Bucs Claim Two Players, Cut Three
While they’ll be overshadowed by the team’s big move of the day – the acquisition of All-Pro guard Logan Mankins – the Buccaneers have also made several more roster moves, reducing their roster to 75 players in advance of today’s cutdown deadline. Via Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com (Twitter links), here are the latest transactions completed by Tampa Bay:
Claimed off waivers:
- Marc Anthony, CB (from Titans)
- Jeremiah Warren, G (from Browns)
Waived:
- J.B. Shugarts, OT
- Deveron Carr, CB
Waived-injured:
- Matt Patchan, OT
Placed on injured reserve:
- Danny Gorrer, CB
Bucs Acquire Logan Mankins From Pats
1:03pm: The Pats will receive Tampa Bay’s fourth-round pick for 2015 in the deal, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Meanwhile, the Bucs have officially confirmed the trade in a press release.
12:38pm: The Buccaneers and Patriots have reached an agreement on the parameters of a trade that will send Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins to Tampa Bay, reports Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (via Twitter). In exchange for Mankins, the Pats will receive a future draft pick and tight end Tim Wright, says Glazer.
After recently parting ways with another former Pro Bowler, Carl Nicks, the Buccaneers had been on the lookout for an upgrade at guard, where Oniel Cousins and Patrick Omameh were viewed as the team’s probable starters. Inserting Mankins into the starting lineup will immediately upgrade a Buccaneers line that also added Anthony Collins and Evan Dietrich-Smith in free agency this offseason. The move also likely means that the Bucs will no longer be in play for other notable free agents and trade candidates on the market, such as Richie Incognito and Alex Boone.
Additionally, although Wright was a pleasant surprise a year ago for Tampa Bay, the team fortified the tight end spot significantly this offseason, first signing Brandon Myers as a free agent, then selecting Austin Seferian-Jenkins with the 38th overall pick in the draft. So the team still has plenty of depth at the position.
While the move makes sense from the Bucs’ perspective, it’s somewhat surprising that New England would give up Mankins – who has earned spots in five straight Pro Bowls and six overall – less than two weeks before the regular season gets underway. Still, Bill Belichick and the Pats have shown in the past that they’re not afraid to move on from veteran players in the right deal, and at the right time.
We’ll have to wait and see what sort of pick New England lands in the trade, but in Wright, the Pats will add a talented young tight end who hauled in 54 passes for 571 yards and five touchdowns during his rookie season in 2013. With Rob Gronkowski‘s health once again not a certainty, it makes sense that the Pats would be interested in adding another promising pass-catcher at tight end.
With the 32-year-old Mankins no longer in the mix, the Pats figure to turn to a younger player like Marcus Cannon or Josh Kline as their starter at left guard. It’s also possible that the team will peruse the free agent market or the waiver wire for other options.
From a cap perspective, the Bucs will absorb Mankins’ $6.25MM base salary into their available space, while the Pats will carry $4MM in dead money in 2014 and $4MM in 2015, since the guard still had plenty of prorated bonus money left on his contract. As an undrafted free agent, Wright is on a minimum-salary deal with prorated bonus figures of about $3.3K per year, so his contract will hardly have an effect on either team’s books.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Extra Points: HGH, Incognito, Jammer, Welker
The NFL and the NFLPA have yet to come to an agreement on how to institute HGH testing for the league’s players, but according to a new survey conducted by ESPN, most players would be willing to sign off on HGH testing in exchange for guaranteed contracts.
As Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com details, 82 current players were asked which concession they’d make if it meant earning guaranteed contracts, like those in Major League Baseball. 63% of the respondents said they’d submit to HGH testing, while the other options – an 18-games schedule (17%), free agency after five years instead of four (14%), and more offseason practices (6%) – garnered less support.
While the results of the survey are interesting, they may ultimately be moot, as the NFL is unlikely to agree to fully guaranteed contracts for any reason. Here’s more from around the NFL:
- If the Buccaneers decide not to sign free agent guard Richie Incognito, there are a couple teams that would be willing to do so, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (via Twitter). As Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune tweets, Tampa Bay GM Jason Licht said the team’s meeting with Incognito went well and that he remains an option, but no move is imminent.
- Veteran free agent Quentin Jammer doesn’t intend to retire this year, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN, who tweets that the longtime Chargers cornerback is hoping to play for at least another season.
- Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter link) hears that retirement isn’t currently an option being considered by Wes Welker, and that the Broncos receiver was feeling better yesterday after sustaining a concussion in the team’s most recent preseason contest.
- A league source tells Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter link) that the Chiefs are mulling the possibility of keeping two kickers on their roster. While carrying a second kicker may not be the best use of a regular season roster spot, Kansas City has two solid options in Ryan Succop and Cairo Santos, so the team may not want to lose one for nothing.
Bucs Meeting With Richie Incognito, Could Sign Him
10:00pm: Jeff Darlington of the NFL Network tweets that the meeting between Incognito and the Buccaneers has concluded. Both sides said the meeting went well, but nothing is imminent at this time. Darlington noted in an earlier tweet that, since Incognito has been cleared to resume football activities, it would not be surprising if other teams make a bid for his services.
2:24pm: Smith cautions not to get too excited about a simple visit, per Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (on Twitter). “I think we’re jumping the gun a little,” said Smith. “We look at everyone available. Nothing more than that.”
2:15pm: Incognito probably won’t sign a deal with Tampa Bay today, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who notes that Incognito’s visit is scheduled for later tonight, making it tough to get a contract in order before the day is through.
10:33am: The Buccaneers are visiting with free agent offensive guard Richie Incognito, and if all goes well, could sign him to a contract, tweets Jay Glazer of Fox Sports 1. Jeff Darlington of the NFL Network adds (via Twitter) than Incgonito has not been fully reinstated by the NFL as of yet. Indeed, Incognito could still be subject to a suspension in 2014, though Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes that the union would likely fight any such ban.
Incognito, 31, was suspended indefinitely last year following his involvement in the Jonathan Martin bullying scandal. Interest in Incognito has been scant, though he had told Josh Peter of USA Today that his agent had received “a few nibbles” from inquiring teams. When the subject of Incognito was raised several weeks ago, Bucs head coach Lovie Smith didn’t rule out bringing in the veteran guard.
Despite his off-the-field concerns, Incognito is certainly a talented player. Incognito has started 102 games over the course of his career, spending time at both guard spots (though he has played only left guard in recent seasons). Pro Football Focus’ data (subscription required) only goes back to 2007, but the site’s advanced metrics have positively graded each of Incognito’s seasons. For most of his career, PFF’s statistics indicated that Incognito was a better run-blocker than pass-protector, but since 2012, those data points have flipped. Regardless, Incognito is unquestionably a top-30 guard, and topped out as the 16th-best guard in the league in 2010.
I posited Tampa Bay as a potential destination for Incognito in my free agent stock evaluation of him a few weeks ago, as the Bucs are thin up front after they agreed to part ways with veteran G Carl Nicks earlier this month. Currently, Tampa’s starters at guard are Oniel Cousins and Jamon Meredith, with Kadeem Edwards and Patrick Omameh acting as backups.
Richie Incognito Cleared To Play
Free agent guard Richie Incognito has been cleared to resume all football activities, including playing in regular season games, tweets Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune. We learned earlier today that the Buccaneers were meeting with Incognito, though Tampa Bay head coach Lovie Smith cautioned this afternoon that it was a “simple visit” that was perhaps being over-hyped as something more. Cummings also noted (via Twitter) that at least three other teams were interested in acquiring him.
Despite Smith’s comments, it would seem that, given Incognito’s baggage, any team that brings him in for a visit has more than just a cursory interest in signing him. The Bucs are certainly thin on the offensive line, and are said to be monitoring the Alex Boone situation in San Francisco as well. However, when asked whether Tampa Bay was the favorite to land Incongito at this point, Cummings tweeted that the “Bucs have [the] edge. He’s here.” And now, as Cummings notes, they do not have to worry about whether the NFL will allow him to play.
For an in-depth evaluation of what Incognito brings to the table–the good and the bad–read our Dallas Robinson’s free-agent stock watch post.
Buccaneers Cut 13 Players
MONDAY, 9:29am: The Bucs have made another move, releasing linebacker Damaso Munoz, tweets Rick Stoud of the Tampa Bay Times. Tampa’s roster is now at 77.
SUNDAY, 3:46pm: The Buccaneers have issued their first wave of roster moves, cutting 12 players, per Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com (Twitter links):
- Jeremy Cain, LS
- Euclid Cummings, DT
- Jace Daniels, OL
- Skye Dawson, WR
- Jason Foster, OL
- Ryne Giddins, DE
- R.J. Mattes, G
- Eric Page, WR
- Tommy Streeter, WR
- Chaz Sutton, DE
- Alex Tanney, QB
- Ian Thompson, FB
With Cain, Andrew DePaola is now in line for the long-snapping job. Tanney is notable for being a “trick-shot” QB of YouTube renown. Tampa Bay still needs to make three more roster cuts before Tuesday’s 3pm CT deadline.
Poll: Which Rookie WR Will Have Best Season?
They say there are some things you can’t teach in sports. One of them is size. Another is the ability to make a jaw-dropping one-handed catch after tripping just one second prior. Bills rookie wide receiver Sammy Watkins is lacking in the first department but he’s got the latter down pat.
With top-level speed, excellent agility, and soft hands, Watkins was almost universally regarded as the top WR talent in the 2014 class. So, he’s a lock to win this poll, right? Maybe not. Second-year quarterback EJ Manuel boasts a strong arm but he’s far from elite and one has to wonder how many quality balls he can deliver to Manuel. The Clemson product is also working through a rib injury which could possibly hamper him to start the season.
Moving further down the draft board, there are plenty of other wide receivers with an opportunity to make a name for themselves in year one. The Panthers overhauled their entire receiving corps this offseason and many are expecting big things out of FSU’s Kelvin Benjamin. In New Orleans, many are skeptical of what the once solid Marques Colston can do and the hype around Brandin Cooks is reaching a fever pitch. And, without DeSean Jackson, Jordan Matthews could see a lot of balls thrown his way in Philadelphia. Beyond those guys, there are even more promising WR’s from this year’s receiver-heavy draft. Who among them will have the best 2014 season?
Which Rookie WR Will Have The Best 2014?
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Brandin Cooks (Saints) 18% (142)
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Jordan Matthews (Eagles) 17% (138)
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Kelvin Benjamin (Panthers) 16% (125)
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Sammy Watkins (Bills) 12% (92)
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Mike Evans (Bucs) 11% (88)
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Other 9% (71)
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Odell Beckham Jr. (Giants) 7% (59)
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Cody Latimer (Broncos) 6% (49)
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Marqise Lee (Jaguars) 4% (30)
Total votes: 794
Minor Moves: Thursday
Here are Thursday’s minor transactions from around the NFL, with the latest moves added to the top of the page throughout the day:
- According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), the following players are now on their respective teams’ injured reserve lists: Darnell Dockett (Cardinals), Greg Latta (Broncos), Fendi Onobun (Jaguars), Jeremy Deering (Raiders), and Mike Caussin (Redskins). Because he has four or more accrued seasons, Dockett can be placed on IR without passing through waivers, and we heard previously that Latta, Onobun, and Deering were waived-injured by their clubs. Caussin’s case is less clear — he doesn’t appear to have four accrued seasons, so he should have to be waived before landing on IR. For what it’s worth, the Redskins’ official site still lists him as on the team’s active roster.
Earlier updates:
- Former Falcon Eric Weems has returned to the team, according to Jay Adams of AtlantaFalcons.com, who tweets that wideout Jabin Sambrano has been cut to make room for the veteran receiver and return specialist. Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com, who reported earlier this week that Weems wanted to sign with Atlanta but appeared headed to the Titans, said today (via Twitter) that the ex-Bear took a physical in Tennessee, but it hit a snag. The Falcons, who entered the picture last night, signed Weems to a one-year, minimum-salary contract, per McClure (Twitter link).
- The Saints have begun making cuts in advance of next Tuesday’s first deadline, parting ways with four players today. As Katherine Terrell of the New Orleans Times-Picayune details, the club waived outside linebacker Chidera Uzo-Diribe, running back Tim Flanders, tight end Je’Ron Hamm and wide receiver Tobais Palmer.
- Defensive tackle Anthony McCloud has been waived by the Cardinals, opening up a second spot on the team’s 90-man roster, tweets Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com.
- The Buccaneers have swapped a pair of players at the back of their roster, announcing today in a press release that they’ve signed guard R.J. Mattes and waived defensive end James Ruffin.
- The Patriots have made two cuts, letting go of defensive lineman Marcus Forston and tight end D.J. Williams, according to a team release.
NFC Notes: Bowers, 49ers, Giants, Davis
Former Buccaneers second round defensive end Da’Quan Bowers could be on the hot seat, writes Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com. Bowers has been sidelined by a groin injury and missed another practice on Wednesday.
“I think every day you don’t practice you’re hurting your chances,” coach Lovie Smith said. “We’ve seen enough to like Da’Quan a lot, but all the reps that he’s not getting, someone else is getting. The best way to beat your competition sometimes is just to stay on the field. You can’t get Wally Pipped.”
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com explains why the 49ers are pushing to get a new deal done with Michael Crabtree. Maiocco writes that the team is feeling extra pressure to get a deal done, in part, because of Colin Kaepernick’s willingness to take less in guaranteed money in order to give the organization more cap space this season to get contracts done with teammates.
- The Giants are definitely on the lookout for offensive line reinforcements, according to Jordan Raanan of NJ.com, who suggests (via Twitter) that the team is unsure whether right guard Brandon Mosley is a starter and will be keeping a close eye on the waiver wire when roster cutdowns begin.
- Falcons wideout Drew Davis, who underwent foot surgery earlier this summer, will begin the season on the team’s PUP list, head coach Mike Smith tells ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure.
- Matt Cassel says he has no ill will toward the Chiefs organization or fans, and is looking forward to returning to Kansas City for the first time this week when the Vikings play the Chiefs, as Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune details.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Chiefs Acquire Kelcie McCray From Bucs
The Buccaneers and Chiefs have completed a trade, according to Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, who tweets that safety Kelcie McCray will go to Kansas City in the deal, in exchange for guard Rishaw Johnson. Since it’s a one-for-one swap, no corresponding roster moves will be required on either side.
McCray, who turns 26 next month, has spent time with the Dolphins and Bucs, and was a part-time player in Tampa Bay last season, logging 104 snaps on defense as well as recording six tackles on special teams. He’ll look to earn a roster spot and playing for a Chiefs team whose secondary lost several key pieces this offseason, including Kendrick Lewis, Brandon Flowers, and Dunta Robinson.
As for Johnson, he’ll head to a Buccaneers team seeking some interior line depth after parting ways with veteran guard Carl Nicks. The 25-year-old saw his first extensive regular-season action in Week 17 last year, playing at right guard for Kansas City while the team rested its starters.