We heard an interesting rumor today about the Bucs possibly having interest in free agent defensive end Jason Taylor.

Taylor is narrowing his choices of teams as he prepares to play another season, and we were told the Bucs are among the teams interested. They are said to be joined by the Patriots and Dolphins, his original team.

But there is some conflicting information here. A different source indicated Taylor is not someone the Bucs have targeted. The rationale is this: adding a player like Taylor, who is 34-years old, would run counter to the team's stated goal: to get younger and go in a different direction. They are so committed to the goal that Derrick Brooks, Joey Galloway, Warrick Dunn and others were released.

Yes, Jim Bates is the defensive coordinator in Tampa and coached Taylor in Miami. And, yes, the Bucs are looking for help in their pass rush. But Taylor, a pass-rush specialist, wouldn't be an ideal fit at left defensive end, where the Bucs are searching for a starter opposite right end Gaines Adams. That position would require Taylor be stouter against the run.

We learned from Taylor's camp shortly after Taylor was cut by the Redskins early in the offseason that Tampa Bay was not among the teams making an effort to sign him. We'll keep trying to determine whether that's changed.

Right now, that's less than certain.