http://blogs.tampabay.com/bucs/2008/...ign-wr-an.html
he Bucs have made their first move at a position that needs some help, signing troubled free agent receiver Antonio Bryant to a contract.
Bryant has started 56 times in his 77 career games with the Cowboys, Browns and 49ers. But whether he can help the Bucs after a year out of the NFL remains to be seen. Bryant was released by San Francisco in March 2007 and did not play in the league last fall, largely because he had a potential suspension looming over him because of noncompliance with the substance-abuse policy.
A lawsuit filed against the NFL last summer has been resolved and Bryant's Denver-based agent, Peter Schaffer tells us "there are no legal issues pending" against his client, indicating he would be eligible to play on opening day.
The NFL assessed Bryant a four-game suspension for violating the substance-abuse policy at the end of the 2006 season, with just two games left on the schedule. When the 49ers released him three months later, it was expected that any team that signed him would do so with the understanding he must serve the remainder of that suspension. The Bucs worked him out in 2007 and opted not to sign him, likely for that reason. However, it is now believed the suspension is no longer applicable.
http://blogs.tampabay.com/bucs/2008/...oming-hom.html
A week after his visit with the Bucs, one-time Tampa Bay draft pick Warrick Dunn has signed a two-year, $6-million deal with the club.
Dunn, 33, was released by the Falcons on March 2 after the team signed free agent back Michael Turner. Returning to Tampa was the best scenario for Dunn, his agent said.
"It feels like based on all the information we have, it's the best fit for Warrick," agent Jim Steiner said. "I think after talking to both Bruce Allen and Jon Gruden, that was clear."
Dunn did not make any other free agent visits, but Steiner said that was the player's choice.
"He could have, but we declined," Steiner said.
Dunn was a first-round pick of the Bucs in 1997 and played five seasons in Tampa Bay, accumulating 4,200 yards -- third-most in franchise history. He'll get a chance to add to that total in 2008 when he will attempt to pass Mike Alstott, who retired in January with 5,088 career yards, second most in franchise history.
The addition of Dunn reduces the importance of selecting a running back early in the draft as he joins Earnest Graham and Michael Bennett in a very experienced backfield. That should allow the Bucs to concentrate on adding receiver help, if they so choose, early in the draft.
This also likely spells the end of Michael Pittman's run in Tampa Bay, after the veteran elected to become a free agent after last season. Pittman remains unsigne