Where can Buccaneers spend $43 million in cap space?

[michael89156]

Where can Buccaneers spend $43 million in cap space?




By Sander Philipse on Dec 28, 3:01p







Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sport



The Bucs could have $43 million in salary cap space to spend this offseason, where will they spend that money?



By restructuring the contracts of Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks to free up cap space next season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made their intentions clear: they will spend some money this offseason. Whether that means they'll be extremely active in free agency remains to be seen, but you don't free up an extra $18 million in cap space, hurting your cap space in future years, to then do nothing with it. The Bucs now have around $30 million in cap space for next season, although signing their rookies will take around $6 million of that space. They can easily free up another $13 million by cutting Quincy Black and Eric Wright, though. Black is almost certainly gone, while Wright is far from safe.

So where will the Bucs spend? That's tough to say, as they have plenty of options. They could re-sign their own free agents, they could hand out some contract extensions or they could delve into the free agent market. Let's go through the options.
 


Re-signing (un)restricted free agents
 
DE Michael Bennett
Likely cost: $7-9 million per year
 
Re-signing Bennett really should be the team's number one priority this offseason. He's versatile, outstanding against the run and has gotten better every year. He leads the team in sacks with nine this season and has been the second-most important player on the defensive line, behind Gerald McCoy. The only thing potentially stopping this re-signing is the price. With Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers the Bucs already have two talented defensive ends and may feel like they're over-committing to one position. However, the fact that Bennett can play inside on passing downs should help get him a new deal. Even if he's a nominal backup, he's likely to play some 60 snaps per game.

DT Roy Miller
Likely cost: $2-4 million per year
 
Roy Miller has been an outstanding run stopper this season, after several years of up-and-down play. The Bucs should make attempts to re-sign him, but there's no need to break the bank. While Miller's a very good anchor at nose tackle, he brings next to nothing as a pass-rusher. He should come fairly cheap because of that, but if they can't reach a deal, letting Miller walk won't be the end of the world.

CB E.J. Biggers
Likely cost: $1-2 million per year
 
Biggers has consistently played more than he really should be playing. He's not the best tackler, lacks some physicality and just gets beat a little too often. He's not a horrible cornerback by any means, but he shouldn't be much more than a nickel or preferably dime cornerback. The Bucs may not want to spend much money there, even though it's one of the weakest positions on the team.

RB Legarrette Blount
Likely cost: $1-3 million for one year
 
Given the fact that Blount has been used extremely sparingly this season (41 carries), he's unlikely to return. However, the Bucs could tender the restricted free agent for between $1.25 and $2.7 million depending on the compensation level. This would keep him in town for one year. This seems unlikely
 
TE Dallas Clark
Likely cost: $4 million per year
 
The Bucs had Dallas Clark in town, and he turned out to be a serviceable if limited tight end. He hasn't threatened anyone down the field, but he was a pretty reliable move-the-sticks receiver. Still, will they want to shell out around $4 million per year to an aging, over-the-hill tight end, or will they look elsewhere?

FS Ronde Barber
Likely cost: $3-4 million for one year
 
Ronde Barber has played at a high level at his new position, and the Bucs have made it clear they want him back. This deal will happen if Ronde wants to return. It's as simple as that.

RT Jeremy Trueblood
Likely cost: $2-3 million per year
 
Demar Dotson has been pretty decent at right tackle, but the team does lack depth at the position. They could bring back Trueblood at a low price point to be a backup, although he's limited in that role because he can only play right tackle.

WR Sammie Stroughter
Likely cost: $1-2 million per year
 
Stroughter has been a serviceable if injury-prone return specialist and slot receiver with the Bucs. Re-signing him would be cheap and useful, and fairly risk-free as they're unlikely to give him a lot of guaranteed money.



Offering players contract extensions
 
WR Mike Williams
Likely cost: $5-8 million per year
 
It's hard to gauge Williams' price point, but he's played well this season. Williams should be a part of this team going forward, and with 2013 being his final contract year the Bucs could look to extend him this offseason.

QB Josh Freeman
Likely cost: $10-17 million per year
 
There's a lot of leeway in price here, because I honestly have no idea what it would take to re-sign him. This is slightly unlikely, but it would hardly be a bad move, if they manage to get the right price. Locking up a young quarterback while leaving outs in case he really doesn't develop is a solid idea.

T Demar Dotson
Likely cost: $3-5 million per year
 
Demar Dotson has one year left on his contract and has looked like a pretty decent right tackle this season. Given his lack of experience it is reasonable to expect some more growth, and re-signing him now could be a good idea.
 
LB Dekoda Watson
Likely cost: $1-2 million per year
 
Watson is a beast on special teams and has shown some potential as a strong side linebacker. He's a pretty good backup, and with just one year left on his contract they could look him up long-term for a small investment.



Signing free agents
 
Cornerbacks: Aqib Talib, Brent Grimes, Sean Smith, Chris Houston, Cary Williams, Derek Cox, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Mike Jenkins, Quentin Jammer, Tracy Porter and others
 
Every year, we see a number of fairly high-quality cornerbacks hit the market. This year will be a little different, as the Bucs obviously won't go after Aqib Talib after trading him for a fourth-rounder earlier this season. But Brent Grimes, Sean Smith, Chris Houston and a few other players could be intriguing for the Bucs to sign.

The number one thing to remember here is that the Bucs want physical corners who will do the dirty work in the run game. They don't want cover corners who shy away from tackling (like Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie). That will limit their choices.
 
Another thing to keep in mind: a lot of these players won't actually be available. The Falcons will almost certainly re-sign Brent Grimes, while Quentin Jammer is unlikely to leave the Chargers. But the Bucs could and probably should go after a cornerback in free agency, unless they keep Eric Wright and draft one in the first two rounds.



Tight ends: Martellus Bennett, Fred Davis, Dustin Keller, Jared Cook, Brandon Myers, Anthony Fasano
 
The eternal free agency caveat applies: a few of these players probably won't hit the market. In fact, all of these players are likely to re-sign with their teams. But if one of them does slip through the cracks, I would look for the Bucs to make a run at them. They're missing the kind of tight end who can both block and catch, and all of these players (except maybe Fred Davis and Jared Cook) can do just that.
 


Pass Rushers: Cliff Avril, Osi Umenyiora, Israel Idonije, Dwight Freeney, Michael Johnson
 
The Bucs aren't going to spend here, quite frankly. They have a lot of talent on the defensive line, and their first priority should be to re-sign Bennett. To then spend some more money on pass-rushers would be close to irresponsible.



Defensive tackle: Henry Melton, Randy Starks, Jason Jones, Richard Seymour, Desmond Bryant, Terrance Knighton, Glenn Dorsey, Corey Williams
 
The Bucs may want to find a backup for Gerald McCoy or a nose tackle, but I wouldn't think they're likely to spend a lot of money at the position. Never say never, though.



Linebacker: Daryl Smith, Philip Wheeler, Erin Henderson, Thomas Howard, Rey Maualuga, Brian Urlacher, Tim Dobbins, Moise Fokou
 
Another position where the Bucs might spend, if they let Quincy Black walk. This is again unlikely, though. Especially so because they still have rookie Najee Goode on the roster.



Safety: Jairus Byrd, Dashon Goldson, Ed Reed, William Moore, Louis Delmas, Pat Chung
 
If Ronde Barber walks, the Bucs have to find a new starter at free safety. Ahmad Black has performed admirably this season in dime packages, but I don't know if he's fit to be an every-down free safety. Unfortunately, the pickings are slim in the free agency market. Please come back, Ronde.





http://www.bucsnation.com/2012/12/28/3811850/buccaneers-2013-free-agency-salary-cap-cornerbacks

[DeltaBuc5]

'Re-Sign Talib"

- No one ever

[Benchwarmer#1]

I was waiting for this question to come up.

Three choices... They spend like last season, spend moderately, or (like the several seasons that preceeded this season) spend nothing. Just because they HAVE money, doesn't mean they'll SPEND money.

Although, I must say... The DB group is so horrid they surely could spend some money there.

[The Anti-Java]

'Re-Sign Talib"

- No one ever

No way they would, but that would be a riot.  Fleece Belichek out of a 4th rounder.

[mgchat76]

Re-sign Bennett
Sign Sean Smith, Glover Quin, a mid priced TE, and maybe a mid priced SAM
Draft Sheldon Richardson 1st, Logan Ryan 2nd, John Simon 3rd, Jamie Collins 4a, Ricky Wagner 4b

There's your offseason.

[The Anti-Java]

Re-sign Bennett
Sign Sean Smith, Glover Quin, a mid priced TE, and maybe a mid priced SAM
Draft Sheldon Richardson 1st, Logan Ryan 2nd, John Simon 3rd, Jamie Collins 4a, Ricky Wagner 4b

There's your offseason.

Love the bolded part.  Richardson has had some off field problems, may not be a Buccaneer man.

[mgchat76]

Was under the impression that was in regards to academics, which honestly doesn't phase me as long as he's a hard-worker.  I love his motor and disruptiveness.  Would be a great complement to McCoy.

[Pepsi]

Thats a nice group of TEs. Myers will probably be resigned because he emerged as a stud for them this year. Dustin Keller or Bennet would be cool though.

[spurzo]

Love the idea of adding Richardson... if we get a high end CB, basically only Sean Smith or Brent Grimes then we can afford to draft the best linemen that falls to us (maybe even lineman). I know that good teams just let the draft fall to them and react accordingly but between 10 and 15 where we're drafting, would be totally reasonable to take Milliner, Banks or Rhodes.  We need to fix the secondary and that means 2 new starting corners. 

Also with the idea of fixing the secondary, I don't expect the Bills to let Jairus Byrd go but he's one of the best young safeties in the league and him and Barron would be awesome together, very complimentary styles

For OLB I like Philip Wheeler or Daryl Smith... 

Jared Cook or Fred Davis would be my pick of the TE's

and for a little reclamation project, Glenn Dorsey was supposed to be a stud 3tech under-tackle.  Scott Pioli has had him out of position for 5 years but he'd be reasonably priced and might excel in our system     

[The Anti-Java]

Love the idea of adding Richardson... if we get a high end CB, basically only Sean Smith or Brent Grimes then we can afford to draft the best linemen that falls to us (maybe even lineman). I know that good teams just let the draft fall to them and react accordingly but between 10 and 15 where we're drafting, would be totally reasonable to take Milliner, Banks or Rhodes.  We need to fix the secondary and that means 2 new starting corners. 

Also with the idea of fixing the secondary, I don't expect the Bills to let Jairus Byrd go but he's one of the best young safeties in the league and him and Barron would be awesome together, very complimentary styles

For OLB I like Philip Wheeler or Daryl Smith... 

Jared Cook or Fred Davis would be my pick of the TE's

and for a little reclamation project, Glenn Dorsey was supposed to be a stud 3tech under-tackle.  Scott Pioli has had him out of position for 5 years but he'd be reasonably priced and might excel in our system     

Smith is an interesting free agent, and I  don't think they tag him.

[JDouble]

Henry Melton or Glenn Dorsey would be an outstanding pick up for us. If we can land one of those two DTs and also get a solid veteran CB (after we cut Wright) then I think we can get another CB in the draft and be set.

I think the move made with Jackson and Nicks to free up a lot more cap space shows that we are planning on making some more bold signings this offseason.

[traew01]

Dear lord....did Mark Dominik write this article???

Do you realize the Bucs had 25 sacks this year? Almost non-existent pass rush. If they think that just re-signing is the answer at DE we are doomed. The D Line needs help desperately.

And if they get caught up in this ridiculous idea that we can't sign cover corners because we need corners who can tackle in the run game -- we will continue to be the worst secondary in the NFL.

YES - a solid run D is great. But this is a passing league. We cannot keep stuffing the run on first down, feel good about ourselves, and then give up easy 25 yard pass plays to guys wide open.

Whoever wrote this is perpetrating the failed approach to defense that killed us this year.

WE NEED PASS RUSH AND COVER CORNERS.

END OF STORY.

[YReceiver14]

Re-sign Bennett
Sign Sean Smith, Glover Quin, a mid priced TE, and maybe a mid priced SAM
Draft Sheldon Richardson 1st, Logan Ryan 2nd, John Simon 3rd, Jamie Collins 4a, Ricky Wagner 4b

There's your offseason.

Love the bolded part.  Richardson has had some off field problems, may not be a Buccaneer man.

+1

[Benchwarmer#1]

Henry Melton or Glenn Dorsey would be an outstanding pick up for us. If we can land one of those two DTs and also get a solid veteran CB (after we cut Wright) then I think we can get another CB in the draft and be set.

I think the move made with Jackson and Nicks to free up a lot more cap space shows that we are planning on making some more bold signings this offseason.

They almost HAVE to, otherwise the only thing we will hear at rjs is crickets.

Dom probably told them that Penn, DJ, or Bennett would have to be let go if not restructured.

Not only that, but I'm sure vjax isn't too happy about the dbs blowing leads or getting torched. It makes all his hard work go down the drain, and I'm sure he doesn't want to relive that again next season. Regardless of who probably said what, its pretty obvious the bucs have to do some major overhauling to this defense.

[spartan]

There doesn't seem to be an awful lot of meat on the bones in terms of what players will actually hit FA this year, but their are some possibilities. If nothing else the Bucs have signalled their intent to spend again, and after last year it may cause a few players to pause before they resign with their existing teams. That is a good move by Dom. Now, if nothing is flushed out, we have a whole lot of money to redo/extend contracts in a manner that does not create cap problems in the future.