Jamon Meredith, Danny Gorrer and Eric Page re-sign with Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been busy signing new players in free agency (here and here), they also made the decision to re-sign three of their own.
The Bucs have also re-signed G Jamon Meredith (2 years).
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) March 11, 2014
Cornerback Danny Gorrer, an unrestricted free agent, will re-sign with the Bucs, his agent Andrew Kessler says.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 11, 2014
Bucs WR/returner Eric Page posts on Instagram that he's signed a 1-year contract to stay in Tampa. Was an exclusive-rights free agent.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 11, 2014
Jamon Meredith played in all 16 games last season for the Bucs, eight of which were starts. He proved himself to be a valuable member of an offensive line that failed to live up to expectations and the Bucs have noticed by penning him to a new deal. With the status of the offensive line up in the air somewhat, Meredith will have a good chance to see the field regularly in 2014, either as a starter or as the top backup at multiple positions.
In 2012, the year Davin Joseph was out for the season, Meredith started 12 games and appeared in two others. The former South Carolina Gamecock has the ability to play both guard and tackle so he provides good depth at either position.
Danny Gorrer, who gets a one year deal, played in seven games last season, making 10 tackles. His resigning is likely more for depth purposes, but with the uncertain future of Darrelle Revis, Gorrer could have a bigger role this season. The 27-year-old also played for the Bucs in 2012 season, where he made 11 tackles and had his first career interception.
Eric Page also gets himself a new deal in Tampa Bay. While he can play as a wide receiver (68 yards on four catches in 2013), Page’s real value is in the return game. Last season he had 548 yards on kickoff returns, and 251 yards on punt returns.
The Bucs haven’t made it a secret they are looking to upgrade their return game (hence the interest in Devin Hester and Dexter McCluster), but if they are unable to sign either of those players, or anyone else, Page is a more than viable return man for the Bucs should they use him in 2014 for that purpose.
Deveron Carr has also been given a one-year deal. He appeared in nine games last season with Tampa Bay, playing primarily on special teams.
Carr, like Page, would have been an exclusive rights free agent (ERFA) but by re-signing with the Bucs they both gave up those rights. ERFA’s can only negotiate with their original team so Page and Carr were all but guaranteed to re-sign in Tampa.