Free Agency Moves so far

Thanks to my ISP fouling up I’ve been without internet for what seems like months 🙂 Rather than creating a load of posts i’ll wrap up the moves and rumours for the Bucs so far.

The Bucs have been fairly active in Free Agency but haven’t landed a big FA signing, even though they are rumoured to be $44 million under the cap. Honestly, I’m happy with the approach we have taken so far and haven’t been drawn into paying over the odds for players on the way down (How much did the Jets pay Alan Faneca !!)

Player Losses:

Greg Spires

I’m surprised at this cut as i thought Spires still had something to offer. He was solid against the run but the Bucs must be confident that Greg White will continue his high level of play and that Wilkerson can provide rotational depth.

Kevin Carter

Carter was always a short term signing and i’m not surprised to see him leave.

Brian Kelly

Kelly has been hankering after a big money contract and it seemed obvious that the Bucs weren’t going to be the team giving him it. Kelly paid out his final year and has met with the Lions and the Giants.

Anthony Becht

Another somewhat surprising move as Becht was used extensively as the blocking TE. Becht may have seen the writing was on the wall when the Bucs signed Jon Gilmore from the Bears. Becht has now signed with the Rams.

Player Additions:

Jeff Faine

A nice pickup for the Bucs. Clearly Centre was seen as major need and the Bucs swooped early in FA to sign Faine. More of a finesse player he’ll provide leadership to Joseph and Sears who will line up either side of him. Despite 66 starts, Faine is only 26 and will have time to grow with the rest of the youngsters on the line. I really like this pickup.

Antoine Cash

A special teams star who missed ’07 with a knee injury i’m not surprised the Bucs wasted no time in resigning Cash.

John Gilmore

A surprise pickup as I felt that Smith and Becht provided a nice 1-2 combo and Stevens was more than useful as a #3. However, the Bucs had different ideas and picked up Gilmore from the Bears. Gilmore looks like he’ll pick up from Becht as the blocking TE but he’s said to have a good set of hands to go alongside his blocking skills. Gilmore also played Special Teams for the Bears and could be uesful depth on returns

Ben Troupe

Not satisfied with 1 new TE the Bucs have also picked up Ben Troupe from the Titans. Another pass catching TE in the Alex Smith mould, the signing of Troupe should spell the end of Jerramy Stevens in Tampa

Jimmy Wilkerson

I just hope that Wilkerson is able to make more of an impact than the last player we picked up from KC. Signed to add depth at the RDE position Wilkerson has the ability to play all along the D-Line and hopefully will add to the rotation upfront.

Brian Griese

When this one was announced i was stunned. The last position that I least expected the Bucs to look as was QB. Luke McCown stepped in admirably when Garcia went down and with Chris Simms getting back to health I thought we were set. However the Bucs see otherwise and have brought in Greise. However i wonder if this has been done with a trade in mind ? Top of the potential tradees would be Chris Simms who the Bucs maybe looking to offload. Greise brings a nice vet backup and will be fighting for the #3 job in camp

Leon Joe, Matt McCoy, Teddy Lehman

Loads of Linebackers to provide depth and competition in camp… Really can’t see a lot to say here 🙂