Bucs offer tenders to potential restricted free agents

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers don't want to lose free agents such as right guard Davin Joseph, linebacker Quincy Black and tackle Jeremy Trueblood, and they're taking every step possible to make sure they don't.

Though a new Collective Bargaining Agreement could render them meaningless, the Bucs have sent restricted free-agent tender letters to all of their players preparing to test the market as unrestricted free agents.

The tenders are for players whose contracts are set to expire in March and who have between four and six years of NFL service. Those players are expected to be unrestricted free agents, but the outcome of the CBA negotiations could change that.

"We're going to go with business as usual in terms of what we would do (if there was no potential of a work stoppage)," Bucs general manager Dominik said. "My mindset is to make sure we do our due diligence from the club's standpoint."

The tenders protect the Bucs' interest by giving them the right of first refusal should one of those players reach free agency and negotiate a deal with a rival club. There's a chance, though, the tenders will be deemed null and void.

"If they are binding, then we're prepared," Dominik said. "We just don't want to let something slip through the cracks. "It's the thing you have to do."

Several players and their agents confirmed receipt of the letters, and while some throughout the league believe it could prove to be a contentious issue, Trueblood is clearly not one of them.

"I'd be excited if the new CBA works out to where I'm still a restricted free agent," Trueblood wrote in a text message to The Tampa Tribune. "That gives me another year to prove how good I can be at RT with this high-powered Bucs offense."

In addition to Joseph, Black and Trueblood, linebacker Adam Hayward, wide receiver Maurice Stovall and defensive ends Tim Crowder and Stylez G. White are free agents who have between four and six years of accrued NFL experience.

Kicker Connor Barth, tackle James Lee, safety Corey Lynch, cornerback Elbert Mack, receiver Micheal Spurlock and defensive lineman Frank Okam have less than four years of experience and are expected to be restricted free agents.

All of those players were sent tender letters, Dominik said, as well as the team's exclusive-right's free agents, players with less than three years of experience.

Placing tenders on players can create animosity because the tender is designed to limit a player's movement in free agency. Dominik said players shouldn't take the move as a negative.

"I think we all feel like we're worth "X" or whatever, but the (tender) doesn't preclude you from doing a long-term deal," he said. "So, the reality is, I just told the player that I want him and that he's a good player.

"It's harder if you don't get a letter in terms of what that says about you. The guys who get a letter have value to us and we want them to be a part of our football team going forward."

Joseph, a first-round draft pick in 2006, is a five-year starter at left guard. Trueblood, a second-round pick in 2006, started as a rookie at right tackle, but lost his job late in the 2010 season after being sidelined by a knee injury. When healthy again, he was unable to win back the job from Lee.

Black, a third-round pick in 2007, started the past two seasons at outside linebacker.

Hayward, a sixth-round pick in 2007, has four career starts and is a key special teams player. Stovall, a third-round pick in 2006, has 11 career starts with 51 receptions and three touchdowns.

White, who signed with the Bucs as a free agent after an impressive career in the Arena Football League, has been the starting right defensive end, but lost his job late last year after recording just 4.5 sacks in 14 games.

Dominik spent a good portion of his first two days here at the NFL Scouting Combine talking with the agents for players who have more than six years of experience and are expected to become unrestricted free agents no matter what. That list includes linebacker Barrett Ruud, running back Cadillac Williams, tight end John Gilmore and special teams standout Niko Koutouvides.

Despite the talks, no deals will be reached before the CBA expires on March 4.

"I think we're done until we get clarity," Dominik said.