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In a somewhat surprising move, the Arizona Cardinals cut wide receiver Michael Floyd Wednesday. If the Buccaneers don’t put a claim in for him, they’re only hurting themselves.
Back at the trade deadline, we were all talking about the desperate need the Buccaneers have at wide receiver. We were talking about trading for Alshon Jeffrey or Michael Floyd – or anyone that could be a legitimate threat opposite Mike Evans. As fate would have it, Floyd’s stupidity, lack of judgement, or both could land him in Tampa Bay.
Floyd was cut by the Cardinals Wednesday following his DUI arrest Monday morning. Now, Floyd has been disappointing in Arizona this season – 33 receptions for 446 yards and four touchdowns – but it seems everyone outside David Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald has been disappointing for the Cardinals.
One would like to believe that if this team took a chance on Josh Huff, surely they would give a receiver like Michael Floyd a shot. He would finally give Jameis Winston a big, solid target opposite Evans.
The Buccaneers are riding a five game win streak and trying to will themselves into the playoffs for the first time in nearly ten years. Somehow, they’ve managed to do so with Mike Evans as the lone receiver threat on the team. Nothing against Adam Humphries, Russell Shepard, or Freddie Martino but teams aren’t exactly game planning against those guys. They’ve stepped up in big ways when needed, along with Cameron Brate, but Michael Floyd would provide that true number two option opposite Evans in these final three games and (potentially) into the postseason.
Now, Floyd would have to learn the offense rapidly and, if claimed, see minimal if any playing time against Dallas. It’s difficult for any player to come in this late into the season and learn the intricacies of the offense, but Koetter would find a set of plays that would get Floyd involved in the offense and potentially help solve some of the red zone problems the Bucs have faced recently.
Sep 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) scores a touchdown as Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Chris Conte (23) defends during the second quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
This is a no lose situation for the Bucs. They can bring Floyd in for a mere $861,176 for the final two games – Cardinals are on the hook for his salary this week – and give a pending free agent a try-out in this offense. Floyd has already damaged his opportunity in free agency with his recent arrest so getting a brief try-out for a playoff contender would be mutually beneficial.
On top of that, the Buccaneers could earn a compensatory pick for Floyd if they claim him and he signs elsewhere come free agency.
Again, this is a no-lose situation for the Buccaneers. Hopefully Jason Licht can scoop him up, but the Buccaneers are at the mercy of the other teams ahead of them on the waiver wire. It seems doubtful that any team that isn’t in playoff contention brings him in. It just wouldn’t make any sense.
However, teams like the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins could be interested in Floyd’s services to make their final push to try and leapfrog the Bucs.
Teams have 24-hours to put in a claim, so we’ll know one way or another very soon.
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