Kelly opts out to become free agent

As we told you to expect several weeks ago, cornerback Brian Kelly has officially opted out of the final year of his contract and has declared himself an unrestricted free agent.

Kelly paid the Bucs $453,000 by Thursday's deadline to void the final year of his deal.

The Bucs will miss Kelly. At 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, he was one of the most physical corners in the NFL. While he has had some injury problems the past two seasons, the Bucs won about 40 percent of their games when he wasn't in the lineup since 2001, according to his agent.

Suddenly, the Bucs biggest need might be the cornerback position. Ronde Barber turns 33 in April. Phillip Buchanon has progressed nicely, but the Bucs need another corner to allow Barber to slide inside to the slot position on passing downs.

Kelly has 22 career interceptions and his best year came in 2002 when the Bucs won the Super Bowl. Barber has received a lot more attention and accolades, but Kelly also viewed himself as Robin to Barber's Batman.

Now the dynamic duo is no more. Granted, Kelly has been limited by injuries the past two seasons. He still managed to make a good contribution last season, including a game-ending interception against the Redskins.

More importantly, he was a quiet leader in the locker room. But you can trust defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin to re-stock that position.

Comments

[Valrico Rick]

The Bucs should have made him a good offer a year or two ago. He won't wait long and he will get a starting job easily. Goodbye BK, I'm going to miss you!

[Jeff]

He hardly played in the last 3 years. A great player when on the field-though it was becoming rare. I doubt anyone will give him big dollars with his injury problems. Maybe he can hang with Booger in the colts traing room sauna.

[frantman2]

Just because he opted out doesn't mean he won't re-sign with the Bucs later for a better deal.

[TB 1976er]

If Brian makes that play vs Ricky Proehl in the NFC Championship after the 1999 season, the Bucs may have had two Super Bowl trophies.

[Kevin]

I'm thinking Asante Samuel from New England...The Bucs have lots of money to spend, so use it and pick this guy up...

[Jock Strap]

That a baby Jeff. BK has been stealing money lately.

[mkurbo]

Kelly has spent too much timed injured the last few years. Buc fans can romanticize about his good days (he had many), but we need players that can play every game and be team players.

We are gaining steam with the youth movement, and we must keep cutting or allowing the veterans to leave – even if it’s a little painful.

[John P]

They needed to replace him whether he was staying or going. This doesn't change anything, as he wasn't exactly on the field much anyway. I wouldn't even be totally shocked to see Tanard get playing time at corner if all the safeties come back healthy next year. Don't doubt that they'd put him over there - the kid can play. Buchanon is the 3rd corner, and that's where he should stay.

Peice out BK. Great runs end, yours did 2 years ago.

[jersey buc fan]

he has not been dependable for years, has been injury prone since the Colts monday night game in 03. Wants a big, multi year contract and is 33? Turn the page...

[Sam]

Non-issue.

[John S]

I think Trufant would be a good pickup. We'll probably need to pick up a couple DB's in FA and the draft because Davis is a UFA as well.

[Rufusdakat]

See ya Kelly! I was tired of seeing him getting beat long.

[shane]

seriously if anyone thinks T-Jack is going to play corner is mental he is a great young FS and didn't phillip buchanon take over the position for BK anyway during the regular season? BK was injury-prone and getting old so i'm glad that he is gone, hard to lead a team when your not there

[Stephen Blackehart]

I've said it before, that I love Kelly. Ditto to what most people have already said: that he's great when he plays, that he's been MIA most of the last 2+ years with injuries, and that it's wise for the Bucs to move on.

That said, you can't fault the guy for looking for as big a contract as he can get. Whatever he makes this next few years is likely his last salary as a professional athlete. What's he going to do then...for the rest of his life? I don't know much about his other skills, but for most athletes, the non-athletic job prospects aren't so great.

So cheers to you, BK! I hope you get a nice fat, front-loaded contract with a contender, and that you eventually end your career without any debilitating injuries. You've been a great treat to watch play, and I'd love for you to be able to retire and watch your children grow up.

[James Blun]

Since when is BK 6'1"????????????????

[Sean]

This just solidifies how badly the Bucs need to draft a corner this year within the first two rounds. The D needs to continue to build through the draft and replace yesterdays stars, because unfortunately they can't all play forever.

[aaron]

move tanard to his natural position, CB and start Flip and our second round pick from last year, sabby piscatelli at free safety. we should draft another cb, to pair with tanard for great years to come. maybe Lowery out of San Jose State University, they run a cover two defense out there so he already has a good concept of what is going on...

[Oliver]

Aaron, the reason the Bucs moved Jackson from corner to safety was:

- Will Allen struggled the year earlier
- Tanard lacks the top speed of an NFL corner.

Jackson is quick, no doubt about it, but his play last year was utterly brilliant. It wouldn't be a great idea to move him, especially after a season like that.

[Stephen Holder]

Oliver: You're right on with that. That's very unlikely. Tanard is, in my opinion, going to be a safety for a very long time.

[aaron]

counterpoint to Oliver: rhonde Barber lacks top speed also. to play corner in the tampa 2 you dont need speed, you need quickness, which tanard has. we run zones not man to man, so the need for a lock down corner isnt necessary. sabby is a starter caliber player. he has the body of a linebacker and the speed of a wr. he runs a 4.44 40 and hits like john lynch. with jackson versatility to play cb, that should be taken advantage of.
and Dwight Lowery from SJSU fits the cover two perfectly. and they could develop him at the other cb until rhonde rids off into the sunset.

[Oliver]

Good points, Aaron. However, Ronde Barber is still quick at 32. I am intrigued to see what Piscitelli can do too, but he will probably have a year on special teams as he missed out this year. He won't take Jackson's spot as he was a star this year, and Phillips had a Pro-Bowl season (if you compare his stats to say , Roy Williams of Dallas). I just think that Jackson is to good a safety to move him over to a 3rd cornerback. But it could happen. Buchanon and Jackson on the flanks, and Barber in the nickel.

[Darren]

BK, don't let the door hit you on the way out.

[aaron]

i am not saying move jackson to 3rd cb. i am saying start him. buchannon got burned a bit too much last year. he is more suited for man to man defense anyway, not a zone cover two. he would be a good nickle back.
rhonde and jackson at the corners and sabby and flip at the safeties. sabby wasnt drafted in the second round to play special teams only. he was drafted to play right away.

[Oliver]

Piscitelli is not going to oust Jackson from free safety this off-season. Jackson played too well last season for the Bucs to just move him to cornerback. Piscitelli will contribute on special teams, and probably be a standout player there, until he is ready to start at strong safety, which is extremely unlikely at the moment considering how well Jermaine Phillips performed last year too.

[JoeBanks]

Although Brian Kelly is an important part of Buccaneer history, it is not reasonable for him to expect a top-flight salary when, for the past two years, he has been on injured reserve more often than not.

This might be an intelligent move toward Brian Kelly's retirement, but it might also be a blessing in disguise for the Bucs, who have plenty of cap space to search for a younger, more consistently healthy cornerback.