TAMPA — Da'Quan Bowers will get at least one more chance to show the Bucs, and the NFL, he is worth another look.
The Bucs re-signed the defensive lineman, who hadn't garnered much attention as a free agent, to a one-year contract Monday, four days before players report to training camp. The deal includes no signing bonus or guaranteed money.
A second-round pick by the Bucs in 2011 after leading the nation in sacks at Clemson, Bowers hasn't lived up to lofty pre-draft expectations. In four seasons with Tampa Bay he has played in 50 games, including 10 starts, and recorded seven career sacks. For that, Bowers was paid $3.885 million.
The Bucs hope Bowers will provide depth to a defensive line that lacks a proven edge rusher. Bowers can defensive tackle on passing downs.
In 11 games last season, Bowers had 21 tackles and 11/2 sacks.
The Bucs signed Lions DE George Johnson in the offseason. They also have DE Jacquies Smith, who had 61/2 sacks in eight starts last season, as well as T.J. Fatinikun and third-year pro William Gholston. That's an underwhelming group of defensive ends, giving Bowers a decent shot at sticking for the regular season.
The Bucs haven't had a player record 10 sacks in a season since Simeon Rice in 2005.
TSA UPDATE: The Tampa Sports Authority board formally approved its 2015-16 budget, including $25.3 million toward renovations for Raymond James Stadium in time for the 2016 season.
The approval is ultimately contingent upon the Bucs, Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa working out an agreement to pay for additional renovations, but TSA president Eric Hart said all sides continue to meet regularly and he's optimistic that can be resolved in the next month.
The upgrades include $6.49 million for new high-definition video boards, scoreboards and ribbon boards, as well as $4.49 million to replace every TV in suites and other public places in the stadium.
Should a larger agreement not be reached, the TSA is committed to renovations in time for the college football national championship game in January 2017. But that could cost between $15 million to $17 million without assistance from the other groups.
The TSA also noted that a new weight room will be built across the street at Steinbrenner Field, though the renovations will be paid for by the Yankees with no cost to taxpayers.