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HOT TOPIC
The Bucs still have one major issue to address before the start of the season, and that's the lack of depth at safety.
Jermaine Phillips and third-year pro Will Allen are expected to be the starters.
But judging from recent past seasons, it's unlikely either of them will start all 16 games.
Since replacing John Lynch, who was released after the 2003 season, Phillips has missed three games over the past three seasons because of injury, including twice fracturing his right forearm. For the second straight year. Phillips will wear a brace on his forearm.
"The way I look at it, prevention is better than cure," he said. "If we can prevent it from happening, we don't have to worry about curing it and we can move forward from there.
"That's my word for this year: survival, staying healthy and playing 16 regular-season games. I can't tell you what the key is. My style of play is so physical, reckless abandon, but I'm not going to change the way I play."
Dexter Jackson, the former Super Bowl MVP who started 11 games last season, signed as a free agent with the Bengals. And there isn't much experience behind Phillips and Allen.
The remaining safeties on the roster are Kalvin Pearson and Donte Nicholson. The Bucs also are high on Steve Cargile, who spent one season on the Cowboys' practice squad.
"The name of the game these days is depth," Phillips said. "We know we have quality. If they feel we need another safety, that's what they feel. But I'm ready to roll with the guys we've got."
PLAYER NOTES
--Orlando Predators coach Jay Gruden, whose team will play against Chicago in what will be his eighth Arena Bowl appearance as a player and/or coach, has a big fan.
His brother, Bucs coach Jon Gruden.
"He's one of the few guys I've seen who calls all the offensive plays, all the defensive plays, all the plays, period," Jon Gruden said. "I'm really impressed every time I watch his team play."
Jay, 39, has been pursued by other teams but actually prefers the AFL.
"'He's a good coach," Jon Gruden said. "Every year for the last seven or eight years people have called and wanted to talk to him about jumping in the saddle in the NFL. College people have called about him. But he loves that league and he has a real stake in it."
--The Bucs signed Jordan Hicks, a first-year defensive lineman and long snapper. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound Hicks was an undrafted free agent in 2005 from Georgetown College in Kentucky. He was cut by the Raiders during training camp. He earned a spot on the Hamburg team of NFL Europe, where he played defense and handled the long snapping duties. Including NFL Europe exemptions, the Bucs have 99 players on their roster.
--Former Bucs running back Rabih Abdullah was arrested last week on charges that he had a gun and marijuana in his car. The 31-year-old was accused of driving under the influence, carrying a concealed firearm and possessing marijuana.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
--RB Earnest Graham is primarily a special teams player.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--FB Mike Alstott: Potential UFA; $1.5M/1 yr.
--CB Juran Bolden: Potential UFA; 5 yrs, terms unknown.
--PK Matt Bryant: UFA; terms unknown.
--DB Torrie Cox: Not tendered as RFA; terms unknown.
--OT Anthony Davis: ERFA; $4.725M/3 yrs, SB unknown.
--WR Ike Hilliard: UFA; 4 yrs, terms unknown.
--DT Chris Hovan: Potential UFA; $17.5M/5 yrs, SB unknown.
--OG Sean Mahan: RFA; $1.573M/1 yr.
--TE Dave Moore: UFA; terms unknown.
--WR Edell Shepherd: ERFA; terms unknown.
--QB Chris Simms; Potential RFA; $2.1M/1 yr).
--OG Jeb Terry: ERFA; terms unknown.
--OT Kenyatta Walker: UFA; terms unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--WR David Boston: UFA Dolphins; terms unknown.
--OG Toniu Fonoti: UFA Vikings; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--FB Jerald Sowell: FA Jets; terms unknown.
--OT Torrin Tucker: RFA Cowboys; $2.6M/2 yrs, $100,000 RB: 2006 cap: $1.3M (Cowboys did not match offer).
--LB Jamie Winborn: UFA Jaguars; $1.6M/2 yrs, $200,000 SB.
PLAYERS LOST
--FB Jameel Cook: UFA Texans; $5M/5 yrs, SB unknown.
--LB Jeff Gooch (released).
--QB Brian Griese (released; failed physical/knee).
--TE Will Heller: Not tendered as RFA/Seahawks; terms unknown.
--S Dexter Jackson: UFA Bengals; $7.6M/4 yrs, SB unknown.
--OT Todd Steussie: UFA Rams; $850,000/1 yr, $40,000 SB.
--OG Matt Stinchcomb (released; failed physical/back).
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
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