Tampa Bay Hosting All-You-Can-Sign-For-Buffet

The Bucs are wasting no time with free agency.

First they signed Jeff Faine, a very average center who had played for the Saints, and gave him 37.5mil over 6 years, with 15mil guaranteed (Per Schefter of NFLN and Jason Cole of Yahoo).

Earlier there was word from the PewterReport.com that they’ll be hosting visits today from 49ers DE Marquis Douglas, and Vikings odd-man-out RB Mewelde Moore.

Now the latest is from Alex Marvez of FOXsports, who has them pegged for a visit from Devery Henderson.

At this point I’m starting to wonder if the amount of money they’re willing to spend may be a reason for the lack of word on Moss. Garcia to Moss isn’t sexy, but Tampa is a perennial contender and the only reason Moss would hold out on NE would be big money. There aren’t that many teams with that kind of spending power.

Prior to the Faine signing the Bucs were $44 million under the cap. Interesting note, they MUST spend about $16mil in order to hit the salary minimum.

UPDATE: (from KFFL)

Danny O’Neill, of The Seattle Times, reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will meet with free-agent LB Niko Koutouvides (Seahawks) Friday, Feb. 29.

Jenkins to Jets for a 3rd and a 5th

Really? Kris Jenkins is worth all that?

Sounds like the Jets are the alcoholics.

For the Jets it gives them a big body in the middle of their 3-4 scheme. At least give them credit for committing to it, and the picks can be somewhat replaced by the Vilma to Saints deal, but those picks are in 2009. I just don’t think it’s a great move for them.

Still, for Panthers fans it’s a boon. Jenkins wasn’t what he used to be, and the picks can be gold. I’m sure most Carolina fans are aware Steve Smith was a 3rd round pick.

Vilma to Saints for Conditional Pick in 09

If Vilma can stay healthy this is huge.

Newsday has the report.

Consider the Saints vastly improved.

3 hours til Moss is a… Panther?

From the world of the far-fetched comes a Carolina writer who somehow doesn’t think the cap space freed up by the Panthers is for Julius Peppers.

He thinks it’s for Randy Moss.

Without question there are going to be 31 offers for Moss besides the Patriots’ in just about 3 hours when free agency hits, but smart money is on him staying put where he set the NFL record in TD’s.

Thanks to PFT for the tip.

Carr cut… again. Is the Jim Plunkett story over?

Let’s hope so.

Over twenty years ago Jim Plunkett beat the Eagles in the Superbowl, capping an amazing comeback from the disappointment he had become. He had been a first round draft pick with great hype, but had slowly decreased in performance and stopped winning games. He got moved from the 49ers to the Patriots where he did even worse. He was shipped cross-country back to his native Oakland where he played backup until injury gave him the chance to succeed.