Report: Bucs Want Zuttah
February 21st, 2012
Soon-to-be free agent Jeremy Zuttah won’t be confused with a Pro Bowl left guard anytime soon, but he is a young, solid starter who’s extraordinarily valuable because of his ability to perform as a starting center and play every position along the offensive line.
As many of Joe’s longtime readers know, Joe’s a big fan of Zuttah, who has routinely taken a beating from Bucs management.
Keydrick Vincent was signed to put Zuttah on the bench before the 2010 season — that didn’t last — and then Ted Larsen was in the process of being gifted the starting left guard job over Zuttah before the 2011 season, before Larsen tanked badly during the preseason.
But now it seems Zuttah will prevail, so writes Tampa Tribune Bucs beat writer Woody Cummings. Zuttah’s agent says the Bucs want him on the roster.
“It seems the conversation is pointed that way,” LaMontagne said. “It is definitely in the direction where both sides want to get something done, so it’s just a matter of getting pen to paper and figuring out what makes the most sense for Jeremy.”
Staying in Tampa is apparently what makes the most sense to both sides. The Bucs have told LaMontagne they want Zuttah to be a part of their future under new coach Greg Schiano and Zuttah wants to be a part of that future, LaMontagne said.
Given Zuttah played for Greg Schiano at Rutgers, it’s easy to say Schiano wants his guy back. But regardless, the Bucs would be nuts to part with Zuttah. His versatility makes him a commodity around the NFL. This is a guy who mastered Chucky’s playbook as a rookie and stepped in flawlessly for Davin Joseph that season.
Joe has no doubt, though, the Bucs will have to pay Zuttah starter money if they’re to sign him before the free agency bell rings, as Cummings claimed is the goal. If the Bucs sign Zuttah and keep Jeff Faine (hardly a certainty), Joe can’t imagine a higher paid offensive line in the NFL.
February 21st, 2012 at 9:05 am
We need to keep Zuttah, as long as the price isn’t ridiculous.
February 21st, 2012 at 9:12 am
I read the news elsewhere before Woody claimed it as his own.
Uhh, Pete, Woody doesn’t claim “it as his own.” Why the hate? –Joe
February 21st, 2012 at 9:15 am
On Zuttah, I think he at least deserves double what he’s been making. He’s been making under $2 million per year I thiink.
February 21st, 2012 at 9:22 am
If he doesn’t start, he provides very valuable depth as he can play G or C. He may even play harder for his old coach.
Keep him even if you have to overpay a tad.
February 21st, 2012 at 9:35 am
“He may even play harder for his old coach.” – bucfanjeff
Come on. He is a professional athlete. He won’t play harder, but maybe better with better coaching.
February 21st, 2012 at 9:41 am
If we re-sign Zuttah and pay him starter money, while keeping Faine, there goes the little chance of us getting Nicks, as many have hoped for.
Look, I like Zuttah. But I’d like our line a LOT more with Zuttah at center, instead of LG, while cutting Faine and signing Nicks 🙂
February 21st, 2012 at 9:45 am
I agree…he usually plays pretty haberdasher. But I understand your point, BFJ
February 21st, 2012 at 10:03 am
agree fatmosh, I think we need a LG and have Zuttah play center
February 21st, 2012 at 10:05 am
Good news. Zuttah was one of our better-rated linemen and he’s versatile. We need to replace Faine and Trueblood (2 of the worst starting linemen in the league) so no sense replacing a 3rd who actually deserves a new contract.
February 21st, 2012 at 10:17 am
This is good news but if were paying him starter’s money he should be playing the position he’s best at and that’s center. At this point faine should either except the fact that he’s a backup at best and should restructure that foolish contract we gave him or be sent packing.
February 21st, 2012 at 10:34 am
Good move, Zuttah can play any position on the line, and although he is not a dominant force he doesn’t hurt the line either. Does anybody know how Zuttah graded out this past season or for his career better yet, would love to see how he has done on a statistics basis.
February 21st, 2012 at 10:40 am
Samson Satele?
He is a free agent center who graded out as ProFootballFocus’s number one run blocking center. This would allow us to keep Zuttah at guard, cut Faine, and sign Satele. We need a center who can run block if we are going to be running such a Power O as Schiano says. Satele basically broke even as a pass blocker so not too bad, however he was flagged most by a center with 8. He would fit in with the rest of the team at least in that matter and maybe Schiano and staff could fix his problems as well.
February 21st, 2012 at 10:48 am
Nicks won’t be available after the Saints tag him.
February 21st, 2012 at 10:51 am
They gave Trueblood $5 million a year, and he blows and is not as valuable as Zuttah.
No way they get away without giving Zuttah like a 4-year, $19 million deal with half guaranteed.
Zuttah was an economics major at Rutgers and graduated early. And Zuttah’s brother is a financial planner. There’s no fool on the other side of this negotiation.
February 21st, 2012 at 10:58 am
@Snook: Maybe, but they’re getting pretty close to that cap. Once Brees is on the books, that may be tough.
February 21st, 2012 at 11:02 am
@thibs5599: “Samson Satele?
He is a free agent center who graded out as ProFootballFocus’s number one run blocking center.”
Uhh, no he didn’t. He was the fifth best run-blocking center and 19th overall.
I mean, he’s still probably better than Faine, but he’s average at best.
February 21st, 2012 at 11:06 am
Got to keep him
February 21st, 2012 at 12:49 pm
@fatmosh
your right, my bad I must of read something wrong sorry about that. Anyway he is better than Faine. Another guy I really like is Kevin Zeitler from Wisconsin. I think he would be a great upgrade to the guard position and allow Zuttah to switch to center. However, I do not think we have a luxury of picking a guard in the second round with so many holes to fill, that is where he will probably get drafted. I would also love to get that 4th round pick back this yea somehow, maybe trade Faine?
February 21st, 2012 at 1:23 pm
Pay the man.
February 21st, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Pay Zuttah he gets better each yr