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Has there ever been a boring game between the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers? If so, I can’t remember it. Which makes sense. Because it was boring.
Anyway, the point is, there have been some extremely entertaining games between these two highly successful franchises, and this Sunday presents another opportunity to notch another exciting chapter to the story.
On the field, there will be plenty of guys who don’t currently have a contract for 2020. And the Buccaneers could gain some valuable playoff experience by signing one or more.
2020 FREE-AGENTS: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
DE, Ezekiel Ansah (31) | CB, Jeremy Boykins (25)
WR, Jaron Brown (30) | DE, Jadeveon Clowney (27)
LB, Emmanuel Ellerbe (23) | OT, George Fant (28)
WR, Josh Gordon (29) | TE, Jacob Hollister (26)
C, Joey Hunt (26) | RT, Germaine Ifedi (26)
OG, Mike Iupati (33) | DE, Branden Jackson (27)
DE, Quinton Jefferson (27) | OLB, Mychal Kendricks (29)
CB, Akeem King (28) | RB, Marshawn Lynch (34)
WR, David Moore (25) | FS, Ryan Neal (24)
RB, C.J. Prosise (26) | DT, Jarran Reed (27)
CB, Kalan Reed (26) | OG, Jordan Roos (27)
OT, Jordan Simmons (26) | QB, Geno Smith (29)
TE, Tyrone Swoopes (25) | CB, Neiko Thorpe (30)
RB, Robert Turbin (30) | WR, Malik Turner (24)
OLB, Dekoda Watson (32) | TE, Luke Willson (30)
DT, Al Woods (33)
FREE-AGENT FOCUS: C, JOEY HUNT
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We profiled George Fant last week, and this week we’re moving down the offensive line a bit, looking at Joey Hunt.
Filling in for the injured Justin Britt, Hunt has helped his team get this far in the NFL Playoffs, but will likely find himself back on the bench when Britt returns in 2020. Of course, Hunt could choose to return to the team he’s been with for four seasons now. Assuming they offer him an extension.
If not, then he’ll likely go searching for a starting job before settling for another depth role. It’s hard to predict how things will go exactly, but if he becomes an available option, he would add experience to a thin Buccaneers offensive line group, and might even challenge for playing time given the opportunity.
2020 FREE-AGENTS: GREEN BAY PACKERS
WR, Geronimo Allison (26) | RT, Bryan Bulaga (31)
S, Ibraheim Campbell (28) | K, Mason Crosby (35)
RB, Tyler Ervin (26) | LB, Kyler Fackrell (28)
LB, B.J. Goodson (27) | WR, Ryan Grant (29)
FB, Malcolm Johnson (28) | WR, Jake Kumerow (28)
DE, Tyler Lancaster (25) | WR, Allen Lazard (24)
G, John Leglue (24) | TE, Marcedes Lewis (36)
LB, Blake Martinez (26) | S, Will Redmond (26)
OT, Jason Spriggs (26) | CB, Chandon Sullivan (24)
TE, Robert Tonyan Jr. (26) | RT, Jared Veldheer (33)
CB, Tramon Williams (37)
FREE-AGENT FOCUS: RB, TYLER ERVIN
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Bruce Arians wants competition. Competition is what players buried on depth charts, with a particular set of skills, go looking for.
Tyler Ervin has gotten some opportunities with the Green Bay Packers, coming in the form of six kickoff returns and four punt returns. Before that, he was returning kicks and punts for the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars.
However, he only has one rushing attempt and two receptions on offense. Ervin may be reserved to spend his career as a special teams contributor only, but the competitor in him will likely leave to find a chance to insert himself into a running back rotation.
Tampa Bay currently only has Ronald Jones who looks like he’s secured a clear role for 2020 in the Buccaneers’ backfield.
Ervin doesn’t exactly fit the traditional role of a running back in Bruce Arians led systems, but a little speed and dynamic ability never hurt a roster. His special teams ability could earn him the invitation to join the team. His ability and lack of a logjam in the running back room, could be the opportunity Ervin is looking for.
Ervin and Hunt are just two of the players trying to get their teams to the NFC Championship game. They’re also two players who might be heading to Tampa Bay next season if the Buccaneers see something in them they believe can help them win in 2020.