Cap could decide the QB derby

By RICK STROUD
Published January 15, 2006

TAMPA - If you could sign just one quarterback, who would it be?

Chris Simms, 25, who went 5-1 against the tough NFC South and showed tremendous growth and potential?

Or Brian Griese, 30, who went 5-1 before season-ending knee surgery and has a salary cap value that balloons to $7.08-million?

Easy decision, right?

One more question. What if the NFL is not able to extend the collective-bargaining agreement, making 2007 an uncapped year? Then it becomes sticky.

The Bucs have begun talks with Simms, who is a restricted free agent. All they have to do is make Simms a one-year qualifying offer to retain the right of first refusal or ask for compensation from any team that might sign the left-hander to an offer sheet.

That might make sense for Simms, who would be an unrestricted free agent after one more season and could experience a windfall.

But the rules of free agency change if 2007 is uncapped, meaning players would need six seasons to become an unrestricted free agent. In that instance, Simms would be wise to opt for a long-term deal.

"Clearly, it makes it easier once you know what the rules are," general manager Bruce Allen said. "If it is an uncapped year, there is not as much danger as you would think for '07. It makes it important you know the rules once the league year starts, those are the rules you are playing with and it's fair for everybody. ... We are going down two paths right now, preparing for each."

PICK ONE: If you're the Bucs and need salary cap room to improve the offense, where do you start? Assuming none of these players will renegotiate his contract, Tampa Bay officials may have to part with one: linebacker Derrick Brooks ($11.657-million salary cap value in '06), defensive end Simeon Rice ($9.2-million) or defensive tackle Anthony McFarland ($8.1-million).

Rice has a year left on his contract, which makes him vulnerable. Brooks is an icon and unlikely to be touched. McFarland restructured during the '05 season to give the Bucs cap room. He is a Pro Bowl alternate, but the Bucs want to re-sign free-agent defensive tackle Chris Hovan. Backup Ellis Wyms ($3.25-million) is under contract.

LAST CHANCE?: Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin probably turned down his last chance to be an NFL head coach when he declined to interview with the Rams.

Kiffin, 65, withdrew from consideration Friday. He told St. Louis team president John Shaw on Wednesday he wasn't interested, then asked to mull it over a few days before deciding to remain in Tampa Bay.

Why? Kiffin signed a two-year extension last summer that pays him $1.7-million a year and didn't want to be merely thrown into the coaching carousel.

MARINELLI MADNESS: According to espn.com and Detroit newspapers, the Lions will hire Pittsburgh offensive line coach Russ Grimm as coach when the Steelers' season ends. Grimm is a former teammate of Lions general manager Matt Millen.

If true, it would be disappointing news for Bucs defensive line coach Rod Marinelli, who interviewed last week. Millen was expected to narrow the list to three finalists and have them interview with ownership.

Marinelli also received permission to interview for the Oakland Raiders job, the Oakland Tribune reported Saturday.

[Last modified January 15, 2006, 01:48:18]