Free Agent Circus – It’s a Jungle Out There One week in to the free agent spend-a-thon and it appears some are worried by the Bucs not throwing jillions of dollars at a new impact wide receiver. The reasons for this are many and complex, but I’d argue there is some method to what we are doing, and in the long run it will pay-off to. OK we know that play-makers are what we need on offense; after the Giants play-off defeat everyone who’s anyone in the Bucs structure admitted as much, from Bruce Allen down to the guy who fires the cannons from the Pirate Ship. That led us all to believe that a new WR would be forthcoming but so far one hasn’t arrived, and given the dollars and contracts that have been handed out to this point, and for the players concerned, I for one am really glad we’ve haven’t plunged in this direction. The free agent WR class this year looked really bare on quality, and to be honest the only couple I would have really wanted in DJ Hackett and Bryant Johnson, are still on the board for us and may still be potential arrivals though not at an exorbitant clip as I dont think that’s in our agenda. Some of the deals handed out to wideout’s beggar belief, $55m to gimpy Javon Walker, and £30m and change each to Donte “new team each season” Stallworth and Jerry “great team man” Porter made me laugh. A few things I think 1) I think C Jeff Faine fills a need and at age 26 should be in his prime. Alongside messrs Joseph, Trueblood and Sears that should form the core of a decent Buc O Line for the next five years – at least that’s how its supposed to happen on paper anyway. 2) I think Ben Troupe is well worth the gamble, given what he did in his first two years with the Titans, and the obvious athletic gifts he has. An upgrade on Anthony Becht, who’s natural replacement is John Gilmore anyway, the TE position looks like another position we can put to bed as more than satisfactory. 3) If there’s one player I wish we could trade for it would be Cardinals’ WR Larry Fitzgerald, a stud wideout coming into his prime. Its not going to happen of course but I can dream can’t I? His cap figure in 2008 ($13m) means something will happen with him in due course, but he represents just what we need and something we don’t have – a money receiver who you can go to in the 3rd and 6-10 range with good confidence he will make the catch, no matter what the coverage or field position. 4) I think you’ve got to give the Editor his props for the 100 Greatest Plays feature. It really does get better every year Paul – good work fella, some great memories and now we can actually see them thanks to the t’internet. 5) So Warren Sapp is officially done. Come back and see us at Rayjay big guy, I’m sure you’ll get the heroes welcome you deserve and thanks for the many great memories. 6) I think I’m one happy Mets fan now that Mr Santana is on board. Now if we can only keep the rest of our geriatric team fit we might just make a run for the NL East, and not collapse in a September heap (again). 7) How many QB’s do we have now, when you count in Chris Simms and Jake the flake? I smell a trade here people, with the southpaw heading out of the door. And as for Buccaneer Bruce, he’d better get that right arm warmed up for flipping those burgers on the grill down at Wendy’s. There’s filling a need and there’s desperation. Take Bernard Berrien for example, nothing against old Bernard, here is an average NFL receiver at best, good for the occasional long gain but nowhere near an elite player but the Vikings are now paying him to be so – I fear that one will end in tears given the awful QB situation in the Twin cities, and the inevitable expectations that come with a fat contract. Lets face it, its highly likely to go all Alvin Harper on them. The Bucs didn’t lose out on these players, or others like Troy Williamson, as to imply as such meant we actually wanted them in the first place – likely we didn’t or certainly not at the contacts they’ve been handed out. If Troy Williamson and Jerry Porter are the answers to your problems, then what the hell were the questions eh? I’d be scratching my head and checking if I had any underwear left if I were the Jags as I’m sure officials from Minnesota and Oakland would gladly have driven those two there personally, to ensure of their departure. Back in Bucs’ world, the statement from Bruce Allen these past few days made much sense, confirming that we would be focusing on keeping our core players intact and on board, like Barrett Ruud, Philip Buchanon and Earnest Graham. These are guys who know our system, have put up numbers for us and therefore deserve their rewards; would we rather keep the core intact for the longevity of the team, or splash ridiculous money on the TJ Ducketts, or Asante Samuel’s of this world who represent gambles for a variety of reasons, mainly based on ability deficit. I know which policy I prefer. That said we do clearly still need an upgrade in speed on offense, particularly at the receiver spots, and our GM’s referral to the draft and acquiring by trade hinted that all angles are indeed being explored. Watch this space I think, but in a draft class particularly deep in two specific dire areas of need for the Bucs, I’d wager that a CB or WR or both will be drafted with our first two picks. There’s still weeks to go before the draft itself, and it will be interesting to see what falls into our lap in the next month or so, before Mr Goodell announces our intentions with the 20th pick. Nod of Acknowledgement to - Brett Favre Farewell to the old gunslinger who picked the right time to retire for him and his family, and still at the top with the memories still good – take note Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith and Roger Craig. It was simply a privilege to see the guy play. When he trotted onto the field back in 1992 for the second half in the Vincredible game that I recall vividly, who would have known that he would still remain the only player to start at QB for the Packers. Since that day I’ve finished my Degree, worked three different jobs, moved house five times, got married, had four kids and starting writing this drivel every week – that alone is a testament to his longevity, and the madness of my life over the past 15 and a half years. Get in the Real World Award - Special Agent dickhead Drew Rosenhaus who described his client Jevon Kearse as having a “great career” in Philadelphia. Lets recap – contract eight years, $66m; what did the Eagles get? A putrid 23 sacks, 144 tackles and about two seasons worth on IR. Lets face it, agents versions of the truth vary wildly from the real world itself. Sports News Story I No Longer Give a Toss About – Spygate - Belichick cheats, we know this for a fact but as the matter was not investigated thoroughly and dealt with completely back in September it lingers on, and the press can speculate and pontificate about what might else be out there. It’s rumoured that Belichick has a secret tape of himself smiling too though its yet to be proved.