Recently some previous notes revealed what some people close to the Buccaneers organization said were top priorities of the 2012 offseason. Within the first 24 hours of the opening of free agency, the Buccaneers cleared half the list, and since have addressed a third position.
Cornerback - Added Eric Wright, free agent from the Detroit Lions
Offensive Line - Added Carl Nicks, all-pro guard, from the New Orleans Saints
Quarterback - Added Dan Orlovsky, free agent from the the Indianapolis Colts
What's next? There are many factors to consider:
- The unaddressed (and rumored) targeted position for the Buccaneers is linebacker
- With the release of Jeff Faine is offensive line back on the table?
- What about moves other teams have made?
- Orlovsky received a two-year deal, while the other three received five-year deals - why?
- Are the Buccaneers done with Free Agency?
- Are the Buccaneers satisfied with the Cornerback and Offensive line squads?
These are the questions which will be addressed over the next few weeks leading up to the 2012 NFL Draft.
After checking out your last post about top priorities, you garner immediate recognition in my book. The moves in free agency matched up very well with your report and I believe hint towards a few additional points:
ReplyDelete1. Where is running back? Does that mean Richardson isn't the pick? I never thought so, but understand the need for a backup, which should never be considered in the 1st.
2. I consider Dominik a very insightful person. He knows Wright isn't the complete answer at CB and never was nor is banking on Barber. Dom is a long-term guy. Is Claiborne the pick? I think if he is not, they have to a consider CB in the 2nd or 3rd of this deep CB draft in the worst case scenario.
3. Since they hit on every position except for LB, they have to focus on the position high in the draft. There's still a chance they land someone like Lofton, but I bet they still are the focus higher in the draft.
If there's one thing your information and free agency has told us, it's that our needs have been narrowed down to a few positions that are easily addressable in the draft and we're much closer to a complete team than the media gives us credit for.
Lastly - I'm hyped for the direction the team is going. Some analysts are skeptical of the moves, but they're great moves for needs that include premier players with years left to go in their prime. The last time we made a splash was when gruden went veteran-happy two years after the super bowl and jacked up the team chemistry and the cap in one terrible offseason full of terrible signings.
To summarize: in Dom I trust.