Due to Injuries, Front Office Must be Proactive
With Michael Pittman’s ankle injury that is expected to sideline him for 6-8 weeks, barring a more grim MRI result today, the Bucs are in quite quandry. They just made it through the a very rough stretch of their schedule, with 3 away games (Indy, and Carolina amongst them) 3-2. The team has looked as though it is capable of being a playoff team, but with only 1 running back who started the season on the roster (Ernest Graham), one RB who was originally on the practice squad (Keneth Darby) and one FB (BJ Askew) the Buccaneers front office has a big move on the horizon. Do they go out and trade for a guy from a team who is losing, but have to give up a day one pick in next years draft; do they coax a running back out of retirement, or do they trade for a lesser commodity at RB and only have to relinquish a day two pick next year. We will break down some of the options.
Retired
Corey Dillon – Dillon has already made it clear he does not want to come out of retirement (not sure wether he doesn’t want to play for us, or he just enjoys being retired) so this looks like a no go here.
Tiki Barber – While Barber is technically retired, he still was under contract with the Giants at the time of his retirement, so compensation would be neccesary in order for this to happen. Not sure what kind of football shape Tiki is currently in after trying to get his face plastered all over TV for the past 8 months. I will say this though, there might not be a better fit for what we are looking for. Tiki has possibly the best hands in the game, and would work perfect behind our revamped Oline. I would imagine it would take at least a 2nd round pick though to pry him away from NY to have a chance to play with his twin brother.
Priest Holmes – Not even truly sure how healthy Priest is, or it would seem as though the Chiefs would have at least kept him around as an option. Obviously the Priest Holmes of 3 years ago is a good fit on any football team, but especially one who loves to throw the ball in the flats to the backs. Seemingly he would come in and still be a backup at this point in his career.
1st Day Pick Backs
Warrick Dunn – Dunn would seemingly be a good fit here due to his past ties in the Bay Area. The Falcons suck so bad, that any extra picks in day one would seemingly be worth a flier for a guy who does not have a lot of miles left.
Cost of acquisition – 3rd round pick
Rudi Johnson – While this name might surprise a few people, I do not think I would be shocked to hear us talking to the Bengals about him. They are struggling mightily thus far, and with the draft picks of Chris Perry and Kenny Irons the last few years, coupled with the cheap ways of the Bengals, and the potential ouster of the head coach, this wouldn’t be so surprising. Rudi to me seems like a horrid fit in our offense, but at this point, we need some guys who can tote the ball, and he can still do that.
Cost of Acquisition – 2nd round pick
Julius Jones – It would seem illogical for a team who is poised to move to 5-0 tonight and has looked like a juggernaut to move a guy midseason, but Jerry Jones always has had the cohones to pull off big moves. The Cowboys might be able to pull in a 1st round pick for a guy who looks every week like he is an inferior option to Marion Barber III. If Jones could pull in a 1st round pick for a guy he drafted 43rd, and already has a viable replacement for, he won’t be scared.
Cost of Acquisition – 1st round pick
Fred Taylor – Once again, a team who is at 3-1 would seem like a bad choice to move a player whom they use every Sunday, but Taylor is another guy who a top pick could seemingly yield a good risk reward factor. Taylor is a FA at the end of the year, and with MJD looking good (albeit not the freak he was last year) a 1st round pick could get it done. Fragile Fred has been surprisingly healthy the last few years, kind of shedding that Fragile label. He would be a great fit in Gruden’s offense, and obviously has ties from the University of Florida.
Cost of Acquisition – 1st or 2nd round pick
Chester Taylor – The Vikings plain and simply suck. They have a feature back and Pro Bowl caliber player in Adrian Peterson whom they drafted in the 1st round last year. With Taylor’s contract which was signed before the ’06 season, the Vikings could be wise to shed his salary and accumulate a 1st day pick in return. They still have some holes at QB, WR, S, and CB, and with multiple 1st day picks, including there own likely top 10 pick, Taylor is very available.
Cost of Acquisition – 1st or 2nd round pick
Ricky Williams – Barring the fact that Ricky Williams gets re-instated and is in some sort of manageable football non-hooka playing shape, Ricky would be an awesome fit. At this point it would be tough for the Dolphins to pull a 1st or 2nd round pick due to there lack of leverage in the situation.
Cost of Acquisition – 3rd round pick
Michael Turner – Before yesterday’s dazzling performance by the Chargers as well as Turner, I would have said this is the most logical and likely player we would have gone after. He has hands, can pound the ball, and is a FA after the season. If the Chargers still feel they have a chance to climb back in the race, it is unlikely they will move him. A first round pick though is tough to pass up (they were seeking an ’08 first from Buffalo before the Bills drafted Marshawn Lynch).
Cost of Acquisition – 1st round pick
2nd Day Pick Backs
Mike Anderson – Kind of like Priest and Warrick, Anderson would seemingly be there to add some depth to our delapidated RB core. He coudl bring some nice leadership and add another player who has Super Bowl rings.
Mewelde Moore – See Mike Anderson, but no rings, and no leadership!