Super Bowl MVP returns to Bucs
Safety Dexter Jackson signs to bolster an injury-plagued secondary.
By RICK STROUD
Published November 17, 2004
TAMPA - Merchandise from the Bucs Super Bowl XXXVII victory still is available and discounted.
So are some of its players.
Safety Dexter Jackson, the Super Bowl MVP who intercepted two passes in Tampa Bay's 48-21 win over the Raiders, signed with the Bucs on Tuesday.
Terms were not released. But Jackson, who was waived with a back injury by the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 13, is believed to have signed a one-year contract worth the veteran minimum.
To make room, the Bucs waived running back Jamel White.
Jackson, who had not played in a game for the Cardinals this season, worked out for the Bucs on Tuesday and passed a physical. He spent Tuesday night meeting with coaches and reacquainting himself with the defense.
Jackson could make an immediate contribution for the Bucs, who could be without both starting safeties Sunday against the 49ers. Jermaine Phillips is out after aggravating his right forearm fracture Sunday at Atlanta, an injury that could end his season. Phillips is scheduled to have surgery today.
Dwight Smith is nursing a sprained knee and is questionable for Sunday's game. Until Jackson's signing Tuesday, the Bucs had just two healthy safeties, veteran John Howell and rookie Will Allen.
After being released by the Cardinals, Jackson returned to his home in Tampa and has been looking to hook on with another NFL team. He worked out for the Giants on Monday. Agent Peter Schaffer said Tuesday that Jackson was eager to prove he is healthy.
"It's a situation he wanted go to a team and demonstrate to the league that he can play at the same level as he did when he won a Super Bowl," Schaffer said. "He knows he will be able to play and contribute immediately because of the unfortunate injury to Jermaine. He knows the system, he knows the team and the coaches. They're 3-6, and he feels like maybe he can help turn it around."
Jackson is the second former longtime Buc to be reunited with the team in as many weeks. Tampa Bay signed defensive lineman Chidi Ahanotu last week and started him in Sunday's 24-14 loss at Atlanta.
A fourth-round pick by the Bucs in 1999, he earned the starting free safety job two years later. He started 31 games, recording 164 tackles, seven interceptions, 21 passes defensed, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Jackson had three interceptions and 86 tackles in 2002. He became the first safety to earn Super Bowl MVP honors after two first-half interceptions. He cashed in on his new fame by signing as a free agent with the Cardinals and had his best season statistically in 2003 with a career-best six interceptions.