After bad decisions in 2014, Bucs look again to free agency 
(L-R) Lovie Smith, MaryAnn Smith, Larsa Pippen and Scottie PippenBy Roy Cummings | Tribune Staff Published: March 9, 2015 at 10:09 PM TAMPA — Lovie Smith had been in place as coach of the Buccaneers for only a couple of months when the 2014 free-agency signing period began last March.Throw in the fact he’d spent the previous year watching NFL games from a couch in the basement of his Chicagoland home, and Smith admits he was a bit blind going into free agency last year.“We didn’t know our roster very well,” Smith said recently.It seems they didn’t know anyone else’s roster all that well, either.The Bucs dove into the 2014 market with a plan to make starters out of a career backup quarterback, a part-time left tackle and a defensive end with a five-year career average of 5.3 sacks per season.The plan failed. Miserably.During a forgettable 2-14 season, the $83 million the Bucs threw at quarterback Josh McCown, left tackle Anthony Collins and right end Michael Johnson proved to be nothing short of a bad investment. The investment was so bad, you might think that even with about $33 million worth of salary cap space, the Bucs would be hesitant to dip back into the free-agent market again this year.It seems they are not.“It’s not like we’re out of the free agency business,” Smith said. “Just because something didn’t turn out the way you wanted it to doesn’t mean you don’t try to do it again.“The (2014) football season didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to. That doesn’t mean we stop playing football. So, we’ll get back up on it and we’ll do things better.”They can’t do much worse. After all, McCown (since released), Collins (healthy scratch the last four games) and Johnson (four sacks) weren’t the only 2014 free agents who failed to play up to the team’s expectations.Cornerback Alterraun Verner slipped a notch from his 2013 Pro Bowl form, cornerback Mike Jenkins missed all but one game with a torn pectoral muscle and tight end Brandon Myers (22 catches, 190 yards, zero TDs) had his worst season in three years.In fact, the only members of the Bucs’ 2014 free agent class who met the Bucs’ expectations were defensive tackle Clinton McDonald (45 tackles, five sacks) and wide receiver Louis Murphy (31 catches, 380 yards, two TDs).As a result, the Bucs enter the 2015 free-agency signing period that starts at 4 p.m. Tuesday needing pretty much the same things they needed at the start of the 2014 signing period.That means they’ll be on the lookout for an offensive tackle, an edge rusher and possibly a veteran quarterback to compete with Mike Glennon and Seth Lobato, the only two quarterbacks on the roster.The chances of the Bucs landing a quality addition for at least one those spots already borders on slim. Defensive end Jerry Hughes, arguably the top pass rusher in free agency with 10 sacks each of the past two seasons, re-signed with the Bills on Monday. Likewise, linebacker/defensive end Brandon Graham re-signed with the Eagles.That still leaves Greg Hardy, Trent Cole and George Johnson on the market, but Hardy faces a possible suspension for his role in a 2014 domestic violence case, Cole has continued his search for a new team after visiting Tampa last week, and Johnson is a restricted free agent, which means the Bucs would have to surrender a draft pick to sign him.The Bucs could instead target value selections such as Jabaal Sheard, an outside linebacker with the Browns the past two years who could go back to playing end with the Bucs.The situation at offensive tackle is a little better. King Dunlap and Doug Free have re-signed with the Chargers and Cowboys respectively, but Bryan Bulaga, the best in the class, is still available.Back on the defensive side of the ball, reports have the Bucs targeting Kansas City Chiefs free agent safety Ron Parker, whose arrival in Tampa could spark the departure of Dashon Goldson. Goldson is due to make $7.5 million in 2015, which could make him a cap casualty if he doesn’t agree to restructure his contract.Other Bucs players expected to depart via free agency are middle linebacker Mason Foster and defensive ends Da’Quan Bowers and Adrian Clayborn.The departure of Foster would also put the Bucs in the market for a linebacker, though their plan may be to add a two-down linebacker who can play the strong side and move Danny Lansanah to middle backer.“We know our roster a lot better now,” Smith said. “And again, we would like to build our team through the draft, but that’s not to say you won’t use every avenue to build your squad. We just have to do a better job of it this time.” [email protected](813) 259-7979Twitter: @RCummingsTBO
