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Tampa Bay Buccaneers Will Shop

NFL Free Agency: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Will NFL at the Dollar Store
Yeah, I know. The headline is a major NFL news flash, huh?  If you're a follower of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, you know this already.
So get the visions of Julius Peppers terrorizing quarterbacks in the pewter and red out of your noggin.  Forget Karlos Dansby providing the much needed leadership in the Buccaneers linebacking core.  Don't even think about Vince Wilfork plugging that big ole hole in the middle of the Buccaneers defensive line.
It's not going to happen, folks.
Unless the Buccaneers are putting up the mother of all smokescreens, Tampa Bay is not going to be a big time player in free agency.
Will they sign some guys?  Certainly, but you're talking Jimmy Wilkerson types. Guys like Stylz White who come in on "prove it" contracts that require little to no signing bonus or guaranteed money.
This economic reality won't prevent the Bucs from trying to find some answers in the veteran meat market.
We know the Bucs need a veteran backup quarterback, and Chad Pennington would be a perfect fit.  Yet, his price tag is likely way too high, even coming off a major injury. A more likely guy the Bucs might have their eye on is someone like Mark Bulger, who, if released by the Rams, could be reunited with his old QB coach Greg Olsen, the Bucs' offensive coordinator.
Rex Grossman—yes, that one—could be another option to provide a veteran backup behind Josh Freeman.
With guard Aaron Sears a question mark, Jeremy Zuttah not strong enough in the running game, and Jeremy Trueblood a walking false start and personal foul, the Bucs could use some help along the offensive line.
Again, thanks to the new rules in the uncapped year, there's not much to choose from.  Older veterans Tra Thomas and Orlando Pace aren't quite what they once were. Guys like Tony Pashos and Rex Hadnot could be bargain buys but are they really that much of an upgrade over current Buccaneers personnel?
The pickings are pretty slim at wide receiver, another need position on offense for Tampa Bay.  One guy who has some good production and may not command a huge contract on the open market is Houston's wide out Kevin Walter.  Walter has been solid since coming to the NFL scores Texans, pulling down 178 passes for 2,310 yards and 14 touchdowns.  Bobby Wade, Josh Reed, and former Giants' Super Bowl hero David Tyree could be options as well.
There's trade possibilities galore at the position with both Denver's Brandon Marshall and Arizona's Anquan Boldin on the block.  Both played their "college ball" in the state of Florida and may welcome a return to a no-state tax residence.  But both will be seeking new large deals from their new NFL teams.  The Bucs aren't spending money, remember?
Free agency's bell cows are certainly on the defensive side of the ball, with the aforementioned Peppers, Dansby, and Wilfork leading the class.
Joining Peppers and Wilfork on the defensive line are more moderately priced Aaron Kampman, Jason Babin, Adewale Ogunleye, Derrick Burgess, and Kyle Vanden Bosche. According to Pewter Report, the Bucs have had their eye on Kampman for some time and if the price is right he could be one player they target.  Gator alum Ian Scott has been a backup with the Bears for a couple seasons but is still relatively young and can play in the Tampa Two hybrid head coach Raheem Morris will be employing.
The Bucs would love competition for their starters at linebacker, and Dansby certainly fits that bill but he will likely be way out the Bucs' price range.  If Gary Brackett hits the free agency scene, he'd definitely be a target for the Buccaneers.  Angelo Crowell can play all three positions and wants to return to Tampa Bay.  Pisa Tinoisamoa has starting experience and is still young enough to make an impact.

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