Despite the turmoil of last season, Tampa Bay hasn't ruled out keeping the WR.
By RICK STROUD
Published February 11, 2004
TAMPA - The Bucs aren't quite sure what to do with Keyshawn Johnson, but there is one surprising option that has gained some momentum.
Make him play in Tampa Bay next season.
Several members of the organization floated that scenario to Johnson and his representative in the past several days.
"I guess they want to know if I would play in Tampa. Several people have alluded to the fact that it's been mentioned throughout the building (at One Buc Place)," Johnson said. "I've never ripped the organization. In fact, when I was deactivated, I said then I would come back and play if they asked me to. I want to play football.
"I don't have a problem with anything one way or another. But in all likelihood, the chances of that happening are slim and none. But when you throw the line out there, you never know what you might catch."
Johnson, who was deactivated for the final six games of the season by coach Jon Gruden, has four seasons remaining on his eight-year, $56-million contract. But his relationship with Gruden became a personal, public feud.
Gruden called Johnson a "distraction" in the locker room and Johnson referred to the Bucs coach as "a used car salesman." A return to Tampa by Johnson likely would not be warmly embraced by fans, especially because Johnson had informed the team he had no intention of playing for the Bucs in 2004.
General manager Bruce Allen told Johnson's agent last week they have discussed trading the three-time Pro Bowl receiver with several teams, but no offers have been forthcoming. And if the Bucs trade or release Johnson, they will absorb almost $7-million of so-called "dead money" on their salary cap in accelerated signing bonus already paid to Johnson. A decision is expected before April 1, when Johnson is due a $1-million roster bonus.
During a meeting at the Pro Bowl with Johnson's agent, Jerome Stanley, Allen wished aloud about the Bucs keeping Johnson.
"He threw out a fishing line and said, "In a perfect world, I'd like for (Keyshawn) to come back and play,"' Johnson said. "He kind of left it out there for Jerome to respond to, because obviously they know they have a player with value."
But in order for Johnson to return to the Bucs he likely would have to restructure his contract. Including his roster bonus, Johnson would earn $6-million in 2004, and his cap value is about $8-million.
"I would kill their salary cap," Johnson said.
If the Bucs are successful trading Johnson, they still have to decide whether to replace him with a free agent or through the draft.
The best-case scenario would be for the Bucs to permit Johnson to talk to other teams in hopes of producing a trade, much the way the Jaguars have begun talks aimed at trading quarterback Mark Brunell to the Redskins.
A story in the Washington Post Tuesday identified the Bucs as one of several teams interested in trading for Brunell, along with the Dolphins, Chargers and Cowboys. The Bucs had no comment on the report.
If the Bucs were able to trade for Brunell, which could cost as much as a second-round pick, it likely would be to replace starter Brad Johnson. "I only know what Gruden told me at the Senior Bowl and that's that Brad is his starting quarterback," said Phil Williams, Brad Johnson's agent.
Meanwhile, Allen has been busy trying to position the Bucs under the projected $79-million salary cap. Among the first cap casualties could be receiver Karl Williams, the eighth-year pro who dropped to fifth on the depth chart last season. Williams' agent, Jack Bechta, said he has asked the Bucs for a quick decision on Williams. "I asked them to treat him like the classy veteran he has been," Bechta said.
