Dunn Returns To Buccaneers

Running back Warrick Dunn has a home in Tampa Bay (Getty Images)

Running back Warrick Dunn has a home in Tampa Bay (Getty Images)

The Bucs' third-leading all-time rusher, Warrick Dunn, returned to Tampa Bay on Monday. Dunn, who was one of Tampa Bay's first-round draft picks in 1997, spent the last six seasons in Atlanta. Dunn will compete for playing time with Earnest Graham and Michael Bennett.



In addition to Tampa Bay signing free agent wide receiver Antonio Bryant to a contract, a familiar face re-joined the Buccaneers on Monday when the team agreed to terms on a contract with Atlanta Falcons free agent running back Warrick Dunn.

Dunn, 33, will sign a two-year, $6 million contract with the Bucs. The deal includes $2 million in guaranteed money and $3 million in the first year.

The former 1997 first-round draft pick out of Florida State visited One Buccaneer Place on Mar. 3. He spent the first five seasons (1997-01) of his career with the Buccaneers.

The 5-foot-9, 180-pound Dunn rushed for 4,200 yards and 17 touchdowns and caught 259 passes for 2,374 yards and nine touchdowns before ending his five-year tenure in Tampa Bay to sign with Atlanta as a free agent during the 2002 offseason.

Dunn has rushed 2,483 times for 10,181 yards (4.1 avg.) and 47 touchdowns during his 11-year career. He has also established himself as a dangerous receiver, catching 463 career passes for 4,009 yards (8.7 avg.) and 15 touchdowns.

Last season, Dunn rushed 227 times for 720 yards (3.2 avg.) and scored four times while catching 37 passes for 238 yards in what amounted to a controversial and disappointing season for the 4-12 Falcons.

Dunn asked for - and received -- his release earlier this month after the Falcons signed San Diego free agent RB Michael Turner.

Tampa Bay now has four veteran running backs - Earnest Graham, Michael Bennett, Warrick Dunn and Cadillac Williams -- under contract for the 2008 season.

The addition of Dunn suggests a few things; the Bucs probably will not re-sign free agent RB Michael Pittman or draft a running back in 2008.

The team has bolstered its running back position in large part due to the torn patellar tendon Williams suffered in Week 4 of last season. The Bucs may not have Williams' services for the upcoming season due to the long rehab associated with such a severe knee injury. With Graham, Bennett and Dunn under contract the Bucs appear to be better situated for that scenario.

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Comments

bucsince76

Welcome back to a class act and a solid player. Go Bucs!!

7:52pm, March 10, 2008

DLS5492

Welcome Home WD! Awesome man on and off the field. It's great to have you in a Buc uniform where you belong!

8:08pm, March 10, 2008

TampaSlim

SR/JF:

Nice article, but isn't Dunn the THIRD leading all time rusher behind Alstot and Wilder?

8:14pm, March 10, 2008

hwaii50

Great pick up: two reasons!! ! - from the business sense - he will be a good third down back and a change of pace back. He picks up the blitz extremely well, is an above average receiver out of the back field and if he hits a seam he can still go the distance. Granted he is a little long in the tooth for an NFL running back but keep in mind he will not be the featured back. Betwen Graham, Bennet, Dunn and a draft choice we will be solid at RB. Not the save all do all but - a good pick up at a reasonable price. If the Caddy comes back midseason....well that's what they call gravy.

Reason two: purely sentimental: He's a Buc !!! Read - WD40 !

8:50pm, March 10, 2008

bradha

i think that this was one of the best things that tampa could do for someone who has done so much for tampa. go bucs

8:53pm, March 10, 2008

djthumper123

tampaslim...if you read the first part of the article it does say third leading rusher..."The Bucs third-leading all-time rusher, Warrick Dunn, returned to Tampa Bay on Monday"....but anyways...yes...welcome home Warrick Dunn...you will be welcomed back with wide open arms and the class you carry with you on and off the field....i feel a change in the sails of this pirate ship....GO BUCS!

8:58pm, March 10, 2008

kennys

istill think the bucs will draft a RB in the draft, because Dunn is 33 Bennett is 29, Caddy may or may never come all the way back fom his injury, Graham is a sure thing and Darby is still a unknown. since this is a deep draft for RB's might as well spend a 3rd pick for a RB

9:10pm, March 10, 2008

jcreek

I think this was a solid pick up glad to see WD back in Tampa!!!!Go bucs

9:21pm, March 10, 2008

pinkstob

Really, really smart move. This will give Caddy an extra year to recover (he'll probably start the season on the PUP then go on IR) while giving one last chance at a ring for a true Buc in Dunn!

11:55pm, March 10, 2008

bveghte

Great pickup!

I think now other needs far outweigh RB in the draft. I can't justify drafting a RB until we have already drafted a CB, DT, WR and DE. Since we only have 5 picks, that means RB in the 7th round.

6:27am, March 11, 2008

kysteve9

Welcome home WD!!!!! NIce complement to what we have and just an all around class guy. I think he is HAPPY to be back in Tampa and will earn every penny we are paying him.

Good move and a positive influence. Everyone can bring back there old jerseys too!!! NOw get some WR to catch the ball when the run game is working and we will score.

GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!

9:20am, March 11, 2008

epcolson

I love this. It's a great price on a great guy. I love knowing Dunn can come in if Graham goes down. Bennett is great but Dunn is the total package and will be consistent. As a few people said before...he can block, run, and catch. He might not be a home run threat like he was but with this O-line...I think he'll look much younger than he did with the birds. I can't wait to find my Dunn jersey. I hope his character will offset Bryants. Is there a way we can make them roomies on the away games...heck can we put Bryant in Dunn's basement permanently. I think that's what they have in mind...

9:55am, March 11, 2008

Horse

I am happy he signed with us, but I thought he would go with Dungy. i am glad he didn't.
Don't forget Buc fans, Dunn can also be an emergency receiver. He still has the speed for that. Whenever he gets in the game, it will add to the options that we can do.
I am glad this deal got done (Dunn) .

even though we still will have to fine another WR and a QB for the future. Lets go and focus on the defensive side for whoever is left in free agency and in the draft. We need defensive line help(major help), and another corner if we want to get to the Conference Championship Game.
Go Bucs

10:05am, March 11, 2008

cremdon

welcome home dunn.looks like bruce isnt as dumb as some of you think he is....we still have a boatload of cap space plus a new WR and a returning hero.good to bring in bryant early-GET HIM THE PLAYBOOK!!!class is in session.he should be up to speed by the time we hit camp.warrick-im just glad to see you back...the city of tampa just got a bit classier..

10:59am, March 11, 2008

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