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The Buccaneers agreed to a one-year deal with running back LeGarrette Blount, but it is unlikely he remains with the team, as the Bucs are trying to shop him, according to league sources.
Rather than place a second-round tender on Blount -- a former 1,000-yard rusher who played sparingly in 2012 -- which would have protected him as an asset in Tampa Bay and effectively prevented other teams from acquiring him, the sides agreed instead to a deal that, with incentives, is worth more than the $2 million second-round tender. Thus, agent Zeke Sandhu protected the player financially, but it does not carry the second-round compensation.
Blount could fetch a mid-round pick in return -- some have suggested a fifth-round pick -- and with him not being a part of the offense much last year under new coach Greg Schiano, and with rookie runner Doug Martin coming off an exceptional season, it makes sense that Tampa Bay would try to get a pick in return for Blount.
Thus a trade would be a win-win, and with Detroit among the teams in need of a back, and Blount younger than most of the options in free agency, general manager Mark Dominik should be able to get something in return for the player.
Blount's new deal carries a $1.25 million base, another $500,000 in offseason bonuses and an additional $700,000 if he attains some reachable performance clauses in 2013, with every expectation that will be with a new team. The one-year deal also sets Blount up to be an unrestricted free agent next year.
By Jason La Canfora | CBS Sports NFL Insider
Rather than place a second-round tender on Blount -- a former 1,000-yard rusher who played sparingly in 2012 -- which would have protected him as an asset in Tampa Bay and effectively prevented other teams from acquiring him, the sides agreed instead to a deal that, with incentives, is worth more than the $2 million second-round tender. Thus, agent Zeke Sandhu protected the player financially, but it does not carry the second-round compensation.
Blount could fetch a mid-round pick in return -- some have suggested a fifth-round pick -- and with him not being a part of the offense much last year under new coach Greg Schiano, and with rookie runner Doug Martin coming off an exceptional season, it makes sense that Tampa Bay would try to get a pick in return for Blount.
Thus a trade would be a win-win, and with Detroit among the teams in need of a back, and Blount younger than most of the options in free agency, general manager Mark Dominik should be able to get something in return for the player.
Blount's new deal carries a $1.25 million base, another $500,000 in offseason bonuses and an additional $700,000 if he attains some reachable performance clauses in 2013, with every expectation that will be with a new team. The one-year deal also sets Blount up to be an unrestricted free agent next year.
By Jason La Canfora | CBS Sports NFL Insider