Lil' Shorty's 2nd 2012 Mock Offseason

[Lil' Shorty]

First off I just want to say that I feel this is very realistic. My reasoning: We have nearly $70 million in cap space this offseason. That's unheard of! With all the statements from Dominik that we will spend money, hasnt been that vocal about FA before, and the Glazers feeling the heat and an new HC, this is the perfect year to spend. Honestly, with how we front load contracts we could sign 4 to 5 premium big money FAs this offseason. Who knows what we will do, Im just saying that this is financially possible if we are aggressive and offer guaranteed money.

Coaching Changes

Head Coach: Greg Schiano



Initially, out of ignorance, I didnt like the move. Then, a few hours later when I could actually read a little about the guy, I felt as though we just hired the best HC of any team this offseason. Honestly, Im glad Chip Kelly turned us down because I think Schiano will be a much better HC. Plus, I just like his demeanor and how detail oriented he is. He has a solid plan and is going to instill a Buccaneer way. I love it. So far his coaching hires have been solid and I hope that continues. I feel that Schiano is the guy that will turn this franchise around. Needless to say I am very excited for the future.

Offensive Coordinator: Mike Sullivan



Great hire. Sure he has not been a play caller before but I dont mind that. A fresh coach, just like Schiano. Although, Sullivan has a solid amount of NFL experience and has won 2 Super Bowls with the Giants. He is and has coached a winner. I feel that will be very important in our offenses development. Though Eli Manning had a good chance of doing well this season regardless of his coordinator, I feel Sullivan pushed him over the top. Sullivan works very well with players and does what he has to to make them better. I absolutely love the type of offense he will bring too. Tough, Physical running offense that is explosive and has a downfield passing attack. Im sick of the West Coast offense and feel Freeman will excel in this new offense. Very excited about the way this offense will look next season.

Defensive Coordinator: Somebody good

Cut / Let Go

Earnest Graham
Kregg Lumpkin
Micheal Spurlock
Sammie Stroughter
Jeff Faine
Jovan Haye
Albert Haynesworth
Geno Hayes
Myron Lewis
Sean Jones
Corey Lynch

Resign

Josh Johnson
LeGarrette Blount
Preston Parker
Jeremy Zuttah
James Lee
Michael Bennett
Frank Okam
Elbert Mack
Connor Barth

Retire

Ronde Barber

Free Agency

BIG MONEY Contracts

Vincent Jackson (WR) 2011 Team: Chargers



We want Freeman to get better, this would be one of the first steps to take in making that happen. Vincent Jackson is a big possession receiver that is also a downfield threat. For being 6'5 230 the guy has some wheels and can stretch the field pretty well. His presence would immediately make the offense better due to the attention he would draw from defenses. Plus, if Freeman puts it on him, he will catch it. Vincent Jackson would be a nice addition to our other young WRs.

Carl Nicks (LG) 2011 Team: Saints



Coach Schiano has been preaching how he wants a tough, physical offense that runs the ball down other teams throats. Football starts in the trenches and if we want to be tough and physical then we need to have a better OL. Nicks would bring a 3rd Pro Bowler to this OL and allow us to move Zuttah to C where he has been quite good. Plus, if we want to be able to run the ball we need to have a better OL and Nicks would definitely bring an upgrade. This move just makes sense for the direction Schiano wants the offense to go. OL needs to get better just like our RBs.

MEDIUM / REASONABLE Contracts

David Hawthorne (MLB) 2011 Team: Seahawks



This guy is a boss. Haha. But seriously. With all the FAs Seattle has to sign there is speculation that Hawthorne will test the market. The fact that a LB of Hawthorne's quality will most likely hit the market is quite astonishing. He has been solid for a few years now and excels in one of the areas we need help most, LB. Hawthorne is for some reason undervalued and could come here at a reasonable price. Hawthorne is a sure tackler that doesnt get blow out of his gap and stops the run. Just by improving our LBs our D will get much better. In this scenario we would move Mason Foster to WLB.

Terrell Thomas (CB) 2011 Team: Giants



Thomas is an above average #2 CB in the NFL and is very young. In other words he could improve to becoming a true #1 some day, but for now I will take him being an above average #2. Coming off a serious injury which sidelined him for most of the 2011 season I think Thomas will get a lesser deal than what his talents deserve. I could very well see him getting a 1 to 2 year "prove it" contract. Never the less I would love for him to come to Tampa. He will probably be the odd man out on a Giants team that has a number of solid CBs and with Mike Sullivan seeing him up close the last few years I would say that it is more than reasonable that Sullivan puts a good word in for Thomas with Schiano this offseason. Thomas could very well be one of the steals from the 2012 FA class.

2012 NFL Draft

Round 1: Trent Richardson (RB) Alabama



The Richardson vs. Claiborne debate could go on for hours and Im sure it will go on below in the comments. But bottom line, Richardson will have a huge impact on this offense, something that has been emphasized by our new coaches this offseason. Schiano's / Sullivan's offense can not work without a dominate running game. Blount alone cant provide that. Add David Wilson or Lamar Miller in the 2nd instead of Richardson and they may turn out to be good but its more up in the air. Richardson is a Pro Bowl type prospect and to not pick him would be to pass on a future key piece of our offense. We can find other CBs, but we can not find other Trent Richardson's. Seriously. And if Claiborne weighs in light like some are predicting, it will be only more reason why we should take TR3. Looking at the coaches we have hired and their plan for the team as well as the almost definite impact Richardson will have on this team, he has to be the pick.

Round 2: Bobby Wagner (SLB) Utah State



After the Senior Bowl Im pretty sure most of you guys knew who this guy was. Once again. One of the biggest problems on our team last year was LB. Without an upgrade at the LB position expect us to get run on again this year. Add Wagner to the strong side with Hawthorne in the middle and Foster on the weak side and we have one nasty LB core. I feel that Quincy will start the season at SLB and Wagner will finish it there. Wagner does not get blown off his gap and knows how to disengage from blocks. The dude is very strong and a sure tackler. Not to mention he has some speed for his size. We are changing the way we view LBs here in Tampa. Speed is no longer the first thing we look at. We want hard hitters that make the tackle and dont get blown up.

*Note: I predict that we keep Quincy Black this season due to the 5 year deal he signed last year, but when he plays like crap again I see him being benched in favor to Bobby Wagner and then being cut in the 2013 offseason. Black's contract was front loaded so it will not hurt the cap much at all.

Round 3: Trumaine Johnson (CB) Montana



First off I want to say that I did not copy DRD with this pick. I was looking into him well before DRDs mock was posted. With that said DRD was on to something with the Trumaine Johnson pick. Honestly, this guy could become as very good CB in the NFL, possibly even a true #1. He is 6'3 205 and covers like a beast. Johnson is regarded in some circles as the best blitzing CB in college football. Dont let the school he went to scare you away. This guy can ball. He is very instinctive and makes plays.

Round 5: Jarius Wright (WR) Arkansas



Jarius is in the mold of a DeSean Jackson, meaning that he is small but a big time deep threat. Honestly, I think that Jarius is tougher than DeSean as far as being more willing to go across the middle and take a hit while hanging onto the ball. By no means am I taking anything away from DeSean, I just think that Jarius could be one of those guys a team gets in the later rounds of the draft that turns out to be a game breaker once or twice a game. Jarius Wright would definitely help add some speed to this offense.

Round 6: Winston Guy (S) Kentucky



Winston Guy has been a popular late round pick among Buc fans I have come to notice. Honestly, I like what I see with him. Guy has great size and stands at 6'1 216. Sure he as room to improve but I feel the could come and compete for the back up S position and potentially one day become a solid starter. But for now Guy will be good depth and a good supplemental player in the case that someone gets injured.

Round 7: Cody Johnson (FB) Texas



We need a better FB. Im really sick of Erik Lorig and his sub par play. Supposedly he is an H Back type but I really just feel he doesnt contribute at all. With a more powerful offense and running attack you need a more powerful FB. Johnson stands at 5'11 252. He is a physical FB that uses his size to his advantage. He looks for contact as a lead blocker and blows defenders up. He is also a good pass blocker and can catch out of the backfield. Johnson scored a total of 32 TDs at Texas so yes, he is a good goal line back as well if we wanted to use him that way.

2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Offense

QB - Josh Freeman, Josh Johnson, Rudy Carpenter
RB - Trent Richardson, LeGarrette Blount, Mossis Madu
FB - Cody Johnson
WR - Mike Williams, Dezmon Briscoe, Jarius Wright
WR - Vincent Jackson, Arrelious Benn, Preston Parker
TE - Kellen Winslow, Luke Stocker, Zack Pianalto
LT - Donald Penn, James Lee
LG - Carl Nicks, Derek Hardman
C - Jeremy Zuttah, Ted Larson
RG - Davin Joseph, Ted Larson
RT - Jeremy Trueblood, Demar Dotson

Defense

LDE - Da'Quan Bowers, Michael Bennett
DT - Brian Price, Roy Miller
DT - Gerald McCoy, Frank Okam
RDE - Adrian Clayborn, Tim Crowder
SLB - Quincy Black, Bobby Wagner, Dekota Watson
MLB - David Hawthorne, Mason Foster, Adam Hayward
WLB - Mason Foster, Dekota Watson, Adam Hayward
LCB - Aqib Talib, E.J. Biggers, Elbert Mack
RCB - Terrell Thomas, Trumaine Johnson, Anthony Gator
SS - Cody Grimm, Ahmad Black, Winston Guy
FS - Tanard Jackson, Larry Asante

Special Teams

P - Michael Koenen
K - Connor Barth
KO - Michael Koenen
H - Michael Koenen
LS - Andrew Economos
PR - Preston Parker
KR - Preston Parker

Practice Squad

QB - Brett Ratliff
FB - Erik Lorig
OT - Mike Ingersoll
OT - Chris Riley
WR - Raymond Webber
WR - Ed Grant
DE - George Johnson
S - Devin Holland
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[Caaddy24]

well, lol at the free agent signings again... im sorry shorty but there is just no way that happens... Even if lets say the Glazers even WANT to pony up that dough and sign all those guys, who's to say all of them actually want to come to tampa? They will be getting big offers from all kinds of teams, especially Nicks... So either they would have to really want to come to tampa, or we are gonna have to outbid everyone for all those free agents. And really I mean, who have we signed the last 4-5 seasons? A punter and Jeff Faine. And all of the sudden we sign 4 of arguably the top free agents of the offseason of their positions? Believe me, I hope I'm wrong, and you're right, but, yeah, I'm gonna keep it realistic

Love the draft though. And I love bobby wagner, I really want him in the 2nd I think he's gonna be a stud!!
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^^sig by HandsomeBob29^^
Regarding Trent Green...

ironman2008 wrote:

He needs to retire before finishing a coloring book is the most fun of the day

[indifference]

Wright won't be there in the 5th round. And no way we draft Wagner and he does NOT start over the infamous horrible Quincy Black. To be quite frank, Wagner is a better fit at WLB than Foster is at that position. I'd go.....

WLB- Wagner
MLB - Hawthrone
SLB - Foster

With Black(cap casualty hopefully) coming off the bench and Watson rotating in with Foster. Doubt we sign 2 tier 1 FA's. I'd be happy with just one.

[REDandPEWTER]

I like the draft a lot, however the Free Agency is too "Madden Like".

I think we'd land 1 big FA, but it seems more and more likely V--Jax might stay in SD. I could see an off-season of 1 big name FA, then a few mid-level signings like Hawthorne and Thomas.

Also, i agree with Indifference, Wagner or David, whomever we select, would play WLB. Foster would move to SLB if we land a MLB in FA.

[RB4TampaBay]

Lil' Shorty,

I agree with much of your thinking, I too am optimistic about the new staff, and will remain that way until they give me a reason to think otherwise.

I too think that they are going to change their spots a dive "Big Time" into the FA market, we have the money (more than any other team now), this is the time to put it to use and bring the fans back to the stadium. These are outstanding FA pickups, they would certainly help to fill the holes on this team, and make an immediate impact.

I would only make a few changes in other areas, I would not cut Corey Lynch, I think that he may be coachable and could be improved to be a better back up at his position with proper coaching, and he is supposed to be a great contributer on special teams.

I would cut James Lee, he was terrible last year, and only seemed to get worse as the season progressed. I would rather bring up Chris Riley from the Prac. Sqd. and give him a chance at the back up RT position.

Also, I read that we may receive a comp pick at the end of the 7th round, if so I would draft a center and place him as a back up to Zuttah.

Now who could not get excited about a line-up that looked like that? Nice work here.

[Lil' Shorty]

[Lil' Shorty]

[USFTAMPABAY20]

What everyone needs to remember is that by I believe next year, we have to at 95-98% of the total cap. You can roll back money, but eventually you have to catch yourself back up to it. So either we are going to have to sign a couple of big time free agents or we are going to be paying whatever the fine is for not meeting new CBA rules. I'm not saying EVERYONE is going to sign with us that Shorty said... but i would expect 2 big names and 2 to 3 other guys.

Draft is good. Considering your offseason acquisitions I definitely like it. I will have another mock coming up myself.
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Adopt A Buc

Dekota Watson:

EJ Biggers:

[RoeKG]

[quote="USFTAMPABAY20"]What everyone needs to remember is that by I believe next year, we have to at 95-98% of the total cap. You can roll back money, but eventually you have to catch yourself back up to it. So either we are going to have to sign a couple of big time free agents or we are going to be paying whatever the fine is for not meeting new CBA rules. I'm not saying EVERYONE is going to sign with us that Shorty said... but i would expect 2 big names and 2 to 3 other guys.

Draft is good. Considering your offseason acquisitions I definitely like it. I will have another mock coming up myself.[/quote]

What you should remember is that FAs don't only consider money and we've never been a huge destination for them. It's not as simple as spend the money. Unless we grossly overpay for people, they won't want the usual contracts with no signing bonuses on a team that's picking top 5 with new coaches and a reputation for bad ownership.
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[Calibucsfan]

A+
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[tml_gogo]

Optimism is one thing..that free agency is just ridiculous. Draft is alright, but no way that happens in free agency. Just because we have the money and a GM who wants to spend doesn't mean the owners will suddenly start giving signing bonuses or that players will even want to come here.
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El Ramster

[deuces22wild]

Lot of work you put into this wow. Nice read. Like some have said Fa seems little much, but like how you put all the pieces together.
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[Lil' Shorty]

[DaRealdeal]

You know that I like the draft
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[USFTAMPABAY20]