Gaines Adams, 1983-2010 / Photo: Newscom

The autopsy revelaed that Gaines had an enlarged heart, but apparently nobody knew anything about his condition. I’m no doctor. I don’t know how something like that would be diagnosed. Or even the reasons why someone has an enlarged heart. But I do know, as an NFL player, you are poked and prodded so much—it would seem any kind of physical ailment would be uncovered. Yet this ailment went undetected even though I’m not sure what could’ve been done about it anyway. Toxicology tests are being run by the State Law Enforcement Division but probably won’t be available for a couple months. Again, I’m not sure why something like that takes so long, but we’ll have to wait to find what caused the death of this young man.

Source: ChicagoBears.com

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Gaines Adams Dies

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints / Image: Zuma Press

If you look at the offensive numbers in this game, they are pretty impressive. Quarterback Drew Brees was 32-of-37 passing for 258 yards and a touchdown. And the Saints had a well-balanced attack, running for 124 yards. But they fizzled after starting strong—plus they turned the football over, missed an easy field goal and blew a special teams coverage that ultimately cost them this game.

Suddenly, the Saints are in danger of losing the top spot in the NFC. If the Minnesota Vikings win their final two games and the Saints lose to red hot Carolina (albeit sans injured receiver Steve Smith) in Week 17, not only do the Saints enter the playoffs on a three game losing streak, but the road to Super Bowl XLIV goes through Minnesota, not New Orleans.

Source: NFL.com

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Cause for Concern in New Orleans?

Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Bucs / Image: Zuma Press

After the game, Bucs head coach Raheem Morris kept things in perspective in getting his first-ever win:

“A great start to how we want to be, how we want to look, how we want to play. These guys played passionate. Obviously it’s not about me. It’s about us.”

Josh made his fair share of mistakes today. Especially early on. He looked like he had a case of first-start jitters. But after he got rid of the nervousness he was certainly feeling, I think he gained a wealth of experience on a special day for this organization. When the season started—when Byron Leftwich was named the starting quarterback—I knew matters would eventually fall into the hands of Josh Freeman, the QB this team drafted to be their quarterback of the future. And he didn’t disappoint.

I loved the throwback look today (and I emphasize today). But when the Bucs went to red and pewter 13 years ago, it was probably the best uniform upgrade in the history of the NFL. After today’s impressive win, I wonder if the team is rethinking that decision?

Sources: Buccaneers.com, NFL.com, TampaBayOnline

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Josh Freeman Makes First Start, Bucs Win

The suspension will sideline Dante for the Panthers game vs. Buffalo this Sunday.

In a letter to Dante today, Mr. Anderson wrote:

“The playing rules (Rule 10, Section 1, Article 1) specifically provide that a member of the kicking team is prohibited from interfering with a receiver attempting to catch an airborne kick. The prohibited contact in this case went well beyond simply interfering with the receiver. Instead, by striking your defenseless opponent in the head and neck area, you committed an unnecessary and unnecessarily dangerous act that is specifically prohibited by the rules. Your actions are of particular concern in light of the emphasis that our office has placed on developing and enforcing rules designed to protect players from injury, including head and neck injuries. The safety of our players is paramount to all of us in the NFL.”

Dante will lose about $36,000 (his weekly game check) because of the suspension. He would later say he was “just trying to make a play.” But he’s clearly in denial. Dante lost his mind for a moment and the mistake will cost him a week’s pay. Luckily, Clifton Smith emerged uninjured after the collision.

Source: NFL Media

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Dante Wesley Suspended One Game

Gaines Adams traded to Chicago Bears / Image: Zuma Press

Gaines was widely considered one of the “faces” of the Tampa Bay franchise—hey, he was even one of four players who modeled the throwback orange creamsicle unis this season—so this comes as a shock in that sense. But when you look at his lack of production (13.5 sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 37 games)—and head coach Raheem Morris’ no-nonsense (and no-patience) style—I can’t say I’m surprised that the Bucs chose to beat the NFL trading deadline by four days in dealing Gaines.

Coach Morris put the handwriting on the wall just a few weeks ago:

“He hasn’t (put forth the production), and I think Gaines knows that. Gaines is one of those guys that knows that he is judged on whether he touches the quarterback or not. Right now he is not getting production as far as not just touching the quarterback, the tackles, the sacks. He’s not getting any of that. He is not playing up to par right now. He’s holding himself accountable. We have to hold him accountable, and it is tough right now. He is not getting it done. There are no excuses. There are no explanations. Gaines is not getting it done right now.”

I’m not sure this deal makes a lot of sense for the Bears. They get a young defensive end with a lot of potential. But it’s just potential. And he’s not going to start ahead of Adewale Ogunleye and Alex Brown. So, why would you give up a second round pick for an unproven, backup defensive end?

I hope I’m wrong, but Gaines’ best football might already be behind him. His numbers have been declining. And when you consider what the Bears are giving up (the aforementioned second round Draft pick), I think it’s too much of a risk—especially because with this deal complete, they are now without a first and second round selection in next year’s Draft. Remember, they let go of their number one pick in 2010 when they acquired Jay Cutler from Denver. Gaines Adams better have a tremendous career turnaround to justify this kind of commitment by the Bears.

Sources: PewterReport.com, ChicagoBears.com

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Bucs Trade Gaines Adams to Bears

Josh Johnson, Tampa Bay Bucs / Image: Zuma Press

My money has been on rookie Josh Freeman taking over the starting spot as early as the midway point of this season. And that still might happen. But for now, another young quarterback with very little experience—Josh Johnson—will get the call. Josh will give the Bucs an option they just didn’t have with Byron—mobility (not to mention a rocket arm). Josh can, and will, make plays outside the pocket. But the team will need to improve their 25th ranked ground game if any quarterback is going to have success in this offense. Right now, it’s an experiment at the most important position on the team for the Bucs.

Source: Buccaneers.com

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Bucs Promote Quarterback Josh Johnson

Byron should be the favorite to win the starting role in Tampa. Otherwise, why would be have bolted from Pittsburgh? He knows he can be a starter in this league so if not now, when? In limited duty with the Steelers last season, Byron managed a 104.3 quarterback rating while completing nearly 60% of his passes. Obviously, Ben Roethlisberger is the choice at quarterback for the Steelers, so Byron was merely a really good insurance policy should Big Ben be hurt. After spending some time shopping his unrestricted free agent services to the Steelers and Redskins, Byron ultimately chose the Bucs and should thrive in the team’s new Raheem Morris/Jeff Jagodzinski offense.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

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Bucs Sign Byron Leftwich

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

The Tampa Bay Bucs continued to cut into their massive amount of salary cap space today, keeping receiver Michael Clayton on the roster with a five-year, $24 million deal ($10.5 million is guaranteed money). Michael spent some time interviewing with the Lions and Vikings, but cancelled a trip to Seattle when he realized the weather in Tampa was really nice. Actually, the Bucs called him and told him not to get on any plane that wasn’t headed to Tampa. In other words, they gave him what he was looking for financially. Plus, the Bucs appear to have a good thing happening with new head coach Raheem Morris so why would Michael want to be anywhere else?

The signing means both Michael and fellow receiver Antonio Bryant will remain with the team in 2008 — which is a good thing considering both players were rather prominent in the Bucs’ passing attack last season. Antonio was, without question, the team’s top option (83 catches for 1,248 yards), but Michael managed 38 catches and was second on the team in yards per catch (12.7). Even with the addition of tight end Kellen Winslow, I believe Michael’s role in the Tampa Bay offense will be increased in 2009.

Source: Tampa Tribune, Photo: Newscom

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Bucs Keep Michael Clayton

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

The Tampa Bay Bucs traded the always intriguing “undisclosed draft picks” to the Cleveland Browns for tight end Kellen Winslow today. Kellen’s introductory presser ended just about an hour ago and he said:

“I’m happy to be playing football, happy to have a job. You know, it’s tough. This is just a blessing. Cleveland was great to me (liar). I had a good time in Cleveland (liar) … But, this is a new opportunity.”

In signing with the Bucs, Kellen gets to return to the state of Florida where he spent his college career at the University of Miami. And it ends a five-year era of injury and controversy in Cleveland where, outside of the 2007 season, Kellen never lived up to his true potential. It’s almost as though his time in Cleveland was doomed from the start. Still, he managed 219 receptions for 2,459 yards and 11 touchdowns in 44 NFL games. But he’s only 25-years-old and hopefully the change of scenery will jump-start his career. The Bucs are certainly figuring that will be the case. As long as K2 can stay away from motorcycles and staph infection, he should be good to go.

Source: Buccaneers.com, Photo: Newscom

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Bucs Trade for Kellen Winslow

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

The Tampa Bay Bucs went nuts today, releasing five veteran players in a move that made a firm commitment to the team’s younger players. Linebacker Derrick Brooks, receivers Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard, running back Warrick Dunn and linebacker Cato June were all sent packing. Only Cato is under 30-years-old. And sure, I can accept that the Bucs want to go in a different direction. But when a team loses not only good players but also good people — some of the best in the entire National Football League — it’s hard to imagine it can be a good thing. New head coach Raheem Brock understands this:

“There’s no doubt we are losing players with a tremendous amount of leadership and character. You never replace a guy like Derrick Brooks. This was not a money issue or a youth movement. This is a direction change. We are moving forward. We’re going to play some people that were behind these guys and let them compete.”

That doesn’t really explain what direction the team is headed. But if it’s not a money issue or a youth movement — and leadership and character have already been factored in — the team obviously feels the skills of these players has diminished beyond repair. So, it will be interesting to see how the former backups do in starting roles. And it will be interesting to see how each of these now free agent players fits with other teams, if at all. In other words, I hope the Bucs know what they are doing as they change their direction.

Source: Buccaneers.com, Photo: Newscom.com

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Bucs Purge Veteran Roster