Tampa Bay Bucs news/notes

[Ego74]

Bucs Stand Pat On First Day Of Cuts

By ROY CUMMINGS rcummings@tampatrib.com
Published: Jun 2, 2005

TAMPA - The first day of the second phase of free agency was a slow one, especially around One Buc Place. Activity should increase today, though, as teams begin to take advantage of the opportunity to defer the cap hit they'll take when cutting players.

In New England, the Patriots cut quarterback Chris Redman, and in New Orleans, the Saints said they will release linebacker Orlando Ruff. Most other teams, including the Bucs, stood pat Wednesday but many will be more active starting today.

Cutting a player before June 1 causes the team to take an immediate salary cap hit that is equal to the portion of the player's signing bonus that is prorated. Any team cutting a player after June 1 can have that cap hit applied to next year's cap.

The Bucs current payroll is approximately $1.3 million under the league's $86 million cap, but the team has been allotted $6.037 million to sign its draft picks, so it must create approximately $5 million worth of cap space.

Cutting players or reworking player contracts are the best ways to create cap space and the Bucs are expected to take advantage of both options. Among the players who could be cut are tackles Todd Steussie and Kenyatta Walker, running back Charlie Garner and guard Matt Stinchcomb.

Players whose contracts the Bucs likely will seek to rework are linebacker Derrick Brooks, defensive end Simeon Rice and defensive tackle Anthony McFarland.

 

[Ego74]

Jun. 2 - According to the Tampa Tribune, Steussie could be on his way out of Tampa Bay. The Bucs current payroll is approximately $1.3 million under the league's $86 million cap, but the team has been allotted $6.037 million to sign its draft picks, so it must create approximately $5 million worth of cap space.

In addition to Steussie, running back Charlie Garner and guard Matt Stinchcomb are also strong candidates to be released.

 

[Ego74]

Jun. 1 - John Howell, a backup in four seasons with the Bucs, has told reporters in Tampa that he wants to sign with the Seahawks unless the Buccaneers match or exceed the offer that has been discussed with Seattle, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports. The 27-year old could become an option for the Seahawks because safety Damien Robinson has been released and Bobby Taylor might be released.

 

[Ego74]

Top pick Williams draws crowd at Bucs' FanFest
By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published June 5, 2005

TAMPA - The annual FanFest drew 23,000 to Raymond James Stadium on Saturday, but some came seeking more than autographs or a picture with their favorite player.

"They're fired up. They're mad as hell about last year and they want to turn this thing around," coach Jon Gruden said. "They're very excited about bringing in some young players that they recognize as top-flight players."

That starts with rookie running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams , who had his first extended interaction with Bucs fans, signing everything from Auburn mini-helmets to No.24 jerseys. Williams was enough of a draw that some fans skipped the first two-hour autograph session just to get a good spot in line for the second session, which included Williams.

The Bucs are expected to make several cuts to clear enough salary-cap room to cover about $6-million allotted for the team's 12 rookies, but haven't made any moves since June1, the first day NFL teams can cut players and have the salary-cap impact split over two seasons.

"June1 is a date that people think is going to be like Christmas, when everybody makes their final decisions," Gruden said. "When the rookies start to sign, the salary cap has to be adjusted to make room. There'll be players released right up until the last draft pick is signed."

JOINING IN: Executive vice president Bryan Glazer was available for autographs.

Glazer played an important role in lobbying league owners to help secure the 2009 Super Bowl for Tampa Bay, beating out bids from Atlanta, Miami and Houston.

"I think we were always quietly confident that we could get it done," said the son of owner Malcolm Glazer and brother of executive vice president Joel Glazer . "We kept our confidence to ourselves, because if we said too much early on, I think other teams would have worked a little harder if they'd have known what we were doing. We don't think we came from behind."

Glazer also stressed the recent acquisition of England's Manchester United soccer club won't affect how the Buccaneers are run.

"Nothing should change," he said. "We all work on a lot of different things and we all work on everything together. That shouldn't change."

STILL AROUND: Veteran tackle Todd Steussie is perhaps the player most often mentioned as a looming cut, but he took part Saturday, signing autographs and is hopeful of his future

"There's always uncertainty. There's probably more speculation than truth out there right now," said Steussie, due to make $2-million in base salary this season. "June1, I had more people calling me because they're saying on the radio I'm definitely getting released that day. It's one of those things you deal with. Things will play out one way or another."

Running back Charlie Garner , another potential cap casualty limited by a knee injury to three games last season, reiterated his confidence he'll be around to compete for a job in training camp.

"I feel good. I'm not 100 percent, but I feel about 80. I'm running and cutting out there," he said. "It's encouraging what I've been able to do, and I have no doubt about where I'll be in six weeks. It's up to them, but far as I'm concerned, I'll be here."

--Times staff writer Dave Scheiber contributed to this report.

 

[Ego74]

Gruden Says Bucs Working Hard

A Tribune staff, wire report
Published: Jun 11, 2005

TAMPA - Bucs coach Jon Gruden loves to ask people, ``Do you love football?''

His passion for the sport was apparent during Friday's annual Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Hyatt Regency downtown.

Gruden entertained the audience with some quips, but also expressed, with a nod to baseball, how hard the team has been working.

``We're ready to dig in very deep into the batter's box,'' Gruden said. ``We're going to start taking our cuts here beginning July 28 [at training camp].''

Gruden brought along top draft pick Cadillac Williams, the No. 5 overall selection.

While acknowledging the Bucs had lacked ``instant acceleration'' in the running game, Gruden pointed out that Williams gives the ground game some burst.

``This guy, every once in a while, he's going to come out of the trash and score some TDs for us,'' Gruden said.

Left tackle Derrick Deese, rookie linebacker Barrett Ruud and General Manager Bruce Allen also were on hand.

Gruden closed by thanking the fans for their support and promised the team will continue to work hard and said, ``We will make more field goals this year - how about that?''

- Katherine Smith

 

[RobFunk]

good info. I know I'm scooping williams in the draft

I'm going to have my eye on your picks this season, that is for sure. Dont choke EGO!!

 

[HacheMan]

Bucs offense could be potent again this year with the addition of Cadillac Williams, who I compare to young Warrick Dun, but a little less talented, combined with Griese getting another year of the offense under his belt. If Joey Galloway can stay healthy to be on the field at the same time with star receiver Marc Clayton much of the time, look out......

 

[HacheMan]

Bucs offense could be potent again this year with the addition of Cadillac Williams, who I compare to young Warrick Dun, but a little less talented, combined with Griese getting another year of the offense under his belt. If Joey Galloway can stay healthy to be on the field at the same time with star receiver Marc Clayton much of the time, look out......

Just corrections since I couldn't edit and was in a hurry typing........

Dunn, not Dun.....

 

[ruyfm76]

 

[RobFunk]

I keep reading good things about Williams, he is getting closer and closer to winning the starting job! I can't wait to see this kid in action.

 

[HacheMan]

I keep reading good things about Williams, he is getting closer and closer to winning the starting job! I can't wait to see this kid in action.

I still don't think he will have quite the impact Warrick Dunn did years ago coming in as a rookie Rob. But, he will definitely improve the team. With he and a young talented Marc Clayton at receiver ,the future is bright.......