Bucs, Spires close in on restructured deal

By ROGER MILLS
Published March 4, 2005

Bucs general manager Bruce Allen and agent Drew Rosenhaus met Thursday in Miami and seem to be closing in on a new deal for defensive end Greg Spires.

Spires, who had a career year in 2004 with eight sacks and 86 tackles (best among Bucs defensive linemen), is due to make $3-million in base salary this season, the final one of his contract.

The seven-year veteran was told by the Bucs he would be released Tuesday if they couldn't arrive at a new deal.

"We're still working at it, still in discussions," Rosenhaus said.

Spires, who is in his offseason home in Boston, said he's eager to return to Tampa Bay.

"I'm waiting," he said. "I'm hoping that I'm getting a new contract and I can stay in Tampa." Negotiations have been ongoing since the end of the season. Allen was in South Florida to attend the workouts for University of Miami players.

"I know they are close and all they have to do is work out a couple of minor details," Spires said. At $1-million under the salary ca p of $85.5-million, the Bucs need to restructure Spires' contract, and perhaps a few others, in order to be partially active in free agency.

Spires, who turns 31 on Aug.12, is looking for a three- or four-year deal with about a $5-million signing bonus.

The Bucs also can create cap room by restructuring the contract of cornerback Ronde Barber, though that is unlikely.

"Nothing is going on, and nothing will be going on," Barber's agent, Ethan Lock, said.

Like Spires, Barber is a strong candidate for a raise. Due to earn $3.75-million in base salary this season, the Pro Bowl corner is considered among the best in the NFC. Entering free agency, the average salary for the top 10 cornerbacks was $6.9-million, according to the players union.

Wednesday, the Bucs signed strongside linebacker Ryan Nece to a five-year, $4.8-million contract with a $300,000 signing bonus.

The inability to be a player in the free agency sweepstakes already has cost the Bucs one player. Running back Derrick Blaylock, formerly of the Chiefs, agreed to a deal with the Jets on Thursday. Blaylock had tentatively planned to visit the Bucs within a week. Agent Michael Huyghue said the Bucs have expressed interest in fifth-year linebacker T.J. Slaughter. Slaughter, who has been with the Jaguars, Packers and Ravens, played in 14 games for Baltimore last year.

"We have had contact with the Bucs, but we have not yet planned a visit," Huyghue said. "It's still (early)."

Meanwhile, quarterback Brad Johnson, released by the Bucs on Tuesday, will be in Detroit on Wednesday and Chicago the following day and work out for both. Another former Buc, linebacker Ian Gold, signed with Denver. ESPN.com reported it is a five-year deal worth $22.5-million with an $8.5-million signing bonus.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported cornerback Mario Edwards has talked with the Dolphins, and the Associated Press reported guard Cosey Coleman has talked with the Browns.

Times staff writer Rick Stroud contributed to this report.

[Last modified March 4, 2005, 00:31:15]