Glazers like the conservative approach

Many have questioned the Bucs' conservative approach to this offseason, particularly some of you frustrated fans.

Well, after a rare conversation this afternoon with executive vice president Joel Glazer, it's clear the philosophy the team is employing begins at the top.

Glazer emphasized several times the franchise's intention to "build through the draft" and use free agency in small doses to augment the core of the team. Glazer also repeated something we've told you recently: the plan is to reward the young productive players with extensions rather than spend on outsiders. And he correctly stated that the teams who spend the most often are not the clubs that have on-field success.

Glazer also thinks that relying heavily on free agency can disrupt the locker room, as high-priced players must mesh with the existing nucleus. And the team -- and particularly Glazer and his brothers -- is leery of handing out large signing bonuses because of their potential impact on the salary cap in future years. In a moment of complete honesty, I think Glazer would admit that a big consideration there is that the cash comes directly out of his family's pockets -- as opposed to base salaries which are largely covered by revenue sharing from the league's television contracts. 

This isn't sexy, and Glazer acknowledged as much. But this is the way it's going to be with this team, for better or worse. Whether it's effective will be determined on the field this fall.

Comments

[Voice of Reason]

Nice job Stephen, now go have a drink with an umbrella in it for us. Buy Gruden a few, he might end up being tour caddy later.

[M. Reynolds]

Props to the Glazers, Allen, and Gruden. This is clearly the way to proceed. Time will prove it.

[Denver Bucs Fan]

I admire Mr. Glazer's honesty with respect to signing bonuses coming out of the owners' pockets. There's nothing wrong about being conservative with one's own money, and the down-stream Cap impacts and locker room jealousies can be a huge, lingering headache. I'm also a big supporter of their strategy of retaining their own personnel. "The grass is NOT always greener" in free agency, even if all that extra money spent IS.

[Vince]

Stephen, look at the comment from Denver Bucs Fan. I realize this is a blog, so the rules are a bit different, but that is the risk of inserting your own opinion in a piece. Not that you are responsible for your readers.

I only mention because even though it does not matter in this context, articles in the Times and Trib (all papers for that matter)are often filled with inferences that the reporter draws from an interview. Did you ask Glazer the actual question or are you just making an educated guess?

Good piece. I like the build through the draft approach. Seems like it has been the best approach for many teams, including the Dungy-era Bucs.

[Str8BucIn]

The build through the draft strategy is the best way to be successful and only add pieces to the puzzle in FA. We did the FA thing when Gruden and Allen first got here and it didn't work and we paid for it for a couple of years. Let's stop bashing the new reign and let them continue doing a good job. To the Glazers, let not be to conservative because you're not wanting to spend your money. You were willing to break the bank for Manchester United. I'm not saying the approach is wrong, but remember that you have guys that can make more else where. Let's make sure we don't let them get away because of age or not wanting to spend. (i.e. John Lynch, Warren Sapp) Reward the guys that have been here and taking smaller signing bonuses in their younger years (i.e. Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber & Mike Alstott). Once they get old you say their not worth the money, it seems like your being cheap. Because we all know that there's no such thing as gauranteed money in the NFL. You can cut them before March 1st to save on the salary cap and turn around and resign them at a cheaper price. (ask Kevin Carter) So a note to Jeff Faine you may have a 6 year $37.5 million deal that includes $12 million in bonus money, which can be take away at the roster bonus cut off date of March 1st. Let's make sure we're being smart and not cheap as we are being smart not cheap when it comes to buying season tickets. The organization is doing a great job and I don't have too many issues with the way things are being done, but to hear millionaires being conservative when they own two of the richest frachises can come off as being cheap. By no means am I bashing just wanting to make sure we continue the thought process of paying our guys and making sure we reward them no matter what stage their at.

[Rube]

If you think that the Bucs have done a bad job in free agency, then your an idiot. I don't understand that some fans are grumbling about what Gruden and company have done. We added depth at key positions and will continue through the draft. On a different note, am I the only Bucs fan who thinks that the our most pressing need is at corner rather than wide receiver? The Bucs have WR"s, they just need to step up. Clayton and Stovall! The Bucs have no corners aside from Barber. Philip, Davis ect, I just don't know. I say draft Rodgers-Cromartie if he is still on the board and address playmakers in the second and third round.

[epbuc16]

rube ur not the only bucs fan that feels we need corners in fact I have seen numerous blogs posted by bucs fans who feel we should draft a corner. I am one of them. I think we should draft jenkins cuz R.C. isnt going to be there at 20 and I prefer jenkins anyhow...

[DR]

Building through the draft is always the way to go. The Bucs need to do a better job drafting.

[Kurt]

Starters at S, MLB, RG, RT, LG, WR, TE, RB, DT & DE for a division champ 3 times over is crappy drafting according to Doofus Ray! I guess an offensive rookie of the year to boot(not to mention Clayton should have won his rookie year according to history and statistics,) is a sign of that same inept drafting. Oh yeah and I forgot to mention that these guys have only had 3 years of #1 and #2's, therefore virtually relegating the first 2 years to drafting backups.

I continuously negate everything you say with facts and take it on as my personal responsibility to bit@hslap you every time you utter ignorance here DR. BTW - put down the dredded Ken doll and bring me my pizza bit@h?

[DR]

HAHA! You're a moron. Wow, rookie of the year honors, and whaaaaaa, Clayton should have gotten ROY. That means nothing, absolutely nothing since both players have gotten worse in Gruden's "great" offense. Clayton has disappeared and IS considered a bust. Caddy is pretty good, but isn't playing like the #5 pick in the draft should. Frank Gore and Marion Barber are FAR better than Caddy and they were drafted later. Alex Smith, who's he? Didn't hear his name much last year. Can't count Earnest Graham, he was undrafted. Gaines Adams did show that he could have talent, we'll wait and see IF he makes progress this year. The Bucs defensive line as a whole was the main reason why they lost their games last year. They don't put any pressure on the QB at all. Freakin' Kitna had all day and his line was the worst last year.
So sad the Bucs didn't have some picks at first, but that is the price you pay for an average coach and that CANNOT be used as an excuse. That's just lame but expected from someone like you sis.
Again, you brought nothing but crap to the table. Of course, it's expected.

[John]

All starters on a division winning team DR you idiot! Don't give me the weak division argument BC we already shot down that down. The NFC south is far better than the NFC east since the divisions changed. ONLY Division in football to send ALL of its teams the conference game.

[John]

Aaron Sears, Tenard Jackson, Davin Joseph, Barret Ruud, Jermain Phillips, Carnell Williams...Yeah this are just terrible draft choices.

[kevabuc]

All the great arguments in history always start with the person laughing at the other's opinion and calling them names. At least the one's in elementary school do.