Gaines shows some athleticism

Defensive end Gaines Adams made a play that was easily one of the day's highlights when he tipped a Chris Simms pass then gathered himself with the ball in midair to make the interception.

He's showing some nice awareness, like he did in knocking down Tom Brady's pass attempt on Friday.

(Pictured: Gaines Adams (90). Times photo - Joseph Garnett, Jr. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[Tom]

Yeah, but I also saw him get knocked around like a pin ball on Friday night. He got rocked by a RB on chip block and got pancaked a few times during running plays. He needs to get some toughness.

[Mr. Obvious Comment]

Simms had a pass batted? IMPOSSIBLE!

[Trevor]

Give me a break, guys - he's a rookie. It was his first preseason game vs. a different team. Monte's not worried, I'm not worried.

[Tom]

Trevor, you're right. He's only a rookie in his first preseason game. But a lot is riding on this pick since we gave up on Rice and passed up on Adrian Peterson and Brady Quinn in the draft. I said pick Quinn. And it doesn't seem like a bad idea now considering our backup situation does it? And don't forget, Cadillac has a bad back. A lot worse than people realize.

[Brian]

I am not entirely uncomfortable with McCown as a backup ... apart from a nice performance Friday he was very solid in every other pre-season outing. He also has a couple of not horrific starts under his belt. It is an upgrade from what they had last year for certain.

[joe]

Has anyone heard the rumors that the Bucs are speaking to S. Rice about returning at a lower cap figure? Apparently, he is strongly considering it. He is also negoiating with the Titans.

[Stephen_Holder]

Regarding Simeon, I'd heard some buzz about a possible return to Tampa, too, so I decided to do what we do: ask questions. I called Simeon last week and asked him directly. He said he didn't know where the rumors were coming from. I didn't really think to write a story about it because there wasn't much to it, but since it came up here I figured I'd relay the conversation.
I don't think he's garnering the kind of offers he had hoped for. This is a bad time to be unemployed given the fact teams don't usually have a lot of cap room left at this point. But as teams get deeper into camp and realize they are uncomfortable with their pass-rush situation, I imagine he'll become more desirable.
I'll keep in touch with him and let you know if anything interesting develops.

[Trevor]

Tom, you have a point, too. I figured the Bucs would groom Gaines with Sim and not rush him (no pun intended). Instead, we cut Sim right before TC.

The Bucs FO may not have looked so silly had they been over or close to the cap asking Sim to reduce his salary. But, at that point they were already well under with most everyone signed.

I think the D will be much improved, but, I'd also like to see Sim back to train Gaines. I think Gaines will be above-average given time (hard to say pro-bowl since that's such a tough thing to get with so many great players in the NFL).

[Skylar]

Regardless of the usual rookie mistakes, Adams made a couple of big plays that signal the reason we took this guy. He's the real-deal and I'm happy we got him. I hope Sim returns also at the lower number as he should. The Bucs and he belong together as they inked history together. Don't be bitter Sim, it's a business and you're getting old...bring it on home and retire a Buc.

[Daniel]

Rice was cut the day after Gaines was signed for a reason. Cutting him before signing Gaines would have reduced leverage in the Gaines negotiation. It probably would have cost the Bucs hundreds of thousands of dollars nore to Adams. The fact Rice always played hardball and would never restructure his contract makes this turnabout fairplay. This is a business, not the game we all played in high school. Do I think it is fair that unproven rookie first round picks make more than proven veterans? Heck no, institute a rookie salery cap below veteren pay scales so players like Lynch and Sapp have a chance to stick with their original team. I don't expect much out of Adams either, until he develops more than just an outside move. Rice may return just yet, I doubt any team will offer the 5 mil offered that Sim turened down. The Giants won't pay Strayhan more than 4 mil, you think they will give 5 mil to Rice? Do the Titans have 5mil++ to pay Rice? How about it Steven? Whats the Titans salery cap situation?

[Stephen_Holder]

Daniel: I don't have a recent salary-cap number for Tennessee, but as of about a month ago, they had approximately $15 million. But that was probably before factoring in all their draft picks, which would eat up at least several million more dollars. That's the best I can tell ya.