Rice passes physical with Andrews

Defensive end Simeon Rice, released by the Bucs for failing a physical, said he passed a battery of exams administered by renowned orthopedist Dr. James  Andrews in Pensacola last weekend and has been cleared to play this season.

"With flying colors," Rice said by telephone Tuesday.

Rice said in addition to a physical exam, Andrews performed X-rays and an MRI on his surgically repaired left shoulder.

"It was all 100 percent," Rice said. "Dr. Andrews said, 'What kind of physical did you take down there?' I told him they just checked for my mobility in the shoulder and said I failed. He said, 'They didn't even test you for any kind of structure in the shoulder?'"

Rice said he was asked by Bucs general manager Bruce Allen to take a pay cut of $2.5-million from his $7.25-million salary. When Rice refused, he was released.

Rice was in New York and scheduled to dine with members of the Giants' front office Tuesday evening. He is expected to undergo a physical Wednesday.

"I can do everything. I'm clear," Rice said.

However, Rice said he does not intend to rush his decision. He also has received interest from the Washington Redskins and Tennessee Titans.

Keyshawn to retire

Former Bucs receiver Keyshawn Johnson has decided to retire and pursue a broadcasting career, according to ESPN's John Clayton. Here is the story, from ESPN.com.

Bucs acquire new DT

The Bucs did not address their need for depth at defensive tackle until the fifth round of the NFL draft, and now we know why.

Tampa Bay announced today the completion of a trade with Kansas City for defensive tackle Ryan Sims, sending an undisclosed future draft pick to the Chiefs in exchange for the former first-round pick.

Sims, entering his sixth season out of North Carolina, lost his starting job last season but is expected to immediately be thrown into the mix in Tampa Bay. The Bucs are still trying to make up for the loss of Booger McFarland, who was dealt to Indianapolis last season.

Sims, 6-4 and 315 pounds, played in 59 games for the Chiefs, starting 36. He was drafted No. 6 overall in 2002 and soon became a formidable, run-stopping interior lineman for the Chiefs. Sims has played both nose tackle and left defensive tackle.

The Bucs need help most at under tackle, where the team is looking for consistency alongside nose tackle Chris Hovan.

Bucs release Bolden

The Bucs' draft has claimed its first casualties.

Cornerback Juran Bolden was released Monday as part of a five-player purge.

The Bucs also withdrew the qualifying offer from cornerback/safety Blue Adams and released safety Tra Boger, longsnapper Adam Johnson and defensive tackle Kenny Smith.

Bolden, 33, was the Bucs' primary nickelback the past two seasons, playing in all 32 games and producing 116 tackles, three interceptions, one sack and 22 passes defensed. He was a key replacement at left cornerback following the season-ending toe injury to starter Brian Kelly.

Adams saw little action at safety but was a big contributor on special teams, playing in 29 games and recording 32 coverage tackles and one forced fumble. Boger, Johnson and Smith were signed after the 2006 season ended.

General manager Bruce Allen made good on his promise to release at least a handful of players following the draft in which the Bucs selected at least one defensive player in every round, including two safeties and a cornerback.

In addition to the draft, Bolden became expendable when the Bucs' re-signed cornerback Phillip Buchanon as an unrestricted free agent and added 49ers free agent cornerback Sammy Davis.

 

 

 

 

McFarland Traded for Draft Pick

The Bucs on Tuesday traded defensive tackle Anthony McFarland to the Indianapolis Colts, ending McFarland's eight-year run with the team that drafted him.

The deal, which came just before the NFL's 4 p.m. trading deadline, nets the Bucs a second-round pick in 2007.

   When reached Tuesday night, McFarland said he was looking forward to being reunited with Colts coach Tony Dungy, who was responsible for making him the Bucs' first-round pick in '99.

   ""First, let me say this: Tony was a guy I've always looked up to, somebody that was part of a staff that brought me to this league, and getting a chance to be back with him is special,'' McFarland said. ""I leave a lot of friends in the Bucs organization and everybody treated me very well. But it's time to turn the chapter in  my professional career. I'm an Indianapolis Colt now and I'm moving ahead.''

   McFarland said he learned of the trade after being telephoned by Bucs general manager Bruce Allen shortly after the 4 p.m. deadline.

   ""I don't look at it as a re-start,'' McFarland said. ""From the standpoint of being a defensive tackle in the NFL, it's just the continuation of something that's been built.''

McFarland often was seen as underachieving in the Bucs' Cover 2 system that relies heavily on pressure from interior defensive linemen. But McFarland remains capable of big plays and recorded several in Tampa Bay's victory against Bengals on Sunday.

McFarland's salary likely was a contentious issue for the Bucs. His base salary of $4.5-million was somewhat difficult to justify based on production. But for the Colts, the glaring need for a pass rush makes paying McFarland worthwhile.

The deal reunites McFarland with his first coach, Tony Dungy.

"It's a great situation," McFarland's agent Karl Bernard said. "He's going to a team where he and his coach have a great relationship. And they have remained in contact over the years. He also has a chance to go to a team whose needs fit. I think he'll do well there."

McFarland's departure likely presses backup lineman Ellis Wyms into a full-time starting role for the first time in his career. Wyms has been invaluable as a backup, recording two sacks against Cincinnati.

"I'm ready to do whatever they ask," said Wyms, who expressed shock when informed of the news by a reporter. "I guess we'll have to wait and see if they sign somebody else."

In other news, former first-round pick Phillip Buchanon, released by the Texans on Monday, signed a one-year deal with the Bucs on Tuesday, his agent Drew Rosenhaus told the St. Petersburg Times.

The cornerback will provide depth at a position that has been thin of late because of the absence of starter Brian Kelly, who is dealing with a case of turf toe and has missed three of the past four games.

Buchanon, a 26-year-old in his fifth season out of the University of Miami, was considered an underachiever and injury-prone in Houston. But the Bucs hope a new start will motivate Buchanon to reach the potential most believed he had when he came out of school.

"It's a great fit for him," Rosenhaus said. "He's from the Fort Myers area, so he's close to home, and he has a real chance to help the team as a cornerback and as a punt returner. They haven't promised him anything, but they will definitely give him an opportunity, which is all he wants."

Buchanon was drafted by the Raiders and Bucs general manager Bruce Allen, then the Oakland GM. Buchanon played sparingly this season, recording two tackles, but in his best year, 2003, he recorded a season-high six interceptions.

Photo of Booger McFarland by the Times' Bill Serne.

Photo of Phillip Buchanon by the Associated Press.

Click photos to enlarge.