[KBLover]

Free Agency

Just before the free agency period began, the Bucs cut ties with Blaine Gabbert, eating $8 M on next year's cap. With the Bucs not going to carry 4 QBs (they may not carry even 3 if they don't sign a veteran in free agency as the team would not need to carry 3 young QBs), this was seen as an expected move as the team is likely to pursue Jase Harris or another prospect out of the draft.

The bidding on Jase Harris was intense as expected with the offers flying in nearly in rapid-fire fashion. Quickly, the price shot up to $58 M over him over 6 years. The Bucs finally got in at $59 M but then the price broke $60 M and that made the team bow out, perhaps gun shy over how Gabbert worked out and the progress of Stewart.

The Cowboys won the Harris sweepstakes with a bid of $61.5 M over 6 years.

Bucs signings:
C Maurkice Pouncy (91) for 16.58 M over 3 yrs.
OLB Aldon Smith (79) for 4.52 M over 2 yrs.
K Nick Hamilton (85) for 2.43 M over 2 yrs.

Other major signings:
DT Trevante Montgomery (80) to Arizona for 28.79 M over 5 yrs.
RT Kyler Miller (83) to Carolina for 27.61 M over 5 yrs.
DE Adaviyan Cole (83) to Carolina for 27.41 M over 5 yrs.
QB Jeremy Darr (80) to Pittsburgh for 27.39 M over 5 yrs.
DE Maurio Woods (85) to New England for 26.51 M over 3 yrs.
OLB Gerron Brown (89) to Carolina for 19.72 M over 3 yrs.
OLB Dewayne Franklin (86) to Carolina for 13.95 M over 3 yrs.
DE J. J. Watt (84) to New England for 11.91 M over 2 yrs.
QB Christian Ponder (83) to St. Louis for 15.00 M over 2 yrs.
QB Sam Bradford (82) to New England for 12.52 M over 2 yrs.
WR Julio Jones (83) to Carolina for 8.97 M over 2 yrs.
OLB Charlie Morgan (84) to Carolina for 7.45 M over 2 yrs.
TE Brad Lloyd (86) to Houston for 17.18 M over 6 yrs.
WR Keenan Grady (81) to Carolina for 19.89 M over 5 yrs.

Notable Unsigned:
K Jaxon Vaclav (95) - Surprising, though perhaps no teams needed kickers but the one he snubbed (the Bucs).
TE Rob Gronkowski (85) - Surprising he went unsigned.
HB Taran Garrison (85) - Scared by his (lack of) production?
OLB Demarcus Coleman (84) - Interesting that the players around him in OVR were picked up...and he was left behind...
HB Mark Ingram (80) - If the Bucs didn't have Collins...
OLB Jerod Mayo (80)
OLB Clay Matthews (80) - Mayo and Matthews are a little shocking that no one took a shot on them. Bucs went after Aldon Smith figuring these two were getting bids...
QB Mark Sanchez (78) - No takers here, probably an injury pick-up, though...

In all the Panthers signed 12 free agents, most of any team, and many of them looking like potential impact players. They seem determined to knock off the Bucs, loading up on LBs and DEs to counter the Bucs run-first offense.

"Wow, so Hurricane [Gerron Brown] went to our arch-enemy? Well, at least when we pound his new team, he won't be surprised. He knows how we do it," Gibson commented.

One wonders if Brown will give insider knowledge on how the Bucs offense works, considering he's practiced against it every week for years. Not to mention his knowledge of the defense considering he was a key player in many of the schemes over the years.

"I'm going to enjoy these games against those guys [the Bucs]. A lot of great memories and I still get to be a part of this awesome rivalry. That was a big part of my decision, " Brown smiled.

As far as the Bucs' signings go, Pouncey will be moved to LG to help shore up the interior line. Since the team has little success developing lineman, bringing in a vet like Pouncey could do a world of good. Aldon Smith is waning in the later years of his career, but he still has his excellent pass rushing capabilities. This will likely see him come in on pass rush downs, probably seeing a lot of time in the 2-4-5 as a DE, the 3-4 as an OLB, and probably the Psycho and 3-3-5 defenses as well.


Pro Days

Going into Pro Days, the team scouted the QBs on their list and several of the lower round talents. Here's some results from the more noteworthy performances.

QB Dylan Braithwaite - looking like a potential steal as a 5th round projection. He keeps his body under control and eyes downfield when on the move. Has the athleticism to grab some yards on the ground and he hit the intermediate routes solidly.

QB Bruce Goodwin - decent showing, didn't hurt his stock any. Some inconsistency on the intermediate routes but sharp on the short throws. Not a natural throwing on the run, but not terrible either. Good at selling the play fake for a rookie.

QB Jack Clark - bit of a surprise with his showing as he was another that looked more comfortable on the move than stationary in the pocket. Good at selling the fake as he ran the option in college. Problem, though, is in his short passes. He suffers from overthrowing and then starts aiming the ball.

HB Amos Haynes - disappointing route runner. Team had hoped that his quickness would translate. Would have made him sought after as a weapon out of the backfield. Still, a strong, balanced runner with great speed and quickness, but he's a lot like Easton Reed, so the team may not seek him out.

LT Ranoy Marshall - strong and looks like he uses leverage in blocking. Big plus for him is that he has very good stamina. Didn't even seem winded after a game.

OLB Scott Goodwyn - not a pass rusher but a pass defender in the making. Solid awareness in space and goes after the football when its in his area. This makes use of his quickness and plus speed in good way, but may struggle in run support since he's not great at getting off blocks.

OLB Shaquelle Kelly - we don't need linebackers, but we might not can pass this kid up. He's a very balanced, well-rounded athlete and linebacker. Not bad in space in zone coverage, has the quickness to shoot the gaps, and will explode towards the ball carrier and transfer that momentum into his tackles. He's also a natural pass rusher, using his power when bull rushing and knows how to dip his shoulder when rushing outside to give himself an even greater advantage. He could already be a sacks leader in the NFL. Exceptional stamina - went through his drills like it was an every day thing and maintained his intensity no matter how long he was on the field. Still concerned about his overall durability though. He plays recklessly, sometimes throwing away his body. That can come back to bite him if he doesn't use more discretion.

MLB Taurean Favors - relies on his good first step in order to make plays, but his lack of speed will mean he will need to always be in the right spot. If he does get to make a hit, he comes down like a ton of bricks. This can also intimidate receivers coming into his zone.

CB Tyler Jones - we tried to wear this kid out and couldn't. Amazing conditioning with not an ounce of extra fat on his body. That lithe frame lets him make acrobatic plays on the ball. Maybe we could use him as a WR and try to develop his hands for more consistency over time...? If we can get him in the 5th or 6th round where he's projected...

FS Aspha Nealy - ballhawk, that's all that really needs to be said. He uses his jumping ability and hands to snatch the ball and take it at its highest point. Has the quickness to play center field in cover 1 and is a good eraser in case the front seven slips up. When he has the ball, he's a threat to make a good return with it as well.

Individual Workouts

In the final look at the kids before the draft, the Bucs focus on the following players:

QB Bruce Goodwin (84/A) - Hmm...nothing standout about him, though scouts predict he'll be great in the future. He may be, but doesn't have anything that really jumps off the page. We'd take him if we get him, but he may not be a priority, or a make-sure-we-get-him. We thought he might be trade-up material, but doesn't appear so.

QB Dylan Braithwaite (82/B) - Another that might have limited upside, he still looks like a solid prospect. Nothing came up that makes us think less of him, though his ability to read defenses still needs some work. That may stop him from being a first year starter, but if we get him, he'll be a contender as his mechanics and mobility are better than Stewart's.

OLB Shaquelle Kelly (86/A) - Seriously? Injury history has to be the only reason he's a 4th round projection. His knowledge of the game and ability to dissect plays is very strong for a rookie. Do we take him with our 1st round pick? Given his projection, we probably could get him. We might get him in the 2nd round, but do we want to take that chance that someone steals him out from under us?

CB Tyler Jones (85/B) - Solid kid, he looks like he'll be able to do anything asked of him right out of the gate. Good press coverage technique gives him an edge even over the current corners on the roster. Upside from here, however, is a question mark. Scouts think he might be as good as he'll get and are grading him accordingly.

FS Aspha Nealy (80/A) - Cemented his place on the board. Has the makings of an excellent free safety. Team might not get to draft him, however, depending on how many teams scout him and if safety is a pressing need. Not sure if we trade up for what amounts to a back-up in his first year, but it is not out of the question, considering the struggles we had at the safety position, health-wise.

Bucs Projected Draft

Rd 1 - FS Aspha Nealy
Rd 2 - OLB Shaquelle Kelly
Rd 3 (via NE) - QB Dylan Braithwaite
Rd 3 (via SD) - SS Domico Mays
Rd 3 - OLB Scott Goodwyn
Rd 4 - LT Ranoy Marshall
Rd 5 - CB Tyler Jones
Rd 6 - P Trevor Stephens
Rd 7 - WR Keylo Fitzgerald