Josh D. Weiss-USA Today Sports
If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were to sign John Abraham it would immediately boost this team into division contention, if they aren’t already in that NFC South conversation. I know they’re lingering down with the Carolina Panthers in the eyes of Vegas at around +550 odds to win the division, while the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints are under +200, but some of that differential could be covered with the signing of Abraham. At least it should or the public should take notice.
For Tampa, it checks all the boxes: Hugest question at edge rusher needing addressed, offseason with loads of cap room being further capitalized on, and it never hurts to add the best defensive player from your division rival — especially the reigning champs.
Don’t let the amount of time he’s played at the NFL level fool you, either.
“Even at age 35, Abraham remains a highly effective edge rusher with experience playing in both a two- and three-point stance,” wrote RotoWorld’s Evan Silva in his must-read piece on top remaining free agents where Abraham was ranked No. 1. “He can play both left and right end. Over the last three seasons, Abraham has never dipped below 9.5 sacks, and he tied a career high with six forced fumbles in 2012.
“To this point, the hang-up in negotiations has been Abraham’s unwillingness to sign with a team that would use him in a part-time role. He wants to be at least a 60-percent player. Abraham likely also wouldn’t accept less than Dwight Freeney money. The Chargers signed Freeney to a two-year, $8.75 million contract, with $4.75 million guaranteed.”
Thomas Emerick is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ThomasEmerick, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
