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Evan Smith

Buccaneers Notes: McCoy, Smith, Barron

October 29th, 2014 at 10:50pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Buccaneers signed defensive tackle Gerald McCoy to a big money extension earlier this week, with initial numbers reported to be $98MM over seven years, with $51MM guaranteed. While more information trickled out about the details of the contract, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports has more information on the specifics, which he released in a series of tweets. He reports that $20.3MM of that total will be earned in 2014, and the rest of the money is paid out on a pay-as-you-go system. It only becomes guaranteed in the event of injury.

La Canfora gives out how much money will be owed going forward. “McCoy will make $11.5M in 2015 ($5m base/$6.5 roster bons). $12.5M in 2016 ($6M/$6.5M). $13.75M in 2017 (all base salaries), $12.75M 2018, $13M in 2019.” He also notes that McCoy will have base salaries of $10MM in 2020 and 2021, with an additional $2.5MM in roster bonuses.

Overall, after the contract guarantees kick in on the third day of the 2015 league year, the contract becomes a three year, $44.3MM deal at its minimum.

Here are some other notes from around the Buccaneers:

  • Head coach Lovie Smith does not believe the team is bereft of talent after deadline deals saw a few key players move to new teams, writes Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. “The move we made gave us the best chance to win right now. … Yeah, we picked up draft picks on both of those players — moved up on one and picked up (picks) on the other,” said Smith. “But no, it’s not about the future. Yeah, it’s always about the future, but it’s about our current roster. As I said, you don’t trade players unless you feel pretty good about the other players you have.” Smith also noted that moving on from former first-round pick Mark Barron will give Major Wright and Bradley McDougald a chance to shine. Smith said Wright has been playing as well as any safety on the roster, and praised McDougald’s future as a star on the defense. He also mentioned his desire not to have any player who was one-dimensional, saying he wanted his safeties to be able to play both the pass and the run.
  • Speaking of Barron, the Rams should be very happy with the player they acquired, writes Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He considers the trade the first move of the 2015 offseason, and believes that the Rams will correctly use him as an in-the-box safety to strengthen the run defense. He writes that in 2012 Barron was the ninth ranked safety against the run in the box by Pro Football Focus.
  • With the exit of Barron, the Buccaneers are left with only three first round picks on the roster, the others being McCoy, this year’s pick Mike Evans, and Adrian Clayborn (who is on the IR), according to Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com. (However, Doug Martin was also drafted in the first round, with the team trading back into the first round to grab him in 2012.) Guard Logan Mankins, defensive end Larry English, and cornerback Mike Jenkins are also first-rounders, although they were acquired via trade and free agency. Altogether, the first rounders have played 1,699 snaps, third worst in the NFL after the Jaguars and Raiders. Those three teams are a combined 2-20 this season.
  • The Buccaneers also made a big splash in free agency this offseason, but those investments have not paid dividends, writes Yasinskas. Anthony Collins, Evan Dietrich-Smith, Josh McCown, and Michael Johnson have all disappointed, while Alterraun Verner and Clinton McDonald have merely been solid.

Packers GM Talks Extension, Future, Offseason

August 3rd, 2014 at 5:54pm CST by Ben Levine

The Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel’s Bob McGinn sat down with Packers general manager Ted Thompson on a variety of subjects, including Thompson’s new extension, his future with the franchise and the team’s offseason acquisitions. Here are some of the highlights:

On his contract negotiations with team President Mark Murphy:

“Informal. Yes, I had some representation. An attorney friend of mine. It wasn’t very difficult. It was done over the course of the last few weeks. I think Mark did it (alone).”

On whether he’ll follow the path of his mentor, Ron Wolf, who walked away from the game at age 62:

“Not specifically. I think everybody has their own threshold. Ron was very smart. What he’s been able to accomplish since his retirement in terms of traveling…he and his wife are in good health and have been able to do that…I think that’s marvelous. In my particular situation, I think if I can stay in good health and do this job, I think that’s a marvelous situation.”

On what keeps him motivated:

“The ability to stay up high. To continue the chase of scouting and working with good people. All those things are important to me. My family back home in Texas is important to me. I am cognizant that I’ve spent a large part of my life away from them. I’m going to make a concerted effort to try to be more in their lives. If it’s a weekend every six or eight weeks, I’m going to try to do stuff like that.”

On his role within the organization:

“The short answer is to be a leader. That encompasses a lot of different things. It’s making decisions, but it’s also the idea of being a good person and a servant to the people that work alongside me. The people that I work with have their own lives and their own families. It’s important to try to do this right.”

On Russ Ball (negotiating vice president) potentially being his successor:

“Russ Ball is outstanding. He’s one of those people I work so closely with and becomes part of your family. He’s a good man and certainly an asset to the Packers.”

On whether he deliberately matches contract lengths with head coach Mike McCarthy:

“It’s just been generally the stance of the organization to kind of tie the general manager and head coach in lock step. It makes a little bit of sense in terms of, if the contracts would expire or be lengthened out, they’d be (done) all at the same time.”

On team’s ability to consistently stay under the cap:

“Part of that is management and an understanding of what we will and won’t do on a contract. There’s a lot of angst when you get involved in negotiations. There’s a tendency by some teams to kind of maybe stretch a little bit beyond their reach. What we’ve always done, and what I think quite frankly is one of the secrets of this, is that we’ve always done it the same way. Meaning, we’ve looked at free agents and our own players the same way. We haven’t had four people sitting in my chair and three different head coaches. We’ve had the same people sitting in the chairs. I think when that happens, that changes your roster moves dramatically. It bodes well for me staying in place. I think it’s the continuity of having Mike and myself and our entire staff, coaching and personnel, they’re all the same.”

On taking the blame for last season’s back-up quarterback debacle:

“Well, you kind of push the envelope. You’re always trying to get better at that position, just like any other. It wasn’t like we didn’t bring different people in and take a look at them. It just didn’t work out. We feel pretty good about our (current) group.”

On allowing center Evan Dietrich-Smith to depart via free agency:

“It’s just the way it worked out, you know? He got a nice offer (from the Buccaneers) and we chose not to go there. I think (J.C. Tretter) has a chance to be a pretty good player. Working hard. Good kid. Smart.”

On whether the Julius Peppers acquisition will work out:

“I think so. I think that those that have doubted Mr. Peppers most of the time have been wrong. He is, as people have been able to see over the last few days, a gifted athlete despite being a little older than some. I look forward to watching him. He seems anxious to do it, too.”

NFC Notes: Austin, Wilson, Conte

July 21st, 2014 at 8:07pm CST by Matt Feminis

Tavon Austin did not provide the degree of immediate impact the Rams were hoping for when they chose him eighth overall last year. In an AP story, Austin was bluntly honest about why he didn’t play as fast as he’s capable: he struggled with the complexities of his first NFL playbook. “I didn’t really know what was going on,” Austin said. “Everything looked like Spanish and sounded like Spanish to me.”

Here’s some NFC links:

FA Links: Sanders, Allen, Hester

March 16th, 2014 at 7:50pm CST by Ben Levine

Before he signed with the Broncos, there were rumblings that receiver Emmanuel Sanders might end up with the Chiefs. There was so much to those rumors that even the team thought they were going to land the free agent, but it all ended up being a clever strategy by the former Steelers’ agent, Steve Weinberg. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, many executives around the league aren’t happy with how the Sanders talks were handled, with one team official saying the Weinberg broke “every rule in negotiations”. In his press conference today, Sanders said there was “no handshake” and “no kind of agreement” with the Chiefs.

More from around the NFL…

  • Jared Allen met with the Seahawks today, tweets Rapoport. In a subsequent tweet, Rapoport mentions that Allen will likely visit another team this week and that retiring is still an option for the 31-year-old.
  • Adding to reports that the Dolphins have interest in Devin Hester, the wide receiver has said that he would “love” to play for the team, writes Chris Perkins of the Chicago Tribune.
  • The Buccaneers will now listen to offers for offensive lineman Jeremy Zuttah after having signed Evan Dietrich-Smith, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. La Canfora adds (via Twitter) that the team is looking to revamp their offensive line but acknowledged that the team does value Zuttah’s versatility. La Confora suggests the Ravens, Colts and Giants as potential fits (from Twitter).

Bucs To Sign Evan Dietrich-Smith

March 14th, 2014 at 3:23pm CST by Luke Adams

3:23pm: The deal includes $7.25MM in guaranteed money, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com, adding that several teams were in the mix right up until the end.

3:09pm: The Buccaneers continue to be busy during free agency’s first week, announcing (via Twitter) that they have agreed to terms on a deal with Evan Dietrich-Smith. The former Packers center will ink a four-year deal worth $14.25MM, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).

With Alex Mack tied up by the Browns’ transition tag, Dietrich-Smith represented one of the top unrestricted centers on the free agent market this offseason. After starting nine games during his first three seasons in Green Bay, the Idaho State alum started all 16 games for the Packers in 2013, so he doesn’t have a ton of NFL experience. Still, he’s still in his prime at 27 years old, and played very well in his first full season, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required). PFF ranked him eighth out of 35 qualified centers, and Dietrich-Smith graded particularly well as a pass blocker.

For the Buccaneers, Dietrich-Smith represents the second major offensive line signing of free agency, as the team also locked up left tackle Anthony Collins. The two new Bucs will help protect new signal-caller Josh McCown in 2014, though it’s not clear if the club has penciled in Dietrich-Smith at center quite yet — Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times says the Bucs believe he could start at either guard or center (Twitter link).

As for the Packers, they’ll be heading into 2014 with a new starting center for the second consecutive season. It’s not clear yet whether they’ll pursue an outside target and turn to another in-house option, such as J.C. Tretter.

Dolphins Rumors: Strief, Smith, Brown

March 13th, 2014 at 3:11pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s a look at the latest out of Miami, courtesy of the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson..

  • Zach Strief, 30, remains by far the best unsigned right tackle, and the Dolphins want to set up a visit with him. Trouble is, he was committed to a banquet in Cincinnati and was unable to take any visits when Miami reached out to him. The Dolphins tried him again this afternoon and a decision is pending.
  • Guard Shelley Smith is visiting with the Dolphins tonight after visiting with the Patriots this afternoon and his camp is hopeful there will be an offer from Miami. The 30-year-old has started just eight games over the past two seasons. Meanwhile, Miami has called to express some level of interest in several other guards, including Daryn Colledge and Wade Smith and center/guard Evan Dietrich-Smith. Davin Joseph remains a possibility as well.
  • Miami has expressed interest in cornerbacks Tarell Brown and Walter Thurmond.

Florida Rumors: Tillman, Watson, Young

March 11th, 2014 at 7:29pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest from the Sunshine State..

  • Bears free agent cornerback Charles Tillman is visiting the Buccaneers, a source tells ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). It’s possible that they could be eyeing Tillman as a Darrelle Revis replacement.
  • Linebacker Dekoda Watson is on the Dolphins‘ radar, tweets Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. Nothing is imminent, however.
  • Seahawks free agent cornerback Walter Thurmond is visiting the Jaguars in the next 24 hours, Schefter tweets.
  • Lions free agent Willie Young is also visiting the Jaguars, Schefter tweets.
  • The Jaguars have a visit lined up with Watson, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Thurmond also has a visit lined up with the Buccaneers.
  • If Watson doesn’t land with the Jaguars, he’ll visit the Bills, tweets Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports. But, Jacksonville could be his first and last visit.
  • The Buccaneers are active in free agency, and are meeting with linebacker Dane Fletcher tonight, says Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). Tampa Bay is also meeting with center Evan Dietrich-Smith, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter).

East Notes: Giants, Jennings, Woodyard

March 11th, 2014 at 12:00pm CST by Zachary Links

The Giants are still in the mix for center Evan Dietrich-Smith, but it appears that guard Geoff Schwartz is their more immediate priority, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. Jordan Raanan of the Star-Ledger says the club appears to be looking in house at center. Offensive lineman Kevin Boothe, who started six games at center last season, is being viewed as the possible short-term answer.

  • The Giants have made an offer to free agent running back Rashad Jennings, a league source tells Fallon Smith of CSNBayArea.com (on Twitter). The Raiders, meanwhile, would like to hang on to the tailback.
  • Despite interest from the Cowboys, a source close to Wesley Woodyard told Brandon Krisztal of the Denver Post (on Twitter) that his first trip is to the Patriots with another team visit planned after.
  • Tyson Jackson is getting an impressive amount of interest with suitors including the Dolphins, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Browns and Falcons are also interested while the Chiefs are still in the mix.

FA Rumors: McCown, Pettigrew, Giants, Cards

March 11th, 2014 at 10:32am CST by Luke Adams

Free agency rumors are pouring in, with less than five hours until the market officially opens. Let’s round them up….

  • Quarterback Josh McCown expects to get a deal done quickly once free agency opens, and has one or two specific teams at the top of his list, as he told SiriusXM NFL Radio this morning (Twitter link).
  • The Lions continue to talk to tight end Brandon Pettigrew, but a deal before the deadline appears unlikely, so he should hit the open market, says Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter).
  • Centers Evan Dietrich-Smith and Brian De La Puente appear unlikely to land with the Giants, according to Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.
  • Expect the Cardinals to pursue free agent linebacker Mike Neal, tweets Mike Garafolo of USA Today.
  • Free agent tight end Jeff King is highly unlikely to return to the Cardinals, says Craig Morgan of Fox Sports Arizona (via Twitter).
  • Cornerback Antoine Cason is drawing some interest, but he’ll likely wait until after the top-tier corners sign to find a deal, tweets Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com.
  • Emmanuel Sanders is among the names on the list of wide receiver targets for the Browns, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
  • Since being released late last month by the Patriots, safety Steve Gregory has received some interest, and expects to sign after the bigger dominos fall, tweets Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald.
  • It looks like Bears cornerback and ace special-teamer Sherrick McManis will reach the open market today, tweets Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

Giants Rumors: McBride, Dietrich-Smith, Dickson

March 10th, 2014 at 4:50pm CST by Luke Adams

Earlier today, we heard that the Giants will cut center David Baas, and that the team is close to locking up kicker Josh Brown to a new deal. Here’s more on the G-Men:

  • Cornerback Trumaine McBride and the Giants are close to agreeing on a two-year contract, reports Art Stapleton of the Bergen Record. McBride saw an increased role in New York’s secondary during the second half of 2013 and performed well, ranking 24th among qualified cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
  • As expected, the Giants expressed interest in Packers center Evan Dietrich-Smith, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. A team source described the interest as “serious,” and that was before word broke that the club would be cutting Bass. Dietrich-Smith could sign quickly tomorrow, and the Giants look like the frontrunners, says Vacchiano (via Twitter).
  • The Giants are interested in tight end Ed Dickson, tweets Vacchiano. Both New York teams may be in on the Ravens free agent, as Brian Costello of the New York Post says the Jets also have interest (Twitter link).

Zach Links contributed to this post.

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