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Joe can't go; Bucs deny the Cardinals

Linebackers coach Joe Barry cannot interview for Arizona's coordinator job.

TAMPA - Like father, like son-in-law.

The Bucs denied a request by the Cardinals on Wednesday to interview linebackers coach Joe Barry for their vacant defensive coordinator position.

It's the second time this week the Bucs blocked a chance for an assistant to advance his career. The Jets were denied a second request to interview Rod Marinelli for the defensive coordinator post.

Barry is married to Marinelli's daughter, Chris. Marinelli and Barry have one year left on their contracts but are expected to be offered extensions.

For Barry, 33, the Bucs decision spoiled his chance of possibly becoming one of the youngest defensive coordinators in the league.

"Although I was upset initially, they're going to take care of me," Barry said.

"It is unfortunate, but I honestly believe, after visiting with (coach) Jon (Gruden) and with (general manager) Bruce (Allen), I think they have my best interest at hand and I'm going to honor their wisdom. It's an unfortunate deal, but I am young and hopefully I'll have a few more opportunities."

Though few teams stand in the way of an opportunity for assistants to advance their career with another team, the Bucs have been ruthless in protecting the continuity of the staff at any cost.

In fact, the Bucs have offered contract extensions to several assistants, including special teams coach Richard Bisaccia, receivers coach Richard Mann and tight ends coach Art Valero.

"They're all locked in and ready to roll," Barry said.

League rules prohibit teams from denying assistants a chance to interview for head coaching jobs. But for any other position, it is up to the club's discretion to deny permission.

The Cardinals did hire Kirby Wilson as running backs coach. Wilson was fired by the Bucs on Monday.

Marinelli has found himself at the mercy of the Bucs three times in as many years. In 2001, they denied Jets coach Herman Edwards a chance to hire him as defensive coordinator. In 2002, they refused to let Tony Dungy hire Marinelli for the same position with the Colts.

Ironically, Barry replaced Lovie Smith as linebackers coach three years ago when Smith left Dungy's staff to become the Rams defensive coordinator. Smith was named coach of the Bears on Wednesday.

Barry said the decision might not prevent him from remaining with the club beyond 2004.

"Yeah, of course I've got to think about it," Barry said. "But I'm not going to say, "(forget) this.' If they give me something I like and it's the right deal and I take it home and talk it over with my wife and it's what we want to do, I'll sign it. I'm not bent out of shape anymore. It's an unfortunate deal. I'm the one that signed the contract, I'm under contract, they do whatever the hell they want with me. If I don't want this to happen again, I shouldn't sign a contract extension, but I'm loyal to Jon Gruden."

Barry said he learned of the decision from Allen, who informed him in a meeting . Though he would've welcomed a chance to be the Cardinals coordinator under coach Dennis Green, he said he understood the team's stance.

"The NFL is a business," Barry said. "If you're out in the business world, and a rival company tries to take a good employee away, you do everything in your power to keep his a-- around. In the business world, people don't always have multiyear contracts and they come and go freely."

Marinelli, who began his coaching career 30 years ago and is in his eighth season with the Bucs, has been at the top of many teams' lists for several years. Barry says his time will come.

"I know I'm young and I know I'll have another opportunity because being a coordinator is a goal of mine," Barry said. "I think when Jon thinks the situation is right and the time is right I believe Jon Gruden will do everything in his power to advance his coaches' careers. Jon cares about his assistants. The good thing is we'll all be together again in 2004. That's where all our focus is now and we're going to try to put another ring on our fingers."

Retirement is not on the mind of Pro Bowl safety John Lynch.

The Bucs captain had successful surgery on his neck Tuesday in Los Angeles to alleviate recurring pain that plagued him for much of the 2003 season.

Lynch was released after an overnight stay at St. Vincent's Medical Center after a microscopic cervical forimonotony performed by Dr. Robert G. Watkins.

"The operation went very well," Watkins said in a statement. "A full recovery and an uneventful return to football is expected."

Lynch said, "I feel great and look forward to working hard to get back to the Super Bowl."

MORE SIGNINGS: The Bucs announced the signing of 14 players, including former Gator running back Earnest Graham and receiver Frank Murphy, who returned the first kickoff under Gruden in the 2002 preseason for a score.