Free agency: Vick, Tillman linked to Bucs Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer? ? Tuesday, February 4, 2014 9:46am
Getty ImagesMichael Vick is 33 and looking for a starting job after Nick Foles' emergence in Philadelphia this past season. Free agency won't start up until March 11, but you're already seeing players connected as possible matches for teams, based on previous relationships or simply pairing the talent available with teams' most obvious needs.Over the weekend, two free-agent veterans were connected to the Bucs -- Eagles quarterback Michael Vick and Bears cornerback Charles "Peanut" Tillman, just named as the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year. Will either wear a Bucs uniform this fall? That conversation has to start with the internal evaluations the Bucs are having right now as a new coach and general manager ponder the players they've inherited.The Vick buzz has a lot of traction because it's a big name at a big position, but keep in mind this is what was reported: ESPN's Adam Schefter sent out a single tweet saying that the Bucs and Jets were two teams "likely to have some level of interest" in Vick. It's dipping a toe in the water -- 620's Steve Duemig mentioned on air Monday that he'd seen Vick as he walked past his table on Radio Row and Vick responded to a Tampa question with two thumbs up, but any free agent in Vick's position should show eagerness to join any team in an open market. Vick is 33 and looking for a starting job after Nick Foles' emergence in Philadelphia this past season. His numbers in the past three seasons aren't stellar -- 35 touchdown passes against 27 interceptions, this after throwing for 21 touchdowns against six picks in a strong comeback season in 2010. He rushed for nine touchdowns that season, but has just four rushing scores in the three years since.If new coach Lovie Smith and new general manager Jason Licht aren't sold on Mike Glennon as the team's starting quarterback, or simply if they want to bring in a higher level of competition, Vick would be an option in a limited free-agent QB class. That includes Josh McCown, who is older than Vick at 34 but coming off surprising success (13 TDs, 1 INT) filling in for Jay Cutler in Chicago, where he did play under Smith. Remember that Smith wasn't there for his success in 2013, and saw him throw two TDs in two seasons as a backup when he coached the Bears.Tillman, who turns 33 this month, is a more intriguing possibility -- he played eight of his 10 NFL seasons under Smith and five under Bucs corners coach Gill Byrd. He tore his triceps in November and missed the final six weeks of the season, but if the Bucs didn't see Johnthan Banks as a solid starter, he would give the Bucs a pair of strong, veteran corners lining up across from Darrelle Revis.Here's what Tillman had to say to the Chicago Sun-Times on Saturday about the possibility of landing with Tampa Bay: "Obviously, it makes the deal probably a little sweeter just because it’s a former head coach. You do know the system, you know the scheme. ... I think it helps it from a standpoint that it’s a former coach, a guy that you liked, a guy that you’d been with for 10 years. It’s cool. But it’s free agency. I’m open to whoever.”Both players were well-paid last season -- Tillman made $8 million, Vick $7.5 million -- but both are old enough (and limited by injuries enough) that they may not be able to improve on those salaries even as unrestricted free agent. The larger question is what the Bucs see as their most pressing needs: the public consensus is a strong pass-rushing defensive end, which may or may not be available with the No. 7 pick in the draft. The offensive line took a big step back in 2013 and has some big salaries, and the Bucs could improve their depth at tight end and receiver as well.Again, these are questions that will be answered over the next five weeks, as the Bucs finish their own evaluations and decide how much changes they'll make before the first season of a new chapter in the team's history.
I'm open to the idea of Vick . 1st of all he is left-handed , so our best O-lineman , Dotson , can protect his blindside.2nd , we have the perfect QB in Glennon to fill in for him whenever he gets hurt .3rd , I think if you can't at least mix in the threat of a little option read in today's game , you are handcuffing your offense , because if nothing else it forces the DE's to play honest and not crash down on inside runs.
33 year old Mike Vick and 33 year old Tillman. I'll lose a lot of faith in Lovie if this turns out to be anything more than a rumor.
I have no problem with Vick if he is actually playing. He won't make it through more than 4 games though.
The Buccaneers would be dead to me if they picked up that PoS. I would never give the organization one cent as long as Vick was part of the team and would actively campaign against them.
Lol
The Buccaneers would be dead to me if they picked up that PoS. I would never give the organization one cent as long as Vick was part of the team and would actively campaign against them.
Have you heard the man speak for more than 30 seconds in the past however many years since he has been back in the league?
Tilman is much more likely.I think Tedford is going to look hard at a journeyman vet and a rookie with the appropriate skillsets to go into the lab with...
33 year old Mike Vick and 33 year old Tillman. I'll lose a lot of faith in Lovie if this turns out to be anything more than a rumor.
because of adding two older players being to the 53 man roster? Do you honestly think that would make or break the season? Tillman would be a great addition for 2 years anyway. Also, we've consistently been one of the younger teams in football the last 6 years. Hows that been working out?
I've posted my thoughts on Vick, the scumbag, in a different thread so I'll limit this to football talk.Glennon is already better than Vick. He protects the ball and is a more accurate passer. I don't believe any team will promise Vick a starting role, but if the Bucs do, they will be worse off. I don't think he can beat out Glennon in an open competition.
I used to be the biggest hater of Vick back in his Atlanta days up and through his dog fighting ordeal. But he's served his punishment and has stayed out of trouble since. I'm open to him coming to Tampa. He's better than what else is out there and he's better than the table scraps that will be left when we draft at #7.
Would not really be a fan of Vick coming here. Just is not a quarterback that can last a whole season and just does not seem like a quarterback that handles pressure well. Does have a lot of talent though.
NFL rigs it. Vick comes to Tampa and destroys the Falcons in the NFC championship game. Arthur Blank fires Mike Smith during the game. Bucs go on to play the Browns in the SB where the Browns end Vicks career.
NFL rigs it. Vick comes to Tampa and destroys the Falcons in the NFC championship game. Arthur Blank fires Mike Smith during the game. Bucs go on to play the Browns in the SB where the Browns end Vicks career.
Plot twist: this actually happens.
People who are still on this dog fighting thing needs to get over it.The man paid his debt to society and has been out of trouble since. I'm not going to sit here and play "holier than thou"...That said I'm open to giving Vick a shot, but not for starters money and that contract better have a 16 game clause and a walk away clause.
