Dominik Makes First Big Gamble Of 2010
February 25th, 2010Now Bucs personnel czar Mark Dominik has officially jumped into 2010 by passing on Antonio Bryant, far and away the Bucs’ best receiver and a guy who was flat out ballin’ at the end of 2009.
And it was obvious from Joe’s interaction with fans that a large majority wanted to the see the Bucs bring back Bryant, assuming the price was fair market value.
A JoeBucsFan.com reader poll earlier this month saw more than 70 percent vote in favor of Bryant’s return.
Considering the Bucs didn’t at least leave the door open for Bryant to test the free agent waters and go from there, today’s announcement that Bryant is done in Tampa Bay is a little stunning. In fact, it may have even hurt the Bucs’ ability, however slightly, to negotiate the best possible trade for a receiver, as any team Dominik contacts now knows he’s extraoridinarily desperate for a No. 1 wideout.
Dominik no doubt has some sort of plan. But he has completely raised the stakes on his job security. He has to replace Bryant with a true No. 1 veteran receiver. Drafting Dez Bryant won’t cut it alone, if the Bucs even go that route.
Joe was the last media member to talk to Antonio Bryant. Joe and Bryant had a long chat just before the Super Bowl. You can read it here.
Make no mistake. Bryant would have been very pleased to return to Tampa Bay for a fair-market deal. And Joe is confident that Bryant didn’t have any inflated sense of his value.
As Bryant told Joe, “Film don’t lie.”
The same phrase will apply to Dominik. Whoever replaces Bryant best be as good as he is or better, if Dominik wants to retain any credibility with fans.
February 25th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
If the Bucs don’t sign or trade for a veteran #1 reciever to replace Bryant, it will be abundantly clear that the”plan” is about nothing other than salary dumping and cost saving.
February 25th, 2010 at 9:16 pm
…”if Dominik wants to retain any credibility with fans.”…
I think the train has already left that station.
February 25th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Cost saving? Then why did they give Michael Clayton a $23 mil contract to re-sign him last year? For what?? AB is by FAR a better reciever than ANYONE on this team. This is just nutz!! Maybe they should try and draft a GM while they’re at it! Or just go 2-14 in 2010…BAD MOVE BUCS.
February 25th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Its all Gruden’s fault!
February 25th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
He’s lost credibility with this move with me. He can restore it with FA and draft moves, selections, etc.
Mark, not a good way to start year two.
February 25th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
I’m still with ya Dom. We don’t see the guy everyday. We don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors. If they didn’t want him back, I think there was a good reason.
Now if you guys really do end up keeping Clayton, all deals are off. I’ll lose every ounce of respect I ever had for you. There is absolutely no sane excuse to let this collect millions and take up a roster spot again this year.
February 25th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
JDouble, didn’t you read Morris’ comments today. Clayton is staying. Get real man, this team is not serious about winning.
Whoever Dominik gets to replace AB better make everyone forget all about AB. Unfortunately, I’m afraid its going to be, “AB would have made that catch”.
February 25th, 2010 at 10:52 pm
Well said Joe.
February 25th, 2010 at 10:52 pm
Credibility with the fans? Joe, be serious. How can you expect us to find any portion of duminik Credibile? I have a feeling that this was just the opening act of a sad 2010 play. Maybe he is just telling us what we can really expect for 2010. They aren’t going after Suh. Or no other “credible” starter. All the Glazers want to do is field a team in order to collect that TV Revenue money this year. I just feel sorry for the poor suckers that are purchasing season tickets for the 2010 losing Debacle.
February 25th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
Guys:
As Joe has stated earlier today, anyone that can con Chicago into coughing up a high second round pick for a guy who couldn’t start on one of the NFL’s worst defenses, well, that right there gives Dominik credibility in Joe’s eyes.
February 25th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
I’ve had enough of this Mickey Mouse management. Their ahead of schedule from last year , already making dumbass moves. What in the hell the owners see in these two goof balls is beyond me. I agree with Joe. If there is a plan which I doubt why in the hell are we showing are cards. Regardless keeping Antonio to line up with Dez or Marshall is far better than without him. And Raheem what in the hell are you talking about going with a youth movement. The guy is only 28 and going into his prime years. Fire these goofballs b4 the draft or I promise they will Fu** that up too.
February 25th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
Heres the Dream’s quote about this:
“You look at Marques Colston and Drew Brees; at Michael Irvin and Troy Aikman; at Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison and Peyton (Manning); those guys grew together,” Morris said. “So it’s going to be Josh Freeman and whoever – Sammie Stroughter. Here we go. Let’s grow.”
Wow, Freeman and “stroughter and whoever”……………….THIS MAN IS A BUFFOON
Later the Article says:
One receiver the Bucs will let Freeman grow with is Michael Clayton. Morris is excited to see what new receivers coach Eric Yarber can do for Clayton’s productivity.
THIS MAN IS A BUFFOON
February 25th, 2010 at 11:25 pm
There MUST have been something else going on that led the Bucs to letting AB walk.
Remember Black Tuesday last year? Remember how everyone bitched and moaned about cutting Brooks, Galloway, et al? Well except for Joey how many found work?
I got a feeling that AB’s knee was banged up MORE than we all know.
I just don’t see how AB would sign with the Bucs for less than $5 million and that money would be better spent on signing a 2nd round WR, counting on Sammy at WR and possibly moving Winslow to WR/slot.
The Bucs are planning on using Clayton #1, Stroughter #2 and re-signing Stovell or drafting a WR in round 2.
My biggest complaint about this: The way Dominik handled the situation. Not telling your player’s agent but letting them find out via a reporter???? WTF???
February 25th, 2010 at 11:28 pm
You know, I’ve read probably 200 posts from four different sites since this news broke. The biggest joke of all is the typical Tampa Bay fan. Seriously. All we seem to do is kick and scream and whine and over react to everything! The sky is falling! DOOOOM!!!
It was freaking Antonio Bryant! There could be a million reasons why this was the right move. Not one single fan knows what has gone on behind closed doors or what the plan is. We still have free agency and the draft. How bout waiting till training camp to decide if this was a stupid move? For all you know we could have Dez Bryant and Brandon Marshall on our roster next year! Tampa fans would probably still find something to whine about! Everyone is so quick to judge and jump ship. It’s ridiculous. Just shut the **** up untill after the draft cause you don’t know ANYTHING.
Bryant’s knee surgery was suppose to be minor. He was suppose to be all ready to go by week one. Instead it made min miss half the games last season and effected him all year long. I don’t care what he did in 2008 after resting for two years and being healthy. Right now he is a 29 year old dude with a bad track record, coming off a nagging knee injury and a disappointing year. You guys act like he was Lynn Swann in his prime. Ridiculous Tampa.
February 25th, 2010 at 11:29 pm
“The Bucs are planning on using Clayton #1, Stroughter #2 and re-signing Stovell or drafting a WR in round 2”.
AND YOU DONT SEE A PROBLEM WITH THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 25th, 2010 at 11:30 pm
….and all I’ve seen on Clayton is what Cummings said. I’ve yet to see a quote from Rheem that says Clayton is staying.
February 25th, 2010 at 11:38 pm
JDouble
Just keep drinking that Glazer cool-aid man.
February 25th, 2010 at 11:57 pm
…and you just go on thinking every move the Bucs make is horrible and the end of the world.
February 26th, 2010 at 12:00 am
Must have been bad knee and locker room cancer. Maybe he wasn’t injured last year just hurt?? Sounds like they had enough of his bull shit. I hate morris but maybe dominck is a little slicker than people think. None of the veteran purge played much last year.
February 26th, 2010 at 12:56 am
Clayton is going into this 7th season. The guy is not getting better and won’t get better with a new position coach. It is ridiculous that the Bucs are keeping him. But I guess Dominik wants to see if he can be turned around. I doubt it.
And Winslow is a TE. The guy is not moving to WR and nor should he. The money for the rookies has no bearing on free agency/trades. None. The NFL sets what you can pay the rookies and that’s that. If you save 5 mil, that isn’t going toward signing rookies. It is a totally separate thing.
If Dominik/Rah are counting on a Clayton, Sammie, Stovall, 2nd round pick and some mediocre WR like Kevin Walter, then we are in big trouble. I want the Bucs to go after one of the top flight guys to go along with the draft pick.
I wonder if the Bucs will go after D. Robinson at CB. That would be a nice addition. Now there is talk about maybe D. Culpepper coming here as a backup QB. He is similar to Freeman in many ways. Big tall guys with big arms and they both have the same weakness (fumbling). Culpepper may see if he can get a starting job somewhere though. It is hard to find a QB who is comfortable in the backup role and not get antsy about not starting. Chris Chandler and Jeff Garcia are very good examples of people who don’t like being the backup. Don Strock and Steve DeBerg are the opposites.
It does seem like the draft may be finally going our way. Several people are now saying that Rams are going to pick Bradford. I think it would be smart for the Rams to do that. You are paying that huge salary, so you might as well pay the money to the QB. It is either that or go after the dog killer for the Rams. Gerald McCoy may fall in our laps then. That would be nice.
February 26th, 2010 at 2:34 am
1. Are lucky enough to get Suh or McCoy at #3, then trade a 2nd for Marshall and use the other to draft a top WR. (Golden Tate or Demaryius Thomas)
2. Miss out on Suh and McCoy so we draft Dez Bryant in the first, still draft a top WR in the 2nd, and use the other 2nd to get a solid DT like Tyson Alualu?
3. Draft Dez Bryant in the first, trade a second for Marshall, and take the best DT available with our toher second?
I think all three of those scnerios sound very good. I think Dom is a mad scientist. He knows what he’s doing. Have some faith.
February 26th, 2010 at 5:04 am
What do the Glazers see in these two you ask?
They are cheap. Cheapest payroll, cheapest coaching staff, won’t guarantee any money in contracts, massive debt overseas…
Is it really that hard to figure out, folks?
The Glazers are through with this franchise. Now they are just milking the sweet TV deals. They dont give a damn if the team goes 0-16 next year because they still get their money.
February 26th, 2010 at 7:50 am
The only reason they will keep Clayton is because he is already paid for or overpaid for. They are not going to let him walk with the money they gave him last year and then have to replace him and pay someone else. Its all about the Benjamins and not a football performance based issue. Typical Glazers.
February 26th, 2010 at 8:20 am
Oh, its all good.
The receiving corp of “Stroughter and someone” will be growing like wildfire this season, especially with Mr. Clayton in the mix.
Not re-signing the best receiver on the team, so that position has to be addressed in the draft, is an excellent plan. A rookie is bound to play at Bryant’s level, when trained by the dreams staff.
I smell a Division Title, at least.
February 26th, 2010 at 8:39 am
Well the good news is a rookie probably can play at the level Bryant did last year…considering 75% of the year he didn’t even really play.
Can he play to the level of 2008 Bryant?? Doubtful.
February 26th, 2010 at 9:45 am
I’m all about being optimistic but the reason everyone reacts after every move this regime makes is cause these boneheads have made more mistakes in one year than most are allowed. It’s very normal for passionate fans to overreact and IMO the fans that lived through the Culverhouse years are a lot more gloom and doom than your new fan that always thinks there’s a master plan. I’m the biggest buc fan I know but can’t help feeling pissed off with every move this team makes lately. I truly believe this team will not be better until Raheem and Dominic are gone. These guys are clueless and watching this on the job training is old.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:06 am
A rookie probably won’t play as well as Bryant did in 2008…..but who’s to say Bryant would have either? He sure as hell didn’t do anything in 2009. I think I remember one great catche by Bryant last year. Maybe two.
If we end up with Marshall and a 2nd round rookie WR, or Dez Bryant and a 2nd round WR….I think we are better off this year and many more down the road. They are obviously building this team for the long haul, and a 29 year old reciever with a bum knee and attitude problems doesn’t add much to the future of this team.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:06 am
Now Clayton needs to go.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:32 am
I agree clayton needs to go and so does stovall! I would be happy with dez bryant and marshall or dez bryant and a 2nd round pick wr!
February 26th, 2010 at 11:16 am
Really, get rid of that POS Clayton. Bryant is damaged goods and they could not get him hooked up with Freeman. They should be able to get a good FA for the price of Bryant. But WTF about Clayton? Why are they so in love with this useless piece of Bayou Garbage? Can’t run, can’t catch, hardly even blocks anymore. Clayton’s is useless. He has the same value as the corn dog vendor. A burp, followed by a fart, then puke, and all your left with is heart burn.
February 26th, 2010 at 11:24 am
It is kinda amusing that some people are fine with AB leaving and his cancer in the locker room ways. Then they say they want Marshall to replace him. The guy is 1000 times worse than AB in the locker room and the outside world. That’s fine. Marshall is a good player. A bit overrated but he’s good. Just be careful what you wish for.