2014 NFL Free Agency: Value Players That May Be Targeted by Buccaneers’ GM Jason LichtBy Leo Howell - Jan 24th, 2014 at 2:19 pm
Most NFL general managers talk about building through the draft and seeking value in free agency. So it should come as no surprise that the new man in charge of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ front office repeated those same ideals during his introductory press conference. The difference for Jason Licht as opposed to many other new GM’s? Licht has spent a large part of his career working with teams that effectively built through the draft and signed value free agents. So let’s take Licht at his word and consider some of the value picks that Buccaneer fans might see in red and pewter next year. The following players are free agents according to Rotoworld’s list of 2014 free agents, but things can change between now and the start of free agency.
Quarterback Josh McCown If McCown wants to continue his NFL career but move to a new set of scenery to ride off into the sunset, there may not be a better place than Tampa. McCown won’t come at a high price, nor will he command a long contract. McCown would be an excellent teacher for Mike Glennon, and he’d also be formidable competition for the second-year NC State product.
Kick Returner/Wide Receiver Marc Mariani The Buccaneers’ training staff does not shy away from players with injury histories, so Mariani’s main concern would likely be less daunting for the Bucs. The former Montana star has been a dynamic special teams contributor when healthy during his NFL career, but he’s suffered a pair of major injuries in recent seasons. If he’s healthy, however, he could be a cheap spark for the Bucs on offense and special teams. 
Tight End Ben Hartsock No tight end had a higher run blocking grade (according to Pro Football Focus) than Hartsock, who helped pave the way for the powerful running game in Carolina. Hartsock is not a receiving threat at all, but with Tim Wright and Tom Crabtree to handle those duties, Hartsock might be a nice addition to the power running game Jeff Tedford has discussed. 
Guard Mike Pollak Pollak overcame injury issues to work his way into a role on the Cincinnati offensive line late in the 2013 season, and he performed well when given the chance. He’s a former second-round pick who has played center and guard and was a starter for the Colts before a failed move to Carolina and a half of a season as a contributor in Cincy.
Defensive End Robert Ayers Jared Allen, Greg Hardy and Justin Tuck are the big names at defensive end, but Ayers is a respectable option who will come with a smaller pricetag. Ayers wasn’t a full-time player with the Broncos this season, but he’s a solid run defender who also chipped in his fair share of QB pressure. http://thepewterplank.com/2014/01/24/2014-nfl-free-agency-value-targets-may-targeted-buccaneers-gm-jason-licht/
A garbage QB that had a few good games under a QB guru, no thanks.A injury plagued special teams guy, no thanks.A pass blocking TE because we have Crabtree and a decent rookie, no thanks.A run defending DE when 1 of our 2 biggest needs is a real pass rush from that position, no thanks.The only one I would want to check out is Pollack because he's somewhat proven and has versatility.
Personally I think the Bucs are going to target Eric Decker or Hakeem Nicks at WR. Pettigrew at TE, Mack at Center and either Michael Oher or Roger Safford at OT.
Personally I think the Bucs are going to target Eric Decker or Hakeem Nicks at WR. Pettigrew at TE, Mack at Center and either Michael Oher or Roger Safford at OT.
Now those are guys I can see adding something to the team, although I think Decker will get more from elsewhere than we should be offering. I get the feeling NE will open up the check book for him after seeing how wideout deprived they are now and get some payback for Welker.
We need to target Emmanuel Sanders of Pittsburgh. Perfect slot and perfect complement to the WR's we already have . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoSeBcUiQ-w
I don't think he'll sign any of these guys.
QB and OG are both needs. Why on Earth would you not want McCown when all we have is Glennon. A whole lot more "washed up old QB's" have led their teams to great seasons than 6'7" 220 pound guys have i can assure you.
True. But over and over we have heard from the glazers about sustainable success. For three different coaches now...Idk how much input they have given themselves, but I'm thinking "Old" isn't an option.I think they keep glennon, or draft a qb.
Awful. Pollack is alright. McCown is what he is. Old and not the future. Backup. Better than Orlovsky. Older vet with maybe two seasons left at the very most (he was going to retire), having to learn a complex offense is a bad investment. Draft Garapollo and groom the kid with live arm and bad footwork for a while. And let Glennon sail the ship until he can't do so any longer, effectively. Then keep Dan O, wave riding fools!
QB and OG are both needs. Why on Earth would you not want McCown when all we have is Glennon. A whole lot more "washed up old QB's" have led their teams to great seasons than 6'7" 220 pound guys have i can assure you.
Because McCown is trash, a few decent games after years of suckage don't alter that. throw in his age and really what is the point?The fact you mention the term washed up is laughable, he was never any good to start with.I think Glennon is garbage too so why would I want to see another guy of his level signed so we can have 2 useless QBs battle it out to be the starter?The aim isn't to find Mike competition or a replacement, it's to find a good QB that we can win with.What good is a QB competition really if the winner is still one of (if not THE) the worst starting QBs in the league?
Personally I think the Bucs are going to target Eric Decker or Hakeem Nicks at WR. Pettigrew at TE, Mack at Center and either Michael Oher or Roger Safford at OT.
Now those are guys I can see adding something to the team, although I think Decker will get more from elsewhere than we should be offering. I get the feeling NE will open up the check book for him after seeing how wideout deprived they are now and get some payback for Welker.
You guys just want big names.
If we sign a WR I want Jacoby Jones
Personally I think the Bucs are going to target Eric Decker or Hakeem Nicks at WR. Pettigrew at TE, Mack at Center and either Michael Oher or Roger Safford at OT.
Now those are guys I can see adding something to the team, although I think Decker will get more from elsewhere than we should be offering. I get the feeling NE will open up the check book for him after seeing how wideout deprived they are now and get some payback for Welker.
You guys just want big names.
Not true.Wanting big names is part of what created the mess Dom made.Those guys Bucko40 mentioned actually add something to the team, the guys in the OP don't really add much of anything.A nothing QB, an injured special teamer, a run stuffing DE when we need pass rush from the position, a blocking TE when we have Crabtree and need a well rounded guy or freak at the position.It's about team needs and what the player adds rather than simply name value.I hated the Revis trade, I never wanted Goldson, I thought Nicks was a waste of money, thought (& still do) think we overpaid Jackson.I'm far from a "I want name players" guy.
other low value players that i think Licht could target:QB Shaun Hill ($2-2.5M) - one of the best backup in the leagueRB Toby Gerhart ($1.5-2.5M) - Lovie want back the old Bucs playmaker, why not a new Dunn/Alstott combo FB Vonta Leach ($800K-1M) - should be cut... if you can resign Lorig for minimum salary, Leach is a better FB...WR Damian Williams (vet minimum) WR Jacoby Ford (vet minimum) - speed WR Danario Alexander (vet minimum) - in 2012, he was one of the NFL's up-and-coming young receiver TE/FB Bear Pascoe (vet minimum)TE Joel Dreessen ($1-1.5M)TE/OL Steve Maneri (vet minimum)G/T Bruce Campbell (vet minimum) - could compete with Carimi for backup spot OG Shawn Lauvao ($1.5-2M) - he's an athletic lineman with a nasty attitude, which makes him a solid run blocker... great young backup, and could be more...OG Harvey Dahl ($1.5-2.5M) - good backup, average starter... could be a stop gapOG Rob Sims ($1.5-2M) - another cap casualties who could be a stop gap?OG Mike Gibson (vet minimum) - former Cal player G/C Chris Spencer (vet minimum) - was a Bears in 2011 & 2012 KR/PR Devin Hester ($1.5-2M) - still a top 5 return specialistDT Brodrick Bunkley ($2-2.5M) - paycut or cut candidate in NODT Earl Mitchell ($1-1.5M)DT Vance Walker ($1-1.5M)DT Kyle Love (vet minimum)DT/DE Alex Carrington ($1.5-2M) - Useful inside/outside man with some pass rush ability. in 2013, was Buffalo's starting left end, placed on injured reserve(week 3) with a torn left quadriceps tendon, ending his season. in 2012, he was an underrated force as a rotational lineman behind Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus in the Bills' 4-3 defense, averaged a pressure every 10 pass rushes.DT/DE Jason Jones ($800K-1.2M) - he is capable of playing both tackle and end, but prefers tackle. He tore the patellar tendon in his left knee in Week 3 and was done for the season.DE/DT Corey Wootton ($2-3M) - former Lovie's DL (7 sacks in 2012)... 80%, someone offer more than $3M per year!DE/DT Leger Douzable (vet minimum) - tweener tackle/end.DE/DT Israel Idonije (vet minimum) - in 2013, he was signed by Detroit for the veteran's minimum... had 51 quarterback disruptions in 2012, just three fewer than Jason Pierre-Paul. Idonije did his damage on 56 fewer pass-rush attempts. He can also stop the run from left end and rush from the inside on nickel downs. last three years with Lovie = 20.5 sacks... good value for backup duties, vet minimum $... could be a good mentor for Williams Gholston...RDE Dwight Freeney ($2-3M) - He'd be a nice fit as a situational pass rusher, an inexpensive superstars past his prime. last year, Freeney signed a two-year, $8.75 million deal, placed on injured reserve with a torn quadriceps, ending his season(week 4). He wasn't making a huge box-score impact before going down, but had graded out as Pro Football Focus' No. 8 3-4 outside linebacker. He was generating consistent pressure despite notching only 0.5 sacks. Through the first three games, Freeney racked up 13 quarterback hurries, three quarterback hits and a half-sack while playing on 72.3 percent of the snaps. in 2012, Freeney recorded 12 tackles and five sacks in the Colts' 3-4 defense, but it wasn't a particularly strong fit for his skill set. He was expected to eye a return back to the 4-3, but money talks and the Chargers had a huge need for a pass rusher after losing Melvin Ingram to a torn ACL.OLB Chad Greenway ($2.5-3M) - Vikings cap casualties?OLB Justin Durant ($800K-1M) - Cowboys cap casualties? OLB Keith Rivers ($800K-1.2M) - 1st round bust, still a good backup and have great special teams abilityMLB Pat Angerer ($1-1.5M) - good backup for Foster... Tampa 2 MLBMLB Jonathan Vilma ($2M) - left knee? if healthy, he's a good leaderMLB D'Qwell Jackson ($2.5-3M) - Browns cap casualties?SS Darian Stewart (vet minimum) - need depth competitionSS Danieal Manning ($800K-1M) - former Lovie's playerFS Louis Delmas ($2.5-3M) - one year prove it deal before you can release Goldson in 2015?FS/CB Dwight Lowery (vet minimum) - competition for TandyFS/CB Usama Young (vet minimum) - competition for TandyCB Chris Cook ($2-2.5M) - former Frazier's CBCB Derek Cox (vet minimum) - one of the worst corners in the league this year but was healthy... cheap training camp competition who could rebound?CB Josh Wilson ($2-2.5M) - good for nickel duties and can compete to start opposite RevisCB Javier Arenas (vet minimum) - dime back and return specialist
He said value not cheap and garbage. He could sign those players as camp bodies maybe but not players you should count on.
