Browns CB Holly visits, deal for Crowell soon?

The Bucs continued to focus on improving their defense Tuesday.

Negotiations are underway for Buffalo Bills free agent linebacker Angelo Crowell, who arrived to Tampa Monday night.

Meanwhile, former Cleveland Browns cornerback Daven Holly began his visit with the Bucs Tuesday. Holly, 26, played in 29 games for the Browns in 2006-07, starting 18. But he suffered a season-ending knee injury last May during OTA's while competing for a jump ball with receiver Braylon Edwards.

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Holly had five interceptions in 2006, returning one for a touchdown.

Holly was a seventh-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2005 out of Cincinnati. He played three games for the Chicago Bears as a rookie.

Crowell is a candidate to compete at the strong side linebacker position with Quincy Black.

Comments

[TriplePlay]

So are the Bucs reduced to signing players that have had critical injuries?

We can't sign any healthy athletes?

[TriplePlay]

So are the Bucs reduced to signing players that have had critical injuries?

We can't sign any healthy athletes?

[Sir Pritam the Great of England]

This Crowell guy sounds good. He's had some pretty nice numbers.....when healthy

Don't know what kind of player he is though. Blitzer, good tackler, great against the run, good coverage skills......does anybody know??

[OAR]

Bodden signs with Patriots.

[OAR]

Not sure, the only thing I know about Crowell is he's had tricep surgery 2007 and season ending knee surgery 2008.

[ty guy]

I can't believe that we had Buchannon as a "Priority" before free agency began and then we let him go to the lions. As if that weren't enough, we let Bryant McFadden sign with the cards, Jabari Greer sign with the Saints, and Leigh Bodden sign with the Pats, according to ProFootballTalk.com. I thought we were high on Jamar Fletcher but I'm not too excited about him, although he may be the best CB still available.

[ty guy]

The only other CB that I can think of that is still available is Corey Ivy.

[Harvey Arndt]

Now I see plan, sign only players that have bad knees. I don't get it?

[Robert]

Hooly has proven he can play at a high level. I know he was hurt, but I don't thin the team would sign him if they thought it was going to be a problem. I think we are going to see a fierce battle in training camp at the CB position. Ty GUY, we let PB go because he really was not that good. Compare stats to other AVERAGE CB's in the same system as PB and you will see most of them had better numbers. I like Crowell too. Im glad that we are filling in holes so we are not forced to draft certain players and we can select the best players on the board. I know Raji gets all the attention, but I want you guys to look into this name. ROB BRACE.. He played next to Raji and was kind of over shadowed, but he is predicted to be a late 1st rd, early 2nd rd guy. He is 6 "3" and 324lbs. I think he could work out great in Bates system. Anyway, just a guy to keep your eye on. I just think we are going to draft a DE or DT in the 1st round. REF, if you want we could bet on what position the BUCS draft in the 1st round. It could help one of us get 50 bucks back??? Or it could cause one of us to lose even more?

[OAR]

ty guy, just checked the nfl free agency tracker and it does look like Ivy is still available and possibly Fletcher, although they had Paymah as to be determined. So not sure...

[Valrico Rick]

It's the return of the clowns! Welcome back Bozo! The same people saying we shouldn't have let John Lynch go when the Bucs didn't think he would come back from injury were right. But now you turn around and start ragging at the Bucs for looking at injured players other teams have given up on! That sounds like you just want to bash the Bucs, not you like you really have a point!

[OAR]

OUTSIDE THE BOX:
Former Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks said Tuesday that he does not plan to retire and he has heard from several teams interested in signing him. Brooks plans to play for at least one more year and added that he is not ruling out any teams, including those that are supposedly rebuilding. Re-joining the Bucs, should they want him, could be an option, he said.

Brooks was cut Feb. 25 by Tampa Bay, where he spent his entire 14-year career.

“I’ve still got the Jones to play,” Brooks, who turns 36 on April 18, told NFL.com. “I committed myself to playing one more year. I had one more year left on my contract before I was released. I wanted to finish that out and get to 15. Getting to 15 is still my plan.”

Brooks, an 11-time Pro Bowler, said if prospective offers aren’t to his “liking,” he could retire – but that doesn’t appear to be the case. Brooks said he has been working out in preparation to join a team. He said he is in no rush to sign, but judging by some of the contact offers he has received from undisclosed teams, he appears to be in the “second wave” of free agents of interest.

“The only difference in what I’ve done from the past is where I’m working out,” Brooks said. “A few teams have called, and at some point, we’ll talk a little further. Right now, I’m just evaluating.”

[Leo In Canada]

Bills fans (Local Team) are telling radio talk shows they want the Bills to re-sign Crowell. I have not heard a single negative about him or his play. Many people are pleading for his return. There is as much talk about Crowell not being there as there is about T.O being signed.

[ref813]

I'll have to wait until closer to the draft to make any decisions on that. I've been thinking DT, too, so right now there wouldn't be much point in a bet. If we get a WR, I'll be pretty well locked into DT. I think they may be content with a good set of TEs, a good WR, and a decent one along with Warren and the other younger guys.
I don't know how these guys operate, yet, so it's going to be a struggle trying to guess how the draft will go. I felt pretty good about my guesses last year, but not so much so far this year. If they don't add a CB, WR, DT, or LB, I'll be completely lost. I can tell you this much: it won't be a RB, TE, O lineman, K, or S. Other than that, who knows?
We're still set to be well short of the 80 we need for training camp. Wait, we're up to 67. How did that happen? We had 58 last week. The number of guys with no photo on the team site has risen from 5-7. It looks like Andrus and Holmes-from Memphis so he must be good, right?-ended up on the roster without a story. How did the writers overlook these signings? A K and a DE 1 year removed from the U of AZ. Big news.
Holmes was an undrafted rookie last year who was dropped from the 49ers practice squad at the start of the season. His greatest NFL accomplishment appears to have been putting some pressure on Russell while playing against Oak.'s first string O in a preseason game. He had 6 sacks in 22 starts in college. He was projected to be drafted around round 5. There's the big story.

[ref813]

With 67, all we have to do is add a LB, CB, and a QB and we'll be up to 70. We'll probably end up with around 8 draft picks, so we only need 2 other random guys and we'll have a team. We can get them out of the undrafted pool and turn them into C. Smith's 2 and 3, at different positions, of course.

[Robert]

Well, the money is on the table i you want to do it when we get closer to the draft. Instead of 50 bucks, the loser should have to take the winner to a game! That sounds awesome! LEO IN CANADA, thanks for the research and checking into what they are saying about Crowell in Bills country! OAR, I think DB might not want to sign with another team right now to see if the BUCS are going to offer him a 1 year deal with alot less money on the table. Maybe even throw in some incentives! What do you think?

[ref813]

Barring some serious luck in the draft contest, it doesn't look like I'll be doing any traveling any time soon. Even if I'm lucky enough to win, I'll have to sell at least 1 ticket to pay for the trip. I'll have to come in 1st this time so I'll get 4 tickets. It looks like I'll be watching all of the games from home this season, as usual.
I wouldn't get my hopes up about DB. I've never heard of any scenario like that. He'll be in a Bucs jersey when he retires as a Buc on a one-day contract after next season ends.

[BucFandango]

Ron Brace is a very good strong Lineman. He would be a good second round pick, if we had one. Jagz knows all about him too. I could see the Bucs possibly taking another CB at 19. I like Alphonso Smith from Wake Forest (Jagz knows him too). He is another one of those Pahokee, FL players. I don't know what it is with those Lake Okeechobee guys from Belle Glade & Pahokee, but they really crank out ballers. He has very good instincts, and can jam WR's off the line. I just believe that Jerry & Raji aren't that good. That's why I'd take this 5'-9" 193# CB who can beat up on Big WR's. I think this shores up the Secondary. Resign Kevin Carter before it's too late. We're running out of options.

[Erick]

Throw some money to Crowell and Holly. They sound like decent pickups. I don't think there are as many holes to fill as some others but we could use an experienced LB and young strong DT.

[ref813]

I read that we're one of the 5 or so teams showing a good bit of interest in Freeman. Apparently, Jax has been taking so much of his time that other teams are complaining. That would be too much of a risk in the 1st round for my taste.
I'd probably have to agree with you on the DTs. The more I think about it, the more I'm beginning to think we should drop down and take Harvin, Bey, or Jerry if one of them appears as though he will drop several spots behind us. I want that 2nd back and we'd probably have to go to the end of the first to get one. I wish Nicks had more speed. That would possibly give us 4 players to hope for at the end of the 1st assuming someone would trade. Another possibility would be to trade down into the beginning of the 2nd in exchange for at least a 3rd and 4th this year and some pick next year.

[Robert]

If Jagz wants Freeman and he is there, that is who we will be drafting. I want to bring something else up that I just saw. The Rams just release Orlando Pace. I'm not saying I want him or we need him, but the BUCS have been bringing in O LINE guys. I like our O lINE and want to see them stay together. Trueblood really ticks me off, but now that there is going to be guys knocking on the door trying to take his job and a new coaching staff maybe he will get his head out of his A%%

[Robert]

I know this is off beat, but do any of you guys watch 24?

[ref813]

Robert, I think it was after the '07 season when I was going through football withdrawals on Sundays and Mondays that I took up watching 24 for some sort of excitement. I've been watching it since. It's not a great show, but it's entertaining and can get your blood pumping a bit. It has helped my transition to the offseason. I'm off for the day, so I'll have to get to your follow-up tomorrow. It was pretty good last night, if you were wondering.

[CNB]

You would think that CBs would fall all over themselves to play for a DB coach turned Head coach.

[CNB]

Robert, I think we need quick-twitch decision maker like Jack at QB, too. Sacrificing himself for the greater good.

[BucFandango]

That's funny. You know Raheem said he is hooked on Jack Bauer too. The show gets a little crazy, but it is entertaining. I mean anybody that would cut off someone's head with a Hacksaw, has got my vote. I like the idea of dropping down to get another pick, maybe even a 2'nd rounder which I think we definitely need to get back. As far as Orlando Pace goes, he has been a little banged up, but he is only 33 and can still play. He was only making $6 mil, and for that I would sign him right this very minute. He is an upgrade and can teach our young line a great deal. Awesome player still to this day. One of my favorites. Good comment on Pace.

[BucFandango]

Sorry, I would give Pace a physical first.

[D Block]

Sign Crowell & get it over with ASAP! The Bucs have already lost out on Bodden that really sucks. The Bucs are starting to show their hand to me and if i can see it others can as well. They made a play on a DT lost, made a play on a CB lost, made a play on a LB lost, Crowell LB? The Bucs are going to have to make another trade eventually to pick up another young starter. More & more it sounds like we are going D the 1st couple of picks

[Stacy]

D BLOCK or Robert....You guys heard anything about Harrison from the Steelers?

[Ben bolt fan]

This team does not have money to sing some of these top players unless it is in guarantee money!! I think they will trade there first round pick for something in the second round and maybe pick up an extra third round pick if they find a team willing to buy in on that.
That is the reason they lost on some descent players. Maybe this team is really happy with Mack starting or playing nickel back for this team? Remember Tanard Jackson was a corner in college and was moved to safety.
There will be some more free agents after the draft to make room for there draft picks. I think this team will find some players there. Remember this team is unofficially up for sale, because Man U is eating there lunch. So this team will only spend about 85 percent of the cap money available.

[conradbuff]

why are they bringing in db backups from the worst teams in the league?

[Yoshi]

Hey bucfandango to answer that question about alphonso smith and why players always come out of there. The reason they produce players is because they are from PALM BEACH COUNTY!!! Im talking about the county that produced the likes of Santonio Holmes, Anquan Boldin, Fred Taylor, Devin Hester,and Vince Wilfork. You should just come to expect these kinds of players out of Palm Beach County!!

[jackpc]

Corey Ivy is not the answer. I painfully remember when Corey filled in for Brian Kelly and got burned time and time again. Hey Kelly got cut by the Lions. I was always thought that he'd excel in the bump and run bec ause of his size and experience. How about a flyer on Kelly?

[OAR]

Robert, I would have to agree on Barnes. I also read a few blogs from a Jaxsonville site and they dogged him for not pass-blocking well.

[Brandon]

Robert,

Brace played next to Rajii and yet he still barely produced. He is a big fat lazy slow waste of space. He does not get nearly the amount of push that a chubster like him should create AND when Jim Bates gets fired at the end of the season (like he's been fired two of the last 3 seasons) and we go back to playing the Tampa-2, then what do we do with him?

You want a DT... try Vander Hood of Mizzou, good size, excellent speed and an ever better motor, this guy is intense.

[OAR]

Barnes blogs continued(accidently hit post before I was done);
They also mentioned he has had some minor character issues (DUI, and called the cop a racist), but whats new, hey?

[D Block]

I haven't heard anything on Harrison "Stacy" no news at all.

[OAR]

Stacy, Im not trying to step in on Dblock's or Robert's toes, but I found this:
The Pittsburgh Steelers are hopeful that they can get a long term contract for LB James Harrison, but representatives for Harrison have not been encouraged so far. "We're struggling with this," agent Bill Parise said Monday morning. "We don't seem to be making the progress I felt we would have made. I'm disappointed but not discouraged." Harrison is in the final year of a deal that paid him $5.5 million total.

[ref813]

Is Pitt. considering releasing him? I can't see that happening. This guy would've been right behind Haynesworth in the FA pool.

[Stacy]

Oar - Thanks..You are always welcome to the converstaion - you know that. When I posted it last night, I believe you had posted way earlier in the day, so I just thought that you prob were not on line. I am back now and rejuvinated, but decided to be very selective with whom I will be directing comments to. You and I dont always see things the same but the difference in our views has never been an issue for me.

[Stacy]

I think Pitt will release him and I think that we have more than an average chance at getiing him. Just have to wait and see how much posturing the agent is gonna do. It could also just be the lawyers chasing cash again.

[OAR]

I know the Steelers are known to release linebackers(well at least Porter), when they want too much. I just wonder if the with the Bucs would it still be too much. They seem to be continuing with the don't pay too much attitude, which is fine to a degree.

[Stacy]

Yep, you r right about that. They dont seem to want to come off the cash yet and I can not explain that away. I think it is beginning to worry the best of us.I have heard some rumblings regarding Harrison and I am trying to stay opptimistic that they are true but nothing concrete yet. Soooo, as usual it is a wait and see game.

[ref813]

If this guy gets released, the Bucs better find some money. I know he has played in a 3-4, but he seems like the type who could handle just about anything. We need a bit more experience at LB and CB. I'll take him or Crowell.
This guy is too good. He's 30, but he's only played 6 years. 7 FF? That's 3 more than anyone else in the top 50 in tackles. 16 sacks isn't too shabby, either. He's not really big enough to play DE in a 4-3, but he should be a great outside LB. I'm sure they could design some blitzes for him.

[OAR]

Speaking of finding money, I heard Bodden signed 1 yr for league minimum. Wonder why we couldn't get that done?

[BucFandango]

Brandon, you say Bates will be fired by the end of the season and the Bucs will be back to Tampa 2. So if Lane Kiffen gets fired and Monte Kiffin leaves with him, would Monte be back in Tampa again... with say maybe... Chucky? I think if Bates goes it' will also cost Daydream his job too. I think the Bucs may do a little better this year than everyone thinks. I would surely give up a first rounder for Jay Cutler, maybe a 3'rd too as has been said, but preferably a player like Cadillac Williams with that 1'st pick. Whatever happens though, I think we will still do OK, but I have more faith in our players than I do in our new coaches.

[Stacy]

OAR - The only thing that I have seen is, I am sure the same as you. He said that he signed for the Vet minimum to play for Belichik and the Patriots in hopes fo getting to the SB. As a Vet I am sure that he could not be wooed by the Bucs enough to convince him that he has a chance to do that here, right now, or quick enough for him anyway.

[Stacy]

Here is the latest that I was able to find on Harrison..."Talks have not gone as smoothly lately between the Steelers and the agent for linebacker James Harrison . Harrison, the NFL defensive player of the year and team MVP the past two seasons, has one year left on his contract at $1.4 million". I dont usually cut and paste but I dont have anything more than this. THIS DUDE IS WELL WORTH 2 MIL. He is looking and I think we need him or Crowell, but I would take Harrison first. This dude wasn't even drafted out of Kent St, now starts for the Steelers and flat out plays his a55 off.

[ref813]

Cutler would be nice, but I'm inclined to give McCown a shot. Denver needs a QB and I doubt they're anymore sold on Simms than I am. A reunion with Griese and a 1st? They would probably want McCown as would I if Griese and Simms were the other options.
I know he hasn't had good D to help out, but I've started to view Cutler a bit like I view Romo-as a good QB who can win some games every year, but may not have what it takes to win it all. Cutler doesn't have the curse of the fumbled kick placement, but he does have a problem with ints. That has kept his rating below 90 every year so far. Romo even breaks 90 every year.

[OAR]

I figured that was probably due to a choice, which makes since.