The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed free agent defensive back Dashon Goldson. Goldson spent the first six years of his career in San Francisco and was a key piece in the team’s Super Bowl run last season. Tampa Bay is hoping he will bring the same physicality that helped define him as an all-pro on the 49ers to Florida.
Dashon Goldson was the Buccaneers number one free agent priority. He joins a number of big name players who have struck deals quickly including Mike Wallace and Reggie Bush . Tampa Bay’s deal with Goldson is five years for $41.25 million with $22 million guaranteed .
The 49ers and Dashon Goldson parted ways amicably one year after slight drama. Goldson was a free agent after the 2011 season and wanted a long term deal from San Francisco. The 49ers weren’t willing to sign Goldson long term coming off an injury and franchise tagged him instead for $6.2 million.
This year, the 49ers announced before free agency they would not franchise tag Goldson. Goldson again came out and said he wanted a long term deal but hoped to stay with the 49ers.
With Dashon Goldson signing with the Buccaneers, he got part of his wish. The good news for Goldson is he should be moving from one contender to another. Tampa Bay is young and on the verge of becoming a perennial playoff contender. The addition of Goldson makes an already scary defense scarier.
Goldson was an all pro his last two seasons in San Francisco and was a pro-bowler last year. He prides himself on hard but clean tackling and has a reputation as one of the hardest hitters in the NFL.
As a Bucaneer, Goldson will come in as the veteran that becomes the leader of the secondary. At 29 years old, he is still young but more than capable coming from San Francisco.
Do you think Dashon Goldson is a good fit with the Buccaneers? Will he take their defense to the next level?