Packers DT in talks with Bucs

We've learned Packers free agent DT Colin Cole is in talks with the Bucs and is nearing a decision on his future.

Cole, a 6-1, 330-pound run-stuffer, is exactly the sort of lineman defensive coordinator Jim Bates appears to be seeking in the Bucs' revised defensive scheme. The Bucs' attraction to the Fort Lauderdale native is being fueled in part by recently-hired defensive line coach Robert Nunn, who was the Packers' defensive tackles coach the past three seasons.

Cole played a reserve role for Green Bay behind starters Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly, but he was a key part of the line rotation. Bates has said he intends to use a big rotation of interior linemen.

It's possible Cole could land on a roster by the end of the weekend, and signs are pointing to the Bucs being the leader to acquire him.

Comments

[ty guy]

Run stuffer is good I guess but we should try to resign Haye to help create pressure up the middle.

[Jasonhouse]

What about Bernard? Or Chris Canty?

I wonder who will be released later this offseason? It seems like there's always someone who becomes available around June 1st.

[cover2blitz0]

from albert haynesworth to colin cole... wow

[Stacy]

I do not see the attraction here. I dont think we need a DT that is gonna be in 1 out of every 3 or 4 plays. He is the Packers 3rd string DT for a reason. Even though some fans want to see $ spent, at any amount, they just want $ spent - I am pretty sure we have this player already sitting the bench too. 6-1 330 is big...around, but incredibly out of shape. He would definitely lose weight in the FL sun and poss pick up some speed but that is alot of girth to shed. We can still go after Canty and/or better options in the draft. I would pass on this one.

[niko houllis]

how many times do we see a back up go to another team and shine.
This new regime will not be able to be judged on their assessment of talent for years to come, so let them do their jobs, and see what happens.
There is a reason They are the ones doing it, and we are here posting on the internet.

Albert Haynesworth could be a big mistake. you never know.
If it IS a mistake, its a HUGE ONE, one that cant be recovered from so quickly.

[Stacy]

I dont look at not getting Haynesworth as a mistake. He, by himself can not get to and/or win a SB as is evident by the production of the Tenn Titans. Getting him here would have solved 1 of our problems but we have a few holes to plug. He will be a force to be reconed with in the middle for Wash just as he was last year for Tenn but we will get a DT - Canty or Draft, but we will get one.

[Brandon]

Whoopity, freaking DOO! Colin Cole... Hiring Jim bates was the biggest mistake made by the Bucs since the drafting of Broderick Thomas.

This effing BUM is going to come in here and completely change the philosophy of a defense that has been great for the past 12 years to run his crappy defense that has gotten him fired from both the Packers and Broncos in the past 3 years. IDIOTIC MOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hate this move and I'm seriously thinking I won't get Sunday Ticket to watch this crappy team play.

[Sens4thecup]

Suprised that there is no mention of the Bucs looking at any free agent RBs. Especially after loosing Williams and now Dunn.

[ty guy]

That's all fine and dandy when you think that Albert Haynesworth wasn't worth the contract, because we have other needs, but have we spent any money yet on those needs? No offense to anybody because you never know what Haynesworth will end up doing next but I just really would have liked to have gotten Vilma from the Saints and we simply didn't try hard enough. We NEED a LB or two and we didn't get the one we "targeted". Now we have to draft a LB and can't draft a DT which means that we will sign somebody like Collin Cole, who would help against the run, but will not be a major difference maker no matter where he goes.

[G. Michael Reynolds]

Ok look...you don't fill needs by going "we need a tackle of Haynesworths caliber" then not get Haynesworth, then changing your tune to "well, we need to spend $20 million dollars now, let's find someone to give it to." They're playing it smart thus far. That said, I would like to go on record about Cassel as saying that I absolutely positively indubitably without remorse or regret can say that I have no idea. Which is what everyone else here knows but aren't admitting.

[D Block]

I will be the first to admit i had no clue that Winslow was coming. Targeting a run stuffer isn't a bad idea just because we haven't heard of the guy. This team would love to have a dominant DT but it doesn't right now so why not grab a potential run stuffer. The team was at it's best when it had a deep D line rotation. Canty would probably play DE here in Bates system which would replace the strength of Carter and Spires at the left end position.

[D Block]

Canty would definetely be a good fit in this system under bates in my opinion. He could move all over the line and it would benefit Adams like it benefited Jason Taylor. Bates uses a lot of bulk and strength up the middle and usually a 3-4 style DE on the left side of the D who can push the line as well or hold the point of attack.

[Harvey Arndt]

Bates was not fired in Green Bay he took the 25th ranked defense in yards allowed to #7 They fired Mike Sherman and Bates interviewed fo head coach job. He did not get it and chose to leave. Bates was a defensive assistant in Denver. He is good Defensive coordinator. He brings pressure and stops the run. Change will be ok. Had to change to cover 2, now changing from cover 2. Give Bates a chance. Cover 2 always could be run on with good line and power back, Superbowl season late in year Jerome Bettis ran wild

[Jimmy]

Wow,
61 mil under the cap and we are trying to sign WHO????

[Roddy Piper]

This team is going straight into the toilet. What an embarrasment! First you waste draft picks on crappy TE Winslow. Now you chase after crappy DL? This isn't rebuilding... I miss Gruden :(

[venice4]

What I can't understand is with all their needs on D-line, WR, RB, CB, LB they have no FAs scheduled to visit them! They get out-bid on the ones they try. They have so many holes to fill but they seem to be half-trying. they can't rely solely on their backups to fill all they holes, plus they are already short 2 draft picks-2nd (Winslow trade)& 6th (Bears from last yr). Can't figure out their strategy - not sure they know themselves. whatever it is they're slowly sinking in the quick sand. They can't even resign their own FAs.

[Roddy Piper]

The plan at 1 Suc Place is to trade all the draft picks away so they dont have to sign any rookies to any guaranteed money deals. We have dumb and dumber running the show. They make Gruden and Allen look like certified rocket surgeons! Good thing they wasted a 2nd and a 5th on Winslow when they could have gotten Cassel and Vrabel for just the 2nd! Morons. This stinks of Glazer Poo. Those greedy fools are destroying the franchise just to suck cash out of it to pay for ManU. It's obvious now that buying the Bucs and paying to make them contenders was a short term strategy for them to have a means of making more money with a bigger investment for the long term. We as fans deserve better and should boycot the Bucs to prove the point: angry fans = less profit!

[Ferenczy]

...done deal, Cole signed with Seattle...

[Dave]

You can't use the arguement that they're not cheap because they fired Gruden and Allen and are paying 2 HC's and 2 GM's. Gruden would have pushed for Haynesworth. Gruden would have pushed for Housyourmama. Gruden would have wanted Antonio Bryant signed to a long term deal by now. We all know that Allen would probably at least have signed ONE big name free agent. This whole deal stinks of frugality. I wanted to give Morris a chance, but as the days go by things are getting much worse in my book. They say they are rebuilding with a youth movement, yet they trade good draft picks for a mediocre TE. They could have gotten way more with those picks in trade. You don't rebuild by trading away your future. The Mo-ron-ik twins are walking contradictions. Yeah, they have a plan: do whatever Darth Glazer says.