Bucs still have a cap cushion

For all you wannabe general managers out there, here's an item that will be of interest to you.

According to ESPN's Len Pasquarelli, the Bucs have $7.3-million in cap space remaining as of last week. Of course, a team's cap number is always a moving target. It fluctuates each time a bonus is paid, a player is released or a contract is restructured.

The Bucs will have to spend a significant amount on their new draft class, particularly top pick Gaines Adams, who figures to pocket a nice signing bonus that should give him a hefty "cap number."

Something else to consider: defensive tackle Ryan Sims, who came to Tampa last week in a trade with Kansas City, will add a couple million to the cap, unless his contract is re-worked. We're still trying to get the details on that deal which should give some indication of how it affects the cap.

Though that $7.3-milion isn't a large sum given the escalating salaries the past couple seasons, the Bucs are creative enough to find ways to give themselves flexibility in case a tempting deal comes along. Also, general manager Bruce Allen has gone on record saying he would like to have some rainy-day money on hand so the team can augment its depth after injuries or if players unexpectedly hit the market later on.