Bucs get bigger - much, much bigger
By RICK STROUD
Published March 18, 2006
TAMPA - The Bucs' goal this offseason is to make their offensive line better. At the very least, it will be bigger.
Toniu Fonoti, a 6-foot-4, 350-pound guard who split time between the Chargers and Vikings last season, became the first player from another team to sign with Tampa Bay since free agency began last week.
Fonoti signed a one-year contract, similar to an agreement he had with Oakland last week that $1-million deal was voided when he reportedly failed a physical because he weighed almost 400 pounds. Apparently, the Bucs didn't use that criteria and passed him on the physical he took for them Friday. Fonoti can play either guard spot. With the Bucs pleased by the performance of rookie left guard Dan Buenning last season, it's likely Fonoti will battle with right guard Sean Mahan, who also could move to center.
Tampa Bay still is in negotiations with Patriots free-agent tackle Tom Ashworth, but a decision may not come this weekend. Ashworth also is engaged in talks with the Dolphins and Jets.
Ashworth's agent, Tom Mills, said the Bucs remain in the picture and talks could go into Monday.
Agent Mark Bartelstein said the Bucs were still engaged in talks for Titans tackle Brad Hopkins.
Fonoti visited with the Bucs on Friday and had a deal completed by the end of the afternoon.
A second-round pick by the Chargers in 2002, he stepped into the starting right guard spot and helped LaDainian Tomlinson rush for 1,683 yards.
He spent the next year on injured reserve due to a preseason foot injury but returned in 2004, starting all 16 games at left guard to help the Chargers to a 12-4 record. A hand injury cut his season short and he was dealt to the Vikings just before the trading deadline. He spent a month learning the offense but a groin injury ended his season after one game.
The Bucs' search for a backup quarterback suffered a blow Friday when the Redskins' Patrick Ramsey was traded to the Jets, two days after the Bucs had been granted permission to talk to him.
Tampa Bay concluded a visit Friday with Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks, who left without an offer. Brooks has other trips scheduled, according to his agent, Mason Ashe.
"Regarding that visit, I'll let them decide if they want to say anything about it," Ashe said. "It gave the coaches a chance to meet him and everybody seemed to like each other. It's been interesting. During his process, he's heard a lot of critiques of his game and his personal character. But it is a strange scenario for him."
Meanwhile, quarterback Brian Griese arrived in Cincinnati on Friday and will travel to Chicago today on his 31st birthday.
The Bucs also confirmed visits Friday with Lions receiver Kevin Johnson and Chiefs receiver Marc Boerigter.