"It was a shock, just like it was to everybody," Hayward said. "Like coach said, they're going in a different direction and in order to do that, you have to let key players - great players - go. We were able to learn a lot of things and hopefully we can keep what they taught us.

"It's definitely an opportunity for me to do my thing and have a chance to shine."

--The Bucs signed RB Derrick Ward to work as a tandem with Earnest Graham. But they haven't given up on Cadillac Williams, who is recovering from his second torn patellar tendon in as many years.

"His spirits are fine," Graham said. "Cadillac's not a guy who gets too down on himself. He's around doing a lot of stuff right now, cutting and doing some things. It's not even near (as bad) as the other injury. It's a lot less severe. I definitely think he'll be fine."

--LT Donald Penn signed his one-year tender as a restricted free agent and still wants a long-term contract. But he earned a nice boost of $310,919 through the performance based pay system, the most of any Bucs player this season.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Somehow, some way, they've got to make it so I don't have to switch my number. I've been 23 for too long." -- Bucs S Jermaine Phillips on switching to linebacker this season.