Tag: Shaq Barrett

Bruce Arians says Shaq Barrett ‘ain’t going nowhere’

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians thinks linebacker and impending free agent Shaq Barrett will return in 2020.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on a four-game winning-streak after Sunday’s 38-17 win over the Detroit Lions. The Bucs saw quarterback Jameis Winston become the first player in NFL history to post back-to-back games with 450 yards passing.

On the defensive side, linebacker Shaquil Barrett had a sack that gave him 16.5 on the year, tying him with Hall of Famer Warren Sapp for the Bucs’ single-season record.

Without question, Barrett has been the best player on this defense all year. And, as a pending free agent, some Bucs fans may be worried these final two games will be the last they see of Barrett in a Tampa uniform.

But, according to Bruce Arians, it looks like Barrett will be wearing one for years to come. At least, that’s the plan.

For what it’s worth, Barrett seems to be all for staying in Tampa Bay next year. I’m sure striking a deal with him is at the top of the team’s to-do list once the season ends.

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A stat correction from Week 14 is great news for Shaq Barrett

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaq Barrett was awarded a full sack from Week 14’s win over the Colts, bringing his season total to 15.5.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaq Barrett has been a defensive monster all season long.

Heading into last Sunday’s Week 14 game against the Indianapolis Colts, Barrett had a league-leading 14.5 sacks, and was credited with half a sack in the Bucs’ 38-35 win over Indy to put his season (and league-leading) total  at 15.0.

That meant Barrett was closing in on Warren Sapp’s franchise record of 16.5 sacks set back in 2000. Well, turns out Barrett got closer to Sapp’s record on Sunday than originally thought.

Take a look.

The good news for Barrett is that the final two quarterbacks he’ll face this season — Deshaun Watson (HOU) and Matt Ryan (ATL) — currently rank 6th and 5th in sacks taken.

The Bucs could see a new single-season sack record by the end of the year and also see their quarterback throw for over 5,000 yards. What a first year for Bruce Arians in Tampa.

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NFL’s salary cap expected to make sizable jump in 2020, which is good news for Bucs

The NFL announced the expected salary cap for 2020 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look like they’ll have money to spend.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the NFL informed teams on Tuesday that the league projects the 2020 salary cap to fall in the range of $196.8 million to $201.2 million, which would mark a 40 percent increase from five years ago when the cap was $143.3 million.

That’s great news for the Buccaneers, who according to Over the Cap are projected to have over $90 million in cap space. With linebacker Shaq Barrett slated to become a free agent, and quarterback Jameis Winston playing on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract, Tampa Bay will have money to spend, but will need to be wise about their investments.

Working out a multi-year deal with Barrett seems like the best course of action for the team, while giving Winston a short term deal (possibly even the franchise tag) would be the best approach for a quarterback who has yet to lead the Bucs to the postseason in any of his five seasons.

Tampa Bay was officially eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday when the Detroit Lions lost to the Minnesota Vikings. The Bucs haven’t made the postseason since 2007, and haven’t won a playoff game since their victory in Super Bowl XXXVII.

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Shaq Barrett is on verge of becoming Bucs’ single-season sack leader

With three games left to go in the season, Bucs linebacker Shaq Barrett has a shot at becoming the franchise’s single-season sack leader.

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed free agent linebacker Shaq Barrett to a one-year deal in the offseason, even they couldn’t have envisioned the type of season he’d have in 2019.

Through 14 weeks, Barrett leads the NFL with 15.0 sacks, throwing himself into the mix for Defensive Player of the Year honors. Even though he’s only signed through 2019, it’s clear that both Barrett and the Bucs would love to have him return next year and beyond to help anchor this defense along with rookie superstar Devin White.

Not only has Barrett exceeded expectations (and his contract), but he needs just two sacks in the final three games to surpass Hall of Famer and former Buccaneer Warren Sapp’s single-season record of 16.5 sacks, set back in 2000.

The good news for Barrett, and the Bucs defense, is that the final two quarterbacks they face this season — Deshaun Watson (HOU) and Matt Ryan (ATL) — currently rank 6th and 5th in sacks taken, so Barrett will get plenty of chances to get the record.

It’s been a baptism by fire for this young Buccaneers defense this season, but Barrett has been a consistent force throughout. And, with just three games left, he has a chance to leave a permanent mark on this franchise by capturing the title of single-season sack leader.

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Here’s one reason why Shaq Barrett wants to be in Tampa next year

See why Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaq Barrett would love to return to the Bucs next season.

Even the Tampa Bay Buccaneers couldn’t have anticipated the type of season linebacker Shaq Barrett has put together when they signed him to a one-year deal in the offseason.

The former Denver Bronco and Super Bowl 50 champion has been a revelation for the Bucs defense this season. He leads the league in sacks with 14.5, including a four-sack performance in Week 3 against the New York Giants.

Barrett just turned 27 in mid-November, so you can be sure that teams will be lining up this offseason to vie for his services. But, if you’re a Bucs fan and worried about Barrett taking his talents elsewhere, you might be happy to hear that he’d prefer to stay in Tampa Bay. And, his reason is a good one.

Take a look.

Seriously, who doesn’t hate moving? It’s a pain for everyone involved, and let’s be honest, living in Florida year-round isn’t exactly a negative, especially if you’re making bank (no state income tax!).

Of course, it’ll all come down to dollars and cents and whether or not the Bucs can meet his demands. But, given how much Barrett has flourished in his first season playing under Todd Bowles, it seems like a mutually beneficial relationship for both parties. Plus, having Barrett lining up alongside Devin White for years to come would make this young defense that much more imposing.

We’ll just have to wait and see…

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Shaq Barrett tops NFL.com’s list of free agents who have made themselves money this year

See why Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com thinks Bucs LB Shaq Barrett has earned himself a big payday this year.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense held Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan in check in Week 12 as the Bucs downed the red-hot Falcons on the road, 35-22.

And, once again, at the center of all the defensive action was Bucs linebacker Shaq Barrett, who finished the day with a sack and five quarterback hits. Barrett, who signed a one-year deal in the offseason with the Bucs, now has 12.5 sacks on the year, tied with Chandler Jones of the Arizona Cardinals for the league lead.

Barrett has already matched Jason Pierre-Paul’s sack total from last season, when he became the first Buccaneer since Simeon Rice in 2005 to record double-digit sacks in a single season.

The stellar play of Barrett has not only earned him the respect and admiration of his teammates and Bucs fans everywhere, but, according to Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com, it’s earned the soon-to-be free agent a big day, too. Rosenthal listed Barrett at No. 1 on his list of free agents who have made themselves money this season.

Here’s his explanation:

“Bucs outside linebacker Shaq Barrett’s monster performance against the Falcons’ Jake Matthews on Sunday was a reminder that Barrett has mostly maintained his scorching start to the season. Barrett had a sack, a pass defensed, a forced fumble, four more quarterback hits and five hurries, according to Pro Football Focus, in addition to forcing a few backbreaking penalties by Matthews. Signed to a one-year contract worth up to $5 million before this season, Barrett will be a strong candidate for the franchise tag.”

The Bucs have a lot of big question marks they’ll have to face at the end of the season, namely, what to do with quarterback Jameis Winston. Retaining Barrett’s services, though, whether through a long-term contract or the franchise tag, should be their top priority.

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