The Buccaneers’ 2017 Free Agents
By Zach Sauers
The Buccaneers have 17 unrestricted free agents heading into this season. Could some of these players be on their last year in Tampa?
The Tampa Bay Bucs have quite the amount of players who are coming to an end of their contracts. 17 players on this team may not be back on the roster come next season. Some of the bigger names featured on this list are Vincent Jackson, William Gholston, and Demar Dotson. Here is a run down of all the men that might be wearing a Bucs’ uniform for their last time and a prediction if they will back for another year. Starting with the offense.
Offense:
Vincent Jackson – 33, Wide Receiver
Gosder Cherilus – 32, Right Tackle
Joe Hawley– 27, Center
Brandon Myers– 30, Tight End
Mike Glennon– 26, Quarterback
Demar Dotson- 30, Right Tackle
Russell Shepard– 25, Wide Receiver
Mike James– 25, Running Back
Bryan Anger– 27, Punter
Immediately after reading the offensive list, the names of three starters are what sticks out the most. Vincent Jackson, Joe Hawley, and Demar Dotson are all previous starters with the team, and who are expected to start once again. To begin let’s start off with being honest, V-Jax’s best years are behind him, and if he has another injury plagued season the Bucs would be wise to let him walk. Unless they see him as great mentor for a draft selection, his talents would be no longer needed in the bay.
More from Bucs News
- Devin White posts cryptic message to Lavonte David on Twitter
- 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
- Todd Bowles admits he only looks at three things on Bucs schedule
As for Hawley and Dotson, they both need to fight off their current positional competitions in order to see themselves back on the 2017 roster. First of all, Hawley managed to have a great season last year. The free agent was signed and immediately made an impact once he was put into the starting lineup. It is hard for someone to argue that he is not the heart of the offensive line, so it would be to no surprise if he has another great year and is resigned once more. Dotson’s season was unfortunately short due to his knee injury, but was able to come off IR and eventually retake his starting gig. Unless the Bucs seem to favor his whoever the backup is, Dotson should see himself back on the for 2017 roster as well.
Gosder Cherilus was signed last season due to the injury of Demar Dotson. Cherilus came to the Bucs with something to prove and he was able to do just that. The right tackle had an alright season, but towards the end, lost his job to the returning Dotson. Cherilus is said to been one of
the leaders of the offensive line due to his experience, but will that really save his job? Now an expected backup, he might not even find a way onto the 53 man roster. The Bucs have a tremendous offensive line that is infused with youth, and this 32 year old might see his way out the door.
Mike James, Russell Shepard, and Brandon Myers are three players that are currently fighting for a roster spot. Shepard has been a special teams ace for the Bucs, but considering that the wide receiver room is crowded with young talent, he may not have a spot on the roster this season. The same goes for both Myers and James. Both have seen limited playing time over the past two years, and unless they are able to beat out someone their already full rooms. They are looking from the outside in on this year’s roster as well.
Bryan Anger and Mike Glennon are two of the more interesting names that the Bucs have for their 2017 unrestricted free agent class (Yes punters are exciting too). Anger was quickly picked up by the Bucs this off-season, due to the longevity of mediocre play from the position. Anger is more than likely going to beat out his competition in Jacob Schum and unless his kicks become just as atrocious as the past few punters,the former second rounder should see himself back in 2017.
Finally, the man, the myth ,the legend, Mike Glennon. Mike Glennon was drafted back in the Schiano era to backup our then quarterback Josh Freeman (good riddance). Glennon found himself quickly thrown into the fire due to the imploding Freeman had in the 2013 season. Unfortunately, after that season Schiano was fired and Glennon was then benched in favor of Lovie Smith’s former backup, Josh McCown. Due to terrible quarterback play once again, Glennon found himself back at helm and was able to cement himself as a capable starter in this league. Once the Bucs drafted Jameis Winston, Glennon knew he would be demoted to backup status, and has filled that role since. Now that his contract is soon to be up, the choice is his if the grass will be greener on the other side. You can bet that Jason Licht would love to have him back for another season, unless some team comes knocking with a great trade offer this year.
Defense:
Chris Conte– 27, Safety
Bradley McDougald– 25, Safety
Daryl Smith– 34, Linebacker
Josh Robinson– 25, Corner
Akeem Spence– 24, Defensive Tackle
William Gholston- 24, Defensive End
Major Wright– 28, Safety
Johnthan Banks– 26, Corner
Once again, three starters are on this list for the Bucs. Both safeties Chris Conte and Bradley McDougald, and newly signed veteran Daryl Smith. Conte and McDougald both had good seasons for the Bucs in 2015, and because of the Bucs resigning them for this season, it obviously meant something. The Bucs coerced Conte back to the team even without the coach that brought him in due to the lack of talent in the room. McDougald on the other hand is still learning the ropes, but unless he continues to grow, his time might run out. Unfortunately, the Bucs do not have one big name at safety, and instead work more as a committee than anything. So unless rookie Ryan Smith or veteran Keith Tandy steps up, do not be surprised to see both safeties back for another season.
Well what about Major Wright? Wright is another safety that was brought during Lovie ball to help fit his defensive scheme. Wright has had mediocre play since he has arrived in Tampa, but the Bucs cannot settle any longer for mediocre. The Bucs have two backup safeties inline with Smith and Tandy, therefore Wright may be MAJOR-ly out of luck for this season.
Daryl Smith, the newly acquired linebacker was brought to the team to help fill a void at the outside linabacker spot and help mentor the young Buc linebackers in the new defense. Smith has gas left in his tank, but after drafting Devante Bond, expect the Bucs to use him till a younger player can take over.
The two young Buc defensive lineman in Akeem Spence and William Gholston are playing for new
contracts as well. Spence has proven he is able to play in this league, and unless he finds more money elsewhere, the Bucs should look to resign him for depth. The man-beast Gholston to his right is just scratching his potential. The expectation is that this is finally the year he is able to make a leap and become a true havoc across the line. Gholston can already smell the money, and with a good year in 2016, will get him paid. There would be no surprise to see Gholston get big money this off-season to stay in the Bay.
Last, but not least, we have the two unrestricted corners. Josh Robinson was signed this off-season to come in and help solidify the depth at the corner position. Right now he is hoping to hold off his competitors for a spot on the roster. Due to the turnstile at the corner position the Bucs have had, making predictions if he will be back for another season is hard. As a depth player, his play this year will say it all. As for the formerly highly touted corner Johnthan Banks, the hope is he is able to rebound. Coach Koetter and staff told Banks that he would be back for another season, and does this boy have a chip on his shoulder!
Banks needs to come into this season with a fire lit underneath him, because with another bad season due to terrible play, you can bet he will not be with the Bucs in 2017. The former second rounder needs to prove he belongs.
What do you think think Buc fans?