TAMPA - Apparently, the Bucs' quest to upgrade the competition on offense means no stone will be left unturned.
Not even at the quarterback position.
Sunday, former 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia flew into Tampa, according to CNNSI.com. Garcia was expected to visit the Bucs this week but moved up his arrival date.
While neither the Bucs nor Garcia's agent, Steve Baker, would confirm the visit, the fact that coach Jon Gruden and the Bucs front office staff are intrigued by the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback is no secret.
Thursday, the Bucs signed 49ers left tackle Derrick Deese to a six-year contract. Deese said Gruden talked to him about Garcia and joked about recruiting the free agent.
Garcia, who was released by the 49ers after he refused to accept a $4-million salary reduction, is considered one of the gems of the free-agent market and the perfect match for a team looking for a starting quarterback.
Garcia's 2003 season was marred by injuries, but the 6-foot-1, 195-pounder was 203-of-354 for 2,456 yards in 12 games. He threw 16 TDs and 12 interceptions. Garcia also gained 307 yards on 53 carries and added seven rushing touchdowns.
Last week, Garcia visited with the Browns and the Falcons. In Cleveland, Garcia likely would be given the reins to the offense, taking over from Tim Couch. But the Browns are considered to be a few years away from a Super Bowl.
While the Falcons appear ready to become a consistent playoff contender, Garcia certainly would be playing behind star quarterback Michael Vick.
In Tampa, however, Garcia, 34, could challenge incumbent Brad Johnson, 35, for a starting position and, at the very least, be a proven backup on a team one season removed from the Super Bowl.
Johnson and Chris Simms, who is entering his second season and did not take a snap as a rookie, are the only quarterbacks on the Bucs roster.
CARDINALS: Free-agent defensive end Bertrand Berry, who led Denver's defensive linemen last season with 111/2 sacks and 65 tackles, signed a five-year contract that includes a reported $5-million signing bonus. Arizona was last in the NFL in sacks in 2001-02, and only Houston and Chicago had fewer than the Cardinals' 21 sacks last season.
DOLPHINS: Safety Shawn Wooden re-signed for one year. Wooden, 30, played in 15 games and tied for third on the squad with 12 special-teams tackles in 2003.
GIANTS: Shaun O'Hara signed a multiyear contract after starting at center and guard for the Browns the past four years.
RAVENS: The NFL Players Association plans to file paperwork this week in an attempt to rescind the trade of Terrell Owens from the 49ers to the Ravens.
Gene Upshaw, executive director of the union, said Sunday he has informed Harold Henderson, the league's executive vice president for labor relations, of his intention to try to undo the Pro Bowl wide receiver's trade.
Upshaw said that if the matter can't be resolved, the union will ask Stephen Burbank, in charge of settling disputes regarding the collective-bargaining agreement, to have Owens' contract voided so he can be declared a free agent.
The Ravens say they expect Owens to wear their uniform this season. Owens, who is scheduled to report today for a physical, failed to become a free agent last month when he missed a deadline to void the final three seasons of his deal.
"I have nothing bad to say about the Ravens' organization," Owens said Sunday. "It's not that I don't want to be there. I just want to fight for my right to exercise the option in my contract."
OBITUARY: Val Pinchbeck, a former longtime NFL executive who was once one of Pete Rozelle's chief advisers, died when he was hit by a taxi in Manhattan. Mr. Pinchbeck, who lived in Oldsmar, was 73.
Mr. Pinchbeck was crossing a midtown street near NFL headquarters Saturday night when he was struck and pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
The driver was questioned and there were no arrests as of early Sunday, said Detective Eric Crisafi, a police spokesman. The medical examiner's officer will determine the cause of death, he said.
Mr. Pinchbeck was the NFL's head of broadcasting, serving as a liaison with networks and instrumental in assembling the schedule. He retired in 1998 but continued to help the league with scheduling and the Super Bowl.
In 1970, he joined the NFL commissioner's staff and served as the league's chief administrator. In 1978, he switched to the league's broadcasting department and was involved in TV negotiations.
Before joining football, he was the sports information director at Bucknell and Syracuse.
- Information from Times wires was used in this report.
