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Keeping Leftwich Could Prove Pricey And Invaluable

Posted Jan 6, 2010 by Roy Cummings

Updated Jan 6, 2010 at 04:11 PM

  By ROY CUMMINGS
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TAMPA – One of the questions the Bucs have to answer between now and the start of the new league year in March is whether to hold on to backup quarterback Byron Leftwich.

The answer isn’t as easy as it may seem. Leftwich is due a $3.5 million roster bonus in March, which makes him pretty pricey. The cost of letting Leftwich go, however, could be even greater.

Upon losing his job as the Bucs starting quarterback this year, Leftwich immediately stepped into his new role as mentor for youngsters Josh Johnson and Josh Freeman, and he stepped into it well.

Johnson and Freeman can each rattle off numerous lessons they have learned from Leftwich, who has offered advice on everything from how to prepare for a game during the week to how to bounce back from a bad outing.

Leftwich turns 30 next week and while he would no doubt like another shot at playing regularly he seems content with being a backup and seems open to staying with the Bucs for another year.

Leftwich’s attitude may change if the Bucs do as expected and try to rework his contract, but if they can somehow find a way to keep Leftwich happy and around for another year, the Bucs need to do it.

Such a move could, in the long run, prove invaluable.