BUCCANEERS FANTASY NEWS

March 9, 2006 6:00 PM ET

The Buccaneers have been paying a hefty price for their Super Bowl win back in 2003. For the last two seasons, they have been forced to cut top players due to the rotten salary cap spot they put themselves in while taking an "all or nothing" approach in the years that led up to their Lombardi Trophy win.

Thanks to the new collective bargaining agreement, the Bucs are no longer cap stricken. Granted, they're not loaded with cash like Hurley from "Lost", but for the first time since Jon Gruden took over as head coach, the Bucs do have the luxury of adding a player or two rather than cutting several big names to get below the salary cap.

Helping Tampa's cause is the new CBA, which provides teams with an additional $7.5 million in cap space this season. In addition, linebacker Derrick Brooks bent over backwards for the club by agreeing to a restructured contract that eliminates $12 million in guaranteed money over the next two seasons.

The Bucs used their newfound money to re-sign defensive tackle Chris Hovan, who emerged as a run-stopping nose tackle last year. They also signed quarterback Chris Simms to a one-year contract tender. Simms immediately proclaimed himself the starting quarterback, but there is still a chance the Bucs will retain the services of Brian Griese, who signed a five-year contract prior to last season.

Needs
As much as the increased salary cap helps the Bucs, it also causes problems at the quarterback position. General manager Bruce Allen is in a tough spot because Simms will become an unrestricted free agent after the upcoming season. Under the terms of the last agreement, the fourth-year signal caller would have been restricted until after his sixth season.

The good news, of course, is that Simms will be with the Buccaneers this season. The bad news is that there is no guarantee he'll stick around beyond then. Thus, Allen probably feels more urgency to strike a deal with Griese or another free agent quarterback, which would give the squad insurance beyond 2006. There has been speculation that the Bucs might release Griese and hope to re-sign him at a reduced rate, so don't rule out a return should he be cut.

Fullback Mike Alstott appears to be on the verge of re-signing. Carnell Williams fantasy owners should keep a close eye on these negotiations, because Alstott could damage Cadillac's fantasy value due to his role as a goal line vulture. Alstott recently stated that he might even be willing to play for another team, but that's hard to believe given that he has been saying for the last two years that he's not interested in moving his family out of Tampa. In other words, those comments are probably nothing more than contract posturing. If Alstott isn't bluffing, the Bucs would be in the market for a new lead blocker for Williams.

Tampa is also seeking wide receiver help. Joey Galloway and Michael Clayton are expected to hold down the starting jobs, but the team doesn't have much for depth, particularly if they opt against re-signing free agent Ike Hilliard. Then again, even if Hilliard were to re-sign, we'd still complain about their lack of depth at the position.

Allen was scheduled to play host to free agent offensive tackle Bruce Hopkins on Thursday. The former Titan could provide Tampa with the help they need at the left tackle position, but it remains to be seen whether the 36 year-old veteran's asking price is within the Bucs' price range.

Kicker Matt Bryant intends to test the free agency market, so there is a chance the Bucs will be looking for their fourth kicker in three years. It's a good year to be in need of kicking help, though, as everyone from Adam Vinatieri to Mike Vanderjagt to Ryan Longwell could be available when the free agency period starts on Saturday.

Salary Cap Situation
No official figures have been released, but the Buccaneers are believed to be below the $102 million salary cap.

Unrestricted Free Agents
K Matt Bryant, FB Mike Alstott, QB Tim Rattay, WR Ike Hilliard, TE Dave Moore, RB Jameel Cook, G Sean Mahan, G Matt Stinchcomb, T Kenyatta Walker, S Dexter Jackson

Restricted Free Agents
CB Torrie Cox

Free Agent Signings
The Buccaneers signed Simms to a one-year, $2.1 million contract tender last week. They also re-signed Hovan to a five-year contract on Tuesday, and re-upped with cornerback Juran Bolden before he could hit the open market.

The Draft
The Buccaneers hold the 23rd overall pick in the draft. They've selected offensive skill players with their last two first-round picks (Michael Clayton, Carnell Williams). Tampa had the best statistical defense in the league last year. And with most of their defensive starters expected to return, they may once again focus their attention on the offensive side of the ball.

Free agent guards Sean Mahan and Matt Stinchcomb are not expected to be re-signed, which leaves the Bucs with some holes in the offensive line. The top offensive tackles are D'Brickshaw Ferguson (Virginia), Winston Justice (USC), and Marcus McNeill (Auburn). Tampa would have to trade up to the top-five to acquire Ferguson, and Justice is also expected to go before they pick, leaving McNeill as the most realistic possibility.

Starting defensive end Greg Spires is hardly a pass-rushing force, so it's possible the Bucs will throw us a curveball by addressing one of their only defensive needs via their first-round pick. Top defensive ends Mario Williams (North Carolina State) and Tamba Hali (Penn State) won't be around when the Bucs go on the clock with the 23rd pick, leaving Mathias Kiwanuka (Boston College), Quentin Moses (Georgia), and Elvis Dumervil (Louisville) as options.

Injury Watch
Clayton missed week 17 and the wild card playoff game due to a toe injury, which should be healed by now. He missed the offseason workouts last year after undergoing knee surgery and it hurt him big time. He struggled to get back in playing shape and delivered a lousy sophomore campaign. Barring a setback, he should be healthy enough to compete in all offseason workouts this year.

Griese tore his ACL and MCL in his left knee back in October. The ACL injury alone warrants roughly eight months of recovery time, and the additional injury could lengthen that process. In other words, Bob's kid could miss some offseason workouts, but he should be ready for training camp this summer.

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