Mike Florio gives us a Buccaneers offseason “to do list.” Florio discusses their free agents and the need for a good wide receiver. Florio also suggests that the Buccaneers get a veteran quarterback to assist Josh Freeman. Florio also puts former Rutgers running back Ray Rice on the table for the Buccaneers.
PFT Live: To-do list for the Buccaneers
Posted by NBCSports.com on February 16, 2012, 3:13 PM EDT
4 Responses to “PFT Live: To-do list for the Buccaneers”
Oh and BTW, Ray Rice on the table for the Buccaneers? To even consider that as a possibility is ridiculous. First, it’s highly unlikely that Baltimore let’s him walk. Second, the Buccaneers have much bigger needs than a starting running back. LB is already there and sure the Bucs need a #2 but the Bucs also have the #5 overall pick with the potential of drafting Trent Richardson. With the cap room they have and the huge amount of solid free agents that will be available, why not draft Richardson as #2 RB with the potential of taking over the starting role, and signing a couple of key free agents in the areas needed.
Rice as a free agent is much more reasonable as a F.A. than drafting Richardson at 5 when you have a glaring need at CB and the defense as a whole. I do agree with you that it’s highly unlikely that Baltimore would let him walk though, so it’s irrelevant. The only way they don’t draft CB at 5 is if Blackmon falls to them there. 2nd round they can go with a LB and in the third round hope a L.James from Oregon is still there.
I think that you are right about them taking someone else at 5 but I guess it’s wishful thinking. A talent like Richardson I don’t think should be passed up especially because LB is so one dimensional. Most successful running teams have two backs that are capable of taking on big roles. There are glaring needs on the defensive side of the ball among others but the Bucs also have lots of cap space with a bunch of free agents to go after. Lots of corners and wideouts that will be available. Of the three players mentioned, (Blackmon, Claiborne and Richardson), I think Richardson will make the biggest impact on the team and will most likely contribute immediately.
I think he’s going to be a stud running back for sure, I just don’t think they could pass up the opportunity to grab Claiborne either (or Blackmon if he falls). If either of the kids from Miami or Va Tech (RBs) are there in the second round, they’d have to consider them, although I’m not sure either will come close to the talent that Richardson has. And yes, I don’t believe that LB will progress much more than what he is right now. If he could hold on to the ball a little better, you could definitely use a 3rd down RB to compliment him cause he is a beast on 1st and 2nd. I guess the draft will boil down to what they do in FA. They have a better shot at picking up a Colston or Jackson in free agency, possibly even a starting caliber LB or two and going after Richardson first and a CB in the 2nd and 3rd, or CB then a RB in the 2nd. I hope they’re a little more aggressive with the FA hunt than they were with the coaching search.