I know people call me a Gruden/Allen hater, but I just have one question… why are the “who’s going to be our QB?” or “what QB are we going to sign?” questions being asked every year? I believe it’s because these guys haven’t given a younger player a chance to develop. Let’s get a young guy in the draft, through free agency, or even on our own team and solve this problem for the next few years.

Paul, you and I don’t disagree.  I have been hoping the Bucs get a long term answer for a few years now and Gruden insists on using old, proven QBs.  Unfortunately his history shows that is exclusively the way he has gone both with the Raiders and the Bucs.  The only exception to the rule was a brief experiment with Simms.  I don’t count Gradkowki since he was not the answer from the start, and Gruden only used him because he had no one else he could use (or trust in his mind). 

The only younger QB the Bucs will have next year will be Luke McCown, mark my words.  It would be in the best interest of the franchise that Garcia and whatever other old QB that Gruden gets is hurt in the first four games, and then McCown is forced to be the starter for an extended period of time.  Then everyone finds out if he can be the QB of the future for the franchise.

The only downside I see with the three year extension of Allen/Gruden is more of the same with old QBs that are easy to get hurt. The only way out I see is getting McCown into a starting position because Gruden is forced to start him due to injuries to older QBs. I don’t see Gruden on his own drafting a QB and building one up.  I don’t hate the management for this, I just don’t like its approach.

I expect the Bucs to surprise many by drafting a QB. I wouldn’t be surprised to see us move up in the draft, via trade ( Jake Plummer to _____) to move us up. Also allowing us to keep our late first round pick. (Taking qb early, and Early Duecett late.) We either sign Javon Walker or even Alge Crumpler and all of a sudden we’re deep at the QB and receiver position. It’s that easy.

Running back is a concern but, in my opinion, just a slight one. I feel Michael Bennett can shine and he and Graham give us a little bit of a two headed monster. A funny rumor I heard was Warrick Dunn to Tampa (HAHA) we’ve got enough money to do it, but that would only be a temporary fix.)

We need upgrades at Center and DB. And a solid lineman would be key, but I can’t help (as always) to feel extremely optimistic with our odds, market, MONEY, and draft this year.

jvnootz - 24 February 2008 10:16 AM

I expect the Bucs to surprise many by drafting a QB. I wouldn’t be surprised to see us move up in the draft, via trade ( Jake Plummer to _____) to move us up. Also allowing us to keep our late first round pick. (Taking qb early, and Early Duecett late.) We either sign Javon Walker or even Alge Crumpler and all of a sudden we’re deep at the QB and receiver position. It’s that easy.

Running back is a concern but, in my opinion, just a slight one. I feel Michael Bennett can shine and he and Graham give us a little bit of a two headed monster. A funny rumor I heard was Warrick Dunn to Tampa (HAHA) we’ve got enough money to do it, but that would only be a temporary fix.)

We need upgrades at Center and DB. And a solid lineman would be key, but I can’t help (as always) to feel extremely optimistic with our odds, market, MONEY, and draft this year.

jvnootz, I agree with what you write a lot.  What makes you think the Bucs try to move up and draft a QB?  Allen has not shown any inclination with his track record with the Raiders or in Tampa to do such a thing - do you really think the team will do this? They have a number of needs in aging positions.

I think the Bucs showed their stance on RB for now, with the resigning of Michael Bennett.  With Bennett and Graham I will be shocked if they pick up another big name QB since the team has not given up on Cadillac Williams yet. Now they may pick up another Fullback, as BJ Askew is probbaly the only one guaranteed to return right now.  Not so sure about Michael Pittman whose contract is done and he was hurt this past year. He is still a solid player, especially as a receiver, but his best days are behind him now.  And Warrck Dunn had a less than great year this year - Atlanta is not interested in resigning him from what I heard.  Great player, but after a decade you don’t go out and spend your salary cap on a player at this point in his carrer (this sounds like an earlier converstation I saw about Warren Sapp - please note as I said no one was touching him with a 10 foot pole - and no one did). I think Dunn is done in the NFL if Atlanta does not resign, and I don’t think they will.

I don’t disagree about the other needs you state.  I am interested in your feedback however on why you think the Bucs will try to trade up on QB - or is this just a wish you have on your part?  Thanks for the information.

It’s more of me being optimistic that we get a Quarterback early in the draft I’ve seen Matt Ryan’s name thrown around. I like him and think he could be a good ‘system quarterback’, Brian Brohm is a gun slinger the likes of Gannon, but there are also guys like Deshean Jackson, Mario Manningham.Chris Long would be worth trading up for in the first round. Monte gets another good draft out of Chuckie.  in the early second round, where we are projected to take Devin Thomas from Michigan State. I dont think so. I see us shooting for a speedy receiver or get this- Ray Rice if he should fall so far. I said our running backs were okay, but getting Rice so late in the draft would be a steal and well worth the pick. We’ve seen him tear up USF and other teams on National Television so he’d immediately see time ala Caddy. Early Doucet seems like the right pick. It’s been said over and over in the papers and I agree, we need playmakers on offense. I want gunslinger Colt Brennen but he could be there in the third round.
We could trade guys like Plummer, Chris Simms who drew some interest mid season, Caddy could seek a trade, Or Michael Clayton could be involved in a swap of some sorts. I think a huge offensive playmaker could be our first pick and from there on out we lean on the defensive side of the ball to complete Monte’s depth.
A rookie QB allows gruden to stay with his pony Garcia, and allows the back up rookie to learn and get the playbook down. Playmaker who can take ideas from Garcia. And no is pushing for the rookie to start.

P.S.
Sign Randy Moss for all 30 million dollars we’ve got saved up. LMAO. Just lob the ball up and we win the Super Bowl. Hell give up all picks too.

jvnootz, okay, thanks for sharing - not Chuckster’s style, but we will see if he surprises us all.

By the way, I was dead on earlier about running back.  The Bucs are reportedly looking at picking up DeShaun Foster from the Carolina Panthers who released him today.

“General manager Bruce Allen said Saturday at the NFL combine he has spoken with Foster’s agent, Joby Branion. A visit is likely to occur early next week.”

The guy has been hurt and not playing as well as late, but he was a second round pick in 2002 and he may be picked up for about $4 million a year.

This fits exactly what I thought the bucs would do here - pick up a mid-aged free agent (5-6 NFL years) and see if he can back up and work with Graham and Bennett.

By the way, Pittman is out - he is looking for a job with other teams now, so that prediction of mine has come true as well.  I thought I knew what was going to happen with RBs, and at least I got that one right - no draft pick at all on this one - I beat the Tribune writer (Roy) on this one it appears when he said use a late draft pick or free agency - I thought free agency all the way.

AcuraT - 04 February 2008 03:18 PM

Free agents the Bucs might be interested in if they come to pass.  I will say my choices are expensive and may not be salary cap friendly.  They are just interesting names that I have seen that are coming available this year to one degree or another…

RB - Not sure if the Bucs are looking for this, as between the KC pickup of Bennett and Earnest Graham they have this covered. Many don’t know that Bennett is a free agent now and if the Bucs cannot resign him, they will need someone else not knowing Cadillac William’s status and Pittman is getting old.  Believe it or not, it is reported Michael Turner who is a great backup behind L. Tomlinson in San Diego is an unrestricted free agent - that could be a good pickup if the Bucs want to pay some big dollars for him.  Jamal Lewis is also an unrestricted free agent but now that he started to turn his career around there, he may not want to leave and he is a bigger risk than Turner. 

DB - Barber showed definate problems this year and Kelly’s injuries are not helping.  Phillip Buccanan was a very good pick up last year and it appears he is slowly replacing one of the positions and played very well for a “washed up” player.  Torrie Cox seemed to also play well and could fill the other position. I have already spent a lot of money elsewhere so perhaps the Bucs could pass on this this year.  Beleive it or not, both of the Patriot’s starting CBs are unrestricted free agents and there are plenty of other players available as well.  I think if the Bucs pick up anyone (and they may not here) there is a decent chance it will be in free agency (the names of the UFAs for the Patriots are Asante Samuel and Randall Gay.  With Randall however, the NY Jets want to steal him away - although we all know Bellicheck (Bellicheat) will do anything to keep him from that team.)

Okay, for my first time trying to do this the Bucs first moves are mirroring what I thought they would do.  As far as running back goes, they have not resigned Pittman and they did resign Bennett as I thought they would.  At this point they may still pick up a RB since Cadillac is not going to be back at the start of next season no matter what.

As far as DB goes, Kelly is already gone and now the Bucs are talking to Asante Samuel’s agent, and he has made it clear he wants to come to Tampa.  He is one of the “unfriendly” cap picks I mentioned earlier.  His cost to Tampa will be probably about $8 million a year, which is what, 10% of the cap?  Is a player ever worth that much?  Patriots decided not to resign him since he is so expensive.  He is a pro-bowl player and would be an immediate upgrade for the position, solidfying it for years to come.  I think if the Bucs can make the cap work, he is a good addition for the team as he does it all like Barber used to be able to do.

QB - If someone like Kevin O’Connel is there in the 3rd, we should pick him up. Garacia is a short term answer. If Derek Andrson doesn’t resign with Cleveland we should take a good look.

RB - Bennet has speed to match any RB in the league (not skill, but speed), and we have a proven workhorse in Earnest Graham. All we need here is a decent 3rd stringer. No need to spend a ny big bucks or high draft choices. If Caddie comes back healthy it will just be a bonus.

WR - With Galloway getting older and older we need a big time WR to tandem this year and take over the number one spot next year. We have really good young depth in Paris WArren, Stoval, and Clayton. We just need big time threat like Benard Berrian, or Javon Walker. Hopefully someone will step up to be that strong 3rd guy.

TE - I really doubt we will get Crumpler. There are like 10-12 teams that will try hard to get him. There are other options like Ben Utech that would still upgrade our offense.

OL - I think we should spend a few draft picks here. We should be ok this year, but we can always use young talented Depth.

DL - We need to resign Jovan Haye for sure. Quentin Groves (DE) would be a good pick up in the draft. Coleman is just not worth it in my eyes. He is just another old timer with a few years left in the tank. We need youth. Draft picks should be used to add young talent here. Justin Smith is goiong to be available from the Bengals and would be a great pick up for our team. If we had anyhting worth trading I’d say trade up in the draft and get Chris Long....that guy is gonna be a beast.

LB - I think we are pretty good here. Maybe pick up some solid depth in the draft or thru FA, but no need to blow money here.

CB - We NEED to make the Asante signing happen. Tampa two needs good CBs and with Barber probably retiring after this next year, we really need to have at least one good young CB in place. Lito Shepard is also looking to be traded out of Philly. The draft is deep at CB this year, we should get 1-2 CBs and see if we get lucky.

Pretty good at safety too, but Jonathan Vilma needs a home and I think it would be worth taking a chance on him. If he comes back fully from his injury, he could be like another John Lynch for this team.

Outside01, are you thinking that Jonathan Vilma is a Safety? Not sure if thats what you meant but he’s an Outside Linebacker, and a hell of a good one too. Not sure that we would trade for a backer after picking up Cato June in free agency last year though.

QB - If someone like Kevin O’Connel is there in the 3rd, we should pick him up. Garacia is a short term answer. If Derek Andrson doesn’t resign with Cleveland we should take a good look.

RB - Bennet has speed to match any RB in the league (not skill, but speed), and we have a proven workhorse in Earnest Graham. All we need here is a decent 3rd stringer. No need to spend a ny big bucks or high draft choices. If Caddie comes back healthy it will just be a bonus.

WR - With Galloway getting older and older we need a big time WR to tandem this year and take over the number one spot next year. We have really good young depth in Paris WArren, Stoval, and Clayton. We just need big time threat like Benard Berrian, or Javon Walker. Hopefully someone will step up to be that strong 3rd guy.

TE - I really doubt we will get Crumpler. There are like 10-12 teams that will try hard to get him. There are other options like Ben Utech that would still upgrade our offense.

OL - I think we should spend a few draft picks here. We should be ok this year, but we can always use young talented Depth.

DL - We need to resign Jovan Haye for sure. Quentin Groves (DE) would be a good pick up in the draft. Coleman is just not worth it in my eyes. He is just another old timer with a few years left in the tank. We need youth. Draft picks should be used to add young talent here. Justin Smith is goiong to be available from the Bengals and would be a great pick up for our team. If we had anyhting worth trading I’d say trade up in the draft and get Chris Long....that guy is gonna be a beast.

LB - I think we are pretty good here. Maybe pick up some solid depth in the draft or thru FA, but no need to blow money here.

CB - We NEED to make the Asante signing happen. Tampa two needs good CBs and with Barber probably retiring after this next year, we really need to have at least one good young CB in place. Lito Shepard is also looking to be traded out of Philly. The draft is deep at CB this year, we should get 1-2 CBs and see if we get lucky.

Pretty good at safety too, but Jonathan Vilma needs a home and I think it would be worth taking a chance on him. If he comes back fully from his injury, he could be like another John Lynch for this team.

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i dont think there are a lot of Crumpler fans out there, to be honest. A few, but not 10-12. The Lions just released a veteran corner whos name escapes me at the moment, but he is familar with our defensive schemes and I remember his name carried some weight. I just can’t remember it now. LOL Man, that Asante Samuel possibility ‘turned me on’ if I could make that any clearer I would but I’d love to have a proven shut down corner. yes, the Pats let him go, but they’ve let go of other studs before who didnt fit the ‘team’ first mentality. All he wants is a little money. Bucs have it, and it would solidify one corner. THEN we can draft a corner in the middle rounds.

As far as drafting OL, I dont generalize it. As it is, we ARE young at the line and it’s young in it’s depth. We need veterans to be willing to back up our new studs and a center to replace Wade. As I said though, it’s not very ‘fun’ to draft a lineman early in the draft.

Cato actually plays Derrick Brooks position. They moved him over when he got here because, well, what will you do-bench DB? When he’s gone, Cato can slide back and Vilma ((COthe linebackerUGH))could fill the other slot. Judging by this years draft and how our team stands ( young offense, old defense) we should spend the first pick on a Doucett or Deshean, then from there rock out with defensive picks. (DL, CB, LB)
P.S. Quincy Black was converted from CB to LB and could fill one of those positions. And as someone pointed out Paris Warren will return, and Lastly, Sabby Piscitteli will be a name I learn to spell by the end of his career. Go BUCS!

I just found out Marion Barber is a restricted free agent. I know the Cowboys could match anything we offer, but man I love that guy! We should try to pick him up. Between him and Graham we could ram it up the gut all game and really tire teams out. That dude isn’t very big, but he runs like a big man. Please oh please if there is a football god let this longshot become reality! I know running back isn’t a huge priority, but I would rather see us get a great RB like Barber than just waste money on someone like Foster.

Also, LB is not a need right now either, so it is not likely, but boy would it be nice to see Lance Briggs in a Bucs Jersey. Briggs - Ruud - June would be a pretty awesome group of guys.

Here is a list of guys I would love to see us get. Most aren’t realistic,but I still like em’

Lance Briggs (LB)
Benard Berrian (WR)
Asante Samuel (CB)
Justin Smith (DE)
Ben Utech (TE)
Jonathan Vilma (LB)
Marion Barber (RB)
Jeremy Shockey (TE)
Shaun Rogers (DT)
Lito Shepard (CB)
Earnest Wilford (WR)

If we get one or two of these guys I will be a happy man.

Guys I don’t want to see…

Rod Coleman (DT)
Jerry Porter (WR)
Deshaun Foster (RB)
Daunte Culpepper (QB)

One last thing, we released Spires and Carter....we are in danger of losing Greg White and Jovan Haye......what the hell gives? We were one player away from having a great(mostly young) D-line lat year, now we are in danager of not having a line at all!

MBIII isn’t going anywhere.

White has already been tendered and Haye is a lock to be tendered. Both are RFA so they ain’t goin’ nowhere.

iabucsfan - 26 February 2008 06:27 PM

Outside01, are you thinking that Jonathan Vilma is a Safety? Not sure if thats what you meant but he’s an Outside Linebacker, and a hell of a good one too. Not sure that we would trade for a backer after picking up Cato June in free agency last year though.

Vilma has played MLB since his days as a Hurricane. The Bucs drafted two LBers last season in Black and Heyward, signed June as a FA and still have Brooks. If healthy they like Antoine Cash also. I doubt the Bucs bring in any LBers at this point.

jvnootz - 26 February 2008 10:06 PM

P.S. Quincy Black was converted from CB to LB and could fill one of those positions. And as someone pointed out Paris Warren will return, and Lastly, Sabby Piscitteli will be a name I learn to spell by the end of his career. Go BUCS!

QBlack was never a CB and that includes going back to High School. At New Mexico he played the “Lobo” position which is more or less a deep MLB position. The difference is that, in the pros, he lines up closer to the LOS and needs to make quicker reads than he would further off the ball.