The early "winners" of the 2012 NFL free agency period? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They've been spending some serious cash in bringing in talent. Tampa Bay started off the free agency period with a ton of salary cap space and they're spending it.
First, they signed WR Vincent Jackson to a five-year, $55 million deal. That's $11 million per year for Vincent Jackson, the No. 1 wide receiver on the free agent market. This gives Josh Freeman a big deep threat and it instantly makes their offense better.
Second, they inked CB Eric Wright, formerly of the Detroit Lions, to a five-year deal worth $37.5 million. Yikes.
Finally, the Bucs just signed G Carl Nicks to a five-year, $47.5 million deal. Nicks said he wanted to be the highest paid guard in the NFL and his $9.5 million per year average is above Logan Mankins, who as at $8.5 million per year.
So the Bucs are "winning" free agency. As the 2011 Eagles taught us, this must mean they're headed to the Super Bowl, right?