Now that the BUCS have a new HC and GM (1 Viewer)

[uconnalum]

We are entering this Free Agency period about 45 million under the cap.

Julius Peppers has expressed interest in testing the market.

Haynesworth has said he is going to test the free agent market.

Olshansky for SD is a free agent.

Bertrand Berry

Tank Johnson

J. Vilma

Bart Scott

Channing Crowder

These would be some players I would like to see TB try to sign on the Defensive side of the ball.

On the offensive side of the ball they need to target:

Kurt Warner if he decides not to re-sign with the Cards

Derrick Ward at RB

Dominic Rhodes at RB

Houshmanzadah at WR

Miles Austin or Lance Moore at WR

Now if I was Morris and Dominick they should sit down with the Glazers and evaluate the current crop of BUCS free agents and who is worth re-signing and who isn't and upgrade all sides of the ball so fans will see they are trying to improve the club.

If the Free Agency period ends in 2009 and they are still 20 million or more under the cap there will be a lot of grumbling from the fans.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

think without gruden they sign A.Bryant now?

 

[chris1969]

My guess is that they suffer. An entirely new staff means an entirely new direction, which means a lot of cap money will be used to replace guys that didn't need to be replaced. Especially on offense.

 

[spacevan]

I'll tell you what they are going to be doing in 09..... Kicking themselves. How do you let go of Gruden. Ridonkulous!

 

[bucsbaby]

On offense: QB, WR are priorities, maybe RB depending on the health of the guys we have

On defense: DT, DE, OLB, and CB are priorities

The Bucs have a good OL, but need a QB and WR so they can have a consistent passing game. Housh would be a nice fit, but I'd also like to see them go after some youth.

The Bucs have a lot of age on the defensive side of the ball and I think that is why they were getting torched in the 2nd half of games. Also, the interior of their line is just bad. DT I think is the biggest priority for this team. Haynesworth would be awesome, but is probably a fantasy. We definitely need DT though. Carter also needs to be replaced at LDE. I think if we can upgrade the rest of the line, Adams will have a chance to shine. He is a good player. I love Brooks and Barber, but their age is a liability imo. It doesn't mean they can't continue to rotate in, but we need a youth infusion at those positions. I wouldn't mind seeing June switch over to ROLB on a full time basis where he was very good in Indy.

If the Bucs do nothing else, I would like to see them bring in strength at DT. Then, I hope for a good draft regardless of the positions they target.

 

[Capella]

How many teams drop a lot in FA and then go on to win the Super Bowl?

It's all about the draft. They don't need to go sign a bunch of 30-year-olds who won't be here in a few years. Maybe if they can get a great DT or lineman, fine. But if you expect them to sign a WR, RB, DL, DT, and a CB, you're nuts.

 

[Andy Herron]

On the offensive side of the ball they need to target:

Kurt Warner if he decides not to re-sign with the Cards

Derrick Ward at RB

Dominic Rhodes at RB

Houshmanzadah at WR

Miles Austin or Lance Moore at WR

You can forget about Miles Austin. He isn't going anywhere.First and foremost, I think they need to settle on a QB and rid themselves of the "castoffs/aging" revolving door. They need to target a franchise type QB, one that can hold the job for more than a year or two.

 

[QUEZILLA]

I think Antonio Bryant may follow Gruden if he gets picked up somewhere. His O goes to 1 guy. At one time that 1 guy was Clayton, then Galloway, and finally Bryant. Gruden revived his career, and he knows he will be the "go to guy" in a JG offense. I could see him going to Oakland if Gruden gets another gig there.

From his comments though, he does sound pretty loyal to the Bucs.

 

[bucsbaby]

How many teams drop a lot in FA and then go on to win the Super Bowl? It's all about the draft. They don't need to go sign a bunch of 30-year-olds who won't be here in a few years. Maybe if they can get a great DT or lineman, fine. But if you expect them to sign a WR, RB, DL, DT, and a CB, you're nuts.

I didn't mean they had to sign all those guys in FA. I was just talking about what I think their needs are and thus what positions they might target in FA. I certainly hope that they build through the draft. One thing I don't like about Gruden is his man-love for aging veterans.

 

[massraider]

I doubt Bryant will have any loyalty to Gruden, or will sour on the Bucs because they bounced him.

Bryant will look to get paid. If I was a Bucs fan, I'd be nervous about giving Bryant a big deal. Had a fantastic year, and I don't doubt he has the talent. But I'd always be waiting for the other shoe to drop with this guy. I know nothing about him, so if he found God, or got married and settled down or something, that might make me feel better.

As to free agency, I agree with Capella. re-sign your young studs long-term, pick up role players in FA, and build through the draft. The other way rarely works. I'm a Raiders fan, trust me on this.

 

[QUEZILLA]

-franchise Bryant

-Give Clayton a 1 year "prove it" deal to see if it was really Gruden to blame for him sucking

-Make a big push for Haynesworth or Terrel Suggs

-Sign Donald Penn to a long term deal

-Address the QB position in either the draft, or FA

-Highly consider Housh

D-line is still the biggest need, and Raheem should know that.