Official Tampa Bay Buccaneers Forum Thread

[RyanLeaf16]

This is the place for all things Bucs until the start of training camp in Lake Buena Vista, Florida at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex.

Right now, Bucs GM Mark Dominik is likely working the phones. Word is that a number of agents stated that Dominik has not been in contact with them about the services for their clients. This is due to Dominik being a one-man show at One Buc. Under the prior regime, GM Bruce Allen and Kevin Demoff both negotiated and executed deals. Now, Demoff is in St. Louis as the GM and Allen is out of the picture...Dominik is the only one authorized to make deals and he was apparently busy trying to work a deal with Albert Haynesworth - who has since signed with the Washington Redskins. Anyway, here are some quick hits:

- Bucs are now competing with the St. Louis Rams for the services of CB Philip Buchanan.

- Bucs are attempting to schedule a visit with free-agent LB Jonathan Vilma

- Derrick Ward is high on the Bucs' radar and would likely come in as an everydown back in Jeff Jagodzinski's new system.

- The Bucs want to bring in WR Nate Washington for a visit, however, they have yet to set a date. Washington is scheduled to visit with Detroit first

- Packers DT Colin Cole will be a target for the Bucs due to working previously with Bucs defensive coordinator Jim Bates

- Cardinals DE Antonio Smith is supposed to be scheduled to visit with the Bucs as well.

- LB Derrick Brooks will be meeting with the media today at 9:30a.


Leaf

 

[RyanLeaf16]

***BREAKING***

- Money/Contract have been officially offered to RB Derrick Ward. Don't know the numbers/figures yet.


Leaf

 

[RyanLeaf16]

Word from One Buc Place is that the team just traded for Kellen Winslow for an undisclosed draft pick.


Leaf

 

[Leftwich]

Bucs are trading undisclosed draft picks to the Browns for Kellen Winslow.

Via Sportscenter.

 

[RyanLeaf16]

Bucs are also interested in:

- WR Devery Henderson
- OT Khalif Barnes


Leaf

 

[RyanLeaf16]

Leaf,

I've been away from the forums for some time and don't know your take on how the Glazers did Gruden and Allen. Wasn't Gruden out to dinner with his family when he was canned [by phone]? Hey, why didn't they just text him? issed:

Oh, Ian and Duemig are character assassins. Douchebags. I can't listen much to them anymore.

And BigDog dumping Landry over that bunch of nothing scandal makes me dislike him even more. The FSN network was wise to keep him.

=======================

Luke McKown is really going to be our fucking QB?

Those soccer loving Glazers should have just sold the team to someone who would have focused [and spent the money] on making the Bucs great again.

Gruden/Allen took the fall for the Glazers tight-as-a-frog's-asshole wallet.

I remember when Allen had to come out for his end-of-year presser. The guy couldn't say what's really going on [the Glazers won't spend the money], so he had to dance around like a politician. Minutes later, Ron & Ian are calling the guy out as a scumbag liar. F them.

Not sure where Gruden was at the time. He was fired in the early afternoon though. Davin Joseph sent a mass text out to everyone in his cell saying "Gruden's gone." Allen was fired b/c he refused to fire Gruden. However, Allen was let go later in the day ~ 6:00p. He was actually in his office at 5:30p doing some work for the off-season.

Gruden is my guy and I back him on many things. However, when it came to Ian...Ian had a genuine beef. Jon would often dismiss Ian. However, Ian also brought that on himself by the way he would openly question Gruden and Ian kept pouring fuel on the fire by going on a crusade to criticize everything Gruden did.

Duemig is just a douche b/c Gruden wasn't going to act as a direct link between him and "insider" stories/rumors. I can tell you right now, Duemig constantly took his "buddies" side of the story (Keyshawn, Alstott, Clayton) and ran with it.

Right now it appears that the Glazers do not have enough capital to offer the kind of up-front money free-agents want. However, if you compare free-agency last season with Gruden/Allen vs free-agency thus far this off-season with Morris/Dominik, it is clear that Gruden/Allen were running the organization.

Last year Gruden/Allen had worked and signed Jeff Faine and John Gilmore within the first hour of free-agency. They had also set-up meetings with a number of different players. Last year, Gruden, Allen, Kevin Demoff, Paul Kelly, Mark Arteaga, Doug Williams and Mark Dominik were all working the phones, setting up visits, negotiating initial contract numbers, etc. In fact, Allen gave Demoff, Williams and Dominik had the authority to negotiate and sign players. Gruden would be on the phone recruiting guys to come to Tampa and Kelly and Arteaga would schedule flights for visits. Overall, it was a well-oiled machine.

This season, only Dominik has that authority. Demoff left for a promotion in St. Louis, Kelly/Arteaga/Allen/Gruden were all fired. Also, Bucs team attorney, Roxanne Kosarzycki was also fired. She handled all of the drafting of contracts, etc. for the team. Now, the Glazers have outsourced that to a local Tampa law firm which also creates a delay in getting things drafted and signed immediately. Kosarzycki was able to be on-call as an employee of the Buccaneers for anything. The law firm hired by the organization is not on-call which is another issue.

Right now, the whole thing is a cluster-fuck. The Glazers did not properly prepare for the mass exodus of front office personnel and it is now causing issues in free-agency.


Leaf

 

[RyanLeaf16]

- LB Angelo Crowell is scheduled to visit the Bucs this week

- CB Jabari Greer is visiting with the Bucs tomorrow (Monday)

- RB Derrick Ward is set to visit on Tuesday

Crowell is the perfect linebacker for Jim Bates' system. Definitely would like to add him.


Leaf

 

[Bmore]

Hey Guys,

I'm running the 2009 VSN Mock Draft and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers don't have a GM yet.

Anyone interested in drafting for them?

Sign Up In This Thread - http://www.vsngaming.com/forum/showthread.php?p=158354#post158354

If you don't know how this works, basically all you do is make the pick you think the Buccaneers would make when your draft pick comes up.

 

[RyanLeaf16]

Official Tampa Bay Buccaneers Forum Thread

Anything related to the Buccaneers and the 2009 season goes here. Rookie mini camp is over and that spells the start of the new season.

 

[RyanLeaf16]

Offseason Moves:
Buccaneers cut WR Paris Warren
Patriots acquire TE Alex Smith from Buccaneers for 2010 5th round pick
Buccaneers sign QB Byron Leftwich
Buccaneers re-sign OT Donald Penn
Raiders sign QB Jeff Garcia
Texans sign OLB Cato June
Buccaneers sign OLB Angelo Crowell
Patriots sign WR Joey Galloway
Buccaneers re-sign SS Jermaine Phillips
Buccaneers re-sign TE Jerramy Stevens
Lions sign Phillip Buchanon
Buccaneers sign K Mike Nugent
Buccaneers sign RB Derrick Ward
Titans sign DT Jovan Haye
Buccaneers sign ILB Niko Koutouvides
Buccaneers re-sign WR Michael Clayton
Buccaneers re-sign S Will Allen
Buccaneers acquire TE Kellen Winslow Jr. from Browns for a 2nd-round pick (2009) and 5th-round pick (2010)
Buccaneers cut WR Joey Galloway
Buccaneers cut RB Warrick Dunn
Buccaneers cut OLB Derrick Brooks
Buccaneers cut OLB Cato June
Buccaneers cut WR Ike Hilliard
Buccaneers re-sign DT Ryan Sims
Buccaneers franchise WR Antonio Bryant
Buccaneers re-sign QB Luke McCown
Buccaneers fire HC Jon Gruden
Buccaneers hire HC Raheem Morris

 

[RyanLeaf16]

2009 NFL Draft Picks:

17. Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
Awful pick. The 2009 quarterback class was less than stellar and filled with underclassmen. This pick seemed to be a pick of desperation. By default, Freeman is now a franchise quarterback - not because of his skill, but, because of his draft position. Grade: F

81. Roy Miller, DT, Texas
Fantastic pick! This guy can bench-press a house! He is a big body that is strong and can eat up space in the middle. In addition, the videos I saw from draftguys.com shows that Miller has a tremendous punch and gets a tremendous amount of leverage at the point of attack. Grade: A

117. Kyle Moore, DE, USC
My favorite pick of the draft! This kid has the size and speed to play end in Jim Bates' system. His physical make-up will allow him to step-in immediately along the defensive line rotation with Jimmy Wilkerson. Grade: A

155. Xavier Fulton, OT, Illinois
Fulton provides the Bucs with depth and can fill that swing tackle spot playing the right or left end. He did not practice in the rookie mini camp due to a minor injury, but, is expected to be ready for mini camp in June. Grade: B

217. E.J. Biggers, CB, Western Michigan
The secondary needed depth and the team may have a steal in Biggers. Draft videos have shown an impressive skill-set. Biggers also impressed defensive coordinator Jim Bates during the rookie mini camp. Biggers has a better shot than most 7th round picks to find himself on the 53-man roster. Grade: B

233. Sammie Stroughter, WR, Oregon State
Stroughter was the leading receiver at Oregon State. During the rookie mini camp he barely let the ball hit the ground - dropping only 3 passes over the 3 day mini camp. Stroughter has some speed and if he continues to perform during mini camp and training camp he may make the roster. Grade: B

 

[Poundtherock]

Additional signees and releases:

Signings:
Undrafted rookie free agents: DE Jarriett Buie (South Florida); OT Marc Dile (South Florida); WR Amarri Jackson; WR Pat Carter (Louisville); OT Demar Dotson (Southern Miss); RB Kareem Huggins (Hofstra); CB Evan McCollough (James Madison).

Terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Players released:
OT Andre Douglas; CB Greg Fassitt; and WR Anthony Mix. Mix was indicted for having sex with a minor by a grand jury. If convicted Mix could have a jail sentence of a year with a $500 fine, according to a Fox television station in Mobile, Ala. Mix allegedly had a relationship with a 15-year-old girl, and a grand jury found suitable evidence to indict Mix on those charges. Police wanted to pursue charges of second degree rape and sodomy. The grand jury's decision was to indict Mix on the misdemeanor of delinquency of a minor.


Watercooler stuff:

*Rick Stroud, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports the Bucs do not expect QB Brian Griese to attend their organized team activities this week.

*On his Twitter page, agent Drew Rosenhaus tweeted that RB Earnest Graham (ankle) has been working out at full speed.

-

 

[RyanLeaf16]

The Bucs will release Brian Griese today or tomorrow.

 

[Poundtherock]

Is there a Wildcat in the Bucs’ offense this year?

To get another QB into “rookie” camp and not tire-out Josh Freeman,
the Bucs imported Rodney Landers from James Madison University.
​

Passing totals last season at JM included 63.3%/1,534/21/4. Led the team in rushing as a senior with 268/1,770 1/16, averaging 6.6 yards per carry. Junior passing totals included 63.4%/1,678/13/5 when he also added 223/1,273/12 on the ground.

According to the “experts,” Landers is a “big, strong-armed college quarterback who projects to running back in the NFL. Sells ball fakes, and displays velocity on all his passes, losing nothing throwing on the run. Stands in the pocket and takes a hit in order to get the ball away. Easily escapes the rush, displays good ball-carrying vision, as well as a burst of speed. Makes defenders miss, creates yardage, and at the same time, shows strength carrying the ball, with the ability to break tackles and pick up yardage off initial contact.”

The Bucs are QB-overstocked at this point [Griese will most likely be gone this weekend] and Landers would have a tall order to fill to make the team at that position.

However, as far as we know, Landers is still in Tampa. Why? Maybe he displayed something the coaches like? According to Bucs.com, “after the rest of the players left the field following the final workout, Landers was run through some drills by Morris, Defensive Backs Coach Joe Baker and Special Teams Coordinator Rich Bisaccia. The Bucs wanted to get a look at Landers as a defensive back, so they watched his back pedal and his hip turn and some of his other fundamental skills."

"We had to get another arm in here to play quarterback and we happened to run into an athlete," explained Morris after Landers' workout. "He showed some stuff in special teams periods. He's a six-footer who's 220 pounds and moves around pretty good.

"I'm a project guy so I want to see if I can get a project down here to work with.”

"Maybe he comes back and he's a Wildcat quarterback, I don't know. Maybe he comes back and he's a DB for you. He can do some things for you. It's interesting. I don't know where it's going to go from here but I just wanted to get a look at him moving around in space a little bit as a defensive back. We were trying to get an evaluation of him."

Landers worked out for scouts at several positions during the JMU Pro Day, although he was unable to run a 40-yard dash at the time due to an injury, he has turned in a 4.88.

Wonder if Tampa Bay will bring out their version of the ‘Cat this year?

Wonder if the Madden Bucs will be one of the few teams that EA included the ‘Cat offense in their playbook for ‘10? That might tip us off.

PTR

 

[RyanLeaf16]

Leaf, we see eye to eye on seemingly everything but the draft. I like Freeman, in that this draft sucked ass. Who were we supposed to go with other than ANOTHER CB in round 1? There was no value in our needs, so we went with a huge risk/reward player who could turn out to be a franchise QB. Who knows how he'll develop? His physical tools are off the charts though, and we rarely see guys with those attributes when we draft. Arron Rodgers is the only one who has been on the board when we picked that you could say that about. Who else have we had a shot at? Not Sanchez, Stafford, Cutler, Big Ben, Eli, Rivers, etc etc.

And Kyle Moore, I'm befuddled at how most of the fans I talk to think he's some steal, hidden gem, future impact player. He's a run DE who had 7 CAREER sacks at 4 years of USC. Julian Jenkins points and laughs in his general direction. In another off-season or so, we'll upgrade our really poor D-line and he'll get lost in the shuffle I'm guessing. Still an ok rotational player, maybe even a starter for a few years. But I think most of his hype right now is more an indication of him being a draft pick in a terribly weak middle of the class and how thin we are at DE right now.

Stroughter could be a player though. He's the anti-Dexter Jackson. Jackson passes the eyeball test in shells and shorts, but can't play competently a down of real football. Stroughter doesn't grade out so well athletically, but he can ball. Good hands, good routes, good work ethic, good quickness. He reminds me of Ike, only younger and can beat me in a footrace.

1. I will have to respectfully disagree with you about the Freeman pick. While you say that there was no value in our needs, it still does not justify taking such a "boom or bust" player at the quarterback position. Quarterback is the hardest position to play in the game of football and therefore requires much more development time. Thus, it requires that the organization give Freeman even more time than a typical rookie in the hopes that he will develop. All the while, we could be passing up better quarterback prospects because we still don't know what we have with Freeman. I tend to think of Freeman in the same way that you think about Kyle Moore. HYPE. We are not going to make much noise this year. I would have been more comfortable going with McCown or Leftwich for a season and taking a quarterback next in next year's class.

2. All I can tell you about Kyle Moore is that his sack numbers at USC were misleading. He often was able to pressure the quarterback, he just wasn't racking up the takedowns. If anything is needed for this defense it is a pass-rush. Part of that problem was a lack of penetration from the middle. I think that you will see Ryan Sims, Roy Miller and Greg Peterson provide some push and I think Moore will be a beneficiary of that. Plus, with his size, I don't see him getting pushed around too much which should help against the run.

3. If you like Stroughter, I have some good news for you. He was practicing with the first-team offense during the OTA's today. Some might say a rookie 7th rounder running with the first team is BAD news, but, Stroughter is ballin' right now. He may head into training camp with a realistic possibility to be the 3rd receiver. This kid has been running precise routes, not good routes, precise routes. He is catching everything that comes his way and he apparently is a quick-study.

Also, LB Barrett Ruud was absent from OTA's today. However, this time it was confirmed that he is out because he is unhappy with his current contract. Ruud is set to earn a base of $1.6 million this year. Numbers wise, Ruud could make an argument that he deserves more money. However, he faded away late last season. I would like to see Ruud beef up and hold his own down the stretch before offering him an extension.

 

[Poundtherock]

Edited from My Blog

One Buc Place Update: Leftwich looking good to Olson, and Leftwich has lost some weight; Freeman getting second-team reps, albeit b/c Leftwich was nursing a sore groin but will be back next week; Luke slipping. Quarterback coach Greg Olson says McCown has taken a few steps back in his progression because he is learning a new offense.

Yes, it's early but I think Leftwich is gonna be the Bucs starter, unless he, himself, "loses" the job; and Freeman, Morris said, has improved each practice.

Personally, I like Freeman. He has a chip on his shoulder, a big shoulder, I might add; he's got the arm and he's got the legs. The only thing he didn't have at K-State was a support staff. The Bucs have an offensive line that can give him protection, if Sears comes around.

I feel Josh will be another Joe......Joe....no, not Montana, lol......who was that QB they said would burn the wood for a couple of years at Baltimore.......Flacco....or something like that. Just my opinion talking. I wouldn't write the guy off. Too early. Way too early!

Meanwhile, a fight going on at Cato June's old spot...... between LBs Angelo Crowell, Quincy Black and Geno Hayes during OTAs. However, Crowell suffered a slight setback today [6/12]. Roy Cummings, of The Tampa Tribune, reported that Crowell suffered a setback in his rehab from knee surgery. It is not known how severe the setback is, but linebackers coach Joe Barry said Crowell has been on the field for most of the last two weeks of practice.

Signings & other stuff:
Scott Reynolds, of PewterReport.com, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers OT Xavier Fulton signed a four-deal worth just over $1.9 million. Fulton will receive base salaries of $310,000 (2009), $395,000 (2010), $480,000 (2011) and $565,000 (2012). He also received a signing bonus of $181,000.

And a huh?

Ira Kaufman, of The Tampa Tribune, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik said the team is not interested in unrestricted free-agent QB Michael Vick (Falcons). Lol, sometimes.......why freaking ask? Kaufman, Kaufman, Kaufman................uke:

PTR

 

[RyanLeaf16]

...still linked to Marvin Harrison
...still linked to Plaxico Burress

...working out Drew Bennett tomorrow
...working out DJ Hackett this week

Michael Clayton signs for $25 million in the off-season. Call me crazy, but, I'm not so sure Mark Dominik and Sunshine Morris really know what they are doing with regards to the receiver position.

 

[Poundtherock]

From My Blog, The Real Deal or KState Love?

Responding to Sappisgod's 'on-target' McCown/Leftwich observations in the Official Bucs thread: Right now, I'm not enthused about any of the three QBs. I never was a "big" Luke McCown supporter, but I didn't dislike the guy.

I agree with you about his attributes as well. The lean away from Lefwich and McCown,I'm hoping, is not a-lot-of-KState love left over for Freeman.

But I'm like you, Sapp......and Leaf as well, I don't foresee a good year either.

Meanwhile....

.........the list is growing------Rick Stroud, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers may consider making QB Josh Freeman the team's starting quarterback if he continues to make progress during training camp.

I'm not worried about Freeman's stature, it's the mental-attitude crossing over. But he could be another Ryan or Flacco [spelling] depending on Olson.

*Looks like Jimmy Wilkerson is settling in at DE after moving around on the defensive line this early season. Back on May 13th, Stephen Holder, of the St. Petersburg Times, reported that Wilkerson’s work at DE was going so well that he could see him moving to end on a permanent basis.

*Anwar S. Richardson, of The Tampa Tribune, is now weighing in [Friday] that Wilkerson will, in fact, start at left defensive end this season. Richardson said Wilkerson had slimmed down from 290 pounds to 265 pounds, but he has added muscle and strength while improving his quickness.

So, what’s up with White? Other than “Stylez.”

*Comings and goings:

*Friday, the Bucs announced they signed seventh-round draft choice WR Sammie Stroughter, reportedly to a four-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed.

*The Bucs also announced they have released WR Amarri Jackson, LB Jamall Johnson and CB Evan McCollough.

*Sidesheet:

*Roy Cummings, of The Tampa Tribune, reported that DE Jarriett Buie was kicked out of practice last Wednesday, for hitting quarterback Byron Leftwich. I’m sure it wasn’t intentional, right?

*PewterReport.com reports QB Brian Griese could be fined as much as $8,000 for his absence from the team's mandatory minicamp.

*Burress interest!
Stephen F. Holder, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports free-agent WR Plaxico Burress (Giants) is intent on playing this season, and it appears he wouldn't mind doing so for the Bucs. Burress has reached out to RB Derrick Ward and others on the team to express an interest in joining them. Head coach Raheem Morris said there are obstacles, without talking specifics. "He's a great player," Morris said. "Any time you get a chance to add a great player to your team, you definitely have got to have some sort of interest. We don't know what's going on with his legal problems, we don't know what's going on with the suspensions in the league. Until we get all that stuff resolved, it's not even worth talking about."

*Charlie Campbell and Jim Flynn, of PewterReport.com, reported that unrestricted free-agent WR D.J. Hackett (Panthers) said his work out with the Bucs went well but does not know if he will be signed.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hot Girls of Summer.....with clothes on!

Seen at Fenway!​

 

[Poundtherock]

Bucs signings, Tue, Jun 23, 2009

Seventh-round draft choice CB E.J. Biggers to a four-year deal, and fourth-round draft choice DE Kyle Moore to a four-year deal, according to Drew Rosenhaus, agent for both. Financial terms were not disclosed.

 

[RyanLeaf16]

Glazers and the Bucs rank 32nd in the NFL when comparing cash spent, bonuses paid, etc.

Yet, ticket prices continue to rise.

Hmmm...and Man U would have no bearing on the Bucs organization. Glazers were great owners at one point, now the Bucs have become the red-headed step-child. They just need to sell to DeBartolo or OSI.