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Bucs Have Several Must-Keep '09 Free Agents

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By ROY CUMMINGS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 5, 2008

TAMPA - You're already envisioning a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense without its architect, Monte Kiffin. Now close your eyes and imagine that Jermaine Phillips, Jovan Haye and Phillip Buchanon are gone, too.

While you're at it imagine the Bucs offense without Jeff Garcia, Antonio Bryant and Donald Penn. Think of it without Jerramy Stevens, Michael Clayton and Luke McCown. Not just for a week or two. For good.

Think it can't happen? Think again. All but Kiffin will become free agents after this season. Even worse, all but Penn will become unrestricted free agents after this season.

The good news is the Bucs have all the money and salary cap space necessary to retain all their free agents if they so choose. The question is, whom will they choose to keep.

Garcia is a must. That point was made here last week but it's worth making again. He's the Bucs' best quarterback and the best fit yet for coach Jon Gruden's offense.

Bryant is a must. The Bucs took a chance on him last spring and he has rewarded them for it by becoming their best and most versatile receiver. Now it's time to reward him.

Penn is a must. The Bucs would really like to see their starting left tackle get a little bigger and a little tougher, but it's better to give him the chance to do that here than somewhere else.

Also, keep in mind the likelihood of the Bucs picking very late in the draft next year. If their biggest need is a tackle, and it may well be, they'll be hard pressed to find a starter near the bottom of the first round.

Haye is a must. He hasn't conjured memories of Warren Sapp the way he did last year but he's still one of the big reasons the Bucs have allowed only one rushing touchdown and one 100-yard rusher.

Stevens is a must. He has the speed necessary to get down the seam and stretch defenses and he's improving as a blocker. Unless Gruden has plans to bag his two- and three-receiver sets Stevens should be brought back.

Clayton is a must. He's not the Bucs most consistent pass catcher, but he provides much needed depth and you'll be hard pressed to find a more willing and effective blocker among the players in his position group.

Phillips is a must. The Bucs have been thinking of letting Phillips go and making Sabby Piscitelli their starting strong safety, but they're a better team with Phillips around and with Piscitelli in reserve.

Buchanon is a must. There's a reason opposing offenses pick more on Ronde Barber than Buchanon. Next to Bryant, Buchanon may be the most successful reclamation project the Bucs have ever undertaken.

Kevin Carter is a must. The Bucs desperately want to get younger on defense, but Carter is still their best bet at left end. Again, keep their draft position in mind. They may find a suitable replacement there. Then again they may not.

Ryan Sims is a must. He's a role player but he plays a big role. He keeps the run defense intact, pressures the quarterback and allows Haye to get a breather. Until Greg Peterson proves he's better, Sims has to stay.

McCown is not a must. The Bucs have Brian Griese in reserve and Josh Johnson is their future. If they knew for sure McCown was an upgrade over either one he'd have to stay, but there still is no way of knowing that.

Will Allen is not a must. He's a solid backup safety but the Bucs can probably do a little better. In a perfect world he stays but the Bucs can find a replacement on draft day, no matter where they pick.

Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979 or at rcummings@tampatrib.com.

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