WR Bryant Accepts Bucs Franchise Tag

Buccaneers WR Antonio Bryant has accepted the franchise tag recently given to him by the Bucs, ensuring he will remain in uniform at least one more season. Lamont Smith, his agent, confirmed it to The Tampa Tribune via text message late Thursday afternoon. Placing the tag on Bryant gave the Bucs a measure of protection against losing Bryant in the free agent market, but also required the Bucs to pay Bryant $9.8 million in 2009.