Buccaneers Trade Rumors

"Brett Favre and his wife left Green Bay on Wednesday afternoon not knowing if his eventual NFL destination is Tampa Bay, New York or somewhere else. Favre and his wife, Deanna, boarded the private plane bound for Hattiesburg, Miss., at about 12:20 p.m. CT, saying that a trade was not yet completed and that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets are both still in the running. "I just want to get on the field and get going -- I'm 38 years old," Favre said. Favre left Green Bay a day after he and Packers management concluded he could not return as quarterback of the Packers -- who had decided to move ahead with Aaron Rodgers as the starter, and also do not want to see Favre play for an ..."

"The Packers are close to announcing a deal for Brett Favre. That, at least is the feeling in Green Bay, where Packers GM Ted Thompson has postponed a news conference scheduled for this hour. That's the latest on the Favre front, where the situation continues to change by the hour. Literally. If you haven't heard, there are reports out now that suggest the Bucs and New York Jets are engaged in a bidding war for Favre and that the Jets are winning. Don't count out the Bucs, though. The Glazers are star catchers and they see Favre as a star worth chasing. This deal then, at least as it pertains to the Bucs, has become as much about business as football. Favre's agent, James "Bus" Cook, ..."

"The Brett Favre saga may finally end Wednesday, with the embattled quarterback deciding between the Jets and Bucs as his landing spot. There were reports Wednesday morning that Favre had approved a deal to Tampa Bay, but the Jets remain in contention for the 38-year-old quarterback. There were strong indications that a deal would be done Wednesday, although Favre's indecision might drag out the process longer than that. Favre's agent, Bus Cook, told The Sporting News that Favre would be willing to play for either the Jets or Tampa, although some league sources believed that Cook might have been trying to leverage the Jets into a deal that would be more beneficial for the Packers in a trade ..."

"The Brett Favre saga could end with the NFL icon in pewter. The Tribune has learned Favre will not stand in the way of a trade from Green Bay to Tampa Bay and the deal is likely to be finalized within 24 hours. The chances of the trade unraveling are remote and Favre has indicated to the Bucs directly that he is willing to change teams after 16 years of growing his legend in Green Bay. The Packers, unwilling to deal the 3-time league MVP to an NFC North rival, view the Bucs as a compromise in this ugly impasse. The Bucs view Favre as an upgrade on QB Jeff Garcia, who made the Pro Bowl in 2007 while leading Tampa Bay to an NFC South title. Once it became clear to Favre that he wasn't ..."

"After two days of meetings made it clear Brett Favre will not play again for the Green Bay Packers, his agent embarked on trade talks with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets. Talks with the Bucs heated up Tuesday night, a source with knowledge of the negotiations said. The Tampa Tribune reported early today on its Web site that Favre would agree to a trade to Tampa Bay and that a deal would be completed within 24 hours. The newspaper cited no source for its report. For most of this week, Favre showed little interest in a trade to the Bucs. However, he became open to playing for them after he met with coach Mike McCarthy and General Manager Ted Thompson for much of Monday and ..."

"The Bay watch has begun for Brett Favre. The Green Bay quarterback appeared ready to cut ties with the Packers late Tuesday and was reportedly receptive to talking with Tampa Bay team officials about a possible trade. ESPN reported Tuesday night that Favre had talked to the Bucs and Jets. The Packers also appeared to be working through their demand for more compensation if Favre was traded to an NFC team. Favre, 38, was reinstated by the NFL Sunday and made the decision to consider a trade after a series of meetings over the past two days with Packers coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson proved fruitless. "They don't want me back,'' Favre said. After practice Tuesday ..."

"Brett Favre is considering a trade to Tampa Bay and is expected to talk with Buccaneers officials soon, perhaps as early as today, a source told the Press-Gazette today. It might be coincidence, but Tampa Bay General Manager Bruce Allen did not attend the Bucs' practice today, which is unusual for him, reports said. The source said the New York Jets also remain interested if they can acquire Favre in the next few days, but Favre appears more interested in the Bucs. Tampa Bay runs a version of the West Coast offense, which Favre has played in for 16 seasons in Green Bay; the Bucs' coach, Jon Gruden, is a former Packers assistant; and Tampa Bay is a short flight from Favre's home in ..."

"The Cowboys remain interested in trading for QB Chris Simms if the Bucs will lower their asking price of a midround draft pick. The Cowboys are believed to have communicated their interest in May but the Bucs have insisted on a third- or fourth-round pick. Simms has taken limited or no reps in seven-on-seven and team drills since starter Jeff Garcia arrived in training camp Monday. "I understand the situation," Simms said Tuesday. "I don't know what the plan is, but I understand the situation.' Simms, 27, has been throwing after practice with quarterbacks coach Greg Olson and rookie QB Josh Johnson. Simms is among five quarterbacks in training camp, including Brian Griese and Luke McCown. ..."

"Brett Favre, one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, went on the trading block Friday, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets reportedly receiving permission to speak to the Green Bay icon about pursuing his wishes to come out of retirement. Big news, right? Bucs Coach Jon Gruden, though, was busy Friday -- with his team arriving in town for three weeks of training camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports beginning this morning at 8:30 -- and said he hadn't heard the Favre scuttlebutt relative to his team. "I don't have anything to report other than we haven't had any trade talks, to my knowledge," Gruden said during a late-afternoon news conference at the Celebration Hotel. ..."

"The New York Jets have received permission to talk to retired Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, a source told ESPN's Chris Mortensen on Friday. Also Friday, a Packers source told Mortensen that Favre informed Packers general manager Ted Thompson by phone on Thursday that he was planning to report to the team's training camp this weekend. The Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have expressed interest in Favre, according to a Packers source. Favre, who retired in April, hasn't made a decision on whether to send in his reinstatement letter. He would need to do that to report to camp. Favre has asked to be released from his contract and is aware of the Jets' and Bucs' interest, the source ..."

"Chris Simms is expected to report today for the first day of training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. How long he stays with the team remains to be seen. A rift between Simms and coach Jon Gruden has developed since the quarterback last was on the field before suffering a nearly fatal spleen injury in September 2006. Simms has made no secret he wants off the pirate ship, and the Bears have long been mentioned as a possible landing spot. But at what price? The Bucs are carrying five quarterbacks on their roster, including ex-Bear Brian Griese and disgruntled starter Jeff Garcia. With camp roster limits at 80, carrying five quarterbacks would force Gruden to be thin at another position. ..."

"As the Green Bay Packers continue to make calls to prospective trading partners in hopes of dealing Brett Favre before training camp opens, new evidence has emerged in the team's tampering case against the Minnesota Vikings regarding the semi-retired quarterback. Two NFL sources said Wednesday that, in addition to cell-phone records of calls between Favre and Minnesota coach Brad Childress and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, the club also claims Favre sent text messages back-and-forth with the two Vikings coaches. In the aftermath of Favre asking for his outright release July 11, the Packers accused the Vikings of tampering with Favre by engaging in "inappropriate dialogue" with ..."

"Nothing has changed on the Chris Simms front. The disgruntled quarterback is still a Buc, even though he badly wants out of the organization, and he’s still planning to report to training camp on Friday. “I will be at camp,’’ Simms said in a text message. “I have no clue what is gonna happen [once I get there]; we’ll see.’’ There has been some speculation about Simms status for camp, so I decided to go to the source on the matter. His response isn’t surprising. Simms said weeks ago that he had every intention of reporting to camp, “if the Bucs want that kind of media circus.’’ Maybe they do. They have had a few opportunities to trade Simms and could have certainly released him ..."

"According to the Tampa Tribune, the Lions are reportedly interested in Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms. The Lions, Cowboys and Bears have all inquired about the former Tampa Bay starter."

"Brett Favre can't seem to make up his mind, so let's do it for him. Brett, come on down to Tampa Bay. The weather is much better than Green Bay's. There will be a playoff team waiting in your driveway. And most important, it would be great fun for all of us around here. OK, maybe that's not the most important thing. And if the Bucs got Favre it wouldn't be much fun for Jeff Garcia or the other 17 quarterbacks currently on Tampa Bay's roster. But the sad fact is with each new day the chances of Favre returning to the Packers get bleaker. It's hard to figure out which side is more responsible for the mess, Favre for jerking with Green Bay's plans or the Pack for not letting him."

"Most people can identify with being in a bad relationship that needs to end. When the relationship first started, there was nothing but hope and promise. It originally seemed that person could be a good fit, but as things progressed, somebody, if not both parties, realized they were not compatible. Then it was time to move on. This basically summarizes the dysfunctional relationship between the Bucs and Chris Simms, the unhappy quarterback who wants out, but whose team will not let him go. We learned last week that Dallas, Chicago and Detroit are interested in Simms. There are plenty more rumors to come, and no matter which team Simms plays for this season, he will be a backup - ..."

"Garcia, who earned more than $5 million in salary and bonuses for his part in resurrecting the Bucs, is asking to be rewarded in much the same way Graham has been. He is seeking a contract extension that will bring his total payout in line with that of other starting quarterbacks around the league. Talks aimed at accommodating him have been held but have dragged, according to Garcia. Unlike Graham, Garcia participated regularly in the Bucs' offseason workout program. He has, however, hinted at the possibility of a training camp holdout, should his contract demands not be met."

"Warren Sapp never really had a sack dance. He would just kind of stomp over the fallen quarterback as if putting out a cigarette butt. But Sapp will enjoy one last tango in Tampa on Saturday night when he hosts a retirement party at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel"

"Chris Simms may not have to wait much longer for the release he wants from the Bucs. Armed with a league-issued mandate to reduce their roster to 80 players by the start of training camp, the Bucs already have begun the process of purging players."

"Speaking of running backs, there was some sentiment the team might be willing to take a look at Cedric Benson, who was released last week by the Bears after his second arrest of the offseason. Turns out, the Bucs never considered making a waiver claim and haven't given any thought to bringing him in for a workout since he became a free agent Thursday."

"Chris Simms wants you to know that it's not about the city or the fans or the team's owners. His ongoing absence from "voluntary" offseason workouts, it's about just one thing - the head coach. Though he respects his knowledge and deeply appreciates all that he's done for him as a player, the beleaguered Bucs quarterback said Monday that his relationship with Bucs coach Jon Gruden has been deteriorating for months and is now at a point where it is irreparably broken. "It is totally broken," Simms said by phone from his New Jersey home, where he will be today when another round of workouts begin at One Buc Place."

"Jeff Garcia may be unhappy with his contract, but he intends to fulfill it. With all the teeth gnashing by the Pro Bowl quarterback over the past few weeks, the most important point was lost. Garcia will not miss a day of training camp. He will not miss a regu­lar-season practice. Barring injury, he will be the starter Sept. 7 at New Orleans. It doesn't mean his mind will be clear. Garcia's pads could come with shoulder chips because he is upset about the slow pace of talks regarding an extension."

"Jeff Garcia, who stabilized the quarterback position and energized the entire team with his grit, is one of them. Earnest Graham, who came off special teams to run for nearly 1,000 yards and salvage the rushing attack, is another. Greg White, who came from obscurity in the Arena Football League to lead the Bucs in sacks, is on that list, too. So is Jovan Haye, a previously unknown under tackle who has conjured memories of Warren Sapp. These men didn't just help resurrect a team. They saved jobs. In particular, they saved Gruden's job and Allen's job. The Bucs might be under new management if it were not for them. For their part in the resurrection, Garcia, Graham, White and Haye ..."

"Jeff Garcia knows what his addition meant to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season. He's beginning to wonder whether the Bucs have forgotten. Garcia, 38, wants a contract extension to the two-year $15 million free-agent deal he signed in March 2007. He believes his numbers (64 percent completions, 2,440 yards, 13 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 94.6 rating) warrant one...Garcia did not rule out the possibility of making a statement when the time comes to report for training camp July 25 at Celebration."

"Like a kid on Christmas Day, Jon Gruden immediately latched on to his new toy, rookie quarterback Josh Johnson, for Tampa Bay's minicamp this weekend. So what about the old toy? While Gruden was watching Johnson spin spirals all over the club's immaculate grounds, the Buccaneers' version of a discarded G.I. Joe was gathering dust as he sat ignored in the corner of the closet. Time to do the right thing, Bucs. Donate Chris Simms to the Salvation Army."

"For sale: Left-handed quarterback, 27, with starting experience in the NFL. Hasn't played in 20 months. Good pedigree. Plenty of guts. Missing spleen. Must be willing to pick up $2-million salary. Any draft pick or best offer. No team is buying what the Bucs are selling. At this point, it's very unlikely any will trade for Chris Simms. Tampa Bay shopped Simms and Bruce Gradkowski during the draft last weekend with no success. General manager Bruce Allen denied a report that two teams offered the Bucs a sixth- or seventh-round pick for Simms."

"Chris Simms no longer conjures the image of a valiant fallen warrior. With his spleen injury now nearly two years into his past, he seems more like a wounded deer aimlessly wandering the woods. It's gotten to the point where you sort of wish someone would just come along and put the poor thing out of his misery. Finally, mercifully, the Bucs may get around to doing that this week. There are plans for the Bucs brass to gather early this week at One Buc Place, perhaps as soon as Monday and most likely with Simms' agent on hand, and discuss Simms' future. For Simms' sake, let's hope the Bucs pull the trigger and move him."

"Despite a flurry of rumors and even inaccurate media reports, the Dolphins in fact did not trade Jason Taylor on Saturday. The Dolphins didn't even field calls for Taylor, according to general manager Jeff Ireland."

"Not long after the 6-foot-7, 312-pound Long calmly held up a Dolphins jersey with a No. 1 on it and shook the hand of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in New York's Radio City Music Hall, reports began circulating on the Internet that Taylor had been traded to the Tampa Bay Bucs for three draft picks (a second, fourth and a sixth). However, the rumor was shot down by Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland in his first-day draft wrapup late Saturday night in team headquarters."

"A trade was in the works, according to Internet buzz, sending J.T. to the Bucs in exchange for three unspecified draft picks, and one South Florida newspaper went so far as to report the deal as near-fact on its Web site. False start, as it turned out, because the Bucs made a trade with Jacksonville instead."

"Cornerback Lito Sheppard, barring some unforeseen development, will become a member of another team, and we'll all get to see what he brings in return. Early yesterday evening, it was the New Orleans Saints' second-round pick that qualified as the best offer on the table. A league source said five teams had made offers for Sheppard. The St. Louis Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers were among those teams, and the source said the Eagles were still hopeful when they went to bed last night that some team would improve its offer today."

"Could the Eagles trade down from 19, draft Phillips at the end of the first or high in the second, and pick up an extra draft pick, as they did last year? (The third-rounder they got from Dallas ended up being Stewart Bradley, penciled in as this year's starting middle linebacker.) Sure, they could, but they enter draft weekend with 11 picks and more expected, assuming they finally consummate a Lito Sheppard trade."

"There's a chance the Bucs might not need to address cornerback in this weekend's draft after all. Tampa Bay has had preliminary conversations about trading for Eagles Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard. And talks could heat up as the weekend nears and Philadelphia pushes to get extra picks. Sheppard, named to the Pro Bowl in 2004 and 2006, long has been rumored to be on the trading block with the Eagles' acquisition of Asante Samuel in free agency leaving him in a tenuous position."

"For the second time in a week Thursday the Bucs found themselves smack dab in the middle of the rumor mill's hottest byproduct. The rumor this time had Eagles Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard visiting the Bucs in what could be a precursor to a draft-day trade. The only problem was, Sheppard's visit wasn't with the Bucs who have the authority to pull the trigger on a trade."

"Lito Sheppard said last night he just happened to be in Tampa this week and checked in on some old friends. A source close to the situation, however, confirmed Jay Glazer's report on Foxsports.com, which said Sheppard "was in Tampa on Wednesday to visit with the Buccaneers, who have emerged as the front-runner for the two-time Pro Bowler.'' The Eagles, who certainly would object to apparent tampering if they hadn't given their permission, raised no objection. They said they had no comment."

"As for the Sheppard saga, he remained a member of the Eagles for another day yesterday, although a league source said he had visited several teams and undergone physical examinations in case he is traded. Foxsports.com reported that he had visited the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The source said the Eagles had received some late-second-round offers but were still seeking something more."

"Great guy, Chris Simms. Smart, funny, immensely likable. As awkward as his time in Tampa Bay has been, he has always handled himself with grace and dignity. So I sincerely hope he gets the opportunity to move on and continue his career elsewhere. Yet, having said that, the Buccaneers would be wise to hang on to him for now. It's a touchy situation, I know. Simms has stopped attending voluntary workouts and would be very happy to sign his playbook over to any draft picks heading to town this weekend. But I just don't see an upside to parting ways now."

"Tampa Bay defensive end Greg White has temporarily backed away from possibly asking for a trade after the Bucs said they would be interested in offering him another contract. Jack Bechta, White's agent, previously stated if Tampa Bay did not extend his client a new contract before Saturday's draft, he would ask for a trade. When reached late Thursday night, Bechta said he had dialogue with the team and cautiously added, "We won't be pushing for a trade right now.""

"Tampa Bay standout defensive end Greg White might ask for a trade today if the Bucs do not offer him another contract. White is an exclusive-rights free agent, meaning Tampa Bay is the only team that can negotiate with him. The Bucs offered White a contract of $370,000 in February, a slight improvement on the $285,000 base salary he earned last season. However, White is seeking either a long-term deal or an incentive-laden short-term contract, before this weekend's draft. If it is not offered, he will ask for a trade."

"A looming Dolphins issue: With so many needs elsewhere, should they invest the first pick of the second round on a quarterback? Or should they instead wait to take one much later or sign Chris Simms if Tampa Bay cuts him, as some expect?"

"Trading Jared Allen might be the smart thing to do. Once Clark Hunt decided to retain Carl Peterson, the chance for the Chiefs to retain a happy, productive Jared Allen nearly evaporated. At least for one more year, we’re stuck with The Artist Formerly Known as King Carl, so we might as well contemplate the idea of unloading Kansas City’s best football player for draft picks and whatever else the Vikings, Buccaneers or Team X is willing to give up."

"The predraft rumor mill was really cranking Thursday, and the Bucs were in the middle of what was being cranked out. Along with the Minnesota Vikings, the Bucs are one of two teams who appear to still have interest in possibly trading for disgruntled and sometimes troubled Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen."

"The Bucs might be considering trading at least their first-round pick in next weekend's draft — and possibly a player — to the Chiefs for 2007 sack leader Jared Allen. Kansas City's franchise player said Thursday that he thinks a deal with the Bucs or Vikings could get done before the April 26 draft."

"Jared Allen could soon be getting his wish. The Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have expressed an interest in acquiring the disgruntled Chiefs’ Pro Bowl defensive end, a source said. Allen, who led the NFL in sacks last season, has wanted out of Kansas City since negotiations for a long-term contract broke down last year. Allen could be in Minnesota visiting with the Vikings as soon as Friday, the source said. A visit to Tampa could follow."

"The Vikings might not have to wait until draft day to find a pass rusher. Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen is scheduled to visit Winter Park today and hopes to be traded before the April 26-27 NFL draft. Whether the Pro Bowler gets his wish, and how soon, remains to be seen. As an unsigned franchise player, Allen, who is tentatively scheduled to visit Tampa Bay next week, has the right to meet and talk to teams, but the Chiefs have offered no assurances that they would trade him."

"This is just what Jeff Garcia needs — another reason to be cranky. The Bucs quarterback has been unappreciated for most of his career, so feeling underpaid might just put him over the edge."

"Garcia said Tuesday that he's disappointed the team hasn't been willing to tear up his contract and reward him with a new deal that would enable him to finish his career with the Bucs."

"Despite the presence of Jeff Garcia, Brian Griese, Chris Simms, Luke McCown and Bruce Gradkowski on the roster, Allen still won't publicly discount the possibility of free spirit Jake Plummer adding even more intrigue to the mix."

"If Chris Simms believes boycotting offseason workouts will be his ticket out of Tampa Bay, he might want to reconsider. General manager Bruce Allen indicated he has not talked to any teams about trading Simms at the NFL owners meeting, nor given Simms' agent permission to begin that dialogue."

"Regarding quarterback Chris Simms, who said last week that he was opting to skip optional offseason workouts because of his unclear status with the club, Allen said he hasn't engaged in talks about trading the player."