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2012 NFL Free Agency: Jermichael Finley signed by Green Bay Packers on two-year deal

According to Pro Football Talk, the Green Bay Packers have signed tight end Jermichael Finley to a two-year, $15 million contract. This constitutes the first major contract of the 2012 offseason, although free agency proper won't start until March 13. With Finley signed and Fred Davis likely to be franchised by the Washington Redskins, the free agency market for tight ends is becoming very slim - which is bad news for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,who could use a new tight end.

Kellen WInslow Jr. showed signs of slowing down last season, as he struggled to consistently gain separation, was frequently called for penalties as a blocker and a receiver and seemed to lack the speed he used to have. Injuries have taken their toll on his body, and he doesn't appear to be the weapon he used to be. While the Bucs drafted tight end Luke Stocker high in the third round last season, the rookie failed to impress as either a blocker or receiver in his first season in the NFL, which was also hampered by injuries.

The biggest names likely to hit the market as free agents are Martellus Bennett, a perennial underperformer as a receiver but a quality blocker, John Carlson - a talented tight endwith lackluster production and Jacob Tamme, who briefly fulfilled Dallas Clark's role in the 2010 season.

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Bennett

ALL ABOARD THE TRENT RICHARDSON TRAIN!!!

by dcbucsfan on Feb 22, 2012 8:34 PM EST reply actions  

This was only a matter of time

Bennet would be nice to have come here, after that I doubt we look outside our roster.

by BucfaninAZ on Feb 22, 2012 8:45 PM EST reply actions  

Stocker

I still think Stocker should be given a chance. He did have a lot of injuries and it was his first season. I dont forsee him being a superstar but he could be a solid starter.

by Deroa on Feb 22, 2012 8:46 PM EST reply actions  

If forced to choose only one

Of the TEs likely to be on the market, I would probably take Bennett if for no other reason than that his blocking skills are good. He’s very talented, but has not been able to turn that into receiving production numbers.

That being said, I would like us to sign both him and John Carlson. Carlson is a very gifted player who has had some injury issues, but were we to bring him in he wouldn’t be the top option (Bennett or K2) so he would likely suffer less wear and tear, and it would be less of a blow to us were he to suffer an injury. If we were able to bring in the both of them, I would keep Stocker over K2 if for no other reason than he still has room to develop, and K2 is clearly on the downslope of his career thanks to multiple injuries.

by KRoa on Feb 22, 2012 8:53 PM EST reply actions  

I would also like to point out,

That because of his injury issues and relative lack of production, John Carlson could probably be had for at or near dirt-cheap, which is a definite plus. I would say something along a 4-year, $9 million contract would probably do it, assuming there were also performance escalators in there (40-50 catches in a season, cash. 500 yards in a season, cash. 5 TDs in a season, +cash, etc.). That would give us a small cash risk while still providing Carlson the ability to continue his career and, if productive, make some pretty good money.

by KRoa on Feb 22, 2012 8:57 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, but....

His injuries are of the concussion variety. He may be as done as Sydney Crosby. :(

by T-BayRay on Feb 22, 2012 11:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Some of his have been concussions,

But I remember one or two leg injuries as well. Either way he’s worth bringing in for an incentive-laden contract. If he doesn’t work out the cap hit would be minimal.

by KRoa on Feb 23, 2012 1:25 AM EST up reply actions  

I think Bennett makes a lot of sense.

Great blocker (wouldn’t have to bring a lineman to play tight end on run downs, keeps defense guessing)
Big red zone mismatch at 6’6"
Not demanding to start because he has sat behind Witten.

by flash_kiley on Feb 22, 2012 8:53 PM EST via Android app reply actions  

In hindsight, I probably purchased my authentic bucs Finley jersey a little prematurely.

I hope my story will inspire others to come forward.

Love Buccaneers - Hate Glazer

by Bucs on Feb 22, 2012 10:18 PM EST up reply actions  

Well....

I’m still trying to figure out what to do with my Buccaneers’ Ndamukong Suh jersey. I appear to have gotten my hopes well up that year.

by KRoa on Feb 22, 2012 11:32 PM EST up reply actions  

Bennett

is worth a shot he could be a big pick up and it might be easier to get bennett since we have his brother on our team

by GMAN-23- on Feb 22, 2012 10:23 PM EST reply actions  

nice...

idea but, i dont even want ronde to come back… if he trys to i hope we derrick brooks him.

by GMAN-23- on Feb 22, 2012 11:57 PM EST up reply actions  

This may be off topic, but NEW COACH ALERT.

Rick Stroud has just reported that the Bucs hired LSU defensive backs coach Ron Cooper to serve in the same capacity.

by TB86 on Feb 22, 2012 10:55 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

Here We Go Again

Now we are just welcoming more debate topic of whether we will draft Morris Claiborne over Trent Richardson

by KryptoniteBuc on Feb 22, 2012 10:59 PM EST up reply actions  

We'll have to get used to it.

This debate of Morris Claiborne versus Trent Richardson will rage on until draft day. However, just because the Bucs hired Claiborne’s former position coach doesn’t make this a lock. The Bucs’ activity in free agency will tell the real sport of where they are leaning.

by TB86 on Feb 22, 2012 11:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Anybody know how long he's been there?

Some great DB’s have came from LSU

Fire up that Blount!

by TampaBayAllTheWayFromCaliforni-A on Feb 22, 2012 11:42 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

3 YEARS

He has 29 years of College coaching experience but he has been LSU Secodary Coach for 3 years he coached Patrick Peterson ,Mo Claiborne,and Mathieu…..

And We also have one of Darrelle Revis former mentors as Asst.DB coach Jeff Hafley

by DrummaBoi561 on Feb 23, 2012 6:02 PM EST up reply actions  

Lot of talented

2nd Round TE’s should be available if Tampa really wants to upgrade .

by DraftPhantom on Feb 23, 2012 5:37 AM EST reply actions  

Not a big shock there

GB wasnt going to let one of Rodgers favorite targets go without a fight.

by Gobucsgo on Feb 23, 2012 8:09 AM EST reply actions  


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