PWTRPWR
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| Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 9:36 pm Post subject: Bucs Notes and News |
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Buccaneers Team Report
Yahoo! Sports
Feb 22, 1:06 pm EST
The Bucs hit the ground running in the off-season.
Tampa Bay is exploring a trade for Broncos receiver Javon Walker and attempting to sign Falcons defensive tackle Rod Coleman and tight end Alge Crumpler.
After finishing 9-8 in 2007 and winning a third NFC South title in the last six years under coach Jon Gruden, the Bucs want to add layers to the foundation they constructed last off-season.
There will be several fronts that general manager Bruce Allen will attack at once and the Bucs are well-armed with nearly $30-million under the salary cap.
“As we unfortunately got to experience last year due to injuries, we’re hoping to address every position,” Allen said. “We’ve got about 60 players under contract and we’re hoping to add to that and bring 80 to training camp.
Among the areas the Bucs must address:
Earnest Graham deserves a raise. He saved the day when Cadillac Williams and Michael Pittman went out with injuries and saved the season.
Graham has one year remaining on his contract that will pay him $605,000, essentially the league minimum for a player with his experience. He will get more after rushing for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Allen will meet with Graham’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, to continue talks on a new contract. The Bucs already have re-signed Michael Bennett, most likely spelling the end of Pittman’s career in Tampa Bay.
The Bucs could target a free agent like the Chargers’ Michael Turner, but his price tag could be too steep. A more likely solution is to draft a running back in the early rounds like Ray Rice of Rutgers or Chris Johnson of East Carolina.
Allen also needs to make decisions on whether to bring back center John Wade, cornerback Sammy Davis and tight end Jerramy Stevens. All will likely hit the free agent market. Wade, 33, is entering his 11th season and the Bucs would like to upgrade the position.
Allen is expected to tender contracts to linebacker Antoine Cash, defensive tackle Jovan Haye, and safety Kalvin Pearson. They will also extend offers to exclusive rights free agents tackle Donald Penn, receiver Michael Spurlock, defensive end Greg White, fullback Byron Storer and long-snapper Andrew Economos.
On the Bucs’ radar are two former Falcons players—defensive tackle Rod Coleman and tight end Alge Crumpler. Allen will meet with the agents for both players in Indianapolis. Crumpler has drawn interest from 11 teams.
February 21 was the deadline for teams to designate franchise players, so the free agent galaxy will have fewer stars.
“The list of people who will get franchised is fairly predictable,” Allen said. “There’s been no surprise so far. We projected that list some time ago. Since January we’ve been doing our free agent work and the last few weeks we’ve turned our focus to the draft and concentrating on the field reviews.
“The free agent list is going to look a lot different on Feb. 28. Thirty percent of the players on there now will re-sign with their teams.”
The Bucs have said they want more playmakers on offense, especially at receiver. Joey Galloway will be 37 next season. Ike Hilliard will be 32. Michael Clayton has never returned to his rookie year form and Maurice Stovall finished the season on injured reserve.
The list of available veteran receivers grows daily. But the Bears’ Bernard Berrian could be the most coveted if he isn’t franchised. Allen may also consider trading for the Broncos’ Jevon Walker, the Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald or the Lions’ Roy Williams.
Defensively, the Bucs might want to think about adding another corner following the departure of Brian Kelly, who exercised a buyout to void the final year of his contract. Bengals defensive end Justin Smith, who was not franchised, will also draw the Bucs’ interest.
“We’re able to take any phone call that’s made in the league, whether it’s a free agent or a trade,” Allen said. “Fitting them into our system will be a hard question for us to answer.”
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fan4ever
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| Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 10:03 pm Post subject: |
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Lots of decisions to be made...
Out of all the recent talks, I think Crumpler's the best shot if he's able to go.
I think Foster would be a #3 behind Bennett and Graham and Coleman won't be ready to go when training camp comes around. Think they can do better if they are patient.
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