Bucs and Lions talking trade rumor

[cutthemdown]

Our friends at WDAE in Tampa have tipped us off to a rumor that we're in the process of confirming that the Lions have traded the No. 2 overall pick in the 2007 draft to the Buccaneers for the No. 4 overall pick and defensive end Simeon Rice.

A league source tells us that, while there is not a done deal, the talks are occurring regarding a flip-flop of No. 2 and No. 4. It's not presently clear whether Rice is part of the deal.

The Bucs presumably want to get in position to take receiver Calvin Johnson with the No. 2 selection, if the Raiders don't take Johnson with the No. 1.

The real intrigue on this one arises if the Raiders take Johnson. Would the Bucs then pick quarterback JaMarcus Russell or Brady Quinn? Or would they take left tackle Joe Thomas?

Recently, the Bucs conducted on-campus workouts with Johnson, Russell, and Quinn. They didn't include Thomas in the tour, and we've seen some evidence in the Tampa press of possible efforts by the team to bad-mouth Thomas, possibly in the hopes that he'll be available at No. 4.

It could be that the Lions are willing to make the deal to go down to No. 4 because they think they could still get Thomas at that spot. But if Johnson is the No. 1 pick, Thomas might be long gone by the time the Lions use the pick currently held by Tampa.

We're keeping a close eye on this one. Check back for more details.

Pulled this off PFT.

[Kaylore]

That makes way more sense than the Raider trade. Why they would feel they need to swap with the fade, who HAVE to take a QB or an OT, is beyond me. This makes more sense.

[Drek]

If that happens I don't think either team would be doing it for Thomas. The Bucs clearly want Johnson, but I don't think they'd pull the trigger until the Raiders pick Russell, just have the deal in place. If they can't get Johnson then I bet they take Gaines Adams. The Lions are probably looking at Adrian Peterson and Brady Quinn, they can be sure one of the two will be there at 4 so if a trade down is offered they'd be stupid not to take it. Worst case scenario for either team is to be sitting at 4 with at least one of Peterson, Quinn, Russell, or Thomas available. Not anything to spit at there.

[Paladin]

Makes sense, but we are talking about crazy Al, right? Even that old fert can understand that Johnson brings many gifts for trading just like the screw job the sparkies pulled with Eli. That is a way to put the screws to Jonboy and shakes the whole system up which is a favorite tactic of greasy AL.

I would not think there is a guarantee that the bucs would get Johnson until it actualy happened.....

[JCMElway]

That sounds like a deal that would make sense. However, if I were Detroit, I would see if I could pick up a 5th round pick along with Rice. Rice is good, but he's no spring chicken.

With this deal Detroit could get Adams, Thomas, or Peterson as well as upgrade the Dline. If they got Adams and Rice....that'd be bad ass for them.

[Clockwork Orange]

Sounds a lot better than the rumor from yesterday in which they'd send their entire draft to the Fade for the 1st pick.

[BroncoFiend]

I still think the Bucs are crazy to make a trade at all. No matter what, there will be a top notch player in a position of need for the Bucs at 4, why trade up?

[Rohirrim]

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showthread.php?t=54662

Makes sense to me. ;D

[cutthemdown]

I still think the Bucs are crazy to make a trade at all. No matter what, there will be a top notch player in a position of need for the Bucs at 4, why trade up?

It does make sense. If you have targeted 2 specific players and you have the 4th pick you have to move up if you want to be assured at getting one of them.
Bucs may only like Calvin Johnson or Gaines Adams. Or Johnson and Thomas etc. They may not like either QB. In that case they could get nothing they like at 4 if Oakland took Johnson and Detroit took Thomas or Adams. So it does make sense especially since there is also the Brownies at the 3 hole.

[400HZ]

Better Detroit than the Fade. I'll be pissed if Oakland ends up with 6 first day picks.

[DomCasual]

That makes way more sense than the Raider trade. Why they would feel they need to swap with the fade, who HAVE to take a QB or an OT, is beyond me. This makes more sense.

I think it has something to do with Greasy Al being crazier than a ****house rat, and therefore unpredictable. It would be just like him to pick Johnson after Tampa Bay trades to #2 - just to screw Gruden.

[eddie mac]

I still think the Bucs are crazy to make a trade at all. No matter what, there will be a top notch player in a position of need for the Bucs at 4, why trade up?

They kill 2 birds with one stone that's why. Dumping Rice's contract is the added bonus for moving up to the 2nd pick. If I was a Lion fan I'd be really pissed off with that trade. They should get a lot more than an over-the-hill DE.

[U GOT JACKED UP]

That sounds like a deal that would make sense. However, if I were Detroit, I would see if I could pick up a 5th round pick along with Rice. Rice is good, but he's no spring chicken.

With this deal Detroit could get Adams, Thomas, or Peterson as well as upgrade the Dline. If they got Adams and Rice....that'd be bad ass for them.

I don't think that they would go for gaines because they signed dewayne white from tampa to a big contract. Peterson is intriguing and I wouldn't be surprised if they took him at 4.

[WoodMan]

I still think the Bucs are crazy to make a trade at all. No matter what, there will be a top notch player in a position of need for the Bucs at 4, why trade up?

Simeon Rice has been unhappy in Tampa lately. Gruden sees this a a chance to unload a problem for him and get the player he wants in the draft. Too bad he doesn't have a QB who can get him the ball. Simms, Fruit boy Garcia, or a retired Jake Plummer? But he will have two formidable wide recievers if he makes this trade because Michael Clayton is very good and Calvin Johnson could be special.