
--The Bucs wouldn't mind building a team in the image of the Super Bowl champions. So on Thursday, they took a closer look at Steelers quarterback Byron Leftwich.
The Bucs plan to add a fourth quarterback to their roster, but Leftwich's visit did not result in a contract as the team continues to weigh its options.
Leftwich, 29, backed up Ben Roethlisberger last year and is an unrestricted free agent. He visited the Washington Redskins last week and the Steelers have said they are interested in re-signing him.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Leftwich appeared in five games last season and played well for the Steelers, completing 21 of 36 passes for 303 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
The Bucs want to add a fourth quarterback to compete with Luke McCown, Brian Griese and Josh Johnson. That could come through free agency or the draft.
The Bucs will work out Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman in Tampa next week.
--The Glazer family has discovered that championships don't always result in profits.
Manchester United's parent company posted a pretax loss of $65.9 million last season despite an improved operating profit by the club after winning both the Premier and Champions League.
Figures released on Thursday by Companies House showed that United's operating profit went up by $7.35 million to $118.3 million in the fiscal year ending June 2008. The results revealed increased TV revenues and bonuses from title successes, confirming that the club maintains a strong marketing brand around the world.
But the continued debt repayments by Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer, who took out a loan to buy the club in 2005, meant the balance sheet showed another loss.
The club is also looking for a new shirt sponsor to replace American International Group (AIG), which collapsed last year and was bailed by the U.S. government.
--LB Angelo Crowell wasn't able to participate in the Bucs' three-day minicamp, but he was at the facility every day and even took part with the team during their stretching sessions.
Crowell still is recovering from a knee injury that forced him to miss all of 2008. When he returns during OTA's in May, he will begin competing with Quincy Black at strong-side linebacker.
When healthy, the 6-foot-1, 246-pound Crowell is an impact player. In '07, he recorded 126 tackles with two sacks and an interception. Being injured makes it tough for Crowell to build much chemistry with his new teammates.
"It's a different dynamic being a new guy because you create a lot of bonds with your teammates being on the field. You get along off the field, but when you're on the field and you're grinding together, that's where the closeness and relationships are built," Crowell said.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's a little bit frustrating just sitting out. I'm just anxious to get back out there because I've got a lot of doubters that think I can't come back and be the player I was. To come back and be the player I was would be a disappointment to me. I've got to be better than that, so I'm anxious to get out on the field and show what I can do." -- Bucs LB Angelo Crowell, who is recovering from a knee injury.