Hackett arrives; Wilson wants to play safety?

A couple late-afternoon developments to report.

Seattle free agent receiver D.J. Hackett spent today with the Bucs and his visit will continue through the evening. The goal for the player is to get a sense of how the Bucs would use him in their offense, which bears some similarities to the Seahawks'  unit. Hackett's visit to Washington apparently went well, with the Redskins making a contract offer today. What we don't know is how long or valuable a contract he was offered. Hackett, at this point, is still scheduled to head to Carolina Friday morning.

Elsewhere, we told you Wednesday night the Bucs were nearing an agreement with New England free agent defensive back Eugene Wilson. Well, they still hope to land him, but there's a bit of a sticking point: it seems Wilson isn't too keen on playing cornerback.

That would present a considerable problem because that's where the Bucs need the most help. They have a good stable of safeties in Tanard Jackson, Jermaine Phillips and Sabby Piscitelli -- the latter of whom returns this fall from a season-ending foot injury. Wilson played a lot of cornerback in college and at times with the Patriots, so the Bucs appear convinced he can do so in Tampa. But before they can make that decision, Wilson obviously needs to be onboard with the idea. That might not yet be the case.

UPDATE, 12:21 a.m.: Should have mentioned this earlier. Got one other note on receivers: Arizona's Bryant Johnson has not been offered a contract by the Bucs, despite rumors to the contrary. That word comes straight from his agent, Joel Segal.

Comments

[Caleb]

If the guy doesn't want to play CB for Tampa, then let him walk. We're giving him more money then ANYONE else. Does he really think he's better then any of our safties? Puh-lease.

Piscitelli is a John Lynch clone and could easily start if it wasn't for Phillips being the animal that he is.

Wilson is a former Patriot, and he's acting like a Patriot.

[Tony M]

I agree with Caleb. We need corners, we've got some hard-hitters in the safety position.

[Justin M]

I dont like the idea of Wilson playing CB anyways. He has played the safety position primarily since he came into the league. He has lined up in the slot, but his position is safety now.

There are plenty of good CB prospects in the draft. Lets take our chances there.

[shane]

lets get a hold on both those players and convince(flash cash possibly?)wilson to convert back to corner

[Ty Guy]

Buchanon isn't a bad replacement for Kelly and Davis can play nickle. But if the Bucs want to upgrade then I say upgrade in the draft. First round pick on either Aqib Talib, Mike Jenkins, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Leodis McKelvin, or Antoine Cason. You'd gotta think that one of these top five CBs would still be available at #20. If none of these guys are still available or if we don't trade for a CB then I could see us drafting Kentwan Balmer or Desean Jackson. I guess we'll see soon.

[Devon Perkins]

In training camp a season or two ago, the Bucs were said to be trying Will Allen out at corner. His safety play was limited this season with the arrival of Tanard Jackson and his special teams role increased. Is he not an in-house option for the job or did the coaching staff feel he didn't fit the bill?

[Kipp]

I loved what I saw from Jackson, and with Phillips we might have two of the hardest hitting safties in the league. What does Wilson have to offer? DJ can't Hack it and please stop insulting BK by comparing him to Buchanon.

[Julian]

Here is a trade that I thought of the other day and was wondering if you think it might have any chance.

I am living in Miami and there is a lot of talk about Jason Taylor possibly being traded. What if the Bucs were to offer a 2nd round pick and Simms? Parcels did do well with he father. Just thought it would be intersting.

Thoughts?

[Dave T]

Are you crazy? Maybe a 5th and Simms

[aaron]

we definitly do not need Wilson. i say we get a CB through the draft. in the first two rounds we must fill the need at WR and LT. but in the 3rd round we can get an excellent cb in Dwight Lowery from San Jose State. he played a lot of zone and cover two in college. they run a system pretty similar to ours there. in his two years there he had 13 interceptions. he is a ball hawk.

[dR]

maybe just Simms

[Kurt]

LT? I thought we had two pretty good LT's? DL is our problem and should be addressed in the draft, although that recent signing did help bolster the depth. I like the idea of getting Taylor. Coupled with Adams, that would make a nice DE duo. Our CB situation is not nearly as bad as everyone is making it out to be as T Jack or Piscatelli will be a full time CB this year if needed. Can't let them both sit on the bench.

[aaron]

sabby runs a 4.43 40 but he is 6'3" and 224 lbs. he has good cover skills for a safety but not a corner. he doesnt have the hips for that. tanard CAN play cb. he did in college and i am sure he could at this level too.

[Eric Cullison]

Tanard COULD play safety but they wont do that. If not for pat willis would have been rookie defensive player of the year. You dont mess with that. And the 2nd rounder plus simms is a good DEAL for the trade but we definitely need that pick more than we need an end. You have to wonder who we are going to pick with the first pick in the draft. The bucs are so hush hush it stinks. Would love for B. Brohm or Jenkins. B. Brohm is going to be the best qb to come out in the past 3 years. Mark it.

[DR]

For some reason you guys don't get it. Simms has no trade value. They couldn't trade him last year and he missed an entire season and he would gain trade value? That makes no sense.
The Bucs don't need a LT. They signed Petigout last year, though, he probably won't make an entire season, and they have a young guy who did show progress last year. Will he continue to make progress is a big question. The Bucs got to take a chance with Hackett or Johnson. They can't sit with the WRs they have.

[Caleb]

I don't know how many of you actually pay attention to the corners in the draft, but outside of Mike Jenkins, none of the corners in the 1st round will be ideal fits in a Tampa/Cover Two scheme. USF plays the Cover Two which is why Jenkins and Williams would be ideal fits for Tampa Bay.

However, Jenkins will probably go higher then any other corner and be drafted by the Jets. Him and Revis is a scary young secondary.

And any thoughts of Jason Taylor coming to Tampa can probably be shut down. The Bucs are not going to give Miami what they want; they're trying to get younger and still be competitive, not sign every aging veteran, no matter how good they are. Adams is a full time starter and White and Douglas will be rotating on passing and rushing downs.

However, Tampa needs to hop on the ball with Hackett. He's one of the best West Coast receivers, and you can already see his potential, unlike any other receivers in the draft.

[Dwayne]

We have only hackett to go after now bryant johnson is a 49er now

[Skylar]

Taylor would be nice; especailly for Simms, but that's a pipe dream. What about D Robertson from NYJ? I think that would make a superb tackle rotation if we landed him. Then we would really only be looking at WR and CB as needs in the draft and FA. Does anyone know if we've shown any interest in him?

[The Man]

Some people look under their bed for the boogie man. The boogie man looks under his bed for Jeff Garcia.

[DR]

Jeff Garcias' tears cure cancer. Too bad he never cries.

[Timmy Teabag]

hey guys .. WAIT!
I thought i was the one that cured cancer with my teams --- i had a bunch of 'em bottled after the lsu and uga games this year!

but now that i can help recruit players with Coach Herbie we will never lose again ... or we'll give a library scholly to the girlfriend of another #1 rated JUCO WR!

Go Crocs!

[DR]

I like man sausage.