A Bunch Of Headlines That I Stole

Pewter Report was apparently the only media source to cover anything other than Jon Gruden's season-ending press conference because they have a shitload of information that no one else is reporting.

Michael Bennett would like to return to the Bucs.

"I definitely want to be here," said Bennett. "It's a great place. It's unfortunate that I had to catch it in the middle and not in the beginning. Hopefully if they want me around I will have a chance to be here early to get ready for everything."

Of course, most players who aren't total assholes say something like that at the end of the season, so who knows. Cadillac Williams will never be the same and Michael Pittman isn't getting any younger (note to Bucs: RE-SIGN PITTMAN!) I could easily see a 1-2 punch of Earnest Graham and Bennett in the backfield. Bennett made a couple small waves when he didn't get the ball as much as he thought he should, but he sounds like a good guy and he definitely has talent. He probably won't break the bank, either.

Anthony Becht, on the other hand, sounds like he's about ready to hit the road.

"Obviously there are a ton of decisions that need to be made and when it's my turn we'll see. I do believe the market is going to treat me well. I still have a lot of years left and I'm very healthy. I don't have a bruise on me right now. That's great. I'm working out a little earlier this year and where I wind up we'll have to see."

Becht goes on to say most of the standard cliches that you would expect about playing his role to the best of his abilities and liking the direction of the team. Jerramy Stevens (whose contract is also up) is a much bigger receiving threat but not as good a blocker (although better than you might expect.) Alex Smith is a decent hybrid and has shown some toughness this year... and a knack for dropping huge catches. I wouldn't be surprised if Becht is allowed to leave and Gruden goes after Ben Troupe from Tennessee. I know Dallas Clark is the marquee name, but his price tag is going to be huge and the Bucs need to spend that elsewhere.

Derrick Brooks is optimistic about 2008 and he thinks he needs to be a part of it.

"I expect to be here because I deserve to be here," said Brooks.

It's a pretty bold quote, but if anyone has the clout to get away with it, it's Brooks. And to be fair, he played better this year than I ever expected him to play. I guess 2006 was just a shit year for the defense all around. So, yeah, he should definitely be a part of 2008, but they need to keep resting him for certain plays and keep pressuring him with competition. Cato June is to be the weakside linebacker of the future, and it's going to become increasingly difficult to convince me that Brooks is the best guy for that particular job.

But, man, he did lay a couple killer hits this year.

Chris Simms talked at length about how his recovery is going.

"I'm doing good. A lot better and finally feeling like myself again," Simms said. "So I'm just excited for the new year to come and personally just glad that I'm feeling better and will be ready to go next year."

Simms didn't say a lot about if he thinks he'll be a Buccaneer in 2008. His trade value will go up if he's healthy, but he still won't fetch a lot. Assuming the team doesn't add anyone new into the quarterback mix, you have to give Simms a decent shot at winning the backup job. Luke McCown will definitely stick around and you could tell Gruden was disgusted with how Bruce Gradkowski performed in his only game of the year. Gradkowski may be the guy who gets traded on draft day to a team looking for some quarterback depth... kind of like the way the Bucs wound up with McCown. I'm betting that Simms stays at least through minicamps so the coaches can get a good feel for how healthy he is and if he can get the ball down the field.

Oh, and the title of that particular article is "Simms Opens Up About Injury", which is probably an unintentional pun.

They have a few other stories up from the end-of-season meetings including one about Paris Warren (he'll be back for OTAs), one about Jon Gruden's contract status (no one knows anything) and one about Cato June's injury (broken foot). But, you know, go to their site anyway and click one of their ads so they don't sue me or something.