Bye-bye, B.K.

Looks like Brian Kelly is getting ready to say goodbye to Tampa Bay.

See Rick Stroud's story here in which Kelly confirms his intention to exercise a buyout option that will void his contract. Take a look and then be sure to come back here and share your thoughts.

This is the biggest player-related news of the offseason thus far, so I'm sure there are lots of opinions. I'm frankly a little surprised given his string of recent injuries, but Kelly is getting older and realizes this might be his last shot at a big payday. Let's see how his plan actually plays out come March.

Comments

[Scott]

B.K. has been one of the best shut down corners in the leauge, but in recent years he is constanly injured. Its seems like the goal of the Bucs is to get younger (a plan I agree with) so if B.K. wants the big pay day, best of luck to him. If B.K. wants to be a team player,then take the deal from the Buc's and play here with his replacement (whom will be here in april).

[Vince]

Big fan of BK, but he probably will not get as much as he thinks. Unfortunately, I think most will consider him to be an aging, oft-injured, system cornerback. He is more valuable to our defense then to most others (even though the Tampa-2 is in use in a number of places). Looks like it is time for P-Buc to step up.

[John P]

It's a very poor business decision on Kelly's part. He's not a marquee name and he's 32 years old. He won't get more money than they were going to pay him next year.

[Jay]

There are a LOT of Tampa 2 type of defenses that would love to have his skill set. I wish him the best of luck, even though I hope he returns. BK has been a very valuable asset to the team, and his presence is definitely missed whenever he's not on the field (I'm talking about you Sammy Davis!). Buchanon has also regressed so it's time to start looking for another solid corner in the draft.

Ok seriously. I hate Sammy Davis.

[Rob]

OK, let's get serious here. Brian Kelly has been a great player for a number of years for us. I am grateful for the great play, and realize how important his role was in leading us to many playoff appearances and the lone Super Bowl title. With all that said, I think he is nuts to opt out of a contract that is scheduled to pay him 3.2 million next year. What about the team, play out that contract, maybe even restructure it like so many of your teammates have done before you.
You decide to go elsewhere to find a bigger payday you feel you deserve, more power to you!!! I wish you the best if this is the case, but sure am thankful we have more Derrick Brook's and Ronde Barber's mentalities of "team first" on the field than the "about me" mentalities few others have shown.
I would try to remember though, the grass usually isn't greener on the other side. You have had back to back injury plagued seasons and I believe 3.5 million is probably more than deserved next season anyways. I will close with this suggestion, whatever happened to Dexter Jackson when he decided to seek that bigger payday, minus that short stint of coming back.

[Stephen Blackehart]

LOVE the BK-man, love him...when he's healthy. Which hasn't been much lately. Good guy, excellent corner, but I don't know how he's going to do that much better. If you figure in the actual number of games he's started and finished over the last 2 years, it must work out to about a million bucks each that he's made already.

[Chuck]

Check out www.seattletimes.com for some good stuff on Jeremy Stevens

[John P]

On the flip side - what GM (who values their job) is going to give more than $3.2 million for a 32 year old guy who's made 33 tackles and 2 picks in the last 2 years? Matt Millen, maybe?

[Jay]

John P,

That depends. Can BK play wide receiver?

[d. helms]

I'm sure the BUCS can find an equal replacement in the draft for the $3.2 mil they would have had to pay him this year. The BUCS did quit well without him when he was hurt so in my view their is no loss. Best keep the cap in control and not pay players more than they are worth -- let some other team do that.

[Darren]

Removing the BK tumor lessons the threat that a self centered cancer will metastasize in the Buccaneer locker room.

Bye Bye BK!

Long Live the Tampa Bay Buccaneers!!

[Joe]

BK is a sure threat in the secondary... when he's healthy. The Bucs can easily find a replacement (especially given the $20+ million in cap room) so let him go.

I'm sure it will end up a similar situation as Simeon Rice. Thought he would leave the Bucs for the big money and never saw it.

[Tim]

Jay is on the mark. When BK is out the Bucs D takes a big step back. Yes, Sammy Davis sucks big time. Buchanon has also regressed towards the end of the season

[Youth movement]

I think BK is a solid player in a system that siuted his skill set. I dont feel he would be a number one guy on most teams but would add a great dimension to the nickle or dime in passing situations. He may get his payday but the Bucs are doing the wright thing to not give this guy big money. Offensively is where they need help and defensively they are solid and with the youth on this team they will survive.

[Skylar]

we can get better in free agency.

[DANIEL SMITH]

BK is one of the few corners in this league that is very good at man coverage and cover two corner corner. He is by far the best corner the bucs have when he is healthy. Look waht he did to D.Branch in week one, I do not think he even had one catch.

Loosing him will hurt the bucs. Who is going to line up on the other side of R.B(who has been a liability in coverage the last two seasons, and is has been a risk taker as of latte)? PB? S.Davis? I do not think so.

For those of you that think he is overpaid, look again. 3.2M is not a lot of money for a good corner. If the bucs let him go expect to see him twice a year playing for the saints who would love to have him.

FOr the one person who thinks he can be replaced in the draft esily because of his salary: One has not much to do with the other. The bucs can have all the salary cap space in the world, where they are drafting they will not find his someone to replace him this year..or next.

If the bucs let him go adn replace him in FA then I am OK with that. But to le him go and try to draft his replacement, not a good idea.

I understand that he has some inury issues and that is a legitimate point, but so does JG and he has worked out well for the bucs.

[isaac kelly]

the buccaneers did not treat BK right. Promises were made and and broken by the powers that be. Without question BK IS THE BEST...CORNER IN THE NFL, RHONDE INCLUDED. what goes around comes around; Remember you din't miss your water until your wells run dry. BK will be alright, God will see to it.

[isaac kelly]

the buccaneers did not treat BK right. Promises were made and and broken by the powers that be. Without question BK IS THE BEST...CORNER IN THE NFL, RHONDE INCLUDED. what goes around comes around; Remember you din't miss your water until your wells run dry. BK will be alright, God will see to it.

[isaac kelly]

the buccaneers did not treat BK right. Promises were made and and broken by the powers that be. Without question BK IS THE BEST...CORNER IN THE NFL, RHONDE INCLUDED. what goes around comes around; Remember you don't miss your water until your wells run dry. BK will be alright, God will see to it.