Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Aqib Talib Is Too Talented to Cut

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib recently was handed down an indictment from the Dallas County grand jury this past week.

The Bucs' star cornerback is currently being charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon that occurred back on March 21 in Garland, Texas. According to police, Talib fired his gun at his sister's boyfriend and then pistol-whipped him.

With Talib's legal issues, he may be facing a possible release from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as he's likely to receive a suspension from the NFL once the lockout ends.

However, is Talib too much of a prized possession to cut? Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Kellen Winslow think so.

Winslow expressed his feelings with NFL.com on Friday: 

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"We need that guy [Aqib Talib] to win...Talking about Super Bowls—we need him really more than anyone besides [Josh] Freeman. He's that good. He locks down receivers. He's got to iron out what he's got to iron out, but we need him as much as anybody..too talented to let go."

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Winslow isn't the first Buccaneer to speak out about Talib's current situation, Tampa Bay cornerback Ronde Barber spoke with PewterReport.com and stated that he's willing to "go to bat" for Talib.

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"It is too easy to simplify somebody and say they are a thug...I know him to be a great teammate. I know him to be a fun-loving, kind of gregarious guy."

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Despite Winslow's and Barber's recent pleads for Talib, the Bucs' star cornerback is "all but gone," according to the St. Petersburg Times.

Talib has played three seasons in Tampa Bay, as he was the team's 20th overall selection in the 2008 draft, and he's far exceeded expectations. 

In just those three seasons, Talib has already recorded 15 interceptions and an amazing total of 35 pass deflections. 

Some may feel that Talib's personal issues are simply too much to handle, but his production does not lie. 

Talib is undoubtedly the Bucs' best defender, and may be one of the top shut-down cornerbacks in the NFL. However, once the NFL and NFLPA have a new deal in place, it's likely that Talib will receive some sort of punishment from the NFL. 

The Bucs' cornerback is simply too much of a talent to let go—it'd be in general manager Mark Dominik's best interest to keep Talib around. It's something that Dominik and the Buccaneers organization has to deal with,

Talib is their best defensive player, and they will need him if they want to make any sort of Super Bowl run.

This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @    TonySantorsa.