Bucs try hard to woo McCardell

By Nolan Nawrocki, Associate editor

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Friday, June 7, 2002

• Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden made sure former Jaguars WR Keenan McCardell knew how much Gruden wants him to become a Buccaneer on Thursday. Gruden assembled nearly the entire team, bused them to Raymond James Stadium and rolled out the red carpet for the veteran receiver. Cannons were fired from the pirate ship and highlights ran on the jumbo video screens. The elaborate presentation indicates that McCardell is the Bucs’ top target in free agency. The savvy, 10-year veteran would appear to be a good fit with Gruden’s style, but Tampa will have to cough up a lot of money to secure his talents. The Chiefs are pressing to sign McCardell and have already offered him a contract, which is believed to include a signing bonus of more than $5 million. Former Chiefs WR Derrick Alexander visited the Bucs Wednesday and did not receive anywhere near the all-out effort put on display to woo McCardell to Tampa. If the Bucs lose out on McCardell, they are expected to extend Alexander an offer.

• The Bucs are also looking to add depth to a thin LB unit. Team officials recently met with free-agent LB Ed McDaniel, who was released by the Vikings.

• Free-agent LB Mike Jones, who was released by the Steelers earlier this week, is close to signing a deal with the Raiders, the team that brought him into the league in 1991 as an undrafted rookie. Jones, 33, would join veteran LBs Bill Romanowski and Gerald Dixon as offseason free-agent acquisitions in a revamped LB unit.

• Former Lions WR Herman Moore will visit the Steelers Monday to meet with head coach Bill Cowher and director of football operations Kevin Colbert. Colbert served as the Lions’ director of pro scouting when Detroit selected Moore with its first-round pick in 1991. Moore has also expressed interest in the Colts, where he is familiar with offensive coordinator Tom Moore. Tom Moore served the same role in Detroit from 1994 to '96, when Herman Moore produced some of his best seasons. The Broncos are also in the picture.

• Washington unrestricted free-agent WR Michael Westbrook is scheduled to work out for the Jaguars Monday and may also visit the Bengals. Westbrook said the Redskins extended a minimal contract offer last week, indicating to him that they are not serious in keeping their former fourth overall selection from the 1995 draft.

• The Cardinals have expressed interest in former Redskins DE Marco Coleman, but the team is hoping to sign him for the NFL’s minimum salary for a 10-year veteran — $750,000. Coleman, who refused to take a pay cut in Washington, is believed to have his mind set on a much bigger deal.

• The Rams continue seeking depth on their offensive line, agreeing to terms Thursday with free-agent OT DeMarcus Curry. The 6-5, 317-pound Curry signed with the Bucs out of Auburn in 1999 and has played in just three games during the last three seasons.

Thursday, June 6, 2002

• Last year at this time, the Steelers were reportedly interested in former Lions WR Herman Moore when there was speculation that the veteran would be released. Now that he has been officially released by the Lions, the Steelers are believed to still be interested in Moore, but likely cannot afford to pay him more than the NFL minimum.

• LB Donny Green, who played for more teams than any other player last year, signed a one-year contract with the Chargers. He played in two games and was on the rosters of the Bills, Redskins, Chargers, Cowboys and Jaguars as a rookie last year before re-joining the Chargers.

• Free-agent LB Keith Mitchell visited the Texans after being released by the Saints. The Texans are very interested in Mitchell but likely will not be able to offer him more than the NFL minimum. Mitchell lives in Dallas in the offseason and is enticed by the Texans’ 3-4 defense, which is believed to be the best fit for Mitchell’s pass-rushing talent. While he may receive better offers from the Falcons, Lions, Chiefs or Eagles, all of whom have expressed interest, Texans GM Charley Casserly has said he will make Mitchell an offer, likely putting an end to the bidding for his services.

• With Mitchell likely locked up in Houston, the Eagles are focusing their efforts on signing LB Hardy Nickerson, who is scheduled to visit Philadelphia Friday. After losing veteran starting LBs Jeremiah Trotter and Mike Caldwell to free agency, the Eagles' defense is lacking veteran leadership in the middle. They have signed free-agent LB Shawn Barber, but he is coming off ACL surgery.

• The Buccaneers are believed to be most interested in former Jaguars WR Keenan McCardell to fill the WR slot opposite Keyshawn Johnson. McCardell will visit the Bucs today, a day after the team entertained former Chiefs WR Derrick Alexander.

• The Chiefs have decided not to pursue former Packers WR Antonio Freeman, but the Vikings may be interested. Growing impatient with Alexander's decision to visit other teams, Vikings head coach Mike Tice contacted Freeman's agent. What may appeal most to Freeman is that the Vikings have plenty of room under the cap.

Wednesday, June 5, 2002

• Former Eagles SS Damon Moore has signed a two-year contract with the Bears that could be worth as much as $1.8 million. Moore, 25, also visited the Bills and Patriots but opted to join the team he helped eliminate from the playoffs last season. Moore was an integral player in the Eagles’ vaunted secondary, but the team opted not to make him a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the fourth quarter of the NFC conference title game at St. Louis. The Eagles expected him to miss most of the 2002 season although he underwent surgery in February and is on pace to return in August or September. He could win a starting nod next to FS Mike Brown after SS Tony Parrish departed via free agency to the 49ers. Third-year veteran S Mike Green is slated to start at the position for the Bears, but he has started just two games in his career.

• All talk of re-signing DE Marco Coleman came to a close in Washington when the Redskins signed DT Santana Dotson to a one-year, $775,000 contract, which included a $25,000 signing bonus. With more than $3.3 million remaining under the cap, the Redskins still may add another veteran to the defensive line. Former Ravens DT Sam Adams and DE Rob Burnett appear to be the top two targets. Washington defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis is familiar with both players from his years in Baltimore. The Redskins also signed free-agent OL Kipp Vickers to a one-year, $475,000 contract, likely ending their search for offensive linemen. Vickers was a backup for Washington in 1998 and ’99 before spending two years with the Ravens.

• Former Packers WR Antonio Freeman could be donning a Seahawks helmet soon. Seattle head coach and general manager Mike Holmgren is familiar with Freeman from his time in Green Bay and would like to add him to his WR corps. Freeman was especially productive in Holmgren’s West Coast offense, but Freeman’s price tag could be too high after refusing to accept a lesser deal in Green Bay. The Vikings, Chiefs, Patriots and Bucs are also in the hunt for a wide receiver.

• Former Chiefs WR Derrick Alexander has narrowed his choices to the Vikings, Patriots and Bucs, with the opportunity to play alongside Randy Moss in Minnesota believed to be the most interesting to him.

• The Bills added depth to their backfield by signing former Panthers RB Richard Huntley to what is believed to be a one-year, $550,000 contract that included a $25,000 signing bonus. Huntley led Carolina in rushing last season with 665 yards but was released after the team signed Lamar Smith. Bills general manager Tom Donahue is familiar with Huntley from their time together in Pittsburgh. Bills offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride also coached Huntley with the Steelers.

• A day after signing OL Daryl Terrell, the Jaguars added Tennessee unrestricted free-agent C Kevin Long to the offensive line. Long agreed to a one-year, $525,000 contract.

• The Packers lead the running to sign former Jaguars LB Hardy Nickerson. Philadelphia and Tampa Bay are also believed to be interested in the 37-year-old Nickerson.

• The Rams signed veteran OG Heath Irwin to a one-year contract for the NFL minimum. The team also took a look at two other free agents — OT DeMarcus Curry and DE Eric Chandler. Curry played in three games for the Bucs last year before being released last month. Chandler was a seventh-round draft selection of the Browns in 2000 who was in the Giants’ training camp last year.

• Free-agent LB Keith Mitchell is expected to visit the Texans today, a day after being released by the Saints. The Saints saved $3.85 million in cap room over the next two seasons by waiving Mitchell. Saints P Toby Gowin may be the next victim of salary-cap cuts.

Tuesday, June 4, 2002

• The list of June 1 cuts was released yesterday, with few surprises. Among the casualties were Falcons RBs Jamal Anderson and Rodney Thomas, Bills OT John Fina, Lions QB Charlie Batch and WR Herman Moore, Jaguars WR Keenan McCardell and LB Hardy Nickerson, Chiefs WR Derrick Alexander, Packers WR Antonio Freeman, Giants OG Glenn Parker, Steelers LB Mike Jones, Redskins DE Marco Coleman and 49ers OG Ray Brown. The group of released wide receivers is drawing the most attention. McCardell has departed for a visit with the Chiefs and will then make a trip to Tampa Bay. Alexander has departed for Minnesota and is scheduled to make a visit to the Patriots and Bucs as well. Freeman has attracted interest from four teams and is mapping a schedule for visits. Moore is considering retiring as a Lion. Past knee injuries have kept the phones of Anderson and Parker quiet. On the other side of the ball, the Packers have shown a lot of interest in Nickerson. The Dolphins and Jaguars inquired about Coleman.

• The Jaguars signed former Saints OT Daryl Terrell to a two-year, $2 million contract after clearing $5.6 million with the release of Nickerson and McCardell.

• Former Ravens DE Rob Burnett has been extended offers by the Redskins, Dolphins and Patriots and may take another visit, possibly to Atlanta or Philadelphia, before making a decision about where he will play next season. The Falcons and Eagles are both looking for a defensive lineman, but Dolphins officials have their hopes set on securing depth at the DE position and are believed to have the best offer on the table. After originally extending a deal worth the NFL minimum of $750,000, Dolphins head coach Dave Wannstedt phoned Burnett over the weekend and raised the ante to a multiyear deal. Weighing heavily in the Dolphins’ favor is Burnett’s familiarity with Dolphins coaches. Defensive coordinator Jim Bates coached Burnett in Cleveland in 1994, and DL coach Clarence Brooks coached him at Syracuse. The Dolphins have also expressed interest in Coleman, but his salary demands are believed to be too high for the Dolphins.

• Kansas City exclusive-rights free-agent OL Brian Waters signed a one-year contract with the Chiefs. He has played in 22 games, starting eight and playing in all 16 games last season. He joined the Chiefs as a free agent in 2000.

Monday, June 3, 2002

• Packers GM and head coach Mike Sherman reached a mutual agreement with WR Antonio Freeman to place the six-year veteran on waivers. Sherman met with Freeman Friday. Freeman felt his best career move was to test the open market after being unable to reach a contract agreement in which he was being asked to take a pay cut. A former third-round draft pick in 1995, Freeman exceeded expectations in Green Bay, finishing third in career TD receptions with 57 and fourth in 100-yard receiving games with 20. By waiving Freeman, the Packers will save $4.3 million in salary this season, but the move will cost the team about that much against the 2003 salary cap. The release was expected after the Packers allowed Freeman to shop his services to other teams. Freeman was upset after the Packers traded for WR Terry Glenn and said he’d rather play for another team than take such a hefty pay cut.

• The Steelers released LB Mike Jones after signing him last year as insurance to protect rookie LB Kendrell Bell, who was drafted in the second round. Bell developed more quickly than expected, being named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and forcing Jones to stay in a reserve role all season. Despite signing a three-year contract last year that included a $250,000 signing bonus, Jones did not start a game with the Steelers, making him expendable.

• The Titans have reached an agreement with Oakland unrestricted free-agent OL Aaron Graham, a five-year veteran who is expected to win the long-snapping job. The five-year veteran is believed to have signed a one-year, $650,000 contract. The signing likely signals the release of veteran C Kevin Long.

• Lions unrestricted free-agent OLB Brian Williams has agreed to re-sign with Detroit, agreeing to a one-year pact believed to be worth $650,000. Williams, 29, played just two games for the Lions last year and started one. The six-year veteran has started 56 of 75 games in his career after being a third-round selection of the Packers in the 1995 draft.

• The Titans have reached an agreement with unrestricted free-agent RB Skip Hicks on a four-year contract believed to be worth about $4.4 million. The four-year veteran will compete with the recently signed Robert Holcombe for the backup tailback job behind Eddie George. Hicks joined the Redskins as a third-round selection in 1998 and spent three years in Washington before joining the Bears last summer as a free agent. He was released prior to the start of the regular season and then signed with the Titans.

• The Cowboys claimed TE-FB J.J. Huggins off waivers after he was released by the expansion Texans. Huggins played for the Cowboys in 2001 and was selected by the Texans with the last pick in the expansion draft.

• The Saints will release LB Keith Mitchell today. The five-year veteran is looking forward to the opportunity to play against his former team. The Texans, Chiefs, Eagles, Lions and Falcons have all expressed interest in Mitchell. The Falcons, who face the Saints twice a year, may be the most appealing option.

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