this content element requires the Flash 8.0 player. You can download it here

  

S Jones Agrees To Terms On Contract With Bucs

Tampa Bay agreed to terms on a contract with Philadelphia safety Sean Jones on Wednesday (Getty)

Tampa Bay agreed to terms on a contract with Philadelphia safety Sean Jones on Wednesday (Getty)

The Buccaneers agreed to terms on a contract with Philadelphia Eagles free agent safety Sean Jones on Wednesday evening. Jones, 28, has started 53 games since entering the NFL with Cleveland in 2004. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound Jones is expected to compete with Sabby Piscitelli for the team's starting strong safety job.



 

It took nearly two weeks, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally made their first significant free agent acqusition of the year when they agreed to terms on a contract with Philadelphia Eagles safety Sean Jones on Wednesday evening, according to several published reports.

The Bucs brought Jones in for a visit last Friday, and although he later visited with the Titans, Jones wound up settling on Tampa Bay, where he saw appeal in being able to compete with Sabby Piscitelli for the starting strong safety job.

Jones, 28, has started 53 games since entering the NFL with the Cleveland Browns in 2004. Injuries sidelined Jones for a significant amount of action during his first two years in the league, but he's managed to stay relatively healthy since then.

The 6-foot-1, 220-pound Jones left Cleveland for Philadelphia in 2009. He played in 15 games (nine starts) for the Eagles, notching 44 tackles and two interceptions. For his career, Jones has hauled in 16 interceptions while notching 30 passes defensed.

Jones is just the second player the Bucs have signed in free agency since it began on Mar. 5. Raiders linebacker Jon Alston was the first free agent to sign with the Bucs. He inked his deal with Tampa Bay last week.

 

Comments

skyrider

FINALLY....1 down and more to go. I like this move! Sean Jones was a beast in Cleveland, I hope he can produce here as well. NEXT......

6:57pm, March 16, 2010

bleed-buc-red

I like to see that there is life at Buc One.....................................................................what was his rating on madden? hahaha

6:58pm, March 16, 2010

bleed-buc-red

Wow, that last comment of mine is all wierd.

I hope he can show some spark!

7:00pm, March 16, 2010

tpeluso

Now, we hope and pray that the Rams do what they must do and draft Bradford so that we can get either Suh or McCoy, because this signing means that there should be no drafting of Eric Berry, unless it's with the intent to move him to corner.

7:02pm, March 16, 2010

cigarfox

Guys, I am excited about this signing. I think you non believers will find out soon enough that this is a great pickup.

7:05pm, March 16, 2010

monchyrojas

I like it, all we need is suh or mccoy 2nd round hopefully Spikes or Wheaterspoon trade one for marshall, then use the 3rd on shipley 4th hopefully mccluster is there, I highly doubt it if not CB Areans. well back to winning games.

7:08pm, March 16, 2010

monchyrojas

I like it, all we need is suh or mccoy 2nd round hopefully Spikes or Wheaterspoon trade one for marshall, then use the 3rd on shipley 4th hopefully mccluster is there, I highly doubt it if not CB Areans. well back to winning games.

7:08pm, March 16, 2010

cigarfox

He should be a solid SS. Now we just need to get Suh or McCoy at DT and our widest holes have been filled on defense. We still have a small hole at DE and LB. Corners should be fine for now; although I would like to see a good corner come in and learn while Barber is here, but we have too much need elsewhere right now. Offense needs WR and a replacement for Trueblood and a small RB which should be easy to get.

7:09pm, March 16, 2010

artpac

It's a start. I know we won't do anything major in free agency going forward, but a few little moves, maybe a LB, or some depth on OL, then we just have to hit on a few draft picks. A good start.

7:12pm, March 16, 2010

monchyrojas

Wheaterspoon or spikes?

7:13pm, March 16, 2010

cigarfox

I'm not sure why Tampa seems somewhat high on Miller because I don't remember him doing too much. Maybe they expect him to improve a lot.

7:16pm, March 16, 2010

cigarfox

artpac, yeah your right, these small moves sure makes things feel like they are coming a little bit closer together. We still have a long ways to go and this draft may be one of the most important drafts the Bucs have been in in a long time.

7:19pm, March 16, 2010

cigarfox

Weatherspoon, is very fast and explosives with great ball awareness. I think he is a bit more developed.

7:23pm, March 16, 2010

artpac

We can't fill all our needs this year, there just is no real quality or depth. But if we can make the DL a Plus, the secondary a plus, and the OL solid, that would be a huge start.

7:24pm, March 16, 2010

cigarfox

Yeah, the depth is paper thin.

7:26pm, March 16, 2010

cigarfox

Suh, Spikes, Damian Williams, would be a great start. You know what would be awesome, if we get Suh and Alualu was available third round. We would have an aggressive duo at DT.

7:31pm, March 16, 2010

TampaBucks05

YES!!!!!! WE GOT ANOTHER!

"I'm almosy gitty with excitment."

7:37pm, March 16, 2010

TampaBucks05

Cig

Miller is a beast. I think we already have an agressive duo at DT.

7:39pm, March 16, 2010

TampaBucks05

^^^^
***

Whoops.

Well not already, provided we get either Suh or McCoy.

7:40pm, March 16, 2010

LightninHop

Draft Suh/McCoy, Jerry Hughes, Demaryius Thomas, Toby Gerhart. Trade 2011 1st rounder for Marshall or for a pick in 2010.

7:40pm, March 16, 2010

buclover1988

yea, miller is the shit, i love miller. he had more sacks and just as many tackles wtihout even starting. he got a ankle injury towards the end, but he played through it. roy miller is not the problem. hes gonna be a solid NT. we need the 3 though and some DE help. i love the jones signing. he will push sabby to be better if nothing else, but i really think he gonna end up starting unless sabby gets a lot better.

7:45pm, March 16, 2010

goofie21

i like how espn has just wrote the buc's off and haven't said a word about this signing. And in their article on teams signing ufa they don't even have us as signing anyone. i guess jon alston isn't a free agent.

7:47pm, March 16, 2010

joey85

buclover, that would be a prefect offseason. its too good to be true

7:54pm, March 16, 2010

Bucko40

Finally some signs of life over at one buc place. More than a decent signing. If the bucs draft a safety in one of the 1st four rounds then Sabby's days are numbered in Tampa.

8:01pm, March 16, 2010

aliov

-- goofie21

Alston wasn't a free agent. We traded a 2010 draft pick for him.

8:04pm, March 16, 2010

aliov

Sorry, 2011 draft pick.

8:05pm, March 16, 2010

jjbjeff

Good move. We need to fill as many holes as possible so we can pick the BPA on draft day.

8:10pm, March 16, 2010

Bucko40

Allov- alston was indeed a free agent. The rams did not tender him.

8:14pm, March 16, 2010

Morgan

Nice to see that someone wants to come to TB, even he's a injury prone no-name.

8:16pm, March 16, 2010

aliov

I was totally wrong about that. ha!

8:17pm, March 16, 2010

TampaBucks05

ALIOV

alston was clearly an FA, dont think so? Check out NFL.com's Free Agent Tracker, you will most definatley he Jon Alston listed.

BTW -
We traded that 2011 pick for Reggie Brown.

8:17pm, March 16, 2010

CLock311

Sean Jones is a solid safety from UGA replacing a sorry player from UGA in Jermaine Phillips (aka. Mr. Glassarms).

8:24pm, March 16, 2010

talon28

bleed-buc-red

Yeh Jones' rating on Madden is 82 overall. Sabby is 70 and Jermaine Philips is 83.

8:30pm, March 16, 2010

Horse

good pick up.

8:35pm, March 16, 2010

BucWild02

PR - How on EARTH did the Glazers afford this guy??? Did they find that jar of coins buried in the backyard?

8:45pm, March 16, 2010

termig8r

Awesome - takes pressure off the draft & fills a big need. Berry would still be in play at FS, but unlikely.

I am shocked that a dunce like Dummieg got the scoop.

8:46pm, March 16, 2010

BucWild02

Don't believe all the hype from the posters on this blog...this guy is on his third team in 3 years...not what you might call a gamechanger. Reminds me of the Eugene Wilson signing where the same nuts on here talked about how great he was gonna make the Bucs.

It is good news though, if only to shut the talking heads up about the Glazers not signing anyone : )

8:54pm, March 16, 2010

bucfan47

^ Very true. Not much of a signing, although it does count in the free agent sign column. Can't wait to see what they paid the guy.

8:56pm, March 16, 2010

JDouble

I don't think for a second this guy is some elite game changing safety, but that's ok. He doesn't need to be. He is a solid and dependable safety with good instincts and fundamentals, and that is all we need.

If you look at our recent history, we had a great defense when we had elite playmakers at DT, DE, and LB. Other than John Lynch, we have always plugged in guys like Dexter Jackson, Dwight Smith, JermainePhillips, and TJax. None of these guys are top 5 elite safeties, but they all are dependable solid players that excell when put on a team with playmakers. I think Sean Jones fits that mold nicely. He's only 28, and if we can draft some playmakers at DT, DE, and LB....I think we have the peices for this defense to rebound in a hurry.

9:04pm, March 16, 2010

JDouble

For all the Ruud haters, Shelton Quarles was not a loud cheerleader nor was he an elite top 5 MLB, but just like Ruud he was smart and dependable. Quarles had Sapp and Simeon in front of him and Brooks to his right. If Ruud had playmakers in front of him and to his right, he'd be damn good to. He already showed it in 2007 and 2008.

I only bring that up because like the safety position, I think the MLB position can be filled by guy that isn't considered elite. As long as they are smart, and tackle well, that is all we need, You can't have elite playmakers at every single position. DT, DE, and an OLB is what worked for us before. I think we need to keep are solid players like Ruud, and look to fill the right spots with top 5 playmaker type guys.

9:09pm, March 16, 2010

artpac

Jones is average, which is a huge upgrade over Sabby. And don't sell TJax short, JDub. He may not be top 5 yet, but he may get there.

9:11pm, March 16, 2010

sunrisejeff

I like this pickup personally....kid is a ballhawk and can really bring some big hits and make some guys aware of where he will be over the middle. Not saying he is a probowl safety by any means but he's an upgrade for us in my eyes. Not sure where this injury prone stuff is coming from either.....he started 53 out of his last 59 games so seems pretty durable to me.

9:28pm, March 16, 2010

Cornbread

jdouble ive seen some of your posts now and in the past. looks like you know what your talkin about. im glad to see some folks on here are happy about this pick up. this is all just part of the process this guy might or might not be here in the big scheme but for now will be a pluss. Who knows, he might be here for a while.Sabby better get his mind right(along with his physical play) if he wants to start. If he stays the starter then that means he stepped up his game as he should. if not, Jones is a great addition

9:36pm, March 16, 2010

bucsguy

Not a bad signing he will fit nice with Tjack but as far as Ruud goes he is a good solid football player noone can argue that but at the "mike" position in a 4-3 scheme you got to be more than solid you got to be a beast. Ruud would be a perfect Sam backer for the bucs i dont know if he would do it but it would be a great fit with his attributes and the needs of the position. Then we take Spikes or witherspoon probably spikes because witherspoon is shooting up boards and we wont have a shot at him with our second 2nd rounder which is where they will start to look for a LB. I say go with one of the DT's at #3 then shoot for Jerry Hughes in the top of 2nd and grab spikes mid 2nd with pick from the Bears. Then move Ruud to Sam and our Defense upgrades at DT, DE, MLB and OLB

9:41pm, March 16, 2010

Cornbread

Also comes from a great defense. That can never hurt. I wish PR didnt say he "settled" for Tampa. Maybe they meant "settle" as a positive. I have mixed feelings on Sabby. He has character on the field. But, when he misses tackles and who knows how many assignments missed (although there had to be some that he made when the passes were not thrown in his direction) that we did not see. Guess we will see closer to August and September.

9:43pm, March 16, 2010

Funky Munkey

He was injury prone his first two years. It even says it in the article. He is way better than Sabby and provides a solid compliment to TJ. I think we can move Sabby to S/T and he would be a stud. Good pick up, and NFL.com has him ranked as the 4th best S in this FA group. I think people shouldn't look at his totals from last year since he played FS and had two other people playing as well. Lets hope he does well for our team. You don't get 16 picks being an average player IMO.

9:45pm, March 16, 2010

Cornbread

Bucs guy i aggree. From what was said about Spikes at the colombine, he isnt as much of a beast as what many thought before. Spikes might be a second rounder, maybe even late. Thats jsut from what was said of how he performed there. Who really knows. Ruud is the gy for the Tampa two. Thats what were gonna stay with and Ruud is a beast in that system. Thats also why he was drafted (for this system). Cant wait for the draft.

9:48pm, March 16, 2010

JDouble

artpac, I'm not putting down Tanard in any way. He is a great player for us, as were all the other guys I named. He is still young and could even develope into a top 5 safety. I was just pointing out that safety hasn't been the position where we need are top players to be in the past when we've had great success.

I know most fans adore Suh, myself included, but I think if we could trade down and manage to draft DE Brandon Graham, LB Sean Weatherspoon, and DT Tyson Alualu....are team would be much better off than if we take Suh.

I won't be complaigning if we are lucky enough to land Suh at #3, cause in my heart I want him to be a Buc. My brain tells me we'd be better off trading back for more picks in such a rich draft class though.

Either way, I think DT, DE, and LB are what we need to be looking for defensively in the first few rounds.

I'm rambling now......must step away...from...keyboar*

9:52pm, March 16, 2010

FilmBuc

Big fan of this signing. He's better than Will Allen. He's better than Sabby. Period.

Tanard Jackson now has the freedom to play more aggressively (not having to cover for his sidekick's flaws).

This takes safety out of the equation for this year - which is a plus. Now the Bucs can focus all of their picks on the 4 positions they need it most: DT, DE, WR, CB.

There is no possibility of solving holes at 6 or 7 positions in one offseason. This allows the Bucs to focus on 3 or 4.

Hopefully, it lights a fire under Sabby's but to play better now that he actually has competition.

9:53pm, March 16, 2010

JDouble

Still hope we get CB/S Akwasi Owusu-Ansah!!!

9:57pm, March 16, 2010

Cornbread

ALSO, how does this mean for us going for Berry? Maybe they are thinking either Suh or MCcoy (likely MCcoy). If not one of those then maybe Okung (if they cant fall back in the draft which I dont see happening). I think this signing just told us about Berry. Unless Sabby is gonna be out the door. I doubt that about Sabby for now. We could look at this as a direction that they may want to go in the draft. Theres a good chance that Okung could become a Buc

10:01pm, March 16, 2010

buclover1988

tanard and jones will be awesome together. i really do like this signing. hes a solid player and he will be back at his normal position in tampa at SS. good tackler and plays well in coverage too. sabby will have to pick up his game because jones is only 28 and is getting into his prime and it will be interesting to see if sabby can compete. my odds are on jones starting though, i have to say hes the favorite at this point.

10:12pm, March 16, 2010

cigarfox


"Don't believe all the hype from the posters on this blog...this guy is on his third team in 3 years...not what you might call a gamechanger. Reminds me of the Eugene Wilson signing where the same nuts on here talked about how great he was gonna make the Bucs. "

BucWild - Your dead wrong about this guy. You can't judge the guy based on the fact that this would be the third team that he has played. You judge a player bu how well he plays football, not how many teas has he played for. This guy had two awesome seasons in Cleveland after his rookie year and then he got injured the following year and he was having a great season the year he got injured. Philadelphia needed a safety for one year because their drafted safety Quinten Demps had not played a game in the NFL and was coming off of an injury. Sean Jones was the safety net. Sean Jones were not great last years because Philly played him at FS instead of SS his natural position. Jones is a solid football player and you should be happy to have him here in Tampa. If you judge players by the number of teams that they have played on, you will miss out on a lot of good talent because their can be a lot of different circumstances for players moving around. Outside of his rookie year, he has had great season while playing SS and that's what position he will be playing in Tampa. You have to be nuts if this guys doesn't excite you in the least. He is a good improvement to say the least.

10:39pm, March 16, 2010

kobebucs

i want suh but will take mccoy we would take okung if we have to , just like when we got joseph. freeman needs someone to protect him and im not a big trueblood fan to many fights and false starts hes good at stopping drives.we need defense first, we need a pass rush.we have alot of holes but we should start with d-line.jones was a good pick up for us we need someone to replace ronde also lets face it, his end is near in tampa.i want to see sears back playing i think hes a good player.things could be looking up heres to wishing.

10:41pm, March 16, 2010

makski

I never thought I would say this either, but I also hope we trade down whether Suh is there or not. I have always loved the Suh pick, and I personally do not like McCoy at all, but the more picks, the better.

I really think McCoy is on par with the next 3 DT's in the draft and NOT with Suh. I would love it if we picked Suh and I wouldn't complain one bit, but to be able to possibly get a solid DE, DT, CB and WR (not necessarily in that order) with our first 4 picks in the draft would be awesome!!!! I think trading down no matter what is really the best thing for this team to do right now. We just have to hope that the right people slip to us after we make the trade.

10:45pm, March 16, 2010

makski

oops, Sorry about the rambling, but I meant to add that I really like this pick-up and was hoping we would land him. I think this really helps to free us up in the draft to fill other needs. I wouldn't even complain with a trade down and a pick of CB or OT or WR. Shoot, maybe even MLB.

10:50pm, March 16, 2010

Cornbread

Cigarfox is right. Although he is on his third team in three years may say to some that we are bottom feeding. Bottom line, the bucs know that he may not be the end all and cure all for a positions. He is an upgrade or at least a pusher for Sabby. He is someone that can contribute. He is someone that can contribute quite a bit actually. If he can add some run support and some pass defends and maybe even get a couple interceptions, then thats an upgrade. Not a hall of famer, but an upgrade to the team.

10:56pm, March 16, 2010

Cornbread

kobebucs, we have way too many holes. Like you said about Rande needing replacement. Like Brooks, Rande will need to go after this year or maybe even this year. Hate to say that but, that is how the game goes for players. It sucks cause we start to love the good guys and great players. The best thing that we can hope is that they will retire instead of watching guys like Brooks get "dismissed or let go". They didnt have the chance to say a good bye like Favre did the past few years (however much it pissed me off I think Favre still has a year). There are a bunch of holes and hopefully we will draft well to build for the for the next six years plus.

11:07pm, March 16, 2010

LordJim

I think this is a good move. No matter what, we now have quality depth at the safety position and someone to push or even replace Sabby. With special teams depth taking a hit this offseason, this is a winning move. Good on Domenik for finally getting something right.

11:16pm, March 16, 2010

Buccaneer4Life

My thoughts exactly JDouble:
"I know most fans adore Suh, myself included, but I think if we could trade down and manage to draft DE Brandon Graham, LB Sean Weatherspoon, and DT Tyson Alualu....are team would be much better off than if we take Suh."
I bet in this draft the bait of being at our #3 position will be too great for a few teams to pass up and for those that have acquired additional picks like Seattle and Cleveland, we may actually see the Bucs moving down and getting more top selections. My weird call in preparation for this draft is that perhaps the Chiefs will swap with the Bucs and give up Glenn Dorsey and a later round pick if needed. This way, the Bucs get a DE and still get another selection at 5th overall. Not too shabby.

11:54pm, March 16, 2010

cremdonado

I didnt know eagles flew south for the winter...

11:59pm, March 16, 2010

Funky Munkey

Not to argue Buc4Life, but Glenn Dorsey would be a DT not a DE. He struggled outside in the 3-4 last year. That is why the Chiefs are looking to trade him. But, if we put him with Miller and drafted Aluala, that would be an instant improvement. And for the McCoy lovers, there is a good chance he would be at # 5 as well. Although at 5 I would take Spiller or Graham. We could then trade up to get Weatherspoon, grab Aluala, and get WR help after that. I personally like this scenario over anyother out there.

12:10am, March 17, 2010

Funky Munkey

I would go WR with 2b and 3. Then draft Answa in the fourth. I think me and Jdub agree on him more than anybody. This kid is a perfect fit to come in and learn for one year behind Rhonde. He has all the talent to match up with Talib and give us one us the top CB tandems in the league within 2-3 years!

12:12am, March 17, 2010

Funky Munkey

Sorry last post...I really believe if we do trade down from three; it will be because the other team wants Eric Berry not a QB. The Chiefs, Browns, and Broncos really want this guy. I understand if Bradford is there at 3 they will be trading to get him. But unless St. Louis can get either McNabb or Vick they will be drafting Bradford. Making Berry the next in line to be sought after. IMO

12:17am, March 17, 2010

Buccaneer4Life

Whichever position he fills he would seem to be an upgrade to whatever we have. On the Chiefs website depth chart they report Glenn Dorsey as the right DE. Of course like you said that was in a 3-4 alignment, which may change for him when back to a 4-3 like the bucs.

12:18am, March 17, 2010

JDouble

Buccaneer4Life I think I'd be ok with that. Doresey hasn't exactly worked out as a DE in the 3-4 over in Kansa City. If they think Suh or McCoy would be better, they could possibly offer Dorsey and a 3rd or 4th to move up two spots.

I think Dorsey could be pretty good if he was used as a 3 tech in a 4-3 instead of be used out of position like he is in KC. I'd be happy to get Dorsey and Brandon Graham in the first round, as long as we got Alualu in the 2nd to compete with Dorsey for the starting under tackle spot. If we figured out a way to get Weatherspoon at the end of the first, it would be the best draft since Sapp and Brooks.

I'm totally on board with what CBF! said about trading next year's 1st for Weathersppon. If spoon is there past 22, I hope we see if any teams will take our next year's 1st for thier 1st this year. We might need to throw in something else to sweeten the pot, but most teams that are picking that late have a solid team that can afford to think ahead and stockpile picks. That fact that our draft pick is expected to be a top 10 if not top 5 next year adds more value to it.

It's late. I'm rambling. Basicly....

1a. Suh
1b. Weatherspoon
2a. Alualu

or

1a. Graham w/ Dorsey thru trade
1b. Weatherspoon
2a. Alualu


...and I'll be a very happy fan!

Go Bucs!

12:19am, March 17, 2010

Funky Munkey

Exactly, we can't go wrong either way. The only problem in our plan is Atlanta seems pretty interested in Spoon, so that might screw all of our wishes up. The only other way would be to try and get Seattle's top 2 picks. If Bradford somehow fell to 3. Would Seattle give up both firsts if say we through in one of our seconds or a third??? We could then get Graham and Spoon for sure. Just a thought...

12:28am, March 17, 2010

Cornbread

Talking about Berry Funkymunky,, I dont think that they would want Berry. Just because of Jones signing. Berry would be a fit for us. I also think that some other teams in the top would not want to draft him as history has shown (although there has not been this kind of talent at safety/corner in the draft for a while). I would say Berry would fit the best (out of a safetey/corner/everything) for us. Berry is probably gonna be a hall of famer. I know im crazy for saying that this early but the guy is complete. The thing is, is where the FO is going. with this sign, they have said that they are gonna fill the secondary. Thats great. Hopefully they have a plan that addresses all the other positions. GO BUCS

12:36am, March 17, 2010

talon28

If both DT's were gone and we couldn't trade down, we would only take Berry if he was going to be a cornerback. My final prediction is still:

1. St. Louis - QB Bradford
2. Detroit - OT Okung
3. Tampa - Suh

2:44am, March 17, 2010

Leave a Comment

Subscribe Now
  

INSIDER ARTICLES

Pewter Prospect: LB Sean Weatherspoon

Do the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a need for a fiery linebacker that is a...

read more

PI Quick Hits

Are the Bucs going to be inactive in free agency every year going forward?...

read more

Draft Position Rankings

Pewter Report breaks down the 2010 NFL Draft by defining the top five...

read more

Bucs Have Passed On Some Talent, But At Least One Possible Trade Still Exists

What trade recently went down in the NFL that the Bucs should have pulled...

read more

Pewter Prospect: WR Arrelious Benn

Do the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a need for a wide receiver with a quality...

read more