A Blast from the Past: Number 88, WR, Mark Carrier

Before Joey Galloway, Joe Jurevicius, Keenan McCardell and even Keyshawn Johnson there was Mark Carrier arguably one of the best wide receivers in Buccaneer history.

Mark Carrier was drafted in 1987 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 3rd round out of Nicholls StateUniversity, located in Thibodaux, Louisiana .

As promised here is this weeks "A Blast from the Past". This is my way to pay tribute to the great Buccaneer players of the past. Some of these players are in our hearts as Buccaneer fans, but will never be honored any other way. This week I picked Mark Carrier, Wide Receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Like most of the great Buccaneers from the past Carrier never played on a playoff team.



Carrier was the 1st Buccaneer wide receiver to ever make a Pro-Bowl appearance. He did this in 1989 after he had a career high 89 passes for 1,422 yards and nine touchdowns. Keyshawn Johnson is the only other WR to come close to Carriers Single Season record with 1,266 in 2001.


Mark Carrier played for the Buccaneers from 1987-1992.

Then he became an unrestricted free agent and signed with Cleveland for the 1993 season and played with them through the 1994 season.

Carrier then moved to the expansion team the Carolina Panthers, where he played for Carolina from 1995-1998.

Carrier at the end of his Buccaneer career had: 5,018 receiving yards which rank's No. 1 all time in Bucs history. He also had 321 receptions which ranked 2nd all-time behind RUNNING BACK, James Wilder (He was the man) Carrier also scored 27 touchdowns.

Carrier holds the single game receiving record for the Bucs with 212 yards receiving which came against the New Orleans Saints in 1987.


Mark Carrier was selected by the Pewter Report as the number 17th greatest Buc of all time and tagged "5,000 yard man".

Carrier was named as the 15th Greatest Buccaneer Player of all-time by BUCPOWER.COM in 2003.

I really enjoyed watching Carrier play. I even enjoyed him in Carolina, when the Panthers were not in our Division of Course.

Bucs Sign Tucker to Offer Sheet

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed offensive tackle Torrin Tucker, a restricted free agent, to an offer sheet. Normally if a team allows a restricted free agent to leave, the new team must compensate the old team with a 1st and a 3rd round draft pick. This is what would have happened if the Bucs allowed Chris Simms to go somewhere else, but there is good news.
The Cowboys have one week to match the offer extended to Tucker by the Bucs. If the Cowboys don’t match the offer, Tucker will become a Buccaneer. Tampa Bay would not have to compensate Dallas as Tucker entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2003. When I first read this, I lost interest in the NFL Draft, because I thought our 1st round pick was gone. However, Tucker was never drafted so the Bucs don't pay THANK GOD. I hope we sign him, we need all the help on the offensive line we can get. If he signs with us, I think the Bucs might look else where in the draft instead of offensive linemen. I have talked with one of my best friends who is a Dallas fan, and he says Tucker is good, but he does not think the Cowboys will match it.

Tuckers Stats: Tucker, 26, has started 24 of the 36 games he’s played in as a Cowboy since entering the league in 2003.

The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Tucker has the ability to play both tackle positions. Last season, Tucker started 10 games at left tackle. In 2004, he started 13 games at right tackle.

The Buccaneers are now $10 million under the cap.

Your heard me right, the Buccaneers have finally stop paying for our Super Bowl win. General Manager Bruce Allen and Coach Jon Gruden make one hell of a team. In fact this is the first season since the Super Bowl that big name players such as Derrick Brooks, and Mike Alstott were not forced to leave the team due to salary cap problems.

For several years now, it has been reported that the Buccaneers bought themselves a Super Bowl as most teams due by signing crazy money to players. Ex-GM Rich McKay is the biggest reason the Bucs have had salary cap problems since the Super Bowl, but not no more. GM Allen has now created roughly $10 million in salary cap space.

The Buccaneers received part of this salary cap relief when linebacker Shelton Quarles agreed to take a pay cut.

"I don't want to say how much the pay cut was but it allowed me to stay here,"
Quarles told the Tampa Tribune on Tuesday. "It was significant, but they also
turned some of the money into a signing bonus."

I can't even remember the last time the Bucs were this far below the salary cap. They have been paying the price for the money they spent during their Super Bowl run a few years ago, but it appears as if general manager Bruce Allen has finally put an end to the cap problems.

Now what can be done with this money? Well there is talk in Tampa and from the Buccaneers Radio Network that they are interested in Javon Walker, and they are reportedly interested in Joey Harrington. The Bucs have used five starting quarterbacks during Gruden's four years in Tampa. He seems to be high on his current starter, but Simms will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2006 season. Thus, don't rule out the Bucs adding a veteran free agent or in Joey Harrington trade talks. They still might bring in free agent cornerback Charles Woodson and convert him into a safety to replace Dexter Jackson.

However, I think they will keep the money to help pay for the rookies, which I still think they will draft an offensive tackle with the 23rd pick unless WR SINORICE MOSS, falls, which he won't. They also need to save money for June 1st which is the next big free agent date, where more veterans get cut. They could also use some of this money to rework Ronde Barber's deal, where there is a real threat of a hold-out.

In other Bucs News:
The Bucs have their eyes on Seattle reserve quarterback Seneca Wallace.

Free-agent tackle Brad Hopkins, whom the Bucs are considering signing, is "leaning toward retirement" instead of playing another season. Hopkins told Sirius NFL Radio that he may not want to leave the Nashville area to play in another city but has yet to make a decision on his future.

Free-agent LB Patrick Chukwurah said that he likely will decide between returning to the Broncos or joining the Bucs on Monday.

Kenyatta Walker's deal has been revealed : The details of Walker's contract show he was signed for five years, but the base salary jumps from $700,000 this season to $1.95-million in 2007 and $4.35-million in 2008. How much of that Walker actually receives remains to be seen considering the sizable escalations in the deal that might force restructuring. It is safe to say this is a one year deal. So again look for the 23rd pick to be an offensive linemen.

For the fifth consecutive season, the Bucs will hold training camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex, this is by far the best training camp and NFL experience I have ever seen. The place is normally packed with fans of the Bucs/football and from around the world visiting Disney. It is neat to see them experience the NFL for the 1st time. Not to mention there is so much stuff to do, thanks to the Buccaneers and Disney. The NFL Experience is usually there for kids to play and have fun. After both the morning and afternoon practices, the players come over and talk with the fans and sign autographs. Living in the Bay area, I usually spend a week or so at the training camp. Besides its free and I don't miss a Bucs event.

Well with a small hesitation I renewed my season tickets. You see I have four tickets, and they went up $100 a piece, so about a $10 increase per games for ten home games. Plus $98 in taxes. Then I read that the Bucs might make season ticket holders pay another 10-year deposit which is the cost of one years season ticket. So my 10 year deposit was around $2100 for all four for tickets, which I do not want to pay again. Then you get a % back at the end of the season for the next 10 years, which if your lucky might get you dinner at Carrabbas with no drinks. Oh yeah, for those that do not know this does not include playoff tickets, which are sold separate if the Bucs get into the playoffs.

Here is what Bucs executive vice president Joel Glazer, who sat down with Tampa Tribune NFL reporter Ira Kaufman on Tuesday at the NFL spring owners meetings about season tickets:

Why have you raised ticket prices again?

One of the unfortunate things about sports in general these days is the cost.
Nobody likes raising ticket prices, but to remain competitive and do the things
necessary, that's the price of sports. Ticket prices have gone up everywhere. I
know what our top ticket price is and it's less than probably a third of the
NFL. I wish prices were what they were 20 years ago, but I also wish player
salaries were what they were 20 years ago. In terms of overall entertainment for
the game-day experience, we think our fans are getting good value for their
money.

What about rumors season ticket holders will soon be asked for another 10-year deposit?

We've heard a lot of speculation recently, but nothing has been decided.
We'll deal with it and it's something our fans will be happy with at the end of
the day. We know they've shown long-term commitment to the franchise and we'll
address that issue when the time comes.

This really did not answer the question. Well at least I do not have to pay for T.O.'s contract. Which brings me to another thought, We all bitch about how much these players make, to include me, but I just renewed my tickets. This only supports the high salaries that these players make. What are we as sports fans to do.

Arrrrrrrrrrrr maties Cutthroat out. Remember Dead men tell no tales.................

Quarterback tiers/keepers.

As most of you know I am a huge fantasy football guru. I have been playing for over 5 years. I have been in 3 leagues, up until this year, which I just quit a league. I am the commissioner of my league known as Playmakers Fantasy Football League, which you can checkout our league blog at playmakersffl Here is were my creativity goes, since once again I was called out by Ski over at the alleged Best Bucs Blog. I think someone is jealous since I am the topic of most of his articles. Ok enough with the Buccaneer Blog Wars. I know a bandwagon fan. when I read one.
Besides I have my readers in fact here is what one well known sports blogger wrote about this blog The Armchair Quarterbacksaid

" Just like your old look, your new look still makes Pewter Pirates one of
the best technically done sites out there. I like your idea to include other NFL
stuff. It does have a broader appeal. But I also like that you'll be maintaining
a Buc flavor. If I want to know what's happening with Tampa I click here first."

Here is my top fantasy tiers and keepers on quarterbacks heading into the 2006 season.
First I must disclose my scoring system to understand my tier. I have played in leagues, where a QB gets 10 points after he passes for 250 yards. then 1 point for every twenty five yards after that. So your QB throws for 225 yards you get no passing points. So I changed it to 1 point per every twenty five yards, which seems to be more fair. In reality unless you have Peyton Manning or Carson Palmer this season how many QB threw over 250 yards on a regular bases.

1 point per 25 yards
6 points for a touchdown
-1 point for fumbler
-1 point for interception
2 points for 2pt conversion
-1 point for QB sack

First Tier:



1. Peyton Manning - For several years now Peyton has been the number on QB in fantasy football. He had the second most touchdowns with 28, and he is due to throw 35-40 this season. Here is the thing, the Colts lost Edgerrin James. So will this hurt Mannings fantasy value or make it better. The Colts at present are going to rely on Dominick Rhodes as their starting running back. So Peyton may have trouble throwing this year because defense are not worried about the Colts running game. This could also work into Mannings advantage. With no running back, the Colts will be forced to pass the ball, and passing the ball is what Manning does best. He is a keeper in my book.


2. Carson Palmer- Palmer finally came into the fantasy football stud category after throwing 3,836 yards and 32 touchdowns. However, we also know that he suffered numerous tears, a shredded ligament, cartilage damage and a dislocated kneecap. Many fantasy owners will dump Palmer out of fear that he won't recover to his 2005 form. I say all that to say this, I would keep Palmer. Sure I would watch him closely during training camp, and preseason. However, he is a great quarterback, who just got his payday. Besides he throws to one of the best wide receivers in the game Chad Johnson. Palmer in a wheel chair could throw 20 TD and 2,000 yards to this receiver alone. Hes a keeper.


3. Daunte Culpepper- Culpepper has been a fantasy stud for several years with the likes of Randy Moss. Last year that fantasy value fell way off. Culpepper also has a serious injury to his knee. However, with the trade to Miami, and the receiving corp and tight end that Miami possess, I think Culpepper goes back to the top tier. With the help of a great receiver in Chris Chambers, and a good 2nd receiver in Marty Booker, and a great tight end in Randy McMichael, Culpepper regains his fantasy status as elite. He is a keep. Also check this video out on Culpepper:Daunte Culpepper Highlights

Second Tier:


4. Drew Bledsoe- Yep, I know sounds crazy, but you got to factor in T.O. Bledsoe posted decent numbers last season without WR Terrell Owens, now imagine what he will do with T.O and Terry Glenn, who just got a contract extension and a nice payday. Two happy WR and a legends at quarterback. The Drew now has 4,000-yard, 25-30 touchdown potential. Not to mention Dallas also has a good running game in Julius Jones. Could be a keeper.



5. Donovan McNabb- McNabb has always been at the top, in fact before T.O. McNabb was a 1st round Tier. Last season McNabb fantasy fell off due to injure and a disgruntled T.O. Now with T.O. in Dallas and the Eagles can get back to what they do best and that is go to the NFC Championship game. McNabb becomes a fantasy factor again. However, there is one problem they need to fix. Before T.O. they had Freddie Mitchell and James Thrash, now they have Reggie Brown as the their No. 1 wide receiver. They need a veteran free agent and a good Rookie WR in the draft to help them. I am surprised they did not go after Keyshawn. He would have been a nice target for McNabb. Plus the media would have had a field day with the Eagles and Dallas games. Which they still will because of T.O. McNabb is 100% healthy and ready for this season. I think he will be fine. But I would not keep him yet, you could draft McNabb in the second round. However, there is rumors that Eric Moulds might land in Philadelphia. We should know in the next 48 hours. The Texans are also in the bidding for Moulds. If Moulds goes to the Eagles, this would be huge for McNabb.

More of the second tier to come.

NFL Open Kickoff Game, and 3 Thanksgiving Day Games for 06.

NFL Thursday night season kickoff is on Sept. 7 at 8:30 p.m. ET, the Super Bowl XL champion Pittsburgh Steelers will oppose the Miami Dolphins as NBC rejoins the NFL's TV family for the first time since 1997. What a game for fantasy value. This is a real good game to start off the NFL Season and Fantasy Football.

This season the NFL will kick off 3 games for Thanksgiving Day. However the last game of the day at 8pm will only be aired on the NFL Network. Which you can only see on channel 212 from Satellite TV. Which I do have. I am already giving thanks, because my beloved Bucs are playing in the second game against Dallas. Wooooooooooo.

The early game that day (CBS, 12:30 p.m. ET) will feature the Dolphins at the Detroit Lions, under new head coach Rod Marinelli. Does anybody read between the writing? (Apparently the NFL thinks the Dolphins are going to be great this year, which I do agree. They have the opening game and a Thanksgiving game.

The second game (FOX, 4:15 p.m. ET) will send my Bucs, the NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Dallas to face the Cowboys.

The Thanksgiving package concludes at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network when the top two teams in the AFC West last year meet. The Denver Broncos (13-3) will visit the Kansas City Chiefs (10-6).

Finally my Bucs get a Thanksgiving Day Game. What could be better then eating turkey sitting around with family and watching the Buccaneers beat Dallas as you drink a cold one.

Will Heller Signs with Seattle.

Not big news, unless your a true Bucs fan. The Seahawks added tight end Will Heller on Friday, inking the free agent to a multi-year deal, according to the Seattle Times. Heller had just 15 catches and three touchdowns in three seasons with the Bucs and will be used as a blocking tight end by the Seahawks. See not big news. But its Buc news.

Big Free Agent Signing.

No, I am not talking about Kenyatta Walker resigning with the Bucs. I am talking about the Defending NFC Champions signing wide receiver Nate Burleson, who has signed an offer sheet with the Seahawks worth $49 million over seven seasons, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Only $5.25 million of the contract is guaranteed. Burleson looked like an emerging star playing opposite Randy Moss for the Vikings in 2004, but injuries and quarterback issues limited him to 30 catches for 328 yards and one touchdown last season. The Vikings have seven days to match the offer.This is huge news, with Joe Jurevicius going to the Browns, the Seahawks need a good number 2 receiver. So they went and got a number one receiver in Burleson. Burlseon and Darrell Jackson as wide receivers is huge. This could take the Seahawks back to the Big Game. I really don't think the Vikings will match it. We shall see.


Ok, now since some of us are so excited that we finally figured out that the Bucs are waiting until Friday evenings to make major roster moves that you were the last person to find out shame on you to call yourself a Bucs fan. Besides we all can't be a "Super Fan". All joking aside, this is not a huge move, after all the Bucs really did not want Walker back. However, with the asking price of Tom Asworth unreachable, and the aging of Brad Hopkins, which scared the Bucs away, the Bucs were forced to resign Walker. Oh by the way with Walker being a free agent, and his locker room comments at the end of the season that he was about to get his payday (meaning from another team), he had no takers. The Bucs will once again be forced to use their 23rd overall pick on a Offensive Tackle like Marcus McNeill.


Free agent cornerback Charles Woodson was in Tampa on Friday for a meeting with the Bucs, according to the Tampa Tribune. We already have three solid cornerbacks in Ronde Barber, Brian Kelly, and Juran Bolden, but the Bucs are seeking a veteran to play safety.


Woodson's agent, Carl Poston stated

"Charles will do anything, including selling popcorn, if it's going to help his
team win,"

We need a good safety and Woodson might be our guy. Besides Coach Gruden and GM Bruce Allen love those ex-Raiders. Plus there is still talk that Barber might hold out this season if he does not get a new contract. I hate to see this happen, but then again how Gruden operates, I could see Ronde out and Woodson in. Remember Keenan McCardell.

NFC South just became a Soap Opera.

Well I called that one right. Last Thursday I wrote an article called damn it I knew this is where he would go meaning the Panthers and today he did. Keyshawn Johnson or AKA Me-Shawn has reached agreement Thursday night with the Carolina Panthers on a four-year contract.

Fantasy wise this is great news for both Keyshawn and Steve Smith. Steve Smith, who has become the number one Fantasy Football Wide Receiver after last season just got better.

Now if you’re a Buccaneers fan this sucks. Now we will see this SOB twice a year. Now with Me-Shawn back in the NFC South expect ESPN as well as the NFL Network and NFL on Fox to bring up his public criticism of head coach Jon Gruden, about as much as they bring up the fact that we have never returned a kickoff for a touchdown in Buccaneer History.

However, the good news is that last time Keyshawn was in Tampa he did not go up against the number one defense. Lets see how he does this year when Derrick Brooks knocks him on his gluteus maximus.

Other NFL News:
The Patriots have made an informal inquiry regarding wide receiver Eric Moulds, who has been given permission by the Bills to seek a trade, according to the Boston Globe. This could be huge fantasy news for Moulds and Tom Brady.

Free agent kicker Mike Vanderjagt signed a three-year contract with the Cowboys on Thursday, ESPN reported. This is also big fantasy news if you think kickers are big news. However, this kicker is a good one, top tier as kickers go. He just has a chip on his shoulder. But this signing does make Dallas even better. With T.O. and Vanderjagt on the same team, here is where you fantasy points will come from for this team.

Here is one for my good buddy over at my opinion on sports. Wide receiver Chris Chambers predicted the Dolphins will play in the 2006 Super Bowl during a team awards banquet on Wednesday night. "They play the Super Bowl here next year," Chambers told the Miami Herald. "And I'll be damned if we're not the ones playing in our own stadium." I love this guy, man is there anyway we can trade and get Chambers in a Bucs uniform.

Buccaneer News:
The Bucs submitted a proposal to the league that would expand the scope of instant replay to include all penalties, reports the Tampa Tribune. The proposal will be considered by league owners at a meeting in Orlando next week. "We're offering the suggestion that all penalties that are called should fall within the realm of instant replay," general manager Bruce Allen told the Tribune. "We suggest any penalties that are called be subject to review. After reviewing hundreds of plays, we feel it's time to expand on instant replay, sine we have a system in place."

Even though the Bucs along with other teams have been screwed by the officiating this year. If the league switches to what the Bucs are asking, the game would last ummmm about twelve hours. But then again I don’t do anything on Sundays but watch the Bucs and football.

League Rule Changes Under Way.

March 26-30 will be the NFL's Annual meeting, which is held in sunny Orlando, Florida.
This years meeting will focus on several important decisions. First of which is who will replace the retiring Paul Tagliabue.

This is also where the competition Committee meets and makes changes if any to the existing NFL League Rules. The committee is comprised of co-chair of the NFL's competition committee Rich McKay, the committee also includes coach Jeff Fisher of Tennessee, the co-chairman; general managers Ozzie Newsome of Baltimore; Bill Polian of Indianapolis; and executives John Mara of the New York Giants and Mark Richardson of Carolina. Coach Marvin Lewis of Cincinnati is a nonvoting member.

Some of the League changes the committee must decide on are:

Offensive coaches and quarterbacks communicate on the field by the use of a radio headset that is in the quarterbacks helmet. Well now the NFL defenses could be wired this season. The competition committee will propose that teams be permitted to install a radio headset into the helmet of one defensive player. The apparatus would be similar to the ones inside the helmets of quarterbacks and would provide coaches an opportunity to communicate with the defense without using hand signals.

NFL defensive coaches have lobbied the league for the past few years to permit headsets for the helmet of at least one defensive player, must likely a linebacker. Those coaches contended that the offense has an unfair advantage because of the quarterback headsets. The competition committee finally agreed that the issue is worthy of consideration. The defensive coaches also claim that using hand signals as they do, gives the opposing offensive coaches an advantage to identify what defense is being called. Take the Buccaneers for example, 5 coaches from the Buccaneers staff are now head coaches or defensive coordinators in this league. When they play the Buccaneers, do you not think that they know what calls Monte Kiffin is calling. A radio headset in the helmet of Derrick Brooks would eliminate the need for visual hand signals.

According to Rich McKay:

The proposal that will be presented to NFL owners next week would permit
each team to designate one defensive player per game to wear a headset. The
defensive player could be from any position, although the assumption is that
most teams would designate a linebacker.

When the designated player is off the field, the headset cannot be
transferred to another defender. And if the player is injured and forced from
the game, the team would lose the use of the headset. "It basically would end
the communication," McKay said.

Well if you watched any football games this past season, you know what a poor job the officials did this year. It seems the League just made excuses and apologies to teams for getting the calls wrong. However, the NFL states that it is satisfied with the overall officiating in the 05 season



Picture is courtesy of www.profootballtalk.com
The NFL has said that it is satisfied with the overall officiating in the 05 season, but did find concern of the errors that affected the playoffs and the Super Bowl.

The NFL will fix a few rules, dealing mostly with player safety, offensive holding and false starts.

According to ESPN's stats, "in 256 games during the past regular season, there were 850 false-start calls. To cut that number, the committee is ready to recommend that minor flinches by wide receivers be ignored if they have no effect on the play." The NFL caters to quarterbacks and now they are starting to cater to wide receivers. Get this, the committee also is considering recommending to officials that they make sure there was holding on a play before throwing a flag. Is this not what they are suppose to be doing in the first place. For the committee to have to restate something that the officials are suppose to be doing in the first place tells me they know there is problems with the way the officiating has been called.

The committee also wants to change the rule on hits by defenders below the knee on quarterbacks, this could be a good call, but once again it protects the quarterbacks.

McKay said

"defensive players will be told they must make an effort to avoid hitting QBs in
the legs to avoid serious injuries, like the hit on Cincinnati's Carson Palmer
against the Steelers in the playoffs. "

The committee would also like to expand the "horse collar tackle rule", where a defensive player can not tackle with his hand inside the shoulder pads of a player running with the ball. As we have seen in the past few years all the knee injuries to running back as they were tackled from behind by their shoulder pads. Well know the league wants to include that to tackles inside the jersey.

Once again up for proposal is to extend the playoffs from 12 to 14 teams. Yep! This was brought to light by the Kansas City Chiefs, after they just missed the playoffs. I don't really care if the NFL goes to 14 teams in the playoffs, it just means more games for us fans to watch.

As with any rules change, the proposal requires a three-quarters vote of the membership or the support of 24 of 32 owners to be approved. So what do you guys think about these possible new rules changes that we might see in the 06 season?

Aaron Brooks agrees on two-year deal with Raiders.

Aaron Brooks can now hold his head up, the former New Orleans starter released last week after the Saints signed Drew Brees, has reached agreement with the Oakland Raiders on a two-year contract.

It is believed that Brooks will be getting close to $4-5 million per year. This is a nice payday for Brooks.

I think the Raiders made the right move. First they released a 33 year old quarterback (Kerry Collins), who was not worth the $9.2 Million they would have had to pay him.

Second they waited on the quarterback situation and did not make any crazy $60 million dollar deals (Drew Brees) to other free agent quarterbacks. Having the seven pick in the upcoming draft, and a real chance at drafting Vince Young, they played it smart.

Brooks, who is 29, is still young enough to have several productive seasons. He is a proven starter, and sure his numbers were down last year, but his goto guy Joe Horn was hurt for most of the season. Brooks may not be one of the elite quarterbacks in the league, but he can run, and can throw a long ball. He has been a starter for a number of years, and now he has Randy Moss. mmmmmmmmm This could be a sleeper pick for quarterback, what do you all think?

That said, he was arguably the best starting-caliber quarterback still available in the free agent pool. I was hoping the Bucs might sign him as a back-up. However, we could not afford the $4-5 million he is getting. Besides Chris Simms is not even getting $4 million this season. Anyway if you play fantasy football and are in a keeper league and you don't have one of the two top tier Qbs, Peyton Manning or a hurt Carson Palmer and by the time you pick the other good name qbs, such as Culpepper, Brady and McNabb are gone, remember Brooks has got Randy Moss, this could be a big sleeper.

Some Bucs, NFL, and Blog Updates.

BLOG NEWS:
I have done some thinking and I have decided that this blog will primarily be a Buccaneer Blog of course. However, I will start include all NFL, and fantasy football news to this blog. I have already changed for 3rd time my blog template. The left side bar will be for the Bucs and the right side bar will be for the NFL and other teams. I am doing this for a few reason:

1. Although I am a huge Bucs fan with season tickets, and my 4th bedroom is a buccaneer room, to include red and black painted walls, I still love the NFL.
2. I am a huge fantasy football guru and this gives me more to write about.
3. Not all my readers care about the bucs, so hopefully you will find stuff on your team here as well and feel more like leaving a comment.

So what do you think about the new blog?

BUCS NEWS:

Free-agent quarterback Brian Griese has agreed to a five-year deal with the Chicago Bears. I am so happy this guy is gone. I have never really been a fan of his. I was not happy when Brad Johnson was benched and Simms came in only to be injured, which gave Griese his moment in the spotlight. Griese could not make it in Miami, and if he was not injured this past season, he was going to be benched by Coach Gruden.

All I have to say is that in 1987, we had a Hall of Fame Quarterback and did not know it. We traded Steve Young to the 49ers and we all know the rest of the story. Now the year is 2006 and we resigned Chris Simms for another season. Maybe this is our Hall of Fame QB, then again maybe not. At least now we can find out.

Bucs resigned Tight End Dave Moore on Tuesday. He is in line to play his 13th season as a Buccaneer, which would be a new franchise record. Dave Moore is another beloved Buccaneer and best friend to Mike Alstott. For those that do not know Dave Moore and Mike Alstott are co-owners of www.islandwaygrill.com which is located just off Clearwater Beach.

It is a very nice restaurant where famous people have been known to eat at, such as Hulk Hogan. Who is also a huge Buccaneer fan and even a season ticket holder.

In other Buccaneer news San Francisco 49ers free agent fullback Fred Beasley visited One Buccaneer Place Tuesday.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Seneca Wallace will visit One Buccaneer Place on Wednesday, according to NFL Network. Wallace, who is a restricted free agent, is entering his fourth season in the NFL. The Bucs can only acquire the 5-foot-11, 196-pound quarterback if they sign him to an offer sheet that the Seahawks refuse to match. In return for Wallace’s services, the Seahawks would receive the Bucs’ fourth-round draft pick.

NFL NEWS:


Commissioner Paul Tagliabue is retiring from the NFL after 16 years in July.

"Paul has been an outstanding commissioner," Bucs owner and president
Malcolm Glazer said in a statement released by the team. "His leadership has
guided the league to unimaginable heights. Most importantly, he never forgot to
remind us that it was the fans and the game that should always come first."

Tagliabue has been in charge since 1989, when he succeeded Pete Rozelle,
Some of Tagliabue accomplishments are:

• Television contracts1990: Four-year, $3.6 billion contract (Inflation Value: $5.35 billion)2006: Contracts with four networks and DirecTV spanning as much as eight years is now worth $23.91 billion
• Gross League Revenues1990: $1.1 billion (Inflation Value: $1.63 billion)2006: $5.8 billion
• Franchise ValueTeam worth the most:1991: Miami Dolphins, $205 million, Financial World Magazine estimate (Inflation Value: $289 million)2005: Washington Redskins: $1.3 billion, Forbes estimate.
• Sponsorship Price To Be An Official NFL Sponsor:1990: $200,000 to $5 million2006: Gatorade pays $45 million per year, Sprint pays $120 million a year.
• Super Bowl CommercialPrice of a 30-second ad:1990: $700,0002006: $2.5 million

Ex-Buccaneer GM Rich McKay is on the short list to replace Tagliabue. Who do you think should be the new Commissioner? Would this spell DOOM for Jon Gruden, since the two did not get along and Gruden is accused of running McKay out of town?


Keyshawn Johnson is once again headed to the BIG APPLE, but this time it is with the Giants. If the numbers are right, he could sign with the Giants. Keyshawn thinks the Giants have a really good team and could contend for the Super Bowl. Besides, he loves the New York stage.


Unrestricted free agent Adam Vinatieri, who provided the winning field goals in two of the New England Patriots' three Super Bowl victories, has reached a contract agreement in principle with the Indianapolis Colts.


The Bills have given wideout Eric Moulds permission to seek a trade, according to Foxsports.com. Moulds has refused the team's attempts to renegotiate his contract several times and would count $10.8 million against the cap next season, which would be the last of his current deal.


The Jets finally got rid of disgruntled defensive end John Abraham on Tuesday. ESPN's Len Pasquarelli reports Gang Green shipped their franchise player to the Falcons in a three-way deal that netted them the 29th pick in April's draft, which had belonged to the Broncos. Denver shipped that pick and two middle-round picks, one in 2006 and a second in 2007, to Atlanta in exchange for the 15th overall pick.


The Jaguars re-signed former tackle Tony Boselli to a one-day contract, after which the five-time Pro Bowler announced his retirement. Boselli left Jacksonville via the expansion draft, but he never played a down for the Texans because of chronic shoulder problems. The Jaguars plan to induct Boselli as the first member of their Ring of Honor this season.

Hilliard Resigns with the Bucs.

Thank You Mr. Allen! Ike returns to us for another season. The Bucs re-signed veteran wide receiver Ike Hilliard and young cornerback Torrie Cox. Hilliard was in Houston today and met with the Texans, but it was the Buccaneers that pulled through and resigned the former Florida Gator to another season. As I said before I am a huge fan of Hilliards. Now Coach Gruden just needs to get him the ball more, because he has the hands.

According to ProFootballTalk.com, Hilliard signed a four-year contract with the Buccaneers.

Is Ike the Next Buccaneer to Leave?

The Houston Chronicle is reporting that Buccaneer Free agent receiver Ike Hilliard will visit the Texans this week. It seems that the Buccaneers are not interested in bringing the sure handed 3rd down receiver back for another year. First they allowed Joe Jurevicius to leave, now they are allowing Ike to leave.

I can not say that I am happy about this, I have met Ike and spent a few hours with him, I even got his autograph. This guys is a very good 3rd down and short yardage receiver, who should have gotten more balls thrown his way last season. It seems that he will get a nice offer from the Texans, and probably take it. So who will we be left with?