If new Bucs general manager Mark Dominik does nothing else before the NFL draft, he needs to make sure unrestricted free agent wide receiver Antonio Bryant does not get away.

Thursday was the first day NFL teams could slap an unrestricted free agent with a franchise tag, thereby blocking said player from leaving.

The Patriots wasted little time yesterday by slapping quarterback Matt Cassel with the franchise tag. The Bucs have until Feb. 19 to make a move on Antonio Bryant.

How long before Bryant joins Cassel as a franchise player?

Joe has no doubt the brightest light to an otherwise dark season was the play of current unrestricted free agent wide receiver Antonio Bryant. No matter who the Bucs quarterback may be next season, Bryant easily makes the Bucs passing attack significantly better.