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Team facing more shuffles on players and coaches, as well as the front office.
By RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 5, 2002
TAMPA -- Jon Gruden used his weekend trip to the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis begin courting free agents.
Colts Pro Bowl tight end Ken Dilger met with Gruden for several hours over chicken wings at Hooters on Sunday.
Dilger is expected to visit Tampa either Wednesday or Thursday, agent Mark Bartlestein said.
The Bucs are trying to upgrade at tight end after releasing Dave Moore last week in a cost-cutting move. Moore led the Bucs with four touchdown catches in 2001.
"He had a good meeting with coach Gruden and they talked about football and his (offensive) philosophy. It was very productive," Bartlestein said.
"Ken's one of the few tight ends who can play the running game and the passing game at a high level. He likes Jon and Jon likes him. We'll see what happens from this point on."
As the Bucs try to upgrade their offense, they expect to lose more players on defense.
Cornerback Donnie Abraham continues to be the onethe team is attempting to trade in hope of recouping draft picks. Abraham has one year left on a contract that carries a $5-million cap value in 2002. But Gruden does not want to deal Abraham for anything less than a second-round pick.
Among the suitors for Abraham are the Jets. However, coach Herman Edwards also is expected to meet with Bucs free agent cornerback Brian Kelly in Los Angeles this week.
Meanwhile, the Bucs' chief competition for free agent running back Warrick Dunn continues to be the Dolphins. If Miami does not strike a trade for New Orleans running back Ricky Williams, its next option might be Dunn, who is expected to visit Miami this week.
Tampa Bay's football operations also may have arrivals and departures.
Director of player personnel Tim Ruskell completed his second interview with Falcons owner Arthur Blank on Sunday and is considered the front-runner for that team's general manager job.
Ruskell said Monday he has not been offered the position.
"Hopefully, there will be an announcement sometime soon," Ruskell told the Associated Press.
Blank praised Ruskell's strong background in player evaluation.
"I think in terms of player evaluation and that side of the business, he gets very strong marks from a very long, long list of people that have lots of experience and understand what it takes to win," he told the AP.
Also, the Bucs are expected to announce two new coaches. Former Jets assistant Johnnie Parker will be named the team's strength and conditioning coach and Ole Miss assistant Richard Bisaccia is expected to be announced as specials teams coach.
Bisaccia resigned at Ole Miss on Monday.
-- Staff writer Roger Mills contributed to this report.