Bucs' top pick Banks signs rookie contract

Early web version

Second-round draft pick Johnthan Banks is officially onboard, with the Bucs announcing he has signed a four-year contract today.

Banks, a cornerback, was the Bucs' top pick this year, with the team's first-round choice shipped to the Jets in the Darrelle Revis trade.

The collective bargaining agreement calls for rookies drafted beyond the first round to receive four-year deals. The exact value of Banks' deal wasn't immediately known, but the limited negotiating parameters suggest it is worth slightly more than last year's No. 43rd overall selection. That player, Stephen Hill of the Jets, signed for $5 million with $2.9 million in guarantees....

Bucs' top pick Johnthan Banks signs rookie contract

Second-round draft pick Johnthan Banks is officially onboard, with the Bucs announcing he has signed a four-year contract today.

Banks, a cornerback, was the Bucs’ top pick this year, with the team’s first-round choice shipped to the Jets in the Darrelle Revis trade.

The collective bargaining agreement calls for rookies drafted beyond the first round to receive four-year deals. The exact value of Banks’ deal wasn’t immediately known, but the limited negotiating parameters suggest it is worth slightly more than last year’s No. 43^rd overall selection. That player, Stephen Hill of the Jets, signed for $5 million with $2.9 million in guarantees....

Quick transition key to Akeem Spence winning Bucs NT job

No one would be surprised to see fourth-round pick Akeem Spence win the starting job at nose tackle.

But that doesn’t mean he won’t face some challenges in achieving that goal.

One of the adjustments Spence is making is learning to play the “tilted nose” that the Bucs employ, a tactic that requires the nose tackle to line up at an exaggerated angle. It’s not something many teams use this extensively, but it’s a staple for coach Greg Schiano and his defense. It’s not something Spence ever used at Illinois, either....

When will Tampa Bay's next turn to host Super Bowl come?

A pair of Super Bowls were awarded to San Francisco and Houston on Tuesday when NFL owners voted overwhelmingly to stage the game in those cities in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

But Tampa Bay knows a little about holding Super Bowls, too. So, when can we reasonably expect the game to return?

The next 12 months will be critical in determining that answer. That’s because the Bucs and Tampa Bay leaders are expected to make a push for the next opening, the 2018 game....

Bucs welcome Adrian Clayborn's return

TAMPA — He didn't exactly run out of the southwest tunnel of Raymond James Stadium, received by a roaring crowd. But the mere presence of Bucs defensive end Adrian Clayborn on the field for the start of offseason practices on Monday was, in its own right, reason for celebration.

With the Bucs producing a woeful pass rush for several seasons (they ranked 29th in sacks in 2012), the importance of the starting right end's return from a torn knee ligament last season can't be overstated....

Dominik: Thoughts of Revis trade began after knee injury

Mark Dominik apparently has a little evil genius in him. Either that or he simply made an incredibly accurate guess on the future of Darrelle Revis.

In any case, during reporter Andrea Kremer’s latest behind-the-scenes report on Revis’ rehab for NFL Network, Dominik, the Bucs' general manager, revealed the very first time he thought about acquiring Revis from his former team, the Jets....

Darrelle Revis takes the field at One Buc Place -- sort of

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Bucs kick off OTAs and Schiano again affirms Freeman is his starter

The Bucs kicked off OTAs today with their first full-squad practice of the offseason, and there was no shortage of news to report.

Much of that news was off the field, where coach Greg Schiano proclaimed – again – that Josh Freeman is the team’s unquestioned starting quarterback. This became necessary after he was quoted in recent days saying he would be fine if rookie Mike Glennon won the job over Freeman....

Bucs begins practice, Revis continues rehab

TAMPA — The Bucs had their first full-squad offseason practice Monday, and just as notable as what happened on the field were those who weren't on it.

As expected, CB Darrelle Revis was a long way from joining his teammates, with the All-Pro still working with the training staff as he recovers from left knee surgery last fall.

Local media got the first glimpse of Revis' rehab routine which revealed he's coming along slowly, though the team says he's on schedule to play when the season opens. After a long ride on a stationary bike, Revis began his on-field rehab, doing straight-line running and some lateral exercises....

Bucs seek answers as workouts near

The Bucs begin offseason team activities, or OTAs, on Monday. If you don't know what those are, the description is simple: football practice. • They're allotted 10 such workouts during the next few weeks, plus a three-day mandatory minicamp next month. • That's not a lot of time to evaluate the many elements the team has worked on in the meeting room and in limited field work during the past few weeks of the offseason program, but it's plenty of time to get a head start on some important pending decisions. • So, as the team embarks on the crucial weeks ahead, let's look at five important questions to be dealt with during OTAs:...

Jackson, Nicks on SI's top earners list

When the Bucs made a procedural move last December, shifting the 2013 salaries of receiver Vincent Jackson and guard Carl Nicks onto the ledger for the 2012 league year, it did more than help the team’s current salary cap situation (enabling it to acquire cornerback Darrelle Revis).

The moves also put huge lump sums in the players’ pockets, with Jackson receiving his $13 million and Nicks getting his $12.5 million nearly a year in advance. That put the pair in rare air when it comes to total compensation in the past year, landing them on Sports Illustrated’s “Fortunate Fifty” list of the highest-paid athletes....

Jets rookie Geno Smith could debut vs. Bucs, Darrelle Revis

The Bucs’ regular-season opener could be notable for more than just the return of Darrelle Revis to the Meadowlands.

The week’s overarching theme, with former Jet Revis set to take on his old mates on Sept. 8, might also be combined with another interesting subplot: The debut of Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith.

The reported decision by Jets veteran quarterback David Garrard to retire on Wednesday has left the Jets without many good options, especially with the team seemingly bent on replacing incumbent starter Mark Sanchez....

Bucs sign fourth-round draft pick Akeem Spence to 4-year contract

The Bucs continue making headway in signing their recent draft class, with fourth-round selection Akeem Spence the latest to sign his contract.

Spence signed a four-year deal, the Bucs announced, a standard contract under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

The Bucs have now signed four of their six picks from last month’s NFL draft, with second-round pick Johnthan Banks and third-round choice Mike Glennon the only picks remaining unsigned....

It's a big offseason for these five Bucs

As the Bucs’ offseason program continues, it’s a key time for development both on the field and in the meeting room.

But there are some players in particular who stand to benefit from good efforts this offseason. While all players can make improvements during this period, there are some players for whom it’s an absolutely critical time.

Here are five players we think can make major improvements with a strong offseason:...

Bucs ink fourth-round pick William Gholston to rookie contract

The Bucs have moved a step closer to getting their entire six-man draft class under contract, signing fourth-round pick William Gholston to a four-year contract today.

Gholston, a defensive end from Michigan State, was the 126^th overall choice after recording 142 tackles, 13 passes defensed and 10 sacks and 30 tackles for losses in his career with the Spartans.

Gholston is expected to compete for a spot in the defensive-line rotation, with his versatility (he can play on either side of the line and has some potential as an interior pass rusher) being one of his key attributes....