For 30 of the 32 groups within the NFL, the offseason is formally in full-swing. Groups are at present evaluating their very own rosters so as to decide which contracts to resume and they’re additionally evaluating potential free brokers from the surface. Because the weeks proceed, affirmations and choices will probably be made in relation to the way forward for many gamers.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will most actually take a look at brining in some exterior of assist in hopes of elevating the group’s 7-9 document from 2019. There are a number of avenues to take and a number of choices to take in relation to sure positions on the roster, however one of many extra essential areas to fill can be that of the security place. The Bucs at present have 5 safeties on their roster in 2020, and one among them – Justin Evans – hasn’t performed a single down in virtually two years. Jordan Whitehead and D’cota Dixon each completed the 12 months on IR (Dixon by no means acquired out of coaching camp), whereas Mike Edwards struggled in his rookie 12 months.
Exterior of Whitehead, the unit largely struggled in 2019. It’s straightforward to see why the Bucs would take into account including a security both via free company or the NFL Draft. One identify that has cropped over the previous couple of days has been veteran security Eric Berry.
Berry was one of many league’s high safeties earlier than an Achilles damage took him down only one sport into the 2017 season. He tried to play in a couple of video games through the 2018 season, however it was to no avail. When the beginning of the 2019 season got here round Berry determined to take the 12 months off, regardless of fielding a number of gives from groups occupied with his service(s).
He’s one of the crucial versatile safeties within the league. His 14 profession picks, 5.5 profession sacks, and 445 mixed tackles are proof of his means. He can play the go, the run, and rush the passer. It’s what helped him land the six-year/$78 million deal earlier than the beginning of the 2017 season.
Berry is able to go in 2020 now that he’s recharged in each the psychological and bodily sense. There will probably be loads of groups that can contact him over the following few weeks in hopes of luring the All-Professional into their grasp.
So what in regards to the Bucs? Ought to they take a threat on Berry?
This ginger says no. Now, I don’t have any inside data on this. It’s all cheap deduction and looking on the scenario from the surface, so bear with me.
All of it begins with Berry’s asking value, which I believe will probably be fairly excessive. The deal he signed in 2016 was value a median of $13 million per 12 months. He’ll seemingly use his previous manufacturing and the truth that he took 2019 off as a negotiating level to get near that quantity. For his profession, he’s averaged near $10.5 million per 12 months.
Some will level to the day without work, the accidents, and the truth that he’s 31 as the reason why he would take an reasonably priced deal, however to me, I see the alternative. I see a man who is aware of he’s who has his again towards a wall and is operating out of time. He’ll look to make as a lot cash as he probably can, and I don’t blame him.
If he was receiving gives in 2019, then which means his market nonetheless holds worth. Why would that change in 2020?
The Bucs at present have the third-most cap area out there, however plenty of that can get chewed up in the event that they find yourself re-signing gamers like Jameis Winston, Shaq Barrett, Jason Pierre-Paul, Ndamukong Suh, and others. If Berry need something near what he’s revamped his profession, then the Bucs will seemingly should sacrifice some depth so as to make the transfer work.
However even then there isn’t any assure that Berry will probably be even near his former self in 2020. It’s a significant threat that would pay only a few dividends if it doesn’t work out.
Alternatively, the Bucs may have a shot at touchdown one of many league’s higher safeties over the previous couple of years. Todd Bowles and his secondary would get a bonafide chief and playmaker if issues have been to work out, which might be an incredible increase to this younger secondary.
It is going to all come all the way down to analysis and we’ll in all probability even hear Berry’s identify floated round at group exercises sooner or later. However till the day comes the place we obtain concrete proof that Berry is on his manner again, the Bucs ought to simply maintain the ship within the present waters it’s in – which is constructing a basis for this group to depend on within the coming years.
What do you assume? Ought to the Bucs usher in Berry? How a lot does value play an element? Tell us within the feedback beneath!!
