“Bucs Are Going To Have To Set The Market”
July 6th, 2011
Back up the Brinks truck, the Bucs are going to toss cash around when free agency starts like a lottery winner at Mons Venus, so reports NFL.com senior reporter Jason La Canfora, who doubles as a talking head on NFL Network.
In a live chat today, the seasoned scribe says he’s talked to his share of NFL executives who agree wholeheartedly. La Canfora even claims the Bucs will have to “set the market” with fat contracts if the new labor agreement mandates an annual cash minimum on salaries. La Canfora also dropped the popular Nnamdi Asomugha bomb.
Mika – 12:23 PM
If there is a higher cap floor as is being proposed, how is Tampa going to be able to spend the money to reach it? Seems like they would need to drop $30mm+ in free agency. Don’t they pretty much have to sign Nnamdi to $16mm/year to meet these new standards?Jason La Canfora, NFL NetworkI was talking to two GMs this morning and ran this very scenario by them, and neither disagreed. The Bucs are going to have to set the market with a deal or two to get up to the cash thresholds if that ends up being in the deal. And while I hear Nnamdi would like primarily to go to a team that is seen as a perennial contender, he also knows money talks and he ain’t a spring chicken anymore Remember, the Bucs put a pretty massive deal ont he table for Haynesworth a few years back as well. I could see them out-bidding others for Nnamdi (but that average per year is gonna be more like $19M than $16M). That would not surprise me. Talib could be gone and Ronde is year to year at this point. They have added some youngsters to the DL and need to address the back end. I also could see them being aggressive to add a weapon for Freeman as well.
July 6th, 2011 at 7:36 pm
I honestly dont think that the Bucs would throw that kinda money at Nmandi not b/c they cant I just think they dont value that position at that price..I think they value the other positions MLB,DEF Line, qb, Wr much higher then corner..just cant see it happening but damn sure would be fun to see nmandi in our secondary..
July 6th, 2011 at 7:46 pm
I have to agree with Florio and Joe.
It’s important to sign our own, particularly when so many of our own are very good young payers who will be around awhile.
They’ll spends some, as they always do, on some outside help but I don’t see many huge contracts to players not already here being offered this summer.
And I have no problem with it either. Keep this team together, keep getting better and add when available later.
Smart, just smart.
July 6th, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Let’s re-sign all of our guys first and then we can take a shot at Asomougha
July 6th, 2011 at 7:46 pm
our coach is a former DB coach and has a huge love for talented DBs, our coach is also REAL close with the best GM Mr. Dominick so if he want NA im sure he coulld sell it to Dominick. lets sign Davin,Blood,Rudd, & for good measure lets get Nnamdi. we as fans deserve it lol! LEST GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 6th, 2011 at 7:54 pm
Someone needs to tell the Glazers that cap room cannot be used on Man U players.
July 6th, 2011 at 8:04 pm
If we have to spend so much, I don’t understand why they could not sign our free agents and Nnamdi. Can you imagine a defensive backfield with Talib and Nnamdi. I’d bet Talib would have a monster year. If the Bucs can’t sign this guy and sign our free agents how can any other team? It’s not like we have a bunch of superstars yet. I’m betting Freeman and Blount might want to play the year out and try for a bigger contract. Regardless all teams have their superstars that get the bulk of the teams money. Right now we have a couple guys that are earning big money. At the end of the year we add a few, subtract a few, renegotiate a few. I’m sure the rock star can sign whomever we need including Nnamdi… If he thinks were a close..(2years)
July 6th, 2011 at 8:07 pm
If I had to spend a large chunk of money I would rather spread it around and pay some young up and comers like mike will and blount; rather than give it all to 1 guy like NA when 1 injury could render that money wasted. 19 mil/yr will create issues in the lockerroom when guys like mike will are playing for peanuts.
July 6th, 2011 at 8:07 pm
In addition, the cba is supposed to include a rookie scale which in turn gives the Bucs (and every other team) more money to sign free agents and resign their own players.
July 6th, 2011 at 8:13 pm
As far as Mike and Blount, I’m sure their under contract and both are going into their second year. I have no doubt if the guys continue to excel the money will come under their next contract but your not going to back the truck up for these guys just after 1 year. Remember Claytons second year and every year after that. I in no way think Williams will be another Clayton but let’s let the guy have another good year before we pay out.
July 6th, 2011 at 8:26 pm
Joe here,
@Brad — Don’t completely disagree with you. However, if you have to spend money, do you spend it on Josh Freeman and Mike Williams halfway through 2011 thereby saving yourself cap room in future years, assuming he stays healthy and productive, or do you spend it on an unrestricted free agent?
July 6th, 2011 at 8:29 pm
If Nnamdi is signed, Talib would switch to Right CB since Nnamdi pretty much only plays the Left side. Talib is weaker on the right side, but I doubt it would take him long to acclimate. This would also push Barber into full time Nickle, which is his bread-n-butter anyways. As much as I haven’t been on board with signing Nnamdi, if we have to spend money, I don’t see it as a bad move at all. This would benefit Ronde the most. I wouldn’t have a doubt in my mind that we would have the best CB three-way tandem in the NFL.
If the pass rush improves, it pretty much guarantees teams will be forced to run on us, which we will still be fairly bad at this year. Of course, Freeman could stave off opponents run game by making another huge leap in production. Which would force teams to throw against us more often, which would be terrible for them.
If Nnamdi wants to come and we have to spend the money, I say “pull the trigger”. It certainly wouldn’t hurt anything and it potentially could have an enormous impact for our defense.
July 6th, 2011 at 8:44 pm
@Joe .. Of course on Freeman and Williams but is there any reason we can’t do both. We are only talking about the floor. The Glazers said when it’s time to sign our guys to second contracts they would spend. What happens if they not only get to the floor but go half up to the ceiling? Everyone’s assuming the Glazers will stop at floor but I dont.
July 6th, 2011 at 8:46 pm
Man I can’t even stop smiling I’m so geeked 4 the season.. Joe if we get Asomugha and stay healthy as a whole team man it’s going down then bucs should get or already have the 2014 superbowl right Joe or 2015 super bowl in Tampa?
Can’t wait 2 match the Saints and Falcons mono e mono there WRS VS OUR DBS…
July 6th, 2011 at 8:48 pm
La Canfora says that NA wants to go to a team that is a perennial contender BUT money talks…
I know we haven’t been to the playoffs in a few years, but really? It’s not like we’re talking about the Texans here, and god knows there’s enough rumors floating around of them scooping up NA. No respect I tell ya, no respect at all
July 6th, 2011 at 8:57 pm
I am cautiously optimistic that the Glazers have given Mark Dominick the green light to do whatever it takes to put this team over the top. They may be there now with what they picked up in the Draft, but I think we need 1 great CB, and another Safety. I hope they give Tanard another chance and that he can regain his early skills, but that’s real iffy at best. My wish list includes Ike Taylor and Nnamdi Asomugha, and that’s it. I want Patrick Willis but that will never happen. I think the Bucs need Ruud about as much as we need Thomas 2.2″
July 6th, 2011 at 9:00 pm
I will reassert my prediction if the CBA has a new hard floor:
The cheap a– Glazers will sign Joel glazer to the 53 man roster at 30 million per year. These Glazers are never going to legitimately spend competitively without being made to.
With that being said, I want nnamdi but wouldn’t pay him 16 to 19 million per year guaranteed, honestly. But they do need to add a few accomplished vets – maybe Joseph at cb and a wr, Steve smith or equivalent.
July 6th, 2011 at 9:00 pm
And I hope they keep Adam Hayward. He’s a stud and this could be his year to shine.
July 6th, 2011 at 9:01 pm
And I hope they keep Cadi. He’s worth a lot because of how well he protects Freeman.
July 6th, 2011 at 10:38 pm
Matt light, aso, edwards, or ever roy williams.. id be ok with picking up any of them
July 6th, 2011 at 11:25 pm
I have to admit Thomas signing a glazer to a contract to meet the floor is pretty damn funny. Good stuff.
July 6th, 2011 at 11:36 pm
Personally I think you keep the good players you have and don’t waste money on high priced free agents. To get to the salary cap make it incentive based for the whole team. When they hit say six wins start distributing the money to the whole team. If they get say 8 wins they all collectively reach the bottom amount on the salary cap. As they rack up more wins they get closer to the top portion of the salary cap. This way the whole team works together and everyone gets more money. Even the Glazers will benefit because more wins equal more fans. Go BUCS!!!
July 7th, 2011 at 12:30 am
Finally, a post from Thomas that isn’t mean spirited and calling others animals! I feel good after reading one of your posts for once, this is a great day.
July 7th, 2011 at 12:31 am
with the potential of having MASSIVE amounts of free agents, im not sure dom goes after the biggest fish in the pond. a bunch of good sized fish seems more likely and probably smarter to me.
Although, with the small amount of time that new free agent signings will have to pick up on their new scemes, i think home grown talent will be priority #1 for almost all teams.(ruud) then it will come down to the biggest free agent frenzy the league has probably ever seen.
If this lockout ever ends, get ready for way more fireworks than you saw this past weekend. we’ll all have to be refreshing this site and profootballtalk every 5 seconds just to keep up. yo joe, you ready to temporarily hire about 3 or 4 more guys????????
July 7th, 2011 at 1:06 am
Re-sign Joseph, Ruud, Caddy and Black. As far as cornerbacks go, Asomougha would be a real gift to our defense. Barber won’t be around much longer and even if Talib returns, we’ll still need an eventual replacement for Barber. If Talib doesn’t return, then signing him is a must. Also, having 3 great CB’s is something most teams don’t have.
I really think Talib is gonna be found innocent. 17 of the 19 witnesses say that he didn’t have a gun and as far as I’m concerned, there’s no real evidence that shows he did anything wrong. And even if he did, he might’ve just been using his 2nd amendment rights to protect his sister or whoever it was. C’mon, if Casey Anthony is innocent when there’s no doubt she killed her daughter, then Talib is most certainly innocent.
July 7th, 2011 at 7:06 am
I know that 16-19 million is the number that folks throw around for Nnamdi, but how do we know that this will actually be the number? If a hard cap is really in place, some teams will have to be very careful, and those that may normally break the bank on Nnamdi may not be able to. He’s only worth what the market will bear, and I would be surprised if he gets an offer at 19/year. Just too much uncertainty. I would love the Bucs to sign Nnamdi, but only at 12-15/year range.
I can’t wait for the insanity that will be the abbreviated free agency period.
July 7th, 2011 at 7:57 am
I know everyone is excited about Nnamdi, (and I would love to see him in a Bucs uniform) but the Raiders are known for over paying and are more than willing to keep that defense together.
July 7th, 2011 at 8:02 am
Mauha Deeb, Perhaps he could play either side but Asomugha is not a zone, ie, Tampa-2 type CB. He is a press coverage, man-to-man CB who has only played the right side since he has been in the league, all of which has been with the Raiders. http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/38044/59/the-2011-defense-market
July 7th, 2011 at 8:56 am
I agree with Joe. I just don’t see them overpaying for a big name star…. especially now that it appears Talib will be here this year since his trial is set for March.
The only big name, big contract guy I see them POSSIBLY signing is someone on the D-Line since Brian Price is probably heading to the PUP and if Bowers is not 100%.
The other possibility is an O-Lineman if they can’t get Joseph back, but I don’t see that happening.
The most likely thing:
Jopseph gets a big deal
Trueblood gets a decent deal
Ruud takes big money and goes elsewhere
Freeman, Williams, Blount, McKenzie (if he is the starting MLB and does decent), & Biggers if he plays well…. all get contract extensions/offers halfway through the season
July 7th, 2011 at 9:17 am
Hmmm, exactly what I’ve been saying since Feburary. All that money, with the best FA class ever- that’s not a coincidence, it was a plan.
Nnandi is the best CB in football. It’s not even close. Talib will screw up again, and will be gone. Barber someday( sadly) will age. Nnandi can hold down the secondary- with Lewis, Biggers, and Gaitor, for years to come. If Talib decideshe wants to be on the team occasionally, between suspensions and crime sprees, even better.
I expect the Bucs to sign a great Db( Nnamdi), a Great LB or two, and another field streching TE for Josh. Also a LG.
Just wait and see- it’s gonna be exciting iF FA ever happens!!
July 7th, 2011 at 10:23 am
@Macabee I agree. I realize his position side mixed up. In that case, he would play the RCB and Talib could be back at home at LCB. Everybody wins.
July 8th, 2011 at 12:34 am
I would love to see Nnamdi in a bucs uniform this season but I just don’t see it. As awesome as it would be to have him I think he would come at too high a price. If they decide to go secondary when free agency finally begins I would rather them go after Jonathan Joseph who is younger will be cheaper and is more experienced in zone coverage, and still a solid player. Aside from that I really hope we can resign our own, especially Joseph and Cadi. As far as re upping our own young guys goes I would rather wait to see a larger sample size than one season. Clayton and Cadi each had monster rookie seasons as well but never duplicated them, I don’t think that will happen again but I have nightmares about mike will pounding his fists on the ground after a drop and blount holding his knee on the ground (This Damn Lockout is getting to me). As Sapp says 1 is a fluke, 2 is lucky after 3 you have arrived. Id wait a little longer.