Bucs and S Eugene Wilson closing in on a deal

[slash83]

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx

The Bucs are nearing an agreement with free agent DB Eugene Wilson, according to the St. Petersburg Times.

The Bucs want Wilson to be their nickel back. Other suitors could offer him a stronger chance at a starting job, but Tampa Bay can make him the richest.

 

[miDeuce]

I find it interesting the Jets didn't pursue Geno harder. Kinda shows how much his play must've slipped...

 

[Pats726]

Agreed...I was sure one of the DBs would end up in Manginiland...

 

[Jimke]

If nothing else, Wilson will offset one of the free agents

the Pats have signed when 2009 compensatory draft

picks are determined next year.

 

[PonyExpress]

Good for Geno. Hopefully his career gets back on track. I'll always be a fan of his, provided he doesn't stab the organization in the back in the press, like TJohnson.

 

[BRiZ]

nickleback is probably where wilson could thrive the best, hes a poor safety and not really good enough for starting outside at CB. Might be a good fit for the Bucs.

 

[Terry Glenn is a cowgirl]

How did he slip so far so fast?

I thought he was going to be better than that.

 

[MrTibbs]

When couldn't can't stay awake in team meetings that sure wasn't going to help his cause.

 

[skri65]

nickleback is probably where wilson could thrive the best, hes a poor safety and not really good enough for starting outside at CB. Might be a good fit for the Bucs.

True, his play hasn't been great in recent years (i wouldn't say "poor"), but what he's got going for him is that he once was very very good...even if it was for just a year. Injuries and what not could be his unofficial excuse for not playing to potential

 

[ctpatsfan77]

If nothing else, Wilson will offset one of the free agents

the Pats have signed when 2009 compensatory draft

picks are determined next year.

Actually, I think he would probably "protect" Gay's pick, so to speak, since I can't see him signing for more than $4M a year (then again, Tampa does have a boatload of $$ to spend!).

 

[captain stone]

When couldn't can't stay awake in team meetings that sure wasn't going to help his cause.

When did that happen?

Nickel Back sounds about right for Geno at this time. After his second consecutive SB-ending injury (on STs - thanks coach), and during the following season, esp. after Rodney was injured in Pittsburgh, it became clearer that Wilson probably wasn't cut out to be a starting FS on a SB contender. The transition back to CB should have begun after the '05 season.

It's funny that you mention Wilson's ability (or lack thereof) to stay awake during team meetings. He didn't exactly have the reputation as a workout warrior/film student in college, either. Nevertheless, I liked his selection (#36 overall) in '03, though I was leaning a bit more toward Rashean Mathis. Now we don't have either of them. The moral: always keep the CB pipeline flowing, by drafting at least one every year.

 

[DaBruinz]

I find it interesting the Jets didn't pursue Geno harder. Kinda shows how much his play must've slipped...

Why? The Jets have 3 very good safeties in Rhodes, Coleman and Abram. Wilson isn't an upgrade for them at CB.

 

[DaBruinz]

If nothing else, Wilson will offset one of the free agents

the Pats have signed when 2009 compensatory draft

picks are determined next year.

As of right now, none of the free agents that the Pats have signed would have qualified for the minimum salary level that is being estimated for this years compensation(over 900K). So, what makes you think that they would qualify for next year's when that minimum salary goes up each year?

 

[DaBruinz]

nickleback is probably where wilson could thrive the best, hes a poor safety and not really good enough for starting outside at CB. Might be a good fit for the Bucs.

Geno was an awesome safety until he suffered the injuries in consecutive SuperBowls. I believe that, after he broke his arm in SB39, he lost his confidence. Especially after the 2005 season where the LB corps really messed the defense up and Geno took a ton of blame from people even though he was playing injured and without Harrison opposite him.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

As of right now, none of the free agents that the Pats have signed would have qualified for the minimum salary level that is being estimated for this years compensation(over 900K). So, what makes you think that they would qualify for next year's when that minimum salary goes up each year?

You're still conflating two different issues, DaBruinz.

The $900K figure you quote is merely the lowest salary of a player whose loss resulted in a comp pick. The threshold for determining "qualifying UFAs"--those whose gains/losses determine whether or not a team is eligible to even receive a comp pick--is lower than that; it was actually around $750K this year.

 

[blackglass3]

When did that happen?

Nickel Back sounds about right for Geno at this time. After his second consecutive SB-ending injury (on STs - thanks coach), and during the following season, esp. after Rodney was injured in Pittsburgh, it became clearer that Wilson probably wasn't cut out to be a starting FS on a SB contender.

What's your issue with Coach Belichick? This is the second thread I have seen that you are complaining about how he used a player.

 

[Rob0729]

It's a shame. Wilson was a rising star in 2004, but he just fell apart. Since then he wasn't as bad as some people made him out to be, but he definitely was never anything like he was in 2004.

 

[captain stone]

What's your issue with Coach Belichick? This is the second thread I have seen that you are complaining about how he used a player.

I'm sorry; I wasn't aware that Coach Belichick is above criticism here.

 

[blackglass3]

I'm sorry; I wasn't aware that Coach Belichick is above criticism here.

I never said he was. I asked exactly what YOUR problem with him was.

 

[captain stone]

I never said he was. I asked exactly what YOUR problem with him was.

I just don't think that it was a good idea to use Wilson on ST coverage, when our backup DBs besides Hank Poteat were JeRod Cherry, Dexter Reid and Troy Brown.