Bucs already working to keep Simms, Griese
By STEPHEN F. HOLDER
Published January 13, 2006
TAMPA - Bucs general manager Bruce Allen has had little time to reflect on the season because preparations for next season have begun.
Where players are concerned, priority No. 1 is quarterback.
Preliminary conversations are under way with Chris Simms' agent regarding a long-term deal for the soon-to-be restricted free agent. If the Bucs and Simms can agree on an extension now, the team can prevent him from hitting the open market where he might draw an offer that is difficult to match. Simms took over after Brian Griese's season-ending injury in Week 6 and led the Bucs to the NFC South title.
Griese's recovery from two torn knee ligaments is said to be coming along well. Griese is due a $2.6-million roster bonus in March and his cap number will rise above $7-million next season.
With Allen disclosing Thursday that the team could be as much as $19-million over the salary cap, Griese's salary will be hard to swallow. But Allen, like coach Jon Gruden, is hopeful of keeping both quarterbacks, though it's likely Griese would have to restructure.
"We just want to make sure we give it every opportunity for the Bucs to keep these two," Allen said. "This season, we would not have won the division without either one of them."
To get under the cap by the March 3 deadline, the Bucs need creative accounting that likely will involve restructuring multiple contracts.
"You can feel confident that anybody who has one of our top 15 cap numbers will be approached" to restructure, Allen said. That includes big-money defensive players Derrick Brooks and Simeon Rice.
The Bucs could be in a position where they would need to trim $14-million to $15-million if the league and union come to terms on a collective-bargaining agreement, thus eliminating the possibility of an "uncapped year." Without a CBA, the figure jumps to $19-million.
In other news, Allen said fullback Mike Alstott, who is contemplating retirement, has not addressed his future.
ROSTER MOVES: Fullback Rick Razzano, a seventh-round pick by the Bucs who was suspended three games for violating the NFL's policy on steroids, has signed a futures contract with the team.
Razzano had several stints on the Bucs practice squad and spent some time with the Atlanta Falcons in '05.
Xavier Beitia, a former Jesuit High kicker who had tumultuous career at FSU, also signed.
Beitia went undrafted last year, signed with the Jets as a free agent but was waived in the preseason.
The other signees: QB Jared Allen, TE/LS Mark Anelli, G Phil Bogle, R Larry Brackins, CB Jonte Buhl, S Steve Cargile, LB Antoine Cash, G Jonathan Clinkscale, FB Carey Davis, FB Robert Douglas, WR Chaz Gessner, WR B.J. Johnson, RB Jacque Lewis, T Sam Lightbody, WR Derek McCoy, DT Lynn McGruder, C Jason Nerys, CB James Patrick, G Stefan Rodgers, WR J.R. Russell, K Mike Shafer, P Brian Simjanovski, WR Terrence Stubbs, WR Paris Warren, DE Andrew Williams, T Todd Williams, DT Keith Wright.