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HOT TOPIC
Bucs backup quarterback Luke McCown underwent surgery to repair a partially torn ACL and will miss at least the start of the regular season.
That leaves Tampa Bay's young quarterback position even younger.
The Bucs are attempting to sign former Dolphins and Jets quarterback Jay Fiedler, who attended the team's final minicamp workout.
Fiedler is recovering from shoulder surgery and still unable to work out. He should be ready in time for training camp.
"We're looking into his situation," coach Jon Gruden said.
Fielder said he is close to being able to begin throwing.
"Every day I go out there and throw it gets better," Fiedler said. "Doctors are confident about my being ready to go for the start of training camp, not necessarily to go through two-a-days and put too many reps on it, but to be able to make the throws and get out there."
The most success Fiedler enjoyed was with the Dolphins (2000-04), where he made 59 of his 60 career starts after taking over for Dan Marino. In his career, he has completed 58.7 percent of his passes for 11,844 yards with 69 touchdowns and 66 interceptions.
"I will say he's had some really good moments taking the Dolphins to the playoffs, succeeding Dan Marino," Gruden said. "He's won a lot of games. He's a smart, quick study and he's a good guy. Right now he's looking for a team to help out and we're looking into his situation."
The Bucs' other quarterbacks behind starter Chris Simms are veteran Tim Rattay and rookie Bruce Gradkowski.
PLAYER NOTES
--One day after Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was involved in an accident, Bucs RB Michael Pittman put his motorcycle for sale on E-Bay.
"My wife (Melissa) approached me about it and at first I really didn't want to sell it," Pittman said. "I love bikes, grew up on bikes (in San Diego). But being a smart player and smart person, man I just had to do what I had to do. I've got four kids, a wife and a career. I feel like I've got at least five years left in me I can play. And so I just want to finish it. I want to see my kids grow up. I love motorcycles and I'm one of the best riders. But somebody can just cut me off and there I go, even with a helmet on. I could kill myself, paralyze myself. But I just had to give it up."
--Coach Jon Gruden wasn't sentimental following what was likely the last practice at One Buc Place, the team's antiquated training facility. The Bucs move into a new complex following training camp in Orlando in August.
"I didn't see any tears shed when we got out of the old stadium and into a new one," Gruden said. "This place has served its purpose. It helped us a win a championship. We're very excited to move into a new facility and appreciative of our owners."
--Father's Day took on a new meaning for Chris Simms.
The Bucs quarterback became a first-time dad June 19 when his wife, Danielle, gave birth to a 7-pound, 10-ounce girl the couple named Sienna Rose.
"She was born on Father's Day, of course, so that was awesome. It was a great Father's Day gift," Simms said Tuesday. "I got to name her because it was Father's Day. So I got naming rights. Her name is Sienna. Sienna Simms. We just both thought it sounded good. My wife is Italian, so that went with it. It was either going to be Sienna or Charlotte. I didn't like Charlotte just because Carolina is in Charlotte. That might be jinxing myself."
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).
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