Sports
Bucs Bolster Their Linebacker Depth
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Published: March 5, 2008
TAMPA - When traffic in and out of One Buc Place was slowing, the action there actually picked up Tuesday.
In what proved to be one of the busier days of the free-agency signing period, the Bucs signed three reserve linebackers and opened dialogue aimed at possibly signing running back Julius Jones (Dallas).
The additions are Teddy Lehman, a four-year veteran who has played his entire career with the Lions; Leon Joe, a five-year vet who has played for Arizona, Chicago and Buffalo; and Matt McCoy, a three-year vet who has played with the Eagles and Saints.
The interest in Jones, meanwhile, comes on the heels of a visit Monday with former Buc Warrick Dunn, who spent Tuesday contemplating his next move, which may be signing with Tampa Bay.
The likelihood, though, is that Dunn will make at least another visit or two. Dallas and Houston have expressed interest and he may check out the Colts before deciding where to go.
That may explain the Bucs' interest in Jones. A four-year vet, Jones ran for an average of 102.4 yards in eight games (seven starts) last season.
Ranked 19th in The Sporting News' list of the top 99 free agents, he is arguably the best unrestricted free-agent running back still available.
Another prominent name still on the market is Bryant Johnson. The Cardinals' free-agent receiver has spent the past two days in Buffalo but he was believed to be considering making a trip to visit the Bucs.
The Bucs are also still in the running for tight end Ben Troupe, who also was in Buffalo on Tuesday, but there was no indication he would sign.
On defense, the Bucs are one of the teams looking strongly at defensive back Eugene Wilson, who played for New England last year. He completed a visit with the Bucs on Monday.
The signing of Lehman, meanwhile, gives the Bucs added depth at outside linebacker. Scouts describe him as being very athletic and relentless but susceptible to injury.
Joe, who spent four days with the Bucs last year after being claimed off waivers, is described by scouts and very athletic and very physical but lacking in system expertise.
In other news, former Bucs center John Wade spent part of Tuesday visiting with the Houston Texans, which is more than most of the Bucs' other free agents can say.
There so far has been very little interest in tight end Anthony Becht, running back Michael Pittman and offensive lineman Matt Lehr. Interest in fellow tight end Jerramy Stevens seems to be minimal, too.
The Bucs, though, may have a plan to bring some or all of those players back as they continue to look for another running back, another tight end and offensive line depth.
Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979 or rcummings@tampatrib.com.
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