Expect more roster moves and a new OC as coach Lovie Smith continues to shape the Bucs. (USATSI)
Few teams have been as active as the Buccaneers in terms of being willing to move or cut star players and recent high draft picks. That process did not end at last month's trade deadline, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.
A year ago, the Bucs made it known they would be willing to deal Darrelle Revis -- he was ultimately released -- receiver Mike Williams, left tackle Donald Penn and center Jeremy Zuttah, among other departures. They will be very active at this year's combine as well.
While general manager Jason Licht was unable to find suitable deals for running back Doug Martin, receiver Vincent Jackson and safety Dashon Goldson before the trade deadline, the team will field overtures for all three this season, sources said, with other general managers under the impression they will be available in 2015 at the right price.
Tampa did trade 2012 first-round pick Mark Barron at the deadline, and the purge of talent brought in by the prior regime will continue into 2015.
Tampa held out for a second-round pick for Jackson, and that price could drop this offseason, especially as 2014 draft picks Mike Evans and Austin Seferian-Jenkins continuing to make strides in the second half of the season. Martin can be had for a late-round pick in all likelihood and Goldon's bloated contract limits his market but he very well will not be back in 2015.
With Tampa falling well short of renewed expectations in coach Lovie Smith's first season at the helm, the team is expected to remain very active in trying to fill many voids, and the team will also very likely be in the market for a proven offensive coordinator after the season as well, with health problems forcing Jeff Tedford to miss all of this season. The offensive staff has been undermanned and scrambling without the playcaller on the job.
NFL Hot News
Report: The 'sense is' Lions RB Reggie Bush won't play Sunday
ESPN's Ed Werder tweeted Saturday morning that his "sense is" Lions running back Reggie Bush won't play in Week 11 because of his lingering ankle sprain. Bush played last week but was admittedly limited against the Dolphins after reinjuring his ankle in the early stages. He is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Arizona, but he didn't practice during the week.
You can debate whether or not this is a big loss for Detroit's offense. Bush can still cause matchup problems for opponents, but he has already been inactive for two games this season due to his ankle troubles, and the Lions won both. On the field, rookie Theo Riddick has done a commendable job of filling Bush's role as a dangerous receiver out of the backfield. In those two games, Riddick gained more than 70 receiving yards and scored in each. Then last week while Bush was on the bench, Riddick came in to catch the game-winning touchdown versus Miami.I'm not blind to the fact that the Cardinals' run defense has been suffocating this season. They have allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to running backs and are one of only five teams to not allow an RB into the end zone as a receiver. But if you need a PPR replacement for Week 11, Riddick should definitely receive enough touches to be at least useful. Joique Bell will stay in as the Lions' lead back and is a mere flex option against that Arizona front.
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