Among the non-big name free agents the Bucs are reported to be eyeing is Steelers wide receiver Nate Washington.

As Randy Cross of Sirius NFL Radio suggested yesterday, don’t expect the Bucs to go crazy in free agency now that the Bucs didn’t land the big fish, Albert Haynesworth.

Peter King of SI.com, who ironically once a week co-hosts “The Opening Drive” on NFL Radio with Bob Papa and Cross, wrote today on his site that the Bucs, despite being a record amount under the cap, won’t be spending like the proverbial drunken sailor.

Tampa Bay, a record $61 million under the salary cap after purging everyone but the office secretaries this week, was targeting New Orleans middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma and Pittsburgh wide receiver Nate Washington. The Bucs don’t want to hit home runs in free agency, but rather doubles with solid players they don’t have to overpay.

This is somewhat smart. Get good if not decent second tier players and then if the Bucs can hit home runs in the draft the next two years (Joe fully expects the Bucs to have a lousy record in 2009 thus a good spot in the draft in 2010), it will go a long way to getting the Bucs back in the playoffs in 2011 and beyond.

Yes, you read that right, 2011.

All one needs to know about Derrick Brooks was the first sentence that came out of his mouth in his farewell press conference at One Buc Palace.

“It’s been a pleasure.”

That floored Joe. Here is a guy that got kicked to the curb by the team he shed blood for, was virtually his entire life the past 14 years, and he tells the Pen and Mic Club (and indirectly, the fans listening on live radio), “It’s been a pleasure.”

Damn.

There were other tidbits too. Such as how he continues, after he was let go, to mentor linebacker Geno Hayes. This guy Brooks clearly doesn’t consider himself above others. Rather, he’s putting others before him, as he always seemed to have done.

This guy is special.

Just reading between the lines, it seems Brooks is done unless he gets a contract offer that knocks his socks off when he said, “Tampa will always be my home.”

The most ironic thing Brooks had to say was how payback might be a bitch. Joe heard Brooks speak to a small group once and confessed he nearly went to Florida if not for the bond he developed with Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews.

What assistant recruited Brooks for Florida? Jim Bates. Yes, the same Jim Bates who apparently decided Brooks wasn’t worthy of playing one more year for the Bucs.

Payback or irony?

Ian Beckles asked on his radio show on the Sports Animal, WDAE-AM 620, what athlete is a better sports model.

Joe can only think of maybe two. Maybe Roberto Clemente, who literally gave his life to help others.

Jackie Robinson, who indirectly gave his life for others, also springs to mind.

No question Brooks is, has been and likely will be the ultimate role model for Tampa Bay athletes.

No Derrick, you’re wrong. The pleasure has been ours.

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Don't stretch to find awesome analysis of the NFL draft. It all starts here Saturday. Give a listen below.

Hmm. Where would a Bucs fan go for the best NFL draft analysis on the planet?

The answer is right here, at JoeBucsFan.com

Courtesy of Justin Pawlowski, draft guru of The Sports Animal, 620 WDAE, the party starts here Saturday and runs into May.

 It’s going to cost you $10, and Joe will send you a $10 gift certificate to Courtside Grille. So basicially in a roundabout way, Joe is giving you Bucs draft coverage you will not find anywhere else on the planet, or the World Wide Web.

You can’t beat that.

Hear all about it below.

Derrick Brooks spoke to BSPN during its NFL Live show Thursday. Joe is sure this is just a taste of what Brooks will talk about at 9:30 a.m. this morning in his Bucs farewell news conference at One Buc Palace.

Anyone find it wierd that Brooks is holding his press conference at the headquarters of the team that just kicked him out the door?

WFAN-AM in New York claims the Bucs may land Giants running back Derrick Ward.

Joe isn’t much for listening to New York sports radio, though he loves the passion and fire of New York radio hosts; Joe gets his fill of Yankees talk when he listens to Chris “Mad Dog” trying to do a national radio show on Sirius, but always slides back into A-Roid talk.

Besides, Joe listens to Sirius NFL Radio when he’s not listening to local shows in the afternoon. What red-blooded American male wouldn’t?

Joe just received a call from his good friend Ozzie the Sports Junkie of WTMY-AM in Sarasota, who does listen to WFAN-AM, which is reporting the Bucs are the leading contender to land Giants running back Derrick Ward.

This move would please Joe. Ward is a proven solid runner and behind the Bucs offensive line he should so quite well.

Joe isn't going back to bed and curl up in a fetal position over the Bucs losing out on the Albert Haynesworth sweepstakes.

Joe breathed a sigh of relief this morning when he rolled out of the rack and learned Danny Snyder outbid the Bucs for Albert Haynesworth, as documented by Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post.

Despite the Bucs having more cash to play with than Obama, Joe just couldn’t justify throwing the federal treasury at Hanynesworth with so many red flags flying.

This news, however in Joe’s eyes, opens the door for the Bucs to get a good young(er) defensive tackle at a reasonable price, Kedric Golston of the Redskins. Surely Snyder, who didn’t have that much wiggle room under the cap, won’t spend top dollar to land Face Stomper and also keep Golston.

NFL Films has a variety of “Best Of… ” videos of a variety of Bucs (and former Bucs).

First up is the “Best of Jeff Garcia.”

Then there’s the “Best of Antonio Bryant.”

And what would be complete without the “Best of Clifton Smith.” Oddly, none of his fumbles at running back were highlighted. Joe thought that was why the Bucs unloaded Warrick Dunn? Strange.

As Joe has pointed out, former (Joe almost chokes up writing that) Bucs great Derrick Brooks is scheduled to hold a press conference from One Buc Palace at 9:30 a.m. today. There, he is to announce his plans.

He tipped his cap earlier today on BSPN’s NFL Live and said he wanted to play for any team, so reports Stephen Holder of the St. Petersburg Times.

“That’s my wish,” Brooks said when asked if he planned to continue playing. “We’ll see what the interest is out there and what options come along with it. I’ve never been in this situation so I really don’t know how to approach it outside of let’s see what teams call and look at it from that perspective with my family. If it’s one that I’m comfortable with I’ll move forward. If it’s not, I won’t.”

Apparently as of 1:17 a.m. this morning, BSPN hasn’t uploaded the video. When/if BSPN does, Joe will embed it for you.

Derrick Brooks will stand before the local media today.

Joe really doesn’t want to hear Brooks be all classy and nice. All Joe wants to hear is No. 55 say he’s going to play football this season.

The great ones go out on their own terms, or their bodies shut down.

 If Brooks quits now, he leaves at the hands of Mark Dominik and Raheem Morris.

That’s no way to go.

Joe is scheduled to go on the air at 11:30 p.m. this evening with Ozzie the Sports Junkie on WTMY-AM 1280 in Sarasota.

Ozzie can be heard weeknights from 11 p.m.-1 a.m.

The show can also be heard from the station’s website. No special software is needed. Just go to the site and listen, it’s that simple.

Former Bucs quarterback Jeff Carlson trains QBs of all ages with his company, America’s Best Quarterback. You can hear him as host of The Game on ESPN 1040AM, Sundays at 11 a.m. He’s a regular contributor to JoeBucsFan.com.

By Jeff Carlson
JoeBucsFan.com analyst

Looks like the Bucs’ new management is filled with avid readers of JoeBucsFan.com. And they take my opinions pretty seriously.

It’s no secret that I have been a big fan of giving the best athlete on the team a chance at quarterback and they brought back Luke McCown as a top priority.

In a posting from January 16 following Jon Gruden’s firing I wrote about the following about the talent level on the Bucs:

Earnest Graham is the only running back with potential. Antonio Bryant is the only quality receiver on the team – and he’s a free agent. The defensive front is questionable. Barrett Ruud is a stud, but Cato June is a question and Derrick Brooks should be a reserve. Ronde Barber is going to the Pro Bowl, but should be a situational nickel-back. Most of the role players don’t have upside (future starter) potential.

Those are opinions based on performance on the field, not memories of the good ‘ol days of yesteryear.

With that basis in mind, is today’s news of the Bucs releasing Derrick Brooks, Cato June, Warrick Dunn, Ike Hilliard and Joey Galloway really that surprising?

Mark Dominik made it pretty clear they didn’t want to see Brooks standing on the sideline in a ball cap, but for all the fans that want to get caught up in his history of greatness (and that is what it is, history) and his sure-fire Hall of Fame future, Brooks isn’t playing at that level anymore and he isn’t going to be running down on kick-offs or punt coverage.

Raheem Morris could not continue to show the individual favoritism to the likes of Joey Galloway’s prima donna practice schedule, if he wants to take this team back to an elite level.

Nothing tears apart a football team more than preferential treatment, no matter how good you are.

The good news is the GM and the coach aren’t making emotional fan-like decisions, but good solid football decisions. Go back to the earlier quote above from January and see if Ronde Barber’s role doesn’t get redefined before the season, as well.

I don’t know that we have seen the last of this group of ex-Bucs, but just keep reading my posts and you’ll be able to prepare yourself for the next move by the Bucs’ brass.

Warrick Dunn's forced exit from the Bucs makes as little sense as Derrick Brooks' departure.

One of the things that has Joe still shaking his head from Black Wednesday is what happened to Warrick Dunn. By most accounts, the Bucs are shorthanded at the running back position. Earnest Graham was dinged last year. Cadillac Williams is far from a certain return.

So why make the backfield even weaker and thinner? It’s not like Dunn wasn’t productive. As a part-time back, he got over 1,000 yards offense including 300-plus yards receiving, averaging seven yards a carry. How many part-time backs that diverse are walking the streets looking for work?

Again, like Derrick Brooks getting the pink slip, Dunn is a local if not statewide icon whose releast had nothing to do with salary cap concerns.

Some suggest the Bucs wanted to work Clifton Smith in the mix, which is OK. Anyone want to take a guess why Smith didn’t get too many chances under Chucky? Here’s a valid reason.

Half — literally, half — the attempts Smith had at running back he fumbled. Joe constantly rags on Son of Bob for his turnovers and will continue to do so so long as that stiff with a famous dad is wearing a Bucs jersey (unless he’s sitting in the stands and bought a ticket like Joe).

So a guy fumbling the ball half the time he touches it, well, Joe totally understands why Smith didn’t get many chances. So it’s even harder for Joe to swallow the fact a good man who is still a good player got cut so a guy who fumbles half the time can get more carries.

So this is The Dream’s “plan?”

Anwar Richardson of the Tampa Tribune obtained a transcript of Joey Galloway’s interview on Sirius NFL Radio’s “The Red Zone” with Solomon Wilcots and Gil Brandt.

Because Chucky couldn’t figure out how to use both him and Antonio Bryant at the same time (yet this is the same coach who someone figured out how to use Jerry Rice, Tim Brown and Jerry Porter at the same time), Galloway took the field only a scant few times. As a result, he hasn’t been dinged up and he’s healthy.

Because of this, Galloway is geeked about playing for whatever team will sign the graybeard.

“I came out probably as healthy as I’ve been in my 14 year career. So I’m pretty excited about what happens next. I’ve started working out, preparing myself, which I always do at this time of year. So I’m looking forward to it and I feel great physically, mentally. I’m looking forward to the new challenge.”

Like Galloway, Joe was not surprised with Galloway getting shown the door. Galloway is good people. Joe only hopes he has some good success and few injuries wherever he lands.

Bucs fans who are angry at the Glazer Boys, Mark Dominik and The Dream this morning, you have a friend in Adam Schein.

The co-host of Sirius NFL Radio’s “The Blitz,” (Justin, what about the NFL thieving your radio show name?) Schein is absolutely unloading this morning on the Bucs front office. And his co-host John Riggins is in agreement.

In short, Schein is beyond outraged at Derrick Brooks being let loose.

“If you want to talk Cato June being cut, OK. Ike Hilliard? I can understand. Joey Galloway, sure. Warrick Dunn, though he’s still productive, well, OK.

“But how the hell do you cut Derrick Brooks? This to me is one of the worst moves I have ever seen an NFL team make. This isn’t a Marvin Harrison situation with a salary cap issue. The Bucs are well under the cap. Brooks had a very good season. Yeah, he got hurt late, OK. That’s fine. He’s still a very good player. He still the linebacker who not only will beat you with his skills, with his ability, but he will beat you with his brains.

“He’s one of the smartest players we’ve seen on defense in the last 25 years. He’s a leader on the ballclub, a leader off the field. I have no idea what the hell the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are doing.”

Riggins wasn’t quite as vocal (or loud) as Schein but he didn’t disagree.

“I’m stunned,” Riggins said. “Who is there new general manager? Is this really a youth movement? They are rumored to be after [Albert] Haynesworth. There must be something more to it than it looks from the outside. [Brooks is] still a productive player. This is a headscratcher.”

Schein then resumed his emotional rant.

“How do you rationalize this? This is Derrick Brooks. DERRICK BROOKS! This s not just a Hall of Famer just hanging on. He’s still a productive NFL player.

“This is just asinine. We will let Bucs fans vent today. This just doesn’t make any sense. This just floored me. It had me dizzy yesterday. I can’t believe what happened to Derrick Brooks. If I was a fan I would be livid. If I was a season ticket holder, I’d be livid.”

Riggins then suggested a gloomy future for the Bucs.

“What happened down in Tampa is like a roundhouse. This not only caught Gruden and Allen by surprise but all the fans. It’s pretty obvious the Tampa Bay Bucs want to go in a different direction. Well, I can tell you, they are definitely going in a different direction. I’m not sure it’s the direction they may want.”

Phillips could wear a Saints uniform this year, said ESPN NFC South reporter Pat "Vacation Man" Yasinskas

With free agency less than a day away, Joe is sweating out the fate of safety Jermaine Phillips.

Heck, Phillips turns 30 in a few weeks, which probably signals the end of his Bucs career.

For Joe’s money, Phillips is the leader of the secondary and played at a Pro Bowl level for most of 2008, forearm injuries aside.

Lost in the drama of Black Wednesday, Pat “Vacation Man” Yasinskas, who covers the NFC South for ESPN.com, told 1040AM host Nanci Donnellan that Phillips is highly coveted by the New Orleans Saints and the Bucs may not shell out the cash to sign him.

“The Bucs wants him, but that’s a tough one. …The Saints are desperate for safety help,” Yasinskas said.

Joe’s lessening faith in The Dream regime will take a nose dive if Phillips doesn’t return. He is one of the Bucs core young players who came through the system, from a fifth-round pick to a standout performer.

In talking about The Dream, Sirius NFL Radio host Randy Cross suggested The Dream may face the same fate as another former Bucs defensive backs coach.

Speaking about the Bucs on Sirius NFL Radio’s “The Opening Drive” this morning, co-hosts Randy Cross and Bob Papa didn’t paint a very rosy picture for the Bucs this season.

“New isn’t always good unless you know what you are doing. Youth isn’t always better but it’s cheaper,” Cross said of the Bucs new regime and alleged youth moment on the field.

Cross went on to predict that the Bucs “won’t be anywhere near” the salary cap when free agency ends, despite having his figures way off (Cross said the Bucs were $50 million under the cap).

Papa concurred saying, “Why would you [spend like a drunken sailor] when you’ve done what they just did? Generally teams that are rebuilding or going to a youth moment don’t overspend on free agents.

“Look, in 2007 they had a lackluster effort in the playoffs and they stunk the last four games last season. Why would you want to bring that back?”

Cross also had a dire prediction for The Dream.

“I wish Raheem Morris all the luck in the world. The last coach to take over a team that was rebuilding was Herm Edwards.”

Even if the Bucs kept Cato June and the other Black Wednesday victims, the Bucs still would have had plenty of cap room to sign "Face Stomper."

The only reason Joe knows who Gregg Rosenthal of NBCSports.com is is that he happens to share a TV stage with the gorgeous Tiffany Simons. If Joe didn’t enjoy gawking at Ms. Simons so much (who wouldn’t?), he’d never know about Rosenthal.

After reading his recent blog item about Black Wednesday, Joe now understands why GE stock is slightly above garbage right now.

Check out this take from Rosenthal:

The Bucs don’t have logical replacements at wideout or linebacker on the roster; Maurice Stovall at WR? Quincy Black at LB? Eh. But Tampa is smart to get younger, cheaper, leaner. This could also open up salary cap space to make a run at Albert Haynesworth.

You idiot! The Bucs were $55 million below the cap before Black Wednesday. The Bucs had oodles of cash to play with. If Mark Dominik and the Glazer Boys wanted Face Stomper, there would have been little if any salary cap issues.

Trust Joe, the only time he will ever read or see anything from Rosenthal again is if he is still working with Simons.

The Professor, John Clayton of BSPN, claims Bucs legend Derrick Brooks was not cut because he can’t play. Rather, Clayton suggests Brooks was cut because new defensive coordinator Jim Bates doesn’t like speed.

The Bucs’ release of linebackers Derrick Brooks and Cato June signifies the end of the Cover 2 defense in Tampa Bay. With Monte Kiffin gone as defensive coordinator, the Bucs are going to a different scheme. Defensive coordinator Jim Bates plans to install a bigger, more physical defense. The Cover 2 relies more on quickness than bulk. Bates likes big linebackers and big defensive linemen. Brooks was considered the best weakside linebacker to play the Cover 2.

As Joe pointed out earlier, former NFL coach Jim Mora scoffed at such a suggestion. Personally, Joe thinks Brooks is so tough that Jack Bauer and Chuck Norris break out in a sweat when Brooks’ name is mentioned.

To tell any reasonable football fan in the state of Florida that Derrick Brooks had an impact on the game isn’t a tough sell. Afterall, Brooks dominated high school football at Pensacola Booker T. Washington where his team won a state title and Brooks was selected to the Florida High School Athletic Association’s All Century team, among the state’s greatest 100 high school players.

Later, Brooks helped Bobby Bowden win his first national championship at Florida State. With the Bucs, Brooks scored the biggest touchdown in Bucs’ history to seal the franchise’s lone Super Bowl win.

One could argue Brooks is Mr. Football for the Sunshine State. He has only played football for Florida teams at every level and won championships at every level. In short, Brooks is a winner.

But a non-Florida resident also sees how important Brooks has been to the game of football. Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com claims Brooks “revolutionized” the position of linebacker.

He redefined the way a position was played.

When Brooks came into the league in 1995, small, fast linebackers were being bulked up to play safety, which many teams wanted Brooks to do. He was 210 pounds coming out of Florida State, and bigger safeties were in vogue to go with the bigger linebackers.

Brooks said no. He insisted he was a linebacker.

It’s a decision that proved to be right. He is on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, one of the classiest players to put on an NFL uniform.

The thought of Brooks no longer in a Bucs uniform is enough for Joe to begin crying in his No. 55 jersey. Where’s Carmella when you need her?

Highlights of the 2002 season, replete with Derrick Brooks’ greatest play.

Former Bucs wide receiver Joey Galloway said on Sirius NFL Radio Wednesday he's healthy and ready to roll.

As Joe is wont to do, he was listening to Sirius NFL Radio when he heard the bombshell of Black Wednesday. Upon hearing the news, Joe quickly turned to local radio and heard the Big Dog, Steve Duemig logging extra time.

As a result, Joe missed Joey Galloway’s interview on the NFL’s 24/7/365 radio network. But Vacation Man didn’t.

In a nutshell, Galloway says he’s ready to catch some touchdowns. Sadly, no longer with the Bucs.

“I feel great,” Galloway said. “Physically, at the end of last season, because I didn’t play a lot during that season, I came out probably as healthy as I’ve been in my 14-year career. I’m pretty excited about what happens next. I’ve started working out, preparing myself, which I always do at this time of year. I’m looking forward to the new challenge, so we’ll see what happens.”

Joe always admired Galloway. Great guy, never complained even when he had the right to.

Joe firmly believes wherever Galloway winds up, his coach won’t have any problems getting him on the field with the team’s No. 1 receiver.