Horse

Good for Kelly. I believe he saw the hand writing on the wall that at 32 he was to old for this team that is attempting to get younger in defense. He can still play another year at a decent level for a team like New England, Dallas, Pitsburgh.
Go Bucs.

10:16am, February 24, 2008

gkenney

After missing half of the last 2-3 years on IR, who in their right mind is going to pay him the $5 mil he is walking away from.
Bruce must have ran to the bank to cash that check before he stopped payment.

10:52am, February 24, 2008

aricvann

I think both of you are wrong.

Horse: I think Kelly did this for the money. He thinks he will get a more lucrative contract, not because he saw the bucs trying to get young.

Gkenney: He will get paid more than he lost. Even though he's getting up there in age and is oft injured he's still a really good corner when healthy. He will make that up.

Will be sad to see him go if not resigned. We had good cornerback depth this year.... I hope we do again.

11:24am, February 24, 2008

bucfan47

I agree. First two guys are wrong. BK is making the right choice here. He can get a better contract from another team easily b/c teams have more money to pay out b/c of the cap increase by the league last year.

When healthy, Kelly can be a shut-down corner and guys that play the game know his talent. I personally hate to see him go, mainly b/c I think he's a class act on and off the field (something you don't find everyday) and I would have liked to see Tampa not be forced to address the CB position just yet. I felt with Barber, Kelly, Buchanan (and a healthy Torrie Cox), we could have signed another CB (like Dwight Smith) and been ok for another year. Maybe just draft one player. Now the Bucs (I feel) will be forced to draft a CB in the draft and quite possibly put themselves in a position to look at adding another CB through Free Agency or a trade.

I would like to personally thank BK for all he's done for Tampa Bay. He's a great talent. He came along way! Get luck Bro!

12:02pm, February 24, 2008

bucfan47

I also would not be surprised to come-to-know, he and Bruce have reached a decision that A). Tampa met with Kelly and informed him they want to re-structure his contract and B). B/c of this, he's allowing Kelly to test the free agent market to try and find more money.

If he cannot, I'd look for Kelly to re-sign with the Bucs for less money.

To me, there is a good chance it could happen.

That would explain why he would want to buy himself out, he does this to put himself into position to inform teams about his availability to be signed much earlier, instead of waiting until Free Agency begins.

Just my opinion.

12:07pm, February 24, 2008

donny77

There is no such thing as a restructure in the last year of a contract. One year contracts get replaced with a contract extension. There is no way to restructure a one year deal as you can move any money to another year. Kelly wanted out because after coming back from injury this year he was still behind Buchannon on the depth chart. This has to do with starting status and money. I have a hard time believing he will get more than 5 million a year. He may make more over the course of a new contract than he would have with the Bucs over the same time span, but he will definitely lose money next year.

12:48pm, February 24, 2008

quezilla

I wonder where he will land? Detroit, Indy, Pit., KC...

2:35pm, February 24, 2008

billbyrne

Brian Kelly has been and still is a pure "class act' and I wish him well. I only hope he does not end up in Atlanta to beplace Deangelo Hall.

Good luck Brian and thanks for the memories.

4:34pm, February 24, 2008

drt1066

McCardell, Keyshawn and Rice all lost millions after leaving the Bucs. Would you pay millions for a damaged Brian Kellly?

5:11pm, February 24, 2008

tjbucs

He is a very good corner when healthy. Lately that has not been too often. I would like to see him resign but I think he is too expensive at this stage. Plan on drafting a CB and picking up someone in FA. There have got to be some with similar skills that will be available. Good luck Mr. Kelly and thanks for everything.

11:28am, February 27, 2008