Warren Sapp and Shaun King appear headed out, with Thomas Jones the Bucs' priority to re-sign.
By RICK STROUD
Published December 28, 2003
Warren Sapp is playing with an injured foot and considering pulling out of the Pro Bowl.
If the seven-time Pro Bowl player makes the trip to Hawaii, it will be to say aloha officially to his career as a defensive tackle in Tampa Bay. According to Sapp, one of the bigger reasons for playing is to give him the chance to wear the Bucs' flag on his helmet for perhaps the final time.
If that doesn't give an insight into Sapp's future with the Bucs, nothing will.
A potential Hall of Famer, Sapp has earned the chance to play his entire career with one team. But the Bucs never made him an offer, and Sapp is eager to test free agency. One can bet there will be one team willing to pay him more than his old one.
There's no bigger fan of Sapp than coach Jon Gruden, who now controls the salary cap. But he knows the $5-million or $6-million salary Sapp could command would fill a lot of holes on offense while Anthony McFarland slides over to Sapp's position.
Currently, there is no bigger name in free agency this offseason than Sapp. Another big name is Keyshawn Johnson, who was set adrift by the Bucs six weeks ago.
Sure, Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and Niners receiver Terrell Owens could become free agents. But as of now, Sapp and Johnson are the ones out there for the plucking.
There could be other defections from the world champions.
These are no longer your father's Bucs. Heck, they're not even your big brother's Bucs.
"We have a lot of returning players, some pretty darn good players," Gruden said. "Hopefully, we get some injured guys healthy, guys we see as key contributors around here - the (Brian) Kellys, (Mike) Alstotts and Joe Jureviciuses. And we plan on having a good draft, a good offseason and seeing what happens."
Face it, 2003 is almost over. It's time to get ready for the new year. So here's a position-by-position breakdown of the decisions facing Gruden and the Bucs this offseason:
QUARTERBACKS
UNDER CONTRACT FOR '04: Brad Johnson, Chris Simms.
FREE AGENTS: Shaun King.
GOING, GOING, GONE: King.
MY TWO CENTS' WORTH: Gruden always will be intrigued by veteran quarterbacks, particularly a player such as Jaguar Mark Brunell, who will receive better offers and be handed a starting job. Simms needs another year at No. 3. King never got a chance to show his improvement, as Johnson started 16 games, and will move on.
RUNNING BACKS
UNDER CONTRACT FOR '04: Michael Pittman, Mike Alstott.
GOING, GOING, GONE: Pittman, unless he rids himself of felony domestic battery charges and/or reduces his $1.5-million salary. Stecker, in his fifth year, will be too pricey a special-teams player. Barnes will get a qualifying offer but Cook likely won't.
MY TWO CENTS' WORTH: The Bucs' offseason priority will be to sign Jones before the free-agency period. If they do, Pittman's $1.5-million salary is too rich. Alstott, who faces an uphill battle returning from a herniated disc, ultimately could be asked to take a pay cut from his $1.5-million salary.
RECEIVERS
UNDER CONTRACT FOR '04: Keyshawn Johnson, Keenan McCardell, Joe Jurevicius, Karl Williams, Edell Shepherd, Charles Lee.
FREE AGENTS: Reggie Barlow.
GOING, GOING, GONE: Johnson, Barlow, Williams.
MY TWO CENTS' WORTH: Bucs will release Johnson before March, when they owe him a $1-million roster bonus. Everyone knows it, so a trade is impossible. Williams' career in Tampa Bay is over and likely Barlow's, as well. Gruden will try to sign an impact receiver such as Terrell Owens, who makes Keyshawn look unselfish, if the 49ers star voids the final three years of his contract.
TIGHT ENDS
UNDER CONTRACT FOR '04: Ken Dilger, Roland Williams, Will Heller.
FREE AGENTS: Todd Yoder, Rickey Dudley.
GOING, GOING, GONE: Yoder and Dudley.
MY TWO CENTS' WORTH: Gruden is sky high on Williams, whom he had in Oakland. Dilger has surpassed longevity expectations and might actually be back in '04 with a reasonable $700,000 salary.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
UNDER CONTRACT FOR '04: Kenyatta Walker, Kerry Jenkins, John Wade, Jason Whittle, Sean Mahan, Austin King.
FREE AGENTS: Roman Oben, Cosey Coleman, Cornell Green.
GOING, GOING, GONE: Oben, Coleman, Jenkins.
MY TWO CENTS' WORTH: Walker, who has three seasons left and is a relative bargain at $590,000, hasn't performed as a No. 1 pick and Gruden may pull the plug based on all of his penalties. Bucs wanted an upgrade from Jenkins this season, but Whittle was hurt. At the $900,000 he's due to earn in '04, Jenkins won't be back.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
UNDER CONTRACT FOR '04: Simeon Rice, Anthony McFarland, Greg Spires, Corey Smith, Cleveland Pinkney, Reinard Wilson, Dewayne White.
MY TWO CENTS' WORTH: It's a shame, but Sapp will receive a better offer elsewhere, no matter what you hear about Gruden's affinity for him. The Bucs coach knows McFarland will excel at Sapp's under-tackle position and plans to sign tackle Darrell Russell. Besides, how many offensive players will $5-million to $6-million buy? Spires could be a cap casualty if the Bucs believe White is ready.
LINEBACKERS
UNDER CONTRACT FOR '04: Derrick Brooks, Shelton Quarles, Ryan Nece, Dwayne Rudd.
FREE AGENTS: Nate Webster.
GOING, GOING, GONE: Webster, Rudd.
MY TWO CENTS' WORTH: Rudd will earn starters' money at $970,000 in '04, but he's not a starter, so he will restructure or go. Webster can start for about 25 other teams. Don't be surprised if the Bucs look for a veteran middle linebacker to compete with Quarles.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
UNDER CONTRACT FOR '04: Ronde Barber, Brian Kelly, John Lynch, Dwight Smith, Jermaine Phillips, Tim Wansley, Torrie Cox, Scott Frost, Ronyell Whitaker, Travaris Robinson.
FREE AGENTS: Corey Ivy, David Gibson, John Howell (RFA).
GOING, GOING, GONE: Ivy, Gibson.
MY TWO CENTS' WORTH: The Bucs could end up saying goodbye to Lynch, unless he agrees to restructure his $4.1-million salary, which includes a $1-million roster bonus in March. Phillips and Smith appear almost ready to start. The Bucs will attempt to sign Smith to an extension before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in '05.
SPECIALISTS
UNDER CONTRACT FOR '04: Placekicker Martin Gramatica.
FREE AGENTS: Punter Tom Tupa, long-snapper Ryan Benjamin.
GOING, GOING, GONE: Benjamin.
MY TWO CENTS' WORTH: Bucs will search for a more stout long snapper after their blocking problems. Tupa was a Pro Bowl alternate who should re-sign given the ideal conditions in Tampa. Look for Gramatica to have competition in training camp. Finally, maybe - just maybe - the Bucs could find some way to sign a bona-fide kick returner.
*(RFA) Restricted free agent. Bucs have right of first refusal and would receive compensation if they do not match any offer.
