The Football Fan Spot

It appears the Buccaneers have given up on 2007 4th overall pick Gaines Adams as they have traded him to the Bears for a 2010 2nd round pick. Adams led all rookies in sacks in 6 in 2007 and had 12.5 sacks over the past two years and looked like one of the premier young defensive ends in the league.

However, when Jon Gruden was fired and longtime defensive coach Monte Kiffin left for Tennessee, the Bucs hired defensive back coach Raheem Morris as head coach. The 32-year-old Morris spent the entire offseason getting rid off everyone that was older than him, with the exception and 34-year-old Ronde Barber, as well as everyone who only fit the old Tampa 2 defense and did not fit the new defensive scheme that Morris wanted to implement. The only problem was that he didn’t replace any of these guys and the Buccaneers are now 0-5 this season. The Bucs are 30th in the league in points allowed per game, dead last in yards per passing attempt allowed, and 24th in yards per carries allowed on the ground.

Gaines Adams, who only has 1 sack this year, and clearly does not fit in the bigger, more physical scheme that Morris wanted to implement. He appears to be the latest causality in Raheem Morris’ rebuilding project. Now the only player remaining in the Bucs front 7 that was starting for them at this point last year is talented young middle linebacker Barrett Ruud. However much the Bucs were struggling stopping people before this trade, is going to be even worse now.

As for the Bears, this trade is perfect for them, despite the fact that they now are without a pick in the first 2 rounds of the 2010 NFL Draft. Gaines Adams appeared to be one of the premier young defensive ends playing in a cover 2 defense the last two years. The Bears play a cover 2 defense and Gaines Adams will fit as a perfect fit in this defense. For the price they got him, a 2nd round pick for a 2007 4th overall pick, he’s a great value with great upside. 

Bucks sell Richard Jefferson to the Spurs 

Ok, well the Bucks actually did get three players, Kurt Thomas, Fabricio Oberto, and Bruce Bowen. However, all three are under contract for only a year so the Bucks are essentially just trying to get rid of Jefferson's salary. Considering they gave up a promising young player for him last offseason, Yi Jianlian, and got nothing in return for him, this move doesn't make a whole lot of sense. They get 3 million for this offseason, which may or may not help them resign Charlie Villanueva, and they get 15 million for next offseason, but it won't matter because Milwaukee is going to have a tough time attracting free agents to their small market. The Bucks don't get players like Jefferson very often and they gave him away for some cap space. 

As for the Spurs, they will be killed by the luxury tax for the near future, but this year is really their last real shot to win in the Tim Duncan era. With Duncan, Parker, Ginobili, and now Jefferson who is a tough player who can rebound, play defense, and score, if they need him to, in a variety of wars, the Spurs are in a position to make another run at the title and before this trade, they were not. 

Celtics trade Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo to Detroit for Tayshaun Prince and Rodney Stuckey 

Eh, what? Luckily, the Pistons flat out rejected this deal. It wasn't even offered by Danny Ainge, reportedly, although I wouldn't be surprised if it actually was. This has to be one of the most ridiculous trade offers ever, for both sides. The Celtics break up their big 3. They lose fan favorite Rajon Rondo. The Pistons get Ray Allen who is almost the exact same player as Richard Hamilton, who they already have, and in the process lose Prince, the one good front court player they have under contract for next year. 

Brandon Marshall to the Bears 

Once again, only rumors, but Jay Cutler has said that he would love if the Bears could acquire Brandon Marshall. Marshall is having a contract dispute with the Broncos, who don't want to pay him because he's a criminal. Marshall and Cutler had a great year together last year, and really for the last 2 years, when they were teammates in Denver and Cutler's current #1 receiver is Devin Hester. The asking price for Marshall is not yet known because the Broncos are not officially shopping their top receiver, though they may have to listen to offers soon if he continues to hold out. The Bears have to hope the asking price is not too high, as they don't have a 1st round pick next year.