Bucs target DeShaun Foster

   Giving perhaps the clearest indication that the Bucs don't expect to have Cadillac Williams next season, the team has targeted Carolina Panthers free agent running back DeShaun Foster.

   The 28-year-old Foster was released Thursday by the Panthers to save about $4.75-million in salary cap room.

   The 6-foot, 222-pound Foster was a second-round pick by the Panthers in 2002. But he has struggled with injuries and fumbling problems, never rushing for 897 yards in six pro seasons. Foster is the Panthers career rushing leader with 3,336 yards and has excelled in the post-season. He had a team-record 151 yards rushing in a win over the New York Giants in 2005.

   General manager Bruce Allen said Saturday at the NFL combine he has spoken with Foster's agent, Joby Branion. A visit is likely to occur early next week.   

   ""We've had talks with his representative, yes,'' Allen told the St. Petersburg Times.

   Williams is recovering from a torn patellar injury he suffered last Oct. at Carolina. It is expected to take between nine and 12 months to completely heal, meaning he might not be cleared to play until the middle of the 2008 season.

   Foster appeared in all 16 games last season, but averaged just 3.5 yards per carry while scoring only three touchdowns.

   Improving the running back position will be one of the Bucs goals this off-season. Already, the team re-signed Michael Bennett to a three-year contract and are negotiating an extension for Earnest Graham. Michael Pittman is hoping to join another team.

   The free agent signing period begins Feb. 29 but the Bucs are getting a pretty good jump on the rest of the league. Allen said Falcons free agent defensive tackle Rod Coleman and tight end Alge Crumpler could visit Tuesday.

   Both players have injuries that need to be examined and the Bucs medical staff is in Indianapolis this week for the NFL combine.

   ""We'll set up their visits as soon as we get back,'' Allen said. ""That's what we're trying to schedule right now.''

   The Bucs are expected to be very active in free agency, with more than $30-million under the salary cap. Their focus will be on adding play-makers, particularly on offense.

   The team already has had discussions with the Denver Broncos about trading for receiver Javon Walker, who is expected to be released March 4, making a deal unlikely. Patriots receiver Donte Stallworth also is expected to become a free agent. Allen said Saturday the Bucs are not among the teams that have had discussions with representatives of Minnesota Vikings receiver Troy Williamson, who has been given permission to seek a trade.

   Of course, the biggest name in free agency might be Patriots receiver Randy Moss, who was not given the franchise tag as expected Thursday.

   If that happened, the Bucs might have an interest. But Allen said the word inside the RCA Dome is that Moss has an agreement in principle on a new contract with the Patriots.

   Allen said he anticipates 30 percent of the projected free agents will re-sign with their current teams. Allen said he has no immediate plans to release players.

   ""We will keep re-shaping based on who comes in and making sure we're able to give the newer players that come in an opportunity,'' Allen said.

   The Bucs have nine players slated to become unrestricted free agents on Feb. 29, including center John Wade, cornerback Sammy Davis and tight end Jerramy Stevens. Allen said he has had talks at the combine aimed at re-signing some of those players, although most are expected to hit free agency.

   ""What we've done is we've had meetings and we're going to meet again Sunday and Monday,'' Allen said. ""Give them time to think about parameters we gave them and they've given us their proposals for us to digest that and come back at them.

   ""We want everyone to understand where we stand, and in some cases, we've agreed the best thing to do is to see what free agency offers them and they'll make a decision based on that.''

   In other news, Bucs free agent cornerback Brian Kelly has drawn interest from the Detroit Lions.

   ""Obviously we're aware of him, as we are other cornerbacks,'' Lions coach Rod Marinelli said. ""Brian has been a fine player.''

   

   

Comments

"he has struggled with injuries and fumbling problems" .. sounds like just what we need.

[Bryan]

That's what physical exams are for, if he passes grab him. Williams is a far bigger gamble.

[V]

I'd rather draft a RB in the 3rd Round than waste money on Foster. The guy has been in the league for 6 years and has yet to prove he can stay healthy.

[Dave T]

No to Foster. Wonder how much good info Dr. Stroud gets? Don't beleive a word he says. You've lost all cred!

[Jim]

Actually, Foster in the backfield is a good addition, he's not gonna be asked to carry the whole load, so he may be more durable that way. You can't have too many experienced backs and if Pittman leaves, that's a pretty big hole, so he's good third down back. Plus, he's good competition for Graham.

[Jay]

It was an actual pleasure to see DeShaun Foster twice a year. He was very kind, and generous by not running too fast away from our defense, and often, giving us the ball back when it seemed like the Panthers were going to score. Yes, the only thing greater than seeing Foster those two days a season was knowing that he was not playing for our offense.

[John]

While I don't necessarily agree with bringing in Foster, I do appreciate that the Bucs are trying like heck to get better rather than doing nothing, like the NBA team in my city (Orlando) did this week. I believe Michael Turner is a superstar waiting to happen, but he may not be cost-effective for the Bucs.

I think Grahm is better! Sounds like Foster has never had a season as good as the one EG just had.

[Garret]

earnast graham undrafted stud.. foster , failure .. an with kelly gone deangelo hall announced earlier this week he would not return to atlanta next season so i say make a move for the youn speedster who loves to hit .. welcome to the division champs !!!

[jason]

There are not many gems in the southern division scrap heap. The best guy out there has to be Deangleo Hall. There's no dought he's talented, the problem will be his attitude. That is exactly the reason that Derrick Brooks is still on this team. The Godfather will continue to play hugh rule in the locker room and the side lines.
Also I am not impressed with Foster at all, I would rather give Darby another look than sign Deshaun.

[Matt]

$30m under the cap and we're looking at a washout from a lousy Panthers team.

[jersey buc]

Foster is an overpriced, injury prone, fumbler from a bad team. Look at what the Giants'did with Bradshaw (7th rounder)I would much rather use the draft for another RB, or at least go after someone who stays on the field...are we going to look at any Free agents that aren't coming off an injury?

[John P]

The bigger question is when/or will Williams come back? I don't like his odds in 2008, and I wonder if he's going to be a viable option when/if he does return?

As far as Deshaun goes: Look a little closer at Foster's numbers before being too harsh. Last year was the first as a starter that he was below 4 yards a carry. Also, keep in mind that EVERYONE knew the Panthers couldn't throw, so they stacked against the run all of last year. On the issue of fumbling - he has a lower frequency of fumbling over his career than Pittman. So, take it easy before you announce he's a chump change player.

[ryan callahan]

id rather go after a better RB. we have 30 million dollars to do whatever we want with, so id rather go somewhere else.

[JH]

Signing Foster would be a mistake. In one game against the Bucs, Derrick Brooks put such a big hit on Foster that the poor guy had to leave the game. He is most definitely injury prone. I remember having the same reaction as Jay had: I'm glad this guy is not on our team. Nevertheless, I heard rumors from other publications indicating that the Bucs aren't serious about Foster but are just doing their "due diligence" in looking around. The best move would be to draft a running back, which is a position deep in the draft.

[Albert Rosmino]

How can you rate any back with the likes of the Carolina Panthers. They flat out have no running game thanks to a non-existent offensive line. Given the opportunity behind a decent offensive line and a team that likes to mix the passing and running game DeShaun Foster will shine.

[shakai]

I think the Bucs are finally getting the hang of it. Thats a good idea to pursue Alge because we need some help on offense even though what we got is good but any kind of help is better. Also Bucs If you are reading think about drafting Joe Flacco i have a good feeling bout him.

[VW]

I agree that we should not sign Foster as he was a problem in Carolina. The FA we need to be aggressively pursuing is Jevon Kearse. He played college in Florida and pairing him with Gaines Adams could restore our pass rush to the prominence it once had. I would pass on Foster and sign Kearse.