The Bucs could be on the verge of losing Dewayne White.

   The free agent defensive end is visiting the Detroit Lions today, where he could be reunited with coach Rod Marinelli.

   White, 27, recorded five sacks last year and started eight games at right defensive end in place of Simeon Rice, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.

   ""First of all, he has great familiarity with the coaching staff. That helps,'' Lions general manager Matt Millen said of White. ""So that eliminates the learning curve. Secondly, he has great familiarity with the scheme. He has position flexibility. He can play right and left. He can play inside.

   ""I personally believe he has an upside yet.  He hasn't hit it yet. He's young and he's turning into what he will become. And I also happen to believe that for him to do that, the best way for him is to be here because our head coach got him going and will take him to the next level.''

   Marinelli, who coached White for three seasons in Tampa Bay before becoming the Lions head coach, is looking for a pass-rushing defensive end to play alongside defensive tackle Cory Redding, the team's franchise player.

   White figures to be one of the most coveted players in free agency, especially since many of the top defensive ends were franchised.

   ""I just think if you're a defensive lineman, (Detroit) is where you'd want to be.''

   The Bucs also will receive a visit this weekend from longtime 49ers center Jeremy Newberry.

   The 30-year-old Newberry underwent surgery to repair a microfracture in his right knee last August.

   The Bucs are battling with the Cleveland Browns for Bengals guard Eric Steinbach, who will visit Tampa Bay Saturday.

  Steinbach can play either guard or tackle and has only missed one game in his career. Pretty busy start of free agency for the Bucs, eh?