Lockout Giving Bucs A Breather
March 31st, 2011
Pressure is not on the Bucs to say anything or do anything in the wake of Aqib Talib being accused of acting like a modern day Paul Kersey.
For now, Mark Dominik and Raheem Morris can breathe the relaxing fumes of the NFL lockout and calmly assess the Talib situation on and off the field before making critical decisions, so says NFL.com analyst Steve Wyche.
Wyche reminds fans that the Bucs still have all their options on the table when it comes to addressing their secondary. And that even includes the two words seemingly abhorred by rock star general manger Mark Dominik: free agency.
Since there is no free agency until the courts or a settlement on a collective bargaining agreement dictate as much, the Bucs have time to assess everything before deciding what to do — at least in free agency. Had free agency gone off as planned, Asomugha, Joseph and other top-shelf corners probably would have been gone with Tampa Bay paying little attention because it felt so secure with Talib.
Considering the way things currently stand, that whole dynamic has changed — and so could the look of the Bucs’ secondary.
As Joe has written countless times before, Joe’s not seeing the value in paying Nnamdi Asomugha $20 million a season when that money could go fill more important holes.
Wyche brings up Johnathan Joseph. He’s younger and could make more sense all around. But Joe’s not going to pretend to be an expert on Joseph during his time with the Bengals.
Sadly, it seems the only guy who can replace Talib is, well, Talib. He’s that good. No doubt his on-field value will affect how the Bucs react to his legal funny business.
March 31st, 2011 at 2:52 pm
Joe that is sad that there are only maybe 4 CBs in the league better than this jerk! He does not know the God-given talent that he has be blessed with and an opportunity to earn a sizeable wage while doing it, and reagrded to as one of the best in the business.
I don’t see Joseph as good as Talib on size alone. But Talibb is a combination of all of the good corners because he seems to be able to play quick-twitch and big fast WRs. The list of FA CBs don’t impress me after Asomugha and Cromartie (who was torched by slot WRs)…Looks like the draft and our own reserves maybe the best resort.
March 31st, 2011 at 3:06 pm
If Mama Talib is willing to take the fall, we’ll have her baby boy on the field when (if) the season begins.
March 31st, 2011 at 3:07 pm
Most importnatly it gives them time to get all the facts.
It seems if Talib is innocent, his next course of action should be moving his family OUT OF THERE. Remove yourself from the situation that could lead to trouble.
March 31st, 2011 at 3:43 pm
Joe:
With no salary cap what do you care what the Glazers pay for talent? it pisses me off that this ownership group has brainwashed the public into thinking in terms of prices (its not your money) of every player and that some players, even better players, are too expensive.
If its your wallet, I get the concern about the cost of a player. If not, the Glazers have been shorting this community for 7 years on overall salary. If Nnamdi is the best corner available, acquire him – or honestly try to (not like the fake Haynesworth offer that had a large total value but in guaranteed money was not competitive and not in the ballpark yet many of argue that offer as some sort of proof that the Glazers arent cheap.)
I offerd a mercedes dealer 40k for a 75k mercedes for my wife, the dealer didnt accept the offer but I tried to tell my wife that I “tried”to buy her a 75k car – she wasn’t buying it. Either should you.
If you truly think that this team is ready to challenge for the division – you acquire the best player! Period. Who cares what the Glazers have to pay? THey spent less than everyone else in the league since 2004 – use some of that savings and stockpile the roster.
Quit discussing Talib. He is not worthy of consideration, either is T Jax. This team needs to rebuild the D, entiely – use Free Agency damnit!
March 31st, 2011 at 4:01 pm
Joe here,
@Thomas 2.2 — Joe doesn’t care about the Glazers money, but reality says there’s a finite amount that will be spent in any given season. It’s a business. They’ll have a budget. The Bucs are better off using that $$ in other areas of need, if they go in that free agency direction.
March 31st, 2011 at 4:07 pm
Hey Thomas, how’d that Haynesworth deal work out for Washington??
You’re bashing the Bucs front office for requiring a guy with questionable work ethic to earn his huge contract??
/missing the forest through the trees.
March 31st, 2011 at 5:27 pm
@hiregreg: i am not bashing the bucs for offering the contract, i am bashing anyone who argues it as ev that they r not cheap
March 31st, 2011 at 5:45 pm
Thomas , you are exactly right.
Joe’s logic for not wanting a pro-bowl corner like Asomugha on the roster is because….he wants to save the Glazers money ?? Seriously ?? Is Joe a fan , or is he the Glazer’s accountant ??
Pathetic.
Speaking of Haynesworth , if the Glazers were willing to offer him $100 mill , who’s to say they wouldn’t throw some money at Asomugha ? Who’s to say we SHOULDN”T if we are really serious about winning ?
March 31st, 2011 at 5:56 pm
Talib should be banished from the NFL…..the epitome example of WASTE…big whoop he could play football at the highest level a few hours each week…a few months each year…..l on a human level he is no different than the pan handler former DJ with a radio voice to die for that was everywhere…when the lights go out ….they are one in the same!
Talib goes down in Buc history along with all the other picks that did not pan out…Talib has NEVER listened…
March 31st, 2011 at 7:00 pm
If talib is not playing asomugha is the better fit for this team regardless of price. Joseph is a great corner but he is not as tall as aqib or nnamdi. I actually think biggers is good enough to lockdown your small fast twitch receivers. Joseph is basically a better version of biggers. Nnamdi or even cromartie could lock down the big receivers like white, colston, and calvin who we will see again this year. Someone made a great point earlier when he said aqib can cover both types of receivers, he is that good and we need him. If he doesnt play though we will need a corner to cover the big guys, because ronde isnt doing it. Nnamdi would be a ideal fit. We can be serious contenders so we better act like it regardless of cost. We have to get to the floor anyways.
March 31st, 2011 at 8:29 pm
until talib is actually found guilty of something other than being a moron in this case it isnt worth fighting about. fa hasnt started yet so the bucs still have time to gather all the facts.
March 31st, 2011 at 9:32 pm
thomas 2.2:
Joe’s giddy that Dan Snyder reads this site!
March 31st, 2011 at 9:35 pm
In the latest player rankings, Talib is the 11 th ranked CB in the league. Nnamdi is ranked first. 2 others ranked higher are also FA. We have more money to spend than anyone. I would rather have seen the money go to DE, OLB, and TE. But Talib cannot control himself, and won’t grow up. We must adress this now. Even if he gets away with a slap this time. It will just encourage him to continue escalating his violent behavior- each incident has been an escalation. He isn’t that great to begin with, and cannot be counted on to anchor the secondary. A sad waste, but time to deal with real life. Replace him. Then cut him and TJack. Make a clear statement to all the leagues players. In Tampa, you are a professional and an adult, or you are unemployed. No thugs, rapist, or drug addicts need apply. We are that kind of organization, and that kind of community! We make commitments- not excuses.
Nice to support a team that does the right thing, and has players who behave like adults. Our SuperBowl team had high character guys. We signed alot of scumbags during Gruden’s tenure. Time to field a team we are proud of again.
March 31st, 2011 at 10:08 pm
Thomas,
You are aware that Albert Haynesworth said publicly that the Bucs offer was larger than Washington’s but he wanted to play in the NFC East because it has larger media markets, right??
I understand that your argument is that the Bucs offer was less guaranteed, though I’ve never heard that, I’ll take your word for it. They also made K2 and Jeff Faine the highest paid at their positions. Care to argue those two contracts??
March 31st, 2011 at 11:21 pm
When I think of Talib, I don’t think of the shooting incicdent, I still think of him punching a cabbie in the BACK of the head… SMDH… I mean, WHO DOES THAT?
Then, next I think of him crying like a little b—- to the NFL officials, along with Raheem, until the official called him a little b—-… LMAO! Talib DESERVED THAT! Both Talib and Raheem lost us a VERY winnable game that night. Talk about losing your cool DURING a game.
Then, when Joe mentioned that he actually failed a drug test JUST BEFORE THE COMBINE! I mean, holy hell! I didn’t even know that. Seriously, how mentally challenged do you have to be, to be considered a 1st round draft pick, or any for that matter, and go off and smoke weed before the NFL combine??? I mean that should be an immediate ban from even being ALLOWED to ENTER the league. There are prospects paying for personal trainers and camps to PREPARE for the combine to gain as much speed and strength as possible. And this guy smokes weed and fails a drug test weeks before the biggest point in his life (at that point in time)?
It absolutely baffles me that there are still some people that are making excuses for this knuckle head. He has LOST the benefit of the doubt, period.
April 1st, 2011 at 2:22 am
Talib may or may not end up getting found guilty or suspended by the league or released or whatever, but lets not pretend that his skills on the field wouldn’t be missed. He’s one hell of a CB, I can only think of two guys for sure in the league that I might consider to replace him. He’s a 6’1″ 205 lb. CB with ridiculous ball skills and he’s only 25 years old. You don’t just throw players like that away.
April 1st, 2011 at 2:54 am
I’m still blown away by the fact that Thomas has a wife!
April 1st, 2011 at 7:35 am
So Dan Synder wasting money every year = Asomugha is a bad player who wouldn’t make us a better team ?
ummmmm, ok….
April 1st, 2011 at 10:26 am
CaptTim,
“We signed alot of scumbags during Gruden’s tenure.”
Yeah, like Ike Hilliard, Warrick Dunn, Keenan McCardell, Kevin Carter, Cato June, Tom Tupa, Josh Bidwell, Matt Byrant, Joe Jurevicius, Ken Dilger, Ricky Dudely, Ryan Neece, Kerry Jenkins, Roman Oben, Joey Galloway, Cornell Green, Greg Spires, Edell Shepard, Dave Moore, Brain Griese, Barret Ruud, Jermaine Phillips, Caddy, Maurice Stovall, or Ernest Graham…….Yeah those friggin scumbags! Tampa Bay Thugs we should have been called!
Give me a break. All head coaches sign a few rotten human beings. Glad to see your hate, clouds your vision, still!
April 1st, 2011 at 1:39 pm
I was thinking more of Jeremy Stevens, Tanard Jackson, and Aqib, just to list the recent failures. He signed more scumbags than he drafted ProBowlers, and that is a stone fact. Glad to see your rose glasses still keep you delusional, Lil
Cowboy! K
April 1st, 2011 at 2:35 pm
LilCaptTim,
You weren’t talking about player abilities in your post? Just quality character players and Gruden signed a bunch of scumbags! I call BS and listed some very high character players he signed.
BTW Funny, how those three didn’t get into trouble until Gruden was gone? Those three compared to the all the those other players is a very small percentage!
April 1st, 2011 at 2:48 pm
Joe,
I don’t think Dominik is that against free agency. Just because he has emphasized building through the draft, doesn’t mean he has implied that he “abhors” free agency. In fact, I’ve only heard him say how he wants to build the team through any effecient way possible. The thought that he abhors free agency is astoundingly absurd considering all the free agents we signed last year. MAYBE you can say he “abhors” big dollar free agents, but history has proven that otherwise to some degree as well. I don’t know why you keep writing this.