Mark Dominik: “You’re Begging Them To Take It For The Team”
February 22nd, 2021
Former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik still has ties to Tampa Bay and his heart certainly remains with the Buccaneers.
His mind was on them last week as he talked Bucs free agency on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
Dominik when playfully chuckled at the huge challenge facing general manager Jason Licht and his contract man, Mike Greenberg. The Bucs have loads of talent and Greenberg has managed the cap masterfully, per Dominik, but there’s just too much talent and too many free agents to not have to plead on your hands and knees.
When it comes to Ndamukong Suh and Lavonte David, Dominik said he would start working them on the greatness of Tampa because the Bucs are going to need them to take a team-friendly deal.
“I’m playing the, you know, ‘C’mon, stay with me for a little bit of a discount,'” Dominik said of Suh and David. “The two old guys, you’re begging them to take it for the team.”
When it comes to the Bucs’ beastly edge rusher and Pro Bowl receiver hitting the market, Dominik noted those are the Bucs’ biggest challenges.
“I understand that Shaq Barretts and Chris Godwins are like, ‘Bro, I just finished up. I got off the franchise tag, I got off my [rookie contract]. I got a ring. It’s time for my value — to see what I’m worth,'” Dominik said. “Those are going to be the trickier [contracts] for Tampa Bay.”
It seems Dominik believes Barrett should be the Bucs’ priority because of how well Todd Bowles used him and Shaq’s steady production. Joe’s also speculating that Dominik knows what a stain it can be on an organization when a versatile edge player walks away for no good reason (see 2013).
February 22nd, 2021 at 5:54 am
Trevor Sikkema did an interesting article on Lavonte’s next contract way back in Sep 2020 (https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/lavonte-david-new-contract-value-buccaneers). Surprisingly insightful given that it was written BEFORE we even played our 1st game last season AND won the SB. Sikkema compares LVD to several LBs in there, and towards the end writes this …
“It’s hard to find a similar contract situation for David because there simply are not many linebackers who have the resume (both in success and longevity) that David does.”
“At age 29, Wagner signed a three-year, $54 million extension in 2019, which made him the highest-paid middle linebacker in the NFL. Right behind him is C.J. Mosley at $17 million. Moseley signed an insane five-year, $85 million deal last offseason. On the surface, David could command something close to that in the $15-17 million range. But his situation in Tampa will likely drive down that price.”
LVD played for peanuts on his rookie contract (4 yrs/$3.5 mil). His present contract (5 yrs/$50 mil) was a good value ($10 mil/yr average) … for the Bucs … when it was signed. Despite the high probability that he could get more elsewhere, I still wouldn’t be surprised to see LVD stay here for the same amount per year, providing this next contract would allow him to retire as a Buccaneer AND with at least 2 yrs guaranteed.
February 22nd, 2021 at 5:58 am
3 years ago, our pass-rush was so ineffective that opposing QBs could order Jimmy Johns by the time a Buc defender got close enough to breathe on them!
We added Suh and Shaq along with Vea and voila! Pass-rush! There is no big secret.
February 22nd, 2021 at 6:04 am
ME13 has already said he would take a pay cut to help keep the band together. Donovan Smith et al., should consider doing the same.
February 22nd, 2021 at 6:24 am
Licht has been on a roll for awhile now and I trust him to do the right thing. If Chris and Shaq are looking to ‘reset the market” in a down year for the salary cap, I don’t see how we can keep both of them. I expect some team to be dumb enough to overpay for one of them since it happens every year in free agency. Oh well, good problem to have I guess. 😛
February 22nd, 2021 at 6:30 am
Signing bonus with reduced cap hit for the first year. That’s the only way we can keep Godwin or Shaq.
February 22nd, 2021 at 6:32 am
We’re there no podcasts last week? It said upload issues on this site right? Will they get uploaded to iTunes or this website when ready?
February 22nd, 2021 at 6:50 am
It’s going to take 5-yea-ish deals with heavy signing bonuses that can be pro-rated over the life of the contract for Shaq and Godwin, and yearly salaries that escalate after the first year or 2. Guarantee the first 3 years too.
That’s how they can work these guys in. The risk will be if they suddenly become chronically injured or for some bizarre reasons regress into second comings of Michael Johnson or Michael Clayton, then you’re going to have dead money to contend with to get rid of them. Hopefully not an issue tho with these 2 guys!
February 22nd, 2021 at 7:14 am
We will soon find out who plays for money and who plays for the love of the game and the team. I understand the whole “get it while you can” mentality, but in my humble opinion, it cheapens the game. I’d rather make a little less to be on a winning team. But then again, I’m an old man with outdated beliefs.
February 22nd, 2021 at 7:17 am
Godwin will likely be offered unmatchable $ by Jags or Jets or maybe Colts.
Barrett has to be a priority for Bucs as does David.
Brown, Johnson and a draft pick will have to replace Godwin.
And a RB making $8 million will mean no Suh – that , to me, means no deal.
February 22nd, 2021 at 7:22 am
We have plenty of great receivers. Easy call.
February 22nd, 2021 at 7:38 am
Regardless of how our FA list works out, this organization has proven it can work with young developing players and strong willed vets.
We have bargaining power because our organizational/coaching/team strength. If guys want to break the bank go for it. You’ve earned it. But you will be leaving the best team in football.
In BA I Trust!
February 22nd, 2021 at 7:38 am
Of course I would like Godwin a Buc next year, but I also want him to make the correct life decision and that is to take the money!
February 22nd, 2021 at 7:39 am
I still think lavonte home town discount in the 10 mil range
Suh / gronk will be around 8 mil. A piece. But the only team i see gronk playing for is bucs and slim chance miami. I think he has home in south beach. And their head coach is former patriots coach. Problem is …tua will not get them to title next year. So not sure he plays just to get body beat up. He will take less to play with his dawg.
The good thing …is i have confidence in arians , bowles , leftwich and licht
I am sure there have been multiple discussions and guys ranked and they are probably on same page as far as who cant go and who is expendable.
I think it ultimately comes down to Shaq vs godwin
Thats at least 30 mil for 2 guys. Thats a math cap problem. Not happening even if gholston and brate cut. Cause you still have 10 other guys you need to sign.
February 22nd, 2021 at 7:47 am
I think David and Suh are the priorities . There are gonna be some free agent edge rushers that end up being cap casualties that may give you 3/4 of the production of Shaq at 1/3 of the cost. As far as Godwin, it would be great to have him back , but at what cost ? Is he really worth $18M per season if you stil have ME, AB , SM , and TJ ? Especially with OJ Howard returning. Then again , OJ could be cut to save $6M in cap space , that you could appropriate towards a Godwin contract . Whether or not Gronk returns could be the determining factor in the chain of events that occur once the free agency bell rings.
February 22nd, 2021 at 7:47 am
It is supply and demand at its core……..WRs are more plentiful than edge rushers….
I agree….a long term deal, stacked with guarantees in years 2-4…..
February 22nd, 2021 at 7:57 am
Players returning to the Bucs:
1. R. Succop
2. L. David
3. Gronk
4. A.B.
5. Suh
We draft a RB, WR, LB and interior lineman in rounds 1-4.
Hopefully we are able to sign a solid veteran pass rusher looking for a ring – V. Miller? Bud Dupree?
Say goodbye to Shaq (break the bank) Barrett and Goodwin.
Restructuring a few contracts will help us bring back some depth players and will give us just enough cap space to get everything done.
February 22nd, 2021 at 7:58 am
Of course this is all just speculation but what else can we do this time of year?
February 22nd, 2021 at 8:41 am
They’ll spread out the guaranteed money…..if a few guys restructure, i think we’ll be fine. I think Gronk and Suh come in on team friendly deals. In “win now” mode, we have to accept that down the road the piper will have to be paid. What you hope is when that day comes you have a quality young QB on a rookie deal….similar to what the Eagles pulled off with Hurts and the cap hit from Wentz.
February 22nd, 2021 at 8:46 am
Marine Buc: FYI, Bud Dupree tore his ACL on December 2nd, 2020. So there’s some uncertainty on him and when he’d be ready.
February 22nd, 2021 at 9:11 am
Hurts is a quality young qb, like the cheese wiz is “real” in philly. That was the only organization to have any real success with the young/cheap qb model (and he was still a top 2 pick at that) but it only worked bc they had a quality backup to fill in when he went down. Then they had to backup the brinks truck for a guy who in reality was mediocre at best, and now we see where that left the eagles organization today.
February 22nd, 2021 at 9:24 am
I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss Wentz yet. He was pretty good until injuries and concussion. He may rejuvenate his career with health and reunion with his coach.
February 22nd, 2021 at 9:25 am
@ Joe in Michigan
I agree. Both V. Miller and B. Dupree come with some risk.
Both are coming back from injuries and they would be required to pass a team physical before signing.
I would prefer keeping Shaq I just dont see a realistic scenario where we are able to keep him…
February 22nd, 2021 at 9:30 am
I would also throw JJ Watt in the mix for a cheap one year deal in Tampa.
He hasn’t won a ring and has had a Hall of Fame career.
It is a long shot but did you really think Tom Brady, Gronk and AB would be winning a Super Bowl in Tampa?
February 22nd, 2021 at 9:46 am
I agree that Godwin will likely be offered unmatchable $ by Jags or Jets or maybe the Colts.
Jacksonville is the team that scares me, as a future home for Chris Godwin.
They are gonna need a sure handed receiver for Trevor Lawrence, and have plenty of money to spend.
February 22nd, 2021 at 10:13 am
One website said that the Bucs should sign Watt, cut Gholston, Brate, and lowball Suh. I wouldn’t do any of that to bring Watt to Tampa. He’s a bigger “name” than Gholston, but I’m perfectly fine with Gholston’s play. Watt has offers from other playoff teams (Cleveland, Buffalo, etc.), so I don’t see him signing on the cheap.
I’m with you, Marine Buc, on wondering of the likelihood of Barrett returning. If he doesn’t, I’m intrigued by the thought of the Bucs signing Von Miller and drafting an edge rusher to be his understudy. You know, like Shaq was in Denver?
February 22nd, 2021 at 10:51 am
No one wants to work for less money.
February 22nd, 2021 at 11:01 am
Former New Englander living in Tampa. Brady wants #8 watch him restructure his contract like he always did in NE to make it work for the Bucks. Don’t be surprised.
February 22nd, 2021 at 1:33 pm
They need to keep that D together. They need to do everything to resign Barrett Lavonte & Suh first & then Gronkowski & Antonio. As much as it would be nice to have Godwin back it might suck to see him go because Miller & Johnson played well when they got the chance. Plus Antonio is used to carrying the load also & he’d be cheaper than Godwin right now, too! If they release Donovan they could free up at least $14 million there & then draft another OL to put with Wirfs. Plus they have to resign Brady & JPP next year, too!
February 22nd, 2021 at 2:18 pm
Idk why, but I’m not worried. I think they’re going to be able to make it work, and keep everyone they want to keep. Not just the ones they need, but the ones they want. Everyone on both side of the table is too motivated to work it out, and nobody sane wants to leave a team that found the kind of magic this one had in the postseason. It took all season to come together properly, and they know it. Not one of our players is dumb enough to think that’s likely to happen anywhere else.
February 22nd, 2021 at 2:37 pm
There are a lot of over the cap teams and likely a bunch of big names hitting the street soon. Should be a lot of help available if any of the tier 2 guys or even a tier 1 guy leaves.
February 22nd, 2021 at 4:28 pm
Defense is the priority. Gronk and AB not going anywhere. I saw the look on Godwins face when BA said “he ain’t going no where”, he’s gonna leave. And I get it, but we still have Scotty, and Tyler not to mention 3 TEs, if Howard can stay healthy offensively we’ll be fine if Godwin leaves.
February 22nd, 2021 at 4:50 pm
Hitting on draft picks like Scotty Miller or Tyler Johnson are what you have to do to keep your franchise afloat. I know they’re not Chris Godwin right now, but in the aggregate, they can replace what you lose with Godwin. Brady has spent his entire career having to replace guys like that.
As far as Fournette, any pass catching RB can replace him. Just sign James White and let Vaughn develop along side him.
February 22nd, 2021 at 5:33 pm
Brady is usually pretty good about working with whoever you give him. So if they had to let Godwin go he could very easily work with Miller & Johnson. Both have the potential to be good WRs.
February 23rd, 2021 at 4:12 am
Dominik re-signed Michael Clayton.
All GM advice of his should be ignored.