The Pewter Plank » Alex Smith

Analysis: San Francisco 49ers sign Josh Johnson

Joe Soriano — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:01:29 +0000

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers backup quarterback Josh Johnson was not re-signed after being replaced by the better, more seasoned Dan Orlovsky who better fit what the Bucs were looking for behind Josh Freeman. However, this is a fortunate circumstance for Johnson, because he will be reunited with his former college coach, the charismatic Jim Harbaugh, [...]

Analysis: San Francisco 49ers sign Josh Johnson - The Pewter Plank - The Pewter Plank - A Tampa Bay Buccaneers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Buccaneers Trade TE Alex Smith To The Pats

Dustin Staggers — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:39:31 +0000

Former 3rd round pick Alex Smith has been traded to the Patriots for an undisclosed draft pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. I’ve checked multiple outlets to try and determine the pick that is being sent to the Bucs, but knowing the Pats, I would imagine it is a performance based pick that is around the 4th-6th round region.

Smith was the 7th pick in the third round by the Bucs in the 2005 draft. He showed some promise in his rookie season catching 41 balls for 367 yards. He was a consistent player for the Bucs but became expendable with the acquisition of Kellen Winslow via trade and the re-signing of Jerramy Stevans.

Smith isn’t much on the blocking end of the spectrum as far as TE’s are concerned but he is a reliable target as a receiver, and my guess, is that he’ll be a 50 catch player for the Pats next season.

Kellen Winslow To The Bucs And Other Day 1 Bucs FA News

Dustin Staggers — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:49:10 +0000

It is being reported by multiple media outlets at this point that former Cleveland Browns TE Kellen Winslow has been traded to the Buccaneers for undisclosed draft picks. I have checked multiple sources to find out what round pick we have moved, but no outlets are reporting a year or a round for the pick. At this point in his career, 2008 Bucs starter Alex Smith has been underwhelming at best, and Winslow certainly gives us a legitimate receiving option and threat to score. The guy is a “soldier” and a headcase, and on a team that now has very few veterans, I’m a little concerned about his character. His production when healthy can not be disputed.

The day started on a mildly sad note for me personally as far as free agency was concerned. I was emotionally invested in the Bucs acquiring DT Albert Haynesworth who signed the largest deal ever for a defensive player. He got paid an enormous sum of money, a reported 41 mil gauranteed amidst so much speculation about his injury issues and his lack of production the first few years of his career. I will say this though, there are 5 positions in the NFL that I believe change games: QB, LT, DT, DE, CB. If you can acquire a player at one of those positions who is near the best in the league at said position, he is worth being paid like a top player in the league.

On to other Bucs notes. It appears we are very much interested in Saints LB Jonathan Vilma. Vilma ressurected his career last season in New Orleans, after being forced to play out of position in “Mangina’s” first year in New York. He would most likely play the Will Linebacker position making a starting trio of Jonathan Vilma, Barrett Ruud and Quincy Black, something I would be very excited about.

It also appears we have interest in two offensive playmakers in RB Derrick Ward and WR Nate Washington. Both would be perfect complements to the pieces we have in place. Nate Washington’s downfield speed would be ideal with Antonio Bryant on the other side. After the release of Warrick Dunn and the injury to Cadillac Williams, the Bucs must address the RB position as well, and the 29 year old Ward who averaged 5.6 yards a carry last year would seemingly complement Ernest Graham quite well .