The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are so far below the 2008 salary cap that they would be in violation of the league's collective-bargaining agreement if they don't add at least $28 million to their payroll. But it doesn't appear that that will be a problem, as the Bucs have gotten off to a fast start in the free agency period. First, the Bucs signed center Jeff Faine, formerly of the Saints, to a six-year, $37.5 million deal with $15 guaranteed, making him the highest-paid center in the NFL. That seems like a tad much for a center of Faine's quality, but that's life in the NFL when you have $45 million or so to spend.
Second, the Bucs signed tight end John Gilmore, formerly of the Bears, to a three-year contract. Gilmore is mostly a blocking tight end; he'll be second on the depth chart behind Alex Smith.
And next the Bucs may sign wide receiver Devery Henderson, another free agent from the Saints. Henderson is a deep threat with excellent speed, although he hasn't been particularly productive in the Saints' offense and seems like a bad fit for the Jeff Garcia/Jon Gruden offense in Tampa Bay.
But the Bucs have so much money to spend that they can afford to sign guys who aren't great fits. The Bucs are not done spending money.
