Bucs get Pro Bowl tight end

Free agent Ken Dilger likes Tampa Bay's warm weather, coach and Super Bowl chances.

By ROGER MILLS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 18, 2002

Dilger

TAMPA -- Talk about wings and a prayer.

After spending a night with Jon Gruden at a Hooters restaurant in Indianapolis in early March, free-agent tight end Ken Dilger had a feeling he wanted to play in Tampa Bay.

But by the time Gruden called him four times in the past two weeks, he was convinced.

Wednesday, the Pro Bowl player agreed in principal to a three-year, $3.3-million deal, with an $800,000 signing bonus. He is expected to sign today.

Though pursued by the Cowboys, Bears, Lions and Seahawks, the former Colt said he took less money because he was certain of Gruden's offensive mind and of the team's chance to get to the Super Bowl.

"At Indianapolis, we played the Raiders twice the past couple of years and his teams always were very good, very productive and seemed always ready for a challenge," said Dilger, who wanted to play in warm weather and on grass. "It seems like he's always had a very good offense, a very productive offense. That's what I want to be part of. ... It felt like Tampa wanted me the most out of any other team."

At 6 feet 5, 255 pounds, Dilger, 31, is another large body added to the Bucs' ever-changing offensive depth chart. In seven seasons, all with the Colts, Dilger recorded 261 receptions for 3,181 yards and 18 touchdowns.

He has been particularly productive the past two seasons. In 2000, he set career highs for receptions (47) and yards (538). Dilger has started 106 of 109 possible games, including all but one game the past four seasons.

"We are very excited to have Ken Dilger," Gruden said in a team release. "He's an outstanding player and a great team man."

Since his arrival in Tampa on Feb. 18, Gruden has overhauled the offense by bringing in free-agent running back Michael Pittman, receivers Joe Jurevicius and Keith Poole, left guard Kerry Jenkins and tight end Marco Battaglia.

Dilger said the presence of Battaglia, along with returning tight ends Todd Yoder and Mike Roberg, ensures increased competition in training camp.

"We both are different tight ends and we both can run the offense just as well as in the one tight-end set," Dilger said. "Gruden's tight ends have always caught a lot of balls, especially in Oakland, so I'm looking forward to catching (a lot)."

And there was one other trump card Gruden played.

"Jon promised he would get me one of those 50 percent off Hooters cards," Dilger said. "That sealed the deal."

The Bucs also welcomed back one of their own, signing free-agent receiver/punt returner Karl Williams to a three-year, $2.1-million contract, which came with a $150,000 signing bonus.

"I am just glad to be back with the Bucs," Williams said. "I think it's a combination of being here with this team for six years, having the opportunity to play for Coach Gruden, and also to be back with my teammates in Tampa. This is where I have called home for the last six years and I am glad the process is completed."

Meanwhile, negotiations between the Bucs and Ben Dogra, the agent for running back Mike Alstott, continued Wednesday with both sides focused on reaching a decision by Friday afternoon.

"We have a mutual interest, that they've expressed and we've expressed," general manager Rich McKay said. "There is no hidden agenda here, certainly on our part and I don't think on their part either. That usually means we can make a deal."

Alstott was due a $2-million roster bonus on Monday, but both parties agreed to postpone the payment until Tuesday after this weekend's draft.

Considering his undefined role in Gruden's offense and Pittman's $1.75-million salary, the Bucs don't want to take on Alstott's $4-million salary cap hit this year.

Although the five-time Pro Bowl player is willing to take a pay cut, he likely wants a restructured contract that recoups most of the roster bonus in the form of a signing bonus, with some guaranteed money in the first two years. The Bucs are believed to be seeking a long-term deal, likely four or five years, because they can prorate a signing bonus over the life of the contract.

"All we're trying to do is fit Mike in with the other 52 players, from a salary-cap perspective," McKay said. "It's not easy to do because of the unique talents that Mike has."

"I know this: He's been a good player for us. Very productive. When called upon, he's answered."

McKay praised Alstott for the way he has handled the negotiations.

"Mike is a class act and has approached this is the best manner he can approach it, which is, 'I'm going to do what's best for me, Mike Alstott, and I'm going to do it with class and see if we can't work it out,' " McKay said.

The Bucs also released receivers Drew O'Connor and Frank Rice, linebacker Andre Offing and long-snapper Elmer Bench.

-- Times staff writer Rick Stroud contributed to this report.

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