...UPDATE #5...
The Patriots CB Randall Gay is set to meet with the Bucs on Monday. He will meet with the Saints prior to Monday's meeting, so good luck with that Bruce!!
...UPDATE #4...
The Bucs are set to meet with Saints WR Devery Henderson. Who? If Drew Brees couldn't make this guy a presence, then why would Jeff Garcia be able to? Other than speed, Henderson is no different than Stovall and Clayton. Why bring in the same receiver we already have. You have the cap space, you either use it on UPGRADES (who are veterans!!!) or not at all. At least spin some info on the better receivers not wanting to come to Tampa... and for those who use the Draft as a way to upgrade the WR position. GET REAL. There isn't a single Rookie that will make an instant impact for a club, especially not a club picking 20th.... We have to upgrade now! Signing a guy who averages 20 catches a season won't cut it.
...UPDATE #3...
The Bucs Beat is reporting the Bucs are close to a deal with TE John Gilmore (Chicago). Expect more obscure meetings with players we've likely never heard of this afternoon. Raise your hand if you're excited? Ehh
...UPDATE #2...
The Bucs are looking to improve Brian Kelly's vacancy at CB with San Diego's Drayton Florence, going so far as to potentially having a meeting with the man today. DE Jimmy Wilkerson (Kansas City) is also on the Bucs radar, he would be brought in for depth purposes. Remember that Minnesota Vikings RB the Bucs tried to trade for when Caddy went down? The Bucs are meeting with him today [Mewelde Moore]. The Bucs will also meet with DE Marquis Douglass (San Fran). Nothing on any of the elite WR Free Agents like Randy Moss, Bernard Berrian, Donte Stallworth, and Bryant Johnson. Allen is crazy if he thinks staying pat at WR will cut it next year... Meanwhile the Saints have traded a conditional Draft pick for the Jets LB Jonathan Vilma and are openly discussing a trade for Giants TE Jeremy Shockey... not bad
...UPDATE...
The Pewter Report has the Bucs contacting the agents of WR D.J. Hackett (Seattle), TE John Gilmore (Chicago), and former Bucs RB Aaron Stecker. Why the Bucs would go after an injury proned Hackett is beyond me, he's clearly damaged goods having missed 31 games in four years in the league. Thanks, but no thanks. Gilmore is considered a good run blocker and as long as his signing wouldn't prohibit a Alge Crumpler signing, by all means do it to it. Aaron Stecker though? Kenneth Darby better get a summer job, that's all I can say. The Bucs are also not interested in DE Justin Smith (Cincy), clearly they're holding out for Peppers next off-season and who can blame them? The Bucs have also tendered offers to Jovan Haye and Greg White. Busy Busy Day!!!
Adam Schefter of the NFL Network reports the Bucs gave Faine a 6 year 37.5 million dollar deal, 15 million of which is guarenteed. That's roughly 6.25 mil a season. I just hope the guy can get the ball to Garcia in the Shotgun formation.
The Bucs made their first Free Agency splash last night by signing former New Orleans Saints Center Jeff Faine to a multi year contract reports Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune. Faine will replace five year Veteran John Wade. Faine is considered as one of the premier centers in the league and is expected to be one of the richest centers in the league as well. Although he's a bit smaller than John Wade, its believed he's a better pass blocker. Time will tell.
It's rumored the Bucs have talked with the agents of CB Jacques Reeves (Dallas Cowboys Back-up), LB Demorrio Williams (Atlanta Falcons), and LB Niko Koutouvides (Seattle).... The Bucs see Reeves as a possible replacement for Brian Kelly, yeah, okay. Demorrio and Niko would provide depth at the weakside and middle linebacker positions while also strengthening Special Teams. Great work Roy!!!