Pens are at the ready, and the stroke of midnight should bring several NFL players new addresses - and some of them new tax brackets.  Let me wade in on some of the rumors surrounding the Buccaneers.

Patriots DB Asante Samuel coming to replace Brian Kelly?  I wouldn’t count on it.  Asante wants a boatload of cash, and while the Bucs have a bounty under the cap, I don’t think they’ll give up the spoils to a spoiled DB.  I’m guessing someone will pay him - but it won’t be the Patriots or the Bucs.

Faclons TE Alge Crumpler to replace Anthony Becht and Jerramy Stephens?  This one seems more possible than Samuel, but I wonder if he’s bound for Tennessee.  The Bucs will land a new TE.  My guess is that it will be someone other than Crumpler, though.

A new WR to compliment Joey Galloway?  I think this is the most likely.  Who?

Bears QB Brian Griese coming back to the Bucs?  I’d love to see this.  It’s likely to draw some fire, but I think Brian was ‘the one that got away’ a couple of years ago.  A veteran to back up Jeff Garcia and someone who Gruden actually likes (sorry Chris Simms), seems like a real possibility.  The fact that Griese hasn’t been happy since he left Gruden’s stable suggests there might be something to the rumor. 

I think you can forget the wishlist RB like Michael Turner.  The Bucs will likely stand pat in the backfield derby, relying on Cadillac to heal, E-Graham to be… well, E-Graham, and recently re-signed Michael Bennett to get more involved in the future.  I’d bet that we might be in the running to lose Michael Pittman’s services - and that saddens me.  I’m just guessing that after 10 years, the Bucs can’t give him the cash or the playing time he hopes to have in the waning years of his career.

Now for a couple quick-hits around the league:  Moss - staying in NE.  Are you kidding me?  Marion Barber - staying in Dallas.  Jerry won’t let his touchdown machine go.  David Carr - landing in Kansas City.  Well, it stands to reason.  Herm Edwards said that the Chiefs aren’t looking to improve the QB position.  Perfect.  Carr is their man!  Giants giving Tom Coughlin a 4 year extension.  Ha!  Watch him start 0-2 again next year and it won’t last 4 weeks! 

So get your popcorn ready.  Stay up late.  At the very least, check the wire in the morning.  Let the fun begin!