Sign the Beast XXIX -- DE Mike Johnson released from the Bucs

Sign the beast

This can continue our yearly tradition of stealing Bucaneers players!

RapSheet
The #Bucs are releasing DE Mike Johnson, another big-ticket FA signing from last year. Wow. Owed $7M still.
2015-03-11, 3:28 PM

Get on that Bill!

@RapSheet: The #Bucs are releasing DE Mike Johnson, another big-ticket FA signing from last year. Wow. Owed $7M still.

Everyone please note the 2 e's and lack of underscore.

Did we kick the tires on him either last offseason or the year before (when he was franchised)? I remember us being tied to him with some rumors, but can't remember anymore.

Weren't the pats interested in him last year?

Oh another huge "win" from free agency last year.

Rather concerning that he apparently played his way out of a big free agent contract after one season, but injuries may have contributed.

If the price is right, could be a nice addition to the defensive line rotation, but I suspect he will draw interest from the Bengals initially...

Jaabal sheard would be cheaper

he is way to inconsistent as a pass rusher and only had one good year on a very good cincy DL

sevengables_2207 said:

Rather concerning that he apparently played his way out of a big free agent contract after one season, but injuries may have contributed.

If the price is right, could be a nice addition to the defensive line rotation, but I suspect he will draw interest from the Bengals initially...

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Not really, it's the Bucs. He who shall not be named played his way out of a big contract with Tampa after one season.

Sign him.

Sign Sheard, Fairley, Wilfork & Starks too. Who needs all-pro corners when the front 7 are talented and have a deep rotation?

It was 2 years ago we were interested. I'd definitely hope we can do something with him or Sheard, even both if we were to have more than two DE on the line in pass rush situations.

The Pats were interested in Johnson in 2013, but Cincy put the franchise tag on him. He was too pricey in FA last year, though many on this board had him as #1 on their wish list. He was cut because otherwise TB would have owed him another $7M guaranteed as of tomorrow.

Johnson or Sheard would be nice, plus Ayers. Cincy reportedly wants Johnson back, so I doubt it will happen.

Big-T said:

Sign him.

Sign Sheard, Fairley, Wilfork & Starks too. Who needs all-pro corners when the front 7 are talented and have a deep rotation?

Click to expand...

Why not both? Johnson could come pretty cheap

sevengables_2207 said:

Rather concerning that he apparently played his way out of a big free agent contract after one season, but injuries may have contributed.

Click to expand...

Yeah I'd never even think about signing a guy who played his way out of Tampa after one s...

Wait, never mind

Froob said:

Not really, it's the Bucs. He who shall not be named played his way out of a big contract with Tampa after one season.

Click to expand...

IIRC, he was productive as part of a deep Cincy rotation under former D-Coordinator Zimmer. Perhaps the uptick in snaps partly explains the poor tape and injuries from 2014?

Be that as it may, Johnson is an intriguing option given the proper circumstances, if the Patriots are interested.

Well...Never mind. Seems like there's going to be a reunion with the Bengals or with his former coordinator on the Vikings.

Bengals might sign Fairley as well.

Would rather have Randy Starks and Wilfork back, along with a depth DE

I wouldnt mind him as an option. Go back strictly to the 4-3. Easley is more of a 4-3 tackle. Jones and Johnsonn as our defensive ends. Do something.