By ROY CUMMINGS

rcummings@tampatrib.com

TAMPA - The thought has crept into his mind a few times already this week. It will creep in a few more times Sunday. Though it's not how he would have it, Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia knows this week's game against the Raiders might be his last as a Buccaneer.

"I hope it's not my last," Garcia said. "But because of the way things are, it might be."

It could be the last for several Bucs regulars. Like Garcia, wide receiver Michael Clayton and tight end Jerramy Stevens will become free agents after the season. Though staying in Tampa is a possibility, it doesn't appear to be their priority.

Eager to play for a team that he believes will better utilize his talents as a receiver, Clayton says he is destined to test the free-agent market.

"I will definitely test the market, without a doubt," said Clayton, who ranks fourth among Bucs pass catchers this year with 36 receptions. "I mean, I've always felt like I could have been put in a better position to be a better player here, a more productive player here.

"As a competitor, you want to be out there making plays, and I came off a [rookie] season [in 2004] where I caught 80 balls. Never being able to get that amount of attempts [again] basically speaks for itself."

Stevens isn't looking for more opportunities to catch the ball. After playing for the league's minimum salary the past two years, he said he just wants to be paid better.

"I think I've done what they've asked me to do, and I've made plays when I've been given the opportunity," said Stevens, who leads Bucs tight ends with 34 receptions. "And I'd love to be back. I want to be back. But I also want to get paid."

The Bucs won't start concentrating on whether to pay Stevens or anyone else until well after the season is over. Until then, Coach Jon Gruden said he expects everyone to act and play like professionals.

That shouldn't be a problem. Though their future is clearly on their minds, Garcia, Clayton and Stevens all say playing well in and winning Sunday's game is their primary objective.

It's apparent, though, that some will be playing that game with a thought toward giving the Bucs and other teams one last look at what they can do.

"Every game is a r?sum?, and I have one more opportunity to show the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that I want to be here and that I deserve to be here and deserve to be paid for what I do," Clayton said.

Garcia said he doesn't think he needs another game to prove his worth to the Bucs, and his teammates backed him, some saying he should have been signed to a new contract before this season.

"He led us to the playoffs and went to the Pro Bowl last year," Stevens said of Garcia. "He's played well for us and he's done everything that's been asked of him.

"And that's after going through a whole lot of struggle and strife with the Brett Favre situation and after getting benched and coming back and playing great and leading us to wins when we really needed them.

"That's hard for any player to do, and he's the kind of player that's been doubted his entire career, so he's got a lot of respect in this locker room. I'd love to be back and have him back with me."

Antonio Bryant is another free agent who is hoping to return to the Bucs after this season, and he also believes the 38-year-old Garcia deserves the chance to run the Bucs' offense again.

"Most definitely he's earned the right to come back," Bryant said. "I mean, you go in a foxhole and you want warriors in that foxhole with you, and he's a warrior. He's the kind of guy you want to play with."

"I mean, I've always felt like I could have been put in a better position to be a better player here, a more productive player here."

--Michael Clayton

On why he will test the free-agent market

"I think I've done what they've asked me to do and I've made plays when I've been given the opportunity. ? I want to be back. But I also want to get paid."

--Jerramy Stevens

On why he will test the free-agent market

"I hope it's not my last. But because of the way things are, it might be."

--Jeff Garcia, right

On Sunday's game against Oakland, which could be his last as a Buccaneer

Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979.

Photo credit: Tribune photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

Photo: Jeff Garcia led the Bucs to the playoffs last season, but he hasn't always seen eye-to-eye with Coach Jon Gruden.

Photo credit: Getty Images/Tribune illustration

Photo: Jeff Garcia

Photo: Michael Clayton

Photo: Jerramy Stevens

Copyright ? 2008, The Tampa Tribune and may not be republished without permission. E-mail library@tampatrib.com