
FRANCHISE PLAYER: WR Antonio Bryant: tendered at $9.884M.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--S Will Allen is a valuable backup and special teams captain who started two seasons at free safety. Lost his job in '07 to Tanard Jackson. Bucs will attempt to re-sign him.
--CB Phillip Buchanon was a starting corner with man coverage abilities that would work even better under new defensive coordinator Jim Bates. Buchanon is very close to Morris and re-signing him is a big priority.
--DE Kevin Carter is one of the Bucs' team leaders and still a versatile player who can be effective against the run. The Bucs want to re-sign Carter.
--DE/LB Patrick Chukwurah is a smallish defensive end in the 4-3 who was re-signed due to injuries. Bucs will have little or no interest in bringing him back.
--QB Jeff Garcia wore down late in both seasons and was ineffective in the fourth quarter. He also struggled in the red zone and will be 39 at the start of 2009 season.
--WR Cortez Hankton is a solid special teams contributor who spent some time on the practice squad. Limited interest in re-signing him from the Bucs.
--DT Jovan Haye spent much of 2008 battling injuries and did not duplicate his '07 production. Undersized and not a consistent pass rusher, but the Bucs will have some interest in re-signing Haye.
--CB Jermaine Phillips is one of the best run stoppers at strong safety in the NFL, Phillips' career has been plagued by broken forearms - he's had four, including breaking each arm last season. Even with the emergence of Sabby Piscitelli at strong safety, the Bucs would like to re-sign Phillips.
--TE Jerramy Stevens has been clean off the field for the Bucs the past two seasons. He's led all tight ends in receiving and touchdowns the past two seasons, but is looking for a large deal after playing for the minimum.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--LT Donald Penn is a solid starter who should get the maximum tender. Team is negotiating with him on a long-term deal.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: Unknown.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--QB Luke McCown: Potential UFA; $7.5M/2 yrs, $2.5M SB.
--DT Ryan Sims: Potential UFA; 4 yrs, terms unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED: None.
PLAYERS LOST: None.