Richie Incognito has arrived in Tampa and is expected to take a physical and meet with Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith on Monday as a possible precursor to a contract with the team.
It’s doubtful that things would have progressed to this point if Bucs coach Lovie Smith wasn’t willing Teto have Incognito on the roster, but Smith made his feelings clear on Monday anyway.
“I would like to talk to him myself. And you if you know my history, I do believe in second chances,” Smith said, via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. “To me, nobody should have a death sentence. If you should, you’re probably in jail. And then from there, what does it hurt to talk to someone? For me, as we go forward, I’m going to give everyone the benefit of the doubt until we have information that tells us otherwise.”
Teams find themselves a lot more willing to extend benefit of the doubt to players with checkered pasts when they have serious needs and the Bucs’ situation at guard certainly qualifies. With other members of the offensive line on board with the potential acquisition as well, the physical may be the major hurdle for Incognito to clear before returning to the NFL.