Report: Bucs Attempted To Trade For QB Cutler

By: Jim Flynn

February 28, 2009 @ 3:48pm

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers reportedly attempted to trade for Denver quarterback Jay Cutler before Matt Cassel was dealt to Kansas City (Getty)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers reportedly attempted to trade for Denver quarterback Jay Cutler before Matt Cassel was dealt to Kansas City (Getty)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers reportedly attempted to trade for Denver quarterback Jay Cutler before New England QB Matt Cassel was dealt to Kansas City on Saturday. The Bucs re-signed QB Luke McCown before the start of free agency, but still are in the market for a quarterback.


 

New Bucs general manager Mark Dominik has been busy working the phones at One Buccaneer Place, but not all of his time has been spent attempting to lure free agents to Tampa Bay.

Dominik has been busy trying to make trades, the latest of which involved Denver quarterback Jay Cutler.

According to NFL.com, several teams were involved in the trade involving New England and Kansas City that sent QB Matt Cassel to the Chiefs in exchange for a 2009 second-round draft pick on Saturday.

Before that trade went down this morning, NFL.com reports that Detroit and Tampa Bay were involved in the trade talks. The Bucs apparently were attempting to orchestrate a three-way trade that would have sent Cassel to Denver to reunite him with former Patriots offensive coordinator and new Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels, Cutler to Tampa Bay and presumably one of the Bucs' premium draft picks to the Patriots.

While Denver evidently entertained the proposal from Tampa Bay and Detroit, which was similar in nature, the three-way trade possibility, which was considered by the Broncos, was killed when the Patriots dealt Cassel to the Chiefs.

Dominik did not reply to Pewter Report's text messages regarding the Cutler report.

The Bucs re-signed QB Luke McCown before the start of free agency. They have three signal callers - McCown, Brian Griese and Josh Johnson - under contract for the 2009 season. The Bucs are still believed to be in the market for another quarterback.

Ironically, it was nearly two years ago to the date when former Bucs G.M. Bruce Allen traded for Denver QB Jake Plummer, who opted to retire instead of playing for the Bucs.

Cutler, 25, was a Pro Bowler in 2008. He has completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 9,024 yards and 54 touchdowns and 37 interceptions since entering the league as a first-round pick out of Vanderbilt in 2006.

On Friday, the Bucs traded a 2009 second-round pick and a 2010 fifth-round selection, first reported by SI.com, to the Browns in exchange for tight end Kellen Winslow. Tampa Bay has also expressed interest in trading for Oakland running back Michael Bush.

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Comments

termig8r

Cutler would have been the perfect QB for TB - young, experienced, strong armed. Nice try, but right now we still have an empty bag in free agency.

4:09pm, February 28, 2009

dabuc

Why do we keep striking out on every deal we try
??? I do NOT get it! This is very frustrating. We keep getting teased. Enough already. Grow some and actually make a blockbuster move already!

4:18pm, February 28, 2009

dmajik85

That would have made my day... oh well, kind of a pipe dream.

The fact that Dominik tried to swing a deal like that is changing my opinion of his FA activity. That was ballsy, and if he would have pulled it off would have immediately fixed our QB situation for the better.

4:22pm, February 28, 2009

jlhaynes

I'm sick of hearing what we "Almost" or "Attempted" or "Was Close" to doing. Really Sick!!!!!!!!!!! How about just "Doing It"!!!!!!!

4:23pm, February 28, 2009

roofuss14

dominik you need to try harder to help my our team get better most of the free agents are going gone fast,we need a big spark in that plug of yours so us fans can look something forward to this season?????

4:26pm, February 28, 2009

roofuss14

im with you ''dabuc'' & ''jlhaynes'the way things are going it is going to have alot of empty seats at ray-jay its very very upsetting!!!!

4:32pm, February 28, 2009

termig8r

Reports are that Denver is still trying to shop Cutler:

http://cbs4denver.com/broncos/broncos.cutler.nfl.2.946829.html

I'm shocked Denver is doing this, but this would be a major coup for the Bucs - Go Get Him!

4:38pm, February 28, 2009

JDouble

Wow. This woulda been so great. I woulda been very excited!

How about trading for Alex Smith or Brian Brohm? It would not be anywhere as great as Cutler would have been, but they'd both be relatively cheap, prob a 3rd round pick, and it would give us another young guy with loads of potential to compete with McCown/Johnson.

4:39pm, February 28, 2009

tiger1

starting to worry now, no free agents yet. almost almost almost doesn't cut it . how about DT Rocky bernard, P-BUC,lb Crowder,wr Devery Henderson and S. McDonald and rb Derik Ward or K. jones. get off you rears and do something.

4:41pm, February 28, 2009

Finerdetailz

I agree with everyone... Try try try?!!. Why are the things their not doing getting reported? Is this an attempt to try and make us feel good? This is all bull****!!! This only convinces me of 1 of 2 things. Either the Glazers are killing all these 'almost' done deals which would really piss me off or Dominick hasn't a clue of what he's doing. This has to be embarassing for all buc front office staff to have 61 million in cap room and do nothing. Ridiculous.. Can you say 3-13.

4:46pm, February 28, 2009

JDouble

So it looks like Cutler is still being shopped. Let me ask you all a question. I curious to get others opinions......

What if we basicly lose all our draft picks this year in trades, but we get Cutler, Winslow, and Micheal Bush thru trades? I hate the idea of losing our draft picks, but as long as we sign Henderson or McDonald, our offense would be awesome with no holes.

This would allow us to give all these young guys on defense a chance this year to see if any of them are more than 2nd stringers, and then we could consentrate purely on defense for the next couple drafts.

Would you be happy with that "plan" I would be very, very happy.

4:50pm, February 28, 2009

docbravo

Guys... It takes two (or three in this case) to TANGO! You can't be mad a the BUCS for trying. Be upset if they weren't making attempts. Be thankful for the PR for having the inside track so you even know about the BUCS attempts. I'd rather hear about failed attempts at trades, than nothing at all.

Sheesh, You guys are unbelievable!

4:52pm, February 28, 2009

JDouble

Side note to my scenerio above. If we did trade for Cutler staright out, do you think Denver expects a 1st round pick? I like Cutler alot, but I'm not sure he's worth a first rounder. I'm thinking more like Cutler and their 3rd round pick for our first. That would give us two third round picks. We could either trade one for Micheal Bush, or just draft a RB with one of them.....there are quite a few good RBs that should be there in the 3rd round.

4:56pm, February 28, 2009

clairvoyantent1

Amen docbravo. Guys - do you all seriously think the Bucs aren't completing deals because they are not trying hard enough. C'mon - if anything they are trying harder than they ever have in recent memory.

The Bucs right now are the guy at the party asking EVERY hot girl to dance - that means they are going to get shot down ALOT. But... some of them will say yes (Winslow being an example). Give these guys a bit of credit - they have cojones. They're going after BIG names. Eventually something will hit.

4:58pm, February 28, 2009

clairvoyantent1

Jdouble - like your comment on the trades. It would be a coup to land those guys via trades. The one caveat is not having any new defensive lineman to add to a weak pass rush.

I'd seriously argue that Cutler is worth a first rounder - he's better than all of the QB's in the draft. But that dream is over. Denver would never deal Cutler unless they had a franchise QB coming in to replca him. with Cassel in Kc, that possibility is OVER.

5:01pm, February 28, 2009

termig8r

JD,

I'd lay even money Cutler turns out to be the next Brett Farve. Has size, a gun, mobile, earned a starting position 1st year in the NFL, pro bowler in 3rd year - with really few weapons to throw to.

So I'm OK rolling major dice on this guy.

For that - I'd be OK to give Denver a 1st & 3rd (though more likely might be a 1st ( & conditional for next year). Denver has a new young coach - he wants to get as much as they can for this guy.

To get Cutler we give up a 1st RD. Bucs address D in the 3rd, get a RB with a 4th, depth at LB beyond. (I'm skeptical of Bush - don't know why Radrs are shopping him.)

Still going to need DE & DT & WR & S & CB in FA. Doesn't have to be the top of the boards. Sign guys down the board.

I see a huge upgrade to the O the Bucs remain with a ton of Cap for next year.

Much more exciting offense to watch - probably end up 8-8 like the Saints or Broncos (stellar O & no D), but it would be a huge step in the right direction.

Yea - I'd be good with that.

(With all this said - I see the Bucs just resigned Allen - scratch one smaller need.)

5:04pm, February 28, 2009

bucsfan22

Buccaneers re-signed S Will Allen to a one-year, $1.83 million contract.

The veteran backup could make up to $2.35 million in maximum value. Allen will be insurance for Sabby Piscitelli with Jermaine Phillips likely to sign elsewhere in free agency

5:05pm, February 28, 2009

Mr Hand

We are the Dave Kingman of NFL Franchises. NIce work.

Another strikeout.

5:05pm, February 28, 2009

Finerdetailz

I would be happy with those moves if we hadn't let our starting linbackers go. The Bucs created more holes than they can fill and the fact their doing nothing in fa is huge concern. Trades would at least show some movement but show us something.

5:07pm, February 28, 2009

docbravo

...."get off your butts and do something?" Are you serious?
Can we please stop acting like we have any idea what's going on at OBP! Can we please stop acting like we know the 1st thing about signing a Free Agent, or scheduling a visit, or setting up a physical, or negotiating a trade because we sucker the computer to do something in Madden 09!!!!!

This isn't Madden 09 where everyone you go after in free agency automatically ends up on your team. This is real life fellas! Wake up! Real Life players have families, want to go to the right situation for them, and want to give them selves the best chance to succeed. It not just about having 60 Million in Cap space.

Like it or not. This is OUR Team. And only time will tell how good we are (or aren't!) No one knows what our record will be. Freakin Chill!

5:07pm, February 28, 2009

termig8r

docbravo: Shut Up!

We paid our money - don't like it - leave!

5:11pm, February 28, 2009

JDouble

Not necessarily. The Broncos for unknown reasons are still shopping him to the Lions, and they have no franchise QB to trade. They do how ever have the first pick in the draft which would give the Broncos Matt Stafford. If the bucs gave the Broncos thier first rounder, they probably wouldn't get Stafford, but they could get Sanchez or Freeman. Then there is the possiblity of doing another three way trade with someone else.


As far as the defensive lineman, it is imporatnt to get someone in there at DT. It will be hard to judge the talent and abilities of our young guys if we have such a glaring weak spot. I really think we could get Shaun Rodgers from Cleveland for Sean Mahan and a 3rd rounder. He is turning 30 this year, but he would do very nicely untill we can get a DT in the draft. Which brings up another trade possibilty....

Our first round pick and Sean Mahan for Shaun Rodgers and Derek Anderson. We keep Radgers, and Anderson goes to Denver in exchange for Cutler. That would only work if the Broncos think highly enough of Anderson.

Wonder why they are shopping Cutler in the first place? New coach not a fan?

5:11pm, February 28, 2009

JDouble

Antonio Smith just signed with the Texans. Chris Canty is the last defensive lineman in FA that would be an upgrade for us.

5:21pm, February 28, 2009

docbravo

termig8r....

You were actually making some good points, so honestly I wasn't talking to you, BUT....

"SHUT UP?" It's very shallow of you to think you can run me outta here. I don't give a Flip about you paying your money. What the hell does that have to do with the anything, This is the "Free Portion of the SITE! (DUMBA$$) HAHA!

Comment's like "dominik you need to try harder" are simply idiotic!

As for you, termig8r, you can attempt to breath underwater for all I care.

5:22pm, February 28, 2009

HarriMags1

Sure would be nice to land someon like Jay Cutler. But I believe that window of "opportunity" was closed with Cassel going to KC. I like the fact that they actually tried to bring in a big name QB, and if they had succeeded everyone in Tampa would have jumped back on the bandwaggon to support the new regime.

I too hate the fact that DB is no longer with the team, but everyone needs to take a deep breath and let this new regime get their feet wet. Free Agency is in day two... relax. Let's not get crazy and impatient. Have some faith... the turn around will not happen over night!

5:23pm, February 28, 2009

theossie

Cutler can make any throw on the field.. would have been nice to see that go through..

The fact that this type of trade was attempted makes me happy though..

5:45pm, February 28, 2009

samsong

Schouda, woulda, coulda don't count. Move up in draft for Raji or Bernard in free agency. If can't do better then give Leftwich a closer look for the long ball offense. With a very difficult schedule, this year looks rather dismal.

6:15pm, February 28, 2009

JDouble

(Gives Leftwich another look)

Yep......still sucks.

7:27pm, February 28, 2009

matador

Huh? We give up a #2 and #5 for a baggage-laden, injury prone TE instead of resigning Stevens, when we could have done the same and gotten Cassell? With personnel moves like these, it doesn't matter who is coaching. Dominick was in the building for something like 14 years. Why should things be any different?

We will rue the day we let Gruden go. Given him talent and he'll do the rest. Look for him to be manhandling the Bucs from the NFC East starting next year, with owners who know how to get things done. Morris? Nice guy, but all we know at this point is he isn't as sharp as Tomlin.

8:12pm, February 28, 2009

JDouble

I'll admit Rheem doesn't come off as the sharpest tool in the shed, but no matter what happens it will be better than Gruden. He had grown stagnent and boring. Never improving the team even when we did have the cap room.

I know Rheem and Dom have not been very sucsessful so far, but imagine if they had managed to get the trade for Cutler done? Just adding Cutler and Winslow along with resigning Bryant would have immediatly made our offense way better than anything Gruden put together in his 7 years here.

I pray Gruden ends up coaching a team we play often. It'll be great fun sacking whatever washed up QB he is using that week.

8:32pm, February 28, 2009

termig8r

Cutler thinks he's still on the block:

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_11809351

Docbravo - I wish I could say you have contributed something to the site but sorry. You haven't - you're analysis, diatribe, and insults against Buccaneer fans is useless banter of the ignorant.

8:48pm, February 28, 2009

mostlarge

I wonder if those of you choosing to make childish comments to each other would do so if placed in the same room together.
I hope that all of you stooping to dirty this message board are not this rude in person.
Unreal!

8:59pm, February 28, 2009

michaelb

Why does everybody think the grass is always greener on the other side. Last year we heard the same type of comments about every overpaid wide receiver that went to other teams and did not live up to their contracts.

9:10pm, February 28, 2009

JFS414

Would be curious to see if the Chiefs will be looking to deal Thigpen now that they've added Cassel. Would be a good battle between Thigpen & McCown. He came in as a 7th rounder and had mixed results last year, so the price wouldn’t be as high as Cassel and he does have starting experience.

9:10pm, February 28, 2009

docbravo

termig8r- I said you made a couple good points, but point, clicking, copying, and pasting links don't make you a contributor (We can all read Profootballtalk.com too)

And I don't insult Buc Fans, I AM a BUC Fan. I didn't start in on the insults, you did with your childish "SHUT UP" blast. Just because I may have a different take on something, doesn't mean I'm insulting you. To think so is.... well "useless logic of the ignorant."

10:20pm, February 28, 2009

Pewterdude

Props to Buc's mgt for being aggressive and going after Cutler. Just trying to get him is a good sign that things are picking up. They've actually been aggressive with the Haynesworth and Vilma signings but just haven't been able to bring home the bacon and the Winslow deal was aggressive as well because his game is way beyond that of a prototypical TE (he's in the Gonzalez mold and is a verticle threat as well...)

If we can sign some defensive players today (DE Chris Canty of Dallas at 6-7/304 who plays the run well and helps free up other DL) and our own Jermaine Phillips, TE Jeremy Stevens and possibly go after the Steeler's speedy WR Nate Washington as our burner (who wouldn't command a king's ranson) then it would make up for yesterday's misfortunes IMHO.

If the Bucs sign the above mentioned players then IMO the team would rebound from a slow start that saw the NY Giants sign good FA values in Rocky Bernard from Seattle (6-3/308 29 years old, DT) and LB Michael Boley from Atlanta, only 26 years old and a very good blitzer. Also Phillip Buchanon should be resigned if the team is gonna sign the underacheiving WR Michael Clayton who cost us the 15th pick in the draft.

A lot of fans think just because we missed out on Haynesworth and Vilma (not for a lack of effort) that those are the ONLY FA's that the Bucs slept on but when you add Card's DE Antonio Smith not being signed, then there were players that could have instantly upgraded the defense who were NOT overpriced who the Bucs drug their feet on. We need a good Sunday and IMO it starts with signing DE Chris Canty of Dallas right away.

The QB position is still the weakest in the entire NFL....don't kid yourselves and like I stated, it wasn't due to a lack of effort by Buc's mgt but the truth remains....

11:51am, March 1, 2009

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