Is Dream O-Line $3 Million Away?
April 9th, 2013
A couple of weeks ago, Joe wondered what a great fit durable, veteran right tackle Eric Winston could be for the Bucs. The guy is a very good player and hasn’t missed a game since 2006.
Joe was of the mind that Winston, who was purged in Kansas City’s overhaul, would be a significant upgrade to Demar Dotson and likely could be had cheap, or at least for less than the $4 million Jeremy Trueblood fleeced Tampa Bay for last season.
But now it’s clear that Winston, per Winston himself (via ProFootballTalk.com), will gladly accept a one-year deal for $3 million.
Winston said on Sirius XM NFL Radio that he knows he won’t get the kind of money he got last year from the Chiefs, when he signed a four-year, $22 million contract that included a $4 million signing bonus. The Chiefs cut him to avoid paying a $4.9 million base salary for 2013, and now Winston is just hoping some team will pay him more than $3 million in salary this year.
“In the $3-4 million range is something that I think is more than fair for a starter who has played pretty well throughout his career,” Winston said.
C’mon, New Schiano Order, get Winston to One Buc Palace for a workout. A move like this could immediately take the Bucs offense to a new level. It’s worth a closer look.
A team angling for a win-now transaction like trading for Darrelle Revis should be looking to complement that with other win-now moves that don’t mortgage the future.
Rockstar general manager Mark Dominik has only drafted one offensive lineman in four drafts — a fifth-rounder who didn’t pan out — for a reason. So Joe doesn’t see how signing Winston would get in the way of his philosophy.
April 9th, 2013 at 11:14 am
The argument for Winston is compelling. Added to which is documented history and NFL film so you know(almost) what you are getting. Value added. Go Bucs!
April 9th, 2013 at 11:16 am
I’ve been on the “Sign Eric Winston” band wagon since he was released. He’s a solid player who doesn’t get hurt, and would eliminate all questions along the O-Line, at least as far as the starters are concerned.
The fact we haven’t even brought him in for a visit, nor a guy like Clabo who was released last week, leads me to think the Bucs may be hoping for Lane Johnson to fall to 13, plug him in at RT, and have Dotson as the swing back-up.
April 9th, 2013 at 11:21 am
The Bucs will not make another FA signing of significance. I’d like them to take a look at Winston. I’d like them to take a look at Antoine Winfield and Rashean Mathis as well, but it appears the Glazers are all in on Revis and will not be spending anymore money.
April 9th, 2013 at 11:22 am
I liked Winston coming out of college. Something sounds very odd though, he just signed a nice contract last year and then they cut him… and nobody is interested? 1 year for 3 to 4 mill is pocket change for most of these teams. This is a very weird off season.
April 9th, 2013 at 11:25 am
or..
Brandon Albert & Andre Smith. Any of those would be dream o-line scenerio so Im not demanding an RT just yet.
April 9th, 2013 at 11:27 am
Eric Winston was not very good last year. Now he’s on his third team in three years. My idea of a dream O-line does not have Eric Winston at RT.
April 9th, 2013 at 11:28 am
I’d be all for this. Winston would be a great pickup. Dotson has played admirably and he is a great, versatile backup, but Winston would be a huge upgrade for a fairly low price.
Go get him!
April 9th, 2013 at 11:32 am
I like this idea. Demar Dotson could rotate in to keep Winston fresh and healthy. It would give us good depth as a result.
J 2.0
“Appears” is the key word there. Dominick surprises us each year in the draft. Teams are holding back releasing cap guys now until after the draft so as not to tip their hands.
Don’t be surprised if we see some decent signings after the draft as well.
April 9th, 2013 at 11:34 am
This would be a great addition. This guy is very reliable and with our history of injuries along the line bringing this guy in makes too much sense. With Demar Dotsons ability to play nearly every position on the line we would be set to have a great year not to mention it could be one less position to fill on draft day. Besides, we could be losing picks in this highly likely Revis deal. Go Bucs!!
April 9th, 2013 at 11:35 am
@T in Orlando
“The fact we haven’t even brought him in for a visit, nor a guy like Clabo who was released last week, leads me to think the Bucs may be hoping for Lane Johnson to fall to 13, plug him in at RT, and have Dotson as the swing back-up.”
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You DID read the last paragraph of the artice, didn’t you?
April 9th, 2013 at 11:36 am
Apparently other teams don’t see Winston as an upgrade to what they already have. So maybe Dominik and Coach are happy with Demar. Maybe if Eric would sign as a backup for the veteran minimum the Bucs might be interested in. He’s worth at least a looksee.
April 9th, 2013 at 11:39 am
It is odd that most players over 30 are having a tough time finding work this offseason.
April 9th, 2013 at 11:39 am
I’d love to see Winston anchoring the right side of our Oline. Clabo is also out there as well. Either of them is an upgrade over Dotson and would make our running and passing games better….then maybe our defense wouldnt be on the field so much.
April 9th, 2013 at 11:44 am
@jeagan
I think a more accurate and consistant Freeman would solve that problem without having to sign a new RT. But I would be all in for singing Winston or Clabo.
April 9th, 2013 at 11:45 am
Winston or even Clabo would be great acquisition for a decent price. Winston is durable and would be good competition for Dotson on the right side. It’s all about protecting Freeman, but I guess if your not a greedy A-hole with a bad knee the Buc’s aren’t interested.
April 9th, 2013 at 11:45 am
Seems like a no-brainer to sign him at that price.
April 9th, 2013 at 11:47 am
The longer our Offense is on the field the less we have to see our Defense! Whatever happen to long sustaining drives? Wasn’t that the plan? I guess the injuries to Nicks and Joseph killed that plan huh??
April 9th, 2013 at 11:53 am
Freeman doesn’t know how to convert on 3rd down in order to run a sustaining drive.
April 9th, 2013 at 12:05 pm
We need another tackle, capable of starting. Get Winston. Why wait?
April 9th, 2013 at 12:10 pm
To sign Winston or Claybo would put more pressure on Josh Freeman. Add to that the posable signing of Revis , can you imagine the head case “only 24-25 year old Freeman will be? I just hope Domonic will get out of the toilet and get some more FA so we can plug holes with the draft.
April 9th, 2013 at 12:31 pm
@JBsk,
I think Dom is going about this just the opposite of what u stated. He may be waiting to draft what is available with god knows what picks by the time draft day comes and goes, then sign FAs to plug the holes. Which at this point would be the better option.
However, to sign Winston or Claybo now and at just $3Mil would be a steal IMO.
I really dont’t blame anyone for how they feel rather I share the same opinion or not. We Bucs Fans are just so anxious because we are indeed so close to being a playoff team (possibly a consistent playoff team at that) and very promising young team.
April 9th, 2013 at 12:34 pm
Winston is great ZONE blocker. We don’t run a zone blocking scheme…so he doesn’t fit our system…
April 9th, 2013 at 12:40 pm
Winston’s played his entire career in zone-blocking offenses. Will he be as effective in our scheme? He also draws a lot of flags for holding.
April 9th, 2013 at 2:09 pm
I think Clabo would almost be a better fit for us. Bring him in and our offensive line will be one of the best around (Martin might get 1,500 yds rushing or more). I’d forget all about Revis and draft Lotuleilei or Richardson and then try to move back into the last half of the first round again for Banks or the best available CB! Re-sign Wright to a lower salary (maybe around $4-$5 mil a year) move Ronde back to our nickel CB, resign Dallas Clark for another year….I honestly think we could win 10 or more games with that team!!
April 9th, 2013 at 2:20 pm
According to Mark Dom… you are either “ubber-elite” or “meh, run of the mill”.
There is no middle gound with him. Look at the pay roll… either top salaries or min salary guys.
Seems to be working.
April 9th, 2013 at 6:03 pm
Bucfan238-yup ! working like a charm! That’s why we have all this playoff wins, and SuperBowl rings since Dim took command!
40- 24! Any Gm would be proud of that record!
Wait, I think I wrote that backwards . . .
Signing Eric Winston would be a brilliant move. Giving the team both great starting talent- and some depth. The Offensive line and WR being the only units not needing to be rebuilt- or have depth added.
It would be the first glimmer of intelligence shown this entire offseason.