Posted by  GBC, tampa on 03/27  at  12:25 PM

THIS IS THE PLAN: pick a WR thru free agent (i.e., Chad Johnson) and draft for the defense,,, OR, pick DL thru free agent (i.e., Rod Colemen) and draft for the offense. Keep the draft is for depth and future wins.

Posted by  kyle fountain, kansas on 03/25  at  04:37 AM

We need a big 6’3+ playmaking WR to bookend with Galloway. And a QB that’s looks like his BIG BROTHER a Derrek Anderson, Ben Rothlesberger type. Someone physical enough to play the position.  I know Garcia is nails but he’s surviving on his brains and shear will. We need a successor. and I pray daily it won’t be Griese,Simms, or Gradkowski. Lets face it we need to draft a QB that will be the face of this franchise with either the 1st or 2nd pick. Galloway needs help, a big strong WR is a start. That could make life pretty exciting around One Buc Place.

Posted by  Paul H, Tampa on 03/21  at  09:39 PM

Is it crazy to think that perhaps, if Chad Johnson continues to complain and want out of town, that the Bucs couldn’t trade for him? Even if it was for a 2nd round pick, CJ is a proven WR. That would be the move for the Bucs. I am not saying we can count on that materializing, but it is intriguing and not impossible. I realize his mouth is an issue, but maybe he just needs a change a scenery? Moss and TO both have remained wildly productive after changing teams, so I don’t view it as a huge risk. He would be a much needed playmaker.

Posted by  Greg Donoghue, Bradenton on 03/20  at  05:50 PM

Mitch NYC:
Sorry about the typo’s, but Clayton is done, Stovall has not produced squat. James Hardy is a football player. You can’t coach height, if the player can play, that is.

Posted by  Cody Ubben, Cedar Falls, IA on 03/20  at  10:25 AM

He was also Joe Montana, one of a kind, how many more Qb’s are ever going to be like him. Not to mention he had the greatest receiver to ever play the game.
And I was talking about current teams. The game has evolved quite a bit since then.

Posted by  Kyle, Canada on 03/20  at  03:58 AM

Chandler are you kidding me?  I would love to have Les Steckle back, if im not mistaken he was the cordinator for the highest scoring buc offense EVER. (388 points) and his reward was Dungy replaced him with his buddy Clyde Cristensen who couldn’t have scored on the Gather Cowboys.  Thats what got Dungy fired.  Gregory, I know this has been rough for you but go back watch your bucs superbowl dvd, Jurivicius did not score a tochdown, everyone else on the roster however did.  Cody, I sure hope your wrong about simms.  He lost his spleen which destroys old blood cells as part of your immune system alowing you to heal.  He looks like a frail highschool kid already, I dont think he would ever last a full season.

Posted by  Skylar Zalamut, Charlotte, NC on 03/19  at  08:33 PM

Joe Montana didn’t have a big arm. Oops, sorry didn’t mean to muddy your waters with facts…

Posted by  Cody Ubben, Cedar Falls, IA on 03/19  at  07:28 PM

Everybody is on here talking about wanting to bring in these big name receivers, which in due time will be a good thing to do. But it is just waisted money if we don’t have the Qb to get the ball out too them and if our O-Line isn’t ready to completely protect the Qb. We must do things one step at a time. Time will tell but Jeff Faine may turn out to be one of the best GA pickups the Bucs have ever had cause he may be all that was needed to put that group over the edge. Now Qb, Garcia is a good leader but he has a pea-shooter for an arm. Look at the best offenses in the game, a pocket passer with a big accurate arm, a great o-line, and an efficient running game. Don’t be suprised if Simms could still be the guy.

Posted by  A.Norton, New Albany, IN on 03/19  at  07:12 PM

Reading this section is first time since we made the playoffs that heard true fans stick behind our team and coaches, this made me feel good to be a buc fan! With saying that Everyone that has been a hater thus far will be on the band wagon again when we sign a big name Reciever like C.Johnson or somebody good if they are available, if not we will bring it in from the draft. It is good to hear people saying good things about our team, rather than spazing out and assuming the worst.......

Posted by  Chandler L Glover, Tampa on 03/19  at  07:05 PM

Pre-read you blogs people! How many ex-Pats continue to make the pro bowl after moving on. Gruden has finally got it; everyone should be excited for the future of the franchise.
Unfortunately I have to state that this is the same system Dungy uses to build a defense. And that guy sucked on making an offense! Remember Les Steckles?

Posted by  Chandler L Glover, Tampa on 03/19  at  07:04 PM

Good one Mitch! Just a question for u bloggers. Why in five years has there been only 1 offensive player targeted and bought away from the Bucs in the Entire League, (Dunn). This is a team with an offensive genius at the helm for over half a decade right? Defensive players don’t last a week in FA. Now Gruden is maturing as a coach, (hence the approach to free agency and better drafting). Gruden’s genius is derived from desperation. He’s hiring better positional coaches and training players within the Bucs system, (like the Pats). He now understands that you don’t draft for contingency you coach toward it.

Posted by  Mitch R, NYC on 03/19  at  04:44 PM

One more thing Gregory, I just checked, Plaxico is listed at 6’5’’ (same as Stovall) and Randy Moss is listed at 6’4’’ (same a Clayton).  So from a height perspective, I think the Bucs have nice size.  I guess you’re really forgetting the one thing that Moss has, he’s a freak of nature, a rare blend of size and speed.

Anymore words of wisdom, Einstein?

Posted by  JC Reynolds, Chesapeake,VA on 03/19  at  04:41 PM

Joey Galloway is still #1....we don’t need a #1....we need a possesion receiver....big 6’5"-6’7" receiver. I don’t want to waste a 1st round pick on one since Gruden is a bust on 1st round picks (Clayton-Cadillac) Gaines was Kiffen’s pick. FA is for filling holes....the Draft is for Depth.

Posted by  Mitch R, NYC on 03/19  at  04:39 PM

Gregory, first off, learn to spell HEIGHT (not hight).  Secondly, we have Clayton @ 6’4’’, Stovall @ 6’5’’ and Antonio Bryant @ 6’2’’.  That’s plenty of HEIGHT.  Third, prior to Randy Moss, who were New Englands big, tall receivers? 

Gregory, The Red Sox had a starting pitcher from Japan, and won the world series, does that mean that every team should go out and sign a Japanese pitcher?

Posted by  Dan Didriksen, Atlanta, GA on 03/19  at  04:09 PM

I’m very pleased with the Bucs offseason.  All you have to do is look back to the offseason moves of Charlie Garner, Todd Stussie, and a bunch of other linemen I can’t remember their names (like the 49 dude at tackle/guard).

Spending isn’t the measure of a good off season.  What the players do on the field is.  We can not judge the offseason until the regular season. 

However, when I look at the FA this year and judge them based on last years production… I am not excited for them.  A few good ones (Asante Samuel, Moss), but not worth breaking our bank for.  Moss was a FA, but was never really available.

Posted by  Gregory Donoghue, Bradenton on 03/19  at  01:06 PM

Bucs should draft James Hardy 6’7” Wide Receiver. He has speed, great hands and can run after the catch. Look at the teams in the Super Bowl, one had Randy Moss, the other Plexico Burress. When Bucs won SB they had Jurevicius, who if ya’ll remember could two vital passes, one for a TD. You cannot coach Hight!!! Yes, I would take him first if he is available.

Posted by  kyle fountain, kansas on 03/19  at  12:13 PM

sign 85, draft for defense

Posted by  Enrique Mong, Raleigh on 03/19  at  11:30 AM

The Bucs always sem to go after the mediocre free agents in hopes that they pan out.  Just once I would like to see them do what the Patriots did last year in free agency which is sign Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth.  Now that’s how you bolster your receiving core.  Gruden and Allen are still to this day living off of Dungy’s team now he (Dungy) knew how to work the draft and free agency.  Since Gruden has been here the Bucs have never been as good as the teams in the Dungy era I wish we had him back.

Enrique
Raleigh

Posted by  Donald Ellis, Mobile on 03/19  at  09:52 AM

There are 8, coun’t ‘em 8 legitimate first and second round receivers in this draft.  Why go after one in round one.  There is no can’t miss guy.  Get one in round two like Sweed or Douglas who is a DeShawn Jackson clone.

Posted by  Bryan Kohn, Daytona Beach Fl on 03/19  at  09:10 AM

Lets be honest. Hackett, Bryant, and Berrian are names that most bucs fans didnt really know about until free agency started. Ok, maybe Berrian was a little more popular. My sources tell me that the team had a good off season chat with Mike Clayton and they are going to try to recapture some of the magic from his rookie year.  I dont think he was totally healthy last year and was a bit gun shy.  The Draft is packed with talented receivers. Its not like our receiving corps are in dire straits.  I also think that there will be a receiver or two to hit the waiver wire still.  All in all, I think that the front office has done a good job so far in the off season. Lets keep the faith, and stand by our team.

Posted by  Bean, Richmond, VA on 03/19  at  06:38 AM

I think that they have speed in the backfield to a small degree with Dunn and Bennett. There will be some speedy backs at pick number 20 and in the second round like possibly Johnson of ECU. As for WR...again the draft might provide the key BUT, the Bucs, by not signing one of the mediocre FA’s must have there eye on someone they anticipate being cut or otherwise let go....anyone see Ocho’s interview on the NFL channel last night ? WOW !!

Posted by  John, phoenix, az on 03/19  at  02:52 AM

I think the bucs should make a move for chad johnson.  He is an elite WR, yea he is acting like keyshawn right now, but give him a fresh start he will have motovation to be great.  Who will say that any receiver in the draft will pan out?  Take the sure thing.

Posted by  Geminel, Iowa on 03/19  at  02:46 AM

I dont really know the situation as far as money for the bucs organization but i all for the bucs signing a reciever, i know gruden and allen had an agreement about how much they would spend at this time of the year but chad johnson is wanting out of cincinatti so bad that he can taste it. He wants that chance to go to the Superbowl and i believe that this year can be the bucs year that we go back with all the free agent moves that the bucs made this year im like every other buccaneer fan we need a playmaker at the widereciever position outside joey galloway. Chad johnson is ready to get out of cincinatti, i dont know the bucaneers salary cap sitiuation but there is a playmaker in chad johnson it is something to think about.

Posted by  pnoty03, Atl on 03/19  at  12:27 AM

CHAD JOHNSON IS AVALIBLE!!!!!! NOW IF WE DONT GO AFTER HIM THEN WE HAVE A PROBLEM!!! LETS JUST WAIT AND SEE, THE FAT LADY HASENT SANG YET. YOU KNOW CHUCKY, DINK AND DONK THEN BOOOOOOMMM!!!!!!

Posted by  Michael Morgan, El Paso, TX on 03/18  at  10:25 PM

I think they are content with clayton and stovall, with galloway as the starter. Antonio bryant was brought in for added depth and I think there will be a early draft pick at the WR position this year. However, Speaking of the cap space the bucs do have, They will need to be careful not to go crazy with FA signings as they will need to re-sign players next offseason.