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Clayton Happy To Be Back

Tribune file photo by JAY CONNER

Clayton signed a five-year deal that will pay him nearly $11 million in guarantees.

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By ROY CUMMINGS

rcummings@tampatrib.com

Published: March 1, 2009

Updated: 03/01/2009 11:22 pm

TAMPA - The parade of free agents into One Buc Place is finally underway.

One day after visiting with Raiders guard Cooper Carlisle, the Bucs are expected to meet with Bills cornerback Jabari Greer today. The Bucs also are expected to meet with Giants running back Derrick Ward, probably on Tuesday.

Though the visits are a sign things are picking at One Buc, Bucs fans should remember that visits don't mean much. It's better than seeing your team ignored, but as they found out late Saturday with Michael Clayton, a visit doesn't mean the player will sign with his host.

Clayton had just wrapped up a visit with the Detroit Lions late Saturday when the Bucs agreed to his demand for a new contract. The result was a five-year deal that will pay Clayton nearly $11 million in guarantees and could be worth as much as $26 million should Clayton reach performance incentives.

"It's not very often that you get the money you're looking for and also get to be with the team you wanted to play for," Clayton said Sunday after signing his new contract. "I'm very happy."

Like many free agents, Clayton visited the Lions and was prepared to visit the Seahawks primarily to get a read on his market value. Other Bucs such as safety Jermaine Phillips and cornerback Phillip Buchanon are doing pretty much the same thing, without all the travel.

There's a good chance, then, that while the Bucs are entertaining the likes of Greer and Ward, they'll finally come to terms with a few more of their own free agents.

That was the Bucs' primary objective, but they have to be prepared should the likes of Buchanon get away. That's why Greer is on their radar along with fellow free agent corners Jamar Fletcher (Cincinnati) and Daven Holly (Cleveland).

Greer came to the league in 2004 as an undrafted free agent. By the seventh week of the 2007 season, he had taken over as a starter and he was starting last season until he was sidelined by an ankle injury.

Ward, meanwhile, is considered the top running back in free agency. He has struggled to stay healthy but he could fill the team's need for a complement to Earnest Graham.

The Bucs also are in the market for a defensive tackle and one player they were interested in, Colin Cole, left the Packers for the Seahawks on Sunday.

Another item on the Bucs' offseason wish list is a quarterback to compete with Luke McCown for the starter's job. J.P. Losman and Rex Grossman are among the free agents available, but the Bucs may not have much interest in them.

The Bucs were one of two teams - the Lions were the other - that tried to work a three-team deal for Broncos starter Jay Cutler on Saturday. The deal fell apart the Patriots traded Matt Cassel to Kansas City.

Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979.

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