Bucs working on Bryant; franchise tag uncertain

General manager Bruce Allen just completed a very long and wide-ranging news conference here at One Buc Place.

There weren't many specifics, as is usually the case with Allen, but he did speak to the status of things with WR Antonio Bryant, who has been having conversations with the team.

Things appear very premature, but Allen confirmed the team will make every effort to re-sign Bryant, but he seemed less certain about whether it's willing to use the franchise tag to keep him.

"I don't know, Allen said. "We haven't done that. We haven't even talked about that yet. Antonio Bryant had a successful year for Antonio Bryant and a successful year for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's something he should be very proud of and we're proud of his accomplishments. It seems like it's something that should work out between the two of us."

But before you go out and stock up on No. 89 jerseys, here's something to consider. Bryant's services will be in demand if he makes it to free agency, and rest assured he knows it. Curiosity will certainly give him reason to pause before agreeing to terms with the Bucs, making a deal no slam dunk. And, if I'm Bryant, I'd like to have some idea of who my quarterback was going to be before I commit, assuming all things are equal in terms of outside offers.

This will continue to be a situation to watch over the next six weeks. The free agency period begins Feb. 27.

Comments

[Valrico Rick]

Bryant will be a good test of the Bucs as an organization. Does Bryant want to play here? Is there enough money to overcome it if he doesn't? They made a center the highest paid center in the league last year so I don't think the Glazers willingness to spend will be the real problem. Unless, of course, he demands more than he should to put up with Gruden. I am hearing a voice in the distance, it's... it's... Keenan! He says, "Run Antonio, run! Run now, before it's too late"!

[OAR]

Val, Keenan McCardell has been qouted and I was watching it when in an interview(1 or 2 years ago) that "Gruden was the best offensive coach he ever played for" So again, what's with all the hatred? I thought you were "done with this", you would not be missed.

[Robert]

Yeah, the McCardell comparison is pretty dumb.. Different players in different situations. And if I remember correctly McCardell didn't do to much when he left Tampa.. Anyway, getting Bryant back would be nice, but he can be replaced. Going into next year teams will be respecting him more and he will see alot more doubles. How will he respond? Next, he has had some issues since he has been in the NFL. Now that he has been a good boy for a year and gets his Big Payday how does he act? Does he become a problem when he is not getting the ball? I love what he did this year and hope he continues on and does very well. I hope he does very well in a BUCS uniform also, but he still is a High Risk, High Reward kind of guy.

[JCB]

I'm not sure why anyone bothers to interview team executives (or coaches, players, etc). Allen's press conference was essentially 46 minutes of "no comment, gotta get better, no comment, gotta get better..." Could have done without that.

[Jon]

No income tax here Bryant. Stay the course. Go Bucs!

[Anthony Peranio]

Have to keep antonio here. Great for this system. Just imagine how many times Bryant was wide open running deep and garcia overthrew him and he still had a monster season. Best football is still ahead of him.

[DR]

Bryant isn't worth a top 5 WR salary. They can't put the franchise tag on him, no way. He is still unproven. They would be better off offering two first round picks for Aquon Boldin in the off season.
oar, who care what McCardell has to say? When did he say this? I would like to see proof. What does it say about Gruden that a career #2, and solid #2 but thats it, is the only guy you can (supposedly) get to support Grudens piss poor offense? His numbers don't lie. He isn't much better, if better, than Tony Dungy's offense.

[drspb]

Prediction: One year from now Gruallen is history. Fiasco! Done! Over! Give Urban 10 mil., he'll come around.

[D Block]

In order 2 attract FA's u have to win & spend money. Resigning Antonio is a must but franchising him won't happen the bucs where 1 of the only 1's to give the troubled Bryant another chance. He is a good WR with out question he won the Biletnikoff @ Pittsburgh so y replace your best WR? when u already need another 1 to play alongside him. U need 2 of everything in this league 2 b succesful. The Cards can't afford to Franchise Boldin so he should b available, TJ is good also but Boldin is the biggest offensive FA

[FuriousStyles]

AB must be retained and Bolden would love to be back in his home state. But we need to go out and get Cassel to make these 2 happy.

[Greg285]

Sign him!!!

[Southern89]

They should resign him and offer what they can. Their are other teams out there that had a worse past season and would probably love to have him. I think he has overcome his past and truely is back focus the way he should be. Some people ask like he's only been "good" for a month. A whole season is d**N good if you asked me.