Buccaneers Drive Trade Deadline Activity

The Buccaneers made a couple of trades on Tuesday, most notably shipping former first-round pick Mark Barron to the Rams for fourth- and sixth-round picks in the 2015 NFL Draft. Tampa Bay also shipped backup linebacker Jonathan Casillas and a sixth-round pick to New England in exchange for a fifth-round selection.

“We have a lot of respect for Jonathan and Mark as players,” said Bucs GM Jason Licht. “We appreciate their hard work and what they did for us here. In some of these cases with trades, we find a partner where they feel that their services are needed more there than they are here. That’s the case here.”

The Barron trade was the headliner, as he was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2012 draft. But he struggled in his first couple seasons and seemed to be miscast in Lovie Smith’s Cover 2 defense, where he was used primarily as a free safety instead of in the box where he is more disruptive.

Perhaps the more significant news out of Tampa Bay involved the players who stayed put: Doug Martin and Vincent Jackson. The rumor mill was swirling involving both players, with the Bills reportedly interested in Martin and the Patriots and Chiefs alleged to have interest in Jackson. Instead, Tampa Bay will hang onto both players as it seeks to revive an offense that ranks as the league’s worst (295.1 yards per game).

It is interesting that the two big in-season acquisitions were made by the Jets (Percy Harvin) and the Rams, two teams with a combined 3-12 record. Clearly, their pickups were made with an eye towards 2015.

Bailey Calls it a Career

Champ Bailey, a 12-time Pro Bowler and future first ballot Hall of Famer, announced his retirement on Tuesday. He has not played since being released by the Saints prior to the start of the season.

Bailey is the premier defensive back of this generation. He finishes with 52 career interceptions, including 18 between 2005 and 2006 when he was at the peak of his game. The only thing missing from his resume is a Super Bowl ring, which he came tantalizingly close to obtaining last season with the Broncos.

Said former Broncos safety Brian Dawkins: “Champ Bailey is one of the best to ever do it, in my opinion. A great conserver of energy, Champ wasn’t in a rush to get to anywhere fast unless it was on the football field. He was one of the most knowledgeable and gifted players I’ve ever played with.”

Agent Jack Reale revealed Bailey had interest from a couple other teams but has elected to pursue other opportunities. Bailey has hinted at a possible move into television.

It is difficult to fathom which teams may have been interested in Bailey, 36, who was plagued by a foot injury last season and played poorly in the Super Bowl. If he could not help a Saints defense that ranks No. 31 against the pass, it is unlikely he had much to offer any other team.

That being said, Bailey should be remembered not for his lackluster finish, but for over a decade of dominance in which he haunted the dreams of quarterbacks throughout the league.

The Dirty South

For the second straight week, Thursday Night Football will host a game between division rivals battling for first place. This time it is the Panthers (3-4-1) playing host to the Saints (3-4).

New Orleans is playing in prime time for the second consecutive week, having dismantled the Packers last week on Sunday Night Football, 44-23. But the Saints, as has been well documented, are a different team on the road. If they are able to win in Carolina, it will mark New Orleans’ first road win of the season.

The Panthers have been playing better football since Cam Newton regained his status as a duel threat, although it has not been reflected in the standings. Carolina has won just one game in its last six attempts, giving hope to every team in a division where no one has a winning record.

The difference-maker in this contest could be DeAngelo Williams, who is expected to return after missing more than a month with an ankle injury.

“DeAngelo has signified that he’s ready to roll,” said Panthers coach Ron Rivera. “I’m excited about that. It will be a nice boost because when he and Jonathan [Stewart] get rolling and do the things that they do, I think that’s a huge thing for us.”

The Saints have running backs concerns of their own. Khiry Robinson (forearm) and the ever-underrated Pierre Thomas (shoulder) both missed practice on Tuesday and are unlikely to suit up against the Panthers.