Okay. Would you rather see Derrick Brooks released as he was Wednesday or would you rather see him play backup? My answer is I’d rather see him play backup than be released. It’s a shame that the game is such a business nowadays. This league and game was created as a man’s game, loyalty to your players and basically all built for the fans. It’s an example of football’s success now coming back to bite it in the rear. John Lynch, Warren Sapp, Warrick Dunn (twice), and now the great Derrick Brooks have been released by ownership. John Lynch continued to make Pro Bowl appearances after being castoff by the Bucs and now it’s possible he may enter the Hall as a Bronco.
Everyone was quick to blame Jon Gruden for the exits of these players, but now, with arguably the most famous head rolling, Gruden is no longer here. Who is to blame? Morris? Dominik? The Glazers? It’s a tough decision to release a player of Brooks caliber. If he had a guy behind him who everyone knew was ready to explode onto the scene, things would be different. The closest player would have been Cato June, but you let him go too. I don’t see any sense in letting Brooks or June go. I don’t see any sense in letting Dunn go, when you don’t have another running back capable of splitting carries with Earnest Graham. I don’t see why you would release your best possession receiver in Ike Hilliard (you don’t call him THird and Ike for nothing). Galloway, I can understand the move. I think he could still have been utilized, but he his injuries have mounted over the past few seasons. Look at it fellas....
Starting QB : Luke McCown
Starting RB Earnest Graham
Starting WRs : Antonio Bryant and ???
Starting OLB : Quincy Black and Adam Hayward
Me, ever the optimist...is hoping the Bucs intend on throwing a lot of money around this offseason. Making big moves. I don’t know why not TRADE Derrick Brooks or Joey Galloway and move up in the draft to pick up a better name than that Kansas State QB.
(Sigh) I hate to say it, but we are officially rebuilding. With a boatload of money behind us. We are rebuilding. With new management, darn near an entire coaching staff overhaul....
LOL Tony Kornheiser just put it best for football fans outside of the state, ‘ The Tampa Bay Buccaneers just cut everybody you knew on the team.”
So now the Bucs are $63 million under the cap.......Malcolm Glazer has a net worth of $2.3 billion......The Bucs franchise is valued by Forbes magazine at $963 million............
They now have enough cap space to sign Albert Haynesworth, Ray Lewis, and Julius Peppers and still have a big chunk left for others out there........If they don’t spend any money, then everything will be quite clear to us.........
Regarding yesterday’s cuts, I doubt we’ll miss them come game day, as none of them did that much last season.........Some of those ‘old horses’ just can’t accept the fact that they ain’t what they used to be.............
Of all the cuts, the only one that did not make much sense to me was Cato June. He has been averaging 67 tackles each of the last two seasons. He did average more with the Colts, but he has only played six seasons and just turned 30 - he is not old by any standard. Was it his performance?
It really seems like the team is trying to get the salaries low like in the Hugh Culverhouse days. They are now the most under the cap by $62.55 million dollars - they can sign anyone they want in free agency now. If the team is stubborn and does not sign anyone of much worth this offseason, I agree with Ghost, we know what the franchise is doing - going for the lowest base salary in the NFL and will get similar results unless the team is fantastically lucky.
It appears the team which declared interest in Albert Haynesworth will get outbid by Snyder and the Redskins. Let us see if the team makes a run at Cleveland’s Anderson (QB) for real, or is just posturing.
With Derrick Brooks, everyone saw direct evidence of him missing tackles, not making plays, and generally not playing particularly well in 2009. He had an occasional strong game, but most of the time he would have one bad miss a game. I even mentioned on this board halfway through the season it would not surprise me if Brooks and/or Barber were cut this offseason. So no, I am not surprised at this point by this cut. Great guy, definately hall of fame quality, but his career is almost over. If someone picks him up (and he agrees) it will most likely not be a starter role anywhere else.
A lot of talk has been made about the loss of leadership. I can’t help but agree the biggest loss here was just that. We are left with Ronde Barber and .....well....just Ronde Barber I suppose. A part of me is excited at the possibilty of a completely new approach to football on both sides of the ball. I love the rumors of big, nasty, tough football players on the defensive side of the ball.
One reason we couldn’t get one of those big nasties is because we now lack personnel. Why would Albert Haynesworth want to come here if we can’t meet the financial offerings of the Cowboys or Skins? Because we would have had Monte Kiffin, or Derrick Brooks, Jermaine Phillips, and a mentor in Kevin Carter. Now, he sees Quincy Black, Adam Hayward, and two young technically unproven defensive linemen in Gaines Adams and “Stylez” White. Chris Hovan might make for a good compliment alongside him, but in reality he is undersized to play in this new style defense. I see the draft as our best way of getting better, all the while staying younger. Ownership undoubtedly will give Morris and Dominik fresh, longer rope and although they don’t have the star power of Jon Gruden and Allen, they will be given the oppurtunity (5 years?) to make a name.
I still feel Cato was worth atleast a 3rd rounder and Galloway and Brooks could have been packaged for a decent pick.
After thinking it over and having another day to look at it, yes, I can admit it may have been time for Brooks to go, or at least take a lesser role. Maybe they discussed it with him and he said he wasn’t willing, not expecting to be released. Morris and Dominik played hard ball and let him go. I am curious as to who brought the decision up. Imagine sitting at the roundtable and hearing the words come out of your mouth...” So...ugh....Derrick Brooks? Release him?”
It should be obvious to everyone that the Glazers are calling the shots now.........
Regarding top free agents wanting to play here.......This is the bottom line----------MONEY.......give them money and they will come....and I don’t blame them.......get all you can, when you can!
Saw an interesting article this evening (NOT the Tampa Tribune) about Cato June. Apparently, he is regarded as one of the top 30 free agents available this year (about #30). He is regarded as a guy who has three or four more good years in him, and apparently he is only 29 not 30 like I thought.
If that is old, then the Bucs should be cutting about half their team which is near 29. As I suspected, he was a numbers game not an age thiing. I will wait to see who the Bucs pick up but if they deep six the season we will have a lot of disgruntled fans who may wonder where the franchise is going.
This is nowhere near the same in magnitude, but the Derrick Brooks release reminds me a little of when we released Shelton Quarles a few years back. There are glaring differences, the most obvious being THIS IS DERRICK BROOKS FUTURE HALL OF FAMER. Also different is, we had a promising linebacker waiting in the wings, who was on the upside, while Quarles was on his downside. That linebacker was Barret Ruud who now looks as if he is on his way to stardom and possibly icon status here in Tampa.
Last year around this time the Tribune did a write up on Barrett Ruud and the necessary leadership he would soon have to provide. I think later in the year there was a write up about how he was starting to embrace the role but still had Derrick Brooks to fall back on. Well now the responsibility sits square on his shoulders.
The problem with the release of DB is there is no future star waiting in the wings. Quincy Black has shown some flashes in the past few pre seasons, but he is no Barrett Ruud. I suppose the Bucs intend on drafting a linebacker to immediately compete for playing time. To counter what Acura has said, we ARE a few pieces away from success. We can pick up a reciever in this draft or some of the available talent that is out in the market. I heard TJ Houshmandzadeh’s name dropped in correlation to the Bucs last night by ESPN’s John Clayton. The NFL’s “Peter Gammons”. Looks like the Skins are locking up Albert Haynesworth, but a few names still are out there. There is the chance that the Bucs can get a back like Knowshon Mareno at 19. Percy Harvin at 19 and a few defensive standouts should still be available late.
Ray (Ma-ooo-laga) the linebacker out of USC, James Laurenitis the LB out of Ohio State ( both LBs won top level position awards.) are expected to fall as late as 20-25. Everett Brown’s stock has fallen some, though I dont think he’d be there as late as 19, but you just never know. It’s possible the Bucs take another Cornerback in the first round, seeing as Buchanon still isn’t signed and Ronde is at the end of his career. Picking up a guy like Malcom Jenkins or Vontae Davis. My sleeper pick that I’d love to see drop to us at 19 is Penn Sate DE Aaron Maybin but numerous reports have him going to San Diego or Chicago who pick JUST before us. These guys are all players capable of making immediate impact.
Yes, we need a QB, but it is not insane to think McCown could come in and light it up ala last year’s Matt Cassel or Derek Anderson of two years ago. People, if TRENT DILFER can win a Super Bowl, then by golly Matt Bryant can come in at QB and take us to a title.
Apparently Barrett Rudd is going to be the whole backfield in 2009 since the Bucs failed to sign any of the starters for next year - they are all free agents now.
“Clayton, who has expressed an interest in returning to the Bucs was not expected to be the only Bucs free agent to test the market. Safety Jermaine Phillips was expected to hit the market as well as was cornerback Phillip Buchanon. “
Since none reached a deal, they are all may be gone. Clayton (I know he is a WR who is best known for blocking) is talking to the Broncos and Seahwaks according to news sources. Phillips and Buchanan are talking to the Patriots and a couple of other teams.
It appears this team is being gutted now for rebuilding. No action in free agency by midday day 2, and no one can convince me that the draft is going to fill all these holes that have developed. If they cannot even sign Phillips and Buchanan who both performed well in 2008 and are not “old” as the team is looking to avoid, who will they sign in their place?
JVNootz, do you still believe this team is heading in a good direction? How do you expect them to replace all these players if they don’t resign - plus fill the “few” holes you mention? So far with no free agency at all that just leaves a few new draft picks - it is early and I give you that, but the best defensive players have already signed or have already signed with Washiington, the NY Jets, and a few other teams.
By the way, I don’t think gloom and doom yet about the QB situation - no one knows enough about McCown and the few chances he has played he has not been a complete disaster, just a little inconsistant at times. The Bucs are reportedly loooking at Bryon Leftwich - probably not the answer.
I’m not sure what direction this team is heading in. I know I saw news today on ESPN that Jovan Haye has been signed by the Titans. Filling the void left by Albert Haynesworth’s departure. I would have loved to see TJ Housh… sign with us, but who would you rather have throwing the ball your way McCown or Hasselback? It goes back to what I said in another post about free agents wanting to play for teams with big names. No one really wants to go to a bottom barrel team and at this point, that is what we look like. My friend is a Falcons fan and they are ecstatic about the moves made last year. (Even the questionable ones like the release of Crumpler, Dunn, Hall, and Grady Jackson. Of course they drafted a franchise QB and signed a game changing running back in Michael Turner. Their moves all paid off by year’s end, only time will tell if ours do too.
I was excited to see the announcment that we picked up Derrick Ward and I don’t expect him to come here to be second fiddle. Hopefully he can produce as Michael Turner has for Atlanta. His signing was enough for me to say our backfield is solidified. All the rumors of us searching for a QB through free agency gives me the impression we do not want to spend that first pick on QB Josh Freeman as so many reports have stated. And I’m okay with that. I would like to see us drop a pick on either a receiver or once again turning to a top end defensive pick. There are certainly many linebackers out there in the draft who should still be available at 19. I also like the addition of Kellen Winslow, also furthering the idea that we may stick with McCown and he has a TE he can dump it off to. As another newspaper stated here locally, he’s not ‘just a tight end’. Any receiver that can bring in 80 touchdowns and 1000 yards is certainly not just a tight end.
Michael Clayton. Hmm… Gruden is no longer here and I expect that Clayton will get his share of opportunities to prove he is not JUST a blocking receiver and he still can make big plays for us. Hopefully he works on his pass catching, because I can’t stand another season of 3 catch, 24 yards, 3 drops, and two huge blocks from Michael Clayton. I expect he may even be asked to fill Ike Hilliard’s role of crucial first downs. His first year proved he is more than capable of making plays. I do not think our offensive line is a weakness. I think it is the strength of our offense and we all know what that means : the offense is weak. If we are rebuilding I am okay with that. If we don’t win the division, I am okay with that. I am not okay with sandlot football. Whether we field a team capable of winning it all next year or not, I want to see the toughness Morris and Clayton talk about, I want to see big splash plays on offense. ( more than normal) I want to see the defense make key third and if necessary fourth down stops. I want to see McCown put up 30 + TD’s and I can tolerate 15 int’s as long as they don’t come with the game on the line. I’m not asking for a lot. I am a Rays fan and I was patient with the team they were putting together because they showed they were just a few years away from breaking through and they did. If the Bucs can do that, I will happily support them. No sense dwelling in the past. The team talks about moving forward-let’s do that. And let’s move out of the bottom ranks in the NFL on offense. So let’s move the ball forward-as in OVER the goal line.
Jvnootz, always appreciate your comments. At this point, the strategy is pretty clear of the new Bucs leadership. It is going to be a running game of smashmouth football, which may not be a bad thing. With a decent offensive line, all the Bucs moves have been around making the offense better and allowing the current young defensive backup players become the starters.
With picking up Ward and Winslow they now have guys for smashmouth running (Ward and Graham) and short as well as long passes (Winslow). I know many hate Clayton, but he is good for this kind of football as he is among the best blocking WRs out there. They kept him for that reason alone - his ability to block which he did a lot in 2008. Of course catching balls would be good too…
For defense we are going to see a lot more of youngsters like Sabby Piscitelli, Aqib Talib, potentially Elbert Mack, and Torrie Cox. The good news is that some like Piscitelli, Talib, and sometimes Cox have shown the ability to play well. Mack is a huge questionmark although Bucs staff seem to love him. The biggest question is can they all peform week in and out? Also, the depth of the backfield is a lot lighter with Cato June and Derrick Brooks gone.
Question for me are:
1) Can QB Josh McCown get the job done - we may just find out this year once and for all
2) Will the new offensive scheme work and the Bucs be able to dominate the line of scrimmage and run the ball successfully?
3) Will the young defensive backfield get the job done?
4) Who is going to be on the defensive line?
Becuase of #4 being the biggest hole still, I think the bucs will be drafting a defensive lineman in the first round this year. For the 3rd round pick, it will depend on the personel available but they may draft for the defensive backfield at that point. The competing QB will be a free agent pick up or a shock to me and a first round draft pick.
I know I declared 6-10 early on, and I think that has to be our expectation for a rebuilding year. Anything better is a pleasant surprise.
The closest thing that comes to this decision is the Ravens not resigning Ray Lewis. They did not RELEASE Ray Lewis, they just have no renewed his contract and he is a free agent. Housh is a tough player to let go, but he was not the face of your franchise, or arguably it’s greatest all-time player. I can’t have ONE big release lik this come to mind. Teams have not renewed contracts, but you don’t hear of them releasing their studs. I may be misinformed.
Great players have been forced out before, I know this. In today’s game it’s even more difficult for a player to finish his career where he started.
Ray Lewis’s demise in Baltimore was premature - he resigned last night.
Buchannan wanted to stay in Tampa, and gave Tampa a chance to match Detroit’s offer. No interest, so he signed. The same thing will happen with Jeramine Philllps as I expect him to sign on the west coast with the Chargers or the 49ers soon as reported. I truly expect the Bucs to try to start second or third year players who have been sitting on the bench. They will sink or swim with these “new” players as it is obvious the team is having trouble signing estabalished free agents - they do not want to join a team that is going full bore in rebuilding (Albert Haynesworth quoted, for example). We are about to find out if the draft picks of Monte Kiffen, John Gruden, and Bruce Allen are worth it or not. Their drafting legacy will be established on how well this new backfield plays in 2009 (I know, a weird way to look at it but it is true as they were all drafted by that group).
There may be a high draft pick spent on the backfield but I suspect that will be used for the defensive line (outside chance of first round going for a QB - but very long shot).
With the new regieme, the cover 2 may be used sometimes but it may not be the primary defense. Everyone expects a new defensive strategy come next season. It will be intereesting to see if it works and if the team has the right players to make it work. One thing, the defense finished the year 10th even with the collapse the last four games. Monte Kiffin finished with a whimper but his defense overall was not the reason for the team’s failure. The offense was better last year ranking 15th believe it or not, but it was nothing fantastic and was directly responsible for the loss in Dallas - that one win would have put the Bucs in the playoffs.
