Bucs add Keiwan Ratliff

The Bucs have signed free agent cornerback Keiwan Ratliff, a former Florida Gator and second-round pick of the Bengals in 2004.

Ratliff was waived by the Bengals in September and has been out of work since. It's not likely the Bucs need him to do much at cornerback, where they have Ronde Barber, Phillip Buchanon and Brian Kelly -- who recently returned from a groin injury.

Instead, Ratliff appears to be a candidate to return punts, something he did frequently in Cincinnati. Ratliff was already on the field for this morning's special-teams workout.

To make room on the roster, the Bucs released Chas Gessner.

(Times photo (2003)  - Carrie Pratt. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[Tampabaysportsfanatic]

I think it was a good move for the Bucs. They don't need Gessner with Clayton coming back and Ratliff offers another corner for when BK goes down again. He also can return punts so we don't chance losing Joey or Ike or Phillip b/c they were trying to return a punt. Also, we signed Buchanon last year off of waivers and he worked out, maybe we can do it again. Ratliff will learn from the best Raheem.

[Cincy Bungle]

too bad it did not work out up here for Keiwan ... the coaching staff did all they could to push him towards a life of crime but he just couldn't do enough to "fit in" with a respectable blotter

[Skylar]

Good one Cincy Bungle - hilarious!!!

[Skylar]

Hey, where's all the negative talk from the naysayers. It's awful quiet now that the Saints came back to earth and the Bucs remain in the driver's seat. We are going to go on a roll for these next 7 games. This team is primed on D and the offense is going to keep improving with a steady dose of Graham cracker delight. Go Bucs.

[Buc fan 40]

I hope this guy gives us an option in the nickel. The guy seems like he can stay out of trouble. Who thinks we can win the division?