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By IRA KAUFMAN

ikaufman@tampatrib.com

Published: December 26, 2008

TAMPA - Within the next two weeks, we'll know whether Antonio Bryant is the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year.

Here's the real question for Bucs fans: Is he coming back?

Tampa Bay's 27-year-old wide receiver heads into Sunday's regular-season finale against Oakland coming off a sensational three-game stretch that produced 23 catches for 435 yards and four touchdowns.

Bryant has recharged a checkered career in Tampa, but he's eligible to hit the March free-agent market, where a big payday may await.

His teammates appear genuinely happy for Bryant's success with his fourth pro team, one year after he sat out the entire 2007 season because his reputation as a disruptive player turned off all 32 clubs.

"My first time going to free agency 2006, a couple of guys came out in much better situations than me," Bryant said. "Guys who weren't better than me and still aren't better than me. At the end of the day, numbers don't lie and film don't lie. This time around, hopefully, people can stop using the same excuses and do the right thing and allow me to play football."

General Manager Bruce Allen acknowledges the Bucs are in the midst of trying to work out a deal that will keep Bryant in pewter.

Bryant says he enjoys being a Buccaneer, but he's focusing on the Raiders and an opportunity to compete in his first playoff game since the 2003 season, his second year with the Cowboys.

Bryant, who also posted a 1,000-yard season for the Browns in 2005, has accounted for 35 percent of Tampa Bay's passing yards this year and 57 of his 80 receptions have resulted in first downs.

"You can't deny this guy has done things here in Tampa that have never been done before," Coach Jon Gruden said. "We are hoping we can keep him around here. I am sure that he is going to have a lot of people that are interested in his services, but I am really happy for him."

If Bryant doesn't sign a new deal with the Bucs in the next few months, he could be a coveted unrestricted free agent. All it takes is one suitor to set the market price and a struggling franchise like the Rams or Raiders could throw a lot of money Bryant's way.

"My mentality right now is I'm a Buccaneer," he said. "My main focus is winning this game, Dallas gets their butts whipped and let's keep on rolling. I'm glad it has come down to one small scenario - win and Dallas gets its butt kicked."

With Joey Galloway and Michael Clayton unlikely to return in '09, the Buccaneers have a pressing need to retain Bryant as a downfield threat. The former Pitt standout has registered all four of Tampa Bay's completions of 40 yards or more this season.

While Bryant publicly dismisses any suggestion he has been a troublemaker in the past, the fact remains the Bucs were the only club to give him a chance in March.

Bryant joins Phillip Buchanon, Chris Hovan and Jerramy Stevens as talented players who revived flagging careers in Tampa.

"It has all come together for him and these are the standards we hold him to - to become a great player," Gruden said of Bryant, who lasted only one year in San Francisco.

The 49ers had paid Bryant a $5 million signing bonus as a free agent, but he clashed often with Coach Mike Nolan. Toward the end of that tumultuous season, Bryant was suspended for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

The Bucs have ample room under the salary cap to extend a lucrative offer for Bryant, who has fit in well with the leaders in Tampa Bay's locker room.

"He's amazing," defensive end Kevin Carter said. "I love the guy. Antonio's career has been resurrected here and it's a nice thing to see."

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833.

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