Lucky No. 28 is back

Several readers had asked over the past month whether Warrick Dunn would get his No. 28 jersey despite Tanard Jackson taking the number last year.

Well, not sure what transpired, but Dunn is wearing his old number during today's first offseason practice.

Probably had to cough up a little dough to the young guy, I'd say. Guess everybody's happy in the end.

UPDATE, 1:05 p.m.: Talked to both Jackson and Dunn after today's practice and the soft-spoken, mild-mannered Dunn seemed to indicate it didn't take much of an offer to get Jackson to give up his number.

"I think he respected my game and respects me enough, so it didn't cost me much," Dunn said.

Jackson, however, seems to think he got a pretty good deal.

"Let's just say he came with an offer I couldn't refuse," Jackson said, smiling widely.

Like I said, everybody's happy.

Warrick Dunn catches a pass during the Bucs first off-season workout. [Kathleen Flynn, Times]

Comments

[scooterbucs]

I knew I kept my beat up Dunn jersey for a reason.

[Mark]

Good for Warrick!!

and as scooter said now bucs fans that kept his jersey can wear it again!!!!!!!!

same number and everything!

[Ty Guy]

for a veteran the cost was slim but for a sophmore 3rd round pick, that slim price could be almost as much as his entire salary las year, hence the smile. good for warrick and i knew jackson would give warrick number 28. i guess jackson goes back to number 36. hopefully it wont jinx jackson like switching to number 10 did for martin gramatica.

[Dwayne]

i was thinking the same thing i hope i doesnt back fire on him to switch the numbers, because he wore 28 in college too. but hes a good player so hopefully the number doesnt change him.

[super stitches]

Why don't you all sacrifice a bucket of KFC if you are so worried about a number

Maybe DR can hang some chicken bones on his doll house door for us buc fans

[James]

Remember last year when Jeff Garcia gave Bruce gradkowski a very expensive watch for #7? If I remember correctly the price of the watch was rumored to be around $50k.

Hopefully that isn't the only piece of jewelry he'll get while wearing a Bucs uniform. Be nice to see a Platinum ring with garnets wrapping around two diamond studded Lombardy Trophy's and a Pirate Ship here very soon.

[eric]

I doubt there was any cash exchanged in this deal...
e

[Kennedy]

Stephen,
Thanks for following up on this story...I hope the next story about a number is seeing #40 retired!

[Mike Alstott]

word

[JR]

Very cool that Dunn gets to wear his old number. I figured Jackson would give it up to him because he seems like a good guy and he knows Dunn is very deserving. The only thing is 36 just seems like such an ugly number. Hopefully he gets a new number after training camp when some of the other guys are cut. Something in the 20's seems so much better suited for him. I think he would look good in BK's old number.

[RD]

who cares how TJ looks... sreiously? care about his game!!!

[Tony]

Dude, I love Dunn, and I'm glad they could work it out, but Warrick didn't care about Tampa when he was getting paid. Having said that I understand why he did it and I don't blame him, but why is it so important that he get his # back? I think we should be more worried about our young stars and not worry about an aging stop gap player that came back because it is comfortable for him.

[Glenn Bozinski]

Guys, both parties seem happy, if anything this probably created a nice little bond between two guys who don't know each other. Don't see the need to cast Dunn in a bad light, Tony. In some ways I don't care how much Warrick contributes (he might actually help a lot in the passing game with Garcia if Gruden can find a way to get him in space, but that is another issue), he is a class guy and just seeing him back in pewter makes me feel good about this year.