Busy Bucs sign center, eye Bears QB

Jags' John Wade brings more bulk to O-line; Jim Miller could back up Brad Johnson; offer to Dexter Jackson upped.

By RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 11, 2003

TAMPA -- Before leading the Bucs to the Super Bowl, quarterback Brad Johnson was the recipient of cracked ribs, stitches above his eye and a back injury that nearly forced him to miss the postseason.

This season, he may receive better protection.

Tampa Bay signed Jaguars center John Wade on Monday, the second free agent in three days to be added by the world champions to a revamped offensive line.

Terms of the deal with the 6-foot-5, 300-pound Wade were not released, but he joins Giants free agent Jason Whittle (6-4, 299), who signed Friday, in the middle of a Bucs offense that will be bigger if not better in 2003.

"John gives us another offensive lineman with versatility," Bucs general manager Rich McKay said. "He is a physical presence in the middle of the line, which was an offseason focus of ours."

Wade's signing capped one of the busiest days of the offseason at One Buc Place.

Tampa Bay is believed to have increased its offer of $1.5-million per season to safety Dexter Jackson, who was close to signing a five-year deal with the Steelers on Monday night that would pay him more than $12-million.

Jackson was considering offers from the Steelers and Cardinals, but Tampa Bay is believed to have jumped back into the picture after being contacted by agent Peter Shaffer late Monday.

Meanwhile, the Bucs are considering signing former Bears quarterback Jim Miller if he convinces doctors during a visit Thursday that his recovery from shoulder surgery two months ago is on schedule.

Miller, 32, who was released by the Bears and had rotator cuff surgery, could sign this week so he can begin attending the Bucs' quarterback orientation March 17.

"This developed from a discussion I had with Jon (Gruden) when I was down there," said Miller's agent, Joe Linta, who also represents Whittle. "Jon seems to really like Jim and Jim likes the thought of coming down there.

"If they're serious, we'll do something right away. It would give Jim a head start so he could be down there learning things."

Linta said Miller could be recovered enough from the surgery on his right throwing arm in time to begin tossing the football as early as June or as late as August.

Despite an injury-marred 2002 season, Miller started eight games and appeared in 11 for the Bears, completing 180 of 314 passes for 1,944 yards with 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He missed the last three games after being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. Two years ago he led the Bears to a 13-3 record.

"They like his toughness and his smarts," Linta said. "He would do it Jon's way."

Johnson is the only experienced quarterback on the roster. Backup Rob Johnson signed with the Redskins and Shaun King is an unrestricted free agent. If Miller joins the Bucs, it's unlikely King would return to Tampa Bay.

Jackson, the Super Bowl XXXVII Most Valuable Player, did not appear to still be on Tampa Bay's radar screen. But when the Bucs were able to restructure the contract of Simeon Rice, signing him to a new five-year, $41-million deal, it provided some money to play with under the salary cap.

Most of it has been spent on re-signing free-agent linebacker Shelton Quarles and rebuilding the offensive line. Whittle, who signed a five-year, $8.2-million deal last week, will push Cosey Coleman for the starting right guard spot. Wade replaces center Jeff Christy, who was released along with backup Todd Washington on Feb.28.

The Bucs also hope to re-sign free-agent left tackle Roman Oben Wednesday or Thursday.

Wade, who spent all five pro seasons with Jacksonville, started all 16 games in 2002. He helped Jacksonville rank 10th in the league in rushing last year with an average of 130.6 yards.

"I am happy and feel fortunate to have an opportunity to come to this team and I realize there will be a lot of expectations with them winning the Super Bowl last year," Wade said. "I'm going to come in and learn the system. I am going to spend a lot of time with (offensive line) coach (Bill) Muir learning the calls, and hopefully I can get the system down so it's second nature to me.

"I'm going to come in to work every day, I can tell you that. I'm going to come to work hard whether it's the middle of the season or the offseason. I'm going to give it everything I've got. It's one thing to say that, but I've got to prove it to my new teammates."