CP24

http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/sp...ucks-to-spend/

Having to pinch pennies the past two years in free agency, the Bucs have approximately $24 million to spend this year, which puts them in the top half of the league.

Bruce Allen has worked hard at restructuring contracts to help free up cap space in an effort to help bring in players to help rebuild after a dismal season.

“We’re disappointed in what we accomplished on the football field this year,” Allen said.

More from Allen’s news conference:

RICE, ALLEN IN PLANS: When Allen was asked about whether defensive end Simeon Rice and cornerback Brian Kelly are a part of the Bucs plans this season, Allen said yes.

Allen said Rice has been working out and “looks good” and should be ready to participate in the offseason program as early as March.

MORE COACHING CHANGES EXPECTED: The Bucs have already lost linebackers coach Joe Barry to the Detroit Lions and could have to replace several other coaching positions.

“They’re will probably be some more [changes],” Allen said. “There will be some more movement.”

Quarterbacks coach Paul Hackett is the only assistant coach whose contract expires this year. Allen would not say if the team is trying to re-sign him.

NO COMMENT ON QB SITUATION: When asked several times if it was a mistake leaving veteran quarterback Tim Rattay on the bench and starting rookie Bruce Gradkowski when Chris Simms went down with injury, Allen would not answer.

“I’m not going to get into that type of dialog,” Allen said.

The general manager said he preferred to talk about the 2007 season, not last year.

CLAIMING RESPONSIBILITY: Allen said he claims a great deal of responsibility in the team’s last place, first place and last place finishes in the NFC South the past three seasons.

“I am 4-12,” Allen said. “ I feel we disappointed a lot of people. Do I feel responsible? Yes I feel responsible.”

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CP24

i hope they don't resign Rice, i don't want him here anymore!

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Mr.BucFan

He still has 1 year left on his contract.

CP24

so you think we'll keep him? I think we trade him for Rogers from Detroit

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Mr.BucFan

I think we'll trade him, but don't know where. Probably Detroit like you said.

rjgobucs1

So this is the new place, huh?

ABuccsFan

I haven't made my feelings about Simeon Rice private, that's for sure. I hope we have seen the last of him in a Buccs uniform. Sure Jarred Allen doesn't have the pass rush ability that Rice has, but anyone who watched the Colts/Chiefs game Saturday saw 2 DE's all over the field. Unless Rice is sacking the QB, you'll never hear his named mentioned.

ABuccsFan

Another article...salary cap related


When Buccaneers general manager Bruce Allen arrived in Tampa Bay in January of 2004, he inherited a team that was choked by the salary cap in 2003, which forced the release of some high-priced veterans and some massive restructuring of contracts. The cap suffocation would last through the 2004 and ’05 campaigns, as well, as Tampa Bay was approximately $19 million over the salary cap in Allen’s first two years in Tampa.

But those days have come and gone, and after years of scraping through the bargain bin and the discard pile that landed some gems, such as nose tackle Chris Hovan, and some busts, such as Todd Steussie, Tampa Bay finally has money to spend and can be a real player in free agency – and they don’t have to cut a single player to do it.

“We’re in good shape right now,” Allen said. “We’re at about $24-million under the cap. We’re $36-million under the ’08 cap and $49-million under the following year’s cap.

“We’re in the top half of the league this year [in teams with salary cap room]. We’re in the top third in ’08, in the top quarter in ’09. In 2004, we were last in the NFC. And three years ago we were last in ’05 in the NFC and we were last in ’06 in the NFC at that point, in January ’04. Over the last three years, we have been able to create the room to allow the team to develop some. We’ve had an infusion of youth on this team that has gotten a lot of playing time. I would imagine Green Bay and the Buccaneers have the most rookie starts of any team in the league over the last two years. When you look back at where we’ve been as a franchise, that’s a good step. The only way to build and have players get better is to play, and I anticipate the investment in time this year in some of these players and the investment in time last year in allowing them the ability to play will pay off in the long run.”

Entire Article:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Pewter Report :: Bucs' Salary Cap Hell Is Over