Bucs after Dark: Morris Claiborne in the cards for Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
By Cory Kinnan
In need of a veteran cornerback to add experience, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers must make a move to sign former first round pick Morris Claiborne.
The cornerback market is drying up, and quality players are going at a bargain of a rate. Veterans Jason Verrett and Rashaan Melvin have both signed for under $4 million each, meaning that with a one swift cut, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could afford to add a veteran in such a young, inexperienced, and struggling secondary.
The next man up waiting for a deal of the veteran cornerbacks on the market is former first round pick Morris Claiborne. Could the Buccaneers be in the market for the seven-year veteran out of Louisiana State?
After six seasons as a Dallas Cowboy, Claiborne has spent the last two seasons in New York with the Jets. Now at the age of 29, Claiborne is set to hit the market once again. With Brent Grimes hitting the road, Tampa Bay must add a veteran presence to that position group, and Claiborne would fit the bill.
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Throughout his career, Claiborne has recorded seven interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, and defended an additional 49 passes. Claiborne has put together a pretty quality career as it looked like he was on the fast track to becoming a bust in his early years. In fact, his most productive seasons have been the last two years in New York.
Still under the age of thirty, the late bloomer still looks to be at the height of his potential. If the Buccaneers can get Claiborne to agree to a deal around the $3.5 million range that Verrett and Melvin have taken, then a contract could absolutely be in the card for Tampa Bay.
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In desperate need of experience and leadership in their secondary, the Buccaneers must add a veteran presence at the cornerback position before free agency is all said and done. With the market for such a corner drying up, Claiborne is the next man to step to the plate. It is possible that a deal could be worked out to bring the former sixth overall pick in 2012 to Tampa Bay.