Bucs hoping Hilliard boosts receiving corps

By Times staff writer, Times wires
Published May 5, 2005

TAMPA - Seeking a veteran receiver to upgrade their passing game, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reached an agreement Wednesday with former New York Giants receiver Ike Hilliard on a one-year contract, according to NFL.com.

Hilliard, a 5-foot-11, 210-pounder who was a first-round pick out of Florida in 1997, will fly to Tampa today to sign the contract, the league's official site reported. His agent, Neil Schwartz , did not return calls seeking confirmation Wednesday.

Hilliard, 29, will likely compete with veteran Joey Galloway for the starting job opposite second-year pro Michael Clayton. Hilliard has missed 16 games with various injuries since 2000, missing nine games in 2002 with a separated shoulder and three in 2003 with a knee injury. Despite the injuries, he totaled 368 catches for 4,630 yards and 27 touchdowns in eight seasons with the Giants. He ranks fourth on the team's career receptions list.

Hilliard's role had diminished with the Giants, who cut him in a salary-cap move before he was due a $750,000 roster bonus in March. He averaged a career-low 8.9 yards a catch in 2004 and went without a touchdown for the first time since his rookie season.

Hilliard returns to the state where he shined as part of Florida's 1996 national championship squad. He is tied for second on the Gators' career touchdown reception list with 29, trailing only Chris Doering.

HELLER RE-SIGNS: The Bucs re-signed tight end Will Heller, an exclusive rights free agent, to a one-year contract for $380,000, the league minimum for a third-year player.

Heller, 24, caught 12 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown in 10 games last season. He signed with the Bucs as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech in 2003 and caught two passes his rookie season.

Tampa Bay, which returns veteran Dave Moore at tight end, has been busy upgrading the position in the off-season. The Bucs signed free agent Anthony Becht from the Jets and used a third-round draft pick on rookie Alex Smith of Stanford.

BROWNS: Cleveland admitted it is concerned about Kellen Winslow's right knee, according to a statement released to update the tight end's medical condition.

Beyond admitting concern, though, the team offered few details and asked that "people respect (Winslow's) right to privacy regarding his medical condition."

Rumors and reports continue to circulate, though, that Winslow has a torn anterior cruciate ligament. If true, he almost certainly would miss the season.

Winslow was injured Sunday night in a motorcycle accident.

COWBOYS: Dallas re-signed tackle Kurt Vollers to a one-year contract.

GIANTS: New York signed 13-year veteran tackle Bob Whitfield to back up Luke Petitgout.

REDSKINS: Santana Moss, who had 45 catches for 838 yards and five touchdowns with the Jets last season, agreed to terms on a new contract. Terms were not disclosed. Washington got Moss in a trade for receiver Laveranues Coles in March.

Also, backup quarterback Tim Hasselbeck was released.

RADIO DEAL: Westwood One Inc. signed a multiyear agreement to remain as the league's broadcast radio home.

[Last modified May 5, 2005, 01:27:18]