--Receivers coach Richard Mann said he'd like the Bucs to re-sign receiver Michael Clayton, who is likely to become an unrestricted free agent when the signing period begins Feb. 27.
"There's a couple good players that are out there, but if I had my druthers, I loved the guys that I had. I think they're good players," Mann said. "I know that (Clayton) wants to come back. I think that means a lot. I don't know what the money is going to be, but I'm starting to think if it's close -- whatever that means -- I think he would probably come back with us. That would be a good thing because I really think he's a good player and he does a lot of things that a lot of them won't do...Joey (Galloway) is not free, but I don't know what they're going to do. We'll see."\
--The Bucs re-signed DT Ryan Sims to a four-year contract. He was due to become a free agent next week, but this move keeps him in the fold and is a move toward the bigger defensive lineman coordinator Jim Bates envisions using in his scheme.
Sims played sparingly in his first season in Tampa Bay, 2007. But last fall, he saw an expanded role in part because of injuries but also because the team made a greater effort to utilize him. The former Chiefs first-round draft pick notched 27 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 2008.
At 6-4 and 315 pounds, Bates likely sees Sims as a space eater who can help address the team's late-season woes in stopping the run. While Sims didn't always thrive in the traditional Tampa 2 scheme used under former coordinator Monte Kiffin, it appears the Bucs are hoping he'll be more successful in the style Bates intends to play.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'd rather come in following Monte than come into someplace where they haven't been passionate, they haven't had the team feel and they haven't played good defense. I'm glad I'm coming in here. And they're big shoes to fill." -- Bucs defensive coordinator Jim Bates.
