With the NFL Scouting combine in the rearview mirror, the meat of the offseason is now upon us. The NFL Free Agency period begins next Tuesday and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have been big spenders the last two off seasons, are keeping a tight lid on what their plans are for this free agency period. The Buccaneers doled out $143 million dollars in free agency last year and came up with a handful of underachievers, most notably defensive end Michael Johnson, offensive tackle Anthony Collins and quarterback Josh McCown, who has already been jettisoned out-of-town and ended up in Cleveland. When coupled with the recent draft classes, the Buccaneers have one player remaining from the 2010 draft class, All-Pro defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. Five players out of the 23 players drafted from Buccaneers draft classes 2009-2011 remain on the roster and four of those, Adrian Clayborn, Da’Quan Bowers, Mason Foster and Luke Stocker will become free agents next Tuesday. This is the big problem in Tampa Bay, no homegrown development and little depth which becomes compounded when the team continues to overspend in free agency for a quick fix to appease a restless fan base.
So where does this leave the Buccaneers with free agency looming just 7 days away? This is a crossroads moment for the franchise with approximately $33.5 million dollars under the newly announced 2015 salary cap of $143.28 million and owners of the first overall selection in April’s NFL Draft. Rumors have circulated this past weekend that Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly has offered starting quarterback Nick Foles, star tailback LeSean McCoy, and 3 #1 draft picks to the Buccaneers for the top pick so they can draft Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. Obviously that package could boost a Bucs offense that finished 29th in points scored and 30th in yard from scrimmage and bring some needed depth in having multiple first round picks for the next two seasons. The problem is that the general manager and the head coach who would need to sign off on the proposed trade might not be around to utilize those extra draft picks if the team doesn’t make a noticeable progression this season on the field of play. To say the next eight weeks might be the most important in Buccaneers history in dictating the course that will be charted may just be an understatement!
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