Lots of talk, no action by Bucs

On the first day of free agency, four top players remain unsigned.

By ROGER MILLS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 1, 2003

TAMPA -- Despite spending much of Friday talking with agents, the Bucs closed the first day of free agency without signing Pro Bowl middle linebacker Shelton Quarles, the team's biggest priority . . . or anyone else for that matter.

Talks likely will continue as the Bucs attempt to lock in Quarles or any of three other starters -- linebacker Al Singleton, left tackle Roman Oben and safety Dexter Jackson -- who became free agents Friday.

Jim Steiner, Quarles' agent, said he and the Bucs talked several times Friday and will do so again Monday. "Negotiations have gone back and forth but nothing is imminent," Steiner said.

Though the crop of free-agent linebackers is deep, several teams, including the Jets, are believed to have interest in Quarles.

Bucs general manager Rich McKay has said the team has a very precise plan in its approach to re-signing its free agents and bringing in new ones. He said what the team wants and what the market dictates don't always mesh.

"Last year I assured (defensive line coach Rod) Marinelli and (defensive coordinator Monte) Kiffin that Steve White would be a Buc. I had no question that Steve White would be a Buc," McKay said earlier this week. "And then I got the call and saw what (the Jets) were offering him and I went back to them and said, "Steve White will not be a Buc.' These things happen."

Starting free safety Jackson, who had his best season as a pro and capped it with a Super Bowl MVP title, will begin testing the market with visits to three teams next week, agent Lamont Smith said.

"We have visits set up and we're in discussions with a few clubs," Smith said. "In this business, you have to get it while it's hot. The free agency market is like musical cheers; when the music stops you better have a chair."

Jackson finished his fourth season in the league with 86 tackles, three interceptions and 10 passes defensed. His two interceptions in the Super Bowl gave him leverage to enter the free agency period.

"We like his position right now," Smith said. "There's no question he's hot right now. We just booked him for the Superstars competition in Montego Bay (Jamaica) and he's got all type of endorsement possibilities in the mix and teams are loving him. He's a playmaking safety and that makes him a premium."

The Bucs would like to re-sign Jackson, but Quarles and Oben appear to be more pressing needs. Plus, the Bucs are pleased with the development of second-year safety John Howell and the potential of rookie Jermaine Phillips.

"We've been given indications that they want him back and they are going to make an effort to keep him, but we haven't discussed terms yet," Smith said.

Backup quarterback Shaun King, who also became a free agent Friday, is on vacation in Baton Rouge and said he has not discussed any possible visits with his agent, Eugene Parker.

"I haven't thought about it that much," King said. "I've never been in this situation before so I'm going to leave it up to my agent and let him work out the details. Right now, I'm on vacation and I don't have plans for any trips. I'll be back some time next week and then we'll see."

COACH SIGNING: The Bucs named former offensive lineman Jim Pyne as offensive quality control coach. Pyne played eight seasons in the NFL (1994-2001), including four seasons with the Bucs (1994-97) during which he started 38 games.