 |
|
Bucs Not Interested In RB Ward At The Moment |
 Derrick Ward is one of the best free agent running backs available this year (Getty Images) |
UPDATED: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were believed to be interested in signing New York Giants free agent running back Derrick Ward, but PewterReport.com has learned that the Bucs are not interested in Ward at the moment. Tampa Bay has expressed interest in several free agents, but has yet to line up visits with them.
The Buccaneers haven't made the splash in free agency that some were expecting, but it's still early.
Tampa Bay general manager Mark Dominik and head coach Raheem Morris began working the phones at midnight, but it appears negotiations for defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who agreed to a seven-year, $100 million contract with the Redskins this morning, consumed a great deal of their time.
Although neither Dominik nor Morris confirmed or denied this, PewterReport.com believes this to be true because in its contact with dozens of agents around the NFL, only a few of them have confirmed that the Bucs have contacted them regarding one or more of their clients. Many of the agents have told PewterReport.com that they have not heard from the Bucs yet.
Tampa Bay reportedly has expressed interest in New York Giants running back Derrick Ward, Pittsburgh wide receiver Nate Washington, Arizona defensive end Antonio Smith and New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma. ProFootballTalk.com also reports that the Bucs have expressed an interest in Chicago running back Kevin Jones.
However, PewterReport.com is reporting that the Bucs are not interested in Ward at this time. It is not clear why Tampa Bay is not interested at this time in signing Ward, who is one of the best available free agent running backs and would fill a need at the position for the Bucs.
Some reports have suggested the Bucs, who have a league-high $62 million in salary cap room, are the leading candidates to land a few of these players, including Vilma. However, he is not scheduled to visit Tampa Bay as of right now.
PewterReport.com will continue to update Bucs fans on free agency news throughout the day and weekend. Be sure to check back often.
Latest PewterReport.com Free Agency Headlines
Haynesworth Agrees To Record Deal With 'Skins
Bryant Signs Franchise Tender From Bucs
Comments
monrovits1
11:11am, February 27, 2009
tomorrow437
11:16am, February 27, 2009
rocko23
11:25am, February 27, 2009
LordJim
11:53am, February 27, 2009
ianearls
12:15pm, February 27, 2009
JaxBuccaneer
12:16pm, February 27, 2009
threesixsuited
And by the way, how does Washington, who had 8 mil. in cap room as of yesterday afternoon, afford to sign D.Hall to a 6yr. $54 mil. deal, and Fat Albert to a 7yr. $100 mil. deal? D.Hall's is about $9 mil. per year on average, and Albert's is about $14.28 mil. per year on average. Even if those are extremely back loaded, they shouldn't have been able to pull that off with only 8 mil. under the cap.
So my next question is, if they DID pull off both of those signings and didn't dent their cap more than $8 mil., then how could we not have afforded to outbid them? Couldn't we have offered Albert more money, to the point that for JUST HIM we kept the cap hit under $8 mil? (see my point, they got both for under $8 mil, we could have certainly gotten just him for under $8 mil, and we can sure as hell afford $8 of our $60-something million under the cap, for the best D-tackle in the game - which also happens to be our biggest need). Is their front office personnel just that much better than ours?
***HOLY $h!t: Kellen Winslow just got traded to the Bucs. I'm sure PR will have more on this soon. - Alright, I like that move!
12:26pm, February 27, 2009
jcecilia
If Rothlesberger makes 27 million, the best tackle in the game is worth 17 mill a year on a defensive team like us, he is only 27.
The other thing is weve operated so far under the cap the last 2 years that 17 million would have no affect on us since we have much more money available than that every year.
This was our chance to bring back a Sapp type player and we completely blew it? Very disappointed. Considering the fact that we can't draft worth a sh#*, and Domink was part of that regime, don't forget, this feels even worse.
12:27pm, February 27, 2009
tomorrow437
Go Bucs... NOW...
4:58pm, February 27, 2009
Leave a Comment
INSIDER ARTICLES |
PI Quick Hits
Is rookie WR Arrelious Benn behind where he should be? Are the Bucs moving...
Pewter Report Roundtable
In what area has QB Josh Johnson improved the most this preseason? What is...
5 Most Impressive Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers dropped to 1-2 during the preseason with a 19-13...
5 Most Disappointing Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars 19-13 on Saturday...
Bucs' Breaking Points vs. Jacksonville
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday night...
