I was hoping to get this stickied and have everyone contribute any opinions, articles, or rumors there deem worthy. I think it's going to be a big and very important FA period for the Bucs.I think the most glaring points about this FA class and how it pertains to our roster needs, is that there are no real options at OG or TE, but there are a lot of good options at DE as well as WR depth. One the o-line, I see two good option at Center. Evan Dietrich-Smith and Alex Mack. Nicks and Joseph are both big question marks, so if we sign Mack, we can move Zuttah back to guard. Evan Dietrich-Smith is another good Center in his prime, and he can also play guard. If Nicks retires and we cut Joseph....we might want to try and sign both of these guys. We'd have to pay them both good money, but it would still be less than what Nicks and Joseph have been costing us,At DE there is Jared Allen and Justin Tuck. Both are older guys that would probably only last 2 or 3 years.....but that is a lifetime in NFL terms. There is also Greg Hardy, Brian Orakpo, and michael Johnson if we want to go younger. Michael Bennett is a real option as well now that Schiano and Dom are gone. Julius Peppers is not a FA, but his contract balloons to $18M this year and he will almost certainly be cut. He is old and not what he use to be....but he could still be an option for us.At WR there is nobody to break the bank on, but we already have our #1 and #2 anyways. What we need is a solid #3 as well as better depth at #4 and #5. There are quite a few options. My best fit would be Andre Roberts. Dexter McCluster might be a real possibility considering how much Lovie has stressed the importance of a great kick and punt returner. Devin Hester is there too, but he is 31 and probably not a good signing at this point. At CB there isn't a lot. I think Peanut Tillman makes a lot of sense. He is getting old and coming off injury, so he won't be too expensive, and he makes a lot of sense. Sam Shields is a great young corner and world be a huge upgrade as our Nickel. That's about all I got right now. Feel free to share and contribute.
My happiest scenario would be if we dumped Crabtree, Stocker, Davin and Nicks. Rework some deals. Resign Dekoda Watson and Erik Lorig. Trade back in first with Cleveland and in the second round with San Francisco. To acquire Draft 1st round- Austin Seferian Jenkins, 2nd round- Aaron Donald, 2nd- Zack Martin or Cyril Richardson, 3rd- Jimmy Garappolo, 3rd- Donte Moncrief, 4rd round- Morgan Moses. Then sign Alex Mack, Jared Allen and Charles Tillman. You go into season with Glennon and Garappolo battling the QB spot, RB's same, WR better with 3rd rd selection of Moncreif, TE much better now having Seferian Jenkins and Wright. OL Penn, Zuttah, Mack, New G and Dotson with Moses to replace Meredith. DL Allen and Donald to help strengthen line with Clayborn, and McCoy. LB same, and CB now have Revis, Banks and Tillman to go along with safeties. This team with new coaching staff would have me excited and eager to see them play the 2014 season.
Lovie wants athletes at every position and I think Everson Griffen could be a target. (Familiar with Frazier, young has been asked to play DE,DT and OLB) Allen himself has said all the movin around has hurt Griffens development a little. I'm really hoping for Wesley Woodyard as our MLB and push Foster over to SLB. Fred Davis would be a very good pick up. Jdub another decent center is Fernando Velasco.
Much rather have Griffen than Allen!
Brad we will probably get killed for saying it but I'm with you!
Was it Griffen that had some off field issues/problems? (I might be mixing him up with Hardy)I
Trade/Release Donald Penn and Davin Joseph. . sign Eugene Monroe at LT in free agency and draft the best available RG in the 2nd round. Restructure Koenen and Barth. Add Dexter McCluster as a slot reciever and return man and offensive weapon. . cross train Jeff Demps as McCluster's back-up/ #2 slot WR. Release Teo-Nesheim and Bowers, sign DE - Michael Johnson in free agency. Draft best available between K. Mack/A. Barr/S. Watkins or trade back into the teens for E. Ebron/D. Dennard.
Was it Griffen that had some off field issues/problems? (I might be mixing him up with Hardy)I
My happiest scenario would be if we dumped Crabtree, Stocker, Davin and Nicks. Rework some deals. Resign Dekoda Watson and Erik Lorig. Trade back in first with Cleveland and in the second round with San Francisco. To acquire Draft 1st round- Austin Seferian Jenkins, 2nd round- Aaron Donald, 2nd- Zack Martin or Cyril Richardson, 3rd- Jimmy Garappolo, 3rd- Donte Moncrief, 4rd round- Morgan Moses. Then sign Alex Mack, Jared Allen and Charles Tillman. You go into season with Glennon and Garappolo battling the QB spot, RB's same, WR better with 3rd rd selection of Moncreif, TE much better now having Seferian Jenkins and Wright. OL Penn, Zuttah, Mack, New G and Dotson with Moses to replace Meredith. DL Allen and Donald to help strengthen line with Clayborn, and McCoy. LB same, and CB now have Revis, Banks and Tillman to go along with safeties. This team with new coaching staff would have me excited and eager to see them play the 2014 season.
I want a QB, but being realistic and admitting that probably won't happen.....I love your scenario. Jenkins and Donald and Moncrief are three of my favorite players, and I don't know much about OL but I know Martin and Richardson are suppose to be good, so this would be a great draft imo. I also love Mack, Allen, and Tillman in FA. Very close to what my perfect scenario would be.
I'd be down with Sam Shields, ran track against him in HS. One fast mofo
Penn cut, Matthews drafted and Allen signed and I'll be happy.
I like Sam Shields the most from this CB FA class. 2nd would be Peanut Tillman. Here are some other top CBs from this FA class.Aqib TalibDeAngelo Hall Alterraun VernerBrandon BrownerWalter ThurmondAaron RossBrent GrimesVontae DavisChris HarrisCaptain MunnerlynDrayton FlorenceRichard MarshallChris CarrNolan CarrollAntoine CasonKelvin HaydenJavier ArenasBrandon GheeThere are more less known but promising guys too. We should be able to definitely upgrade our CB depth over guys like Gorer, L. Johnson, Mike Adams, and Anthony Gaitor.
I really like McCluster as a returner, slot WR and RB. He has good versatility and shouldn't break the bank.I like Matt Cassel at QB assuming he is willing to sign as a backup. He brings experience and athletic ability and gives them flexibility on what they want to do with regards to Glennon or drafting a rookie.I wouldn't mind checking out Greg Jones at FB, though I don't really know Tedford's offense well enough to know how necessary that is. I hope they go after Jimmy Graham, if for no other reason than to drive the price way up.
Lots of options to upgrade the D-line. Defensive ends:Michael BennettMichael JohnsonGreg HardyJared AlllenJustin TuckJulius PeppersDefensive Tackle:Henry MeltonLamaar HoustonRandy StarksPaul SoliaiLinval JosephAubrayo FranklinArthur Jones
I'd be happy with any of those DEs, except Johnson. Little weary of him
