Paris Warren will have the opportunity to build on his impressive 2007 training camp and preseason in Tampa Bay in 2008.

Warren, who was an exclusive rights free agent, has signed a one-year contract with the Buccaneers, according to multiple reports.

The 6-foot, 213-pound Warren hauled in a team-leading 15 passes for 191 yards and scored four touchdowns during the 2007 preseason.

Unfortunately for Warren, his game-winning 31-yard touchdown grab vs. the Houston Texans in the preseason finale at Raymond James Stadium turned out to be his last when it resulted in him dislocating his ankle on the play.

The injury required season-ending surgery, but Warren is close to being fully recovered from the ankle ailment and will have the opportunity to make Tampa Bay's 53-man roster in 2008, which is a feat he likely would have accomplished in 2007 had he not injured his ankle.

"I'm doing good," Warren told the St. Petersburg Times. "I'm done with rehab. I'm just working on strengthening right now."

Warren originally entered the NFL with the Bucs in 2005 as a seventh-round draft pick out of Utah.

Tampa Bay is expected to tender contracts to its remaining exclusive rights free agents, including long snapper Andrew Economos, left tackle Donald Penn, fullback Byron Storer and defensive end Greg White.

Those players likely will sign their respective deals with the Bucs. Otherwise, the exclusive-rights-free-agent player's only other option is to not sign the contract and be out of football for a year.

Tampa Bay is also interested in signing restricted free agents linebacker Antoine Cash, defensive tackle Jovan Haye and safety Kalvin Pearson to contracts.

The Buccaneers will travel to Indianapolis for the NFL Combine this week before putting the final touches on their plans for the start of free agency, which begins on Feb. 29.

Want the inside scoop on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 2008 offseason plans? Want to find out who the Bucs are targeting in free agency and the NFL Draft this year? Subscribe to PewterReport.com's Pewter Insider by clicking here.

Comments