The receiver is mulling a one-year, $2-million deal with incentives.
By ROGER MILLS
Published March 18, 2004
TAMPA - Maybe showing Joey Galloway the plans for the Bucs' new training facility worked after all.
Late Wednesday, the Cowboys receiver appeared to be close to an agreement in principle on a contract with the Bucs, paving the way for the proposed trade that would bring him to Tampa for receiver Keyshawn Johnson.
The Bucs have offered Galloway a one-year, $2-million deal with incentives that could add another $500,000 to the pot.
The decision is in Galloway's hands.
The Bucs also reportedly agreed in principle to terms of a three-year deal with free-agent quarterback Brian Griese, who could sign today. The deal could be voided after one season.
"The progress made (Wednesday) and the trip (Tuesday) were very helpful," Galloway's agent, Leigh Steinberg, said. "Prior to that, all Joey had done was talk to (coach Jon) Gruden. But visiting gave him a chance to visualize where he would be playing in the offense. The differences have narrowed and Joey is thinking about it. It certainly could happen (today)."
The ongoing Galloway/Johnson trade appeared to be dead after the Bucs made an initial offer of one year at $1.25-million. But after conversations between Steinberg and Bucs general manager Bruce Allen rekindled over the weekend, Galloway flew to Tampa for a face-to-face meeting with Gruden and the rest of the coaching staff.
At that point, the Bucs "improved their offer," Steinberg said, and Galloway returned home to think things over.
Galloway, 32, has three years left on a seven-year, $42-million contract and is due to earn $6.3-million this season. Before completing the trade, the Cowboys have to restructure his deal to fit it under the Bucs' salary cap restrictions.
By contrast, the Bucs appear set to trade Johnson to the Cowboys under his current deal. The receiver, who was deactivated for the final six games of the 2003 season after irreconcilable differences with Gruden, has four more years on his eight-year, $56-million contract. He is due to earn $5-million this season. The Cowboys will then rework Johnson's contract to reflect the four-year, $20-million deal they agreed to in principle.
Meanwhile, the Bucs continued to press for a fourth quarterback to join Brad Johnson, Chris Simms and Jason Garrett before the quarterback orientation begins next week.
Griese, who turns 29 today, is expected to sign with the Bucs once agent Ralph Cindrich can work out some legal language in the contract. Griese was released March 2 by the Dolphins.
"(Griese's) a guy that's thrown for 67 percent in a single season," Gruden said recently. "He led the AFC in passing efficiency in (2000 with the Broncos) with 19 TDs, four interceptions. He has some background into the style of football which we play."
On his Web site, QBKilla.com, defensive tackle Warren Sapp offered some insight into where he may play in 2004. On the home page, under the title "Where will I play?" the Bucs and five other teams - the Bengals, Giants, Saints, Chiefs and Ravens - are listed.
Tuesday, SI.com reported Sapp had received a four-year, $16-million offer from the Bengals in what is believed to be the first tangible contract presented to the seven-time Pro Bowl player.
Although Sapp, 31, has maintained he would like to finish his career in Tampa, the Bucs have taken a patient approach opting to see what the market value is.
Though the player's Web site did not list the Colts, agent Drew Rosenhaus told SI.com the relationship between Sapp and coach Tony Dungy cannot be overstated.
"I think relationships are very important," Rosenhaus said. "Every situation has its positives and one of the positives with the Colts would be Tony Dungy and his relationship with Warren."
Rosenhaus said the lure of playoff teams like the Colts and the Ravens will be a factor.
"Warren himself has said he's very interested in getting another ring," Rosenhaus said. "We're trying to find the right fit."
Safety John Lynch, who officially was released by the Bucs on Tuesday, was scheduled to fly into Boston this morning to meet with the Patriots. Lynch, 32, said he then will meet with the Jets today and Friday and the Lions over the weekend.
"After that I'm going to chill and make a decision," he said. "I don't have a timetable. I have been telling my family that it'll be when it's right."
Lynch said it will come down to either the Seahawks, Broncos, Patriots, Jets, Lions or Colts.
"The Colts are still in it," he said. "We made a decision, Coach Dungy and (general manager) Bill Polian, whom I know well, that I didn't have to come on a visit. They were one of the first teams to call and we've talked at length about what my role would be and how they think I would fit. They are still in it."
