in season in case there is a need to replace a player due to injury.
So realistically unless we get some of our more expensive players to restructure contracts, I only see us having about $5 million to spend during the rest of free agency.
I think that is enough money to sign either a good slot receiver that fits the type of throws Tom Brady likes, or to use it on a safety as the free agency market usually tends to be less expensive for that position.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:39 am
gtfoh with that winston ish. He gonna thrive on the bench idiot? He ain’t negotiating with any teams how the hell will the bucs regret not signing him. Hopefully he does wake up and fix his mental issues to stop throwing picks I hope he eventually succeeds before he’s 42. We got brady now idiots keep talking like there no such thing as drafting a quarterback. Fyi we only have one right and he hasn’t signed his contract so yea we have to get more.
Why the hell people talking about who will be the quarterback 2 years from now? Bucs ain’t quarterback central, we always need one except this year.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:55 am
I’m completely dumb founded by the thought of ANY TRUE BUC’S FAN THAT IS “COOL” WITH TRADING ME or MIKE EVENS? WTF? Do you understand ANYTHING about professional football? Lets see, trade away only the 2nd WR in the history of this game to start his career with 6 straight 1000+ yard seasons? Btw Randy “Hall of Famer” Moss is the other, don’t come back with “well Randy Moss was traded” yep that’s true, however he was also a head case. Mike Evens has been an awesome player & leader in the Tampa Bay area. You’ve been watching (although it seems you don’t understand what you’re watching) a possible HOF WR & you want to trade him, to what draft another WR to replace him or keep Perriman? There isn’t a WR I’d rather have then Mike Evens. Julio Jones, doesn’t get into the endzone & out of 9 seasons he’s completed 3, OBJ, no F’n way, AB or Mike Thomas, one’s completely F’n nuts & the other is really good but he’s not ME or asked to do what Mike does). As a fan of the Buccaneers since 1976 (w/5 Buc tats), there hasn’t been a season I’ve been looking more forward to watching from my seats in section 124, row F, then this one (well maybe the 2003 season after the SB). Wake up😴 WE HAVE THE G.O.A.T. with two GREAT WR’s to throw them the ball, ’nuff said, 🎤 drop!
March 19th, 2020 at 12:07 pm
Emmanuel Sanders or Robby Anderson is coming
March 19th, 2020 at 12:08 pm
Tattoodonny I don’t get it either. Mike Evans ain’t going nowhere so don’t get worked up by these dumb ass trade Mike Evans comments. I have gotten really good at stopping the read of a comment once they say something stupid.
March 19th, 2020 at 12:20 pm
Will all this Winston excuses please stop dude does not have a job turnovers matter people it’s not just this year there is a six year body of work open ur eyes he hasn’t gotten it yet it’s not even about wins and losses for me u can evaluate him individual thts what Bruce just did and guess what he sucks so far in his career good luck in the future thou Jameis dam nut huggers
March 19th, 2020 at 2:06 pm
Emmanuel Sanders!!! Lay off the Marine!! There is NO interest in the league to have Winston as their starting QB!! If so, Who?? Waiting….
March 19th, 2020 at 2:16 pm
ME for two 1st or 1st 2nd & 5th? Would have a lot of money to spend on a FA WR & t. Williams, Perriman & Suh. Something to think about.
March 19th, 2020 at 2:20 pm
Alan
“If Matt Gay made 5- 70 yard field goals , does that excuse his missed fg’s that “lost” Bucs games.”
I’ve been trying to find the right analogy…you just nailed it! THX.
Jonzy
Thanks for that input on Devonta. Now I’m not a UF or FSU guy I try to watch both teams some.
From what I saw Akers looks like the perfect style back for Brady. He has versatility. You know him better than me. What say you? Clearly he’s worth at least a 3rd would you spend a 2nd on him?
I want one of the two big tackles…add that extra comp pick to #14 if we have to move up. I think the big tackle and Akers and we’re cooking with gas!
My calculations however assume we’re resigning SUH. He was the freaking 2nd pick in the entire draft…considered generational and he played like that for us last year. Thinking we can replace a 2nd overall pick with a 2nd or 3rd rounder means we plan on simply getting LUCKY! In fact there really is NO DT in this draft as good as SUH…some may project as having more years in the tank but in 2020 there is no player in this draft…aside from Chase Young who like Suh will probably be the second pick, who would help our DL more than SUH.
Tackle in the first…Akers in the second unless we can get him in the 3rd…and then BPA’s at safety…DL and I’d like to add Dillon as a beast in our backfield if he falls to the fourth. Imagine versatile Akers…speedy ROJO and monster Dillon as our RB trio.
March 19th, 2020 at 2:38 pm
tbbucs3, the offense got jw those numbers, the 30 piks jw did on his own
March 19th, 2020 at 2:44 pm
Joe,
Do you have any insight in to the updated cap space for the Bucs with the new CBA contract?
This info should help us better understand how much we have left to mess around with. Hopefully enough to bring in some talent to come in and contribute right away and create some depth also….
March 19th, 2020 at 5:32 pm
Didn’t the salary cap increase under the new CBA?
March 19th, 2020 at 5:39 pm
I certainly get the interest in the cap but I’m not certain we’ll know for a week or two and all of our FA’s who are going to leave have left.
When you guys talk about Cap space are you subtracting Allen, Nassib and Perriman from those numbers? Perriman is not gone yet but he is clearly a luxury we can no longer afford after blowing up last year he deservedly should cash a big check. We don’t need him anyway
I thought Scotty Miller clearly showed he had the speed and eventually the talent to get behind the D. He’s a work in progress but I see improvement and I haven’t written of Justin Watson yet. Either of them may be that 3rd WR depending if Brady can convince BA to use the TE’s more.
A double TE set offense does two things…blocking for the GOAT and confusion for the D over which TE is going to release his block and get open. Not every play by any imagination but it is a possibility.
If we’re truly that worried about pass pro a double TE set and a back who can block will do the trick. Marpet and Jensen were ranked as one of the top interior duos at pass pro by the PFF crowd who are not Buc homers that’s for sure.
FSU guys can Aker’s block? How about the big guy Dillon can he block.
March 19th, 2020 at 5:55 pm
Anyone who types:
“I don’t care how many INTs you throw you are not a bad QB if your capable of elite level production.”
…got lost between “many INTs” and “elite level production”. Geez, the brain cramps Jameis induces are mind numbing. He gone. Move on.
March 19th, 2020 at 10:58 pm
I love to listen to all of you capologists explain how much money the Bucs have. They can make space just about anytime they want to. You guys are forgetting that they get signing bonuses which they spread out over the length of the contract which reduces this years cap hit. It’s rarely just a straight up cap hit like we sign you for 10 mil and it’s 10 mil against the cap. You guys are hilarious. Also they can turn a current players salary into a bonus to create cap room. Come on people.
March 19th, 2020 at 11:22 pm
*they’re