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Quarterbacks who could be on the move this off-season include Brad Johnson and Doug Flutie.
By RICK STROUD
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 10, 2001
TAMPA -- A year ago, while coaching the NFC squad at the Pro Bowl, Bucs coach Tony Dungy was asked which all-star would have the biggest impact on his team. His response: Redskins quarterback Brad Johnson.
Now Dungy says the Bucs will look at Johnson and other potential free-agent quarterbacks when the signing period begins March 2.
"I've always liked Brad Johnson," Dungy said Thursday. "I spent four years with him at Minnesota and watching him prepare and playing against him, he's the type of player and person any organization would want."
Bucs coaches are expected to meet Monday to discuss personnel, and the result could have a big impact on starting quarterback Shaun King.
The problem, of course, is whether Johnson's salary demands would carve too big of a slice out of the Bucs payroll.
The Super Bowl champion Ravens appear to be Johnson's biggest suitors. Coach Brian Billick was Johnson's offensive coordinator at Minnesota.
Other established quarterbacks could hit the marketplace in the off-season.
Three-time Super Bowl champion Troy Aikman said this week he would like to return for another season, but he will have to work through some contract issues with the Cowboys. He is scheduled to receive a $7-million roster bonus March 8.
Mark Brunell of the Jaguars, Elvis Grbac of the Chiefs and Drew Bledsoe of the Patriots must restructure contracts to fit under their team's salary cap.
The Bills have indicated they plan to release Doug Flutie or Rob Johnson by the March 2 deadline for teams to be under the league's $67.4-million cap.
Twenty-seven-year-old Rob Johnson would seem to have a better future in Buffalo than the 38-year-old Flutie, who also will draw interest from the Redskins.
"We'll have to talk through it," Dungy said. "And like any other free agent, you have to find out what is the potential cost, where do we see Shaun and where do we see whoever this guy is fitting in."
Brad Johnson would be a good fit for the Bucs. He'll be 33 at the start of next season, meaning his career would not eclipse that of King, who will be 24.
Johnson also is a career 60 percent completion passer. King completed 54.4 percent of his passes last season with 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
But Johnson could demand a salary of $6-million a season and that likely would be too rich for the Bucs. Especially considering that, mostly because of injury, Johnson has made all 16 starts in a season only once. And the Bucs will have to acquire a tackle in free agency unless they re-sign Jerry Wunsch.
The Bucs have several things that might attract Johnson. He could return to his home state and play on a Super Bowl contender for Dungy, with whom he always has had a good relationship.
Before making any decision, the Bucs will give new quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell a chance to evaluate King.
But offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen, King's quarterbacks coach for each of his two NFL seasons, has said he is in favor of finding a quarterback to compete with King.
"I'm a firm believer in competition," Christensen said. "It's good for everybody. The better people play.
"We're ready to begin the process of evaluating the quarterbacks who are out there."
PRESEASON SET: The Bucs open the 2001 preseason by hosting the Dolphins on Aug. 11 at Raymond James Stadium. After playing at Cleveland on Aug. 18, the Bucs host New England on Aug. 25. They conclude the preseason on Aug. 31 in Atlanta.
"We'll have a good test this year, similar to last year," Dungy said. "I think we'll have a good measuring stick after those four games of where we are. I like having a tough preseason."