Deal or no deal? Open those briefcases carefully

One more game of being the hunted. One more day of being the prey.

By GARY SHELTON
Published December 31, 2006

One more game of being the hunted. One more day of being the prey.

For most of the year, it has been like this. Every week, the Bucs enter a game as if they were nervous deer tiptoeing to the watering hole. No matter how long they plan, no matter how careful they move, sooner or later they are startled by the sound of growling from the nearby brush. Next thing you know, someone else is chewing on their carcass.

Ah, but next year will be different.

Won't it?

The more moments you spend as a wounded gazelle, the easier it is to imagine what it is like to be the lion instead. How else are those who follow the Bucs supposed to get through another afternoon of hunting season?

Next year, the Bucs will be predators again.

Won't they?

It can happen, you know. More than any other league, the NFL allows for quick turnarounds. If the Bucs are smart enough, if they are bold enough, they can win. There are enough draft picks to make. There is enough cap room to spend. The schedule becomes more manageable.

All they have to do is make the right deals.

All they have to do is avoid the wrong ones.

Just that.

And if the Bucs are looking for a new personnel director, has anyone considered Howie Mandel?

Simeon Rice, DE, Tampa Bay Bucs

The first decision the Bucs have to make is on their own. And as few big plays as the defense has made this year, it's easy to remember the splash that Rice has been throughout most of his career.

That said, it's time for the Bucs to move on. Even before anyone mentioned Rice's shoulder, he was having an awful season for Tampa Bay. Unless Rice wants to cut his $7.25-million salary by more than half, the Bucs should look elsewhere.

DEAL OR NO DEAL? No deal.

Dwight Freeney, DE, Indianapolis Colts

This is one of those delicious little rumors that has logged a lot of internet time already. The thing is, no one really believes Freeney will hit the market.

Despite all the money tied up in offensive players, despite a bad season by Freeney, everyone expects the Colts to hang on to one of their few defensive stars. As of now, however, Freeney is still due to be unrestricted. As long as that's the case, the Bucs should keep him on their shopping list.

DEAL OR NO DEAL? Deal. (Though unlikely).

Charles Grant, DE, New Orleans Saints

The more likely deal for the Bucs is to find another lineman, Grant or Justin Smith.

DEAL OR NO DEAL? Deal.

Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech

The reason the Bucs have to settle their right defensive end position first is simple. They have to be in shape to take Johnson (instead of Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams) if at all possible.

Despite all the talk about Brady Quinn or Joe Thomas, Johnson is the best player in this draft. And he would be the playmaker this offense needs.

DEAL OR NO DEAL? Deal.

Randy Moss, WR, Oakland Raiders

The hot rumor out there is that Moss can be had for as little as a third-round pick. In other words, the Bucs could pick him up for less than they got for Booger McFarland.

It's tempting, but Moss is like a pet viper. Eventually, poison is going to be involved.

DEAL OR NO DEAL? No deal.

Leonard Davis, OT, Arizona Cardinals

Two things you can count on with the Cardinals: They're going to be bad, and they're going to give away whatever assets they have.

Davis isn't a great player, but he is huge and strong, and no one has accused the Bucs offense of having too much of that. I would bid on Davis, but if someone wants to spend silly money, I'm out.

DEAL OR NO DEAL? Deal.

Kenyatta Walker, OT, Tampa Bay Bucs

Just wanted to see if you were still paying attention.

DEAL OR NO DEAL? No deal.

Ken Hamlin, S, Seattle Seahawks

The Bucs picked the wrong year to be dreadful at safety. Still, Hamlin is worth checking out.

If I were the Bucs, I would plan on spending the first of my two second-round picks on a safety. Given the way safeties fall in the draft, you might get lucky with a player such as Texas' Mike Griffin.

Still, you need a veteran, and John Lynch isn't available. As long as you don't give him the contract the Redskins gave to Adam Archuleta, Hamlin is worth checking out.

DEAL OR NO DEAL? Deal.

Nate Clements, CB, Buffalo Bills

He's going to be one of the jewels of free agency, and he's going to make his team very happy. Not this one, however.

If the Bucs can get Brian Kelly healthy again, I would spend my money elsewhere.

DEAL OR NO DEAL? No deal.

David Carr, QB, Houston Texans

After years of watching defensive ends batter his reputation, Carr might shake loose from the Texans, who have grown weary of him.

However, one of Carr's problems has been his decision-making. In Jon Gruden's offense, that's not good news.

DEAL OR NO DEAL? No deal.

Jeff Garcia, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

The last we heard from Garcia, he wanted to play for Gruden and money wasn't an object. That was back in '04, before Garcia went to Cleveland for, well, the money.

Given the way Garcia has played for the Eagles, however, the Bucs would let bygones be bygones. Even with Chris Simms under contract, Garcia would be a nice alternative.

DEAL OR NO DEAL? Deal.

Lance Briggs, OLB, Chicago Bears

Another player who will get a lot of attention during free agency. And, yes, the Bucs need a young linebacker. Still, the price doesn't seem to fit the need.

DEAL OR NO DEAL? No deal.

- - -

After today, this is the game that counts. No longer are the Bucs in the hands of Tim Rattay, quarterback, or Joey Galloway, wide receiver.

As of now, the franchise is in the hands of Bruce Allen, bounty hunter.

As Dick Cheney might say, duck.

.

[Last modified December 30, 2006, 23:17:08]