NFL Free Agency 2014: Don't expect the Buccaneers to be active By Sander Philipse?@Sanderrp Jan 26 2014, 9:06pm
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY SportsWith new general manager Jason Licht, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a quality scout -- but not someone who will spend heavily in free agency. Over the past week in various interviews, Jason Licht has spoken extensively on his philosophy: build through the draft, and search for value in free agency. With Licht's history as a front office executive with the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals, that should be no surprise. Their philosophies have never emphasized expensive free agents, although the Eagles on occasion dabble in them. Instead, the Patriots, Cardinals and Eagles have often opted to sign 'value' free agents. And, specifically, older players who can perform specific roles within the team's scheme. The general philosophy: ask what a player can do, not what he can't do -- and then put him in position to do the one thing he can do. That's why John Abraham has been a Falcon (whose general manager comes from the Patriots' school) and Cardinal over the past years, and why Atlanta signed Michael Turner. It's why the Patriots have players like Rob Ninkovich and Danny Amendola. It's why the Ravens traded for Anquan Boldin. It's why none of the premium free agents in the past decade ever signed with those teams. That doesn't mean big-name free agents can't ever represent value, but it's simply not what those front offices have done. And there's little reason to believe that Jason Licht's front office will be all that different. The one ray of hope for those wanting big-name free agents: Lovie Smith's bears did sign Julius Peppers to a ridiculous contract, which worked out fairly well. But more likely the Bucs will go after older players who can probably do a few things in the team's scheme. Charles Tillman would be the most obvious available example, who still played well when healthy the past few years. Jared Allen might be another example, as he isn't likely to be too expensive due to his age. Other fits for that kind of philosophy might be Anquan Boldin, Danario Alexander, Ted Ginn, Brandon Myers, Fred Davis, Jordan Gross, Willie Colon and Shaun Lauvao. Effectively, anyone who could still be a serviceable contributor for a couple of years, but for whatever reason isn't too expensive. Don't expect the Bucs to go after the expensive free agents, though. No Greg Hardy or Jairus Byrd or Bent Grimes or even Geoff Schwartz, probably. That's not Jason Licht's philosophy. http://www.bucsnation.com/2014/1/26/5346894/nfl-free-agency-2014-dont-expect-the-buccaneers-to-be-active
I'm ok with not making big splashes in free agency yearly, but not ok with going back to the drought we had from 2003 to recently.
with the scheme theyre going to employ now....a premium DE is much more valuable than a premium CB
I think the Bucs should use this years free agency to reset. Bring some high priced players in and let other high priced players on the roster go. Greg Hardy is just too good a player not to go after if he does somehow make free agency. Same goes for Alex Mack. For the most part I think the Bucs should only be willing to give big contracts to top free agent O-Lineman or D-Lineman this year, although I don't think it's outrageous to sign Byrd and look to trade Goldson considering Byrd's dad is our secondary coach. In addition to Goldson, the Bucs can look to move on from Penn and Joseph to free up cap space this year (although the Bucs probably need to look for a RT in free agency to kick Dotson over to the left side), with Nicks and Mike Williams being big contracts that need to get healthy and play well to stay on the roster in 2015.The Bucs are at least 3 years from having to pay a QB. They have that money that no one else in the division does. If they want to compete in the division over the next 3 years, they need to spend it wisely, but they need to spend it.
They need to pick up allen so they can go qb round one.You get the qb competition, AND allen(who has history with staff, and would be awesome to see what transpires w/penn).We don't have to do any trading up, no sacrificing picks, and we would be shoring up two defining positions for the next two seasons.I see no reason why having an elite de and two "average" or better qb's would be a problem. Stockpile.
Never assumed we would go after these guys.
"Jared Allen might be another example, as he isn't likely to be too expensive"...wait.....he's joking right ?? Jared Allen is going to cost a king's freakin ransom.
"Jared Allen might be another example, as he isn't likely to be too expensive"...wait.....he's joking right ?? Jared Allen is going to cost a king's freakin ransom.
It will be interesting to see what his market is. Pass rusher command a big $ but he is old and old pass rusher vanish shockingly quickly. It might not be too shocking to see us get him but it might be in a no signing bonus sort of way.
"Jared Allen might be another example, as he isn't likely to be too expensive"...wait.....he's joking right ?? Jared Allen is going to cost a king's freakin ransom.
It will be interesting to see what his market is. Pass rusher command a big $ but he is old and old pass rusher vanish shockingly quickly.
John Abraham hasn't gotten the memo , lol.
"Jared Allen might be another example, as he isn't likely to be too expensive"...wait.....he's joking right ?? Jared Allen is going to cost a king's freakin ransom.
It will be interesting to see what his market is. Pass rusher command a big $ but he is old and old pass rusher vanish shockingly quickly.
John Abraham hasn't gotten the memo , lol.
No, but when he does go I suspect he will go from 11 sacks to 4, there won't be a gradual decline. That is what you are trying to insulate yourself against. If we sign Allen and give him a 3 years $30m contract that is $10m in salary per and no signing bonus that is perfect because as soon as he hits a wall, he is gone with no cost.
"Jared Allen might be another example, as he isn't likely to be too expensive"...wait.....he's joking right ?? Jared Allen is going to cost a king's freakin ransom.
It will be interesting to see what his market is. Pass rusher command a big $ but he is old and old pass rusher vanish shockingly quickly.
John Abraham hasn't gotten the memo , lol.
No, but when he does go I suspect he will go from 11 sacks to 4, there won't be a gradual decline. That is what you are trying to insulate yourself against. If we sign Allen and give him a 3 years $30m contract that is $10m in salary per and no signing bonus that is perfect because as soon as he hits a wall, he is gone with no cost.
Any idea what Abraham is making with the Cards? Didn't he stay on the FA market a long time last off-season?
"Jared Allen might be another example, as he isn't likely to be too expensive"...wait.....he's joking right ?? Jared Allen is going to cost a king's freakin ransom.
It will be interesting to see what his market is. Pass rusher command a big $ but he is old and old pass rusher vanish shockingly quickly.
John Abraham hasn't gotten the memo , lol.
No, but when he does go I suspect he will go from 11 sacks to 4, there won't be a gradual decline. That is what you are trying to insulate yourself against. If we sign Allen and give him a 3 years $30m contract that is $10m in salary per and no signing bonus that is perfect because as soon as he hits a wall, he is gone with no cost.
Any idea what Abraham is making with the Cards? Didn't he stay on the FA market a long time last off-season?
Abraham is only making 2.5 a year.....that wasn't my point though....just that he's still balling out.
"Jared Allen might be another example, as he isn't likely to be too expensive"...wait.....he's joking right ?? Jared Allen is going to cost a king's freakin ransom.
It will be interesting to see what his market is. Pass rusher command a big $ but he is old and old pass rusher vanish shockingly quickly.
John Abraham hasn't gotten the memo , lol.
No, but when he does go I suspect he will go from 11 sacks to 4, there won't be a gradual decline. That is what you are trying to insulate yourself against. If we sign Allen and give him a 3 years $30m contract that is $10m in salary per and no signing bonus that is perfect because as soon as he hits a wall, he is gone with no cost.
Any idea what Abraham is making with the Cards? Didn't he stay on the FA market a long time last off-season?
Abraham is only making 2.5 a year.....that wasn't my point though....just that he's still balling out.
But it does fit into the discussion of inexpensive players versus the high market value ones.....which is what the article was alluding to. But I agree he is still a contributor at this point.
"Jared Allen might be another example, as he isn't likely to be too expensive"...wait.....he's joking right ?? Jared Allen is going to cost a king's freakin ransom.
It will be interesting to see what his market is. Pass rusher command a big $ but he is old and old pass rusher vanish shockingly quickly.
John Abraham hasn't gotten the memo , lol.
No, but when he does go I suspect he will go from 11 sacks to 4, there won't be a gradual decline. That is what you are trying to insulate yourself against. If we sign Allen and give him a 3 years $30m contract that is $10m in salary per and no signing bonus that is perfect because as soon as he hits a wall, he is gone with no cost.
Any idea what Abraham is making with the Cards? Didn't he stay on the FA market a long time last off-season?
Abraham is only making 2.5 a year.....that wasn't my point though....just that he's still balling out.
But it does fit into the discussion of inexpensive players versus the high market value ones.....which is what the article was alluding to. But I agree he is still a contributor at this point.
I dont think Allen will command a kings ransom. He probably gets a 3 year deal with 2 of those being fully guaranteed around the tune of $4-7 mil per season. If thats what it takes, bring him in. If someone else wants to go above, let them.
I don't see Allen getting more than $5 mil per year.
