NFL Free Agents 2011: With New CBA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Will Have to Spend

Tom EdringtonJun 7, 2018

The Glazer boys, royal owners of your Tampa Bay Buccaneers, have to be taking a giant gulp with the news of this impending new CBA that is perhaps—just perhaps—getting closer to reality.

It's no secret the Buccos are cheapos. The 2010 season was an uncapped year, which also means there was no floor cap either, and teams could spend as little as they wanted. By now it's no top secret the Glazer's are the kings of "Spend as Little as You Want."

If you happen to gander a look-see at the Altius Directory for 2011 you'll find the not-so-shocking revelation that the "Chaps of Cheap" forked out a whopping $59.7 million to the 10-6 team.

Back in 2010 it was around $79 million, and in 2009 it was a shade under $85 million.

So what's the game plan if, under the new CBA, the salary cap is $120 million and the floor is 90 percent of that or $108 million?

Let's see, get out the abacus, and that's about $48 million the Glazers have to add to the payroll.

Jumpin' Jehoshaphat!

The "Princes of Penny Pinching" will have to open their wallets.

Could they possibly be dragged kicking and screaming into the world of NFL free agency?

Here's some big-ticket guys who could help them spend that money.

Nanmdi Asomugha, DB (Oakland Raiders)

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Nnamdi Asomugha—say that name three times real fast.

He's simply the the proclaimed prize of free agency and this lock-down, man-to-man corner will command a salary in the $19-$20 million neighborhood—PER YEAR.

So, if you have to spend $48 million, that would be an easy way to get started.

Asomugha is a man-to-man guy though. Tampa plays Cover 2 most of the time, and that will be the reason they don't go after this guy.

Now, common sense would tell us if the guy's a stud who can cover the best receivers man-to-man, then surely he can play zone.

The Bucs will also reason that $19 million is too much to pay ONE player. Why not get five guys for $4 million each or four guys for $5 million each?

Ray Edwards, DE (Minnesota Vikings)

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Ray Edwards.

Now we're talking. Forget that Nnamdi stuff, here's the guy the Bucs should really go after.

Edwards is a Pro Bowl-caliber defensive end, and right now, that's a huge area of need. Do you really want to go into the season with two rookies starting?

No.

Edwards is only 26 years old and has already been targeted by the Atlanta Falcons.

Note to Mark Dominik: You do not want Ray Edwards going against you, and you don't want him making evil eyes in the direction of Josh Freeman.

Get in there and outbid the Dirty Birds.

DeAngelo Williams, RB (Carolina Panthers)

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DeAngelo Williams has done it to the Bucs.

Now it's time for him to do it for the Bucs.

Tampa could use some help at running back, so why not add someone the caliber of Williams?

He wouldn't be THAT expensive, and he has some good years left.

It probably won't happen though. He's had some injuries, and surely that will be the concern for the Bucs.

Sounds good on paper though, doesn't it?

Ahmad Bradshaw, RB (New York Giants)

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If DeAngelo Williams doesn't tickle their fancy, then perhaps Ahmad Bradshaw would.

Bradshaw would be a marvelous addition to the backfield. He fits in with the "youth movement" requirement, and if they have to spend some money, why not jump on him?

He's be a great third-down option and could be the change-of-pace guy when LeGarrette Blount needs a breather.

It would just be a matter of if Bradshaw wants to leave New York.

The Bucs are gaining credibility after last year's 10-6 run, and now they could be more appealing to some of these productive veteran players.