On Friday, the 49ers made a trade that no one saw coming. They acquired cornerback Eric Wright from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In exchange, the Buccaneers will receive a conditional pick in the 2014 draft.
Why did the Buccaneers trade Wright, a player that they acquired just 16 months ago on a large contract? It was revealed that Wright was arrested in California on July 12. This was just the latest issue surrounding the cornerback who was originally drafted in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. In July of 2012, he was charged with a felony DUI. During the 2012 season, he was suspended for four games for violating the NFL's performance enhancing drugs policy. His five-year, $35.3 million contract was restructured to a deal that would pay him $1.5 million with another $1.5 million available in incentives in 2013. The remaining years of his contract were removed. After this latest incident, the Buccaneers were prepared to release Wright if they had been unable to trade him.
Financially, this move is little risk for the 49ers, who will take over his $1.5 million salary for the 2013 season. However, it is ironic that after Harbaugh's comments about the Seattle Seahawks' recent issues with drug related suspensions, most notably related to Adderall, that the team would acquire a player that had the exact same issue.
Wright had a strong season in 2011 with the Detroit Lions, starting all 16 games and collecting four interceptions.
Here are some of the Twitter reactions from Buccaneers teammates following the trade.
I can't believe this trade and I'm just gonna leave it at that smfh
— Donald Penn (@DPENN70) July 19, 2013
@EWrighteous21 u will b missed bro bro
— Donald Penn (@DPENN70) July 19, 2013
Hands Down 2 n a half RT"@DPENN70: @EWrighteous21 u will b missed bro bro"
— Myron Lewis (@Mylew23) July 19, 2013
Wish my big bro @EWrighteous21 all the best!! You always have a fan in me son. Go out there and do your #'s bruh. Be blessed.
— Gerald McCoy (@Geraldini93) July 19, 2013
Here are some of the Twitter reactions from the media that covers the Buccaneers.
Told ya, Wright was a pain in the ass off the field & that's why he's gone. Pegged for DUI again for a 2nd straight year? Wow. Not smart
— Tom Krasniqi (@TKras) July 19, 2013
Best explanation for the Eric Wright trade? He was never going to be a Buccaneer Man. Not deemed a positive influence for a young secondary
— Ira Kaufman (@IKaufmanTBO) July 19, 2013
Here is an interesting tweet by Jenna Laine, a reporter for The Sports Xchange.
Here's another pic of Eric Wright in 49ers gear...clearly always had a soft spot for the hometown team. pic.twitter.com/3wqBmgBbND
— JennaLaineBucs (@JennaLaineBucs) July 19, 2013
Rookies reported to 49ers training camp today with veterans reporting next week. The team is scheduled to start practices on Thursday, July 25.
What do you think of the 49ers' trade for Wright? What do you think this means for the cornerbacks currently on the roster? Let us know by commenting below.
