Last-minute trade is a long shot

The NFL trade deadline is fast approaching. Teams cannot make trades beyond next Tuesday.

You might think the Bucs would be among the teams likely to do a deal, perhaps to inject some playmaking ability into their offense.

Don't count on it.

Teams rarely make in-season trades in this league, and coach Jon Gruden says it's unlikely one will happen this year.

"Nobody makes trades, okay?," Gruden said. "I think we're the only team to make a trade in the last few years (at the deadline). The reality is there's not many trades."

That doesn't mean the Bucs won't consider the possibility.

"We're always open for work," he said. "That doesn't mean there's a lot of willing partners. and making trades in midseason, it's a tall order to get somebody in here and ready to play. It's a little bit different than any other sport. In the NBA, they can suit up and figure it out with 24 seconds to shoot it. In Major League Baseball, you're still playing third base. You're just hitting fifth instead of third. It's not culture shock. There are some reasons why I think teams don't make trades. It's just hard on both sides."

Of course, the Bucs have a track of last-minute deals. They've made a trade at the deadline for three consecutive years. In 2005, the Bucs traded for QB Tim Rattay from the 49ers after Brian Griese's season-ending knee injury. In 2006, they acquired a second-round draft pick for DT Anthony McFarland, who was sent to Indianapolis. And last season, the Bucs shipped a sixth-round pick to Kansas City for Michael Bennett after their backfield was decimated by injuries.

Comments

[Big Chet]

I think the bigger question is, what do the Bucs do with Cadillac Williams after this game since he can come off the PuP list in the next 3 weeks. My thought is that they will IR him for the remainder of the year.

I doubt the Rams are going to trade Holt. I think the other players at WR would cost too much.

[josh]

theres not a chance that cadillac gets put on IR, theres a reason they didnt stick him on IR at the beginning of the year, because they knew that he would be ready sometime this year to help out the team

[Adam]

Of course the Bucs won't make a trade. That might be something that would help the team.

[Stephen]

I say throw Keyshawn Johnson some money and get him back. LOL!! Who out there that rank among the elite would want to come here as their career would end. This offense is not set up for a constant down the field play as most of our help is needed in aquiring talent that can perform yards after the catch. You are not always going to get the fly routes to work so YAC's are such a necessity in this offense.

trading for holt would be awesome at least he will catch the ball.

[Tom]

Here is an intriguing thought and I hope it doesn't come true because I like Sabby. If Sabby can't come back from his injury this year, what do you guys think about John Lynch coming back to Tampa? He's sitting there waiting for a phone call and it's not like he doesn't know this defense.

[James]

theres not a chance that cadillac gets put on IR, theres a reason they didnt stick him on IR at the beginning of the year, because they knew that he would be ready sometime this year to help out the team

Posted by: josh

Actualy Josh, the only reason the Bucs didn't put Caddy on IR is because he DIDN'T cost them a roster spot until he is removed from the PUP. The decision will be made shortly.

Btw, saying the Bucs didn't place him on IR earlier this year because they "knew" he would soon be ready to play in '08 is an unrealistic stretch.

Anyway, I agree with an above poster, isn't some news on Caddy more interesting than an article about what we already freaking know? Man, these fishwraps stink.

[Yoshi]

i really do hope cadillac comes back. Maybe it will encourage Guden to run the ball more. With regards to the article, i think that a wide out has to be the target. We need something to give us a boost(if cadillac doesnt come back). We'll see how it all plays out. Like it says above, we've been known for the last second trade and with this kind of money why the hell not.

[Stephen Holder]

James -- Here's how it works big guy: we'll give you some news when we learn about it. Nothing has changed on the Cadillac front. When it does, we'll tell you. He can't practice until next week, as far as I understand. He's out here working every day. It's not his decision as far as what happens from here. No one has given us a straight answer, so unless you want guesses, you'll have to wait. Why come on here simply to rip us for giving you FREE information that is not widely available elsewhere? Sorry for the rant everyone. I'm in a bad mood. Been a long day.

[DV]

Thanks, Stephen, some of us appreciate your work! Especially with all the garbage other so called reporters put out...

[Dman]

why doesnt jon gruden UNDERSTAND you cnat run a offense and he now wonders about the stats and you see the cowboys,colts,jaguars,and the giants what do they all have in common playmaker cowboys have owens,barber,and many others colts have manning wayne harrison,and jags have garred thier rbs and giants have eli burress and jacobs we need something if you going to raise tcket prices why dont we raise our offense stats our defense is going to stay for long kiffin is leaving soon and who going to take that place fire allen and get a gm who actually buys a playmaker when thier salary cap is higher than anybody else
Always will be a buc fan no matter what

[JP]

Hey, Dman - do you have some kind of religious aversion to using the period key on your keyboard? It's right there to the left of the question mark key...OK...I mean, it's just above and to the right of the space bar.

[shane]

hey stephen the last i heard from keyshawn's mouth about the bucs was that if the bucs offered him a contract he would have come back.

[Valrico Rick]

If the Bucs were inclined to add a receiver they would likely bring one back that they cut in the preseason. Less to teach, besides if they want to stretch the field all they have to do is put Jackson on the field and throw the ball at him a couple of times. The Bucs current situation is not a lack of players at any position. I don't hate Gruden, but it doesn't make sense when the Broncoes only rush 3 and drop 8 in to coverage to keep trying to throw the ball. Gruden makes a gameplan based on what he thinks the other team is going to do. When they change it up on him he won't adjust. A gameplan must be fluid to the situation, not rigid, and it's Gruden's Ego that I don't like! 'Nuff Said!

[john]

stephen holder your the man for rippin that kid... bro keep doin your job and dont listen to kids who think they know what football is or about.. if they did they wouldnt be askin stupid questions and then get pissed when you dont answer to em.

[DR]

Is there any way the Bucs could trade Gruden for the beer vendor in section 300 of the Cincinnati Bengals?

[Dark Side]

Thanks for setting that guy straight Mr. Holder. I for one appreciate the work you do. Its pathetic that every post you reporters make, someone always has to say some BS about grammar, or content.

As far as a trade, I'm not even getting my hopes up. Even if there is one, which is a long shot, it will be for some garbage anyway.

With all this cap space not being used, Allen better do some big things next year. He will have no margin for error left if he is as conservative next year.

About geriatric white tiger... I would rather he waits and comes back when he is healthy. But we all know he wont and will be out there half @$$ing it. Man this offense is pathetic. I hope we can turn it around against the panthers. The only silver lining is that we will all have legit reasons to hate gruden if he keeps up his antics for another game.

[orlbucfan]

AMEN, DR! By the way, make sure the brew he's selling is Landshark. LOL ;-)

[DR]

Stephen, you do a great job reporting what you hear and see. Keep up the good work. Your weekly picks in the Gridiron challenge are not so good though. 7-7 last week? What happened?

[migget]

Can we trade the little midget coach gruden?for i dont know the heavy set meatball at Kansas ANYBODY U could put Ron from Ron and Ian with a lisp show on 620 he knows not a thing about football an can do a better job!

[Vicne]

Okay, this may be a bad idea, repeat, this MAY be a bad idea, but worth looking into. We need a franchise QB (with all love and respect for the current QB's who may or may not play with Tampa in the distant future), and Allen doesn't seem high on drafting QB's with number one pics (possibly because Monti has an utterly envious record with developing players into juggernauts!) In short, the Bucs jump on an opportunity and trade for QB Vince Young. If Gruden is who they say he is, he may be the guy to break the downward spiral, and raise this amazing talent's career. Vince on paper is an excellent choice for the Tampa offense, (his accuracy is a concern). For the right price, it is worth considering, for the Bucs seem to have a lot of trepidation about exercising a high draft pick for a QB.

[Tampa Mike]

Vince, I agree. We need a Franchise quarterback. Anyone on the current roster may enable Gruden to put a satisfactory product on the field. But they are not going to compete with the elite teams in the league without a top notch quarterback. Maybe tampa should look at Pittsburgh as a model. They built the team on running and Defense (what everybody claims the Bucs are supposed to be). And, yet if they have to, they can pull out the Big Gun and have Rothensburger throw downfield. That is what the Bucs are missing.

As far as "Carnell" Williams - please. Does anybody really think he can make a difference in this offense? He had 3 good games his rookie year but showed in the rest of his playing time that that was probably a fluke. He would be the third best back on the roster, even if he was somehow able to return to his "old" form. Why not make Graham the feature back and just go with it. He is a gifted running back and now his talent is being wasted by sharing carries with Warrick Dunn and the like. Reminds me of another talent that Grunden let stagnate in a blocking role - #40.

[GAMER]

It would help me on madden so much if the bucs just would get an offensive threat. qb or wr.. haha

[dylan]

Caddy at old form his rookie year before the injuries started would make graham look like a toy out of a cereal box.. he changed the defenses gameplan

[Roy Williams]

Call me please?

[Bruce Allen]

roy we as an organization cannot afford to trade for you because not only are we set with Flip, T-Jax, Sabby but we don't need the type of coverage skills you possess. I'm sorry that this may horse collar you to stay with the Cowgirls

[Anand]

YES ROY WILLIAMS! FINALLY SOMEONE AGREES WITH WHAT IVE BEEN SAYING FOR WEEKS. GET HIM OUT OF DETROIT AND TO A CONTENDER. WE HAVE THE MONEY TO SIGN HIM TO A DEAL.

Bruce - It's the other Roy Williams.. The WR from DETROIT.

[Gtskyrider]

Wow...He's talking about receiver Roy Williams...geez man! All this talk is really silly if it's not on the money. I'm talk'in we need a "catcher/separator" at receiver. What is wrong with our guys not wanting to catch balls. This is your job man!!!! Griese has got to be more accurate if he wants to continue to start. Grudent talk to the Redskins and get Colt Brennan, he looked really good in the preseason!

[Bruce Allen]

Mr. Holder, I apologize sincerely to you. Since my former colleague Rich McKay is no longer here to meet with you reporters and spoon feed you your material, you have not had much to report on. I know it's hard to be a reporter and do fact finding on your own. But please know that we will give you information when we feel that you need the information. Our job is to run a football organization, not divulge our strategies to the local media.

Sincerely,
B. Allen
One Buc Place

[Jason]

why not trade for T.J. from the Bengals? This is a contract year for him, he probably will not resign with the Bengals again. Maybe we offer them a draft pick, and they get something for him, rather than just lose him to free agency at the end of the season....

[Bruce Allen]

i did not make any offer for roy williams

[lilargue]

If we need a reciever. I think they should bring Paris Warren back. You know who I'm talking about- Mr. August. The Bucs don't know what he's able to do. So that means, neither do our opponents. Two years ago he was the best reciever in preseason and got injured on the last TOUCHDOWN catch of preseason. This year they (GRUDEN) said he had a good spring training and then he doesn't make the roster and Dexter Jackson does. If your not going to use D.J. as a reciever as well as a returner, why waste the roster spot? Put him in at reciever, maybe getting hit while catching a ball, will wake him up and who knows, maybe he'll be the next Steve Smith!!! GO BUCS SCREW THE PANTHERS!!!

[mike hafford]

first of all steve yac! roy williams would be good in bucs offense.but takes a while to learn pin heads playbook!2nd i think luke could be a good qb for the bucs has a gun can throw the bomb down field and knows the plays just needs more playing time. if we draft a qb thats stupid! we just drafted one. a possible future qb? dont know. bucs need to get more weapons. wr. stick with one qb who is under50 years old lol! and open up the offense. **** this dink and dunk ****

[Tony M.]

Yep, Roy Williams. I totally agree. He looks like someone we could grab and do something with.

As for QB, maybe the rest of Buccaneer nation needs to actually check out some footage of Josh Johnson, our 6th round draft pick. I think that kid needs to be thrown in the mix and given a serious look. He has the potential to be a franchise QB. By the way, the draft is where your franchise players come from.

[shane]

Tony I agree with you on that one. I did watch some footage of JJ before the draft and he's got quite an arm and accurate, obviously was the fastest QB in the draft

[jobucs]

Sure DR, But they would have to throw in Tony Homo.

[mike]

everyone is talking about caddy coming back. has everyone forgot about graham? he has become a very solid running back and since there is no fullback, he has become one of the most unselfish players in the league. and caddy hasn't done anything in two years. who needs him?

[Ray "The HoMo" Artz]

Bring in Tim Brown! i just love his dark black skin! grrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!