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09	August 2019

Kenny Stills kneeled in protest during the national anthem Thursday

Ronald Jones Jersey , and said he offered a prayer of thanks that he had a teammate's support.Stills and two other Miami Dolphins renewed their protests before an exhibition game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, triggering yet another round of debate about the divisive NFL issue.Receivers Stills and Albert Wilson kneeled behind teammates lined up standing along the sideline. Defensive end Robert Quinn stood and raised his right fist, as he did during the anthem last season with the Los Angeles Rams.Stills said he didn't coordinate with Wilson, who joined the Dolphins this season."It just happened that way," Stills said. "When I'm on a knee, most of the time I'm praying, and thank God for having Albert next to me. Being a part of this protest hasn't been easy. I thought I was going to be by myself out there. Today I had an angel with me with Albert being out there. I'm grateful he sees what's happening, and he wants to do something about it as well."Stills kneeled during the anthem in the 2016-17 seasons and has been vocal discussing social injustice issues that inspired the protests by NFL players.Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, a leader of the movement, tweeted support for Stills and Wilson."My brother @kstills continued his protest of systemic oppression tonight by taking a knee," the tweet said. "Albert Wilson joined him in protest. Stay strong brothers!"Kaepernick and his former teammate Eric Reid, another protest leader, remain out of the NFL. Stills said both players were blackballed, and he talks with Kaepernick every week."I appreciate his loyalty and support," Stills said. "I don't see any reason he and Eric Reid shouldn't be in the league."Wilson said he kneeled mindful of the death of an unarmed black motorist who was shot by police in 2016 near his hometown of Fort Pierce, Florida. Two officers were cleared by a grand jury in the case."Getting shot down and being murdered 鈥?the biggest thing in my city," Wilson said. "For me to have so much love for my city and not do anything about it, I would be a coward. I'm with it every Sunday."Quinn said it's slander to say he and kneeling players are protesting the flag."As a black man in this world, I've got an obligation to raise awareness," he said. "If no one wants to live in unity, that's why we're in the situation we're in."The league and the players' union have yet to announce a policy for this season regarding demonstrations during the anthem after the league initially ordered everyone to stand on the sideline when "The Star-Spangled Banner" is played, or remain in the locker room. The Dolphins issued a statement before training camp saying all options regarding the team's policy remain open."The NFL has been engaged in constructive discussions with the NFL Players Association regarding the anthem and issues of equality and social justice that are of concern to many Americans," league spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email. "While those discussions continue, the NFL has agreed to delay implementing or enforcing any club work rules that could result in players being disciplined for their conduct during the performance of the anthem."Meanwhile, there has been no change in the NFL's policy regarding the national anthem. The anthem will continue to be played before every game, and all player and non-player personnel on the field at that time are expected to stand during the presentation of the flag and performance of the anthem. Personnel who do not wish to do so can choose to remain in the locker room."We remain committed to working with the players to identify solutions and to continue making progress on important social issues affecting our communities."There were no apparent demonstrations by the Buccaneers. All of sudden, this can happen." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteBucs Nationa Tampa Bay Buccaneers communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsBuccaneersOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections 2016 NFL DraftInjuriesFree AgencyGame FilmFiled under:Today's NFL NewsNFL DraftRoster MovesWhy Gerald McCoy Will Remain A Tampa Bay BuccaneerNew,72commentsAll of sudden, this can happen. EDTShareTweetShareShareWhy Gerald McCoy Will Remain A Tampa Bay BuccaneerMcCoy could have a big role to play in 2019.Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY SportsNow that the draft is over, it�s time to start figuring out the roster for the 2019 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It�s not as easy as it sounds. According to spotrac.com, the Bucs sit dead last in the league with just $1,704,197 in cap space and they need $10,354,829 to sign the draft class. So, that leaves the team with a need of right around $8,650,632 in order to sign the eight players it just drafted. A popular - and very reasonable - theory has prevailed over the last few months that this deficit would be overcome by either the trade or release of long-time Buccaneer Gerald McCoy, who is due $13 million in 2019.McCoy may be on the wrong side of 30, but he can still be an effective player. Especially in the new system Todd Bowles will employ in Tampa Bay. However, with the Bucs� recent draft, there is no reason for the Bucs to cut the player due to salary cap reasons. They can easily make up ground elsewhere without losing a player who can still produce. Unfortunately, I do not have inside information. This is a theory I have come up with after looking at Tampa Bay�s roster and analyzing what Bowles does with his defenses. Sprinkle in the draft results and this is what I have. But don�t get me wrong, there aren�t any pay cut-type scenarios and all dead money has been accounted for. These are hardline facts on paper that work out when moved correctly. Addition the roster down to five corners - Vernon Hargreaves III, Carlton Davis III, M.J. Stewart, Bunting, and Dean - and four safeties - Justin Evans, Kentrell Brice, Jordan Whitehead, and Mike Edwards - which would mean Devante Harris, Ryan Smith, and Isaiah Johnson are gone. Those three players count toward�s the team�s top-51 contracts. Releasing them would create $3,390,000 in space, leaving the Bucs with a need of $5,260,632 left to sign the draft class.Edwards and Stewart can rotate in the slot and safety positions while Bunting can man an outside position, allowing Hargreaves to slide inside when needed. This versatility will allow Tampa Bay to shed one of the more expensive contracts in Ryan Smith�s $2,173,041 hit Mike Edwards Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jersey , which made up 64% of the money that was just saved. Ryan Smith is way too expensive.Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsGo ahead and take another $1,000,000 off with the impending release of Cairo Santos, but even if Gay can�t beat him out for the job, the Bucs will save around $576,133 if they don�t sign Gay. Figure in worst case scenario that Santos wins the job and the Bucs now need $4,684,499 (that could drop to $4,260,632 if Gay wins the job). Bunting for Smith. Dean for Harris. Edwards for Johnson. Gay for Santos.The draft played perfectly into Tampa Bay�s hands, but it doesn�t stop here. There are two more picks that will help determine McCoy�s future with the Bucs. Devin White and Anthony NelsonThis is where it gets interesting. All of this blends together beautifully, but let�s start with heart of it all in Devin White. White will automatically become a three-down linebacker, managing the middle of the field while serving as the captain of the defense. His presence alone already locks up one of the more important positions on the field and frees up other positions, as well. Take Lavonte David for instance. David will likely slide inside, forming a one-two punch with White. Don�t forget free-agent signing Deone Bucannon, who can play inside as well. This already gives the Bucs excellent depth at the inside linebacker position. When you include Kevin Minter, it only ups the ante. And even though I wouldn�t count on it - Kendell Beckwith�s return would have this unit in excellent shape. But what�s even more intriguing is the outside linebacker or EDGE positions. Bowles already runs a hybrid system and can use this current roster in a variety of ways. Both Jason Pierre-Paul and Carl Nassib can put their hand in the dirt and rush from a two-point stance, which will allow flexibility between the base- and sub-packages on defense. If the Bucs go nickel, JPP and Nassib can put their hand in the dirt. If the Bucs go base, then they could bring in Shaquil Barrett, Devante Bond, or even use Bucannon or David on the outside. Again, JPP and Nassib could be used there, as well. All this makes Noah Spence and his $1.9 million cap hit expendable. Spence would likely only find playing time on special teams and that is way too much money. It then leads us to the selection of Anthony Nelson, who is a carbon-copy of William Gholston, but much more athletic. Nelson can slide in and replace Gholston, who has underwhelmed during his time with the Bucs. He is due $3.75 million and has just one sack over the last two years. Nelson for Gholston. Cutting Spence and Gholston would free up $5,023,000 in cap space, giving the Bucs more than enough money to sign the draft class. The front seven would holster these players at linebacker: Devin White, Lavonte David, Deone Bucannon, Kevin Minter, Jason Pierre-Paul, Carl Nassib, Barrett, Devante Bond, Riley Bullough, and Corey Nelson. The defensive line would consist of Vita Vea, Gerald McCoy, Beau Allen, Anthony Nelson, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Stevie Tu�ikolovatu, and a the occasional JPP/Nassib switch out. This gives the Bucs plenty of playmakers, depth, and bodies for special teams while trimming fat. Now, they have about $340K left over after signing the draft class and there is still some work left to be done.Too Many QuarterbacksTampa Bay currently has four quarterbacks on the roster, two of which have never taken a regular-season snap in the NFL. Those two quarterbacks - Ryan Griffin and Joe Callahan - also count a combined $1.45 million against the cap. Cutting those two - or a combination of one of those and Blaine Gabbert - would give the Bucs enough money to fill the roster out to 53 players. Bruce Arians has been to known to carry three quarterbacks during the season, but common sense would say that keeping McCoy over a quarterback that has never stepped foot on the playing field is the better decision.(EDIT: Callahan was cut by the Bucs a couple of days ago, but the formula can still work. Swap his contract out with another player�s and remember: we only need 45 players since the Bucs drafted eight players.)To recap, the Bucs executed the 2019 draft perfectly. The players they chose not only filled needs, but they give the franchise options when it comes to roster management - especially the option of retaining McCoy.Most the players that are released will be exchanged with a younger, cheaper rookie that the coaching staff has hand-selected as their own. This also marks the official start of the Bruce Arians era. He is bringing in players that fit what he wants to do and is pushing out those who don�t . The Bucs would have to sign a couple of more players to get to 53 players, but can do so while still having some money left over. Thanks to spotrac.com�s roster management tool, you can get a good picture of what I�m talking about here. If this was the grand plan all along, then Jason Licht, Arians, and Bowles all deserve major ups for playing the long game. I�m sure Gerald McCoy is gracious, as well.