Ike hoping to catch on elsewhere

WR Joey Galloway is already on record about his intent to continue playing after his release on Wednesday. We've now learned fellow WR Ike Hilliard hopes to do the same.

His agent, Neil Schwartz, said Hilliard "plans on playing in 2009. I don't know for who just yet, but he plans on playing."

It's too early to say what sort of market there will be for Hilliard, who will be 33 on opening day but has remained consistent. Hilliard finished 2008 tied for second on the team with 47 receptions for 424 yards. His four touchdowns also ranked second on the team. That's the most touchdowns recorded by Hilliard since he scored six in 2003 while with the Giants.

As for the remaining players released on Wednesday, Derrick Brooks and Warrick Dunn haven't addressed their futures. It's expected Cato June -- who at 29 is the youngest of the group -- will land with another team in the near future.

Comments

[Stacy]

Good Luck Ike. I am sure you will be picked up soon. Obviously it is the business side of the game here.

[OAR]

Good luck 3rd and Ike! You will be missed.

[JC]

It's all coming together... 2-14 this season... a #1 draft pick...

"With the first pick of the 2010 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select, Tim Tebow, Quarterback, University of Florida..."

:D

[Robert]

I loved all these guy to death, but you know it's time to get rid of guys when all of their agents are saying my client wants to play next year or my client still feels he can play. These guys were all fading fast. Dunn was an exception, but with his size and age he is one big hit away from retirement. DB AND DUNN if you guys read this know one thing. I will never stop wearring either one of your jerseys! this organization and fans were blessed to have you as players, people, and romodels. I wish you welll in what ever you venture into after football and hope you remain in TB! IKE the same goes for you! I don't remember one time since you have been here that something negative has been said about you either! You guys are all the reasons why there will be young leaders in this locker room! They learned from some of the best!

[Stacy]

Robert good post. I agree with his sentiment exactly and good luck to all of those released. There is not one among them released for personal reasons that I can tell. The time had just come for 1 chapter to close and another to begin. Lets all remember, these guys are in their 30's except for June. Their lives are not over and for some, they are just beginning.

[Yoshi]

JC you must be crazy thinking Tebow is going first overall. He is so overrated it makes me sick. I know he is a class act but he reminds me of reggie bush coming out. He will be no where as good in the NFL as he is in college, not even close. Any way, with regards to ike i wish the best of luck to him and all the other players that decide to continue their careers. It may sound selfish but i would rather brooks retire right now as a buc.

[Jesse]

JC has a point I think. A part of me understand the recent cuts that were made (with the exception of June!?! and if Brooks, why not Barber!?!). On a side note, it will be especially hard to see Brooks play for another team and definitely if it is for a team that I do not like. That being said, what if Dominik's non-rebuilding rebuilding includes the plan to stink it up this year so that we could have a shot at getting a great QB in the draft next year? If we pick up Tebow though, it will be very Gruden-esk. Note this from an interview with Chris Harry:

Q: Most people are dismissing Tebow as a quarterback in the NFL.

A: "He can play quarterback in the NFL. When he was a high school senior, they played Armwood in the state championship game. I have tape. He has an 80-yard touchdown run that put them in the lead. When it flipped around, and Armwood had the ball, what position do you think Tebow was playing? He was playing nose guard — and he disrupted about 10 plays. This guy is totally different. He's got Rich Gannon, Drew Brees, that kind of makeup as a team guy. What he said after the Ole Miss game, I said, 'That's my favorite football player I've ever seen in my whole life.' I said, 'I want Florida to win every game that kid plays from now on.'"

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-sportsgruden08020809feb08,0,171394.story

[GoBucs]

Is funny, all the guys Tampa released yesterday were called dinosaurs the year before and the media (not just Tampa's) were asking Gruden for years when is he going to let these guys go. Then Morris does and its a shock. The only shock was Derrick Brooks and Cato June and more so Brooks, but he has 1 year left on his contract. The honorable thing would be let him retire a Buc. On to this post ol Ike Hillard, 3rd and Ike, a very hard worker. He should retire himself because his neck problems could get worse. Does anyone remember the shot he took in Settle? Ike is tough but he can't take too many more of those with his neck. And to make one point about the youth movement in Tampa. It will matter what they do in free agency with 50 million to spend. And it all rides on next year. If Tampa is has a good record and makes the playoffs it was the right move. If not its the wrong moves. Its just like waiting to see if the Glazers will shell out the cap money they got or not. On both things (Only Time Will Tell)

[Robert]

Yoshi, Tebow has some fundamental issues he has to work on like being a pocket Qb, but he has more heart and desire and can do it. He will not be the 1st pick, but if we do have a bad season we will be right there for Bradford or McCoy. I don't want to have a bad season, but if we do there is positive with it. Both of those guys will definitly be franchise QB's and I believe Tebow will be too!

[Adam]

The only receiver from last year, other than Antonio Bryant, who was worth his weight in pennies. They cut Hilliard, but someone continue to negotiate with Michael Clayton?

[Bucmaniac]

Name me one Florida Qb that went on to be good in the NFL. Tebow won't be a QB in the Nfl. Ike, I didn't like seeing u play as a Giant and I sure didn't like seeing u play as a Buc. We need to sweep the supermarkets to get a WR like NO did with theirs.