Bucs cut Christy, backup

The team will go in a new direction at center, freeing up money to re-sign Shelton Quarles.

By ROGER MILLS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 28, 2003

TAMPA -- In a bold move to gain salary cap relief and upgrade the position, the Bucs released centers Jeff Christy and Todd Washington on Thursday.

The move put the Super Bowl champions in position to try to re-sign at least one of four starters who became free agents today.

With Christy and Washington out of the picture, the Bucs saved about $3-million against next season's salary cap and immediately turned up negotiations with Jim Steiner, the agent for Pro Bowl middle linebacker Shelton Quarles, late Thursday night.

Re-signing Quarles, a critical part of the team's top-ranked defense, remains the priority as the free-agent market opens.

"We are having amicable discussions," Steiner said.

Quarles, who spent Thursday on the golf course, said he is waiting eagerly.

"I haven't heard anything yet, but I hope it works out soon," Quarles said.

Quarles, starting left tackle Roman Oben, outside linebacker Al Singleton and free safety Dexter Jackson and six other players are free to negotiate with any team.

Talks between the Bucs and Oben's agent, Roosevelt Barnes, continue and could be finalized early next week, said Oben, who started all 19 games. He likely will draw interest from the Broncos and Steelers but said he has no trips planned, for now, and wants to stay in Tampa.

"I'm just going to chill for a while and hope that something can be worked out next week," said Oben, who was vacationing in Washington, D.C.

The Bucs needed to get under the $74.8-million salary cap by Thursday and had asked Christy to accept a $750,000 minimum salary with no incentives.

But the 10-year veteran, due to make $3.95-million this season, refused.

"It's something that happens every year to somebody, and you saw it (Wednesday) with the cap casualties, as they called them," Christy said. "It was a matter of them feeling I was worth a certain amount and that was pretty much it. I didn't get a chance to restructure or to get a chance to make any money back with incentives or anything. At that point in my career, I wasn't willing to take a straight pay cut and play for $750,000.

"I'm not upset about it. I understand their situation and I understand that I wasn't in their plans. That's been established for a little bit of time now. They obviously want to go down a different road."

Christy, who started 47 of 48 regular-season games since he came to Tampa Bay in 2000 from the Vikings, said the Bucs made it clear they were going to bring in a new center through free agency.

"Yeah, it was a hard apple to swallow, but I don't think it was personal," Christy said. "They want to go a different route. I don't know how they're going to go. It wasn't a last-minute decision. I think the decision was made a long time ago. I have absolutely no hard feelings, it's part of the business."

A fourth-round pick of the Bucs out of Virginia Tech in 1998, Washington tested the market last season but re-signed a four-year, $6-million deal in March.

In five seasons, Washington started at center and at both guard spots. He indicated that he wasn't given time to develop at center, his natural position.

"I don't think it worked out the way I thought it would," Washington said. "I'm a center, and I wanted to play center. I know having a guy who is capable of playing three positions is crucial, but if you play too many then one or the other will suffer."

Both players were grateful for the chance to win a Super Bowl. "I really have nothing but positive thoughts. We just won a Super Bowl," Christy said. "I'm still going to come back, if I'm invited, to partake in the ring ceremony and party with the Super Bowl champs."

Added Washington: "The five years had the usual ups and downs, but I ended up getting a ring. I have no regrets."

NO GRUDGE: Packers tackle Chad Clifton has no animosity toward Bucs defensive tackle Warren Sapp over a blindside hit in a Nov. 24 game in Tampa.

"I'm not bitter toward Warren Sapp," Clifton said Wednesday on radio station WCMT in his hometown of Martin, Tenn. "I hold no grudges at all. It's part of the game, and you assume the risks when you play.

"I got blindsided in a perfectly legal play. The way I landed on my hip torqued my whole body and ripped some muscle and ligaments."

Clifton was left with an injured pelvis, separated ligaments, swelling and internal bleeding after the hit on an interception return.

He said he is still undergoing physical therapy but expects to participate in spring workouts.

-- Information from Times wires was used in this report.