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The Other Option: Anyone but Incognito

Lovie Smith has brought Richie Incognito into Tampa, and though it's only for a meeting, Bucs fans everywhere are now pleading for Incognito to come to Tampa. I'm not personally one of those among us who thinks Richie would be a good addition though. Many have already pointed out how hypocritical it would be of Lovie's organization to bring in possibly the most controversial and distracting player in the NFL last year, and many have also pointed out that Richie hasn't shown remorse for his previous decisions, which is a good measurement for how likely it is we would see a repeat.

But here's what I want to talk about: alternatives. Who are the other options? We're excited about Incognito because he's a household name - and they've always said any press is good press. Right now, though, every team in the league is skimming down on players to meet their roster expectation of 75 players per league standard. That means that some teams are going to cut some offensive linemen that might be worth taking a look at in Tampa, just as much so as Incognito if not more. Below I've detailed these other options. Just one extra note: none of them caused a huge scandal in their previous organizations. These players were likely let go for roster space, because they weren't talented relative to the players who stayed instead, or because they simply didn't fit into the system appropriately.

Alex Boone

Boone is an exception to this list, so naturally I've put him first. He isn't being let go because of roster cuts, rather the San Francisco guard is holding out for a higher wage. He was an option for the Buccaneers before Incognito came into sight, and the Bucs know so - they've been tracking his movement, and they obviously are entertaining the option, as is wise - but Boone is expensive. More expensive than Incognito would likely be if we signed, along with any other cut player obviously. But at the same time, he's younger (than Incognito) as well as more talented, and less dramatic. Tampa would probably have to let go of a 2015 pick for any potential trade - I'd think something between a 3rd and 4th, but you never know. San Francisco General Manager Trent Baalke is tenacious, and historically, Tampa Bay is milquetoast, from the Bruce Allen era to the Belichick-Schiano connection. I find it sort of odd actually that Licht and Lovie haven't jumped on Alex Boone already. They've entered the 2014 season with banners and an army of fans all shouting, "Win now, win now!" And they've consistently been in that headspace - fans just yesterday voted on JoeBucsFan, about 80%-20%, for Richie Incognito, in typical "Win now, nothing matters," fashion. Maybe we don't have the cap space for poor Alex. That being said, I'm not sold on him myself. Whatever pick we trade, it's one that hypothetically could go to a new and younger guard, and thus give the Bucs something they've always had trouble with - depth.

I couldn't find any worthwhile tape of Boone - which I thought odd - but pro football reference informs us that the 2013 season was his best yet with an AV of 10. He's only uptrended. He's been a starter in San Francisco for three years, and came to them undrafted in 2009.

Alex Bullard

Bullard is one of two guards dropped by the Detroit Lions in the last couple days. The other is A.J. Dalton, but we're not gonna look at him; that doesn't mean the Bucs shouldn't. Bullard is an undrafted free agent who's just joining the ranks of the NFL out of Tennessee, where he had actually transferred to from Notre Dame. Most of his body of work comes from the former though. The word that always comes up with Bullard is "versatility". He can play guard, tackle, center, even tight end...but the detraction from that is that he's not as heavy. I don't know that I'd expect him to get pushed around, but that depends on how he adjusts to the NFL. Getting dropped by the Lions tells us that he wasn't good enough for their roster, but as is necessary to remember for all of these players, Tampa Bay's depth at this position is much the opposite of depth. We're barren. Bullard's tape impresses me, and giving him a shot is exactly the sort of thing that this organization is expected to do - all this talk of churning for depth, and how many guards have the Buccaneers actually brought in this season? Lovie and Licht can't possibly believe Tedford will be able to outrun his own offensive line.

Alex Bullard Tape

J.J. Unga

Unga, who plays left guard and center, was dropped by the Bills just recently, and I think he's worth a look. You might search him and read a bit about him, and just like me, think that he's not worth the time. But after some consideration, I've decided that Unga is more worth the time and money than other players. Here's why: Unga played with Midwestern State in college, spent time on the Ravens practice squad, and even saw some starts last year at left guard for the Bills. He's physically got the measurements for the position, and his only real problem is how raw he still is. Watch the tape - Unga is messy. But he's coachable. And he's young-ish. And the Bucs are considering picking up Richie "motherfucking" Incognito.

J.J. Unga Tape

Adam Gettis

Gettis, cousin of David Gettis, who the Bucs JUST waived, was drafted in the fifth round of the 2012 draft by the Redskins. The 'Skins just waived him today. He even started for them on several occassions, and looked to be a well developing right guard, earning positive reviews by Pro Football Focus. So here we've got someone young, with experience as a starter, at a position we are weak at. I fully expect the Bucs administration to take a look at Gettis, if they get the chance before someone else picks him up. Worst comes to worst, the Bucs have found a serviceable backup at right guard, where they're currently starting Oniel "huh?" Cousins.

I can't find tape for Gettis (curse you Iowa!).

Closing Sentiments

Something you might be able to say about most of these players is that they're projects. Unga isn't going to come in and start. But he'll compete. And separating from him is relatively risk free if he turns out to be disappointing. These are just a few of the many players at the position cut in the last couple of days. They aren't vets, they need coaching and chances to develop (which are admittedly low since the pre-season is ending and rosters are all slimming down) but any of these players is more worth the look than Richie Incognito, and all of them have the potential to be better players than him, both on the field and off.

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