The Buccaneers Have No need for “Bad Eggs”
By Zach Sauers
Jason Licht and the Buccaneers have proven that they want to stay away from bad-egg players in the league. Will Dominique Robertson’s recent incident off the field leave him without a roster spot?
This past week, Buccaneers’ undrafted rookie offensive lineman Dominique Robertson was shot twice in California. Luckily, Robertson’s injuries were not life threatening, and he is expected to make a full recovery. Why Robertson was shot considering he was just a bystander is unknown, but this is not the first time he has had an issue off the field.
Robertson, according to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times, had a run in with the law on January 2015. He was initially charged with a felony count of obstruction and misdemeanor counts of assault and battery, which he eventually entered a guilty plea and was given 24 months of probation. This all stemmed from an incident where Robertson refused to leave a party scene when an off duty officer arrived.
More from The Pewter Plank
- Devin White posts cryptic message to Lavonte David on Twitter
- ESPN predicts surprising outcome to Devin White trade saga
- Updated Buccaneers depth chart after signing two players from rookie minicamp
- Todd Bowles sends clear message about Baker Mayfield’s role with Bucs
- The Athletic is wrong about Bucs one ‘must-watch’ game in 2023
Based off of The Carrollton Times-Georgian report, Robertson told the officer there would be repercussions because “he was alone”, but once the officer’s backup arrived, Robertson fled the scene. Eventually he was caught trying to get into his apartment, where he then resisted arrest. An officer was shoved against the wall, and due to Robertson’s resistence, tore a tendon in his leg.
Robertson is still on probation even now that he is a Buc. The Bucs, since Jason Licht arrived, have not dealt with players who have off the field issues. One prime example of this would be Mike Williams, the former receiver for the Bucs. Once Jason Licht and Lovie Smith were in office they were quick to trade Williams to the Buffalo Bills, more than likely due to his mayhem.
Last year’s off-season for the Bucs was met with high expectations for the signing of a defensive end, due to the pathetic (to say the least) production and effort of the eventually cut Michael Johnson. Greg Hardy was at the peak of the rumor mill for the Bucs, due to his ferocity in the pass rush, but those rumors stayed rumors. The Bucs’ front office seemed to keep their distance as the facts of Hardy’s disgusting past made it to the nation’s media.
If the Bucs continue their streak of keeping their nose out of bad egg players, then don’t expect Dominique Robertson to find himself a way onto the 53 man roster. Robertson is competing for a backup guard spot, and it is no secret that the Bucs have a great offensive line room already. Robertson’s statement of telling the officer that there would be “repercussions” because he was alone is chilling. The Bucs definitely do not need that type of player on this roster.
Next: Bucs' 2016 Preview: Week Three
For a team that is beginning to become relevant again, any bad publicity is not needed. What do you say Bucs’ fans?