Painting Themselves Into A Corner
March 16th, 2013
Joe is confused. He hasn’t been this confused since he covered Bill Bidwill’s flock.
For months the Bucs raved about Roy Miller’s play. They credited him with the reason why Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David had breakout seasons. Yet they let Miller leave for the price of an NFL bag of popcorn.
The Bucs admitted they needed more quarterback pressures from their defensive line, yet they turn a cold shoulder to a dedicated soldier who led the team in sacks and led the defensive line in tackles for loss and let him leave for the price of a six-pack of beers at the Stadium on Dale Mabry.
Manatee High School has a better roster of cornerbacks than the Bucs, yet the Bucs back up a Brinks truck for a safety (Yes, Joe loves Dashon Goldson if you must know).
Speaking of corners, right now, not counting the draft, your Bucs starting corners could be Eric Wright and Danny Gorrer. Surely, Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik and Greg Schiano can see this. Ray Charles could see this.
Cornerbacks and the Bucs were a subject brought up in a recent BSPN NFC South chat.
GurS (Edgware, UK)
We all know the Bucs need at least two new corners. If they’re adamant on pursuing Revis, why aren’t we trying to sign a second (much-needed) corner? At best, gives us upgrades at both starting spots, at worst, becomes insurance if the Jets’ FO decide to keep Revis
Pat Yasinskas
CB market isn’t great, as the CBs are finding out. Think you’ll see them add a CB as market continues to cool.
Now Joe knows the Bucs have turned their noses up at the available cornerbacks believing they are not that good, especially for the price they are asking. That’s understandable.
Thing is, beggars can’t be picky. This just in: The Bucs were a handful of yards away from a the worst NFL pass defense. The only thing that has been addressed at cornerback is the Bucs’ ability to wash their hands of Eric Wright, if they are so inclined.
Pick the top four free agent corners that were out there looking for a new team. Can anyone say with a sober mind that those four — you pick the four — are worse than Danny Gorrer?
Now Joe has written before that he wouldn’t be opposed to Dominik pulling a Bill Walsh and drafting three corners in the first five picks. But that option is out the window right now because of the voids left by Bennett and Miller’s exit.
So last year the Bucs had the best rush defense in the league and by mid-March three of the starting seven — almost half — are gone. That is not a comforting thought.
But this is not an accident. It was the Bucs that willingly waved goodbye to Bennett and Miller. Quincy Black can’t come back because of nerve damage. The moves (non-moves?) thus far make so little sense. Joe must believe the Bucs have had some plan all along that will be revealed soon.
Time will tell, but Joe just cannot fathom the Bucs are prepared to start Wright and Gorrer at corner this fall.
March 16th, 2013 at 8:09 am
If you look at the free agent list there are about 8 corners still available that are better than what we have. Winfield, Talib, Jammer, Hall, Grimes, Porter, etc. I think the Bucs are going to wait a few more days and scoop up one, hope to pull of the trade and then draft one in the first three rounds.
March 16th, 2013 at 8:16 am
Draft pass rushing DT, Sheldon Richardson. He & McCoy can stop the run on the way to the QB. I’ve been on Shariff Floyd and/or Richardson this whole time. I’ll take Star Lotulelei too
March 16th, 2013 at 8:16 am
I hope the get some help, now we have even MORE holes to fill.
March 16th, 2013 at 8:30 am
Go Manatee High,my old school……As FOR THE Bucs,I like Wright as our #2cb
March 16th, 2013 at 8:41 am
We suck again!
Seriously…fire Dominik…I will include this in every post from now until forever.
March 16th, 2013 at 8:43 am
Bucs will trade next years #1. Top 5 pick for a cb that will make $15, 000, 000. Who is coming back from knee surgery. Somehow this makes them better.And at the same time let5 starting players walk. Great plan Dom.
March 16th, 2013 at 8:43 am
You said it yourself that they need a better pass rush. Keeping the status quo doesn’t achieve that. Obviously they feel a healthy Clayborn and Bowers will upgrade the pass rush and I think they plan to add a NT with more pass rush ability than Miller to wreak havoc and open up rush lanes for everyone else. Don’t be surprised if pick #13 brings that. They will most likely add another DE, but I’m also sure they like Teo-Neisheim as a part of the rotation he performef well when called upon last season.
Leonard Johnson and Danny Gorrer made rookie mistakes, but also showed flashes. They may have something in those two guys. That said, they may add a corner in free agency and in the middle rounds. I think Wright is their Revis insurance. Either way, the addition of Goldson will help the secondary overall. No offense to Ronde, but Goldson is All Pro at that position.
No need to jump off the Sky Way. I’m convinced this team has a plan. Keep the faith!
March 16th, 2013 at 8:48 am
This off season has been been nothing short of clueless. If Danny Gorrer and Eric Wright are the starting CBs on opening day- I believe it will kill what little momentum this team has built with its fan base.
I’m with you Joe, it makes no sense at all. I kept waiting for” the plan” last year, and they went into the season with the horrible Cbs they had. Looks like the same this year. The Jets payed Revis a Million today, due to a contract Claus. If they are gonna trade him- you think they would have done it before the payout.
Even if they wanted Different starter- Miller and Bennett would be invaluable as depth, for a D-line that has NO depth . Who is your starting DTs now. The two backups? Who has the back up DEs? Bet we can’t answer that!
It makes no sense.
I
March 16th, 2013 at 8:52 am
Te’o-Nesheim is the new Bennett. Only difference? He makes 1.3m, Bennett wanted to make at least 5m. Te’o-Nesheim is a good back-up for Bowers. Now you only have to draft one, or grab a vet in FA (Dumervil, Abraham).
Miller couldn’t rush the passer even if there was no o line to block him. He wanted somewhat like 2-3 million. He is easy to replace with a rookie or cheaper FA that could to exactly the same, if not more.
Black is gone, but we signed Casillas. We also have Heyward and the young Watson on that side of the field, and 2012 5th round pick Najee Goode. So that’s also taken care of.
Now on to cornerback. I’m 100% sure a Revis deal will work out soon. There you have him, the best cornerback since Deion Sanders. Now the Bucs can draft a #2 CB in the 1st or 2nd round. Depends on what kind of picks they’re shipping towards the Jets.
So, what is the problem. All problems can be taken care of either in FA with cheap options or in the draft. People are overreacting waaaaay to much on here.
March 16th, 2013 at 8:58 am
SIGN DUMERVIL FROM THE BRONCO’S NOW!!!!!
March 16th, 2013 at 9:02 am
Once again, what were the 2 things we need and asked for. Upgrade on the D line/ pass rush, and better play makers at the CB position. And we have neither, Dom, we the fan base, need something more here. I see blackouts galore again. Lucky for me I live in PA.
March 16th, 2013 at 9:10 am
Bennett AND Miller??
Any chance they are trying to switch to a 3-4??
March 16th, 2013 at 9:22 am
Defensive Line- I think it is very telling that nobody wanted to pay Bennett or Miller or give them long contracts. While I agree it would have been nice to re-sign Miller, I cannot agree that Bennett was a huge loss. In 8 games receiving significant playing time vs ATL/NO he has 15 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 forced fumble. These are teams that have thrown up and down the field on us the past two seasons and he has not been able to get to the quarterback at all. Superstars, heck even good players make plays when their team needs them. Fact is, Bennett was a one-trick pony he could stop the run and was only an average pass rusher. Average pass rushers do not get paid. I anticipate using the 13th pick on either Star Lotulelei, or Barkevious Mingo. Probably the latter since we lack an explosive pass rusher. A two down nose tackle should be an easier find in free agency than an impact rusher unless we convince and Osi or Abraham to sign on in the coming weeks.
Cornerbacks- I expect the bucs to sign a 2nd tier corner after the draft (Newman, Winfield, Jammer Deanagelo Hall) , and complete the Revis trade in the coming weeks. We just need to be patient. Wright will also be dumped. We will also spend one of our 4th rounders on another corner. That could give us Revis, FA from above list as starters, gorrer/johnson/rookie can fight it out for the depth positions and who knows might even have barber to blitz from nickel packages as well.
March 16th, 2013 at 9:25 am
Looks like Dom is saving cap space for the possibly to extend Freeman.
March 16th, 2013 at 9:28 am
Revis deal is coming…..I just hope he is healthy and signs a multi year deal thats fair and cap friendly (nobody else is going to do that for you Rev, 5 mill…15 mill…do you really realize how lucky you are?)
March 16th, 2013 at 9:29 am
Let’s not forget Joe, that these players have a say in where they play. It’s possible they instructed their agents to get them out of Tampa as quick as possible.
March 16th, 2013 at 9:31 am
First off, Danny Gorrer isn’t our starting corner even if we don’t pick one up in free agency so saying that is only to get people fired up. Minimally Leonard Johnson will start and I believe the bucs will add another starting corner in FA and the draft. Also Bennett didn’t give the bucs a chance to match the offer from SEA like he said he would but yet that hasn’t been reported on here. He “felt no love” so he took the offer and left. Well good bye. I have no problem letting him leave knowing he didn’t give us a chance like he said he would.
March 16th, 2013 at 9:32 am
@Joe
I don’t understand Dom’s move to unload defensive linemen when injuries plaque the Bucs every year. They should have kept Miller & Bennett and added a few more for better rotation.
The Manatee High reference was great! Go Canes!
March 16th, 2013 at 9:33 am
Hitler reacts to Bennet going to Seahawks lmfao:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzCvru-PjMU&feature=youtube_gdata
March 16th, 2013 at 9:33 am
My disappointment with this free agency period so far has been that my expectations were probably too high. Last year, we got Vincent Jackson, Carl Nicks, and Eric Wrong, in the first few days of free agency, and at that time, those moves provided great excitement for the future. Vjax did great, Nicks got hurt, and we all know the Eric Wrong story by now.
This year, with the $30M cap space, I expected all the same big moves again. Now a week into the free agency, it seems we have only gotten one true upgrade (Dashon Goldson -S).
Look, we finished 7-9 last year and last in the division…..again. Some starters need to go. I can only hope the Bucs well paid staff are making the correct moves.
I would speculate the the Bucs are waiting for Revis to be paid the $1M bonus by the Jets first (took place yesterday I think), then make the trade for him. That saves the Bucs $1M just to be patient for a few days. Once that deal happens, then we will start seeing more activity for Air Glazer.
Yes fellow Bucs fans, I think we are all feeling let down by this week of slow free agency news.
Joe, thanks for all your news and opinions…….feed me more!
March 16th, 2013 at 9:39 am
At this point, we better be picking up Revis.. With our low-$ signings in Casillas Ogletree and Crabtree, is it possible to have Revis, DUMERVILL and all our draft high draft picks on the roster and still be under the cap?
March 16th, 2013 at 9:54 am
Joe, et al,
We’ve got to make up our minds whether Schiano is driving the bus and quit hammering Dominik for these or the lack thereof.
I’ve made my mind up and I think this is Schiano all the way. He has had a year with this defense and he is dead set on running the defense that he attempted and is going to get the personnel he wants to run it.
Schiano is driving this bus and full speed ahead!
March 16th, 2013 at 9:55 am
*these moves
March 16th, 2013 at 10:18 am
I know the moves have been disappointing, but let us see the sum of the moves as a whole. There is no reason we can’t make a move or two that will make us better. Jenkins and Revis would be nice. Grimes and Revis would be really nice. I’d even be happy with Grimes and Jenkins plus Banks or Trufaunt from the draft. Remember…Bennet was a UFA signed from the Chargers practice squad. We will be fine. I rather have have these moves than signing Charlie Gardner and Stinkbomb to huge deals that force us to eat dead cap $$$
March 16th, 2013 at 10:23 am
Correction to my original post – Seahawks not Chargers
March 16th, 2013 at 10:28 am
Joe – we need to trust Dominick. He is waiting it out with a small war chest of dough. He will have us in a great position to grab depth at bargain pricing while the other teams run out of money. I think he will be able to steal a revis type player if he can stay patient. The last thing we need is for him to pull the trigger too early and make a Wright/Ward mistake. Is anyone excited about any of the corners on the market right now?
March 16th, 2013 at 10:42 am
Joe, the problem is that Dominik is trying to be too prudent in free agency. I understand making savvy business decisions /moves but when attempting to field a championship caliber team u have to have good players throughout your roster at the same position(s). Dom doesn’t seem to understand player/position depth. We will not be able to compete at a high level if the GM continues to think and operate that way. If we’re really trying to compete for a championship there’s no reason Michael Bennett, Grimes, Vollmer shouldn’t be on the roster, since Bennett is gone Dumervil should be in the building. I’m not saying go all out in free agency because I don’t believe that’s the route to either but at least add good to great players at multiple positions to build your talent so when it’s time to compete you stand up and compete at the highest level and truly become a legitimate contender.
March 16th, 2013 at 10:44 am
I hope the FO reads this column. Most of the comments are on the mark, imo.
We have a huge cap gap and aren’t spending it – except for the new safety. I don’t this Revis will be worth the high salary he demands. May well be another head case. I would use those $ and draft picks elsewhere. He isn’t worth the amount I’m hearing.
March 16th, 2013 at 10:56 am
Hey guys I have a question in the Revis,deal is Blount a for sure trade bait? This is something I herd but not sure it’s been confirmed.Does anybody know for sure?
March 16th, 2013 at 12:00 pm
Is there any chance that perhaps we could be gettng more than Revis in a trade with the jets?and that could be the hold-up. Maybe Cromartie could be involved or others such as Coples or Kyle Wilson? Just a thought. If the Jets are in rebuilding mode I see plenty of other pieces on their team that could fill wholes on ours and Cromartie I believe is better than anyone in free agency. We could send them multiple picks and they could free up their cap problems.
March 16th, 2013 at 12:03 pm
Joe for the life of me I don’t know why you try to get all these fake Bucs fan talking! (Maybe b/c it’s your job) Leonard Johnson played good last yr & got best by VERY good WRs and he’s our starter. Another thing is how can you get better by staying the same? Bennett wants to be paid like an elite DE which he isn’t! The market showed him that hence his 1 yr contract + signing w/ a team where he will be rotating as a DE (Avril + Irvin). These corners are trying to command money they don’t deserve & the reason the Bucs haven’t been to the playoffs in yrs is bad contracts to the wrong players! Patience is the key so I like the approach, very smart
March 16th, 2013 at 12:23 pm
@Joe
Talib to NE for 1yr 5 mill
March 16th, 2013 at 12:30 pm
@ CanadianBucsfan and @Cannuckbuc where you guys from? I’m one of only 3 bucs fans from Saskatchewan that I know of. Just wondering which part of the great white north your from. Great posts by the way.
March 16th, 2013 at 1:22 pm
I live in Southern Ontario! Saskbuco I know how you feel dude, I have not met ONE buc fan here in my life!
March 16th, 2013 at 1:27 pm
Remember at the Senior Bowl and Combine, NSO couldn’t take his eyes off the DB’s. I think NSO and Rockstar REALLY LOVE, this class of corners coming out in the draft. They are ready to draft two corners in the first four rounds.
I would rather they sign one FA corner right now, in case the Revis deal doesn’t go through. We just have to have some faith in the NSO/Rockstar plan.
March 16th, 2013 at 1:42 pm
Can we please stop with the Dumervil talk? Please? An undersized 3-4 OLB is NOT a good fit in our 4-3 defense as a DE. I know Dumervil is stud but he is not the right player for our system.
March 16th, 2013 at 4:03 pm
Hey Saskco and Canadian I live in southern Ont and the same as you guys I am the one and only around here who likes the Bucs
March 16th, 2013 at 4:06 pm
Hey Saskbuco sorry for screwing up your name in my prior anserw
March 16th, 2013 at 7:22 pm
Bucs will be ok, they have Barron and Goldston as safeties, They will sign Revis and have him on one side and as much as people hate it, they will redo Wrights deal and he will start at the other corner, Wright is a average corner and can succeed.
March 16th, 2013 at 7:43 pm
jets may not trade revis
March 16th, 2013 at 8:11 pm
I think every one needs to take a chill pill. If all the experts on this board can see where the bucs need help, im sure that Dominik can. Lets wait till the end of free agency,and if the bucs have not filled all the holes then have at them. Its only been 5 days so lighten up!
March 17th, 2013 at 12:01 pm
Go Manatee ( im a db coach there)