Bruce Arians Talks Devonta Freeman
June 4th, 2020
UPDATED: 12:10 p.m. – The Buccaneers’ head coach had an online media chat this morning and Joe asked Bucco Bruce Arians about free agent and two-time Pro Bowl running back Devonta Freeman.
When asked about Arians’ interest in Freeman, Arians didn’t deny interest and said, “If his price tag is reasonable. He’s not probably signed because he’s turning down a lot of money and we don’t have a lot of money.”
Never-shy Arians, Joe believes, wouldn’t have a problem saying Freeman is a guy off his radar, or someone he doesn’t want. See Antonio Brown.
Arians said he is very pleased with his offensive line depth and the makeup of that unit but is actively looking for veteran running backs help. One thing driving Arians, he said, is “400+ reps” lost to date for young players because spring practices have been cancelled.
A report out of Philadelphia last week claimed the Bucs made an offer to Freeman, but then the reporter said it should have been characterized as interest instead of an “offer.” It always sounded to Joe, including after a bit of research, like the Bucs let Freeman’s camp know what they’d be willing pay and that they’d be eager to chat if Freeman wants to come to the table.
Allegedly, Freeman turned down in the neighborhood of $4 million from the Seahawks before they signed Carlos Hyde. He might actually be worth close to that if Arians is concerned rookies Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Raymond Calais won’t get enough reps to be ready for Tom Brady on opening day. Freeman caught 59 balls and four touchdowns last year with the Falcons.
June 4th, 2020 at 11:59 am
4 million is fair for Freeman considering that we don’t have a single back that has proven that they can be an effective starter.
June 4th, 2020 at 12:40 pm
5 million on a running back that has a good chance of landing on IR and never playing a down is too much. We need some cap flexibility. Putting it all in on a dude whose replacement is an arthritic shell of himself isn’t a good idea.
June 4th, 2020 at 1:18 pm
BA belts back stiff drinks…his favorite being truth serum. It’s refreshing…on both fronts.
June 4th, 2020 at 1:44 pm
4 million is fair for freeman? Pleaseeeeeee! he cannot be a full-time full season player. Most people talk about him being a complementary back at this point in his career. Face it his legs are gone. Even in college he averaged perhaps 12-15 carries a game rushing, from there he went to Falcons he had 100 rushing carries and only twice rushed for barely 1K yards in 6 years…he was overpaid last couple years and Falcons dumped him…move on, he will be lucky to get 2.5 million if that for ten touches not worth it. He legs are gone
June 4th, 2020 at 2:04 pm
IMHO, Our chances of landing Freeman are slim to none.
We just don’t have the extra money to sign him.
June 4th, 2020 at 3:58 pm
What did Peyton Barber make last season? I don’t feel like looking it up but ~3 mil comes to mind for some reason. If Barber was paid 3 mil for last season I’d say Freeman is still worth a 1 yr/4 mil contract.
June 4th, 2020 at 4:05 pm
We do not have the cap space to sign him for 4 million. If another team offers that, oh well. Otherwise we might be able to get him cheaper. I think that’s a possibility because I don’t think anyone is paying it.
June 4th, 2020 at 5:30 pm
I would rather rent Jadeveon Clowny, given the choice. I expect what we have in running backs will surprise some people with their productivity.
June 4th, 2020 at 7:07 pm
This guy is dreaming 4 mil is too much for this guy if it wasnt the falcons would have kept him. He wants a big contract and go on IR. Beware sign McCoy for 2 mil and be done with it at least he will be on the field.
June 4th, 2020 at 7:36 pm
Not sure what the answer is… Would be great if one of the RB’s can catch out of the backfield because Brady is the best in the biz at it… you can bet your bottom dollar that TB12 will want a paas catching RB… He is know for making a no name into a known name… Well Said!!!
June 4th, 2020 at 7:53 pm
No no and NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 4th, 2020 at 8:50 pm
Waste of cap space to sign a guy that will be on IR
June 4th, 2020 at 8:58 pm
Freeman if there is a chance for him to play for the Bucs he should take it just based on the exposure this team is going to get with the prime time games and the national attention that is with this team. If he believes that he has the opportunity to be a featured back in this league, there is no place better to showcase and drive his value back up, as we have no distinct number 1 back that is set and a offense that will allow him to find idea running conditions with a QB who knows how to exploit defenses. Even if he doesn’t get the value others are offering here, he will be able to get a much higher return on the following year and possibly with security.
June 4th, 2020 at 9:22 pm
4mil is way too much for a guy that can’t stay healthy. Would rather get Clay Matthews and see if we can find another vet RB that can be a role player.
June 4th, 2020 at 10:37 pm
No thanks. Freeman is very injury prone and looked like a husk of his former self as a runner. If both can be evaluated by Bucs medical staff and pass I’d take either Lamar Miller (if they want a well rounded skill set to add depth or maybe even push for some reps) or Theo Riddick (if they want a pass catcher ace who could possibly even compete to start in that role of 3rd down back). That or wait until after final roster cuts and see who is available.
June 4th, 2020 at 11:13 pm
While I like the idea of adding a veteran to the RB room, I personally would pass on Freeman. He doesn’t protect the football enough to my liking.
June 5th, 2020 at 2:02 pm
$2mil tops.
June 5th, 2020 at 8:07 pm
It’s not a matter of what he is worth to rest of the NFL, it’s what he is worth to us, 4 miles for us considering our cap space and need is a bit high. I could see 3m with incentives of snaps, and games played, but that’s about it