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By RICK STROUD
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 9, 2001
TAMPA -- The Bucs and the agent for Jerry Wunsch have exchanged parameters of a deal that would keep the free-agent right tackle in Tampa Bay.
The Bucs have about $2.2-million under the $67.4-million salary cap after signing quarterback Brad Johnson to a five-year, $28-million deal.
Wunsch remains a priority among the Bucs' free agents and has made no secret of his desire to remain in Tampa Bay.
With most NFL teams cutting veterans to get under the salary cap, offers have been slow to trickle in for players such as Wunsch.
"What we're trying to do is set some parameters," agent Ralph Cindrich said. "It's a slow process. But we've been talking for a while."
General manager Rich McKay says the Bucs still have enough room under the salary cap to sign a few more free agents -- including Wunsch and Cardinals defensive end Simeon Rice.
"Like I said, it's definitely going to be harder to do what we wanted to get done," McKay said. "But we had a plan coming in and the plan is still achievable."
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Halfback Tiki Barber re-signed with the NFC champion Giants, agreeing to a six-year, $24-million deal.
"I built my reputation here, and this is where I wanted to stay," said Barber, who received a $7-million signing bonus.
Barber set a team record with 2,089 all-purpose yards, including a career-best 1,006 yards rushing. He also caught 70 passes for 719 yards receiving and had 364 on punt and kickoff returns.
Barber, who played in the final weeks of the season with a broken left arm, has a part-time job for WCBS-TV in New York.
DAVIE -- Patrick Surtain, who emerged as one of the league's best cornerbacks in 2000, his first full season as a starter, signed a four-year, $27.7-million extension with the Dolphins.
Surtain was under contract through 2001. The new deal, which includes a $6.25-million signing bonus, ends in 2005.
"This is the place I want to be," Surtain said. "I think we have a real good chance of doing something special."
Surtain, 24, had five interceptions last season and teamed with All-Pro Sam Madison to form one of the NFL's best cornerback tandems. Madison signed a seven-year, $52-million deal last year.
The Dolphins also signed Lions center Eric Beverly to an offer sheet on a three-year contract. The Lions have until Thursday to match Miami's offer.
BENGALS: Quarterback Jon Kitna, who lost his starting job last season in Seattle, agreed to a four-year deal worth $7-million to $12-million, including a $4-million signing bonus. Kitna, 28, will compete with Akili Smith in training camp, getting paid more if he wins the starting job.
PACKERS: Tackle Earl Dotson, 30, who was released Feb. 27, re-signed. He missed much of last season with a recurrence of earlier back ailments.
PANTHERS: Carolina is trying to trade Steve Beuerlein. The 35-year-old quarterback threw for 3,730 yards last season.
SEAHAWKS: Eight-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy was released, two days before he was to receive a $2-million roster bonus. Kennedy, 32, asked for his release, saying he wanted to play for a contender. The third pick in the 1990 draft out of the University of Miami had a subpar season in 2000, getting one sack and 50 tackles after having 61/2 sacks and 73 tackles in 1999.
STEELERS: Free-agent guard Jeff Hartings, 28, signed a six-year, $24.3-million contract that includes a $5.75-million signing bonus. He started at right guard in all 32 games for Detroit the past two seasons, but will be moved to center to replace seven-time All-Pro Dermontti Dawson, who was released in a salary-cap move. Levon Kirkland, 32, was released. Kirkland, one of the NFL's highest-paid linebackers at nearly $5-million, said he was leaving open the possibility of re-signing. "I love the fans in Pittsburgh," said Kirkland, the defensive captain.
PATRIOTS: Tackle Adrian Klemm pleaded innocent to a misdemeanor accusing him of damaging another motorist's windshield in a traffic dispute.
- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.