Stopping The Leaks
February 1st, 2022
Decisions.
So Tom Brady isn’t coming back to the Bucs. He’s done. Kaput. Finished. Joe thinks.
(No, Joe is not ruling out a Brady return with some other team in 2023. Joe is not predicting this but it wouldn’t be shocking.)
Joe has a strong hunch Rob Gronkowski is gone. But there are others to worry about.
With Brady gone and perhaps Gronk, does Chris Godwin want to come back?
With Brady gone and perhaps Gronk, does Ryan Jensen want to come back?
With Brady gone and perhaps Gronk, does Playoff Lenny want to come back?
With Brady gone and perhaps Gronk, does Carlton Davis want to come back?
Joe is confident the only way to ensure those four return is if the Bucs have a quarterback. No, not Kyle Trask, but a quarterback who has proven he can lead a team to the playoffs. Russell Wilson, Derek Carr and Deshaun Watson spring to mind.
Joe just thinks this Bucs team has strong enough core talent not to let it go to waste (and equally important, not to let Team Glazer loot get burned for no good reason) by trotting out Teddy Bridgewater or trash like Gardner Minshew.
Think about it, if Bridgewater was any good, Vic Fangio would still be working in Denver.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:28 pm
I think the bucs are an attractive destination. Of that list, the only one’s id consider are Wilson or Carr. If we are going to trade several first-round picks we should not be looking at a guy like Watson. He is likely a top 3 QB in the NFL right now but he’s a walking time bomb.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:29 pm
Brady isn’t playing anywhere else. He is retired, done playing football.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:30 pm
To be fair, The Broncos and Bridgwater were the same record in that game against the Bengals and Bridgewater got hurt, he is a serviceable veteran, Russell Wilson the best of the bunch, but doesn’t fit Arians QB profile, the other options are bleak to some degree
February 1st, 2022 at 1:32 pm
Try and work some things out to get Aaron Rodgers. Maybe throw in some deals for Devante Adams as well.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:33 pm
make a play for rodgers…… But he has to get a a normal haircut…. not the homeless guy , heroin addict look…….
February 1st, 2022 at 1:33 pm
Please no Deshaun Watson. We already had NFL proclaimed sex offender Jameis for 5 years.
Let’s get a quarterback that isn’t shot down by school administrators after he expresses interest to speaking to classrooms.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:37 pm
Interesting you would call Minshew trash but not Watson (who publicly is)…..
Shows the troubling insight into this Joes twisted psyche!
February 1st, 2022 at 1:38 pm
Go after Wilson or Carr. Do not go after any of the other stiffs.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:39 pm
Yeah Joe…… Brady playing elsewhere seems a bit out of the realm of reality.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:39 pm
Watson carries too much baggage.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:39 pm
Wilson. Rodgers are a No. $46mil and $37mil and trade. Stop saying them two.
Jensen. Jpp. Fournette. Gronk. Gone.
C. Davis gone. Chasin money.
Godwin will stay with evans. And he gets his money. Cappa stays bcuz of ali. Tristan. Donnie. And he gets his money.
Gabbert is our starter is arians stays. Trask is back up and starts week 4.
Licht gets salry cap under control.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:39 pm
I’m sure Josh McDaniels is willing to start off his tenure in Las Vegas by getting rid of one of the better QBs in the league…
February 1st, 2022 at 1:39 pm
Brady was like an incredible illegal drug that was suddenly taken away. Now it’s like blind lab rats scurrying around hoping to find the next big hit– and whatever it is is going be a huge letdown.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:41 pm
I don’t see why everyone is so against the idea of giving Trask a shot.
Kid put up massive numbers at UF in 2020 and should be a great fit for BA’s offense.
There are no realistic FA options that are going to excite any of our pending FAs.
Go Bucs!
February 1st, 2022 at 1:42 pm
Why would Green Bay ever agree to trading Aaron Rodgers even for something crazy like 3 first rounders and 3 second rounders?
The dude is about to win a consecutive NFL MVP award. Think about the Herschel Walker trade and remember that he was coming off of two consecutive 2nd Team All Pro seasons. Not NFL MVPs, but 2nd team all pro!
I would love a person of Rodgers talent at QB, but I feel like I’m missing something.
Can someone help me out?!
February 1st, 2022 at 1:42 pm
Succop. Pinnion. Gone.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:43 pm
The cases against Watson seem to be falling apart. If the league clears him i say that is the best option. i’m not all that morally indignant about lewd remarks.
Brady got sispended for alleged cheating. Big Ben overcame way worse allegations to the HOF.
Watson would be the short and long term solution.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:45 pm
No from me for Watson, he wouldn’t be able to control himself from all the strip clubs by the stadium.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:45 pm
Cinderella’s Carriage had turned into a pumpkin.
I am in favor of a rebuild, which means getting what you can get in trades and … well rebuild
Look at the make up and talent we saw last weekend
February 1st, 2022 at 1:45 pm
no to bridgewater no to minshew no to cam newton no to jameis
yes to Carr
February 1st, 2022 at 1:46 pm
So much emotionally poor insight by a lot of people. Jensen came to the bucs before brady was here. Why would he leave when he already has a ring and may be going into his final contract. Makes no sense unless the bucs don’t want to pay him. Same with others, they have rings, it’s about money now.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:46 pm
After listening to Scott smith this team is screwed. 15 million in available money to sign like 17 free agents. Tom Brady cap hit is like 32 million in dead money for a guy not even on the roster. This is really going to have to be a complete re build. Maybe even trade guys with big cap numbers to create space down the road. We pushed the cap can down the road to bring everyone back and now we are going to have to pay the piper. Get ready to suck for a few years that’s reality.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:47 pm
Core of what? The article cut off there.
I cannot imagine any of those aforementioned free agents coming back with the exception of Carlton Davis.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:49 pm
You can’t invest a 2nd round pick in Trask and not give him a shot to be your starter. Also, the Bucs were all in with Brady on board, but without Brady, I don’t expect them to keep kicking the salary cap issues down the road, thus I expect a lot of Bucs free agents not to come back, including Jensen, JPP, Suh Gronk (of his own accord though), and others (though I hope they franchise or sign Godwin to a long term deal).
February 1st, 2022 at 1:51 pm
“I don’t see why everyone is so against the idea of giving Trask a shot.
Kid put up massive numbers at UF in 2020 and should be a great fit for BA’s offense.”
I agree, bunch of fortune tellers around these parts. Trask had one of the better college football seasons playing against ALL SEC teams his senior season and nearly won the Heisman trophy.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:52 pm
The thing with trading for a big name QB that may be on his way out is that first the aforementioned trade has to be done. Also there always seems to be trade rumors swirling.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:53 pm
My thoughts exactly Posey while I don’t believe in college stats being a metric for the pros. I make an exception if it’s against really really strong competition.
Trask had a generational TE and some good WRs but they didn’t have a run game or a good offensive line. And he still managed to do what he did.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:57 pm
The Bucs have a tremendous wait list for season tix….it will start to evaporate soon if they don’t show fans a genuine effort to compete in the division and for playoffs
February 1st, 2022 at 1:58 pm
‘Joe is confident the only way to ensure those four return is if the Bucs have a quarterback. No, not Kyle Trask’.
Personally think the best way to ensure that Godwin, Fournette, Jensen & Davis return is to offer them a competitive contract. Godwin, Jensen & Davis were on the team BEFORE Tom Brady got here. All of them, including Lenny, have always been exemplary teammates & seem to enjoy being a Buc.
The Bucs MAY struggle in 2022, OR they may kick ass. None of us know at this point because over HALF of this roster is gonna flip. The NFC South will probably be weak for at least a couple of years BECAUSE of what NFC South teams did previously with their salary CAP. The mortgage is coming due IOW.
Carolina looks to be in the best position (ranking #16 with 56 players signed & $19.0 mil of CAP space left). Their problem is that they don’t have a very strong roster at this point.
Bucs are in the next best position (ranking #20 with 46 players signed & $7.7 mil of CAP space left). We’ve got an excellent core, but we’ve also got a lot of holes.
Atlanta comes in next best position (ranking #25 with 52 players signed but MINUS $5.8 mil of CAP space). Their problem is Matt Ryan (CAP Hit $48.7 mil with a dead CAP of $40.5 mil). Falcons are the poster child for what happens when you overpay and then kick the can down the street.
New Orleans has REALLY screwed the pooch (ranking #32 with 57 players signed BUT with a whopping MINUS $76.2 mil of CAP space). Lots of cuts on their horizon for them. No wonder Sean Payton left (I would too).
Admittedly CAP space right now isn’t a huge deal because each team will be making LOTS of changes before Game 1 this season (and that’s when the salary CAP REALLY counts). But it sure does look like some teams are starting way behind the 8-ball, and that’s not a good place to start.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:58 pm
Is Trask the next Burrow?
February 1st, 2022 at 1:59 pm
We knew the future was slightly mortgage with all of these backloaded contracts. We kept kicking the can down the road and eventually the can gets kicked into a dead end. We have to pick up some pieces and invest in building a new road that extends from the old road. There is a solid core but I don’t care what B.A. says. Sadly this is going to be more of a rebuild or a reload unless you get a stud veteran QB. Go trade for Russell Wilson. I don’t care how many picks it costs. This team is still built to win now. You have Wilson or a guy that holds that kind of respect and the FA’s and others will again want to be here. It’s a sad day in Tampa Bay
February 1st, 2022 at 2:00 pm
I think Brady will realize he isn’t getting attention any more and also regret that he didn’t try for one more SB. Big mistake listening to Gieselle…Brady will regret it. If we pursue Rodgers or Wilson then we have a chance to attract good players. Otherwise the Bucs are sunk…. More years in the den of depression with a string of mediocre QB’s. Based on what I’ve seen from Trask, he is a typical UF QB, great in college but not going to make it in the Pro’s. Grossman made it the farthest of UF QB’s but lost in the SB, but he wasn’t any good either, it was his defense that got him there. Think the Glazers now realize they need star power….and will go after a big name QB when they can.
February 1st, 2022 at 2:02 pm
with Brady gone the problem is NOT what the other players will do, is much bigger then that.
TB12 retiring we lost the QB, the HC, the OC. He was doing all these three positions(not de facto). An other position he was covering was GM, his “draft” was the main reason we won the SB.
Soon we going to feel the HUGE lost.
Mention here to go bold and hire Joshua Thomas McDaniels. Well Raiders got him.
Interviewing DC Toooddd was just a FAKE interview, they know he is NOT worth, he never was.
Soon we may learn that Jax were faking with BL as well (i hope not) cause he may become our HC.
BA and his staff are worthless, and we are stuck with them.
This is the tragedy that we are about to face. Is not one, two or three players…
We may be down for decades, if we don’t change coaching staff TODAY.
February 1st, 2022 at 2:04 pm
Speculation abounds…..
QB (multiple)
Jensen
Gronk
Davis
Cappa
Lenny
Rojo
OJ
Brate
JPP
Whitehead
Godwin
BA
Leftwich
Bowles
Pinion
Succop
These are the names floated in the past couple of days….
A smorgasbord of players…..for sure.
The simple fact is that we won’t have the money nor the draft picks to do much. Brace yourself for the exodus.
February 1st, 2022 at 2:04 pm
It’s rebuild time. With Brady’s retirement, there’s another $11.7 million in free cap space. That gives the Bucs and total of $30.4 million to play with. That means Tampa Bay can keep Godwin, Davis, and Whitehead with a little juggling. Jensen, JPP and Suh are dead men walking.
Might as well start Trask. While I wasn’t impressed with his mechanics and his spotty camp, he does have some nice intangibles. If he cleans up his mechanics, watches a ton of film, and studies the playbook almost every waking hour, he might create his own luck. If he makes a sizable jump, great. If not, let him suck. The latter will give the Bucs a shot at a possible high-ceiling QB after the ’22 season.
February 1st, 2022 at 2:06 pm
Wilson or Rodgers would be best, though Wilson doesn’t really fit in Arian’s scheme. And neither would come cheap and already have cap issues.
Next choices would be Derek Carr or Jimmy G. Though I see no reason why Vegas will let go of Carr.
No thanks to Bridgewater. We already had captain checkdown during the Glennon years, don’t need that again. Plus no one will want to resign with him. I’d honestly rather see what Trash has over Bridgewater, which would point towards a rebuild… again. And I don’t want that, but if they’re going that way, mind as well bring in the next coaching staff too while you’re at it.
Dang it Tom, can’t you come back for one more season lol?
February 1st, 2022 at 2:07 pm
yada yada yada
February 1st, 2022 at 2:07 pm
What’s with all the gloom and doom on here? I trust Licht who has proven himself. The offense and defense will have changes but unlike the old DARK AGES, they have solid cores to build from. The NFC South is a joke now. Aints, Falcons and Panther fans wish they had what we Bucs fans do. And what is it with all the flack over Trask? My only concern is Bowles. I hope he gives it one more season here.
February 1st, 2022 at 2:07 pm
*Trask, not Trash. LOL.
February 1st, 2022 at 2:13 pm
Trask, obviously deserve to be tested, but again before that we/he needs NEW coaching staff.
Trask is a very strong character, disciplined, serious, and can become a true leader.
He just need to be, talent wise, on top 10 QBs on the league, so he can care the franchise. But he is not Tom, no-one is. Tom did it without coaching staff, Trask NEEDS a good coaching staff, specially top DC. We do not have one, and that can set him up for failure, before he can even start.
Not only Trask, any new QB in our team is going to fail under BA.
February 1st, 2022 at 2:15 pm
Most of you people want to bring in whining Rodgers, Overpaid Wilson or pervert Watson. Joe you say while the core is still here let me see you have 10 starters that are free agents and Brady retiring, so you want to pay 30 mil plus for a QB that will come disenchanted within two years. I guess you think some of those 10 FAs will sign for free. Theres only so much you can do with the salary cap. Licht stretched it too the limit last year.
February 1st, 2022 at 2:18 pm
I’d be fine going with Trask and getting the cap under control.
We knew this day would come, and this team talent-wise is in far better shape than many teams who kicked the cap can down the road for a SB run.
Look at NO and the ATL.
Gonna be a really interesting off-season, for sure, as well as the draft.
Beyond wanting to hang from some established big-name QB’s nutsack, I don’t see how a knowledgeable fan can say Trask will be a failure in the NFL. The kid was a phenom at FL when he got his shot. Accomplishing what he did in the SEC is a solid start for a young guy. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of Mack Jones of the Patriots…which is a fine metric.
February 1st, 2022 at 2:18 pm
Joe now I am starting to feel like Mr. Bill…Ohh Noooo!
February 1st, 2022 at 2:18 pm
If Trask was in this years draft he is the #1 QB to be chosen, so give the dude a shot everybody doubted him from day 1 and his story is crazy, why not add a few more chapters to his growing story to NFL starter and Super Bowl winning qb; a lot will tell how the bucs really feel about Trask in the next few months
February 1st, 2022 at 2:19 pm
Brady…motivated with something to prove at 42 ( scaring others off ) with a very reasonable 2 year, $50 million deal…was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Something even similar isn’t likely to come the Bucs way again.
February 1st, 2022 at 2:19 pm
Our offensive line should be our top priority, but I wouldn’t mind trading Smith and drafting to fill that position. Once Jensen and Cappa are under contract, try to sign Godwin. Let Vaughn start and maybe sign ROJO cheap. The secondary is hot garbage in general, so I’d let Davis walk depending on how much he’s looking to get. Wonder if Suh has another year in him.
February 1st, 2022 at 2:20 pm
Maybe we can develop the Traskowski connection.
February 1st, 2022 at 2:30 pm
Some of the guys at the Sports Bar think that Brady will eventually return to the NFL, with the 49ers.
Remember, the 49ers were his first choice, not the Bucs.
February 1st, 2022 at 2:33 pm
Joe, you’re being rediculous. Pay them, and they will come. This is home, and they realize only one team can win the S.B. every year. Narrowing their teams to those who only have a chance to win it all, wouldn’t be a prudent business move. Haven’t you said in the past it’s always about the money? It’s about the money Joe. Look at all the players, and coaches that have left winning teams for a pay check.
February 1st, 2022 at 2:34 pm
Nothing to worry about…
Jason “ Lichthouse “ Licht is on the case.
We good.
February 1st, 2022 at 2:46 pm
No to Rodgers and Ru$$, they make too much and kill the cap. No to perv Watson. Carr wont be traded. Jimmy G possibly the best choice.
February 1st, 2022 at 2:48 pm
Russell Wilson – Not happening LMAO
Derek Carr – He’s a big reason McDaniels took that job
Deshaun Watson – bigger pervert than Jameis
Its Bridgewater most likely.
February 1st, 2022 at 2:49 pm
Save The Licht House…sign godwin, jensen…fournette, davis? Meh…
February 1st, 2022 at 2:50 pm
Ok guys, laugh at me if you want, but I have no idea who Gardner Minshew is.
February 1st, 2022 at 2:55 pm
A level-headed take by Eric at 1:43, full of perspective and the go forward direction I’ve been pimpin out here
Kudos
February 1st, 2022 at 3:00 pm
Consider yourself fortunate.
February 1st, 2022 at 3:02 pm
Suddenly the franchise that still has never signed a quarterback to a second contract out of the blue need a replacement for Brady to retain their free agents lol geez media can truly lay it on thick. It’ll be ugly like the nfc east was for a few years but there is no replacement for Brady. Wait a year then see what quarterback is available no need to go above and beyond for average quarterback play but trask would definitely need Jensen
February 1st, 2022 at 3:10 pm
Throwing around some pretty sickening names here for sure. But just be glad that the human Giraffe hasn’t entered the chat yet.
February 1st, 2022 at 4:00 pm
If Brady said “taking time for my family” or some such cliche then yeah maybe he would come back. His wording was very specific and telling (paraphrasing here) “I’m not willing to make the commitment to competing anymore.” That’s as stick a fork in ‘im as it gets
February 1st, 2022 at 4:13 pm
I know I’m sounding like a broken record..but as usual I second what D.R. and Cobra posted.
I agree that our Division is the weakest it’s been in years. As much as I hated the Saints I have to concede that Sean Payton is one of the very best coaches in this league. That alone changes the balance.
February 1st, 2022 at 4:42 pm
Pewter Power … ‘Wait a year then see what quarterback is available no need to go above and beyond for average quarterback play but Trask would definitely need Jensen’.
Yea verily. We’ve got way too many holes in our roster to be tossing mega-millions at any 1 position (like QB?) right now. For the past few years we’ve been able to restructure contracts to gain CAP space; that’s not very doable right now if you look at who’s under contract.
Several places though that we can ‘pick up money’ beyond restructuring contracts.
Example 1: We’ll pick up close to $12 mil this year as a result of Brady’s retirement. We’ll still owe him in 2023, but probably not beyond that (assuming we recoup some of the signing bonus).
Example 2: Hate to do it, but if we’re willing to ‘go younger’ in the Punter & Kicker areas, Bucs could save probably around another $6 mil on the salary CAP. And Cam Brate making $7.2 mil for 2022 makes him a prime candidate for renegotiating his contract or outright releasing him.
Example 3: Antonio Brown counts $3.3 mil against our 2022 CAP (Dead CAP). Since HE QUIT on the team, I’d go after that money in court; quitters deserve nothing.
Example 4: Restructure several contracts for our high $$$ players. The big money makers this year are Mike Evans ($20.6 mil), Shaq ($19.8 mil), Donovan Smith ($18.4 mil), & LVD (#14.8 mil). Each would be a candidate for restructuring.
Number of other things we could do to free up some shekels, but that still won’t give us what we;d need to sign BOTH of our high $$$ FAs (Godwin AND Davis, both running close to $20 mil each). Personally I’d stick with Godwin & replace Davis with a veteran AND a 1st Rnd CB pick (assuming one’s available when we pick who’s worth it).
February 1st, 2022 at 5:08 pm
Jensen is a must. CG14 should be the next priority, I just doubt we are able to retain him. Chris deserves to get the bag, and I hope he gets it, but if he is not willing to make a team friendly deal the Bucs may not be able to have as much depth across the board as needed to be a contender. Davis is a top ten corner and we absolutely can not let him out the door right now. Lump Whitehead in that same group, if he continues to improve at the rate he has season to season he will be our best overall defender. Allan Robinson may be up for grabs, he is not Godwin, but the drop off would be minimal and he may be had for less money, allowing us to keep depth across the board.
February 1st, 2022 at 5:23 pm
Sign Jensen and Davis. Evaluate Godwin on March 1, if dicey, don’t offer (yeah it hurts). Goodbye to Suh, JPP, Kappa, Gronk and other older vets. Go for Davante Adams and Rogers and package salary cap around them for two to three more runs. Adams & Evans with a decent Free agent TE would be awesome.
Plan boat parade.
February 1st, 2022 at 5:32 pm
How many wins do you really see?
Home
o Atlanta Falcons
o Baltimore Ravens
o Carolina Panthers
o Cincinnati Bengals
o Green Bay Packers
o Kansas City Chiefs
o Los Angeles Rams
o New Orleans Saints
o Seattle Seahawks
Away
o Arizona Cardinals
o Atlanta Falcons
o Carolina Panthers
o Cleveland Browns
o Dallas Cowboys
o New Orleans Saints
o Pittsburgh Steelers
o San Francisco 49ers
February 1st, 2022 at 6:36 pm
THANKS, TODD. Interview for some more head coaching jobs during the playoff run.
Oh, wait……because of your defense, the Bucs hard fought comeback against the Rams was wasted. There are no more games.
Great job, Bowels.
February 1st, 2022 at 7:31 pm
maybe Brady signs with pats for 1 day so he can retire there.
February 1st, 2022 at 10:19 pm
Minshew is a starting NFL QB. Hands down. He may not be a fit for the Bucs but he is a legitimate starter. He competes, and raises the level of the clunker teams and offenses he has been a part of. Joe you lost ALL CREDIBILITY with your Minshew hating with nothing to back it up.
February 1st, 2022 at 10:22 pm
Brady to the Raiders….?
February 1st, 2022 at 10:27 pm
Yes players want to win and now that they have had a taste I bet that desire burns more. But look around the league and how many teams have a legit QB. Jenson came here without a legit QB before Brady was signed. Many other players did too. Suh for example. I think Tampa would be wise to give Jenson another contract, keeping thar o line strong for the next QB. The o line will be just as important with a lesser quality qb or developmental qb behind center. Godwin, Jenson and davis are my locks to return. Whitehead is fringe. Jones, fournette, gronk, suh amongst others likely gone
February 1st, 2022 at 11:12 pm
If Godwin doesn’t want to come back, tough ti-tes… You tag him.