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After quiet start, Bucs ready to join free agency game

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By ROY CUMMINGS | The Tampa Tribune
and IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 10, 2010

TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offseason focus remains on the NFL Draft, but the team will entertain a few free agents in the coming days.

Among those scheduled to visit on Thursday is safety Sean Jones, who started nine games last season for the Philadelphia Eagles.

"I'm not going to say a name, but we've got people coming in for workouts, free-agent visits, guys who can help us, young pieces," Bucs coach Raheem Morris said on Wednesday. "Guys that can improve our football team, that fit our plan, fit what we want to do as an organization.''

Jones, 28, was a 2004 second-round draft pick (59th overall) of the Cleveland Browns. He has started 53 of 59 games played since earning a starter's role at free safety with the Browns in 2006. He had 14 interceptions in his final three seasons with the Browns and recorded 61 tackles, five pass breakups and two interceptions last season with the Eagles.

Considered more of a thumper than a pass defender, Jones is suited for the strong safety role.

The Bucs reportedly have interest in two other free agent safeties – Brodney Pool of the Browns and Gibril Wilson of the Dolphins.

Tampa Bay's lone acquisition so far this offseason is receiver Reggie Brown, acquired in a trade with the Eagles. According to Morris, Brown fits the club's blueprint for success.

"With Reggie Brown, you've got a guy who has caught some balls in this league, a guy who has experience,'' Morris said Wednesday. "He's got a great personality, a great demeanor and we were fortunate to coach him in the Senior Bowl a few years back. He needs a change of scenery. He didn't get as much action the past couple of years with Philly, but when you draft a Mr. (DeSean) Jackson and a Mr. (Jeremy) Maclin, your opportunities become limited. Here, Reggie Brown gets a new opportunity, a new window, a fresh start.

"We know about his initial quickness, his ability to get off the line of scrimmage and his ability to separate down the field. To be able to put him as part of a corps with Maurice Stovall, Sammie Stroughter, Michael Clayton and whoever we're fortunate enough to add in the draft, it'll be a lot of fun.''

Morris defended Tampa Bay's decision to remain inactive in the early days of free agency.

"(GM) Mark Dominik and I know our direction, we know our plan,'' said Morris. "We went with the youth movement last year and we're building around that youth. We talked about building like we did from 1996-2003 and having core guys being able to play together and grow together. Mark and I are on the same plane. We're discussing who we like, who we don't like, guys that fit, guys who can come in and be a solid part of this community. Reggie Brown happened to fit all of those categories.''

Morris said he plans to attend the University of Florida's March 17 Pro Day in Gainesville in anticipation of maximizing the impact of a draft in which the Bucs own 10 selections, including five of the top 99. The Bucs expect at least five of their picks in next month's draft to make immediate contributions

"You've got to hit it, you've got to go out and get five players who are going to be contributors right away,'' Morris said. "We've got some pretty good draft picks to go out there and fill positions. You don't necessarily want to draft for need – you want to draft for impact. We're looking for character, we're looking for players, we're looking for guys who want to come in and be part of something we're developing here in Tampa.''

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