Jones is released by Bucs

Injury, position changes marred the DE's career at Tampa Bay.

By ROGER MILLS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published October 9, 2002

TAMPA -- Defensive end Marcus Jones, on injured reserve with a left knee sprain, was released by the Bucs on Tuesday.

The release, which will not affect the team's salary cap obligations this season, means the former first-round draft pick becomes an unrestricted free agent if he clears waivers by 5 p.m. today.

Jones, 29, was due to make $23-million over the next five seasons as part of a seven-year, $40.25-million extension he signed in November 2000. The Bucs, who gave him a $5.25-million bonus at that time, are only obligated to pay him through this season.

"Whenever a player is put on IR, he either stays on IR for the whole season if he has a major injury, or if he has a minor injury the club is obligated to waive the player, when he is physically able to play," assistant general manager John Idzik said. "The NFL put that in place to stop clubs from unfairly hiding players with minor injuries. Marcus was cleared medically, and we were obligated to release him."

Teams are allowed to prorate a player's signing bonus over the life of the contract. Because Jones was released before fulfilling the contract, the Bucs will be required to count the remaining portion of his bonus, about $3-million, against next season's salary cap, which likely will be more than this year's $71.1-million.

Jones was out of town on vacation with his family, but his agent Greg Williams said the release was not a surprise. Williams, however, said Jones wanted to play for the Bucs next season and had hoped something could be worked out.

Williams said the Bucs offered to re-sign Jones to a new deal, but added the offer was insufficient for a player of Jones' credentials.

"It would have benefited everybody for them to have given him a roster spot once he was ready to return, and we felt he played well enough to justify his salary," Williams said. "But we have the utmost respect for the people who run that organization. They have tough decisions to make and that was one of them.

"He was been put on the expansion list twice, he was put on IR with the understanding that he had to sign a new deal or be released. He's reconciled to the outcome. Marcus has been there for seven years and has worked very hard but perhaps it's in his best interest to move on."

Tuesday's decision brings to an end an eventful ride that saw Jones, taken by Tampa Bay with the 22nd pick overall in 1996, endure success, failure, minor and major injuries, multiple surgeries, a new contract and three position changes.

Originally penciled in as a defensive tackle, the former North Carolina star struggled with injuries and inconsistencies in his first two seasons with the Bucs. He played in 22 of 38 games in his first two seasons and had just one sack. In 1998, Jones played 15 games and had only six tackles.

But after surgery to remove bone spurs from both ankles, Jones' career began to turn around. In 1999, he was switched to right defensive end, and Jones began to fulfill his potential. He had seven sacks that season and in 2000 posted career highs in sacks (13) and tackles (50). The Bucs, however, signed defensive end Simeon Rice, moving Jones back to the left side.

"The one disappointing thing for me was when he had 13 sacks, he had 13 sacks because he was able to play his natural position," Williams said. "Then the team acquired Simeon and Marcus was asked to move to the left side, that was a big deal for him but he did it anyway. He and (defensive tackle Warren) Sapp had a rhythm going and he had to move."

Playing almost exclusively on the left side, Jones again struggled with productivity and injuries. He had only three sacks and 39 tackles last year and for the second straight season was unable to play in the playoff game because of a shoulder injury. For the second time in his career, the Bucs placed Jones on the unprotected expansion list but the Texans didn't bite, likely because of his salary.

Jones entered training camp as starting left end but was slowed by shoulder soreness. The final blow was a meniscus tear of his left knee in the third preseason game against the Redskins. The injury, which needed about six weeks to heal, caused the Bucs to put Jones on IR. That, coupled with the outstanding play of defensive ends Greg Spires and Ellis Wyms, made Jones expendable.

"Through the highs and lows, one thing we know is the effort was always there," said Williams, who indicated Jones will have an opportunity to sign with several teams but likely will wait one or two weeks to make a decision. "There were a lot of injuries, some more serious than others. Realistically you can say he had two good seasons, and one okay season and four bad seasons. What was frustrating were the injuries. But, you take what life gives you. The Bucs gave him the opportunity and we're very thankful to them for that. Marcus understands."