Bucs sign DT Miller to 4-year deal

DT Roy Miller has signed a four-year deal. The former Texas Longhorn standout's contract is worth $2.52 million and includes minimum base salaries of $310,000, $395,000, $480,000 and $565,000, according to ProFootballTalk.com.

Miller might appear to be miscast in the Buccaneers' new defense, given his rep as a pass-rushing, undersized slasher. The Bucs are confident they found a good fit.

"Roy Miller did a good job rushing the passer at Texas, but he's more of a run-stopper," defensive coordinator Jim Bates said in May. "He had 5.5 sacks. He's an awfully strong young man and can get some push, which is important with how quick the ball comes out in today's game.

"The main thing is being able to hold gap, keep linemen off the linebackers and taking up space. He's a strong young man. He's not the tallest guy in the league, but if you look around the league you see there are a lot of successful guys that are shorter, stronger guys that are hold-the-point guys."

Think hard before coveting Favre

When Brett Favre was at home riding tractors in Hattiesburg, Miss., most people were more than willing to conveniently forget that his final pass in the NFL was an interception that essentially ended the Packers' dream season.

We wanted to focus on the 38-year-old finding the fountain of youth, and carrying -- sometime literally -- his teammates around Lambeau Field and to an improbable NFC Championship Game appearance.

Now that he has the "itch" to return, we're forced to debate whether it's a good idea.
And the debate shouldn't be a long one.

It won't be in Green Bay, so Favre will have to learn a new offense and get comfortable with new personnel in training camp.

We know he' not going to Chicago, Detroit or Minnesota. Carolina and Washington would be getting a bigger distraction than the possible upside is worth, considering Favre can't be considered a major upgrade over Jake Delhomme or Jason Campbell.
Kansas City, Miami and the Jets won't be contenders, so there's little point in shipping Favre off to any of those three.

It essentially boils down to Tampa Bay, where coach Jon Gruden has always had an affinity for older players and acquiring as many arms as possible. Favre fits both descriptions, and Gruden's version of the West Coast Offense should be among the easiest for Favre to pick up in a matter of weeks.

But that doesn't make it a good idea for the Bucs, who reached the playoffs last year with Jeff Garcia. Would Favre be much of an upgrade, if any?

Consider that Favre has thrown 100 interceptions over the past five years alone. Garcia threw just four all last season and has a 23-six TD-to-INT ratio the past two years.

For every highlight-reel touchdown, there are still far too many negative plays. The Bucs have a perfectly serviceable aging quarterback who doubles as a team leader. No need to bring the circus to town when the Bucs have an excellent chance to win one of the league's weakest divisions.

Bucs Gamble On Gaines Out of Gate

Simeon Rice's days with the Bucs were numbered as soon as the team spent the No. 4 overall pick on Clemson's Gaines Adams in April. But the timing of Rice's release on Thursday could come back to haunt Tampa Bay.

On one hand, the team did admirable thing by cutting Rice loose at the start of training camp and giving him ample time to sign on with another team. And there are significant questions as to whether Rice can will ever regain his Pro Bowl form after struggling through a shoulder injury that contributed to his registering just two sacks in 2006 and finishing the season on injured reserve. Rice failed a team physical this week, but even GM Bruce Allen said he expects Rice to play for another team this season.

Meanwhile, Allen and coach Jon Gruden have seriously wratcheted up the pressure on Adams. While he was the most physically gifted defender available in the draft and an excellent pickup at No. 4, Adams is still very raw. He played 7-on-7 football in high school and lacks the array of pass rush moves to consistently beat NFL left tackles. Don't be surprised if he stumbles out of the gates and the Bucs' pass rush suffers for a second consecutive season.

That scenario will prove even more painful if Rice is healthy and abusing quarterbacks for another NFL team.