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Bucs GM Bruce Allen said his team was around $23 million under the salary cap and intended to pursue “Tiger Woods-like” free agents that would make Tampa Bay better in 2008.
Allen spoke with the media around noon on Thursday and believed this season was successful enough for coach Jon Gruden to at least finish off the final year of his contract in Tampa Bay. He also did say Tampa Bay has resigned assistant coaches Bill Muir (offensive coordinator/offensive line), Richard Bisaccia (special teams coordinator) and Richard Mann (wide receivers)
Here are some of the subjects Allen addressed on Thursday:
On resigning defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin
“Monte is probably the mayor of — I don’t know where Redington Beach is. Is that St. Pete or Clearwater? He really is a fixture and an important part of the Buccaneers and he has said he wants to come back. Coach (Jon Gruden) has said he wants him to come back. So we’ll let him work on his timetable.”
On a Gruden extension helping to lure free agents
“I think our coaches are very confident of the plan we have in place here. Actually free agents aren’t supposed to be calling us until March 1, even though our phone number is published so they can find it. I don’t see that as an obstacle whatsoever, but at the right time we’ll deal with it. The team is really excited about where we are right now and there’s players that got some valuable experience this year from games one through 16 and are excited about the chance to come back. The players and young guys on this team know what is expected of team in an offseason program. They know what’s expected of them in the classroom. The best way we can improve our team is to get those 14 guys from the injured reserved list healthy again. Because that would be the greatest increase in talent. We finished the season with 53 men on our roster but we also had the 14 injured reserve players who we’re looking at as a new group of free agents. We got to get them back into they system, healthy again competing for starting playing time and special teams playing time in order to improve this team. If you add that type of quality to a 53-man roster, that’s a great leg up on free agency.”
On chasing higher priced free agents
“We got the opportunity to go after anybody that is available. We look at things a little bit differently. There are values we put on someone and some other teams could put a different value on that player. The amount of money you receive doesn’t make you a better player, and circumstances sometimes dictate that if you line up next to someone you can be a better player in that system. I think Cato June could have received more money to go somewhere else. The fact that he wanted to come here and play alongside the linebackers we have in our system made him the perfect fit for us. There’s no limit to who we can go after, which is a nice feeling entering into free agency.”
On Mike Alstott’s future
“Mike is contemplating his situation. We get together at this time each year. We’ll discus it. I don’t think there’s any hurry in making a decision. After Mike and I get together I’m sure we’ll let you know what we decide.”
On the quarterback situation
“Jeff as you all saw is a tremendous competitor, which is what we ere looking for when we brought him in and he delivered. Once again Luke McCown, I really believe showed some special skills that show promise for the future. Chris Simms we’re hoping is healthy and can play this year and compete. There’s someone in a Montana or is Idaho mountain right now that we hope he honors his contract. And Bruce Gradkowski gives us more competition and depth at the quarterback position. As of right now we feel good and as you looked around the league this year that is the story. I don’t think you’ve seen as many backup quarterbacks forced into playing football this year in a starting role, and teams that really went through four quarterbacks has to be near an NFL record. And the play of some quarterback in this league really hurt some franchises badly this year.”
On ever getting Jake Plummer
“I’m a really hopeful guy. That I am. He got to see what we were doing this year and he has a contact and we expect him to honor it.”
On giving RB Earnest Graham a new deal (he has one year remaining on his contract)
“We have several players who would be in the last year, someone mentioned Jeff Garcia, and Earnest is one and I’ve already had a conversation with his representative and we’ll set up a meeting later on to talk about it.”
On having a playmaker at wide receiver or needing to sign somebody?
“I think Joey Galloway has been one of the most dominant receivers in the NFL with the Buccaneers. Talk about somebody who changes all of the formulas of how you’re supposed to evaluate players when you put consideration into age. He is the fastest player on our team. I have a feeling he’s going to be the fastest player on the Buccaneers four or five years from now because we didn’t play anybody faster or more explosive than Joey Galloway the entire year. Can we help out and add to our receiving core? Absolutely we can, but when you talk about dominate player, Joey Galloway’s numbers are dominant in this league. Now, we don’t throw the ball 45 times a game. At least we don’t want to go into the game throwing the ball 45 times a game. If you put him in some of these other offensive that do throw the ball 50 times a game, Joey Galloway could be a 2,000 yard receiver. We’re proud of what we have and what Joey’s accomplished. Can we add to every position? Absolutely, including receiver.
On why Michael Clayton had not gotten back to his rookie year?
“When you look at his rookie year and then he got banged around for a couple of years. Michael Clayton did come back for us this year in a very strong way. I’m actually very proud of the comeback that he did. He was an important part of the special teams and an important part of our offense. He sets a tone that you don’t see in a lot of wide receivers in the NFL. I think the playoff, he made some nice grabs in the playoff game. I don’t look at it so much as like he had, whatever he had, 30 catches and Ike had 50 catches and Stovall had 20 catches. Those are all Buccaneer receptions. If you can work within our mix and be a good teammate and not give a darn if you caught the ball or your teammate caught the ball, but you can free up an extra reception yard … that is the type of guys we want. I think Michael made a good comeback from his injuries and I think his future is still in front of him.”
Posted by Joseph Brown, Buffalo, New York on 01/22 at 02:08 PM
here we go again,gruden and allen just receive contract extensions for just making the playoffs,which is difficult to do but in the NFC south not really.The offense needs playmakers and a new style of offense.Gruden needs to swallow his pride and open it up.The bucs are to predictable on offense,with myself knowing whats coming without studying game film.All of the shifting and moving players around is not fooling no one.Galloway needs to be put in the slot,he is to small on the outside
Posted by Joseph Brown, Buffalo, New York on 01/21 at 01:47 PM
The bucs are good shape. the d-line with greg white and adams will be awesome. Grady jackson would be a nice fit to sure up the middle. Caddy will never be the same,so we should go after michael turner. A big time receiver is needed but none would want to play in gruden style of offense.An upgrade at corner would help so we can blitz more,barber and kelly are zone guys.Play more of the young L-backers black and hayward
Posted by Gregory Donoghue, Bradenton on 01/14 at 09:27 PM
I’m afraid Greg Allen just doesn’t get it at wide receiver. The bucs need speed, size and talent at that position and the production we have been getting is just not acceptable. Without going out and selecting a tall fast and talented receiver either through free agency or the draft, the bucs simply will not improve. Signing Michael Bennet should be a priority as he showed flashes of what he is capable of if he is used.
Posted by Michael Harris, Tampa, FL on 01/14 at 07:56 AM
Hey mkurbo, Sarasota, Dex & Roland have a point. The Bucs D racked up stats against weak south oponents and a weak over all schedule. They only played four teams over 500 and lost three of those. I think it’s time to go in a new direction on defense and bulk up that front four. They especially need a TOP under tackle. Saap was an anamoly who only comes along once every 50 years or so. But there are still some good under tackles out there. To me, this is their key need on defense. Plus maybe one good, LARGE cover corner. Ruud needs to go spend a week with Hardy Nickerson and learn how to be a leader on that Defense. He has the physical skills but he needs to learn “MEAN”.
Posted by Eric Cullison, Tampa, FL on 01/14 at 07:35 AM
(Cont’d) I think that if we are looking to give caddy a chance you resign the running backs we have. i HATE to say it but pittman would be most expendable with graham picking it up in the pass receiving and blocking. Thats a pretty good backfield. Finally Haynesworth would be AMAZING. Titans GM would be fired if he goes. Considering our defense has so few and far between plays involving man coverage drafting youth at corner would be a good thing (keep him in the CITY… TRAE WILLIAMS) I love our team but if we dont have the most predicatable offense in the league then i dont know who does… except for miami goes its 3 and out. (HA) Let me know how you all feel about this and go bucs!
Posted by Eric Cullison, Tampa, FL on 01/14 at 07:28 AM
Hey boys love the bucs talk. So no be offended if i say something. Chad Johnson would be incredible for us. He showboats when they are winning. He kept his mouth shut this year because people were blaming him and all he did was put up 1400 yards. Doesnt get in trouble off field. I like the idea of resigning vet players for at least another year. Look at how young defensively we are GOING to be. How many potential hall of famers do we have “coaching” the young players. (quincy, hayward, adams, jackson, peterson)
Posted by michael boyle, tampa on 01/13 at 09:52 PM
kiffin is a scientist ... monster middle linebacker with ht.like butcus take a look at when washington used 5 down defensive linemen against o.j. made oj look like rookie.took away run game . if they are running give them a wall they have to go over. bennet is way better than he got the chance to prove pittman is a guy with all heart make him more in the passing attack.
Posted by Dex fields, neptune,n.j. on 01/13 at 09:47 PM
If you saw the Packers game this weekend you saw what a fast RB can do-speed kills!When a fast RB get pass the linebackers-its horseshoes and hand grennades buddy.Grahm is a great backup,not your featured back,but the buc fans has already crowned him as the ONE.
Clayton as a TE,it won’t happen,put him as your 4th WR-the dime CB can’t cover him-to big.I wish we can sign Wr’s out of free agency instead of drafting them because our track record is very poor when its come to drafting them.Stovall will never do it for us,he slow-if slow got slower they’re call it Stovall,but he fit Gruden offense because it only requires it WR’s to run 3-5 yard routes.
Posted by Dex fields, neptune,n.j. on 01/13 at 09:23 PM
When the common sense po po come a knocking the only thing i’m going to do is show this good fella some game tape.The big teams-this defense didn’t show up.We played alot of weak teams this year and some of those games was given to us.BE CAREFUL-we lost at home in the first round of the playoff’s.
We gave up 24pt’s,we could not stop the 3rd down convertion’s in alot of games this season.But like always,the buc fan is so quick to settle for less-refuse to get better,what we have is good enough.Look at what Roland said,we blitz and never get to the QB,we have CB’s that can’t cover man on man-AT ALL!Grahm is a good back but not your featured back,once again the crowning from the buc fans-quick to settle.
Posted by Blade, austin tx on 01/13 at 08:36 PM
Don’t want to put down Kiffin but we had the number two defense because we didn’t play any strong teams. Get some size so we can stuff the run and stop giving up those third down plays. JMO
Posted by Cody Ubben, Cedar Falls, IA on 01/13 at 08:15 PM
As far as the center position is concerned. I think what was going on this year was that they had Dan Buenning sitting on the sidelines learning from Wade to replace him this coming season. Buenning may have been ready physically this year but moving from guard to center takes a little more time mentally to learn. I beleive he’ll probably be our starter now.
I don’t think we want to let K. Carter walk just yet. We’ve got some young D-Ends that I think could still use some mentoring. He may have fallen off production wise but he’s still depth and he’s not gonna cost much to keep.
Re-sign Pittman, he still means too much to this offense. Trade Bennett for mid-round pick. Keep Darby around.
Posted by mkurbo, Sarasota on 01/13 at 03:12 PM
Cody – upon further review I agree with you on not burning a No. 1 pick on a playmaker. I know we have to get a star WR in FA, but I was originally thinking about a pure speed guy in the draft to groom behind Galloway and one could be acquired in the 2nd round – you’re right…
Some commented on not resigning K. Carter – I agree, too much money for the age. I‘d also vote to release G. Spires and not resign Trotter.
Do you guys have any better ideas on how to upgrade the center position ? I think that’s more important than adding to the RB stable.
Posted by mkurbo, Sarasota on 01/13 at 03:05 PM
Whoa there Roland & Dex – I’m afraid we are going to have to send the common sense police out to your places. We have the No. 2 defensive in the league thanks to Monte, and we need to continue the refurbishment of his defensive unit. As said many times in these comments, we need to add a star FA and high draft choice to the DL rotation. If we could get two more years from Monte, then hand over the reins to Raheem Morris, life would be good.
Somebody said Chad Johnson, but would he drop the “give me the damn ball” routine ? (we tried that chemistry before…)
Interesting and constructive comment about Clayton by Bob in Plant City ?
Posted by John Minichino, Maryland on 01/13 at 11:57 AM
Bryant Johnson! Wide Receiver from Arizona, plenty of upside!
Kevin Walters! Wide Receiver from Houston, Joe Jervicious clone!1
Devery Henderson is horrible. Speed but to many drops!
Haynesworth from the Titans. Fills up the middle!!
Get these players, re-sign young core players to long term deals, Graham, McCown, Stovall, and Bennett and they are set.
Posted by Dex fields, neptune,n.j. on 01/13 at 10:53 AM
Everybody talking about Chad Johnson,how about Bernard Berrian fron the Bears and Bryant Johnson from the Cardinals.If we could get one of theses receivers and drafting one in the first round than we have something.Getting Chad Jonhson will require a draft pick,if we could get big fast receivers without giving up a pick we should.Bryant Johnson is 6’3 215,and can run.Berrian is very fast,a pure deep threat receiver.The bucs have money to spend but will they spend?Sign Haynesworth!Pay this guy,he is worth the money.Release Keven Carter and Greg Spires,free up money.Second or third round you draft Jammal Charles,RB from Texas-this guy is super fast.He put up 1,600 quiet yards-he is a game change-David Hester type speed.
Posted by Dex fields, neptune,n.j. on 01/13 at 08:45 AM
I agree with Roland,remember that Texan game-we could not stop them on third down.The bucs have not sign Kiffin yet and may not sign him.We have 23 million dollars to sign players,maybe its time to bring in different type defensive players-maybe its time to change the scheme.Our cornerbacks do play 5yards off the receiver because these guys can’t cover,they’re zone guys.Its time for big strong linebackers and DT instead of these undersize LB and DT-this is why teams run well against us.
Posted by bob stephens, plant city on 01/13 at 01:50 AM
let Clayton beef up a few more pounds and put him at tight end with alex smith. they are both good blockers.we will probably lose Pittman and Bennett. we need to find a big hard nose back like Fred Taylor.i just hope Gruden gives Stovall a chance this year, but we do need a burner outside. Galloway is good against an average defense, but he does not cut it against an aggressive defensive back.
Posted by Cody Ubben, Cedar Falls, IA on 01/12 at 12:03 PM
If we do something crazy in the draft I hope it isn’t crazy stupid by drafting a receiver that doesn’t belong in the 1st round(Manningham and Bowman). There’ll be plenty of value at that possition in the 2nd round. If DT Sedrick Ellis falls to around the 10th pick I hope we make a play at trying to trade up for him. Address receiver and o-lineman either in free agency or trading for one.
Posted by Roland C. Woltman, Plant City on 01/12 at 05:32 AM
On resigning defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin…
We were among the worst in the league on getting teams off the field on 3rd and 4th down not due to personnel, but due to poor technique IMO. Look at tape of the Giants game and you’ll c veteran corners giving 4-5yd cushions when they have safety help over the top. We did that a lot this year.
It’s time for a change on that side of the ball.
Just look at how poorly we blitz. It’s not that we don’t do it enough. It’s that we don’t do it correctly. Our d-line doesn’t tie up the blocker so that the LB or Ronde has a gap to get through. Watching us attempt a blitz is just sad. Not as sad as me saying it’s time for Monte to move on. But it’s sad.
Posted by mkurbo, Sarasota on 01/12 at 02:32 AM
Actions con’t:
4. Draft; 1st Pk– WR DeSean Jackson, Mario Manningham or Adarius Bowman (playmakers), 2nd Pk- OC Steve Justice or Cody Wallace, 3rd Pk- ILB Philip Wheeler, Jerod mayo, or maybe Taveres Gooden, 4th Pk- DT Andre Fluellen, Trevor Laws, or Carlton Powell, 5th Pk- QB Matthew Flynn, 6th Pk- FB Jacob Hester, Jed Collins or Peyton Hillis.
5. Depending on draft (Jackson/Manningham), possibly fall back to sign FA Devery Henderson, WR, Saints (youth and speed for depth in the receiving core, hurts division opponent).
6. Post draft I may seek free agents to strengthen special teams coverage, kick returning and potentially ILB or FB if we don’t succeed adding value at those positions in the draft.
Posted by mkurbo, Sarasota on 01/12 at 02:30 AM
Actions taken during the off-season:
1. Just like Garcia – and without hesitation – a few ticks after midnight when FA begins, sign Albert Haynesworth, DT, Titans, and Justin Smith, DE, Bengals (or Marques Douglas, DE, 49ers), to deals that unfortunately will be expensive, but will ensure superiority of pass rush on the DL…
2. Sign FA Bryant Johnson, WR, Cards (young w/ tons of upside having played behind Fitzgerald & Boldin).
3. Sign FA Jeff Faine, OC, Saints (upgrades offensive line at center, hurts division opponent).
More below…
Posted by Gregory Donoghue, Bradenton on 01/11 at 08:29 PM
Sign Michael Bennet Mr. Allen. Draft big, fast wide receiver(s) and big fast defensive tackles, the run defense stinks. If you can get Chas. Daniels, grab him. Quick release and perfect fit for Bucs system. Other than that, replace Gruden with Tony Dungee should Tony return to Tampa. Tampa lost a lot of class when they let Tony go.
Posted by Kendall Thompson, Nashville, TN on 01/11 at 08:05 PM
How about a new receivers coach? The Bucs haven’t been able to develop hardly any of the receivers they’ve drafted in years. Goes back past Jacques Green
Posted by Cody Ubben, Cedar Falls, IA on 01/11 at 05:25 PM
Please no Randy Moss. Chad Johnson, maybe, if the price tag isn’t too high. Gruden doesn’t like these premaddona type receivers. #1. Our biggest need is a 3-tech that can collapse the pocket. Jovan Haye did a nice job of hustling aroung this year and with that he found himself in good position to capitalize on a few plays here and there but we need a beast in there at under tackle. Maybe Haye can come in at nose on passing downs but I just can’t see him being the best guy out there that we can get for a 3-tech. #2. Then of course a speedy possesion receiver that runs good routes. Most of the time it’s not the fastest guys that get the most open, it’s the guy’s that can run really well timed routes that can.
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Posted by Joseph Brown, Buffalo, New York on 01/24 at 09:54 AM
My recent assumption on caddy seems to be true,either his career is over or he will never be the same.Here is a thought,why not go after justin fargas if he becomes available or somehow someway move up in the draft to get darren Mcfadden.I know it is a stretch but i know there are a dozen of teams who regret not doing the same for adrian peterson including the bucs.There was no way to see the injuries coming but a talent like that you dont pass up.Give up what you have to so we can get him,i almost forgot Bruce allen is still the GM.