5 Cuts That Could Create Cap Space for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Luke Easterling Feb 3, 2015 With the 2014 NFL season now officially in the rear-view mirror, it's time for every team in the league to look ahead to what their rosters will look like in 2015. With free agency and the draft looming, teams will have to make some tough financial decisions in order to put themselves in the best possible place to make a playoff run.The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are already looking at plenty of cap space heading into the 2015 season—around $26 million, according to Spotrac.com—but that doesn't mean there aren't a few cuts they could make to free up additional room and replace those players with more effective options.Which players could be jettisoned to save the Bucs some money? Who has performed so far below expectations that it's worth eating a little dead money for Tampa Bay to part ways this offseason? Here are a few options.
G Logan Mankins David Richard/Associated Press In an effort to improve their awful play at guard, the Bucs swung a preseason trade for Logan Mankins, a six-time Pro Bowler with the Patriots who was expected to bring veteran leadership and a high level of play to an offensive line that had replaced four of five starters from the previous year.But though Mankins' presence in the locker room was definitely a positive for the Bucs, his play on the field left plenty to be desired. The veteran struggled in both pass protection and in the run game, and he simply didn't look comfortable in his first career season spent outside of New England.Mankins carries a $7 million cap hit for 2015, a number that simply doesn't match his performance from the 2014 season. Despite the pain of the compensation they gave up for Mankins—a fourth-round pick and a young, promising tight end in Tim Wright—the Bucs might be best served cutting their losses and finding a more cost-effective option.
P Michael Koenen USA TODAY Sports One of the more highly paid punters in the entire league, Michael Koenen's performance in 2014 should have the Bucs looking in a new, cheaper direction this offseason.Though Koenen ended the season on a bit of a high note, the veteran simply had too many short, disappointing punts throughout the year that put the Bucs defense in poor field position. Koenen's average of 40.4 yards per punt was by far his lowest since joining Tampa Bay in 2011, with his 44.2 average from 2013 as his next-worst.Koenen is scheduled to make $3.25 million in 2015, so don't be surprised if the Bucs decide to part ways with the 32-year-old, going instead with a younger leg and a smaller salary.
QB Josh McCown Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Signed to a two-year deal as a free agent last offseason, Josh McCown was immediately named the Bucs' starting quarterback. Hopes were high that the veteran would enjoy the same success in Tampa Bay as he had the previous year in Chicago, given he had a pair of similar receivers to throw to in Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans, who compare favorably to the Bears' Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.But though McCown was billed as a game manager who would take care of the ball and not lose games with poor decision-making, he turned out to be quite the opposite in 2014. McCown threw just 11 touchdowns to 14 interceptions and fumbled the ball 10 times. McCown's mistakes seemed to often come at the worst times, costing the Bucs points and wasting valuable field position.McCown will be 36 when training camp opens this year, and he's due to make $5.25 million. The Bucs are expected to select a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft, but even if they want to keep McCown around as a veteran mentor, that's a lot of money to pay him for his troubles. Tampa Bay might be better off keeping Mike Glennon—who will make less than $1 million in 2015—as the team's bridge to the next franchise quarterback.
S Dashon Goldson USA TODAY Sports One of the most high-priced free-agent signings in the entire NFL in 2013, Dashon Goldson has been more well known for drawing big penalties and fines than making big plays during his two years in Tampa Bay.Goldson was billed as a playmaker when the Bucs brought him in, but he's managed just one interception and one forced fumble over two seasons in Tampa Bay, and he looked uncomfortable in the Tampa 2 last year. He often takes poor angles both in coverage and against the run, and he simply hasn't had the impact that his price tag should warrant.Cutting Goldson would force the Bucs to eat $4 million in dead money, but it would also free up an additional $4 million as well. With the emergence of Bradley McDougald in 2014, it may be time for Tampa Bay to bite the bullet and find a cheaper safety who is a better fit for the Tampa 2.
OT Anthony Collins USA TODAY Sports Another player who could be shown the door after just one season in Tampa Bay is left tackle Anthony Collins, who was a huge disappointment after signing a lucrative free-agent deal last offseason.The Bucs cut veteran Donald Penn and replaced him with the younger Collins, but the former Cincinnati Bengal failed to live up to high expectations in 2014. After performing poorly and dealing with multiple injuries throughout the season, Collins was inactive for the final three games of the year, despite being fully healthy.Cutting Collins would leave the Bucs with $3 million in dead money, but it would still save them the same amount in cap space in 2014 when all is said and done. Collins' play was bad enough that Tampa Bay should cut its losses and move on this offseason. All stats courtesy of NFL.comAll contract information courtesy of Spotrac.comlink
