Bucs cut Carter, Spires; Carter could return

Defensive ends Kevin Carter and Greg Spires have been released by the Bucs in a cost-cutting move. However, Carter is expected to sign a new contract that would enable him to return to the team.

The Bucs were forced to release Carter to avoid paying him a $2-million roster bonus.

The transactions Wednesday means the Bucs will be about $40-million under the salary cap when the free agent signing period begins Friday, putting them well ahead of most other teams.

Carter, 34, was acquired as a free agent from the Dolphins last year. He had three years remaining on his contract and was slated to earn a base salary of $3.8 million next season.

Carter started all 16 games for the Bucs and recorded 43 tackles. But he produced just three sacks and the Bucs want to upgrade their pass rush. Nonetheless, Carter provided some valuable leadership in the locker room.

Carter declined to comment on his release when reached Wednesday. 

Spires, 33, was a member of the Bucs Super Bowl XXXVII championship team. He had two years left on his contract and would've earned a base salary of $3.894-million in '08. But last season Spires missed six games with a calf injury and finished with 26 tackles and two sacks.

"We appreciate getting released today to get out ahead of the madness,'' said Spires' agent, David Levine, referring to the start of the free-agent signing period that begins Friday. "They said that's why they did it today instead of waiting.''

Levine said Spires release will save the Bucs about $3.3-million on the salary cap. As of Wednesday evening, Levine said he already had spoken to several teams who had interest in signing Spires.

"On this squad, he was no longer a starter," Levine said. "But there's a good chance Greg Spires will be starting for someone next season."

Greg White and Gaines Adams are the only remaining defensive ends who had extensive playing experience last year. White, the Arena League Defensive Player of the Year with the Orlando Predators who joined the Bucs after the start of training camp, led the team with eight sacks. Adams, the Bucs' first round pick, had six sacks to tie for second on the team.   

The release of Spires could pave the way for the Bucs to make a run at Bengals free agent defensive end Justin Smith.

Comments

[JC]

I guess they could potentially pick up someone like Travis LaBoy or Antwan Odom from Tennessee. But it does leave them perilously thin!

[shane]

long time coming for spires he wont start anywhere else but he would be good off the bench as for kevin carter well he did some good but he is old the only reason he would be back is if the bucs wanted to switch him to defensive tackle or to mentor gaines and gregg

[mkurbo]

With Kelly opting out. Carter and Spires released, amd probably Wade, Nece, Simms, Becht, and Hilliard not on the roster for '08 - we must be closer to $42-$45 million in cap space ?

Wow, this could be a fun off-season !

[Dwayne]

I figured they would let spires go, hes still an ok D. end but with the way everyone else was playin his time was up, i do agree to sign carter again just for leadership and to teach gaines more moves, Adams said the reason he was coming on so strong towards the end of the season because he was learning from the veterans so i say at least bring back carter.

mkurbo,

Nece is not going anywhere....he can play middle or Weak side and is a solid special teams player for a good price.

[Matt]

mkurbo,

Nece is not going anywhere....he can play middle or Weak side and is a solid special teams player for a good price.

[Dillon]

i think we should go after jason taylor....maybe trade Chris Simms for him

[mkurbo]

Matt – Nece almost didn’t make it last year ! ..and >$1 million in ’08 is not cheap. Look, we can debate the players at risk, but the bottom line is that the Bucs only need to fill a couple starting spots on each side of the ball. That means the other free agent signings (pre and post draft) and draft choices will be aimed at upgrading the depth chart. Many familiar names will be gone…

[Ty Guy]

Simms for Jason Taylor? That would be the equivalent of the Gasol trade to the Lakers. Also known as a major steal and a complete give away on the Dolphins' part, but don't count on it.

[RM]

Looks like Feaster is working for the Bucs too.....

[otaibi]

Jason Taylor is busy preparing for dancing with the stars

I think he lost interest in football.

[aaron]

thank you, greg spires. you were a big part of our rise to the top. good luck at your next stop.

[DR]

Bill Parcells would never trade for Simms. He has no talent and Simms wouldn't be able to handle the pressure under Tuna's watch. Simms has no trade value. The little trade value he had last year went away when they put him on the IR. Nobody would give away something for a project that has done nothing in the NFL. Well, maybe the Bucs, i.e. Sims, but they already have him so there is nobody left.

[BucsFan28]

Releasing Carter and Spires doesn't leave us thin with free ageny and coming up and the players we still have,I like Justin Smith because he's young and has plenty of years to go or if they sign Kearse i think he would be a better teacher for Gaines than Carter and would bring more explosiveness to our line but with $40 million under the cap i think the teams heading in hte right direction.