TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Bucs GM on Vick: Not interested

News Channel 8 photo by BOB HANSEN

Head coach Raheem Morris and GM Mark Dominik address fans during the Bucs Chalk Talk luncheon.

ADVERTISEMENT

By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 12, 2009

TAMPA - Add the Buccaneers to the growing list of NFL teams who are passing on Michael Vick.

Vick, the beleaguered quarterback who is completing a 23-month sentence for overseeing a dogfighting ring, was released by Atlanta Friday.

"We weigh every option when it comes to players,'' said Bucs GM Mark Dominik, "and I can honestly say we've done our due diligence on Michael Vick and we're not interested.''

Dominik's remarks came during Friday's Tampa Chamber of Commerce luncheon, where he was accompanied on stage by new head coach Raheem Morris, veteran defensive tackle Chris Hovan and rookie quarterback Josh Freeman, selected out of Kansas State after the Bucs traded up in the first round.

"Besides, we feel we have our quarterback right here,'' Morris said.

As the Bucs head into next week's mandatory minicamp, Morris did not rule out the possibility of Freeman beating out veterans Luke McCown and Byron Leftwich for the starting job in Week 1 against Dallas Sept. 13.

"Our starting quarterback has to be decided on the field of play and I'm not ruling out anyone,'' Morris said. "I'm not ruling out the guy sitting here to my right. We're trying to win right now. My job is to win and I plan on doing it. We have a vision and we do have a plan. You cannot be a great team until you have a great quarterback. We want to develop here the same feeling Indianapolis has about Peyton Manning.''

Freeman said his primary focus is soaking up the game plan of new offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski before training camp opens Aug. 1.

"There is pressure and high expectations, but I hold myself to extremely high standards,'' Freeman said. "I'm striving for perfection and I feel I'm in a great situation to succeed.''

Dominik and Morris bristled when it was suggested the Bucs are retooling after successive 9-7 seasons under former coach Jon Gruden.

"Rebuilding year? I'm not interested,'' said Morris. "We believe in forcing our will on our opponents. My only fear is letting down my parents.''

"When you say that (rebuilding), it's discrediting to a Chris Hovan, a Ronde Barber and the players already here,'' Dominik said. "You can say we're in somewhat of a youth movement, but I don't think you can say we're rebuilding.''

Entering his 10th pro season, Hovan said the Bucs are determined to prove their skeptics wrong.

"In football, hope is for losers,'' he said. "We're going to go out there and get this thing done. If your focus going into the season isn't on winning a championship, I don't know why you're playing this game.''

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT